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December 28, 1894
After Rose arrived at the greenhouse in Covent Garden, She met with Mr. Crowder, and he took her on a tour and introduced her to the other employees. He asked Scarlette Rose to demonstrate her mastery of plant grafting and determined she was best suited for the rose room assignment.
"Miss. Rose, I wanted to ask whether you are also an arborist?" Mr. Crowder was strolling with her to meet Hans; she could hear Crowder's cane click on the ground with every step. The young gentleman, Hans, worked with the fruit trees. Out in the orchard attached to the greenhouse.
"When I was a child in France, I helped my mother with the apple and pear orchards. We used to graft other species of fruit trees to create different tastes for the fruits. Mostly doing the same thing as I showed you this morning with grafting the roses." Rose explained to Mr. Crowder.
"That is superb, Miss. Rose, Hans will be glad to have you here, and you two may be able to exchange useful information. He is also a very skilled horticulturist. We are indeed happy to have you working with us." Mr. Crowder beamed at Rose like a lucky penny. Once she finished meeting Hans in the orchard, Rose returned to the greenhouse and began her work.
At lunchtime, Rose sat in the warmth of the greenhouse and ate the meal Larson had handed her in the carriage. Molly, his housekeeper, had sent a slice of meat pie, cheddar cheese, and a hand full of almonds with a fig. It tasted delectable. Rose thought it better to stay quiet around her co-workers. She was in over her head when it came to talking about current events with anyone, except for the aspects of her work. Rose thought it better to keep still than open her mouth and possibly say something she shouldn't. She decided to listen silently to her peers talk. They were discussing their plans to celebrate the incoming New Year. Rose furrowed her brow at the discussion. She wondered why they would celebrate it in January. Wasn't New Year usually celebrated in March? she thought.
This new world Rose had awoken to was such a curiosity. She thought about how everything was foreign and unfamiliar yet full of beauty and mystery. It sometimes frightened her. There was a lot for her to comprehend, and Rose knew it would take time to learn and adjust. Even the uncertainty of her future scared her... At the moment, she was enjoying her happiness and the company of her new companions, the Milners. Rose, did not want to miss out on a second of her new life.
***
At the end of the day, the flowers that could not be sold to the markets and were considered second-rate they were placed onto the waste wagon. Rose discovered that Mr. Crowder would give them away to the local pauper's graveyard. She understood what Larson had told her. He was right. Mr. Crowder was a remarkable man.
"Mr. Crowder, may I buy a few second-hand flowers before the wagon leaves?" Rose queried her new superior. She pulled the coin purse from her pocket to pay him.
"Miss. Rose, you may take what you need from the wagon. They are free to anyone who needs them," expressed Mr. Crowder.
"Thank you, Mr. Crowder. I appreciate your thoughtfulness." Rose chose the best bundle of yellow lilies she could find and dressed them with bear and feather grass. It was a gift for Allison to say thank you for the gloves. It wasn't much, but Rose thought Allison would understand the sentiment.
As promised, Larson was waiting for Rose with the carriage when her shift ended. It had started raining, and Larson met her with an umbrella to keep her dry. "What do you have there, Miss. Rose?" Larson inquired.
"They are a thank you for Allison," She replied, and Rose noticed as soon as she entered the coach that Larson's sister was not there. "Where is Allison?" Rose sat on the bench with a frown, and Larson took a seat next to her.
"Allison went ahead to the house. I had her run some errands. Don't worry. She will be there when we arrive." Larson placed his hand on Rose's. He could see she was tense about Allison not being present. "Oh my! You're freezing. It would be best if you didn't catch a cold. Take my coat." Larson removed his wool overcoat and wrapped it around Rose. Taking her hands in his, he rubbed them, brought them to his lips, and blew warm air onto her fingers to keep her warm. She blushed at his kindness.
They soon reached Bedford Hills, and quickly ran into the house. The wind was picking up and pushing the heavy rain sideways. Rose could smell dinner coming from the kitchen as she entered the home. The scent was something she had almost forgotten. It was a roasted pheasant.
"Larson, is that you and Rose?" Allison called out loudly from the library.
"Yes, dear sister, we have returned, and that storm is worsening." Just then, a loud thunderclap could be heard, and it shook the windows. Larson walked over to the fireplace and added another log. He then pulled a chair closer to the fire for Rose.
"Rose, please, take a seat and get warm. I will see if dinner is ready," Larson regaled her like she was a fragile flower. Rose thought she had never been treated this well, which was a nice change.
Allison entered the living room and joined Rose next to the fire. "Here, It's not much, but these are for you." She handed the blossoms to Allison. "It's just a little thank you for the gloves." Rose smiled fondly at her newfound friend.
"They have a beautiful fragrance and look stunning. Rose, you did not have to do that, but thank you so much for the bouquet." Allison took the Lilies to the kitchen and returned a short time later with the flowers, placed in a crystal vase, and set them on a side table in the parlor.
"Ladies, dinner is ready to be served." Larson was summoning them to the dining room. He stopped and leaned against the entryway observing the women talking in front of the fire. He thought to himself he could get used to coming home to this. He had never been one to think about women or marriage as he was always busy with the clothing store. Larson began to realize he wasn't getting any younger, and maybe it was time to settle down.
Larson escorted his sister and Rose to the dining room. He waited behind his chair as the ladies took their seats, then took his place at the head of the table. Larson said grace, and the trio began to eat.
The meal was elegant and consisted of a beef consumé with warm dinner rolls. A pheasant was carved and served on top of roasted apples, leeks, carrots, and toasted hazelnuts. Followed by a small side salad, a selection of cheeses and fruits, tea, and a cognac for Larson. Everything served was richly flavored and savory. Rose had never eaten so well. She was conscientious about pacing herself and trying a little of each offering. Rose was still unsure of the etiquettes and was going to see if she could find a way to learn them without being discovered by her new friends.
During dinner, the three companions discussed their day, and Larson asked Rose about her duties in the greenhouse. He was impressed with her expertise. Even though what she told him was not something he was not knowledgeable about. Larson knew Rose was a well-educated and intelligent woman. It made her even more desirable to him.
"Rose, I'm pleased your first day of work went so well. I have something to give you. I sent Allison to pick them up from a local bookseller. I hope you like them." Larson reached out and handed two brown paper-wrapped packages to Rose. She gently undid the wrapping to find a first edition of Pierre-Joseph Redoutés Book Of Flowers from 1820. It was a massive volume with over six hundred pages of botany's most beautiful watercolor illustrations.
The second book was just as impressive. It was a 1613 copy of Basilius Besler's Florilegium. Rose imagined that these had to cost Larson at least a year's wages. Rose looked at Larson in astonishment and then shook her head, "I cannot accept these, Larson."
"Nonsense, these are given freely, and I expect nothing in return." Larson was firm about her keeping the books. "I've only known you a very short time, but you are a good woman Rose, and you deserve nice things. I don't know anyone who would appreciate and cherish these more than you. I hope they will be of help in your new position at the greenhouse. Please relish the books, and don't fret. I like seeing you delighted." Larson's smile softened as he stared into Rose's amber eyes.
Allison sat at the dining room table and watched the exchange between Larson and Rose. She could see her brother was enamored with the young woman in front of him and Rose seemed to respond in a like manner. Maybe Larson would finally settle down. He and Allison had talked several times about what they wanted in a spouse, marriage, and children. Even though it was way too early to assume they would even court each other. Allison was in hopes that Rose would be the one that Larson would take as his wife.
After dinner, the three went to the living room and sat around the fireplace. The weather was beginning to decline rapidly, and there was a nasty chill in the air. Allison curled up on the settee with a quilt and resumed reading her novel. While Rose skimmed through the beautiful pages of the Redouté Book Of Flowers. Larson sat at the roll-top desk answering correspondence and preparing for his buyer's trip to the garment district in Paris.
It had been a day filled with new adventure, and Rose was exhausted. She leaned back in the chair. Rose's eyelids were becoming heavy as she looked at the stunning images in her new book. She closed her eyes for what seemed like second. The next thing Rose knew; she was in her bed. Rose was still dressed with a heavy blanket covering her. She guessed Larson had carried her to her room. He was one of a kind, a real gentleman.
December 29, 1894
The following day was Saturday. The sun did not break through the clouds, It was bleak and cold as the rain dropped out of the sky like a giant waterfall. Larson had already left before Allison and Rose had aroused out of their beds. He was heading to Paris. Larson had to be in France by Monday to meet with the clothiers and purchase the next season's designs for the shop.
Rose was the first downstairs and seated at the table for breakfast. She had brought her new books to read at the table. Rose still could not get over the kind gesture and the magnificence of the books.
"Good morning Rose," she heard Allison walking into the dining room behind her.
"And a good day to you Allison, even though it's going to be wet." Rose frowned at the thought of the storm and cold outside but was glad she did not have to work today.
"I see you like the new books Larson gave you." Rose nodded and gave a hint of a smile at Allison's observation.
"I'm still in wonderment over the gift, it was certainly unexpected. I don't think I have ever received something this special. I can tell Larson put a lot of thought into this. I hope one day I can afford to get him something extraordinary in return," Rose remarked to Allison.
"Rose, you know Larson is infatuated with you, don't you?" Allison was looking for any sign of fondness Rose had for her brother. "I know I'm a busybody, but I can't help it when it comes to Larson. He's my big brother. I love him and want the best in life for him. Do you have an interest in Larson too?"