Hi all. I'm sorry this update has taken a while. I've had some busy weeks and I'm now on nursing placement so I've had a little downtime in between shifts. Thank you all for your nice reviews. You deserve faster updates and I'm sorry. Anyway, without further ado, I give you the second last chapter. Much love to you all.

xxx

Margaret spent the afternoon with the Higgins' and then retired back to her lodgings after dinner. She had been so pleased to provide them all a proper hot meal. Mary did her best for the family and was a fine cook, but rarely did she have quality ingredients to cook with.

After her meeting with the Thorntons, Margaret had walked to the grocers and butchers before her visit. She and Mary worked together in the small space and the result was a surprisingly tasty meal of hearty beef and vegetable stew with fresh bread and butter from the bakery. The children were delighted and while she sat with as many as could fit at the table, she wondered how they all managed to fit into the house. She made a note in her head to enquire about her parent's old home. If it was not leased, she wondered if perhaps Nicholas would live there so that the children would have more room to grow. Of course, she did not expect him to like the idea, but perhaps after some time he would see reason for the children's sake.

Once dinner was cleared away, Margaret sat with the youngest boy as he slowly read her a few pages of his book. She understood why Mr Thornton had seen potential in the boy. Some of the words he was pronouncing with little difficulty were more advanced than many of his age would know. It made her smile to think of Nicholas taking Mr Thornton's advice to heart and spending a little extra to get the boy some schooling.

'Quite gifted, isn't he?' Nicholas nodded to the lad. 'Better than me'.

'He is gifted,' she agreed with a smile. 'I would hate to see his talents go to waste'.

'Aye, but such is the world'.

'That doesn't mean it has to be,' Margaret replied softly.

She listened to the boy for a few more minutes before she noticed the light beginning to fade outside. The children didn't want her to leave, but she insisted she had to before dark and a word from Nicholas silenced any further objections. Margaret promised to visit them again the following day and went on her way.

Xxx

Margaret rose early the next morning and put it upon herself to take the walk she once often took through the park. The air was crisp as she stepped out into the street and she wrapped her coat more closely around her. Milton certainly did get colder than anywhere she had been before.

She observed the workers already hurrying through the dimly lit streets as the sun was only just beginning to poke through the clouds overhead. It was a rare sight to see the sun so brightly shining in Milton and Margaret quickened her steps to catch it.

She reached the park just as the warm rays reached the hillside and she stopped in her tracks. The sun felt wonderful on her skin and she closed her eyes to enjoy the feeling.

The sound of footsteps approaching disturbed her revelry and she opened her eyes once more to see the sun already beginning to disappear behind the clouds. The footsteps continued past and she turned to see a young man hurrying down the path she had come from. Sighing softly, she continued along the pathway.

The cold breeze bit at her cheeks and she increased her pace. Coming to the small grove at the very edge of the park, she took a moment to catch her breath. The small wooden bench was inviting, and she gladly took a seat thereon. The trees provided a gentle shield overhead and Margaret was reminded of Helstone. Whilst the town around her was full of activity, she could sit in silence in a small sanctuary.

Opening the drawstrings of her purse, she carefully removed the piece of paper inside and unfolded it. Every day since she received it, she had read that letter. As she read it once more, her fingers toyed with the small gold circle on her left hand. It was cool against her skin as she removed it from her finger and rolled it around her palm.

Sudden movement from the main path caught her attention and she was surprised to see Mr Thornton striding across the park. He still wore his black coat but gone were his hat and cravat that helped distinguish him as a gentleman. His eyes met hers from across the grove and they widened slightly before he began to make his way in her direction.

Margaret carefully placed the letter and the ring into her purse and stood, waiting for him to reach her.

'I did not expect to see you out so early,' he said by way of a greeting.

'One would hardly expect to see me out at all,' she laughed quietly.

'Am I interrupting your solitude?'

'No indeed, I was merely resting for a moment'.

Silence fell between them for some time. She met his eyes once more and her cheeks heated despite the cool temperature. The look he gave her was not one she had seen before and she was unsure of what to do. It was the softest she had ever seen and yet the strongest in intensity.

'Mr Thornton…' she trailed off as he silently stepped forward, closing the gap between them. Then, as he had received no discouragement, he raised a hand to carefully brush a stray curl away from her cheek. The path of his fingers across her skin left a tingling sensation and she exhaled shakily.

'Margaret'—

'Mr Thornton,' she cut across him and looked up with beseeching eyes. 'I would beg you not to continue unless…unless…'

His amused smile and the warm sensation of his hand on her cheek silenced her altogether. Although his action was bold, she could feel him shaking against her skin and his eyes conveyed to her his vulnerability.

'Why should I not continue?' he asked quietly.

A sensible answer did not present itself to Margaret as her mind swirled with nervousness and uncertainty. Her eyes fell to her purse and she fiddled with the strap anxiously.

Realising that an answer was not coming, he moved the hand on her cheek to gently raise her chin. Her beautiful, shining eyes met his with trepidation and he smiled softly.

'I love you, Margaret. I may not speak as well as some, but there are no better words. I tried to, but I cannot keep my silence now'.

Margaret inhaled shakily at his earnest admission. Tears welled in her eyes as she carefully raised a hand to hold the one against her skin. Her heart thumped faster and faster in her chest and she returned his smile with a shy one of her own.

Spurred on by her actions, he took a single step closer so that there were scarcely inches between them. Her breath hitched at his proximity, but she did not move away. Instead, she carefully took his hand fully in her own, all the while maintaining her gaze.

His soft smile blossomed into a blissful grin and he lowered his head to be on level with hers. She swallowed thickly, the fear suddenly rearing its head again within her. Fortunately for the both of them, she had not enough time to react before his lips met hers in a gentle kiss.

Margaret instantly reacted to his tentative action by moving her hand to his cheek and pouring her feelings into what was a most inappropriate moment. With the smooth movement of her lips against his stubbled mouth she scared away any doubts he had about her feelings.

When their lips parted for the last time, neither one of them opened their eyes immediately as they revelled in the new sensation. When they finally did, Margaret could no longer hold herself back and she melted into his arms. His strong arms came up around her as she gently laid her head against his chest.

'Margaret,' he murmured into her hair and she raised her eyes to look at him. 'I must not be apart from you any longer. Will you stay here with me and be my wife?'

Margaret smiled and nodded happily. 'Yes John, I will'.

His stomach fluttered happily at the sound of his name on her lips and he grinned once more, a feeling that was so alien to him after months of failing business and hopeless loneliness. He knew in that moment that he had better get used to the feeling as he lowered his lips to her once more in a chaste kiss.

'What shall your mother say?' she asked quietly, her eyes entreating.

John smiled. 'Mother will accept you. She must'.

Margaret sighed softly and stiffened a little in his arms. 'But are you certain...do you truly wish for me to be your wife?'

John shook his head in silent disbelief and carefully took her face in his hands once more. 'I want nothing more'.

With no further uncertainty between them, they lost themselves in the warm presence of the other. Both were aware of how scandalous it would be should someone come upon them at that moment. However, their relief outweighed any fear of discovery.

Margaret's face was rested once more against John's chest and as he held her in his arms, she could hear his heart racing in his chest. The cold morning air still bit at her cheeks as happy tears leaked silently down them.

xxx

So there you have it, some happiness at last. The last chapter will be an epilogue so if you don't stick around for that, thanks for taking the time to read this. I do love writing these stories so much. In fact, I have renewed inspiration of late and will be working on a Hobbit fanfic with Thorin and an OC character and Fili with another OC. So keep your eyes out for that if you're interested. Thanks again!