Page 74 of Indecent Desires of a Proper Lady
“I may sometimes be cross, you know.”
“Oh, I welcome it. For what is life without a little adventure?” He lifted his eyebrow and Margaret flushed again at the memory of their conversation and Philip laughed.
“You have made me the happiest of men.”
“And me the happiest of women. Now what about your brother, Edward?” The two of them shifted their eyes to him, and his eyebrows lifted in question.
Laughing, Margaret said, “Perhaps he does not wish to fall in love?”
“I do not see why not. For it is the most beautiful thing in the world.”
Epilogue
They were to leave on their wedding trip as soon as the breakfast was over. Everything had been prepared. Once the festivities were complete, all the guests parted ways, wishing the couple well, and Philip was exhausted.
He was tired of people and now he wanted to be alone with his wife. He had waited long enough for this moment, and he had had enough of Edward’s smirks and comments and was ready to make good on what he’d promised Margaret. As soon as their trunks were packed and put into the carriage, they were on their way.
“Where are we going, Philip? I am nearly dying with anticipation!” Margaret and Philip clasped hands as their carriage bumped along a country road, and Margaret couldn’t wait until she knew what was at the other end. “You would not even let me decide what to pack! I cannot believe that you would keep all this from me!”
“Do you not?” Philip kissed Margaret softly on the head. “I want this to be a complete surprise, My Love. I promise, you will enjoy it. You will absolutely love it.” He leaned in closer to her. “Although, I know that the best part of our trip will be when you are wearing no clothing at all. I should have asked the maids to pack nothing!”
“Philip!” Margaret screamed, laughing and blushing. Philip kissed her cheek.
“There is no reason to blush, Margaret. We are now man and wife. Forever.”
Margaret felt a warm, lovely tingle in every part of her body. Her anticipation for her wedding night was growing with each bump along the road. She wanted it to be just as Philip described, and she wanted the chance to show him just how she felt. They could finally feel that their love was complete.
She wanted Philip more and more with each passing moment. She could not imagine ever having enough of him, and now she was about to embark on a secret honeymoon, of which he had told her nothing. It titillated her, but she wanted to know what it was, and why Philip was so thrilled to show it to her.
As the carriage bumped along, she laid her head on his strong shoulder, wanting to savor the closeness, knowing in her heart that he would surely leave again soon out on his ship, and she would have to bear it as best she could.
“Yes, we are. But that does not mean you should begin to keep secrets from me. You know, that is a very bad start to our marriage,” she giggled.
Philip held her hand tighter. “You will see! It will be glorious.”
In another hour, the carriage slowed, and Margaret held her breath as she peered outside of the window to see the brilliant blue of the sea in her view. “Philip!” She spun around to look at his triumphant face. “The seaside!”
“Of course. How else will you learn to swim?”
Margaret practically jumped into his arms, kissing him, holding him tightly. Never before had she been given such a beautiful gift. “You know, I do believe this trumps even the wonderful leather journal you bought me.”
They were out of the carriage and walking toward the sandy edge of the beach. “The journal that I dropped in my hurry to escape the sight of you and Charles together?” He was smiling, and so she knew that he no longer held it against her.
“Yes, that one.” She intertwined her fingers with his. “After you rushed off, I took it up and opened it. It is absolutely lovely. You know exactly what kinds of gifts that I like. You know me.”
She took his hand and placed it on her chest. “You know my heart like no one ever has. I think I must have loved you long ago but just never knew it.”
Philip sighed. “If that were so, I wish you would have told me, we could have cut our miserable years in half.” Margaret laughed.
He pulled her hand toward the cottage. “Where are we going? Are we not to swim?” Margaret asked, her eyes wide as she looked around her.
The cottage was right on the shore, and the carriage had begun to roll away. Philip pointed to it as they walked closer. “That is ours, My Love. For the whole of our stay. It is you, me, and the sea. We will have plenty of time for swimming lessons, later. But first, there is an important matter at hand.”
Margaret’s heart swelled with love for this man who was so romantic, so brazen, so full of life, that she sent a silent prayer up to Heaven, thanking God for her good luck, and wishing once again that her parents had lived to see her so truly happy.
* * *
He was nervous, but he knew that all would be well. It would be the most beautiful night. Slowly, they entered the white stone cottage, and he glanced at her. She looked back at him, her eyes wide, but a smile appeared on her face even if it was a slightly nervous one.
