Thank you all so much for your interest. I know there have been some questions, but I would prefer to let them answer themselves if you're willing to stick around. This story is currently my procrastination from uni work (I know, naughty) and I'm loving it. Enjoy!
xxx
'Well miss,' Dixon sighed once they had finished their tasks. 'You'd best be getting back upstairs to get ready for dinner. We can't have you arriving for dinner looking like this'.
'Thank you, Dixon,' Margaret smiled. 'For your company and all you do for us. Especially for mother'.
'You know there's nowhere else I'd rather be,' Dixon shot back with a scoff.
Margaret returned to her room in higher spirits than she had been in for weeks. She quickly washed up and went about selecting her attire for the evening. Although she was married, and Henry earned a great deal more than her father, she still preferred to dress modestly, excluding the occasion more expensive piece. Growing up as she had, Margaret was a firm believer in moderation, especially when it came to spending.
Before long, she had dressed in a simple, light blue gown and pinned her hair back into her usual style. If it were a dinner in London, she would be expected to dress more extravagantly, but since it was only her father and a businessman, she felt no pressure to adorn herself excessively.
Just as she was fixing what she hoped would be the last of her unruly curls, she heard sharp knocks at the door downstairs and the familiar bustling footsteps of Dixon as she hurried to answer it.
Once Margaret was sure that her father had greeted the guest and that it would be appropriate for her to make herself known, she made her way quietly down the stairs and into the parlour.
The two gentlemen had their backs to Margaret, but as soon as he heard her enter, Mr Hale quickly turned to greet her.
'There you are, my dear. Mr Thornton, may I have the pleasure of introducing you to my daughter, Margaret?'
Mr Thornton turned to face her, and Margaret was instantly taken aback at the sight of him. Judging from the limited information she had been given, she presumed that he would have been older and less well-looking. Now that she looked at him, she could see that he was a very handsome gentleman, and not at all old.
Cool blue eyes met hers and she gave her best polite smile. Mr Thornton stepped forward and extended his hand.
Momentarily at a loss of what to do, Margaret froze for a moment before accepting the hand. His hand was strong and calloused, and she could tell that it had done more than its fair share of hard work.
'It's a pleasure to meet you,' he greeted in a deep, baritone voice and a small smile lifted his lips quite pleasantly. 'Your father has spoken of you often'.
'Oh?' Margaret questioned with a smile of her own. 'I'm sure there isn't much to talk about'.
'Quite the contrary, I assure you,' he replied smoothly and slowly retracted his hand.
'Mr Thornton has just been saying that he must introduce you to his sister while you are here,' Mr Hale cut in. 'He says she would love the company'.
'I'd be delighted to meet her,' Margaret agreed happily. 'Though I cannot vouch for my own company. I have been somewhat of a recluse of late'.
'Margaret,' Mr Hale laughed uncomfortably and cast a sideways glance at Mr Thornton. 'You make it sound as though a young lady would have nothing to do in London'.
'Well there you have it,' said Mr Thornton. 'My sister loves the idea of London and dreams of going there. I believe you would be of great interest to her, should you agree to meet'.
'Of course,' Margaret nodded and then turned to her father. 'Shall we go through to the dining room?'
'Of course,' Mr Hale gestured his guest to the door and Mr Thornton paused, making sure that Margaret was the first to go through.
Margaret led the way to the dining room with Mr Thornton behind her and her father bringing up the rear. The Hale's dining room was not a very grand one. It boasted only six chairs and the table itself was no doubt a great deal smaller than those in the grand houses of London, but Margaret pushed the thought aside. Mr Thornton did not seem to be a harsh man and her parents were not so impoverished as to be improper.
Margaret took a place on one side of the table and was joined by Mr Thornton. Her father took a seat on the other side of the table across from her.
'I must apologise for my wife's absence,' said Mr Hale. 'She isn't feeling well this evening'.
'No trouble at all, Mr Hale. I would not want her to sacrifice her comfort for my sake,' Mr Thornton assured him.
'I will check on her a little later,' Margaret informed her father. 'I am sure you gentlemen don't' need my input to have lively conversation.
They lapsed into a polite conversation about very little for a while before Dixon began bringing in their dinner. Her father and Mr Thornton soon launched into a discussion about philosophy, and Margaret listened on patiently, glad to see her father's enthusiasm renewed.
'So, Margaret,' Mr Hale turned to her after some time. 'How is Henry lately?' Upon seeing Mr Thornton's curious look, he elaborated. 'Henry Lennox is Margaret's husband, Mr Thornton. He's a lawyer in London'.
Margaret suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. 'He is very well, father. His practice keeps him very busy and I do not see him very much at all'.
'Such a hard-working lad,' Mr Hale nodded appreciatively, but Mr Thornton fixed Margaret with a strange look that she couldn't quite read. His piercing eyes looked as though they could see her discomfort and it caused Margaret to shiver.
'Would you both excuse me for a moment?' she asked, rising slowly from her chair. 'I'm feeling a little unwell'.
Mr Thornton rose from his seat instantly and Mr Hale was fast to follow.
'Are you alright, my dear?' he inquired. 'I do hope you aren't getting ill'.
'Indeed father, I am sure that I am just tired from my journey,' Margaret insisted. 'Please, do not worry about me. I shall be alright after a bit of rest'.
'If you're sure,' he replied, but he still did not look entirely convinced.
'It's quite alright, Mr Hale, I'm sure Mrs Lennox wouldn't want to listen to us ramble about philosophy all evening,' Mr Thornton said with a slight smile.
'On the contrary, I find it very interesting,' Margaret assured him. 'But I'm afraid that if I stay in my fatigued state, I'll be in danger of appearing disinterested'.
'If you insist,' Mr Hale nodded.
'I do,' Margaret nodded and turned quickly to exit the room.
Hurrying up the stairs and to her bedroom, she let out a great sigh and collapsed onto her bed. Although she was yet to experience much of Milton, she had to wonder about her mother's withdrawal. She knew that her mother was unwell, but there was a distance between her parents that hadn't been there before.
Margaret lay back and let sleep take her, not sparing a thought for the gown she still wore. The bed beneath her felt wonderfully soft after her long journey, and it was such a relief to be somewhere that she now knew she belonged.
It felt like only moments later she was awoken by the sounds of voices down the hallway. She recognised her father's instantly and could only assume the others was Mr Thornton's. Looking at the small clock on the mantelpiece, Margaret realised that she had been asleep for over almost two hours.
She got up slowly and decided it would be a good idea to check on her mother. In her haste she came flying out of her room and ran straight into someone coming the other way. The air left her lungs and she almost fell, but strong arms came up to steady her immediately.
'Goodness,' she uttered. 'You must forgive me; I was not looking where I was going'.
'Are you alright?'
Margaret looked up into the piercing eyes of Mr Thornton and then down to where his hands still held her shoulders. He moved them quickly as though he'd forgotten that they were still resting there.
'Y-yes, I thank you. Again, I apologise'.
'Not necessary,' Mr Thornton shook his head and then turned to look behind him. 'I believe your father has retired for the night. I said I'd see myself out'.
Margaret merely nodded.
'Would you object if I came to collect you tomorrow afternoon?' he asked quickly. 'My sister will be very eager to make your acquaintance'.
'Yes, of course,' Margaret smiled. 'I will look forward to it'.
Mr Thornton nodded. 'Goodnight, Mrs Lennox'.
xxx
So I think that the next chapter might have a bit of John's POV. In order to tell the whole story I do think I still need to show both sides. Next chapter might be a bit longer though as I do actually have to do assignment too :(
