Free Sinners and Shadows by Catrin Collier Page B

herself speak and she knew her plea had remained unspoken.
    â€˜You changed my life that day we escaped the sales and went into the tea shop. I knew I loved you before then, but that morning I realized that I didn’t want to live without you. I hope you’ll accept this, even though it’s everything a lady should reject,’ he warned with mock gravity. ‘It’s too valuable to be a token. And it’s not something that you can use and discard like perfume, sweets, chocolates or a handkerchief.’ He opened the box and she stared, mesmerized by the ring nestling on its bed of worn black velvet.
    â€˜I know it’s old-fashioned but it was my mother’s. And that’s why I hope you’d like and wear it.’
    â€˜I couldn’t possibly accept a family heirloom from you. What would your father and brothers say?’ She gasped, finally finding her voice.
    â€˜My father gave it to me, just as he gave Lloyd my mother’s wedding band for Sali and her engagement ring to Victor for Megan. This was my mother’s regard ring. He bought it for her when they started courting. Apparently they were all the rage thirty odd years ago and they were called regard rings because the stones spell out the word “regard”.’ He pointed to the gems set in a simple gold band. ‘Ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, another ruby and finally a small but real diamond. Most of my father’s friends gave their girlfriends paste rings set with glass, but he said that he knew my mother was the only girl for him from the moment he set eyes on her, so he bought her the real thing. She deserved it, and’, he dropped the mocking note from his voice, ‘so do you.’
    â€˜It’s beautiful, Joey.’
    â€˜It’s not an engagement ring, but I thought you’d prefer to choose your own. I also hoped you’d like this one enough to wear it as well. Do you like it?’
    She nodded dumbly.
    â€˜And a lady could accept it and remain a lady, provided she agreed to marry the man who gave to her.’
    â€˜You’re really asking me to marry you!’ Unwilling to believe what was happening, beset by a bewildering mix of emotions she turned aside.
    â€˜If you won’t, I’ve been wasting my time for the last three months and more.’ He then did something he hadn’t done in all the days they had spent together. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.
    The trees, the bank, the water swirled in a kaleidoscope of brilliant, sun-drenched spring colours. Dizzy and faint, she clung to him as the scent of his cologne filled her nostrils and the warmth of his body percolated to hers even through the thick layers of clothing they were wearing.
    â€˜You will marry me?’ He drew his head back from hers and looked down at her.
    Her voice rasped with suppressed emotion but there was no mistaking the finality of her reply. ‘No, Joey, I’m sorry, but I can’t.’

Chapter Four
    â€˜Mrs Larch, Miss Larch, I have personally supervised the loading of your purchases into your carriage.’ Geraint Watkin Jones, the assistant manager of the Pontypridd branch of Gwilym James, breezed past the doorman and escorted the two ladies into Market Square where their coachman, Harris, was waiting.
    â€˜Thank you, Mr Watkin Jones.’ Julia gave him a tentative smile.
    â€˜Come along, Julia, I’ve booked a table for lunch in the Park Hotel, and we’ve no time to spare if we are to meet your father in time for the exhibition this afternoon.’ Mabel Larch climbed the steps the coachman had unfolded and entered the carriage.
    Julia took the hand her stepmother had spurned and allowed Geraint to help her inside.
    â€˜Hope to see you again, and very soon, Mrs Larch. Miss Larch. It was a pleasure, as always, to wait on you.’ Geraint watched the coachman fold the iron steps and close the door. The Larches’ carriage rounded the