Page 17 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
“Dear Sister, what could you have said to entertain my old friend Philip so? Not that Philip ever needs too many excuses to laugh heartily.”
Margaret felt lost for words. She could have strangled her brother for his intentional insolence. Was there no end to his teasing? If only Juliet could have been there, to help be a buffer between them. “Oh nothing,” she whispered, her voice sounding choked.
Charles laughed, and Philip replied, “She is only providing instruction for future social gatherings I believe. I found it refreshing.”
“Excellent!” Charles remarked and the two men sat down. “Do enlighten us by all means.”
Margaret and Philip glanced at each other, and Margaret had that old recurring feeling of wishing to die or at least wishing to leave the room as quickly as possible. Neither was an option at this stage, and so she watched Philip for aid and when she opened her mouth and nothing came to her, he came to her rescue yet again.
“Margaret thought that perhaps people ought to let others know if their sartorial choices or hygienic habits were up to everyone’s standards. I agree heartily. Perhaps it might make everyone make more of an effort?” He laughed amiably, and his two friends joined him.
With her eyes, Margaret sent a relieved thank you, and he nodded his head just a little.
We are becoming quite the pair, are we not?
The words came to her mind unbidden, and she puzzled over them. She studied him for a moment, wondering if he would make a good character for her book, when Leonard reached across the table and pulled the book toward him. “What is this?” He opened the front cover and looked inside.
“You can do anything you set your mind to,” he read. “Why, Philip, this looks like your handwriting. Is this a gift to Margaret?”
Margaret blushed, as she had not realized there had been an inscription. She heard Philip’s voice to her side, as she tried to find a way to wade through the embarrassment, and it was tinged with a little rancor.
“Yes, it is. What of it?”
Chapter Eight
Philip wished that he could have asked his two friends to the fencing room. Really, they could be so obtuse. He thought the best way to handle it was to act as if nothing was different or unusual. It was not like they knew he continued to harbor an affection, daresay it a love, for Margaret, but it was not convenient that they were making their best efforts to laugh at the both of them.
Leonard shrugged. “Nothing of it. ‘Tis a lovely book, Philip. Do you like it, Margaret?”
“I do. Quite.” Philip wished that he could chastise his friends for their very obvious attempts at needling him.
“How did your business discussion go?” Philip sipped at his tea, feigning disinterest.
Charles clapped his hands. “All is now sorted, I believe. I will begin my work, soon to begin my travels abroad to handle our shipments. And when do you part for your commission, Philip?”
Charles and Leonard watched him expectantly. Even though he desired greatly to leave for the Navy, he knew it would be sad to part from such old friends. There was also Margaret. Glancing at her, Philip said, “It is uncertain. I have yet to present myself to the naval office.”
“What holds you back?” Leonard asked, an innocent look on his face.
Your sister.
“I think it is only natural to feel hesitant before making such a big decision. I could be gone for years under the Navy’s instruction, and I do not want to rush into it headlong.”
“Very sensible.” Margaret’s voice continued in its soft vein, but Philip turned to her in surprise. Was she defending him?
Charles stood up abruptly. “Forgive me all, but I must return to an appointment. I see you have brought your own horse, Philip, so I will not trouble you with an invitation to join me. See you perhaps on the morrow?”
Philip nodded his head. Leonard stood as well. “I have to return to the study. There are a few more things to organize before tomorrow. And I must see where Juliet has gone to.”
“Apparently she has left to see to little George, but I thought she would return quickly.”
Leonard frowned. “Ah well, I shall go and find her to make sure that all is well. Philip, always a pleasure. Again, after tomorrow, I will be much more at leisure and we can speak more openly. Come again.”
“So I shall, friend.”
Both Leonard and Charles made their goodbyes and left the room.
Philip stood and said, “Shall we walk, Lady Margaret?” He reached out a hand, and she took it tentatively, sliding her hand into his and allowed him to help her stand. He gripped onto it softly, but once she stood, he let if fall to her side.
