Aside from Heaven

Chapter 4j

Not concerned about the sick

It was early afternoon when Eleanor, accompanied by Gilbert, apprentice to the blacksmith, came strolling up the back path to Vivienne's home. Both had their heads together and were unaware that many members of the village and the manse were hunting for them. Fulks had begun combing the woods, Hugh as well. Eleanor's family was going village to village, looking for their daughter, everyone worried.

Vivienne saw the pair first. Denied to aid in the search, she worked feverishly in her home, hoeing her already winterized garden, cleaning and rearranging cupboards that didn't need to be rearranged. William stayed with her, making sure she stayed put. She was checking the bedding of the perennial seedlings, when she heard familiar voices. Jerking her head up, she saw the young, oblivious couple, making their way through a seldom used path, normally hidden by honeysuckle.

"Eleanor!" Vivienne dropped her rake and ran from the garden. "Eleanor! Where have you been?"

William was leaning against the door, more asleep than not. Vivienne's shout woke him from his stupor and pushing off from the post, caught up with her by the time she reached the teens.

Eleanor looked from Vivienne to Lord William, not realizing that her beau was shrinking in his boots. Gilbert was not as tall, but hulking, his build befitting the craft he was learning. He was quiet and honest, hard-working.

"We've been to Nottingham." Eleanor's eyes continued to dart back and forth. "There's been a fair and celebration..." her voice trailed off.

"Did you think to tell someone?" William cut in, stepping up and towering over the pair. "Your family, your village," he thrust a hand towards Vivienne, "your mistress has been extremely worried!"

Eleanor began to pale and shrink, along with Gilbert. "Lady Vivienne said I could go-"

Vivienne shook her head. "That's right. I did. I forgot. There were celebrations all over the shire for Hugh's wedding."

"Still-"

"Eleanor! You're safe!" Fulks rode up on his horse, Hugh and a DeGlasson knight behind him. "Where were you?"

"I've been to Nottingham-"

"I forgot. I told her she could go."

"And you were with her?" Fulks swung off his horse, leaping down in front of Gilbert. "Who are you?"

"I'm... Gilbert, apprentice to Rulf, the Blacksmith-"

"Fulks!" Vivienne stepped between the two young men. "Stop it! I've known Gilbert since he was a wee lad. Rulf, as well." She looked up at her friend and hissed. "Stop glaring! He's shy!"

Fulks was growling. So was William, come to think of it.

"I should go," Gilbert tugged at his forelock. He touched Eleanor's fingers. "I should see you at mass Sunday?"

"I'll save you a place in the pew." Much to Vivienne and William's amusement, both Gilbert and Eleanor were blushing and Fulks-

Vivienne kicked him.

"HEY!"

While Fulks was now glaring at Vivienne and rubbing his shin, Gilbert took the opportunity to nod to William before scurrying off. The small group watched as he sped through the high grass to the trees, before turning their attention to the young woman.

"Is that a new ribbon, Eleanor?"

The girl put her hand self-consciously to her hair. "Yes. Gilbert bought it." She ducked her head. "He thought it looked pretty."

William snorted and immediately found Vivienne's elbow in his side. "He is right. It is very pretty." Vivienne put on her brightest smile. "Why don't you go down into the cellar and bring up a duck. We can roast it with some autumn vegetables and you and I will sit together and chat." She frowned at William, who was smirking. "Just us girls. If my lady's maid is going to be courted by the blacksmith's apprentice, well we might want to talk about a new dress or two!"

Eleanor smiled wanly and moved towards the house. Vivienne and the FitzGisborne men watched.

"I think I'll follow Gilbert and have a chat with him." Fulks nodded to the knight riding with him to stable his horse.

"You will NOT!" Vivienne immediately jumped to her maid's beau's defense. "He's a nice young man! He's brought me injured puppies and cats."

Fulks stared at her hard. This was not the playful friend of recent years. This was the angry being from her youth, who she feared he would become. "You misunderstand." He turned to William. "Father, if you will explain to her the problem." With that he turned on his heel and followed Gilbert's footsteps. "Gilbert! Wait up!"

"Hugh," William reached out and held Vivienne by the elbow while he addressed his eldest over his shoulder. "Return to Locksley and tell Eleanor's family she has been found safe and sound. We have called off the search." He waited while Hugh mounted up and with the attending knight following, turned his attention to the very furious young woman he held. "A word. Please."

"But Gilbert-"

"Gilbert will be fine. Fulks will not harm him. You do not understand-"

"NO! I don't understand! I don't understa-" Vivienne found a large hand across her mouth.

"Five young servant girls about the same age as Eleanor on Fulks' estate were found raped and strangled last month. They had been-" William stopped, trying to find gentle words and not finding them, "physically abused. Tortured."

Vivienne's jaw dropped in horror. "I had heard there was ugliness but-"

"This person has moved to Nottinghamshire. A scullery maid and a girl from the laundry have been murdered under the same circumstances." William leaned down into Vivienne's face. "We are trying to keep you safe. Fulks will simply warn Gilbert to watch out for strangers in our shire. If he is courting our Eleanor, he will want to keep a closer eye on her." He turned loose of the girl. "I want you to think seriously on my request to move into Gisborne Hall. Bring Eleanor. If there is another incident, I will not give you a choice."

And with that, he pivoted on his heel and strode into Vivienne's home, inviting himself to dinner.

~~~...~~~

It was the coldest winter William could remember – and that included his life as Sir Guy and as Sir Roland. Everyone was staying inside with the warmth and that included whoever was murdering young servant girls. Vivienne and Eleanor stayed cozy, firewood finding it's way to Vivienne's woodpile and Vivienne teaching Eleanor about herb lore.

Sir William insisted that Vivienne dress according to her station, which meant clothing Vivienne didn't think she needed. Eleanor answered the door one cold morning to find both Hugh's bride, Ellienna, Fulks' fiancee, and a woman with a cart full of velvets and furs standing outside.

"Who is paying for all of this?" Vivienne stood on a stool, arms out, heavy wool and such draped over her limbs. "I don't need it!"

"Lord William." Henriette held up a a vibrant red swatch of wool. "I told you he has amour for you! No?" She held the material against Vivienne's face. "Ah, oui! A beautiful color for you!"

"I don't think-"

"It is the color of passion!" Henrietta stated emphatically. "Lord William would keep a smile on your face!" She turned to Hugh's wife. "Am I correct, Ellienna?"

Ellienna looked up from her cup, her face, very pale. "My father-in-law is quite taken with his ward, this is true. Hugh says we are to leave them alone and wish them happy." She lifted her cup. "Do you have more of this? It is very settling."

"Why is everyone interested in mine and Lord William's... friendship?" Both of the women snorted. "Eleanor, fetch Lady Ellienna another cup of tea." She then addressed the seamstress. "Pay them no heed. I have never lain with that man! Any man!"

The woman raised her eyebrows and said nothing as her mouth was full of pins. Her family had dressed the ladies of Gisborne since her French ancestor came from Aquitaine in the late 1100's. Rumor had it she had dressed Guy of Gisborne's lady, even though most people said he didn't have one.

Vivienne snarled and turned her attention back to Ellienna. "My lady, Are you with child?"

"Yes and do not tell."

This took the women in the room aback. "But, why not? Does your husband know?"

The noise in the room came to a standstill. "Yes, he does, but we've told no one. Not until we tell Lord William."

"And that will be?"

"After Sunday Mass." She put a hand on her stomach. "I am sick, standing over the chamber pot all day and I sit on it all night." Eleanor returned with a fresh, steaming cup, handing it to the young woman. "Thank you. Might I have some of this to take home? Actually, a lot of this to take home?"

Vivienne nodded to Eleanor and then jumped when the seamstress pricked her. "Can you not just use the first dress for measurement?"

"Sorry my lady. The dresses are cut different."

Vivienne was shaking her head, her arms drooping from the weight of the various materials. "Why so much... red?"

"My lord requested the color for you. He thinks it would suit."

Vivienne was exasperated. "He did? Why would he think that?" She was shaking her head. "'Tis much too bold."

"Regardless of how bold you think it is, he likes it, and it does suit your coloring quite well," the seamstress stated.

"And as he's paying you, that's, that."

The seamstress nodded and added more pins to hold in her mouth.

"'Tis his favorite color, m'lady." Eleanor stood in the corner, trying to stay out of everyone's way. She blushed when every head turned to her. "So the housekeeper says," she mumbled.

Ellienna turned a sickly shade of green. "Where is the chamber pot?" Vivienne gestured in the general direction and Eleanor took her by the arm and led her into the side room, where retching could soon be heard.

"You are a herbalist, no?" Henrietta sidled up to Vivienne.

"Aye. I am." She leaned over to the seamstress. "I have several dresses with deep hems. I would like to refit them for Eleanor. I will have no need for so many and she is being courted." She turned back to Henriette. "Why do you ask?"

Henriette was shaking her head. "I do not wish to go through this." She nodded towards the chamber room, where Ellienna was still retching. "I would like to take something tha-"

"Why?" Vivienne was shaking her head. "Your fear is understandable, but you need to discuss this with Fulks. Not everyone has such a hard time of it."

Henriette was wringing her dress in her hands. She was obviously distressed, a worked up state Vivienne was certain was unusual for the young woman. "Maman died in childbirth with my brother. Papa was never the same."

"Oh," Vivienne inhaled in understanding. "Don't worry. We'll figure this out!"

"No?"

"Aye."

And with that, the dressmaker stuck Vivienne with a pin, making her yelp. "Sowwy."

~~~...~~~

Fulks and Henriette married during Yule at Harridston. The home had been refurbished and scrubbed since Hugh the Younger visited. New tapestries were hung and fresh herbs were tucked in many places.

William stood in the corner, watching everything and everyone. Mellisande would not recognize her ancestral and childhood home.

William scowled to himself. Mellisande would not recognize her home, her children, or much of anything. Save himself, who she still screamed was a demon. The last time Valoel came to chide him for his pursuit and courting of Vivienne, he asked her how much longer the heavens would leave his wife on this earth, miserable and unaware of the world surrounding her.

Valoel shook her head. "Douma does not confide such in me."

"Well, she should!" William was quietly preparing the bedchamber connected to his for when Vivienne finally moved in.

Spring. By spring... Early spring!

"I will not smother her or set her aside, for that would be a cruelty," he took a sip of his wine. "however I intend on making Vivienne my Lady and I will not wait to make her my bride with or without the church's blessing."

"Have you spoken to Edward about this?" Valoel's voice was coy.

"Why would I speak to Edward?" He strode around the bed, looking at the upholstery swatches. "Do you think she would prefer the light blue or the green?" He threw his hands up. "Bah! This is worse than clothes shopping! I hate clothes shopping!"

"That is why most of what you own is in black."

William wasn't listening. "Sometimes understanding what a woman wants is very difficult. It's like trying to figure out what color the letter seven smells like." His snarl deepened. "I like red, but my housekeeper said it would not do!"

The angel sighed. This evening, she wore a celestial blue garment, one that draped and trailed behind her. "Pick the green. As you are a high-ranking lord, the king will want to approve your marriage, should it come to pass that yo-"

"Come to pass?" He picked up the blue piece and tossed it away. "Edward would not deny me." He turned to leave. "The green will do nicely."

So the chamber was being decked in a forest green, the room taking a feminine turn, one he prayed Vivienne would appreciate and feel at home in. In the meantime, he watched the dancing, watched Fulks and Henriette sit with their heads together.

Watched Vivienne, decked out in a deep red gown, with white fur trim.

The wedding was not as hugely attended as Hugh's, but according to the bride and groom, that was fine with them. It was cold out, there was snow on the ground. Their friends were there. It had taken a week for the staff and manse to recuperate from Hugh's wedding.

An arm threaded through his. "Ellienna looks very tired."

William smiled as his hand covered Vivienne's. His hard work was paying off. She was no longer skittish around him. She no longer fussed – much – when he showed up unannounced for dinner.

Or lunch.

Or to take her to Nottingham to shop.

"Ellienna is expecting a child." Vivienne grinned at the Black Knight's announcement and William realized that she was privileged to this information before he, himself. "You will be, of course, present for the lying in."

"Would not miss it for the world." Her grin, if anything, became bigger. "You, of course, will demand she have a boy."

William was watching the proceedings with amusement. Fulks and his bride were dancing, trying to maneuver close to the stairwell. "I think this time around that Hugh and Ellienna's progeny will be a girl." He turned and whispered in her ear. "I will not be disappointed. I will spoil her rotten."

Vivienne turned him in shock. "Men want sons!"

"Hugh and Ellienna will have boys. But this child she carries, is a girl." He put his arm around her and drew her closer. If there was any doubt in anyone's mind that Vivienne ette Forde, Baronnette of Clun, was beloved and cherished by the Earl of Nottingham and Lord and Black Knight of Gisborne, whatever skepticism was quickly erased. "Fulks and Henriette will have a difficult time of it, but eventually..." His voice trailed off and his attention wandered. His entire body stiffened and his posture changed. A shout had gone up as Fulks and Henriette charged up the stairs, the couple quickly guarded by Hugh and Fulks' knights. As with Hugh's wedding, there was good-natured calling, but it was short lived when it was loudly announced more wine was being served and the musicians began playing a lively jig. The spirits flowed and the room became hot. Hugh and Ellienna retired to what had been Mellisande's childhood bedchamber, it like the others, refurbished, rearranged.

Nothing of any Harridston remained.

The hour was late, and Vivienne's eyes grew heavy. She wondered aloud if there was room in Fulks' much smaller manse. The ride back to her home was quite a distance.

"No, there is not." William was wrapping her in her cloak. "I have made reservations at the inn at the hamlet half an hour from here." He was steering her towards the front door, nodding to the servants. "In the morning, we will return to Gisborne."

"But I-"

"I have a gift for you." He tucked her in the carriage. "It is at Gisborne."

Vivienne's smile was tired. "My Lord, you have given me too much."

He pulled her closer to him, as they left through the doors. The Gisborne Coach was waiting in the front. He opened the door and helped her up. "I recall you were born before Yule. Consider this a birthday and Yule gift wrapped into one." He pulled into the coach, closing the door and rapped on the ceiling, signaling the driver to leave. He pulled a heated blanket from the opposing bench and covered the two of them. "I would love to give you more."

Vivienne stifled a yawn. "My Lord, are you trying to ply me with gifts?"

"Perish the thought." He cuddled her in closer, feeling her relax against him.

The inn was small and cozy and used to high ranking company coming and going at odd hours. They were also blissfully silent when certain company came and disappeared. The Lord of Locksley paid them well for their inability to remember things. Vivienne was more asleep than awake when they arrived and she never remembered the young servant girl who was tipped well to help her disrobe and put her into bed.

All she remembered was Lord William tucking her in.

~~~...~~~

January of the Year of our Lord 1334 was particularly frigid in an already cold winter. Vivienne found herself in many homes, tending to the sick at all hours, much to William's ire. She was wearing herself down, making her susceptible to the very disease she was trying to cure. Pleas, demands, and threats fell on deaf ears. William no longer wondered who was more stubborn. It was definitely she.

And insubordinate and defiant.

So obviously, Genevieve!

As had become his habit, William invited himself to dinner, showing up with a bottle of wine. Eleanor did not greet him with her usual smile and simply pointed to a door that led to a room behind the kitchen. William had assumed it was a pantry of sorts, which it was, however Vivienne was clinking bottles and vials, digging through crates and muttering to herself.

And her language was most... colorful.

"My lady, is something amiss?"

She didn't look up, simply kept looking, moving her lamp to peer into crevices. "Everyone is sick! Everyone! Agatha's granddaughter especially so! She's run a fever for three days and her lungs are congested! I've tried everything and I've run out of sweating herbs. I've used them up! It does not help that this past growing season was abysmal!"

He thought of Alise's greenhouse, the one Roland built for her, glass brought from Yorkshire. It was over-grown, untended for years, things growing wild... there were many herbs, trees bearing fruit that no one on this island had heard of.He turned to Eleanor.

"Go to the barn and have someone saddle your lady's mare – the one I recently gifted her with – and have her brought to the front of the house." He then returned to the pantry, not giving Vivienne much time to fuss. "Please go upstairs and change and find your cloak and gloves. We are going to the main estate."

Vivienne had a crate out and was taking things out. "I need to find yarrow or some.. aha!" She held up a bottle and uncorked it. Peering in, she scowled and recorked it, setting it back. "Damnation! Nothing but dust!"

"Vivienne." He took her by the elbow. "Please change. I am taking you to Locksley."

"But-"

"Old Lord Roland's-" gag "- wife was from South France. She was an herbalist and he built her a glass solarium, where she grew all sorts of herbs. The garden is over-grown, however you might find something." Vivienne stood straight up and pinned him with a glare. "I desire to build something similar, if but smaller, if you wish. I'll allow you to set it up in the way you-"

"A greenhouse?" Her eyes were wide and William basked in the tiny moment she was quiet before she inhaled. "There is a greenhouse?"

"Aye," Ah Jesu, if she looks at me in that way for the rest of my life, "full of wondrous and mysterious things. You may rummage and dig and take to your heart's content and I will allow you to take charge of my kitchen garden and will build you a greenhouse of your own at Gisborne-"

"Or here in Clun?"

Ah, she was going to be difficult. I should step up this seduction more than a bit!

"Glass is not cheap, Vivienne and Gisborne is not that far. Come," he stepped out of the doorway. "please change into something suitable and quickly. If you have a satchel-"

She bumped into him as she flew past. "I have a satchel on the hook, if you will put the bottles and..." her voice trailed off, becoming muffled as she went up the stairs, William standing below, appreciating the gentle sway of her hips.

"My Lord?"

"Yes, Eleanor?" William's eyes were still on the stairwell.

Her foot was tapping in ire. "If I may be so bold, you are as obvious as the day is long."

William turned slowly, the smile on his face mocking and joyous at the same time. "Is that a bad thing?"

"She is good to me, my lord. I not only have a bed, but a room of my own with a fireplace and she asks me to sit at her table with her to sup!" The girl's eyes welled. "She is teaching me to read and about the healing herbs. I have clothes, more clothes than I thought I would ever have and a warm cloak and-"

"What if I told you I love her and would allow no harm to come to her or her favored servant, whom I placed with her?"

Eleanor's mouth clapped shut.

"Believe it or not," William's voice was low, one ear tuned upstairs, listening for Vivienne, "your mistress's very finger is on the well-being of my people. This endears her more to me and I would have her well-stocked and provided in what she needs."

Eleanor's head bowed, obviously upset that she might draw the Lord of Gisborne's displeasure. "Yes, my lord. I am... I am sorry, my lord, to question you."

If coddling the servant helped him in his quest, then he would coddle the servant. "You are protective of your mistress, which pleases me." Eleanor beamed. "I have nothing but respect for her." The upstairs was growing quiet. William handed the satchel to Eleanor. "You will know what bottles she needs. If you would, please?"

The girl dipped a quick curtsy. "Yes, my lord."

William watched as she scurried off. The servant was definitely more easily persuaded than her mistress. But he knew patience.

He knew patience very well.

~~~...~~~

The minute Vivienne stepped into the greenhouse, William knew, he knew, she was his. Even Eleanor would have bowed to his carnal desires had he been so inclined. But he wasn't, and his entire focus was on Vivienne.

"Oooooh." It came out as a gasp, an exhalation of breath. For some time, Vivienne strolled down the paths, plucking weeds, fingering containers of dried herbs and plants. Many she brought to her nose, relishing the scent.

Some she pulled, scowled and crushed in her hands. "Good for seed. Useless as fodder."

Too old.

Too dry.

On more than one occasion, she turned to William, finger raised, anger on her face as if to scold him, but she would stop her outburst and turn back, continuing on her way.

"Is something amiss, my lady?"

"No! Yes! Why do you a- EUCALYPTUS! You have Eucalyptus! Oh, sweet Mother Mary of God!"

William smiled. "Is something amiss?"

It came out in a rush. "I cannot believe this wonderful garden has been left to ruin! How could you? How...how... you said you would build another one in Clun?"

Oh, you little mischievous, manipulative... you're good, but I am better!

"I said I would build one in Gisborne. For a boon."

Vivienne stopped in mid-stride. "Boon? You said nothing about a boon!"

"I am now." It was not lost on William that Eleanor turned beet red and whisked around the path, out of sight. He came in close, pinning Vivienne to a strange tree, invading her personal space.

Definitely taking her out of her comfort zone.

"We will talk about that in a few minutes. Come. I have something I want to show you." He breezed by her, leaving the young woman, gasping for air. "Come quickly. I don't want you to get lost."

Vivienne was over-whelmed by the scent of leather and it caused confusion. For some reason, the scent was familiar to her, an old, ancient memory, from a dream, the vision of a large bed, a shadowed man in black lea-

"Vivienne? Are you lost?"

Vivienne shook herself from her reverie. She followed quickly in the direction the man had gone. "Lost? I would love to wander this place for..." she stopped in front of the small tree William stood before. "What is this? What color is that? I've never seen the like."

William reached up and pulled the orange from the branch. "It is out of season, however, because of the warm temperature kept in this greenhouse, there are three that produce fruit over the year." With the orange in his hand, he motioned to the other two. "My great-grandmother was from the South of France, near Providence. 'Tis said my great-grandfather Roland, loved her very much and brought many herbs, spices, flowers and plants from there, so she would not become homesick."

"Roland FitzGisborne breathed life into you."

William rolled his eyes. He was so tired of hearing the very story of his existence. "This fruit has something in it that has kept the FitzGisborne's healthy for some generations." His voice dropped to an inaudible whisper. "She swore by it." Turning the orange to the stem, he began to peel. "During the winter, my cook uses a preserve made from this on the morning bread." The thick, calloused skin of the fruit was pulled back, the scent exploding in the corner of the greenhouse. Vivienne leaned forward, trying to look, trying to smell...

William pulled the fruit apart and took a section from it. "Try it." He dangled it above her head.

It was obvious the man intended to feed her and while the thought mildly irked her, she wanted to taste this sweet pome.

It took every ounce of William's self control, not to take her to the floor the moment her lips wrapped around his fingers.

The aroma was simply a tease, the tang exploding on her tongue. She reached for the remainder of the fruit.

William held it back. "We have a boon to discuss."

Her hand stopped in mid-air. "Yes?"

"A kiss."

She squinted at him inexasperation."A kiss? A single kiss?"

William continued to hold the fruit above his head. The juices were dripping between his long fingers. "Any time I wish one."

"Lord William-"

He was shaking his head. "No. William. Just William." He saw her protest coming and cut it off. "You should try one."

"My Lo-"

"William."

The sigh was exasperated. "William, I fear you will be kissing me in all places public. My reputation-"

"Will not suffer. I promise not to embarrass you." The grin was snarky and evil. "Try one."

Vivienne was deep into dangerous territory. This man invaded her dreams, kept her in a sweat, a sense of sexual urgency. Her confessions bothered the village priest, the fact she even entertained him for meals, for anything. Fulks and Hugh assured her endlessly, their mother was no mother to them, no wife to the Lord of Locksley, not for many years. Their wives couldn't understand why she wasn't already in his bed. The marriage bed was such a joy!

'Aye! You have a marriage! I would not!'

'You will! Why wait?'

'You know you want to.'

"You know you want to."

Vivienne jerked from her thoughts. "What?"

William rolled his eyes, laid the remains of the orange on the shelf, and pulled her to him. Not waiting for her to look up, he gently tucked his finger under her chin and lifted her face.

His mouth descended.

And in that moment, Vivienne ette Forde, knew what it meant to have one's breath stolen away.

~~~...~~~

William was quite pleased with himself. Vivienne had pulled him to her several times before turning him loose and looking quite irked with herself. She then stepped back and went about the business of not only finishing the orange, but gathering several for her satchel.

"What is this called?" She held up a freshly picked fruit.

"It is called 'Auranja' in the old Provencal. According to the old shipping logs, an ancestor of Alise d'Aigues-Mortes brought several saplings from Sicily and planted them in the garden there. Cuttings were brought here for her pleasure and these trees are considered quite rare. I believe they are the only ones in England."

Much to William's delight, Vivienne was not so gracefully cramming the remainder of the orange in her mouth, before moving on and pointing to the tree. "You say there is healing properties?"

"My sons and I eat the fruit from this tree regularly. We have never grown ill with colds or such."

"OH! You have a lemon tree!" She disappeared around the corner.

"I see I will be kissing you often," he murmured to himself.

"This garden is in terrible need of pruning and weeding!" Vivienne came back around the corner, each hand cupping several lemons. "'Tis horribly over-grown. The weeds are choking the herbs and ginger root! Eleanor!" The servant came running around the corner. "Get my satchel and remove the jars." She dumped the lemons into the bag and pulled an orange from the tree. "Eat this. It is very good."

"I will see to it that you have a jar of the preserves for your pantry and a jar for medicinal purposes."

"Thank you." The jars were labeled and she grabbed several. "Thyme, thyme... you said you would build me such a greenhouse in Clun."

Stubborn, stubborn woman...

"I said I would build such a greenhouse in Gisborne that you could use. The kitchen garden has not been set up and if it pleases you, I would allow you to set charge of that as well."

Vivienne was yet again around the corner. "William, the kitchen garden is the responsibility of the cook or the mistress of the house!"

"Yes."

"Your cook-"

"My chatelaine is my cook and Margaret would like to retire!" He was staring into the rafters of the greenhouse, enthralled by the growing vines and roses. "As for the mistress of the house, we have danced around this subject for some weeks."

"William-"

"As mistress of my manse and my mistress, you would be in charge of hiring a cook, have charge of our home, given a generous allotment for clothing, among other things. You would have the same duties and responsibilities and reputation as my lady wife in Gisborne and have access to this greenhouse, as well as the garden in Gisborne. My only request is-"

"Kisses." She came back around the corner, several thyme twigs and eucalyptus branches in hand. "You wish unlimited kisses."

"For starters."

The look she gave him would wither a lesser man. "I should give you my father's bed warmer." She turned and continued down the stone walk.

He chased her down the path. "Ah, but you are a much prettier than that old beat up, dented thing."

She stopped and glared at him. "How would you know?"

"I gave it to him."

She rolled her eyes and continued on her way. "If someone would retrieve the jars of preserves for me, I must get to Agatha's granddaughter. She can hardly breath and I would put her in a hot bath of eucalyptus and thyme, as well as make a tea with lemon and ginger."

"Vivienne, it is after dark and you and Eleanor will spend the night here."

"William-"

"I will send my man to Agatha tonight with tea for the child. We will leave early in the morning."

Things began to go into the rucksack. "I will be back after I've checked on the child to begin cleaning this... this...mess and prepare seeds for the greenhouse you will build in Gisborne. The sooner it is up, the sooner I can plant." Her rucksack filled, she stood up and headed towards the door. "Kisses, my lord. Simply kisses."

He made sure she had several more before she reached the house.

Tbc

About oranges: They were cultivated in China around 2500 BC. Citrus fruits came to Sicily around the 9th century and they were introduced by the Moors to Spain – Al-Andalus in the 10th century. The Sweet Orange was unknown until the late 15th century when the Italian and Portuguese merchants brought them into the Mediterranean area. Eventually, they made their way to England. They were exotic and only for the wealthy. They were grown in orangaries.

Word came from the Old Provencal – Auranja or une norenge.