James soon found out Margaret was strong-willed, stubborn, and independent. After his invitation, Margaret became a regular at the library. At first she would only go when he was there, she would pick a book and sit on the opposite side of the room, maybe as a sign of respect. She seemed to enjoy the Greek classics, and he soon started discussing philosophy with her. Truth was, he longed for intelligent conversation, and she provided it. With time they moved from philosophy to politics, she was surprisingly well informed about the current state of affairs. She was a fervent defendant for equal rights, understandable after her disfavored uprising. She was what he had been waiting for, someone of his own age who was intellectually challenging.
Soon enough, he found himself longing for their weekly discussion. Sometimes, he caught himself wondering what would be the next topic they would talk about. Yet, James kept those meetings secret, because he knew some people would frown upon them. The same thing happened to Margaret. What was more, during the rest of the week she kept her distance, but when their meeting arrived she would forget all formalisms and call him James, as he had insisted.
One day, as they were talking about the women's rights movement, James braved up and asked her if she ever wanted to marry. Instead of replying, she struck back.
-And you? Do you want to marry?
-I will have to. It's my fate as heir.
-We are not talking about what you ought to do, we are talking about what you want to do. Do you want to marry some high society damsel? Or do you want to marry someone you love?
Love, that was such a complicated word. Of course, he wanted to marry someone he loved, but did he really stand a chance? Margaret was waiting for an answer.
-If I could, I would like to marry the woman I love.- as soon as he had said it, he knew it was true, that was his deepest desire.- But life is too difficult, society would probably never accept it.
-This is exactly the problem we are facing right now. Society is everything, it is what rules our lives. We are marked from the moment we are born. You should be able to marry the person you love, whoever she is, the only thing that matters is that you feel she is worthy.
-Of course you are.- James said abruptly, he paled as soon as he realized what he had said.
-You didn't mean that.- Margaret replied as she blushed. She stood frozen at her place by the window.
-I do.- and for the first time he was aware he loved her.- Margaret, you are the only person I can talk with, you are smart and sharp. You are not like the rest of the girls. Every day by your side is an stimulus. With you I can really be myself, instead of Mr. Abbot, with you I am James. And that's why I love you.
-James,... you know this can't be.
-You just said I should be able to love whoever I wanted.
-Yes, but...
-No buts, we will find our way around, if you love me too.
-James,...
-Do you?
Margaret sighed, she looked into his dark blue eyes that were staring at her from barely three feet away.
-Yes, I do.
James fell on one knee, took her hand and kissed it. It had been the first time she had told her he loved her, but it wouldn't be the last one.
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