Garden of May

“I had no idea. The box was different, so at first, I didn’t think it was the same one I bought.”

Vanessa let out a deep sigh of relief and smiled brightly. When was the last time she had smiled so freely, without a worry in the world? It felt like so long ago she could hardly remember.

“Thank you, truly. I never would have gotten it back in time if not for you. I’ve been so preoccupied, I haven’t even had time to stop by Shelbron Robe this week.”

More than anything, she was relieved she could give Rosaline a proper gift. That thoughtful girl would have cherished even a pair of crudely embroidered gloves, but one’s coming-of-age was such a special day.

People believed one’s destiny was tied to the first gift received upon coming of age. And Vanessa desperately wanted Rosaline’s future to be brighter and more beautiful than anything.

“Is this why you stopped by the dress shop?”

“They said an order was ready, so I stopped by.”

“Ah, the clothes you ordered the other day.”

He retrieved a large, ribbon-tied paper box and set it on the table. Vanessa looked from River Ross to the box and back again, her eyes wide, before a realization dawned.

“Don’t tell me… Is this for me?”

“Open it.”

Vanessa reached for the ribbon, hesitated, and then carefully pushed the box away. He was the one who had first broken the rules of etiquette regarding gifts; surely, this small discourtesy in return was permissible.

“I… I can’t accept this.”

“Open it, even if you plan to refuse.”

“It’s wrapped from Shelbron Robe. I don’t need to open it to know. It’s a dress.”

Of course, River Ross’s insight in gifting her a dress was correct. Her lack of anything to wear to the upcoming boat party was a pressing problem.

Her wardrobe consisted of dresses either modest enough to be donated to a convent or gowns designed to attract attention at a banquet, with corsets laced punishingly tight. She had already resigned herself to borrowing a large shawl from Rosaline to attend the boat party.

Given her situation, she needed a new dress more than anything. But the gifts a woman could accept from a man without shame were limited: small, inexpensive trifles that compromised neither party’s dignity.

The etiquette books stated clearly that gifts exceeding this measure were acceptable in only two circumstances: as a token from a fiancé, or as payment to a mistress.

Vanessa looked up at him steadily. River Ross would not have chosen this gift just to insult her. Perhaps their perspectives were simply different. Or perhaps she was the one still trapped in an old, rigid world. As Blair always said, it was common enough for married men to keep mistresses on the side.

But even if the whole world believed she sold herself for a few coins, River Ross knew it wasn’t true. She refused to let him treat her that way. They were equals. She would not be made to feel ashamed. Vanessa met his gaze with clear eyes.

“I really think you should return this.”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“You’ll know when you try it on. It was tailored to your measurements.”

“…And how did you know my measurements?”

“How do you think?”

Vanessa’s eyes widened, and she blinked rapidly. His brazen retort, his refusal to yield an inch, left her speechless. Before she could form a reply, River Ross took hold of one end of the long ribbon.

“You just said you were grateful I found your pendant.”

“That’s…”

“If you’re grateful, you should accept it instead of refusing.”

“Where in the world did you learn such twisted logic?”

Vanessa let out a short, incredulous laugh, and he met it with a slight lift of his own lips. She knew she had no hope of persuading him. Hadn’t all their disagreements ended with her being the one to back down? The only thing that had changed was his attitude. Before, River Ross had treated her principles as peculiar, something fussy and incomprehensible. But now…

Now, he was pushing his decision on her with even more determination. It felt as if this wasn’t just about a dress, but about breaking down her very convictions. And all the while, he hid the blade he wielded behind the veneer of a perfect, aristocratic gentleman.

“Vanessa.”

He leaned forward, capturing her hand. He deliberately placed the end of the ribbon he held into her palm and then, River Ross pressed a brief kiss to her knuckles. It was a gesture of polite, profound affection. Or at least, a perfect imitation of it.

“I want to see you in this dress.”

She wanted to shove his shoulder away, but the look he gave her, gazing down at her from his height, was too sweet. Heat flooded her cheeks.

He was cunning. He didn’t usually deploy his charm this way, but he was a man who would use any means necessary when he wanted something. He was doing this precisely because he knew she was weak to his voice, to his face.