Page 23 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
Philip leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. He smiled, for he was well used to this conversation after so many years. “We shall see. I believe she knows that Charles does not care for her, and I mean merely to press my suit before I lose my chance and have to rush off to the Navy. There is no harm in it. She is a good woman, titled, and well thought of.”
“So that is what truly delays you then?” Diana placed her hand on her son’s arm.
“It is one thing, Mother, but not to worry. If she says no, or if her brother rejects the offer, then I will only be where I was to begin with. I shall mend. I am made of sturdy stuff after all if I am to become a weather-beaten sea captain.”
Edward snorted at the remark. “Ah, yes, you must surely get the girl to marry you before you become so weather-beaten she will hardly recognize you. For what lovely, young woman would wish to align themselves with an old chestnut?”
Philip couldn’t help himself. He burst into laughter, and his parents followed suit.
Rupert sighed. “Well, Philip, you could do far worse than a lady of such distinction.”
Philip slathered butter and jam on a piece of toast and took a bite. “Thank you, Father.”
His mother, clutching her teacup, turned her worried eyes to him. “You will tell us what occurs? You will not simply run off to the Navy without word?”
“Of course not, Mother. As I told mygaming friendCharles, I am too pure of heart to do anything of the sort. Hmm…perhaps I am made for the clergy after all?” Diana rolled her eyes, and the family burst into laughter once more.
Philip was feeling strengthened. At least his family had no objections to the match. It was no matter; he would try, and as soon as he saw Leonard again, he would do so. In fact, he would write him a letter that day, asking to meet him at the gentleman’s club. It was time Leonard took some time away from business.
* * *
Almost as soon as Felix and Sarah left, Leonard received a letter as he, Juliet, and Margaret were walking in the garden. Leonard had calmed considerably, but he was still bristling a little from Margaret’s earlier revelations, even though he took Margaret’s arm in his own with his wife on the other side.
He read the letter with alacrity. “Ah, I see. Philip wishes for me to free myself from the constraints of business and join him at the gentleman’s club today. What say you, My Dear? Shall I go?”
Juliet grinned. “Oh, do! You have been so cooped up in the house of late, that I was afraid you were going to become a fixture. You have settled your dealings with Charles, and now that he has left, you must go and spend time with Philip before he leaves for the Navy.” She leaned her cheek against his shoulder, and Leonard chuckled.
“A fixture, eh? What do you think, Margaret? Was I becoming a fixture?”
She nodded. “And a rather grumbling one at that. Have you finally resolved yourself to my new fate?”
He sighed, but he nodded. “Yes, I do believe so, but you must learn not to be so abrupt in your presentation. Suddenly, you appear with all your lovely long locks cut off and do not expect a reaction?”
“Of course not!” Margaret laughed, amazed at how brightly the sun shone that day. Her happiness was beginning to fill her more and more.
Leonard, having the sense of wickedness about him said to Juliet, “My Dear Wife, did you know that Mr. Philip Winston has made a gift to our fair Margaret, of a book of artwork?”
“Is that so?” Juliet leaned forward, watching Margaret with wide eyes and a smile.
Margaret turned pink. “He said that he found it while at his favorite bookstore and thought that I might perhaps enjoy it. I mean to give him a gift of his own.”
“A gift!” Leonard’s voice was loud again. “A lady giving a gift to a gentleman? And so freely?”
“Yes, Brother. He has been very kind and helpful to me. Juliet will tell you. He comforted me the other day after the shock of Juliet’s surprise of the canvas. He is a good man, your Philip Winston.”
Leonard sighed again. Really, he was becoming rather an old man too quickly. The loss of their father had thrust that upon him, Margaret supposed. He was not as carefree as he had been. “Yes, he is a very good man. Far better than any of the men I happen to be in acquaintance with. Since he is the second son, he is without greed; he is without expectation, and I think that makes him all the kinder. I am glad you have finally noticed.”
Leonard squinted his eyes at Margaret. “What confuses me, though, is why you speak of Philip, and not Charles, dearest Charles, who has consumed your mind and heart these many months?”
Margaret looked down, fingering the long silk ties of her bonnet which hung down to her belly. “It is good you ask me when no one but family is about. You are right. Everyone was right. Charles was not the man for me, and I know now that he could never love me as I had so foolishly hoped.”
Juliet said softly, “We are all fools in love, Margaret. It is the way of being in love. But I say that Charles would have done for himself better if he had accepted your love.”
“Juliet!” Leonard tsked disapprovingly. “But I cannot say that I disagree. Charles is a dear friend, but you are my sister, and I prize you above all others outside of this family.”
Margaret leaned against her brother and closed her eyes. He was the last bit of family she had left. “Thank you, Leonard. I know that I have been misguided, if not foolish. I hope to regain the life that I have lost these past years. I feel like I have wasted such time, hoping for a certain man to turn my way when he did not.”
Leonard nodded. “I think you have done right in forgetting him, dear Sister. You will find someone who loves you dearly and who you love with all your heart. I know that I enjoy the strictures of tradition and propriety, but when I fell in love, I left that all behind. I cared naught about anything else.” He grinned down at his wife. “I wish you would do the same. Follow where your heart leads.”
