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The viscount sat there with brow elevated, and Margaret realized that she could not explain everything. Still, she would need to make the situation sound innocent so that her father would not banish John, just as Jane had suggested he would.
“We sat on a park bench and talked of frivolous things. When I bid adieu, the meat was left underneath the bench, and John later discovered it, for he remained in the park for some time.”
The viscount seemed dubious, but Margaret hoped that this explanation might suffice. “Do not do that again,” the viscount admonished.
Margaret couldn’t reply to this. She certainly would not say that it would never happen again, for she intended to see John again as soon as possible. And so, as a response, Margaret fell silent and sipped her tea.
The rest of this occasion passed in silence, and Margaret was grateful for it. What was the sense in trying to convince her father of anything? No, she would do her best to keep John in her mind and in her heart, no matter what her father said.
The tea having concluded, Margaret excused herself to take a walk in the field. To her surprise, Jane was nowhere in sight, and this left Margaret to walk alone, which she was not entirely upset about. Still, the day already was drawing to a close, and Margaret mused that earlier that afternoon had felt like a whole other day entirely!
What if the situation would grow so preposterous that Margaret would need to marry one of the gentlemen her father owed money to? It was heartbreaking to think that that might be her fate. Still, perhaps one of those men was more favorable than Lord Darkmoor. Oh, but everyone would be terrible in comparison to John.
Just then, approaching in the distance just as he had when Margaret beheld him for the first time, John came. At first, Margaret thought she might be in a dream, for there was no more perfect a sight. But as he drew closer, Margaret knew that she was not in a dream, and she smiled to herself.
“Margaret!” John called out, jumping down from his horse.
“You have returned so soon.”
“Yes, I could not keep away.”
All at once, Margaret’s heart fluttered in her chest. Yes, this was no dream. John could not keep himself away from her any more than she could keep herself away from him. He gazed into her eyes, and Margaret felt that comfort wash over her once more.
“I just finished tea.”
“I took my own tea,” John shared. “And then I had the mind to nap at the inn, but I was too restless.”
“Yes, I know the feeling well.”
John’s expression turned grave. “Have you been crying?” he asked in deep concern.
Margaret shook her head. “No, but… I had a dreadful conversation with my father. He informed me of a list of men who might marry me if Lord Darkmoor does not.”
John fell silent, and from his expression, she could see how furious he was. “Your father will stop at nothing.”
“This you must already know.”
“My heart breaks for you, Margaret.”
“Do not let it do so. You must remain strong, for when I can’t.”
John’s chest heaved. “I shall do my best.”
Just then, Margaret flung herself into his arms, wanting to feel his warm comfort once more. “Margaret,” he said softly, placing his hand behind her head.
“John, I am so fearful… but not when I am with you.”
“Then we shall endeavor to be together as often as possible.”
“There is no chance my father will allow it. He was informed by the cook that you retrieved the meat.”
John pulled away and gazed into her eyes with concern. “Are you sure it was not my sister that told him?”
“Jane would never do such a thing.”
Jaw knit, John replied, “I am not so sure any longer.”
Just then, a strong gust of wind passed through them, and Margaret watched as John’s blond hair danced. She brought her hand up and touched his hair, a smile coming to her lips. “You are so handsome.”
