“Isn’t that every day this month?” Louisa hissed. “He’ll lose the house if he is not careful!”
“I know.” Margaret nodded quickly. “If I knew of a way to stop him going, I would.”
“If only there was a way,” Penelope seconded, as Alexandra nodded.
James climbed into a carriage and left without a backwards glance or a wave. Evelina in contrast waved many times from her carriage as she was driven away down the street.
Margaret wasn’t sure how long she stood there, staring at the road and the empty spaces they had left behind, but in the end, young Penelope came to steer her away.
“Come. The housekeeper has made more tea for us.”
“Yes, tea, that will make everything better.”
“Do you have a better idea?” Alexandra asked, taking Margaret’s other arm as Louisa turned to close the door.
“I wish I did.”
Margaret sat in the window seat, miserably staring out into the street. Darkness had fallen and their father had still not returned from the gambling hall, not that they had expected him to make an appearance.
In the sitting room, Alexandra and Penelope were playing a distracted game of cards, though from what Margaret could hear, they both repeatedly forgot what game they were playing. Clearly, their minds were on other things. Louisa had her head bent over a book and was reading with avid attention that Margaret rather envied.
Candles were lit around the room by the housekeeper.
“My Lady, would you like me to bring you more tea?” the housekeeper asked gently, stopping at Margaret’s side.
“I fear we have had enough tea to drown us all today. We’re certainly all glugging. Perhaps some of father’s port instead?”
Alexandra dropped her handful of cards in alarm and Louisa closed up her book with a sharp snap.
“He’ll be too drunk to know when he returns,” Margaret pointed out. With a mischievous smile, the housekeeper nodded. She returned a few seconds later and poured them all glasses of port before she left.
“Do you hope to forget sorrows in port?” Louisa asked, somewhat knowingly.
“It seems to work for our father. He forgets how close we are to destitution because of port. Maybe it will work for me, too.” She took a small sip, then smiled. “Nope, I still remember.”
Her sisters all smiled rather sadly at her jest.
Margaret reset herself in the window seat, looking out into the darkness, when she suddenly saw movement. Was that a horse? No, it couldn’t be a horse pulling up outside their house so late at night. Perhaps it was just a disturbance in the shadows, but the shadow seemed to part into two. Part of it hurried up to their front door and rang the bell.
They all sat rigid in their seats, exchanging curious glances as they heard murmurs of the housekeeper greeting their guest. A few seconds later, heavy footsteps approached the door of the sitting room.
They stood together as the housekeeper opened the door.
“My ladies,” the housekeeper said formerly, though her querulous voice revealed her nervousness. “The Duke of Thornfield is here to see the Lady Margaret.”
Stepping in behind her was the tall and towering form of the Duke of Thornfield.
This is not possible.
Margaret had been so certain she would never see him again that she just stood there, staring at him in the most unladylike fashion with her lips parted.
“Ahem.” Louisa cleared her throat to get the room’s attention. “Well, Alexandra and Penelope, you two can go to your rooms. I shall sit and read my book to chaperone. I’ll be in that far corner.” She gestured to a very distant corner of the room.
There was sudden activity. The housekeeper led the way out of the room as Penelope hurried out behind her, gripping tightly onto Alexandra’s hand to drag her out, too, though she looked very much as if she was tempted to fight tooth and nail to stay. Louisa retreated into a far corner, completely absorbed with her book.
Margaret didn’t move until the door closed with a firm click, and she flinched.
“Your Grace, what are you –”
