Lady Claire’s Gardener

She watched him from her balcony, as she did on those occasions when he tended the south garden. Papa would not approve of her lusting after a gardener. But surely Papa had been young once.

At her debut, he had been excited for her. “Look around you, my darling one,” he had said. “All these young noblemen will be clamoring for your attention. But you mustn’t trifle with them, for you have the power to break their hearts. And you must choose wisely. Remember, my dear, the daughter of an Earl does not marry beneath her station.”

He was proud and loving that night, but also sure to make his point. No, he would not be pleased with Terrance. But she simply couldn’t help herself. The fresh bloom of love on a maiden’s heart would not be ignored. And so, she broke the first rule her father had set for her…she trifled with a man’s emotions.

She found any excuse to be alone with him. Little by little, she became bolder and bolder. First, she’d let him touch her hand. Then her cheek. Then her hair. She was the aggressor, but Terrence did not try to dissuade her. Rather, his attention only fanned the flames of her desire, until it got the best of both of them. They wanted nothing more than to be wed.

So, they made plans to elope and then hoped to run away to France, or Germany, or even the Americas, maybe.

She wore a simply white frock with a ribbon in her hair. He had picked the finest lilies and sweet William from the Earl’s garden and fashioned a bouquet for her. And they kissed as man and wife, there before the vicar in a town miles from her own.

As they walked to the inn, she held tightly to his arm and whispered all of her dreams for their future. They had never been alone for so long a time before. Never had the chance to really talk. Now they had their whole lives before them.

“Oh Terrence,” she swooned, “won’t it be marvelous? There is so much in store for us! Tell me, have you ever been abroad?”

He looked at her askance. “Well there’s a strange question! Certainly not! I have always been a man!”

She was confused by his response, but preferred to let it pass, so as not to spoil the moment. When they arrived at the inn, she asked for the most beautiful suite they had available. The desk clerk, noting her white dress and bouquet, delicately asked, “Bridal?”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” interrupted Terrence. “She can just hold on to my ears until she gets the hang of it.”

Young Lady Claire wished she had listened to her father after all.