“Well, Percival also has plans to expand the dowager home on the estate to make it more comfortable. I would live at the manor house and help guide him and then when the dowager home is renovated, I decided to move in there.”
“But,Maman, what about when I becomeenceinte…”
“Darling, nothing could keep from your side with each child you bring into this world. I will come here and stay with you as long as you like.” She leaned over and kissed her daughter’s forehead. “I promise you, my darling, I will always be there for you when you need me. But I know how important it is to have privacy when you are a young married couple. And you will have a ready-made family. Paul and Kat need you and Gerald. And trust me, you will cherish those first years of your marriage, more so without relatives around every day,” she chuckled.
“I have only just met the children, but I am already in love with them. When Gerald told me about them, I wanted to meet them immediately. I cannot believe their mother abandoned them. It is beyond cruel.”
“Darling, not every woman has the love and ability to be a mother. Giving birth to a child does not make you a mother. Raising a child does.”
“But I will always need your guidance.”
“And you will always have it. But I have seen you with those children, so patient and kind. You have that gift, mydarling.” Fleur and Anna had brought the children to visit with Selena as she recuperated. Selena had read to them and taught them songs from her own childhood. The children had been instantly drawn to Selena. Kat had laid her little hand on Selena’s cheek and asked her if she was a fairy princess. And Paul, who had been so stalwart and stoic when they first arrived, had gazed at Selena with such adoration. It had warmed Fleur’s heart.
Selena sighed, “But what about Connery? I thought that you were becoming close friends…”
Fleur felt the heat of a blush stain her cheeks. “Indeed, we have become close. Connery has spoken to Gerald about going to Rose Point as well. He has offered to help guide Percival in estate management. Gerald readily agreed.
From the start, Fleur had been drawn to his Angus—to his strength and sense of honor. Every time she looked at the tall, ruggedly handsome Scotsman, she felt like a young woman, in the first throes of love. At first, she felt a wave of guilt at her growing attachment to Angus. But then she remembered how her late husband had encouraged her to embrace her life after he was gone. They’d had many conversations in those final days after he’d had his heart attack on a hunting trip. She had been so lucky to have been able to say goodbye to her beloved husband. And she had been moved by his wish that she find love again.“We have had a good life, and I have loved you with my heart and soul for all the years we’ve been married,” Phillip had told her, “But after I’m gone, I want you to keep living...” Fleur had tried to stop him from saying what she knew he was going to say but Phillip had placed a finger on her lips. “Hush, my darling and listen to me. You are a vibrant woman with so much to give. Please do not waste the life God has given you, grieving me for the rest of your days. I want you to find a man who will give you the happiness you deserve.”Fleur had sobbedas she’d lain next to Phillip in those last days. At the time, she could not see a future without him, so embedded was she in her grief, but after Phillip’s passing, as time marched on, she felt the warmth of blessing and wisdom, urging her to live and be happy.
“Maman, I know how much you loved Papa,” Selena said bringing Fleur back from her memories, “But I want you to know, that I am so happy for you. Connery is a fine man and I know he makes you happy.”
“Thank you, my darling girl. My heart feels a little lighter to hear you say those words.” Fleur hugged her daughter and told her she would be back later. Connery had asked her to go for a walk and her heart was aflutter at the thought of spending private with him.
~*~
Connery stepped out of the stables and saw her standing a few feet away. Fleur was kneeling as she warmly greeted Dutch. The dog wagged his tail in excitement. “I know just how you feel Dutch,” he sighed. Fleur looked as pretty as a spring morning. She was wearing a blue gown that made her beautiful eyes sparkle like sapphires. She fairly took his breath away. Now that the worst was behind them, her smiles came more easily, and whenever he heard her tinkling laughter, he was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Hell, he’d been attracted to her from the start. The fact that she seemed to enjoy his company left him a little in awe.
“Good afternoon, Fleur,” he said as he approached her.
“Angus,” she breathed. A pretty blush stained her cheeks—Ach, but she is beauty.
“You look lovely this afternoon.”
“Thank you.”
“Shall we go for our walk?” He offered her his arm and they began their stroll, Dutch trotting behind them. Connerywanted to take her to the winter garden that Gerald had planted. Located behind the manor, the garden was visible from Gerald’s study. He claimed he’d wanted something peaceful to look at when he needed a break from tending to his estate ledgers, but Connery knew Gerald wanted to be able to gaze at Selena as she enjoyed the garden. Gerald had begun work on the garden well before Selena arrived but his attention had meandered, with no real direction, but after that fateful night when Selena arrived in the rainstorm, Gerald had thrown himself into finishing the garden. Connery had offered to help the young man, sensing Gerald’s determination to finish it for Selena. Connery had marveled that they’d completed it in record time. Then again, a man could move a mountain if he had to for the woman he loved. Connery felt the same way as he led Fleur to the white bench beneath a jasmine-covered pergola, facing the garden.
“How beautiful! I didn’t realize you had a gardener,” Fleur said, leaning down and smelling the bounty of white rose-like flowers. “Camellias are one of my favorites.”
Connery grinned. “We do have one, thanks to one of the tenants. But the gardener didn’t do this. Your soon-to-be son-in-law did. He painstakingly searched for flowers that would thrive in winter, including those snowdrops you see over there. (insert what snow drops look like), but it may be a few more weeks before they make their presence known. He had planned to put in pansies before Selena went missing. According to Gerald, he’s recreated a design that his grandfather had created for his grandmother. Gerald told me, he’d spent many days as a young boy learning how to garden from his grandfather.”
“I can see how much love he put into it. The garden is beautiful.”
“I see it as a sign of hope,” he said in a gruff voice. “Winter brings harsh weather and cold days, but knowing this garden ishere makes you realize that life goes on, that no matter how dark and dreary it is, there is still beauty in the world.”
“What a beautiful sentiment,” she whispered. “You are a man of poetry, Angus Connery.”
He chuckled, “Well, I’m not sure about that, but I thank ye for the compliment.”
“I am in awe of this garden,” she said. “It seems my son-in-law has an abundance of talents. Is that winter jasmine covering the stone border? We have it growing at Rose Point.” She took a deep breath, inhaling slowly. “This garden is a breathtaking sight with the most glorious scent. And with vibrant pansies and delicate snowdrops, I can only imagine the beauty when it’s all in bloom.”
“Yes, it is jasmine. Except for the pansies, the rest are perennials and will return year after year. I’ll only have the pansies to find,” he said, laughing. “While admittedly, I helped a wee bit, I do enjoy coming here and I wanted you to see it.”
“Thank you for bringing me,” she said softly. “Angus, I just want you to know that I am so happy you’re going to be at Rose Point to help guide Percival.”
“As am I. Not because I don’t have faith that the young Bowles is not capable. I’ve only known him a short while, but he seems to be as capable as Gerald. And with everything he’s been through, I am glad to help.”
“But that’s not the only reason why I’m happy you’re going to Rose Point,” she continued. “I’m happy because I’ll get to spend more time with you.”
