Garden of May

Chapter 80

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River Ross remained silent as they climbed back over the fence and into the garden. Vanessa glanced at the man walking beside her. His demeanor seemed to have shifted at some point. She couldn’t explain it, but something was subtly different. His usually apathetic gaze was now calm and settled, and he exuded the air of a mature man firmly grounded in reality. As if he had suddenly grown up in the short time they were together.

“Go on in.”

At the back stairs, Vanessa reluctantly released his hand. The spot where their skin had touched cooled almost instantly, as if the lingering warmth from moments before had dissipated.

“Well then, River. See you tomorrow.”

“I have something to do tomorrow. Let’s meet in four days.”

“Four days? You’re very busy…”

At her disgruntled mumbling, River Ross chuckled.

“I’ll be in Lyndon. Tell me if you need anything. I’ll bring you a souvenir.”

“I don’t need anything. Rather, let’s go see the theatre troupe together next time they come.”

“That won’t be until after summer ends.”

“I’m fine with that.”

The words tumbled out, revealing her eagerness a little too clearly. Vanessa bit her lip and added with a lack of confidence, “Even after this summer ends… as friends. If… if you’re okay with that.”

River Ross’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. Vanessa wanted to bang her head against the wall. It would have been better to pretend it was a casual promise. Now it seemed as though she was thinking about their relationship beyond the summer, even after she had declared so boldly that they should go their separate ways once it ended.

As River Ross’s silence stretched, Vanessa’s head drooped lower and lower. She was mortified, and she had a feeling he was laughing at her. Why had she suggested that silly wager?

“Alright.”

Vanessa’s head snapped up.

“Let’s go sometime.”

A large hand ruffled her hair. Not with the affection one might show a lover, but rather with the casual carelessness of someone handling a bothersome puppy. Even so, her breath hitched in her throat. Vanessa nodded like a child.

“I’ll be going then.”

She glanced back several times before entering the house. Each time, River Ross remained standing there. It made her happy. As if he would always be there, just like that, whenever she looked back. Even if it was all an illusion, it was a wonderful night. The dark, narrow staircase leading to her room and the empty, silent hallway no longer felt frightening. She unlocked her door and carefully slipped inside.

“….”

The room, which should have been dark, was faintly illuminated. The oil lamp on her desk was still lit. She had adjusted the oil so it would extinguish itself after a certain time…

As she crossed the room, her eyes adjusting to the dim light, and reached for the lamp, a voice suddenly spoke from behind her.

“Now you come back?”

Startled, Vanessa forgot her caution and instinctively grabbed the hot lamp. Pain seared through her hand, but she ignored it, whirling around to face the speaker. A gasp escaped her lips as she recognized the familiar face.

“Goodness, Blair! You scared me…”

Relief washed over her, chasing away the tension. She had imagined her uncle or Mary waiting for her, in the worst-case scenario. The burn from the lamp finally registered, and she examined the forming blister. A strange feeling of unease settled over her, and she slowly lifted her gaze.

How could Blair be in her room? The door was locked from the outside. She had just unlocked it herself, so it couldn’t be a mistake.

“But… how long have you been here?”

“About two hours.”

“I thought Mary said you wouldn’t be back today…”

“She said you haven’t been feeling well lately. That your cold wouldn’t go away.”

“That’s… that’s true, but… I felt better quickly today.”

She unconsciously clenched her sweaty hand.

“Did you climb through the window?”

“That’s what I want to ask you.”

Blair’s calm gaze slowly swept over her, taking in her disheveled hair, flushed cheeks, and light clothing. Her appearance clearly indicated she had been out, not just for a short walk. And of all things, she was wearing her new muslin dress, the one that exposed her shoulders and the nape of her neck. After a long, silent appraisal, Blair’s lips curved into a slow smile.

“Where have you been, Vanessa?”