Is It Ever Too Late Part 12
So it seems last chapter was somewhat controversial! In any case I hope you enjoy this next chapter. I also need to say that I thoroughly enjoy reading your reviews, they truly make my day so keep them coming :)
Early the next morning John woke up slowly from a deep slumber. He had not slept so soundly in years. He was slightly irritated at the fact that he was unable to sleep in, despite the fact that there was no urgent business to attend too. However at the same time, a sleep in would mean less time awake, and therefore less time to spend with Margaret. Thinking back to the night before, he was sure that the smitten look across his face did not leave him the entire night.
Yet John was finding himself nervous about the day that was to come. He had declared his long denied feelings to Margaret. It seemed that they were reciprocated even if only for a few delicious moments before she abruptly made her exit.
He half cursed himself for acting so brashly. Yet at the same time the unforgettable moments of having her in his arms was something he could never regret. He kept playing back how it felt to hold her against his body over and over again in his mind. How it felt to connect with those soft lips. The very thought sent shivers down his spine. The only thing he would have changed was Margaret's departure.
No, John thought to himself. He would not allow himself to be tormented further. He was determined not to make the same mistakes of the past and remain silent about his feelings. After all, he had lived in the shadow of regret for too long.
With ample spring in his step he made his way downstairs, eager to face the day that was to come.
Sometime after, Margaret lay in bed, unsure of herself, questioning her faculties, still reeling from her explicit dream. Of course the whole scenario was absurd and made no sense in reality, however it still felt so real. She laughed to herself as she realised that nothing about the last 24 hours made sense! She had no idea how a conversation which began with her rigorously defending her daughters virtue ended with her fleeing an intimate situation. Even lying in bed alone with her thoughts, she couldn't help but blush at the memory of what Mr Thornton said and the passionate embrace they had shared.
Margaret felt completely and utterly conflicted. On one hand, here was a man who had spoken poorly about her daughter. The words alone were enough to make her furious and go for his jugular to protect her daughter in any way possible. Yet at the same time, the very same man had ignited a passion within her that she did not know was there a day ago.
"What has gotten into me" she whispered to herself as she pulled her long dark hair back from her face and sat up in bed, willing herself to face the day. Margaret knew that her daughter would always come first in her life. At that moment she made an internal resolution to ensure that she defended Maria, whatever the cost.
She slowly put on a long dark skirt and simple white linen shirt and made her way downstairs for breakfast. She silently was willing herself to face Mr Thornton with composure. She was determined to not let what happened last night cloud her judgement.
Margaret quietly entered the dining room to the chatter of Fanny and Edith who were getting along famously. Maria was seated quietly next to Edith, looking down at her food, and doing everything she could within the measure of politeness to ignore Mr Thornton's presence. Margaret noted the free seat was next to Mr Thornton, no doubt Edith's design she guessed.
With a deep breath Margaret spoke "Good morning everyone, I trust you all slept well".
"Good morning Margaret, I'm glad you have finally joined us" Edith teased with a cheeky grin.
Margaret just crinkled her nose in response and rolled her eyes "I must have overslept". Margaret circled to the far side of the table where Maria sat and gave her a kiss on the forehead "Good morning sweetheart" she whispered in her ear before she continued full circle to her seat next to John.
John silently observed how the mother and daughter interacted and could only smile as he saw the warmth between the two. Margaret was clearly a great mother.
John and Margaret exchanged an awkward side glance before she took her seat next to him.
"I trust you are well this morning Mrs Carlyle" John said in a deep slightly croaky voice.
"I am quite well thank you" Margaret responded quickly, perhaps a little too quickly. *Oh dear* she thought to herself. Now she was over analysing simple polite conversation.
Margaret was seated directly opposite to Maria, who had moved her eyes from her breakfast plate to observe her mother. Maria studied her mother's face, noting the awkward glance between her mother and Mr Thornton. She regarded this with suspicion.
Margaret quietly ate her meal still feeling Maria's eyes upon her the whole time.
John could not help but allow the smallest of smirks develop on his face as he found himself watching Margaret out of the corner of his eye when he thought no one was watching.
However Maria noticed this attention and was not amused. Who did he think he was looking at her mother like that? Who did he think he was for speaking about her that way last night? Overnight Maria had transformed from being sad and hurt by his words to just angry. Throwing caution to the wind she narrowed her eyes observing him looking at her mother for what seemed to be the hundredth time.
At that very moment John looked up and caught Maria glaring at him. His eyes wavered for a moment, embarrassed at being caught. Yet Maria just stared back at him for a moment with one slightly raised eyebrow, clearly not impressed. Upon being sure she had made her feelings clear to Mr Thornton she looked away dismissively.
Edith and Fanny continued to chat enthusiastically however Edith every so often turned to look at John and Margaret and noted the vibe between the two. She was certain there was a lot about this relationship she did not know and was eager to interrogate Margaret about it later in private.
Rather quickly everyone had finished their meals and were sitting politely discussing their plans for the day and the masquerade that night.
Out of nowhere John spoke. "Mrs Carlyle, may I speak with you in private?".
Margaret nodded and silently got up from her chair and headed to the drawing room.
Margaret could feel all the eyes at the table on her person. She noted Edith had a sly smile on her face and a raised eyebrow, Maria's face was covered with suspicion, and Fanny wore a confused look with eyes darting between Margaret and John.
Upon entering the drawing room, Margaret headed to the nearest chair, however she was halted by John's strong hand on her shoulder which arrested her momentum. Margaret swung around quickly, half recoiling from his touch. Not because she did not enjoy it but because she had her defences up around him. How could she not when she let go so thoroughly last night?
With a deep breath John summoned the courage to speak. "I wish to speak to you about last night".
"What part of last night do you wish to discuss" Margaret responded in a matter of fact manner, immediately on the defensive.
John took a step forward and took Margaret's hand in his own.
In a quiet velvety voice he responded "I think you know which part Mrs Carlyle" looking into her beautiful eyes with a soft expression.
Margaret was trying hard to maintain her composure and not be distracted by the physical sensations whirling through her body just from the touch of his hand. Margaret chastised herself for allowing herself to be even somewhat distracted and decided to take control of the situation.
"Well no, I do not know Mr Thornton. Do you wish to discuss how you spoke about my daughter last night?"
Feeling his tempers start to rise he took a deep breath, conscious to not allow this to escalate. "You know that is not what I wish to discuss". He looked upon her, eyes pleading, for he did not want this to turn into an argument.
"You think that you can speak about my daughter in a degrading fashion, use your charms on me and all will be forgiven?" Margaret did not raise her voice but her inner outrage was becoming apparent.
"My charms?" John said quietly in disbelief. He had not used his charms, he had bared his soul and declared his love for gods sake.
Without skipping a beat (as if Margaret had not heard what John said) she continued. "I want to make one thing very clear. My daughter is everything to me. I will not tolerate anyone speaking badly of her". Margaret narrowed her eyes "To injure my daughter with words is to injure me as well".
John's mind was racing. Had Margaret really just glazed over the fact that he had declared his love for her the night before? Did she really just diminish the gravity of his words? He had been so sure that the feelings were mutual with the look she had in her eyes last night and the equal passion demonstrated in her actions. He was so sure that it was a special moment that would mark a turning point in their relationship. Yet he now found himself second guessing everything. Perhaps it was not that special to her after all?
Feeling as though all the air had been knocked out of his lungs John made his way to one of the chairs to sit down, clearly wounded by the sting in Margaret's words.
Margaret noted her words had caused damage but continued in a softer tone as she sat beside him. She needed to get this out.
"While I am not comfortable with the idea of my daughter forming any attachment so young I refuse to tell her how to think or feel on matters of the heart"…
John eyed her off thoughtfully. He now recognised that Margaret would not address what had transpired the night before without first dealing with the business between Robert and Maria.
John leant towards her slightly and spoke in a husky deep voice "So what would you have me do?"...
