Page 84 of The Miracle of Love
The woman smiled. “It is obvious.”
Although wassail was traditionally a Twelfth Night drink, it was not unheard of to have it at the start of yuletide celebrations as well. The drink was a particular favorite of his and held treasured memories from his childhood when his mother would set out the hot mulled cider and add her secret spices. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and he did not know what else, other than she would also put brandy or mead in it.
As boys, he and Rafe could not wait to drink it. Of course, they would wake with a blistering hangover the next morning because it was always a contest between them as to who could drink the most.
“I’m ready,” Grace said, her cheeks pink and her words a little breathless as she returned to his side.
The shop was not far from their residence and the carriage ride proved short. He had the driver wait for them even though the day was sunny and surprisingly warm. They could have walked the distance home, but he was already taking a risk merely having her out. A minimal risk, but he did not want their neighbors prying.
“Are you certain we ought to be doing this?” She spoke in a whisper, as though they were about to do something naughty.
“Quite, and you needn’t whisper,” he said, putting his hands around her waist to help her out of the carriage and across a patch of mud by the shop’s door. “I am going to spoil you, Grace. It is about time I did something nice for you.”
“In addition to saving my life? And being wonderful to me in every way? You needn’t, but thank you.”
The shop was more elegant than he expected, resembling the finer salons in London. Then again, the well-heeled set had followed the king to Brighton, so it should not have been all that surprising for merchants to follow as well.
While Grace browsed the various fabrics on display with one of the shop assistants, Deklan took the proprietress aside. “The finest for my wife and I need it ready by this afternoon.” He then placed an obscene amount of money in her hands and told her where to send the gown once it was finished.
“She’ll need matching accessories,” Mrs. Galbraith said, eyeing him shrewdly. But she must have seen something a little terrifying in his expression to understand he was not going to be an easy mark. “What you’ve given me should cover all of it. You have been most generous.”
“Just treat my wife well, that is all I ask.”
“Of course,” she said, now looking more closely at Grace and then back at him. “Captain Driscoll, she will need proper jewelry to complete her outfit. But she has delicate features, so I think you can get away with something small such as a string of pearls or a simple diamond necklace. Nothing elaborate. Just tasteful.” She gave him the name of a nearby jeweler.
He took Grace there next.
She held him back as they were about to enter. “Is this not too much?”
“No, Grace. It is not enough, if you wish me to be frank about it. Choose something lovely and do not stint on yourself or I shall be forced to choose for you. I can assure you, it will be something gaudy and crass since I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to buying jewelry for women.”
She laughed. “I do not believe that for a moment.”
He cast her a wry smile. “Well, I haven’t done it in a very long time.”
“I suppose you bought something nice for your Lady Genevieve.”
He sighed. “Yes, but it wasn’t the same thing at all. She expected gifts from her suitors, wanted diamonds mostly. It was all part of a courtship game, more of a competition than a courtship for me since I was not serious about her. It was not well done of me, but I stepped back when I realized she was not someone I could ever love. Come inside and let’s find something perfect for you.”
They ended up selecting a necklace with a pink diamond stone as its centerpiece to match the pale rose hue of the gown she would wear tonight. The necklace was not too big because Grace had a slender throat.
Nor was she very big herself, just nicely rounded in all the right places.
He turned to her as the jeweler was wrapping it up in a pretty box. “Just to be clear, the necklace is yours. Do not attempt to return it to me. I will not accept it back from you. All right?”
“All right. But I wish to be clear as well. If you change your mind, all you have to do is ask.”
“Put it out of your head, Grace. I am not doing that.”
“Your mother warned me you were stubborn.” But she was all smiles by the time they hopped in the carriage for their return home.
Yes, he did consider it their home.
He hoped Grace would in time as well.
To everyone’s surprise but his, the gown was delivered on time.
Mrs. Hyde assisted Grace in donning it and doing up her hair.
