John was very happy to hear, when he came to pick up his mother, that the wedding would take place in exactly one week. After delivering the news with a saucy smile, Margaret was rewarded with an abrupt and ardent kiss.
After which he said, "I suppose it is my job now to plan the honeymoon."
"Oh!" exclaimed she, "I hadn't thought of that. Can you really leave the mill again so soon?"
"I think I can spare a few days next week," he said with a roguish grin.
He kissed her again, leaving her in no doubt of his passion for her.
…..oOo…..
John left it for Fred to inform his family of his status as best man. It came out when he was telling his family, later that day in his mother's room, about his trip to Marlborough Mills. Margaret shrieked in delight when she heard the words from his mouth: "I forgot to tell you, John has asked me to be his best man." She leaped out of her seat and gave her brother a gleeful hug.
"Oh, Frederick," exclaimed she, "it will be so wonderful having you at the altar with us!"
After reclaiming her seat however, she lamented, "Now I feel bad that none of John's family will be up there." Then turning to her mother she asked, "Do you think it would be too much trouble, Mama, to add Miss Thornton and the Captain as bridesmaid and groomsman?"
"Not at all, My dear," her mother replied, "However, you should probably run up to Marlborough Mills this afternoon. It would only be proper for you to ask her in person and you will need to give her as much advanced warning as possible so she can determine upon her dress."
Margaret agreed and planned to stop at Marlborough Mills after visiting the Higgins' that afternoon. She then went and retrieved her letter to her cousin. She needed to amend it with the request that the Captain attend as a groomsman.
….oOo….
On her way into town, Margaret posted her two out of town invitations. One was for her relatives at Harley Street, with an invitation extended to Henry Lennox as he might wish to come and see Miss Latimer. The second was for her godfather, Mr. Bell. Being a friend of both the bride and the groom, Margaret was certain he would attend.
Her next stop was Frances Street to visit Mary Higgins. Nicholas now would be at Marlborough Mills, working. Margaret smiled to herself at this thought. She was certain he and John would get on well together, eventually. Beyond that she hoped they might be able to improve master-laborer relations.
When she arrived, Mary invited her to sit down and have some tea. Margaret proceeded to tell her friend about her engagement and pending wedding. Mary said that she had already heard of the engagement.
"Wow!" replied Margaret, "News travels fast in Milton. We were only officially engaged last night!"
"Any gossip o' that sort 'bout Mr. Thornton travels fast," Mary explained, "'E's been the most sought after bachelor in Milton all these years."
"Yes," said Margaret, "Bessy mentioned that once. I wish she could have been here for my wedding."
"I'll tell ya, Miss Margaret," said Mary with a smile, "She would 'ave laughed 'eartily at your news."
Margaret left the handwritten invitation for Nicholas and Mary on the table before she hugged her friend and left. Her next stop was Marlborough Mills.
….oOo….
The mill yard was all abustle when Margaret arrived. It seemed a shipment of raw cotton had just arrived and she had to carefully weave her way through the men unloading the bales. When she finally climbed the stairs to the mill house door she paused for a moment remembering the last time she stood there. Upon turning to face the mill yard, as she had that day, her eyes alighted on a tall figure dressed in black moving her way. She smiled. It was John. He must have seen her when she arrived. He deftly made his way across the yard and climbed the stairs to greet her.
Holding each other at arm's length, he asked, "Do you remember, love, the last time we stood here together?" Then he murmured, "And how I requited you with my insolence the next day?"
"I remember how wrongly I spoke to you,-that is all," replied she, with contrition.
Both were smiling, knowing that all had already been forgiven. John led her into the house. But before escorting up the stairs he stole a kiss.
"I assume you are here on wedding business?" he asked as they ascended to the second story. John rang the bell and inquired of Jane where her mistress was.
"She and Miss Thornton have gone to the florist," replied the maid, "They should be back any minute now."
"Thank you, Jane," he said in dismissal. He closed the door to the drawing room and turned to Margaret. With a sigh of feigned annoyance he said, "I guess I will have to keep you company until they arrive." He led her to the sofa and they sat together.
"I am glad Fanny will return with your mother," said Margaret, "for it is her I have come to see."
John, affecting a hurt expression and clutching at his heart, said, "You wound me Margaret. It wasn't me you came to see?"
"You are supposed to be at work, Mr. Thornton!" she said indignantly, playfully smacking his arm. "Our mothers and I are trying to put together a wedding in six days. I have no time for grumpy mill masters." She crossed her arms and raised her chin, turning her head away from him.
Then slipping his arms around her waist and nibbling her ear he whispered, "How about roguishly smug mill masters, because that is how I feel when you talk about our wedding."
"John!" she squealed and brought her lips to his. After a moment or two thus occupied, they heard the front door and female voices rising from the stairs. They moved apart and Margaret checked her hair.
Just then Fanny and Mrs. Thornton entered the room.
"John! Miss Hale!" they both said in surprise.
"What brings you here?" Mrs. Thornton asked her daughter-in-law to be.
"I came to see if you had the guest list so I could starting writing out invitations," said Margaret, and then directing her next statement to Fanny, "I also wanted to ask Miss Thornton if she would be one of my bridesmaids?"
"Oh, yes!" Fanny said with a gleeful smile and clapping her hands, "I will need to get a new gown!" Then, practically skipping over to the sofa, she sat next to Margaret. Taking her hand, Fanny said, "Thank you Miss Hale."
"Please," said Margaret, "call me Margaret, we are to be sisters after all."
"Yes, Margaret," she replied, "and call me Fanny. Now tell me who is to be the other groomsman? John told us that some foreign business acquaintance of his is to be the best man," she said with some disdain and a wave of her hand.
"The other groomsman will be my cousin's husband, Captain Lennox," replied Margaret.
"Oh, a Captain!" exclaimed Fanny, "Will he be wearing a uniform?"
"Yes, I suppose he will wear his red coat all bedecked with ribbons and medals," laughed Margaret.
"Well," said Fanny, "then I will have to make sure that my gown goes good with red as we will have to walk out of the church together in front of everybody."
"How did your trip to the florist go?" Margaret asked Mrs. Thornton.
Before his mother could respond however, John interjected with, "Gowns and flowers, I think that is my cue to return to the mill." He rose, gave Margaret a peck on the cheek, laid an affectionate hand on his mother's shoulder, bid his sister goodbye, and left.
The ladies then discussed flowers and other wedding details over tea. Mrs. Thornton supplied Margaret with the guest list. Before Margaret left Mrs. Thornton extended an invitation to her and her family for Sunday luncheon after church.
She added, "I will have John extend the invitation to Senior Barbour, his Spanish business acquaintance, as well, since he is now a member of the wedding party."
….oOo….
As Jane, the housekeeper, saw Margaret to the door she offered her congratulations and wished her joy. She saw no reason not to begin getting on the new mistress' good side right away.
Ever since they had heard that morning of the master's engagement to Miss Hale, the news had been all the talk below stairs (and beyond). Jane could now add to the servants whisperings that she had seen the new mistress and had left her alone with the master in the drawing room (wink, wink).
After collecting the tea tray she returned with it to the kitchen. There she began gossiping with the other servants again about the upcoming wedding. While this conversation was going on Jane's fiancé, entered through the back door. He stood there listening while he waited for Jane. When he finally had a chance to pull her aside, he asked with concern, "What is all this talk of a wedding? You know we can't get married until I've some money saved up!"
"Oh, silly!" said Jane, "We're not talkin' of our weddin'! We're talkin' of the Master's! 'E's getting' married on Thursday."
Her fiancé was relieved.
"You'll 'ave to come by when the weddin' breakfast is goin' on," Jane told him, "there'll be lots of good food and special treats for the servants in honor of the special day."