Page 50 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
Margaret stood, suddenly feeling self-conscious in her painting apron, covered in paint marks. She untied it from behind her neck and placed it over the chair. She curtsied. “Lord Charles. We did not expect you so soon.”
Leonard stood on the side while Charles moved forward, clasping Margaret’s hand in both of his own. Margaret was confused, and she flushed as his dark eyes sought hers, and he kissed her hand lightly and for just a little too long.
“You may not believe it, but I have thought of you quite a deal since I left. How have you been?” A concerned crinkle developed in his forehead, and Margaret felt her heart flutter anew. A strange cold sensation came over her, and she felt goosebumps rise on her skin.
Stammering, she said, “I have been well. There has been much to occupy my mind.” She swallowed, confused by the kind expression she found on Charles’ face. Never before had he questioned her so or spent any longer than a few moments in greeting her.
“And how are you, My Lord? How was your journey?”
Charles let her hand fall to her side, and he folded his hands behind his back. His eyes still did not leave her face, and he smiled. “It went well. Very well.” He nodded at Leonard to the side. “I think that your brother will be very happy, indeed.”
Margaret looked to Leonard for some sort of assistance but none was given. She wished desperately for Juliet to arrive to help her out of this predicament. Who was this Charles? This kind, attentive, flirtatious Charles that she had wished for so many years? She was unsure how to act in the face of such a strong shift in personality.
But inside, she chastised herself harshly. Why should she be so affected by Charles now, when it was Philip who now consumed her mind and her heart? She was annoyed that her physical body had not completely left off the vestiges of the past, the way that Charles’ presence had made her feel even after all that had happened.
“I am happy for you,” Margaret said. “You are most welcome to our house.” At Leonard’s prodding, they began to walk back through the garden to the back of the house. Margaret could see the tea tables being set up, the crisp white linens placed over the round tables, and a slight breeze had begun to shake them.
“Thank you, Lady Margaret. I was most anxious to see you again. I thought that you would appreciate hearing about my time in Paris. It is a most wondrous city, full of excitement.”
Margaret’s heart filled with wonder. “I would love to hear about it,” she said, her eyes wide, forgetting her nervousness around Charles’ presence for a moment. She had even unconsciously moved closer to him and fell into step with him.
“Excellent!” He smiled again in her direction, and Margaret felt that old weakness in her knees, despite her greatest efforts to do otherwise. At the tables, the footman helped her into her chair, and Charles sat right next to her, almost too close. Confused at his strange behavior, she tried to ignore it and turned to look at Leonard, and Juliet’s arrival.
“Charles! Do forgive my delay.” Both Leonard and Charles stood until Juliet was seated comfortably.
“Not at all, Your Grace. I was enjoying the company of your sister-in-law for the moment.” Margaret almost gasped when she saw Charles wink at her.
She turned to Juliet, a question on her face, and Juliet widened her eyes a little, but then easily smoothed her expression into a smile.
“She is lovely company, is she not? And her new hairstyle has been the talk of the town.”
“Oh, not this again,” Leonard groaned. “It is just as I feared.” But he began to laugh.
Charles turned to Margaret. “I had heard of it. It is absolutely becoming, Margaret.”
Margaret flushed in the face of such open sincerity and a compliment. “Thank you, Charles.”
What is he doing? He has never before looked at me for so long or complimented me so heavily. Is it because I am no longer tongue tied in his presence?
“Tell us about your travels, Charles,” Juliet said. A servant began to pour their tea and placed down plates of cakes and biscuits, and Margaret slid a warm one onto her plate, feeling enormously hungry, but also looking for something to occupy herself with, while the strange attitude of Charles was beginning to irritate her.
“Paris was absolutely divine. I suggest that you travel there when you are able. There is so much to entertain.”
Juliet shook her head. “I have longed to go, but the journey! So lengthy.”
Charles nodded. “Yes, the journey is a tad bit arduous, but it is all worth it.”
“And the business, Charles? Do tell us how you fared,” Leonard asked, his eyes watching Charles intensely.
Margaret looked up at Charles, who paled ever so slightly. The one thing he did not know was that everyone who surrounded him knew about his debts and were inwardly curious as to how they fared lately.
Charles swallowed. “Unfortunately, it did not go as well as expected.” Margaret saw her brother’s face fall a bit.
“The shipments did not go through?”
Charles smiled, removing his former pale expression. “The shipments went well, Leonard. Do not worry yourself on that score. I had just hoped there would be more interest in purchasing through us. But as you can understand, we are a new business and venture, and it will take time to find loyal customers.”
Leonard seemed to relax. “Of course.”
