The Quiet One

by Anni Gossmann

she desired; although, the man who visited the Perfect Spot might be considered.

  During dessert, the topic finally changed and the poor dog, Theodore, finally stopped panting under the table. “Anne, I think Teddy’s getting a little too old for you already,” declared Lady Vinrey.

  “I know. He hasn’t been able to keep pace with me when I stroll the grounds anymore….”

  “So, maybe it’s time for you to find another dog.”

  “But I don’t want to hurt Teddy’s feelings!” With this statement, Anne’s feet went out in search of the poor pet under the table and when he was found, she started stroking him with her feet.

  “My dear, I think Teddy would probably be happy that he doesn’t have to stay at your side as much as possible. I really think you need to look for another dog.” Anne finally agreed with her mother and chose to start with the endeavor the next day.

  After breakfast the following day, with the company of Fred, Anne started upon her search. Instead of having Fred ride some distance behind her, they were discussing possible places which might have dogs and what type of dog to look for and so on. The morning had turned into afternoon with no luck. None of the places that had dogs had any that would fill Teddy’s shoes. Anne desired a very loyal dog which would follow her around on her jaunts. It should never leave her side except when she went riding for a long distance.

  Anne needed to rejuvenate, so went to her Perfect Spot by the clearing. The setting had not changed at all and the sky was still its lovely shade of blue. The birds even seemed to remember her whistling back and came to investigate again. The unusual whistle that stopped just before she had a chance to mimic the whole song had started up again. What she found quite unusual was that the song was not heard on her family’s estate. She had learned about three-fourths of it when it stopped again. The other infuriating thing about the song was that it did not seem to get closer unlike so many of the other bird songs. Maybe it was because she could not quite mimic the whole melody, so she was not considered an intruder yet. Anne had just moved her interests to the meadow when someone was heard approaching. This time, the person was on foot.

  “Good day, my dear miss!”

  “Hello again!” It was the amiable man from yesterday.

  “I see you seem to like this location.”

  “It has received the title of being my ‘Perfect Spot’.”

  He looked stupefied. “Why so?” He came closer and, with an arm outstretched upon a tree, watched her intently.

  “Look!” Anne came alive with eyes sparkling and a gleam radiating from her. She stretched her arm toward the meadow. “The meadow, full of color and life. The birds flitting in and out with young screaming for food. The bees, and many other drab and colorful insects, coming to the flowers and plants. Then, the forest surrounding the gorgeous clearing. As if that wasn’t beautiful enough, this little murmuring brook, here at our feet, lures the birds and insects to drink…the sound as soothing as the spring sunshine after a long harsh winter. But, that isn’t all. When the sun is out, as she is now, the multi-colored reflections off the water are absolutely mesmerizing. With the sky so azure, you might think you were gazing upon an unbelievable, almost unreal, painting. Then, you see a little cloud, lazily finding its way across just to prove to you that it isn’t just a figment of the imagination. That’s what this spot is.” Anne gazed sheepishly up at him. He was openly staring at her. Her voice dropped to almost a whisper, “I see that I have spoken too much—“

  “On the contrary!” He finally looked about. “I just never thought of it quite in such a way. I have often gone past this scene. But now, I will never gaze upon it the same ever again.”

  Anne was heartbroken. “I am terribly sorry.”

  He jerked his head back. “Apologizing? What for? For opening my eyes? I am grateful that someone took the time and revealed to me what I never was able to see before. To think, that for years I just gazed upon this scene and never saw any of what you see.”

  “Oh.” The stranger did not understand her reaction. He positioned himself before her, blocking her view to the meadow, gazing at her confused. “This was your Spot before I came, wasn’t it.”

  He grinned and shook his head. “No. I never had a ‘spot’. I must have known that there was something about this place but never really perceived it. No, this is yours and I will leave it to you…but, wouldn’t you like to see it in a little more comfort?” He motioned around at the trees, roots, bare ground, grass, and wildflowers.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Wouldn’t it be more comfortable if you had some gazebo or—“

  “No! No! It would ruin it all! No!” She was absolutely horrified and threw her hands in dread to her face covering her mouth. The stranger had never seen such a genuinely distraught face before.

  “Alright,” he chuckled, “maybe not something as big as a gazebo. Maybe a nice bench?” She glanced at him wondering, seeing a nice brown eyebrow raised inquiringly. “What type of bench do you think would fit here, since I’m sure I wouldn’t have the right notion.”

  Anne grinned and nodded in agreement. Taking a few paces toward the brook and then slowly turning around with a critical look, she finally answered. “It would have to be quite rustic. It can’t be anything fancy nor embellished. To really fit here,” her arms went out to embrace the area, “it must fit in so well that you would think it was a part of the forest. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, I believe I do.” He was glancing at her that she was being affected in a strange way.

  “But, you can’t just put a bench here. You would first have to get permission of the landowner.” He couldn’t believe it. He was thinking: She is such a romantic and naturalist and yet there us a realist in her too. Could it be possible that no man wants this charming young lady? He was going to have to learn much more about her. She was looking at him with expectation. No other woman ever wanted so little from him and instilled the need to learn about her.

  He finally pulled himself together. “There are ways and I shouldn’t have any problem at all. It’s up to you.”

  “Oh, no. There’s really no need for it. You only asked for my opinion for the type of bench for here. But you need not go out of your way to put one here.” She saw Fred inching closer again. “Well, it was nice to meet you again, but Fred here is telling me that we need to go.”

  The stranger took her hand graciously and kissed it lightly as if it might shatter, sending shivers up her arm. “Until next time.” He threw her lightly upon her mount and watched them ride off. As soon as they were out of sight, he raced back a few yards upon the path and grabbed his horse. He was going to find out where she lived and who she was! Leaving enough distance between the pair and himself, he found out where they went. Now he would have to learn who lived on that estate. After riding a few strides back, he saw an older man leading a very old horse pulling a cart. Calling out to him and giving him a guinea, he determined that she was Miss Anne Vinrey. Well, he will have to put out enquiries without creating any talk. But, at the moment other things needed his attention, like a bench.

  He galloped home and started upon the endeavor immediately. Being so used to making fancy handiwork for his lordship, Viscount Hufton’s own forester did not understand the simplicity of the object. Continuing with his quest, he found a good woodworker in the small town not far from his estate. He took great pains not to go for the best because they would not understand the simplicity of the project. Yet, even with this man, Hufton had a hard time getting him to understand the utter rustic style of the bench desired. But, after being taken to the spot, the artisan saw why the bench had to be as described. He immediately went to work with the promise that it should be done tomorrow, because there was not much work involved in making it. Pleased with the possible outcome of the bench, Viscount Avery Hufton now went to work learning about Miss Anne.

  Having had no luck with the search for a new dog, the next day Anne decided to search over a l
arger area. So, she and Fred rode to various towns within the vicinity asking young lads who might know about dogs and they asked at inns. Again, by late afternoon no progress was made in her search. She was starting to wonder if maybe it was unwise to think of getting another dog until Teddy was dead. Was she to enjoy and appreciate Teddy to the very end?

  As she entered her loving home she was greeted excitedly by her mother. “Dear, oh the news is so great! The Earl is to have a ball in a week! We must decide upon dresses now!”

  Anne was thrilled for her mother, but had something nagging her all day. “I’m sorry Mother to have to bring this up, but what was the outcome between Father and the Buttwells?”

  “Oh, Lord Buttwell was appalled and scolded Erwin in front of your father!” Anne shuddered and thought: Will there to be any repercussions? “Your father was embarrassed; it didn’t have to be so openly done! Needless to say, he is worried what Erwin might do, having been so sadly treated by his own father.” Lady Vinrey shook her head and was quite worried about her daughter.

  Not wishing to cause her parent more worry, Anne quickly changed the subject back to the ball. Her mother was instantly animated and they were immediately deciding upon the style of their gowns. No matter what Lady Vinrey said, Anne