Dark Deceptions: A Regency and Medieval Collection of Dark Romances(172)

“Diolch,” he said. “Sut ga ’fod o wasanaeth?”

How may I be of service? The man had a very heavy Welsh accent. Keller replied in his perfect Welsh. “I am looking for a gift for my lady wife,” he said. “Would you have anything that a woman might appreciate?”

The merchant cocked his head, perhaps dubiously. “How much are you willing to spend, my lord?”

“More money than you’ve seen at one time, I assure you.”

The merchant didn’t doubt him by the way he was dressed or by the fine steed he traveled on. His doubt turned to the thrill of perhaps making a great sale, which were far and few between in this little berg. Swiftly, he turned for the rear of his shop.

“I keep my precious items away from the street,” he said. “The villagers cannot afford them and I do not want to invite robbers.”

Keller wondered what the man had by way of “precious items”. By the looks of the stall, he was certain it wasn’t much and prepared himself for disappointment. When the merchant reached the rear of the stall, he fumbled under a pile of goods and pulled forth a medium-sized strong box reinforced with an iron cage. There was a lock on it and he pulled a string of keys out of his pocket and located the one he needed. Turning the tumblers on the big iron lock and sliding the bolt, he opened up the box.

Keller was rather surprised to see what the man had. He pulled forth an emerald and pearl necklace that was exquisitely made, set in dark gold. He also withdrew three or four gold rings, with different colored stones, and also removed another pearl necklace that was set with garnets.

The last item he pulled out was a big, heavy necklace made entirely of gold, with one hooked clasp at the back of the neck, and three strands of golden chain, each chain longer than the previous. When on a woman’s neck, it gave the illusion she was wearing three necklaces. Each strand of the necklace was magnificently done. One had purple amethysts, one had sapphires and pearls, and the longest strand had gold beads that were shaped like a cross intermingled with pale green stones. It was absolutely breathtaking and Keller held it up, inspecting it in the weak light.

“Where on earth did you come across items such as this?” he said. “I have seen jewelry like this in large cities with fine merchants. These do not usually come from small villages such as this one.”

The merchant watched him scrutinize the jewelry. “I received them in trade from a local noble family.”

Keller glanced at the man. “This is very fine work,” he said. “It must have cost a small fortune to commission. Who is the family?”

The merchant was eager to tell the tale. “The ap Gwynwynwyn family,” he said. “The last kings of Powys. They used to be quite wealthy, but the family has grown more destitute over the years and from time to time has come to me to trade some of their more valuable items for things that they need. The necklace that you are holding bought them four barrels of barley, two sacks of beans, an old sow, and six sheep. They come down from the hills every year, usually with some manner of jewelry as you see, and trade it for sustenance.”

Keller glanced at the man. “And this is all from the same family?”

“Aye, my lord.”

Keller’s gaze returned to the exquisite piece of jewelry. As he gazed at it, he turned his head slightly so he could shout out of the stall.

“Rhys!” he boomed in English. “William! Attend me!”

He was still holding the necklace when the knights appeared, struggling to move their bulk into the shop. Rhys in particular was having a difficult time because he was extraordinarily wide. Keller held up the big necklace in front of them.

“What do you think about this?” he asked. “Do you think any woman would be proud to own it?”

Rhys cocked a dark eyebrow, thinking that he was no judge of jewelry, but William reached out to finger it.

“Magnificent,” he said quietly. “I know my wife would love to have it. Are you thinking of purchasing it for Lady de Poyer?”

Keller nodded, looking back at the other jewelry laid out on a bundle of wool fabric. “I am,” he said as he picked up the emerald and pearl necklace. “This, too. What do you think?”

William was interested in the goods only because he had a wife that he often purchased things for. Rhys, however, was bored silly.

“It is quite beautiful,” William concurred. “I am sure Lady de Poyer would be thrilled with any of it.”

Keller was looking at the small gold and garnet necklace, thinking it might be a nice gift for Izlyn. He picked it up to inspect it. “Enough to cause her to forgive a drunkard of a husband?”

William looked at him. “So she is indeed angry with you for drinking too much last night?”

Keller sighed heavily as he set the garnet necklace down. “I pray that is not common knowledge.”

“It is not, although I had suspected.”

Keller cast the man a sidelong glance. “If I ply her with enough gifts, mayhap she will forgive me.”

“Why didn’t you just apologize?”

Keller gave him an impatient expression. “I did,” he said. “It was not enough.”

William fought off a grin. For a man who was as uncertain with women as Keller was, the reality of an angry wife must have been torture. “Then you had better get all of it,” he said, pointing to the jewelry. “I would leave nothing to chance.”