Page 35 of Surrendering to a Lady's Touch

“And you are the most beautiful creature I have ever known.”

“I delighted in this afternoon. I delighted when… you kissed me.”

“I wanted to kiss you more, but I knew that I must prevent myself.”

“Do you suppose that all of this might end well?” Margaret asked, hoping for some reassurance.

John shook his head and sighed. “I wish that I knew. But, for now, we must carry on.”

Margaret placed her head upon his shoulder and gazed off into the distance. Yes, she was quite certain that she had fallen in love. But, how could such a thing happen so quickly? And was there a chance that there could be a happy ending to this business?

“Margaret!” a voice called out. Margaret was certain that it was Jane. “Margaret, where are you?”

“I will go,” Margaret said to John, placing a hand upon his chest. He put his hand on top of hers, pressing it more firmly into him.

“If you must.”

“I am glad that you returned.”

“I shall return again and again.”

With that, John kissed the back of her hand before Margaret quickly ran back towards Pelham Downs. She smiled broadly as she ran, for that brief encounter with John was everything that she had needed to get through the rest of the day.

She discovered Jane standing on the veranda, clutching herself. “Where have you been?” Jane asked.

“I went for a walk after tea. You were nowhere to be found.”

Jane’s expression was dubious. “Is that so?”

“Do not give me that accusatory glare. I was in need of exertion.”

“Come inside. I fear that it might rain.” Jane looked up towards the sky, and Margaret did as well.

The happiness of seeing John again had blinded Margaret to the fact that storm clouds had formed in the distance. She hoped that John would return to the inn before the storm unleashed.

“Yes, let us go inside,” Margaret said, taking Jane’s warm.

Oh, but the end of the day would still be endless. She would be forced to sit through another supper with her father. Hopefully, he would be drunk enough by then not to mention the list of gentlemen he’d made.

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