AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I shall treat you like a woman,” Darkmoor replied lasciviously.
Oh, this was going from bad to worse. The way that Darkmoor looked at her made her skin crawl. She would never desire to be in his arms, as she desired to be in John’s arms. She would never want to kiss Darkmoor the way that she had kissed John. It was an impossibility.
“May I be excused?” Margaret asked, thinking that she was at her wit’s end.
“Remain seated,” her father instructed her. “We have more business to discuss. For instance, where would you like to honeymoon?”
Of all the inane questions. There was nowhere Margaret wished to honeymoon. The notion was preposterous and terrifying. Terrifying because Margaret was well aware that the honeymoon would be when Darkmoor consummated the relationship.
“I cannot speak of this right now, father. Please, I feel as though the room is spinning, and I must flee.”
Margaret got up from the table in no uncertain terms, making her way to the door. As she did so, she listened as Darkmoor and her father laughed and carried on with their conversation. She ran to her room at a feverish clip, needing to lie in her bed and disappear into her own thoughts. How was it that her father could not understand? How could both of them be so insensitive in her presence?
***
John paced about the room, holding the letter in his hand. Jane had delivered it sometime after supper, and John was in a state that he could not control. He pulled his hand through his hair, needing to take action that very moment. Putting on his coat, John went for the door, down the stairs, and then procured his horse from outside.
He hopped on, racing towards Pelham Downs. He would put a stop to it that very evening. Oh, but he was being ridiculous! What was he going to do? John had no clue, but he did know that action needed to be taken. Once he reached Pelham Downs, he saw the home illuminated from within, and it only reminded him that Margaret was in there, perhaps seated across the table from Darkmoor. The thought of it filled him with fury.
Coming to the front door, John nearly knocked. But it was as though his sister watched him approach from a window, for she opened the door and spoke in hushed tones. “What are you doing here? You promised.”
“I promised yesterday,” John reminded her.
“You cannot be here.”
“Is she inside?”
“Margaret fled the dinner table and went to her room. When I went to find her there, I discovered that she was not present. I looked out her window and noted that she was walking in the field.”
“Is she in the field this very moment?” John asked, desperation filling his voice.
“I believe so. Oh, brother, do be careful. Darkmoor is inside with the viscount, and they do not know that Margaret has fled. The wedding shall transpire soon, as the Banns are to be read in church next week!”
John needed to take action. He shared no more words, and instead, walking around Pelham Downs to hopefully discover Margaret in the field. Once he reached the back of the house, a warm smile came to his lips as he saw Margaret standing there under the moonlight.
“Margaret,” he said, rushing towards her.
She turned in shock. “John? Oh, John!”
She rushed towards him as well, and the two careened into one another’s arms, holding each other tight.
“I had to come,” John explained, breathing into her neck.
“I am glad you did. It was horrible.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“John, they treat me as though I am not even a living creature.”
“I shall put a stop to it.”
“How?” Margaret pulled back and gazed into his eyes.
“Come with me tonight, Margaret.”
“My father shall find me.”
“Let him find you. I have a pistol.”
