***
It was mid afternoon when I arrived back in town, but instead of going home, I decided to do some shopping. There was nothing that I needed; Leo always secured what I required, but I did not want to sit idly by counting the hours until the Knowlton’s ball. I had checked out the riots claim, but other than some disgruntled and starving people, there was nothing that constituted panic. Yet, most of the farms crops were destroyed, and only those who had stores saved from the last harvest were making a profit. The prices of food had increased drastically. I was not shopping for food, though. I was not sure what I was looking for, until a sign on a window drew me to it. Something prompted me to go in, and as soon as I set foot inside the store, I was approached by an eager salesman.
“What may I help you with, young sir?” He was cheerful and determined to please. I slowly walked around the cases, and when I stopped in front of the rings he smiled knowingly. He opened a door in the case and brought out a tray of rings. They were fine, but nothing fancy. He lifted a plain gold band from the tray and held it up to the light coming in through the front window. I shook my head, and he returned it.
“It is a fine ring, but I am looking for something,” Guinevere’s face swam before me and I added, “blue.”
“Blue?” he asked cautiously, then silently regarded me. I held his gaze without wavering.
“I believe I may have what you are searching for,” he said after a long moment. He must have come to the conclusion that I was in earnest about purchasing something. He replaced the tray of rings and turned his back to me as he unlocked a strong box. When he came back, he was covering his hand like he was concealing something rare. He looked around before leaning toward me. He slowly opened his hand. Lying on his palm was a gold band with a mounted sapphire stone. It was lovely. Elegant, yet surprisingly subtle, much like Guinevere.
“The price?” I asked.
He quoted me a sum that staggered me, then added another blow saying, “But what is money compared to the happiness in the eyes of your love when she looks upon such beauty?”
That sealed the deal. It cost all the money that I had, and I did not know when I would be able to bank on the money that my mother received as payment for her ships, but in that moment, none of that mattered. The man placed the ring in a small, velvet bag, and I tucked it into my inner coat pocket. As I stepped outside the store, I wondered what possessed me to buy Guinevere a ring. She particularly told me that she did not want our engagement made known. Lost in thought, I turned the corner and ran straight into a broad chest. I stepped back hastily, apologizing.
“Martin? John Martin?”
My eyes slid shut for a moment. It could not be. I slowly looked up, and there standing before me was Andrew Madison.
Choking down my laughter at providence and my desire to throttle him, I smiled. “Madison. I had thought you ensconced in Virginia. How long have you been in town?”
Andrew motioned to his carriage that was on the busy street. “I have only this instant arrived.”
Andrew looked at the store behind me; then his eyebrows lifted.
“Were you on your way to the jewelers?” I asked since that was where he had looked.
Andrew’s face reddened as he looked anywhere but at me. “Might I have a moment of your time? There is something that I would like to discuss with you.” We walked together down the sidewalk. “You must have many questions about why I left the city in such a hurry.”
“No.”
That word drew Andrew to a halt. He had the grace to look shamefaced. “I regret the way I left Elizabeth. I should have gone to her and asked her about the rumors, but instead I ran. She deserves someone better than I.” Andrew looked at me like he was waiting for me to deny his words, but I would not. The man hurt my sister, and I would not make his way simple for him. I clasped my hands behind my back and continued walking down the street. “I behaved abominably.”
“You should have come to me. When we arranged for you to come to Philadelphia to meet Bess, you knew that she had a sizable fortune. How could you ever believe that she was after your fortune?”
Andrew hung his head. “When you approached me in Washington and told me about your sister, I thought her too good to be true, but then I met her and found the one woman who could complete my happiness.”
Why then did he believe Harvey? It was true that I had set up their meeting, not the abduction, but I had known Andrew for a few years and thought him the sort of man to capture Bess’s fancy. So in May, I had met with him and set their meeting in motion. Bess had to get away from the Phantoms. I thought I was providing her the perfect opportunity in Andrew.
“What do you mean to do?” I asked.
“If you will allow me, I would like to see your sister. To apologize.”
“You have heard of the new fortune.” It was an accusation.
Andrew looked away, his color reddening again. “Yes, but it makes no difference to me. I adore Elizabeth. I was only a day’s journey when I had to turn back. I knew I was leaving my heart behind. With your permission, I mean to marry her.”
I barely repressed my smile.
Andrew grinned, his green eyes shining with hope. “You can instruct me on how to proceed. If you believe your sister to be indifferent or if you know of another...”
“As far as I know there is no other. If she will have you, then I will welcome you into our family.”
Andrew stuck out his hand, and I shook it firmly. We turned and walked back toward the jewelers. We were about to reach Andrew’s carriage when a thought, too good to pass, slipped into my mind.
Keeping a normal tone to my voice, I asked, “May I give you a piece of advice about approaching my sister?”
Andrew eagerly agreed, and I felt a twinge of guilt for what I was about to do, but remembering Bess’s words to me about laughing in the face of a man who proposed with poetry, I could not help but prove her wrong. Furthermore, Andrew deserved it for hurting her.
“Study Shakespeare. A particulate sonnet. Sigh no more. It is her favorite.”
Andrew grinned as if I had handed him a treasure. “Thank you, John. You have given me a gift that I can never repay.”
I returned his smile. Oh, it was a gift all right, but not for Andrew. To see the confusion on Bess’s face when Andrew spouted poetry to her, and a particular poem that she despised, it was a gift to myself. But, more than that, Bess would have to know that to love a man, you must love all of him, including the eccentricities he does not even know he has.
“When shall you see Bess?” I asked as we stopped before the jeweler.
“Not immediately. I am awaiting a gift that I hope will relay to her how deeply I regret my actions. It should arrive within the week.”
As we parted ways, I was floating on a cloud of joy. I had Guinevere and Bess would have Andrew. Now, to find George, finish this mission, and leave the Phantoms behind for good.
Chapter 27
Phantoms In Philadelphia (Phantom Knights Book 1) Page 44
