Chapter 16
The next afternoon, Margaret hurried through the streets of Princeton, her coat drawn tight around her. Milton was still in the grips of winter, and the icy breeze was relentless. The people seemed to still be in high spirits from the celebrations of the day before, as they had been able to lay on a veritable feast thanks to the provisions sent from John. Some even cheerfully nodded to Margaret in greeting, where most would have warily avoided her. She smiled fondly at some children playing in the street and knocked on Higgins' door, where she knew Mary would be spending her day off attending the Boucher children. Mary appeared before she'd knocked, and ushered her in.
"Come in Miss Margaret, see if you can get warm from the fire"
"Thankyou Mary"
She seated herself by the fire, having handed over the little basket she had brought and was instantly set upon by the children who were clamouring to see if she had brought biscuits or cakes or any other treats. Mary peeked into the basket and started handing out the selection of treats Margaret had placed in there, along with a sufficient joint of meat, bread and cheese to ensure the family a hearty supper that night. Satisfied, the children slunk away to enjoy their treats, leaving the woman to gossip with a modicum of peace and quiet.
"Tell me Mary, how is everyone?"
"We've been doing as well as we can. Pa is a lot happier now Lottie is around, although it don't half feel crowded in here sometimes with all of us crammed in"
"I thought they had given you lodgings, up at the Johnsons'?"
The Johnsons were another of Milton's wealthy families, although Mr Johnsons' profession was a mystery to Margaret, who had never seen him except for their appearance at the Thornton's dinner last year. She hadn't expected to see them either, rumour was they had a habit of politely declining.
Mary shook her head.
"They've purchased a new estate out in the country, and word is Mrs Johnson doesn't want the fuss of taking any of us with 'em. Suppose we'll be getting our dismissals any day now"
She was mystified, then, that Miss Margaret was smiling at her rather than looking pitying or worried.
"Now that, Mary, I may be able to help you with"
"Don't fret Miss, wasn't much fun working for them"
"No no Mary, I wish you to come and work for me"
Mary continued to look mystified.
"I told you yesterday, that I am returning to Milton, to be married to Mr Thornton. Dixon is advancing in age, and I am sure she would much rather remain in the warmer Helstone climate, attending my brother and his family. Therefore, I wish for you to join me at Marlborough Mills, and work as my ladies maid. You would have your own room and 3 meals a day with the other servants, as well as a decent wage. What do you think?"
"Sounds a fine offer Miss, but I was only a scullery maid up at the Johnson's. Don't know much about attending fine ladies"
"Jane can teach you; she is Mrs Thornton's maid. There is not much in it, just helping me dress in the mornings and for bed or changing for dinner invitations. Everything else we can work out along the way, I am not such a dragon of a mistress," she joked. Mary chewed her lip for a moment, and then smiled.
"I'll be happy to accept Miss. When would you be expecting me to start?" she asked, sticking out her hand. Margaret laughed and shook it, reaching an agreement.
"It won't be for a month or two at least, I am returning to Helstone for a short while before the wedding. I'll inform Mr Thornton; he will arrange for you to visit the house and observe Jane from time to time to be trained. Mary nodded, and so the two sat and conversed a while on other topics, and Margaret even read to the children for a while, who were soon clamouring for attention again after consuming their cakes. Soon, it was time for the children to sit for lunch, and Margaret excused herself. She picked up the brisk walk back towards town, perhaps to head back to the hotel, when she spotted Fred and John standing together at the entrance to the mill, conversing. John saw her first, and Fred followed his gaze, spotting his sister and waving her over.
"What excellent timing you have Migs! John was just giving me a tour of the mill and showing me what everything actually is. Now I might actually understand some of what he is telling me whenever he writes to discuss business!"
"That is very fortunate indeed – do you have business still to finish?" she asked them.
"I have mill business to attend Miss Hale, your brother is now free of my clutches," John replied with a wry smile. Margaret almost let out an unladylike shriek of mirth, but quickly turned it into a little cough. If someone had told her months ago that she and Fred would be standing together with Mr Thornton, and he would be the one cracking jokes, she would have suggested they be taken to the madhouse in her place.
"Indeed I am quite at your disposal dear sister, what shall we do with ourselves?" Fred offered cheerfully.
"I thought we would go and sit with Mother and Father a while. We haven't been there together yet, properly," Margaret replied quietly.
Fred's smile only slipped a fraction, but he still held out his arm, and they bid John farewell. They took the familiar path up the hill and stood in front of the headstones. Margaret spoke first.
"Father had accepted an invitation, from Mr Bell, to go to Oxford… just before he…. passed. What if he had gone, and something had happened to him there? I could not bear the thought of he and mother being… apart," she said, in a voice barely above a whisper. Fred reached out and squeezed her shoulder.
"Do not torment yourself. They are together on Earth just as surely as they are together in heaven"
"What did you do, the last time you were here?"
"Spoke a while with mother and father. I was wondering if I was doing the right thing, letting you go"
"You doubted Mr Thornton?"
"I doubted myself, dear sister. I did not know whether I was truly selfless enough to let you go, after finally being able to get my little family back together in our beloved Helstone. I have barely doubted John for a second, and today was the final proof I needed. We had to stop several times on our tour, as there were matters arising that he would insist on overseeing himself. The man is utterly devoted to his trade, and actually knows what he's talking about, unlike all those London gentlemen we were forced to endure," he rolled his eyes hard "If he will show even half of that understanding and devotion to you, I shall know you to be a very happy wife"
Margaret reached for her brother's hand, and he took it with a gentle squeeze. They stood before the graves a little while longer, swapping fond stories, before leaving to change for the Watson's dinner.
"There, shall I avoid disgracing you tonight?"
Margaret had looked up at the knock on her door, and had giggled as her brother walked in. He was tugging on a light blue cravat that went well against his black waistcoat. His cravat complimented nicely the pale blue dress Margaret had just been laced into. Mother had been fond of putting them in matching colours as children. If Margaret was wearing a red dress, then Fred could usually have been found sporting a red jacket or even just a little red cap.
"You look very splendid indeed brother. You may even out swagger all the gentlemen there," she replied with mock pomposity.
"You look very fetching yourself sister. It's good that we are both spoken for, for I fear we may leave a trail of broken hearts behind us tonight!" he declared theatrically, then having to look away as they both burst out laughing. Just in time for John to be announced into the room, only to warily back out of it again, muttering as he left with a roll of his eyes.
"Hales"
It was a much more composed and regal pair that went downstairs to greet John, all piling into a carriage together, although Margaret seemed determined to protest an earlier discussion.
"You really didn't have to come and meet us John, we could have found our own way there perfectly fine – it is an unnecessary use of your time!"
"But it will allow me the very great pleasure of escorting my fiancée into dinner, so therefore I see it as an absolute necessity Margaret," John replied, grinning from ear to ear as he said it so she knew he was not actually cross with her.
"What sense you speak Mr. Thornton! There Migsy, surely you cannot argue against such a sentiment!"
Margaret had the grace to look mollified and accepted defeat. Fred took the opportunity to enquire after any wedding plans that had been made and venture his own opinions. He and Dolores had only managed a small wedding affair, due to his limited expenses and the need for secrecy as he was only recently returned from England and needed to lay low. She had bore it all quite cheerfully, but Fred had wished for something more extravagant befitting such a perfect bride. It seemed he was determined that his sister should not suffer such paltry nuptials, now that they were of means, and Margaret had let out a strangled gasp as he announced his intended financial contribution.
"What on earth do you think we're planning here Fred? We aren't royalty!"
"I just want the very best for you on your wedding day Migs. You've been through so much the last year and a half, surely you deserve one day of being treated like royalty?"
John was nodding along sagely, and Margaret knew she was in danger of being outnumbered.
"I do not want the very best Fred. You know my tastes and preferences have always run much more simply than that. A sunny day in a new dress and my husband by my side is all I desire," Margaret beseeched him.
"Very well Migs. Have you thought of where you might wish to go for your honeymoon?"
No one had thought of how much Milton knew of Fred, and to say that his being announced into the room as "Mr Hale" caused a few ripples may well be an understatement. There was a great deal of muttering amongst the men who had known their father, and Margaret was sure the ladies were exchanging a few choice words behind their fans. If Fanny noticed, she was not fazed, as she instantly moved across the room to greet them.
"Fred, Margaret; so glad you were able to join us," she smiled, drawing them across the room to perform introductions. Some men recognised him from the articles about Captain Reed and the Navy's pardon and some seemed taken aback, having probably expected some giant of a fellow for all his previous reputation of a hardened criminal. Fred, for his part, was everything charming and cordial.
Margaret drifted over to the ladies' side of the room and went to greet Hannah. She was standing sentinel over the cradles, as the boys were being exhibited before they were put to bed and the adults went to dine.
"Good evening Mrs Thornton, how are the young masters?" It was clear that Hannah was taking fierce pride in her grandsons and could certainly devote many a conversation to them, though perhaps not as effusively as their mother.
"Growing by the hour Miss Hale. It is hard to remember how small they were when they came into the world"
Margaret chuckled at that and held out her hands to Thomas and Robert, who were waving fat little fists in the air. They gripped her fingers with a strength that surprised and delighted her. She indulged in that pastime that many a sensible adult take to and began pulling odd faces for the boys' amusement. Fanny was drawn over by the sound of their babbling, finding them smiling broadly at the one who would soon be their Aunt.
"I am so pleased you've been able to conjure a smile out of these two Margaret. I was afraid they would grow to be as serious and forbidding as their uncle!"
Margaret had to stifle a giggle at John's offended expression before she replied.
"They are such delightful little boys. I am glad of the opportunity to practice the role of doting Aunt before my brother's wife gives birth"
"Ah yes, when is she expected to deliver?"
"Not for some time yet, the doctor says August or September. She is just relieved that her sickness is starting to abate, although finding it hard to bend over as the baby is starting to show"
It was not common for unmarried women to discuss the trials of childbearing so frankly, but Margaret barely batted an eyelid at what she had seen Dolores go through. Dolores had also fondly swatted her away anytime she expressed concern or offered to help.
"My mother was still able to run around after 3 boys and me while heavy with another child, I think I shall be alright my dear sister. I am from hardy stock," she'd often dismiss her with a smile.
"Oh the sickness is easily the worst part. I am not looking forward to going through that again!" Fanny replied.
"You wish to have more children?" Margaret asked her.
"Oh of course! Watson has his desired heirs of course, but I should so like to have a little girl. We could wear matching dresses whenever we go out!" she replied, sounding more like the Fanny of old.
The Latimers then arrived, and Fanny moved away to greet her guests, leaving Margaret and the two Thorntons. She looked over to where Fred was extricating himself from a discussion with Slickson and Hamper. He spotted them and moved over.
"What were you discussing? I hope Slickson and Hamper weren't too much of a bother," John asked Fred, shooting the two other men a warning look. Fred rolled his eyes.
"Full of hot air mostly. Asking about life in the Navy and bragging about all the acts of bravery they would have regaled us with if they'd ever enlisted," he muttered. He'd had his fill of such conversation mingling with Aunt Shaw's London friends. John muttered a few choice words under his breath. Margaret knew it was the need for their partnership in business, rather than a genuine desire for their company, that made John guard his tongue around the other mill masters. He was the youngest among them, and many of them scoffed at his 'radical' new business ideas.
An attendant then came to announce that dinner was ready to be served. Fanny handed the twins to two maids with a great deal of pomp that Margaret hoped was solely excitement of the occasion and not a nightly occurrence. The guests began lining up to go to dinner. Margaret thought she saw a flicker of hope in Miss Latimer's eyes as she spied John near her, only for it to slide off her face as he moved past her to offer Margaret his arm. However, Miss Latimer's expression was unreadable when she looked again, so Margaret dismissed it from her thoughts. She saw that Fred had been lined up to take Miss Hamper into dinner. She batted her eyelashes and Fred very deliberately angled his hand so she could not miss the glint of his wedding ring.
The dinner itself was uneventful. She was seated opposite John so did not get much of an opportunity to engage him in conversation. Miss Hamper and her mother were pleasant enough company and listened to her stories of life in Helstone with benign politeness. Finally, the last of the dishes were cleared away and Watson got to his feet.
"Well, firstly I should thank you all for attending our little soiree tonight. We are here of course to celebrate the birth of my sons and my wife's fortunate recovery from what was a most trying labour. I am in awe of the strength she showed and thank God every day for the gift she has bestowed upon me. If you would join me please, in raising your glasses. To Mrs Watson!"
The guests drank along with him, and Fanny glowed at the praise from her husband. Margaret briefly wondered if such a celebration would have been put on for the birth of a daughter but thought better of voicing it. Then, Watson turned his attention to John.
"And my wife also informs me that my dear brother in law wishes to make an announcement of his own! Therefore, I hand the floor to you John"
He sat back down and John rose to his feet. Margaret and Fred exchanged conspiratorial looks that were not missed by a few of the ladies.
"Thankyou. I again extend my congratulations to you and my sister. I merely wish to announce that I have made an offer of marriage to Miss Hale, and she has accepted my hand. I have also been so fortunate as to gain the blessing of her brother, who has welcomed me as family. I would also like to make a toast to those two people who should be here to celebrate with us, God rest their souls. To Mr and Mrs Hale," he murmured the last part sombrely, and the guests drank with him. Margaret send John a grateful, if teary smile. It was touching that her parents were able to be included in her engagement in some small way.
Margaret and Fred did not linger long after dinner, long enough for her to accept congratulations from the other ladies. Most of the older women seemed a little put out that they had not been able to secure John's affections for their own daughters, but they were well bred ladies first and foremost.
John handed her into her cab and promised to be at the station the next morning to farewell them.
He was as good as his word and even looked like he'd been waiting there for them a while. He reviewed the tasks he had been set by his betrothed while she was away.
"Yes, I will go to Reverend Bamber this Sunday and look to set a date and arrange the banns. May is what you wanted?"
Margaret had not wanted to wait too long for the wedding, wanting Dolores to still be able to travel and attend. He had offered for them to be wed in Helstone, but Margaret had known it would not do for one of the top men in Milton to simply disappear and re appear a married man.
"Yes. A spring wedding shall do very fine. I think I shall take Dolores to look at dressmakers when I return, I think she will enjoy that," Margaret replied.
"I should also see my lawyer, and start drawing up the terms of your settlement," he added with an impish grin.
"John! I am marrying you for yourself, not your money!"
"Well that is a relief my dear, for I do not have a great deal of it at present," his teasing expression slipped as he caught the worry in her eyes "Do not fret Margaret. I merely mean that while I am not destitute, the mill will still take some time to again turn the profits it once did. Mr Bell's investment saved us, do not mistake me, but it was not the end of all my cares. I will draw up some documents to reflect what I should be able to settle on you now and then maybe again increase it in the next few years. There is also the matter of some family jewellery that is now yours, as my wife. Mother could not bear to part with it, hard as things were"
He turned gloomy at the last part, and Margaret suddenly missed the cheerful grin that had been there but moments ago. She touched a hand to his cheek, and he gave her a small smile and leaned into her hand. Fred cleared his throat to remind them that they were not alone. Margaret then held her hand out to John, and he shook it, then rewarding her with another full smile.
"How far we have come, Miss Hale," he murmured. She blushed deeply and turned to fuss with her bag. Fred loaded their two small cases into the carriage, handed Margaret in and shook John's hand, and then smiled.
"I must say Mr Thornton. This is a much more pleasant occasion than the last time all three of us were gathered at a station!"
The Hales were rewarded with a sound few in Milton had ever heard or would ever hear - John Thornton's deep, mirthful laughter.
AN: I'm going through a bit of a slump so this chapter had to more or less be beaten out of me. I hope it is adequate. Stay tuned, the wedding bells be a ringing!
I love writing Fred and Margaret together.