I woke up the next morning feeling optimistic and happy. Nathan and I enjoyed our usual morning breakfast ritual, and then he took me out to the pasture to meet all of the horses. I fed each one an apple and some peppermint candy, and they all nuzzled my hands and made me laugh with their greediness. Nathan’s horse was of particular interest to me. Solid black and tall in stature, he was as imposing and impressive as his owner.

Nathan promised to start my riding lessons over the weekend, and we walked back to the house together holding hands and talking quietly. I chose a path that allowed us to avoid the garden house because I didn't want to spoil our peaceful mood. We parted with a kiss in the doorway to the library, and I headed up to the room to finish a book I had been reading.

Nathan came in the room fifteen minutes later, surprising me. I hadn’t made much progress on my book because I was distracted by thoughts of last night’s lovemaking. I closed my book and looked at him in question. Maybe he wanted to make love again, and this was the reason for his visit?

"Sorry, love. I just learned a client needs to meet with me in Atlanta this morning."

He walked over to the closet and pulled out a dark suit as he was speaking.

Damn. So much for my sexy thoughts.

"Oh, no. You have to leave town?" I frowned at the thought of my husband being away. I wasn't the kind of girl who was afraid to be alone, but I would miss him. It would be much easier to take if that didn't mean I had to spend time with Mother without a buffer.

"Don't worry. It's just for the day. I'll fly out now, and be back by bedtime." He changed his clothes in a hurry.

Nathan dropped a kiss on my forehead, and I hugged him goodbye. Sadness overtook me as I watched him leave the room. I shook it off because it was silly. He would only be gone a few hours, and I usually left him alone while he was working, anyway. Basically, we would miss having lunch and dinner together, and nothing else. There was no reason for me to be upset.

I resolved to eat in my room at lunch to avoid Mother, and I might do the same at dinner, as well. I didn't care if that would make it evident that I was trying to avoid her. I was done trying to be polite to her.

After Nathan left, I read for a while, and then decided to go to the rose garden and cut a bouquet for my bedside table. I remembered the dried flowers in the garden house, and I was struck by the idea that I was mirroring tasks Savannah had done before she died. Had she sat and read in the mornings after Nathan left for work, reminiscing about the previous night's incredible sex?

As I was crossing the antique brick pavers of the courtyard, I was surprised to see a stranger sitting on a long stone bench underneath a rose arbor. I stopped in my tracks because it almost seemed as if he was waiting on me.

"You must be the new blushing bride, Darby." The stranger stood. "When I heard Nathan had flown away alone this morning, I decided this was my chance to meet you, and you certainly do not disappoint."

His eyes crawled over me, making me feel naked. He started to approach me, and I instinctively backed up a little.

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

I didn’t like the way he was openly staring. I had to remind myself that this was my house, and he was my guest. At least, I thought he was a guest. I was unsure after his comment that he had waited to come to the house until he knew Nathan was out of town.

"I'm Lawson Jackson, a dear friend of Savannah's. And a friend of Mother's, too, of course. She let me in this morning. And now, you and I can be friends." Although his words were friendly enough, something about his tone set me on edge.

He stepped closer, crowding me against a bed of yellow English roses in full bloom. I was struggling to catch my breath with him standing so close to me. In contrast, he seemed entirely at ease.

“You were friends with Nathan’s first wife?” I flushed as soon as the words left my mouth. He had just told me they were friends. I was having a difficult time thinking clearly with him invading my personal space like this. I tried to sidestep the rose bed, but there wasn’t enough room for me to maneuver.

"We used to go sailing together on the lake. Savannah and me, I mean. We were...close." I couldn’t read his tone.

“That’s nice.” What the hell was I supposed to say? I wished Nathan were here. “Maybe it would be better if you came back when Nathan was home?”

"Let's take a walk and get to know each other better.” I noticed he ignored my question.

“I don’t think so. I think I’ll go back in the house.”

“I think Nathan would want you to be more welcoming to visitors. You don’t want to disappoint him, do you?” He laughed as if he was teasing an old friend.

I agreed to go with him because his comment touched on my insecurities. After all, I did want to be an asset to Nathan, and play the perfect host for visitors to Peacock Alley.

He led me towards the hedge maze, and we started navigating the complicated turns. He took my arm in an old-fashioned gesture. There was no reason for me to be afraid in my own house, and my curiosity took over.

From the way he talked, I got the impression that he wouldn't have come if Nathan were at home. Why was that? If he was Savannah's friend, undoubtedly he was Nathan's friend as well.

Soon we were lost in the big maze. I sometimes would stand on the second floor of the house and gaze down on the labyrinth, marveling at its complexity. It was possible to see the entire thing from that height, although the third floor gave me the best view. But I had never bothered to memorize the twists and turns that would allow me to make my way out safely.

Now I was regretting that lack of knowledge.

“So you and Nathan are friends, right?”  I tried to keep my question casual as we walked.

“Sure. Nathan and I go way back. We knew each other even before he married Savannah.” Lawson dropped my arm, and I stepped further away from him with relief.

I happened to glance upwards, and I saw Mother standing at one of the upstairs' windows, watching us. She was smiling.

Mother never smiled at me, so my heart started pumping even faster. Something was really wrong here.

Lawson was an attractive man, well-built and sharply dressed, and even though he liked to be too close to me, it shouldn’t have been a problem. But his eyes were too quick to drop to my breasts. He wanted me to know he was looking, and I started to regret entering the maze with him. Not that he had given me much choice. I was so uncomfortable, but I was determined to find out his agenda.

We turned a corner and abruptly found ourselves at the center of the maze, complete with a large fountain. The trickling noise of the estate fountains was usually comforting to me, and the sound of running water often made me feel cool on these hot days. However, today I couldn't help but wonder if the noise would mask my screams.

I was starting to feel a little panicked, trapped in these endless rows of green hedges with this offensive man. He seemed like a predator, and I felt like his prey.

"Darby, what's your hurry? Let's stop and talk a while. I really think we should get to know each other." He sat down on the edge of the fountain, at ease. He patted a spot next to him. “Have a seat.”

I kept moving. Where was the exit?

I did want to know more about Lawson, but I decided to ask my husband about him later. I had no desire to linger here with him, and draw out this ridiculous tableau. Lawson was almost cartoonish in his villainy. His advances were coarse and unwelcome; I half expected to see him twirling the ends of a long mustache when I glanced back.

“It’s too hot to be in this maze. I think I will go back to the house.” My words were clipped and almost rude. I walked a few steps away.

"You really scored with Nathan." He got up from the fountain and followed me, and his hand brushed my backside.

I stopped when I hit another dead end, finally getting angry.

“What does that mean? I scored with him?” I was proud of myself for keeping my tone even and controlled. “I fell in love with Nathan, and he fell in love with me, too.”

I started moving again. I had to double back to find the way out. Lawson made it necessary for me to brush against his body to get past him, and my skin crawled in response.

"You landed yourself a filthy rich husband. You are a pretty little thing. I'll give you that, but you are nothing compared to Savannah. She would be outraged if she could see you now, in her place." He laughed a little, and grabbed my arm.

His grip was tight and hurt my arm. I wondered if I would have bruises later. Fear tickled the back of my throat, and made it hard for me to speak.

"I guess it's a good thing she can't see me then, isn't it?" What an asshole.

I spoke lightly as if I had conversations about dead first wives with overly aggressive men every day. But I felt my hostility growing even more. I was resentful of Lawson for putting me in this challenging position.

I broke free of his grip, and I started looking for the way out of the maze again.

Lawson seemed surprised at my response and he followed behind me. "Maybe. You know, it can get lonely here at this big house with Nathan out of town. If you need company, I would be happy to come over."

He winked at me as if he hadn't already made his meaning clear, and grabbed my arm again, pulling me towards him. I forcibly pulled away again and looked for my escape. I had to get away.

Repulsed, I finally found the exit of the maze, and I hurried away from him before he could put his hands on me again. I saw Maxwell a little ways off, and I called out to him with urgency. When Maxwell looked my way and saw who was following behind me, he came at a swift jog.

"Miss Darby, are you ok?" Maxwell glared at Lawson. It was apparent they knew each other, and Maxwell didn't approve of Lawson visiting Peacock Alley.

"I'm fine, thank you. I think I would like to go inside for a while. By myself."

I looked pointedly at Lawson and moved away in a hurry, dignity forgotten. As I walked away, I heard Maxwell talking.

“It’s time for you to leave, Jackson. Darby does not need to speak with you. I suggest you call for permission before you return. I’m sure Nathan doesn’t want you here.” His words were polite, but his tone was cold and left no room for argument.

"All right, Maxwell. I can see myself out.” There was a pause. Right before I got out of earshot, I heard Lawson speak again. “Damn, it is hot out. Dry as a bone with no rain in the forecast at all. The lake is dropping every day now. Won't be long until they find the boat, don't you think?"

Lawson was laughing as he walked away.

The French door closed behind me, and I could hear no more, but once again, I caught a strong whiff of jasmine and lilies.