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“Oh yes, that is beautiful. And such a beautiful shade.” Lady Tremaine traced the tips of her fingers over the fabric. The dress was a delicate shade of periwinkle, trimmed with white lace along the neckline, sleeves, and hem. The hat was white with periwinkle flowers.
“I thought you’d like this one best,” Rebecca said as Rose came out of the bathroom.
“The lady’s bath is ready,” said Rose.
“Thank you, Rose. Please hang this up while I attend Lady Tremaine.” Rebecca handed her the dress, then turned her attention back to the lady.
“My lady, I almost forgot. Mrs. Bramble asked me to keep this safe for you, but not to give it to you. She said something about a witch’s curse, or maybe it was a pirate’s, I’m not sure. Either way, I thought it was best that you should have it. I didn’t feel right keeping it from you.” She held out a small satin box.
Lady Tremaine took the box from Rebecca’s hand knowing exactly what was inside. “Poor Mrs. Bramble. Was she really talking of curses? I feel just awful bringing her on this trip without realizing she wasn’t up to it,” said Lady Tremaine. She was terribly worried about her lady’s maid.
“Don’t worry, my lady. Her behavior is a bit concerning, but she is in good hands downstairs. I promise you,” said Rebecca.
“Thank you, Rebecca, I don’t know what I would do without you,” she said as she opened the box to reveal an oval green brooch in its antique gold setting. Her heart sank looking at the brooch her husband had given her. They had chosen it together in a little shop near Eaton Square. They had been taking a stroll in the park when her husband suggested an alternate path home and they came upon the funny little shop. It wasn’t the sort of place her husband would usually frequent, but he seemed to have a purpose in taking her there, like he had planned it from the beginning. She remembered it vividly as if it had just happened the other day and not over six years ago now.
“Did you plan this, dear? Have you been here before?” she had asked as they reached the shop doors.
“No, my dear, I’ve never seen this shop before, but let’s go inside,” he’d said with a cheeky look that was out of character for him. She thought he was playing with her, and she decided to go along with his little ruse, because she was sure he had some sort of surprise in mind.
When they walked into the shop, a brass bell rang overhead. It was a dim little place with a long glass case displaying the treasures within. She remembered her husband going right over to the case, not even noticing the proprietor had come out from behind a curtain. He was a happy sort of man, beaming with excitement to have customers, even if it seemed they had just interrupted his lunch. He was still holding his napkin, wiping his hands with it as he approached the display case.
“So sorry to come at your lunchtime,” said Lady Tremaine, smiling at the shopkeeper. “I am Lady Tremaine, and this is my husband, Lord Tremaine.”
“Welcome, my lady. We don’t get many lords and ladies in my little shop. It’s an honor. Are you looking for anything in particular?” he asked.
Just then her husband looked up from the case. “Good man, I’d like to see this brooch here!”
The shopkeeper rushed over to the case and took the tray with the brooch along with a number of other exquisite pieces. “My love, come here. Look at this brooch. What d
o you think?”
Lady Tremaine went over to the case. The brooch caught her eye immediately. “It’s a lovely brooch, my dear.”
Her husband looked up at her, meeting her eyes. “And it will look so handsome on you, my love. It’s beautiful and stately just like you.”
Lady Tremaine hadn’t seen her husband so excited in quite some time. He had been so tired and not himself that she had started to worry about his health, and she was cheered to see him in such fine spirits.
She took the brooch in her hands, almost mesmerized by its beauty and how it made her feel. She felt a tingling sensation move through her, which made her feel exhilarated, and powerful, and yet at the same time somehow very calm.
“And it has an interesting story,” said the shopkeeper. “I bought everything on this tray from a dealer who says he purchased the entire lot from a pirate, along with a book of fairy tales that is said to be written by witches.”
Lord Tremaine scoffed. “Poppycock!” he said, scandalizing his wife.
“What my husband meant to say was surely that’s just a story you tell to entice your customers, isn’t that right, darling?” asked Lady Tremaine.
Before her husband could answer, a little boy came bounding into the room. He was a bold creature, dark-haired with eyes that one could describe as sad for how large they were, but this child was a jolly little fellow, and quite brave.
“My father doesn’t tell lies, my lady! The dealer saw the pirate himself! He said the pirate wore a funny hat, and even sold him those gold boot buckles on that tray! And you wouldn’t believe what else he had—”
The shopkeeper stepped in.
“That’s enough, son. Go back upstairs. The lord and lady don’t have time to hear about pirates,” he said as he watched his son go through the curtain and upstairs in a huff, looking back every few steps to see if they would call him to rejoin the conversation.
“I’m sorry about that. He gets very excited. I’m happy he takes an interest, because one day this business will be his, and one day his son’s. It will be my legacy.”
Lord Tremaine sighed. “It’s a fine thing to have a son to leave your legacy to, and what a brave young lad he is to stand up for his father that way.” Then he laughed, adding, “Well, if you both say the dealer bought these items from a pirate, who am I to say he didn’t.” He saw Lady Tremaine was running her fingers across the brooch. “My darling, you do like the brooch, don’t you?” he asked.
She couldn’t help but feel that he had brought her here specifically to get this brooch. “I do like it, my husband,” she said, taking it in her hands. “I love it, in fact.”
