thirty-six
Isabella couldn’t believe how beautiful the secret garden was.
After the gardeners had cleared the path and the statues of weeds, she had an idea of how wide the garden was. Green moss still covered the statues and the marble steps, and catchweed vines choked some beautiful flowers. But aside from that, the corner of the Mediterranean Sea promised to be a spectacular paradise.
“There’s so much to do,” she said as Anthony walked next to her, surveying the garden. “The ornamental plants need to be freed from the choking vines and brambles. Then we can plant everything we want.” She turned around. He was staring at her, smiling. “Did I say something funny?”
His smile widened. “No. It’s wonderful to see you happy.” He took her face and kissed her lips.
She kissed him back. Kissing him had become a normal occurrence in a short time. Not just an occurrence, but she needed his kisses, caresses, and smiles. More than the physical contact, she craved his kindness.
“I’m so glad you forgave me.” She took his hand and pressed his palm to her cheek. “I can’t believe you were so generous to me, and I’m happy you gave me the opportunity to stay here with you.”
“How could I not?”
“You didn’t ask questions…”
She wasn’t sure she wanted to talk about Patrick and ruin the beautiful relationship they’d built. But on the other hand, he had to know the truth. Or maybe she should wait to talk to Patrick in person since she hadn’t had the heart to send him that letter. She rubbed her forehead, confused.
“We’ll talk, but not now. Not here.” Pain cracked his voice, and she felt his pain in her chest. “This is our corner of only happiness.”
She hugged him, promising to do her best to repay him for his kindness.
* * *
After hours of work,during which a few more special flowers had been uncovered and freed from the weeds, Isabella sat on a picnic blanket next to Anthony. Cook had prepared a basket for them filled with fresh Mediterranean fruits, sandwiches, and cold drinks.
The shadow of a large cluster pine tree offered shelter from the sun, and the rhythmic song of the cicadas made her sleepy, especially after having pulled weeds and potted plants in the sun.
Anthony had dispensed with his jacket and waistcoat and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, showing muscular arms. His hair was pulled back and held by a string because he’d complained about his curls ending up in front of his eyes while he worked.
The result was that the scar was fully exposed, and while she shivered as a phantom pain stung her, thinking of the agony he must have experienced, she liked it. The scar suited him. It gave him a wild look she found charming.
She removed her boots and stockings and wiggled her toes in the sun.
He drank from a flask of water. “It’s so different from London here. So peaceful.”
“I love this place. And we have our own private beach.”
“It’s spectacular at night. Tonight is Saint Lawrence’s night. It’s the night when the Perseids, the meteors of the Swift-Tuttle comet, come close to the earth and light the sky with shooting stars. Let’s watch the stars together tonight.”
“Yes.” She fanned herself. “It’ll surely be cooler than it is now. I wish I could take a bath.”
“In our private beach? By all means. Go ahead.”
“Anyone might come here.”
“Not if I lock the door. Your wish is my command.”
She trapped her bottom lip between her teeth and glanced at the inviting pool of water. “Yes.”
As he went to lock the door to the secret garden, she studied the pool. It didn’t have a visible opening to the sea. The mysterious underground connection with the sea worried her.
“Is it safe?” she asked Anthony. “I won’t be sucked into a rocky pipe that will spit me out into the sea and splatter me over the rocks, will I?”
He frowned. “You have a rather morbid imagination. The pool is not dangerous, not when the sea is calm, anyway. But I’ll go first.” He started to unbutton his shirt.
She didn’t turn around. After last night, her curiosity for his body had increased, and he didn’t seem to mind she watched. His body could rival those of the Greek statues so well-defined it was. One sharp ridge after the other, the muscles contracted under his tanned skin. The sun had sprinkled freckles over his face, arms, and neck.
