These are the events after the end of the
BBC mini-series of North and South. I chose to use it
because it integrates better with my writing
but I have also used some of the ending from the original book.
Mr
Thornton stared into Margaret's eyes, he was lucky.
He had not
expected her to take him, but the relief he felt when she did was
almost greater than that of when Higgins told him she had a brother.
He started with a small smile on his face, 'Miss Margaret Hale, what
will my mother say?'
'Well, I can easily tell you that,' Margaret
had been smiling ever scince she borded the train, though she did
feel a bit of pity for Mr Lennox, leaving him to return to London on
his own was rather cruel. But he would be a gentalman about it, as
always. 'I am sure her exact words will be 'That woman!' followed by
a list of things that will make me feel completely insignificant!'
Margaret smiled, she truly did believe that the indignant Mrs
Thornton would say that.
'Well to prevent her having too many
things to complain about the correctness of the current affairs, I
had better do it properly-' He paused and drew in a deep breath to
prepare himself. 'Margaret, will you marry me?' Looking down at
Margaret's small face, he saw a flush of colour, followed quickly by
a sudden flicker of amusement.
'Mr Thornton! How could you presume
such things! I think you misunderstand me! I just needed to change
trains.'
His face filled with horror then realisation.
'That is
not funny Margaret,' he growled meanacingly, 'I have already
misinterpreted your actions before, save me the angst of having that
experience again.'
Innocently Margaret whispered, 'Who ever said I
was being funny.' as she nestled into Johns' arms.
They where
both startled at the noisy opening of the carriage compartment and
quickly drew away from each other, their embrace was not exactly
polite in public.
Standing in the doorway was a girl of about six,
a chestnut plait fell limply over her shoulder, the other was being
used in the place of a handkerchief to wipe away the steady flow of
tears from her wide eyes.
John muttered, something to the effect
of wanting a peaceful journey with his fiancee, but Margaret
instantly felt compassion for the distressed child.
'What is the
matter?' she said gently, as if she was talking to a scared rabbit,
not wanting to frighten it away. But the words had no effect, the
child carried on standing there, sniffing slightly. 'Where is your
mother?'
She finally spoke, though almost inaudible it came out
with one breath, in a rush. 'I don't know- I went to find Father, but
I could not and then I went back, but mother was not there. So- so- I
don't know what to do-' she broke off into more tears.
John was
still sitting slightly dazed on the seat, he had not had much
experience with children, other than the ones that worked in his
mill. But he was determined to help Margaret find the child's
mother.
'Margaret, you inquire down the end of the train, I will
take her to the guard at the front and inquire on the way.'
With
that they set off in opposite directions, John leading the little
girl softly by the hand.
Almost at the end of the train,
Margaret was giving up hope, maybe John had already found the girl's
mother and they where happily reunited, but then again, maybe
not.
Opening the stiff sliding door to the last compartment
Margaret recited her speech that had become practiced from
repetition.
'Excuse me, I am sorry to disturb you, but have you
lost a child?'
The man was facing away from her, wearing a dark
coat that contrasted damatically with his dirty blond hair. For
a moment Margaret thought he must be asleep and started to retreat,
but he slowly turned his head towards her.
They where plunged into
darkness as the train entered a tunnel.
'I am afraid I have not-'
But as she turned to go he continued. 'But Miss Hale-' she turned
around, startled by the mention of her name but the owner of the
voice could not be seen in the darkness. 'I would not advise
wandering around on your own. Who knows what someone would want to do
with such an accomplished heiress as yourself.'
'Sir- I would
take it kindly if you did not talk to me like that. I am perfectly
capable of dealing with any situation that I come across' Margaret's
voice was stern but wavered slightly with doubt.
'I was just
warning you-' the voice was slightly menacing and it sent a chill
down Margaret's spine. They where out of the tunnel now, but he had
his back turned to her once again.
'You may not be loved as well
as you think.'
'Margaret?' John's worried voice came from behind
her. 'Are you alright?'
'I-' But as she turned, the train jolted
to a stop, sending the compartment door slamming into her and
rendering her unconscious.
"Margaret!' His reaction was
instant, opening the door and carrying his fiancee into the now empty
compartment.
Hopefully I will be able to get the next
chapter up soon!
Please review!
xx
