The path led to a large bench in front of a fountain. She admired the rich splendor as she sat down. She could only dream of having a garden such as this one.
It could be your home if you marry the duke.
She pursed her lips. There were not enough beautiful gardens in the world that would be worth marrying such an unpleasant man.
Footsteps to her left startled her. She turned to see a small figure staring up at the sky. Then he looked at her and darted behind a bush. She relaxed, knowing it was no more than a child. “Good evening,” she called out. “Are you enjoying the night too?”
The bright moonlight gave her just enough light to see a small face peek out at her.
“It’s all right,” she said to him. “You’re not in trouble, you know. I wouldn’t mind the company if you want to sit next to me.” She wondered if the boy was lost. She didn’t know there was a child on the property. Perhaps he was the son of one of the servants.
Whoever he was, he showed no inclination to talk to her, or even come near her.
She gave an exaggerated sigh. “All right, then,” she said. “I suppose I shall just admire the night sky all by my lonesome. Such a beautiful night, isn’t it?” She pointed up at the sky. “I can see so many constellations. Orion’s Ribbon is shining brilliantly tonight. And there is the bull! What is his name? Finnegan? No, that does not sound right. Oh, I know! Terrence!”
The little boy stepped out of the bushes then, shaking his head frantically.
Selina cocked her head to the side innocently. “No? Is that not correct?”
The boy shook his head again and stepped even closer to her.
She smiled and patted the bench. “Then perhaps an expert like yourself should come over here and tell me.”
The boy hesitated for a moment before sitting next to her. She smiled and pointed at one of the constellations again. “Which one is this?”
The child stayed silent. Realization dawned on Selina. “You do not speak much, do you?” she said, gently.
His face crumpled slightly before he slowly shook his head.
She smiled. “That is quite all right. It just makes you a better listener, doesn’t it? How about I guess the constellation’s name, and you tell me if I get them correct. All right?”
He nodded. His face was still quite serious. She had never seen a child look so pensive before, and she couldn’t help but wonder what he would look like if he smiled.
Selina pointed to the bull constellation. “That is a bull, yes?”
The boy nodded.
“Is his name Thomas?”
He shook his head.
“Oh, I know. He looks like a Taurus, doesn’t he?”
The boy nodded vigorously. He still didn’t smile, but he seemed to relax a little.
Selina kept pointing out constellations and guessing names until all of the constellations were named. The boy had moved closer to her, and she could finally see him in better detail. She wasquite sure he wasn’t a servant’s child now. His clothes were much too fine. He had dark, curly hair, although she couldn’t quite tell if it was brown or black in the dim light. She wondered who he was.
“I believe I forgot to introduce myself,” she said. “I am Lady Selina Davidson, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
The child pointed up at the sky. She looked up. “What is it? Did we miss one of the constellations?”
He huffed and pointed again, this time more aggressively. She looked at the stars, trying to understand what he was saying. “It is beautiful, isn’t it? I’m happy I’m out here instead of in that stuffy ballroom.”
The boy opened his mouth, as if to speak, but no sound came out. Instead, he tucked his feet up on the bench and held his knees to his chest.
Selina wished she could understand better. She had felt like she had grown closer to the boy, but now she might have ruined it all.
She looked up at the stars again. “We can sit here in silence, if you want,” she said softly. “If you would prefer it if I talked, all you have to do is tap my arm, all right?”
