A/N: A different perspective on the events here. Please read and review!
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Chapter Three – Margaret's Story
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If the recollection of that fateful day was what first occurred to Mr. Thornton at her words about 'a matter of business', it was impossible that Margaret would not find it foremost in her mind as well.
Well did she remember that day – she had sat in silence the whole time, staring at her shoes, reciting to herself the reasons why she had accepted Henry Lennox's second proposal. I like him, she repeated to herself, over and over. He is very intelligent and kind and a very good friend to me. And… this was the real reason why… he saved Frederick. Without him, Fred would never have been able to stand trial, let alone be fully pardoned! Because of Mr. Lennox's – Henry's – superhuman efforts, because of his risking his own career and reputation as a lawyer, her beloved brother was free, and was planning to settle in England with his wife. And he had done it all for her, for love of her – he told her so.
Would it not be churlish to refuse him after all that? And in any case, Mr. Thornton – but no. She had resolved never to think about Mr. Thornton. She had resolved never to dwell upon the Milton manufacturer, the friend of her father's, the man who had proposed to her and been rejected and yet had saved her from the inquest, the man whose rare smile took her breath away and made her heart beat so fast inside her chest that she thought it would explode. She had resolved never to think about the man she would never see again, especially when Mr. Lennox was making her a proposal of marriage.
'Yes, Mr. Lennox,' she had said, the day before Mr. Lennox had invited John – Mr. Thornton – to their Harley Street dinner party. 'I will marry you.'
And now the man she had resolved not to think about was sitting not two metres away listening to Mr. Lennox – Henry – babble on about their business proposition. She could feel his gaze upon her, but she could not look up. She couldn't bear to see the disgust that would no doubt mar his features as he looked at her – probably he would take Mr. Lennox for the 'lover' he had seen her with at the train station. Suddenly she wished to tell him about that, to make everything clear to him. Fred was safe now, so there would be no harm.
She almost looked up but then was seized with fear that it would be indifference and not disgust that would be on his face. He had told her coldly several months ago that any foolish passion on his part was entirely over. She knew that he had meant it – hadn't those words tormented her for months afterwards? What would he care what she could tell him about Fred? What difference would it make for her to abruptly bring about the topic and babble on like a fool while he merely looked coldly puzzled, having entirely forgotten about the scene he had witnessed at the train station, the very thought of which brought a flush of shame to her face even now, months later?
She would not tell him. He would never know. And as she finally raised her eyes to his and bid him goodbye for what she knew would be forever, she wished she had had the courage to face his disdain and tell him all. Even as he turned away abruptly and strode away, no doubt so disgusted with her that he could not bear to remain in the same room any longer, she wished she could rush after him and slap his face, hard. She wished she could raise a hand to strike him so that he would look at her in shock instead of disgust and she could force him to listen to her and she could tell him everything.
However, she did not call out, he did not turn around, she did not slap him, he did not look shocked, she did not tell him everything, he did not forgive her and confess his love.
In her imagination of the possible outcome if she had called out to him, Mr. Lennox stood obligingly in the background twiddling his thumbs as he intently examined the curtains.
In reality however, Mr. Thornton left and Mr. Lennox was the one who took her hand in his, exultant in the promise she had made to remain with him for the remainder of their lives. She closed her eyes and thought of Fred and, steeling herself, decided to honour her promise. Mr. Lennox was a good man, a good friend – she respected and esteemed him. For now, surely that was enough? And in any case, Mr. Thornton – no. She had resolved never to think of him again. Little did she know that in thirteen years she would have to think of him by dint of being in his presence once more…
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A/N: To be continued… so now you know the back story – in the next chapter we'll be returning to the present (sort of). Please review with any comments, criticisms, speculation, thoughts, anything!
