Summer's end arrived and caught them deeply in love. It was time to go back to the country house, to real life. Time to hide their romance once again. Their last night at the beach house was sleepless. They made love to each other in any way they could think of. Knowing they wouldn't be able to touch each other for a long time. As soon as the sun rose, Margaret went back to her role as handmaid, and James treated her politely but keeping the distance. Their actions didn't show there was something more, but their eyes did.
The return to the country house was hard for everyone. Richard was still there, as he would return to the Army one week later, and he did hurtful commentaries over Margaret. It didn't become more because James interfered once again. Dame Martha hadn't arrived, but she was bound to during the following days. Because of the Dame's absence, Margaret managed to spend most of her time at the library, where James occasionally joined her to discuss about politics or literature. They never went further, however, knowing that the house had a thousand eyes.
Routine soon settled back into the household, with Richard leaving and Dame Martha retaking her position. The lady had returned from her stay with her sister rejuvenated. She was still young, but widowhood had sunk deep into her bones. She also had an idea in her mind, her son needed to marry, and soon. She discussed it one day with James, and Margaret happened to be close enough to overhear.
-James, son, I think you should start thinking about marriage. You need to form a family, settle down.
-But mother, I am still young, I am only twenty-three.
-I am not saying you need to marry now. I am saying you need to start thinking about it, find a suitable girl, court her. It is not easy.
The thought made James sick, even if he knew his mother meant well, he couldn't help but feel she was treating girls like horses.
-And what about love?
-You don't need love at first, it might come with time.
-I will think about it, mother.
And think about it he did, he thought about it the whole day and the whole night. He was still thinking about it when he entered the library and the door closed behind him. He looked around, startled, and saw Margaret holding the door shut behind her back.
-What are you going to do?- she asked, anger and sadness mixed in her voice.
-I don't know. You are the one I want to marry. You know that, but my mother won't allow it.
-It is worth trying. What do you have to lose?
-It's difficult, Margaret, and you know it.
-I only know that I want to be able to kiss you without hiding, to sleep in your bed everyday. This is what I want.
She kissed him lightly on the lips and left without a word. During the following week they didn't almost speak, they would met on the corridors his eyes full of sorrow, hers full of pride. Dame Martha had started inviting the young daughters of her social circle. Most of them were lovely, but docile. James decided to make an effort to please her mother, but he found most of them uninteresting.
-I don't think this is working, mother.- he confessed.
-What are you looking for, son? These are the finest young ladies of the region, any of them would become an extraordinary wife.
-They are boring, mother.
-Boring?
-Yes, boring. I want someone who stimulates me intellectually. Someone like Margaret.
-I won't deny Margaret is an extraordinary young lady, but she is not from your social status, and you know it.- she didn't add anything else, but it was implied she thought the maid was not enough for her firstborn.
-Yes mother, I know it.
Margaret met him at their usual place the following day. James didn't need to say anything, she knew by his miserable looks. They had always known their love was impossible, but they held some hope. That afternoon none of them said a word, they just looked into each other's eyes and felt loved.
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