“Good idea,” nodded Jeremy.
“May I take a look at the flowerbeds, Giles? I know my Lady has mentioned some new plantings and I had a couple of suggestions…” Gabriel hesitated.
“If my Lady approves…”
“She does,” smiled Gwyneth. “A lovely notion, Gabriel. And a good time to do it, since we can see what’s coming into bloom and make the best decisions on what to put where.”
“Well I’ll be in the kitchen.” Evan flexed his hand, now free of the sling. “I have many things to do, least of which is to prepare a really good dinner. It feels like years since I had one.”
Snorts of derision greeted his pronouncement.
“I see that everyone has their assigned tasks,” said Giles. “So let’s be about our business. I’m sure a little concentrated effort will reduce the pain you’re probably all experiencing this morning.” His face betrayed his amusement. “Look at it this way. It would have been a hell of a lot worse if you’d been drinking a cheaper brandy.”
“The man has a point,” observed Jeremy.
“Yes, but it hasn’t really helped,” griped Evan, resting his forehead on his hands.
“Fresh air,” sighed Gabriel. “I really think that’s what I need…” He rose and extended his hand to Gwyneth. “My Lady?Sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste…”
“Good God,” said Royce, a look of shock on his face. “That’s Shakespeare.”
“I do read, you know,” observed Gabriel mildly, waiting for Gwyneth to rise. “It’s from Richard the Third.”
“Well done, Gabriel,” she smiled at him. “You’ve managed to astound our inscrutable Royce.”
“I rather think I did.” Gabriel grinned. “I feel much better now.”
Royce sighed, an audible breath that followed them as they left the room.
“He’s really a good man, you know.” Gabriel took her arm, twined it through his and put his hand over hers where it rested on his shirt sleeve.
“I know. I just want to poke a hole in his pomposity sometimes. He’s a bit smug.”
“He’s been through a lot.”
She nodded and let him lead her outside into the sunshine. “Yes, yes he has. Something we can all sympathise with, I suppose.”
They stood and looked around, seeing the green lawns, the tall rhododendron bushes, the willow in the distance by the small stream.
“We do need some flowers, Gabriel.”
“Yes we do.” He glanced up. “And you need a bonnet, Gwyneth. Wait here and I’ll fetch yours.” He hurried back inside.
Lured by the sun, and ignoring the threat to her complexion, she strolled over the lawn, wondering if it would be possible to put a flower bed around the magnificent shrubs. She could see the brilliant colours of spring bulbs blooming at their base, leading up to the explosion of whites, pinks, and magentas when the flowers came into bloom. There would be sun on one side for the more robust plants, yet plenty of shade for the tender ones who shied away from the heat.
She rounded the massive mound of lush green, strolling down the side away from the house, and then facing them. Yes, there was room to dig…probably a couple of feet at least…
Arms came around her and she jumped. “Goodness, that was quick…”
The arms tightened and a hand crept up, covering her mouth.
“Hullo Lady Whore. Didn’t think you’d ever see me again, did you now?”
The man holding her adjusted his position and she became aware of a sharp something digging in to her side. She wanted to gasp, but he shook her. “I’ve a knife next to your heart, dear Countess. Move, scream, struggle…it’ll slide in like you were butter.”
She trembled, but managed a nod.
She had recognised the voice.
