The Lost Signet Ring

     The Lost Signet Ring

Suzanne Marsh

March 2000

“Kent and Sons Jewelers”

“I found a ring, among my dad’s things and would like to have it looked at.”

“Bring it in.”

“Thank you I will be this afternoon.”

I looked once again at the ring, it was very small, more a child’s ring or a pinky ring. I was consumed with curiosity. Who could this have belonged to and why did Dad have the ring? Kent and Sons were roughly three miles away; I hastened to get there. I love mysteries and this one was very important. At least to me.

Kent and Sons Jewelers is a small jewelry store, actually more of a boutique. I strode in as John Kent smiled up at me from behind the counter:

“Good afternoon, I was hoping you would be here before two. I have an appointment then.”

“I couldn’t wait. This ring, well here see for yourself.”

He took the small ring informing me that it was a signet ring and that was a family crest. I had no idea my family even had a family crest. The most I knew was that they came from Germany. He suggested that I go to the library and see if I could find the crest. Which was where I went immediately. I looked again at my ridiculous crooked baby fingers. Someone had to have had them besides the men in our family. Maybe now my curiosity would be satisfied.

September 1870

“Luisa, whatever are you going to do? Your marriage will end in divorce here in Germany.”

“I have no idea and the duke is such a miserable swine.”

“Be that as it may child, you will lose your titles and lands here in Germany. You can’t

hide your pregnancy forever. The duke will notice. You must prepare to leave Germany

before he discovers this mistake, and you have nothing.”

“I know I can’t stay here. I am not exactly the favorite daughter of Saxony.”

“Why could you at least have an affair with another Austrian or even a German.

you had to have an affair of the heart with an Englishman.”

“Love, my dear Magda does not see nationalities; it only sees the person standing there.”

“Actually, Lord Dunlop is Scottish.”

“That Luisa is even worse!”

Luisa von Mach glared balefully at Magda, her lady’s maid. She could not fully comprehend why Magda was in such a dither. Lord Dunlop had been banished and returned to Scotland. She felt as if her heart would break; they had only been together a few times but those would last her a lifetime. Luisa was consumed by the thoughts of having his baby; now he would never know he had a child. She would see the pregnancy through then deal with the consequences of her behavior. She began to weep as Maga held her and soothed her.

The Duke sent for Luisa later in the day. She could see by his face that he was furious.

“I married you and expected you to remain faithful to me Luisa. You have not; I am

divorcing you as quickly as possible. You will lose all your lands and title. This is

Germany not Austria. NOW GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Luisa, her head bent in disgrace walked out of the Duke’s study. She had gambled and lost everything including her beloved Lord Dunlop. She needed to think, to find a way to reestablish her reputation and her life. She went back to her suite, where she found Magda waiting silently. Magda the Magpie she called her behind her back.

“What is wrong Magda?”

“The duke is sending you back to Austria in disgrace. How are you going to explain this to?

you Mother and Father?”

“The same way I explained my marriage to the duke. I will still have Lord Dunlop’s baby

to remind me of happier times.”

“The duke wishes us gone by evening. We must pack and be on our way.”

“I know Magda, I know.”

Her voice conciliatory and almost soothing. They began to pack the trunks immediately. Magda knew which dresses to pack. The duke had also sent word that there would be a horse and buggy to take them to the train depot where they could take a train back to Austria. Luisa, hated trains, they left soot and ash all over her clothing. The two women finished packing; a groomsman carried the trunks down. Then came the ultimate insult the duke had sent not a horse and buggy but a farm wagon with hay. Luisa and Magda waited as the groomsman loaded the trunks. They were both forced to sit on the bench beside the groomsman. Luisa thought: ‘so this is how it is going to be? I cannot say I am

surprised but I am stung.’ The wagon lurched forward as they began their journey back home to Austria.

The train pulled into the depot early that morning; they were greeted by two of her Father’s grooms. Luisa wondered why he had not come himself. She shrugged it off, Father was Father but what about Mother, she was the welcoming one, where was she? The grooms took the trunks carrying them toward a team of white horses attached to carriage. ‘Well,’ Luisa thought, ‘Father has not lost his

touch for grandeur.’ Once comfortably seated, the groomsman moved the carriage up to a trot. Luisa was returning home in disgrace. She supposed she should look sad but somehow, she did not feel sad. The old Duke was no marvel especially in bed; he was forty years of age, rotund and nasty smelling. Luisa was twenty, young and wanted to be her own person.

Luisa arrived home with Magda in tow; only to find her mother weeping and her father looking sterner than she had ever seen him. Her Father began to pace:

“I thought your mother and I raised you better than that. You are pregnant but not by the

Duke but some Scot”

“Father, he is Lord Dunlop.”

I don’t care if he is the king of Scotland! You have disgraced our family and yourself.

You will have the bastard and then you will send it away.”

“No Father, I will not send it away, it is part of me, your daughter.”

“You will remain hidden until that bastard is born. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Father all to clearly.”

Luisa sighed. She hoped he would change his mind, but she knew her, Father; his pride was such that he would not allow a bastard to reside here. She made her way up to her rooms; followed by Magda and her trunks. Luisa, felt isolated, alone, for the first time in her life.

One gray morning, Luisa awoke with a pain that was truly unbearable. She cried out. Magda arose quickly. She sent word that a midwife was needed. The midwife arrived shortly before noon. Luisa was exhausted. The midwife knew that Luisa was in trouble. She tried to turn the baby since it was a breach presentation. The baby would not move; that left a C Section. She told Magda to fetch some towels. Blood began to flow freely; the bleeding wouldn’t stop. Luisa’s life was ebbing away. Magda stood close to her as she whispered:

“Magda, I am dying. Take my baby and leave for the United States. You both will have

a better life. In my jewelry box is a signet ring, put that on the baby’s finger. That is

its heritage. When it is older tell it about me, that I loved it.”

That moment Luisa turned her head and took her last breath. Magda began to cry. How sad that Luisa would never know she had a son, another Lord Dunlop. Magda did as instructed. She put the ring on the infant’s finger. Packed what would be needed and headed to a new life with her charge. She named him Angus, after his Father.

2020

I finished reading the information about my great grandfather Angus Dunlop. I often wondered why he came to this country. I did know that there were two brothers that often argued about who was actually the Lord of Dunlop. Now I know and understand. The ring is still in my possession; someday I will pass onto my own child. I will think about Angus Dunlop and Luisa of Austria. I smiled as I left the library. Finally, I had the answers to questions I did not think had answers. I am proud to be a Dunlop!