Gardens

Leonardo sent for Charlotte as he prepared a picnic for two in the gardens. He wanted to make sure everything was perfect, he straitened out the blanket, made sure there was wine instead of ale, and the perfect spot where she could see the stars.

She appeared in a simple off-white gown, perfect for the informal occasion. Her dark brown hair was held back by a simple blue ribbon, a few curls cascading down her shoulders. She smiled at the scene Leonardo set, at the simplistic beauty. "You really know how to work your magic on a woman, don't you?" she said, her voice slightly husky. "I would say you commanded the stars to shine their brightest this night." She smiled, looking from the diamond-covered sky to Leonardo.

As she walked towards him she looked beautiful, if possible more than before. He stood with his hands clasped behind him until she spoke. "Only on certain one's my lady" he said jokingly. He helped her sit down and blew out a few candles so they could see they night sky better. "I wouldn't go that far but I do hope everything is to your liking?"

"It's perfect," she said as she smiled at him. The blanket was soft as she sat down, the grass providing cushion. The night sky above was the most beautiful thing she loved to see, and she felt glad to be viewing it with Leonardo. "You have made this very special for me," she said, color rising in her cheeks. "Why don't you tell me about yourself."

"I'm pleased I could put that sweet smile on your face" He said as he took two goblets filling them with wine. "I admit I have admired you from afar for a while, although kept my distance because I knew you were married" He took a drink from his goblet leaning back "But then I saw you today with such sadness in your eyes, I knew I must be a way to make you smile again"

She thanked him for the wine and sipped the ruby liquid, a flutter of nervousness as he admitted his feelings for her. She smiled at him, hoping there was no sadness in it this time. "I thank you for being respectful of my marriage," she said quietly. "You seem to perceive me quite well. I hoped Venice would cure my melancholy, but being here with you, under the heavens, I feel so much better." She felt relief at expressing it. "So you've seen me before? I wonder if we've ever met, even briefly, in the past."

He nodded his head and smiled looking up at the moon. "This night with you has made me happy" He said as he could see the moon's incandescent light radiating her beautiful features. "I don't believe so, i'd know if I would have met such a wonderful person. Your face is lodged in my mind."

She couldn't explain but she felt beautiful in his presence. "Tonight is the first night of a full moon, and legend says that it brings good luck," she said with a knowing smile. "If I had met you while I was living here in Venice years ago, I would never have left." She blushed as she in turn admired his features.

"Yes, there's many legends that go along with the full moon, luck is one of them; I certainly feel lucky to be here with you this evening." He said and placed his hand on hers giving her a smile. "Your husband is truly a lucky man, if only things were different."

"I can't imagine any other place I would rather be right now," she said in reply. "And I am glad that Fate has brought us both here, for whatever reason." As their hands touched she thought about her husband, the rift they had tried to fill. "And what about you, Leonardo? Is there a lucky woman waiting for you in Naples?"

Leonardo was feeling content in her presence. He lowered his eyes at her question. "I did have a wife, although she passed on during child birth. My daughter and I have been living without her for four years now." He said in a low shallow voice.

"I'm sorry," she said, lowering her gaze as she thought of her son and all she had never had to lose. "You have known so much loss, and my heart goes out to you. But you will be given something in return, when you least expect it." She smiled at him, feeling a fondness towards him she thought she wouldn't feel for another man.

"Thank you, although we have been doing fine on our own for quite some time although, at times I do wish I had female role in her life to fill the void." He said looking at Charlotte with longing eyes knowing he could never have a woman like her, or could he?

She caught the look in his eye and her heart skipped a beat. She didn't know if it was him, or the beautiful night, or both, but she liked him more with each passing moment, and she did not want to let go of their time together. "I imagine you have done well raising her on your own, and.." She trailed off, for the first time in her life she hesitated in speaking her mind, afraid what he would think of her heart.

"Go on, and.." he said wondering what she was going to say. He enjoyed hearing the sound of her voice and his time with her.

"And," she continued, looking up at the night sky dotted with diamond stars, "she is very lucky to have you looking out for her. You seem a devoted father when most men are not." She smiled, sipping her wine as she looked at him over the rim of her glass.

"Well i'm all she has, she's my world." He said and admired the way Charlotte noticed his parenting skills when no one else seemed to notice. He looked down at her lips desiring to kiss her and it took all the strength he had not to. "What about you, do you have children?"

The desire between them was palpable, and she leaned towards him naturally. "Most men would not give parenting a second thought. Myself, I have a son. So I know what it's like to put the needs of another before your own." She shivered slightly, the night air grown cool from the sea winds.

"A son?!" he said surprised. He knew she was married but never knew they shared a child. "How old is he if you don't mind me asking?" And noticed she was shivering, he took off his over coat and placed it over her shoulders. "Is that better?...My Gianna gets along well with other children we should have them play together some time." Leo said knowing at that point he would be able to see her again.

"He is two years old. I think he favors me, though. He has my eyes and my dark hair.." She was smiling at the thought of her young son when she felt Leonardo put his coat upon her shoulders. She smiled warmly at him, her eyes sparkling as she thanked him. "It is much better, thank you.. I think my Henry would like that, and perchance we may get better acquainted," she dared to venture.

"Any child that favors you would definitely grow up to be a mannered and handsome gentleman." He said and reached into the picnic basket. "Well supper is cold, I was distracted by you...I mean visiting with you that it got cold." He said and corrected himself. He looked at her again and smiled "Lady Charlotte, I do wish to see you again, if you permit me to." He said desiring to kiss her but respected her enough not to.

Charlotte smiled at his compliment. "I shall hope so." She bit her lip to keep from smiling too widely at the thought of being his distraction. "I have enjoyed talking with you, it has taken a lot off my mind. And you are very handsome, which is indeed has also given me cause to be happy this night," she added. She felt her heart skip a beat when she thought of seeing him again. "I would love to see you again," she said, her voice a whisper as she gazed at him in the moonlight.

Her smile could make anyone smile, it was making him become almost besotted with her. "Well i'm pleased we both have enjoyed each others company so much" He said as he began to pack up the picnic things. The bell tower rang, and Leo looked up toward it, watching the bell ring back and forth. Looking back at her he sighed"It seems like the hours have got away with us. I shall walk you back to your chambers" He said not taking no for an answer.

The ringing of the bells brought her out of her daydreaming, and she shook her head of her thoughts. "My, how time has flown. I think I could have stayed out here forever." Realizing how that sounded she blushed. "You are a gentleman to look out for me," she said, standing and taking his hand.