Another update so soon? Why yes indeed, my friends. I've really been hit by some inspiration and I'm writing a lot more as a result. The next one might not be quite as soon, but hopefully shouldn't be too long!

xxx

Two weeks after she left Milton saw Margaret well and truly up to date with everything that had occurred in her absence. She had spent most of her time with Edith and the baby, just enjoying the company of the young one. Sholto was a beautiful child and motherhood came easily to Edith. Despite her stories of sleepless nights, she looked well. Her complexion was glowing with happiness and Margaret felt quite envious of her contentment.

Henry had welcomed Margaret home with a swift peck to her cheek and a polite greeting. Margaret had smiled warmly and greeted him in a similar fashion, but she felt more than ever the lack of a romantic spark between the two of them. They shared a few conversations about the north and the events she had missed in London, but once the day was over, they would separate to their bed chambers and would not catch a glimpse of one another until the next afternoon.

Margaret had long since given up wondering whether the servants gossiped about the condition of their marriage. Such a trivial worry belonged to those with nothing better to occupy their thoughts with. One thing that did concern her, however, was her isolation. She had always felt alone with Henry, but this was different. Not only did she miss John Thornton, she had no one to tell her feelings to. Any ladies she would meet with in London were too silly for their own good and she feared telling Edith, lest she repeat it to Captain Lennox. She could never tell Edith anyway, as Edith had such delusions about their happy family that Margaret was sure it would destroy her for some time.

It did take Margaret some time to get used to the lack of sensible conversation among the Shaw women. She loved her aunt dearly, but the woman had very little of substance to talk about and very little intelligence to understand important issues.

'Margaret?' a soft voice called out from the hallway.

Margaret closed her book carefully and made her way over to the open door. 'Edith? I'm in here'.

Edith came down the hallway to meet her. One hand held Sholto close to her and the other held an envelope.

'This came for you this morning,' Edith explained. 'Are you feeling any better? I know you did not take breakfast this morning'.

'Yes, I am quite well,' Margaret assured her, taking the letter and gesturing for them to join her in the room.

'You like this little parlour, don't you?' Edith observed with a smile. 'You know, it could be all yours if you and Henry were to live with us. You could spend your mornings in here reading before Henry comes home from his practice'.

'It is a pretty room, Edith, but you know Henry values his privacy and quiet. I see you every day as it is'.

'Until you leave us again,' Edith pouted softly. 'I know you miss Milton'.

Margaret did not say anything for a moment as those words sunk in. She did miss Milton. Her life there felt like it meant something and the people there meant something.

'I do miss it,' she confessed aloud. 'I miss my parents and the good people I met there. I do love you and Sholto, but my life here isn't quite what I'd like it to be'.

'What do you mean?' Edith murmured quietly.

Margaret sighed and took her cousin's hand. 'Henry isn't like your Captain, Edith. I don't see him a lot and when I do there is very little to say to one another. I do like Henry, but I confess that I wasn't ready to marry anyone'.

Edith sat quietly for a few seconds. 'There are always fears when you marry, Margaret. Marriage is for your whole life. Choosing one person for the rest of your life isn't easy, but you learn together, and you grow together. I promise you that things will change, Margaret. Things will get better as you know each other better, you'll see'.

Margaret nodded and smiled warmly. 'Thank you, Edith'.

Edith beamed at her and stood up to leave. 'Now, I will leave you to your letter'.

Margaret nodded and waited until Edith was gone before she looked at the letter. A part of her wanted it to be from Mr Thornton, but she did not know it handwriting. It was with a little disappointment that she realised that it was from her father.

Dear Margaret,

It feels like an age since you left us and yet it was only days ago. Unfortunately, I do not write to you with good news, dear Margaret. When attending his lesson yesterday, Mr Thornton informed me that a young lady in his employ has unfortunately passed away. He said that her name was Bessy and that you would want to know. Such an attentive lad, John. The other news I write to you about is your mother. She is feeling a little unwell and has expressed her wish for your return. Of course, I cannot refuse her anything. I am sure she will be feeling better tomorrow with a bit of rest, but I would not attest to you visiting again so soon. Send our love to your aunt and cousin.

R. Hale

A wave of emotions hit Margaret all at once. Bessy was gone. Never again would they share an afternoon together. A single tear rolled down Margaret's cheek and she quickly dabbed it away with the back of her hand. Her mother was ill. She knew this already and yet for her mother to ask for her, it must be far worse than her father was telling her.

It was then that Margaret made up her mind to write a letter of her own. For anything else, she would not have dared, but this was different. Even her wedding had not been important enough to write for, but if this meant their mother could see her only son one last time, then so be it.

She wrote hastily and without flourish. There was much that needed to be done. Once she posted the letter, she would approach Henry and tell him the news. Whether he agreed mattered very little to her. He did not have to go with her for her to be on her way.

Xxx

By the time Henry arrived home, it was mid afternoon and Margaret was becoming impatient. She had already spoken to Edith and her aunt and informed them of her imminent departure. A note had been delivered to the law practice giving a short summary of what had occurred and now she only had to wait for him.

'Margaret,' he greeted her at the door. 'I am sorry I was kept behind; I had some business to see to. Let me have a servant pack some things and we can depart'.

'You're coming with me?' she asked in surprise.

'Of course,' he nodded. 'I spoke with my fellows and I am able to come for some time. I have been tasked with some business to attend to for a colleague and I would not allow you to go alone when you would arrive very late'.

'I see. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Henry'.

'You are my wife, Margaret,' he smiled softly and patted her arm. 'It is my duty'.

Margaret was still recovering from her amazement long after Henry left to get his things together and they left for the station. He had never been unkind to her, but nor had he been so attentive at any moment of their marriage.

The familiar train ride north was spent mostly in silence. Margaret attempted to read for some time before she felt sleep taking her. Henry stripped off his coat and gave it to her to place between her head and the window so she could rest comfortably. Margaret's bewilderment at yet another kind act almost kept her from sleep as they pelted northwards.

Xxx

When they reached Milton, it was dark and had she not been there before, Margaret would have been more frightened of the shadowy station. On the almost empty platform, she easily caught the attention of a porter and bid them bring the luggage to her parent's address. She then led Henry out of the station and through the streets towards the house. It felt strange to be on his arm in Milton of all places. I almost felt wrong, as though she knew that it was another man's arm that she should be holding.

Dixon greeted them at the door with tired eyes. While Henry continued into the house to greet her father, Margaret stayed back with the servant.

'Dixon, please tell me, is my mother so very ill?'

Dixon sniffed. 'She's been ill since we moved here, Miss. She seemed to be getting better, but she's taken a turn in the last few days'.

'Then I feel as though I have done the right thing,' Margaret nodded. 'I have written to Fredrick'.

Dixon nodded solemnly. 'She's been saying his name sometimes when she's having more trouble. I know it would mean a lot to her if she saw him. It might even help her turn this around and get better again,' she added hopefully.

Margaret knew that Dixon loved her mother dearly and for this reason she was still hopeful, but Margaret was under no false hope that her mother would recover. As Dixon had said, Mrs Hale had not been well for some time.

Mr Hale emerged from the stairway to the upstairs at that moment and greeted her warmly. Margaret felt almost dead on her feet as she was led to her mother's bedside. Maria was thinner than when she had last seen her and the little colour her face had still held was gone. She looked gaunt and sickly.

'I am here, mama,' Margaret reached out and took her mother's hand. The hand was cool to the touch and Margaret could feel how weak her body was becoming.

Maria smiled softly and her eyes fluttered closed. 'My Margaret,' she breathed. 'I'm so glad you could come'.

'So am I, mama,' Margaret returned her smile sleepily.

That night, Margaret slept in the same room she had before, and a separate bedroom was prepared for Henry. Margaret was glad of this, as she did not fancy sharing her smaller room with anyone. Sleep found her quickly that night and she was up early the next morning to help Dixon in the kitchen.

After a good breakfast together, excluding Mrs Hale, Henry expressed a need to run some errands and Margaret announced that she was going to visit the Higgins'.

She packed a small basket with some groceries and made her way slowly over to the Higgins' residence. It pleased her to see that the streets had returned to their usual bustle. It appeared that most of the strikers had gone back to jobs and order had been restored.

Once she reached the house, she knocked cautiously and waited. To her surprise it was Nicholas that opened the door.

'Mrs Lennox,' he greeted with a nod. 'It's been a little while'.

'Oh Nicholas,' Margaret stepped forward and placed a hand on his arm. 'I am so sorry'.

'So am I, Miss,' he sniffed and smiled tightly. 'Come on in'.

She entered in behind him and embraced Mary. 'I am sorry I was not here'.

Nicholas laughed softly. 'It's not your fault, Miss. You have a life outside Milton'.

Margaret walked over to the table and placed the basket down for Mary to unpack. Nicholas joined her at the table and they both sat in silence for some time.

'So have things gone back to normal now, since the strike?'

Nicholas shrugged. 'Most things are getting there. Not me though. The master sent me packing'.

'So, you haven't been able to work?' Margaret asked anxiously.

Nicholas shook his head.

'Have you been everywhere? Have all the mills turned you away?'

'I know what you're going to say, Miss,' Nicholas sighed. 'Thornton's overseer told me where to go'.

'But Mr Thornton himself,' Margaret pressed, 'he could be reasonable if you talked to him. He is not quite as harsh as the others. Please try again, Nicholas. I know he will see reason'.

Nicholas watched her for a moment. 'If it were anyone else, I'd tell them where to go, but you Miss, Bess trusted you. I'll try one more time with Thornton if you really think he'll listen'.

'He will,' Margaret nodded. 'I'm sure of it'.

Xxx

John sighed heavily and scrubbed his hands down his face for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. Since the strike ended, they had been desperately trying to catch up, but things weren't picking up quickly enough. Business had always been stressful, but John prided himself on running a respectable one.

He picked up his coat from the back of his chair and made his way out towards the yard. Perhaps some fresh air was just what he needed to distract himself. Of course, time alone away from his work meant that his thoughts would turn to her. He would wonder how she was fairing and whether she thought of him at all.

'Excuse me, Master'.

He turned to see a man standing by the gateway. 'I need to talk to you, sir'.

'Higgins, isn't it?'

'That's right'.

'What do you want with me?'

'Just a moment of your time'.

'And why should I give you that?' he asked harshly. 'Don't think I don't know that you were a ringleader in the strike'.

'Please sir, I've got no other choice. I am a good worker, I swear'.

'Didn't you come here the other day?'

'Aye'.

'If you weren't successful the first time, then why come back?'

Nicholas sighed. 'I came because I was told you might have the heart to take me. Trust me, I wasn't coming back'.

'Who told you to come to me?'

Nicholas smirked then. 'Mrs Lennox did, matter of fact. Came to visit this morning, she did. Told me I had to come here and that you were different from the other masters. She thinks highly of you, I know that much'.

John's heart leapt into his throat and he swallowed thickly and before turning back towards the mill. 'Follow me'.

After his short meeting with Higgins, John sat in his office alone, unsure of what to do. He wanted to celebrate. Wanted to go to her and finally speak about the day of the strike. Whether he was allowed them or not, he needed answers. She plagued his mind constantly and he needed to know. If he looked a fool, then so be it. She was not the type to gossip if his feelings were indeed unrequited.

With a renewed sense of purpose, he hurried out the door once more, but with a destination in mind. He was going to break his silence. He had to break his silence.

xxx

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed another update. I'm going to work on the next one right now :)