Chapter 12 - THE GARDEN|
The morning rain left the twelve acres of the Hudson estate smelling of wet pine and rich autumn soil.
By eleven o'clock, bright gold sunlight broke through the gray clouds, reflecting off the damp stone walkways.
Down in the private rose garden near the east wing, Lily ran across the cobblestones, her small duck socks replaced by bright red rubber rain boots. She splashed happily in a small puddle while Rosa sat on a carved stone bench nearby, watching her with a warm smile.
Marcus walked down the stone path, holding two warm mugs of cocoa.
"Mind if I join you?" Marcus asked, offering a mug to Rosa.
"Thank you, Marcus," Rosa said, accepting the cup. "You shouldn't be catering to us like this."
"I want to," Marcus said softly, sitting beside her on the bench. He looked out at Lily, who was currently examining a caterpillar resting on a rose leaf. "Julian used to bring me out here when we were kids. He’d hide behind those boxwood hedges every time Father tried to give us lessons on family politics."
Rosa smiled softly, a faint memory touching her eyes. "He talked about you all the time, Marcus. He told me you were the only one in his family who had a good heart."
Marcus looked down at his cocoa, his expression turning solemn. "I wasn't strong enough to save him, Rosa. The night he was ambushed, I was stuck at the docks in New Jersey. I got there thirty minutes too late."
"It wasn't your fault," Rosa said gently, resting her hand over his sleeve.
"Maybe not," Marcus whispered, turning to look at her with fierce determination. "But I won't be late this time. I will protect you and Lily with my life."
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Unbeknownst to them, from a second-floor window overlooking the garden, Dante stood in the shadows, holding a pair of binoculars, watching his brother and the former maid talk.
His face was twisted in silent, jealous rage.
