Page 140 of Ironvine

“All these realities would eventually wear down our bond, and we both knew it. No matter how hard we denied it, we both knew that when he married, things would change. The necklace was his pledge, his hope against any disappointments, bitterness, doubts, rancour—all things we both abhorred and had never experienced with each other.”

She touched the box. “But for Lady Caroline, this necklace was a true token of love and family to be cherished generation after generation. For me, however, it was but a glittering hope and perhaps, a hubristic declaration.” She clasped her hands together. “No matter, Hugh’s untimely death blasted all that away.”

“If only he hadn’t–”

She raised her hand. “But he did. And pearls and diamonds and rubies will not bring him back. They can lay beautifully about my neck, but they cannot embrace me the way he did, make me laugh, understand me, share with me, fill me. These precious stones are no substitute for the man, they are but a memento of a moment in time. Yet now they only signify aching loss and broken dreams, foolish hopes, and all that shall never be.

“When you told me that he’d purchased this necklace from the man he’d later duelled with over that woman. I wondered had he not bought the necklace from Mr. Treharne, his acquaintance with the lady may not have been rekindled, and then she and Hugh might not have gotten involved. Might he still be alive?”

“Madness lies there, Your Grace.”

“Yes, Georgina, yes, and now that is what courses through me when I behold these jewels. Only that madness, which creates a wave of bitterness inside me.” She took in a breath of air and steadied her shoulders. “This necklace was not Hugh’s to give, mine to keep, nor was it Treharne’s to sell.” She took in a deep breath. “This necklace was created by a good and loyal husband for his beloved and should be restored to its rightful heirs and its rightful home. There lies its truth, its true and incandescent promise.”

Georgina took the Duchess’s hands in hers. “I am deeply moved by your decision and your frankness. I thank you.”

“I thank you, Georgina. With your locket, you have given me a finer token of my lost love. It is a true gift of the heart from a true friend. I have not had that, ever from another woman, and I am most grateful that you dared to take the chance to inform me of the truth. You are brave.”

“You are brave for accepting it so.”

She grinned. “I might have been the type of woman who didn’t give a damn. Or worse, would have demanded a high price from you in return and not necessarily money.”

“I was sure of the kind of heart you have, and I now know it better still.” Georgina slid her arm through the Duchess’s and they walked through the gardens.

“I have never had a friend quite like you. I am able to speak with you frankly, and you accept me as I am. You do not dissemble, hoping to say only the right thing, the thing you think I want to hear to impress me, to humour me. And you are sincere in your care. I would ask a favour of you.”

“A favour? Of me?”

“Paint my portrait.”

“Me?”

“You.”

“Your Grace, your family has been painted by Reynolds, by Gainsborough, why would you—”

“My portrait is my choice to make, and I choose you. I have taken overly long in deciding upon a painter for my portrait. Now I know why–my instincts have led me to you. I would like a lady to paint me, and most of all my particular friend, Lady Georgina, Countess of Ryvves. For that, I am grateful to Hugh, for bringing us together.”

“Yes, I hadn’t thought of that.” Georgina met her smile with her own.

“You painting this picture would have great significance for me and insure the finest, truest result that I and my husband will be pleased with. Every time I shall look upon it and am reminded of our time together, see your signature at the edge of the canvas, I shall be filled with true joy, true pleasure. And that is priceless to me.”

“This is an honour I dared not dream of.”

“Ah no, my love. You must always dream, always dare. You did so in securing the wolf necklace, did you not? For others you do so much, but you must also learn to do for yourself.” She stopped and studied her. “Perhaps you feel you are not ready for such an enterprise? I wish to challenge you, not burden you.”

“I admit, I do not feel ready for such a great work.”

Smiling, she slid her arm through Georgina’s and they continued their stroll. “I have a proposition for you then.”

Georgina’s eyes widened, remembering the Duke’s offer. “What kind of proposition?”

“I would like to introduce you to an artist friend who will be visiting us from France. I’d mentioned him to you before, I think. I shall be introducing him at court shortly.”

“Ah yes.”

“You may have heard of him. Le Verne?”

Georgina let out a gasp. “Le Verne? Le Verne is coming to England under your patronage?”

---