A/N: I am so sorry that this has taken soooo long to update. I have been drowning in work, classes, weddings, sick 2-year-olds and life. Plus I think my muse took a vacation. But have no fear, I now have a life preserver and my muse has no more vacation days left. These chapters should come a lot faster.

Thank you so much to all of you that have reviewed my story. You make me very happy and I promise to move the chapters out of my head and into the computer much faster.

Chapter 3: Back to Reality

As the door opened Marguerite snapped back to the present. She smiled brilliantly at Charles, the Roxtons' butler as she greeted him. "Good Morning Charles!"

"Good Morning to you Miss." Charles smiled back and moved out of the doorway to allow her entrance. He genuinely liked Marguerite and found her a breath of freshness among the stale pseudo royalty that tended to flock around his Lord. He believed Lord Roxton and Miss Marguerite were a perfect match.

"That it is, Charles. How are you? Are John and Lady Roxton around this morning?"

"I am quite well, miss. Thank you and yes, both the Lord and Lady are awake and about this morning. It is good to see you again. I do believe they both have missed you."

If possible, Marguerite's smile grew even brighter and she leaned in to whisper to Charles, "Really?"

"Without a doubt, miss. Without a doubt. In fact, the Lord has not seemed himself since you left."

As Charles finished, Lady Elizabeth Roxton entered the room and gave a small gasp at seeing Marguerite. Within seconds, though, she had recovered and walked briskly, straight to Marguerite. Her arms encircled the startled woman, and she gave her a heartfelt hug. "I am extremely pleased to see you here and looking well, my dear." Lady Roxton smiled as she started to step back from the embrace.

Marguerite blushed slightly at the sediment and surprised the older woman by hugging her back fiercely. " I am happy to be back. I have missed you and of course, I have missed John a little as well." She laughed with a twinklish spark in her eye.

"I am honored to think that I am missed more than my son, but somehow as much as I think you enjoy my company, I don't quite believe that is entirely true."

"Well, perhaps not entirely, Lady Roxton."

Lady Elizabeth laughed. "Marguerite, please, call me Elizabeth. You are to be my daughter soon and formalities are forbidden. Now, let's find my handsome son and surprise him with your presence." Elizabeth's thoughts turned to thoughts of her troubled son and her smile dimmed slightly.

Marguerite noticed immediately. "What is wrong La—" she started, but swiftly changed her words at her Ladyship's mock glare, "—Elizabeth?"

Hooking her arm to Marguerite's, Lady Roxton replied, "Let's chat as we walk."

As they walked through the manor, Lady Elizabeth told Marguerite of John's strange behavior and moods along with the conversations she has had with him. "Oh my dear, I am not sure if it is anything to worry about though. I am sure he just missed you terribly. I know I did, " she said with a smile in her voice.

Marguerite worried inwardly at this news, but put it out of her head as they approached the library where, Lady… Elizabeth insisted her husband-to-be had to be hiding. As Elizabeth opened the door and glided through, she instantly saw John standing at the window. He seemed to be staring out into the woods and she wondered again, if there was something truly bothering him other than Marguerite's absence.

"John, we have a visitor to see us."

"Mother, I really do not want to deal with any people right now, " he sighed, not looking away from the window and barely noticing anything in the room, including his mother.

"Tough," was the instanteous response from both the Lady and the bride-to-be.

Upon hearing Marguerite's voice, Roxton snapped back to his surroundings. "Marguerite?" He meet her eyes and faster than she could respond, he was across the room and pulling her into his arms. "I have missed you so much, my love." At this, he smiled. The first true smile his mother had seen on him in quite a while.

"I have missed you as well, John. More than you can believe." She sighed happily, overjoyed to be back in his arms.

"Are you back for good? Did everything go alright?" he asked with a slight edge to his voice.

"Yes, John. Everything looks good." She pulled him closer to her and let her head fall on his shoulders.

"I am so glad. I have been so worried about you. I wish you would have let me come with. But the important thing is you are back."

"Yes, and I am sure I have a lot of worked to do for our wedding. I know your mother will be happy to have help."

At the mention of the wedding, Roxton seemed to stiffen slightly in her arms. She pulled back and looked into his eyes, searching for something to tell her what was wrong. "John, are you alright?"

"Yes, Marguerite. Just a little tired. Let's see if lunch is ready." He smiled at both the ladies and hooked his arms around both, pulling them to the dining room. The two women glanced at each other and confirmed the other's thoughts. Somehow, that smile just did not reach his eyes. Marguerite knew then that there was definitely something wrong.

TBC in Chapter 4: The Trouble with Roxton

A/N: Sorry it was short, but the next one should be longer. Thanks!