Garden of May - Chapter 99
The wives of soldiers formed their own hierarchy based on their husbands’ ranks. Those whose husbands commanded neither the respect of superiors nor subordinates found themselves isolated. If, by some misfortune, she became entangled with River Ross, any scandal—a lover betrayed, a pregnant escape—would fall squarely on Vanessa. As she had initially resolved, it was better that she become utterly scandalous. Like Lady Rowan, ostracized from society for simultaneous affairs with three men and mocked, still unwed, well into her fifties.
“No one scorns the man who buys a prostitute. But the man who makes a prostitute his wife is forever an object of ridicule.”
Lady Rowan’s interview, published in some weekly magazine, held a profound insight into the world. Vanessa had briefly considered it a suitable guide for young ladies thrust into the marriage market, and from that very moment, Lady Rowan became a sort of pioneer in Vanessa’s eyes.
“You’ll prick yourself.” Mary snatched the fabric from Vanessa’s hand, which was still gripping the embroidery frame. “Finish that in the car. I’ll hold it.” Mary expertly snipped the thread with her teeth, tied a small, neat knot, and tidied the thread for easy continuation.
“Thank you, Mary.” Vanessa leaned her head against the seat, her head heavy with motion sickness, and exhaled. It had been a while since she’d embroidered, and her progress was slow. News of the stolen brooch and cufflinks remained elusive.
She didn’t want to lose hope, but she couldn’t simply wait. The twins’ birthday was next week. So, she had bought handkerchiefs and beautiful thread.
“That’s the famous Kingston Drawbridge.” At Alman’s words, Vanessa abruptly lifted her head. “Just past that is Essex County. You’ve been here with his Lordship before, haven’t you, Miss?”
“…No. This is my first time.” The name of the place stirred buried memories. Her parents’ accident had occurred not far from here. Their carriage had been lodged for a long time beneath an underpass used by dockworkers.
Vanessa still remembered the whispers of the constables who had handled the case. They said her parents could have lived if someone had found them and called for help sooner. The misfortune was that it had been a festival day, and the area had been deserted.
“Good heavens! Alman! Look out!” Mary’s scream snapped Vanessa out of her reverie. The car’s headlights illuminated the dim alleyway with an unnatural brightness. At the center of that bright light stood a vagrant, arms spread wide.
***
For a moment, time seemed to slow to a horrifying crawl. The screech of tires as Alman slammed on the brakes, Mary’s terrified shriek, the car rocking precariously, and the vagrant’s dark eyes, wide and fixed on Vanessa.
The instant she recognized the unstable mixture of fear and exhilaration in those eyes, Vanessa instinctively covered her face with her hands and screamed.
“Aaah!”
Time snapped back to its normal pace, and everything happened at once. The screech of tires intensified, her body lurched forward. Then, a crash. The impact of a heavy object sent the car reeling. Vanessa clutched the front seat, trying to brace herself, but her head struck something hard, and she lost her grip. The car spun halfway around before coming to a stop. Acrid smoke billowed from the open hood.
Mary coughed, crawled up from the floor, and grabbed Vanessa’s arm. “Are you alright?”
“I… I’m alright… Mary, are you?”
- 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
