Page 49 of Seducing an Earl under the Mistletoe
Margot frowned. “Couldn’t it have waited for when I rested?” she wondered. “You know that we all stayed late at your mother’s party last night.”
The salty breeze carried a hint of the sea’s chill. Margot grabbed the collar of her cloak and wrapped it more tightly around her neck, but they both kept going. Seagulls soared in the cerulean sky, their calls mingling with the sounds of the coastal community. The salty scent of the sea was a constant reminder of the ever-present backdrop to his life.
They finally reached the bench, which was occupied by a man who had his back turned to them.
“Here,” Arthur told her, urging her to stop. She obeyed, looking surprised.
“Here?” she wondered.
Upon hearing her voice, the man turned around. Arthur knew who it was. But Margot was still oblivious to the shock that was to follow.
“Margot?” All James had to say was her name.
The combination of shock, fear, surprise, and awe on her face was palpable. She gasped, pressing her hand to her lips, her eyes wide like two moons in the night. Her face revealed her tearful expression, a mixture of hope and uncertainty. In that moment, it seemed to everyone as though the time stood still.
Slowly, Margot’s eyes filled with tears, and she allowed them to fall freely, looking at this man who had half of his face bandaged up. She seemed frozen in time and space, unable to move.
“Margot?” Arthur called out to her, but she didn’t react. In this moment, Arthur didn’t exist for her. All she could see was James, but she was still unable to move.
Arthur had to admit that this wasn’t the response he had expected. He thought Margot would recognize James immediately, as she did, but instead of a heartfelt reunion, the two were still standing facing each other, as if miles apart.
In the midst of his own confusion and concern, James made his approach, stepping closer to Margot. As he extended his arms toward her, she collapsed into his embrace. The moment held a sense of both vulnerability and understanding, and Arthur watched with mixed emotions, realizing that there was more to Margot’s feelings than he had perceived.
This was the moment when her broken heart needed a few moments to put itself back together and recognize this man as the man she loved, as the man she never stopped loving.
“Oh, James…” Margot’s voice trailed off as she buried her face against his chest, sobbing quietly.
“It is all right, my love,” James consoled her tenderly, wrapping his arms around her like a majestic falcon, proving to everyone that now that he was here, nothing and no one would ever harm her again.
They remained embraced like that for a very long time. When Margot finally released him from her grip, she looked up at him, and with great tenderness, she reached out and touched his bandaged face. Her fingers gently traced the contours of his injuries.
“I am not the man you remember, Margot,” he said, his voice on the verge of breaking. Arthur listened, and his own heart was torn on all sides, but he knew that they needed to find each other again on their own. He took a few steps back, giving them some privacy, but still remaining there, in case either of them needed him.
“Youarethe man I love, James,” she replied as emotions overwhelmed her. Arthur could understand those emotions well. After all, he had lived through this scene already, in his study, mere hours ago. Now, it was Margot’s turn.
“Do you really mean that, my love?” James asked, all hopeful.
“None of this matters,” she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity and love. “You’re back, and that is more than I ever could have hoped for. I love you, I love you…”
Overwhelmed by emotions again, she embraced him, hiding her face into him once more. Arthur watched this heartfelt reunion unfold, feeling a bittersweet sense of hope and yearning within him. He knew that love had the power to heal wounds, bridge chasms, and bring people together, just as it had for Margot and James.
And as they shared their first kiss, it was a testament to the enduring strength of love in the face of adversity. He hoped that his own story would have this happy ending, but he still had to make it happen. Catherine was counting on him.
After a few minutes, Margot and James rejoined Arthur, a sense of relief and gratitude in their expressions. Margot’s eyes glistened with emotion, as she spoke with unwavering sincerity.
“I explained everything to James,” she revealed. “About our families wanting us to marry.”
“I understand, Arthur.” James placed his hand reassuringly on Arthur’s shoulder.
“I appreciate that.” Arthur smiled. “I am just happy that we can put this behind us. I’m here to help you both, and I’ll stand by your side when it is time to explain everything to our families. I know they will be shocked, but they will accept what has happened because that is the only right way. You two belong together. You always have.”
“Arthur,” Margot gushed, “you’ve been more understanding and generous than we could have hoped for. Your support means so much to both of us.”
“You two mean the world to me,” Arthur assured them. “And your happiness is as important to me as my own. I will help you bring everything to light. You can count on my support for whatever it is you need.”
“You’ve already done enough.” James smiled.
“If anything, you need to go and sort things out with your secret lover.” Margot smiled, reminding him of the most important unfinished business he had.
