Here we are. Thank you all so much for your continued love and support for this story. I really must be getting on with my uni work, but I cannot seem to step away from this. I hope you all enjoy and stay safe. I'm glad I can provide some sort of entertainment for others in this time, not just myself :)
xxx
It wasn't until the following morning that Margaret and Fredrick finally had some time to talk alone. Mr Hale was busy in his study writing messages to excuse himself from teaching for the day and Mrs Hale had yet to awaken when the siblings found their way to the parlour.
'I still cannot believe that my little sister is married,' Fredrick exclaimed, 'I am sorry that I could not be there'.
'No one could expect you to be,' Margaret assured him. 'It was very small anyway. Edith wanted it to be so much grander, but I didn't want that'.
'Of course you didn't,' Fred smiled. 'You've never shared her love for extravagance. I'm sure it was just as you needed'.
Margaret returned his smile with a nod.
'And this Mr Lennox. Good chap?'
Margaret's smile stayed, but a little of the humour left it. 'Yes, he's a good man'.
'Is that it?' Fred asked incredulously. 'The Margaret I remember would never dream of marrying a man who was merely good'.
Margaret laughed then. 'The Margaret you remember had no thoughts of marriage'.
'So, what changed?'
Margaret paused for a moment to glance towards the doorway. She did not want her parents to hear what she would say. 'I did not want mother and father to worry about me. When Henry approached me, I thought I'd have as good a chance at happiness with him as I would with any other. Oh Fred, I've been such a fool'.
'Oh Margaret,' he moved over to sit beside her and took her hand in his. 'I had always hoped you were living happily since I learnt of your marriage'.
'I wasn't happy, but I could cope. That all changed when I came to Milton,' she explained as tears welled in her eyes. 'If I could change it, I would'.
'Then why not come away to Spain?' Fredrick asked excitedly. 'Why not come and stay with Dolores and me? Oh Margaret, you would love her. She is perfect in every way'.
Margaret smiled sadly and shook her head. 'I cannot run away, Fred. Henry and I may not love one another like you and Dolores, but he is not a cruel man. He does not deserve that'.
'And yet you do not deserve this misery,' Fred sighed. 'But at least you can be here in Milton with mother and father. Henry is kind to allow you that grace'.
'He is,' she agreed, 'and yet I left Milton some weeks ago with little intention of returning. I am only here because father asked it of me'.
'Is it so bad here? I know it's not Helstone, but surely it's not so awful'.
'It isn't,' Margaret shook her head. 'It is dirty and there is a lot of death and suffering, and yet it is so much more agreeable than London, or even Helstone at times. I have met people here that have changed my view of the world. They have changed my view on a lot of things'.
'And it was here that you truly began to regret your marriage?'
'Yes,' Margaret answered instantly. 'I fear your judgement Fred, but I cannot keep my silence. The only other person I have told of this is gone forever and I need to speak of it to someone'.
'Then do,' he gestured for her to continue, 'Such a burden must be important'.
Margaret took a deep breath and talked with her eyes fixed on the floor. 'There is a man here in Milton. A very respectable cotton manufacturer and pupil of fathers. I care for him a great deal and I believe he cares for me. He is intelligent and handsome and the most eligible gentleman…'
'Margaret,' Fred breathed. 'I cannot begin to imagine'—
'Excuse me,' a voice called from the entrance and the two jumped as Dixon made her presence known. 'Miss Margaret, Mr Thornton is at the door. I did not wish to disturb the master, but I don't know whether to send him away'.
'Thank you, Dixon, I will go and speak to him,' Margaret responded calmly, but her heart was in her throat.
Dixon hurried away in the direction of their mother's room and Margaret turned to Fredrick. 'I must go and turn him away. No one can know that you are here'.
'Who is he?' Fredrick asked with interest.
'Mr Thornton is the master of Marlborough mills and a pupil of father's,' Margaret replied softly and turned to go, leaving Fredrick to put the pieces together.
She hurried down the stairs, heart racing in anticipation. She would have to turn him away but hoped that he would understand. As she approached the door, she felt like a giddy child at the thought of seeing him. It was such a strange feeling that she almost couldn't continue.
'Mrs Lennox,' he greeted as she opened the door.
'Good morning, Mr Thornton,' she greeted softly. 'I'm afraid father is indisposed today. He is writing notes to excuse his pupils as we speak'.
'Is he ill?'
'No, he is well. We just…' she trailed off when she noticed his eyes on the luggage in the hall behind her.
'Forgive me, I was not aware that you had company'.
'Of sorts. Please do not feel that you are not welcome. Indeed, you are most welcome, I'm sure father would agree'.
Mr Thornton smiled a little at that. 'No matter, I just came to return some books to your father and to bring this for your mother'.
Margaret returned his smile with a soft one of her own. 'Of course,' she carefully took the books from him and accidentally brushed her fingers across his as he passed her the basket of fruit. The two of them froze for a moment and Margaret was sure the colour had deepened on her already rosy cheeks. 'Thank you, Mr Thornton'.
'My pleasure,' he murmured in response. 'I will be sure to send your father a note regarding our lessons'.
'Yes,' Margaret nodded. 'Thank you again for your kindness'.
At that moment, Mary returned to the house and Margaret quickly handed her the things to take inside. This seemed enough to break the spell between them, and Mr Thornton stepped back a little.
'Good day, Mrs Lennox'.
'Good day, Mr Thornton,' she nodded and retreated inside, regretfully shutting the door between them.
Xxx
The next few days were spent reliving old memories and enjoying time together. As each day ended, Mrs Hale grew weaker. Her spirits had lifted considerably in Fredrick's presence, but Margaret knew it was only temporary.
Mr Hale seemed to be in denial of the seriousness of his wife's condition. Perhaps it was because he blamed himself for her ill health. It was true that her delicate constitution was no suited for the north, but Margaret did not want her father to live with the guilt of it.
On the final day, Margaret and Fredrick sat on either side of the bed holding their mother's hands. Margaret was calm as the breaths became slower and slower, but Fredrick was sobbing. Even with his added years and experiences, he was unprepared for the day she would leave them. Margaret, on the other hand had seen the decline of their mother's health and had known for some time that this day was not so far away. The tears still came as they mourned quietly, but Margaret felt more gladness that their mother was at peace.
Mr Hale came into the room some time later and sat defeated on the end of the bed. Dixon was shaking quietly in the corner and for some time no one said much at all. Margaret took time to write to her aunt, cousin and Henry, informing them of her mother's passing. Her tears marked the paper as she wrote, but she carried on. As she organised her papers, she came across the unanswered letter that Edith had sent, requesting that Margaret come to London for the Great Exhibition. She knew that her mother had wished for her to go, but Margaret had told her that by no means was she in a hurry to return to London.
It was decided that the funeral would be in two days and that Fredrick would leave soon after. Margaret feared for Fredrick attending the funeral, but as they had been so secretive, she had high hopes that he would leave without anyone ever realising he'd been there.
Yet the following afternoon it seemed that these hopes were lost, as Dixon reported that she had been recognised by a man who knew the family history. Fredrick was loath to leave before the funeral, but Margaret insisted. Attending the funeral would undoubtedly lead to Fredrick's detainment and likely hanging. No, Fredrick would leave that night.
Xxx
The night air was chilly as Margaret quietly led Fredrick through the streets of Milton. They spoke a little to one another but did not want to draw the attention of any prying eyes. Once they reached the platform that Fredrick would be leaving from, they stopped and stood for a few moments in silence.
'Well, I guess this will be goodbye for a while at least,' Fredrick sighed. 'I'm sorry we didn't get to finish that conversation'.
Margaret smiled. 'It's alright, Fred. You need to go back to your lovely wife'.
'You could still come with me,' he grinned.
'No, but I will miss you,' she laughed and pulled him in for one last embrace. As she looked out across the darkened platform, she noticed a figure in the darkness and her blood ran cold as she was met with the cold eyes of Mr Thornton.
She gasped, causing Fredrick to turn to look as well. Mr Thornton moved away out of sight and Margaret realised what he must have thought was happening.
'Goodness,' she breathed.
'Tell him,' Fredrick nodded to her. 'You tell him once I'm gone. I know you trust him'.
'I'—
'Hale?!' a voice called out from further down the platform. 'It is you, isn't it?'
'What?' Fredrick replied in confusion. 'No, I'm not a Hale'.
'I knew it was you!' the man insisted as he walked directly up to Fredrick. 'What are you doing hiding out here?'
'I'm not Hale,' Fredrick repeated calmly.
'Yes, you are,' the man leapt out at Fredrick and the two fought for a few moments before Fredrick managed to push him off, unfortunately causing the drunkard to fall down the stairs.
Fredrick made to go after him, but Margaret stopped him. 'Go Fred. Go now. This is your only chance'.
'I love you, Margaret,' Fredrick grabbed her face and kissed her on the forehead. 'Take care'.
'I love you too, Fred,' she cried as she hurried him into a compartment. 'Now go'.
Xxx
The morning of the funeral found Margaret sitting with her father and Dixon in the church. There were only a handful of people in attendance, including Nicholas and Mary, Mr Bell and Mr Thornton. Had Margaret not seen him there, she was sure she would have known he was there from the heated gaze that burned into the back of her head.
She had Fredrick's permission to tell him, and yet she thought that perhaps things would be better if he despised her. Perhaps moving on would be easier if she knew he didn't care. Still, she resigned to not saying a word unless it was first said to her. They did, after all, move in very different circles most of the time. Her job of avoiding him only became easier when her father told her Mr Thornton had decided to stop his lessons for the time being. She was saddened for her father, but she knew the true reasoning behind his cancelling.
After spending some time packing up her mother's things, Margaret was interrupted by an unexpected call from Mrs Thornton. The older woman waited until Dixon left the room before speaking.
'Your mother made me promise to watch over you, Mrs Lennox. I am here to fulfil that promise'.
'Oh?'
'You must know that there has been talk about your behaviour, both towards my son and your more recent actions'.
'I am aware of some gossip, but I am sorry if Mr Thornton has been brought into any of it,' Margaret replied softly. 'I assure you; things are not as they seem'.
'Then enlighten me,' Mrs Thornton asked with hard eyes.
'The gentleman that they saw me with was not a lover, or any sort of romantic interest. I cannot speak of his identity, but you must believe me when I say that I am innocent'.
'And what of my son?'
'Mr Thornton?'
'Yes, what have you to say for his situation'.
'I do not know what situation you are referring to, Mrs Thornton'.
'Are you in love with my son?' she asked bluntly.
Margaret felt like the wind had been thrust forcefully from her lungs. 'I am a married woman, Mrs Thornton. While I cannot deny that I care for your son, I am not an unfaithful woman, and nor would I drag your son's name through the dirt by attempting such association'.
Mrs Thornton sat quietly for a moment. 'I appreciate your candour Mrs Lennox, and I only hope you will continue to abide by your own rules. My son is not someone to be toyed with'.
'I would never do such a thing,' Margaret defended. 'I wish your son every happiness in his life and in his future marriage'.
'And do you return to London soon?'
Margaret bit back a smile at the woman's not so subtle question. 'I will stay here in Milton for some time longer until my father is in a better position to be left alone, then I will return to London'.
Mrs Thornton sighed and reached beside her into her small bag and retrieved a letter. 'Fanny bid me bring this to you if I were to come across you in the streets. They are to be wed next week, and she has of course invited you and your father'.
'Of course, we would love to come,' Margaret beamed as she took the paper. 'It will be nice to see some joy in these hard times'.
'Indeed,' Mrs Thornton agreed, but still watched Margaret with disapproving eyes.
xxx
So, there we are. Please let me know what you think. I'm already working on the next parts, but any feedback is greatly appreciated. As you can see, we're building up to some more big events. Due to this, not everything with get full attention next chapter, but will be mentioned in passing. I just don't think it would be very entertaining for anyone if I wrote hundreds of words about things that are inconsequential in the long run. I hope everyone has had a safe and Happy Easter or has a safe and Happy Easter if you haven't had it yet due to time zones and things.
