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Oh, but Margaret wished to kick herself! Had she really just said that? Had she been so bold with her expression? She pulled her head back and noted that John did not seem fazed in the least that she had uttered it.
“Margaret, I fear that this situation might turn serious.”
“In what way?”
“My feelings for you are not casual, and at some point, they might overtake me.”
Margaret said with a sigh, “Let them.”
John slowly, gently, brought his lips to Margaret’s, and once more, she closed her eyes in rapture and nearly moaned. Was this what love felt like? Was this what desire and pleasure felt like? If so, she could see why ladies in novels lose their wits when they fall in love.
“Margaret, I wish to apologize, but I cannot. I have been longing to do this since the first moment I saw you in the field.”
“I have, as well,” Margaret replied breathlessly.
“Then trust,” John said, bringing a hand to her cheek, “trust that this is going to be much more difficult now.”
Margaret knew exactly what he was referring to without John having to explain. Yes, they had laid their emotions and their desire for one another bare. Now what was to become of him? Margaret would undoubtedly think of him constantly and wonder when she could see him again, all whilst dealing with the Lord Darkmoor predicament.
“Yes, it will be difficult.”
John smiled, no doubt trying to break the tension. “I suppose we could flee for France this very moment.”
“Please, do not tempt me with such an invitation.”
They both smiled through their pain, longing for the same outcome but feeling powerless. Although, perhaps it was Margaret that felt powerless because she was quite sure that John Harrington was rather powerful.
“We should keep going,” Margaret said, even though it pained her.
“You are right.”
John took her hand thoughtfully, and they walked hand in hand. Oh, Margaret wished to pinch herself for the moment did not smack of reality! Everything was so perfect, walking along and holding John’s hand. If one were to pass them now, they might think that Margaret and John were married!
Oh, what a dream that would be…
“I want you to taste French cuisine,” John went on. “Mostly, I just wish for you to eat quality food,” he added darkly.
“I long for that as well. I hear that French cuisine is so sumptuous.”
“It is some of the best in the world,” he quipped. “Of course, they do eat sandwiches, as well. But they are luxurious sandwiches.”
Margaret laughed. “I can only imagine. As you said, plenty of cheese.”
“Of the highest quality.”
“I surmise that it would cost a fortune to travel. My father could never afford it after my mother’s passing.” John fell silent, and there was something curious about it. “Have I said something amiss?” Margaret asked.
John shook his head. “Money is of no importance.”
“I assure you that it is! What with my father’s predicament.”
“No. Money is no object. I sincerely believe that we can always afford the things that our hearts long for.”
A wave of suspicion took hold. Margaret knew that John was of humble origins and had worked very hard in life. But his apparel was rather nice, and he had handed over a large sum of money to pay for the satchel that was still in her free hand.
Of course, it would be impossibly rude to inquire after all of this, so Margaret merely continued their walk with a pleasant smile upon her lips and a flush still warming her cheeks.
“If you had all the money in the world,” Margaret mused, “Would you own an estate, like Pelham Downs?”
