Thank you for your feedback, guys. I'm glad that there's interest in this story :) I'm a bit rusty as I haven't written in quite a while, so I hope you'll forgive any mistakes. Anyway, this chapter is a little longer. Most chapters with probably more like this length as I get back into the flow. Thanks again and enjoy :)
xxx
As the train hissed to a halt, Margaret's stomach filled with trepidation as she looked out at the bustling platform. She had been in crowds before in the busy streets of London, but this place was even more alien to her. People jostled each other along the platform and the air was chilly and smoky. Oh, how Margaret feared for her mother in such a place. Such a delicate woman would not do so well there.
Just as she had resolved herself to join the throng, a man stopped beside her compartment and raised his voice above the crowd to speak to her.
'Are you a Mrs Lennox, madam?'
Margaret could do little but nod as the gruff-looking man opened the door and took her bag from her hand, before offering her his other for her to step down.
'I'm sorry,' she called over the tumult around them. 'I do not know your name',
'I'm Williams, ma'am. Mr Thornton sent me on behalf of your father. Said it was important to your father that you be delivered quickly'.
'Who is Mr Thornton?' Margaret wondered aloud. 'What has he to do with my father?'
Having heard her, even as they weaved their way through the crowd, Williams turned his head back to reply. 'Mr Thornton is master of Marlborough Mills. He is a pupil of your father's. I know nothing more than that, ma'am'.
Once they were out onto the street the crowd thinned considerably and Margaret could move freely without being jostled by others. She looks around the dusty streets and couldn't help but be amazed by the contrast to the clean, well-preserved streets that she frequented in London. These streets were full of workman, and industry was around every corner. Milton was certainly a harsh change from the picturesque scenes of Helstone, where she grew up.
Williams led Margaret down several side streets until they came to a quieter, more secluded street with only a few larger apartments and houses. Margaret tried to imagine her parents living comfortably in such a place as Williams explained that this was the place that Mr Thornton had thought would suit her parents needs best. She found herself wondering whether this Mr Thornton was as amiable as Williams seemed to think he was. Surely for a man to think so highly of his master, he must be a great man indeed.
As soon as Williams knocked on the door to one of the smaller houses, the familiar sounds of bustling footsteps could be heard and Margaret smiled as a puffing Dixon emerged. Williams handed over the bag and bid them goodbye before another word could be said.
'Oh miss,' Dixon pulled Margaret in to embrace her. 'We're so glad you could come'.
'So am I, Dixon, believe me,' Margaret smiled back as the older woman ushered her inside and closed the door behind her. 'I wish I could have been here to help mama and father. It must have been so difficult for them both'.
Dixon shrugged her broad shoulders. 'The missus is not enjoying it very much, but your father seems to thrive in this place. He has his pupils and spends more time with them than with his wife these days'.
'Dixon,' Margaret scolded. 'Please do not speak so harshly about father. I'm sure he is only trying to find a way to cope'.
Dixon nodded, but said nothing more.
'Will you take me to them?' Margaret asked, looking around the room curiously.
'Of course, Miss,' Dixon nodded and walked on ahead.
Margaret smiled at the familiar address. How she wished she was Miss Hale still. She would have moved with her parents and been able to care for them much better.
'Dixon?' called a familiar, delicate voice.
'I'm here,' Dixon called back and led Margaret into the room where the voice originated from, 'and look; I have Miss Margaret with me'.
Margaret observed her mother's frail form and tired face as it lit up with delight. 'My dear girl,' she cried.
'Mama,' Margaret murmured and hurried to embrace her. 'How I've missed you'.
'Oh Margaret,' Mrs Hale whimpered. 'This is such a horrible place'.
'Come now, mama,' Margaret reassured her. 'This place cannot be so bad. I little alteration and decoration and it will be just like home'.
'I wish we could live close to you, Margaret,' Mrs Hale sighed. 'You must have such a wonderful life with Henry'.
Margaret tried her best to maintain her cheeriness. Her eyes met Dixon's and the other woman gave her a curious look. Margaret shook her head.
'Is that Margaret I hear?' called the voice of Mr Hale from the doorway. 'Goodness me, my dear, you are thin'.
Margaret chuckled softly and crossed over to embrace her father as well. 'Should I be round, father?'
'I-no, of course not, but you do look very thin. Is everything alright down in London?'
'I am quite alright,' Margaret promised. 'Now, tell me about your lessons. Has all been well?'
'Well as it happens, one of my pupils has agreed to dine with us tonight. You shall see whether I have been able to teach him a thing or two,' Mr Hale smiled proudly.
Margaret beamed. 'Doesn't that sound nice, mama?'
Mrs Hale sighed wearily. 'I am afraid I will have to take supper in my room. I do not feel up to entertaining tonight'.
'Very well,' Dixon responded quickly before either of the others could object.
Later when Margaret had settled in to her room, she found Dixon down in the kitchen preparing things for the evening.
'Dixon,' Margaret called down to her as she descended the stairs. 'Can I help at all?'
'You help me?' Dixon scoffed. 'Does that husband of yours make you work in the kitchen or something? Never you mind about it'.
'But Dixon'—
'I said no, Miss,' Dixon snapped and then sighed. 'I'm sorry'.
'Dixon, whatever is the matter?' Margaret swept across the room to take the older woman by the shoulder.
'I'm afraid, Miss. Nothing has been right since you left. You left and then we were uprooted and moved to an awful place. I fear for the missus' health here'.
Margaret nodded. 'Believe me, Dixon, if I could undo my actions and be with you all still, I should be much happier'.
Dixon sniffed and gave Margaret a strange look. 'Surely you don't mean that, Miss. Life in London must be so exciting for you'.
Margaret shook her head. 'Oh Dixon, I made a terrible mistake when I married Henry. I thought in marrying Henry I would make everyone happy, yet it seems that I have done quite the opposite'.
Dixon did not say a word, but listened with such an earnest expression on her face that Margaret felt compelled to continue.
'I am so lonely. Henry and I spend little time together and when we do it is all forced politeness and pleasantries, never anything more. I never considered that I may wish for more in a marriage, but having seen the love between my parents, I feel as though I have ruined everything'.
'Oh miss,' Dixon said softly. 'Well at least you're here now'.
Margaret managed a small smile and nodded. 'Yes, and I shall enjoy every moment while I can'.
'Try not to think of any of that tonight,' Dixon sniffed again and continued to bustle around the kitchen once more. 'You'll find the company up here very different from what you're used to'.
'Oh?' Margaret murmured as she absentmindedly straightened the tablecloth beneath her fingers.
'Yes,' Dixon nodded seriously. 'And if you find Mr Thornton half as interesting as the master does, you'll be very well pleased'.
'Mr Thornton?' Margaret asked in wonderment.
'He's a pupil to your father,' Dixon explained. 'Seems a decent gentleman from what I know of him'.
'We shall see,' Margaret replied with a smile and picked up an apron to assist her.
xxx
I hope you don't mind me giving Dixon a bit more of a loving role in Margaret's life. Margaret is after all a little less ballsy at the moment as she believes that she has ruined her chances of a happy life by marrying Henry. This is why I think it appropriate for her to be a little less guarded. Her underlying feeling of helplessness keeps her spirits at bay.
