Page 44 of A Lady's Heart Deceived
Her gaze lifted to the tall spire of the nearby St. Michael’s church. A swirl of snow danced around the cross at the very top. The wind was strong up high, and the white icy flakes didn’t make it all the way to the ground. Instead, they disappeared into the night sky.
The scene above seemed to mirror her own emotions. Her anger had cleared and now only a faint, dull ache remained. In time, that too would hopefully fade.
For a while, Maggie was simply content to stand and stare at the high stone wall of St. Michael’s. She had spent her entire life around the community of the Church of England, and its familiarity brought her comfort.
At the rear of the garden was a small gate, which she assumed led out into the lane way behind the house. She hadn’t noticed it earlier. On the other side of the lane was the church grounds and cemetery.
She was tempted to head up to the church through this shortcut and seek solace in prayer or even speak to someone. But Maggie wouldn’t risk her personal safety just to seek counsel.
“It’s late, and you are in a strange city,” she whispered to the night sky.
Yesterday had already given her plenty to think about. The subject of Piers and what she was going to do with regard to her growing affections for him could wait until the morning.
At least I finally have answers about Robert, horrid though they might be.
All those worries. The endless letters. She could finally put them aside.
One of her first tasks when she returned to Fulham Palace would be to burn every scrap of correspondence, note, and memorial garden plan that she could find. Erase every physical reminder of Robert from her life.
Heavy boots crunched across the ice ground. She turned. Piers approached, carrying a large mug. Steam drifted up from inside it.
“I’m afraid it’s only one cup. We shall have to share. I didn’t think it fair to wake the household servants in order to get an extra spot of tea.”
He offered her the mug, and Maggie took it. “Thank you.” After a tentative sip, she handed it back. “It’s hot; that’s all that matters. Though next time, you might want to find the caddy and put two lumps of sugar in it.”
Piers shuddered. “Urgh. I hate sugar in my tea. It makes it too sweet.”
Maggie couldn’t hold back her smile. “Well, we shall have to find a compromise. How about next time you make us tea, you add one lump of sugar?”
He gave her a devilish grin and her heart skipped a beat. “Alright, but it has to be a small lump.”
“If it tastes like lukewarm dishwater, you are going back to the kitchen,” she replied.
His features softened. A kind regard sat on his face. In the dull light, she could just make out the glint in his eyes. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I’m a lot better than I was when we got home. I must confess, I was quite drained. An hour or so of sleep in the chair by the fire has done me the world of good. I didn’t wake you because you were snoozing so deeply.”
And because she wanted time to be alone, to put the strange new emotions which Piers had stirred within her into some semblance of order. That was still very much a work in progress.
“Piers?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Do you remember when we sat on the bench outside St. Michael’s and talked, and I said I didn’t want to discuss old loves for the rest of the day?”
“Yes, of course, I do.”
“Well, it's past midnight. It’s a new day.”
He sipped at the tea, then slowly nodded. “You want to know about Lady Dinah. Why she and I broke things off?”
“Only if it is not too painful. I mean, I am the last person who should be trying to push anyone into talking about their broken heart.”
Was Piers nursing a shattered heart? Or had the end of the betrothal been a blessed relief for him? The only thing which she was certain of was the emotion he had put into that kiss.
There had been passion in his embrace. He might have been trying to hold back, but he’d been close to losing control.
She would give anything to experience Piers unleashed. And if there was even the slightest of chances that they could deepen their bond before they returned to London, she would be a fool not to take it.
