#thorntcns

                she cast a surreptitious glance at the man beside her. he looked as out of place as she felt. hiding a smile, she brought her glass to her lips and sipped at the fine port. it was a grand evening, she thought. the music, the dancing... all of it an intoxicating whirl -- one she might have been glad to be swept up in, had she known the steps of this particular dance. it was moments like these when she felt even more keenly aware of where she’d come from. as much as she loved dancing, she found she did not keep up with the steps as well as she might wish to... and she could not help but think the man beside her was something of a kindred spirit in that regard. perhaps she was imagining it -- attributing her own discomfort to him. but the thought made her bold, all the same.    “  it’s that fine a party, is it not?  ”    she said at last, offering him a warm smile. mischief glimmered in her eye.    “  perhaps a touch too fine...  ”   //   @thorntcns​ liked for a starter!

“ oh don’t be, my love. i am fine, truly. ” her voice begged to differ, betraying her with uncharacteristic hoarseness in stark contrast of its usual gentle & clear sound. but her stubbornness knew no bounds and margaret refused to entertain the thought of being sick, certain that she was just feeling a little under the weather more than anything else. it would be over in a day or two, no doubt ... but how many times had that excuse rolled of her tongue now? it seemed she had been saying that the last two days as well. or was it three? four? it was a little hard to keep track of time. “ i promise everything is well. it would be a waste to call the doctor when it is nothing. ”

christmas starters I accepting I @thorntcns​​

awakening from her slumber for a fleeting moment due to soft touch, a sleepy smile lingered on her lips at the sight of her hand having found his and it would only make sleep that more sweet after witnessing such a sight. letting out a soft sigh, margaret huddled closer to him, burying her face in the nape of his neck, nuzzling it gently as soon her eyes closed again. “ i love you. ” it was but a faint whisper as she was drifting off to peaceful sleep once more, her soft smile never leaving her lips. 

“ i was waiting for you. ” a softly spoken confession, accompanied by a tired but pleased smile. despite being told many a time that she ought to just go to bed if he came back late, margaret always kept trying to stay up until he returned. it was not often that she succeeded in remaining awake until he could be heard coming through the door at last, so it was quite the victory on her part. “ i don’t like going to sleep without seeing you. ”

         “  i don’t believe that can be so,  ”    she said. her gaze held his, an unabashed earnestness in her eyes. she knew she must sound foolish -- naïve and simple. such a man perhaps had more sophisticated views... but that did not shake her opinion for a moment. a small smile spread across her lips.    “  there’s no such thing as too much hope. what sort of life would it be - going through each day thinkin’ and expectin’ the worst?  ”    she shook her head, warming to her subject.    “  that’s no life at all. no,  ”    she added firmly.    “  i do think ‘tis better to sometimes be disappointed than to live in the dark...  ”

lucy  reaches  out  to  him  ,   then  ,   as  she  has  often  wanted  to  .   her  palm  rests  on  the  top  of  his  knee  .    “    you  were  a  child  ,   every  awful  thing  that  you  fought  through  was  unearned  .   but  you  are  a  better  person  ,   mister  thornton  .   believe  me  .    ”