Lady Kendra reached to take the locket from Amy. “Oh, look how pretty it is, Colin.” She held it up to her bodice, turning to model it for her brother.
With seeming reluctance, Lord Greystone swung his gaze toward his sister. “I’m not sure I care for it.”
“Notice the fine engraving, my lord,” Papa rushed to put in. “Truly first quality.”
Lord Greystone ignored him and looked back to Amy. When his eyes narrowed, Amy found herself studying him in return. Classic symmetrical features: a long, straight nose, sculpted planes, a slight dimple in his chin. His complexion appeared more golden than was the fashion.
Marry come up, he was beautiful.
When he finally spoke, his voice, smooth and deep, sent an odd shiver down her spine. “Have you a locket with…amethysts?”
Amethysts…
She opened her mouth to answer, but the words refused to come out.
“I’m sorry, my lord, we don’t,” Papa said. “But emeralds would suit the lady—”
“Yes,” Amy interrupted, finally finding her voice. “Yes, we do have amethysts! If you’ll but wait one moment.” She reached to grab the key ring off her father’s belt, then turned and bolted for the workshop.
“What are you in such a rush for?” Robert asked as she jammed the key into the first padlock on their iron safe chest.
“Customers are waiting.” Having removed the second padlock, she knelt on the floor and began working the twelve bolts in their complicated sequence.
Robert wandered over, wiping blunt hands on his apron, leaving streaks of abrasive gray slurry. “What customers?”
“A gentleman and his sister,” she said as the last bolt slid into place, allowing her to access the final lock. She opened it with the largest key, then lifted the lid and rummaged inside.
Luckily, the locket she was after was there in the top tray. “Ah, here it is.” Just seeing the piece, the shimmering gold, the sparkling gems, made her smile.
She rose and headed back to the showroom, Robert at her heels. He lounged against the archway and fixed Lord Greystone with a distrustful blue stare.
Well, she would just ignore him.
“I found it,” she announced, handing the locket to Lord Greystone. She watched for his reaction even as she plunked the key ring into her father’s outstretched palm.
Lord Greystone blinked at the piece in his hand. “Beautiful. It’s truly beautiful.”
Amy’s heart swelled. “It does have amethysts, my lord, and diamonds, too.”
“I can see that,” he said, staring at the locket. “It’s splendid.”
“Splendid doesn’t do it justice!” Lady Kendra’s eyes had gone wide and round.
The piece had taken Amy weeks to make, so many hours she could still see it with her eyes closed. On top, a cutwork pattern of diamond-set leaves surrounded an amethyst flower. The lozenge-shaped locket dangled beneath, encrusted with amethysts and diamonds, its lid enameled with delicate violets. Swinging from the bottom, a large baroque pearl gleamed.
Lord Greystone finally looked to her father. “It’s remarkable.”
“I made it.” Amy felt a flush blossom on her cheeks.
Lady Kendra’s mouth dropped open in surprise. Lord Greystone’s startled gaze swung to Amy, over to her father, who nodded proudly, then back to Amy. “I don’t believe it. You’re—”
“A girl?” She heard the challenge in her own voice.
His grin was a bit sheepish. “However did you learn to make something like this?”
Her father cleared his throat. “We hadn’t much to do during the Commonwealth, my lord. I expect you were abroad?”
Lord Greystone nodded.
“Well, jewelry was much frowned upon, other than some mourning pieces. I had time aplenty to train Amy in the arts of goldsmithing.” Amy’s father placed a possessive hand on her shoulder. “She’s a natural—even did the enameling herself.”
“I must—I mean, Kendra—must have it.”
Papa shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s not for sale. It’s Amy’s own keepsake.”
“Of course it’s for sale, Papa.” Amy regarded Lord Greystone with a speculative gaze. “But it’s very expensive.”
“I’d expect so. We’ll take it.”
Lady Kendra turned to him, a frown creasing the area between her light green eyes. “Are you sure, Colin?”
He looked down at his sister. “Don’t you like it?”
“It’s lovely, but…”
“I said I would buy whatever you chose for your birthday. I want you to have it.” He fished a pouch of coins from his surcoat and handed it to Amy. “Here. Take whatever’s fair. Include a chain; I want her to wear it now.”
Shocked that he would leave the price up to her, Amy fumbled with the pouch. She drew out a few coins, then a few more. The materials had been costly, and the piece had taken a lot of her time—she didn’t want to take advantage of Lord Greystone, but she wouldn’t short herself, either.
“Papa?” Closing the pouch, Amy showed her father the gold she’d taken.
Papa nodded. “That’s fine, Amy.” He pocketed the coins and placed a gold chain on the counter.
As she returned the pouch to Lord Greystone, he handed her the locket. His fingers brushed her hand, and another brief, warm shiver rippled through her. She hoped no one noticed the way her breath caught.
Robert sullenly pulled a cloth from his apron pocket and moved from the archway to stand beside her. He polished the glass case as she threaded the chain through the bale on the locket, then held it up for Lady Kendra to see.
“Ooh,” Lady Kendra breathed. “Will you put it on me?”
She turned, and Lord Greystone lifted her hair so Amy could fasten the clasp.
Lady Kendra faced Amy and touched the locket reverently. “Thank you so very much. I’ll treasure it always.”
“Thank who?” her brother prompted with a smile.
“Thank you, Colin,” she said and turned to embrace him.
Amy bit her lip, feeling a twinge of envy. She envied the girl’s shiny red curls and exquisite, fashionable gown, but most of all, she envied the way Lady Kendra was hugging Lord Greystone. She glanced down at the counter, lest
