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This time, Margaret was the one to lean in and bring her lips to his. John continued to clutch her hip, but his hand slowly slid, coming dangerously close to the crevice of her legs. Knowing that he was going too far and afraid that he could not stop, John quickly pulled his hand away and said, “I apologize.”
“You need not.”
“Margaret, understand that my fondness for you is mounting day by day.”
“As is mine, for you.”
Just then, there was the sound of footsteps coming down the hall, and Margaret gave a start. She quickly pushed away from John, not wishing to be discovered, and John found himself desperately wishing for a day where they would have nothing to fear.
Just then, Jane stood in the doorway to the parlor, a look of shock upon her face. “What is happening?” she asked.
“We were merely chatting,” Margaret explained, her eyes wide. “John came to see you, and I suggested that he come inside.”
Jane cocked her head to the side and then sighed deeply. “You needn’t lie to me,” she said.
Margaret slumped, then turned to John for encouragement. He spoke with great authority. “I admit to our admiration of one another,” John admitted, although that was not the half of it.
Jane approached with a wary expression on her face. “No, you cannot hide it any longer. I am not blind, brother. I know what is going on.”
“Then please, be civil,” Margaret said, standing.
“I am being civil.” Jane crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“Then… help us.”
John was the next to stand. “We do not need help. This matter will be settled in a natural fashion.”
“Brother, what is that supposed to mean?”
“I mean that there is no need to conceal it. Her father shall hear the truth.”
“That is preposterous!” Jane protested. “Of all people, do you expect the viscount to listen to any sort of truth, let alone sentiment?”
John assured her, “We shall proceed with caution. For the time being, we need your discretion so that we can appeal to the viscount when the moment is right.” As he turned to gaze at Margaret, he noted the shock and delight written upon her face. Yes, John was making it clear that he was pursuing her and finding a way to make it work.
“Brother, I do not know what to say.” Jane brought her hands to her cheeks.
Taking his sister’s hands, John pulled them away and assured her, “All shall be well. Let us proceed as we are. And for now, I must be going.”
“You are going?” Margaret asked.
“For now. I shall return, I assure you.”
Although John wished to say goodbye with his lips, he merely said so with his eyes, conveying to Margaret that he cared for her deeply and would figure out a way for them to be together.
Upon leaving the parlor, John felt that familiar anguish and dread in his chest. The task at hand would be immensely difficult, but as he promised, he would most assuredly find a way. Margaret was worth all of the effort, and what’s more, she deserved to be set free by his love and devotion.
Outside, the hackney awaited him, and John got in, looking out the window one last time at Pelham Downs. One day, it would be a palace, and Margaret would be his queen.
***
In the wake of John’s absence, Margaret felt a tremendous amount of joy… and fear. Yes, it seemed definitive that he wanted to stop the mess that her father had created, which brought Margaret unspeakable joy! What’s more, she sensed that he could do it and did not know why.
“This is pure insanity,” Jane bemoaned.
“I know that all of this is unexpected, but trust that it is for the best, Jane.”
“Do you love him?” Jane shook her head. “Oh, it is nonsense even to ask such a question when you barely know my brother.”
