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After walking a few paces, she stopped in front of a section and went on her knees. Looking back to make sure he was following, she nodded and went right through, to Kenneth’s amazement.
There is no way I would have been able to find that on my own.
To the observer, the hedge appeared intact. However, when the maid went through, Kenneth noticed that there was a gap in the hedge that appeared once the leaves shifted. How Lady Rose and her lady’s maid had discovered that was beyond him.
Good thing she sent her maid to get me.
He went on his knees and followed behind, even though he got nicked in the face by some stems.
By the time he cleared the hedge, he was on the grounds of the manor and staring at the most beautiful garden he had ever seen.
He got on his feet and dusted his hands before falling in step with the lady’s maid, who had stood waiting for him to come through. Even though he felt slightly ridiculous at his gesture, he maintained a straight face to hide his embarrassment.
The garden itself had hedges and shrubs that cordoned it off from other parts of the manor grounds and kept it hidden from sight to anyone who was looking from the house.
He’d heard of legendary tea parties that had been hosted here and now he understood what the entire rave was about, even though he had never attended one.
The garden’s layout was set like a circular maze and as the lady’s maid led him through, he couldn’t help but smile.
This truly is a perfect place for a secret rendezvous.
Suddenly, the winding path gave way to a clearing in the middle and up ahead, Kenneth saw Lady Rose sitting on a bench, looking to the path that they’d just emerged from.
Under the rays of moonlight, she was a shimmering vision. She had a luminescent glow about her, giving her an ethereal look.
Noticing their appearance, she stood up nervously and faced them.
“My Lady, Lord Walsrock,” the lady’s maid announced.
“Thank you, Elsa,” Lady Rose said simply, her voice wafting gently in the wind.
The lady’s maid curtsied and left them alone, to go stand watch in the event that someone ventured down to the garden.
“My goodness!” Kenneth exclaimed as soon as she was gone, causing Lady Rose to blush slightly. “I could stare at you every day for the rest of my life and still not get used to how beautiful you are.”
“You flatter me, My Lord. You are a sight for sore eyes yourself,” she responded.
“Why, thank you.” He responded with a light chuckle.
He stepped close to her and heard her gasp. She probably had never stood this close to a gentleman before, while they were both alone. She had nothing to worry about, though, as he was in no way going to bring harm to her.
“I was worried when I got your letter. I couldn’t ignore the sense of urgency. Are you all right? Did the Earl discover our correspondence?” Kenneth asked, his voice laced with concern.
“Oh no, My Lord. My father has not discovered our secret.”
“Then what might the matter be?”
There was a brief pause but in the end she settled for more flirtatious conversation.
“Was My Lord not anxious to see me?” she said coyly.
“On the contrary, My Lady, I have waited for this moment since last I saw you.”
Whatever it is, I’m going to have to get her to feel comfortable enough to tell me.
“Care to join me on a lovely evening stroll?” he continued with a smile.
“A stroll to where?” she asked with a chuckle.
“A stroll around this beautiful garden, of course,” he responded, cocking his hand in an arch which was an invitation for her to place her hands through and join him.
She laughed lightly and hooked her hands through his.
“Well, of course, My Lord. I am in need of a little walking exercise myself,” she responded, on the brink of laughter.
