Chapter 44 #2
“It is the abandoned garden,” Perry explained.
“Eliza’s family purchased this estate from an aging relative of the former earl.
Eliza’s family had money and wasted no time in claiming it for their daughter.
My first wife had no interest in gardening and had ceased allowing the gardeners to expend any energy or money on the place.
Before she became ill, she preferred to spend our funds at the modiste or on attending lavish parties, especially since there was no one here to appreciate the garden.
She maintained what she had to for status and a grand show of wealth.
I respected her wishes to run the home as she wished.
I am embarrassed to say I didn’t care. I was more preoccupied with estate business and investments.
My work in the House of Lords.” He shrugged.
“Why did Eliza have the garden closed off?” Charlotte asked, overwhelmed by the stunning wildness that surrounded them. Birds chirped happily in the trees and bushes, well protected and safe.
“She found it too tragic. Almost…haunted. It came with a tale she found too dreary to discuss. Humphries told me Eliza took one look at it and ordered the gate locked and the garden to be forgotten.”
Charlotte’s brows drew together in bewilderment as she took in the wildly growing rose bushes, the moss-covered benches, and the large, empty central fountain, which would have been quite impressive had it been operational.
Eliza was right in thinking it would cost dearly to restore a garden that had been abandoned for so long.
The place standing before Charlotte was mysterious and ethereal, wild and bountiful. Certainly not a tragedy. It was a gift.
“I fail to see how a garden is tragic. It is made sad by being abandoned. It simply requires love.”
“Servants who have been on the estate for a long time explained that the old owner built this private courtyard for his beloved wife. She adored the place and spent much time here. Years after she passed away, he would come and sit here every day until he couldn’t anymore, physically.
He always said it brought him closer to her, since they spent so much time together here. ”
Charlotte blinked away tears at the sad tale. “How lovely. This was once a happy place.”
Perry signaled to a bench that was less mossy than the others and indicated to Charlotte to sit.
The worn stone was smooth, with enough space for them both.
She wiped the seat with her hand to remove any dirt or garden debris and lowered herself carefully, spreading out her delicate pink muslin.
Perry joined her, resting his palm behind her on the seat.
“Can you imagine if we cleared those beautifully detailed benches in the corners, had the gardeners trim everything back and keep what is flourishing? Perhaps enhance the beds with more plants and flowers? You could work with the gardeners, Lottie. I believe Aurelia would enjoy working here with you.”
Charlotte admired the tangled and thick overgrowth.
Nature had been forgotten here and perhaps it needed to be tamed.
It was truly a disaster, barely safe to walk on the pathways without tripping.
Yet, it held some promise. There were some stunning plants thriving and covering everything.
Roses, ivy, and jasmine flourished their combined scents surrounding them.
Large trees overhead provided shelter from the sun, their thick roots twining through the earth and seeming to race toward the river, an endless supply of water.
Charlotte closed her eyes, savoring the sound of the robins, the leaves trembling in the light breeze, and the rushing of the river close by.
Tossing aside her bonnet, she let the rays of the sun floating through the branches warm her skin.
A smile touched upon her face as she inhaled the fragrant air.
She was entranced by the magic being woven by nature around her.
“It is truly wild,” she spoke in a soft voice. “It would be quite the undertaking.”
Perry reached to place his hand on top of hers, his gaze moving from admiring the nature around them to something else entirely. A jolt of desire shot through her at the intensity of his stare. He seemed to waiting for some sign of her approval. Wondering if such a gift could make her happy.
“Would you like to help me restore the garden, Charlotte? Bring it back to its former glory, or perhaps, make it better?” He quirked a brow in question, his smile reluctant.
She grinned and nodded enthusiastically, hopefully displaying the joy percolating within her at the prospect of a garden she could call her own.
Here.
In her home.
Such a foreign concept to think of any other place than Fermoy as her home. “It would be a dream. I think I would enjoy it very much.”
Perry reached behind her to pluck a rose from an overgrown bush. The bush was disordered, yet quite resilient, having thrived for years without any attention.
“Our gardeners are forever complaining about these roses. They are hard to control and seem to take over a space, growing unchecked on both sides of the fence unless they are trimmed back. I find them…enchanting.” He brought the soft blush-pink bloom to Charlotte’s nose, and she breathed in the delicate fragrance, closing her eyes and allowing it to fill her with a sense of peace.
Delicious.
Perry brought the rose down and brushed it along her lips.
Her insides came to life, those butterflies fluttering madly in her stomach.
She opened her eyes as Perry replaced the soft petal with his lips, a kiss that brought sudden tears to her eyes.
Her heart hammered in her chest, the feel of his lips stoking a flame within.
He pulled away as she opened her eyes. Heat infused her cheeks, and she knew a brilliant blush coloring her skin.
Charlotte pressed a hand to his heart and blinked, attempting to keep the tears from falling.
“Dear Lottie, why do you weep?” he said, wiping an escaped tear. “If you don’t like it, we can simply close it up again and forget it exists. It is not worth your tears.”
Charlotte shook her head with a small smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“No, Perry, I love it. It is simply that…” she paused, unable to speak further.
She looked away in embarrassment and pressed a gloved hand to her mouth.
“Every time we kiss, I can’t believe it.
I never thought to ever kiss you again. Having been alone for so long, I couldn’t conceive of ever feeling this much joy. ”
His mouth curved into a flirty grin. “I promise you a bounty of kisses, my countess.”
She reached for his hand and wrapped it around her waist. Hooking her hands around his neck, she pulled him to her for another.
The way their lips met was a true collision of sparks, burning its way through her body straight to her core.
Her hands played with the silky brown hair curling at the nape of his neck.
How she loved his hair, it had darkened since the time they had been young lovers, but she still found his delicious curls incredibly tempting.
She always marveled at how his lips fit hers perfectly and how his tongue knew exactly how to tease and taunt, making her melt.
She would always be at his mercy. Ever familiar with the ache of longing that permeated every night at Fermoy, there was no part of her that could refuse this man.
She was happy with her daughter, of course, but to revel once again in the glow of Perry’s love, she would not hesitate, whatever it cost her.