Almost, Completely His

Chapter 5

I awoke to the sound of birds chirping and dull conversations coming from outside.

Pearl knocked and walked in quietly, slowly pulling back the drapes and smiling at me when she realized I was awake.

“Good morning miss.” She said in a cheerful tone. Her red hair was in a neat bun at the back of her neck and her brown eyes were wide and energized.

“Good morning Pearl. How was your night?”

“Quite uneventful I dare say. But that is always a good thing is it not?”

I nodded and walked to the window. Gardeners were chatting about as they trimmed hedges and cared for the flower bushes. So that’s where the conversations were coming from.

“It’s still as beautiful as I remember...” I muttered.

Pearl returned from the wash room where she was preparing a bath. She looked out the window and smiled.

“Yes, the countesses’ gardens have always been beautiful. Always prioritized and cared for. That has never changed since I’ve been here. I find peace in that.”

I kept my eyes on the gardeners and their cheerful smiles. Some would briefly look my way but then immediately looked away. I could tell by the way they maneuvered around the bushes and trees that this was a well established routine. A comfortable schedule.

Unchanged and peaceful.

I sighed, wishing that I felt that.

My life was not only going to change for I was in search for a husband, but because that would lead me to leave my family home, leave my brother and father and throw me into the unknown and unexpected.

At the thought of the unexpected, Arthur’s face crossed my mind.

That man had toppled me last night. He had caught me off guard, tipped my scales off and all he had to do was be near me.

I had been unable to muster witty comments, argue, instigate or even contribute to conversations.

All because he put me on edge with his bright green eyes, golden jaw length hair, broad shoulders, strong hands and clean mahogany smell.

Damn him.

“Miss Celeste?”

I turned to see Pearl looking at me concerned.

“Yes?”

“Are you feeling alright? I don’t think you heard me asking which bath salts you preferred.”

I dramatically yawned and rubbed my eyes.

“I apologize Pearl. I’m still awakening that’s all, I’ll take the lemon bath salts please. But do minimize the amount and add more soap.”

“Yes of course. And what dress would you prefer for today? I do believe the countess has a small lunch organized with friends.”

I looked out the window again, feeling eyes on me. But none of the gardeners were looking my way.

As I looked out I was amazed at the height and thickness of the hedges. Maybe I’d take a book and read outside after conversing politely with the countess and her friends.

And sneaking some food with me too.

It was a warm day but there were still clouds in the sky. I knew I’d be in this house for at least three days before we went out to the city. And I’d have to occupy myself without interacting with a certain someone.

Maybe I’d take a walk around the gardens with my brother or Charles. Even father or the countess.

“I believe the long sleeved pale yellow dress will do for today Pearl. I could definitely benefit from a happy yet calm color today.” I stepped away from the window and into the washroom. I looked back once again feeling like I was being watched. There was no one even looking my way, I was being dramatic.

“I don’t need anything too extraordinary today.”

Arthur

I hadn’t been able to sleep much at night.

After a few glasses of brandy with Charles and Enrique, I retired to my room.

When I reached the landing I felt the urge to go to Celeste’s room. Not only did I want to see her, but I felt like I had done something wrong. Insulted her in some way.

She had walked away quickly from me.

But I decided it was best I go to my room, after all, visiting a lady at her chamber after hours was most improper.

Yet despite locking myself in my room and trying to will myself to think about something, anything, my mind kept coming back to her.

The way she gracefully stood and spoke. The beautiful way her dark curls framed her face and the delightful way her full pink lips parted before she spoke.

She hadn’t said much the night before but I still hung on to her every word.

It surprised me that she didn’t try to wreak havoc or indulge us with her sarcasm but then again, she must have been tired.

As I lay in bed I remembered how 10 years ago Enrique had mentioned that the Viscount had hired a female tutor to prepare Celeste as a lady.

To help polish her to be a suitable wife. And I remembered Charles and I being doubtful that anyone would be able to tame such a wild child. Enrique had laughed and said he wasn’t worried about Celeste losing herself.

But my stomach twisted at the idea that he was wrong. Was someone able to tame the wild girl I knew? Was she forced to lose herself or hide away who she really was?

As a child I would have celebrated, thrown a party even, but now it didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t like the idea that the beautiful girl that had been in front of me was caged in, that she was forced to be someone else. Those thoughts put me to sleep and filled me with worry.

The next morning I decided to wake early despite not having slept much. The gardeners usually arrive very early to work and I had found that throughout the years I enjoyed being outside with them.

They were very cheerful, kind and hard-working. It was untraditional and unseen for wealthy sons to be providing aid to servants. But I enjoyed being around them and learning so much. They were hard-working men who talked to me like I was a regular man, not the son of an Earl who demanded too much respect or was arrogant.

The house was fairly quiet as I made my way through it. As I passed the hall that led to Celeste’s room, I forced myself to look away and keep walking. Surely she must still be asleep, there was no reason for her to be up so early.

I made my way outside to the back gardens and the gardeners were already there. They greeted me happily and I rolled up the sleeves of my old shirt that I wore when I helped them. They asked me about my day and what I had planned. I told them that I was visiting for the summer.

I let them know that I was in the process of finding bachelor dwellings in the city but wanted to spend some time with my family before Charles was it too occupied filling the role as Earl and I was too far away to spend time with my mother.

I was in the middle of kneeling down and trimming a very tall hedge when the gardener next to me laughed.

“Looks like we have a young lady fascinated with our work.”

My head snapped up and looked in the direction that he was facing. Celeste was peering out the window of her room. My breath stopped and I stayed still, not moving for I did not want her to see me. That would interrupt the pure image of beauty that was in front of me.

I could see she was still in her nightgown, but she was slightly hidden behind the deep green curtains. Her curly hair was wild and framing for small face. Her dark eyes were wide and full of amazement as she looked at my mother’s gardens.

The small rays of sunlight that hit her illuminated her like an angel. They bounced off her skin and she absolutely glowed .

To my surprise, hot jealousy filled me as I noticed other gardeners look up at her. I did not like them looking her the way I was, but I also couldn’t blame them. She was young and beautiful and anyone would have to be a fool to not be amazed by her beauty.

I saw a maid walk up next to her and talk to her. Celeste looked back and forth between the maid and the garden until she finally stepped away.

“How long is the young lady visiting Sir?”

I looked at the gardener who had initially pointed Celeste out. He was back to trimming the hedges. I arose from my kneeling position and tried to shrug casually.”the entire summer I believe.”

He snickered and smiled at me.

“It must be a privilege to host such a beautiful young lady.” He gave me a knowing look and I rolled my eyes.

He grinned even bigger and shook his head.

“I assume I’ll be seeing you out here more often in the mornings Sir.”

I knew what he was insinuating, and I wanted to disagree or dismiss his comment. But I couldn’t, I would most definitely awake early and help in the gardens.

I didn’t care if I got dirty or if I didn’t get enough rest, if I could see what Celeste looked like in the mornings, still a bit tired and how she looked like when the sun hit her face, then I would happily denounce my title as the son of an Earl just to be a gardener and see her every day.