Presently, she was leaning back comfortably in her chair, reading over her notes for the speech she was helping Jody write. The senior speechwriter had just peered in to offer her a few �suggestions� when a courier arrived carrying a package.
�Miss Sebohn?� the youngster said, holding up the square box he was holding. �Package for you, ma�am,� he added, when the woman seated at the desk nodded.
Bertram smiled slightly and adjusted his glasses. He already knew whom the package was from and what was in it, but he went through the motions of checking it anyway. After a moment, he turned and set in on the desk in front of his protectee. �It�s safe,� he said in a soft, almost shy, voice.
Beth smiled brightly and pulled the ribbons away; then lifted the lid. Tucked amid tissue paper was a delicate porcelain doll. It had long dark hair drawn into two ponytails and glass eyes of a vibrant blue color. It was dressed in a simple gown, very much like what a young lady from the territories might wear. �It�s beautiful!� Beth breathed, lifting the doll from its packaging.
�Who sent it?� Jody asked worriedly. He glanced at Bertram, who shrugged slightly.
Shaking his head, the Warden said, �The letters and packages Misstress Beth�s stalker has sent were all of a� threatening nature.�
�He�s right, Jody,� Beth said, as she gently placed the doll among the others nestled on the shelves around her office. �Dolls aren�t threatening.�
�It looks like you, Beth,� the man persisted, frowning in concern. �How is that not threatening?�
Bertram sighed deeply and shook his head. �It�s� probably from a � an admirer, someone too shy to come forward publicly,� he said carefully.
�Beth�s got a secret admirer?� a familiar voice said from the doorway. Bertram glanced up, not at all surprised to see Jesse standing there.
�Looks like it,� Jody grumbled. He glanced again at the Warden. �You aren�t the least bit worried about it?�
Bertram shrugged and adjusted his glasses. �I�ll see if� I can find out who it is, Mr. Darkforest,� he lied, hoping the other would drop the subject.
�At the very least, I�d like to know so that I can thank him,� Beth stated, smiling fondly at the doll. �She�s beautiful and the dress reminds me of some of the clothes I wore when I was a little girl.�
Jesse smiled as he caught a glimpse Bertram�s face, which was a soft red color. The Warden turned away quickly, but the man was certain he knew who Beth�s admirer was. �Why do you suppose he didn�t sign the card?� he mused, glancing at Beth.
�Bertram said he might be too shy,� she answered, grinning impishly. �But why would anyone be shy of me?�
�You�re a very important woman, Mistress Beth,� Bertram pointed out in a quiet voice. �Perhaps he is afraid his advances would be rejected and he�s afraid of getting hurt.�
Jesse shook his head in dismissal of the thought. �Beth wouldn�t hurt a fly,� he teased. Turning to Beth, he added, �It�s got to be someone who�s seen your office; otherwise he wouldn�t know that you collect dolls, right?�
�So it must be either someone who works here or who has visited,� Jody mused. He glanced at Bertram, who nodded sagely and began checking over the package for any clues.
After a moment, he held up a small card that had been left among the tissue paper. �A card, Mistress Beth,� he said quietly.
Beth smiled and took the card, opening it to read it too herself. She sighed and glanced up at Jesse. �Listen,� she said excitedly. �I saw this doll and thought of you. I do hope that you enjoy her and I pray daily for your continued safety. With love.�
�With love who?� Jody asked, frowning.
Beth shrugged and shook her head. �That�s it,� she answered. �He sounds like a sweet man, I wish he�d have signed his name.� Shaking her head, Beth set the card on the shelf beside the doll and returned to her work.
�Seems like someone too cowardly to come right out and admit how he feels,� CJ quipped from the doorway.
Bertram glanced down at his feet and said, �There are many reasons why a person would wish to remain anonymous, Mr. Reed.�
Jesse frowned and said, �Might be scared of rejection.�
Bertram glanced at the man and smiled. �Maybe,� he replied. �Or he doesn�t think he�s good enough for her. Mistress Beth is a very talented, intelligent woman who is in a rather powerful political position.�
Jody scowled. �Are you sure he�s not some obsessed lunatic, who might try to hurt her?� he asked, in concern.
�He�s not,� Bertram said firmly. When everyone glanced at him in surprise, he added, �And I wouldn�t allow anyone to harm Mistress Beth, so you needn�t worry about it.�
Bertram took the box and set it to one side and then resumed his usual place against the wall beside the window. As the other men left, the Warden thought he saw Jesse winking but wasn�t certain.
**
The incident was forgotten until a few days later, when Beth returned to her office to find that a bouquet of flowers had been placed on her desk. �What�s this?� she asked. Bertram watched from the doorway as Beth eyed the bouquet of flowers on her desk. She glanced over and asked, �Do you suppose it�s alright?�
The Warden nodded and replied evenly, �Whoever left them here had to have gotten past security, Mistress Beth. I�m sure it�s perfectly safe.�
She nodded and removed the small card that was nestled among the pale pink roses. �Beth,� was all it said on the outside.
�What�s it say?� Jesse asked from the doorway. Rather than looking at Beth, his eyes were on Bertram. The warden frowned slightly and turned to peer over his protectee�s shoulder.
Opening the card, Beth read, �Although clouds fill the sky today, your smile will be sunshine enough for these delicate blossoms. With love.� Giggling softly, she smelled one of the flowers and said, �How sweet!� She whirled around and said, �I think he�s a bard.�
�How�s that?� Jesse asked, suddenly curious.
�Well,� the woman replied. �He�s obviously got the soul of a poet, so he must be a bard, right?�
Jesse frowned. �So far as I know,� he mused. �The only bards who work here are you and Jody. You wouldn�t send gifts to yourself and we know it isn�t Jody.�
Beth scowled and shook her head. �I�m right,� she argued. �I know I am.� She set the flowers off to one side and then sat down to do her work. Jesse glanced up at Bertram in time to see the Warden chew his lip thoughtfully and shake his head before leaning against the wall behind the woman.
The man shook his head and turned around. As he was leaving, he called, �I hope the guy tells you who he is soon.�
�Me too,� Beth replied, nodding in agreement.
**
Every day for the next week, Beth would come into her office and find some small token of affection, each with a small card. Sometimes, it was simply flowers, but others it was candy or a charm. The first day of the second week, Beth found a small box on her desk. She eyed it and glanced at Bertram. �It got through the Wardens who check the mail,� he said softly. �It�s safe.�
Beth opened the box and gasped. Putting one hand to her chest, she reached out with the other to removed a delicate silver locket. �How darling!� she exclaimed.
Glancing down, she saw a small card with her name on it. She smiled at Bertram and opened the card. Bertram smiled with her, as she read, �I have watched you from afar. Struck first by your beauty, then by your mind, I found a love I never knew. May your day bring you as much joy as you bring me. With love.�
When Beth looked up, tears were standing in her eyes. �It�s � it�s beautiful!� she breathed. �And so sweet! I wonder who sent it.� Beth shook her head and set the card with the previous ones. �Whatever is holding him back,� she said softly. �I wish he�d get over it.�
Beth didn�t notice that Bertram looked surprised and blushed lightly, neither did Jody, who was standing in the doorway. Jesse, who stood beside him, however, did notice the man�s reaction.
Jody cleared his throat and said, �You�re working on finding out who this is, Mr. Silverwebb.�
Bertram nodded and replied, �I assure you, sir, it�s nothing to be concerned about. Whoever this is, they mean no harm to Mistress Beth.�
While Jody seemed doubtful, Jesse smiled. �Give the guy a break, Jody,� he said gently. �He�s a professional. If he says the admirer isn�t a threat, then it�s probably alright.�
�I guess,� Jody grumbled, disappearing back into his own office.
Jesse smiled and came up behind Beth to help her put the necklace on. Once the locket was in place, he stepped back and smiled. �Take care, El Nat,� he said. �See you later.�
�Bye, Jesse,� Beth replied, pulling out a legal pad with notes for the speech she was working on. �How�s it look?� she asked, a Jesse reached the door.
�Beautiful,� Bertram breathed.
Jesse smirked, knowing the soft comment hadn�t carried across the room to where Beth sat. �It suits you well,� he said. �Your admirer has good taste.�
**
A few hours later, Bertram was spelled by another Warden. While he was sitting in the Mural room, reading a book and relaxing, Jesse came in and sat across from him. �So,� the older man said. �Do you plan on telling her who it is anytime soon?�
�Excuse me?� Bertram asked, his eyes widening in surprise.
Jesse smiled and replied, �I�ve seen the way you look at Beth, Bertram. You�re her secret admirer, aren�t you?�
Bertram blushed and looked down. �Is it that obvious?� he asked softly.
�No,� Jesse replied. �I�m just more observant when it comes to Beth. I have one question.�
�Which is?�
�Why the secret?� Jesse asked, locking eyes with the younger man.
Bertram rolled his eyes. �First of all,� he said. �I�m really not supposed to start a relationship with my protectee.�
�And?�
Bertram shook his head helplessly. �Isn�t it obvious? She � she�s a fully trained bard, a beautiful, brilliant woman. I � I�m not even half as good as she is.�
�You�re a bard?� Jesse asked, somewhat surprised.
Bertram looked down at his hands and nodded. �I wasn�t able to finish my training though�things happened and I had to come home. I had to take care of my mother, my sisters.�
Jesse shook his head. �Beth doesn�t care about that kind of thing. If she likes you, it�ll be for who you are, not what you can do.�
Bertram looked up at Jesse sadly. �I�m not even in the same league as her,� he said softly. �She�d just laugh at me.�
�I strongly doubt that,� Jesse said. �She�s not the type and if she were, you wouldn�t be so in love with her.� Bertram nodded silently and Jesse continued, �You�ll never know how she feels unless you tell her how you feel.�
�I know,� the young Warden said softly.
�So,� Jesse said. �You�ll do it?�
�Yes,� Bertram said softly. �I�ll � I�ll tell her.�
**
Over the next few weeks, Beth continued to receive small gifts and cards. Her suspicion that the admirer was a bard was strengthened with the arrival a several romantic poems, however the admirer never signed his name.
After a month, there came a day when Beth stepped into her office and found a small envelope on her desk. She frowned and handed it over to the Watch Warden who was shadowing her. The woman opened it and checked over the contents, then handed it to Beth with a smile. �It�s safe,� she said quietly.
Beth nodded, frowning slightly. She dearly wished that Bertram had come with her, however she also knew that the man deserved some time off. She pulled out the contents of the envelope and smiled at the familiar handwriting on the note, knowing it was from her admirer. Besides the note, there were two tickets to a play for that evening.
Beth chewed her lip as she set the tickets down and turned her attention to the note. �If you�d like to meet me, come to the caf� across from the theater at six o�clock,� it read. �You�ll know me by the rose buttoner I�ll be wearing. If you do not wish to meet with me, I understand. Use the tickets for yourself and a friend. With love.�
Glancing at her Watch Warden, Beth asked, �Can I meet him?�
�Well,� the woman hedged. �Mr. Silverwebb will probably want me to accompany you, but I don�t see any harm in it.�
Beth frowned suspiciously. �You know who it is, don�t you,� she accused.
�My lips are sealed,� the woman replied, chuckling.
**
The day passed far too slowly for Beth�s liking and when she was at last allowed to leave the office, she didn�t hesitate. She hurried home and changed into a gown that was suitable for an evening at the theater and then, accompanied by the Watch Warden, headed to the caf� across from the theater.
She entered the small restaurant and glanced around anxiously. There were several men seated in the small room, most of them with women. One was seated with his back to her and turned as she stepped closer to him.
The first thing she noticed was the small pink rosebud tucked in his buttonhole. The next was his familiar, if sheepish expression. �Bertram?� she gasped.
He stood and blushed slightly, nodding and waving the Watch Warden away. The woman chuckled and disappeared out onto the street. �Hello, Mistress Beth,� he said softly.
�You�re my secret admirer?� she asked with a giggle. When he blushed even more, she sat down across from him. �Why the secrecy?� she asked gently, touching his hand.
Bertram froze at the touch and then forced himself to relax. �I � I�m shy,� he answered after a moment. �I was afraid you� wouldn�t like me?�
Beth laughed softly and shook her head. �You dear, sweet man!� she exclaimed, kissing him lightly on the cheek. �How could I not like you? You notice more about who I am than anyone I�ve ever encountered and you actually care about what I think!�
Bertram swallowed thickly, not sure if he wanted to laugh or cry. He decided on a choked laugh and then asked, �So� did you want to see the play with me?�
�Of course I do!� Beth announced. The pair stood together and stared at each other for a moment.
Bertram took her hand in his and kissed it gently. Both of them gasped as a tingle went through their hands at the contact. �Did � did you feel that?� Bertram asked.
Beth nodded. �What was it?� she asked.
�I don�t know,� Bertram replied. �But I liked it.� Saying this, he kissed her hand again. �Let�s go to the theater,� he said finally. �We don�t want to be late.� Then Beth smiled and tucked his arm around Bertram�s and followed him outside and across the street to watch the ballet� together.
**
The next day, Bertram scheduled a meeting with Eric to inform him of their new relationship. They returned to Beth�s office so that she could get down to the work of the day. Not surprisingly, Jody and Jesse were waiting for them when they arrived.
�So,� Jody prompted, as soon as they stepped into the room. �Did you find out who this coward is?�
�Me,� Bertram answered in a quiet, yet firm, voice. �I�m the coward, as you put it, who has been giving Miss Sebohn gifts over the last month or so.�
�You?� Jody asked.
�He did say it wasn�t anything to worry about,� Michael pointed out. �Bertram knows his stuff. Maybe you should trust him a little more.�
�Why didn�t just tell her how you felt?� Jody asked incredulously. �How long has this been going on?�
Bertram blushed, but was saved from answering by Beth, who said, �He was too shy, Jody. Give the guy a break.�
�As for the second question,� Michael injected. �Bertram�s been smitten with Miss Sebohn since day one.�
�I was not smitten,� Bertram protested, looking away to hide his blush.
The other warden chuckled. �You�ve been so shy of her you�ve got everyone here thinking you�re the quiet type, Bertram,� he teased.
�He�s not?� Jesse asked from the doorway.
�Not hardly,� the other answered. �He�s very intelligent and can get right talkative when it�s a subject he�s passionate about. He just gets quiet around girls.�
Bertram shook his head in frustration. �You are rather infuriating, do you realize that?� he asked rhetorically. �While I thank you for the compliment, I�d prefer if you didn�t make it seem that I was always shy. I only got that way when I was with Mistress Beth because my feelings for her were more intense than anything else I�ve encountered and I wasn�t sure how to broach the subject with her, let alone what she�d think of my affections.�
�God,� Jesse exclaimed. �I think that�s the most I�ve ever heard you say at once.�
Bertram blinked in surprise and blushed. Beth shook her head. �I like you even more when you�re not being so shy, Bertram,� she stated firmly. �Try to get over that, please.�
�Yes, Mistress Beth,� he answered dutifully.
�I think you�re passed that formality,� Jody pointed out.
Bertram smiled wanly. �Only when she�s not at work, Mr. Darkforest,� he protested. �Here, I have to behave with utmost decorum. What we do outside the West Wing is another story.�
�He only calls me Mistress Beth at work,� the woman clarified. �Otherwise, all he calls me is Beth.�
�Good man,� the watch warden whispered.
Bertram nodded and winked; then turned to Beth. �Now, my dear Mistress Beth, you have to get ready for a meeting, I believe.�
�Too right!� Beth exclaimed. �Thank you, Bertram.� Bertram merely nodded and followed Beth quietly into her office.
�His dear?� Jesse said, grinning impishly. Turning to Jody, he said, �I think they�re going to be the talk of Dee Cee before long.�
�Better let CJ know,� Jody agreed, turning and disappearing towards the press secretary�s office. Jesse smiled and peeked into Beth�s office. �See you later, El Nat,� he called. Winking, he added, �Make sure she gets some work done, Bertram.�
�If you�re implying that she�d be doing anything else in a room alone with me,� Bertram stated, smiling warmly, �then I may have to show you why I�m a Watch Warden and not a bard.�
Jesse blinked in surprise and then chuckled and quickly left the room. This relationship, he mused, was definitely going to set Dee Cee on its ear.
End�