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“The nerve of her,” Lysander muttered as they watched her go. “That she would think she can simply apologize and –”

“Let us nae worry about it,” Margaret spoke over him. “I am already past it.”

“You are?”

She smiled and rested a hand on the side of his face as she looked at him. “The only opinion I care for is my husband’s. And I would hope he is the same.”

“He is.”

“Good.” She took his hands again. “Now, I believe there was mention of a dance…”

He laughed and allowed himself to be pulled, and for a few minutes at least, Margaret let herself forget the stresses that came with playing host, losing herself in the eyes and arms of her husband, whom she loved with all her heart.

They danced as if there was no one else in the world, because in those moments, it felt that way.

Is that what marriage is? An escape from reality?

Or perhaps this is my reality, and nothing outside of this right here matters?

The night went as well as could be expected, yet it was long and tiring, and when the last of the guests finally made their exit, Margaret felt herself breathing a sigh of relief. Still, the night was not done.

“Come on…” Lysander took her by the hand and led her up the stairs. “Let us make sure that they have not run out on us.”

She laughed. “Two months and still you persist with the same joke.”

They arrived at Aurelia and Lenora’s room, gently opening the door so a sliver of light crept inside.

Together, they peeked through the crack, brightening to see both girls sound asleep.

For a moment, they simply watched them, unable to look away because such an endearing sight made Margaret’s heart swell so that it felt like it might burst.

As wonderful as this marriage was, it would be nothing without those two girls.

They were the glue that held it all together, an ingredient that added just the right amount of spice and excitement and warmth.

All her life, Margaret had wanted a family of her own, and now she had one.

A husband she loved. She adored her two daughters. What more could she possible wish for…

“Say…” It was as if he could read her mind. Lysander gently closed the door, keeping hold of her hand. “I have been thinking…”

“About?”

He was nervous all of a sudden, unable to look Margaret directly in the eye. “These last two months have been a dream, Margaret. Beyond anything I could have hoped for.”

“I should hope so.”

“And not just you and I,” he continued, his nerves seeming to grow. “But the girls, also. You are everything to them, they adore you like the world, and for that, I could not be more grateful.”

“I love them as if they are my own,” she said most seriously. “Ye ken this.”

“But they are not your own.”

The words sounded harsh, and Margaret leaned back in surprise. She tried to search Lysander’s eyes, but he still refused to give them. “And is that a problem?”

His eyes widened as he realized how that must have sounded. “No! That’s not what I –” He caught his tongue, took a breath, and made sure to hold her hands as he finally met her eyes. “What I meant was, I know how much you have always wanted a family.”

“And I have one.”

“That you do,” he agreed. “And where it is a fine start, my feeling is that it is only that. A start, I mean…” He raised an eyebrow at her as if hoping she would pick up what he was saying.

Her heart began to race. Is he… “Lysander, what are ye saying?”

“I think it is time that we try for a child of your own.” He squeezed her hands. “I love you, Margaret. I intend to spend the rest of my life with you. What is more, I want you to be happy .”

“I am happy.”

“I know that, but that does not mean we need to keep things as they are. Aurelia is eleven. Lenora six. And my feeling is they might benefit from another sister… or a brother…” He smiled at the thought.

“Whatever happens, a boy or a girl, I want to raise a child with you. That is if…” He sucked through his teeth nervously. “If you wish for the same?”

Margaret was speechless, a rare thing to be sure.

This was… it was not at all what she had expected.

Truly, she was perfectly happy with the family she had found herself a part of, and if it stayed that way, she would have counted herself as the luckiest woman in all of England.

And she was sure to let Lysander know that time and time again. Having said that…

She could not keep the smile from her lips, just as she could not keep her heart from swelling so it might burst. A family of her own… or rather, an addition to the one she already had. Nothing would make her happier.

“Lysander…” Unable to help herself, she took his face and pulled him into a kiss. “Yes. Yes. A thousand times, yes.”

He grinned. “I was hoping you would say that. Just as I was hoping…” He flashed his eyes suggestively, and she knew exactly what he was thinking. “… that you are not so tired from this evening.”

“Oh…” She smiled sheepishly. “Well, now that you mention it, I am feeling rather energized. Such that I might have trouble falling asleep.”

“We best wear you out then,” he said, continuing to grin. “And I can think of one way…”

They laughed together and then made their way down the hall and toward their bedroom.

For two months now, life has been the embodiment of happiness and bliss.

Love, romance, and plenty of tumbling beneath the sheets, because what was marriage without a little bit of filth?

Two months, and if tonight was any indication…

things are going to remain this way for some time yet.

Personally, Margaret could not have been gladder for the fact.

For her husband. For her two stepdaughters.

For the child they were about to make. And, most importantly, for the passion that Lysander brought as if each day he was having her for the first time.

That, above all else, was what Margaret coveted most.

The End?