I have taken on board what people have said in regards to my story; I have made a few editing changes with regards to punctuation in this chapter and hope that it has made a difference: for the better. Please let me know what you think and finally happy reading.
Chapter Seven.
Upon awakening Margaret was very confused: where was her husband? John never left the house before kissing her goodbye in the morning. Looking around the room, she saw no sight of him or for that matter any sight of anything of his. It was as though she has no husband. There was no little boy with his beautiful dark curls, deep blue eyes, rose coloured chubby cheeks and the most dazzling smile awaiting for her to rise from her bed, and her beautiful daughter was not cradled in her arms sleeping.
It had happened again, her true dreams had turned to sleeping ones. Her dreams of her beautiful family had been the one ray of light she has had since this whole tragic event had occurred. Margaret had dreamt of her husband and children before Fred had died. It felt like these dreams were coming for a reason; but the reason to keep pulling her to life then pushing her back, was hard to find. How many times has she wished for these dreams to come true? So many.
With a small sigh, she rose from her bed and started to prepare for breakfast with her Aunt. Her cousin Edith was still away vacationing in America with her husband and little boy Sholto, she did miss her cousin so. Knowing Edith's personality, Margaret knew that Edith would have just laughed at her mother's attempts at trying to manipulate her into marrying for wealth instead of love. But Edith was not due home for at least another two months. This saddened her deeply.
Leaving her room, she headed towards the dining room on the first floor of the house, she could hear her Aunt's voice and that of a gentleman. With a hope in her heart that it would be John and she could apologise for her behaviour the previous day, she rushed as fast as her weakened legs could take her; swinging open the door and looking around the room, her hope vanished.
At the table comfortably eating their breakfast was her Aunt and Mr Jennings, he immediately stood upon her entry with a smile on his face. His eyes were looking up and down her body, making her feel so uncomfortable that she had to rush to a seat at the other end of the table. Making herself as far from them as she possibly could.
"Well; you have finally decided to embrace us with your presence then, Margaret" Margaret could feel her ire raising to the surface, something she believed she had learned from John. He had somehow managed to make her react in a way that she had never been able to accomplish before, and it still seemed to be there, buried deep but it was still there.
"I have"
"Miss Hale; I wish you a good morning" as he spoke those words, she could here the insincerity in his voice.
"Do you, why?" Margaret suppressed the smile she felt rising from her lips when she saw the look of pure horror and embarrassment that was coming from her Aunt. It was something that she would clearly remember for however many days she had left remaining.
"Margaret!"
"Yes Aunt?" Margaret took some toast, spreading some butter, whilst trying to fake innocence at the rude behaviour she had presented in front of company. She had always but always been about acting appropriately and with manners. But something had shifted in her today, especially at seeing the scene in which she had walked into. Something told her that these two were planning something and that she was part of that plan. She believed that her Aunt wanted her to marry this man, but as yet she had not approached the subject, Margaret suspected she was biding her time until the timing was right.
"What do you think you are doing?" Her Aunt was incredulous with her behaviour.
"Doing Aunt? I am eating breakfast" for the first time in a while Margaret's stomach was telling her that she was indeed hungry for something to eat and with this she started eating her toast. But her Aunt would not keep quiet so she could eat in peace.
"Eating breakfast indeed, you have just insulted our guest; you will apologise at once!" Mrs Shaw looked towards Mr Jennings and smiled whilst trying her hardest not to scowl at Margaret.
"How did I insult him, I asked why he was wishing me a good morning, that was not an insult but a question, I do not understand you Aunt, would you care to explain the insult to me" hurriedly taking a bite of toast.
"It is fine Mrs Shaw, Miss Hale is obviously a little addled in mind this morning; why do we not carry on with this magnificent breakfast" Margaret glanced up to Mr Jennings, just in time to see the remains of his scowl aimed in her direction starting to disappear. How dare he accuse her of an addled mind. Yes she thought she herself was wanting something, but what that was she did not know. She seemed very much at odds with her decision today; maybe the dream and waking to it, believing it to be true for a short time, but she certainly was not addled in mind, not in the way he was assuming she was. Maybe it was because she could still picture those stunning blue eyes of her little boy; the carbon copy of his father's.
She stopped herself from continuing in his line of thought, she had work to be doing today not day dreaming about a family she did not have.
"What are you up to today Margaret?"
"I have some business matters to attend to today Aunt. I shall likely be in my study most of the day" giving a small fake smile.
"Well, alright, but I had invited Mr Jennings for breakfast so you two could spend some time in each other's company"
The dark cloud that Margaret had pushed away for such a short time had resumed its place; the sunken feeling returning and the night closing in on her thoughts. Here she goes again with the Mr Jennings.
"Sorry Aunt, but I have let things get away with me for a while and I do really need to catch up. I do apologise Mr Jennings" she thought she had to at least act a little polite, she still had to live in this house. Her Aunt could become very vocal and impolite to whom ever was available and she would not let her Aunt take it out on the servants just because she would not behave as a lady should in her Aunt's eyes and home.
"It is fine Miss Hale, we all have to take care of our future, do we not?"
"Indeed we do" finishing the remains of her toast, which she noticed was far more than any other day previous. She had managed just a couple of bites before; she had eaten the whole slice today, which was something she was very proud of. Yes, it was only one morning and it was only one slice of toast, but it was better. Margaret was still way down in the darkness but she knew she had taken one small step that led her towards the light at the other end.
Finishing her cup of tea and dabbing her mouth with a freshly laundered napkin, she rose from her chair. Mr Jennings also rose out of politeness. Giving another false smile she excused herself. Finding a servant on the way, she requested a fresh pot of tea to be brought to her study. Smiling a genuine smile this time to the servant. Margaret left to get on with the tasks she had mentally listed. By the time she had reached the door of her study, she had been out of breath and weak; her spirits for having a slightly better look on her day had plummeted since leaving her Aunt. This would be the first time since John had gone that she would be entering the room he had occupied the previous afternoon; feeling alone once more, she entered the study closing the door behind her. Sagging against it, she started letting the silent tears of longing fall.
It must have been only a few moments before she felt two strong arms gently close around her waist and pull her against a broad chest; holding her whilst she sobbed silently. She knew in an instant who was holding her. He was so patient and caring, he did not say a word; he just held her. Resting his cheek on the top of her head whilst she pressed her face against his chest. Her hands slowly wrapping around his back, she balled her hands into fists, grabbing his coat at the same time. If anyone had seen, it would have looked like she was clinging to him to keep herself upright; so not as to fall and at the present moment that is what she was doing. She did not want to fall, but not fall to the floor, she did not want to fall further into the darkness from which she had started.
