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Yes, he’d been told that he was a handsome man, but John didn’t care for such things. He did not wish to impress anyone. What he wanted was to find a woman that satisfied his soul… and, yes, his body. But the soul must come first, for John never had a taste for being with women he did not deeply care for. He was very certain that he deeply cared for Margaret, even after so little time.
As he continued to walk, John noticed a crowd up ahead, in a queue out front of a butcher shop. The shop must be very popular indeed for there to be so many people waiting in the sun. Women held parasols and men wore hats, and everyone looked very distinguished, but John noted that Margaret stood there with her father by her side at the back of the line. How very curious. Where was Jane?
So as to not be viewed, John leaned against a post and watched as Margaret stood there tentatively, she and the viscount not sharing any words. Yes, she looked like a caged animal when she was in her father’s presence. This made John angry, for he knew that Margaret’s spirit required freedom, as did his own.
He waited for some time until the viscount finally shared some words with Margaret and departed. She appeared confused by this, and John knit his brow in confusion, as well. Why was he leaving her alone thus? Margaret had finally reached the front of the line, just outside the door, and John came across the street, calling out to her, “Margaret!”
She turned, and her frightened expression dissolved into a smile.
“John, what are you doing here?”
“I was merely out for a stroll. Might I enter with you?” he asked, seeing as she was about to go inside.
“That would be most kind of you. I do not know where my father went,” she said, looking all around.
“Did he excuse himself?”
“He did, saying that he would be right back.”
“Come, let me escort you inside.”
The interior of the butcher shop was cool and inviting, except for the dead animals that hung near the counter. There was a glass case where several cuts of meat were on display. Margaret smiled at John and said, “I always find these places irksome.”
“But your father asked you to come along?”
“Indeed. Perhaps he requests that to get under my skin.”
John frowned. How utterly wretched the situation with her father was. John stood close behind her, watching as she ordered the meats of the least quality. He shook his head. “Margaret, surely you can get something better than that.”
“This is all that we can afford.”
“Nonsense.” John reached into his pocket and pulled out some coins. He spoke with the butcher directly. “Never mind with those. She will take this cut here and that one there.” John selected the highest quality.
Margaret whispered, “You do not have to do this, John.”
“Yes, I am afraid that I do. Those other bits are not fitting.”
Once the meat was packaged, each wrapped piece was placed in a satchel and handed over. John handed the butcher his coins, and they departed from the butcher shop, Margaret still had a stunned expression upon her face. “Again, that was too kind, John.”
“It was the least that I could do. There’s nothing worse than eating meat that is not good.”
“I would agree. The cook mostly uses these for the sandwiches when the quality is bad. But seeing that this is so good, I am sure we will have a fine meal.”
“I am happy to hear it.”
“Have you seen Jane yet today?” Margaret asked.
“I am surprised that she is not with you.”
Margaret explained, “Whenever Father and I go to the butcher shop, he wants it to be only he and I.”
John froze. He did not know why he was suddenly stricken, but he gently took Margaret by the arm and led her around the corner where they might be concealed. “I apologize.”
“It’s all right. What is the matter?” Margaret asked.
“I wish to know how everything transpired last night. I admit to feeling no small measure of nerves.”
Margaret sighed and gazed at the ground. “It was to be expected. Lord Darkmoor is a dreadful man.”
