Chapter Sixteen: London and Henry Lennox
It's hard to turn the page
when you know someone
won't be in the next chapter,
but the story must go on.
Thomas Wilder
It had been three months since Henry Lennox had received Margaret's letter. Even before he broke the seal on the letter, he knew what it would say. In his heart, he had known all along that she did not love him, but he had hoped Margaret would see that he was a better match for her than Thornton.
He took the letter from his desk drawer. The paper was worn because he had read it over and over again, and he honestly did not know why. She had made her feelings clear, but he was struggling to let her go.
Dearest Henry,
I have given so much thought to your last letter, and your beautiful words to me. You and I have always been dear friends, and I had wondered if that friendship might not blossom into love. It might have if I had not met John Thornton.
Henry, in so many ways, you and I are a good match. We have things in common, and we are already family by marriage. However, it would be a disservice to you for me to accept your proposal. You love me in a way that I cannot love you. I am sorry for any hurt you may have felt because of me.
As time has passed and my feelings have become clear to me, I know that my heart belongs to John.
I hope you and I can continue to be friends, as I value our friendship greatly. I realize that it is selfish of me to want you to remain my friend, and you will have to decide if my friendship is something you wish to have.
I wish you every happiness in life, and the right woman to share it with.
Your friend always, Margaret
Henry closed his eyes because even after three months, her words hurt him deeply. He felt the familiar waves of pain wash over him. He loved her still, but it was never to be. He tossed her letter into the fire, and watched the letter burn to ashes. Just as his dreams of making her his wife had turned to ashes. He had nothing left to do but accept it and move on.
Henry knew he would always hold Margaret dear in his heart, but if he was to ever have a chance at being truly happy with someone else, he had to put his love for Margaret in a small corner of his heart so there was room for someone else.
He only hoped he could. Margaret, beautiful and extraordinary Margaret, was now John Thornton's wife.
