Garden of May - Chapter 146
Vanessa watched the scene with distant eyes.
A happy bride.
When she tried to imagine herself in that role, it always felt strangely unnatural—like something that didn’t quite fit. And yet, here it was, existing so effortlessly in reality. In a way… she even felt a little envious.
“Ask Harold if we can give Ellie some special leave. She just got married, having her separated from her husband until the weekend feels a bit much. A couple of days off won’t bother my uncle.”
“…Ellie would be happy.”
After following Ellie with her gaze for a moment, Mary seemed to remember something and spoke again.
“Oh, that reminds me. The gardener has returned.”
“Returned?”
Vanessa’s eyes widened as she blinked rapidly.
The gardener. For a moment, she wondered if she had misheard.
“Who?”
“Mr. River Ross. A carriage arrived around noon, and he got out of it. The maids offered him a meal, but he refused and went straight to his quarters in the garden.”
Vanessa shot to her feet without thinking. Then, realizing how strange that must have looked, quickly sank back down. Her blood was rushing so fast it made her dizzy, her heartbeat pounding loudly in her ears.
Just hearing that he was there, that she could see him if she went to the rose garden right now—
Stay calm. Don’t show your emotions. Be composed and elegant. It was the kind of advice drilled into ladies endlessly at Saint Louis. And, as always, easier said than done.
Vanessa fanned her face nervously, but she couldn’t bear it any longer and stood up again.
“I think I should rest a bit. The sun’s too hot…”
It was practically just an excuse. But she no longer cared how it might sound. She hurried out of the greenhouse, only to be stopped by Mary.
“Wait a moment, miss.”
Mary stepped forward and turned her around. With deft hands, she retied the loosened ribbon of her blouse. Her expression, eyes lowered beneath calm lashes, revealed nothing.
No sympathy for a young lady in love. No contempt for a woman entangled in scandal. Not even the smallest flicker of judgment.
Like she barely had the energy to concern herself with anything beyond fixing what was out of place.
“Dinner will be ready on time. Don’t be late.”
Mary said at last, brushing her hands together. With that, she walked out ahead.
Vanessa stood there, momentarily speechless as she watched the maid’s retreating figure, then snapped out of it and headed in the opposite direction.
At first, she forced herself to walk slowly, mindful of others’ eyes. But once she reached a secluded path, her pace quickened without restraint.
The iron gate leading into the garden stood wide open.
Unlike the darker, more somber version she had imagined while avoiding it, the place was just as beautiful as ever. With every step, the scent of summer flowers rose thick and intoxicating in the air. Wild lavender and late-summer roses enclosed their little haven like a living wall.
Vanessa pushed open the storage shed door without hesitation and stepped inside.
Her eyes couldn’t adjust immediately to the dimness, plunging her vision into darkness. But she was too full of anticipation to even think about waiting. She reached forward, feeling her way inside.
“River? Are you here?”
Her cautious voice echoed softly. For a moment, it felt like the space was empty.
Then, familiar footsteps came.
From the far side, a man emerged, lifting the draped cloth behind him, sunlight at his back. At the same time, the darkness that had clouded her vision receded.
“Vanessa.”
His cool expression softened into a faint smile as he saw her. It wasn’t a particularly warm smile, and yet, it stirred her heart like a sudden gust of wind.
As if drawn in, Vanessa stepped closer to River Ross. Without realizing it, she reached out toward his beautiful face then gently brushed her fingers along his cheek.
She needed to feel it. To know that he was truly here.
“….”
Her fingertips trembled slightly as they traced the firm line of his jaw, his neatly closed lips, the smooth bridge of his nose, the sharp contours of his eyes.
River Ross let out a quiet, breath-like laugh and inclined his head just a little more into her touch.
As if indulging her like a tamed beast. Though his eyes were anything but gentle.
“You’re getting bold now, touching me so freely without even a hint of fear.”
- Protected: Garden of May Chapter 152 - Jun 16, 2026
- Protected: Garden of May Chapter 151 - Jun 16, 2026
- Protected: Garden of May Chapter 150 - Jun 16, 2026
