Mrs Thornton redux. The poor woman is between a rock and a hard place!

Enjoy!

PS If someone can tell me how to make indented text (for the letter below), I would be much obliged.

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Chapter VII

MOTHER AND SON

After dinner, Mr Thornton bade his mother good-night and retired to his bed-chamber. He slowly crossed the room towards the open window, uncuffing his shirt and rolling his stiff shoulders. His head was buzzing; the future, the mill, Margaret entwined in a cacophony of thoughts, plans and emotions, each staking a momentary claim upon his weary mind, only to be pushed aside and replaced by another. The soft air and the stillness of the night welcomed him. How different the silence felt upon his senses now! What a difference a few days made!

He had promised Margaret to write that very evening. He was a little surprised by her eager entreaty, her qualms about his mother's reaction – but it signified little as he would not deny himself the pleasure of writing to her, for it made him feel closer to her. He sate at his desk and – the blank sheets stared ominously at him. How was he to start? He's never written such a letter before; what ought a lover to say? What is the appropriate tone? There was so much he wanted to tell her but would it not be too direct? He always felt the awkward talking to ladies and he found writing not easier. Nay, he'll write what he felt, and trust she would understand.

Dearest Margaret,

My love,

for such you are and I will, with your permission, always call you. As an ever willing slave to your wishes, I make haste to write that I have spoken to my mother. I fear I have to disappoint you by reporting that there were not many of what could be referred to as 'indignant tones'. I suspect my mother is mightily relieved someone would have me at all, for now that I am penniless and graying, the stream of young ladies coming to Marlborough Mills is somewhat dried up (you have not changed your mind, have you, dearest?) – But in earnest, my mother is not one to show many feelings, but she is delighted that I have found such perfect happiness and peace at last. She sends her regards, and wishes me to tell you that she hopes very much to see you at the earliest. I am sure Fanny shall be pleased if you accepted to stay with her when you visit – for you will visit soon, won't you, love? It has been mere hours since we parted, but I can hardly bear the separation. Having you so close to my heart and yet so far away is a torture I do not know how I shall endure. I cannot wait for the day when we shall be together and I shall call you mine, not only in the privacy of my heart, but for the whole world to see.

I shall write again tomorrow, and in more details. But for now, my precious pearl, please believe me when I say that I am, and always will be,

most affectionately yours,

JT

Suddenly, there was a quiet knock on the door and Mrs Thornton came in quietly.

'John, are you yet in bed?'

'Not yet. Are you well, mother?'

'Yes, I am well. I am come for something else.' Her voice was quiet, almost melancholic; her composure was resigned but firm. 'Here, I want you to have this – for Miss Hale.' Mrs Thornton produced a small box.

'For Margaret?' Mr Thornton was surprised and opened the box gingerly. After some moments of curious examination, a look of recognition broke onto his face, and then, as the memories flooded in, his composure contorted into a mixture of pleasure and pain and he said pensively:

'I remember this ring from when I was a little boy.'

'This is the ring your father gave me when he asked my hand.'

'I thought it was sold with all the rest. You never wore it after we left Milton.'

'That's because I did not have it half the time. Served us well, this ring; saved many a desperate day. This ring and the watch were the last things left after your father. When we moved, I made a promise that – if we ever got out of there alive – my son's wife would have it, as a token of his worth and a reminder to love and honour him as is his due.'

'It is beautiful. I always liked it.' Mr Thornton's heart was full of tender emotion. The ring was of old workmanship; two stones – a red and a white – surrounded with clusters of smaller stones, set on a simple band of silver and gold. 'This stone represented father, this one you, and the little ones were the children.'

'You remember! Rubies for love, diamonds for strength, your father said.' Mrs Thornton smiled sadly. 'Not much of either in him, Lord have mercy on his soul, but always one for flair.'

'Love and strength. My father chose wisely for it suits you perfectly' said Mr Thornton, caressing the ring. 'I never knew how you managed.'

'Why, I had no choice, John. I had to manage, for our sakes, for you, for Fanny. My faith was strong; "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away". And I was rewarded for my faith and courage. The Lord had taken my husband but given me a son and it is a blessing to see the man my son has become.'

'I would have never been the man I am without you, mother.'

'You are a man, and yet, to me you are my boy. Come sit by me. Indulge your old mother for a minute.' Mr Thornton sate next to his mother on the bed. His mother looked around for a moment, and then determined began. 'I was very young when I met your father. He was very handsome; a dashing, daring young man. He was very different from everyone else I knew. I was hopelessly and passionately in love. My father did not approve of the match but he loved me very much and could not deny me. He tried to talk to me, but I would not listen. I remember declaring I would rather eat porridge for the rest of my days than live without George Thornton.' Mrs Thornton laughed quietly. 'Little did I know then how I would be punished for this insolence!'

Mrs Thornton took her son's hand between hers and continued in an urgent but gentle manner.

'You are like me. You are in love and there is nothing I can tell you that will make you change your mind. And I know you cannot undo what is done. But rush not, take your time to get to know Miss Hale better. Consider, she is yet young, she may change. Her life has been turned many a times. She was not happy in Milton and we do not know what has happened to her after she left. And even here we hardly knew her, and what we saw – (Mrs Thornton stopped short and added after some consideration) – She has beauty; she has glamour, she is pungent and opinionated. You do not see many such girls in Milton. You love her because she is different. But differences are obstacles to a good marriage. Similarity in values and understanding is what makes a marriage happy and successful, that or a compliant woman. There are not many similarities between you and Miss Hale, and she is anything but compliant. Your life has been hard enough already; you do not need to make it harder by your own hand. I shan't bear seeing you regret your decision.'

'I shall never regret marrying Margaret.'

'I hope and pray with all my heart that you are right and that she deserves you.'

'I have always tried to be a good son to you, mother. And she'll make a good daughter for you.'

'I do not want a good daughter for myself. I want a good wife for my son.'

'It is one and the same to me. To be a good wife to me, she has to be a good daughter to my mother, and a good sister to Fanny. And Margaret will be all these things. Look, mother, I know love can make a fool of any a man and I do love Margaret madly and senselessly. But she is good and pure, and makes me want to be a better man. I beg of you, close not your heart to her. Give her a chance to show you her worth.'

'I will try for your sake, John. But I can promise no more.'

'I ask no more. Thank you, mother!' He kissed her hand. 'It will come all good, you'll see.'

'Yes, we'll see.' Mrs Thornton voice echoed gravely, but not defiantly. After another moment of silent contemplation, she bade her son good-night, kissed him on the forehead and exited the room.

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