John Thornton has an eager mind, starved for intellectual stimulation. But what John could not have foreseen was that just as his mind needs nourishment, so does his heart. Mr. Hale's proud, beautiful, kind, stubborn, and compassionate daughter Miss Margaret Hale will bring John Thornton's untutored heart to full and vibrant life.

I was inspired to write this short story after seeing a graphic shared by becLadyOakenshield on Facebook, from an Armitage Army Portrait of Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield sleeping (used in the story cover graphic).