Page 38 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
“Well, even I cannot fully express my own happiness to you, Philip, but I would say it is something akin to swimming among the stars.” She glanced at her ring with a smile.
Philip offered her his arm, and they strode out of the alcove, laughing. “Now, that is a perfect turn of phrase. If only I had such ability.”
“Do not be jealous of your incumbent wife, Mr. Winston. It is not becoming. Besides, you have more talents and abilities than I could dream of. And you are off on your journey across the sea. Pray, when do you need to leave?”
Her flowery dream was soon to fall back down to earth and its cold reality. Philip could not stay. He would leave soon, and would often be away, in his line of work. While he had great plans ahead, she feared that missing him would be too much to bear.
“I leave next week.” His voice had taken on a solemn tone. “I know that it is not ideal, but I needed to ask you before I left. I could not leave without knowing how it stands between us.”
Margaret nodded and tightened her grip on his arm. “Well then. It appears that you will have to come and visit us many times over the next week, until you leave. Do you know how long you will be gone?”
He shook his head, and her heart fell. Now that she knew of her feelings and desires for him, could she wait so long before they could be married? What if it was years?
You must bear up, Margaret! You still have dreams to accomplish, even though you will be courted and married by the man you so truly love.
Her thoughts strengthened her. She could not fall back to such weakness as she had done under her misguided affection for Charles.
Philip said, “It will only be for a few weeks I believe. There is a time of training, and then we shall return before I depart for a longer trip. But, I believe the first departure will only be to France or Spain or Portugal. Nothing is planned to cross the water yet.”
Margaret smiled. “Well, I shall have to be satisfied with that. I am very happy for you, Philip. You have the chance of a lifetime. Sometimes, I do believe I envy you.”
“Do you? Well, I believe I envy you as well, dear Margaret. Off to create a work of art, both in writing and on the canvas. You shall do very well.”
They were walking up the steps from the garden and onto the balcony. The other couples there watched them with interest, seeing Margaret’s arm in Philip’s. Margaret wanted to giggle at the whispers and surprised faces she saw as they passed back into the ballroom.
Inside, music still filled the walls, and Margaret searched for Juliet and Leonard. She was bursting with her happy news, and she wanted to alert them right away.
“Can you see them, Philip? I would like to tell them of our good news.”
“No, I cannot, but I suppose you might like to speak to my brother first. We do not have to speak to him of the engagement, merely to meet him. He mentions that he has seen you before, but not in many years, and that you have not spoken overlong.”
“You are correct. Well, let us go and greet him. I shall be delighted to see this sibling of yours, Philip.” He smiled and spying Edward watching the dancing with an amused sarcasm, they walked toward him, allowing Margaret to return her hand to her side, so as not to arouse suspicion.
“Edward,” Philip said, eyeing him with a warning look to behave, “Here is the Lady Margaret Whitfield. She mentions as well that you have met many years past and never had the opportunity to speak very much.”
“Nor the pleasure,” Edward said as his eyes turned to Margaret’s face who flushed at the obvious flirtation in the tone of his voice.
“Lovely to see you again, Lord Winston. Your brother has been coming to see us quite often, of late.”
Edward grinned. “Yes, I have heard much about that. And how does your family fare with his constant intrusion?”
Philip scowled, but Margaret only laughed. “He has been most welcome. Our place was a dark house of mourning for quite some time, but now Philip has come to cheer us all. We are most gratified that you were able to join us at the ball this evening.”
Edward put his hands behind his back and stood surveying the couples. “Yes, I do enjoy these kinds of activities once in a great while. As my father says, we have not been to many balls in recent weeks.”
Philip said, “You will have to see my parents as well. They are very happy to be here this evening.”
Margaret smiled. “How do you feel about your brother’s upcoming departure to the Navy, Lord Edward?”
“Ah, so he has told you? Well, I can bear it very well. But I am certain that others may not be so lucky. Pray, do tell me how you feel about the subject.”
Edward was almost laughing, his smile was so wide, and his eyes dancing with mischievous merriment. Philip said, “Dear Brother, how could you ever have been invited to such an occasion with manners such as these?”
At first Margaret had been taken aback, but instead, she laughed heartily. “I think it a fine thing. Adventure, excitement. New lands, new places, new people. Why, I would almost enjoy going myself, if that was an option for me.”
“Tally-ho, Lady Whitfield.” Edward pressed her hand. “That is the most sincerely refreshing reply I have heard all day. Would you do me the honor of a dance?”
“Of course, My Lord.” The music was just beginning, and Margaret found herself across from Philip’s brother. She had always thought him a haughty sort, very conscious of his own good looks, charms, and fortune, but here he seemed like a simple laughing boy.
