Chapter Three #2
Nick hesitated for a moment, then agreed quietly, “Well, do you think he had something to do with Father’s death?” The question hung in the air, heavy and unspoken for too long.
The dowager’s eyes narrowed, her expression turning grave. “I have wondered,” she admitted softly, “but I have no proof. Still, there were things about that day that never sat right with me.”
“Do you care to share?” Nick asked.
“Nick,” Will said. “This really isn’t proper dinner conversation.”
Will had been trying to pay attention to the conversation but found himself glancing at Margaret.
He caught her eye for a fleeting moment, searching for some hint of reassurance amidst the emotional conversation at the table.
Her calm demeanor seemed to steady him, though he could see a flicker of worry pass across her features before she composed herself once more.
Watching his brother’s face closely, he was relieved when Nick finally did respond. “You’re right of course. I apologize.”
“I do have a question,” the older woman said. “What on earth possessed you to push your brother and Margaret into the lake? You know Will’s feelings about the lake and the water.”
Nick shifted in his seat while he stared down at his plate, pushing peas around on the plate. “I wasn’t. Will needs to get over his fear. He likes Margaret quite a bit and I saw an opportunity to try and get these two together. So I ran and pushed.”
“I see,” she replied.
Seeing an opportunity to cut the tension in the room at the moment, Jane questioned her mother. “I understand you’re thinking of moving back into the manor?”
“Yes, I am. Will and I have had a conversation about the matter.”
Jane squealed. “That would be wonderful, Mother.”
“We’d all be back together, minus Father of course,” Nick added.
“True. It’s not up to Will to finish raising you, no matter how good a job he’s done.”
Margaret, who had been quietly observing what was transpiring, spoke up. “When are you planning the move?”
“There are some details to be worked out, such as refreshing the paint and wallcovering. I’d like that done before I move in.”
“Of course,” Margaret replied.
Once the dowager’s plans to return to the manor house were known, the mood became lighter.
Will’s mother’s return would be beneficial for everyone, including him.
The thought of having her presence in the house again brought a sense of comfort and reassurance he hadn’t realized he missed.
He’d been too busy not only taking over his inherited role, but of being some sort of authority figure to his younger siblings.
After dinner, everyone retired to the drawing room for a time.
The girls were talking with the dowager about things women liked.
Nick had settled in with a book he’d been reading for the past week.
Will walked across the room and over to the French doors, which had been left open on this warmer than usual evening.
He strode out to the terrace, standing and glancing at the garden below.
The faint scent of honeysuckle drifted up on the mild breeze, and the gentle rustle of leaves brought a moment of calm to his busy thoughts.
Waves could be heard as they crashed against the rocks below.
The sound reminded him of the tide being high.
A nearly full moon made the evening perfect.
Everything that could be seen appeared to have an aura about it.
Behind him he heard the soft rustle of a woman’s skirts coming toward him. Then he caught a whiff of orange and vanilla, a scent he recognized as belonging to Margaret.
“Would you care for some company, or would you prefer to be alone?” she asked quietly.
Will turned toward her and ran a hand through his hair. “I’d love some company. Would you care to go for a walk in the gardens?”
“A walk in the gardens sounds heavenly.”
Before they could walk over to the stairs leading to the gardens, his mother stepped out of the house. “Will? I wanted to say goodnight. I need to go. Lady Clementine is visiting tomorrow and is planning on being here early.”
“It was wonderful to have you, and we’re all looking forward to you moving back home,” he said. He turned and walked toward her. He took her hands and squeezed them.
“As am I. Should you see me, it’s because I need measurements or need to bring a decorator to see the suite.”
“This is your home, Mother. I’ll inform the housekeeper and Cook of your return.”
“Thank you. Now why don’t you take Lady Margaret on a moonlit walk,” she replied. She turned and headed back into the drawing room.
Will watched her for a second, then turned his attention to Margaret. “I’m happy to see she’s moving on from my father’s death.”
“I think everyone is,” Margaret replied. “I know Jane was thrilled to have her for dinner. She’s missed her mother more than anyone knows.”
Quietly guiding Margaret to the stairs, Will stayed close. Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, he slipped her hand into the crook of his arm, and they began to walk along the lantern-lit path.
They walked in a comfortable silence for a while. He led her to a bench. “Would you care to sit a few moments?”
She nodded and in a moment Margaret gracefully sat.
Sitting down next to her was unsettling.
Will’s body gave him away and he found it extremely hard to breathe normally.
No woman had ever made him feel like he did at this moment.
Sitting beside Margaret, beneath the gentle glow of the moon and in the hush of the evening, he was overtaken by a warmth and quiet excitement he had never known before.
His heart beat with a hopeful energy, as if the night itself was holding its breath for them.
“Did your mother ever mention what she wants from the lake house?” Margaret inquired.
Will shook his head. “All she’s told me was to get a boat readied for her; that she knew what and where she’d find it.”
“Very secretive.”
“That’s what I thought, but then I realized whatever it is she wants is very personal to her,” Will replied.
“Are you going to take her?”
“Tomorrow, after Lady Clementine leaves,” Will said.
“I’m glad your fear of water is subsiding.”
Will nodded, reaching for her hand. “I am as well. I still don’t care for the lake, but I’m able to put my fears aside for her.”
She squeezed his hand. “Shall we continue our walk?”
Both stood. Margaret gazed up at him and smiled. Will peered down at her, placing her hand in the crook of his arm. He was going to hold on to his urge to kiss her for a while longer. By the time their walk was over, she would agree to him courting her.
It was something they both wanted, but life had been keeping them from making such a commitment.
Nick seemed anxious to play the little brother to the end.
Will was certain his brother might very well be hiding somewhere close by and would come popping out of the bushes at what he determined to be perfect timing.
“Should we try to walk the maze?” he asked as they came to a halt in front of the entrance to the maze. His great-grandfather designed it, and each subsequent duke made it increasingly complex.
“That will take time. Are you sure no one will come looking for us?”
“We’ll go as far as we can. If someone comes looking for us, I doubt they’d try looking for us in the maze.”
She smiled and nodded. “You’re right; it will give us some privacy.”
“It will. I for one need to kiss you and kiss you passionately,” Will replied.
“Lead the way,” she whispered, holding on to his arm tightly.
They entered and Will took her off to the right and walked to another intersection.
He took that path and they found themselves in another dead-end.
He said nothing and placed his hands on her cheeks and leaned down and kissed her.
The kiss started off gentle as they became familiar each with the other.
She opened to him, allowing access to the depths of her mouth.
They both moaned and the kiss intensified.
By the time they pulled themselves apart, both were breathing hard. One of Will’s hands began to wander her neck. He followed with a kiss.
“Margaret, I’ve waited an eternity for this moment,” his baritone rumbled.
“We’ve kissed before, silly,” she replied.
“But not like this,” he reminded her.
“No, but I like it very much.”
“As do I,” Will replied. “So much so, I would like to court you. We have so much in common. I find I can talk to you about anything. You bring out feelings and emotions I’ve long kept locked away.”
“You flatter me.”
“It’s the truth. Once your parents return, I plan to go to your father and ask for your hand in marriage.”
Margaret smiled at him. “I wish I knew when they plan to return. The last I heard from them they were talking about spending the winter in the south of France or Italy. We might need a backup plan just in case.”
“We could always go to Gretna Green,” he said.
“True, but that wouldn’t be fair to your mother,” she replied.
“Why don’t you write your parents and see if you can narrow down their itinerary. While we’re waiting for their reply, we can speak with my mother about how to handle the situation.”
“She would know, and it would give her something to look forward to.”
“That’s a brilliant idea,” Will replied.
She gently took his hand in hers. “I know it is. It’s funny how we’ve gone from courting to planning a wedding in a matter of minutes.”
“I like to be prepared for any possibility,” he said with great certainty.
Margaret giggled. “Is that what you’re calling it?”
Will’s eyes softened, and without another word, he leaned over and kissed her passionately on the lips. The world seemed to fall away for a moment, leaving only the two of them in quiet anticipation and hope.
“I suppose we should head back inside before someone comes looking for us,” he groaned. He rose and extended his hand to help her from the bench.