Love, Life, and Jewellery

Chapter 7

Natalia had been enjoying the caress of a cool current of wind. It brought with it the smell of damp forest, and she was savouring its calming qualities when a clearly audible step broke the tranquillity of her countenance. Anxiously, she turned to face the destroyer of her peace.

Before her, stood no other but the man her thoughts had only moments before entertained.

Although it was late in the evening and darkness stood as an obstacle to her senses, she could clearly see that the jeweller was in deep distress. His normally pale white skin was red in the cheeks and small pearls of sweat could be seen in the pale light of a moon masked by clouds. His head did not stand tall upon his shoulders in his usual dignified manner but instead hung rather low, matching the nervous hunch of his shoulders. Still, here he was, Alistair the jeweller. She had been dreaming of him only minutes earlier and now he had miraculously materialised before her. Natalia was, however, very confused. How had he known where to find her?

"What are you doing here?"

Her words seemed rather rough to Alastair's ear, but unbidden, his subconscious sung. It was neither musical nor atonal but it commanded his attention in a most pleasing manner; a stark and wonderful contrast to that of her sister's. 

Again his gaze sucked in all that he could of her appearance in the celestial glow emanating from the heavens. Swimmingly smooth silk could be seen spilling out from under her thick coat protecting her fragile frame from the icy wind. Her face was shadowed but it was evident she was regarding him with equal scrutiny.

Somewhat becoming aware of the ever-increasing rudeness of his stare, Alastair searched for something appropriate to say. How could he answer her? That he'd just forcefully rejected her sister in front of prestigious aristocracy and made a fool of himself in front of her family? Or, that he merely needed a fresh breath of air to escape the activity of the ball, and so happened to stumble upon her, when it was clear that he had walked towards her intentionally? The wind carrying rustles of far off leafless trees counted the passing seconds for him as panic of a different kind began to worm into his mind.

What was he supposed to say to a woman he knew nothing about?

His eyes caught a tiny reflection of light that led them to the smallest finger of Natalia's right hand. On it was a small, silver ring.