The Lady Setton

Part 4

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"Jane,come here!" Kitty called out one day as I walked back from my lessons.Her eyes were full concern and fear, I ran to her and said "What is it?" Kitty was breathless but she was bale to say 

"it's Margaret, I found her crying in the gardens soon after her talk with Edward"

At once I was full of concern, I said "Why?" Kitty shrugged her shoulders and said "She would not tell me, I think he ended their affair" at once I ran with Kitty, fearing the worst. I found Meg under a tree, her dress stained with tears.

"Meg," I said, kneeling beside her, "What happened?" She looked up at me with red-rimmed eyes, her face pale as snow. "It's over," she whispered, her voice barely a whisper. "What is?" I asked, my heart racing, Meg sobbed as she said "he left me! oh god why?" I wrapped my arms around her, trying to offer her some comfort.

"I gave him everything....m-my time, my love and my body" Meg sobbed, I saw Kitty raise her brow and said "what do you mean?" Meg looked up and gasped,as if she said too much,she whispered "I gave him my virginity" and again she was sobbing,Her shoulders heaving.

Kitty and I looked at each other,both shocked.Meg had always been so innocent and naive,I never thought she would do such a thing.I knew Edward was quite the charmer,but I never thought he would take advantage of Meg like that,but I could not blame him entirely,she had made her own choice.

"Meg how could you! you are only fifteen, how could you let it go that far?" Kitty asked, her voice filled with both shock and concern. Margaret looked at us with a mix of anger and sadness in her eyes "I love him," she said simply, "and he said he loved me too."

"Did he tell you why he was ending the affair?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm and gentle. Margaret sniffled and nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "He said he's tired of me,he likes older woman and I'm just a child" I felt rage boil inside of me,How could he say that to her?

"Meg," I said firmly, "You are not a child,you are fifteen and Edward Waldegrave is a cad!" Kitty agreed with a nod "Aye,He's no good for you,Meg.You deserve better,there will be other men,better ones" Meg shook her head and said "No, i loved Edward,I loved him so much that it will be the death of me to see him with another woman"

Kitty stood up and said "Meg, it is not the end of the world,You will love again and you will find someone who truly loves you and cares for you" I nodded in agreement "We will help you through this,we are your sisters,that's what we do" Meg looked up at us with a sad smile "Thank you," she said, her voice small and defeated, her pretty face turned solenm as she said "But I fear I shall never fall in love again"

I took her hand and said "Meg, you are a lovely girl,funny,inteligent,very pretty and very merry, I can not imagine how you feel now but one day, you will be with a man who will love you,with every fiber of his being,and cherish you like the treasure you are." Kitty nodded and said "And we will be there,always,no matter what"

Margaret looked up at us with wet eyes, and whispered "Thank you,both of you,but I don't know if I can go through that again" I squeezed her hand and said "You don't have to think about that right now,just focus on getting better,and let's keep this between us,allright?"

Meg was ready to stand up,I took her hand and helped her up,Her knees were shaking,I could feel it.We made our way back to the Dorter,Her sobs echoing through the empty halls.I knew we had to be careful,The Duchess had a keen ear and would not take lightly to us causing a scene.

When we reached the Dorter,I made her lay down on her bed and said "Rest Meg,you need it,I will not leave you" Kitty nodded in agreement "I will stay too,We are in this together" Meg's eyes closed,exhaustion taking over her.I sat on the bed,watching her,my heart breaking.Once we heard Meg's snoring, kitty and i went out to the hall,I couldn't shake the anger I felt towards Edward,How could he do such a thing to Meg? I saw the fury in Kitty's eyes as she said "I can not believe Edward did this to her"
There was a silence between us and I felt a new fear creep in,I knew what Kitty was thinking,what if Meg was with child,what would happen to her? I knew the Duchess would not take it well, she was a pious woman and had no tolerance for such things.

"We must keep a watch on her," Kitty said, her voice low and determined. "If she's with child, we'll have to find a way to help her" I raised my brow and said "How?" Kitty looked at me and said "I don't know,but we will,we have to"

That night, we had to lie to the Duchess that Meg was not feeling well and could not eat dinner, fearing she might suspect something if she saw her swollen eyes and tear-stained face. The tension in the room was thick as we tried to keep our conversation light, hoping she would not ask further questions. After she left, we turned our attention back to Margaret, who was still in a state of despair.

"Do you want us to talk to Edward? see if i can talk some sense back into him?" Kitty said, her voice filled with determination. Margaret shook her head "No,it is too late,I know he won't come back to me,I just need to move on,but I can't" Her voice was barely a whisper, it has been weeks already and she had not eaten much,she had lost weight and her eyes had lost their spark.

"We'll help you," I promised, squeezing her hand. "But you have to eat and take care of yourself, for all of us" Kitty nodded in agreement "We won't let you down,Meg" Margaret took a deep breath and nodded "Thank you" she said.
Days turned into weeks,Meg slowly started to come out of her sadness.We kept a close eye on her,making sure she was eating and not getting too upset.But the fear of her being with child was always present,like a dark cloud looming over us.Every night I prayed to the Virgin Mary that Meg would not be with child.

One evening,while we were playing a card game,I noticed something was off with Meg,Her face was paler than usual and she was looking at her stomach with a sadness that was hard to miss.I looked at Kitty and she had noticed too.

"Meg,are you okay?" I asked,my voice filled with concern. She looked up at me and said "I don't think so,Jane" Kitty and I exchanged worried glances. "What's wrong?" Kitty said,trying to keep the fear from her voice,but it was evident. Meg took a deep breath and said "I was supposed to get my courses three weeks ago,but they haven't come"

Kitty and I stared at her,the realization setting in. "Do you think..." Kitty started,but I already knew what she was thinking.Margaret was with child,and there was no doubt who the father was. "What are we going to do?" Margaret whispered, her voice trembling with fear,Her eyes searched ours for answers we did not have."We'll think of something," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. But inside,my stomach was churning.Unwed pregnancy was a disaster,especially in the Duchess's household .We had to keep this a secret,at least until we figured out what to do.
"I can ask some of the older ladies for help" Kitty said, her voice barely above a whisper. "They might know some remedies or herbs to-" Kitty was cut off by Meg's desperate shake of the head, "No, if you are suggesting to kill the child,then I can not do it,I can not" her voice was filled with horror.

I knew Kitty meant well,but we could not even consider such a thing.I placed a hand on Meg's shoulder and said "We are not thinking that way,Meg.We will find a way to help you, I promise"