The weeks following Mary's incident passed more smoothly than Margaret could have hoped, and the family found itself in the midst of an unusual lull with both the children and their staff. The winter slipped gradually into spring, and with it brought both mud and bright green buds, announcing new life over the graveyard and into the hills. The sun shone more often, and though rain was a constant companion, it could not quench the merry spirit of daffodils and crocus's who grew in thickets and garden plots. Both Edith and Fanny gave birth to their children, and with the christenings they were welcomed warmly into the arms of family.
It seemed to Margaret that the sad business with Mary had never happened; it was always there but with the schedule of everyday life and the bustle of a town about its duties it was easy to forget that poor sad child who went about her duties quietly and now rarely spoke. She had initially refused to speak to Mr. Slater, but upon encouragement that her father would not know the whole extent of her ordeal, she explained. It was on the back of a departure from Milton, however, seeing as James Slickson had received an invitation to visit relatives in Bath, and had left posthaste. His father had explained that he was gone when Mr. Slater came to interview him and that he would not be home for some while. He wasn't under arrest, was he? Mr. Slickson asked petulantly, for if he was surely Mr. Slater, an officer of the law, would need to bring proof and a warrant. Besides, what was a toss with a servant girl? All men would be arrested if the Peelers took every maid's story seriously.
Of course Fanny had opinions on the event, and in their quiet days the women would take to wandering the hills around Milton, prams and all. Fanny conceded that the Georgia incident had been odd, but with flippancy quoted the King James Bible, "thou shalt not suffer a witch."
In her opinion it was stupid youths imagining themselves to be in possession of some power or spectral might, and that it would pass like any other childish stage. She said she had enjoyed Taro cards herself as a young woman until Hannah found out and burned them in a hearth fire. She asked Margaret if she had ever partaken in such delights, but to her sister-in-law's shrug "no", Fanny changed tact and began to tell Margaret stories of the children. Little Claire had inherited her father's nose, to Fanny's deep regret, but hoped that as she grew it would become less noticeable and Samuel was talking full sentences, asking for things and zooming around the nursery at a rate dizzying to his governess. He also asked for his cousins, and when the ladies took the children to meet, Owen and Sam could not be kept apart. Of course little Richard toddled along in their wake, hopeful to be included but rarely so without his mother's recommendation. The friendship between the cousins was touching, and Fanny had instructed Sam to include Richard when they played as well to the effect that Sam had more or less adopted the youngster as his own. When Owen would forget his little brother, Sam would wander over and take Richard's hand, leading him to where the big boys were playing.
This close relationship pleased John as well, as he had never been on speaking terms with his own relations, and on the numerous occasions the two families met there was a sense of absolute ease and companionship, almost as it had been with Fred and Dolores. Granted, Watson was a much duller and reasonable personage than Fred, but with the due eye rolls and secret conversations he was tolerated, and even welcomed into the Thornton home.
In addition, Margaret had begun to take a more active social role in the community, and with the support of The Women's Committee for the Betterment of Milton, a fledgling society established several years earlier she found herself at the forefront of the battle against hunger in the community. Hard at work, she would return home later than John some days, and to his pleasure and surprise, she would regale him with tales of her charity, and how, with a little more support, the women might begin to see a noticeable change in the health of the Milton working class.
John listened to her patiently, and responded when needed, but Margaret knew the upcoming inquest was weighing heavily on his mind, and so attempted to keep conversation frivolous and light. He had given control of the investigation over, but Slater still consulted with him and discussed details of the case at length. Since James had fled town, however, the proceedings had ground to a halt on that front, but the butcher's boy Kal Painter had been caught and confessed to his part in Mary's assault. He vehemently denied his knowledge of what would happen to Mary, and insisted that Eddy Burns had initiated the event. It was said later that as he made his confession he sported shining new boots.
Mary had still refused to tell Nicholas, and the explanation given was that the youngsters had been playing at magic when things went wrong and Mary, feeling threatened, had lashed out. Nicholas seemed to accept this, albeit suspiciously, and the young girl gave her statement along similar lines, boycotting the assault. She admitted to stabbing James, but claimed that it was on his request, for a blood sacrifice. Of course the constable taking this confession snorted at this, but due to the delicacy of the situation, did not press her.
The truth, it seemed, had become rather muddled, and even Mary's friend, Vera Lawson, had her own spin on that night. According to her, the boys had been drinking heavily after the dance and had convinced Mary and herself to come with them down by the river. Vera was seeing Eddy, so thought they would be safe, but then Kal had one too many and attacked Mary. James tried to stand up for her, he did, but when she slashed out with the penknife she hit him instead of Kal. Mary must have been confused, Vera asserted, for she was very drunk that night. She arrived in a crisp new dress.
The other accused, Sydney Hamper, came grudgingly and claimed never to have seen Mary before. He said he was in London at the time of the incident, so could only be innocent of his alleged involvement. Besides, he said with a toss of golden curls, who's business was his involvement in the London Mystics Society? It was perfectly legal, and there was nothing untoward about it. When asked about Georgia, he defended himself to the teeth, claiming that the Star was his, but stolen by the thief Kal Painter. What would he have done with several no account Plebeians? He asked, they were hardly good company to keep, and even if they had been meddling with magic, theirs would have been simple tomfoolery. His magic, on the other hand, was real.
By the end of the interview his father has arrived, and the dashing youth tipped his hat, passing Margaret in the street on the way to his coach. He gave Margaret a dazzling smile, and jumped up, out of sight, into the beautiful carriage. He knew he was handsome and could manipulate using his looks, Margaret reasoned, but why did it still give a happily married woman like herself flutters and a faint head? Oh, he would be the Byronic hero after all.
Just as she heard the snap of the reins and the lurch of the coach, a woman approached her, Jinny Ward, Nicholas's intended. She was a short, stalky Celt, her unruly red hair tied back tightly and braided into a frizzy bun that followed into skin pale as milk and dotted with thousands of freckles. Her eyes were kind and her posture welcoming, but the turn of her wide pink mouth showed Margaret the urgency of the situation.
"Missus Hale," she said, "I must have a word." She led Margaret into the back of her shop, and when she offered Margaret a seat, she took it a little unsteadily.
"Now, please," she said as Margaret opened her mouth, "I ain't stupit, I heard what happened to Mary. She treats me like her Ma now, and she told me what was done to her. Calm, lass, I didn't tell Nick."
"Is she alright? Margaret asked, her eyes wide.
"Aye, will be," Jinny met her eye with a shadow of misgiving. "She's yung, but I dunnai know what to do about her school."
"I know," Margaret replied miserably, "she might not even want to go now, seeing all this happened."
"I was thinkin' she should be gettin' married. It twas' the Slickson whelp who done it to her, an' she won't have anyone else." Jinny's accent blended into her English, and Margaret found herself leaning in in an attempt to understand.
"What?" Margaret asked, "No. James would never take her, I'm afraid nor would I want him to. Such a cruel fellow would ruin her. Besides, she is ambitious. She wants to be a teacher, not some evil man's wife."
"She mightn't have a choice," Jinny shook her head. "But I 'spose we can hope. Is there anything I might do to help?"
"Just be there for Mary," Margaret put a reassuring hand on Jinny's shoulder. "I cannot say what will happen, but I am praying that it will take too long and she will be able to slip away to school and forget this regrettable thing; start fresh. My husband and Mr. Slater are doing their best to catch the beasts who did this."
"Good," Jinny covered Margaret's hand in hers and brought it to her lap. "You're a good lass. I hope this will soon be settled."
"As do I," Margaret said in a murmur. The two women parted, and as Margaret was about to leave, Jinny turned to her and said,
"I know she will not want it, but would you give Mary the week? I'm keepin' her busy with wedding plans so she don't think too hard."
"Of course," Margaret nodded, leaving her to stand alone at the shop door.
Her mind whirred, and she could not seem to focus, so much that as she trudged home, basket under her arm, she ran straight into Mr. Slickson, who was coming the other way. Her basket tumbled to the ground and her produce fled, rolling and bouncing away into the dirty street.
"Oh!" Margaret exclaimed, about to apologize, when she saw who it was. She slowly lifted her basket and, forgetting the dirty goods, stood to face him, her expression cold.
"I am so sorry," Slickson said with a strange, forced courtesy. Margaret shook her head, unable to speak. "Please," he continued, eyes on hers in an uncomfortable way, "let me compensate." With a flourish he removed a long rectangular box from his pocket and several five pound notes, placing them in her basket. "I trust this shall be sufficient,"
"For what?" Margaret asked suspiciously, watching as he grinned slowly, a catlike thing that made her distinctly uncomfortable.
"For whatever is owing," he smiled. "Also, pleased do not be alarmed, but when you arrive home you will find a rather large gift, from the Slickson Cotton Company."
"I-," Margaret's rage clogged her throat and he left her there, feeling duped and incredibly foolish. So he wished to buy her silence, and for John to drop the charges against James.
Forgetting her spilled goods and shaking with rage, she went straight to Marlborough Mills and found John packing goods from his office for the changeover with Nicholas. His face paled when he saw her expression and she stomped up to him, her nostrils flared.
"That—that blackguard Slickson—tried to bribe us!" She thrust out her basket and John looked down, opening the box at the bottom. A beautiful diamond-and-gold bracelet slithered out and John glanced up, frown on his handsome face.
"What?" he asked, "What is this, Margaret? Jewellery…money?"
"And he said there would be a "gift from the Slickson people" at home as well!" Margaret cried indignantly. "John, he wishes us drop the charges!"
"Aye," John sighed, "but it's too late for that. If it's anyone he needs to bribe its Slater, the old fool. I am no longer the presiding Magistrate in this case."
"I am sure he's done that too!" Margaret cried, her voice shrill. "And now since James left the county, my, it must look suspicious!"
"Indeed," John replied, taking his wife's basket and her shaking hand. "He will have given you the gifts so you would not testify on Mary's behalf."
"I cannot believe him!" Margaret said as John led her out of the office and into the yard.
"Nor can I," John said slowly, "though I do wonder, what did he leave at the house?"
AN: Ok, so I know its been ages, but I hope you all enjoy this chapter! I am planning on wrapping this up soon-ish, and hope you will all follow this to the end. As always, R&R!