دوستت دارم

CHAPTER TEN

‘I Love You’

Stephen Guest and his family lived at Park House, near St Ogg’s. At the end of May, there was a dance at Park House. There were bright lights in the rooms. There was music. People were dancing.

Stephen Guest was dancing with Lucy. She was very happy. Maggie was happy too. She loved music and dancing.

At first, Stephen did not speak to Maggie. But he looked at her many times. He wanted to dance with her. He wanted to hold her hand. But he danced with Lucy.

Then Stephen saw Maggie again. She was sitting alone. He went towards her. Maggie looked at him and she smiled.

‘It is very warm here,’ Stephen said. ‘Shall we go into the garden?’

Maggie stood up. Stephen held her arm. They walked together into the garden. They stood near some red roses. Maggie held one of the flowers. It had a sweet smell.

‘The flowers are very beautiful,’ said Maggie. Stephen did not answer.

Suddenly, Stephen touched Maggie’s arm. Then he kissed it, again and again.

Maggie pulled her arm away. Her dark eyes were angry.

‘Stephen’ she said. ‘This is wrong! You love Lucy! Please go away now. We must never meet alone again!’

Maggie went quickly into the house. A few minutes later, Stephen followed her.

Maggie listened to the music. She talked to people. She smiled. But she did not look at Stephen Guest.

A few days later, Maggie was walking by the river. She was alone. She heard a sound behind her and she turned round.

Stephen Guest was riding towards her. Stephen got off his horse.

‘Please walk with me, Maggie,’ Stephen said. ‘I must talk to you.’

‘Why are you here’ Maggie said. ‘We must not meet alone.’

‘You are angry,’ Stephen said. ‘I understand. But I love you. I love you, Maggie.’

‘You must not say that,’ Maggie said. ‘You must go away, Stephen.’

‘I love you. Please love me,’ Stephen replied.

‘Don’t say that’ Maggie said. ‘You love Lucy, Stephen.’

‘Do you love me, Maggie’ Stephen asked. ‘Tell me, Maggie!’

Maggie did not answer. She started to cry.

‘We love each other,’ Stephen said. ‘Lucy will understand.’

‘I love you, Stephen,’ Maggie said. ‘But I love Lucy too. She is my friend. I cannot be cruel to Lucy. Please, Stephen, leave me. Please, go away.’

Stephen looked at Maggie. There were tears in her beautiful, dark eyes.

‘I will go,’ Stephen said. ‘Kiss me, and I will go.’

Maggie kissed him. ‘Please, go now,’ she said. Stephen got onto his horse and he rode away.