Garden of May - Chapter 60
Chapter 60
“You’re asking for trouble.”
“But the weather’s too nice to stay inside.”
“Alright, then.”
“Really? You’ll go with me?”
Vanessa stared at him, momentarily speechless. She often found herself caught in a strange reverie when she was with him. She hadn’t understood why before, but now she thought she had a glimmer of understanding. He treated her like an ordinary woman.
As if she, too, had the freedom to choose, to see what she wanted, to go where she pleased without needing permission.
“I should freshen up.” Releasing her hair, River Ross turned away. He ran a hand through his damp hair, as if the cooling of his body was now an uncomfortable dampness. A bead of sweat trickled down the nape of his neck, disappearing beneath his shirt collar.
Vanessa swallowed slowly. Was this heat, or desire?
Sometimes, River Ross was breathtakingly beautiful. Especially like this, when he allowed the vitality of his youthful body to show through, succumbing to the heat and desire like any mortal man, while maintaining his cool composure in the midst of summer. She was particularly drawn to these moments of vulnerability.
The urge to slide her hands beneath his shirt, to rub her palms against his warm, firm skin, was a constant, powerful torment. She longed to touch him, to feel the vibrant life force that pulsed within him.
“Vanessa. Your eyes are… predatory.”
“As if you want to devour me whole.”
“When did I ever…” Her intended denial faltered, her thoughts betraying her. River Ross chuckled, ruffled her bangs, and walked past her. Crossing the room, he scooped water from a brass basin and splashed it onto his face, cooling his sun-warmed skin.
Vanessa watched, imprinting the image on her mind: the smooth planes of his cheeks, the damp curve of his eyelashes, the droplets clinging to his lips. He ran a hand, prominent veins visible beneath the skin, through his wet hair, then crossed his arms and shrugged off his damp shirt.
Sunlight bathed his strong, sweat-slicked shoulders in a reddish glow. His muscles, heated like iron fresh from the forge, rippled with each movement.
“Madam Luther, I believe this method is a form of deception.”
The memory of the previous night drifted over her like a fog—the memory of being surrounded by those closer to death than life.
“I apologize if that sounded offensive. Please understand that I had little time to choose my words. The Count trusted Madam Luther enough to leave us alone, but he would grow suspicious if we took too long.”
“I see you don’t trust me, my lady.”
“I know you were merely trying to frighten me.”
In that moment, the glint in the old woman’s eyes… perhaps it had been a look of disdain for something so brazen and uncouth.
“Holy water mixed with blood sounds convincing, but it’s just water. Ultimately, it’s one’s conscience that proves innocence. If you’re innocent, your hand won’t tremble. If you have something to fear, it will.”
“And if it’s the latter, whatever you place on that hand will surely spill.”
“I don’t quite understand what you’re trying to say.”
“The Count is already outside, and he trusts you. Whether I spill the holy water or not, you can fabricate whatever story you wish.”
“I want to buy your silence.”
After a brief silence, Madam Luther burst into a clear laugh.
“It seems half the rumors about you are false, my lady. I heard you were naive.”
“So, how much will it be?” Vanessa forced herself to remain calm, masking her anxiety. In any bargain, the more desperate party always lost, just as she had when she’d pleaded with River Ross to make a pact with her.
“It depends on what you want. Adding a few words isn’t difficult, but a woman like me lives on her reputation.”
Despite her brazen reply, the price Madam Luther named wasn’t exorbitant. It hadn’t required an elaborate lie, and the look in the old woman’s eyes at the last moment had been one of pity.
“Contact me when you conceive. I’ll tell you how to get rid of it discreetly.”
And Vanessa willingly paid the price. She only needed to avoid the issue until the end of summer. Something she would have openly confessed to the Count before, something he might have even welcomed, she now felt compelled to hide so desperately because…
“Vanessa.” Her wandering thoughts abruptly ceased. A firm hand gently tilted her chin upwards. River Ross, now close beside her, leaned down, his hand resting on the back of her chair.
