Even as she rose to her feet, Matilda was not entirely sure she would find Amy waiting there when she returned, but giving her the benefit of the doubt, she began to retrace her steps to the library in order to collect a few books.I will get through to the girl!she determined.
***
Returning not ten minutes later, Matilda was surprised to find that Amy was still there, quite unchanged and reading once more. Holding the basket of books she had collected, she carefully settled down on the grass a little distance away from the girl.
Taking out a book of her own, she carefully started to read, waiting for any tension in the air to begin to dissipate before she asked, "Lady Amy, I was wondering if perhaps you might give me a short tour of the gardens, so that I do not become entirely lost during my stay here, however long it may be."
The final words appeared to grip Amy's curiosity and Matilda had to stop herself from smiling. Clearly, Lady Amy liked the fact that Matilda was not so confident as to think that she would remain. The girl looked up, closing her book on her marker, and smiled sweetly as she said, "I would be happy to, Matilda."
Though it was quite clear from her tone and her smile that she was still being cheeky and mischievous, Matilda was glad that it was a step up from being ignored.
Having taken an extra moment inside to put on her bonnet, Matilda held out the second one that she had collected from Lady Amy's room. "I hope you do not mind. I took the liberty of collecting this for you. It is up to you whether or not to wear it."
She held out the plain white bonnet, having chosen it for its simplicity, sure that at Amy's age she would have hated to be decorated with beads, gemstones, and feathers. Though Amy eyed the bonnet warily, she did take it from Matilda.
Saying nothing, she wrapped the ribbon of the bonnet around her wrist and began to walk away. For a moment, Matilda remained where she was, waiting for Amy to look back before she began to follow, "Are you coming, Matilda?"
With a gentle smile, Matilda nodded and began to follow, readjusting the heavy basket of books on her arm.
The lady regarded her silently before turning her full attention back to the path, guiding Matilda back through the orchard to the gate that she had now passed through several times already. Matilda remained quiet as they walked, certain that if she did, Amy would eventually break the silence.
And as she had suspected, she was right. They had gone no further than the fountain at the centre of the lawns when Amy announced, "My father says this fountain has stood for more than one hundred years."
An odd thing for a child to mention,Matilda thought.Perhaps she likes history.Making a mental note of the fact, she responded, "It is very well kept for such an old fountain."
"I often see the gardener cleaning it and removing the weeds," Amy admitted with a shrug. Then she continued on, brushing her fingers over the lip of the fountain's edge as she went. They went right, headed towards the east gardens where, just around the side of the manor, Matilda found a rose garden that as everything else did, took her breath away.
"My second favourite spot is right in here," Amy announced and Matilda was pleased to see the happy and excited expression upon her face as the girl pushed open the gate and led her inside.
The rose garden itself was somewhat of a maze though Matilda was relieved that the hedges of roses were quite well maintained. So long as she did not reach out, she was sure she would not get pricked.
"This way," Amy said several times. "Avoid that hole."
Matilda was relieved that the girl did not feel the desire just to let her find the hole the hard way. Though it was only small and part-filled with gravel, Matilda guessed it could cause someone quite the twisted ankle if they did not know that it was there.
By the time they reached what Matilda guessed was the centre of the rose garden, she was even more astonished to find what lay within. There was an open expanse of grass with a single willow tree and at its trunk, a large pond covered with water lilies and other such exotic plants.
Matilda thought she had never seen such a beautiful place in all her life, and she was certain that if she had been Amy, this would have been her favourite place.
"I used to come here more often," Amy admitted, sounding nonchalant, "But the servants began to twig on. I think perhaps it is time to change my regular place again."
She looked at Matilda mischievously and the governess knew that she was talking about the orchard. A small twinge of anxiety crept into Matilda's stomach as she imagined trying to find
the young lady the next morning if she decided that the orchard was no longer her favourite place to sit and read. Having walked from there to here with her, Matilda was all too aware just how much space there was for a young girl to hide in. They had not even crossed half of the gardens yet and Matilda was already tired.It would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack!she thought, stifling a quiver.
"Perhaps we could sit here together for a while?" Matilda suggested, holding up the basket she had brought with her. "I brought plenty more books for us to read."
Amy lifted an eyebrow and Matilda feared she had been too friendly too fast, but finally the girl grunted and gave a nod.
"I will race you to the pond!" Matilda cried suddenly, hoping to catch the girl off guard with a quick game. She hopped right past Amy and glanced back over her shoulder to see the mixture of surprise and confusion melt away into excitement. Just as she had expected, the young lady suddenly bolted after her, almost dropping her book in the process. The bonnet tied to her wrist flapped with the breeze kicked up by her running and Matilda was amazed when the little girl ran right past her.
Though it was only a short run and not nearly enough to make Matilda entirely out of breath, she doubled over with her hands on her knees and pretended to do so as she panted, "You beat me!"
Amy smirked at her with a quiet sense of satisfaction about her expression and Matilda was glad to see it.
"I think I ought to sit before my lungs give out," Matilda joked, seeing a small almost inaudible laugh come from Amy's lips.
Together, they dropped down beside the pond, on an open and sunny patch of grass. Matilda was surprised when Amy removed the ribbon of her bonnet from her wrist and placed it upon her head.