Mr. Thornton returned to Milton and began the proceeding to reopen the mill. The first man he sought was Higgins and the other men on the round robin roster. They all agreed to return and bring a dozen good, skilled workers a piece with them. By the end of the week over half the machines were back up and running and the remainder would be done before the end of the next.

The first night of his return Mr. Thornton told his mother he had found an investor who had provided capitol to reopen the mill and he had signed contracts while in London. For two days he deliberated on how to tell his mother the rest. He was working so hard to reopen the mill and with late nights, his opportunities for a tete-a-tete were not numerous. He would have to seek out the time to talk to her and say the words he knew would break her heart. John was aware his mother had been wary of Miss Hale because she saw a women who could and would take her son.

When with his mother he was pensive and anxious, pacing, starting sentences and then redirecting. His mother knew something was weighing his mind. She began to think of all the horrible things it could be. Could it be tied to the mill or to the capital? After two days and two letters arrived to the house for John in a feminine hand that Mrs. Thornton did not recognize. Mrs. Thornton's thoughts began to think the worse and down dangerous rabbit holes. 'What if he had met a women and had an affair? What if she was with child? What if she was married or worse?! What if she was a nice girl but with child? What if she was a nice girl? No, why would he be hesitant and afraid to tell me about a nice girl.. unless… no certainly not, that ship has sailed'

The letters were from Margaret who was anxious to hear of Mrs. Thornton's reaction. Margaret was anxious to announce in the papers, 'No Cards' 1so as not to offend. But she needed Mrs. Thornton's blessing, or at least acknowledgment and perhaps support. Aunt Shaw was adamant that it would not do to announce a marriage and reopen the mill at the same time. She seemed to think this could be "bad for business". However, Margaret hoped to find an ally in Mrs. Thornton for proceeding with the announcement and wedding with haste. For the sooner Mr. Thornton married Margaret, the sooner Mr. Bell's money and properties would be his. This added weight of Margaret's wishes pressed John to get on with it and have it done.

Mr. Thornton came behind his mother in their parlor, she continued her sewing as her son grasped her shoulders and felt the tension and weight she had been carrying lift off, perhaps from the past two days or perhaps from the past few months. He bent down to kiss her head and walked around to take the seat directly across her. He stooped forward placing his elbows on his knees and placing his hands lovingly on her soft, black skirts. She stopped her sewing but did not look up.

"Mother I have seen Miss Hale in London and she has agreed to marry me. I am the happiest man on earth except that she fears you will not have joy in our news" He could not contain his smile when he said Miss Hale, for he knew that was not her name, not for him and not for long.

"I am happy for you John and to tell the truth I have always known it would be Miss Hale. And if she wasn't well, the way she is, or if she was not from the south, I would like her. She is just so proud. I suppose I do like her if she has made you as happy as I've ever seen you. I suppose she will be proud now if she ever was. As long as she does not change her mind. Be careful John, she is as fickle as they come"

"She will not change her mind, we are both resolved. She wishes to announce in the papers as soon as possible and to set a date. I pressed for an early date and we agreed on four or five months from the announcement. I don't quite understand these things, but she said that though five months may not be looked upon given our situation and previous history. She says the years of rumors could be helpful and lend to an earlier date. But she was very keen to wait your advice before anything official, she wishes to know your thoughts on the announcement as soon as possible she writes, "He had pulled out her letter and began reading over the wording she used. His mother continued looking down, brushing the initials on the linen with her thumb.

"The rumors may very well earn more scrutiny now, however so much time has passed. I believe she is right. You are not too young, either of you. And it is true that you have known each other and been suspected of entanglements some years now. However my son, I do not think reopening the mill and announcing a hasty engagement, without a courtship I might add, within a short time reflects well on you or Miss Hale. It would be better to reopen the mill, reaffirm yourself in society, and allow things to settle down before taking a rich, society wife."

"She is not a rich society wife! You know I have loved her since I first knew her! That is why I cannot stand to be parted from her. You and she are the only ones who knew of my love. How can you say that Mother?" He was on his knee at her side now, begging for her approval and support which he knew was critical for Margaret and also for his own heart.

"You are as dramatic as Fanny, really John do sit down. I know you and Miss Hale have had a ….an affection for years. And I knew it was delaying the inevitable but I did hope with time and distance you'd find a nice, rich wife or at least a fine lady to improve yours, and your children's standing in the world. You are the most respectable gentleman in all of Milton and I could not be more proud of you. But I did hope that pride would bring, oh I don't know… the daughter of an earl! But I suppose Miss Hale will do."

"Mother you are being unreasonable," now a bit more jest in the air Mr. Thornton relaxed. "You cannot fool me, I know you secretly like Miss Hale even if she isn't the daughter of an Earl. It may very well be a secret to you but I know it is true." Mrs. Thornton gave a half laugh and picked back up her sewing.

While never looking up she said, "So tell me more, I must hear it all from you and not on the streets. Come and do tell."

"Her Aunt has also advised her to wait two or even three months before announcing. Margaret says she will not do this. She does not understand why her Aunt wishes her to wait, and I can't say that I do either."

"hummf I'm sure she is hoping Margaret will change her mind." His mother replied.

"I would think that, but somehow I do not think that's it. I do not understand. Do you not know? You wish us to wait as well. It seems all the world is against us." Mr. Thornton, feeling his day was through, began to pour himself a glass of brandy, a ritual that was not uncommon at this hour.

"I wish you to wait so that all of Milton does not know that you were saved by that women, with all her airs. I want people to think of you as the great man that you are, and not the man who married rich." Now addressing him directly. He had moved to stand by the fire, leaning on the mantle. Mrs. Thornton moved toward him. His face was aglow by the fire and by love. She thought how she had never seen him in this trance before, this happy place. What joy that woman has brought. And he was right, Mrs. Thornton did like Margaret, but perhaps she would not let on just yet.

"Imagine how much better it will look if you reopen the mill and retake your rightful place in society. When you marry Margaret, it will appear as if you are taking the next step and settling down. You chose a girl with money, set a bit above you to rise your rank, and a pretty girl from Milton at that. Everyone will love Margaret and welcome you both into their homes. And your children will be seen as being from the best lot in Milton. If you marry her immediately, whether your engagement is one month or six, there will be rumors. Rumors that you married her for her money, she for your mill and probably worse. Your children will be welcomed to play at the best homes but not be welcomed to marry into those homes. Will you have Margaret, and your children treated in that way the rest of your life, simply because you could not wait a mere three more months to bed a girl who should have married you three years ago?"

Her frank words were very unaccustomed to his ears. She had not spoken quite so plainly to him in some time, and never about such a subject. But he felt her words were harsh because they were true, and not because she delivered them so, her voice was loving. Did he wish to hurry their engagement just to bed Margaret? Certainly not! But if she believes it, so will others.

He took another sip and gazed into the fire, allowing her voice and words to soak into his busy mind. Even if he did believe what his mother said, how would he ever convenience Margaret without breaking her heart, she would surely take any request for a delay as an insult. As if she read his mind, his mother took up again, "I will send word to her of the plans. She will agree I am sure of it. She is a clever girl and will see the value at once." Mr. Thornton could hope but he did not expect much, he would keep this to himself.

While Mrs. Thornton was not an emotional or affectionate woman, she had a heart and was practical. She knew Margaret had suffered more in the last few years than any young woman should and that she had born it very well, apart from a few scandals, but that hard exterior would not last in unhappy conditions as she imagined London to be. Mrs. Thornton felt that Margaret, like herself, would require a practical life where she would be useful and valued not adorned and displayed.

Mrs. Thornton's thoughts turned to her promise to Mrs. Hale on her deathbed and the memory of her own baby girl, dead in infancy, which had not surfaced since that day. She felt a pang of a mother's protective nature in her heart and thought of how Mrs. Hale would feel knowing her daughter was thrown from mourning to mourning the past two years now to be thrown back to London then Milton without anyone to guide her.

Perhaps the same pain was for her own daughter, gone many years ago. But that would not be so, for she would look after Margaret and Mrs. Hale, well Mrs. Hale is where she is and she will care for those there. Tears were now falling and she quickly wiped them before her son should see. 'How these things do work out' she thought 'but I shall not let on to any softening of my heart toward Miss Hale, I will fulfill my duty but that is all, besides she will keep her place if she thinks to be on her toes. She cannot think she is darling in everyone's mind, even if it is true'.

Mr. Thornton told Mrs. Thornton of Margaret's brother and the incident at the train station. Mrs. Thornton was more shocked the Hale's would have any family secret such as an exiled son than she was that Margaret had not been improper that evening long ago. She had always known deep down, since the day Margaret had sworn she had not been so disgraceful that she in fact was innocent. She would be sure that Margaret's secret was safe and no one thought the worse of her in this town. In fact, Mrs. Thornton was already hatching a plan to smooth over all of Milton society and most importantly, smooth over Margaret.

1 Hartley, Florence, (1860) The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness. A Complete Hand Book for the Use of the Lady in Polite Society, Bridal Etiquette ch. 24 p 259