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why a woman would become a mistress. It had Page 33
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    always been drilled into her head that only cheap, immoral women did such a thing. She was reeling from the assault her small, sheltered world had undergone in the last week.
    Kate merely chuckled. “I do believe you’re more shocked by that than by my marriage to two men.”
    “No, no,” Maggie rushed to assure her. “It’s just that I never before considered why a woman would become a mistress.”
    Kate laughed outright at Maggie’s admission. “And why should you? Most women never have to, and that’s a good thing. Anyway, Jason and Tony traveled a bit, and for a couple of years we only saw one another on their infrequent visits home. It was on one of those visits that they discovered I was without a protector, had in fact given up that life for a quiet one of work. I’d saved enough money to open a small dress shop. They sought me out and the attraction I had always felt for both of them blossomed into love, and here we are.” She ended her story with a wide smile, her hands spread to indicate the beautiful home in front of them.
    “Why did you marry Jason?” Maggie asked, interested in Kate’s story in spite of herself.
    “We talked about it, and Jason has a title and estates that require a legitimate heir, Tony doesn’t. It was a mutual decision.”
    “Yes, Phillip and Jonathan are the same,” Maggie murmured, remembering the early days of their courtship when she wasn’t sure who was courting her. Then suddenly, it became clear that Jonathan had stepped back. Had they made the decision then that Maggie should marry Phillip, and Jonathan could join them later? Was this their plan all along then?
    She turned back to Kate.“And your families? How do they feel about it?”
    For the first time Kate looked uncomfortable. “I have no family, except Veronica, and she willingly accepted it as long as I was happy. You can see Jason’s mother here for yourself, although it was a long road to acceptance. Tony’s family, well, we’ve not spoken to them since before the wedding.”
    “Does he regret it, then?”
    “No, for Jason and I and even Lady Randal and Veronica are his family now.” Kate paused, resting her hand on her stomach, and gazed speculatively at Maggie for a moment. She seemed to come to a decision and spoke again. “And soon we will have a baby to love as well.”
    “Oh Kate, how marvelous!”Maggie exclaimed, grasping the other woman’s hands in joy. And she was happy for her, she realized. She knew that Kate had left much out of her story and could sense the other woman’s need for a home and love. She could see the happiness and contentment in her eyes and felt a wave of jealousy. Why couldn’t she be this strong, to defy the world for the love of two glorious men?
    Kate gave her a knowing look. “You didn’t ask whose it is.”
    Maggiestarted, her eyes wide. “Well, I…I didn’t think it mattered. Does it?”
    Kate enfolded Maggie in a warm embrace. “No, my dear, it doesn’t. And the fact that you understand that means you understand everything, don’t you?”
    Maggie clung to Kate. “Yes,” she whispered, “yes, I do. But I’m so afraid, Kate. I’m not strong like Page 34
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    you. I don’t know if I can live with the censure of society. How can I know? How can I decide?”
    Kate pulled back and looked at Maggie. “Only you can know, Maggie. Only you can decide. But do it soon. Those two men love you, and every day you deny them is like a dagger to their heart. You do know why they are like this, don’t you?”
    Maggie nodded. “Yes, Phillip told me, a little anyway, about the war. He calls Jonathan his lifeline.”
    “All the men here were changed by the war, Maggie. They all sought solace with each other in one way or another. They love one another, or they