Chapter 21

Penelope couldn't believe it. Pearls had always been a source of beauty as well as sadness for her. When she was a little girl, she would sometimes sneak into her parents' chamber, her delicate little fingers opening the box of her mother's jewelry. She would tremble at the sight of them as she would press them against her neck, wondering how beautiful she would look wearing something like that.

Nestled within the plush velvet were strands of exquisite pearls, their creamy white surfaces reflecting a delicate iridescence that danced with every movement. Each pearl was perfectly round, flawlessly smooth to the touch, and radiated a timeless elegance.

Penelope's breath caught in her throat as she gazed upon the pearls, her eyes widening in awe at their beauty. She reached out a trembling hand, her fingers barely daring to touch the precious gems as if they might disappear like a dream.

"Which ones do you like?" she heard James ask.

She glanced over at him, but it was difficult to choose. There were so many choices, no one more beautiful than the other. She didn't say anything at first. James could obviously sense how she was feeling, so he gave her as much time as she needed. She eyed every single piece with longing, but none of them seemed to beckon to her.

Finally, among the strands of exquisite pearls, the lady's gaze settled upon a particularly stunning necklace. It featured a single strand of lustrous pearls, each one perfectly matched in size and shape, and it was adorned with a dazzling centerpiece. The focal point of the necklace was a beautiful pendant, crafted from the finest silver and encrusted with shimmering diamonds that caught the light with every movement.

"May I?" she asked with a trembling voice as she just pointed at the necklace she had set her eyes on.

"Of course," the clerk nodded, gently pushing the box closer to her.

She reached out to touch the necklace, feeling a surge of excitement coursing through her veins. The pearls were cold to the touch, their smooth surface comforting against the fingertips while the diamonds sparkled like stars in the night sky, casting a spell upon her with their mesmerizing brilliance.

Her heart skipped a beat as she lifted the necklace from its resting place, marveling at the intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail. It was a piece of jewelry fit for a queen, a symbol of elegance and sophistication that spoke to her soul in a way she couldn't quite explain.

A soft gasp escaped her lips as she held the necklace up to her reflection in the small looking glass, the pearls shimmering softly against her skin, and the diamonds twinkling with an inner fire that set her heart ablaze. In that moment, she immediately felt a sense of connection to the necklace as if it were meant for her and her alone.

With a radiant smile lighting up her face, she turned to James, her eyes shining with joy and gratitude. "This is the one," she declared, her voice filled with excitement. "It is absolutely perfect."

"We'll take it," James announced to the clerk.

"Shall I have it wrapped up for you, madam?" the clerk asked Penelope, but before she could reply that it would be lovely, James interfered.

"No, thank you," he said resolutely. "She will be wearing it."

"But, James, do you really think?—"

"I do," he assured her.

With tender reverence, he took the necklace from her trembling fingers, his touch gentle yet purposeful. He carefully fastened the clasp at the back of her neck, his fingers lingering against her skin as he admired the way pearls and diamonds adorned her delicate neckline.

As the necklace settled into place, she felt a rush of warmth coursing through her veins, as if she were being adorned with more than just jewelry. It was as if each pearl and diamond carried with it a piece of James and his affection for her, a tangible reminder of the path they were on together.

She turned to him, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered. "It is absolutely beautiful."

She pressed her fingers against the necklace, caressing it softly.

"You are a duchess now, Penelope. This necklace is precisely what you should expect from me from now on," he said, looking into her eyes.

"James, I… I don't know what to say," she managed to muster, still pressing her palm against the pearls.

After James had paid for the necklace, and they left the shop, she gently grabbed him by the elbow. "James…"

He could immediately see that there was something on her mind. He gestured at them to move aside, away from the hustle and bustle of the street. "What is it, Penelope? You don't like the necklace?"

"Oh, no, no, it's not that at all," she assured him. "Quite the opposite. I love it."

He smiled at her words. "Then what is the matter?"

"Well, it's… I don't want you to spend so much money on me."

"Why not?" he asked.

"I… feel like that money could be put to better use," she tried hard to find the right words, and she hoped she managed to do it.

"Better use?" he chuckled. "No, my dear Penelope. It is my duty as your husband to spoil you."

"I know, just… I've never been spoiled like that," she admitted, blushing out of embarrassment because something told her that wasn't right, that families should be spoiling their children with love, affection, and occasional gifts, none of which she had received from her own.

"Then that is all the more reason for me to do so," he reassured her, offering her his hand. "Now, shall we go for my second surprise?"

"You mean, there is more?" she gasped, smiling affectionately.

"Most certainly," he said, locking eyes with hers tenderly.

* * *

James had no idea whether Penelope would like the next surprise as much as the first one. He led her to a small, quaint theatre, not far away from the jewelry shop. As they approached the entrance, the glow of gas lamps illuminated a charming fa?ade, casting a warm, inviting ambiance.

"Where are we?" Penelope inquired in awe as he opened the door and escorted her inside, the scent of fresh flowers and polished wood filling the air. The interior of the theatre was intimate yet elegant with plush velvet seats arranged in neat rows facing a stage adorned with richly draped curtains.

"Are we going to watch a play?" she asked as he guided her to a prime spot in the very center of the theatre where they settled into their seats hand in hand, anticipation bubbling between them.

"Yes," he affirmed, turning to her.

She glanced around, realizing that they were the only ones there. "But… where are the other spectators?"

"There are none," he explained. "I have rented the entire place. We have it all for ourselves."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Really?"

"Yes, really," he chuckled then he turned toward the stage, still holding her hand in his.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement as they awaited the start of the performance. And then, as if on cue, the lights dimmed, and the curtains parted to reveal a stage alive with energy and enchantment. Actors took to the stage, their voices filling the air with laughter and drama, transporting the small audience to another world.

James knew that she had recognized one of Shakespeare's beloved comedies immediately.

"Oh, they are wonderful, aren't they?" Penelope leaned closer to whisper, but she didn't wait for James to respond. There was no need for him to. Her focus was once again on the stage.

Although the play was marvelous, James couldn't quite focus on it. All he could see was Penelope by his side, captivated by the way her face lit up with delight at each twist and turn of the plot. He watched her laughter ring out like music in the air, her eyes sparkling with joy as she leaned forward in her seat, fully immersed in the enchanting world unfolding before her. Her expressions shifted with each emotion of the characters, her empathy and enthusiasm evident in every gesture and expression.

With each scene, James knew that he had chosen the perfect surprise for his wife. He delighted in the way her laughter filled the theatre, her happiness radiating like a beacon of light in the darkness he thought would be in his life forever. But there she was, saving him. As the final curtain fell, and the applause filled the air, James couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. He knew that he had brought joy to Penelope's heart and that he had given her a moment of magic and wonder she would cherish forever.

"Did you like it?" he asked, on their way out of the theatre, after they had exchanged some pleasantries with the actors and thanked them for a wonderful time.

"Oh, I… I loved it!" Penelope beamed at him. "I don't know how I could ever thank you for this incredible experience."

"No need to thank me," he assured. "I'm glad you had a good time. You deserved it."

She smiled, but it was a sad smile. He wondered if he had perhaps said something wrong. "Is everything all right, Penelope?"

"Yes, yes," she was quick to assure him, but that sadness lingered on her beautiful face. "It's just… no one has ever gone to such trouble for me before."

"Trouble?" he echoed. "It was no trouble at all. I consider it a pleasure to spoil you, my wife."

She smiled at being called his wife. In fact, she smiled so beautifully that he considered addressing her like that all the time.

"All right, just don't overdo it," she teased as they walked back to the carriage.

"Would a third surprise be considered overly spoiling my wife?" he asked mischievously.

"A third surprise?" she gasped. "You cannot be serious!"

"But I am," he chuckled. "In my defense, it is just a small surprise. And it is rather practical."

"A practical surprise?" she reverberated.

"Yes," he agreed. "The most practical of all three. A necessity, really. Maybe not even a surprise in the real sense of the word."

"All right, all right," she laughed. "But three is enough for one day. Really."

"I promise, the third one is the last one," he said, crossing his heart with his index finger.

"Where do we go to next?" she asked.

"Home," he revealed.