Re: North and South (John/Margaret). MORE.
“Put your necktie back on,” Margaret tells John when they reach the door, “I don’t want your mother to think I’m the reason you look so dishevelled.”
The tease earns her a kiss and his obedience. She helps him tie the cravat and straightens his collar, unnecessarily, for the pleasure of smoothing her fingers over his neck. He catches them and kisses each hand.
“Come,” he says, “She saw us arrive already.”
Margaret braces herself, sighing inwardly; no one guards a window better than Old Battleaxe Thornton. Especially if her son or that no-good interloper Miss Hale is in view.