OK, so I know that was really cruel to leave you hanging. So here is my gift to you- just in time for the weekend. Enjoy...PJ

John slowly released Margaret's hand from his grip. 'I'm sorry Margaret. I did not mean to scare you. '

Though clearly taken aback, Margaret shook her head. 'No, I am quite all right.'

'It is just that I do not think that you fully grasp the dangers associated with your plan.'

Margaret's eyes widened. 'I do not comprehend what you mean sir?'

Turning to her he tried to explain. 'You see only warm sunshine and a joyous reunion awaiting you in Spain. Whereas I see only danger and disappointment.'

Margaret was still unclear about what he was implying.

'Perhaps if I tell you what I discovered whilst I was in London you will see my point.'

Taking Margaret's hand again - more gently this time - he began his story. All the while checking for her reaction, he told Margaret about his meeting with Sir Henry and about the witness statements and evidence that were presented to him by the Admiral of the Fleet. He outlined the charges that would be pursued against Frederick and how it was nothing short of inevitable that Frederick would be convicted and executed if he ever were to return to England.

Any glimmer of hope that Margaret had harboured for her brother to clear his name and return to England was soon extinguished as John relayed all the particulars. By the end of his tale she felt ill at the thought that Frederick had risked so much to come to Milton those few short months ago.

'Margaret, was I right to tell you this? Was I right to go to Sir Henry on your behalf for assistance as I did?'

Margaret was astonished by his stunning confession. 'Sir, that you would take it upon yourself to try to help us in this way…at great risk to yourself and your own reputation….I am not sure how to thank you.' Margaret struggled to put her thoughts in order. It was not what she had expected to hear from John. 'You were right to tell me. I must confess that until this moment I have never truly understood the magnitude of Frederick's charges. I have only ever heard the story from my parents – who themselves can only vouch for what Frederick has told them in his letters or what has been written in the newspapers.'

Margaret sat up straight, trying to relieve the constricted feeling across her chest. 'But despite the weight of evidence against him, and although I understand that in the eyes of the navy my brother has broken the law and committed treason, in my heart I still believe that he had no other choice. I believe his actions were honourable and brave. He did what others were not prepared to do. I am sure he had God on his side that day.'

'I'm truly sorry Margaret. If there was any hope - you must know I would do everything in my power to help you help your brother.'

Margaret looked up at John. The sincerity of his countenance and the earnestness in his desire to help her was almost too much for her to bear. 'But this is exactly why Papa and I must go to Spain. If Frederick can never return, we must go to him.'

John withdrew his hand, a grave look upon his face. 'Sir Henry also told me that the navy has men stationed in Cadiz. They suspect that a number of mutineers have fled to countries on the continent and they remain vigilant in their pursuit of them. The only hope of Frederick remaining safe is for him to blend in to his surroundings. If your father and you were to go and live in Spain, you would draw attention to him. I cannot let you risk you or your father's life and freedom in such a reckless way.'

Margaret began to despair at the hopelessness of their situation. She trusted John – more than any other person. What he said made sense. But what were her alternatives. To stay in Milton? To watch her father slowly fade away, broken by the loss of his wife and son? To bear witness to John's marriage to a vicious girl like Anne Latimer who does not love him as he deserves?

John offered her his handkerchief to wipe away some stray tears. Margaret did so discretely. 'I will think about what you have said. I admit I had not considered those risks. I will discuss it with my father.' Margaret suspected that her response would not please him, but it was the best she could do for the time being.' I promise you that whatever decision we make, we will make prudently.'

They sat together in the garden a while longer. With every minute Margaret grew more anxious for John to tell her about Anne, but he seemed preoccupied by his own thoughts. Finally she decided she could wait no longer. 'John, you said you had news for me. That you wanted to tell me about someone you met in London?'

John looked puzzled. 'I believe I just did Margaret. I told you about Sir Henry and the Admiral.'

'Oh.' Margaret felt strangely deflated.

John sat upright as if alerted to her angst. 'What did you think I was going to tell you Margaret?'

Margaret tried to deny she had any such notion.

'Margaret?' John persisted. He attempted to look her in the face but she turned away. 'Margaret Hale I believe I know from experience when you are trying to hide something from me. I had rather hoped we had moved beyond deception and lies. But perhaps I have overestimated our progress on that front.'

John's unjust words maddened Margaret sufficiently for her to let her guard down. 'You are a fine one to talk Mr Thornton! You who talks of truth and honesty when you also keep your own secrets.'

Disappointed at her own outburst, Margaret got up and started walking in the direction of the cemetery. John collected his hat and ran after her. Catching up to her he took hold of her arm. 'Margaret wait. Tell me this instant - what are you talking about?'

Margaret stopped in her tracks. Her tears were flowing now.

John walked around to face her, tipping her chin up to look at him. 'Who did you think I met in London?'

When John let go of her chin, Margaret blotted again with the handkerchief before quietly saying, 'I know about your engagement to Miss Latimer.'

John looked at her incredulously. 'My what, to who?'

'Fanny alluded to it first, but I did not know for sure until Miss Latimer told me herself.'

'Miss Latimer told you that she was engaged to me?'

Margaret frowned. 'Well, not exactly. She told me that she was soon to be engaged to a prominent man in Milton. And then I saw her seated with your family in church on Sunday...'

John stood thinking as if making a mental calculation. Margaret could only look on anxiously, waiting for him to reveal his intentions.

Finally a look of amused comprehension came over his face. 'Let me make sure I understand you Margaret. You believe I want to marry Anne Latimer?' He did not give her a chance to respond. 'A woman - I might add - that I barely know, other than because she is my sister's friend. And you, thinking that your presence in Milton and my connection with you and your father will be…shall we say.. awkward for me, have decided to move to Spain to make it easier for me to start a life with my new wife? Am I correct?'

Margaret could barely breath. 'Are you saying you are not engaged?'

John shook his head slowly, seemingly diverted. 'No I am not. Nor have I ever been or ever will be.' His smile faded then and his face became more solemn. 'Not when there is one such as you.'

She did not know what to say. All of the strain of the last few weeks was threatening to be unleashed in more tears. Margaret hiccupped as she tried not to cry.

'Margaret.' Her name was a whisper on his lips. He moved closer. 'Margaret, can I dare believe that you were jealous?'

Margaret laughed despite herself at his pert question. Slowly raising her eyes her heart raced as he looked at her with such feeling as she had never known existed.

John lifted his hand to brush away a curl on her cheek. 'Just before I left for London, there were moments when I thought, well I hoped you had come to care for me. I thought perhaps you might even love me. But we had been through so much already and I wanted time to make up for my mistakes. I did not want to rush you as I had before.' John held her face in his hands so she could not look away. 'I did not want to scare you away before you understood my feelings – or your own.' He stroked her cheeks looking at her eyes, her hair, her lips. 'Promise me something?'

Still too dumbstruck to speak, Margaret nodded.

'Promise me that you will consider a life with me as an alternative to Spain.'

Margaret smiled shyly up at him, her heart near bursting.

'If you hadn't guessed already, I love you Margaret, so very dearly. I have never stopped loving you. I would do anything to make you happy. I wanted so badly to bring your brother back to you. I only stayed so long in London because I wanted to be sure that nothing further could be done. I walked Harley Street over and over and imagined you there. I thought about what I would say to you when I saw you again. What I could do to try to win you, once and for all.'

Margaret reached up a trembling hand to caress his jawline – something she had longed to do for so long.

John looked in wonder at her and closed his eyes as he turned to kiss her palm.

Margaret shuddered again at the sensation of his lips on her skin. Before she could regain her composure he put his hand around her waist and pulled her to him. Looking into her eyes he lowered his face to meet hers.