The Bachelor Earl - Darcy Burke Page 0,50

and would have continued the embrace had they not been in the common room of an inn. Instead, he pulled back with great reluctance.

They sought the Margraves’ help in assembling a supper for the family, which had included a visit to some of the market stalls. Simon had joked that it was their walk to see the spires of Oxford University, which were of course visible just about anywhere in town.

Carrying the food they’d gathered, they made their way toward the family’s home.

“Thank you for doing this,” Diana said. “I felt so bad for this family’s plight. They have three children. The oldest is a boy—Owen—who can’t be more than ten. He tried to sell me his grandmother’s sapphire ring, but I’m certain his parents didn’t even know he’d taken it. The poor dear.”

Simon’s ears pricked at the word sapphire, and his mind worked through what she said. “A sapphire ring?”

She nodded. “It looked quite valuable. I hope you don’t mind, but I don’t want to buy it from him. They should keep their family heirloom.”

They approached a series of houses, and a small boy loitered near the end of them.

“There he is,” Diana said.

They went to the boy, and Diana introduced them. “Owen, this is my husband, the Duke of Romsey.”

Owen bowed and did not raise his eyes.

Simon tried to give the boy a warm smile of encouragement, but it was difficult since the lad wouldn’t look up. So Simon sank down. “Owen, I understand you have a ring to sell me.”

Diana nudged him with her leg, but he didn’t turn his head to her.

“I do, Your Grace.” He put his hand in his pocket and withdrew the ring that had been meant for Diana—Simon recognized the sapphire and puzzled the pieces together.

“Is your uncle a jeweler?” Simon asked softly.

The boy’s gaze lifted then, and there was surprise as well as a bit of fear. “Yes.”

Simon nodded. “Well, I would be delighted to buy your ring. How much do you want?”

Owen chewed his lip then gave Simon a dubious look. “Two pounds?”

“That is far too little for such a valuable piece. Here, take this.” Simon reached into his pocket and pulled out a good deal more than the boy had asked for. Simon picked up the ring and held it between his thumb and forefinger. “Are you certain you can part with this?”

“I am, Your Grace.”

“Very well.” Simon put the money into the boy’s hand and rose.

Owen’s eyes widened with wonder and his cheeks turned bright pink. “Thank you. God bless you, Your Grace.” He bowed to Diana. “And you, Your Grace.”

“We have this for you, too.” Diana handed him her packages, and Simon handed him what he’d been carrying. “It’s Christmas Eve supper. Or Christmas Day.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.” Owen blinked rapidly.

Diana smiled at him. “Take care, Owen.”

Simon clutched the ring in his hand, and put his arm around Diana as they watched the boy run to his door and disappear inside.

“That was very generous of you,” she said softly. “But you shouldn’t have taken the ring. It belongs to their family.”

He turned to face her. “No, it belongs to you. I commissioned it from his uncle who lost it this morning.”

Diana’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened. She lifted her hand to her lips. “Owen stole it? He seemed like such a sweet boy.”

“I’m sure he is,” Simon said. “The ring fell from the jeweler’s pocket. I suspect Owen found it and saw an opportunity to provide for his family. I must say, I can’t fault him for that.”

“Still, he should have returned it to his uncle.”

“Yes, but all’s well that end’s well. Isn’t that how the saying goes?”

She nodded. “Shakespeare.”

“Your Grace?”

Simon turned, along with Diana, toward the voice. It was the jeweler. “Mr. Abernathy, allow me to present my wife, the Duchess of Romsey. Diana, this is the man who made your ring.” He held it out to Abernathy, who gasped in surprise. “Would you believe I found the ring just here a moment ago?”

“It’s a Christmas miracle!” Abernathy crowed in delight.

“It is indeed,” Simon said.

The jeweler turned to Diana. “I hope you like it, Your Grace.”

“It’s beautiful. Thank you very much. Are you on your way home?”

Abernathy blushed. “I’m going to my sister’s house.”

Simon reached into his pocket. “Now that I’ve found the ring, I must compensate you for it, Mr. Abernathy.”

Holding up his hand, Abernathy shook his head. “You already have, sir.”

“Nonsense. That was just a deposit.

“Let the difference be my gift to you,