Page 66 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
Philip grinned, “And happy I am to be back and returned. Thank you for your invitation, Lady Havordshire. I did not expect such a happy day.”
“We are most grateful to receive you, Mr. Winston. Now, we shall retire to the garden.” Sarah grinned, and both women touched his arm on the way out. Juliet closed the drawing room door with a wink. Margaret stood slowly, watching his expression.
In a moment, he was in front of her, pulling her soft form toward him, kissing her lips as if he had not just kissed her a quarter of an hour before.
Margaret pulled back, breathless. “Philip, are you all right?”
He smiled and placed a soft kiss at the base of her ear. “I am perfectly well, My Love, now that I get to touch you again.” Margaret sighed with contentment, and he could feel his body react, but now was not the time.
“Unfortunately, I cannot linger. We are leaving to figure out the situation with Charles. There are the debt collectors we must meet.”
Margaret’s face was strained as she clamped a hand on his arm. “Be careful, Philip. Please promise me.”
Philip leaned his head against her forehead and breathed in her scent, wanting to remember it. “I will, My Love. We will write to you with any word on our progress in finding him and solving this mess.”
After another beat he left, not looking back. It would have been too hard to see her beautiful face etched in concern. He met the men outside the house, and they piled into the carriage.
“Gentleman, we are going to Snide’s Gaming House, just on the outskirts of good society in London,” he announced, anticipation filling his heart.
“Let the games begin,” Leonard joked, tapping the roof of the carriage to start the journey.
* * *
As soon as Philip left, Margaret felt her heart tear a little again. Was this how it would always be in their lives? He would have to leave, and she would have to watch him go feeling like she was being torn from something. But no, she had to remain strong. He needed her, and she him. Finally, he was hers again.
She left the room and bumped into Sarah and Juliet. “It appears we are left just the ladies this evening.” Sarah drew their arms into hers, and they left the house to sit outside in the garden. The sound of birds singing matched Margaret’s earlier mood at her success in gaining Philip’s forgiveness, she now had new worries on her mind.
They sat in cushioned chairs while a servant brought them lemonade. “I have taken little George’s advice, you see?” Sarah said with a smile as she poured it out into the crystal glasses for each of them.
“First, let me raise my glass to our dear Margaret.” Margaret’s heart lightened at the sight of Sarah’s truly happy face. Juliet looked like she was on the verge of tears. “To many happy years with Philip, the right man for you.”
They took sips, and the cool sweet liquid was like a balm. Margaret sighed. Juliet said, “We told you that it would work. Now, about this Charles’ business.”
“Has Leonard told you?” Margaret leaned forward with interest.
Juliet nodded. “Felix, Leonard, and Philip are off to find Charles and hopefully sort out his debts or at least pay them for now to keep him safe for a little while longer.”
“Well, I hope it is simple enough.” Margaret drained the last of her lemonade.
“Me as well. But they will write to us to keep us informed. I made Leonard swear upon pain of death that he will not leave anything out this time.”
Despite the situation, Margaret chuckled. “And you, Sarah? Did you threaten your husband? Is that what I am meant to learn about marriage today?”
Sarah blushed. “I did not threaten, no. Not in so many words. But I did happen to hint that he might not be so very welcome in my boudoir if he did not write.”
The women laughed, and Margaret felt ever so slightly better.
“Well, I say we try to think of what we could do to help? We are always left to sit and wait, are we not?” Juliet said, one eyebrow lifted, inquiring after the opinions of her friends.
Sarah chuckled. “To see their faces if we helped to save the day would be most gratifying.”
“I heartily agree,” Margaret added, laughing. “Perhaps that is how we should spend our evening. Thinking of our own plans—”
She could not think of a better way to occupy their time. She wanted Charles’ problems out of the way so that she could focus on her future. Her future with Philip.
The next morning, they ate breakfast with animation, but Margaret knew that each of them were waiting for any word of what had occurred the night before. Their minds were each on their husbands’ safety, and Margaret feared to bring it up.
Each of them jumped in turn as the footman approached Sarah. “Lady Havordshire. A letter for you. Come by urgent express.”
