Chapter Ten

…../

The Parent and The Child

"Did he just use this situation at hand to devise another excuse to see Margaret?" Mrs. Thornton asked herself and looked up and saw him straighten his collar and roll his eyes away from her inquisitive stare. "Surely not"

Margaret braced herself to tell her father that night for she did not dare disobey Mr. Thornton. She knew he was right that her father had to know, but she dreaded the disappointment and distress she would knew she would most certainly see in his face. She had even contemplated asking Mrs. Thornton to be present for moral support, but it was too late now as she could hear the front door opening at that same moment and Mr. Hale coming in. He would most certainly discover her in the study waiting for him, and besides, it was her own mess and she would have to own up and take responsibility for it. Her apprehension lay in not knowing how her father would react, and that she found so disconcerting.

She got up and stood facing the fireplace; "welcome home Papa," she said, with her back turned to the door.

"Oh Margaret, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"Sorry, Papa. I didn't mean to startle you. I wanted to see you, to speak with you," she said

"We haven't seen each other in the last five days and I think it is because you miss your mother so much, but I need you too. Perhaps that is selfish of me, but you are all I have left. Are you feeling better now dear?" he said.

"I'm well, …not really, …but I have been keeping a terrible secret from you, she said. It has been such a burden and I want to tell you all about it"

"Confession is good for the soul," he replied and took a seat on the couch and patted the seat next to him. "Come, sit with me and tell me all. We Hales have been through so much trouble already, and there's nothing you could possibly wish to say that could surprise me, believe me, I can bear it."

"I don't know how best to tell you, so I'll just come out and say it. I was robbed in Princeton last Thursday," she said as she turned around and lowered her mantilla veil. "I was attacked and I'd been trying to hide from you. I'm so sorry Papa"

"Oh my God, child," he rose up to go her and felt a rush of blood to his temples and gripped the backrest of the armchair nearby to steady himself. "Margaret, your face, the bruises, Heavens above, what happened to you?"

She rushed to his side and led him back to the couch and sat next to him. She gripped his wrist with one hand and rubbed up and down his upper arm with the other. "Are you well Papa….Papa….Father?" she asked.

"Who did this to you?" he asked in a strained whisper

"I went on an errand to Princeton. Mary Higgins was with me, and some thugs robbed me of my money and bracelet and hit me in the face," she replied

"Has Doctor Donaldson been called?" he asked

"No, I did not call for the doctor. The swelling and bruise has improved," she said, "…..I feel much better now. Honestly, I do"

"How can you tell me you feel better with what I see before me?" he asked still peering at her as he held her by the shoulders and turned her around and checked her. "Do you mean it was much worse than this?... You know John had expressed strong misgivings about your going there, and I did try to dissuade you. Now to think of it, perhaps I should have been more firm with you. I should have taken better care of you," he said. "I can't believe this. I am so sorry I'd neglected you, child. Come here," he said and pulled her into his chest and held her there.

For the first time since Maria died, both father and daughter wept together, holding on to one another

"Margaret, I will have to tell John about this" he said after some time.

"He knows, Papa. He knows. Mrs. Thornton as well," she said. "They found out this morning from Higgins, and they've both been here to see me. Mrs. Thornton has promised to take care of me. She will return tomorrow. She offered to help with household matters as well. She is good to us, Papa"

"And John?" asked he

"Mr. Thornton was quite cross with me. Furious and disappointed I might add," she said.

"Why in God's name did you put yourself in harm's way in the first place? Why did Higgins not go with you? You would have been safe with him. If he was too busy, I am certain John would have made the time to escort you there. He is a trusted friend, and he cares for you," he said

"Papa, Mr. Thornton is a very good friend but he no longer cares for me in that way. He has a poor opinion of me from our disagreements in the past and this situation has not helped matters," she said.

"For the life of me, I will never understand why you don't like him," he said. "By the way, what are you taking for your discomfort?" he asked

"Mr. Thornton got a special ointment from the apothecary and Mrs. Thornton cleaned the bruises and scratches with some salve she had at home," she replied.

"The Thorntons are very kind. We are blessed to have them as friends," he said

"Indeed, we are" she replied, and snuggled back into her father's embrace, and they both reminisced about Maria, Frederick and Helstone until bedtime.

….

Thornton got home an hour late that night from work because had to make up for the lost time going to and fro Crampton. He was exhausted, apprehensive and exhilarated for all that had transpired. Although Margaret had agreed to come back to sit in his tutorial sessions, at his insistence, he was not confident that she would attend as agreed. For all he knew, she probably complied because she was trying to make amends and not because she really wanted to be there.

To his surprise, his mother was not in the Dining Room and he had to dine alone. The maid had said she had gone up to her bedchamber and had asked for a tray to be sent up. That could only mean one thing - she was angry with him. He had an idea of what she was cross about, but then he reckoned that it was always easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, and that is what he would do as soon as he finished his beef stew.

"Good evening Mother, I apologise for my impertinence at the Hales'," he said as soon as he entered her bedchamber.

"Which one?" she asked

He frowned for he was not aware that he had made any other than the obvious one. He said, "I was impatient that both you and Margaret had delayed in coming down, and I found myself going crazy with worry that perhaps she had taken a turn for the worse. I came up because I felt that your being there would quash any talk of impropriety. Certainly, I was not thinking clearly. I apologise, please forgive me."

"Clearly, you were not thinking. You had no reason to enter a lady's bedchamber uninvited. What if she was in a state of undress? She would surely have been mortified to have you see her thus. What if she had her garments and underthings all over the place? What if the room was untidy? I told you to wait for us downstairs but I could hardly start arguing with you in front of her when you came in, all fuming and moody. That would have distracted from the main reason we were there," she replied.

"I didn't even think about that," he said. "Forgive me"

"You seem to think you are the only person who cares for her wellbeing," she continued. "Just like after the riots when you challenged me to letting her go home after the doctor had examined her, and after she insisted on leaving. You act as if I did not care, as if I had no compassion."

"I'm sorry, forgive me," he said again

But there is more that vexes me," she said

He gave her a puzzled look. "There's more? …If you would pardon me, can you tell me what else I may have done wrong," he said.

"Was it not obvious?" she said. "Let me see if I can make you understand. Did you tell Margaret that you still loved her?" she asked

"No, she would not have believed me, and certainly not after I snapped at her like a capital nitwit just this afternoon" he responded.

"Aha…so you noticed that," she snapped her fingers and pointed at him. "Your temper John, you have to watch that temper of yours. It frightens her."

"I could never hurt her," he said, "you know that"

"Yes, I know that. Fanny and I are used to your moods and temper, but Margaret isn't" she replied. "She told me she was shocked when she saw you beat up Stephens at the mill. First impressions are hard to shake off, and you have not helped your situation by snapping at her like, what was it you said – a capital nitwit. I doubt if she had ever encountered raised voices within her family even in disagreements. She is different from any other woman you've ever known and she will vex you sometimes because she has a strong will. She is neither a servant here, nor one of the mill workers, so do not subject her to that 'Thornton Temper'; I heard that is what the mill workers call it – The Thornton Temper."

"The Thornton Temper? The Thornton Temper. Who...?" he queried.

"Before you get all het up, they call me The Thornton Dragon. Looks like between the two of us, we make a right pair, don't you think?" she cajoled him.

"I had dealt with terrible cases from Princeton at the Court and the thought of Margaret being a victim, the thought of losing her scared me so much that I was at my wits end. I could not bear it, but I am not a violent man"

"No, you are not a violent man, but you were so furious, it was a sight to behold. It was like treading on eggshells around you. I was angry myself, but one look at her in pain and in tears just changed…..what I am saying is that her condition should have brought out your compassion and not your harshness. She still deserved a reprimand for sure, but how would she have known that the reason you yelled at her was because of how deeply you cared?" she asked

"Oh, I see. Oh dear, what have I done? What can I do now?" he asked

"That is simple, apologise; and for goodness sake forgive her, John, please forgive her. Forgive her for whatever you think she may have done to hurt you," she stated. "She listens to correction and I feel this unfortunate incident at Princeton has dented her confidence a bit as well, but if you don't keep that anger in check, you will lose her, trust me."

"I have forgiven her for rejecting me and for the incident at Outwood Station if that is what you mean, but if truth be told, she did nothing wrong. She can't help whom she loves, but she is young and is bound to make mistakes and she now has you to guide her. She trusts you. She loves you very much as well. I can see it. It was quite thoughtful of her to get you that gift," John said

"She is a dark horse, that one," she agreed. "I would never have guessed it."

"You seem to really enjoy each other's company. Anyway, how is the portrait coming along?" he asked

"Very well, I believe. She won't let me see it till it's finished, and she made me promise not to take a peek," she replied.

"Do you think I could ask her to do one of me as well?" Thornton asked.

"When will you get the time to sit for her?" she asked

"I will find the time. Where there is a will, Mother,….." he replied

"She cannot do a portrait of you, at least not yet," replied Mrs. Thornton "because you don't have an understanding with her at present."

"So many protocols, too many in fact," he shook his head. "You can't blame me from trying to spend more time with her"

"But you see her three times every week as it is, twice at lunch here and then on Sunday morning at church. You now want her to return to your sessions. Aren't you also meant to also play chess with her?" she asked

"Yes, but she is not well enough to come here for lunch, nor am I certain that she will return to my sessions, and we haven't yet started the chess lessons. So, you see, I have to cast my bread upon many waters," he replied

"God help us," she laughed and shook her head

…../

Margaret sat by the Drawing Room window overlooking the street to watch out for Thornton as he came down the street to Crampton the next day. She wanted to speak to him and return his gloves before he went in to his session. As soon as she saw him step out of a carriage carrying two baskets she raced down the stairs to open the front door and let him in.

"Miss Hale….." he started and gently lowered the two baskets in his hands to the floor, and took off his hat, gloves and outer coat to hand to her.

"Mr. Thornton…." she said at the same time

"You first" she said

"Miss Hale, my mother sent me to bring your groceries over, and I will take them to the kitchen for you. Here is the list you gave her this morning. You may want to check that the shopkeeper did not leave anything out." He then bent down and picked up the grocery hamper.

"Thank you very much sir," she said

"Now, where do you want your linen?" he asked and pointed to the other basket on the floor. Mrs. Thornton had come that morning as promised and taken Margaret's shopping list and because Dixon was overwhelmed with the ironing that Margaret could not do, she had taken the dirty linen to Marlborough Mills and now sent them back freshly laundered and ironed.

"Please leave it to one side, and I will send Dixon up to come for it," she said as she led the way downstairs to the kitchen.

"If you would pardon me, I know I insisted that you join in my sessions, but you don't have to if you don't wish it," he said and placed the grocery basket on the kitchen floor, and then sat on the bench at the kitchen table next to Margaret waiting for the kettle to boil.

"Mr. Thornton, I was looking forward to it," she said. "I am bored stiff at home. Would you believe I'd not even ventured outdoors for one whole week because I could not take the risk of anyone seeing the bruise, and the weather had been too warm to be veiled in black crape. As much as I cherish my independence, I was so relieved that Mrs. Thornton handled my shopping list to save me going out. I have even baked lemon curd biscuits for today's session myself"

"Lemon curd biscuits? They are my favourite," he said

"Yes, I know. We do have lunch together, don't we? I got the recipe from your mother this morning, and I would like you to give her this batch for her verdict on my very first attempt," she said and held up a bag of biscuits. "You can tell me what you think upstairs, be honest…..no, be kind."

"So you will come into my sessions. I'm glad to hear it," he said, and got up to lift the boiling kettle off the stove and pour the water into the teapot.

"Another thing I wanted to ask," he said, "was that ointment any help?"

"It stung a little, but I think the bruise looks better for it," she said.

"Let me see," he raised his hand to her face and stopped his hand mid-flight, and let his fingers hover next to her cheeks, a mere inch away. His breath hitched, and for one moment, one small fleeting moment, their eyes locked, his blue to her green, and he saw her lips open slightly, beckoning, definitely begging to be kissed. If he kissed her, and she let him do so, he would become the happiest man ever. He then looked into her eyes again, seeking confirmation, seeking permission, seeking trouble, and then she blinked, she blinked and the moment was gone.

"Let me see," he said again, and this time, he lowered his hand and he trained his eyes on a spot behind her ear, to the sugar bowl on the far side table, taking care not to look at her cheeks, her chin, her eyes or anywhere on her face. "I think the ointment has been effective. If you need some more, I would order it tomorrow, and bring it over. It may take two to three days though"

"Yes please," she said, "I would like some more. Thank you"

"May I call on you tomorrow anyway?" he asked. "Perhaps we could start our chess lessons or I could just sit with you, that is, whatever it is convenient for you."

"If you were not too busy, I would have accepted your offer sir," she replied. "Your mother said the Irish workers you brought in have cost Marlborough Mills so much custom because of their defective work, and you have had to work late to keep up with your orders."

"It's no trouble, I promise you. I will come here if I can spare the time, but I would like to know I'm welcome here when I do so," he said.

"Of course you know you are welcome here. You came here yesterday in a right state, and even into my bedchamber," she said"

"I behaved badly yesterday, didn't I?" he said. "Please forgive me, I beg you."

"I know now not to cross you," she said.

"I will try to control my temper. I would not wish for you to be scared of me at all," he said

"I'm no longer scared of you, sir. "Your mother told me your bark was worse than your bite. And Bessie Higgins had told me about the Thornton Temper"

"Some reputation, barking and biting. Please keep that to yourself. We can't let the mill workers know what my mother said. I need to keep them on their toes," he said smirking, "and that includes Higgins and Mary."

"I think I'm confused about you. I always seem to antagonise you," she said. "See, I have your gloves here, but I could not understand why you were so upset that I had them with me."

"I have no sensible excuse for that," he said. "I was just stewing, I suppose. Let me take one glove, and you keep the other hand. If I ever lose my temper again, I will return the one with me, and it will be my incentive to behave better. Are we agreed?"

"That goes for me too. I'll give you the other glove if I act poorly, but I'm hardly the right person to pass judgment on anyone," she replied. "People think highly of you in this town. Even Papa and I were just saying how fortunate we were to have you as a friend."

Thornton wondered at what she just said. "Could Margaret be expressing a regard for him?" he thought to himself. "Miss Hale, I….I still….never mind," he stopped himself in time before reopening the scabs of his wounded heart that those gloves reminded him of. "Don't be a fool, don't risk this truce until you are certain she will have you," he said to himself.

"Shall we go upstairs?" he said and lifted the tea tray and made for the stairs to his session with Mr. Hale and with Margaret coming behind.

…./…

10