He should have asked Rhys.
Or perhaps not.
Perhaps he should wait until it came to him. Surely it would come someday…
Most of the cupboards had been left open to prevent mould but a lone corner one was shut tight and he rattled its door before noticing a padlock that thwarted its opening. Maybe some of the absent tools had been locked in there for safe keeping.
It was all rather depressing, like visiting the empty house of a long since departed relative, and it all served to remind him that in so many ways, he just wasn’t the same man who had doubtless swaggered from this boathouse nigh sixteen months ago.
Would he ever sail again?
He dragged himself and his leg to a large desk which must have once been covered with plans or charts and he opened the upper drawer – naught but a ball of string.
The lower one held less still.
So he turned and headed for the door.
Then halted.
Glanced back over one shoulder…
The upper drawer had been shorter than the depth of the desk.
He slitted his eyes.
Years ago, at Eton lodgings, he’d constructed a false back to a drawer so that he and Rhys could hide a bottle of liquor from the housemaster, and he wondered…
Hobbling back, he pulled open the upper drawer once more and inspected the wooden back – certainly shorter than the desk, so he felt around until…
A peg at the top prevented the drawer from opening further and after pinching it out with his fingers, the drawer slid to reveal a narrow-lidded compartment.
He lifted the lid.
Frowned.
Stared at…
A length of lilac satin ribbon.
And beside it, a small circular box with red leather covering and what looked to be a receipt.
He propped both his cane and himself against the desk and reached out a hand. It lingered over the box, but then snatched up the ribbon, and he rubbed it betwixt his fingers before bringing it to his nose.
Its only scent was that of wood.
So, with a slow breath, he placed the ribbon to one side and lifted out the red box with its fine gilt banding.
Paused.
Pushed up the lid.
There, nestled within white silk, lay a gold ring set with garnet and pearl.
Elegant and exquisite. A ring for a woman.
Frowning, he grabbed the receipt, for the jeweller’s name stamped across the top was one he recognised, a quality artisan in Caernarfon.
And then he saw a signature at the bottom.
