Chapter VIII

Tittle-Tattle

Fanny Watson was in a good mood. She was examining her reflection in the looking-glass in her parlour and liked what she saw. Her silk dressing gown was embroidered with Oriental flowers and birds; little explosions of colours against the delicate ivory background. She had danced all night, it was past 3 o'clock when she finally crawled into bed. It was a capital party, although not quite the success hers were – she reflected with unrestrained glee – but the Porters always tried.

She liked her new life. She had everything she wanted without having to listen to disdainful comments from her mother or brother. Tobias was an attentive husband, perhaps a little too attentive, when he was at home, but that was not often, and he always brought her a gift upon his return, which amply compensated for any attention she had to endure. The Watsons were a big family, one of the first in Milton, and there always were some functions to be attended, parties given, dinners eaten, holidays taken, people coming and going in a ceaseless flux. Tobias loved to show his wealth, and there was much to show after the success of his latest speculation, and Fanny was only too happy to oblige him.

Last night she had worn the new dress especially ordered from London, the latest fashion from France. The bodice was elongated at the front and the skirt flared on the sides – the most beautiful curves and ripples in Milton, she was sure – but most cleverly, the design gave her the appearance of a tiny waist without having to tighten the corset too much; for she had delicate constitution and suffered terribly in the hot weather. She was quite sure there were sighs as she took a turn about the Porter's dancing hall. And her dear Tobias has promised the latest invention in fashion -- what did he call it? a 'cage'? – that would dispense with the petticoats altogether and would make the Porters eat their hearts out.

'Good morning ma'am!' Jane entered the room with a jug of steaming water.

'Here, Jane. My poor feet need a good soak this morning. I'm exhausted. What time is it?'

'Just past eleven, ma'am. Have you heard the news, ma'am? Master is getting married.'

'Who?'

'I beg your pardon, ma'am. I can never remember not call him 'master' anymore. Mr. Thornton.'

'John? My brother? Married?'

'Aye, ma'am. Nellie brought the news this morning from her sister at Woolmers, who had it from Betsy's husband, who knows it from Betsy, and Betsy knows it from Sarah, for you know them two were always very thick.'

'And how pray does Sarah know?'

'Sarah's heard it from Mr Thornton; that is she heard master telling mistress. Right after he came home.'

'Really?' Fanny's curiosity was piqued.

'Aye, ma'am. And Mrs Thornton was not best pleased, ma'am.'

'My mother will never bear it, that's sure! Her precious John married. Ha! I have to go and see her directly. Leave the water. Help me dress. Quick! – Who is he marrying?'

'Miss Hale, ma'am.'

'Miss Hale?' Fanny jumped and almost dropped her gown.

'Yes, ma'am. The lady from the South, who lived here few years ago.'

'I know who Miss Hale is, you silly woman! But that's impossible. She left months before I got married. -- I know she always had eyes for John. It was plain for all to see. And he too, despite all his protestations. But she's a bit late now, for he hasn't got a penny left, the fool. He should have listened to me and my dear Watson. We would have made him a fortune. She is sure to change her mind as soon as she hears. I say, she doesn't know that he failed.'

'But she's rich, ma'am, is she not?'

'Rich? Her? Oh, no' – Fanny's squeaky voice rose to a feverish pitch. 'They have never been rich; her father was a parson. Their house in Crampton was the tiniest of places; barely room to sit mamma and me. Their sitting room was at least twenty times smaller than the one at Marlborough Mills, which is smaller than the one here, and very plain, too – not a mirror in sight.'

'But her folks when they came to take Miss Hale away, were very grand. The lady was very smartly dressed.'

At this moment Nellie came to announce that Mr Thornton was waiting downstairs. Fanny robed herself quickly and ran downstairs, bursting into the room and without greeting her brother, began:

'Ah, speaking of the devil! You won't believe what I just heard!'

'Probably not.' He folded his newspaper calmly and rose to kiss Fanny on the cheek. 'What did you hear, little sister?'

'Oh my, you must be in a very good mood, indeed! A kiss! I can't remember when you last gave me a kiss. It must have been – ages!'

'Now, now, I am sure I gave you one when I handed you off to Watson,' Mr Thornton smiled warmly, 'How are you, Fan?'

'Oh, I'm exhausted. This weather is most taxing. It is so hot; I can hardly breathe.' Fanny slumped on her easy chair.

'You should rest more then.'

'I wish I could, but there are so many things to attend to!'

'Must you attend to all of them?'

'Of course I must! How else do you think one maintains one's position in society! It doesn't happen on its own, you know! – Anyway, I hear congratulations are in order.'

'Has mother already called?' Mr Thornton was surprised.

'Mother? Oh no! If I relied on you and mother, I would never know a thing. You two never tell me a thing! I'm sure I'm the last person in Milton to hear of any news.'

'That cannot be true. Look – here I am come to tell you the news myself and I'm already late.'

'Nothing stays secret in this town, dear brother. So it is true that you are getting married! Can you afford to? – Don't look at me like that! It is the most natural of questions, for you can't have much and you turned Hamper down.'

Mr Thornton was shocked and hurt by the intentional malice in his sister's words, but did not want to give her the satisfaction of acknowledging it, so he pushed it aside and replied with a smile:

'Well, it seems there is something I can tell you. I am able to keep the lease and, in fact, I'm going to open the mill again.'

'Congratulations! With Miss Hale's money, I presume!'

'We have arranged for a loan, yes.'

'A loan? How droll! Come John, it all becomes yours after she marries you. It seems you and I are not so different, after all. We both found money the chief attraction in matrimony.'

Mr Thornton expression clouded and his eyes glowed with anger. His sister shifted a little in her chair and picked up a candlestick from the side table, as if looking for protection. He willed himself to soften a bit, there was no use getting angry with her, but his voice was strained.

'This is not true.'

'Well! Don't tell me you marry her for love!' Fanny laughed nervously. 'Mind you, she always wanted you! Remember the spectacle she made of herself the day we almost got murdered by the mob?! If you loved her so much, you ought to have married her then!'

'That's enough now!' Mr Thornton's voice assumed commanding tone.

Fanny made a face and pouted but did not reply. Mr Thornton stood up and walked to the window. He was rattled by his sister's words. He focused on the people on the street in an attempt to control his anger.

'Anyway, how does mother bear the news?' asked Fanny after some time.

'Better than you seem to expect', replied her brother testily.

'Mother shan't give you up, you know. You better prepare Miss Hale.'

'Frances, don't talk of mother that way!' He turned sharply to her, his frame distended with a terrifying effect.

'You can't tell me what to do anymore!' Fanny jumped, clutching the candlestick, her voice almost hysterical. 'I'm my own woman now.'

Mr Thornton closed his eyes, shook his head and looked again through the window. He will control his temper. After a while he spoke without looking at her; his voice cold and strained:

'Shall you visit mother today?'

'I don't know. I can't bear this heat'.

He began to say something, but then changed his mind and instead headed for the door.

'I better leave now. Give my regards to Watson. Good-day.'

'How was Fanny?' asked Mrs Thornton later that night.

'More venomous than ever', replied her son with in a low voice.

'What did she say now?'

'Nothing! It is not important!' Mr Thornton shook his head and added pensively. 'But you were right, mother. Nothing stays secret in Milton.'

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