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Most of the calls Margaret and Mrs. King received over the following few weeks felt like a performance, just as they had in London. Margaret thought most polite society and proper manners were forced. How could they not be? If one was to tell everyone what they truly thought, one would have very few friends!
Most visitors were simply coming to see how Margaret had fared over the past year. Secretly hoping for a tragedy but pleasantly surprised by the opposite.
However, Margaret had to admit the society circles in Milton included families that in London would have been considered nouveau riche and passé. Milton seemed ever so slightly more tolerant of these types of distinctions. Margaret felt the mixing of the classes, however small, was a good thing.
Milton had the national reputation as a dirty, industrial town. Although if one ever spoke to a resident of Milton's higher society one would think Milton was becoming a cultural Mecca. Concerts and theatre every week as well as new and modern architecture dedicated to the arts.
Margaret openly admitted to herself how the contrast of smoke and art was captivating. If one became bored with the tranquility and cerebral nature of art then the energy and innovation of the busy industrial center of the city provided relief and perspective.
As the days turned into weeks many callers and visits came and went. Older women came to judge and decide if Miss Hale was worthy of their Tom or Timmy, a son or nephew in need of a wife. The young women came to learn firsthand gossip for their card tables.
Talk of Mr. Thornton and Miss Hale seemed quiet, at least to Margaret's ears. Mrs. King informed her she had not been asked of Miss Hale and Mr. Thornton's togetherness. Margaret was secretly disappointed their love had not been obvious to outside observers. Though she knew truthfully it could not be, or should not be.
Everyone knew Miss Hale was very wealthy and owned many properties in Milton. Mrs. King let it slip once that Margaret wished to use one property as grounds for a school and another for an art gallery.
Some visitors came to discuss these enterprises and Margaret enjoyed these visits most for their honesty and openness. Feeling her wealth and herself useful in the community was important to Margaret. However overall, there were few ladies whose social calls did not feel forced or pervasive.
Mrs. Grey was a quiet and mousy looking women older than Margaret but younger than Mrs. King, perhaps 29 or 30. She was small and plain with blue-black hair and crystal blue eyes. She had no children of her own which for some reason did not surprise Margaret. She appeared to enjoy, or tolerate the King children especially the eldest Jane. But she did not exude maternal warmth, or any warmth for that matter. She did not speak often but when she did it was with purpose and thought, and usually wit.
Mrs. Grey had been a young widow before marrying Mr. Grey, a very honorable and well to do banker in Milton. Previously Mrs. Grey had been Lady Sinclair, independently wealthy and married to a Scottish Lord with a castle in the Highlands. Apparently he died suddenly and Mrs. Grey never spoke of him.
As terrible as it was to think, Margaret wasn't sure she could imagine Mrs. Grey having any great depth of feeling. And secretly wondered if she had grieved when her husband died, Margaret could not imagine her in any state of emotion. She seemed to always have an even and level temper. Almost absent in her lack of emotion other than a small smile every now and then. One might think she had no care or consideration in a conversation until she spoke with a language indicating she had great steak in the topic.
Her words might convey conviction but her tone and emotions never could. This often led to misunderstandings, even with the most accommodating of personalities
The first time Margaret met Mrs. Grey she was unsure if she truly wished to make a friend of Mrs. Grey. In fact Margaret was unsure if she liked her at all. Mrs. Grey was blunt and honest, and if she couldn't speak her mind she was usually silent.
"So I hear the thing is you and Mr. Thornton." Mrs. Grey said as soon as she sat down on Mrs. King' arm chair. With the first sip of tea she watched Margaret and waited for an answer. Margaret became agitated and looked to Mrs. King for guidance.
"Don't worry dear, I have not really heard anything. Just an assumption. Although I was told he did meet you at the train station and you have already been seen at Marlborough Mills." Mrs. Grey continued.
How could all of Milton already know every move made between them? Margaret felt Mrs. Grey was trying to trick her into giving away her secret.
"Mr. Thornton and I have many mutual business interests. He was a good friend of my father and my godfather Mr. Bell. They both trusted Mr. Thornton and his advice in business matters a great deal, as do I." Margaret realized her response was not a true answer to Mrs. Grey's question but her words were heavy and surprisingly true. She had not previously thought of John as a last connection to her father and Mr. Bell but it was true, John was all she had left of her father and godfather.
"I'm sorry dear. I suppose you would not tell me even if you did have an agreement for fear of gossip. Bless you for keeping a tight lip. Many a scandal will thank you for occupying the card tables and prayer groups a little longer. I fear all of Milton has an opinion on whom you should marry. I throw my hat in for Mr. Thornton, he is a good catch and you'd do well together I believe. I do not feel he is one to stifle a women and you dear I feel will be more of a partner than a help-mate. No offense my dear."
Margaret mistook Mrs. Grey's honest discussion for joking at her expense. Margaret would not speak up to Mrs. Grey in Mrs. King's house, but she greatly wished she could. Mrs. King saw Margaret was not pleased with Mrs. Grey.
Turning to Margaret Mrs. King spoke softly, "My dear, I fear you are not used to Mrs. Grey's open speech. She is more observant than most and means you well by giving her opinion. I think you will find an ally in her."
Margaret felt a ping in her stomach remembering a similar speech by the current Reverend of Helstone's wife. She felt embarrassed at her pretentiousness. Margaret immediately decided she misjudged Mrs. Grey. Mrs. King did not openly recommend many in this way and it was a clear, yet kind reproof of Margaret's thoughts toward Mrs. Grey.
"Mrs. Grey, please forgive me. I agree Mr. Thornton is a good catch." Margaret paused here as it pained her to think of John as a catch in a game. She felt this did not do justice to their feelings or the agonizing journey they had and were enduring. She continued, "I find him very fine…a fine man that is. However, I do beg you will not speak of my opinion of him to anyone." Perhaps she had said too much, Mrs. King didn't say trust her with all secrets.
"I see. Then I must host a dinner for you and I will be sure to pair you and Mr. Thornton as much as possible." Margaret was rather pleased at the idea of a dinner with Mr. Thornton, especially one arranged for them to be together. "I suppose I should include Miss Hamper, it would not be kind to honor one of Milton's fair ladies of the South and not the other." Mrs. Grey continued.
"I could not ask for such kindness but I would love to assist if I can be helpful and not in the way." Margaret added.
"I hope not, I dear say I do not hope to be of assistance." Mrs. Grey laughed "I fear I will only be as good as to arrange it, but I refuse to fret about the settings or the flowers or the invitations. You shall review the menu with me and help arrange the seating chart. We will place you on Mr. Thornton's right and place someone ugly or fat on his left." Now all three women were laughing at Mrs. Grey's joking.
Margaret could see that Mrs. Grey was a very frank woman and as Mrs. King insisted, meant no harm but simply had a different way of speaking. If she was not previously the wife of a Lord, Margaret might think Mrs. Grey had not grown up with good breeding and manners, that she was not in fact a lady.
But Margaret caught herself. What did it mean to be a lady or a gentleman? To be born to a family of station and some means or to have been taught proper manners? What if one did not have the opportunity or simply didn't choose to? Conscious and actions were not synonymous with manners. Mrs. Grey would be a good friend to contrast Margaret and Mrs. King's personalities and remind them of realities.
Margaret and the Kings began to settle into a routine over the first few weeks. Mr. Thornton made a habit of coming by the King's house early in the morning. He often walked a few blocks from the mill, before the opening whistle, for a cup of coffee or economic news at the club. The King's house was not far from his favorite coffee stand and it soon became habit to drop a note, flowers or fruit on his way to or from.
One morning Margaret woke very early and could not find sleep again. She had been dreaming of her last kisses with John. She woke very excited and agitated from the dream and could not find calm to fall back to sleep. Knowing Mr. Thornton might come by that morning she decided to rise and dress in hopes of intercepting him. Their separation was beginning to strain on Margaret and she longed for contact.
Margaret's efforts were rewarded when she heard a knock at the front door and a servant's footsteps progressing across the front hall. Margaret sat in the front parlor and could see the early morning sun stream in across the carpet in the foyer as the maid opened the door. Specks of dust appeared caught in the sun light, dancing as the outside air swirled them around in their prison.
She could see the shadow of Mr. Thornton removing his hat as the servant informed him Miss Hale was up if he would like to deliver the note personally. Margaret put down her magazine as she heard him accept and step across the threshold blocking the light and ending the dust dance captured in the light.
Margaret was thankful the young maid answered the door and not the housekeeper Mrs. Wilkinson. Mrs. Wilkinson would have known the impropriety of Mr. Thornton calling on Miss Hale so early in the morning without a proper chaperone awake in the house and would never have invited him in to deliver his own card. The young maid's careless invitation relieved Miss Hale of any impropriety yet still allowed her to take advantage of her sleepless morning.
"Miss Hale, I did not expect to see you so early this morning. Please excuse my early call. I only intended to leave a note but could not help myself when I was told you were…present." Now it was Mr. Thornton's turn to navigate the irregular situation and Margaret found his awkwardness endearing.
Looking down and speaking in a lower tone to ensure she could not be overheard speaking of such an intimate matter, "I woke early this morning and could not find sleep again so I rose in hopes I might see you this morning."
Leaning in closer he replied in an equally low and hushed tone, "I am sorry your sleep was interrupted. I too have found difficulty in sleep as of lately. My mind is constantly occupied with the most pleasant thoughts. Although I must admit you are always more exquisite in life than in my thoughts and dreams."
Margaret unconsciously stepped closer to him as he spoke. Her breath hitched in her throat as she breathed in his scent. He smelled of his office with a mixture of sandalwood and Pears soap. His words stung as they entered her ears, a heat rushing from her head down to the pit of her stomach and through her toes.
For a moment she contemplated throwing herself into his arms and forcing her mouth on his, kissing him deeply as she truly wished to. She held herself in check and simply looked up to catch his gaze and then down to his perfect lips.
Mr. Thornton instinctively leaned down, inches away from her mouth. Margaret closed the gap and kissed him, sweetly and gently. He rested his hands on the sides of her arms. Sliding his hands down her arms and then lifting her hands, he then broke their kiss and kissed each hand instead.
"I'm so glad I was able to see you this morning. No matter what happens the rest of the day I know it will be a wonderful day." He said smiling down at her, struggling to keep any distance between them.
After he left to return to the mill Margaret opened the sealed note he left for her. Most of his notes were unsealed and signed only with his familiar initialing. Today's note sealed and signed and read as follows:
To my Darling Margaret,
Please know that any time at which you read this I will be thinking of you for you occupy my thoughts every moment of every day. I pass each hour as one hour closer to you.
With all my Love,
John Thornton