our love blooms (like flowers in the spring)

duty or love?

"Miss Christina Harris of Southampton." The doorman announces.

Christina turns to one of the servants. "Where is the Viscount?" She asks with an impatient tone.

"Follow me, Miss." The woman bows and leads her to his office.

Christina thanks her once the owmna opens the door for her.

"Jack Avery," She starts but quickly stops when he shushes her.

Jack looks out the window with a small smile on his face. She approaches, curiously checking out what he is looking so fondly at.

She sees a man. He was cutting the grass so the garden did not become unruly. The man was shirtless as he was sweaty from working under the sun.

"It is him." He mumbles. "It is him who invades and makes of my head his home." Jack clears his throat. "What is it that you want, Christina?"

She sits in front of his desk. "I have put some thought into your words during my party."

Jack keeps looking out the window. "I do not blame you for wanting to cut ties. I am disgraced." He sighs.

"I do not wish to stop being friends with you." She confesses. "I admit I was caught off guard, but Jack..." She pauses, "if there is one thing I know is that it hurts to love someone you can not have."

Jack looks at her. She continues. "You are right. Love is a factor I have not taken into consideration. You should be able to love a person loudly. It is what it means to be human, I believe. It goes beyond social norms—beyond God. I... I apologise for not thinking of your words."

"I forgive you." He looks back out the window. "It is excruciating to be smitten by such a striking individual." His hand touches the glass. "Every time I approach such a presence, I just melt into a puddle. It is dangerous to have that kind of power over a man."

Christina smiles. "They have bewitched you. You have become a poet."

"I would become whatever his heart desires for me to become." He waves graciously at the gardener as he sighs happily. "Perhaps I should build a greenhouse." He turns to her. "He adores flowers."

"It would be quite the gift." She sits up. "Perhaps you two could sneak out to the greenhouse..." Christina trails off.

Jack looks down as the tips of his ears become red. "I am still a man of God, Christina." He reminds her. "Nonetheless, a greenhouse will be built."

***

Christina ended up having dinner with the family. She was questioned about her intentions with Jack by Kristin. She dismissed her nearly immediately, making it clear as day that they were only friends.

Ava adored her and was marvelled at her fascinating stories.

"Ava, have you found a suitor?" She asks, as directly as one could.

His sister chuckled nervously. "The Marquess has not returned as he promised. He is the only one who has brought me the slightest of interests." She confesses.

"Well, I happen to know a prince... who is searching for a suitor."She smiles. "I can arrange something for you two to meet. I would be chaperoning you two to assure you everything will go well.""

"My daughter... a princess!?" Kristin gasps.

Ava looks at Jack and back at Christina. "Yes. I would like that a lot." She smiles.

"Please, tell us more about the Prince." Kristin looks directly at Christina.

"I believe I would spoil the surprise for Ava, Baroness Hawke."