🌱 hugh verdun + elizabeth wells
Elizabeth was up with the sun. She rose early each morning to greet it; starting her work as soon as the first signs of light crept over the horizon. It had been a busy spring: in addition to everything else, she’d been caring for two lost and wounded princes and their loyal advisor. But as always, when there was a challenge to be had, Elizabeth would eagerly rise to meet it.
She was in her garden this morning, planting some vegetables, when she saw an unfamiliar figure approaching her. She shielded her eyes from the sun to have a better look, but all she could discern from the way he carried himself was that he was no hired hand. Afraid for a moment that it was Lord Devereux, she steeled herself for an unpleasant conversation, only to see, to her surprise, that it was Hugh Verdon, instead.
“You’re awake!” she cried, “And moving about! How are you feeling?” She asked,moving to greet him. It had been nearly two weeks since the three of them had stumbled onto her land and this was the first that she’d seen any of them well enough to venture out.
“Never better,” Hugh replied, looking invigorated by the fresh air and sunlight. He’d been distracted by the world around him: the birds, the grass, the trees … it was the first time he’d had the chance to see where he’d spent the last fortnight. He turned towards her, noticing, for the first time, that she was in the middle of her work, “May I assist you?”
Elizabeth eyed him, uncertainly, “Are you sure you’re up to it? I don’t think you should do too much, too soon.” She cautioned.
“Miss Wells,“ He began, “I’ve been inactive for so long, I feel I may go mad if I remain idle a moment longer. I am determined.”
She couldn’t help but smile at this, “As you wish. I would advise against it, but I’m much too busy to argue with you.”
He knelt down beside her, looking a bit uncertain as to what needed to be done next. She realized he was waiting for her instruction.
“You’ve never done this before, have you?” She asked.
“I’m afraid not.”
Elizabeth laughed. “How shocking that your education did not include it! You’re superiors have failed you miserably.” She teased.
“Indeed,” He agreed, “I’m woefully unprepared, it seems.”
“You know all there is to know of history and politics, but what good shall you be to your king if you cannot plant a garden?”
“None at all, it seems. Will you teach me?”
She nodded, taking a handful of seeds from her pocket and placing them into his hand. She noticed, as her hand brushed against his that though they were rougher than she had expected. Not so much as a man who had spent his life as a laborer, but more than a man who had been born a noble. It’s from spending his life on the run, she thought.
“Take a few … just two or three at a time … and place them into a hole you’ve made in the ground,” She handed him a spade, “It doesn’t need to be deep - just a few inches. And then cover them again. And that’s that.”
They worked side by side together, making quick work of it.
“Have you done this all your life?” He asked.
“No, but it feels as though I have. This farm was my late uncle’s, before it was mine. I never knew him. I wish I had! My father was displeased that he’d made me his heir. He was hoping, I think, that I’d make a mess of it … which only made me more determined. I am,” she began, casting him a smile, “as it turns out, rather good at it.”
He nodded, “You speak in jest, but I can tell that you are. You’ve made quite a success of it. You should be proud. You don’t seem to need our help but, all the same, I hope that you will consider the offer the princes have made you: we owe you our lives, you know. Once they are restored to the throne, anything you desire is your’s. You only need to ask.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “What I did was nothing. I did just as anybody would, had they been in my situation.”
“No! I can tell you from experience that that is not the case. Do you know how many people have turned us away, when we needed their help? More times than I can count, Miss Wells. We will not see you go unrewarded for this kindness.”
“You are very insistent,” Elizabeth replied, smirking, “but you will find that I am just as stubborn.”
Hugh smiled, his eyes bright, “I always did love a challenge. I promise you that, one day, we shall think of something to offer that you will accept.”
