Free Web NovelChapter 30: Gladden My Heart
SOPHIA
"Perhaps it’s from my husband," I murmured as I tore open the paper.
It would make sense that Jace might send me something from the Capital. Or would he? Since I didn’t know what kind of person he really was, I couldn’t be sure he was the type of spouse who bought his wife gifts.
Should I send him a return gift?
The box was black velvet. It wasn’t a big box, but it took both of my hands to hold it. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Before I could open it, there was a sharp knock on the front door. A moment later, the housekeeper appeared. "You have a visitor, Mrs. Willowmarch."
Still holding the box, I followed the housekeeper into the living room. A tall woman with features I recognized from looking at my own face in a mirror stood there. She was holding a small leather bag.
Gray strands glinted in her dark hair. She wore a tweed skirt with matching jacket and sensible brown shoes.
"Hello?"
Her gaze snapped to mine. "Sophia. Are you all right?"
"And you are?"
Her dark eyebrows slashed downward. "You truly lost your memory?"
"If I hadn’t, I might know your identity."
"Well, you certainly more sharp-tongued than I taught you to be. Do we need to go over the Three Obediances and Four Virtues of woman again?"
"I can remember those," I said. "But not you."
She sighed. "I’m your mother, Sophia. I don’t know why it took Jace so long to tell us about your condition. Of course, your father and brothers are in the Capital. They can’t leave. They have important work. I do, too. But I am your mother, after all."
"Are you?" I studied her. She was well groomed even if her clothing was somewhat dull. "I’m sorry, Mrs. Pagemoore. I simply don’t remember you."
She blinked at me, much like a startled owl. Her expression had more exasperation than concern. "You should speak more respectfully to your mother. I can only be away from the literacy center for a couple of days. Your father requested an Imperial Physician. He should be here tomorrow. If we can’t restore your memory, then at least I can ensure you will continue to serve well as Jace’s wife."
"Serve well?" I thought about what she said earlier. "You work? At the literacy center, I mean."
"I founded it. It’s my life’s work, yes. We are a family of scholars. Your father and two older brothers all work for the Imperial Court. We’re women, of course, so we must do our best to enlighten ourselves and help others. It’s our duties as wives and mothers."
"Do we like each other?" I asked. "It doesn’t seem that we share a close mother-daughter bond."
"You were fed, sheltered, clothed, and educated. You were also taught calligraphy, chess, music, and painting. I made sure you would were an outstanding woman with all the skills necessary to be a good wife." She blew out a breath. "I’m tired. The journey from the Capital is very long. I’ve traveled most of the day." She lifted the bag. "I would like to rest, please." freewēbnoveℓ.com
I gestured to the housekeeper waiting by the door. "Show my mother to a guest room. Make sure she’s comfortable and has all that she needs."
"Thank you," said my mother. "I’ll see you in the morning, Sophia."
I nodded, though I couldn’t bring myself to fake a smile. She seemed rather cold. Was that how my whole family was? And myself? Was I not a warm-hearted individual with kinder intentions?
I wondered what sort of person I had been. Perhaps that wasn’t as important as choosing the type of person I wanted to be now. Having a blank slate wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
After the housekeeper led my mother up the stairs, I realized I was clutching the box so hard my fingers were cramping.
I blew out a breath, steadied myself, and sat on the sofa.
I opened the box, and gasped.
In the center was a pair of unusual earrings. Purple gems dangled from silver strands. I plucked one from the box and looked it over.
The earrings had silver cuffs. Ah, I see. The cuff was placed midway up the ear and the earring itself pinned to the lobe.
I replaced the earring and picked up the elaborate necklace.
The first part was a silver band worn around the throat. Delicate threads of silver, as thin a spider’s web, connected to a larger silver chain that draped over the collarbone.
"How beautiful," I said.
Pain pulsed in my temple, and I nearly dropped the necklace. Images pushed into my mind. Like thorns pressing, pressing.
Until a memory burst.
"This is beautiful," I murmured. "Wait. Why am I the only one who got a wedding gift?"
Daisy tapped her lower lip. "I think he sent Mr. Willowmarch a watch."
"A watch as a wedding gift? Timepieces are considered bad luck. Did he want to curse his own cousin?"
"Maybe. I want to curse your husband all the time."
"Daisy."
"Daisy," I whispered.
I unclenched my fingers and returned the necklace to the box. My head ached, pain pulsing in the back of my skull.
"These are hair accessories." Daisy pulled out a long silver hair pin. It curled upward, the very end dotted with a purple gem. There were also two small combs shaped like the flowers embroidered on the gown. Daisy admired them in the candlelight. "How pretty," she said.
"Hair accessories?" But this box didn’t have any hair pins or jeweled combs.
Wait. Wait. Was this my jewelry? Why would someone send me my own jewelry? Had it been missing?
There was no one to ask. I supposed I could pen a letter to Jace, but ... I frowned. I returned to the kitchen. On the table was the discarded wrapping. I examined it thoroughly, but there was no note. Nothing written on the brown paper, either. Not even my name.
I sat down and studied the box some more. I removed the jewelry. Ran my fingers along the lid, the seams, the interior. It all seemed solid.
I didn’t know what to make of it. If this were from Jace why hadn’t he included a note? Why wouldn’t he put my name on the paper?
It was so odd.
Yet, I felt that his was my jewelry. It had brought forth a memory. And if at least one of memories had returned, then surely others would, too.
Right?
