Chapter Nineteen

They walked through a beautiful wrought iron fence and into a lovely park.  The gardens reminded her a little of Versailles with the geometric arrangement of the trees and bushes to make pathways.  There were statues and fountains scattered throughout. The elm and oak trees were very tall and made Zoey wonder about how much history they must have seen.  The day was becoming warm and the shade from the trees was a welcome reprieve from the sun.  There we so many trees that Zoey felt secluded even though she had seen others in the park. It was a very intimate garden and she squeezed Alex hand with affection.

“This is the Summer Garden of Peter the Great,” he said in explanation.  “The Summer Palace is that direction. We take our time, but we will see it.” 

“It’s beautiful, Alex,” she said with a smile, pulling him over to one of the statues.  “This is Peace and Abundance.  I’ve seen pictures before, but it’s more beautiful in person.”

She looked up at him with excitement. He smiled at her clearly pleased that his choice of sights made her happy.

“Very beautiful,” he said, though he wasn’t looking at the statue.

He continued to lead her through the garden. He pointed out statues and fountains, surprising her with his knowledge of art and history.

“I have been here before,” he said when she questioned him.  “I like this place. It is quiet and peaceful.”

She found herself wondering how often he craved peace and quiet. They emerged from a clump of trees and the Palace appeared before her.  It was lovely and intimate compared to most of the royal residences that she’d seen. It went well with the feelings evoked by the garden.  It backed right up to the water where the Fontanka and Neva met.  Zoey could imagine what it was like when there used to be a small harbor where the Tsar could step from his ship right up to his front door.  The tour through the Palace museum was lovely.  Many of the original paintings and furnishings were still there and the oak staircase was actually the one that the Tsar stepped upon.

She watched him as he paused on the staircase. He placed his hand on the rail and rubbed the oak and looked down at her.

“This would tell some stories, you think?”

She rubbed her hand across the oak and over his hand and nodded with a smile, understanding that he was not making fun of her, but seriously listened when she spoke. He took her hand and led her back outside.  They followed a path down toward the water.

“This is Karpiev Pond, sometimes they call it Swan Lake,” he said.

“Oh, why?”

“You will see,” he smiled.

Down the edge of the river ran a small clump of trees, their branches hanging low over the water.  Alex pointed and Zoey turned her gaze to them.  Out from beneath their branches, floated a pair of beautiful white swans. They floated together in perfect unison, moving gracefully across the pond.  Zoey pointed her camera and got lost in snapping pictures of them and the refection of the trees on the water.  Finally, she turned back to see Alex sitting in the grass watching her. 

“What?”

“You disappear,” he said.

“What?” she asked again with a puzzled laugh. 

“When you take pictures, nothing else is there but your subject.”

The breeze caught his hair and lifted it slightly. She raised her camera to take his picture.  He smiled at her and looked away bashfully.  She put her camera away and joined him on the grass. 

“I did not mean that I feel neglected,” he said.  “Only find it interesting.”

She moved closer to him and stroked his cheek.

“Maybe I need a little attention,” she said and brushed her lips across his.