Ward: A Dark Romance by Blake Zoe

Author:Blake, Zoe
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 2020-01-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Lizzie

The green room was actually a massive conservatory linked to the main house by a long glass walkway. I couldn’t hide an exclamation of wonder as we crossed the threshold. It truly was magnificent. I felt as though I were stepping into Eden. A heavy steel frame secured large panels of glass leading up to a massive dome ceiling. Large lush palm trees towered over us from every corner. Under their shade was every type of flower and fruit tree including orange trees, pink camellias, purple Canterbury bells, blood-red dahlias. There were even gigantic water lilies, lilacs, and myrtles.

Shifting patterns of crimson, amber, cobalt, and purple colored the black and white floor tile. As I looked around me, I could see my allusion to Eden was not far off the mark. Impressive panels of stained glass depicted the Genesis story of Adam and Eve. My favorite was the one of Satan in the form of a snake seducing Eve. His sinewy body seemed to shimmer with emerald and gold in the warm sunlight as it wrapped around Eve’s small waist only to curl up around one breast. The image was both sinister and sensual at once.

Sparing a glance under my lashes at Richard, I definitely knew how Eve must have felt in that moment.

It certainly didn’t help that he had the devil’s own good looks and his arrogant charm as well. Lord knew Richard was acting as if he weren’t sweating heaven and truly didn’t give a damn. The world was his for the taking, including me.

In the center of the domed room was a fountain depicting three naked women, holding jugs of spilling water over their heads. They were painted a bright turquoise blue. Wrought-iron chaises and chairs, piled high with cushions were strategically placed throughout the space both out in the open and in quiet corners under the shade of a palm surrounded by orchids.

The air was rich with the scent of citrus, spice, and earth. Between the somnolent atmosphere and the rhythmic lull of the trickling water, I could see myself enjoying many lazy afternoons in the space. Perhaps I had?

The idea was both unsettling and comforting. I could see the draw in losing myself in the fantasy. Of spending indolent days waking up to hot chocolate served on silver, wearing beautiful gowns, and napping under the shade of an indoor palm surrounded by the scent of flowers.

If this hadn’t been my life before… it was now, or at least could be if I would just surrender and allow the insanity to become my reality.

As I tried to wrap my mind around the possibility, a small easel caught my attention. It was set up in a particularly well-lit area of the conservatory. Circling around the stretched-out spindle legs, I was shocked to see my own drawings. Reaching out, I flipped through page after page. Each one was one of my fashion designs. Instead of colored pencils I’ve always favored watercolors to highlight the drawings. The paint seemed to capture the look of my Victorian-themed designs best.

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