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Chapter 13
Upon entering Pelham Downs, Margaret felt all of her cares return. She was accustomed to this now. When she was in John’s company, all was well, and as soon as she departed from him, catastrophe struck. Margaret was grateful that she did not encounter her father or Darkmoor as she walked down the hall, and the first person she beheld was Jane coming from the kitchens.
“You were with my brother,” Jane said knowingly.
“Yes. Did you direct him to me?”
“I did.”
Margaret gazed towards the ground. “That was very kind of you. He consoled me.”
“Oh, Margaret. Let us go to your room so that we might have some privacy.”
“Yes, that is best,” Margaret replied.
Upon reaching her room, Jane closed the door behind them, and Margaret seated herself, waiting for Jane to scold her for meeting with John.
“I am not upset,” Jane said, seating herself on the bed.
“And it would not matter if you were. I must do what I long to do.”
Jane sighed deeply and replied, “I understand how great your love for him truly is, and I could see his own ardor in his eyes. I think that you need to do what your heart is telling you so long as you do not put yourself in harm’s way.”
“But I am going to be in harm’s way! There’s no way around it,” Margaret said.
“Listen, Margaret. I want to help in any way that I can, but I do not want to get caught. I fear the viscount as much as you do, and there is no way of knowing what he is capable of.”
A wave of fear came over Margaret as she asked, “Is Lord Darkmoor still downstairs?”
“He departed. But I fear that he will be back within a few days.”
Margaret gazed towards the window, a nervous smile coming to her lips. “He is such a terrible man. It is almost unbelievable when one thinks about it.”
“Margaret, do you really think that my brother can save you?” Jane asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.
Margaret nodded softly. “I think that he can, Jane. At least, I know that he wants to try. Oh, I know how unbelievable it must seem that we have fallen in love so quickly, but I trust him, Jane. I trust him with my life. If that is not love, then I do not know what is.”
Now Jane was the one to smile. “Margaret, I do not wish to muster false hopes, but if you were to marry John, you would be my sister.”
Margaret could not help but get up from her chair and approach Jane, who stood. The two girls embraced, holding onto one another tight. “That would be a dream, Jane. Although, I already feel as though you are my sister.”
“I feel the same.”
They rocked from side to side as they held one another, and Margaret was convinced that she had the best friend in the world.
“Is John still outside?” Jane asked, pulling away.
“I think that he has returned to the inn.”
“I will go and see him in the morning if there is a note that you wish to write.”
Margaret smiled warmly. “Thank you, Jane. I think that I shall write him a note.”
“Let me help you into bed,” Jane said, pulling back the covers. “It has been a very long night, and you need your rest.”
“I will compose a letter first,” Margaret remarked, taking Jane by the hand. “I thank you for your kindness. I truly mean that, from the bottom of my heart.”
Jane cocked her head to the side. “Anything that I can do, Margaret.”
