Chapter 11- GRIEF, PAIN AND LOSS

She was ushered in by the valet. He informed her that Mrs. Thornton will be present in a few moments.

It didn't take much time for the authoritarian nature of the mill house to surround Margaret. She felt like entering a dark cave after walking through a large forest. Every single thing in the Thornton house was spic and span. Not a vase out of place, every chair fixed on the floor. It was silent, except for the sounds from the mill. She remembered Miss Thornton, the now Mrs. Watson constantly bickering about the mill whenever she met Margaret. As for her, she noticed that it was not entirely too disturbing. In fact, she realized why the dragon mother was proud to be always kept listening to the noises of her son's achievement. It must be like music to her ears, mused Margaret.

She stood by the window facing the mill. It was the place of Mrs. Thornton actually, who spent hours sometimes standing there simply looking at her son's empire. Margaret saw the workers working swiftly, stacking up the cartons on the carts. There was cotton everywhere. She was reminded by her own remark long back: of hell being white. The workers were systematic, of course, they had to be if they worked under someone like Mr. Thornton.
Just then, she saw Jane, the notorious maid. She cast Margaret a surprised and haughty look, before rummaging through the chest of drawers and shelves in the room. She was in search of something significant, Margaret understood.

"It there eh?", Elisa, another maid asked Jane from another room.
"Nay, it ain't! Turned the entire house upside down but no gloves to be seen!" Jane responded, continuing her search through the wooden drawers.

"Master asked all to search and get it no matter what! He wants his gloves as soon as possible."

Margaret was all ears now. She understood immediately. His gloves! The leather gloves he had left on the day of his proposal after the riot. The gloves which gave Margaret so much comfort that was otherwise almost impossible to be received from a human. Except for him, of course. His gloves were an intimate possession of his, now in her hands, why, it was lying in her pockets right now! She never parted away from it, so as to be sure that Dixon or her father didn't find it out. He was searching for it which meant that he must be definitely frustrated to have lost it. She even knew that it was his father's possessions, the rarest thing he wished to own in his remembrance, as he had himself told her father during one of their discussions.

"Ay, I pretty sure it must be lyin' somewhere in the mill! The storehouse maybe, or canna say, even the hands themselves mustna stolen it! 'em fools will never change", said Jane.

Margaret's hands slowly clenched her pocket in her gown and she felt uncomfortable. She kept her gaze fixed on the mill grounds, lest the maids find her feeling anxious. Just then, she heard someone clearing their throat…

"Good morning Miss Hale."

The brusque voice was not lost on Margaret. She cleared her thoughts and tried to stay as calm as possible.

"Good morning, Mrs. Thornton. I hope you are fine."

"Thank you, Miss Hale. Yes, I am fine. Please sit."

Mrs. Thornton asked Jane and Elisa about the gloves. She was also sure that Mr. Thornton might have left it in his office or somewhere at the mill. She dismissed them after ordering Jane to fetch them both tea and refreshments.

"I hope the noises from the mill aren't disturbing to you, Miss Hale." Mrs.

Thornton said with an air of defense, almost reminding Miss Hale of her fixed opinions of Milton and especially her son.

"No, not at all. They are not entirely disturbing, I almost find it like a rhythm of itself."

A rhythm? Seriously? Mrs. Thornton wanted to laugh at Miss Hale's implication. It was such a silly observation yet the proud mother couldn't help but feel prouder about her son.

If Margaret was growing uncomfortable in anticipation of the conversation, Mrs. Thornton calmed herself to take the matter slowly. She noticed the young lady minutely- her skin was pale, which probably meant that she had cried sometime before. She was still in mourning, her attire all black. Yet, Miss Hale looked absolutely dainty in so black a gown. She was bearing her grief like no other, with so much poise and strength. Had it been her daughter or another woman, she would have cried all tears for two days before setting off to continue renovating her house. She now understood why the young lass made so many heads turn, even her son John. Her hair was so much out of place, strands falling all over her forehead, and she tucked it behind her ear often. Due to her decided opinions on Miss Hale, Mrs. Thornton always considered her as too haughty. But now when she took time to assess her, she noticed a childlike disposition lurking in her stiff and bold demeanor. She realized how strong she was and yet so fragile. No wonder why John loves her so much, Mrs. Thornton thought. And in so many ways, Miss Hale suddenly reminded her of her own young self.

Mrs. Thornton had made sure to keep the torn newspaper article mentioning the Hales' family secret in one of the drawers. She held the key in her hand now, waiting for the right time to open up the conversation without scaring off the young woman.

Tea was brought by the maid. Mrs. Thornton then ensured the maids were busy- Jane was sent to the grocer's, and the rest of them were sent to air the rooms on the top floor. The two women then managed to talk about the usual. She offered her condolences again to Miss Hale. After enquiring about her house affairs and such sort, she understood that it was Miss Hale who was running the home no doubt, almost taking every decision out of her reasoning, with little or some help from her maid Dixon and her father.

"Please don't hesitate to ask my help in any matter if you require any, at any point of time, Miss Hale. I will do my best, as I have promised your mother."
Mrs. Thornton managed to offer a kind word or two.

Margaret was suddenly reminded of the dreadful conversation they had just a month or so ago. It was so ironic that Mrs. Thornton said such a thing. But she understood that the woman's words were not in jest and she really meant it. The Thornton son and mother never minced with their words, spoke no words which they didn't mean. She immediately wanted to ask Mrs. Thornton directly the reason for asking her to visit, but it might be rude. She was nervous and worried when her pretense might wear down. The sooner she rushed out of the place, the better.

"I thank you so much, Mrs. Thornton. I will gladly seek your help if the need arises."

Mrs. Thornton took a deep breath and stiffened. It was time. She had to know the truth from Miss Hale and waste no time further.

"Your family lives in London, I suppose? I remember Fanny tittering about your family- the Shaws ever since her visit to the Great Exhibition."

"Yes, they do. Aunt Shaw is my mother's sister. Her daughter- my cousin, her husband and all live there."

"I see. So, half your life was spent under your aunt's care."

"Yes. She was kind enough and saw me and her daughter as the same. I had gone to London from Helstone when I was nine. I used to go back to the country during summers. Rest of the time I was located in London."

"How did you find it? I am sure you must be loving the sophisticated south for all its culture and fashion."

"That's true but I never preferred London society. It was and still is too ostentatious for my liking. I prefer Milton as to London."

This came as a pleasant surprise to Mrs. Thornton. She felt proud and cast a look at the young lass, who in turn cast her a confident look.

"I mean what I said, Mrs. Thornton. Yes, I was a bit prejudiced about this city and its ways but I had my own reasons. Yet I never once show that I loved London. As for Helstone, it is my birthplace so it will always be dear to me."

"Then that's a good realization, I hope. I am happy you have found your way here. Like this city and it likes you back! I never understood the grandiosity of the South that came from absolute no hard work. But Milton ain't like that. What you see, good or bad, is the result of hardwork."

"This, I agree. I find the people here toiling hard day and night. Their struggles came as a hard-hitting reality to me, but I realized that this is life. I led a content life in Helstone. I was in my comfort zone and expected that this was how life was and should be everywhere. I was mistaken."

Mrs. Thornton felt her regard for Miss Hale rising lightly. She warned herself against it. She had to guard herself against getting impressed by her words, the woman who rejected her son despite her truthful nature.

"Tell me about Helstone and your life there."

Mrs. Thornton saw a flicker of bliss and nostalgia in her face.

"It is beautiful, almost like a place out of poetry! Father was the village vicar so we lived in the vicarage. It was large, we had our own garden and nursery. Father's means were limited yet, we never felt poor even for a day. I was content; content to keep reading all day, lie on the grass, not dress too extravagant. I roamed in the woods, they had the best flowers and many rare ones too! I know all their names and take the village children often to show them flowers and fruits. As for the society and the people, we had only fifty families. We gathered together for the festivities and sometimes every once in three months. Weddings were small affairs, not the grand ones like here and London. People were happy with their meager incomes and fields. It was green and yellow everywhere. They were kind, always kind. Mother and father were always together with each other watching their children… I mean watching me play and teach the small children in the vicarage while they spent their time in bliss… I am sorry I got carried away…"

Margaret wanted to bite her tongue for almost having slipped about her brother's existence. She suddenly felt too silly for talking like a wild goose in front of a woman who hardly bothered about the south. As for Mrs. Thornton, she did notice Miss Hale's almost blatant confession and rejoiced inwardly.

"You don't have to apologize Miss Hale. I understand. I just wanted to know the place you came from. I understand where your boldness and open nature come from. You lived in an unrestrained setting with your free will."
Margaret thought for a minute to consider if Mrs. Thornton was disapproving of her character.

"I was the only daughter so my mother didn't approve of my going out into the woods and the fields unattended though my father always gave me the freedom I deserved. I respect him for that, it gave me my space to know the world and its ways through my own experiences."

"I see. I cannot disagree with your mother as you were her only daughter."
Margaret knew that Mrs. Thornton was too strong on her opinions of her. She was a conservative woman, who believed that the rules and decorum put forth by society were to be followed at all costs.

"Were you the only child, Miss Hale?"

Mrs. Thornton's sudden words baffled Margaret. Only child? What would that mean? Is she asking about the existence of anyone else, or merely asking if she had peers- girls of her own age for her to mingle with?

"If you mean people of my age, then no, I didn't have many friends of my position…"

Margaret's words hung in the air. She was met by nothing but a stare from the dragon woman.

"I am sorry, I don't understand."

"I asked if you were the only child to your parents?"
Of all the questions and topics Margaret surmised Mrs. Thornton would question, this was not expected at all. She was totally taken aback by the question, which came more as a fact instead of a question mark. But why would she be led to ask such a question?

"Of course, I am."

"Hmmm".

Margaret understood something was amiss. She didn't want to delay it further, lest the young woman ran out of the house. She rose and walked towards the wooden drawer, assuring no maid was around. She inserted the tiny key into the keyhole, opened the drawer, and picked up the parchment from amidst a hundred other documents of John's. She closed the drawer and came back to her chair.

"Now, Miss Hale. I want you to see this." She handed over the paper to Miss Hale.

Margaret took it with her shivering hands. She realized that something terrible was about to happen, or worse, some secret or truth be open in a while. She never felt so scared of Mrs. Thornton before than she was today, at the moment.

Her eyes skimmed through the parchment and the first word that fell on her eyes was "Belfast". The name of the forbidden ship her dear brother Frederick was positioned on! Her heart thrummed wildly. The sentences that followed below the headline were pretty much the truth she and her parents were hiding for the past many years. That Frederick so and so, son of Mr. Richard Hale… vicar, Helstone, Hampshire… mutiny… reward… so on and so forth.

Margaret felt her body turning into stone. Mrs. Thornton saw that the young lass was trying hard to register what was happening. After a few minutes, she decided to talk openly.

"I won't mince with my words, Miss Hale. I will talk as open as the day. I saw my maid Jane one day, almost casting off some rubbish into the fire. Man's belongings mostly- rags, handkerchief, and such sort. It didn't take me much time to realize that those might belong to her fiancé, a man named Leonards."
Leonards! Her mind screamed when she heard that name. The man who almost had her brother caught. She felt like she was punched in the gut, her guilt of lying to the inspector was once again becoming strong in her heart.

"I was puzzled, but I didn't let myself bother with my maid's personal affairs. But her actions were suspicious. This newspaper article fell from the bag she was holding. She didn't notice, too busy that she was poking everything on the fire! After she left, I took the paper, mind you, with every intention of giving it back to Jane. But my eyes fell over the words and I couldn't help but be shocked."

Margaret knew not how to respond. Should she be thankful that the maid, given her gossiping nature, didn't notice the contents on the paper? Yes, she had to be grateful for that. If she had seen, she would have definitely let the matter pass to others, and worse, connect the dots and complain to the police station expecting the handsome reward, who in turn would have come to investigate her and her father. What would have followed then, she felt it best to not even imagine.

But Mrs. Thornton was in possession of the truth now. Aware she was that the dragon mother guarded her family like a crow's nest, and she was too good to interfere and take advantage of others' personal affairs. Yet, she can't be sure.
Her thoughts were spiraling one over the other: "This involves my brother's life and even though he is safe in Cadiz, the place is not too far from London as I had heard Henry say once. If the government got to know about what had transpired, then dear brother might still be captured there or might be lured to come here by trapping me and father. Unthinkable! I will never let father and brother face shame and death. And what would Mrs. Thornton do next with my family secret? Will she let me go? Yes, that must be it. But why then call me to say all this? Obviously, she won't do all this without reason and purpose. Or worse, would she hold me against the truth and ask me to stay away from her only son or that she will expose and push my family to disgrace?"

Mrs. Thornton sat watching her face contorting, her eyebrows furrowing. She realized that her mind was almost like a war zone, battling with a thousand questions.

"Miss Hale, you there?"
The most that she could do was simply stare at Mrs. Thornton. She was terribly breathless, feeling sweat collect in her brows and forehead. She felt miserable, almost like her skin pinching itself.

"I don't know what to say. What you read is the truth though". She managed to utter in a whisper.

"I knew this must be it. Don't worry, Jane knows nothing of it. I didn't tell anyone of what I got to know, not even… my son."

Margaret suddenly felt disappointed. Why? Why Mrs. Thornton but not her son had to get hold of this parchment? Had he come to know of this, he would have immediately understood the truth. But well, it doesn't matter. Their relationship had gone beyond repair, with him taking back his sentiments right when she had started to form feelings of him in her heart.

"Miss Hale, I know you are flustered and in shock as I was a few days ago. I suppose you are trying to comprehend why and what I would do with this family secret of yours."

"Yes."

"I will never breath a word of it to anybody or hold you against it. I wanted to see you confirm what I read, even though this piece of paper was enough evidence. I believe confidently that this must have something to do with your current plight, the recurring gossip being spread about you. If you wish to say anything or speak whatever, feel free to do so. I was never a person of many words and emotions, and this is the most I could do. To listen. I am a mother myself and remembering your mother's request, I wish to be of some support if you let me be. But then, if you think it not my place to know or interfere, you are rightfully allowed to leave. Stay assured, the secret will stay a secret."

Margaret was too exhausted mentally now to hold it further. Mrs. Thornton was right enough to say that it was still not her place to pry, but her intentions were good. She was trying hard to keep this conversation civil as well as kind enough, and this was the most she could do. Her defensive nature started to drop, she felt at ease. Willingly or unwillingly, she started to blurt out the entire mishappening. She wanted to put down the burden her heart was holding on, even though she never expected it would be in front of Mrs. Thornton, a firm woman who excelled in hiding her emotions so brilliantly. But today was full of surprises and shock, the dragon mother's composure showed a tinge of ease and understanding, and of probable sympathy.

She quivered to even be reminded of her brother being deemed as a traitor and mutineer. She spoke with tears blinding her eyes. Mrs. Thornton listened attentively.

"I… I don't know from where to start even, Mrs. Thornton. My brother Frederick, six years older than me, and I are my parents' only children. We four were a happy family in Helstone, just us four with a minimal and content life. All that we knew was our vicarage, the church, helping the poor, and such simple pleasures in life. My brother was more like my confidante than a brother. He understood me and doted on his little sister. I never knew such love before. But we grew. His interests fell upon adventures and such sort when finally, he decided that his calling was the sea. Mr. Bell, then suggested he get in touch with certain contacts of his, and he got positioned in this ship named Belfast, belonging to the royalty. Mother was completely against my brother's decision, she loved him more than anything to lose sight of him even for a minute! Father was equally sorrowful, but he didn't stop my brother as he knew that he was old enough to discover his passion in life. Some five years back or so, when it was a year after his departure to the sea, oh, I still remember that day as fresh as it happened yesterday. My parents were frustrated though they tried hard to not show it to me. Father got hold of the newspaper, the exact piece that you had got hold of…That was the day I was told everything."

Mrs. Thornton was listening keenly. She felt a weird sort of pleasure and assurance in knowing Miss Hale's past. She actually expected Miss Hale to be haughty and insult her for talking about her personal affairs, but instead, she trusted her and talked openly. Mrs. Thornton, who flinched away from her as well as others' emotions, who believed that displaying emotions was a sign of timidity, now rather felt sympathetic to listen to Miss Hale revealing her family's problem. The young woman chose to trust her by speaking so, she surmised.

"That must have come as a blow to your parents. I know how it feels to see your only son face such a miserable fate…"

"I understand, Mrs. Thornton. I do. The worse I had to witness was seeing my parents' relationship almost spiraling down from that day onwards. Mother was not able to blame father wholly for her dear son's fate. Father, on the contrary, put himself to blame and tried hard to not face my mother. He just wasn't able to be himself anymore. No one in my family was happy again. We somehow become too individualistic, we lived together as one unit, but Frederick's absence, although unspoken was always in the back of our minds. Father tried to hold it all for my sake. But mother, she distanced herself from us. She became sick and kept Dixon to herself. I tried hard to make her happy, almost the young girl that I was. Mother's tastes were similar to my aunt's, a bit ostentatious. So I even tried to make myself to her standards, though I had to pretend sometimes. But no, nothing helped. She spoke to me often, only often, you see. Her son was facing the charges of a mutiny and will never set foot in England again, which devastated her."

"I understand how you must have felt." That was all Mrs. Thornton could say. She suddenly felt too infringed upon herself, she didn't judge Miss hale for speaking of her secret, but in listening to her opened up her own past wounds- her husband's death, John's imminent change from an aspiring student to a mere hand in one of the mills, those days were hard and inevitable. Her own family was similar to the Hales in many ways. She kept herself composed, she tried to.

"What exactly happened to your brother?"

"The captain of the ship belonged to the cruelest sort and he tortured the inhabitants and officers, including women and children in the worst way possible. Some of his offenses and actions cannot even be explained in words, so horrible that they were, as I was told by my mother and father. I can only imagine. My dear brother tried hard to resist the captain when at last he lost his patience. The captain was holding an officer and child to death with his blows! That's when Frederick declared a mutiny against the captain, and he was supported by every officer on the ship! They became united and threw off the captain's rule. They locked him up in the ship's attic, and what followed next, I am not much aware. But my brother or the other officers didn't take away human life as the captain did. Somehow, the deaths were blamed upon several of the officers, and I just got to know that a few of them were captured and sent to the gallows! Now, the rest, just like my brother are in exile, scattered away from their homeland and families! Think, Mrs. Thornton, think! To stay away from your country knowing you could never set foot and stay apart from your children, wife, parents, and friends! To live every day in fear, knowing that it could be your last day in this world if you get captured!"

The tears came freely and wildly now. She couldn't hold them back and it was too late to be embarrassed to let her emotions openly.

Mrs. Thornton sat in silence, as still as water. She absorbed Miss Hale's words and though she couldn't form a response, she felt the young woman's grief relatable.

"I can only understand. Where is he living now? And how come the maid's fiancé got entangled in this affair?"

"Frederick lives in Cadiz, Spain, now. He works for a rich man there. He got engaged to his employer's daughter and is set to get married soon. I and my father will not be able to be a part of it, sadly. As for Leonards, he was a resident of Helstone. He was a drunkard and always made trouble in the country. He and Frederick were at odds sometimes. He became aware of Frederick's situation. But that was it. We never saw him again. But we knew recently that he was stirring up trouble, enquiring the officers and such people, to know of my brother's whereabouts. As you have read in the paper, my brother's life has a price set by the government. Leonards wanted to get hold of the fortune by informing my brother's whereabouts to the government. But all that he came to know was our existence here, in Milton. All this happened when my mother was on her death bed. She had asked me, as her one last wish, to help her see her son for the last time. I had to fulfill her wish and wrote to my brother who was in Spain."

"Oh. You do know that it was a dangerous affair, right? How could Mr. Hale have agreed to this, though it was Mrs. Hale's final plea?"

"I did the mistake of posting the letter and then informing father. I know that I did a grave mistake but I knew not what to do. It was my mother's last wish and I couldn't deprive her of that. The day she made her final wish was one of the few days I had a heart-to-heart talk with her. I promised her to bring Frederick and so did he. He came just a few days before mother's death, at midnight. Just as Frederick was in Milton, so was Leonards. He saw Dixon accidentally while she had gone to the grocer's. He enquired her about us and also of Frederick. Dixon is one among us, ever loyal and truthful so she didn't let the secret out- that Frederick was right at Crampton away from others' presence."

"I came to know that Leonards' death happened near Outwood station almost after the incident of the gossip surrounding you…"
Margaret hesitated to talk about the dangerous memory. This was the most painful part of it. That Mr. Thornton had to see her with her brother in the station and mistake her actions in the most improper way possible. And if that was not enough, she had lied to the inspector, and still, Mr. Thornton helped her by attesting to her innocence and canceling the inquest.

"Mother passed away by midnight that day. Father, brother, and Dixon were all in tremendous grief and shock. But I, despite being sorrowful, had to focus on my brother's wellbeing. I told him to immediately leave Milton and get back to Spain. He protested, but I didn't want his life to be risked. Come morning, and people would have to be let known of mother's death. In such a case, he would be easily caught, and also, Leonards was still loitering in the city. So, I forced him, father agreed to me too. But unfortunately, father was not in a position to accompany Frederick to the station. Even Dixon was wrapped in her grief, she had spent most of her life by my mother's side. So I had to go with my brother to Outwood. There, suddenly Leonards and my brother started to have an altercation. I was frightened terribly. But the man was as usual drunk heavily. My brother pushed him away and he fell towards the stairs. I saw Leonards then somehow picking himself up and walking away. It was time for my brother to get on the train. We embraced and promised each other to always have the other in our prayers and thoughts. It was the least and most I could do. I never thought we would be seen by your son there."
So this was the truth. How could Mr. Hale, as grievous as he could be, still allow a young daughter to be sent with a man, even though her brother? That too at midnight! She would have definitely come back home all alone. Milton was not a safe city at night, thieves laundered and so did poor women and young girls standing in dark corners offering their bodies to lustful men in return for some money to satiate their and their family hunger. Although it wasn't her place, she felt terribly annoyed at the absolute sensitive and ignorant nature of the father. A lady of any standard, poor or rich wasn't supposed to be left unchaperoned at such unsafe a time.

Miss Hale need not explain further, she could very well understand how the sister and brother might have appeared to John. She was in confusion now. Her son mistook Miss Hale's actions gravely without thinking besides what his eyes saw. That must have surely hurt her pride, rightfully so. But yet, it seemed to be natural for anybody to make sense of such a scene in that manner as her son did. She wasn't able to keep him at fault, neither Miss Hale.

"I understand what followed next. Miss Hale, you aren't at fault, I agree. But if you were just a bit sensible at that moment on how your actions might appear…"

"No, Mrs. Thornton. I agree but I will never regret my actions. He was my brother. I don't want to get ahead myself, but after father, my brother will be my only family. Yet I have no idea when or if at all we will ever meet again. One won't understand my plight if they aren't facing what I and my family faced."

There, she was back her haughty and bold self. It was expected. She will never regret her actions if her reasoning believed her to be on the right. She was proved right, she tried to help the people of Milton but all that she received in return was malicious gossip spreading in her name.

"Fine, I understand. Thank you for telling me. I realize how tough it might have been, to face such trauma all alone. You see, many of the things that you told weren't completely lost on me. Your situation is relatable, something I myself faced many years back…"

Mrs. Thornton felt embarrassed now. She had her own burdens locked deep in her heart to assure they never came out. Not even her son John and daughter Fanny were successful in seeing the mother's vulnerable side. Yet now, this young woman who she had become acquainted with only almost a year ago, who she hardly crossed paths seems to have pricked her sorrow.
Margaret was already aware of the Thorntons' past.

"I have heard father talking of Mr. Thornton and his past… I might have had some fixed opinions but I admire and respect his work for bringing back the family to a good position from his hardwork."

Her words added solace to Mrs. Thornton. If it was before, she would have snorted and disbelieved her words. Now to hear her speak so about her son made her question if the young lass had feelings for John. Admiration and respect only needed some prodding, in the right direction to turn into love and compassion.

"I am glad to hear you say so. You see, I know very well of loss myself… it is painful but it makes you strong if you are ready that is."

"That's true. I believe the pain will go one day."

"I don't know if it ever will. I am not too optimistic by nature. I believe that the loss of a loved one stays within you, almost becoming a part of you. As for the pain, it doesn't go away. It only becomes numb. Difficult to forgive someone who left you and your children all alone. And to see the only son turn from a young lad into the man of the house, leaving school… no, it's painful every day, though my son has risen to a good position and is respected everywhere."

Mrs. Thornton was reminded of those dreadful days of the past. She felt blinded by tears but had to stop herself. She still held on to some dignity and letting herself be emotional in front of a young woman was not tolerable.

Margaret realized that it was best not to speak. She saw Mrs. Thornton trying to control herself. That she spoke this much to her was nothing less of a miracle in itself. She just felt to say one last thing, before leaving.

"I think you should forgive and not be too controlling on yourself. Letting out your feelings is not an act of timidity. Sometimes, it speaks of strength. It will help."

It was time. Margaret realized that almost an hour and a half had passed already. She had to be at home to help Dixon and Mary. She rose to leave.

"Mrs. Thornton, I thank you for inviting me. I must leave now."

"Very well, Miss Hale."

Both women rose from their seats. Margaret left to the door when she suddenly stood looking into the void. Mrs. Thornton was baffled.

"What is it, Miss Hale? Do you wish to say something more?"

Silence.

Mrs. Thornton didn't know what had happened. Did she fall ill all of a sudden? Was she still scared that she will expose the truth? She had assured her that she will never do such a thing. She saw Margaret turn slowly and face her.

"No, I said everything I had to ever say. But I think I have something that I must return back to its owner."

"And may I know what is it?"

Margaret took a deep breath before letting her hands skim through her pocket. She clutched the gloves one last time inside her pocket before taking them out. She held it tight before walking towards Mrs. Thornton, extending her hand.

Mrs. Thornton looked at what Miss hale was holding. She was stunned beyond belief. Her son's gloves in the possession of Miss Hale! How of all things in the world did his gloves end up with her? And when had it happened because her son was searching for it for almost months now.

"Miss Hale, these are my son's gloves I believe."

"They are. He left them in my home when he had come to… I mean, the day after the riot… I never got a favourable chance to return it back to him. I saw the maids searching for them and telling how important it was for him. I should have returned it sooner, I apologize. You can tell your son that it was found by the maids or misplaced somewhere here on the shelves. Thank you. I bid you good day."

She rushed out of the room as soon as she finished speaking. She didn't turn back once to see the bewildered dragon mother.