Chapter Two: Dinner and Mrs. Thornton
John stopped by the house before going back to his office to inform his mother that they would have a guest for dinner tonight.
When she asked who it was, he told her it was Miss Hale.
Hannah was not pleased to have a dinner guest, and certainly not Miss Hale. They had let go of some of their staff due to finances, and there was little food in the house.
However, if they were to have a guest for dinner tonight, they would entertain properly. She gathered what servants they had left, and everyone got to work immediately.
At 7:00 sharp, Margaret entered the foyer of the hotel. She had brought her newest gown with her. It was a blue silk cut to set off her creamy shoulders. Mr. Bell had gifted her his mother's sapphire necklace and earrings, and Margaret wore those to accessorize her dress. She was grateful Dixon had thought to pack them.
John was resplendent in his black formal attire. He wore a burgundy waistcoat and cravat. Margaret had to avert her eyes to keep from staring at him.
John thought there could not possibly be a more beautiful woman on Earth than Margaret Hale. He had never seen her look so stunning. John covered her shoulders with her shawl and when his fingers brushed her bare shoulder, Margaret blushed becomingly.
John handed her into the carriage and sat across from her for the short ride to his home.
When they arrived at the mill house, Hannah saw her son help his guest from the carriage. She felt disdain for the girl but endeavored to control her feelings lest she displease her son. She would not hurt her son by being unkind to Miss Hale, but it was all she could do to tolerate the woman who had broken her son's heart.
John and Margaret walked into the drawing room together.
"Mother, Miss Hale has traveled to Milton on business for a few days."
Hannah remarked, "I thought we had seen the last of you when your Aunt Shaw fetched you back to London. I am surprised that you would want to return to our dirty and smoky town."
"Good Evening, Mrs. Thornton. I have missed Milton greatly since I have left it. I am happy to be back, even if it is just for a few days."
Hannah scoffed but held her tongue. She knew now who John had gone to see all dressed up this morning. His heart still belonged to the haughty girl, and Hannah resented having her in their home.
John tried to cover his mother's poor manners by speaking to Margaret about his efforts to make the lives of his workers better.
Margaret was enthralled with what he was saying, and she was caught up in his rich baritone voice. It seemed to caress her with each word.
When the servant announced dinner was ready, John held out his arm to Margaret to escort her into dinner.
Conversation flowed easily between John and Margaret as they enjoyed the delicious dinner of roast chicken and vegetables. Dessert was a lemon pudding and Margaret savored every bite of it. Mrs. Thornton had little to contribute to the conversation but was most observant of the interactions between the couple. She noticed than Miss Hale blushed easily in John's presence. She had become even more beautiful and poised since leaving Milton. It was easy to see the attraction between the two, and it alarmed Hannah.
Margaret had impeccable manners and although Mrs. Thornton had ignored her throughout dinner, Margaret would treat her with respect.
"Mrs. Thornton, I must compliment you on a wonderful dinner. I enjoyed it very much, thank you."
"My son asked me to prepare dinner for a guest, and I was glad to do it for him."
"Yes, of course, Mrs. Thornton."
John was irritated by his mother's behavior but decided to let nothing detract from his time with the woman he loved.
The three of them retired to the drawing room. John and Margaret talked of her father and they two shared memories of their times together at the Crampton house. Margaret spoke of her life in London. When she spoke of her nephew, Sholto, her face glowed with the love she felt for the little boy. It was clear Margaret found joy in spending time with him.
After an hour or so, Margaret requested John to see her home. She knew that Mrs. Thornton was unhappy to have her in her home, and it made Margaret uncomfortable.
Once they got to the hotel, John dismissed the carriage.
John did not want to leave her. He had dreamed of Margaret for so long, and now that she was here, he did not want to let her go. He wondered if she knew that he still loved her.
Margaret did not want him to leave, but propriety demanded it. The hour was late, and she was an unmarried woman in the company of the most eligible bachelor in Milton. There would be title-tattle.
The porter in the hotel approached her with a note. Margaret thought it might be from Henry, so she opened it. It was, but to her surprise, Henry had arrived in Milton while she was at dinner with the Mr. Thornton and his mother.
"Mr. Thornton, Henry Lennox arrived this evening with the papers drawn up for the loan. May we meet at nine in the morning to go over the details?"
"Yes, and as before, I will meet you here. Our business will be kept more private away from the mill."
Margaret offered her hand to John, and he held her small warm and beautiful hand in his for a moment, then kissed it tenderly.
He bid her a goodnight and walked home.