Page 56 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
Philip’s shoulders sank at the realization. The letters had been frightening, but he realized that he still hadn’t believed them in a way. It all seemed too strange, too extreme. He had kept the thought of any real harm from his mind. But now, after Collingsworth’s story, the reality came and hit him in the chest.
“Thank you, Collingsworth. It is good you told me.” He paused, trying to keep his breath calm. “I believe I experienced what you talked about with the following figure in the dark and the footsteps just last night.”
Collingsworth opened his mouth in surprise. “And so it is begun. Do you know where your friend is now?”
Philip shook his head. “He is currently in France, but he should be back in the area soon.”
Collingsworth frowned. “Take my advice, Philip. You may want to write him a letter to ask him to stay away just a little longer.”
“But what about the rest of us here in England? Will the people not come after us while he hides away?”
“True. They could. But if they cannot find him, then there is no way to contact him to threaten him with your lives. But I would be careful all the same, especially while you are here back into society life for the next few weeks.”
Philip nodded. “Thank you, Collingsworth.”
“Be safe, my friend. I shall see you soon.”
“And you as well.” Collingsworth left the bookshop and Philip went to pay for Margaret’s gift. Once it was wrapped in brown paper and twine, he pushed it under his uniformed arm, ready to go to Margaret’s house.
Only this time, his stomach felt a little like it had dropped out of his body, and he was split between fearing for his old friend’s life and annoyed that due to Charles’ choices, Philip’s homecoming was slightly less bright.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Margaret took a breath and then plunged into her speech, rushing over her words, she was clamoring to get them out. “Juliet, he is acting so different! I know you have noticed it. I could see it on your face and hear it in your voice!”
Juliet nodded, and her eyebrows twisted in confusion. “Yes, that is confusing. He seems like nothing is going wrong at all, as if he does not have a pile of debts to his name which is causing his friends a whole host of worries.”
Margaret nodded, pursing her lips as she thought about it. “Yes, but that is not all. He is so cheery, and soattentive. Why, in these past few hours, he has looked at me, smiled at me, and spoken to me more than he ever has! I cannot believe Leonard even allowed him to walk with me in the garden.”
Margaret could feel redness flowing up her neck and over her cheeks, but this time it was not embarrassment but frustration.
Juliet clicked her tongue. “Leonard knows that all must be kept a secret until the engagement is officially announced. He did not wish to embarrass you. Besides, all these years Charles has not given you a second thought, so he did not think there was any harm in allowing you to walk together. You walked with Philip in the garden, after all. Even before there was anything between you.”
Margaret nodded, exasperated. “Fine,” she said, breathing out a sigh. “My brother is absolved. But Charles told me all the good things he thought about me.”
Juliet sat up a bit, her interest piqued. “Oh, do tell more.”
She began to tap her fingertips on the side of her arm, she was beginning to get even more agitated. She remembered the way his eyes had looked. So dark, almost chocolate-like, and she shivered. She told Juliet the ways he described her and complimented her.
Juliet gasped, eyes wide, and she placed her fingertips lightly over her mouth. “Charles Hitchcock said that?”
“Yes,” Margaret breathed, “and I must say that I was shocked into silence at first. I had to ask him to stop. But there is more.”
“More?” Juliet’s eyes were wide with shock. “What is it?”
Margaret’s eyes locked to Juliet’s. She wanted to make sure that her next words were made clear. “He whispered to me that I must give him an audience another time, for there was more to say.” Margaret clasped her hands tightly, and she felt on the brink of tears. “What does he mean to say?”
Juliet watched Margaret for a moment before waving it aside. “What do you mean? Do you think he means to make you an offer of marriage?”
“It is what I fear. I felt this hot dread falling to the base of my belly as he spoke. His words were like caresses. It was the voice of a lover, I know it.”
Juliet chuckled, and flushing, Margaret grinned. “I know that I do not have much experience in the matter, but it was not the way an indifferent male acquaintance speaks to a female one. I cannot understand why, after my obvious affection was noticed by all of the people we know, my former affection is so hastily and fervently returned?”
“But Margaret, you are lovely! He has come to his senses is all that has happened. It has taken him long enough.” Juliet was innocently smiling, but Margaret shook her head. She still did not understand.
Margaret felt like her heart was fluttering so much, it might just bubble out of her chest, up her throat and out of her mouth. Her mind would not stop spinning as she tried to process everything. Juliet, seeing this, leaned forward and took Margaret’s hand, patting it ever so gently.
“Margaret, listen. You are in love with Philip, correct?”
