Mrs. Thornton was sitting in her usual seat in the drawing room, happily occupied with her embroidery, when her son returned from the mill. She heard his feet practically running up the stairs before he dashed past the drawing room door and ascended the flight to the next level just as quickly. She glanced at the clock. No, he was not late, probably just excited. The thought brought a smile to her face. She had not seen her son so happy in years. Her eyes then fell to the little velvet box sitting next to her work bag on the table in front of her.
As John came down the stairs a quarter of an hour later she called to him, "John!"
Poking his head in the door he said, "What is it Mother? I'd really like to get going."
"Come in and sit for a minute, son," she implored, "I won't make you late."
As he came into the room she noticed how well he was dressed. Too well for a simple family dinner with the Hale's. However, she knew to what this evening portended for her son so she would not begrudge him his finery.
"John," she began, getting right to the point, "Do you have a betrothal ring for Miss Hale?"
"No!" he replied with a shocked look on his face, "I had not thought of that."
"Well, then," replied she, "allow me to be a part of your special evening." She handed him the box.
"That," she explained, "was my mother's ring. I now give it to you along with my blessing."
John opened the box and took out the ring. It was gold with a plain dark green emerald with small diamonds on each side. It was simple yet beautiful, just what Margaret would like.
"It's lovely," he said, "Thank you, Mother." Putting the ring in his waistcoat pocket, he got up, took her hand, and gave her a peck on the cheek.
Not one for outward signs of affection, she smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. Blinking back tears, she said, "Well now, be off with you. I suspect you won't be home till late so I'll see you in the morning."
He smiled, said, "Goodnight, Mother," and left.
….oOo….
Upon her return from Princeton and the market, Margaret was able to help Dixon put together a respectable dinner for Mr. Thornton. Margaret's early return from London and her exuberant energy lifted Mrs. Hale's spirits enough that she felt she might be able to come down to the dining room for dinner. Unfortunately, this meant that Dixon would be helping her mistress to dress and Margaret would have to fend for herself. This was a hardship she was quite willing to endure, however, if it meant that she would have her mother at table that evening.
Margaret found the lack of anyone to help her dress doubly fortunate in that no one was present to suspect her nervous excitement for the upcoming visit. She fixed her own hair to the best of her abilities and donned her evening gown. It was a gift from her aunt during her last season in London. The gown was a dark green silk, slightly off the shoulder with short, ruffled sleeves and a sharp V waistline. It was fairly modest, only showing a slight amount of decolletage. She did have to run to her mother's room in the end to have Dixon tighten her corset and button up the back of her gown.
Margaret was still in her room when she heard the knock at the door. John was early! She knew her father was downstairs and would admit their visitor. She also knew that both men would be happy to have a few minutes together before the ladies descended. Running out to the top of the stairs, Margaret could hear the delicious, spine tingling tones of John's deep voice and her father's invitation for their guest to join him in his study.
….oOo….
John was happy to be greeted at the door by his teacher and friend. Once the two men were settled in the study and the typical formalities were taken care of, John jumped right in with, "Mr. Hale, I would like to request the honor of your daughter's hand in marriage. After meeting in London and spending some time together there, she and I have come to an understanding."
Mr. Hale stared for a minute, then blinked. Then he said, "Why John, that is wonderful news! Although a little surprising. To be honest, I was afraid that Margaret didn't seem to like you that much. However, today she has been quite different."
"Yes, sir," John said, "she and I have certainly had our differences. But we have come to see each other in a new light and I believe we are now quite happy to be together."
"Well, you have my sincerest blessings, John. In fact there is no finer man in England I would rather give my daughter to than you, my boy," he said shaking John's hand and slapping him on the back. "Well, shall we go see if the ladies have come down yet?"
The two men then went to seek the ladies in the drawing room. Margaret was there but her mother was still above stairs. She rose from her seat when they entered.
John was stunned with her beauty and just stared for a moment before remembering his manners. "Good Evening Miss Hale," he said.
Margaret blushed and curtsied.
Realizing that the young couple would probably like to be alone for a few minutes, Mr. Hale gave his daughter a fond smile and a nod and then excused himself.
After watching the elder man retreat, John went to Margaret and took her in his arms.
"All went well?" she asked.
"He gives us his sincerest blessings," John informed her, then he bent his head and kissed her.
When he finally released her she said, "I must go tell my mother!" and began to move toward the door.
"Wait!" he said grabbing her hand. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. Looking into her eyes, he asked, "Will you accept this betrothal ring?"
"Yes," she replied with a smile and he slipped it on her finger.
Looking at it closer, Margaret gasped, "It's beautiful, John! But – the expense – the mill!"
"The mill will be fine, Margaret," he assured her, "the ring is a family heirloom. It belonged to my maternal grandmother. My mother gave it to me this evening, along with her blessing."
"Really? She approves?" asked Margaret hopefully.
"Yes," he replied, "and she has expressed a sincere desire to get to know you better."
She looked at the ring again and then back at him. Throwing her arms around him, she exclaimed, "Oh, thank you John!"
"You are welcome, love," said he, "Now go tell your mother."
….oOo….
Trying not to trip over her skirts, Margaret flew up the stairs.
When she entered the room her mother said, "Margaret, dear! What is the matter?"
With a broad smile Margaret approached her mother and took her hands. "Mother," she said, "I am engaged! Mr. Thornton has asked me to marry him." Then she held up her hand to show her mother the ring.
"Margaret, my dear!" she said, pulling her daughter to the settee so they could sit. Examining Margaret's ring she asked, "When did this happen?"
"In London we were able to spend some time together and we got to know each other better," she explained, "John, proposed to me there and he secured Papa's permission this evening."
"Oh, my dear, how wonderful!" she gushed. "So this evening will be an engagement dinner."
"I suppose," laughed Margaret. "Shall we go downstairs? Here, let me help you."
Margaret helped her mother rise from her seat and allowed her to lean on her as they descended the stairs. They met the gentlemen in the drawing room.
"Mrs. Hale," John greeted the elder lady with a bow.
Letting go of Margaret's arm, she stepped to Mr. Thornton and took his hands in hers, "Welcome, Mr. Thornton," said she enthusiastically, "I'm so glad you could come, and with such news! Congratulations!" Then reaching one hand for Margaret's and placing the two together she said, "My blessings be upon you both! I am so very pleased."
Happy to see her so lively but not wanting her to overexert herself, John offered to help her into a chair. Once the four were seated conversation flowed around their engagement, their time in London, and the exhibition. Soon dinner was announced and they moved to the dining room.
With the addition of the status of the mill, a topic meant to showcase John's ability to provide for their daughter, the conversation at the dinner table was much the same as it was in the drawing room.
Dixon was informed of the evening's developments when she first came in to serve the meal. With practiced civility and a slight curtsey to each, she said, "I am very pleased for you Miss Margaret, Mr. Thornton." Then she let out a "humph," under her breath as she turned to leave the room.
The subject of the wedding animated Mrs. Hale very much and Margaret was concerned that her mother would weary early.
With that in mind, as soon as the desert plates were cleared away, Margaret encouraged her mother to remove to the drawing room, leaving the men to their brandy and cigars.
Once seated comfortably, Mrs. Hale said, with a somewhat worried look on her face, "Margaret, have you and Mr. Thornton discussed a wedding date yet?"
"No, Mama," she replied, "We wanted to inform our families first."
After a pause and reaching for her daughter's hand, Mrs. Hale said, "I so want to see you married, my dear." Tears were beginning to well in her eyes. Margaret knelt beside her mother.
"And so you shall, Mama," she replied.
"But the banns will take three weeks!" her mother lamented.
"Oh, Mama," Margaret gushed, "Mr. Thornton is so kind. He has thought of everything. While we were in London he acquired a Special License. We could be married any day and right here in the drawing room if you wanted."
"Really?!" Mrs. Hale exclaimed, her mood vastly improved. "He is so thoughtful. I think he will make a very fine husband, my dear," she said, patting her daughter's hand.
At this moment the gentlemen entered the room. They had foregone the brandy and cigars as neither of them was all that fond of either. They had talked a bit about politics in Milton and then Mr. Hale suggested they rejoin the ladies. He had noticed with much amusement that his favorite pupil kept fidgeting in his chair and glancing at the door.
Margaret stood when they entered and moved to sit on the settee where there was room for John to join her.
When they were all seated once again Mrs. Hale said, "Mr. Thornton, can your mother come for tea tomorrow morning so that we may discuss wedding plans?"
"She would be delighted," John replied, "The carriage will bring her 'round at eleven."
Turning to Margaret she said, "Well, Margaret dear, we shall start making our plans tomorrow. Now, if you will excuse me," she said to everyone, "I think I will retire for the evening." To her husband she said, "Dear, can you call Dixon for me?"
Getting up from his chair, Mr. Hale replied, "Come, Maria, I will take you upstairs." He helped his wife to her feet, they said their goodbyes, and left the room.
John and Margaret watched until they disappeared up the stairs. Then they took each other's hands.
Rubbing his thumb over the ring on her finger John looked into Margaret's eyes and asked, "Are you happy, love?"
"Oh yes, John!" she replied, "and it is such a blessing to see my mother, nay both my parents, so happy as well." She moved closer to him so she could lay her head on his shoulder with a sigh of contentment. He kissed the top of her head. He reached up and lifted her chin so he could kiss her properly. They lost themselves in this activity until the doorbell rang.
They jumped apart and Margaret said, "Oh, who'd come visiting at this hour?"