Hello! Yes, I'm still here and yes I'm still working on this story when I get the time. I'm on uni placement at the moment, so I've had lots of study time to use on this instead :P Anyway, thank you all so much for your support. It means so much to me to see others enjoying my ramblings. Enjoy the new chapter x
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Margaret spent the majority of the next day at the Higgins' house entertaining Bessy and almost completely forgetting that she was yet to meet the rest of the Thorntons. As it so happened, it was a good three days later that Margaret saw anything of Mr Thornton at all. She had busied herself so much with befriending the Higgins' and caring for her mother, that the gentleman and his family had almost slipped her mind. Almost.
It was almost midday when Margaret decided to go out into the street. Whilst she had met and subsequently avoided several more interesting characters, she was quickly coming to know the surrounding streets and had even walked past Marlborough mills at a time, which she knew to be Mr Thornton's business.
Naturally, she had not stopped long to look, as there were people bustling around everywhere, but she gathered that it was a very prosperous business, despite her own personal views on cotton.
She was just rounding the very same corner that she and Mr Thornton had been walking when the cab had wounded Bessy, when she almost ran straight into two people coming the other way.
She looked up into the face of the fair, blonde lady, but her apology died on her lips when she saw the lady's companion.
'Mrs Lennox,' greeted the low voice of Mr Thornton. 'We were just coming to call upon you'.
'Oh?' she looked between the two and felt a strange sensation in her stomach as she observed the woman's arm linked firmly around his.
'Yes,' he affirmed, 'my sister has been rather unhappy that it has taken me days to introduce the two of you'.
Margaret looked once more at the blonde and she realised instantly her mistake. Trying to ignore the feeling of relief that overcame her, she raised her hand out to the other lady.
'It is a pleasure to meet you,' she smiled sweetly as Miss Thornton took her hand. 'My father has been educating me on northern customs. I believe I may soon master the handshake'.
Mr Thornton chuckled softly, but Miss Thornton looked mortified. 'Oh, I only do that when I have to. I'm much more interested in what they do in the south. Coming from the beauty of London, you must find this place a nightmare,' she glanced around the dusty streets and held on tighter to Mr Thornton's arm.
'On the contrary, I find it fascinating,' Margaret smiled warmly at the girl. 'One can have more than their fair share of London finery'.
Miss Thornton looked gobsmacked, while Mr Thornton merely watched Margaret with a strange, penetrating look that made her shiver slightly. Never before had a man caused her such discomfort. Edith had described similar feelings when she had recounted her first meeting with Captain Lennox. She said that a mere look across the room from him would send her stomach into a flurry of nerves. Edith described it as a thousand little butterflies beating their wings against her stomach. Margaret had always thought that her cousin was dreamy and a little too easily affected, but she was beginning to fear that Edith had been accurate in her description.
'Would you care to join us?' the man himself asked before his sister could object to Margaret's reply. 'Our mother would very much like you meet you also'.
'Of course,' Margaret smiled shyly and nodded her head. Mr Thornton's eyes lingered a little longer on her face before he turned his head.
The three of them walked together, making polite conversation. Mr Thornton asked the usual questions about her parents and Miss Thornton would on occasion interject with an excited query of some kind. Almost all these questions pertained to London, the newest fashions, and what parties and events Margaret had attended.
Margaret was very sorry that she could not be more entertaining, as she explained again and again that she went but rarely to most of the things Miss Thornton asked her about. They did discover however that Margaret and Miss Thornton shared a love of music and both enjoyed playing the piano. Miss Thornton then launched into a passionate speech about her love of the piano and her opinion that it was an essential happiness of hers.
Margaret nodded along with what the other lady said but did not quite share such an undying love for the instrument. She enjoyed listening to the instrument played well but had only taken up playing more herself in the last few months of her marriage. Henry had bought the instrument second hand from an auction. She was sure that it was his way to divert her whilst she was alone in the house, but she was quite thankful nonetheless and took to playing it often.
By the time they were at the gates of Marlborough mills, Margaret had decided in her mind that she quite liked Miss Thornton, or Fanny as she insisted she call her. Whilst she wasn't as soft and gentle as Edith, or as humorous and witty as Bessy, she was only a child eager to learn about and explore the world. Her attitude towards the lower class left something to be desired however, as Margaret had seen in her reactions to the beggars they had passed in the street, but Margaret knew that this was an unfortunate result of her breeding and not necessarily the girl's fault entirely.
This made Margaret wonder what sort of a woman Mrs Thornton was. Her father had told her about the unpleasant circumstances surrounding the father's death and Margaret felt genuine compassion for them. Mr Hale had also gone out of his way to sing the praises of Mr Thornton for stepping up and becoming a great man.
A servant greeted them at the entrance of the large house situated within the mill walls. Margaret trailed behind the other two as they led the way down a long corridor and up a wide, dark staircase.
Margaret found herself wondering at the interesting design of the house, and in comparing it to her own richly furnished home in London, she found she liked it better. Everything was elegant without any of the gaudy colours or decorations that her aunt had insisted she get when they made any changes to the house in London.
When they entered the next room, Margaret was met with the sight of a stern-looking dark-haired woman writing at the large dining table. She looked up as they came further into the room and slowly put down her work and rose to her feet.
She bowed her head. 'You must be Mrs Lennox. My daughter has been anxious to meet you since she first heard of your arrival'.
Margaret observed the way the woman's eyes flickered across to Mr Thornton before resting on her once more.
'It is a pleasure to meet you,' Margaret bowed her head in return. 'Though I am afraid I have already proven much less exciting than Miss Thornton may have hoped'.
'Oh no, Mrs Lennox,' Fanny smiled. 'I assure you, you're the most exciting person I've met for a long time'.
Margaret smiled good-naturedly and allowed the conversation to shift past the usual pleasantries to more interesting topics. Fanny insisted that she join her on the settee, and the two of them talked for quite some time. Then, it was time for them to play the piano and Margaret allowed herself to be led over to the beautiful instrument. Fanny played Margaret her favourite tune and then insisted Margaret play one of her own. Margaret obliged, but found it a little difficult to concentrate. She knew the piece well and had played it many times alone or with friends, but never had she had such an intense audience as Mr Thornton, who sat at a desk in the corner of the room, his work discarded before him and his gaze upon her.
By the time Margaret realised how late it had become, there was barely enough light left for her to make it home before it was truly dark outside. Fanny had offered to order a cab, but Margaret insisted that no such trouble be gone to on her account. In the end, it was settled that she would walk, but Mr Thornton would accompany her, lest she be happened upon by some unsavoury character in the streets as they emptied.
As they exited the mill yard, Mr Thornton cleared his throat and offered her his arm. Margaret was a little taken aback at first, but carefully slipped her arm through his. A foreign tingling sensation shot up her arm instantly at the touch and she felt her cheeks heat up a little. Whether he noticed their colouring or not, he did not make mention of it as they set off in the direction of the Hale residence.
'Your sister certainly loves company,' said Margaret after a few moments of silence, but for the bustling of people packing away their wares in the street around them.
Mr Thornton smiled softly. 'Yes, my sister grows a little tired of mine and our mother's company. She would love nothing more than to have a sister all to herself'.
'I take it that you and your sister are your mother's only children?'
'Aye,' he nodded. 'Fanny has grown up wanting for nothing, but she's lonely. My mother and I are much too busy to give her the attention she desires. I do hope she doesn't tire you too much'.
'Oh no, of course not. I understand what it's like to be lonely,' Margaret shrugged. 'It is important to have people to care about you'.
'I imagine you have many people to care for you,' he observed quietly.
Margaret sighed softly. 'One can have any number of people around them and yet feel as lonely as if they had none. It isn't the people that matter, but what they offer. Indeed, I have met more agreeable people here than most of those I've left in London'.
'I wouldn't let Fanny hear you say that,' Mr Thornton chuckled. 'She cannot wait to leave this place'.
'And what about you?' Margaret asked interestedly as they rounded the final corner to the Hale's street. 'Do you have any desire to go elsewhere?'
'No, this place is my home and my livelihood. I never thought of going somewhere else unless it were to bring new ideas and advancements to my business. You might think me a machine, but I've worked far too hard for my position in this town to wish to go anywhere else'.
'Would you not grow tired of it?' she turned to ask him as they stopped at the steps of the Hale house.
Mr Thornton's face softened into a smile and Margaret felt her heart thump faster in her chest. 'Like you said, Mrs Lennox, it's not the people, but what they offer. I believe the same can be said for places. I believe that Milton has a lot more to offer me than anywhere else, even London'.
Margaret smiled a little at that. 'You are very sure of your opinions, Mr Thornton. I wish I could be so sure'.
A few moments of silence passed between them before Mr Thornton cleared his throat. 'I must be getting back. Thank you for showing kindness to my sister. I do not believe I've seen her quite so happy in months'.
'You owe me no such thanks. It is you I am thankful to for initiating our introduction, and for the very great kindness you show to my father. I know he greatly values and appreciates your friendship'.
Mr Thornton smiled again, just a little. 'He is a good man. It is my privilege to know him'.
Margaret smiled even wider at that and was all at once entranced by that strange look she was beginning to find familiar from Mr Thornton. His eyes bore into hers and she felt the warmth flood her cheeks once more.
Suddenly the door burst open and a very flustered Dixon appeared, looking relieved when she saw Margaret.
'Goodness me, Miss. I thought for sure you'd gotten lost in the darkness or some unsavoury character had swept you away'.
'Calm yourself, Dixon,' Margaret replied coolly to the older woman. 'It is not yet dark, and Mr Thornton was kind enough to escort me safely back'.
'Good thing too,' Dixon grumbled. 'I don't know what I'd say to that husband of yours if something happened to you whilst you were here'.
Margaret winced slightly at the mention of Henry in front of Mr Thornton but maintained her composure as she turned back to the gentleman in question. 'I would invite you to join us for dinner, Mr Thornton, but I am afraid my mother is still a little unwell, and my father is likely resting at this hour'.
'Do not trouble yourself,' he murmured. 'I must be leaving in any case'.
Margaret nodded. 'Thank you again for your kindness'.
'Goodnight, Mrs Lennox,' Mr Thornton tipped the brim of his hat to her and turned to leave.
'Goodnight, Mr Thornton,' the murmured in reply and then retreated into the house.
Once the door was firmly shut behind her, she turned to rest her back against the cool wood. As perhaps as inappropriate as their conversation had been, Margaret's heart sang at the memory of his arm around hers and that soft smile that played on his lips.
She lent her head back and gently bumped it against the wood. Now she feared that the very worst had happened. No, not feared. This was beyond the point of fearing. Now she knew that she was quickly developing feelings for a man that she could never know as anything more than an acquaintance.
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So there we have it. Yes, I know some people may feel like this is a little bit rushed, but just take a step back and think about what Margaret's life has become. She is lost and lonely and has realised that she has ruined her chances of having a truly happy life. There definitely was that spark of attraction between her and Thornton originally, but because of the way they met and of the different views they presented from the beginning, things were not off to a great start. Here however, they have not had reason to question or despise the others views and Margaret is a little blown away by this handsome, intelligent man that just so happens to ignite something in her that Henry never could. As for how John feels, well that's pretty obvious. He is very attracted to this woman and he knows someone already put a ring on it. Bummer. He is wrestling with his own heart to try not to feel anything more for her than he already does. Anyway, I am getting far too passionate about this for this hour. I need to sleep before placement again in the morning. Thank you all for reading and I hope that you stick around for the ride to come :)
