“My mother and grandmother have always loved collecting jade. I brought a few pieces with me when I came, and I’d like to give this pendant to you, Mrs. Everhart. I hope you won’t mind accepting it.”
She also gave Leonie a bracelet, the stones clear as water and just as rare. The price tag was nothing to scoff at.
She’d originally planned to give Leonie a bangle, but bracelets always seemed a little too grown-up for someone Leonie’s age, so she’d changed her mind.
“This is far too generous,” Mrs. Everhart said, at a bit of a loss for words. It felt wrong to accept something so valuable from someone she’d only just met.
And the fact that Gwyneth could casually give away such an expensive gem made Mrs. Everhart even more uncertain about this girl’s background.
Still, Gwyneth’s manner was gracious and humble, the kind of poise that can’t be faked or bought no matter how much money one might have. That sort of upbringing went deeper than appearances.
“Please, you don’t need to worry about it,” Gwyneth replied, her voice gentle. “Compared to the Everhart family, this is nothing at all. I just hope it’s not too plain, and that it won’t embarrass you.”
Her words were perfectly measured—a subtle nod to her own family’s status while still flattering the Everharts. Mrs. Everhart’s already warm expression softened even more.
“Oh, Mom, you two really don’t need to be so formal,” Leonie chimed in, slipping the bracelet onto her wrist without hesitation. “Gwyn, it’s beautiful—thank you!”
The sparkling stones brought out the fairness of Leonie’s skin, making her look even more radiant.
Mrs. Everhart could tell at a glance that the bracelet alone was worth a small fortune.
“You girls…” Mrs. Everhart sighed, a little overwhelmed, having never expected such lavish gifts. She’d been caught off guard and could only let it go for now.
“Don’t stay out too late,” she added, passing each of them a soft wool scarf. She wrapped one around Leonie’s neck, then did the same for Gwyneth.
“It’s only early spring, and the nights are still chilly. Stay warm, all right? I don’t want you catching a cold.”
As Gwyneth leaned in for her scarf, she caught a faint, comforting scent from Mrs. Everhart—something gentle and familiar, almost maternal. For a brief moment, she was lost in memory, reminded of the tenderness Victoria used to show her.
“We know, we know, Mom! You worry too much. We’re heading out,” Leonie said with a laugh, looping her arm through Gwyneth’s and pulling her toward the door.
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