Title: A Most Precious Jewel
Summary: When Stephen returns from South America, could his new love be softening to the idea of marriage?
Note: Mostly because Thig suggested it some time ago; I've also been intending on doing something post 'Blue At the Mizzen', so I incorporated that, too. -Grin- As usual, my arse has been saved because of her – this one's for thee. Cheers.
Another Note: I shan't hold with any complaint on the note of Mrs Christine Wood, in regard to her being a Mary-Sue, or anything of that nature, due to Stephen's infatuation with her. --;; This is book-verse. Check back to 'The Yellow Admiral' or 'Blue At the Mizzen', if you like.
'Barmy!' piped Fanny. She adjusted the range on the Dollond perspective glass. Charlotte nodded in agreement.
'Batty,' her twin uttered with a shake of the head. 'It's my turn –'
The mentally unstable personages the pair referred to were the two figures along the horizon, apparently inspecting some bird, beast, or another.
The doctor let out a low whistle. 'Whooper goose, in this season,' he murmured. 'Remarkable.'
Mrs Wood smiled and nodded, perfectly unaware of four spies from afar. 'Indeed,' she said. An emerald, the finest of a hoard from the Andes, flashed from where it was pinned as a brooch at the neck of her habit. Some ways distance, Charlotte winced and lowered the eyepiece. Brigid promptly snatched the glass and raised it to peer at her father.
Stephen blinked, as 'though only noticing this for the first time. 'Why are you wearing that, my dear?' he asked. 'Inspecting the unlikely arrival of the whooper goose in the autumn is hardly an occasion worthy of –' Maturin trailed off and gazed towards her blankly.
Christine laughed. 'Well, I am quite so fond of it,' she said with a grin, and Stephen's heart took a leap. It could hardly be quite the same as with Diana's almost ridiculous love for that diamond – in the same instant, something cold clutched at his spirits –; Christine was utterly, completely different – she was not in so much of a way to love a gem so. Hence, Stephen deduced, it must have had something to do with the giver. That made his predicament somewhat brighter.