Page 88 of The Hidden Heart

Everyone retired to the Great Hall, where the servants were given their gifts, and the gentlemen toasted the coming season from the wassail bowl, the ladies with wine.

“I think this is the best Christmas ever,” Rachel said, smiling at Richard and Jessica.

“Splendid,” her husband agreed, and his eyes rested on his wife’s face for a moment. Then he smiled and added, “A wonderful feast, and good friends and family.”

Richard slipped his hand through Jessica’s and tugged her away from the group by the fire. She followed him, looking questioning. He reached into his pocket, smiling down at her, as he said, “I have a gift for you.”

“Richard! But how—” She and Gabriela had knitted some simple gifts for the others during the past few days, but no one had been able to venture forth to the village.

He smiled, holding out his hand and opening it up to reveal a ring lying nestled in his palm. Jessica’s eyes widened. “Richard!”

“A betrothal ring,” he told her. “I thought of the one from the Cleybourne emeralds, but I did not think you would care for that. This sapphire, though, is beautiful and not quite as, shall we say, noticeable. It came to me from my mother, and from her mother before her.”

“It’s lovely. Perfect.” Jessica picked up the ring. It was set with a pure blue sapphire, surrounded by tiny diamonds, far smaller and less showy than the Cleybourne emerald that she had seen on Caroline’s hand in the portrait. He was right; she would not have wanted that ring, with all its memories of past tragedies. But this ring was beautiful and suited her far better. “Thank you.”

She held the ring out to him, and he took it and slid it onto her finger, then raised her hand to his lips. “I love you, Jessica. Until you came, I think I was only half-alive—if even that much.”

“And I love you.” The glowing face she turned up to him showed the truth of her statement.

They linked hands and looked back to where the others sat before the fire, Gabriela showing Rachel a book that Jessica had given her, and Michael quietly watching them. Jessica sighed. “I only wish that Rachel and Michael could be as happy as I am.”

“Well,” Richard pointed out, “you have changed my life. Perhaps now you can start on Rachel’s.”

Jessica smiled faintly. “No. I am afraid that happiness is something each person has to find for himself…or herself.”

“Well…” Richard leaned down and pulled her into his arms for a kiss. “I can only say I am glad that you found me.”

“That we found each other,” she corrected, and twined her arms around his neck for another kiss.

* * * * *