The Blue Queen

Chapter 8

The next day I get a new supply of fabric. The man is the same as last time, the conversation is purely about the fabric but he smiles widely at me, making me think he knows something I do not. I take the case upstairs to my room and leave it to make dinner, it often plays on my mind, it would anyway but the delivery man's face makes it stay at the forefront of my mind.

Once the house is asleep I open the case and find a bright red rose on top of the fabric, it is almost the same shade as my cheeks get; Its petals are so soft and bursting with their beautiful fragrance. I take it out with the fabric and read the letter straight away to cure me of the curiosity that has clung to me all day.

Dearest Anna,

I wanted to let you know that your jam recipe is the only one my kitchen makes now, I have amazing cooks however the jam you made is still better somehow, I think it is because it was made by your tender hands.

I also wanted to let you know I dreamt of you again, it seems that when I dream of you my body is the most rested in the morning. I hope to see you in my dreams every night. I am curious to know what you dream of at night.

I have no plans for Saturday, therefore I have arranged for us to meet. I have sent an invitation to your father and sister to take a tour of court at the same time; I made sure it to be given tomorrow. As long as they confirm their attendance I will pick you up after they leave.

I honestly want to see you sooner. I was truly displeased to see how you were treated yesterday, I could tell they were holding back on tone but I also felt as if they were giving you extra things to do to keep you away from us. I wish you were the only one there. I admit I did not defend you when they made remarks about you however this was only to make sure you were not caused harm by me making my feelings clear, it was hard to do for my feelings for you are strong.

I hope to see you in my dreams again tonight, for it is the only way I can cope with not seeing you in person sooner. Luckily the chances are considerably high for you are on my mind constantly which is something I am grateful for; thinking of you is the only sweet thought I have at the moment.

Yours

Harry

P.s The rose is from my garden, I planted it a few years ago and I picked it myself. It is the best rose I could find for you deserve only the best.

I smile happily as I read his words, smelling the rose as I do. It saddens me to think I am the only good thought he has, I wonder what else his life entails; thinking about it I do not know much about him.

As I start making his shirts my mind wonders, I wonder what his childhood was like. I know he ran away rebelliously but was he rebellious overall? What did he have in way of friends? What did he learn and did he enjoy learning?

My mind also wonders to now; how has his parent's death affected him? Is that why he is upset? What is making him upset? Is there anything I can do to help? I am positive he does not deserve the sadness he mentioned. While I do not understand why I am the only good thought I am glad he has it. He is also my biggest pleasure; at least we have that for each other.

I finish the shirts quickly; I have made shirts for years so I can finish all of them in an hour. I don't know how many shirts Harry wants but I would make a thousand shirts if I got to read his words. I admit I feel guilt for having Harry's interest, but I simply cannot bring myself to do anything to rectify it.

Once the shirts are done I start to write my response, it takes me a while to think of what to say but once I start I honestly find it hard to stop, it is as if he is right there and I can talk to him, it just takes time for a response.

Sweetest Harry,

I must say I am honoured to hear about my influence in your kitchen. And I admit I blushed as I read that I also have an influence in your dreams. In all honestly I think my mind is sometimes too tired to dream, but since moving back to England my dreams have been of two things; a lavender field I went to in Ireland with a friend of mine and your garden. I prefer when I dream of your garden for you are also there. Perhaps when I see the lavender in your garden one day my dreams will blend and you will be in my dreams every time.

I thought you did well with my father and sister. From their lack of questions after you left I also understood that you didn't make your feelings clear, I am grateful. And your assumptions are again correct; they held back their tone but did keep me busy. They wanted to impress you I suppose, that means not seeming angry or annoyed and keeping me away. But I find the good in the situation, you were impressed, but by me.

I wanted to tell you I am glad that having me in your thoughts is a sweet experience, however it saddens me to hear you say it is your only sweet thought at the moment. You deserve sweet thoughts Harry; you are so kind and humble. I am glad I can bring you even a small part of the joy you bring me however I want most of your thoughts to be happy ones. I hope you have few other thoughts so this is the case but with your title and your coming title I doubt this is the case. I wonder what troubles you so. I wonder if I can help.

I am sure my father and sister will take the invitation, my father will take it as a learning opportunity for if my sister courts her suitor George she will be welcome at court. I doubt they will ask for my attendance. I am looking forward to meeting with you again, I too would like to see you sooner but I will take what I can get.

Yours

Anna

P.s. The rose is wonderful, thank you. I will treasure it.

I hide his letter with the others and seal my own letter. I prepare the case and head to bed. At this time of night I can see the moon from my window, I wonder is Harry is looking at it now too, it is the same moon after all. After staring at it I soon fall asleep, the scent of rose surrounding me instead of lavender. I think it is the reason why I dream of Harry, he fills my senses.