And now for the penultimate chapter...

In the Company of Children

By Winam

Chapter 10

Waterloo Station hummed with activity as passengers alighted from the Southampton train. The other occupants of the carriage had long gone by the time I stepped on to the platform and was immediately inundated by what seemed like mayhem. My senses struggled to absorb the crowd, noise and smells of the station after a day in the quietude of Hampshire, but I was not given the luxury to adjust as a stream of people swiftly swept me out on to the street.

I stumbled upon a waiting cab driver. "Where to guv?" he asked.

"To Armitage Square." I answered, before stepping inside his carriage. The driver curtly acknowledged my request before setting off as quickly as the thick London traffic allowed.

Sophie is the cousin closest to me in age, being only two years my junior. Our mothers are sisters and very close, so consequently we were playmates until I began to work at my uncle's drapers, Green's. Being constantly in each other's company gave us a thorough understanding of each other, though in essence we had always been very different. As children our mothers described us as spring and autumn, Sophie being sweet and lively while I was more subdued. Little has changed since then but our differences had not stopped us from being lifelong friends.

I met Nathaniel more recently after I began to manage Green's on my uncle's behalf. Since Nathaniel worked for one of our major suppliers I frequently met with him to negotiate orders. He was some ten years older than I, but we got on so well that we soon developed a friendship outside of business, particularly after he began to court Sophie. His friendship was invaluable – his patience grounded me when I was over-passionate and his perceptive mind provided guidance when I needed it most – but greatest of all was his compassionate nature that was evident in the care he showed towards even the slightest of his acquaintances.

I was happy when Sophie and Nathaniel married but missed their company sorely after they moved to London. My work prevented me from visiting often, so I was glad to be given the opportunity today. Their housekeeper Mrs. Markham was the first to greet me, but Nathaniel was not far behind. He had just taken up his hat but relinquished it as soon as he saw me.

"John! How do you do? Your letter last week so alarmed us. Since we received no further news we thought that you had skipped the country!"

I shook his hand and smiled at his evident concern. "Hello Nathaniel. I am sorry to not have written sooner but I am not lost on the Continent as you can see."

"Obviously not. In fact, I am happy to see you looking quite well. But listen, I must leave you now for I have a meeting with Harrison at twelve. I will take you to the ladies just to make sure you don't skip away before I return."

"I promise that I will stay at least until you come home."

He laughed. "Excellent – I will be back for dinner and we can speak at length afterwards."

Nathaniel propelled me to the entrance of the drawing room and opened the door. I grinned when he joked to Sophie that I was not in Timbuktu after all.

"So where is he, my dear?" she asked.

I could not help but answer, "Right here, Sophie."

"John!" she cried, and I stepped into the room to greet her.

But I gasped when I saw her companion.

Sophie flew from her chair and stood on tip-toe to kiss my cheek, Nathaniel patted my back and slipped away, but my sight was pinned to Margaret Hale's luminous eyes.

"I know I need not introduce you to Miss Hale." said Sophie.

"No indeed." I managed to reply.

Margaret's gaze was welcoming, with none of the chilly disdain that I frequently saw in Milton. It gave me the courage to step up and take the hand that she offered me. I grasped it and muttered a greeting that evoked a half-smile from her lips. I could not imagine anything more enchanting. When my cousin ushered us to sit I loathed letting go, but my eyes could not be dragged away.

"I can see that you were rather startled to find us so cosy here." said Sophie cheerfully, "But was it not a marvellous coincidence that I met the one lady in London to have lived in Milton and known you?"

I could not help but smile. "A great coincidence – I did not know your aunt lived close by, Miss Hale. Where did you both meet?"

"In Regent's Park." Margaret replied. "Actually, I have the ducks to thank as they introduced me to Daisy – Miss Crawford, I mean – and then she introduced me to your cousin. I was also astonished to discover how many acquaintances we had in common."

She explained in a strangely tremulous voice how her aunt's house was across the park, how she would walk there with her cousin and her cousin's son, and ended her pretty speech by gently saying, "I am glad to see you again, Mr. Thornton."

My heart leaped with such joy that it rendered me momentarily speechless. After a moment I somehow found my voice and answered, "And I, Miss Hale. I cannot believe that it has been half-a-dozen months since you left us in Milton."

"Yes, they were six months that brought many startling changes. I was shocked to hear of Marlborough Mills closing."

So she knew that I had failed. Margaret, dressed in the first style of fashion, looked the very essence of success, while I felt unworthy to even be in her presence.

Looking away, I uttered, "It was not an easy decision to close the mill, but it was the only option I had if I was to pay my creditors and my men."

"You misunderstand me, Mr. Thornton." she countered. "I was only shocked to have heard that it had closed. Indeed, I would still be sceptical if I had not seen the mill for myself."

"You…" My ears could scarcely believe what they had heard. "Were you in Milton this week?"

"I came up yesterday and saw the empty yard and sheds. It was one of the most disheartening scenes I ever saw."

What reason had she to visit the mill? I dared not hope. "You were in Milton visiting friends, I suppose."

"Yes…" she faltered, "Among other things."

Sophie gave Margaret, and then myself, a curious glance – but she remained silent.

I continued, "I am sorry to not have been able to receive you when you had come so far."

"I actually… I spoke to your mother briefly and afterwards visited Mary Higgins. She told me that Nicholas was already looking for work, and also that you have been assisting the little Bouchers with their schooling."

I reddened. "They are good children and deserve a chance."

"Who are these children you speak of?" asked Sophie.

"The Bouchers are five little orphans that were adopted by their neighbour Higgins, who worked at the mill." I explained.

"My lord, he adopted five children?" Sophie exclaimed.

"Yes. Though Higgins is a very capable man, he and his daughter are only barely able to provide for them all, which was why I asked to help put the two eldest through school."

"I doubt any other master in Milton would help as you did the Bouchers." said Margaret quietly. "I am happy for them. They are such dear children and it would ease Nicholas' mind to know that they have a future. I have also been thinking about how I could help them. Knowing that you were assisting Tom and Beatrice, I have established a fund to provide for the younger children."

Generous-hearted Margaret! "That is very good of you, Miss Hale. I would have done more but I fear that it is not possible under my present circumstances."

"You did your best, Mr. Thornton. They have told me countless times what a godsend you have been."

"I am sure that no one who knows your situation would expect anything at all, John." said Sophie. She shook her head. "I cannot imagine how the past few months must have been. I only wish that I had been there for you and Aunt Thornton. How is my dear aunt taking it?"

"Mother is her usual stoic self, but I can see that the events of the past year have taken their toll. I wish I could end the hardship for her but there is still much to do. We have yet to pack up the house and find a smaller place." I exhaled. "Poor Mother, I have let her down badly. At least I did not let Fanny down too."

"And how is Fanny?"

"Very little changed, except that she visits home often, to Mother's delight. Watson does not approve of her coming since I refused his help."

"That man…" muttered Sophie. "I suppose he is smug now that he's proved you wrong."

"I have not met him in recent weeks, but others tell me that he has not exactly been discreet about his success. Well, in the end he still has his mill, and I do not."

"But you have your conscience and integrity in tact." interjected Margaret. "Isn't that more important than any success in the world?"

Our eyes met, and what I saw in hers I had never expected – pride – in me. I nodded slowly in reply and for the second time that day I saw the corners of her mouth gently lift into a smile.

"Do not worry John." said Sophie. "You are well-respected in Milton so there are bound to be opportunities for you. Whatever happens, your family will always be with you."

"I know. It is one of my few sources of hope at this time."

Margaret added, "Your cousin is right, Mr. Thornton. The whole of Milton knows that you are a fair and good business man. Besides, it may be possible to reopen the mill-"

She was cut short by an agitated Mrs. Markham, who burst through the door crying, "Oh ma'am, you are needed immediately. Nurse Hayes is in such a state!"

"What in the world has happened, Markham?"

"You had better come and find out for yourself, ma'am."

Sophie apologised and quickly left the room. I then made a move towards the tea set, but Margaret motioned me to return to my seat, saying, "You cannot be serving yourself when you have just arrived, Mr. Thornton."

She went to the sideboard and took up a cup and saucer. As she carefully poured the tea I was reminded of my first tea party at her Milton home. Her face was so beautiful, illuminated as it was by the candlelight, that it rendered me completely stupid. I did not know what the Hales thought of my innovative way of holding a cup but thankfully I had less trouble today.

Margaret's interrupted speech had me anxious. What did she mean by saying that it was possible to reopen the mill? Did she know of a potential investor or did she have a completely different scheme in mind?

Since she made no move to enlighten me, I gave in to prompting her myself. "Miss Hale, you were talking of the possibility of reopening the mill just before. Did you mean to look for another master?"

She seemed clearly surprised by my question and did not readily answer. I continued, "If you mean to do this then perhaps it is better if you start seeking soon. It would minimise your losses and there may be still a possibility of rehiring the old hands. After all, the machinery has not been completely dismantled-"

"Mr. Thornton! You cannot be more off the mark, sir!" she cried. "I did not propose such a scheme as a means of replacing you – I hardly think that I could find anyone with as much experience in cotton as you do. What I mean to do is to invest in Marlborough Mills so that you may continue running it."

I reopen Marlborough Mills? How could she possibly wish it after the mess I had made? But she had come to Milton, she had offered to refinance the mill, so she must have a regard for my business abilities – but perhaps that was the only attribute she thought well of?

Unfortunately, she was not able to expand her answer – Sophie re-entered the room and was clearly distressed.

"Margaret, I am truly sorry but I really must leave you now – we have a genuine emergency and I have not a moment to lose. John, I may need your help."

"What is it Sophie?" I said in alarm.

"Daisy has run away – Nurse Hayes took her to the park, looked away for a moment – and she was gone!"

"Oh no!" cried Margaret. "I hope it was not because she was unable to see Sholto."

When Sophie acknowledged that that was a possibility Margaret was also determined to come. She countered Sophie's protests by saying, "I know the park well so I may be of assistance to you, Sophie."

My cousin could only concede and so ordered our coats, shawls and hats to be fetched. We then headed out to the duck pond where Nurse Hayes had taken Daisy.

"Thank heavens that Miss Brown, you know the Layton's governess, offered to stay at the pond in case Daisy returned." Nurse Hayes explained. "We searched for an age and there was absolutely no sign of her. I don't know where she might be. Oh! If only I had not taken my eyes off her. What if she was taken?"

A chill went through me. As a magistrate I had presided over numerous cases involving missing children – and knew very well what degradation man could lower himself to.

"Calm yourself, Miss Hayes." said Sophie. "She might have returned by now for all we know. You know how Daisy likes to wander about."

"But the police may need to be called if we do not find her soon, Sophie. Did you want to alert Nathaniel?" I asked.

She shook her head, "Not just yet. Let us look about the park first."

I asked Nurse Hayes, "Did you see anything out of the ordinary this morning? Perhaps a stranger lingering about?"

"I don't think so…" she replied hesitantly. "Miss Ricketts was there with the Lambton children, and Miss Grayson had Master Jefferies with her. Was Miss Stephens there too? Yes… yes she was. And Miss Brown, of course."

"Perhaps Daisy is merely playing hide and seek?" suggested Margaret.

"For over an hour?" countered Sophie. "I think not."

"But she was quite upset earlier so it may be possible, and if that is the case then she would not be far away."

"Let's hope you are right, Margaret." replied Sophie.

We arrived at the pond to find Miss Brown sitting on the bench anxiously trying to calm her charge, a boy of around seven – but Daisy was not with them.

Miss Brown stood as we approached. "Thank goodness you've come Mrs. Crawford! I do not think it possible to keep the young master here another minute! No sign of Miss Daisy either."

Sophie thanked Miss Brown, who spirited her charge home. My cousin looked worriedly about her and sighed. "I do think we must continue to search for a little longer. I have a feeling that she is not far away. But I do not think it wise for all of us to stick together if we are to cover the park."

"Yes, that is an excellent suggestion. I could start on the other side of the pond, if you like." volunteered Margaret.

"That would be grand, but I feel infinitely better if someone was with you, Margaret." And so she turned to me, saying, "John, perhaps you would accompany Miss Hale?"

I was momentarily taken aback. Would fiercely independent Margaret want to be accompanied? And by me?

I met her large – and hesitant – emerald eyes, and replied, "Only if she wishes it. Do you, Miss Hale?"