Page 21 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
Charles continued. “All will be well. I shall go to France, and bring back what money I can to pay the creditors.” He stood, and Philip followed. Charles gave his hand to Philip. “Do take good care of the Duke and Duchess, and Lady Margaret, of course. I had no idea you were sogenerous.”
Charles winked, and Philip scowled, knowing what he was referring to. “Charles, you must not pretend that all is well if it is not. Is there something I can do while you are away? To keep things safe and happy here?”
Charles shook his head. “Forget it all, Philip. Do not trouble yourself. There is just something about you, my friend, that makes one want to unburden themselves upon you. But these are not your burdens to bear. Keep to your path, and go purchase your commission. I hope to see you before you go, though.”
Philip sighed. “Yes, I am certain you shall. I wish to remain a little while longer until I go, as I said.”
“Right. Well, I do not know exactly how long I will be gone, but I hope it is only for a few short weeks. And then we will have to find another place to enjoy our evenings, since the gaming hells are out of the question.”
“Fencing?” asked Philip. Laughing loudly, Charles said, “Oh, I may be reduced to that. I have spent many long years avoiding the fencing room and all that foolish exercise. You know I would much prefer to get on a horse. But with no gaming hells, I suppose the gentleman’s club will have to do!”
Charles shook Philip’s hand again, and Philip wished him a good journey. As he saw the back of his friend, he had a sinking feeling that not all was right in Charles’ world, and that soon, something terrible was going to happen.
* * *
It was quicker than Margaret had expected. In a few short moments, a pile of raven-black hair was piled on the floor next to her dressing table chair, and a short-haired Margaret was looking at herself in the mirror.
She fingered the bottom edges of her hair which now reached to the middle of her neck. Grinning, she pushed the hair behind her ears, feeling like a transformation had been made and more than just a physical one. She felt lighter in more ways than one, and when she stood again, she felt like new life had been breathed into her.
She could start again. Grasping the door handle, she flung open the door and descended the steps, eager to begin, and eager to show Juliet just how changed she was. She rushed to the breakfast room, and then the drawing room, but no one was anywhere to be found. Suddenly, she heard laughter from outside on the garden terrace, and lifting her chin high, she walked there proudly and out into the surprised company of Leonard, Juliet, Felix, Sarah, and little George.
George exclaimed a few mumbled words, and then rushed into her arms. Margaret smiled and picked him up, kissing him loudly on the cheek. Juliet was frozen with surprise, with a hand on her chest. “My, Margaret, we thought you were ill upstairs. What have you done to yourself, dear Sister?”
Margaret nearly laughed at Leonard’s open-mouthed stare at the short hair of his sister. “Yes, Margaret, what have you done? You had such lovely long hair. Why would you cut it? What will the ton say?”
Margaret stared across at tall, dark-haired Felix, and his cherub-like wife, Sarah. Sarah giggled. “Oh, hang the ton, Leonard! Margaret, I think it is positively lovely. You look radiant. The happiest I have seen you in months!”
Felix smiled at his wife. “So she does, Sarah. Margaret, you are quite the leader of fashion. Soon enough, all the girls in London will have their hair cut short.”
Margaret cleared her throat and folded her hands in front of her. “Thank you, Lord Andrews, Lady Andrews.” She glanced at a still surprised Juliet and Leonard. “I have come upon a sudden decision.”
“Oh?” Juliet asked, and Margaret was relieved to see a smile creeping up on her face.
“Yes. I have decided to forget the past and make my own new path in life, without thought to how men may feel about it.”
Sarah was stifling another giggle. “You are very wise to do so, Margaret. Men can be very tiresome to please.” She cast a sidelong glance at her husband who attempted to feign hurt pride.
“I have decided to become a novelist,” she said, letting the words tumble out in one breath.
Juliet clapped her hands. “Oh, I am delighted! Good for you, Margaret. I am so happy to see you have been putting pen to paper once more.”
She grinned, looking back at her husband, who instead, looked very grim indeed. “My sister is now a bluestocking? Margaret, you cannot be serious. Not only have you cut your hair, but you are speaking like a revolutionary. You are the sister to a Duke. You cannot think how inappropriate this is. To be a woman author?”
Margaret expected his refusal to understand, and his attempts to change her mind, but she held firm. “I understand it all, Brother. What would you rather? That I wallow in misery and pine after something for the rest of my days, or that I move forward, cheerfully, and pursue my own way in life? Remember your own endeavors that went completely against propriety?”
She stared down at him, her arms crossed. Juliet laughed and stood to clasp Margaret’s hand in her own. “She is right, Leonard. I think it is lovely. Your brother will come around, you will see.”
Leonard huffed in frustration.
Juliet whispered, “Does this have something to do with a certain Mr. Winston, and his kind words from the other day?”
Margaret blushed a little, and Leonard leaned forward. “Philip? What has this to do with Philip?” Leonard crossed his arms. “I suppose I will need to speak to him if he has been filling your head with these silly ideas.”
Margaret knew her brother could not hold onto his anger for long. He was kind and understanding, and he would be proud of his sister whatever she did. But she would first have to get through his initial reaction.
“It is not because of Mr. Winston, Leonard. Do not worry. I have my own mind and have made my decision.”
He frowned at her. Juliet kept smiling though, and asked, “What of your paintings? Margaret is such a gifted artist. Her father was so kind to her, and always encouraged her in this pursuit.”
