The Heir Of Roosevelt's

Evelyn's expression cleared as she grasped the Duchess's intentions. She sought to delight her son with a beautifully designed garden, tailored to his tastes. "I will do my utmost, Madame," Evelyn assured her, determination in her voice. Christiana's face lit up with a warm smile, pleased with Evelyn's enthusiasm. With a nod, she departed, leaving Evelyn to her task.

After meticulously designing the garden according to her own vision, exhaustion crept in. Evelyn leaned against the garden wall, drawing in the fresh air and gazing out at the vibrant blooms she'd carefully tended. The serene atmosphere lifted her spirits, and she felt a sense of contentment wash over her.

After refreshing herself, Evelyn made her way to the Duchess's chambers. She knocked softly on the door, announcing her presence. "May I enter, Madame? I'm Evelyn."

Christiana's response was eager, "Yes, come in." Evelyn curtsied upon entering, her eyes cast downward. "The garden design is complete, Madame," she reported. Christiana hastened to the garden, her excitement palpable. The garden was transformed, its layout both beautiful and distinctive.

The duchess's face lit up with pleasure. "I hope Richard will find this to his liking," she said, her voice filled with anticipation. As Evelyn retired to her own bed, a wave of homesickness washed over her. "It's only been a day, and I miss Edmund dearly," she whispered, her eyes closing as she drifted off to sleep.

The next day, the sound of horses' hooves and carriage wheels echoed outside the mansion, signalling the arrival of Christiana and William's son, Richard. The estate staff scurried to greet him, and Christiana's face lit up with a warm smile. "It's been far too long, my son!" she exclaimed, her arms open wide in welcome.

However, Richard's gaze didn't meet hers, his eyes cast downward as he merely replied, "Yes, Mother." Without further exchange, he strode past her and out into the mansion. Christiana felt a little disappointment but then went inside to have lunch with her dear son.

After finishing lunch and a long conversation with his grandmother, Richard decided to take a walk in the garden. As he entered the garden, his face lit up with delight. The beautifully designed rose garden resonated deeply with him and made him feel a little cheered.

As he admired the flowers christiana joined him and asked ''well the gardens are finally restored.'' Richard smiled and replied ''yes, it looks beautiful with our home. You did a great job by putting the rose bushes here, mom.''

Christiana's heart swelled with joy. She had finally seen her son happy and appreciative after what felt like an eternity. "I knew you'd love it," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Isn't the garden just perfect?" Richard's enthusiasm was palpable as he replied, "I absolutely adore it, Mom. It's incredible."

The genuine gratitude in his voice moved Christiana deeply, and she felt a sense of relief wash over her. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she saw her son truly happy and engaged with her.

After completing her tasks, Evelyn made her way to the garden to prepare a beautiful floral arrangement for the Duchess's tea party. With precision and care, she selected an assortment of vibrant blooms and lush greenery, carefully arranging them in a delicate vase. Balancing the vase with care, she entered the designated garden pavilion and set it down on the table.

She then carefully arranged the surrounding flowers and foliage, ensuring every detail was perfect. Satisfied with her handiwork, Evelyn stepped back to admire the arrangement, her task accomplished with her signature attention to detail.

Just as Evelyn turned to leave, her gaze met the intense stare of a young man near the entrance. He was attired in a finely tailored shirt, trousers, and suit, complete with a stylish tie that added a touch of elegance to his overall appearance. His piercing gaze seemed to hold her in place, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other, the only sound being the soft ticking off the clock in the background. Obviously, it was the son of the duchess, Richard Roosevelt's.

Evelyn's eyes locked onto his, and her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the same boy she had encountered at the park and bookstore. But this time, his intense gaze made her feel uneasy and vulnerable. She looked down at her clothes and hands. They were muddy and her dress had dust on her making her look shabby.

Evelyn's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realized her dishevelled appearance. She felt a sudden urge to smooth out her dress and wipe the dirt from her hands, but Richard's gaze seemed to hold her in place. She managed a quick curtsy, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hello, sir."

Richard's eyes lingered on her for a moment before he nodded in acknowledgment, his expression unreadable. Evelyn felt a mix of emotions: surprise, embarrassment, and a hint of curiosity about this chance encounter. She wondered if he would recognize her or if this meeting would be as brief as their previous ones.

Richard laughed lowly and then he cleared his throat, trying to compose himself. "I apologize if I offended you," he said, his voice still laced with amusement. "I was just surprised to see you covered in mud and dirt. You're the gardener, aren't you?"

Evelyn's expression softened slightly at his apology, but her gaze remained wary. "Yes, I am," she replied, her voice measured.

Richard's eyes seemed to sparkle with curiosity, and he took a step closer to her, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "I didn't mean to laugh. It's just...I didn't expect to see someone posting letters before and then here with their...hands-on with the gardens."

Evelyn's brow furrowed and she asked ''Posting letters?''

Richard composing himself, explained, "I was curious because I've seen you posting letters, and then posting packages. First, you were delivering letters, and now you're working here at the mansion. So, I wanted to ask, how many jobs do you have in total?" His eyes sparkled with genuine interest, his tone friendly and non-judgmental.

Evelyn's expression softened her initial annoyance dissipating as she realized Richard's inquiry stemmed from curiosity rather than malice.

Evelyn turned to face him, her eyes locking onto his. "No, I was posting letters before, but now I'm working here," she clarified. Her curiosity piqued, she asked, "But how did you know I was posting letters before?"

Richard's response was a sheepish grin. "I saw you on the streets a few days ago, struggling to deliver posts. You were double-checking addresses repeatedly." Evelyn's face flushed with embarrassment.

The thought of someone witnessing her clumsiness made her feel mortified. She couldn't meet his gaze, her eyes dropping shamefully, her head bowed as low as possible, as if trying to hide her embarrassment.

Just then, the Duchess swept into the room, accompanied by her entourage. Her gaze fell upon Evelyn and Richard, whose stance suggested a reprimanding tone. "You're here early, Richard," she remarked, a hint of surprise in her voice. Richard turned to face his mother, his expression transforming into a charming smile. "Yes, Mother, I finished my schedule earlier than expected, so I thought I'd join you all ahead of time," he explained, his tone effortlessly smooth.

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock as she whispered to herself, "Mother?!" Her mind raced with the implications, and her eyes darted back to Richard with newfound astonishment. "Which means... he's the son of the Duchess!" she thought, her voice barely audible, her eyes fixed on Richard with a mix of surprise and awe.

As the guests settled in, Christiana and her son took their seats, and the room filled with the gentle hum of conversation. Christiana looked for a maid but there was no one. She saw Evelyn who was about to leave. She then called her, her voice rose above the murmur, "Evelyn, pour tea for our guests."

Evelyn hesitated, but then nodded diligently and carefully poured the steaming tea into delicate cups, her hands moving with precision as she placed them in front of each guest and Christiana. The aroma of tea wafted through the air, mingling with the soft chatter and the gentle clinking of cups and saucers.

As Evelyn poured tea into Richard's cup, her hand trembled slightly, and a small amount spilled onto the floor. She quickly recovered, her face flushing with embarrassment, and discreetly cleaned up the spill.

Richard's eyes met hers, and he seemed to want to assist her, but he was restrained by the presence of the guests. The room was filled with requests, "Get me some sugar!" "Give me some tissues!" "Pour me some more tea!" Evelyn nodded diligently, her hands still trembling, but her movements deliberate and careful. Despite her nervousness, she maintained a calm demeanor, her focus fixed on completing her tasks with precision.

As the guests engaged in lively conversations and laughter, Richard remained quiet, his eyes fixed on Evelyn with an intensity that seemed to go unnoticed by the others. He declined to participate in the discussions, his responses limited to brief nods or polite smiles when necessary. His tea remained largely untouched, yet his gaze never wavered from Evelyn, his eyes following her every move as she attended to the guests with grace and precision.

One of the guests sparked a somber conversation, "Have you heard about the murder case of the famous writer, Henry Mores?" Linda responded, "Yes, my aunt was a huge fan of his poetry. She was devastated when she heard the news."

Another lady chimed in, "The details of the crime are simply gruesome. His skin was ripped apart... it's chilling to even think about. Who could commit such a heinous act?"

Christiana added, "The perpetrator is still unknown, which makes it even more unsettling. I can't help but feel a sense of fear after hearing about the brutality of the crime."

Linda nodded in agreement, "Naturally, who wouldn't be horrified by such a disturbing incident?"

One of the guests continued, "It's alarming that such heinous crimes are still occurring. Thankfully, the police have increased their night time patrols and implemented new regulations to ensure public safety."

The conversation persisted, with the guests speculating about the murder. Richard, however, seemed disinterested in the discussion. He abruptly stood up and addressed his mother, "Mother, I bid you adieu. Could you please direct me to the library? I wish to indulge in some reading." His tone was polite, yet his eagerness to exit the conversation was palpable.

Christiana's voice hinted at a subtle reprimand, "Why are you leaving so early, Richard? You haven't even had a chance to properly meet our guests."

Richard obediently sat back down, his eyes scanning the room as he began to greet the ladies with polite formality. "Hello, Mrs. Linda Augustus. Hello, Mrs. Sheila Terns. Hello, Mrs. Leona Bears." His words were courteous, but his tone seemed slightly forcing as if he was merely fulfilling a social obligation.

Sheila's eyes widened as she gazed at Richard, "Oh, Richard, you've grown so tall since the last time we met! I can't believe you're already 19 now."

Linda chimed in, "And not only tall, he's become even more handsome!"

Leona's curiosity was piqued, "How are your studies faring? I'm sure they're not challenging for someone as bright as you."

Richard forced a polite smile, hiding his discomfort with small talk. His true passions lay in sports, exploration, and swimming, but his family's expectations weighed heavily upon him, pressuring him to take the reins of their business empire. The tension between his desires and duty was palpable, yet he masked it behind a courteous facade.

Richard engaged the guests in conversation, sharing his enthusiasm for his studies, sports, and future aspirations. As he approaches his 20th birthday, he knew that his life was about to take a significant turn, as he would be expected to join the family business and settle down in Frostheugh. He spoke with a sense of determination, yet a hint of trepidation lingered beneath the surface. The guests and his mother listened intently, nodding along as they discussed various topics, from the latest news to their personal interests. The conversation flowed effortlessly, but Richard's mind wandered, his thoughts drifting to the looming responsibilities that awaited him.

As the last guest departed, Christiana turned to her son with a perceptive gaze. "These parties, they irritate you, don't they?" she asked, her voice low and understanding.

Richard raised an eyebrow, "Don't you feel the same, Mother? The endless chatter, the superficial conversations?"

Christiana's expression remained serene, "No, Richard, I don't. Women enjoy socializing, it's in our nature." Richard slumped onto the sofa, his sigh betraying his frustration. "Well, then, I'm leaving. Please tell me where the library is." ''Come with me'' christiana said.

As they prepared to depart, Christiana issued a gentle command to Evelyn. "Evelyn, would you bring a few roses to my chambers this evening?" Evelyn nodded ''yes, my lady''. Christiana and Richard took their leave of the garden.