Bessy's Cup

by ColleenD

Margaret takes Bessy's simple cup as a memento of her beloved friend. Whatever happens to it? The first chapter is pretty much strictly from Gaskell's book as background. Chs 2 - 6 are a mix of my words and Gaskell's (in italics). Subsequent chapters are entirely original material. This is not a contiguous story, just one-shots with Bessy's cup. Reviews and comments are welcome.

7. Chapter 7 Wedding Day

'Margaret!' Edith exclaimed upon entering her room, 'You look absolutely beautiful! Mr. Thornton will be very pleased.' Edith mused with a sly smile that made Margaret blush. 'You know, everyone is always watching the bride as she enters the nave. I prefer to watch the groom to see his first reaction to the sight of his beloved.' Edith gave Margaret a wink. 'I will be sure to tell you afterwards what I saw.'

Smiling, Margaret's blush deepened and she lowered her head, and then giggled and hugged her cousin. Her wedding day had finally arrived. Margaret was dressed and ready to go, awaiting the arrival of the carriage that would take her to the church.

'Are you ready?' asked Edith, 'Do you have everything?'

'Yes, I do believe I have.' Touching her necklace while looking in the mirror, Margaret said, 'I am wearing my mother's wedding jewelry and I will be carrying an old worn prayer book of my father's. See, I have covered it with the same material as my dress.' She reached for it and showed it to Edith. 'This way I will feel like they are both here with me.' A few tears came to her eyes but she did not allow them to escape – not today.

Then spinning around and skipping over to her dressing table she exclaimed, 'Oh, I am almost forgetting the bouquet of flowers that John sent for me! Isn't it beautiful? Helstone roses.' She brought the bouquet to her nose and inhaled deeply thinking of the loving note John had penned to go with it.

'How thoughtful of him. They are exquisite!' Edith said as she smelled them as well. 'Is there anything else? The Captain is waiting downstairs to escort you. Mama and I will go on ahead of you in the first carriage.'

'I could really use a drink of water. Where is my cup?' Margaret looked around. 'There it is. Oh, dear Bessy, I wish you could have been here to see this day. Nicholas and Mary will be there and I will visit your grave when I get back to Milton,' she said out loud as if talking to the cup.

Margaret filled the cup with some cool water and drank it all. She set the cup down on her bedside table. Collecting her father's prayer book and John's bouquet she turned to Edith. Taking a deep breath she exhaled and said, 'I am ready,' and they exited the room and made their way down the stairs to the awaiting carriages.