Chapter Fourteen: A Life Together
John and Margaret spent a blissful week in Scarborough and discovered so much about each other over the course of the week. John learned that Margaret was grumpy when she had not had enough sleep, and he teased her about it. Margaret learned that John was starved for affection and seemed to need to touch her at every opportunity. They made their adjustments to each other lovingly and grew closer each day.
On their final day of their honeymoon, the couple had a street artist sketch their likeness as a keepsake for their trip. Neither of them would ever forget a moment of this special week in their lives, but they had it done to hang in John's office at the mill house.
Reluctantly, they boarded the train for the four-hour ride back to Milton. They were not alone in their compartment on the train, so they conversed with the other passengers, and the trip passed by quickly. When the train pulled into Outwood Station, John helped his wife alight from the train and went to find a porter to take their luggage to Ridley Street.
Margaret asked if they could walk home to stretch their legs after such a long journey. John smiled and said that her wish was his command. Mr. and Mrs. John Thornton made their way through Milton proper toward their home, and the townspeople gossiped that they hardly recognized the Master of Marlborough Mills. He was smiling and even tipped his hat in greeting to several of them. His wife was on his arm, and he covered her hand with his. They strolled through Milton in the middle of the day as if they had nowhere of importance to go.
Finally, they made their way to their home on Ridley Street, and John carried his bride over the threshold. After he put her down, the servants gathered to greet them, and John introduced Margaret as their mistress. To her surprise, Dixon was there as the head housekeeper. Margaret hugged her, and then she kindly greeted everyone else. On his second trip to London, he had asked Dixon to come to Milton to help Margaret run the house, and because Dixon loved Margaret more than she hated Milton, she agreed to come. He could see how happy it made his wife to have Dixon with them.
John showed Margaret their home, while Cook prepared their tea, and Margaret was pleased with the renovations. She noted the fresh flowers in the vases they had chosen together in London, and when Cook brought their tea to them, she was delighted with John's gift of a new tea set.
"John, you really must not spoil me so," Margaret said to him with a smile.
"I intend to spoil you, as I have told you before, for the rest of my life. You are my wife, Margaret, and it is my right to do so. I only want your happiness."
"As I only want yours, John."
After tea, the two went to their room to rest. Dixon had finished unpacking their things and had gathered the garments to be laundered.
She left them alone, and both were weary from their train ride home, so they decided to take a nap. Sometime later, that is. John had found it difficult to be so near his wife for hours and hours without the freedom to touch her. It was heaven to hold her in his arms again in the privacy of their bedroom.
On the second day back from their trip, John and Margaret went to church and saw their family. Fanny invited them for lunch. During the meal, they talked about their trip, and Hannah was glad to see that John was happier than she had ever seen him. She had struggled with her bitterness, but Fanny had helped her to understand that if she wanted to be close to John again, she had to accept that John's happiness was Margaret. Fanny had advised her mother to try to see Margaret as John did, and to love her for John's sake, if not for her own.
Hannah noticed that Margaret was not the haughty girl she thought she was, but instead, a determined one who did not cower to others. Just as she did at the Mill Masters annual dinner, Margaret spoke up for what she believed in her heart to be right, and while Hannah thought her ideas too liberal, she understood that Margaret had been raised with a deep sense of faith that would never allow her to turn a blind eye to injustice. Hannah also noticed that Margaret was very attentive to John, and he basked in her attentions. Yes, her son was very happy, and it was all due to the woman from the south that had long ago stolen her son's heart.
Over the next several weeks, a pattern for their lives began to take shape. Every morning, they had breakfast together, and then John would leave for the mill. Every afternoon, after Margaret had seen to the running of the house, she would join her husband at the mill to oversee the canteen accounts. She was thrilled to have something to do to support John's efforts to provide a better life for his workers.
One day, when she went to the mill to work, she noticed the mill gates had been freshly painted. The gates were a rich green, and said, Marlborough Mills, owners John and Margaret Thornton.
Margaret was stunned and felt tears gathering in her eyes.
John had anticipated her arrival and came to stand beside her.
She looked up at her husband and said, "You really are the most wonderful man, John, but the mill is yours and yours alone."
John shook his head, and told her, "It is ours. We share everything we have and everything we are, Margaret, including this mill. Without you, I do not know if the mill could have recovered from the strike."
Margaret was touched by his gesture, and just when she thought she could not love him more, she found that she did.
At their home, John had a desk moved to their room so if he needed to work, he could do so while she read in bed. When her nearness became too much for him to bear, he would close his ledgers and join her in their bed. He loved her with complete abandon, and they rarely missed a night of intimacy.
Margaret found she was pregnant six weeks after their marriage, and after returning home from her appointment with Dr. Donaldson, she asked Cook prepare a special meal for them to be served in the study. When John came home, a servant told him Mrs. Thornton was waiting for him in the study and when he entered the room, he took in the scene before him.
After kissing his wife, he said, "Margaret, the table looks lovely, and I welcome having dinner in privacy with you any night, but what is the occasion, my love?"
She looked up at his handsome face and said, "I hope our son or our daughter will have your blue eyes."
John smiled with joy and asked, "Are we having a baby, Margaret?"
"Yes, in seven and half months, we will have a baby of our own. Dr. Donaldson confirmed it today."
John gathered this woman he loved so much in his arms and buried his face in her hair. He was to be a father, and they would have a family. His heart felt full, and he said, "Thank you, Margaret. Your love for me has transformed my dreary life into something more beautiful than I could ever have imagined."
Margaret snuggled closer in his arms, and replied, "As your love has transformed my life, John. I hope this child is the first of many we will have together."
Cook knocked on the door and brought in dinner. John seated his wife, and they enjoyed the meal before them. Later that night, Margaret noticed that John was especially tender with her in their bed. They laid awake for some time after their lovemaking. They talked about what they wanted for their family and the kind of parents they wanted to be. Margaret wanted to instill a sense of independence in their children, and John wanted to teach them the value of hard work. Both wanted their children to understand the power of faith in their lives, as well as for each of their children to feel equally valued in their home.
Over the next months, as she grew larger with their child, John brought her account books to Ridley House. Mary brought the receipts to her, and the two ladies had tea together at least a few times a week.
Margaret entertained the other mill wives often, and they hosted a dinner for their family and friends at least once a month. Nicholas and Mary were often guests, and the Thorntons were their guests in Princeton from time to time as well.
Fanny and Margaret became the best of friends, and spent as great deal of time together. Fanny invited Margaret to become a member of the Mill Master's Wives Society. It was the perfect outlet for Margaret to serve her community with charitable endeavors. She provided a building to be used as a home for foundlings with one of the properties Mr. Bell had left her and helped raise money for the renovations and staff. The ladies regularly contributed baskets of food to widows in their church. Fanny joked with Margaret one day about her penchant for baskets. Margaret agreed that she did, but they were always for a good cause.
There was a cholera outbreak in Spain, so John did not take Margaret to see Frederick and his family, but a trip was arranged to Paris after the outbreak had passed. The siblings were reunited, Margaret got to meet Fred's wife, Dolores, and their daughter, Maria. The trip became an annual event over the course of their lives. John enjoyed the time spent with his brother-in-law and his family.
Fanny had a baby girl, which she named Caroline, and Hannah had another grandchild to love. Her purpose in the Watson home was established, and she was content there. She and Fanny had come to understand each other better as mother and daughter, and Hannah found she quite liked being in Fanny's company. Fanny had become a kind and generous woman as mistress of her own home, and while the younger version of herself showed itself at times, she had matured into a truly lovely woman. Fanny still had a flare for the dramatics, and had flamboyant tastes, but Watson loved his Fanny just as she was. Fanny and Watson did not have the deeply passionate love for each other as John and Margaret did, but they had an affectionate and amiable marriage that suited them both.
The relationship between Hannah and Margaret improved as well. Hannah could not help but see that her son was a changed man with Margaret's love, and she knew he no longer needed his mother. Margaret came to understand her mother-in-law better and discovered that she had a dry wit about her, and when she was with her grandchildren, she was loving and kind.
Time passed quickly and almost exactly nine months after their marriage, Margaret gave birth to a son, which they named John Richard Thornton.
Margaret had gone into labor late at night, and Dr. Donaldson had barely arrived when their son made his appearance. John stayed with Margaret as long as Dr. Donaldson had let him, and after that, he paced the hallway until he finally heard their baby cry. He was anxious to see his wife and child, but was told it would be a few minutes before he could.
Dixon was present to help with the birth, and when she handed the baby to Margaret, her eyes were full of tears.
"It is only fitting that I was here when your baby was born, just as I was present when both you and Frederick were born."
"Thank you, Dixon, and you are all I have left of my family from Helstone. With Frederick so far away, it is only you and me to remember Mama and Papa."
John was finally allowed in the room to see his wife and child. Margaret held his son out to John, and he tenderly took him in his arms.
John kissed his son, and he kissed his wife. "Thank you, Margaret, he is perfect."
In the morning, a note was sent to Hayleigh that Margaret had given birth to a son, and within the hour, Fanny and Hannah arrived. John had taken the day off work to spend time with Margaret and the baby. They found him with Margaret and his son, with his arms wrapped around his happiness.
Fanny peered at the baby in Margaret's arms and said, "John, he looks just like you, including his scowl. Although, I cannot recall seeing it in these last months since your marriage. He is beautiful."
What is his name?" Fanny inquired.
John answered, "John Richard Thornton, but we shall call him Jack."
Margaret handed their son to his mother, and Hannah's eyes filled with tears. She was transported back in time thirty-four years ago when she held her baby John in her arms for the first time. Margaret could see the emotion in Hannah's face, and felt a kinship with her.
That moment, between the two of them, was the impetus for the change in their relationship. Hannah understood that without Margaret, John's life would have been incomplete, and she felt grateful for her son's happiness. Margaret understood the powerful love a mother feels for her child, and the two women found their common bond in not only their love for John and the baby, but in their fierce devotion to family.
Over the years, the Thorntons would have five more children, twin boys Daniel and Edward, two girls, Rose, and Sophia, and finally, another boy, Christian. Ridley House was a lively and loving home for their family, and for those who visited there.
The old mill house was used for business purposes only, including meetings with the other mill masters. John hosted the dinners with the masters there occasionally in the dining room which he had left intact. Over the years, more and more of the mill house was used for storage, and John doubted it would be ever used as a home again.
John was glad that he had decided to buy a home away from the mill for his family. His health was better for it, he was sure. When he left the mill each day, he left the dust and grime of the mill behind him. The neighborhood was quiet, and while there was the ever-present smoke on workdays, it was less so away from the mill. His children had a yard to play in and neighbors to play with. Margaret had her rose garden, and Cook had her kitchen garden as well.
Hannah never did live at Ridley House with them, but she did spend weekends with them often. Her son never missed an opportunity to show affection to his wife and children, and the reserved Hannah found it uncomfortable to be in their presence for too long at a time. John and Margaret had created the home they dreamed of, and Hannah was happy for them. She realized that Margaret, like Fanny, needed space to be her own person, and John had been right to allow her that.
Hannah passed away in her sleep eight years after John and Margaret were married, but she had lived to see all her grandchildren born.
The day after her funeral, Margaret said to John, "The last of our parents has passed away now. Aunt Shaw is getting on in years now, and I wonder how much longer we will have her."
John replied, "Mother had a hard life, but I think these past eight years have given her more joy than she had known for so long. She loved us all and felt loved in return. I will miss her, as I know you will, too. I am glad that after Jack was born, the two of you became closer."
"Yes, I am, too. I will miss her a great deal, but I do not think anyone will miss her quite like Fanny. They became so close over these last years."
John agreed and replied, "We will have to make sure that we spend more time with her. She is all I have left of my family, just as Fred is all you have left of yours. In some ways you and Fanny have more in common than she will ever know. Fred's secret must be carefully guarded, so she can never know of his existence, but both of you share a sister's love for your brothers that speak well of you. When you protected Fred, and lied for him, I thought he was your lover, and it broke my heart. Even though it cost you dearly, you did not reveal his secret. It was that night at Outwood Station that caused so much angst between us, more even than the day after the riot when I proposed to you."
"I never stopped loving you, but I thought you were lost to me forever. Because of my sister's love for me, she gave us a way to see each other again. Without that chance to see you again, I fear what my life would have become."
Margaret said, "I am sure I would have never married, John. I had given my heart to you, and I do not believe I could have ever married anyone else."
John held her close and said, "My love, we have been blessed with a life together that is more than I ever dreamed of. We have a family of our own, a successful business, as well as family and friends to love. It is a beautiful life, and I cannot thank you enough for all you have given me."
Margaret looked up at her handsome husband, now two and forty, and said, "All we have given to each other, John."
"Love is the most powerful emotion we will ever feel, whether it be the love we have for each other, the love we feel for our family, or our friends, it can move mountains if we allow it to. Just look at how Fanny's love for you, a sister's love, changed the course of our lives."
John held his wife closer, and counted his many blessings, but most of all, the one he held in his arms.
The End
Author's note: I want to thank all of you who have supported me by reading my story and leaving comments. I appreciate you all. Until next time, may we all count our own blessings!