Not a huge chapter this time, but I'm already working on the next one. Thank you so much for the support you've given me on this story. Updates will be as frequent as I can make them. I got my most recent assignment in on Tuesday, so this was the little tidbit I've managed since then. I promise you guys that I will not give up on this story. Whether it is a week or a month, I will keep updating it until it's finished. I'm enjoying myself far too much not to.
Enjoy :)
xxx
Margaret had accompanied the Higgins' to their small living space with a heavy heart. She had no idea that people lived in such a way, and the Higgins' house wasn't the most decrepit by far.
Having lived in the country and then in one of the nicer parts of London, Margaret had never had cause to see where the other half lived, aside from the occasional trip she took to offer food to the homeless.
'I know it's not much, Miss,' said Mr Higgins, having obviously noticed the way she stared around in shock.
'Oh, no I'—
'It's alright, Miss,' he replied with a half-smile. 'But I'm afraid I don't often like strangers in my house. My name is Nicholas Higgins, and this is Bessy. My other daughter, Mary is currently out'.
Margaret smiled. 'It is lovely to meet both of you, even if it is in these circumstances,' she gestured to Bessy's leg. 'My name is Margaret Ha…' she trailed off.
'Miss?'
Margaret regained her composure. 'Margaret Lennox. My mother and father moved up here a few months ago. Perhaps you may have heard of the Hale's?'
Nicholas nodded and moved gestured for them to sit at the table. 'Aye, I've heard of your father. He teaches at the hall, couple of streets away'.
Margaret nodded. 'Yes, I believe he is flourishing as a teacher,' she smiled and then turned to Bessy. 'Now, may I see your leg?'
Bessy nodded and watched on as Margaret gently assessed her injuries.
'Are you married, Miss?'
'Please, call me Margaret,' she smiled warmly, 'and yes, I am married. My husband's name is Henry and he is a lawyer in London'.
Bessy nodded slowly. 'So, if he's in London, why are you here?'
Margaret paused for a moment and she saw Nicholas send Bessy a strange look that she couldn't quite read.
'I found that London wasn't agreeing with me at present and I wished to visit my parents,' she replied simply.
'All alone?'
Margaret nodded. 'Henry couldn't be spared from his work. Anyway, I quite like time to myself'.
Bessy sighed. 'I've sometimes wondered what it would be like to be married to some great man'.
Margaret chuckled and said no more on the subject.
Xxx
Before she left the Higgins' house, Margaret made sure that Bessy was resting, and that the young woman understood her need to relax in order to heal. Luckily for her, the injury appeared to be mostly superficial and would heal in a matter of days.
Still, Margaret was haunted by the thought that Bessy would not be able to afford a doctor, even if she wished to see one. In Helstone, anyone with any minor ailment could go to her father and find some sort of relief, whether it be through medical help or prayer, there was always something they could do.
Margaret found her way back to her parent's house surprisingly well and she hurried back up to her room. On her bed was an envelope with her name written on it in familiar handwriting. Margaret smiled to herself as she picked it up and turned it over to see her cousins address on the other side. Carefully removing her shawl, she opened the letter and perused the contents.
My dearest Margaret,
It has scarce been minutes since you left and yet I miss you already. Henry left directly and went back to his practice. I do believe he will miss you greatly. How could he not after being so lucky as to marry a woman such as you?
Margaret sighed and smiled a soft smile for her sweet, oblivious cousin. As upsetting as it would be for everyone to hear, Margaret knew that Henry would hardly notice her absence if she decided to stay a year.
I am sending this letter after you so that you don't forget to write to me. I do hope my Uncle and Aunt are fairing well. Tell me everything, my dear Margaret. Is life up there so harsh as I've been led to believe? And the people, are they rough and disagreeable? I almost hope that they are, so you'll want to come home again sooner.
Margaret smiled again. If it had been her choice, Edith would have had them all live together in the one house. Henry had decided that it would be disruptive to have so many people in the same house and Margaret had agreed with him. As much as she loved company, those quiet moments by herself were something that she cherished greatly.
The rest of Edith's letter was merely her talking about how she was coping with her pregnancy and well wishes for Margaret and her parents.
Margaret took a seat by the window to pen her response and looked down into the street below as she thought of what to write back. Most of the people were gone at that hour, but there were still a few packing away their things. Margaret wondered absent-mindedly if they had a home to go to.
Dear Edith,
I am happy to report that I have reached Mama and Papas safely. My father is well, and we dined last night with a pupil of his, who is quite a gentlemanly sort.
Margaret paused to think of how best to describe him. His icy blue eyes flashed across her mind and she shivered a little. Deciding it would be better not to spend too much time describing the man, she continued with her update on everything in Milton.
Still, even as she wrote of other things, she could not stop the sharp features of his face from coming to her mind. Indeed, he was handsome. Perhaps far more handsome than she had thought that she would ever find anyone.
A quiet knock at the door stole her from her thoughts and she was glad when Dixon emerged, carrying a small supper tray.
'Dixon, what's this?' Margaret enquired as the older woman placed the tray down on the nearby table.
'I saw you come in and I knew you wouldn't have eaten,' Dixon sighed and began setting a place for Margaret.
Margaret smiled. 'You never miss a thing, do you?'
Dixon gave her a small smile in response.
'How is mother this evening?'
Dixon nodded. 'Better. I think that you coming here has given her a bit more energy. She ate a full meal and even sat with your father for a time'.
'Have they not been sitting together?' Margaret asked.
Dixon sniffed. 'Not a lot. It's very difficult for her up here and the Master is always so busy with studies or pupils that she doesn't feel she should disturb him'.
'She hasn't forgiven him for the move, has she?'
Dixon paused, but said nothing.
Margaret sighed. 'If only I could bring them both down to London'.
Dixon smiled sadly. 'I don't think she would do well taking the trip'.
'Is she really so bad?' Margaret asked quietly.
'Like I told you yesterday, Miss. The missus doesn't agree with this place and it doesn't agree with her'.
Margaret thanked Dixon again for the meal and the older woman took her leave. Margaret picked at her food for a while before deciding that it was time for her to go to bed.
xxx
There will be more Thornton interaction in the next one, I promise. Maybe even some family to meet. Thanks again, guys!
