Page 61 of Donovan Blake: Passion

“If you’ll allow me,” Donovan said, producing a small pen knife from his pocket. “I brought this along in case it was needed.”

“The frame is quite wide,” Peter remarked, “but of course that’s how they were made back in the 1500’s. They were almost as important as the paintings themselves.”

“It’s slowly moving,” Donovan muttered. “Give me one second…I almost have it out…there.”

“You were right,” Phoebe exclaimed as everyone stepped forward to stare. “You said he might have carved out a compartment, and he did. But what is that? It looks like a crusty rock.”

“Goodness…” David murmured. “It’s huge.”

“If that’s a raw diamond…” Donovan mumbled, “it has to be one of the largest ever found.”

“I’ve seen plenty of diamonds but none that look like that.” Jane declared.

“How can I ever thank you for searching me out,” David said with a crack in his voice. “My family has a passion for gemstones, and there has been a long held rumor about a giant raw diamond that was lost during that terrible war. When you contacted me it crossed my mind, but I never truly believed it could be hidden in such a way.”

As they all stared at the rare find, a hush fell over the small group, until Peter reached into his pocket and produced two photographs.

“I have a collection of pictures from when the servicemen were housed here and I found these last night. I’ve been waiting for the right time to share them with you. The first is Richard alone, the second is with Julie Pemberton, his fiancé. I must say, he bares a striking resemblance to you.”

“Diamonds are forever,” David began. “We are fleeting, and so is love. When we find that special person we must hold on to them for dear life. I’m not sure how to tell you this, but…”

“Please, what is it?” Phoebe sniffled.

“Don’t press him,” Donovan whispered in her ear,

“My fiancé—she looks just like her—like Julie. And this place, when you drove through the gates I felt as if I’d been here before. Forgive me for being so forthright, but you are all a part of this. I just had to tell you. Perhaps this diamond has brought me—and us—full circle.”

“Please keep that wedge of wood,” Peter interjected. “The frame can easily be repaired.”

“Thank you, Peter, I appreciate that more than you can know, and the diamond will be displayed exactly as it is now. Would you please excuse me for a moment? I want to call Ingrid, my fiancé, and give her the news.”

“Before you go,” Peter said urgently, “may I ask, have you bought your fiancé an agreement ring yet?”

“I’m afraid not. I couldn’t find one that felt right so I’ve decided to have it made. Why do you ask?”

“Please wait a moment. I need to retrieve something from that secretary,” he declared as he hurriedly moved across the room. Unlocking the fold out desk, he reached into a shelf and pressed the the back revealing a hidden compartment. “This was hidden in our Lake House, a place where Richard spent most of his time,” he said, lifting out the pouch and carrying back to David. “I firmly believe you were meant to have this.”

Carefully pulling apart the top, he reached inside and retrieved the ring.

“But…this is…this is impossible,” he sputtered. “This is exactly like the ring I wanted to create for her. I’m truly at a loos.”

“You can use my study to ring her, it’s right through here,” Peter said, guiding the astounded to a nearby door. ‘There’ll be a glass of brandy waiting when you return. I’m sure you could use one.”

“I most certainly could. Thank you, thank you so very much.”

“Isn’t this extraordinary,” Mary said softly. “Perhaps we should return to the breakfast room now. David doesn’t need an audience waiting when he’s finished his call.”

As she turned to leave, Jane and Trevor joined her, but Donovan grabbed Phoebe, wrapped his arms around her and placed his lips at her ear.

“No matter what happens, remember I love you. I truly, deeply, love you.”

“I know, but is something going on I don’t know about? You’re so intense.”

“No, it’s nothing like that. This bizarre turn of events reminded me how unpredictable life can be, and it needed to be said. I never want you to have any doubt that I love you with everything in me.”

“Donovan…I feel the same. I love you with my whole heart.”

EPILOGUE

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