Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

“ W hat are you doing in here?” Peggy asked.

Morgan sat comfortably at the breakfast table, his posture relaxed as he idly perused the morning’s paper. A steaming mug of coffee rested in his hand, and he didn’t look up immediately as he replied, “What do people typically do in the breakfast room in the mornings, Margaret?”

The wryness in his tone tugged a smile across her face before she could stop it. She stepped further into the room, her gaze lingering on him in disbelief. Morgan, here, joining her for breakfast? It was a first, and she found herself marveling at her good fortune.

Beyond her surprise, she felt an immense relief settle over her. He looked like himself again, composed and unbothered. After the distressing events of the previous night, seeing him so seemingly at ease made her heart feel lighter.

After serving herself a modest plate, she took a seat across from him at the table, folding her hands primly in her lap before glancing at him again. “How was your night?” she ventured, keeping her tone casual though her heart felt anything but.

She studied him carefully, searching for any sign that he might remember her presence in his room or the nightmare that had consumed him. But Morgan betrayed nothing. His expression was calm, his gaze still fixed on the paper, his movements unhurried.

“I cannot complain,” he replied smoothly, setting the paper aside for a moment to sip his coffee.

What struck Peggy most was that he seemed genuinely satisfied, a far cry from the anguish she had witnessed hours earlier. Her brow furrowed slightly as she lowered her gaze to her plate, her thoughts racing. If this was a good night for him, then how awful were the bad ones?

A pang of emotion tightened her chest, and she found herself overwhelmed by an unexpected desire. She wanted to take his pain away, to ease whatever burdens tormented him. She wanted to see him free of the shadows that seemed to haunt him. I need to find a way to help him.

Peggy felt her curiosity tug at her, mingling with the concern that had taken root in her heart since last night. She stole another glance at Morgan as he sipped his coffee, the picture of calm and composure. How could he appear so at ease after what I witnessed? she wondered. But she knew better than to broach the subject now. If she brought it up, she would risk souring the rare pleasantness between them.

No, she would leave her questions for another time. For now, she resolved to enjoy the moment.

As they shared breakfast, the conversation turned to the ball the night before, and Peggy’s smile widened as they discussed the success of the event. Morgan’s remarks surprised her, his wit sharp but lighthearted.

“You seem unreasonably pleased about it all,” he observed with amusement.

“Unreasonably?” she echoed, arching a brow as she reached for her teacup. “I see nothing unreasonable about celebrating a triumph.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “You get excited over the most mundane things.”

“Says the stoic,” she retorted, her tone playful but pointed.

Morgan laughed then—a deep, warm sound that sent a surprising thrill through her. It wasn’t the first time he’d laughed in her presence, but it felt significant all the same. Peggy found herself smiling back at him, her heart lifting at the ease of the moment. If only every morning could be like this.

She realized suddenly that she didn’t want to let go of these moments, these fleeting glimpses of connection that hinted at something deeper. Her joy wavered for a moment as she recalled the arrangement they had both agreed to. She had only a short time left in this household, and when the arrangement ended, he would send her away. The thought filled her with a quiet but persistent ache.

But then, as she watched Morgan laugh with her over their breakfast, a sudden idea came to her—a bold, almost reckless thought. What if I made him care deeply enough for me that he’d never want to send me away?

The notion grew roots almost immediately, and her heart quickened at the prospect. Yes, that was it. She would make him fall in love with her. Surely, it isn’t impossible, she thought. After all, whatever she was doing now seemed to be working. Slowly but surely, Morgan was taking those first steps to open up, just as she had hoped.

With renewed determination, Peggy set down her teacup and met Morgan’s gaze with a brightness she hadn’t felt in days. This was a challenge she was willing to take on.

One she fully intended to win.