The following morning Margaret woke earlier than usual and with a bit more animation than the day before. Though Margaret was never one to lay in bed late into the day, she was also never eager to face the cold floor beneath her bed and would often hesitate before embarking on her cutting journey to the wash basin.
When she came downstairs her early efforts were rewarded with a bouquet of beautiful chrysanthemums, honey suckle and pink roses along with a card from Mr. Thornton.
Good morning my dearest Margaret
Love,
JT
Margaret was glad of this gesture. To be reaffirmed in John's affections her first day back in Milton steadied Margaret in her purpose to win over or at least withstand Mrs. Thornton.
The day would be spent visiting with Mrs. King, leading up to the considérable visit with Mrs. Thornton. John wrote Margaret that his mother was resolved and even agreeable to the marriage but Margaret still shuddered at the thought of facing her.
Margaret dressed with care that morning. Choosing a cream colored promenade dress with black piping and trim. Checking her reflection at every mirror she passed, even Mrs. King could feel Margaret's anxiety creeping.
Surprisingly the visit with Mrs. Thornton was very civil and even pleasant. Mrs. Thornton attempted a balance between acceptance and resignation, she was still determined not to let on her true affection for Miss Hale.
Mrs. Thornton even went so far as to ask Margaret back later in the week and suggested they might go together to Fanny Watson's home.
"Perhaps it would not be such a waste to call the horses for such a trip if we were to go together. And I know Fanny will be pleased to show you her wallpapers."
Margaret thought she felt a bit of humor in Mrs. Thornton's mention of Fanny's papers, as if Margaret might be in on the joke. Perhaps Mrs. Thornton will not be such a hard nut to crack, Margaret thought to herself.
When leaving the house Mrs. King causally asked, "Margaret I'm sure you must have business to discuss with Mr. Thornton or papers to sign of some nature. Should you not check in with Mr. Thornton now while you are here?"
Turning more toward Mrs. Thornton who was already visibly uneasy with Mrs. King's proposition she continued, "We will have such pressing social engagements in the next few days. Mrs. Grey has already reserved all of tomorrow afternoon with Miss Hale. And I do know Mrs. Watson wishes for her to know Miss Hamper while she is with us."
Mrs. Thornton was not deterred by Mrs. King's distraction but she was soothed by Mrs. King's implication of keeping Margaret occupied and in no risk of impropriety arising from idleness.
Margaret walked across the yard hoping to see a familiar face to direct her to John's whereabouts. She was stopped five times by those she knew before she could enter the warehouse. As she entered the mill each room and passage seemed filled with more life and energy than the next.
Word spread and soon Higgins was in her sight and Margaret could hardly keep herself from hugging his neck with delight.
"Miss Hale we are glad to see you. Master says you were in town. I am so happy you are back."
"Thank you Higgins I am very glad to be back myself. Mr. Thornton informed me you have advanced quickly since the mill reopened. Congratulations and thank you, I know Mr. Thornton is very grateful for your efforts." The words tasted sweet as if they drew her closer to John. That she knew his mind and could speak as an authority on his thoughts and cares.
Higgins thanked Margaret for her kind words and offered to fetch his master to her; Margaret made her way to Mr. Thornton's office.
Margaret sat in a chair across the great desk, a chair intended for visitors and clients. With her back to the door Margaret thought about the familiar smell of the office. Her mind could not place where or how she knew this familiar smell.
Mr. Thornton was connected to the memory but not necessarily his office. Perhaps not even a place, but also not an event. She connected it to a heady memory, rich and intoxicating, perhaps even indulgent.
The connection she felt was a fingertip out of reach in her memory. Just as she heard steps on the stairs outside the door her mind grasped the memory of John's coat and how she had buried her face in his chest and on his coat and this smell.
Suddenly a warmth overtook Margaret as the memory flooded her mind and body. She could almost feel his arms around her, pulling her into the smell and the memory.
Just then Mr. Thornton turned the door and stepped in.
Slightly overcome by her memory Margaret jumped out of her seat and stepped into John who immediately took her in an embrace.
"My darling, I am so happy to see you," He was completely unfazed by Margaret's bold and unexpected action and before she knew it she was kissing him.
"Tell me, how was your meeting with my mother?" he asked between shy, heavenly kisses peppered on his lips.
"It was not a meeting, it was a call. And it went well. She and I are to visit your sister later this week. Together." Margaret finished with a smile. John laughed and joked at her enthusiasm for such an obvious encumbrance.
"But I must go now, I don't wish to keep Mrs. King waiting. I am only to be signing papers or something now, not kissing and such with you." Margaret giggled as John kissed her cheeks flirtatiously. Margaret who never giggled.
"And such? I don't take your meaning but I am most certain I would love to 'and such' even if Mrs. King must wait." He said in an increasingly serious tone. Margaret blushed at his words and pressed her face into his neck to hide from his gaze, not knowing how she wished to respond.
Fearing he had said too much he recovered with laughter, squeezing her close and attacked her cheeks with feather-light kisses to which she could not hide her own laughter.
Mr. Thornton walked Margaret down to the court yard where they did not find Mrs. King or Mrs. Thornton. Entering the house Mrs. Thornton was sitting in the front parlor and promptly informed them Mrs. King expected Margaret would take longer and decided to go on. She thought they could catch her if they hurried but Mr. Thornton best accompany Miss Hale in case they could not catch up and Margaret must walk home.
Mr. Thornton offered his arm and Margaret gladly accepted and held slightly closer than perhaps she should. They walked through the streets of Milton talking leisurely and without the haste his mother suggested. Both hoping they did not catch up with Mrs. King and Margaret would be escorted the whole way home.
A few streets away from the King's home the Reverend of the church attended by both the Hale's, Thornton's and King's stopped Margaret and John on their journey. Rev. Byrd was a middle-aged, tall, thin man who was ever so kind, ever so fond of Margaret and rather ignorant of anything around him. But lovely and loveable none the less.
Tapping his hat to Mr. Thornton the Rev. Byrd greeted them, "Miss Hale I heard from Mrs. Grey you would be visiting with Mrs. King and I must confess I was very happy to hear. And here you are. We have missed you at the parish. I do wish you were staying longer. I dare say we must devise a scheme to keep you with us in Milton. What do you say Mr. Thornton? I do feel our lot is improved with Miss Hale in our midst. I dare say we shall find something suitable for you in Milton Miss Hale…" Rev. Byrd continued with a myriad of ideas for keeping and occupying Margaret in Milton. Another harmless fault of Rev. Byrd was his tendency to continue speaking on a topic without pause for reflection or interjection.
Patting Margaret's hand resting on his arm Mr. Thornton quickly spoke at the first pause for breath, "I believe we shall find something suitable for Miss Hale here in Milton Rev. Byrd. I myself have already been working on a plan. But I fear we are expected at the King's now. Thank you Reverend. Gooday." The party said their gooday's and parted.
"Well I supposed I have just planted the first seeds of rumor." John was now considering the power of his words and action which he had not intended to be as palpable.
"John that was a rather bold thing to say. I fear the Reverend will infer you were implying you would make me an offer. I don't know Rev. Byrd to gossip but such a thing to say, I fear we must tell Mrs. King and face the wrath."
Part of Margaret secretly wished rumors would spread like spiders and the pressure to marry would be too great to ignore. This would release all need to prolong their courtship and engagement. But Mrs. King's words about John's honor and prospects still burned deep enough to resist a planned and conscious sabotage. But they were not so deep as to prevent Margaret's secret prayer for Rev. Byrd's indulgence in gossip.
Mrs. King as predicted gave some reproof for Mr. Thornton's slip of the tongue but felt Rev. Byrd would not be so bold as to speak ill of Miss Hale or to spread such gossip especially since one might interpret in reference to business propositions.
This did not change Margaret and now Mr. Thornton's secret wish that Mrs. King was wrong and the Rev. Byrd was indeed a church-bell.