Even if the environment was more relaxed, they still had to pretend they didn't have feelings for each other. They could be more friendly, but to a point. In the end, Dame Martha was always with them. That changed quite unexpectedly when Dame Martha received a telegram from her younger sister, Dianne. Dianne was ten years younger than her, and pregnant with her fourth child. Dame Martha's sister asked her to go help her with the delivery, her husband was away, and she was feeling helpless.
-I will be leaving tomorrow, dear. - she told her son.- I am leaving Margaret to take care of the house, and you.
James couldn't believe his luck. Even if they would need to keep their forms out of the house, they would be alone most of the time, as the only servants they had were at the kitchen and they spent the night at their own homes.
Dame Martha left the following morning, promising to send a telegram as soon as she arrived to her sister's.
-Have fun, children. Take care of him, Margaret, don't let him go chase away the town girls.
Margaret smiled and did a curtsey, she had fashioned her hair in a low bun that day, and it got loose as she inclined. She dismissed herself as Dame Martha gave James some final indications. He found her sitting at the edge of the low wall at the end of the garden. She had left her hair loose and it was flowing with the wind. James climbed by her side, looking at the sea. They were so close they almost touched, but James was too scared to make the first move.
-James.- called Margaret softly.
-Yes?
-Why can't we live like this forever? Just you and me, staring at the sea. It would be so wonderful.
She leaned her head against his shoulder and took his left hand with her right. It was the first real physical contact they had ever had, and yet it felt so familiar. And they had an unlimited amount of time on their hands, but no one wanted to rush it.
It wasn't until the evening when they took a step further. During dinner, they had spoken respectfully to each other, wary of the kitchen servants. James talked about politics and business, and she would only assent and ask polite questions. As soon as the servants retired and left for the night everything changed. Margaret insisted on going back to their place on the wall. She sat wrapping his arms around her, as if he were her shield. Her legs swung over the edge, and she closed her eyes. James looked at her, unable to believe his luck for having found her, but also hating that they had been born in different social classes. She lay down, her head on his lap, and stared at him with her green eyes.
-What are you thinking about? - she asked.
-I was thinking I am really glad we started speaking, otherwise I would have never discovered what an extraordinary human being you are.- he replied, playing with her hair.- I was thinking I love you, and I don't think I will ever love as much anyone else in my lifetime.
-James.- she said as she stood up.
-Yes?
-Kiss me.
Their first kiss served to confirm what they had felt in the morning, their bodies were made for each other, they had found home. And, somehow it only made it worse. Margaret knew that as soon as Dam Martha returned it would be over forever, yet a part of her resisted to face it. James decided to ignore the problem altogether, thinking he would find a way around.
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