Hey! I am so sorry about the late update. I have been soooo busy with the end of school, helping my pregnant aunt and hanging out with my friends. I am trying to get the next chapter up sooner than this. Again, sorry! As usual, read and review! Thanks so much.
Daliah
CHAPTER TWO
Henry watched his sister-in-law leave and sighed. He truly did want Margaret to be happy, though he felt that her happiness would lead to his sorrow. After proposing once to her and being rejected, he didn't know if he could handle another such set-down. And she was so indiscreet. She acted inappropriately and with foolish abandon. She would let her heart not her mind, lead her actions. Moreover, those actions were not becoming of a lady. Nevertheless, if she agreed to marry Henry, he could mold her, change her, fix and mend her imperfections. Under his superior tutelage, she would gradually become a very fine woman. She was already thought respectable by London society - her years in London having honed such a reputation. However, this new mode of life that she was bent on leading did nothing to improve her name.
Despite all of the vexing tribulations, Henry smiled at the thought of helping Margaret to become all that she could achieve. He was fond of her and held her in esteem - if he did in fact gain the courage to propose he fancied that he would be able to enjoy spending his years with her. Even if she did not share the same feelings about life that he possessed, she could learn to be content with him. After all, what was marriage but a gamble? Being tolerably satisfied with ones partner was what many people could hope for...
Breakfast of the next morning afforded the perfect opportunity for Henry. He sat down next to Margret and handed her a paper, "I have some excellent news."
"Really?" Margret queried, obviously surprised - though he ventured to assume not unpleasantly.
He smiled and continued, "You have made money." His manner was as triumphant as his calm rational manner could produce.
She laughed - the first time he had seen her laugh in a long while, "What? Since yesterday? While I slept? How clever of me."
"Money makes money."
She looked concerned, "Why, I would rather earn it honestly and put it to good use."
Henry's smile faded and Edith's mother, her own dear Aunt Shaw, looked startled and intervened, "Margret! You're sounding a little - well, I hate to notice - revolutionary." The words rolled off her lips with a bitter sound. Henry continued - explaining the speculation initiated by Mr. Watson, a northern man, which Mr. Bell had been shrewd enough to invest a monetary sum.
Margret halted his presentation, "Watson? Fanny Thornton's husband?"
"The very one. Being hailed as a wonder-boy. Probably a nine days wonder, but nevertheless, Fanny's struck gold." He could not help but enjoy his next comment, "Which is more than what we can say for her brother."
"Oh," Margret interjected, careful to sound casual.
Henry heard the concern in her voice, though, and responded with slight pleasure, "He wouldn't have anything to do with it. Far too principled - might just be the last straw."
The color drained out of Margret's face at that last remark. Henry continued, careful to make certain that she wasn't fully aware of the contempt that laced his words, "I'm afraid that you'll also be looking for a new tenant, Margret. His debts had piled up enough. So now Marlborough Mills is going under." Margaret still looked troubled, "Debts?" "Yes. He took great pains to cover them, it seems, but every tree breaks under stress, I suppose." Henry glanced at Margaret only to note that her face was pale, concern written plainly on her forehead. These observations did not please Henry. He quickly changed the subject, "Did you know that Mrs. Applegate is selling her villa?"
Disclaimer: Any conversations that you recognize do not belong to me. Thank you for reading!
