The Bachelor Earl - Darcy Burke Page 0,49
The father thanked Mrs. Margrave profusely for her generosity. The oldest child, a boy who was maybe ten, didn’t take a cake until his younger sisters had each had two. He kept his head down and made fleeting eye contact with Diana who smiled at him warmly.
As she and the Margraves made their exit, Diana thought about the people they’d visited and wondered if she and Simon could help them somehow. She had nothing—she couldn’t even buy Simon a gift. Would he want to help? There were so many things she didn’t know about her new husband. And yet she felt certain he possessed a kind and generous nature.
They arrived at their final destination, which was a particularly small abode so Diana volunteered to remain outside. Mrs. Margrave assured her they would only be a moment.
“Your Grace?”
Diana started at the small voice that came from behind her. She turned to see the boy from the last house. “Where did you come from?”
He ducked his head shyly. “I came to ask you something, if I may.”
“Of course.” She squatted down to his level. “How can I help?”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of jewelry—Diana caught a flash of gold. “I have this ring. It...belonged to my grandmother. I wondered if you might want to buy it from me. My father hasn’t worked in over a month, and this would help us have food.” His cheeks flushed brilliant red, and he couldn’t meet her eyes.
Diana’s heart clenched. She might not have any money, but Simon did, and he would certainly help. “You are a kind and brave lad. Let me see it.”
He opened his hand to reveal a gold ring with a brilliant sapphire.
“Oh, it’s beautiful,” she said. It seemed a very expensive piece for a family of their means, but how could she know their circumstances? “It belonged to your grandmother?”
He looked at her and nodded profusely. “It did, ma’am.”
“Are you certain your parents wish to part with it?”
He looked away again. “Yes, ma’am.”
Diana worried he was perhaps not telling the truth. What if his parents had no idea he’d taken it?
She took his hand and curled his fingers around the ring. “You keep this for now, all right? I will come around in a while to buy it from you. What is your name?” She would talk to Simon about what to do. At the very least, they needed to give the family whatever they might need. It broke her heart to see this boy resort to selling family heirlooms.
He nodded again. “Owen, ma’am. Thank you. I’ll be waiting for you outside.”
She wanted to tell him not to, for it was cold, but suspected he didn’t want his family to know what he was about. She felt rather certain his parents didn’t know he’d taken the ring. To feel so desperate... Diana had suffered many dark times in her past, but they didn’t compare to this.
The Margraves came from the house, and Owen dashed off.
Simon paced the common room of the inn, which was now festooned with enough greenery to resemble a forest. He was no closer to coming up with a replacement gift for Diana.
She came inside just then with Mrs. Margrave and her daughters. Garbed in a puce walking dress, her cheeks pink from being outside in the cold, she was absolutely ravishing and he was incapable of doing anything but stare.
Gliding toward him, her forehead creased. “Oh, Simon, you must help me.”
Worry clenched his gut, and he took her hand. “What’s happened?”
“Nothing to me, but I’ve met a family we must help. I hope you won’t mind. I have no money of my own.” She winced, and he stroked the back of her hand.
“My funds are now yours,” he said, smiling. “Tell me about this family.” He led her to the settee near the front window, and they sat down.
“They live around the corner. Mr. Brown has been ill for some time, and they don’t have enough to eat. Mrs. Margrave took them bread and cakes, and I suspect those will be the finest things on their table for Christmas.”
Simon frowned. “That’s a shame. Shall we take them supper?”
“Yes, please. I’d also like to give them money to help them while Mr. Brown continues his recovery.”
Simon leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. “You have the kindest heart. Of course we will help them.”
She smiled and curled her arms around his neck in a tight hug. “Thank you, Simon.”
He stroked her back