Outer

behind it. The

behind it.
The four burly serving men in satin breeches set the sedan chair on the grass. An officious looking servant in mint green satin came forward and placed a tiny red tasseled step stool at the side of the chair.
Daintily, Venus placed her gold-slippered feet onto the stool. She took the servant’s white gloved hand in her own and stepped down onto the grass.
Venus was tall. On her head, she wore a delicate crown of gold. It was adorned with rubies and pearls, and on each of the crown’s pinnacles there was a star, except for the highest in front which had a crescent moon. She wore a dress of crimson-gold velvet, embroidered all over with white lilies. It clung prettily at the top in an empire waistline and flowed fully and elegantly down the length of her lithe body.
The goddess’s eyes were a cool aqua green, as translucent and deep as the ocean itself. She smiled and said serenely in a sultry voice like flowing water, “Ah, here you are. One of the Zephyrs spotted you three a little while ago.”
As amazing as was her appearance, at the sound of her voice, May and Sheila bolted quickly to their feet. May bowed. With her head down, May contemplated an apple core on the ground with remorse. “I’m sorry, Your Highness, we didn’t know this was your orchard; we were very hungry.”
With a queenly sweep of her hand, Venus said, “That’s quite all right, dear. The fruit grows persistently and abundantly and is free to all.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, you are most generous.”