Please note that all of these characters belong to the amazing and inspiring Elizabeth Gaskell. I do not own them in any way. If I have borrowed some of her phrases without acknowledging it in italics, I apologise. I probably couldn't think of a better way to say something than she did!

This story covers a bit of old ground to start with. Stick with me. It does start to branch out in later chapters. PJ

A more proud, disagreeable girl I never saw. Even her great beauty is blotted out of one's memory by her scornful ways.

John Thornton walked swiftly from Crampton, the cold night air almost stealing his breath. He had been to tea at the Hales' home on invitation from the former Reverend Hale, who was now his tutor. The design of the evening was for John to meet Mr Hale's wife and become better acquainted with his daughter, who he had only met once before.

John grimaced at the thought of his first meeting with the beautiful but seemingly impervious Miss Hale. He had called on Mr Hale at the hotel the family were staying at during their search for a house in Milton. Expecting to meet his new tutor, he was surprised instead to be greeted by Miss Margaret Hale, his friend's haughty yet exceedingly attractive daughter. John knew of her existence, but he had expected her to still be a child - which Miss Hale certainly was not.

John recalled her look of proud indifference as she surveyed him. He was sure she imagined him a great rough fellow without refinement or gentlemanly manner. But her quiet coldness in turn made him decide that he did not like her.

And yet tonight, seeing Miss Hale with her family, he had witnessed glimpses of deep affection and a light heartedness that he had not thought her capable of. Particularly in her attachment to her father; the love and trust were evident in their intimacy and shared laughter as she poured his tea.

But John only had a fleeting moment to observe her openness of manner. Almost like she had become aware of his attention, Miss Hale retreated into the corner of the room into her own thoughts, never to be shared with one such as him. He was never likely to know her secrets.

How ironic, John thought. He himself was usually guarded in how much he revealed to strangers. He fiercely protected his family's privacy. But tonight in response to Miss Hale's open hostility at what she perceived to be his personal prejudice against the working classes, he had acted out of character. John had shared deeply personal matters; revealing the painful story of a childhood cut short by the tragic death of his father; how he and his mother had endured years of sacrifice and self denial to rebuild their life; and that only his strength of character had allowed him to rise to the ranks of Master of his own mill. Even now he could not explain why he should tell a virtual stranger such a private thing. His only explanation was that, for some reason, he could not bear to have her misunderstand him in such a fundamental way.

John now worried that instead of improving her opinion, his candidness about his past had only diminished his standing in her eyes.

Despite her obvious disdain for him, John was undeniably attracted to Mr Hale's daughter. She made him feel awkward in every limb when he was in her presence. He found it difficult to form coherent speech. In contrast she had moved about the Hale home this evening with the grace and divinity of an angel in her pink muslin. The only item betraying her perfect exterior was the bracelet that kept slipping down her delicate, ivory arms. It fascinated him to see her push it up repeatedly.

John tried to shake the thoughts of Miss Hale from his mind. She would never seriously consider him a suitor. She made that plain in her manner tonight.

John enjoyed the company of Mr Hale, and apart from Miss Hale's frosty reception, found the Hale home to be warm and welcoming. As he arrived this evening, Miss Hale was lighting the lamps. The light shed a warm glow onto the various pretty baskets of work and treasured books with battered bindings that lay about on small tables by comfortable chairs. A perfectly starched white tablecloth with cocoa-nut cakes in crystal plates was the only starkness in this otherwise homely picture. John observed with curiosity that Mrs Hale, thin and pale and with a shawl around her fragile shoulders, prevailed over the gathering with the dignity of an aristocrat despite her meager setting. At the time John had wondered whether this characteristic in her mother might explain the superiority of manner in Miss Hale.

John's friendship with Mr Hale was developing into one of the most important of his life. He had transitioned into manhood without the guidance of a father. His mother had been an indefatigable support, but he missed his father, and longed for all of the advice he would have given him. However, since meeting with Mr Hale regularly, and now being welcomed into his home, the sense of loss somehow seemed lessened.

John wanted Mr Hale and his family to feel at home here in Milton. It was clear that the move had not been sanctioned by the Hale ladies, and that the matter was a still a sensitive topic in their home. John suspected that some of their discomfort stemmed from loneliness.

Arriving back at Marlborough Street, John went in search of his mother.

Entering the house he heard her call out 'Is that you John?' John affectionately noted that despite her ageing body, her senses were sharp and agile.

He found her in her usual chair in the dining room mending a napkin bearing their initials. She was handsomely dressed in stout black linen wearing her usual dour expression. It was this expression, more than her attire that lent her the severe appearance she was renowned for in Milton.

'Yes, good evening Mother.' John stooped to kiss her cheek before walking to the side table to pour himself a drink.

'How was your evening with The Hales?' she said.

John noted his mother's derisive tone. When he had returned home earlier to dress for tea, Mrs Thornton had made it clear that she felt it unnecessary to go to such effort for a renegade clergyman and his family. She had also warned him against Miss Hale lest she go angling after him as a husband. The thought was absurd to John, and he had said as much to his mother.

'The evening was very nice, thank you Mother. And you will note that I have returned home unshackled and unscathed as I predicted.' John said this with a playful sense of mischief. He secretly enjoyed riling his mother.

'You mock my warnings, but she is not of our world. Milton girls may have more self respect, but these southern types see rich husbands as prizes to be won. You are naïve my dear boy if you think you are not a likely target for such unscrupulous behavior – particularly when the girl is desperate and penniless.'

John fought hard not to laugh. 'As I have told you before Mother, Miss Hale treats me mostly with indifference, on occasion with contempt. Her mother, I am certain seems equally unimpressed. You do not need to worry. I am in no danger.' John felt something akin to disappointment as he said this.

John came over to kneel by his mother. 'I do however enjoy my lessons with Mr Hale. His friendship means a lot to me.' John's voice became a little thick, prompting Mrs Thornton to brush his hair back with her hand in an intimate maternal gesture. She understood his growing attachment to Mr Hale and his search to fill the void left by his father's untimely death.

At that moment John's sister Fanny bounded into the dining room. John stood to greet her before returning to the sideboard to top up his drink.

'Where have you been tonight John?' Fanny asked as she sat down to begin some needlework.

John considered his sister for a moment. He couldn't help making comparisons between her and Miss Hale. Fanny had an obvious beauty, with blonde ringlets and huge blue eyes. This was in contrast to the dark tresses and grey eyes of the mysterious Miss Hale. Fanny always dressed in bright colours and had a natural energy that gave her a childlike quality. Miss Hale on the other hand could wear rags with regal grace, holding her head high with superior elegance. Fanny seemed to say the first thing that came to her head. Miss Hale was considered in all her discourse.

'I told you before Fanny, he went to the Hales for tea,' Mrs Thornton chastised.

'How you seem to like these Hales John? And yet we've never laid eyes on them.' Fanny was almost pouting as she said this.

'You are right Fanny, and that is something I would like to correct.' Turning to his mother now, 'I have told Mr Hale that you and Fanny will call on Mrs and Miss Hale tomorrow to take tea.'

Mrs Thornton glared at John.

'Mother, I just finished saying how much Mr Hale's friendship means to me. I suspect Mr Hale worries that his wife and daughter have not yet settled into Milton life. He wants them to be happy here. I think that if they can form some friendships and connections of their own in Milton that they will feel more at ease.'

With his mother still looking furious and unyielding, John changed to a sterner more authoritative tone. 'Mother, Fanny, I would like you to extend Mrs and Miss Hale your friendship and welcome.'

Fanny, almost oblivious to her mother's ire chimed in, 'Well I for one can hardly blame them for not wanting to come to such a filthy, smoky town. Who would want to leave London or wherever they came from to come here.' Fanny was in truth intrigued to meet the Hales who had captured the interest and attention of her brother.

Mrs Thornton threw her sewing down on the table. 'Think of what you are asking me to do, John. You expect me to befriend a girl and her mother who you yourself have confessed have treated you with derision, turned up their nose at you..'

'Mother, I am asking you to show some kindness to the wife and daughter of a friend of mine. That is all. Please let us have no more discussion. You and Fanny will go to Crampton to the Hales tomorrow.' John put his hand on Mrs Thorton's shoulder to calm her as he prepared to leave the room. 'You may even enjoy your visit Mother.' John gave her a meaningful look that he knew would settle the matter.