Garden of May - Chapter 56
Chapter 56
She remembered seeing fresh strawberries on her table a few days ago, assuming they’d been purchased. She hadn’t realized they were homegrown.
The sight of the glistening red berries made her mouth water. She suddenly realized she hadn’t eaten since the previous evening. She eagerly bit into one, the sweet-tart juice bursting across her tongue.
“Delicious.”
“Good.”
Vanessa devoured several berries in quick succession, the texture of the fruit a welcome sensation. Juice dribbled down her chin. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and reached for another. The simple act of nourishing her depleted body brought immense satisfaction. As her hunger subsided, her mind began to clear.
With a sheepish look, she hesitated before taking the last berry.
“Did you… eat anything?”
“Me?” he asked, a smile playing on his lips, as if amused by her sudden concern. His expression made her feel self-conscious. He leaned closer, bracing his left hand on the bed, and took the strawberry from her outstretched fingers.
His warm breath and smooth lips brushed against her skin as he ate the berry. His teeth grazed her fingertip, leaving a tingling sensation. Had he done that on purpose? Vanessa held her breath, then curled her fingers inward, looking away.
“If you wanted it, you could have just asked.”
“I wasn’t planning on eating it,” he said, wiping a smear of juice from his lips with his thumb, a playful grin spreading across his face. “But you were enjoying them so much.”
It was a teasing excuse, but she couldn’t fault him for taking a single strawberry. “Sour,” he commented, wrinkling his nose slightly as he took the empty bowl from her. Her gaze drifted to the muscles of his chest, visible beneath his unbuttoned shirt.
Dong. The first bell of dawn rang out, sharpening the sound of the roosters that had been crowing for some time. Reality crashed down on Vanessa. She suddenly remembered where she was, what she had done, and a wave of mortification washed over her.
“Oh my god.”
The color drained from her cheeks. She scrambled out of bed, frantically pulling on her crumpled clothes, her movements hurried and clumsy. She fumbled with her watch, fastening it around her wrist.
“I’ll, I’ll come back tomorrow night.”
“Ah, tomorrow won’t work. I’ll be away for a few days.”
“A few days? How long?”
“Four days or so. Business in Bath.”
He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, then, as if by habit, kissed her forehead.
“Behave yourself, and I’ll bring you back a present.”
He turned away with a smile, leaving Vanessa frozen, touching the spot where his lips had been. A warmth spread outward from that point, a slow burn that surprised her.
It was the sort of promise one made to a child. Or perhaps, between lovers. Vanessa clenched her hand, her palm hot. Nausea twisted in her stomach. How dare she?
***
“You seem to have grown taller. Or perhaps it’s your improved posture… We’ll need to take up the sleeves again and replace the ribbon with a smaller one… Hmm, yes.”
“….”
“The skirt should be adjusted to reveal your ankles. Now, if you’ll extend your arms, please.”
“….”
“My lady?”
Vanessa jolted back to the present. Her gaze slowly swept over the maids surrounding her, then settled on the seamstress. Despite her inattention, the seamstress deftly measured her, noting down the figures.
“Thanks to your diet, your waist has certainly become smaller. And your bust has increased slightly. This means your existing wardrobe will need some alterations. The most pressing matter is your hunting attire for the day after tomorrow…”
“My lady.”
The sound of hurried footsteps approaching ended abruptly as the door swung open. Mary pushed her way through the maids and grabbed Vanessa’s wrist.
“There’s somewhere you need to be. Right now.”
