Ruby Heart

Dannell Smythe, Esquire, sat gingerly amongst the trappings of... opulence. Defnintely an opulent feel.

He couldn't help it. He was wondering if he hadn't just made the worst blunder of all time.

He was desperate. Well, he felt that way, anyway. He'd started a small jewelry business in a somewhat safe-but-not-rich district in the capital city, and had a small but respectable clientele, but that was about it. No social skills, no connections outside his business. And one of many, many jewelers in a city renowned for them. Jewelers here were like eateries – they come, they go, maybe sometimes someone misses an item on the menu. He needed... something.

He always felt drawn to the rubies that passed through his hands, so maybe they were trying to tell him something?

Maybe he needed love?

But this room, and its overbearing over-ness, was beginning to drain him of his bravery. He couldn't possibly find what he was looking for here, when he didn't even know what it was he wanted in the first place. If he didn't know what he wanted, how could anyone else?

For all the carvings and gilding and rather ostentatious ornamentation, voices carried rather well. He was alone in the room, but the side door was open, and he could hear an annoyed voice closing in: “No, I will not wait one more moment! I have a meeting, he's waiting, and you are deliberately delaying me by acting as if you're dressing me for a marriage! And trust me, I will be investigating why my normal maid suddenly took ill on today of all days. Now, go and sit outside the major-domo's office, and do not move until I come get you, that is an order!” And a small composed tornado whirled into the room.

At least, that's how it felt. What actually happened, though, is that a woman strode into the room, firmly closing the door behind her. After a second, she locked it. She stared at the door behind Dannell, and it was evident that she considered locking that one too.

But he'd heard the force behind the words, and almost followed it himself. So this woman must be of the House bloodline, to be strong enough to make people obey with just voice alone. He stood, just in case he needed to find the major-domo as well.

She was short. Brown hair, brown eyes. The opposite of what was popular in the beauty standards at the king's Court right now. He'd seen many in the shop – corsets to pull in the waist to absurd sizes, blonde hair wigs perched atop plucked foreheads, with curly ringlets swinging behind. He'd made many a “braid ornament” for just such a style confection.

He could see the traces of where the unseen and unwanted maid had tried to begin such a frippery, and was rejected. This hair was curly by nature, and kept away from her face with two lovely red-gold barettes set with, of course, rubies. En cabochon, not faceted, which was the most recent mode. Therefore likely an inheritance from her house, not made for her.

She smiled at him. “Ah, I can read your face, as you are reading mine. Yes, I was gifted these from my mother, who has the same styling issues as I do. On hot days, with the air rising off the river, I can use my head as a natural mop. And why wear those nasty silks and diaphanous gowns in layers, in summer? Give me cool linen any day. And I refuse to wear those corsets. I was bred to breed, where would I carry a baby, in my lungs? Absolute nonsense.” She crossed to him, holding out her hand in the man's style. “I am Rosaline, fifth daughter of Lord Rufus, and with neither looks nor figure, must use my mind and make myself useful. Which I do, since I seem to have inherited the House's esoteric gifts in double measure. Pleased to meet you, and I apologize for being late. As you can tell -” she gestured to half-done hair and loose gown - “My substitute maid decided I needed to play dress-up for nonexistent Court. I had to disabuse her of her silly notion.”

“I'm Dannell.” He tentatively shook her hand, and was surprised that it was firm, but neither limp nor too strong. Or damp. She was not what he expected.

“Indeed, I was reading up on you.” She waved at the file on the table. “You use the 'Esquire' not out of pride, but out of some way to distinguish yourself from the rest of the gem setters in the city. The fact that your father bought it still bothers you, but it shouldn't, half the others who use it also purchased it. You live a very austere life, and you feel that something is missing, but you can't place your distress. I told them not to send you to this room, but rest assured, every other room in the public section of our house is worse. Honestly a nightmare. My great-great-grandfather's taste was execreble when he built these quarters, and it shows. Our mansion at the mines is much more comfortable, but we are here for the Court season. If I see yet another putti or cupid shooting arrows out from a corner or vestibule, I swear, I will commit violence.” She opened up a drawer in the desk, threw his folder in it, and locked it. “Yes, we have to read up on those who ask for an appointment, you have no idea how many think we're just nobilified courtesans for hire. Or ready-made wives, to be slotted into their idea of how a household should run. Or, worst of all, the ones who demand a love elixir to make a particular person fall in love with them. As if the gems would allow us to abuse people that way. Ridiculous.” She had a sudden thought, and offered her arm, and he, being a gentleman, took it. “Come, let's find a more relaxing environment to have a conversation.” She turned towards the door she'd just entered from, and unlocking it, drew him into what he knew were the private quarters.

He was nervous. She wasn't like those women he'd heard of (and seen on occasion in the shop) that were described as a “force of nature,” she was more like a breath of fresh air in a stale, unused room. Like there were other potential ways to look at a problem. Or another way to facet a gem, or turn a pendant into a hair ornament. Those curls could use some hair pins...

She led him to a much nicer room, painted in pale gray-blues with cream accents. “Much easier on the eyes, yes? My personal study. I may be of House d'Rubina, but I am heartily sick of magentas and oxbloods and rose pinks! Gah!” She led him to a lounging couch, upholstered in a beautiful silvery-gray plush. One side was obviously used, and she seated herself on it neatly, though with her feet tucked up under her. He nervously sank onto the other side, wondering when a chaperone would come racing in, screaming about the lack of distance between the two.

Rosaline didn't even rearrange her skirts. He could see her ankles.

She seemed not to notice. “So, what truly brings you to schedule an appointment with House Ruby? I'm sure it wasn't to see our decor.”

He shrugged, a bit wistfully. “I've set many gems, small to large. I can tell when a gem has been.. um, enhanced by one of the Houses.”

She nodded encouragingly, so he continued. “Whenever I work with a gem from your House, no matter what size or quality, I feel... warm. A bit happier. Like someone has walked by, and their presence lingers a bit longer, and I want them to stay. I thought, perhaps, making an appointment would clear up what I'm reaching for. It was a poor impulse, really. I'm sorry.”

“You don't like reacting instinctively. You like things rational, neat. My poor disordered book case would give you fits, I'm sure.” His reaction was quite visible, and she half-smiled without mocking him. “Being able to sense any gem enhancement is unusual, especially when you don't seem tied to a House by blood.”

“Not that I know of. Mother died young, giving birth to my little sister, who died soon after. Father raised me alone to the craft, but never mentioned feeling anything from the stones he handled. He didn't talk about any family, but if he were a by-blow, I would think he'd take advantage of the association and talk it up.”

“And our records are rather extensive, with our House's looser restrictions on our personal dalliances. And our contracts, of course.” She slid off the couch, crossed the room, rummaged in a cabinet, and came back with two trays. One she handed to Dannell. “Here. An assorted tray of gems. Rank them, please, by quality.”

An easy test for one who'd been raised to the craft. He was precise, setting gems into the grooves in the folded velvet. Those with the least amount of inclusions went towards the top left, with a few exceptions, like the rather fine star sapphire that was placed near the large yellow diamond. Sometimes inclusions made the gems worth more – like when he saw the perfectly octohedral uncut diamond crystal with a dark red garnet captured within.

What ended up at the very end, though, were also perfectly clear: the stones made of faceted glass. Pretty, but almost worthless. And a garnet doublet, with deep blue glass pasted over the gravel-grade gem underneath, usually used in costume jewelry.

Rosasline smiled when he was done, and placed the second tray on top. “Same instruction, if you would indulge me.”

“Indeed.” He was intrigued. He could feel the “fizz” in some of these, also a mixed lot, but many more rubies than otherwise. He decided to separate fizzy ones from non-fizzy, and made two categories. Those with no fizz got the same sorting treatment as the first, but the second set was ranked from higest fizz to lowest, no matter what quality gem they were.

Finally he was left with only one gem. It was a star ruby, technically. It was also only a step above gravel grade, because the silver-gray of the gem showed the hexagonal crystal pattern beautifully through the polish. But it had no fizz at all, just.. there was something, like it was open to receiving it if given. It would make a spectacular amulet pendant if set, and he said as much.

Rosaline's eyebrows rose. “If you can sense that, then you've got quite a gift. We usually don't see someone this open in the Houses, because we're trained to the House gem from the beginning, or it becomes clear that they need to be sent to another House for training.” He was surprised at her honesty; House members didn't give their secrets often. She picked the gem out of his palm, and stared at it for a moment. Dannell felt something, like a puff of hot wind in summer, and she handed it back. “Well, how about now?”

He almost dropped it. It was hot, and it fizzed greater than all the others combined.

She smiled, and her face lit up with an inner light. “I am intrigued, Dannell. What do you say to a contract? Say, I come and live with you for five years, and we see how to build your business with a little patronage? Standard Ruby contract, blah blah children blah blah social skills, help you with the shop, see if this gift of yours is trainable? I'll send you the documents, have a lawyer look them over. And you should set that for yourself, since the first person to touch an infused gem so soon after infusion is keyed to it.”

He was shaking, he was dizzy, but he managed to say through chattering teeth, “Where do I sign?” Becaue he wanted this feeling, he wanted to feel this good, this desired, forever!

**********

She dealt with the stubborn maid by having a chat with the major-domo, and having a doctor check on her own personal maid to make sure she wasn't forcefully inconvenienced by someone with uppity aspirations. It was their problem now. They were used to dealing with such things.

Moving in was easy, because she only came with two trunks and a bag. And a maid for herself, and a tailor for him. “Just some measurements, to give you better fitting clothes,” she reassured him. “He won't stay, and no, he won't foist you off into silks and velvets, though he may keep a set or two in the House, in case of emergency Court summons.”

He'd been ready to sign immediately, but Rosaline made him go to his lawyer, with her lawyer. The lawyers knew each other, of course, and made sure to explain the details of what House Ruby considered a “standard contract” for living with a noble member of their family. Dannell was surprised that Rosaline could do this without her father knowing, and she shrugged. “House Ruby members make their own decisions about their lives. He no more orders me about my business than I do his. It is our way. We are the House of Love, and love does not always align with wise dynastic choices.” He'd have to take her at her word, though the lawyers nodded.

Tailor took measurements, and he and maid maneuvered her trunks into a stack, and vanished. They were alone in his bedroom, with a bed big enough for three.

Rosaline was kind. “I know, this isn't terribly fair. You've just been keyed to a gem, and you're still riding the high. But one of those clauses the lawyers explained was about children. Specifically, yours and mine.”

Even the rising alarm, approaching panic, couldn't get through the fizz.

“I'm assuming you've never?”

He shook his head.

“Do you want to?”

He nodded.

“Then, my dear, I think I have a few things to teach you.” She led him to the bed, and the fizz kept the fear from reaching him as she touched him, stroked his cheek, gently drew him towards her.

**********

She placed herself in his life as an equal partner. Not above, like a noble, but not below, as a wife was expected to be.

She helped in the shop. She learned his clientele, and how to cater to them. He'd never known how to do that before, and she did it with genuine friendliness that the customers appreciated. She tried to teach him, but he let her do what she did so well, and concentrated on what he did best – setting the gems into beautiful settings, as the commissions directed.

She didn't use her title, but his new pendant was all the hint the rumor mill needed.

His business didn't exactly explode, but it increased at a good steady pace. They were both pleased, and that's all that matters.

She made friends easily in his social circle, and found some like-minded people living in the merchant classes. Before long, there were small parties, at their house and throughout the neighborhood. Not enough to overwhelm him, but sufficient to ease his aloofness. She taught him how to converse, lightly or deeply, as the situation flowed.

That she was soon pregnant was not a surprise, considering how well she was teaching him in their bedroom.

With the House's excellent doctors, she gave birth easily, and was soon discreetly nursing as she sold beautiful jewelry to an increasingly well-heeled clientele.

His wardrobe increased a little, as did hers. Her maid and his new butler, also borrowed from the House, would routinely travel back and forth from Rosaline's House rooms she still maintained. The only time she lived there, though, was when she recuperated from childbirth, because the first child was soon followed by a second, and a third. A nanny was added, and the little house attached to the shop that had been filled with loneliness and loss was now filled to overflowing with happiness and mutual respect - and love.

**********

Then she walked in the shop.

One of the Court “beauties,” with tiny corseted waist and blond hair in coils and braids and ringlets and cascades-nay-waterfalls of shimmering hair. Rosaline was rather immune to the Court styles, but even she was impressed – it was either the best wig she'd ever seen, or it was natural.

Blue eyes, deep as the summer sea. No life behind them, though, Rosaline noticed.

But Rosaline would do her duty. She slid off her stool to greet her customer, only to have this willowy figure arrow right towards Dannell.

And he lapped it up.

Well, he had been paying attention, Rosaline dispassionately noticed. He flattered, he glittered, he complimented, he gently questioned what she was looking for, steered her towards stones that would enhance her features, settings that would not hinder the sparkle in the gems.

And when she left with a lighter purse, he happily scribbled designs on his work pad. Of engagement rings.

**********

Dinner was quiet. Even the children were silent. Rosaline was of House Ruby, after all. She could make her moods felt throughout the whole city if she chose.

Dannell was completely oblivious, still doodling into his pasta. That Rosaline's servants made for them.

Rosaline did not need an obsidian mirror scrying-stone to know what the future held.

She looked around. The decorations, though few, were hers. So was the furniture, since her House had more than enough for a whole tribe. The clothing, the food, the kids, their toys and clothing. The jewelry, even many of the gems. Sold to her by her House for a lower price, so the markup would be all the sweeter.

The memories. Oh, that would be the painful part. Maybe she needed to pay a visit to House Emerald for that problem. But for now, the calculations.

What was hers. What was his.

As they finished, Rosaline whispered, “Children, say goodbye,” and the kids obediently gave their father hugs and kisses. Only the servants noticed the change from “good night,” as always, to “goodbye.”

What was hers by right, by contract? Did she have a right to his heart? Certainly his devotion; she'd proved hers. He had become faithless. It hadn't been a full five years, and she hadn't seen reason to remind him of certain clauses before this. Benign neglect had taken a toll. She was not obligated to stay when his side of the bargains hadn't been fulfilled. Such a shame, since it had been so promising at the start. He'd gotten too comfortable, and didn't even try any more.

She was reasonably sure she'd learned how he sensed the gem infusions, and was hoping the ability would pass to their children.

But for now, stripped of emotion, she had much to reckon. And he had much to account for.

There were penalties for early withdrawal.

**********

Rosaline was still calculating while they got ready for bed. Her belly was a little sore, so it should be about that time of the month...

And she made decisions, before they were all taken away.

One last attempt. “Darrel, listen to me.” It would be the only time she ever used her command voice on him.

It snapped him to annoyed attention from his reverie. “What?” he growled.

“Do not do this. She is a snake. She does not love you, and you will lose everything.”

“Oh, please! You need to stay in your place, make our meals, raise the kids-”

“You are insane if you think I'm going to allow a mistress into my life.”

“Oh, please! I'm the jeweler here, and you taught me well, but it's time for me to look ahead.”

“I see. Well, you do that then. In the meantime, I'm going to show you what you'll miss.” And she proceeded to show him, with hands, and body, what would never keep him warm again.

**********

Rosaline marveled at how amazingly clueless people could be.

She would have thought “men” instead of “people,” but she'd seen enough to know it was a disease endemic to all genders.

She could hear the soft thumps coming from upstairs. She was amazed that Dannell didn't hear a thing, lost as he was in a daydream of blonde hair piled high. The servants she'd summoned from her House were removing everything that was hers, quietly.

She patted her stomach. She wouldn't know for another week or so if her work last night led to one more pregnancy. Another little one for the House, certainly not for him. She wondered if he'd ever find out. She wouldn't tell him, that was certain.

She came back late in the day, ostensibly to check on the work. And of course the only job that Dannell finished today was an engraved promise ring, that he slipped on her finger. She smirked at Rosaline as she accepted it, but was a little disturbed to see Rosaline's steady gaze on her - and the other three rings on the harpy's fingers. A nice little racket then, preying on jewelers in town. It wasn't a spell; the amulet Rosaline wore under her clothing would have warned her. A flicker of fear went through the interloper's eyes, and Rosaline smiled evilly.

She may be the fifth daughter, but she wasn't stupid. And she was still a direct line of House Ruby, and Daddy didn't like when people tried to play emotional games with his kids.

By the time this willowy thing returned to her lair, wherever it was, Daddy would have learned, and already gathered evidence. Or planted it, if he needed to. And it would be immediately found, and the finders were people sworn to the King as executors of justice. She would not last long in the viperous political circles that Rosaline cut her baby teeth on. Maybe she'd make a name for herself in the prison cells, there was quite a brisk trade in “favors” there. And no corsets were allowed, nor was long hair of any sort. Fleas and lice liked it too much.

People like her could not be allowed to prey on the merchants of the capital city. It was bad for business, and the Houses liked their jewelers free of such clutches.

Miss Blonde Hair finally left, and Rosaline had had enough. The thumps had ended an hour ago. It was time. She pulled trays of jewelry and gems out of the cases, sorted through them to put them in two piles.

Dannell noticed. It actually pulled him out of his dreamy reverie. “What are you doing? It's not time to close yet.”

“Do you happen to remember that contract you signed, less than five years ago?”

“What of it?”

“Penalties, darling, that will cost you dearly. You broke the contract, so I am due two-thirds of the profits, effective immediately.” She pointed to the larger pile. “That's two-thirds, and I'll take it now. To go.”

“Wait, what?”

“Did you forget? I'm not your wife, darling. We signed a contract. The lawyers explained the details to you. I upheld my bargain, in more than full measure, and you didn't. So I'm out, and I'm taking everything I brought to this union. Goods, servants, household, children. And address book, so your social life will dry up once your merchant friends realize you broke a contract with one of the Houses. Speaking of - this house was yours outright, so I'm going back to mine. You'll find that your rooms have been put back to the condition they were at, the day I moved in. I left you a few sets of decent clothing.”

The enormity began to shatter the dream castles in his head. He spluttered. “Wait, you can't do this!”

“You'll find I certainly can. And have. The law is on my side in this. You'll find your copy of the contract on your table upstairs, opened to the specific pages. You'll also find I helpfully chalked arrows to the relevant paragraphs. And the gendarmes and lawyers have been informed, so everything I've done is quite legal.”

“But, the children – my business -”

She looked down at her own hands. “Hunh, all these years, and you didn't design any pieces for me. Not even for the danger of birthing our children. Certainly not for love. But you started designing an engagement ring the moment you laid eyes on that harpy.” She took four choice pieces off his pile, added it to her own.

He paled. In the sunset, she could see all his dreams turning to ashes in his eyes.

“I tried warning you, I really did. You decided to go full traditionalist on me last night, forgetting that house Ruby doesn't work that way. I out-rank you, you fool. I told you I wouldn't tolerate this type of treatment. Now pay for your idiocy.” She wrapped up her treasures, packed them in a sack. Dropped her house keys on the counter. Guards in the colors of House Ruby appeared at the door. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a life to live that doesn't involve you or your broken promises. Such a waste.” And she left, letting the door slam behind her.

Her presence faded, with clattering hooves. That liveliness, that vibrancy, that joy that drew him in, that invited him to share his life with her – gone.

Silence enveloped him. No children laughing, no clattering of a meal being cooked, no friendly banter, not even the hiss of a fire on the hearth. And in the silence, he could hear the fizz of his amulet, his star-hearted gem, fizzle, gutter, and go out.

He was alone.