Garden

 She hasn’t seen me yet.

 It took some very careful planning, nudging, and maneuvering but I was able to get to the house early, have a quick word with the oldest brother -and my dearest friend- Lord Pikins, who messaged the maid, who spoke with the lady. Luckily she took the bait and decided it was a rather nice day for a walk in the garden. So here I am. 

As undignified as it is to hide in the bushes hoping nobody sees me, I do it while working to build my confidence. She’ll be wooed by the end of the day if fate allows.

Though fate has not been too kind to me of late. Lady Pikins seems to run from me every time I am in conversation with her and her ignorance is astounding for one so dashing and polite as I. Ever since we met, she finds an excuse to leave before I even get the chance to work my charm.

I had been pondering my dilemma for some time when I realized that we had, in the past, always had the company of others when I had been in her elegant presence. Hence my brilliant plan to find a time when we could be alone. 

Her maid is in on it. I’m sure the entire household is too and her mother absolutely adores me. Her older brother, just barely older than myself, has been trying to pry out of her what her neglect towards me is about. He discovered nothing.

Lady Pikins walks around the bend and towards the bush I am conveniently hiding in. My heart speeds and I worry that she’ll hear and it will give away my location. Now that I’m here, maybe this is a terrible idea. I’ve completely forgotten what I had meant to say. This will be a disaster!

She walks by me, unaware of my presence and continues forward. I cannot wait any longer and by some way, I stumble out of my hiding spot.

The sound startles the lady and she turns to me with an alarmed expression. I brush off my coat and reach a hand up, muss my hair, and find a leaf which I quickly pull out.

Her lips twitch and I worry that she is upset with me for startling her.

“I am so sorry, Lady Pikins.”

“Mr. Langue.” Her lips twitch again and her eyes shine with something bright, so captivating I have to look away to keep my head. “What were you doing in that bush?”

Her question is innocent, I suppose, but embarrassing all the same. “Oh…just, you know…checking the…proportions.”

“Proportions, you say?”

My eyes stay firmly behind her, anywhere really but her beautiful face. “Yes.” I say briskly. 

“Is something off about the proportions of this plant?”

Her voice is extremely serious and I chance it and meet her gaze. “No. They are perfect, I assure you. But it’s never a waste to check every once in a while.” 

I know precisely how stupid I sound. I’m honestly surprised that she hasn’t run from me yet. I take advantage of the situation and search for one of my many many compliments about the lady.

A glint enters her eyes and I fear she will walk away now. But then her lips lift and I’m rewarded with a smile. A smile so genuine, so different and refreshing from all the other ladies I’ve come across. I smile in return, an inevitable gesture.

“Would you care to walk with me? It is a lovely morning.”

I have to mentally smack myself to remember my manners. I bow and walk to her then hold out my arm. “It would be a pleasure, Lady Pikins.”

We walk the path in peaceful silence. What has changed that she so suddenly wishes for my company? I cannot fathom an explanation.

“Mr. Langue, may I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“How long have you been an expert in garden work?”

I feel my cheeks warm slightly. Oh dear. “I’ve never really had an interest until this very morning.”

She chuckles and I grin at having made her smile again. I want badly to ask her why she so thoroughly avoids me. But I stay silent.

We make it to the fountain and Lady Pikins stops and lets the breeze mist her with the water that sprays into the air. After seconds of the comfortable quiet morning she turns to me and her eyes bore into mine full on.

My breath catches in my chest. How did one look make me feel like this? Like the world only mattered if she was mine. Everything about her made every other person in my life seem dull. Did she know that my heart was hers? That no one could bring a smile to one’s face or light a room the way she could.

Lady Pikins tilts her head. “What’s that look for?”

I blush and look away to hide it. I walk around to the other side of the fountain and the spraying water distorts her across from me. One moment, I see her clearly and the next, she’s gone, the water blocking her image. 

I continue my circle of the fountain but Lady Pikins walks also, still on the opposite side. She smiles at me and that sends my head spinning. How can she all of a sudden seem interested? Her expression tells me that she is teasing me. But why?

“I spoke with my brother.” She says.

“Oh?”

“He had some very interesting things to say.” A pause. “About you.”

Uh oh. This can’t be good. But I smile politely. “And what things did he reveal about my character?” We continue our slow walk, circling one another.

“He didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. Except for one thing.” Lady Pikins looks down as if shy, something I’ve never seen before. “And I didn’t believe him.”

“So you’re here to find out if it’s true?” I guess.

“Perhaps.” She turns and walks towards the rose bushes. I jog around the fountain and catch up with her.

“What is it you wish to know, Lady Pikins? I’ll be happy to clear up any confusion.”

She looks at the roses as she speaks, not really meeting my eyes. I watch her profile and can sense the hesitation in what she is about to say. I brace myself for whatever it might be.

“My brother thinks very highly of you, you know.”

“I should hope so, us being close friends.”

“Yes.” Lady Pikins seems to be beating around the bush. Stalling.

“Shall we continue our walk?” I ask, trying to ease the tensions that I feel building between us.

She sighs. “No. I’m sorry for being vague, Mr. Langue.”

“Don’t fret.” I say.

“He said that you wished to…to court me.”

My mouth hangs open as my intentions are spoken aloud. It is odd, hearing it from her. Her words are anxious and my heart sinks. She probably hopes that it’s a lie.

Quickly, before I can think of a reply, Lady Pikins says, “I assure you though, I told him that it couldn’t be true. You are only very friendly towards me because of your friendship with my brother. And you are a gentleman. I made sure that he understood how absurd the suggestion was.” Now that she has finished her declaration, she looks less tense yet waiting for me to say something in return.

What can I say? Lady Pikins didn’t look too thrilled about the idea of me wanting to court her. My ambitions die. If she truly is horrified at the prospect, then why should I continue to try?

“Well then. Do not worry about what your brother said.” I try for a smile.

“So he wasn’t telling the truth then?” Her eyes are so concerned.

Can I really lie and tell Lady Pikins that her brother had deceived her? Or humiliate myself and be honest. My hesitation grows into awkwardness, one that holds the answer but she still waits for my confirmation.

“Your brother was telling you only what I have spoken to him. More times than necessary I presume.” She gasps a little. “I am sorry if I have offended you.” I say.

Lady Pikins shakes her head vehemently. “No. No, I…” She seems to be having a hard time with the words and she has that shy look again that is enchanting on her. “I am flattered. Truly.”

Flattered? My heart picks up speed, so much that I feel dangerously dizzy and light. Lady Pikins smiles at me and moves towards me gracefully, slowly. Her nearness is enough to weaken all of my senses.

“Tell me, Mr. Langue, why you look so terrified.” Her words are a whisper.

“Because the girl I love isn’t running away.” I say quietly. “Why not?”

“She probably never believed that her older brother's friend would ever want her. She probably had trouble being around him when he was never an option in her mind.”

“Would you have me?” I ask, my heart beating painfully. “If I asked?”

Lady Pikins puts her arms around me and breathing becomes difficult and heavy. She doesn’t answer though, only brings her face closer. She smiles, tempting me. I am the one who has to bring my lips down to meet hers and it is the most wonderful kiss. An eruption of love and happiness fills my whole soul.

From behind the nearby rose bushes, I hear whispered words sounding suspiciously like my friend, Lord Pikins. “It actually worked.” And a giggle that matched that of the maid.

I pull away from Lady Pikins and hold her hand. I eye the roses then continue our stroll through the garden. We’d go somewhere more private at the end of this walk.