Page 71 of Duke with a Deception
“Thank you, my love. But you are hardly disgraceful.”
“You see the best in me, and I don’t deserve it.” He laid down her locket and reached for the diamond necklace. “Will you not try this as well?”
She was already wearing the tiara. She supposed it wouldn’t do any harm to try the necklace as well. The diamonds were so large. Surely the piece would be heavy and uncomfortable to wear, in addition to being far too dear.
But no, she found as he fastened the necklace at her nape. It wasn’t heavy at all. Rather, it was the ideal weight and length. King reached for a small, carved mirror the jeweler had laid out on the table for their use, along with the parure and its case. She inhaled swiftly at the sight of herself with the tiara and necklace, the diamonds glinting and lustrous.
“What do you think, angel?” he asked.
“It is lovely,” she admitted.
“Youare lovely,” he corrected tenderly. “The diamonds pale in comparison.”
“You are partial. You love me.”
“Yes,” he said, his expression turning seriously and intense. “I do. But yours is a rare beauty, both inside and out.”
A warm flush stole over her at his affirmation, her heart feeling as if it had grown thrice its size. He never failed to make her feel cherished and special, as if she were the only woman in the world who mattered to him.
“You shall make me turn into a watering pot,” she said past a lump of emotion that had presented itself in her throat.
“We cannot have that. You are meant to enjoy your surprise, not weep over it.”
Lightly, she trailed her fingers over the delicate work of the gold and diamonds at her throat. “You cannot mean to buy me this entire set.”
He grinned. “Watch me, my love.”
He cleared his throat, and Mr. Goodner emerged from the back room as if on cue. “What does Her Grace think of the parure?” the jeweler asked with a hopeful air.
“It is truly beautiful,” she said, unable to keep the admiration from her voice.
The pieces were indeed unique and carefully designed. But she wasn’t accustomed to such lavish jewelry. She most certainly didn’t expect it. If, however, King truly was intent upon gifting her with it, disappointing him would prove difficult indeed.
“Does she not look as if the necklace and tiara were made for her?” King asked. “We shall be happy to buy the parure. And, naturally, anything else that interests Her Grace as well. Particularly sapphires to match her eyes.”
“Very good, Your Grace.” Mr. Goodner bowed, looking well pleased. “I believe I may have a sapphire piece that would be of interest.”
The jeweler moved to a case and unlocked it, drawing forth more of his wares for her examination. Verity shot a pointed look in King’s direction, for she didn’t wish to gainsay her husband before Mr. Goodner. But good heavens, the entire diamond setandsapphires as well?
It would be far more than a king’s ransom.
But King just flashed her his devil-may-care grin. “You’re worth any price, angel.”
CHAPTER 13
“How was your meeting with the sponsors of the Children’s Foundling Hospital this afternoon?” King asked as they dined on yet another sumptuous feast prepared byMonsieurBarreau.
True to King’s word, not another fish course had been served in the entirety of the month they had been wed. She wasn’t certain how much longer the poor chef could refrain from preparing a salmon, but Verity appreciated the effort thus far.
“It was quite productive,” she said, frowning as she thought about the immense expenses awaiting them as they struggled to rebuild the orphanage. “However, I begin to despair that we shall ever raise the funds required for the new building any time soon.”
“You did tell them that we shall be pleased to provide whatever is required for the music room at the new building, I trust?” he asked.
“Yes, and they are quite thrilled at the notion. But there is no telling when they shall have enough to finish the process of rebuilding.” She shook her head. “Without a properly constructed edifice, there cannot be a music room at all.”
“We could certainly afford to offer more, angel.”
It wasn’t the first time he had said as much, and Verity was grateful for his generosity. But the cost was tremendous, and she had no wish for her cause to become a burden for him to shoulder. He had already been strikingly munificent.
