Ada & The Queen (The Woodhouse Series #3)

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

*Royal Horticultural Society Garden, South Kensington*

If there was one event I would attend, it would be the Great Spring Show.

The one time I had attended was the year after Mama died and Papa took me and encouraged me to look for all of the floral displays with violets in them.

He always had a way to make me feel better.

Florence's adoptive mother, Elizabeth Moore, was here in London for the social season and her arrival was a pleasant surprise. I adored her as she adored me and I found it amusing that she made my brothers quake in their boots.

Elizabeth, Florence and I headed to Kensington Gardens for the Great Spring Show to enjoy a beautiful day in the sun. Elizabeth explained to us she had sponsored a garden for the Royal Caledonian Ball, which she was a patron of.

I wore a beautiful pale yellow dress with a frilly neckline and white flowers. A matching hat sat on my head as I held a small bag and followed Florence and Elizabeth around the vast gardens, admiring the beautiful creations with different themes and symbols.

"They have a Japanese zen garden!" Florence was reading the guide and I peered over her shoulder to see.

"Will there be cherry blossoms?" I asked and she nodded. "We have to go there!"

Florence led the way as I looped my hand through her arm, Elizabeth following close by.

We arrived at the Japanese Zen garden and I marvelled at the blossom petals blowing in the window, grabbing a handful and tossing them on Florence who giggled.

"Adelaide?" A familiar voice spoke my name and I turned to see Octavia, Maude and Lucy together, all dressed in pastels to match the garden atmosphere. "What a wonderful surprise to see you here!" Octavia reached forward to greet me and I was cordial enough to greet her as well as Maude and Lucy.

"Likewise!" I smiled but was panicking inside as I was truly not expecting to see any familiar faces while out today. Florence stepped forward and smiled, waiting to be introduced. "Oh...this is Florence Moore...my unofficial sister..." She was introduced in different ways every time and Florence greeted each of the ladies. "And this is Elizabeth Moore...Florence's mother."

Elizabeth stepped forward and her authoritative stance made the smiles drop on all three of them. They greeted her regardless as Florence and Elizabeth stepped away temporarily.

"Ms Moore...seems..." Maude started and I knew who she was talking about as I laughed.

"No...Elizabeth may seem strict and authoritarian but she is a lovely person once you get to know her..." I explained. "I mean, she has to be. She raised Florence and Florence is the sweetest and most selfless person I know."

"I take it Florence is adopted?" Lucy asked and I nodded "How did a Scottish woman end up with your family?"

I told them how my family met Florence and her move to Cornwall when my mother died, Maude and Lucy feeling sympathetic to losing my mother at such a young age, but Octavia was silent as we strolled through the gardens, admiring the other masterpieces and presentations.

"When Mama died, it would've been just me with my brothers and my Papa, so Florence became my governess and companion to help me go through so many things that my mother should've been there to guide me through. She's my best friend and my sister in every way but blood..."