Page 46 of A Lady's Heart Deceived
Piers wasn’t going to mention any more of the situation to Maggie. She didn’t need to hear the true depth of his problems or what he might be facing if he couldn’t resolve them.
I just wish the prince would reply to my letters. Tell the Commander-in-Chief that I was trying to save his life that day. I was doing my duty.
“What did you do that would make Lady Dinah judge you?” she asked.
Piers was annoyed with himself for having framed his words so poorly. “Nothing. I didn’t do anything. Could we please leave that topic of conversation where it is for the time being? I didn’t come out here to burden you with my problems. I wanted to see how you were and if perhaps you might have had time to consider what you will do next,” he said.
He handed her back the cup of tea and Maggie took a sip. She screwed up her face. “It still needs sugar.”
Maggie turned away; her back was now to him. She pointed to the high stone edifice of St. Michael’s church. Piers had always liked how it loomed over the garden—a giant protective wall against the winds of the world.
“I was just thinking about making time to go and speak to the minister at the church. Tell him something of my problems. I wasn’t actually going to make mention to him as to who I am. I know that would be a little dishonest of me, but if I am to confide in someone and receive their counsel, I can’t do that if they know I am the daughter of the Bishop of London,” she said.
That was a sudden and unexpected emotional punch to the gut for Piers. Maggie didn’t trust him enough to ask for his advice. Had he read their friendship wrong?
Doing his best to hide his wounded pride, he came to stand alongside her. “You could always speak to me. I would be more than happy to listen.”
She gifted him with such a sad smile, he had to briefly turn away. “I’m sorry, Piers. I didn’t mean to cause offense. I hadn’t thought to ask for your opinion because some of my questions directly involve you.”
For the second time in as many minutes, Maggie’s words took Piers by surprise. “What do you mean?”
Her hand touched his, and their fingers entwined. “I was interested to know someone else’s opinion as to what I should do if I found myself falling in love with a man who was meant to marry someone else. Even if his betrothal was at an end, he might not be open to the idea of finding love again so soon. I expect the answer would have been for me to pack my things and get on board the first available coach headed toward London.”
Oh, Maggie.
Thank heavens she hadn’t done that. He would have been forced to leap on the back of the nearest horse and chase after the coach, flagging it down like a good old-fashioned highwayman. Anything to stop her from leaving.
Piers gently pulled her into his embrace. “I am glad you didn’t seek that counsel. I am hoping that now we have cleared the air somewhat between us, you might reconsider your plans.”
She lifted her face and met his gaze. “If you are referring to my travel plans, at this juncture, I don’t really have any. I am content to go anywhere as long as it is with you.”
Those words were what Piers had longed to hear Maggie say. As long as they were together—that was all that mattered.
I will never let you go. I have to find a way to keep you—forever.
“Well, that sounds like the best plan of all, so I suggest we stick to it,” said Piers. He lowered his lips to hers, and sealed their agreement with a long, lingering kiss.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The revelation that Piers was not engaged to be married immediately changed the nature of their relationship. The kiss they shared in the night garden signaled a new direction for Maggie and Piers.
By rights, they should have been on their way back to London late the following morning. Instead, the Denford coach was headed six miles west of Coventry to the town of Kenilworth and the beautiful red sandstone ruins of Kenilworth Castle.
And rather than their luggage being onboard, a picnic basket, freshly prepared by the Denford family cook, rested on the seat opposite to where Piers and Maggie sat, hand in hand.
After their late night, Maggie had risen before the dawn. She had chosen the pale pink gown for today’s outing. Her maid had offered to fashion Maggie’s hair into French braids, then pin it into the hat Elizabeth had kindly lent her, but she had demurred, preferring to wear it in a soft chignon.
If she wore the hat low enough, it might help to hide the dark circles under her eyes. There was nothing she could do about her drawn appearance but hope Piers didn’t notice.
“You look lovely, Maggie. That shade of pink suits your fine complexion,” said Piers.
Her gaze dropped to the wide-brimmed hat on her lap. Piers’s charming words had set her heart running at a pitter-patter. She smiled; her heart was once more filled with the joy of the first heady days of romance.
“How are you this morning, Maggie. A little tired perhaps? I’ll admit that getting out of bed was a bit of a struggle for me.”
“No, I am fine, thank you. I shall manage.”
The prospect of spending time alone with Piers was more than enough motivation to get Maggie out of bed. She loved how he had speared his fingers into her hair while he held her in his arms and kissed her in the early hours of the morning. Her hopes for the day included him slipping the hat from her head and ruffling her hair once more.
