“Here,” Adeline said. “I’ll take them.”
“Thank you.” In place of the pearls, cool metal touched her skin as the rubies were placed around her neck. As soon as he dropped his hands, she turned around. “How does it look?”
“I think they suit you.” Adeline pointed to a small gilded mirror hanging on the wall. “Look for yourself.”
“Oh, my, yes.” Georgie couldn’t believe the change the necklace made. She actually looked more mature. “I must buy some earrings to go with the set.”
Gavin came up behind her and kissed her cheek. “It’s part of a parure. I remembered the ring. My valet added the necklace. But neither of us thought about earrings.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She took his arm as they walked back to their friends. “I can wear the ones I have on. Thank you. I have never been given such a lovely present before.”
Frits gazed at her for a moment. “I’ve seen them before in a portrait at Rivercrest.” He glanced at her. “It’s one of the only paintings with a dark-haired lady in it.”
“I daresay, they have not been worn since that time,” Gavin added. “I had forgotten about all of her jewels but the ring. You may have them all if you wish. They are not entailed.”
Georgie was stunned. Naturally, she knew she would have use of the estate jewelry, but to receive a whole jewel box of gems was beyond generous. “I do not know what to say. How am I going to thank you?”
A slow smile dawned on his face. “We can talk about that later.”
Heat rose in her neck as she understood his meaning. “But that is not just for you.”
“Lord, I hope not.” The words came out as a low growl.
“Come along you two.” Adeline placed her fingers on her husband’s arm. “We must dine before we depart, and poor Creswell has been standing in the door trying not to interrupt.”
The butler bowed. “I and the staff wish you and his lordship happy.”
“Thank you, Creswell,” Gavin and Georgie said at the same time.
Then he looked at her and they both laughed. This was what she had wished for in a spouse. Someone to laugh with. To share laughter and a family.
He brought her fingers to his lips. “May we start telling everyone this evening?”
“We may.” She was more than ready to tell the whole world. “I wrote to my parents and had the letter sent off. It will surely arrive before any gossip can reach them.”
“I’ve written to my sister and my aunt as well.” He tucked her hand firmly in the crook of his arm.
As they made their way to the dining room, she thought about the one dark-haired lady. “By the way, who is the lady to whom the jewels belonged?”
“I am not exactly sure.” He glanced down at her. “It might take a bit of research to find her name. The only thing that is of aid to us is that the portraits are all in order from oldest to newest. That will give us some idea of when the marriage took place. On the newer paintings someone had the forethought to label them with their names and dates. I don’t know if she is one of those or not.”
“If she is not, we will find her and add her name to her portrait.” Georgie was determined to do what she could for her benefactress even if she had been dead for centuries.
Gavin’s mien took on a thoughtful expression. “Do you remember when Adeline and I were so sure that we were strictly descended from the Saxons?”
“I do.” Georgie smiled to herself knowing what was coming next.
“It might not be the case in my family.” He pulled out her chair at the dining table.
“We will not know until we discover who she is. Are all the portraits of Ladies Turley? Or are there ones of the wives of younger sons?”
“That is an excellent question. One to which I do not have an answer.” He took his own seat. “In fact, I don’t even remember what she was wearing.”
Georgie waited until Frits was seated. “Do you remember anything else about the dark-haired lady?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I only remember thinking that she stood out amid all the fair hair.”
“I can ask my steward to search for the information and send it to us,” Gavin offered.
