Page 7 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
“Now, I merely came for a visit. I do not wish to disturb your important business. I will busy myself elsewhere.”
Leonard nodded. “As I said, go to see Juliet and little George. They will be walking the grounds with Margaret at this time, I should think.”
Business had never been of interest to Philip, and certainly money had never been his true object in his pursuits. He had really only enjoyed being happy, and while the Navy had never been his ideal, he thought it could give him the sense of adventure that he had been wanting to fulfill. Besides, a walk in the garden where Margaret would be? That sounded like just the thing that would suit him.
“I shall take myself there and come and see you after.”
Leonard sat down behind the desk again. “Please do. We all shall take tea together.”
“Excellent.”
He left by the usual route, through the lovely open French doors that led out from the conservatory into the sprawling back garden filled with rows and rows of shrubs, trees, and flowers.
It looked only slightly different to what he remembered growing up. Every time he returned to Bartley, the rush of memories came back to him forcefully, and he found himself filled with the pleasant ache of nostalgia, childhood, and everything that was sweet and innocent in the world.
As he turned his eyes to the eastward section of the garden he saw lovely, brown-haired Juliet waving in his direction with a young, plump George in her arms. Margaret walked austerely next to her. Philip straightened up a little out of habit. Even though her affection for Charles was known to everyone, there was no harm in enjoying her company, was there? He felt wicked for his thoughts, but he was no stranger at being able to charm women.
“Philip! How lovely it is to see you. Leonard mentioned you might be coming. Have you come to join us in our walk?” Juliet’s smile was wide and welcoming.
Philip bowed with his hands behind his back. Both Margaret and Juliet curtsied low.
“So I have. Business bores me to no end, ladies. I hope you will allow me to accompany you?”
“Of course! Join us. Margaret, will you not greet our guest?” Juliet eyed Margaret kindly.
Philip came to Margaret’s aid. “Lady Margaret and I have already seen each other this morning. I was not looking where I was going, and I indecorously bumped into her in the hallway.”
“Is that so?” Julia lifted an interested eyebrow. He thought he could see Margaret blush a little.
“Yes, Juliet.” Margaret’s voice was a little flat. “I was also not looking where I was going this morning. Busy on my way somewhere, you know.”
Margaret’s smile was kind but fleeting. For a moment, Philip wished that she would look up at him the way she looked at Charles, with so much love and wonder. That was the way he looked at her.
“I see. What a morning accident you both have had. Well, if you are sufficiently recovered with no lasting injuries, let us begin our turn about the garden.” She put George down on the ground.
“Hello, little George,” Philip said with a smile.
“Hello,” the little boy replied and stuck his finger into his mouth.
Philip laughed loudly. “Young man, that is exactly what I wish to do sometimes when I speak to incredibly boring people. I shall consider it for my next meeting with them.”
George looked at him curiously while Juliet laughed merrily. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that even Margaret began to chuckle a little. His heart swelled with pride. Philip decided that he would attempt to make it his goal to make Margaret laugh again while he was visiting.
The rest of the walk passed pleasantly enough with Juliet and Philip leading most of the conversation. He would ask Margaret questions, but she did not often reply in full sentences and did not appear as if she wished to speak very much at all. He did not wish to force her, and so he did not, although he pined for the moment when he could see her smile again, or perhaps even hear her laugh in full.
Back at the entrance to the Manor, Juliet gathered George into her arms.
“I shall return directly. It is time for George’s nap, and while I know that his nursemaid can take him, I prefer to do it myself!” Juliet turned to Margaret. “Now, dear, I have a little surprise for you in the drawing room. I will meet you there presently. Philip, you must join us. I know that Leonard and Charles will come later for tea.”
He nodded politely, and Juliet and George left, leaving the two of them on their own. He motioned Margaret to enter the doorway before him, and he swept in behind her, watching the folds of her delicate dress as she walked slowly ahead of him. He hated to see her so unhappy. It felt wrong somehow. Someone like Margaret deserved happiness. It was too bad that along with the sadness of her father’s death, she still pined for a man whose heart she did not possess.
Philip said, “You must enjoy being an aunt very much. I confess I am rather looking forward to becoming an uncle, if my brother, Edward, would ever deign to marry. He has been too busy out in the world for that, I am afraid.”
“Oh yes. I dote on little George. I never knew that being an aunt could be so much fun.” She smiled up at him, and his heart skipped. “I always remember our aunts as cold, domineering, and harsh.”
Philip nodded. “Me as well. Perhaps they thought it better for us not to be too doted upon.”
“I suppose. How have you been in the last few months, Philip?”
