Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2022 23:05:24 GMT -5
[ for Edith Byron ]
BeautyBerry had been growing against the back fence of Temperance's yard for years. But at the beginning of Aestas a rainstorm had flooded the soil and it had upturned, causing the plant to die before she could replant it. The bright purple berries that grew on the bush were Temperance's main source of purple dyes and were used for various potions when some of her flowering plants went into hibernation during Hiems. She'd needed to go to market to purchase the seedlings for it, but the thought had escaped her. That wasn't like Temperance, but Thomas had thrown a wrench her usual routines. Spending time with him, thinking of the possibility of being married soon and having children. Introducing him to her family and friends. Suddenly meeting multiple Nobles, and an influx of new patients and summer injuries had left her mind in a whirlwind.
So the time for purchasing many of the seeds and seedlings she needed from market had come and gone. She'd been lucky enough to find most of them, but BeautyBerry had escaped her. So she'd sent a letter to the only person she knew that might be able to find her some of the seedlings she'd needed: Gunne Cortell. And Lady Cortell had replied in kind, having been able to procure her exactly what she needed.
Stepping into the carriage with the help of the driver, she was off once more to the Cortell Estate. It was nearing the end of Aestas now and she couldn't put off planting the bush any longer. That said, Temperance felt much more comfortable with Gunne after the tea she and Thomas had shared with her and her husband. She considered Gunne to be like a friend. Whether or not that feeling was mutual, she couldn't say. The Morrigans were a powerful family, with a lot of influence, and Temperance was still only a commoner. She couldn't presume that Gunne actually cared about her in any way, but at the very least she had done this favor for her, and that was kinder than most Nobles would be.
That didn't mean that Temperance wasn't still wishing Thomas could have come with her. But it was no longer because she lacked the confidence to interact with the Nobles, just because she wanted him there. But Romulo Cortell wouldn't be there, so it was best that the ladies speak to themselves. Thomas was busy with work anyway.
The trip was as smooth as it had been when they'd come for tea. Temperance hadn't bothered to dress up like last time, she figured since this was a much more personal visit that she didn't have to go all out, but she made sure to wear a clean, pressed dress and clean shoes. When the carriage arrived, the estate gates were opened and they moved around toward the front door, where the driver once more opened the door for her and helped her down. She thanked him, carrying a small woven basket over her arm instead of a purse or bag of any kind, and walked up to the door as she'd done last time. Taking the knocker, she used it to knock twice, then waited with her hands behind her back.