So sorry for the delay. I haven't forgotten about this one or given up, I just had a lot going on. My husband and I just bought our first home and we've been getting everything set up. Anyway, here's the next bit. Hopefully the next won't take quite so long. Please enjoy!

xxx

'And her style was altogether plain and disappointing. One would think she'd dress a little more fashionably having lived in London,' Fanny finished with a pout.

John pretended not to listen as his sister carried on about Miss Hale. It irritated him beyond words that he was listening. Fanny was prone to rants about the faults of others, whilst completely misunderstanding that doing so made her both dull and unbearable. Ordinarily he would ignore such rants, but John could not help but listen when she spoke of Miss Hale. He could picture her, dressed well as she always was, the perfectly polite picture of indifference to Fanny's more pointed remarks. He felt only embarrassment when it came to his sister. She did not know his situation, nor would he expect her to comprehend it if she did. As time went on, she would believe as everyone else was made to, that there was nothing out of the ordinary going on in Milton and there was nothing different about her brother.

'Come Fanny,' he snapped when she looked as though she would speak again. 'If all young ladies were alike, you'd have no one to complain about'.

A small part of him felt remorseful when she huffed and rose to leave the room. He was well aware of his mother's eyes on him as he returned to his newspaper. He read the same words over and over, feeling his frustration build with every attempt.

'What is it, mother?'

Mrs Thornton pursed her lips. 'I don't know what it is about Miss Hale that seems to have you in such a temper, but need I remind you'—

'No,' he cut her off with a glare. 'You need not remind me, mother'.

There was silence for some moments before John sighed and discarded his paper on the table nearby. Taking his face in his hands, he rubbed fiercely at his eyes.

'Fanny would never like someone with more sense than her,' he chuckled darkly.

'The world is full of silly women,' Mrs Thornton snorted derisively. 'You need not concern yourself'—

'I know,' he cut her off again with a stern expression that rivalled her own. He regretted it immediately and crossed the room to sit near her. 'Miss Hale is a beautiful and accomplished young woman, but I know my place, mother. She is not for me'.

'John,' Mrs Thornton sighed, leaning forward to take his face in her hands. 'Please be careful'.

'Always,' he murmured, giving her a soft smile before pulling away and rising to his feet once more.

Xxx

John found himself spiritedly engaging in his conversation with Mr Hale. He adored talk of innovation and progress, and the newcomer gave him the opportunity to speak openly without fear of judgement from his fellows. Mrs Hale had chosen not to join them for the evening, but he did have the pleasure of Miss Hale's company.

He glanced over the where she was lightly dozing in her chair. Had it not been for her father's presence, he knew he could stare at her for hours. Her rosy complexion, plump lips and long, dark lashes all deserved their merit separately, but it hardly seemed fair for all features to belong to one woman.

'Of course,' Mr Hale answered his last question with enthusiasm. 'I do not pretend to understand the complexity of such a machine, but the eloquence of your explanation does persuade me to agree that it has truly revolutionised the process'.

John smiled at the complement. 'I'm afraid that Miss Hale may not feel quite so passionate about it'.

Before Mr Hale could reply, the woman in question stirred.

'Forgive me,' she murmured sleepily. 'I'm sure it's fascinating. I am just a little tired'.

John was painfully aware of the loose curl that played about her temple as she pulled herself up from her chair to refresh their cups of tea. She refilled his cup and reached out to pass it to him. For the briefest of moments their finger touched, his taking an indulgent moment to linger on the softness of hers. She let out a soft gasp.

'Mr Thornton, forgive me Sir, but your skin is icy. Would you prefer a seat closer to the fire?' she asked politely.

John gave her a small smile. 'I am quite alright, thank you. Perhaps you may adjust to the cold in time'.

John's insides felt as though they might light on fire when there was a shadow of a smile about those wonderful lips of hers.

His musings were interrupted by the entrance of Mrs Hale, clearing feeling at least a little better if her complexion was a good indicator. Although John could see that she still looked sickly despite her efforts. Since changing, he had noticed small things that he never did before. He could not feel much, but his sense of smell and eyesight had certainly sharpened immensely.

'Ah, Mr Thornton has been admiring our newly redecorated rooms, Maria,' Mr Hale said by way of a greeting.

Mrs Hale was polite it her response and even complimented the people of Milton for their enthusiasm and work ethic. John graciously agreed, despite knowing full well that it was the only positive thing she could think so say about his home. He could not help but respond with pride that he would much rather be there, success or failure than in the south living idly. And then there she was. Gone was the tiredness from her voice as Miss Hale sought to put him right. He did not mind hearing her eloquent stings about his area of the world, but he did not take kindly to her thoughts about his treatment of his workers. He knew that he was the fairest of all the Masters and a long shot more pleasant to deal with, but she didn't know that. All she knew was that he had a temper and was subjecting pathetic, defenceless creatures to it.

'You have been blessed with good luck and fortune, but others have not,' the accusation in her tone was clear.

'I have worked for my position,' his voice was calm and soft, yet he knew that she could hear the anger behind his words. 'You know nothing of the hardship I have battled'.

She was silent as he enlightened them about his past. Of course he skirted around the more sinister truths, such as the circumstance of his father's death and his alliance with the Masters of Milton. Once he was finished there was a long pause during which he stood to leave.

'Come Miss Hale, let us part friends despite our differences. If we become more familiar with each other's traditions we may learn to be more tolerant, I think,' he offered his hand and when she met his eyes, he felt a strange burning sensation as though he were starring into the sun.

There was another pause before her body relaxed and she quickly took the hand he offered. His treacherous body wanted to maintain the contact, but his conscience would not let him. Once he exited the room, the full realisation of what he had just done hit him. He had seen it done so many times and yet he had never done it himself. He felt unclean. Never had he imagined violating someone's free will, let alone Miss Hale's. He gripped onto the banister, taking a deep breath, and flexing his fingers. There was a quiet crunching sound and he realised with horror that he had caused the wooden banister to crack beneath his grip. Without another thought, he hurried from the Hale residence in search of solitude.

xxx

Solitude turned out to be a hard wooden bench in the park. He sighed and leant his head back to look at the sky. Much to his astonishment there were a few open holes in the blanket of clouds that seemed to cover Milton indefinitely. The bright lights of far away stars twinkled at him playfully and for a moment he just breathed. It was peaceful and quiet for once and still his mind whirred with thoughts of the day. Most dominant in those thoughts was Miss Hale. Oh how she despised him, that Miss Hale. He let out a bitter laugh. It was only fitting that the only woman ever to tempt him would hate him. He despised him too. Thinking of the many young ladies to show him attention over the years, he knew that he could have had a wife ten times over. He scoffed again, leaning forward, and removed his hat with a sigh. It was infuriating. She was infuriating. The thought of him being some unmatchable predator like Hamper seemed to think they were had never seemed more ridiculous. What monster was so weak for a woman he had scarcely met?

A rustling sound some ways behind him in the park caused him to stop his musing and rise to his feet. He turned to face the darkness and could clearly see the outline of a person creeping closer. They were crouching, clearly hoping to catch him by surprise.

'I wouldn't,' he warned calmly.

There was a pause and then the sounds of hastily retreating footsteps as the figure darted away. John silently hoped that it was some foolish robber attempting to mug him and not another of his kind hunting in the night, but he could not pick up a scent in the still air. That did not bode well. Deciding that it was not an issue he wished to investigate further at that time, he made his way in the direction of Marlborough mills.

xxx

So just a quick one today. The next one should be a little longer if I stick to the game plan. Thanks again for reading!