A necklace of linked square sapphires with a drop of one huge pear-shaped stone rested on the black velvet lining with a matching bracelet and earrings. The gold links and bright blue jewels shone as if on display at Tiffany’s.
The next box, covered in green velvet, contained Mina’s emerald parure. The next … a diamond tiara. A ruby parure with two matching brooches. A necklace of amber beads and another of ebony disks had not fared as well. The beads were fine, but the stings had disintegrated. James kept unloading boxes, and she opened a rainbow of every jewel she knew and some she’d never heard of.
Mina clapped her hands. “It’s just like Christmas morning.”
“Except this is our wedding gift to Eleanor and James,” Deirdre said.
“Oh, we can’t accept—”
“You must. What are we going to do with them?”
“Your heirs …”
Deirdre shook her head sadly. “If the jewels will help defray the cost of your restoration and future preservation of our beloved home, we are well satisfied.”
“It’s time for us to go,” Narve said gently.
The four figures floated back toward the far wall and began to fade.
Eleanor jumped up, dumping the jewelry on the floor, and stepped forward. “Wait! Will we ever see you again?”
“No. You have mended the mistakes of the past and set yourself on the right path for the future. We are released and can move on to other activities,” Deirdre said. “This is good-bye.”
The gentlemen bowed, and Mina, with a sad smile and a tear in her eye, waved. They all faded into mist.
James stepped to Eleanor’s side and slipped his arm around her waist.
Suddenly Mina reappeared. “Of course, we will watch over all your children. But it would be sweet if you named at least two girls Mina and Deirdre. Oh, and invite your friend Kristen back soon. She and James’s architect friend are perfect—”
“Mina!” Deirdre’s disembodied voice crackled with electricity.
“Oops!” With a snap, Mina disappeared.
Eleanor turned into James’s embrace, her gentle tears falling unchecked.
“What did she mean by all your children and at least two girls?” he said.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Eleanor said with a sniff.
“There’s no way they can see into the future.” She smiled into his chest, hugging her secret to her heart just a little longer.
