“How soon can you send for someone who has dogs?”
She hesitated. “I can’t be sure since I have never had to look into it before, but it shouldn’t take more than a few days at most, especially if you don’t require the dog to be a puppy.”
Veronica thought for a moment. “I wouldn’t mind if the dog was already fully grown. In fact it might be easier if it was, it would mean we don’t need to worry about training it or finding someone who can.”
“That’s a wonderful point, Your Grace, I can begin making inquiries as soon as I’m done with my duties for the day.”
“Perfect, thank you.”
Though the maid only nodded and continued to keep pace with her. “The gardens are through that corridor and down those stairs right?”
“Oh, actually it is a bit more complicated than that. You see, we exit the corridor before it ends, and we have to go through some other corridors. It is best if I come with you.”
“When you say it like that it sounds like you expect me to get lost.”
“Truthfully, I would be more than a bit surprised if you didn’t.”
“Is the castle that confusing?”
“When you aren’t used to it, it can be.” Daisy’s voice was light and confident, though she glanced nervously at Veronica as she spoke.Odd.
“Well, if I never explore it, I am sure to never figure out the layout. And I have so much free time now that I do not have to attend all the London functions and events, I can afford to get lost a few times.”
What is your game, Daisy?
“Of course, that makes sense. Though it is rather cloudy today and if you delay by getting lost you miss seeing the gardens entirely. And with the weather lately, who knows how long it will be till you can see them again?”
What areas does she want me to avoid? Surely that must be it. More of my dear husband’s unjustified rules, at least to me!
“I see. I must say, I think you should have more faith in me.”
“I apologize, Your Grace, my comment wasn’t about you_”
Veronica cut her off with a smile. “I’m only teasing you. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt for you to come along.” At the very least that way she could start narrowing down which of the rooms were restricted, and start to figure out why...It was strange how even during the day the place was so quiet.
The house echoed their steps as they made it through a truly complicated route, full of twists and turns. If this was what Daisy meant that it was hard to go through the house, she could see what she meant. Surely they could make more doorways connecting the rooms!
“Who came up with the idea that I could start taking care of the gardens?”
“You did! I only mentioned they were lovely.”
They had just stepped outside and the cool humid air of the country enveloped her. She drew in a deep breath and felt her body relax. Perhaps for the first time since she stepped foot in that church.
“I distinctly remember you and Mrs. Carter discussing the garden at length yesterday, and what could be done to it to be better suited for house parties and such. And I am pretty sure one of you mentioned, or implied perhaps, that I could take it on.”
At least she was sure that’s what happened. She had never really expressed an interest in gardening before.
In fact, she had never been one to have any hobbies of her own. So much of her time was always spent looking after her younger siblings, and going to social events to do damage control after the fire.
There was no one here for her to look after any more.
There was barely anyone here at all.
Perhaps sheshouldmake gardening her hobby, or at least try it out. Though as she made her way deeper into the gardensshe realized they were shockingly well maintained. And almost completely devoid of flowers.
“Are the rest of the gardens beyond the kitchen garden?”
“This is the garden, Your Grace.”
