The return to Somerset seemed to take no time at all. Perhaps it was the shared company of Isaac and Lord Edgehill, or the many questions regarding Leah and Own that made the time pass so fluidly. I tried to present Leah's transformation from a child to a young woman but I could tell that her father was having difficulty with the subject. "Leah's not old enough . . .," Lord Edgehill stammered.

"She's fifteen," Isaac nodded. Reminiscing shadowed his eyes as he smiled before he turned to his father again. "She just turned fifteen."

Lord Edgehill's face blanched, "It's November," he signed. "I missed her birthday," he ran his hand over his forehead, "How could I . . ." he stopped when he looked at us, a small, tight smile painted his lips.

"I think she may forgive us this time," Isaac interjected as he motioned to my ring. "I think she was in favor of this." My eyes rose to meet his, I loved seeing his smile so content.

"But why did she not come with you?"

Lord Edgehill chuckled, "She wanted to, believe me."

"There were already four of us," Isaac explained, "and if we were to return with you, it was a snug fit already." I nodded, understanding.

The moments of quiet that followed allowed for a bit of a recharge. We each seemed to need to mentally prepare for the possibilities of what we would find on our return. When I next looked out the window I saw my childhood home, "We're here," I whispered.

There were lanterns along the approach even though it was hardly evening. Every window framed a lit candle. When they flickered, it appeared as if the house itself was beckoning me to return. I felt a catch in my throat realizing that soon, this would be home no more. "I shall miss you," I breathed as the carriage began to slow.

"What was that, darling?" Isaac pressed closer to look through the window with me.

I turned to smile, "Just that I shall miss this house." I startled, wondering what he would think, "But I will be just as happy, if not more, wherever we live . . . so long as I have you."

He smiled sweetly and kissed my cheek, "We can discuss that later." The carriage came to a stop and Lord Edgehill exited the carriage first. "Let's share our news first, shall we?" Isaac stepped out and extended his hand to me.

As we came closer to the front door, it abruptly pulled open. The sudden burst of light from inside made it difficult to see much more than a silhouette. "Margaret, where have you been?"

Once my eyes adjusted, I recognized the figure, "Jonathon!" I squealed. I let go of Isaac's hand and ran to my youngest brother, wrapping my arms around his neck as he twirled me around. "When did you get back? Where's Emily?"

"We returned just last week, Freddie said you went to Kensington?" He set me to my feet just inside the foyer and before I could undo my coat, I was surrounded by familiar faces. Emily was the next to hug me and I was so overcome I felt the warmth of tears rolling down my cheeks.

I caught my breath once the initial shock of seeing Jonathon and Emily again. I turned about and saw that my entire family was there, waiting for me. Arthur and Lucy were coaxing Isaac in from the doorway although Leah caught him with another hug, "Please, Leah, not so tight," he winced.

She sniffled and nodded before she let go, then turning to her father I noticed that her eyes reddened as she buried her face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, "I'm so sorry, Leah. I missed your birthday." It sounded as if he might cry as well.

"It doesn't matter, Papa, so long as we're together again." It was then that I noticed the Nassars joined our reunion, the father and son looking on fondly.

Isaac joined me in the center of the commotion, kissing my temple before he helped me out of my coat. "Were you expecting this?" he whispered before he handed it to Patience.

"No," I smiled as I looked over the faces of family and friends. I realized there was one face I had not seen yet. "Where's Freddie?"

As if everyone knew, the group parted and there at the far end of the foyer stood my eldest brother. "Magpie," he smiled warmly and opened his arms. I ran to him and hugged him, tears flowing. He lifted my chin and looked at me, "Please tell me these are happy tears"

"Yes, Freddie," I laughed, "very happy tears." As I wiped my cheek he caught my hand and looked at my ring, "I guess this answers the question we've all been asking."

I nodded again and looked around, the congratulations began and I lost Isaac momentarily as he was surrounded for handshakes, hugs and pats on the back. "Come with me," Freddie whispered and led me to his study.

He closed the door as I heard Mr. Nassar, "This calls for a splendid feast!"

"They won't miss us for too long," he smiled sheepishly. He motioned for me to sit and then he pulled a chair up beside me, "So, Isaac finally returned?"

"He did," I nodded, taking the handkerchief he offered. "I felt a fool that I didn't wait."

"It's not like you weren't in a very difficult position, especially for one so young," he offered, taking a letter from his pocket. "You do realize that I only wanted what I thought was best for you, right?"

"Yes, Freddie," I smiled, "I know."

"But I think I was a fool not to take into consideration what . . . or who you wanted." He had a pained expression, "So if I caused you pain, for that I am very sorry." Before he could say another word I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I heard him sniffle as he returned the embrace. After a moment he moved back, "We have heard from Percival."

I returned to my chair, not sure what to say. "I think that it says something when I am the last one to come to the same conclusion as everyone else."

"What do you mean, Freddie?"

"Shortly after you left, we received this letter," he offered it to me but I declined to take it, "Percival, it seems, came to the conclusion that it was unfair of him to expect such an answer from you. He went on to say that he realized that you did not care for him the way he hoped. It was clear that he only wishes you happiness."

"Oh Percival," I whimpered. "What shall become of him?"

"I believe he has changed his commission, he mentioned about looking into his endeavors away from England."

"I did not want that," I shook my head as Freddie moved to put the letter away in his desk.

"No, but it seems that is the way this story will go." He offered a tender smile that I returned.

"I do hope that he will be happy," I nodded.

There was a tentative knock on the door and Freddie opened it, finding Isaac, "Excuse me, but . . . you're both missed." With that Isabella pushed past him and squeezed through the door. Freddie picked her up and kissed her rosy cheek.

Before they rejoined the party, Freddie stopped by Isaac, "Just keep your promise, make her happy."

Isaac smiled and nodded, shaking his hand, "I will." I took a deep breath and gave a final wipe to my eyes as he came in to get me, "Is everything all right?"

"Yes," I smiled, "everything is as it should be." He pressed a kiss to my forehead and I got a wonderful idea. "Come," I took his hand and pulled him back into the foyer. "Get your coat!"

"But why?" he laughed, "The party's in the drawing room."

"And we will rejoin it, but first I need to show you something." I took his hands and led him to the kitchen. I was sure that Freddie saw us, but no one said a thing.

"Where are we going?" he asked when I lit a lantern and opened the door to the gardens.

"To my sanctuary," I smiled and extended a hand towards him. He took it and followed me into the night. We didn't say much, but took our time crossing the gardens to where the trees lined the hills that ran to the beach. "We're almost there," I cheered as we found the path.

The air was cold and salty as our feet touched the sand, "This is where I would come when I needed to be alone." I led him towards the large rocks, "I would sit here and watch the ocean."

"And you're sharing this with me?" he asked wrapping an arm around me.

"I don't want to ever be alone anymore," I held the lantern up so I could see his face, "So even this I want to share with you."

He let go of my hands and cupped my face, "My Margaret," he breathed before kissing me fervently. "There's just one thing left . . ."

"What's that?" I nuzzled his chin as he wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight.

"I promised you once that I would share something with you on our happiest day, do you remember?" I shook my head, staying where I was. I did not care so long as I had this moment. Then he began:

"Brighter shone the golden shadows;
On the cool wind softly came
The low, sweet tones of happy flowers,
Singing little Violet's name.
'Mong the green trees was it whispered,
And the bright waves bore it on
To the lonely forest flowers,
Where the glad news had not gone.

Thus the Frost-King lost his kingdom,
And his power to harm and blight.
Violet conquered, and his cold heart
Warmed with music, love, and light;
And his fair home, once so dreary,
Gay with lovely Elves and flowers,
Brought a joy that never faded
Through the long bright summer hours.

Thus, by Violet's magic power,
All dark shadows passed away,
And o'er the home of happy flowers
The golden light for ever lay.
Thus the Fairy mission ended,
And all Flower-Land was taught
The 'Power of Love,' by gentle deeds
That little Violet wrought.*"

*The poem "Brighter Shone the Golden Shadows" by Louisa May Alcott