Lily looked up at once, brightening in an instant. Eleanor was more than pleased to see that she had such an effect.
"A flower," she said, holding it out. "Though I do not know what it is called."
Eleanor examined it, turning the stem slightly between her fingers.
"I do not recognize it either," Eleanor replied. "I was never any good with my flowers. I think they are pretty, but when it came to naming them I was useless. We may name it ourselves, if you like. That is what explorers do."
Lily considered this with interest. There was a pause, thoughtful rather than uncertain.
"Then it should have a proper name," Lily said. "Not something ordinary."
"Of course not."
Eleanor glanced at the small cluster of similar flowers nearby.
"They seem inclined to appear where they are not expected," she said. "That suggests something with persistence."
Lily’s expression brightened further.
"Then it should be called that. Persistence."
"Persistence is not a particularly elegant name."
"No," Lily agreed. "But it is accurate."
Eleanor allowed a small smile.
"Accuracy certainly has its merits."
Lily shifted slightly, looking around them now as though seeing the garden differently.
"There are more, by the way," she said. "More flowers that I do not know yet."
"Then we have a great deal of naming to do."
They moved a little further along the grass, the conversation unfolding without effort. Each new flower required consideration, each suggestion weighed with surprising seriousness. Some names were dismissed immediately, others debated briefly before being accepted.
Eleanor had not anticipated that she would enjoy her honeymoon so much, given the circumstances.
At one point, Lily grew quieter, her gaze settling on a small patch of white blossoms near the edge of the path.
"I like these the most."
Eleanor followed her gaze. The flowers were delicate and small, the sort that others would trample without second thought.
"They do not attempt to be noticed," she said. "Is that why?"
Lily nodded, as though that confirmed something she had already suspected.
"Then they should have the best name."
Lily turned to her, expectant.
"What should it be?"
"You may decide. Perhaps something simple, like the flowers themselves?"
Lily thought about it, her expression intent, before settling on something with quiet satisfaction.