What Happens By Candlelight

Chapter Nine: The Garden

Many flowers were in bloom for the season, which was dazzling the simple little garden. Even though darkness has set, the full moon lit our way as we strolled through the budding plants.

Silence consumed us as we strolled, making me wonder why he wanted me to walk with him. There was always tomorrow when the sun would be out for me to see the vibrant plants more clearly.

At some point, I seated myself on a bench, admiring the flowers that bloomed beside me. I believe they were petunias, but I was never one to pay attention to different flowers and plants. "Are you enjoying the garden?"

I swung around when I remembered who I was here with, but all I saw was red. I hadn't noticed Gabriel had seated himself beside me, or the close proximity between us. I cautiously lifted my gaze, only to see his lips quirk at my flushed state. How had I not noticed his presence? Was I even fit to be a spy?

"My, your cheeks match my uniform darling!" I gapped, completely appalled by his remark. "Are you running a fever perhaps?"

He moved his hands to rest on my cheeks, knowing full well that it would make me even more flushed. I wanted to open my mouth to scold him, but he beat me to it. "Your temperature is quite high, my dear. Should we call a doctor?"

Two can play at that game

"I am feeling quite faint," I dramatically lifted a hand, placing it on my forehead as I left out a sigh. "It must be the heat. Take me back inside?"

There was a moment of hesitation as he tried to figure out if I was faking or not. Eventually, he stood, offering his arm as he waited for me to stand. I stood, only to "fall" into him.

"Pardon me! I must be fainter than I realized," I couldn't keep the sly smile from slipping, giving away my little charade. Without another word, Gabriel swooped down scooped me into his arms. While I was incredibly embarrassed, I was also highly amused. "I can walk, you know."

I received no response at first, and only the distant sounds of the camp and crickets could be heard around us. "Can you? I hardly realized."

Someone was bound to see this. There was always at least one pair of prying eyes. "You really should put me down. Rumors, remember?"

I was finally allowed back onto my own feet. With the ground no longer being a great distance away, I relaxed and set the pace for the rest of our stroll back to the manor. "Do you usually set about picking women up?"

"Do you usually throw yourself -quite literally- at men?"

"Touché," I paused, trying to think of another conversation. Something seductive, something to gain his attention and trust...

"Christina," I turned my attention back to the blue-eyed man. "I was wondering, a while ago you offered me assistance if my... Night terrors became too much to bear. I was hoping that the offer was still open?"

I hesitated.

"I suppose it will do me no harm to listen to your troubles, so long as it helps you," we came to the back entrance as I finished speaking. "I do hope you can trust me enough to speak when the time comes. Thank you for the tour, and good night."

~~

"What do you mean?" I hissed at Madeline, who was busy reading a passage from the bible.

"Exactly that; Gabriel and your brothers left with the rest of their battalion to deal with a battle a few towns over," her hazel eyes glanced up at me, an eyebrow quirked in assessment, "why does it matter?"

Was she testing me again? "It matters because my brothers left for war without telling me or communicating with me for three years, and now they've left for battle without a word. I have reason to be worried I do hope," her shoulders lifted and descended before she returned to casually reading. I let out a sigh from her lack of response, choosing to focus on the needlepoint I had begun.

How could the three of them just up and disappear without a word? Gabriel was with me, alone, last night! Did he not have the decency to inform me of such matters? And my brothers! How could they betray me again!?

"Maddie! Maddie look!" a young girl, no older than fourteen, came prancing in the room, proudly holding a manuscript paper of music staff, which had been filled in with handwritten notes. "My first real composition!"

"Sabrina!" she scolded, "What have I told you about entering my private chambers without permission!"

With a pout, the girl seated herself beside me on the chaise, completely ignoring my presence. "You do it to father all the time! Why can't I freely enter a room as I please?"

The two began to argue, comically throwing insults at one another. "What would that Tristan boy say if he saw you rudely coming and going in other people's rooms!"

Sabrina blushed, hiding her cheeks behind her hands. "Don't bring Tristan into this or I'll bring up the Lieutenant Colonel!"

Both sisters began to blush, refusing to say another word to one another. I eyed the two, waiting to see what would happen next. Madeline finally remembered my presence.

After clearing her throat, she lifted a hand in my direction. "Sabrina, this is our guest, friend, and companion, Christina. Christina, my younger sister, Sabrina."

The two of us shared a nod of acknowledgment. Sabrina seemed completely uninterested in me, and I honestly felt about the same. She had little importance to my mission and was not close enough in age for me to get any valuable information from.

"Anyway," Madeline interjected, breaking the quiet atmosphere. Her book laid abandoned on the side table, its page marked and likely to be forgotten. "Father is already planning the All Hallows Eve, so the three of us must prepare to have our dresses made."

I made a face, desperately wishing to not attend such an event. I would be surrounded by British soldiers and loyalists in a place where I could not risk saying a single thing that might raise suspicion. Not only that, but I had yet to find any useful information to send to my dear employer.

I do hope that the idiot was wise enough to understand that seduction is not an easy thing to accomplish so quickly. It takes time to understand what men desire in a woman; such as her personality, her style, her tastes in the arts or lack thereof, etc. The Lieutenant Colonel has given me no indication as to such things. While I can hope and dream to have gained some trust and friendship, the man still remained a mystery to me.

He is a hard case to crack, especially for someone like me who lacks the experience and expertise when it comes to the ways of seduction. 

"What do you say, Christina?" I had completely ignored the two girls conversing with me. Had I really been so empty-minded? 

"About the dances, do you know any country dances? I've hardly paid any attention to my tutor in the past couple of years!" Sabrina snorted at her own folly, hopefully seeing the irony that has fallen upon her.

"I myself have never attended a party with dance, only dinner gatherings during the holidays," I hesitated, remembering the years of lonely Christmases, praying to receive word on my foolish brothers. "But I am positive the two of you can guide me in the right direction."

Madeline gave me a stern look, while Sabrina found excitement in my lack of experience. "Up, get up this instant! I will not have my companion lack the necessary skills to enjoy such festivities!"

I should have remained silent on the matter.