[Open] A Moment of Reflection - April 17, early evening

[Alexandra Rosewyck]

The long hallway connecting the Banquet House and The Grand Ballroom is decked out in portraits, landscapes and sculptures from all the past masters. Stools dot the hallway, as well as a fireplace or two, to warm it in the winter months. Also scattered about are small nooks that lend an air of privacy in the open corridor, especially at night.

Near the banquet hall end of the Portrait gallery, behind a glass case, is the proposed plans for the Memorial gardens dedicated to Catherine of Braganza.

~*~*~*^*~*~*~

It was the second opportunity for Alexandra to walk about the palace to get herself situated before turning in for the evening. She sat down on a provided stool and stared at one of the sculptures and then a portrait. Her clear blue-green eyes taking in the colors, the details wishing she had some sort of artistic bone in her body.

"It must be nice to be able to sculpt or paint...to make something out of almost nothing." She said out loud but to herself as she continued to stare at the nearest portrait. While she sat the fiery red-head took this moment to relax and just took in her surroundings.

[William Gosling]

William had continued to look about, as he had before, and seeing as the hour was such the city was ending its day he had made for the palace. The palace, after all, was home to art and other such features that did not shut down like shops. Besides, when it came to art and other such features, seeing them wholly alone and in private could be the best way to view them. Or with a few friends, but William didn’t know of anyone in London who he agreed with about art. Of course, William had not sampled the breadth of London society.

It was dark but it was just recently dark as William arrived in the Grand Hall, quietly muttering to himself in a whisper. So he was surprised but not shocked to see someone. He had thought he would be alone, after all. He approached her, though. At best she would be someone he could befriend and perhaps to accompany him to see other arts, and at worst she would be someone so odious he would simply quit the hall. But even in the worst case he would rather know that than be unpleasantly surprised. He really hoped it was the former, because otherwise it had been at least a decent night.

He approached from behind, quietly so as to not interrupt her admiration of a portrait. At what he felt was a politic time he said, “Surely, my dear Lady, you are not without your own charms and talents.” He stood at a polite distance, “Please, tell me, what is it that you can make? What is your art?” He hovered in such a way that it was obvious he was waiting for invitation to come closer, and added an identification as an afterthought, “I am William Gosling, a pleasure.”

[Alexandra Rosewyck]

A soft gasp escaped as a voice answered her. A slender hand came up to her chest to calm her heart after being startled. Alexandra turned about noticing a man that was certainly not there before. She gave a small smile in reponse as she answered, "I believe I am still discovering myself, but I definitely do not have a talent with this type of art. My governess had instructed me that I could not even draw a straight line using a straight edge." Her smile deepened revealing a dimple as she remembered the memory of giving teacher and shrugged. "My father used to say that I was the work of art and that is why God had decided to give me other gifts instead of being able to create art. Of course, he was my father and I was his only daughter."

She gestured towards a close by stool. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Master Gosling. I am Alexandra Rosewyck. Please, have a seat and take in what the Gallery has to offer."

"What do you consider your art?" Alexandra asked in return wondering more of the man before her.

[William Gosling]

William blinked a couple of times at her reaction and then, realizing it for what it was, said, "I am sorry, Lady, I did not mean to startle you. That happens, from time to time. A bad habit of mine." William listened to her response as she declared that she could not draw to save her life. He let out a brief chuckle at what her teacher had said. It wasn't all that funny, honestly, but he could relate. When she further said her father had called her a piece of art, William said immediately after, "I know not what God gave you, and what decided was not to be yours, or how a father's love might have compromised his judgment, but of this much I can tell you: You are lovelier than the painting you sit before."

William walked up and sat on the stool. "The pleasure is all mine, Lady Rosewyck." When she asked him what art was, William looked at her curiously, before turning to view the painting. "You ask me to reveal my arts when you merely reveal where you cannot be artistic. Come now, I ask for your proficiencies, not your deficiencies. Artistic or otherwise, for arts do not make just paintings.” He added on, “Though truth be told, if that causes discomfort I know you so little I would be interested in whatever you may tell me. For who you are is of as great an interest as what you can do, is it not?”

[Alexandra Rosewyck]

"No need to apologise, I was not expecting any company and just sort of tuned out the world and your foot steps it seems. I believe you might have figured that when I said something aloud only expecting myself to comment in return." She said in response to William's apology knowing that half of it was because she was not paying attention to her surroundings again.

Her cheeks turned a soft pink at William's compliment and she gave a smile with the response, "I thank you Master Gosling, you are very kind with your observation."

The man was straight forward in his line of questioning after calling her out on her evasion. She shrugged as she thought before answering, "Not necessarily discomfort, but as I said before I'm still discovering myself and what I would consider talents. My governesses have said that I have quite the talent during my vocal tutelage. Well perhaps to get to know each other we could ask a succession of questions. A sort of game to learn about the other and no evasions."

[William Gosling]

William nodded, although the fact she had spoken aloud in private meant little to him. William did that with regularity. When she thanked him again he nodded. It was true she was pretty, but he also thought the painting before them was ugly, so it all worked out no matter how he looked at it. He was a bit surprised, though, that his flattery had provoked a blush. But then again, he was used to dealing with multitudes of shameless courtiers, so perhaps he had found one with what was deemed proper 'feminine' modesty. Whether a good or bad thing, William would find out on his own.

"Gnothi Seauton*, I suppose." was William's reply to her comment about just discovering herself. "I hope your Governesses are correct, for it would suit a woman of exceeding beauty to have a voice of exceeding skill." When she suggested they quiz each other to find out about each other, William was surprised. He hadn't expected her to forswear evasion. "An excellent idea, presuming you wish to get to know me. I should certainly wish to know you."

"Ah, but you have answered one of my questions so now I must answer yours. I'm afraid I have no arts. I am not without skills, but I make nothing of beauty. Indeed, every attempt to instruct me in talents such as those you have just espoused has ended with condolences that my father has lost a horse to a most horrible end." William was exaggerating, obviously. "That doesn't mean I don't enjoy seeing the beauty of others' works, though. Or the beauty of other's." He again paid her compliment.

"As I believe it is my turn, I will ask you..." William trailed off as if thinking. Which he was. He supposed knowing about someone's family never hurt. "I ask after your family, who they are, where they live, and so on, if you would not mind. While I am, of course, interested in you, I wish to know the fertile soil from which your lovely flower burst forth. Your origins, of sorts. And I ask purely from curiosity, you understand." As opposed to asking about her family with the intention of contacting them with a marriage proposal. And after she answered it would be her turn.

Gnothi Seauton: 'Know Yourself' in Greek and a famous saying.

[Alexandra Rosewyck]

The compliments kept coming causing an involuntarily blush as she averted her eyes back to the painting for a moment until she composed herself. "Of course, curiosity." She thought for a moment on what to share noticing he had asked several questions in one. She raised her hand to slow him down as he fired off several questions at once. "That is more than one questions so I shall answer with...I am from Cornwell which is where I live with my grandfather. The other answers will come forth when I learn a bit more about you. I think this game will go easier with more specific questions."

With a slight tilt of her head, Alexandra asked, "Have you traveled to Paris, Venice or Rome before?"

[William Gosling]

Flattery was one of William's more common courses of action. And he was rewarded with a blush. When she said that the game would go easier with more specific questions, William simply gave an acquiescent nod and said, "Very well then, I shall endeavor to specificity. You may only answer the one and I shall think of something specific to ask further." William preferred to let people speak in their turns on various subjects, but if she wished specificity it was specificity she would get.

"I've never been to Paris, though I've briefly been in France, but I've been to both Rome and Venice." was his response. He'd have preferred to tell her more but a specific question lead to a specific response. "Now, then, my question is but a small clarification. Did you say Cornwell as in the town in Oxfordshire, or Cornwall as in the County?"

[Alexandra Rosewyck]

As William answered her question, she smiled, "Interesting, thank you."

A brow went up in question at William's odd request of clarification. It was not as if she had stuttered or spoke too solftly but then she realised that she had actually said Cornwell instead of Cornwall, but how exactly did this man know to ask if it was not Cornwell? It made her feel uncomfortable wondering if William knew her from someone else and taking the opportunity to grill her for some information later on down the line. It put her on edge with caution not knowing exactly if this moment was just by chance or if there was something more sinister underneath the surface.

"I am pretty sure I had said Cornwell." Would he correct her already knowing that it was a lie? She was very sure that it was no more than a slip of the tongue and not him playing off of a reaction of deception from her but at the current moment she could not be sure if this man was a part of some devious plot. "Are you familiar of Cornwell, in the town of Oxfordshire or Cornwall, the county?" Her smile was small as her head tilted indicating her curiosity of the answer to this question.

[William Gosling]

“So you did.” That was odd. William knew the only genteel family from Cornwell, yet he had never met Alexandra. The master of the manor was not old enough to have a granddaughter as old as Alexandra, either. He was unsure to make of it, though, since he could not see what Alexandra could hope to gain by lying to him about where she was from. Likewise, he could see nothing advantageous in accusing her of lying. He tried to resolve the contradiction in his mind, but unless the family had gone bankrupt and sold their estate in a very short amount of time then nothing came to mind. They hadn't seemed poor or bad at managing money, though, there were significant legal barriers to selling an estate, and, as a rule, friends of his father did not go bankrupt.

"Yes, both." was his response to her question. "I need not tell you of Cornwell, obviously. Cornwall is the southwestern most county of England, with it's own language and culture to a certain extent, called Cornish. It has its own unique status as part of the Duchy of Cornwall, so I was technically mistaken to call it a County. There are some good ports and some beautiful places. Also, Catholics are more common there for some reason." He stopped himself, realizing he had begun to recite facts. "I would like to know what has drawn you here to London."

[Temperance]

The sound had an eerily otherwordly quality to it as it floated down to Alexandra and William. It would take a moment for it to register, but once it did it would be recognizable as a woman’s laughter.

There isn’t anything particularly ominous about laughter, except currently there was no one around who might have laughed. And the laugh sounded more like a poltergeists gloating cackle rather than a living saints joyful mirth.

What was that sound? Did it come from this world or the other one? Was there a grain of truth in the rumours? Were the servants right to whisper that the palace was haunted?

[Alexandra Rosewyck]

"I am here on the request of my grandfather." She answered in return keeping her voice nonchalant, but before she could ask her own question she heard a strange sound that seemed like laughter. It caused her to shiver as she looked about nervously for the source of the laughter, "Did you hear that, Master Gosling?"

[William Gosling]

William did hear the laughter, though he didn't react to it. When Alexandra became nervous, his first instinct was to tease her in some way. To claim she was going insane, or that it was a portend of something horrifying, or that it was an indication she was impure, or that it belonged to a shade with a vendetta against redheaded women... the list of ideas was rather long. But in the end he decided to simply look into what had made the noise. He stood up and held out a hand to help her up, "I did." He didn't seem particularly fearful. "Let us go have a look."

[Louis Killington]

At this rate, Louis would never get home. He had spent the entire day at the palace, walking about with his white staff of office, signifying him as a member of the Green Cloth Board. If nothing else, all of the visits he had made this day had helped create a mental map of the palace in his mind.

Having wanted to examine the plans for the proposed Memorial Gardens, Louis found himself entering the Portrait Gallery and seeing that there were two courtiers inside. Undeterred, he approached the pair. There was some woman's laughter that interrupted his approach. He slowed to get the bearings of the merriment if he could, then continued to approach. "Good evening," he greeted the pair cheerfully, assuming they were a couple.

[Alexandra Rosewyck]

The young lady had no desire to go hunting for ghosts, ""If it is all same to you, I do not believe my heart is strong enough to search for the owner of that eerie sound." As she was about to politely head home she heard a masculine voice call out in greeting.

Clear blue-green eyes assessed the man that had just arrived and gave a timid little smile noticing how handsome he was, "Good evening, my lord. Here to admire the paintings and sculptures or just passing through?" She had stood up on her own upon the second man's arrival as she made herself ready to depart back to her lodgings.

[William Gosling]

William nodded when she said she didn't want to look for the source. "As you wish." Since William was not particularly interested in searching out a ghost himself and company had been denied him he decided not to go. Besides, she had not indicated to him that she would be leaving so William presumed she would stay. When Louis approached, William turned to see who he was and, after seeing he was a gentleman at the very least, tipped his hat in salutation. "My, here I thought this place would be deserted. But I am glad for the company, in truth. I am William Gosling, but I do not believe I have had the pleasure?"

[Louis Killington]

It seemed that ghosts held no special appeal to the trio at the moment. Perhaps that would change with time, for who could not help but be filled with curiosity concerning such supernatural creatures?

It was to Alexandra that he first responded. "Nay, good lady, it is with a purpose that I come here. I come here to admire the portrait of Her late Majesty and to examine the plans for her Memorial Garden," he disclosed with a hidden purpose.

It was time for introductions. "I am Louis Killington, Earl of Basildon and Treasurer of the Royal Household." He would kiss Alexandra's hand if presented along with her name. As William introduced himself, the name did not strike any memory. The King had yet to inform him of the new appointment to the Green Cloth. Louis was new himself and just learning how to interact with the clerks already in residence. "A pleasure Mister Gosling." William offered no title, so he received none in return.

"As you may have read, His Majesty has tasked me with administering the royal lottery concerning the next Queen of England. Part of the proceeds of the lottery will go to the building the Memorial Gardens in honor of good Queen Catherine. It shall also be good sport as well," he added in a way that he hoped would invite interest.

[Alexandra Rosewyck]

It was refreshing to hear a man speak of his duty while carrying it out as opposed to those that meandered with no head on their shoulders. Amusement sparkled in her eyes as William introduced himself probably completely forgetting that she was there and or had an appalling memory to even recall her name to introduce her as well. Her hand was presented for the kiss and her smile deepened as she spoke to Louis, "Yes, as Mister Gosling said, I do not believe I have had the pleasure as well. I am Alexandra Rosewyck."

Louis seemed to be on the same wavelength for she recalled having a similar conversation with Kane at the Monument the day before but wondering if there was indeed a lottery of sorts and who would be the future Queen of England. "I have recently just came into town and have not had a chance to read up on anything yet, but this royal lottery that you speak of. It was something I had brought up in conversation before. I am not really a gambling woman but it seems like a lovely idea especially because it is going towards a good cause. How would one make a bid in the lottery?" Curious to know more of how this worked.

[William Gosling]

“Ah,” William said when he spoke of the Memorial Gardens, “I’ve rather come for that purpose myself. Perhaps you could share your opinions with me?” Wren had asked him to gather opinions, after all. “So you sit on the Green Cloth? Tell me, how is Sir Churchill lately?” He now saw Louis as a chance to receive news on the Board where he would be sitting very soon.

William had not forgotten to introduce Alexandra, but had left it to do so herself. In his mind, to introduce her would have implied they were closer than they were and possibly that he had authority over her of some kind, such as being a relative, her fiancé, a chauffeur. It would also have put him in between herself and Basildon, implying the man might have to go through him to have access to her, the way George had, for example, restricted access to Mirtel, which was undesirable. She did introduce herself, though, and so William was given no reason to think or be aware of her peculiar amusement.

When the subject of the lottery was brought up, William spoke last, “I wonder,” William mused, “how a devout Catholic woman might feel about gambling funds being used to build a memorial.” The Queen being the devout Catholic woman in question. “It certainly is an interesting way to gauge public opinion, though. Tell me, which of the Princesses do you think will make it to the altar?” He didn't specify who he was talking to, either could answer. The contest advertisement, which he had read, had made him a bit suspicious since the reward was so vague and the method of buying tickets not outlined, so he stayed on more solid conversational ground.

[Louis Killington]

Pleased that Alexandra warmed immediately to the lottery, Louis conferred an equally pleased smile. "I am the keeper of the ledger dear lady," he admitted. "I shall be looking for someone to assist me in the bookkeeping, but one need only tell me which princesses they would like to wager upon. You can wager on them all if you like. The more popular choices, like the French and Savoyard, could have many more players with which to compete in any resulting drawing. The candidates less likely to win will have fewer wagers placed under their names, but a greater chance to win if they are selected. It would be a nice thing to tell an envoy that one has chosen to wager that their candidate shall prevail," he suggested.

Gosling seemed less interested in, if not critical of, the lottery. "I knew Her Majesty well enough. She was a good sport, bless her soul. Lotteries are nothing but harmless sport Mister Gosling. One can have a lottery with no meaning other than chance, or one can have one based on something colorful, noble, current and important. I would think that anyone would prefer the latter," he attempted to explain. "The speculation is, as you would expect, leaning in the direction of the major candidates ... France, Savoy, Austria, Russia, and Denmark. But, there has been some outcry of support for a few of the Germans as well. There are two von der Pfalz candidates that are nieces of the Duke of Cumberland, and cousins of the King. One can never count them out, I think."

On the matter of the Green Cloth, Louis nodded. "I am." On the subject of Churchill, Louis replied, "I likely know the man's sons better. I am relatively new to the Board, so I've not had time to get to know many well. Why do you ask?"

[Alexandra Rosewyck]

A brow rose at Gosling's mention of how a devout Catholic woman might feel regarding the procurement of the funds, but did it matter when one is not here to express her outrage. The matter would not even be an issue if the queen was still alive but to each their own.

Her attention directed at Louis nodded in acknowledgement as Louis explained more about the lottery. Unfortunately, she had never met any of the princesses except what passing rumor could be caught. In fact, the only one that really stuck in her mind was Princess Karoline because of Master Graas' mention of her as well as listing her qualities. "I have not met any of the princesses, but I believe a Princess Karoline was mentioned with some favorable qualities by a friend. I would like to place my wager on Princess Karoline instead of all the princesses."

Her curiosity was peaked regarding the mention of assistance in bookkeeping and applied another inquiry of her own, "Is the bookkeeper that you are seeking only assisting you with keeping your lottery ledger?"

[William Gosling]

"Oh, I deny not it is a good subject for a gamble, nor am I in opposition to it. I merely enjoy irony, when I can find it. Your case would seem to say otherwise, though." He had hoped to find something amusing from his musing. The idea of a devout religious woman being the subject of a lottery amused him since it would undoubtedly horrify her out of proportion to the injury. But Louis apparently thought the Queen would not have minded. He noted down, in turn, Louis's information about the bets, though it was somewhat vague.

When Alexandra chose Karoline of the Palatinate William said in the teasing tone of someone who had chosen a different horse at the races, "The Palatinate? That sad excuse for a rump state?" The Palatinate had been much neutered after the Winter King debacle.

When Louis asked why, William thought of excusing himself but decided that he had no reason to keep it from the man. So he told the truth. "Because I am to sit on that board with you, soon enough, as the Second Clerk Comptroller. Second means Sir Churchill is my senior, you see. Apparently the King thinks I have something approaching financial sense and the position is my chance to prove myself useful and apt. Speaking of which," He added, "should you desire I could certainly see the book keeping done."

[Louis Killington]

OOC~ My apologies. I overlooked this thread.


"One need not know or even have met a princess, milady, to place a wager on them," Louis attempted to assure Alexandra. "One can guess which kingdom might make the best ally for England, if nothing else." A smile appeared as Alexandra announced an intention to make a specific wager. "A good choice, milady. She is related to the King and is a Protestant." William was correct about the problems with the Palatinate, but Louis was not the type of man to nay say a lady's enthusiasm for placing a wager.

"Once I have a proper set of clerks in place, I shall have your wager recorded." The way she asked the question, it almost seemed as if she was inquiring about the position for someone she knew. "I suppose the bookkeeper would be for this alone," he mused aloud, though he was thinking that other duties might apply to help keep the man busy.

It was then that William offered his own views and the revelation that he was joining the Green Cloth. "I agree there is little irony here," he was quick to agree to try and redirect the emotions evoked. "Really it is more a way to honor the late Queen through a creative mechanism like a lottery, rather than pure charity alone." One had to put the best face on the event. "The Palatinate has significance still in the Empire," Louis replied in a way to defend Alexandra's choice. "And who shall you wager upon then sir?"

The revelation about his new appointment caused Louis to re-appraise William visually. "Well then, congratulations. I shall look forward to working with you." It was the polite thing to say. The offer of the Green Cloth clerks caused Louis to consider the matter. Had the funds raised go to Household expenses, that might be a good idea; but, Louis expected the King's share to go into the Privy Purse instead. "I shall think upon that idea," he promised.

[Alexandra Rosewyck]

Louis seemed pleased enough of Alexandra's interest but Gosling's response made the young lady blink in shock and then the fire within her ignited. Her cheeks reddened and her blue-green eyes sparking with her dislike. Who did this man think he was to say such a thing in her presence. Even though her princess choice was indeed a Protestant and the King probably did not give any sort of weight on the kind-hearted, anything could happen even to a Palatinate. She felt a horrible twist in her stomach as tried to swallow her anger, and this man was the one who made it happen.

Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her jaw clenched, the memory of Gosling's teasing tone grated against her nerves, but surprisingly Alexandra still managed to keep her temper under control. There were nicer ways to say that he was in disagreement with her, but the man seemed to be laughing at her poor and ignorant choice. She felt sorry that Louis was in the middle of this and would have been grateful at his means to calm the impending storms.

Still she said nothing because some how Alexandra knew that as soon as her mouth opened she would have called the man an insufferable prig as well as some other choice words that a lady should not even know of. In fact, the whole excitement of placing a bid really dampened her spirits now. "Well, thank you for your opinion on the matter. It was most enlightening. Even if Princess Karoline does not have a chance of winning for being 'the Palatinate' the princess appears to be quite kind-hearted and maybe someone the King could count on to spread good will along with his name." Is that my voice that sounds so flat? Of course if it was my cousin I would have probably punched him on the nose as retribution.

A small smile appeared not quite reaching her eyes but still her voice was devoid of the actual anger she had felt, just polite and flat. "And I would appreciate it if you would actually refrain from ever saying anything negative about Princess Karoline as well as any other princess in my presence. It is not right for you to talk in such a familiar way with someone you had just acquainted yourself with. I would imagine the King would have not said something so...belittling." RUDE.

Then to Louis with a deeper smile that appeared to be more genuine, Alexandra spoke but could not unflatten her tone, "Thank you for your information, my lord, it was very interesting, and despite the odds, I will still be interested in placing my wager in with Princess Karoline. Perhaps, you can send me a missive to let me know when it has been recorded and when you need to collect. As for a bookkeeper, perhaps if you do not find one soon I can look out for someone more suitable or Master Gosling appears interested as well." For the Earl's sake, she hoped Gosling had more talent with sums and bookkeeping than he seemed to have with interacting with her. In fact, if he did end up being the bookkeeper, she did not feel confident enough to place her bid with the man and would probably tell Louis personally another time.

"If you will excuse me gentlemen, I believe it has become quite late and I should be headed back. Good night." A curtsy was executed towards the men, more towards Louis, and then she left quickly, unclenching her jaw and trying to exhale deeply. The bile created in the pit of her stomach also felt as if it had traveled to stick in her throat and she was grateful of the fresh night air and just to leave the negative emotions behind. Why ruin the rest of her evening due to one man's impolite comment?

[William Gosling]

William didn't particularly feel like pointing out all the ways the Palatinate was deficient, so he let the subject drop. He did not answer who he would be gambling on, since volunteering to book keep would have made entering the lottery a conflict of interest and so that was his response. "Thank you." William returned the nicety. He simply nodded when Louis said he would consider it, basically taking that to mean 'no'. Well, that was his choice.

William had been teasing her in good fun, but obviously she did not take it that way. William saw this as a long way in coming, though. He had obviously offended her somehow back when she had withdrawn after the Cornwall Cornwell discussion and had been more interested in Louis than himself from the moment the man entered. Thus she just went, in William's mind, from subtle to open hostility. He realized to Louis, though, it must seem somewhat different.

“Were it so.” William didn’t expect the decision to be made for anything more than political expediency, but he would see. The King got the only vote in the matter, really. As to her lecture that followed, William’s opinion of the woman plummeted further than when he had discovered she was a liar. Lecturing him publicly about rudeness was, however, supremely ironic in that it was rude in of itself, and he certainly appreciated that irony. She couldn’t even keep her facts straight. He had talked about the Palatinate, not the Princess personally, and the Palatinate’s history was public knowledge. He would not have commented on the Princess personally, having never met her. But people in the throes of emotion, and it was obvious she was barely suppressing her anger, rarely stayed rational.

She bid them good night, William bowed as appropriate, and said in a tone completely unaffected by her tirade, “I hope sleep restores your humors, miss.” It was a parting blow but a subtle one, since it could either be an accusation of her being unbalanced and hysterical, or he could simply be wishing her a happier time tomorrow.

After she had left, he spoke again “I am sorry you were here for that.” He said to Louis, “But it was not wholly unexpected. Perhaps I ought not have kept her company after the oddness that transpired prior to your arrival, and I must admit I think she was looking for an excuse to become enraged.” William shook his head, “But we ought not dwell on such things. I believe I was soliciting your opinion on the plans for the Memorial Gardens?”