Sorry for the lengthy delay and here is the next part, at long last . . . .
She had seen the different floors and their respective rooms and now Margaret was seated again in the main drawing room, partaking of tea with Mrs. Thornton and fielding questions about her opinion on this room or that piece of furniture. There were far too many particulars for Margaret to assimilate in one afternoon and, as she wished for candor from her future mother, so she should too be open.
'Mrs. Thornton, your consideration today is much appreciated. However, I would not like to make any changes to your house – the house in which you and Mr. Thornton have been living for a significant length of time – in the foreseeable future. My own mother has recently passed away and was only just buried; thus, I do not feel prepared to embark on such endeavors. Would you be willing to remain at the helm, so to speak, for quite a while longer?' Mrs. Thornton saw that Margaret was in earnest and she found the younger woman's frankness refreshing and contrasting strongly with the evasion and veiled words one usually expected of Southern ladies. Mrs. Thornton heartily approved of Margaret's speech and replied in kind.
'I would be glad to continue as I have been for these many years, Miss Hale. Your departed mother had called me to visit her – you knew, I assume? She wanted to ensure that you had someone to whom you could turn, as to a mother. She also charged me with watching over you and treating you as I would a daughter. It appears that her wishes have come to fruition and I pledge that if you have any questions or troubles that you need answered, I will attempt to provide what support I can.' Being a person of few words, this was rather a prolonged and demonstrative discourse for Mrs. Thornton but many a more taciturn individual has been inspired to lengthy dialogue by a topic dear to them.
Margaret felt the approval of Mrs. Thornton's words and was comforted by the older woman's acceptance. She resolved to spend more time in Mrs. Thornton's company in the coming weeks, to more easily develop an amicable relationship with her. 'Would you mind, Mrs. Thornton, if I were to call on you more frequently? Although I have been running our house due to my mother's illness, it is not of the same size as your own and your familiarity with the routine and flow of the household would be highly instructional. Also,' and here Margaret faltered slightly, 'I might enjoy the company.'
Mrs. Thornton had, of necessity, hardened herself to any of what she called the 'softer' emotions but Margaret's plea touched something buried deep inside of her, covered over in ice for many years, and began, unbeknownst to Mrs. Thornton, a slow but gradual thaw. 'Certainly, Miss Hale. You are welcome to visit. Send around a note to give a few hours' notice and I will be prepared.'
She escorted Margaret to the door and bade her farewell, watching Margaret walk away and unexplainably feeling a degree of melancholy in the sight. Mrs. Thornton straightened herself to full height and shook her head to dispel the sentiment. John would return shortly and dinner must be overseen. Perhaps they three would have a more harmonious existence than Hannah Thornton had believed possible.
John Thornton had called upon Mr. Hale and they had sat in the study, unspeaking for quite a length of time. Mr. Thornton had walked in and found the former pastor at his desk with his head down, resting on his arms. Mr. Hale had looked up and his future son walked over, knelt in front of the older, grieving man and held his hands and his gaze, silent. The tall mill owner tried to convey wordlessly his sympathy and remorse for Mr. Hale's loss – for he did not feel confident that he might speak words that could soothe such pain - and thus they remained for a long while. Mr. Hale then began to talk and spoke of what was deep in his heart, that which he kept hidden and secretive from all. He told of his doubts and his guilt; he voiced those thoughts expressed to none other. All humankind needs a connection with one other person on a profound level and it is often difficult in this life to uncover this individual. Their time of shared quietude brought the two men closer than before and slowly Mr. Hale became more peaceful again, eager to reconnect with John and exchange ideas.
Mr. Hale came into the sitting room one day with a letter in his hands. 'Margaret, Mr. Bell is to visit. His letter says that he should arrive on the 15th, which is two days hence. I must alert Dixon to prepare his favorites.' And off he went to find the servant.
Margaret stopped her embroidering during her father's speech and apprehended the importance that he placed on this Mr. Bell, who had been the groomsman at her parents' wedding. She got up and checked that the room in which Mr. Bell would sleep was properly ready and pleasant enough for an inhabitant, no matter how temporary. Margaret had, after Mrs. Hale's passing, moved into her mother's room and so Margaret's former bedroom was available for use by a guest. The irony of Mr. Bell's arrival was not lost on Margaret – she and her father had been quite aflutter with activity and preparations for their guest's appearance but Mr. Bell's greatest desire once arrived was idleness and indolence for, as he said, 'I fully intend to relax and refresh myself on my holiday.' Margaret was unsure to what extent an Oxford fellow exerted himself in the course of his duties but concluded that it was a pointless conjecture. Mr. Bell expressed that it was no surprise that Margaret had so immediately taken up a place of such importance in his regard, particularly as she was so entirely after his own heart.
The three - Mr. Bell, Mr. Hale and his daughter - were taking luncheon in the dining room engaged in comfortable conversation. Mr. Bell had charmed Dixon completely after pronouncing that he would need to remove her from the Hale's household and employ her as his personal cook, since he had never eaten sumptuous food of this order. Dixon had colored and, to keep her dignity intact, drew herself up, sniffed and remarked that she had no plans of leaving the Master or Miss Hale but the tiny smile on her lips belied the offended sentiment conveyed.
Mr. Bell suddenly said, 'Richard, you know that I have no heirs of my own as I have remained and plan to remain a staunch bachelor for all of my days. I plan on speaking with my solicitor on my return to Oxford and he will draw up the paperwork so that I can settle all of my property on the little Pearl upon my passing. Margaret, are you aware that I am the landlord for multiple properties in Milton, including Marlborough Mill? I had wanted to speak with my tenant, Mr. Thornton, while I was in his locale since his lawyer had contacted me to inform that his business has been steadily growing weaker since the strike and he may have to give up the lease.'
Margaret gasped, 'Oh poor John! Mr. Bell, is there nothing that you could do to aid him?'
Mr. Bell's bushy eyebrows were hovering around the height where his hair line had once resided. 'So it is John, is it? I may assume that you are well acquainted with the fellow in question.'
A pretty blush rose on Margaret's face and she replied succinctly, 'We are recently betrothed.'
Mr. Bell smiled broadly and stated, 'Well, he is a fine, hard-working individual and intelligent. You couldn't do better down in London with one of those fancy boys who haven't an original thought in their heads and you have become quite the liberal minded person during your sojourn in this Northern town.'
To this Margaret playfully retorted, 'Papa, do not believe him. I am merely standing up for the progress of commerce. Mr. Bell would have us still trading in pelts and skins.'
Mr. Thornton was scheduled to visit soon and Mr. Bell was set to engage his tenant in verbal battle, as to the relative merits of Milton and its manufacturers versus Oxford and the South. Upon his arrival, Mr. Hale and Margaret retired, at Mr. Bell's request, in the front sitting room and Mr. Bell and Mr. Thornton were to liaise in the study downstairs. Thinking upon Mr. Bell's casually made comments, Margaret began to understand John's inconsistent attendance at their home and then she started to worry for him. The mill had been the focus of his energies and existence for many, many years and now that was threatened. Possibly it was a great burden and trust to place on another person but Margaret felt that her reliance on Mr. Bell's abilities was justified and wholly necessary, for who else would help Mr. Thornton?