Page 73 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
“You have been a good and kind brother to me. Always.”
Leonard took her arm and said, “Come, Ladies. We are off to the church.”
Laughing, Margaret had never felt better, and as they arrived at the church, flowers in her hand, wearing the most beautiful gown she had ever put on, with a lovely straw bonnet and green ribbons, she had never before felt lovelier either.
The church doors opened, and she and Leonard walked together toward the end, where she could see Philip standing in his naval uniform. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she took another breath, following her brother’s guidance as they slowly made their way.
As she walked down, she was surrounded by pews filled with people on either side of her. She could see Philip’s parents, the wry smile of his brother, Edward, and other naval soldiers spotted around the church.
Once she reached the end, Philip turned around, and as if it was the first time she realized that she was in love with him, she became lost in his green eyes, and all her nerves fled away. Philip looked down at her, the full picture of a Lieutenant smiling, and she felt herself melt. This was the man her heart had been longing for all these years. It was all right.
Leonard left them, and she and Philip gripped hands, not taking their eyes off each other. The minister began with a prayer and calling to the crowd. And then, while she was in a dreamy haze, he asked for their promises. “Do you take this man, Philip Winston, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” she said, the words escaping her lips like a song.
“And do you take this woman, Margaret Whitfield, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” Philip’s deep voice filled her consciousness, and she never felt lighter as she smiled up into his eyes.
The minister pronounced them man and wife, and then the kiss came. Time slowed and Philip leaned down, and she stood on her tiptoes to capture his lips. Her heart swelled with love as she kissed him chastely, and then they turned to a cheering crowd, rushing out of the church to be covered in flower petals and driven away in the waiting carriage.
As they rode off to their wedding breakfast back at Bartley Manor, Philip grasped her hand and placed it on his knee as the carriage bumped along the cobblestones. “You are everything to me, Margaret Winston. Do not break my heart,” he winked.
Margaret threw her head back and laughed. “I think that I am in just as much danger of you doing that as you are.” Philip’s face turned serious, and Margaret swallowed as his gaze raked over her and he brought her hand to his lips.
“There is no chance that I could ever stop loving you, Margaret. I will be there every day until the rest of time. For you have been my heart’s desire for years, and at long last, I finally have you with me. By my side.”
“Even if I become quite tiresome. I can often be argumentative, foolhardy—”
“Stubborn,” he grinned. “I love everything about you. It is my qualities you will have to deal with. Quick to anger, eager to move about—”
“Rash.” Margaret smiled back. “What a pair we make. And what about when you go on your long journeys across the sea and must leave me behind? Will you not forget me then?”
Philip looked ahead as if he was thinking about it. When he turned back, Margaret worried for a moment that he would say yes. Instead, he said, “The picture of your face has been burned in my memory until the end of time. There is nothing that could tear me away from you, My Love. I told you that I loved you for years, even when I did not see you.”
“Even when I ignored you so rudely,” Margaret grimaced.
Philip laughed. “Yes, even then.” He winked at her. “And here we are today. Why think should we think of what the past or the future holds, when it is the present that interests me here.” He kissed her hand, and she could see the heat in his eyes.
“Are you afraid, Margaret?” He clutched her hand and placed it on his leg again. Margaret looked down at his white pants, seeing the muscle that was underneath, thinking about what she had already felt in their intimate times together.
She shook her head. “Not at all. I think I am quite ready for the adventure.” Philip’s eyes flashed, and his smile took on a wicked tilt.
His voice was low and husky as he moved close to her ear. She closed her eyes as his lips lightly brushed against it. “It will be an adventure, indeed, My Love. I will make sure that it is so.”
Her whole body tingled, and she felt her breath quicken as she imagined just what he could mean. The coachman finally reached Bartley Manor, and Margaret could hear the rattle of the many other carriages behind them.
Once Philip was out of the carriage, he held out his hand for her as she stepped down, and his eyes never left her. He pulled her close to him as they walked into the house, surrounded by well-dressed and smiling servants, having prepared for the day perfectly.
She leaned up to whisper, “I do not think I will be able to wait.”
Philip laughed out loud, and whispered back before the family approached them, “I hope it is the last time I shall ever have to make you wait too long, but I know that with my occupation, that will not always be possible. However,” his voice lowered again, and Margaret could feel the tingle now in her bones, “when I am around, I will make sure that you are well satisfied in your…adventure.”
Blushing, the two of them turned to greet their guests kindly, and Margaret felt warm all over, but she was able to eventually calm herself as long as she did not glance at her new husband too often. The delights he spoke of were a mystery to her, but she couldn’t quell her excitement.
At the breakfast, once they had all been sated, Edward lifted his glass into the air, and said, “The happiest of days to Mr. and Mrs. Winston. May they be ever happy and ever an example to us all.”
Margaret turned to Philip and under the table, Philip grabbed her hand. “We shall be happy forever,” he said, “that I can promise you.”
