Thank you to everyone who's seen me along this far! This was just started as a little project to keep me sane through lockdown, and now I'll be sad to see it end. Shall I just keep writing forever? I'm sure I could cough up a few paragraphs of John and Margaret just sitting around petting Milton.
Chapter 15
"Where to now?" turned out to be along to the nearby church in hopes of seeing the happy couple emerge. John had mentioned that the service must be nearing the end so Margaret had taken off to see if she could catch sight of her friends, forgetting she was still holding onto his arm. Fred had fought back laughter at the sight of his tiny sister practically dragging the mighty master of Marlborough along in her wake. John would have a harder job containing her than he thought.
Fate was smiling on Margaret that day, as they had just approached the church doors as they opened, and the happy couple emerged. Weddings for the workers did not follow the same grandeur as the upper classes, and the wedding party were simply dressed in their Sunday best. Mrs Jones - although she would be Mrs Higgins now - had not been able to afford the luxury of a veil or train, and she clasped a simple posy of lavender and forget me nots. Both, however, looked radiantly happy, and Higgins' face brightened even further when he looked up and spotted Margaret, clutching John's arm and waving at him merrily. He leaned over to murmur in his new wife's ear, and they both made their way over. However, Higgins was nearly bowled over by the Boucher children, who were charging over to Margaret with shrieks of delight. She was warmed to see them all wearing the clothes she sent for them and released John to kneel down and accept their happy embraces.
"Miss Margaret!"
"Where 'ave you been?"
"Are you come back t' Milton forever?"
"Will you listen t' my readin' later? Mr Thornton says I'm much better"
Margaret chuckled, straightening up with little Susie still clutched in her arms, as the little one had clung most tenaciously to her neck.
"Hello again my little darlings, how splendid you all look!"
"Miss Margaret"
Nicholas had finally made his way over, and the man was beaming from ear to ear.
"Nicholas, how lovely it is to see you. Please accept my congratulations for your happy day"
"Come here. Le' me take your hands, an' know tha' you're real"
She placed Susie back on the ground, much to the little one's objections, and clasped Nicholas' hands firmly.
"There, now you see that I am real"
Nicholas turned to Fred
"You mus' be Miss Margaret's brother. You look jus' like Mr Hale, God res' 'is soul"
"Thank you Sir. I offer congratulations to you and your wife"
Nicholas chuckled.
"Think that's the firs' time I've been called Sir. Hope it don' go t' m' head. Now Miss Margaret, if I may be frank. I saw th' way you were holdin' master's arm. Tell me you 'ave some happy news o' your own, an' I will think my day of joy complete"
Margaret looked back at John for a moment, who nodded, smiling almost as widely as Higgins.
"You are correct in what you saw Nicholas. Mr Thornton and I are to be married"
"I'm glad t' hear it. Here, come meet m' wife. Lottie, this is our dear Miss Margaret"
"A pleasure t' meet you Miss," said Lottie, bobbing her head.
"Miss Margaret!"
"Mary!"
The two girls embraced like old friends. Mary was also overjoyed that Margaret was come to Milton to stay and was bidden by Miss Hale to see her in a few days to catch up.
Soon, the wedding party repaired back to Princeton to have a small sort of celebration. John explained that he had set by enough to send baskets of food to the whole street as a wedding gift. Margaret, Fred and John waved them off, although Fred remained behind, looking pensive.
"You two go on ahead. I thought I would remain a while, with Mother and Father"
"If you are sure Fred?" Margaret asked
"Very sure. I will see you back at the hotel for dinner. John, will you and your mother be joining us?"
"I am bidden to see my sister first, although I am sure she will not mind Margaret accompanying me. We had no plans after that, so I am sure something can be arranged"
Fred nodded, and waved them off down the hill. Margaret took John's offered arm, and vainly indulged in a private thought of what a handsome couple they made. If you cannot indulge such thoughts on the day of your engagement, she thought, when can you?
They wandered back down the hill. After their fruitful discussion earlier, they were now more comfortable to wander along in companionable silence. Williams was letting himself back into the mill as they passed, and he nodded curtly at the both of them, although his eyes flashed down the street behind them, perhaps wondering where that other gentleman had got to.
They carried on through town, towards Fanny and Watson's house. They spied Mr Latimer while they were out, though he merely tipped his hat to John and gave Margaret an oddly appraising look. She supposed he were wishing it were his daughter Anne on John's arm instead of her.
Soon, they were at Watson's front door, and John rapped smartly on the door. A maid let them in, taking John's coat and hat and Margaret's bonnet and cloak.
The sounds of women's voices, cooing and fussing in a low tone, along with babies babbling, drifted to Margaret from the doorway of the parlour. John bid her to stay a moment and went to announce them.
"There you are John! We quite thought you'd gotten lost or something. You were due a half hour ago, and we know what a stickler for punctuality you are!" Fanny spoke up first, though her voice was much quieter than Margaret was accustomed to hearing. Perhaps motherhood had gone a way to soothing some of her usual excitability.
"I do apologise sister. I was distracted while out on a walk. The Hales are in town, and Mar- Miss Hale is waiting to see you"
"Oh indeed? Come in Miss Hale, it will be good to see you," Mrs Watson called to her.
She wandered into the room, and found Mrs Thornton and Fanny looking up at her, clustered around two small but handsome wooden cradles. She dipped them a small curtsy, as was the etiquette.
"Mrs Thornton, Mrs Watson, lovely to see you both again," she greeted them politely.
"A pleasure to see you Miss Hale, if a little unexpected. I am glad to see you looking well," Mrs Thornton replied, looking at her with an expression that was almost a smile. Well, thought Margaret, Rome wasn't built in a day.
"Come, Miss Hale. Come and meet the new Master Watsons. They are awake and becoming most observant," Fanny beckoned her over. Margaret stepped quietly across the floor, not wanting to break this picture of familial bliss. She gazed into the cradles and found two pairs of eyes gazing most curiously back at her. Both were blue eyed, as were most babes at birth, but one she found had a rather steely shade to their eyes that was not to dissimilar to John's. This one's glower would be fearsome to behold in years to come!
"Ah, I see you've caught Thomas' peculiar gaze," Fanny observed, her voice full of motherly pride.
"Thomas? That is a lovely name Mrs Watson, what did you choose for the other?" Margaret replied.
"So, Thomas is the youngest. Thomas Jacob. And the older is to be Robert, Robert George," Fanny answered, gazing fondly at her offspring. As well as all the usual pride a mother felt for her children, Fanny Watson was surely also feeling a sense of relief. Childbirth was still a dangerous business, and just as many mothers were killed by it as those who rose from the birthing bed. Having given Watson the much-desired son, and another to spare, Fanny would be under no pressure to quickly conceive again. She may never even have to carry a child again if she so wished.
"Those are lovely names. How are you Mrs Watson? Mr Thornton mentioned you were unwell after the birth," Margaret remembered to ask.
"I'm sure he sold you some story about me being at death's door, he was always so dramatic," Fanny rolled her eyes fondly. John and Margaret exchanged a glance at the irony of Fanny Watson calling anyone else dramatic, and Mrs Thornton came over with the strangest little cough.
"It was not so serious then?" Margaret asked.
"I only took a slight fever and was in bed for a few days. Do not worry yourself Miss Hale. It would have been most impractical for me to die. Watson is hopeless with children and their beloved uncle would not have been much better. I am sure John's idea of a good bedtime story would be sitting and reading them the mill's accounts for the day," Fanny joked. John looked offended and Margaret stifled a giggle, wondering if Mrs Watson was right about her brother.
"So what brings you to Milton Miss Hale?" Mrs Thornton finally asked her. Margaret opened her mouth and then paused, not quite sure how to explain her presence that did not include "Well Mrs Thornton, your son did not write to me for a few days and so I very logically concluded that the mill had gone to complete rack and ruin"
"I invited them Mother. I've recently invested in some new machinery and wanted to show them how it has improved our productivity and what Mr Bell's investment has done for the mill"
Fanny accepted this explanation and was soon diverted again by her eldest son making a grab for the small stuffed bear that had been suspended over his cradle.
Mrs Thornton narrowed her eyes slightly. She was still very involved in the running of the mill and she had seen no new machinery come through the doors, so was not sure how far she believed this explanation. The impish looks John was sending Miss Hale told her there was something else going on between them.
"So what news from Helstone, Miss Hale?" Fanny asked, jolting John out of his silent reverence of the woman before him who had, against all expectations, agreed to be his.
"Life goes on as ever it did. Dolores grows closer to her confinement, yet is resisting all discussion of the matter, to Aunt Shaw's horror" she replied, seeming quite amused by the debacle.
"She does not wish to take to confinement?" Hannah asked, seeming bemused but not so theatrically horrified as her Aunt had been. In truth, Hannah had disapproved of long confinement periods, and had herself still been relatively active in the weeks leading up to her children's births, and back up and about not long after. She detested idleness of any form and had wanted to be straight back to work and society. She still wondered to this day if her late husband had deliberately delayed arranging her churching after the births in an attempt to force her to rest.
"The tradition of confinement does not seem to exist in Spain. The warmer climate means that sometimes houses become too hot for expectant women to comfortably rest in for long periods of time, so they do not bother with it as much. Women only really take to bed when they are giving birth or if they become ill"
"I wish I had been so lucky," Fanny replied mournfully, "The last few months of carrying the boys, it was so cold I had no choice but to remain in bed. Warming pans and a roaring fire and my toes still felt like ice! Watson would not let me out for fear I would slip in the snow!"
"Why do I feel, Margaret wondered, that John would be exactly the same?"
"How long are you to be in Milton, Miss Hale? We must take tea if it is suitable to you," Fanny asked her.
"I think Fred and I are to stay another day or so. Our main business is settled, so we shall catch up with some acquaintances and then be back to Helstone. My brother ordered nursery furniture rather prematurely, and Dixon and Dolores may be left to move it by themselves if we do not return soon"
"Oh, you should both come to dinner tomorrow then! Watson is hosting one of his dinner parties to celebrate the birth of the boys, I am sure we shall be able to add two extra places!"
"That is most kind Mrs Watson. I am not sure we have brought clothes fine enough for such an event," Margaret replied.
"It is not to be too formal an evening, do not worry. Just put on whatever you've brought that's best," Fanny assured her.
"I actually wanted to talk to you about tomorrow, Fan. I wondered if I might be permitted to make an announcement of my own?"
"Oh?" Fanny leaned toward her brother with a renewed interest, wondering what could possibly be so important.
"Miss Hale came to Milton at my behest, not only to view the mill, but also to discuss… other matters. I have made her an offer of marriage, and she has accepted me," John announced, unable to stop the smile that spread over his face. Margaret gave her future mother and sister in law a nervous smile, anticipating how they would take the news.
"I did wonder John; you did practically float through the door. Congratulations to you both," Fanny replied, smiling.
Mrs Thornton did not immediately reply but gazed at her son and future daughter in law thoughtfully. She then glanced at Margaret's hands, clasped in front of her.
"You've not presented her with a ring John?" she asked, although the tone was more curious than unkind. Margaret immediately covered her hand and John flushed with embarrassment.
"I intended to ask her after I purchased a ring. Things… did not work out that way," he mumbled.
"You can't present Miss Hale as your betrothed tomorrow without a ring John!" Fanny exclaimed.
Mrs Thornton glanced at her hand.
"I suppose, Miss Hale, that you ought to have mine," she finally offered, twisting the handsome diamond band off her finger and holding it out to John.
"Mother…," he started, but she talked over him.
"Your father intended this ring to go to you when you met the woman you wanted to make your wife, for her to give to your son in the years to come. I had hoped he would be here to see you receive it, but I pray you will be able to see Margaret give it to your son. Take it, and make sure it sees a longer marriage than I did. Take it, with my blessings for you both," she told him softly, sending Margaret a soft, sad smile. Margaret wanted to fling her arms around this woman and hug her pain away but knew Hannah would probably not approve of such theatrics.
John seemed to be blinking away tears as he took the ring from his mother and caught her hand as he took the ring, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Thankyou," he whispered. He turned to Margaret, and she held out her left hand. To everyone's relief, it glided onto her finger like it had always meant to be there.
"A perfect fit," Hannah commented. A good omen, to her mind.
"Thankyou Mrs Thornton, will you and John be able to join Fred and I for dinner? And yourself, Mrs Watson"
"I'm so sorry Miss Hale. Watson and I are bound to his sister for dinner, so we shall see you tomorrow night"
"Mrs Thornton will be your mantle soon enough Miss Hale. You should get used to calling me Hannah. We have no plans and will be glad to join you tonight"
"Thankyou. You of course must call me Margaret"
They stayed a bit longer, bidden to have lunch, fussing over the babies and discussing some small wedding plans. Margaret learned quickly that her simple wish of putting on her favourite dress and walking to the church was looking unlikely. John was at the top of Milton society, she was reminded, and his nuptials would have to reflect that status and position.
Finally, she and John left, for him to see her back to her hotel after he quickly changed into a smarter waistcoat and cravat. Mrs Thornton would change for dinner and follow along in a cab.
They entered the foyer and to Margaret's relief found Fred already waiting for them, sitting reading a paper in a resplendent looking armchair. He looked up at their footsteps and leapt to his feet.
"Ah excellent, you found your way alright. I remembered to engage a maid, she's preparing a wash bowl if you want to go up and refresh yourself"
"Thankyou. Mrs Watson has invited us to dinner tomorrow, I told her we would be able to attend. I hope it won't be an inconvenience?"
"Won't be a problem, our tickets home are arranged for the day after. Go, I'll keep my soon to be brother-in-law amused," he replied impishly. She mock wagged a finger in his face.
"Be nice. I'll be back to rescue you soon Mr Thornton" she turned and departed for the stairs.
"She was being humorous, right?" John asked him nervously. Fred chuckled as he sat back down, gesturing for John to take the seat across from him.
"You're a solid foot taller than me John and probably twice as strong. Dolores would shudder to think how much of me might be left to send home," he replied.
"Have you always had such joy in teasing each other?" John asked.
"Oh we were always playing the odd little joke on each other as children, I thought our parents would quite despair. Never any serious mischief, just enough to occasionally warrant a rap across the knuckles. I suppose I tease so much now because only a year ago I did not know when I would get the chance again. Never take the little things for granted John. Let that be my marriage advice to you, the advice both our fathers should have been here to give us," he said sadly.
"Thank you," John replied. He then looked over Fred's shoulder and stood smartly as Margaret descended the stairs. She was refreshed and changed into a simple cream dress and blue shawl.
She made her way back over.
"Dixon must have some sense of clairvoyance. She's actually packed that pale blue dress from Leonard's wedding, it will do quite nicely for the dinner tomorrow. Ah good, your mother is here," she greeted them, looking over John's shoulder, He turned and indeed, his mother had just stepped into the foyer.
"Mother," he greeted her.
She kissed his cheek politely and greeted the Hale siblings. Fred took a moment to admire the ring upon Margaret's finger, and all agreed that it looked very fine.
They went through to dinner. Talk turned to John and Margaret's wedding, again hashing small details. Hannah also advised Fred of some material for expecting mothers that Dolores may have been interested to pursue.
It was a small affair, and the Hales were in good spirits when they waved the Thorntons away in good spirits.
"Now we just have to survive this dinner party tomorrow, and then back to Helstone to settle your affairs," Fred remarked.
"A great deal to look forward to," Margaret ruminated, looking greatly forward to her new future.
AN: Life has just absolutely been running away with me lately. I've been going out for job interviews and not having much luck, which has been dragging me down. Finding the motivation to write has been difficult, and I am sorry to anyone who's been looking forward to a new chapter. I'm glad we're as far through as we are. Few more chapters left.
Sid x