She went into the stalls as she spoke to meet the newcomers and went over their points with him one by one.
Then she told him that she had to go to the gardens and went off to find the Head Gardener.
He too was a man she knew well from past visits and he supposed that she had come to see how the orchids he was intending to decorate the ballroom with were progressing.
“They’ll be in flower at exactly the right moment, my Lady!” he said proudly.
“How would they dare do anything else!” Elmina smiled.
Then she said,
“I need your advice and it’s very important.”
Lester, for that was his name, listened attentively as she explained to him that her bridal gown was different from anybody’s else’s and it would completely ruin the effect if she had to carry the traditional bouquet of carnation
