Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Margaret took Septimus’s arm, and it happened again. A warmth she had never experienced before. Not that she had met many gentlemen. But those she had known had never affected her like this. She was glad Amanda and Meg had told her about it. Otherwise, Margaret might never know what the feeling meant.

He smiled at her. “Is everything all right? You are not tired?”

She had to laugh again. “Trust me. I am in no danger of being worn out by such a short journey. You have had a much longer one. Are you not fatigued?”

“Not at all. I have more energy than I’ve had in a very long time.” They strolled out the front door and turned the corner of the house to a lovely garden with shoulder high hedges. It was no wonder that the footman had recommended it. He glanced at her, making her wonder if he was about to say something. “What do you want in a husband? Have you given it much thought?”

Not at all. “None, I am afraid. I have spent the past several months trying to work out what you would be like.”

This time he laughed. “And I didn’t know about you at all until just before I left Canada.”

That was shocking, but after what she had been told about his father, not surprising. “And you agreed to meet me.”

“Indeed. Unlike you, I have been on the Town for years and have never met a lady I thought I might want to join my life to. After what Amanda, then Meg told me about you. I was more than interested.”

Meg? Margaret shook her head. She had only met the lady today. “But I did not know your sister-in-law.”

“I am aware.” He drew her a bit closer. So that her skits were brushing his shoes. “On the other hand, she has known Amanda for quite a while, and she managed to get as much information about you that Amanda got about me.”

“None of which she shared with me.” That was rather strange. “I wonder why she only told me you were nice and handsome. And that was after she had met you.”

“If you really want to know, you will have to ask her.” Septimus slid her an amused look. “What do you want in a husband?”

That was a very good question. “I suppose I want to be loved. My parents were very much in love. And for him to be a partner in running the estate. A friend. And a good father to any children we might have.”

That sounded very much like what he wanted. “Would you consider his opinions in improvements in the estate?”

Margaret had tried to implement more modern methods. Unfortunately, she had been unable to visit the experimental farms. “What sort of improvements?”

“Ones that are recommended by Coke in Norwich. I know that my married brothers who are here in England have visited.”

“I wanted to make a trip there but have not been able to do it. I have read about the methods, and I implemented as many as possible.”

“Do you have a school for the children of your dependents?”

That had never even come up. “The village has a Dame school, but I have never heard anyone mention schools on the estates.”

“I know several large landowners whose wives or, in some cases mothers have begun schools. It allows the children who will not take over the farm or concern to learn other trades or go on to higher learning.”

Why had she never considered that? She had never even asked if her tenants or other dependents needed help in that area. “You make an excellent point. It is something in which I would be interested in starting.”

“Now it is your turn.” His blue eyes captured hers, and she wanted to sigh. “What do you want in a wife? Or from a marriage?”

Much like you, I would like a lady to be a partner in my life. A friend. And a good mother to our children. I would like to have her trust. That, I believe, is very important. My married siblings have all made love matches. I think I want that as well.”

His sister-in-law had said he was smitten. Now was the time to find out what that meant. “But you cannot be in love with me so soon.”

A slow smile spread over his handsome face. “Maybe not yet, but I know that I want you. I want to wake up next to you and see you over the breakfast table every morning.”

Her friend had said strong feelings were immediately possible. “Oh, my. I never thought?—”

He turned her into his arms and his lips descended upon hers, ending her sentence. They were firm and she found herself kissing him back. As a first kiss went, it was rather wonderful. One hand held her waist, while the other slid along her back causing pleasurable shivers along her spine and up her neck.

He slanted his head. “Open your mouth for me.”

Margaret had no idea why he wanted her to do that, but she did, and his tongue slid in and began to play with hers. That was delightful. Warmth infused her body, and he pulled her closer. For no reason she could think of she slipped her arms around his neck causing her breasts to press against his amazingly hard chest. Then his hand slid from her neck to her derriere. Holding her close to him. A ridge pressed into her providing even more pleasure. Who knew a kiss could be so all consuming. When his fingers brushed her breast she forgot to breathe.

Sometime later, he broke the kiss, and her lips tried to follow his. “Why did you stop?”

He nuzzled the side of her head, pressing soft kisses there. “Because we need to talk some more before this goes any further.”

“I do not understand.” Why should they speak? “It felt very good.”

His lips formed a smile against her cheek. “I agree. I would like to take it further, but first, I must know how you feel about me.”

It was as if he had dumped a pail of cold water over her. “So soon?”

“If you want this—” He ran one finger gently across her cheek, down over her neck and to her breast—“to continue, I must know you are at least considering marrying me.”

So unfair. They were not having marital relations. That must be done in a bed. On the other hand, she knew that she should not kiss a gentleman unless she intended to marry him. Or a young lady should have that intent. Yet she was no longer young. Should she not have more privileges? “But why?”

“Because I will not ruin an innocent, and despite your age and responsibilities you are still innocent. Were I to continue, I’d unfasten your gown, and draw it down over your magnificent breasts, and kiss them.”

Just his words caused the spot between her legs to throb. “I-I do not what to say. I do not know what I am feeling other than I like very much kissing you and being touched by you.”

Septimus leaned his forehead against Margaret’s. “That’s a start.” Her eyes flew wide with something like fear. “A very good start. I forget that this, all of this is much newer to you than to me.” He kissed her lightly before tucking her hand in his arm. “We should probably start our way back to the house. Someone will wonder where we are.”

“I suppose they will. I had not considered that. We are out here without a chaperone.”

He held back the bark of laughter, but not a soft chuckle. “We are definitely lacking a chaperone. Do you want one?”

“No.” Her brows drew together as she shook her head. “No. I do not.” Then as if an idea had just occurred to her, she glanced up at him. “Tell me about our life as you see it.”

All his breath left him, but he resisted taking a large gulp of air. He’d not expected that question from her. “At first, I would learn about the estate from you. Meet your tenants and servants. Discover how you like things to be done. Fill in any needs you might have that are not being accomplished. At night, we would make love. In the morning too. We would learn each other’s desires. I imagine us breaking our fast together. Dining together in the evenings. Then reading or playing chess.” He caught her eye. “Do you play chess?”

Margeret’s sly look almost made him abandon his decision not to continue their caresses. “I do play.”

“Oh, good.” She was probably an excellent player as well. “At times we would socialize with our neighbors. Hold fêsts for our dependents and the town. Visit my family and have them visit.” He slid her a quick glance, wondering what she was thinking. “My brothers and sisters have been producing babies a pace. Our children are bound to have cousins of their ages.”

At that she laughed lightly. The same tinkling, shell-like laughter as before. “That will be nice. I was an only child, and my aunt Sperry, my mother’s sister had only one child, a boy, who was several years my senior.”

That was something he could give her that she never had. A large family. “You will like my siblings and their spouses. Do you know anything about them?”

Margaret gave him a mischievous grin. “I did look in Debrett’s. You are very well connected.”

“I never think of it that way, but you’re correct. Fortunately, they are all much like Meg and Hawksworth in that they are without pretentions and progressive. They will like you. Anna will especially like you and you her. She is a duchess in her own right and was extremely careful about who she married.”

“I take it that your father attempted to stop the wedding?”

“The duke. None of us refer to him as our father. He gave up that honor years ago. But the answer is yes. He attempted to abduct Quartus the day before the wedding. He took Anna’s family name. One of my other brothers, Fank, married an American heiress and took her family name as well.”

Margaret stopped walking and turned to face him. “Is that something you would be willing to do?”

Septimus had been mulling it over in his mind since being told she would be a baroness. “I do not see why I should not. My family name is of no use to me. I neither want nor need the duke’s influence. As far as I can see, you do not require it either.”

“No. I do not. And from what you and Meg have told me, I am much better off without his interference in my life.”

“To the best of my knowledge, the only one who will miss him when he dies is our mother.” It was a mystery to all of them why. “She is genuinely fond of him. Still, she assists us when she is able, but she will not openly cross him.”

“You love her very much.”

“We all do.” Mama was the one who made sure they felt loved and wanted for something other than a means to an end. “I gathered from what you said that you were close to your mother as well.”

“Yes.” Margaret’s eyes misted. “We were very close. The two of us. She and my father. The three of us together. When she was gone, my father and I clung to each other.”

That was what she could show him the kind of love that both parents have for a child and one another. “I envy you that.”

She pulled out a handkerchief and blew her nose. Even that action was graceful. “I still miss her.”

He wrapped his arms around Margaret, drawing her close. Wanting to take her pain into him so that she wouldn’t feel it any longer. “I know.”

She leaned against him for a long minute before straightening. “What must you think of me.”

Naturally, she was embarrassed. She probably never sought physical comfort from anyone with the exception of her father. And it had most likely been a long time since she had shown her grief to him. “I think you are one of the strongest women I have ever known. I want you to feel free to take comfort from me.”

“Thank you for that.” She gazed at him for a few moments then shook her head. “I must think.”

“I understand.” Once again, he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Come. We will return to the house. You have some time before dinner to engage in your thoughts.”

A small smile donned on her face. “That is an interesting way to put it.”

“The language of diplomacy is not just for the Foreign Office.” When they reached the front steps, he stopped and turned to her. “Despite what you have been told. I do not wish to rush you into a decision.”

“I would not be in any event.” She reached up and kissed him. “I shall see you in the drawing room.”

“Until then.” He escorted her into the hall and watched as she seemed to float up the stairs. He wanted, desperately wanted, her to say yes to him. To tell him she was falling in love with him as he had fallen hard in love with her. But patience would win her over faster than pushing her. Well, patience and kisses. His brother had been correct. Lust was a start.

“Did you have a good walk?” Hawksworth asked from the door of a small drawing room. With him stood Meg and the Maryvilles.

“We did.” Septimus followed them into the drawing room, taking a glass of wine from his brother. “We had a very good discussion about what we each wanted from a spouse. I am ready to marry her tomorrow. She is not yet sure of her feelings for me.”

“But she is thinking about it?” Meg asked.

“I believe she is.” He knew she was. Even though she had known this was coming. He didn’t believe it had been real to her before. Something that could actually take place. “She has gone to her chamber to do just that.” He glanced at his brother. “I have discovered that I too want a wife who loves me.”

“It is best for both parties if they love each other and their love is based on mutual respect and admiration.”

“And knowing they want the same things from life,” Meg added. “We have a little time.

Septimus wanted to tell her that he would give Margaret all the time she desired. “Have you spoken to her about a plan?

Both she and Amanda nodded. “She wants to have the wedding at Sutton Hall with her father in attendance. I have devised a scheme to accomplish her wishes. I trust that we left Town well before the duke had time to send his watchers.”

Septimus turned to Meg who always seemed to have a better idea of what the duke would do than anyone else. “How much time?”

She took a sip of wine. “You were several weeks early. If we are lucky, he will send his minions shortly before your expected arrival. If not, he will be monitoring the ships’ arrivals. In that case we have very little time. Once he ascertains that you are not in London or at one of our estates, he will look at Sutton Hall, and possibly her aunt’s house.

“And they will send someone there,” Margaret said from the door.

“That is a distinct possibility,” Meg confirmed. “Would you like to write to her?”

One of Margaret’s perfectly shaped brows rose. “And tell her that a deranged duke is attempting to find his son or me?”

Meg raised one shoulder and dropped it. “It might be necessary.”

Margaret glanced at Septimus. “I would like to speak to you alone if I may.”

He had immediately risen when he realized she was in the room. “Of course.” He looked at the others. “If you will excuse us?”

“You can be private in the morning room,” Amanda said. “It is at the end of the corridor.”

Striding to the door he took Margaret’s hand, and they made their way to the back of the house to a large room filled with mismatched furniture and children’s accoutrements. “What is it?”

She took his other hand and squeezed it. “I think I might be falling in love with you. I do not know for certain. But I have developed feelings I have never had before.”

He knew, but she did not, that it might be lust. Women had relations with men they did not love, or even like. “I can tell you with certainty that I love you. I want to be your helpmate. Not take your burdens from your but help you carry them.”

She laughed lightly. “Some of them I would gladly give to you.”

“I understand that you have no idea when you will know you are in love with me. I want to give you time.”