I hope you are all well and healthy, and that you are weathering our current storm as best you can. Hopefully this little story is helping to keep your mind focused on more enjoyable topics.
BTW, I am discounting all of my books to $0.99, one at a time, in order to give people a chance to read something entertaining for (almost) free during this time of uncertainty. Keep an eye on my Amazon page or my Facebook page to see which title is being discounted each week. This does not include Duty Demands as I have no control over that pricing.
This is the chapter you've been waiting for! I hope you like it.
"A brother?" There was a world of shock in Thornton's voice.
"Yes, a brother. His name is Frederick. I wanted to tell you about him before, but he asked me not to. Then after he gave me permission other events intervened."
"You have a brother!" He still clung to her hands, clenching them tightly in his. His eyes bored into hers as though he were trying to see into her mind.
"Frederick was in the navy until he was caught up with a mutiny at sea. He did nothing wrong but if he is ever recognized in England again he will be hanged. He came to Milton to see mother before she died."
"Then it was he on the train platform with you that night!" Thornton exclaimed as revelation struck him. Margaret nodded.
"My God! Your brother! Frederick is your brother!" Thornton gasped out the words. His grip on her hands loosened and he took a stuttering half step away from her. "Frederick is your brother. Your brother!" he repeated, as though trying to make himself believe the words.
"My father almost gave him away just before he died. Do you remember when he said he wanted to go to Spain?" Thornton looked at her blankly. "I am sorry that I could not tell you about Frederick myself before now. I wanted to but it was never the right time. But now-" she wiped away a tear, squaring her shoulders in resolve, "now that you know, you can have no reservations in letting me go to him. He will be glad to take over my support." She managed to pull her hands out of Thornton's and stepped around him, moving to the valise on the bed. Quickly, still blinking hard, she fastened it shut.
"Margaret, please don't go." Thornton came to stand next to her, his face twisted in anguish.
"You did your best to honor my father's wish. It is not your fault that-"
"Forgive me my foolishness, I beg you. I had no right to treat you the way I did."
She stared back up at him. "Then why did you?"
"Because- " he winced. "I do not even know how to say this."
"To say what?" She waited.
"I knew you had written to someone named Frederick and that he was dear to you. I thought he was your lover." He braced himself.
"My lover!" she exclaimed. "Why would you think that?"
"Your letter to him." Thornton had turned very pale. "I happened upon it yesterday in my study, soon after I returned from the mill. I should not have read it, I know. But I did and when I saw the terms of endearment you used with him, the affection you expressed . . . I did not respond in a gentlemanly manner."
Margaret covered her mouth with her hand as the events of the past day suddenly came into focus.
"But how could you think me so unwomanly? I took you as my husband!"
"You only accepted me because you had no choice," Thornton reminded her. "And the heart wants what it wants. I thought that if you wanted him, if that was what would make you happy, then . . ." His voice trailed off.
"John!" Her heart ached in sudden sympathy for him. He had already lost the mill and he thought he had lost her as well. She could not be angry with him, now that she knew what he had feared most. She reached up to touch his face with one hand. "My heart wants you."
"Truly?" His voice was disbelieving.
"Before we married I promised I would always tell you the truth," she reminded him. "I love you, John Thornton. You and no other!"
"Forgive me, I beg you." His voice was trembling. "I should have known! I should not have doubted you so, but I never believed such a woman care for me!"
"I do care for you, John. I love you. And please forgive me for not telling you about Frederick before!"
"Forgive you? My love!" His eyes were luminous with unshed tears. "There is nothing for me to forgive! I do not deserve to have you!" He turned his head to kiss the palm of her hand still resting against his cheek. Then he put his arms around her and pulled her close. For several minutes they were powerless to do anything but cling to each other wordlessly, like survivors of some great catastrophe.
At long last Thornton pulled back so that he could see her more clearly. The corners of his mouth tipped up as he reached into the pocket of his vest and removed a small handkerchief. "Do you remember this?"
Margaret shook her head. "Should I?"
"It is the one I let you use when I found you at your father's grave, before we were married. I used it to comfort you after Fanny's wedding as well. I have carried it with me every day."
"Why?"
"Because everything about you is precious to me. Every place you go, everything you touch, every word you speak becomes dear to me simply because it is a part of you. I have always loved you, Margaret, and I always will." Tenderly he used the cloth to dry one side of her face, then the other. "I promise I shall do my best to keep you from weeping ever again. From now on I hope to always make you as happy as you have made me!"
Margaret's heart swelled; she could not speak for the joy bursting into it. But if there was no way to verbalize her feelings, there must be a way to show them instead. She put her arms around his neck and raised her face to his, trusting that Thornton would understand the gesture.
He must have done so, for his eyes brightened as he looked down at her. The lines of regret on his forehead eased as he lowered his head and kissed her sweetly, passionately.
She sighed, yielding to his close embrace. For long tender moments they clung together. Margaret savored again the warmth and security she had experienced in his arms before, but this time it was different. She was achingly conscious that they were alone in the house, unlikely to be disturbed. Her husband's kisses grew more fervent and she felt her own passion rose in return. This was right, and the time was right. If they continued down this path there would be no turning back.
Thornton broke off his kisses, panting heavily, and rested his forehead against her's. "Margaret, when you accepted my proposal you agreed only to a marriage of convenience, and I promised that I would never impose myself on you. If you do not wish to continue this would be a good time to ask me to leave."
Margaret shook her head. "I do not want you to leave."
"Are you sure?" His eyes were wide, questioning.
What could she do to relieve his uncertainty? The plain gold wedding band on her hand, visible against the dark of his collar, gave her an idea. "Do you remember when you gave me this?" she asked, holding out her hand so he could see it. Thornton looked at it in confusion as she took his left hand in hers. She pulled back slightly so that she could face him as she had on their wedding day.
"I, Margaret, take thee, John, to my wedded husband. to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death do us part." There were tears in her eyes when she finished, but this time they were of joy, not sorrow.
Comprehension lit up Thornton's eyes. His smile was luminous as he took her hand in his and solemnly repeated his own vows. "I, John, take thee, Margaret, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward. I will cling to you for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and I will love and cherish you, till death do us part."
"What God hath joined, let no man put asunder." Margaret completed by memory the words she had heard so many times. They had never been as beautiful to her as they were now.
Thornton cupped her face in both hands as he leaned down to her. He gazed into her eyes before kissing her reverently, tenderly. Then he murmured in her ear, "Come to me now, my own dear wife!" as he pulled her against him. And as Margaret surrendered fully to his embrace, she knew that at long last their marriage had begun.
Please leave a review and let me know what you think now that our lovebirds have FINALLY come together! But the story is not over- there are multiple chapters still to come. We still have to navigate the end of John's business and there will be other strains on their relationship. I will post again in two weeks. In the meantime please stay safe! -Elaine
