Page 56 of In Just a Year
And with this realization, Ben’s heart swelled with renewed love and admiration for everyone awaiting him at home. This wasn’t just about treasure hunting; this was about understanding the essence of family, kinship, and the honor of earning the responsibility to create and educate the budding generations. Izaac Pearler had created a trail of lessons so that each of his offspring, including the Klonimus brothers as his best friend’s children, would carry on the privilege of being part of their dynasty. And this, he realized, was the most precious lesson he could ever learn.
CHAPTER27
April 30, 1818.
They made it to England. The air in the cabin was thick with the smell of salt and wood intertwined with a hint of ink and parchment. The comforting scent was a constant reminder of the vast ocean that surrounded them, and the adventure that lay ahead. Despite its austere simplicity, the room held the essence of the sea and the spirit of exploration, embodying the heart and soul of its inhabitants. And Ben was sick of it.
All he wanted now was a piece of fresh challah with butter and a cup of milk with honey. He missed his family, the bustling carriages at Piccadilly, the bell over Papa’s store door at 35 Regent Street. He even missed his little brother Nati, who always burst into his room in barefeet looking for something to borrow, paper, pencils, handkerchiefs … probably just a ruse to be with his big brother. Ben missed that now. He wanted to be the big brother—even to be a little brother to Gideon, Raphi, Caleb, and Aaron. He wanted to play Perseus for his little nieces and nephews at the Pearlers when the small family dinners turned into parties with over twenty people. He missed all of it, the entire family, everyone from their Diamond Dynasty.
Most of all, he missed Esther. The long black hair framing her face. The gorgeous thick lashes she batted and how she squinted before she said something witty. Ben felt a rumble deep in his stomach, the sensation of a hearty laugh at her jokes and the need to catch his breath when they chased the little family members. But that wasn’t all.
He’d left in the middle of the beginning. They’d just learned to kiss, given each other permission to go further, and declared their feelings. Everything had gone so fast and then the pause—a whole year—interrupted their flow of love. He was finally sailing toward the English coast. In a matter of days, he’d be back with Esther. Would she be wearing his ruby ring?
Oh the rubies! Ben patted his pocket with the pouch that held the most precious stones he’d picked out for the Crown Jewels. He hadn’t cut them yet. They were out of dried fruits and pickled limes, and if he had to eat one more fish, he’d vomit. Now they’d reached English waters, he lost his patience. The treasure hunt had been a success; he’d brought plenty of jewels back as well as Izaac Pearler’s mystic sapphires. Yet, until he was with Esther, Ben couldn’t enjoy the success of his journey. His year-long absence had cost him time with Esther, which made the price for all the jewels simply too high.
* * *
Across Town,Esther picked up a gem rough from Caleb’s worktable at the Klonimus workshop. As a wedding gift to her and Ben, the brothers made a set of wedding bands.
“I’ll give this one more polish on the inside and it should be ready.” Caleb handed Esther a delicate yellow-gold ring that sparkled with uncountable tiny diamonds as if frost had settled on it during a bright sunny morning.
She held it against the light and read the inscription.
B & E June. 2, 1818
“June second?” Esther blinked incredulously at Caleb. At the same moment, Raphi and Gideon set their tools down and came to Caleb’s worktable.
“The schooner is expected at Port Authority in the early hours the day after tomorrow,” Gideon said.
“Fave and Arnold made inquiries with the Admiral, and they’re already in English waters,” Raphi added.
Caleb wiped the wedding band and set the pave one intended for Esther into a little brown velvet box on a cream-white cushion next to a plain but thicker white gold band. “You’ll need these soon, Esther.” He beamed.
Her heart jumped in her chest as if it were trying to get out and run toward Ben. Run, run, and throw herself in his arms. But she was frozen, surrounded by Ben’s big brothers who watched her with expectant dark eyes, all the same dark Klonimus eyes. Only Ben’s were green and she … she’d see him soon…
“I have to get ready!” Esther said. “I have to get the cake—”
“It’ll be delivered on time,” Gideon said.
“And my dress, the last fitting—” she exclaimed.
“Come, I’ll take you to Eve.” Caleb, still smiling, reached out a cavalier hand so Esther could hook herself in and follow him.
Her mind pounded with only three words. Ben’s coming back. Ben’s coming back.
CHAPTER28
June 2, 1818.
The boatswain came below deck. “They’re coming to inspect the goods.”
Ben and Greg had packed their belongings and split up the most precious gems to bring on land when the commotion above deck started.
“Who’s coming?” Greg asked. As the owner of the fleet, he was technically above the Captain, but both he and Ben had earned a position of great respect since they’d shared Vati’s gifts with the crew. No more men died, and they all treated Ben and Greg like royalty.
“There’s an old man with thick ledgers and a few others. He says he’s here on behalf of the Regent to register—”
“Nagy,” Greg growled, casting Ben a knowing look. “Thank you!” He nodded at the boatswain to dismiss him.
