Sunken Garden

Victoria giggled as the little dog scampered off after the squirrel "my father, the duke of Suffolk and some others that are at court.

"So the duke is your father. I never knew that, we've only ever met briefly but I do believe he is close with my husband. What is he like as a father? I imagine he is protective at times, but then all fathers are." She continued walking with her.

"Really? That sounds quite interesting. I was assuming papa had friends in court, especially his majesty. the hem of their dresses lightly brush against the ground "Aren't all fathers protective of their daughters?

"If you did not know before, you will soon learn that your father is considered one of the most handsome men at court. Even I cannot deny he has a magnetism that draws the ladies to him." She paused in her speech. "Forgive me if I spoke boldly. But, I can see some of him in you." She sighed thinking of her own father, and the light in his eyes when he saw she was all grown up. "Yes, they all are. And brothers are worse! They often side with the fathers and can make life for a young woman unbearable, especially where courting is concerned."

"I knew for awhile. I happen to be one of his illigitimate children. Victoria knew about her womanizer father since she could remember "I'm glad you noticed, I thought I was the only one who knew. Sometimes I look at my reflection and thought something was familiar between him and I in our features.

She nodded knowingly. "So you are illegitimate as well. I hope that you have not had too many conflicts because of it." She glanced at Victoria as they walked. "Yes, you have his coloring, and his eyes and mouth." She smiled. "I suppose the rest of you is in your mother's image." She thought, briefly, on how she was getting to look so much like her own mother.

Victoria picked a daisy and slowly picked its little petals "It was a bit difficult to accept when I was an adolescent, but after awhile I got used to it." it's better to learn the hard truth about yourself than have someone sugar coat for you and be disappointed.

"Did you ever get to see much of him when you were growing up?" She could not imagine ever growing up without any of her family around her; she was still getting used to being without them.

victoria thought hard trying to remember"not really at first. though. I was raised by mother until i was a bit older.Now since i came to court when my husband left for France for sometime, i get to see my father more often.

She smiled, though she was a bit jealous that this girl got to spend time with her father. "And do you enjoy spending time with him? And what do you think of his new wife?"

"Oh yes, of course I do. she felt pity for the courtiers that don't get to see their mothers or fathers when they come to court. "papa told me about her and would like me to meet her. From what he told me about her, I think she sound beautiful.

"I met her, only once when I attended her wedding. She is very pretty and very sweet. I do hope you shall get along with her." The scandal had been the difference in their ages, but was quickly overlooked. "Are you yourself married, my lady?"

"yes, indeed she is pretty. I do hope she keeps father "tamed" if you know what I mean. she watches the leaves dance with the wind as they stroll. " why yes I am. He has returned from France and I am overjoyed to see him again. her heart filled with joy and passion when she thought of him

She laughed softly, the wind blowing through her wavy hair. "Perhaps she can tame him, I'm sure you've heard many stories of your father the duke. But people can always change, especially for the better." She thought to herself, and Catherine is young, she should at least be able to keep him entertained in the bedroom She saw the love and joy in Victoria's eyes as she spoke of her husband. "You are lucky. You seem to have a great passion for him. Cherish that, one day it may be taken from you." She glumly thought of her own marriage, crumbling.

"I will keep that in mind. I almost gave up when he was gone for a long time." she thought quietly about the drastic choices she had to make if he never came back."what about you my lady? Are you married too? If it's not any bother to you."

She nodded understandingly, and froze as she thought of her life as it was, how everything had changed so quickly. "I am married, with one son who is the light of my world.. do you have children yet?"

"Yes, I have a beautiful daughter named Elizabeth. She is the light of my world too. Children can make a woman's world complete. She can't imagine a world without them.

"Ah, perhaps we shall have them meet, when they are old enough." She thought of her son, always restless just like Charlotte herself was.

"that sounds like an idea" she thought of little Lizzie playing with her little friend as the mothers have fun chatting over womanly things If we're both crazy enough, we could both arrange a marriage between them." she says sarcastically as she laughs playfully

She laughed, and entertained the thought. "Ah, how fortuitous for us to meet, then! Yes, little Harry is always looking to make friends." She could not bear the thought, even this early, to let him go to be married. She smiled sadly.

Victoria noticed the sad smile on the woman's porcelain doll like face " I didn't actually mean it. Only rich and crazy people do that." Victoria doesn't really believe in young children being betrothed. "I hope you don't mind telling me about yourself."

She laughed aloud, liking the feeling of laughter after so long. "You are right, I daresay we are neither rich nor crazy." She thought about the long thread of her life, and sighed, willing as always to tell it, "I was born in Bavaria, the youngest of five, and the only girl. My parents traveled around in an acting troupe, and my brothers joined when they were old enough. Meanwhile I was sent to boarding school in Venice, where I met my benefactress, the countess Gia Francesca Gasparri. As a lady in waiting to the Queen of Bavaria, I came to England on a visit and met my husband here, and the rest is history." She smiled a little. "I plan on going back to Venice, you should come along, I think you'd adore it!"

"but, it's good to have our children to have each other for playmates." she could already see her daughter playing with Lady charlotte's son playing in a garden whilst the mothers supervise "your life sounds pretty interesting to me. I would love to come to Venice with you." she thought of herself drinking the finest Italian wine and seeing interesting places in Venice

"That is a wonderful idea, I think they will get along splendidly, as we do." She smiled at Victoria. "You should, if you can tear yourself away from your husband. Or even bring him along if you like," she offered, sitting down again as she began to feel the heat of the day,

"It depends on what the answer is when i ask him. If i see this eve. He isn't around too much as usual." she said as she tilted her head back to enjoy the warmth of the sun "I'm sure he won't mind."