Merry Misrule - St. Clair, Ellie Page 0,21
trials that had come their way.
The daughter of a marquess typically did not invite a seamstress for a Christmas party. But Caroline didn’t see people by their station or profession. She saw them for who they truly were, and Joanna loved her for it.
And she would support Caroline in whatever she chose to do with her life.
Caroline squeezed her hands as she released her, before walking over to the wardrobe in the corner, opening the door and searching within, emerging with a small package.
“This is for you.”
She held it out to her, and Joanna smiled at her before opening it, trying not to allow herself too much excitement.
But she couldn’t help it. She did not receive many gifts, and she looked forward to Caroline’s gift to her every year — even when they had been apart.
“Oh, Caroline,” she said, as she lifted the necklace out of the paper it was wrapped in. “It’s beautiful.”
“I saw it and thought of you,” Caroline said, reaching for it and bringing the ends around Joanna’s neck before fastening the clasp. “Red is so beautiful on you.”
Joanna beamed at her as she walked over to the long oval mirror in the corner of Caroline’s room, admiring herself in the glass.
“Thank you, Caroline,” she said. “I’ve never had anything like it before. It’s too much, but I shall accept it all the same for it’s too beautiful to refuse.”
It truly was. It was a small ruby, inlaid into a gold square, laced onto a gold chain. She could hardly stop from touching it and looking at how it lay perfectly on her chest. She tore herself away to walk over to the bed, upon which she had laid the paper-wrapped package she had brought with her.
She picked it up and passed it to Caroline. “This is for you.”
“Oh, Joanna,” she said, “you didn’t have to.”
She always said that.
“I wanted to.”
“Well, thank you,” she said, before unwrapping the paper, allowing creamy fabric to fall out of it.
“It’s gorgeous,” Caroline breathed, allowing the fabric to float over her fingers. “Did you make this?”
“I did.”
Joanna could never afford to buy anything that would be worthy of a gift for Caroline, but she could create something for her instead.
“I can hardly wait to don it,” she said, before her eyes flickered up to Joanna with a gleam. “I actually have the perfect place to wear it.”
“Oh?”
“Joanna, I need to tell you something, but you must promise that you won’t say anything to anyone.”
Joanna hesitated, having an idea of what Caroline might want to tell her, unsure if she should make such a promise.
“Caro, I’m not sure—”
“Please, Joanna?”
“Of course.” She softened, unable to deny her request.
“Samuel gave me my Christmas gift last night.”
“Samuel?”
“Thatcher,” she said, her face dissolving into a smile. “Samuel is his given name.”
“Oh, that’s right,” she said, before offering an encouraging expression. “What did he give you?”
She walked back to the wardrobe, this time emerging with a small pouch. She fit two fingers inside, before slipping something onto her finger.
“Look,” she breathed.
It was a small, gold band, thin but beautiful in its own way. She looked up, meeting Caroline’s eager, hopeful grin.
“Did he…” Joanna began, not wanting to ask anything that might cause Caroline to become upset if he hadn’t, but needing to know.
“Yes!” Caroline squealed. “He asked me to marry him. The ring was his mother’s.”
“Oh, Caroline,” Joanna said, her voice infused with awe. “I’m so happy for you.”
She gave Caroline another hug, even as a bit of trepidation filled her — not at Caroline’s choice in life, for she knew better than anyone that happiness had many different forms, and it did not always include marrying the highest title or into the greatest wealth. No, what worried her was what Caroline’s family’s reaction would be, and what they might do when they learned of her plans. She could envision them crushing Caroline’s happiness, and she didn’t want to see it in action.
“Thank you, Jo,” Caroline said as she released her. “Now I have to ask you another favor.”
“Of course.”
“We haven’t yet planned exactly when or how we will be married, but we are aware that my family will likely not be thrilled with the idea.”
Joanna bit her lip. That was something of an understatement.
“We may decide to try to marry without their knowledge.”
“Oh, Caroline,” she said, “how would you do so?”
“I’m not sure yet,” Caroline replied. “But if I need any help… would you be there for me?”
“Absolutely,” Joanna said without resolve. “Anything you need.”
As they