Releasing Yesterday Read online

  She could only shake her head, a silent vow to remain as she was if it would give him any peace and joy.

  He oddly smiled, and though it seemed he wished to say something more, the arrival of Amy with a tray of coffee and sandwiches prevented further conversation. Sara fanned her face with her kerchief. His assurance alleviated the greater portion of her fears, but she knew the greatest test would be the moment she stepped from the coach to their measuring gazes. She met and returned Christopher's smile while offering a heartfelt prayer for wisdom and serenity when the time came.

  ~**~

  Sara did her best to occupy her mind with new sketch ideas, embroidery patterns, and dress designs as the train continued toward the City's Central Station. But it wasn't until she began doodling a wishful desire of her wedding that all sense of time melted away.

  The train blasted a warning cry, jolting Sara from her blissful retreat to the harsh reality awaiting her. When she glanced toward Christopher, his hazel eyes clearly confessed his concern at her reaction. She tried to force a smile while offering up a simple prayer, Please, Lord, do no' allow me to humiliate this dear man! Nothing else seemed to matter.

  Christopher rested a hand on her shoulder as he turned toward Amy. The weight and warmth settled over her as a calming blanket on a winter's morning. "Amy, will you be certain the final bits of luggage make it to the house?"

  Amy accepted Sara's valise with a nod. "Of course, Mister Christopher. Will you and your folks be taking lunch in town?"

  "That, or they will drag us home with them. In either case, I will likely not arrive until this evening. In any event, I will send a runner."

  "Yes, sir! I'll be off then." She sent Sara a bright smile before shutting the door to their first-class cabin and hurrying away.

  Sara's wide gaze focused on the bustling throng jostling throughout the gargantuan station, and she crossed herself. The velvet tones of Christopher's chuckle drew her back. "I am afraid, Christopher," she whispered, the ease of the confession shocking her. "Why have I no' been able to put this aside?"

  "Because you've nothing better to expect; well, I mean, from your experiences. Remember how long a time it took for you to feel a part of the Gallery family? Or how long before I convinced you of my feelings? Although, I suppose that was mostly due to not believing them myself."

  Sara felt the tension melt with her smile. "Dear Christopher." She slipped her hand into his.

  His lips caressed her fingers. "Wear that expression and they will be lost against you."

  She laughed and followed him from the cabin to the exit of the coach, relishing the strength of his hand surrounding hers. It bolstered her own wavering determination--or desperation--to impress.

  "Sara, there is nothing to concern yourself with. They will love you, as I do, and you will find yourself immediately adopted into the fold. Mother will likely cry over you, in all honesty."

  "Oh! But why?"

  "Because, my dear, that is the nature of mothers. Don't you remember that from your own childhood?"

  But it seemed such a lifetime ago....

  Christopher guided her step from the coach, his gentle hold of her hands firming as their gazes met and held. "I will carry the conversation, Sara. All you must do is smile and charm--your natural state." Her cheeks flushed, but her eyes didn't stray from his. "Remember the parties and luncheons? You are a social marvel, Sara. Trust yourself."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Good girl." He brushed a kiss across her cheek and pressed her hands. "Now, take a deep breath. Another. Smile. Again." She laughed. "There she is." He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. "Let's say 'hello', for here they come," and the caress of his smile in gaze and countenance steadied her nerves as he stepped aside to reveal the approach of an older version of him and his sister.

  Sara swallowed her apprehension, allowing a slow blink as she willed the emotion away on the wing of another simple prayer for peace. Then she intercepted Christopher’s encouraging glance and offered him a genuine, albeit modest, smile.

  Andrew Ronald Lake carried the same air of attractive European drama and coloring as his children, with the same broad and white smile which charmed Sara to immediate affection. When in combination with the mischievous twinkle in his dark brown eyes and the hearty laugh that followed his gentle and warm clasp of her hand, Sara fell in love. Athletic in build like Christopher, though a bit portly about the middle, his hair was as dark and curly as his son’s. A collection of gray at the temples was all that hinted at his more than sixty years of age.

  “My word, Chris. She’s a lovely thing, isn’t she?” the elder Mr. Lake said.

  Sara's gaze dropped, her heart beating painfully in her chest at Christopher's somewhat gruff, “Yes, Father.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Sara kept her fingers tightly clasped within the nook of Christopher's arm to prevent a tell-tale tremble.

  “None of that,” Mr. Lake chided, followed immediately by another hearty laugh as he gave her clasped hand a firm yet gentle squeeze. “Call me Andy. I’m not on my death bed yet that I have to be called ‘sir’ every blessed minute of the day.”

  “Oh no, Mr. Lake. I could no’ do such a thing!”

  “Couldn’t what? Call me my Christian name?”

  “Please, sir. Might I only call you ‘Mr. Lake’ instead? I do no' mean disrespect.”

  Mr. Lake regarded her for a brief but intense moment, casting an aside glance toward his son and wife before capitulating. “Of course, my dear girl. I rather like the sound of that anyway." He shifted those laughing brown eyes to his wife. “What do you say, Merry? Don’t the English have a charming way of speaking a title?”

  Meredith Elizabeth Lake smiled in agreement as she stepped forward, her brunette beauty not at all minimized by her slight heft in build. “You dear, sweet girl,” she greeted, eyes sparkling with her smile as she gathered Sara into her arms. Sara melted into the motherly embrace. “You dear child. Such an adventure you’ve had, I must say.”

  Sara could only wordlessly nod.

  Merry pulled back, hazel-green eyes focusing on Sara’s tear-filled blue ones. Then she smiled in that motherly way so familiar and brushed the tears from Sara’s cheeks. “Well, all I can say is ‘good for you’. It isn’t an easy thing to leave behind one home for another, and you’ve been very brave." Then Merry kissed each of Sara’s cheeks and gathered her again into her arms. “Welcome, dear. Welcome and blessings.”

  Mr. Lake nudged his son and gave him a wink. Christopher looked again to his mother and Sara’s embrace, his smile softening.

  ~**~

  Christopher stood outside Sara's room for a long moment, eyes closed and hands fisted at his sides. He prayed for wisdom. For patience and strength. He cleared his throat, gave his suit coat a tug, and then knocked on the door. "Sara. It's Christopher. Are you ready? May I come in?"

  Sara opened the door, her expression bright as she smiled up at him. His heart lurched into his throat. "Yes, I am ready just now," she said, breathless.

  He offered his arm, which she accepted, and guided her through the house and to the carriage out front. Christopher reveled in the sparkle of her eyes. "Are you excited?" Today the pair journeyed to the jewelers for the selection of her engagement ring.

  "I do no' know quite what to make of the expectation. I catch myself believing I still lay abed." Her cheeks flushed with the admittance.

  "Shall I pinch you?" Sara giggled and shook her head. He gave her hand a gentle pressure before steadying her as she boarded the carriage. The carriage lurched forward. "Carla and I found this place on one of our many walks around town. Finding this boutique is likely what prompted me to propose. I seem to drag my feet otherwise."

  Sara smiled up at him. "I did no' mind."

  "You don't mind much of anything." He fought back the temptation to tuck a stray tendril of hair behind her ear. "Are you certain you don't mind using the same jeweler I employed for Carla?"

  "Is it no' a traditio
n you would like to have for your family?"

  "Well, yes, but even still I suppose I can understand if you would rather have a jeweler of your own."

  She pressed her hand upon his. "No' at all, Christopher."

  "Well, good, that's fine then, and a relief, truth be told. I have no idea how to research a jeweler." Sara laughed, and he almost could not contain the relief at the genuine sound. "I am glad you and my parents get along well," he whispered, pressing her knuckles to his lips as his gaze held hers.

  The smile softened, but it did not waver. "I did no' mean to worry you."

  "I know, Sweet Sara, but I seem to be a bit of a worry wart when it comes to you and your daily challenges. Of course, Teddy and my father would say I am a worry wart when it comes to anything and everything outside of what I consider to be the normal way of things. Things should be 'just so', in my opinion, and when they stray I apparently look perplexed and do my utmost to get them back on track."

  Sara actually snickered. "You are no' as bad as all that. You prefer things to be as you expect, but not so horrible as they say. I rather like the feeling of being cared for, having done so myself for such a long time as to be done with the lot of it all."

  His eyes traced her profile as she continued speaking. "It must have been tiresome, all the bills and responsibilities. Even I have days I wish I could throw it all into the wind and traipse along the pathways of life visiting each museum with no obligations to any one person."

  "That sounds lovely," she whispered, eyes round, rose lips parted, and a hand covering her heart.

  He laughed. "Only to you, my dear, our resident adventuress who threw caution to the wind and ventured to a strange land for a whisper of a promise."

  Her cheeks flamed and she fanned her face with her hand. "Christopher, you make me sound some type of brave soul."

  "You are a brave soul." He kissed her cheek. "I don't understand how you can believe otherwise, especially not after these past several months surviving the idiosyncrasies of my family and friends."

  Laughing, she brushed his cheek with the tips of her fingers. "They have always been a blessing, Christopher. My own private source of joy."

  He kissed her palm. "I am glad of that."

  The carriage rumbled to a halt, disengaging rising passions and jostling the two separate. They shared a quick glance as Patrick opened the door and pulled out the step. Christopher steadied her descent and then tucked her hand around his arm, enjoying the sight of the late morning sunshine on her brunette waves and the rose flush of her cheeks.

  "We shouldn't be too long, Patrick, so feel free to drive around the block should someone announce their displeasure of your positioning."

  Patrick tipped his cap and then clambered back aboard.

  Christopher led Sara inside the quaint jewelry boutique located beneath an apartment flat, their entrance announced by a delicate chime hung upon the door. Memories whispered in his mind in each corner of the place, and his soul didn't ache with their contents. What a relief! He smiled down at Sara, noting how her smile waned as she watched his profile. The moment he smiled at her, however, the worry vanished and her smile danced in her eyes.

  He motioned to the nearly half-dozen glass and brass displays set-up on three of the boutique walls. Two longer displays stood in the center of the small establishment, serving almost as a guiding walk way to the main counter. "What do you think of the place? Charming, isn't it?"

  "So lovely," she whispered. Of course, she likely felt so awed by the lovelies displayed within the glass cases that she didn't take much notice of her surroundings. Carla had reacted in a similar fashion.

  Chuckling, Christopher urged her forward with a hand to her back, her warmth tingling the skin of his fingertips. "Let us have a word with John and see what he can find for us, shall we? Do you wish something simple, or a trifle ... flamboyant, I suppose? Nothing too drastic, of course. Something for attention. You flush a lovely shade of rose when people are attentive of you." He winked at her, but she blinked up at him.

  "What does choosing a ring entail?"

  Christopher caressed her under the chin. "It is quite simple, I assure you. In fact, I am quite certain John will have a few ideas to help you make a decision. He is gifted in that regard."

  "Did he help you find your Carla's ring?"

  "Why yes, he did indeed." Christopher retrieved the rings from the chain now relegated to his vest pocket, and deposited it into Sara's hand. She stared down at them in surprise. "Why don't you keep this safe for me for the time being? I am quite certain she would have wanted you to have them, regardless. To keep them safe until it is time to bequeath them to Gwyn."

  "Oh Christopher." Her sapphire gaze gleamed with unshed tears as she smiled up at him. "Thank you for entrusting me this special gift."

  He pressed a kiss upon her forehead.

  "Why, if it isn't Mr. Christopher Lake," called an older man. In his sixties, his peppered hair tickled his ears and his neck around his high collar, enhancing the bright silver eyes and dark complexion. Carla once commented he had a pleasant face complimenting a happy tone in his voice and the constant smile in his eyes.

  "Hello, John. We're seeking an engagement ring. Anything special come to mind?"

  One side of the man's lips tilted upward as his gaze shifted to Sara. "Congratulations, Miss... ?"

  "Sara Little." She bobbed a curtsy before she could think to take his proffered hand. Her cheeks flushed, lashes caressing her cheeks as she cast Christopher a glance and accepted John's gentle grip. Christopher winked at her. When John's hold continued upon hers, her cheeks paled a bit and she leaned back. "Sir?"

  "Lovely," John murmured, turning her hand over and then again while his fingers explored the intricacies of Sara's motions and bone structure. Then he gave a simple nod, releasing her hand to move toward a glass and gold display on their left. He returned a few moments later with a black velvet ring-display. "These are an assortment of my favorites. A bit more romantic than my others. Softer, more delicate. Sophisticated, some. What say you?"

  "Oh my goodness."

  Sara's voice drifted, and Christopher could immediately tell how her imagination ran away at the various treasures tucked within the black velvet of the background. The gems and metals glittered and gleamed, reflecting the sunlight like winks of welcome.

  He would expect several sketches later that day. "These are magnificent, John. They are new, aren't they?"

  "Only just put out, truthfully, I've had them a few years, hidden away in the back amidst the trays of other lovelies biding their time." John grinned as he watched Sara's reactions to the different rings. "Which would you care to try on, Miss Sara?"

  "I could no' do such a thing!"

  The objection slipped free before she realized, Christopher felt certain. How often did a lady's maid or servant receive the opportunity to try on fine jewelry? "Sara." Christopher stroked her back with his fingertips, drawing her attention. "Sara, of course you may try one. Or every blessed ring in the shop, if you want to do so. Now come along. Confess which one has drawn your attention."

  "But ... but are they no' expensive?"

  "I certainly hope so," he said, laughing. When Sara continued to worry her reticule with trembling fingers, Christopher released a slow breath. He caught up her hand and gave it a slight pressure. "Come along, Sara. I want to make certain the ring is perfect, and the only way I am able to do that is if you first choose. After all, I hope to have you wearing it for quite some time."

  The glittering and laughing gold and silver sheen of rings once again drew her focus, though Christopher noticed one ring in particular drew her gaze. Nestled in a wrinkle of velvet in the far left corner of the display, the bluish diamond was almost completely inset into the gold band, and that was etched with a delicate impression of a garland of flowers. There were also two additional diamonds, one to each side of the larger stone.

  "Could I ..." She indicated the ring while peeking at Christophe
r. "Could I try that one?"

  John retrieved the ring and presented it to Christopher. "Would you do the honors? And might I say you have excellent taste, Miss Sara. That happens to be one of my favorite of all."

  Christopher accepted the ring and tenderly slipped it onto Sara's cool and trembling finger. "It's a trifle large, but...." His thumb absently toyed with the ring, pushing it to and fro upon her finger. "I like it. It looks right." He met her glimmering gaze. "What do you think?"

  Sara could only nod, lowering her focus yet again to the ring.

  "Wonderful." He handed it back to John. "Could you have it resized and delivered before this next weekend? We have our engagement party soon and I think I would rather like to have her wearing it before that."

  "Certainly. Not a problem." John pulled out his work-order tablet and retrieved a pencil from behind his ear. He jotted a few notes. "Any inscription?"

  "Ah. Quite right. I neglected to remember that bit of requirement." Christopher cleared his throat, noting that Sara's flushed cheeks had darkened to crimson and her fingers tightened on her reticule. Had any man presented her with anything so meaningful as an inscribed ring? Not without a lingering requirement or expectation, he felt certain. His brow furrowed. "I will need a day or two to ponder that. Is that fine?"

  "Of course." John set down the tablet and repositioned the pencil before giving the two a bright smile. "That wasn't such a challenge, was it? Congratulations to both of you, and I will let you know when the ring has been resized and is waiting for the inscription."

  "Excellent. Thank you, John."

  Christopher guided Sara from the boutique to the waiting carriage. She remained silent, without even glancing his direction even as he helped her into the carriage. He began to wonder what ran through her mind. Especially when the expression of peace and calm blossomed to a content smile which kissed her cheeks with rose and glowed in her eyes.