A/N:

Hey all, thank you for your awesome reviews! I am going to try to write back to everyone soon =D

Here's the next installment! Please R&R!

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iamShareel

Chapter 11 Duty calls

Margaret POV

I felt someone prodding softly at the wound on my head, I tried to swat them away but I found I hardly had the strength to lift my arm. I moaned my displeasure to the person and tried to open my eyes but couldn't do it. I could start to make out what they were saying.

"...infected. She will need to be put on bed rest and I will provide some salve to administer three times a day." I could hear Dr. Donaldson say to someone. I opened my eyes but the image was spinning around making me nauseated, I quickly closed them shut.

"Ah she is awake now Mr. Hale, or starting to at the least. I am finished in here, make sure she drinks plenty of fluids and stays off her feet! Don't forget the salve and she should be good by the end of this week." The good doctor said while applying the last of a cold substance onto my temple, it felt tingly and had a slight mint sent to it, it felt wonderful as it instantly cooled down the burning sensation that had plagued me this past day. I could hear my father say something but couldn't make out the words. I heard the door shut softly.

I finally found my voice as I felt the doctor pat my arm to leave, "...thank you Doctor." I said in a weak scratchy voice.

"You're welcome Miss. Hale... or should I say soon to be Mrs. Thornton? I hear congratulations are in order!" He chuckled to himself.

I felt myself grow cold and numb all over. I instantly stilled which looked like it worried the doctor judging by the look on his face.

"Dear sir, where did you hear this information?" I inquired while struggling to get up, my heart was pounding in my chest and I could feel beads of sweat forming on my brow and back.

"Nothing to worry about Miss. Hale, I heard it from Mrs. Thornton and your father! I know its not official yet so I will not tell a soul, and let you two share the good news with society. If you are not to sleepy I will send your father back in, he has been dreadfully worried about you." He said, I nodded my consent. He smiled at me and promptly left the room.

My thoughts were racing, head spinning and I couldn't seem to catch my breath. Everything was happening so fast! I hoped upon hope that the doctor heard wrong that my father wasn't going to force me into a loveless marriage but I knew in the depths of my soul that the decision was already made and there was nothing I could do about it at all. The door squeaked open and my father quietly stepped inside, looking grave.

He sat at on the edge of the bed not looking at me, I grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze, he squeezed back. We sat in silence for a minute or so to collect our thoughts. He spoke first.

"Margaret, is it true?" He asked sadly, already knowing the answer.

"Father, there is a perfectly good reason why I shielded him with my body and why I was in his room, don't you wish to hear the truth behind them?" I implored hoping that if I could explain my reasoning to him that I could some how persuade him to change his mind.

"...So it is true then." He stated and let go of my hand. I was at a loss of what to say, I stared at him as he stood up and walked over towards the door. He stopped before opening it and turned to me.

"Once your head wound is better we shall be planning a quick, quiet wedding. You shall be married to Mr. Thornton by the end of next week if what the doctor said is true, which I believe it is. Dixon will be making sure that the salve is applied everyday and ensuring you are well for next week. Mrs. Thornton is going home now to tell her son the news." He stated in a monotone voice. I was speechless, he was about to leave, I needed to explain myself and started speak.

"Bu-bu-but father!" I stuttered, trying to regain some composure and talk to sense into him. He quickly cut me off.

"Margaret, what has happened to you? You were raised to be a proper lady! Not someone who gets into such scandals as you have, and spying on a private conversation? You have never done this sort of thing! You should have thought your actions through before you acted! I raised you to have a good strong moral standing, not someone who jumps in head first without thought and regrets their actions later. If you didn't care for him then why protect him in front of one hundred people? Why would you put yourself in that position? Why were you in his room by yourself? Do you know what that looks like? Then I hear that he offered a marriage proposal to you after all of this and you turned him down?" He exploded, I shank down into bed trying to hide from his words because I knew them all to be true. He noticed my reaction and softened his tone.

"Why would you do this my child?" He sighed. I couldn't speak, I tried to convey my apologies to him with my eyes but couldn't say the words.

"For propriety's sake you are going to marry him. Your duty as a member of this family, of this society and as a lady calls my child. Your duty calls and you will heed to it. There is no more to say on the matter, as it stands I believe John will give you a good life, he is my closest friend in Milton and I have no qualms about the two of you marrying. I had actually hoped that something would transpire between the two of you because of our friendship but not something so scandalous." He finished giving me one last disappointed look and promptly left the room.

The tears started to fall as I knew he was right and there was no way I could get out of this mess that I dug myself into. I would be Mrs. Thornton by the end of this month.