Page 135 of Four Promises to Love

Finn nibbled on one of Mrs. Thornton’s buttery biscuits, not at all concerned by the delay. Knowing Owen, he wanted to get the proposal right. In the meantime, she was enjoying his courtship. He’d been called away to Thymehill, but before he left, he’d arranged a midnight picnic in the rose arbor. There, he had made good on his promise, making love to her beneath the stars and fragrant blooms. The memory of his stamina and creativity sent a pleasant sizzle through her blood.

She dusted the biscuit crumbs from her fingers. “Has it occurred to you that the curse has been broken?”

“How do you mean?” Gigi tipped her head.

“After the village meeting where we shared Felix’s journal, everyone in Chuddums knows about Langdon Pearce’s villainy. That same day, the villagers smashed his monument to bits and hauled the debris from the square. Now they are celebrating the love story of Rose and Thomas. And Felix is being remembered as a hero.”

“That’s all true, I suppose.” Gigi pursed her lips. “But I was expecting some clear sign to mark the breaking of the curse.”

“A thunderclap, perhaps?” Xenia suggested. “Or a flash of lightning?”

“Or something truly momentous.” Evie’s smile was sly. “Like Grantley saying no to Gigi.”

They pealed with laughter.

“Fine,” Gigi said with a good-natured giggle. “Perhaps the curse is broken. The only loose end is what to do with the jewels.”

“Don’t they belong to Grantley, since he is a descendant of the Pearces?” Finn asked.

“He and I both believe the jewels belong to Rose,” Gigi said firmly.

Evie furrowed her brow. “Her descendants—if any survive—will be difficult, if not impossible, to find⁠—”

She was interrupted by Owen, who came running into the kitchen. Finn’s heart thumped giddily; he was back earlier than anticipated.

“Finn, you’ll never guess—” He paused at the sight of his kin. “Oh, you’re all here too.”

“Gracious as ever, brother dear.” Gigi rolled her eyes. “If you need a moment in private⁠—”

“No, it’s fine,” Owen said. “I’m glad you’re here for this.”

His excitement was palpable, and Finn felt her own pulse speed up.

“Does this have to do with Thymehill—” she began.

“I lied about that,” he said in a rush. “I was actually in London to see a jeweler who could fix your pendant. I wanted to restore the damage so that it would be worthy of you.”

Touched, she said, “That is so thoughtful⁠—”

“Instead, the jeweler split it in half.”

Finn felt a quick sting of loss. Yet what did that piece of tin matter when she had Owen’s heart?

“Never mind, darling,” she said. “It was old and⁠—”

“You don’t understand. The jeweler discovered that the pendant had a false back. The rust covered the seam completely, and when he cleaned it off, he found this.”

Owen removed a pouch. Taking Finn’s hand, he dumped the contents into her palm. The heart was now in two thinner pieces…and there was a lock of hair as well.

“The hair was hidden inside,” he explained.

Finn studied the hair in wonder, realizing that it was made up of twined strands.

“It came from two people,” she said in hushed tones. “One had dark hair, the other light.”

“Yes. And I think I know who those people were.”

Owen turned one of the pendant halves over, and Finn’s heart stuttered at the sight of the engraved words: Rosalinda & Thomas.