Chapter Two: Helstone
The last day of operations at Marlborough Mills with John Thornton as mill master came and went. Mr. Bell's solicitor had come to Milton to complete the paperwork with John to sever his lease. Mr. Bell had left the country a few months ago and had left everything in his solicitor's capable hands while his heir's lawyer was learning more about the Milton properties.
The week before the mill was to close its doors, George Hamper, a fellow cotton master, decided to lease Marlborough Mills for his son. Harry Hamper had just returned to Milton after completing his university education and would take over as mill master of Marlborough Mills. The workers would not go a day without their jobs, and for that, John was very grateful. The transition from master to master went smoothly.
John and his mother had vacated the mill house several days ago. John was at the boarding house, and his mother was living at the Watsons. For the first time in his adult life, he felt a sense of freedom. He loved his family, and it had been his duty and right as the man of the family to provide for them, but he was ready for the next chapter in his life. He would still be able to contribute financially to his mother's care from America. He had always done right by her and that would never change.
John knew he needed to come to terms with the one chapter in his life that he wished could be rewritten, Margaret Hale. It hurt to think of their painful past, but he knew if he were to move on with his life, he had to feel close to her once more. John did not have an address to see her in London, so he did the next best thing he could think of; he went to her beloved Helstone. He wanted to see the village that helped shape the woman she had become; the woman he loved with everything he was as a man.
When the train pulled into the nearest station to Helstone, John gathered his things and got off the train. He was awed by the beauty of the New Forest. It was every bit as beautiful as Margaret described it. It was vibrantly green, and the foliage was lush. He looked up to see the bluest sky he had ever seen, and there was not a cloud in the sky.
He saw a sign pointing in the direction of Helstone and decided to walk the two miles instead of taking a carriage. There were lodgings in Helstone, the Baldwin Inn, and John checked in there. Mr. Baldwin, the proprietor, asked where he was from.
John said, "I am from Milton, in the North."
Mr. Baldwin was surprised, "How did you hear of our little village?"
Thornton answered, "A dear friend of mine, Richard Hale, told me about this place. He was once the vicar here before moving to Milton."
Mr. Baldwin was happy to know they had a common acquaintance, "We were all sorry to hear of his passing. He was a good man, and the Hale family was well thought of here. Did you know his daughter, Margaret Hale?"
John nodded, "Yes, I did. I was often a guest in their home. She moved back to London after Mr. Hale passed away. I have not seen her in a long time."
"Well, Mr. Thornton, I expect you will see her within an hour or two. She and her servant Dixon are also guests at the inn. They have been here five days and will return to London tomorrow afternoon. They are somewhere out and about in the countryside."
"I will be glad to see her, and Dixon, too. Thank you, Mr. Baldwin."
John went upstairs to his room and put his things away. He needed a moment alone to put his thoughts in order. She was here! He would see her again before he left for America. His heart was racing, so he sat down on the bed and tried to calm himself. He tried rehearsing what he would say to her, but it all sounded so silly. He decided to just let things happen naturally.
John went outside, impatient to see her. He began walking out in the countryside. There were birds singing and sounds of nature all around him. It was peaceful in a way that John could not describe exactly. It was so foreign to him since he had lived in Milton his whole life.
He did not have to walk far before he spotted Miss Hale. She was sitting on a blanket near a small lake and appeared to be painting. Dixon was sitting on a bench nearby, fanning herself. John walked another few yards closer to them. Miss Hale seemed totally engrossed in her task, and he stood at the edge of the trees drinking in the sight of her.
How well this setting suited her! How she must have missed all of this in Milton where the only park to walk in was through the cemetery. The air was fresh and clean here. In Milton, pollution from the mills created a gray fog over the city. The only day a person could see a blue sky was on Sunday when the mills were shut down for the Sabbath.
John walked forward and called out, "Miss Hale!"
Margaret would know that voice anywhere. She heard it in her dreams every night, and she could hardly believe what she was hearing was real.
She turned to see the man she loved more than anyone else in her life.
Margaret stood up and greeted him, "Mr. Thornton!" She extended her hand to him, and when their hands touched, she felt her knees go weak. She studied his face and noticed lines that had not been there before, and he was giving her one of his rare, but beautiful smiles.
"What brings you to Helstone, Mr. Thornton? I must say that I am most surprised to see you." Margaret smiled so he would know she was pleased to see him.
John decided that he had nothing to lose by being honest with her, "I wanted to see the place that shaped you into the extraordinary woman you are, Miss Hale."
Margaret was stunned, "You think I'm extraordinary? But, you have a low opinion of me, Mr. Thornton. Everyone in Milton, but Nicholas and Mary, thinks I am a woman with low moral character."
John knew about Frederick because Higgins had told him, "I do not have a low opinion of you, Miss Hale."
Margaret seemed confused, but Dixon was listening to every word, so he decided to ask if they could speak privately. "Miss Hale, might we take a walk in the area. Dixon will be able to see us from her bench."
She appreciated Mr. Thornton being considerate of her reputation. Even in a small village, the tittle-tattle could destroy a woman's character if she were seen behaving in a way that was considered inappropriate. She had been scorned in Milton and did not want to feel that same judgment in her beloved Helstone.
The couple walked a short distance away to another bench on the edge of the picturesque little lake. Dixon could see them, but their conversation would remain private.
John turned to Margaret, "Miss Hale, Higgins told me that your brother was in Milton to say goodbye to your mother, and he was the man I saw you with at Outwood Station. All I can do is apologize for how I treated you afterwards. I was jealous that you would bestow your love and affections on another man. I was childish and petulant, and I hope that you can forgive me."
Margaret appreciated his apology, but felt she owed him more of the truth, "We wanted to tell you, Papa and I, but we thought that it would place you in a difficult position since you were a magistrate. You were the most beloved and trusted friend our family had in Milton, and we did not want you to have to choose between your friendship with us and your duty to the Crown."
John appreciated the consideration, "Miss Hale, I would have never betrayed your trust, but I can understand why you did not tell me. Is your brother well?"
Margaret smiled, "Yes, he is. He lives in Spain with his wife, and they are expecting a baby in just four months. When he left Outwood Station, he traveled to London to meet with Henry Lennox about his case. After months of trying to locate witnesses, Henry feels there may not be a chance of clearing Fred of the mutiny charges. My brother can never step foot on English soil again, but he is happy in Cadiz."
It irked John to know that Margaret had trusted Lennox, but not him. However, he had learned from his past mistakes not to let jealousy rule his tongue, so he kept his thoughts about Henry to himself.
"Miss Hale, my sister and her husband are expecting a child very soon as well. My mother is very much looking forward to being a grandmother."
"And you will be an uncle, Mr. Thornton. I love my nephew Sholto and spending time with him. He brings me great joy, and I hope you find that joy in Fanny's child."
Margaret asked John to convey her good wishes to his mother and the Watsons.
"Mr. Thornton, how are things at the mill?
John looked her directly in the eyes. He would not cower in his failure, "Miss Hale, Marlborough Mills has a new master, Harry Hamper, George Hamper's son. The workers still have their jobs, and life goes on in Milton as it was. I could not save the mill as hard as I tried, Miss Hale."
Margaret was saddened to hear it, "Mr. Thornton, I am sure you worked night and day to try to save the mill. Mr. Bell made me his heir before he left for Argentina. My inheritance includes all his properties in Milton, as well as a large sum of money. Maybe the mill could have been saved if I could have given you a loan, and I would have very much wanted to do that.
John was surprised by her revelations. He had no idea that she owned the mill, and that she was Mr. Bell's heiress. She was a wealthy woman, now. He loved her all the more for wanting to help him, but he was glad he had not known. It would have complicated things between them.
"Miss Hale, you are most generous, and indeed with your capital, I could have saved the mill. It may surprise you to know that I am not sad my days as a mill master are over. It brought my family security, but it brought me little happiness."
"As it happens, I already have an offer of employment. When I was at the Great Exhibition, I met Mr. Martin, a cotton master from America. His mills are in Lowell, Massachusetts. He wrote to me and asked me to come to America to help him improve his mill operations."
"And by the way, the only reason I went to London to the Great Exhibition is because I knew you were there."
Margaret was rendered speechless by his statement because at that time, they were barely speaking, and rumor had it that he had formed an attachment to Miss Latimer.
John continued, "Martin is in London now, and I will meet with him the day after tomorrow to make arrangements for me to leave for America. I will be gone at least a year, maybe more."
Margaret closed her eyes to hide her pain from him. It hit her hard that he would be so far away from her. It was one thing for her to know that he was in Milton, and hundreds of miles away, but America was an ocean away.
John could see that his news distressed her. "Miss Hale, are you well?"
Margaret could not meet his eyes, and spoke barely above a whisper, "Your news is quite unexpected, Mr. Thornton, that is all. Of course, I wish you every happiness in this new venture. I am sure you will do wonderful things in America."
John was surprised by her reaction, and it made him hopeful. It would seem she cared for him, but he had been mistaken before. He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts.
Margaret was trying hard to hold on to her composure.
So, they sat on the bench, neither speaking their truths because they were afraid the person sharing the same bench would not want to hear them. Their hearts were crying out for each other, but neither spoke a word.
Dixon came closer, reminded them it was time for tea, and they had been alone for long enough. John helped the ladies pack up the blanket and Margaret's things and they all walked back to the inn.
There was so much unspoken between the two of them…so much that needed to be said. And someone would have to make the first move.
