A few minutes later, Gianna was standing in the gardens. Only, there wasn't any snow (as in the present), and there were actually people in them. Of course it was cold, but it seemed everyone was anxious for a little exercise after the winter snows had subsided. She spotted Grandmother with the gardeners, no doubt discussing how the gardens were to be opened for the spring and how they should be managed. It seemed to Gianna that Grandmother was very meticulous about her flowers; nothing appeared to give her greater pleasure then to stroll along the cold lanes that hugged the house, indicating now and then to the two men who followed her and speaking excitedly.
Grandfather, on the other hand, was walking with two gentlemen. Gianna didn't need to guess who they were: Lordie Lard, of course, and Doctor Rawlings, who was infinitely preferred in her twelve-year-old eyes. Anthony seemed to be fawning over a subject then in discussion (probably something to do with Millie) while Grandfather and the Doctor quietly listened.
Gianna was trying to decide which of the two groups she would join when a small object smacked her temple. Looking around furiously, she spied Alex peering at her nearby in the bushes, a pea shooter in his hand and a mischievous gleam in his eye. She wanted to slap him. Really hard. However, seeing that she was in full view of all who were outside, she thought the better of it and decided to fling a disdainful glance in Alex's direction. After this was done (with a hint of satisfaction on both ends of the glare), she flipped her hair and walked away without even looking back. This was hard to do, for she wanted to see the expression on his face... she was sure that there was a bit of a disappointed look there, and while that wasn't as pleasing as a smack to his cheek, it was good enough. To be deprived even of that was cruelty itself.
However, realizing that she had no where to go, she decided to run to one of her favorite hiding spots: a tree in a shaded lane. Whenever they had played hide and seek in the past, she had always found refuge there and was never found.
Good, she thought, that means I can escape from Alex for a while. Well, at least until Grandmother can speak to me.
There were so many things that she needed to ask and tell her- especially about Millie. Her previous conversation with Andrew just minutes ago made her ponder the true reason behind her sister's despondency. She wasn't as stupid as to fall in love... and fall in love in the past? Gianna's face unconsciously wrinkled in disgust as she thought of the idea. It was bad enough for a grown-up to fancy themselves in love, but to go against all odds and adversity, time itself: oh, that was folly indeed!
Gianna shrugged the thoughts off when she found her tree. To her dismay, she found that there were hardly any leaves to disguise her; anyone who had eyes would be able to see her. Biting back harsh words, she climbed it anyway, hoping that if she went high enough, she would escape a cursory scan of the lane. There were a few buds forming on the ends of the twigs; apparently, it was closer to spring than it was in the present.
In the present, there's still snow covering the ground, she thought.
Why did everything seem so much better in the past? It was easier, warmer, and richer then. The only two people she did not like were Alex and Lordie Lard, and she realized with a start that she was slowly starting to warm up to the former. No, that would not do; she quickly thought of something else to distract her thoughts from becoming absorbed upon that subject.
Just when she nearly evaded the subject, voices below alerted her. There were two men... Lordie Lard and... Doctor Rawlings. She gulped and breathed a quick prayer that they would not see her, hoping they would pass by and she could make a quick get away in the opposite direction. But no, they stopped walking- right below her.
She stopped breathing and froze every muscle in her body... and couldn't hearing what they were saying.
'She's the best girl I've ever met. She's smart, she's pretty... well, in her own way. And then she's a ripping good at waltzing!' Lard was saying.
Doctor Rawlings grinned, but Gianna could tell there was no mirth behind it. In fact, from what she could see, there was no gleam in his eyes, making him look older... and handsomer, actually.
'And how long have you known her, Anthony?' the Doctor replied.
'Going two weeks now. We've been writing. I've been trying to see her again, but Mr. Taverner won't tell me where she is.”
Good gravy, they're talking about Millie! Gianna's mind shouted.
'Let me get this right: you met her at the ball and sprained her ankle, and now you intend to court her, though you've only known her a fortnight?'
Anthony's lardy smile seemed to wipe right off of his face. Which was good, because Gianna never really liked it anyway.
'Er... yes...'
Doctor Rawlings gave him what seemed to be a friendly pat on the back, though Gianna knew that it was not at all natural.
'Good luck then! When you talk to her tomorrow, let me know what she says.'
Anthony made some passing gratuitous remark, but Gianna couldn't hear it. They were finally walking away. But was this tomorrow business? Then, the answer came to her like a ton of bricks: Grandmother's spring tea party! So that's why she had been so particularly working in the gardens!
And Anthony wanted to 'talk' to Millie. Oh, this would be something to see.