Fate made them meet again. Five years later, James was a newly married man. He had stubbornly waited for her to come back before giving up to his mother's wishes. His wife, Helen, was a tall brunette, intelligent and cultured, and that was what made him fall in love with her. Yet, he hadn't forgotten Margaret, he never would. He had told Helen about Margaret, and she had understood. The young wife appreciated that her husband didn't keep any secrets from her, after all, his past was what made him the man she loved.
The young couple had been invited to a welcome party a foreign businessman was throwing. He had recently moved to the region with his wife and was eager to make some social acquaintances. When James and Helen arrived to the party it was in full swing. People were scattered around the garden, and the sound of the orchestra was spreading into the surroundings. The house was magnificent, easily twice the size of their own. As they entered through the gates, admiring the stained windows, a maid took their coats and the butler guided them to the head of the household. He was an impressive tall blond man, his face covered with a thick beard, but he looked affable as he talked to Lady Waterford. The butler silently called for his attention, and he politely apologized to the old woman.
-Mister Gundvaldson, I am pleased to introduce you Miss and Mister Abbot.- the butler said before retiring.
-Call me Hans.- the foreigner said with an accent.
-I am James and this is my wife Helen.- James replied.
-Tell us, Hans, where exactly are you from?- Helen asked.
-Sweden, a city called Uppsala.
-That is far, how come you moved here?- she continued.
-Well, my wife is English, and she was missing her home soil, so we decided to change countries.
-This is real love. Moving to a foreign place to please your spouse, it is romantic.
-So, your wife is English, you said? When will we meet her?- James inquired.
-She was complimenting some guests, she should be back at any minute.
They kept talking, explaining Hans the essentials of the place. An old friend of James took him aside, and introduced him to a business partner while Helen stayed with Hans. She was a newcomer too, as she had been raised in the city. When James came back to her wife and their host, he saw that another woman had joined them, a woman with auburn curls. A woman who looked too familiar for it to be true. He approached, shaking.
-James, dear. Past time.- Helen told him.- Hans wife has already joined us. Margaret, this is my husband, James.
She looked at him with those green eyes, they hadn't changed a bit, but she had. She looked more mature, more confident, almost regal, yet there was still something that hinted her real nature.
-You are back.- he said.
-I am.
A flicker of recognition sparked in their respective spouses' eyes. Those were the ones they had heard of.
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