"Botany!  How delightful to hear as such.  Oh my yes Vicar, I spend entirely to much time in the garden though I fear.  But I cannot help it, for just when I think I am ready to leave and go in I see another flower that needs a drink or a bit of love."  She also took a sip of her tea.  "Thank you, one day you should come and I can give you a tour.  It really is a family labor of love.  What in your studies have you found that surprised you?  I am sure many a thing but tell me of one that most sticks with you?"

Arabin put down his teacup on the saucer.

"I think the most surpising thing is that plants are able to tell up from down. You are familar with the sunflower, that tracks the sun across the sky? It can tell the direction of the light. All plants it seems can at least sense light from dark and grow towards daylight, essential for them to flourish. Yet they are also able to detect the force due to gravity, so shoots can grow up even before they break the surface of the soil - and the roots grow down - all in complete darkness."

“Yes,” she nodded thoughtfully.  “I never stopped to think about it but now that you’ve made it so clear one must ask themselves how’d they not know.  The roots grow down and they just know to do it. “

“Have you had time to work on the garden at the vicarage?  Do you have any corn flowers by chance?  They are by far my favorite.”

"I have only had time to survey the garden, alas, but I can confirm the presence of corn flowers. My desire is to create a theological garden, to gather every plant named within Holy Scripture. However edible plants and those which are colourful will also find their place. Fortunately, there is plenty of room."

The vicar's enthusiasm shone forth.

His enthusiasm was infection. "What a marvelous idea Vicar!" She exclaimed with much vigor, her smile bright.  It was clear she had the same feeling or could appreciate a well thought out garden.  "I will have to do some research myself, I know this might sound foolish to your well trained brain but I could not say I know all of the plants mentioned.  But it would lovely to learn them all."

It is also noteworthy to say Victoria was oddly pleased to know there were cornflowers at the vicarage.

"Maybe you would care to visit and see the cornflowers for yourself. Some of the Biblical plants may prove difficult to grow in the English climate, though. Or just hard to get hold of... Others are easy. Thistles and nettles, to name but two."

Arabin grinned, looking rather boyish.

At about this time, Sir John's coachman Jem appeared outside the Darenvern gardens. Both he and his horse looked rather weary, as Victoria's estate lay nearly on the northern end of Allton, while Sir John's Markham Hall was close to the southern end of the village.
Jem dismounted a little slowly, and walked a little stiffly toward Lady Victoria, put a respectful knuckle to his thinning forelock and held out to her a letter bearing the Marke seal in red wax, saying "Letter from Sir John Marke, your ladyship. Asking you to dine with him Saturday evening to meet his friend William Hood. I can take back your answer if you wish, after my mare and me have a bit of a rest."

Turning toward the vicar, he adds, "I've left the same at the vicarage for you, Dr. Arabin, as I passed by. I can take your answer now, or wait until you have seen your own copy, as you please."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:22, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

"Thank you, Jem," said Arabin with a smile.

"Please tell Sir John that I would be delighted to come."

He turned to Lady Victoria.

"Will you be free, Lady Victoria? I would relish your company."

In reply to David Arabin (msg # 21):

Jem replies "Very good, doctor. I shall give Sir John the word, and I daresay he'll be glad of it. Always happy to talk with another scholar, he is."

Turning to Victoria, he says "And you, my lady?"

Victoria smile grew, William!  Here in Alton what a happy surprise.  "Yes, of course I will attend."  Adding, "I looking forward to it!"

Wanting to make sure he wasn't overtaxed or his horse to tired Victoria inquired to the Sir John's coachmen, "if you would like our stable boy could see to your mare and perhaps provide some refreshments for yourself as well?"

Jem gives her a grateful grin and says, "That sounds right welcome after my ride. I expect my horse would be glad of something too. I'll see her to the stable, and then maybe come by your kitchen myself for a bit, if that's good with you, my lady."

"Please do kind sir.  And I am confident that you will find something to your enjoyment in our kitchen."  She couldn't wait to tell her parents, they would be delighted to know Mr.  Hood had moved to the country.

Not wanting to be rude Victoria asked the Vicar, "Are you familiar with the Hood family Vicar?  They are old friends of our family."

"I believe I have met Mister Hood. Served in the army, as I understand it," said Arabin.

"Tell me, why the enthusiasm for cornflowers? Is it the beautiful colour of the blossom?"

She nodded, "yes, he was."  But the subject of the flowers drew her right back into what they had been discussing.  "The color well just makes me feel happy, when I see them I cannot help but smile no matter what not to mention butterflies and bees adore them, which is a good reason to be sure that Cornflowers are in every home garden."

She chuckled merrily, "but the color Vicar, it brings me joy."

In reply to Lady Victoria Darenvern (msg # 25):

Jem was a bit startled to be addressed as "sir" by a highborn lady, so his weathered face actually blushed a little as he said, "Thank ye very kindly my lady. "I'll be off to the stables then." He clucked to his mare, who set off more willingly in the direction of a place that smelled like her home.

Eventually, Jem came back, leading his mare and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He nodded respectfully to Lady Victoria and said "Well, my lady, unless there's anything more you would like me to tell Sir John, I'll be on my way. I still have a few more notes to hand around."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:52, Mon 04 Oct 2021.

Not hearing anything further, Jem shrugs, mounts and sets off for Walsh Manor.

<To Walsh Manor>

She hadn't anything further and watches as the nice man left to do his rounds.

"That was a lovely surprise, I am glad you will be there Vicar Arabin.  Some of my girlfriends must be going to.  It will be jolly to see everyone all together."

Arabin smiled.

"Just so. Now, I must be off. Some parish visiting to do. It was most pleasant to take tea with you, and have the chance to talk about botany. Maybe you might call on me at the Vicarage and I can show you my garden."

Victoria looked up and nodded.  "Yes, I would love to visit you.  My apology for keeping you Vicar."

The Vicar smiled.

"No need to apologise, Lady Victoria. You live in my parish too... although I must confess that it is more than duty that leads me to seek out your company."

Was Arabin blushing slightly? He certainly looked a bit sheepish.

Her eyes light up like a fire hit by a cool winter wind, her own smile was a mixture of pleasure and unbelievability.  But none of those emotions were unpleasant, in fact quite the opposite.

"I am glad for whatever reason brought you here today.  Know I will look forward to our next meeting."  Her own face overcome with a soft blush.

Arabin's smile widened. Did the good lady, perhaps, harbour similar feelings? One could but hope.

"I shall be in my garden tomorrow afternoon, should the weather permit. Perhaps you might care to inspect my cornflowers if it is convenient..."

Well isn't this a pleasant outcome she thought as her smiled remained.

"I believe tomorrow would be convenient, thank you Vicar Arabin."  She was sure her mother would not have an objection.

"I shall loof forward to it, then. Good day, Lady Victoria."

The Vicar collected his hat and cane and went off about his business with a smile on his face.