AllFreeNovel
Share Us
John fell silent. He, as well, missed their mother and father. The illness that took them so suddenly was beyond tragic. John didn’t wish to relive the pain of it, but he often basked in the memory of his kind, compassionate parents.
“I shall not speak of it any further. But I often imagine that they are looking down on us from heaven, and perhaps, they are proud.”
Here John felt another tinge in his chest. Would they be proud of him? He was not yet married, had no family, and had decided to wander. There was nothing about all of this they might find appealing. Still, like his parents, John considered himself to be a good person, and surely that was enough to instill parental pride.
“Let us sit under this tree for the shade,” Margaret said, pointing to a great oak.
“That is a sound idea.” Jane began to walk towards it. “I fear that I am rather tired from the exertion.”
John wished to tease his sister for saying such a thing, for surely, she could never understand the kind of exertion that he endured in Cornwall. He had enjoyed the challenge of it and how it shaped his body, but John wanted something more meaningful than slaving away each day for a pittance.
The ladies seated themselves, and once they were down, John did the same. He propped one knee up, which he rested his elbow upon. Then, playing with some blades of grass, John looked up and noted that now, he could observe Margaret much more keenly, except he did not wish to be caught staring.
From that vantage, she was even more lovely, and John’s eyes followed the contours of her face and profile. There was something mysterious about Margaret, he noticed. And that was when Jane caught him staring. As they looked at one another, Jane lifted her brow and looked away. A wry smile came to John’s lips as he knew that he had been caught.
“I propose a picnic,” John said, tossing the blades of grass into the air.
“A picnic?” Jane asked.
“Indeed. Have the two of you never picnicked out here? That would be a shame.”
“We never have, but that’s a marvelous idea,” Margaret went on, turning towards Jane. “Why is it that we’ve never proposed such a thing?”
Both Jane and Margaret laughed with one another. Their faces ignited, and John could tell that they were indeed the best of friends. John wished for such a friend, but back in Cornwall, he had acquaintances at best.
John clapped his hands together. “It’s all sorted, then. Tomorrow, we will have a picnic. I’ll procure all the goods.”
Margaret said, “That is unnecessary. I shall have my cook makes sandwiches. That is practically all that she makes!” she added humorously.
“If you insist.”
“In the meantime, Brother, we must find a place for you to stay. Oh, Margaret, I have the most cunning idea.”
“What is that?” Margaret asked.
“What if we sneak John into Pelham Downs? I am sure that the viscount would not notice, if only for the night.”
Margaret broke into a peal of laughter and covered her mouth as she did so. “Do you think that we can get away with it?”
“I am unsure, but it would be fun to try!” Jane exclaimed.
John couldn’t help but join in on their good fun. It would be most intriguing if they could carry the plan out. They sat there for some time, delighting in the shade of the tree as they talked about all manner of things. When the sun finally came down, the girls remarked that it was time for them to return to the estate, and a plan was put in place to have John come to the back door after supper so that they might sneak him in.
John was the first to stand, and he extended both of his arms to help the girls up. As he helped Margaret up, his gaze met hers, and he was momentarily lost in her glittering eyes. Her expression was different than it had been earlier in the afternoon. She was more relaxed now, and yes, she looked happy. All of this made John feel joy.
It was so odd how drawn to her he was. He wanted to hear more about the impending marriage and how Margaret might get out of it.
