“I do! Of course I do,” she assured him before pausing to explain, “It’s simply not ready yet. That’s all.”
“I’m a patient man.” And then he glanced at the velvet box.
Her lips twitched in amusement, and she found herself surprised she wasn’t feeling as exasperated as she had felt upon being interrupted from her morning stroll. There was no longer the sensation of having a frozen face, but now she was warm with peppermint tea and a new gift. It would be rude to be anything but grateful.
“Very well.” She took a quick sip of her tea before setting it down. Then she opened the box that was fairly flat but nearly the size of her head.
It was surprising to her that he would pick jewels, and even more so when she found the necklace inside. Isabel inhaled deeply. This was no ordinary necklace. An absolutely beautiful piece, one that wasn’t made of paste. She could see that right away. Nothing shined so bright as real diamonds and…
“You picked yellow?”
Seven large stones surrounded by countless diamonds. This is not something one simply walks into a store and finds with ease. But what a curious choice.
“Citrine. It wasn’t about the price,” he added and then wrinkled his nose. “That’s the color of the dress I first saw you in, and the one I married you in. I thought it might be… nice.”
Isabel’s breath caught as she listened to his hesitant explanation. No, it wasn’t just a simple necklace. He had deliberately made his selection for occasions that meant something to both of them. Were her hands shaking again? This husband of hers kept surprising her in ways she couldn’t understand. It made her nervous to even try.
“Thank you,” she stammered at last. “This is very lovely.”
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, of course! Perhaps I should put it on even now?” She smiled teasingly. “It’ll accent my pink dressing gown.”
There was a knock at the door before they could carry on, Wesley appearing with an uncomfortable expression. “Your Graces, there is a guest at the door with a delivery.”
“Is it not Christmas?” Sebastian asked. He glanced her way once more before heading to the door. “Who is it?”
“Mr. Thomas Ravenshaw.”
She jumped from her seat. “What? He’s back? Why?” Setting everything down, she hastened around the men to make her way over into the hall where her brother was holding a basket to his chest. “Thomas, what are you doing?”
Those gaunt eyes of his turned sharply back to her. “Happy Christmas, Isabel! I’m delivering you a gift, of course.”
Stopping half-way to him, she paused. A knot formed in her stomach. “I’m afraid I don’t have one for you.”
“Having you in my life again is the only gift that matters,” Thomas vowed before stepping forward. His eyes widened with eagerness. “I have just the thing for you.”
She glanced over her shoulder at Sebastian who stood in the doorway with that familiar impassive expression. But he didn’t stand in the way and he didn’t make any threats, which she appreciated. Then Isabel turned back to her brother with the intention to return whatever gift he offered.
“I suppose I can at least see… oh!” Isabel startled at the sight of a small white paw slip past a flap of the basket. “What on earth is that?”
“A cat, of course. She’s a perfect beauty for my beautiful sister,” Thomas added. It was a heavily layered and needlessly flower compliment, so she ignored that. As she gently reached into the basket, he carried on. “I know you always wanted one. And now you don’t live with Mother. Poor woman, sick as anything with cat hair. Can’t you have her here? Her name is Pearl on account of her coat.”
The cooing sounds slipped awfully naturally off her tongue as she cradled the little cat in her arms. It had short hair, all white, but it was softer than anything she had ever touched in all her life. She felt like she was holding a cloud.
“She is beautiful,” Isabel couldn’t help but agree. “Aren’t you, you beauty? Pearl, what a perfect name.”
“I knew you had to have her.”
“But…” She tried to remember her concerns. Her intended refusal of the gift. “Oh, Thomas, you shouldn’t have. I cannot possibly accept.”
Behind her came Sebastian. She felt his presence as he looked over her shoulder. “A cat like that you don’t find on the streets. Expensive?”
Thomas made a face. “I shouldn’t like to discuss money on a gift. Not when it’s Christmas.”
“I didn’t know you like cats,” Sebastian said quietly.
Shaking her head, Isabel gave a short chuckle. “I was mad for them when I was a child. Whenever we went out to the countryside, I’d steal away to the barn for the working cats. I would be covered in scratches and absolutely blissful. Mother made me wash in a bath outside so I wouldn’t irritate her nose and throat. But I haven’t wanted a cat in years. Not since I was a child.”
