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Chapter 2

His mother's disapproving gaze followed him as he left Malborough Mills for Crampton. His normally steady pace was erratic as he excitedly walked. The kiss from yesterday had kept him warm all night. The feel of her in his arms made him want her warm, loving embrace even more. He wondered if he could get a moment alone with her today.

He knocked on the door, disappointed that it was opened by Dixon instead of Margaret. He walked into the study to find Mr. Bell would also be accompanying them in their lesson today. He knew that the meddlesome old man somehow already knew about their understanding. The wink he gave John confirmed his doubts.

Margaret was in her usual place with a book in hand. She glanced up at John as he took his place. Mr Hale brought up Plato's metaphors of the cave, explaining the depth of the metaphor. "For we all only know what we see, but a man who has been beyond our mental and physical limits, knows more. We, mere simpletons in comparison would consider him crazy, for we would not have the imagination to consider such an idea."

Mr Hale kept going, but John was focused on what Margaret was doing. She knew the tea preference of everyone in the room and was poring it thusly. She handed Mr Bell his cup first, then Mr Hale and finally John. Their eyes held a moment longer as their fingers touched. Mr Bell's knowing cough pulled them apart. Mr Hale was as clueless as ever.

There was a pause as the men sipped their tea, and John took that moment to speak up. "Mr Hale, I would like to ask your permission to have the honour of courting your daughter."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Margaret turn around, suddenly very interested in the bookshelf. Mr Hale took a moment to compose himself. He honestly had no idea of what was going on between his pupil and his daughter. Surprisingly enough, Mr Bell came to their rescue as Mr Hale seemed speechless.

"What are you thinking about Hale? Say yes! Don't you see your daughter blushing a bright red over there. Not to mention all the hidden glances and hand grazing."

That snapped Mr Hale out of his daze "Oh truly John! Margaret, darling come here. I'm so glad. I always did feel you would make a good couple, but the many arguments you two had, I had given up hope of it ever happening. Of course you have my permission."

Margaret was hiding her face in Mr Hale's chest and John was grinning. Mr Bell had a bright smile on his face.

Mr Hale's face lit up in understanding "Maggie, is this why you've turned our home into a bakery today? So many cakes and sweets! I fear we could feed the town!"

John only just tampered down the urge to pull Margaret into a fierce embrace. It was official, they were courting. To have right to call her Maggie was now a new life goal for John. He would do everything in his power to make her fall in love with him.

They all say back down, Margaret hiding her face in her book, Mr Bell spent the hour harassing John, and Mr Hale tried to keep peace and bring his lesson back on track. Margaret saw John out at the end out the hour, keenly escaping the knowing looks her father and Mr Bell gave them.

Down the stairs, John couldn't help but pull her into him. "Mr Thornton! I didn't expect you to ask him whilst I was in the room." She gently pushed him away so she could glare at him.

"Is it too much to call me John?" He pulled her back.

"John! I am very mad at you!" She exclaimed, yet he could feel the smile on her lips. His heart raced as he heard his name being spoken by her. She was the only person to call him by his Christian name besides his mother and Fanny.

"I want to hear that for the rest of my life" he told her.

Margaret couldn't help but like this light hearted side of him. He looked so much younger when he smiled. The tension lifted from his face like a veil and he was almost unrecognisable. She felt a warmth in her heart every time she saw his smile. There was so much affection in his gaze that she couldn't help but bask in it.

John bid Margaret goodnight with a peck on her lips. On his way home, he couldn't help but make a detour. His feet led him to his father's grave. John hated his father, for he was a weak man, a man who left his wife and two children to fend for themselves. He didn't have honour, nor did he have courage, for only a lack of character can lead a man to such an action. John hadn't had an ounce of happiness since he was eleven. At the tender age of eleven, when boys think only about causing mischief, John was looking for work. He had to build himself from ground up to feed his mother and sister.

Margaret made him want to wake up in the morning. She emitted such peace from within, that he couldn't help but seek solace in her warmth. She saved the man from becoming the machine. He prayed that she wouldn't make him wait too long, for a part of him died every time he had to walk away from her. Going home to a cold bed and a lonely meal wore down on the happiness he had felt just moments ago.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. How soon do you think they should get married? Let me know in your review