Chapter 92
His wife always used to say, as she held the necklace, that it was the necklace that led her to her prince. Later, Thomas gave it to Annie, telling her the story of how he’d met her mother.
“There’s good luck in that necklace. I hope it brings you nothing but good fortune at such an important event.”
Thomas grinned warmly.
He was sure the prince liked Miss Felice, but she herself seemed completely oblivious.
Still, he was always grateful to her for looking after Annie. He sincerely hoped the necklace would bring both Miss Felice and the prince some good luck.
* * *
After receiving the necklace from Annie and Thomas, Felice was showered with heartfelt gifts from the staff over the next few days.
The second gift came from Mrs. Pritchard, the head maid.
“This ring was given to my mother by the Queen herself when she retired from court. My mother passed it down to me when she died. I hope it will bring a touch of elegance to your hand at the upcoming gathering.”
Felice tried to refuse, insisting she couldn’t possibly wear such a precious ring, but Mrs. Pritchard laughed and said it was a bribe—just an excuse to ask Felice for more of her delicious flower tea.
Next was Ben, the butler.
“When Madame Rose at the boutique heard about the event, she insisted on preparing a dress for you using your most recent measurements. So, this dress is a gift from me—old Ben the butler.”
Felice was so startled she tried to decline, but Ben only insisted that if he didn’t give her a dress, Madame Rose would do it anyway—so he begged her to let him have the honor.
Then the maids came with their gift: a beautiful hat, hand-stitched at night after work.
The footmen had made her new shoes—not fancy, and without jewels, but they hoped it would help her feel proud at such an important gathering. When Felice received the shoes, she was truly astonished by their beauty.
On the morning of the event, Felice broke into tears.
That morning, Madame Rose herself came to help Felice into her dress and with the rest of the gifts. For the final touch, she spritzed Felice with fine perfume, saying it was her own personal gift.
Dressed in everyone’s gifts, Felice stood in the entryway, accepting their excited praise.
“It must be because you’re wearing it, Miss Felice, but somehow this hat looks absolutely gorgeous on you!”
“Not just the hat! The shoes look like they were made by a master craftsman!”
“You look so, so pretty with that necklace on, Miss Felice!”
Even Annie and Thomas came in from the garden to the hall, clapping and giving her a big thumbs-up.
“Ha! The finishing touch was mine. That perfume suits you perfectly, Felice!”
Rose said with a proud smile.
“Thank you all, so much… I don’t deserve any of this…”
Felice, overwhelmed by their kindness, let the tears fall. The maids and Rose fussed, telling her not to cry, or she’d ruin her beautiful makeup. The mood quickly turned to laughter.
At the top of the stairs overlooking the hall, Claude watched Felice with a nervous expression. He was the only one at the Racliffe estate who hadn’t managed to give her a present.
Because the staff had beaten him to every idea.
Felice glanced up at Claude on the landing. Her eyes, still wet with emotion, sparkled as she looked at him.
“Claude.”
“Looks like everyone else beat me to it.”
“Not at all. Being able to attend such an important event with you is the greatest gift I could ask for.”
Felice smiled brightly.
Claude knew he was dragging her along to something she’d rather avoid, and her words only deepened his guilt. He sighed inside.
“If there’s any artwork you like at the exhibition, just say the word, Miss Felice.”
“Thank you, Claude. That’s more than enough.”
At that, Annie piped up quietly.
“But what would you even do with a painting?”
Thomas, startled, quickly covered Annie’s mouth and laughed awkwardly.
“Haha, well… Paintings are very valuable, you know! Beautiful and expensive things!”
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