Margaret and John both stood.

"I should get it," said Margaret, with a touch of worry, "I think Dixon is busy." She walked nervously toward the front door.

John, sensing her concern and with a measure of his own at so late a caller, went with her. He stood so that he would be concealed by the open door. He had an idea of whom the caller might be but he did not let on.

Margaret carefully opened the door just a few inches. The man on the stoop stood in the shadows and had his back to her. When he heard the sound of the door he turned and asked, "Is Mr. Hale in?"

In an excited whisper Margaret said, "Federick!"

Then she flung the door wide, luckily John caught it before it hit him in the face, and pulled Fred into the house and a fierce filial embrace. John quickly shut the door behind them. The new arrival had not yet noticed him.

"Mother?" Frederick asked concernedly, pulling away and looking into her eyes, "Is she…?"

"Yes, she is well," Margaret replied, "She has revived a bit as of late with our joyous news." With this she smiled at John and reached a hand out for him. Frederick noticed him for the first time.

As John stepped into the light, Margaret introduced them, "John, I would like you to meet my brother Frederick. Fred, this is my betrothed, Mr. John Thornton."

The men shook hands and exchanged greetings. Fred looked suspiciously at Margaret.

She explained, "Mr. Thornton is a prominent manufacturer here in Milton and one of Father's pupils. We just became engaged this evening." Margaret beamed at John. She purposely left off John's status as Magistrate so as not to frighten Fred any more than he already was.

"Well, congratulations!" said Fred, shaking John's hand again.

Mr. Hale then called out as he came down the stairs, "Margaret? Did I hear the door?"

Before she could answer he arrived on the landing and recognized his son. Fred stepped to his father and they embraced.

"My dear boy! You've come home!" exclaimed the happy father.

Stepping back Mr. Hale looked at the faces around him. He was thrilled to have both his children there. When he saw Mr. Thornton there as well he happily exclaimed, "John!" Turning to Margaret he asked, "Does John know?"

"Yes, Father," replied she.

Then stepping forward John added, "Rest assured Mr. Hale. Your son's secret is safe with me and I will do all in my power to protect him while he is here."

At this, Fred looked him up and down in an attempt to assess his capabilities.

"Thank you, John," replied Mr. Hale. He informed them that Mrs. Hale was asleep. He then led Frederick into the drawing room, leaving the couple in the hallway.

Margaret fell into John's arms and voiced her relief at Fred's safe arrival. He hugged her fondly as his mind began to churn through all of the consequences of Fred's presence.

"You have made arrangements for his stay here?" he asked her.

"Yes," replied Margaret, "He will stay in Dixon's room and she will stay with Mama. We have sent Martha away to visit her family and will not bring her back until after Fred is gone. We may have Mary Higgins come to help with the chores but she will remain below stairs."

Margaret looked up at him. He was very pensive.

"Has a wedding date been chosen yet?" he asked.

"No," replied she, "we meant to discuss it with your mother tomorrow. However, my mother has expressed her desire for it to occur soon."

He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead. "Good!" he said and went back to thinking.

"With your permission," John said, "I would like to tell my mother about your brother. She can be trusted, but not Fanny or anyone else."

"Whatever you think best," Margaret replied, "I trust you John."

"It looks like the wedding will now take place while your brother is here," he stated, "Do you agree?"

"Yes," she answered.

"In that case," he went on, "it may be useful to establish an alternate identity for him so he can attend the wedding without suspicion. Let's join them to discuss this."

Margaret and John entered the drawing room and sat together on the sofa. They explained the situation to Frederick and Mr. Thornton began to ask him questions.

"Did you happen to bring with you a good set of clothes?"

"Yes, I did."

"Do you speak Spanish or can you affect a Spanish accent?"

"Yes, both."

"My mother comes tomorrow to begin wedding plans with Margaret and your mother," he explained, "I intend to tell her of your situation. She is an honorable and trustworthy woman."

Margaret added her conviction with a nod.

"You arrived by train?" John inquired.

"From Liverpool, yes," Fred answered.

"Good," said John, "then you know the way to the train station. In the morning, don your best clothes and head to the train station by eleven. I will accompany my mother in our carriage tomorrow when she comes here. After depositing her here I will come pick you up at the station. You will play the part of a business acquaintance of mine from Spain that I met in Le Havre, I often travel there to negotiate cotton shipments."

"But I know nothing about cotton," Fred complained.

"You're in the shipping business aren't you?" John asked, "Margaret tells me you are junior partner and soon to be son-in-law to Senior Barbour the prominent Spanish shipping magnate. That will do. We will just bend the truth a little and proclaim you Frederico Barbour son of said shipping magnate. Here is where your knowledge of Spanish comes in. Your dark hair and tanned skin also help. Whenever you are in public affect your Spanish accent and use Spanish phrases. Keep in mind, however, I do not speak the language myself." Then he turned to his fiancé and asked, "Do you, Margaret?"

"Yes," she replied, "I learned French and Spanish while living with my aunt in London."

"Your skills as an interpreter may come in handy to keep up the façade and to explain why Senior Barbour might be seen with you," he said to her.

Turning back to Fred, he resumed his instructions, "Tomorrow I will take you to tour my mill, something I often do for business acquaintances when they visit. I think you may find the experience interesting of itself. However, the real purpose is threefold: to establish your alternate identity and reason for being in Milton; to give you something to do while the ladies occupy themselves with laces and flowers;" he smiled at Margaret, "and for my new brother and I to get to know each other better," he smiled at Fred.

Fred thought everything over for a few minutes. Finally he said, "It sounds like a good plan." He turned to his father and asked, "What do you think, Father?"

Mr. Hale gave his hearty support, "You can trust John, Frederick. Do whatever he tells you."

….oOo….

As Margaret saw John to the door late that evening he pulled her into his arms.

Looking up at him Margaret said, "John, how can I ever thank you enough for your care of Frederick?"

With a mischievous grin he leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Pick an early wedding date." Then he proceeded to trail light kisses down her neck.

"John!" she squealed and slid her hands up into his hair. She lifted his head and brought her lips to his. He pulled her even closer to him and they enjoyed a few passionate moments. When they finally pulled apart, breathless, he leaned his forehead on hers.

"I must go," said he, "I will see you tomorrow when I come with my mother. Goodnight, Margaret."

"Goodnight, John," she replied and gave him one more quick kiss then he left.

….oOo….

At that same time at Outwood Station the railway's newest porter was showing up for the night shift.

As the other porters were leaving one of them said to him, "You better not be drunk again Leonards or the boss will surely sack you this time."

"I'm not," he replied, "but you had better mind your own business or you will have trouble yourself."

Leonards proceeded to get to his duties. He was already looking forward to the nap he would take when he got home in the morning.