A/N: Here is the second chapter. I hope you enjoy it!

Unfortunately, I won't be able to update in a while, I have a big research paper to write in the next few days so I don't know if I'll have time to write.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2: Engagement Dinner

Margaret approached Edith's room where she could hear Edith humming a lullaby to Sholto. She peered inside upon the peaceful scene, and hated to interrupt the calmness of the moment with news that she knew would upset Edith dearly.

'Edith?'

'Margaret!' Edith was happy to see her cousin, but remembering how Margaret had spoken to her, her attitude changed. 'I hope you have come to apologize for the manner in which you spoke to me downstairs.'

'Yes, I have; but I also have something to tell you of my future here at Harley Street,' Margaret said as she took a seat beside Edith. Sholto had drifted asleep with an angelic look on his face.

'Don't tell me that you plan to leave Harley Street. Or if you are, that you will settle close to here.'

'Edith, I am engaged!'

'Oh Margaret! Congratulations! I told Henry that all his hard work would pay off and that you would eventually accept him. But he wouldn't listen to me and now—'

'Edith, stop! I am not engaged to Mr Lennox.'

'Then who? I can't think of anyone else who would have any notion of wishing to marry you,' Edith said, knowing very well in the back of her mind that Mr Thornton was most likely the suitor.

'I am engaged to Mr Thornton,' Margaret said decidedly so that Edith knew not to interrupt her while she spoke. 'I would have you know that I am not going to change my mind. I love Mr Thornton, even though you might wonder how it is possible for me to love a manufacturer. I have just finished a similar conversation with your mother, and as she is convinced, I don't feel that I have to reconcile you with my situation.'

'But Margaret! Surely you can do better—'

'Hush, Edith! I am in no mood to argue with you. I don't want to be upset, I would much rather enjoy the immeasurable feeling of happiness that I am experiencing right now. Can I count with your support?' Margaret glared at Edith; sometimes Edith just made her lose her temper.

'Miss Hale and a mill owner, engaged nonetheless — I cannot pretend to be pleased with your decision, but I will respect it. If mother has approved, then I suppose I shall too. After all, you are my cousin and dear friend.'

'Oh Edith, I cannot tell you how happy I am. I truly do love Mr Thornton, I am sure you know of that feeling,' Margaret said, overwhelmed with happiness and relief that Edith had yielded herself to the news. Perhaps it was Edith's interest in having Miss Hale finally married that allowed her to accept the news of the engagement. 'Now, do you think that you can help me dress for dinner? Your mother has decided to turn today's dinner into a small engagement dinner party, and I am afraid that I am at a loss with what to wear.'

'Margaret, I thought you would never ask! Will I be allowed to assist you in choosing your wedding gown? I have to admit, I am suddenly filled with excitement for this upcoming wedding, despite the objections to the groom,' Edith said eagerly, a childish grin overspreading her beautiful face.

'I suppose that you will, but remember, the final decision is ultimately mine,' Margaret said, imposing an ultimatum before Edith got carried away with any crazy notion. Edith simply nodded as she led Margaret to her dressing room.

Margaret could hear the bustle of dinner downstairs and was suddenly filled with nervous excitement. Tonight would be her night, she thought as she looked at herself in the looking glass.

'Miss, it is time, dinner is ready,' Dixon beamed as she looked at Margaret. Miss Hale did look strangely beautiful tonight, it was as if something had returned and restored a look of happiness in her eyes and a smile hinted in the curve of her lips. Dixon was comforted to know that her young mistress was regaining that look of serenity she had often worn in Helstone, and that Milton had stolen. How she hated that Milton, that took her beautiful Mrs Hale away, she was glad that they were out of there and were never to return again.

Mr Thornton anxiously awaited Margaret at the bottom of the stairs so that he would have the honor, and privilege, of escorting his fiancée into the dining room. He stood aloof from everyone else, wringing his hands behind his back and glancing at the stairs. No one else had been acquainted with the news of the engagement, and he was nervous at announcing it tonight. Edith tried to smile at him, and he knew that Margaret had told her of the news. He made an attempt at a smile, but his attention was arrested by the sound of light footsteps coming down the stairs. He held his breathe as he beheld her in all her heavenly beauty. His lips parted to reveal a brilliant smile, and he was gifted with one in return.

'You look beautiful,' he almost whispered in her ear as he took her hand in his, raised it to his lips, and bestowed a small kiss on it. Margaret blushed which only added to her radiant beauty. She was wearing a billowing pink gown that shimmered with the slightest movements, and complimented her skin tone. Her hair was in beautiful thick curls, with one simple pink rose adorning her dark hair, any other ornament would have ruined her ethereal beauty. She placed her arm in his as he led her away, and he beamed as he did so.

As everyone took their places at the table, Margaret couldn't help but notice that she was seated between Mr Thornton and Mr Lennox. Mr Thornton paid no attention but to the fact that she was seated so close to him, and how he had longed to occupy that seat so many times before. Mr Lennox noticed the advantage of this seating, for if he kept Margaret in conversation, she would have to keep her back to Mr Thornton — he looked to Edith as if to thank her for such a seating. For tonight, Mr Lennox planned to make another offer to Miss Hale, despite his beliefs that she would refuse him once more. But she had begun to warm up to him, especially since they began business with Mr Thorton — which brought back the painful recollection of the exchange between them at the meeting. Mr Lennox abruptly shook his head as if to shake away those disturbing thoughts. Captain Lennox noticed Margaret's good looks and said so:

'Miss Hale, I must compliment you on your looks tonight.'

'Thank you, Captain.'

'And why shouldn't she look good tonight?' Mrs Shaw said in a loud voice that caught everyone's attention. 'I believe that Mr Thornton has a something to say with that respect.'

Mr Thornton cast a nervous glance at Margaret before getting up from his seat. Margaret gave him a reassuring smile as he began. 'With your permission ma'am, I am pleased to announce my engagement to the beautiful Miss Margaret Hale.'

Margaret's face mimicked the color of her dress. Mr Thornton received a round of applause from the other lieutenants, and Captain Lennox even stood up to shake hands with him. Mr Thornton simply smiled his amazing smile as he held Margaret's delicate fingers in his strong hand. No one seemed to notice that Mr Lennox had left the room.

Throughout the dinner, the lovers hardly spoke a word to one another; they were kept busy with everyone's enquires about the wedding date and location, which had yet to be set. Mr Thornton was very well aware that he would have to make known his engagement to his mother before any arrangement was made, as well as face her fury over the match. But just looking at Margaret's glowing face soothed the anxiety in his heart; he knew that with Margaret at his side, he could brave his mother's displeasure.

Soon, the lady's retired into the drawing-room while the gentleman stayed behind for a few celebratory drinks in honor of the newly-engaged couple. Thornton's heart ached at being separated from Margaret, but he was comforted to know that they would have the rest of their lives to make up for any moment not spent together.

As they entered the drawing-room Margaret couldn't help but smile at the way things had turned out. She couldn't remember being this happy in a long time — sorrow had been her companion these past few years. She let out a contented sigh as she sat on the sofa. She smiled at the thought that she had harbored for so long, the thought that Mr Thornton thought ill of her, that she had lost his friendship and good opinion forever. How foolish of her! If only she had known sooner that Mr Thornton had continued to love her, to yearn for her affection. But all of that was best left in the past, she was engaged to marry Mr Thornton and nothing could ever change that. But her thoughts wandered to the time she had told Mr Lennox of her idea of a perfect wedding; waking up to a fine summer morning, walking to church through the shade of trees, a simple wedding, without all the tediousness of ritual. How long ago that was, and where was Mr Lennox now? She didn't remember speaking with him at all during the dinner.

Just then, the gentleman entered the drawing-room, and Margaret scanned the crowd in search of Mr Lennox. He wasn't there; instead Margaret's searching eyes were met with Mr Thornton's mesmerizing gaze. She blushed and turned away; she could not bear look at him while she felt guilt over being the cause of Mr Lennox's disappearance from the party. Mr Thornton was startled by Margaret's reaction, but believed that she didn't want to express her emotions with everyone watching; he would have to wait. And wait he did, for once again he was engaged into a conversation where he was the main subject.

Margaret admired how intently Mr Thornton took part in any conversation, he looked at ease so Margaret allowed her thoughts to wander back to the topic of Mr Lennox. As if by fate, Mr Henry Lennox quietly found his way into the drawing-room. He had been pacing back-and-forth in the garden since he had left the dinner. The news of Margaret's engagement to Mr John Thornton had been a shock indeed, he had gone outside to think about what had happened and to regain his composure. He needed to speak to Miss Hale, perhaps it was not too late to change her mind. He noticed her sitting in the corner; as he drew near she looked up and spoke:

'Mr Lennox, I had just been wondering where you had run off to. I must speak with you.'

'Ah, yes, eh, I need to speak with you as well.'

'Mr Lennox, as you know, I am to marry Mr Thornton, very soon I hope. And I just wanted to make sure that —' Margaret's words faltered here. 'I wanted to make sure that you would continue to show me the kindness that you have shown me these past months, not only as a financial advisor, but as my friend.'

'Your friend!' from her words Mr Lennox knew that any notion he had entertained of gaining her affection was destroyed. She considered him a friend and would always consider him a friend. 'Yes, of course Miss Hale, be sure that you can always rely on my kindness and friendship whenever you are in need.'

'Thank you,' Margaret was relieved. 'I had thought that I was to lose your friendship if — or rather when — I moved to Milton. It gives me great comfort to know that when we do part, we will do so as friends.'

Mr Lennox attempted a smile, but on the inside he was crushed, 'May I ask if you will continue to need me as your financial advisor? Or am I to only occupy the office of friend?'

Margaret laughed, 'That is something you will need to speak about to Mr Thornton. He is an experienced man in his field, prepared to handle the finances of the mill, but I am sure that he would be willing to listen to any advice you have to offer.'

'I see, well, it's time for me to be go; I have some important matters to handle tomorrow. I hope that I will be able to see you again before the wedding and move to Milton,' Mr Lennox said as he reluctantly rose.

'I hope so, too,' Margaret smiled as Mr Lennox moved away.

Mr Lennox was about to leave the building when Mr Thornton stopped him in his tracks:

'Mr Lennox!'

'Mr Thornton, may I congratulate you on your engagement to Miss Hale,' Mr Lennox extended his hand to Mr Thornton who eagerly shook it.

'I can't tell you how much I am indebted to you for convincing Margaret of investing in my mill,' Mr Thornton said, but that wasn't the only reason he wanted to thank Mr Lennox for. Without Mr Lennox's initial invitation to Harley Street, he might have never had another opportunity to meet Miss Hale or to speak with her. It was thanks to Mr Lennox that he was now engaged to the lady of his heart.

'You owe me nothing — I can tell you that it was completely Miss Hale's idea. When she heard that she would be losing you as a tenant, she asked me if there was any way she could help keep the mill running. So you see, it is Miss Hale you are indebted to, I am merely her accomplice.'

'Well, I would still like to thank you for your kindness to her. I can tell you are a good friend from the way she was speaking with you in there, and I know she is never wrong about people. It seems that she knows more about others than they would like to admit to themselves.'

'Yes, Miss Hale has a good head on her shoulders. And from your manner of speaking of her, I can see that you will love her the way she deserves to be loved.'

'Thank you, Mr Lennox,' Mr Thornton smiled.

'Good evening, Mr Thornton,' Mr Lennox bowed as he walked out, ready to begin a new life and pursue a new love.

Mr Thornton watched until he couldn't see Mr Lennox anymore. Mr Lennox's manner of speaking about Margaret was rather strange, but he calmed the small tinge of jealousy in his heart by reminding himself that Margaret's love belonged to him and not to Mr Lennox. He carried himself triumphantly as he returned to his Margaret.