Page 46 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
Juliet leaned over and laid a hand on Margaret’s. “Neither do I. I only wished to make sure that your heart was in it.” She sighed with contentment and stared out at George splashing his little hands in the edge of the lake while the nanny handed him pieces of bread to feed to the ducks.
Narrowing her eyes, Juliet said with a smile, “And have you any fears?”
“Fears? What do you mean?” Margaret was tracing her finger along the blades of grass at her side not looking at Juliet.
“Come, you know.” Juliet began to giggle. “The fears of the wedding night and what lies beyond the wedding ceremony.”
Margaret blushed and looked down. Juliet asked, “Just know that you could ask me anything you wish, and I will be more than happy to answer. I did not have anyone to ask, and I do not wish for any woman to feel so alone in that matter, even though it came as naturally as could be.”
Juliet was smiling brightly, and Margaret couldn’t help but feel embraced by familial love and safety. “You are so kind to ask, dear Sister. I confess that I do have some fears with regards to that. Will it…be painful?”
Juliet nodded. “But only for a moment! I promise you. And then, Margaret, it is the most unimaginable bliss. No wonder everyone discusses it as such wickedness!”
Juliet was laughing loudly, matching the squeals of delight of her son in the distance. Margaret sighed with relief. “And you said it came naturally?”
“It did. It was the strangest thing. We both wanted it. I felt it deep inside myself, and it came forth. It was so beautiful. Nothing to fear. I promise you that all will be well.”
Margaret smiled. “Thank you. I can feel it. When we kissed—”
“You kissed?” Juliet looked as though she was choking for breath.
“Yes. Oh my goodness, I neglected to mention it!”
“You certainly did! Margaret, how dare you?” Juliet laughed but pointed a wagging finger at her. “Tell me all, especially before little George returns to us.” George was still throwing crumbs of bread merrily into the lake.
Margaret chuckled lightly. “We did, and it was so wonderful. I cannot describe the feeling to you properly, even though I am certain you know it well.”
Juliet beamed.
“It was like everything had come right, and that all was well in the world. I felt free, not trapped as I had so feared.”
“Excellent. That is just what a kiss from the one you love most ought to do. Make you feel like you cannot find your footing but also at the same time make you feel the greatest peace.”
“You have put the words together exactly. I shall use them in my book if you do not mind.”
“Of course not! I suppose you shall have to name me as co-authoress then.” The two of them laughed merrily, and Margaret’s eyes turned to the far edge of the lake next to the grove of pine trees.
A man stood there, clad in dark clothes, and when she squinted her eyes, she could see that his arms were crossed, and he was leaning against a tree. He was looking in their direction, and she did not like the expression on his face. Margaret did not see anyone else nearby. She and Juliet had ventured further into the park than many of their acquaintance were wont to do. And so there was no one else the man could be looking at but them.
Most of the ton wished to be seen on their days out in Hyde Park. And even though Juliet and Margaret had attempted to get out of the throng, there was still someone there, watching them. Margaret frowned and an icy dread made goosebumps rise on her skin.
“Juliet,” she turned to her sister-in-law and tried to keep the note of concern from her voice.
Dreamily, Juliet said, “Yes?”
“Look at that man. Do you see him? He is watching us.” Margaret had lifted her finger to point in his direction, but when she turned back, the man was gone.
“I see no one, Margaret. What do you mean? He is watching us?”
Margaret was unsure what to think. “I suppose it was nothing,” she replied, not wanting to overly concern Juliet when George was nearby. “He was probably just enjoying the view as we both are.”
Juliet smiled and return to her daydreams, but for Margaret, she kept her eyes on the opening to the forest, wondering why someone should wish to keep watch over them.
* * *
Philip read the letter in his hands, smiling at Margaret’s joking tone. He could not believe his good luck. Margaret Whitfield loved him and would be his wife. Each day since he had left London, he had to keep reminding himself that everything was real and that all his dearest dreams had finally come true.
He folded it away into his pocket, having been given only a little time of leave before he had to return to his training. It had been difficult, but he had expected it all, and it felt good to be doing something. He could not sit around and simply focus on pleasure as his older brother was wont to do. He felt finally, at long last, that he was actually doing something with his life.
