In Your Clutches

Part 9: Miss Gentle & Mister Grumpy

AMELIA

Few hours later...

The flowers that the gardener had planted were blooming and the garden smelled like spring and fresh blossoms. He was an old soul who seemed kind.

I had planted new ranunculus seeds in my house, but I had to wait 'till almost three months before they started to flower.

I had always preferred gardenias and ranunculus over roses. They were not as popular or as well-known as roses, but just as beautiful and meaningful. I rubbed my fingers over the petal of the pink rose, feeling its softness under my fingertips. The beautiful scent of the roses expanded across the garden as I walked down the path, towards my favourite place.

Claudia had shown me the entire house, or shall I say mansion. And it was just the most beautiful house I'd ever seen.

I tucked my thick book under my arm and bypassed the green labyrinth on my way to the Victorian styled gazebo. It sat right next to a little lake and I found myself there more times than I could count. This spot was eerily quiet and lonely, but peaceful.

Claudia had left me alone in the garden for sometime and I had to thank her for it. It was so refreshing after the twenty-four hours I'd just spent locked up like a prisoner.

She'd taken me to the library first. And it had to be one of my most favourite spots in the house.

The domed wrought iron and carved marble made the gazebo. I settled on the bench, opening my book to where I left off this evening.

I had read Wuthering Heights more times than I could count and had probably memorized every single line, but it was still one of my favorite classics of English literature. Followed by any work of Jane Austen and Edgar Allan Poe.

Like my love for ancient castles and tragic love stories, I adored anything historical and classic. Sometimes, I wondered if maybe I was born in the wrong era. I was so lost in Heathcliff and Catherine, I didn't hear someone approaching me.

"Miss Valentino," The voice was gentle, but I still jumped and slammed my book closed and turned my head towards the voice.

Serena gave me a slight bow in acknowledgement, her bun wobbling in the process. She was in her early twenties and her family, for over six generations, had been serving the Salvatore's. She loved to try new hairstyles and she was pretty good at it.

"Mum has asked me to find you, with a message. She says the cake is ready."

I scrambled to my feet. "What? It's been an hour already?"

"Apparently so." Serena smiled. "She's excited for you to see the cake."

I walked down the stairs of the gazebo and stood next to Serena, who presented me with her elbow. I gave her a questioning look. I had been taking the help of Claudia in baking a cake. It was the only thing I could have done to not be bored to death.

"Humour me, Miss Valentino," she said. "The path here is rough. Allow me to help you."

"You're a sweetheart, Serena." I curled my fingers around the crook of her elbow and allowed her to guide me through the garden. She was only trying to be considerate.