From Domina Temporis: Five golden rings
A/N: This prompt deserved so much more… alas, my poetic muse is on holiday!
"Five golden rings?! Most people only have one ring and they rarely lose it. How does one lose five?"
Holmes gave his colleague an enigmatic smile.
"My client has travelled around the world and lived quite a long life. Her experiences are vast."
Watson scratched his head.
"Did she tell you how she came in possession of these rings for which, I presume, you have been engaged to find?"
"She was rather reticent on those details but I believe one or two aspects I discovered might be fodder for those stories you like to pen for The Strand."
"I gather you can deduce her entire love life from her rings?"
"The first set of rings – there were two—were the simplest. Plain thin golden circles, one larger than the other. They were clearly the oldest given the patina on the inside. However, the outside of the rings were still shiny showing they continued to hold sentimental value to the owner who no longer wore them. Therefore, I presumed that my client was married once, at a young age, to someone who died. And yet, this first marriage was for love.
"The makes sense. Do go on," Watson encouraged Holmes while penning his notes.
The second set of rings was rather obvious, I'm afraid, as my client in question is presently married. However they might appear to the public though, the marriage is not a happy one. The rings are rarely worn by either spouse and, although they are far more intricate than the first set, no gentle hand has polished either of them. They lie in disrepair like the marriage they represent."
"Ah, yes, what you say, Holmes, fits what I've read in the papers."
Holmes raised an eyebrow toward his Boswell at the interruption.
"Um, sorry." Watson cleared his throat, "yes, please continue."
"The last ring was the most difficult to deduce. It did not have a matching pair and it was of a different design than the others. No engraving to mark an anniversary, only a small green stone embedded. It was only when the lady mentioned she'd spent an extended stay in India while her husband was away on military matters that I realised she'd found love again. The ring is exquisitely polished and is always placed more prominently in her jewellery case than the others. She was most anxious for this particular ring's safe return as well."
"When you explain it like that, Holmes, it sounds absurdly simple." Watson chuckled.
"Quite so," Holmes did not appear as amused as Watson. "I shall let you do the observations next time since they are so simple."
The two men exchanged glances. Then both grinned.
