"Stop all this, Brother. I am well. No more injections, please, unless I truly require them. Don't you see how much better I feel? The pain has subsided for the most part. I'm walking, eating...I'm going out to the garden today to spend a few hours outdoors with Lilias. We're having our tea together there.
"Well, if you insist upon it. You must take your usual regular daily medications, however."
"Yes, I know."
"Take it easy. Slowly. You must pace yourself. No grand exertions for at least another month until I can fully observe a massive improvement to your muscles and get your arthritis under control. Follow my orders or you'll end up bedridden again."
Archie wished he could ignore those orders. Archie longed to be one with Lilias again. It had been a few months since their honeymoon. He ached to show her how much he loved her body and soul.
After Archie left to meet Lilias in the drawing room, Rose appeared.
"Neville, have you gone mad? We can't let them alone together now."
"He'll follow my orders now. I know Archie. He's grateful to be out of bed."
"Yes, but how do you propose day by day we drive them apart? They only seem to have grown closer after this."
"Hush, Rose. His poor health bought us some time. I need to think."
"I thought you had this worked out."
"I did at first, you know. Clemence was supposed to have cared for him-nursed him. I didn't realise sweet Lilias was so commanding and fiery in certain matters. Remember? She ordered her gone-dismissed her."
"We have to do something." Rose was agitated.
...
Lilias and Archie promenaded the path to the garden gracefully and slowly arm in arm.
"I'm sure you've kept our paradise abloom with colour and thriving, my wonderful darling."
They approached the door.
"I can't wait for you to see the new varieties of cream-coloured and pink Roses that have magically climbed their way all around."
...
Archie's eyes sparkled in awe.
"I can't believe it! It's perfectly marvellous!" He then looked at Lilias. "You're perfect and marvellous." He gave her a sweet kiss.
Lilias smiled, "I'm glad the garden pleases you."
"More than the garden, you creature from heaven." He paused. "I cannot find words to adequately express how much you mean to me." He brushed his fingers across her face so tenderly.
Lilias had Ben Weatherstaff the head gardener and the others set out a table complete with tea service under the shade of the archway of old ruins contained within the garden walls.
They moved to sit down together there.
"It's a bit hot out today. Glad we could shield ourselves from the Sun in the shade here." Lilias then removed the outer robe to her tea gown.
Archie couldn't keep his eyes off her.
Lilias, catching him staring intensely in a romantic daze at her, grinned and blushed.
"What is it?" She sweetly spoke.
"You look quite beautiful. That is all."
"Oh," She blushed more.
"It's so joyous to be here with you, my love. I'm ever so happy. I love you." She continued her eyes almost glassy with emotion. Leaning across the table, she kissed him gently again.
Lilias recited what was set before them on the table.
"Oatcakes and cream. Sweet plums in this jar. That's lovely."
After their tea and cakes digested, they walked over to the swing. Lilias sat upon it. Archie grasped the ropes, pulled the swing back, and let it go with Lilias gracefully upon it.
Lilias laughed playfully while swinging.