I'm sorry it's been so long! I've had most of this chapter finished for a little while now, but I've also had assignments due every other week and it's been pretty full on. Now I've got no more for the year, so I'm hoping to give you guys a few more frequent updates. Thank you all so much for the support as usual. You're all amazing!

xxx

Nearly two weeks after Margaret's arrival in Milton, she found herself on the increasingly familiar walk to Marlborough mills. The night air was still crisp, despite their being well into spring. Margaret held tighter to her father's arm and he smiled down at her as she shivered.

'You've become a fine woman, Margaret,' he announced proudly. 'I did have my doubts giving you away those months ago, but you seem to have flourished as a wife'.

Margaret smiled softly at her father's obliviousness. 'You had doubts, father?'

'Oh yes,' he patted her hand and then held it in his as they walked. 'Henry is an intelligent fellow and very kind, but I did wonder for a time if he had the same passionate nature as you do'.

Margaret stayed silent. Her father was correct, and it surprised her some that he'd been able to notice their differences so plainly. Yes, Margaret knew exactly what her father had seen to cause doubt. She also knew exactly the man that harboured that same passion in his nature. The difference between Henry and John was as stark as night and day.

At that exact moment as though in tune with her thoughts, they rounded the corner to see Mr Thornton standing by the gate to the mill, speaking heatedly with a man in tattered clothing. The conversation soon turned hostile and Mr Thornton shoved the man back, yelling for him to leave and never return.

'Goodness,' Margaret uttered quietly as the man retreated and Mr Thornton's eyes whipped in their direction at the sound of her voice.

'Mr Hale, Mrs Lennox,' he greeted, and even in the dim light, Margaret could see the shadow of regret in his eyes. 'I am sorry that you had to witness that'.

'Who was he?' Margaret asked, turning to scan the darkness for the man.

Clearly noticing the pity in her voice, Mr Thornton scowled. 'He used to work in my mill'.

'Used to?' Margaret queried.

Mr Thornton's eyes met hers with a dark intensity. 'Yes, and despite my warnings, he continued to smoke in the mill'.

'And that's worthy of dismissal?' she asked curiously.

'Of course,' he replied lowly. 'If his pipe were to have caught anything on fire, the whole building would've gone up in minutes and that would've been the end of it'.

'I see,' she nodded and lowered her eyes away from his piercing gaze.

They walked into the courtyard in silence and even as they entered the house and the gentlemen began conversing quietly, Margaret did not join in. She was torn between pitying the man and understanding Mr Thornton's reaction. She felt foolish for not realising the danger of the man's actions and hoped that Mr Thornton did not think her simple.

A servant helped Margaret remove her coat and she shivered a little as the cool air hit the exposed skin of her neck and shoulders. She was secretly a little embarrassed of her attire, but her aunt had insisted that she update her wardrobe when she moved to London. The gown was not like that of royalty, by any means, but it had an intricate lace design on the bodice and a small ruffle around the neckline that Margaret was unaccustomed to. The dress itself was a delicate blue with white detailing that appeared almost silver in some lights.

As caught up in her own embarrassment as she was, Margaret did not notice Mr Thornton falter in his steps as he turned to look at her, nor did she see the look of sadness in his eyes as he observed her beauty.

Fanny was most excited that Margaret and her father were to join them for dinner and was quick to shower Margaret with praises for her dress. She sighed and expressed for the fourth time already that evening how much she longed to go to London.

Margaret listened on in amusement but did not encourage Fanny's interest too much with Mrs Thornton so close by. She could see that the older woman disapproved of Fanny wishing to be anywhere in the world but Milton and had to smile to herself that a daughter could be so very different to her mother. Although she supposed that she wasn't entirely too much like her mother either.

Still wearing an amused smile, she looked up across the table and met the gaze of Mr Thornton, already in her direction. The same tingling sensation shot through her and warmth flooded from her chest as she slowly averted her eyes from his. She had to remind herself that she was not in her own house and could not flee, lest she provoke gossip. Her time over the past two weeks had been spent actively trying to avoid Mr Thornton, even to the point of helping Dixon more in the kitchen whilst he was visiting with her father. Unfortunately, the lack of interaction had only caused her interest to grow and her mind to turn to him more often.

After dinner, Fanny played the piano for them all and after Fanny's insistence Margaret followed suit. She played another of her old favourites, a simple, yet beautiful tune that she had always loved. In fact, it had been the first song that she had played for Frederick back in Helstone. He had always teased her as brothers do, but even he had sat quietly and listened to her. In her heart that song was always for Frederick and she never allowed herself to forget a single note.

Another hour or so passed and Margaret and her father took their leave. They did not wish to be an inconvenience to their hosts and Margaret knew that her father would be in need of rest. They bad Mrs Thornton and Fanny goodnight and then Mr Thornton walked them out to the gate.

Mr Hale said a hearty goodbye to his friend, and it was returned with just as much enthusiasm. Margaret thanked him graciously for his hospitality and the smile she gave him made his heart race. The pair turned to leave, and John watched as they retreated down the dimly lit street. Had he not been looking in their direction, he would have missed Margaret glancing over her shoulder in his direction.

Heart thumping in his chest, he shut and locked the gate before making his way back inside. A little smile graced his lips as he made his way up the hallway and back into the main parlour where his mother sat.

He pretended not to notice, but he saw her eyeing him from the moment he entered the room. Neither of them said anything for some time so he busied himself with some papers, waiting for his mother to speak. And speak she did.

'I don't know what you think you're doing, John, but you'd best put a stop to it while you still can'.

He looked up at his mother with a furrowed brow. 'What do you mean?'

Mrs Thornton rolled her eyes and sighed. 'The girl, John. I saw the way she blushed at you. Whether she's happily married or not does not concern me. You're my concern and I won't have you becoming involved in some scandal'.

Mr Thornton looked down at his papers again and fiddled with his pen as he collected his thoughts. 'I know you warned me, mother, and I listened. There will be no scandal. Mrs Lennox will go back to London and that will be the end of any…' he trailed off, unable to complete his sentence. Unable to voice aloud the feelings that were plaguing him.

Mrs Thornton sighed again and gave him a rare smile. It was soft and sad, and he could see the pity in her eyes when she spoke once more.

'You couldn't have fallen for any other woman, could you?'

John chuckled softly. 'No mother. You and I both know that things don't always work out the way we hope. We just have to cope with what is given to us, whatever that may be'.

'Should you cancel your lessons with Mr Hale?' she asked.

John shook his head. 'No, they are not a problem. I scarcely see her anyway. Do not fear for me, mother. It will pass'.

Xxx

The next day, John busied himself with his work as he always did. He toiled away for hours at his desk, but no amount of orders could stop his mind from wandering to the beautiful woman that had captivated his interest. He had never known any thought to consume his mind so completely. Whilst they had not had more than a handful of conversations just between them, John had been paying attention every moment she was nearby. He would catch sight of her in the street shopping for the household groceries or bringing a basket of goods to the poor. She was goodness and light in a cold, dim world and he began to dread the day she decided to leave Milton. Even the way she listened to Fanny prattle on about her dreams made his heart soar. Margaret and Fanny were very different people, that much was clear, but he admired the former's patience with his sister.

Letting out a great sigh, he rose to his feet and pulled on his coat. No longer could he sit and stew whilst time wasted away. He needed to focus his mind again and he knew just where to go to do so.

Milton did not boast any wonderous sights or exciting attractions, but John did enjoy taking walks in a park nearby. The fresh air in the park was a welcome change and the frigid air was his usual cure for a distracted mind.

As he wandered along the dusty path, he felt like he could breath properly for the first time in days. Whilst the noise and bustle of the mill never bothered him, he was by nature a solitary being. His best thinking was done either in his office or out on his walks, and John Thornton had a lot to think about.

Up ahead on the same path, he spied two women walking together. One was short, with flat, dull clothing while the other cut a defined figure in clothes more befitting a lady. His heart sped up as he realised who the second lady was.

'You mustn't think badly of me,' Margaret was saying to the woman he soon realised was Bessy Higgins. 'I know that it is my duty as a wife'.

John was already interested in their conversation but was torn between listening further and giving the women their privacy. Oh, but it was Margaret speaking. How could he not wish to hear her opinions on her marriage? How could he not wish to know if she were unhappy?

'I must confess I never thought I'd feel sorry for someone marrying a wealthy man,' Bessy ventured, 'but I can see it through your eyes. I'd rather not marry at all than live such a lonely life'.

Margaret bowed her head. 'It is so very lonely, Bessy. I cannot express enough the relief I feel being here. Here where the people a much more agreeable to me'.

Bessy laughed. 'Even the Thorntons?'

John was listening intently now but had to maintain his distance lest they catch him listening to them.

'Miss Thornton is very young and inexperienced, but I find her enthusiasm for the world contagious and I cannot help but share it. Mrs Thornton is a good mother and she loves her children a great deal, that much is clear…'

'And Mr Thornton?' Bessy asked interestedly.

Margaret smiled and John's heart jumped into his throat. 'Mr Thornton is a gentleman and has been nothing but kind to my parents. I am very grateful to him'.

At that moment, another young lady came rushing up the hill towards them. She exchanged hurried words with Bessy and the latter apologised to Margaret before hurrying away. And just like that Mrs Lennox was alone.

John observed her for a moment as she looked out over Milton. She had a pensive look on her face and Mr Thornton yearned to know what she was thinking of. Almost of their own accord, his legs started to move and before long he was only a few short steps away from her.

She turned as he approached, and her eyes widened briefly, before she regained her composure and gave him a warm smile.

'Mr Thornton,' she greeted. 'I'm surprised to see you away from the mill at this hour'.

John smiled and nodded. 'Yes, I found myself unable to concentrate any longer, so I decided to take a walk to clear my mind'.

'I do hope I'm not distracting you then?'

'No, of course not,' he felt himself smile again and warmth flooded his chest. 'What brings you out here?'

'I was taking a walk with Bessy,' Margaret explained. 'As you know, she does not work every day yet as she is still regaining her strength'.

Mr Thornton frowned. 'It has almost been two weeks since the accident. Is she still not recovered?'

Margaret shook her head. 'I fear it has made her condition worse. Her lungs are in a very delicate condition. Her work has caused it and she will likely meet an early grave'.

'I do hope you don't blame me for this,' he said carefully. 'I would have you know that I value greatly the health of my workers'.

'No, of course not,' Margaret replied hurriedly. 'From what she has told me, the damage was done long before she worked at Marlborough mills'.

Mr Thornton nodded. He was more than aware of the working conditions in some of the other mills. He had heard the other Masters complaining of it often enough.

'Unfortunately, Mrs Lennox, some Masters do not make the welfare of their workers a priority'.

'But you do?'

Mr Thornton nodded. 'I like to think I make a good effort'.

Margaret nodded with him. 'Then it is a shame that Bessy did not work for you sooner'.

They stood in silence for a few moments and whilst Mrs Lennox surveyed the town, Mr Thornton's attention was divided between both the town and her.

'Do you plan to stay long in Milton?' he asked.

Margaret let out a small sigh. 'That is not my decision. If it were so I would live here with my parents for as long as they would have me'.

Mr Thornton frowned thoughtfully. 'You speak very openly about your situation'.

Margaret bowed her head a little at that. 'Forgive me, sir. I did not mean to be inappropriate. I have always been told I speak my mind far too freely'.

'On the contrary, I find it refreshing,' he smiled softly and for the briefest of moments their eyes met. A small smile had graced her lips as well and he found himself captivated as she turned her face back to the view.

He observed her complexion deepen just a little and he felt a forbidden satisfaction at knowing that he had affected her. This was short-lived however, as the clock chimed the new hour and he realised he had been gone for far too long. He hastily excused himself from Mrs Lennox and hurried back to the mills, his mind no less distracted than when he'd started his walk.

xxx

So that's that. I do hope no one is finding the pacing a little too slow for their liking. I promise you that in the next few chapters we'll start to see some canon events occurring and some exciting changes I'm very much looking forward to writing. Drop me a review if you like. I'll answer any questions you have unless they contain too many spoilers ;P Thanks again!