Page 84 of His Highland Duchess
“Oh?”
“For the letters I sent two months ago. They were in bad taste, written without consideration for…” She grimaced. “For how they might be received. It was not my intent to slander, and I do hope that you can find it in yourself to forgive me.”
“Oh, that,” Margaret said as if she was surprised. “Dae nae trouble yourself, Lady Brimstone. I ken you meant nothing by it.” She caught Lysander’s eyes and winked. “Let us treat it as water under the bridge? Happy to be forgotten.”
“You are too kind.”
“No,” Margaret said, keeping an arm linked with Lysander’s so she could pull him in close to her. “Just in love, is all.”
Lady Brimstone’s letters, although explosive, had fallen on deaf ears. Or rather, Lysander’s quick response, followed by his and Margaret’s joint effort to prove to all and sundry that there was no truth to the rumors, squashed them quickly before they had a chance to take hold. Perhaps there were still some who believed what they had read, but Margaret’s belief was that tonight would put an end to them entirely.
Did she still feel anger toward Lady Brimstone for what she had done?Of course I do, and I will be sure to keep an eye on her.But as she said, she was too in love and far too happy to let it consume her. She knew what this marriage was, as did Lysander, and that was enough for her.
“If you will excuse us, Lady Brimstone, I was just about to ask my wife for a dance.”
“Yes, of course…” Lady Brimstone smiled and backed away, clearly glad to be given a reprieve.
“The nerve of her,” Lysander muttered as they watched her go. “That she would think she can simply apologize and –”
“Let us nae worry about it,” Margaret spoke over him. “I am already past it.”
“You are?”
She smiled and rested a hand on the side of his face as she looked at him. “The only opinion I care for is my husband’s. And I would hope he is the same.”
“He is.”
“Good.” She took his hands again. “Now, I believe there was mention of a dance…”
He laughed and allowed himself to be pulled, and for a few minutes at least, Margaret let herself forget the stresses thatcame with playing host, losing herself in the eyes and arms of her husband, whom she loved with all her heart. They danced as if there was no one else in the world, because in those moments, it felt that way.Is that what marriage is? An escape from reality? Or perhaps this is my reality, and nothing outside of this right here matters?
The night went as well as could be expected, yet it was long and tiring, and when the last of the guests finally made their exit, Margaret felt herself breathing a sigh of relief. Still, the night was not done.
“Come on…” Lysander took her by the hand and led her up the stairs. “Let us make sure that they have not run out on us.”
She laughed. “Two months and still you persist with the same joke.”
They arrived at Aurelia and Lenora’s room, gently opening the door so a sliver of light crept inside. Together, they peeked through the crack, brightening to see both girls sound asleep. For a moment, they simply watched them, unable to look away because such an endearing sight made Margaret’s heart swell so that it felt like it might burst.
As wonderful as this marriage was, it would be nothing without those two girls. They were the glue that held it all together, an ingredient that added just the right amount of spice and excitement and warmth. All her life, Margaret had wanted a family of her own, and now she had one. A husband she loved.She adored her two daughters. What more could she possible wish for…
“Say…” It was as if he could read her mind. Lysander gently closed the door, keeping hold of her hand. “I have been thinking…”
“About?”
He was nervous all of a sudden, unable to look Margaret directly in the eye. “These last two months have been a dream, Margaret. Beyond anything I could have hoped for.”
“I should hope so.”
“And not just you and I,” he continued, his nerves seeming to grow. “But the girls, also. You are everything to them, they adore you like the world, and for that, I could not be more grateful.”
“I love them as if they are my own,” she said most seriously. “Ye ken this.”
“But they are not your own.”
The words sounded harsh, and Margaret leaned back in surprise. She tried to search Lysander’s eyes, but he still refused to give them. “And is that a problem?”
His eyes widened as he realized how that must have sounded. “No! That’s not what I –” He caught his tongue, took a breath, and made sure to hold her hands as he finally met her eyes. “What I meant was, I know how much you have always wanted a family.”
