14
" You don't wear jewelry, do you? Besides your wedding ring, I mean?'
'Now often. If is not that I disapprove. I simply don't take the time to bother with it. I've been given a few trinkets over the years, but rarely wear them.' Thora looked down at her hand, the plain thin wedding band, the unadorned wrist, and a memory struck her. She said, 'Frank gave me a gift once - a find gold bracelet with a blue enamel heart dangling from it. He said it was to remind me that I was more than his helpmeet and housekeeper, but also an attractive woman. I was sure I'd break the delicate chain, and the heart clacked against the desk whenever I wrote in the ledger. So I put it back in its box, and there it has remained ever since.'
Nan said gently, 'We've all been given gifts, Thors, and ought not to hide them away. They remind us that we are blessed and loved. They give pleasure to those who see them - especially to the one who bestowed the gift in the first place. "
― Julie Klassen , The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill (Tales from Ivy Hill, #1)
16
" And that love letter you wrote,” Rowan added helpfully. “Signing it with another chap’s name.” Emma Smallwood’s eyes widened, and she turned to look at him, brows high. Henry felt his neck heat. His cravat seemed suddenly far too tight. “That’s right,” Phillip nodded as the memory returned to him. “Pugsworth, was it not?” Julian grinned at Miss Smallwood, clearly enjoying himself. “Did you really think this Pugsworth fellow in love with you?” Heaven help him, Henry hoped she wouldn’t burst into disillusioned tears. Not all these years later. And not over Milton Pugsworth. But Miss Smallwood remained her imperturbable self. “Goodness no,” she said. “For all his faults, Mr. Pugsworth spelled exceptionally well and had the neatest hand I ever saw. Your brother, on the other hand, never did learn to spell. And I recognized his sloppy scratchings the moment I saw them.” Phillip gave her a long look of amused approval. “Bravo, Emma. "
― Julie Klassen , The Tutor's Daughter
