Page 38 of In Just a Year
“What does it mean?” Vati held the other little monkey against her chest.
“It’s a derivation from the amber light that the Indian sun casts through the palm garden to make his ears glow orange.”
Amberley yawned again, and Ben rocked him as he did with Raphi’s son Joseph.
Vati stilled and ogled Ben curiously. “You know how to hold a baby. Most men don’t.”
“I’m from a large family and have older brothers with children.”
“That doesn’t mean that you need to take care of them. Men don’t—”
“Of course, I know how to hold them. I love them! We all live close to each other and one day, when I have a baby, my brothers will love him or her, too.”
“You must miss your family very much, Ben-Ben.”
Ben sighed. He did miss them with every breath he took, but he also missed Esther more than he could bear.
“I’ll wake up every four hours to feed him if you tell me what he needs,” Ben said when the little Amberley fell asleep on his arm.
“I’ll have it sent to your chambers.” Vati smiled. “When can you return to your family?”
“When Baron Stone’s next ship leaves the harbor,” Ben said sadly.
“Why aren’t you happy about it?”
Ben inhaled and looked around. There were no other people around and something about this girl made him comfortable to confide in her. Maybe it was her resemblance to Esther, or maybe just his hurting soul for he’d never been less complete than now. How misguided he’d been; the treasures of the dynasty were back home, his family.
“I came all this way to find something and retrieve it. But once I arrived, I realized it might not be found. I don’t want to return empty-handed.”
Vati looked at the monkey in his arms and gave a mischievous grin. “You won’t be empty-handed. Tell me what you’re looking for. Maybe I can help you find it.”
CHAPTER16
Meanwhile, back in London, Esther went to St. James and asked for her sister.
She found Hannah having tea in the green parlor room with Eve Pearler. Although Hannah wasn’t a Solomon anymore, but an Ehrlich—Arnold bore his father’s name but was related to the Pearlers on his mother’s side—Eve was always there for Hannah. Her son Fave was like a brother to Arnold and she treated him like a son, thus, she was Hannah’sde factomother-in-law. Hannah couldn’t have asked for a better, kinder, and more generous family than the Pearlers.
“What brings you here today?” Hannah asked as she rose and poured a cup of tea for Esther.
“Comemaidale, sit with us.” Eve twirled little Izaac’s fingers around her own.
Izaac was the elder of Hannah’s two children, named after Arnold’s grandfather. He looked exactly like Arnold with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes that charmed the ladies. Esther was no exception; her little nephew had captured her heart. Family meant everything to the Solomons and the Pearlers alike, which was why she’d come to speak to Hannah.
“I was hoping to speak with you about Papa.”
“What’s the matter with Papa?” Alarm pierced Hannah’s voice.
“Nothing. He’s fine. But … ahem…” Esther cast a look at Eve who had turned her little grandson and was bobbing him on her lap. “May I speak freely?”
Hannah’s mien darkened. “Esther, out with it.”
“I need help to plan a wedding.”
“Who’s getting married?” Eve asked without looking at Esther.
“I am.”
Hannah dropped her teacup on the saucer with a clank.
