Managing Hill Top Farm had taught Beatrix much about farming. Now, with the money earned from the Peter Rabbit books, she began to extend her property in the Lake District. She used a local solicitor, William Heelis, to advise her on her property dealings. William shared Beatrix's love of the Lake District, and the two had much in common. In 1912, William Heelis proposed marriage to Beatrix and she accepted.

Once again, Beatrix's parents were displeased with the match, but Beatrix was firm and eventually they relented. William and Beatrix were married in October 1913 in London, when Beatrix was 47. They made their home at Castle Cottage, Sawrey.

(Photograph: Beatrix Potter and William Heelis at Bolton gardens, 1913. Courtesy of Warne Archive.)