Wedding plans and arrangements moved along at lightning speed in Mrs. Thornton's capable hands. Margaret had her mother's wedding gown tailored to fit and Fanny was able to find a dress to her liking that could be made in time and in the right color. The Harley Street relations would arrive Wednesday afternoon and Mr. Bell the evening of that same day. Accommodations were secured for them at the Milton Grand Hotel.

Mr. Thornton visited Crampton often in the days leading up to the wedding. He still read and discussed philosophy with Mr. Hale, became better acquainted with Frederick, and spent time with Margaret. While there he noticed Mrs. Hale's slow deterioration in health along with her pure joy at the presence of her son and her steadfast determination to attend the wedding of her daughter.

One evening, as the couple stood holding hands in the entryway prior to his departure, he inquired of Margaret whether her mother might prefer the ceremony to be held in Crampton so that she wouldn't have to exert herself to the detriment of her health.

Margaret replied, "No! She has her heart set on witnessing our grand church wedding." She rolled her eyes at these last three words, for she herself would much rather have preferred a simple wedding instead.

She went on to confide in John her concerns over her mother's stamina for such an event. It had already been determined that Mrs. Hale would attend the wedding only, and not the breakfast which was to be held at Marlborough Mills. Mr. Hale and Dixon would accompany her home immediately following the ceremony.

Mr. Thornton suggested that he arrange to have a comfortable chair for her mother in lieu of the hardwood pews that the church afforded. Margaret was extremely grateful and touched by his concern for her mother. She reached up and bestowed upon him a quick chaste kiss. However, before she could retreat completely he enfolded her in his arms and exacted from her a more meaningful commingling of lips.

….oOo….

The following day, Mr. Thornton visited Dr. Donaldson in order to consult him on the best way to make Mrs. Hale comfortable at the church. The good doctor was well acquainted with his patient's resolve to attend her daughter's wedding (against his recommendation). However, he admired the foresight of the woman's future son-in-law in wishing to ensure the invalid's comfort. The doctor had in his possession a well upholstered, high backed wheelchair that could be used to bring Mrs. Hale from her carriage into the church. The wheels could then be locked in place so that she could remain comfortably in the chair for the duration of the ceremony.

Mr. Thornton, always thinking ahead, asked to see the chair. When presented with it he pulled out a tape measure from his pocket (he found having one on his person when at work a useful hold over from his days as a draper's assistant). He used it to measure the width of the chair. He thanked the doctor and told him that his coachman would stop by on the morning of the wedding to pick it up and it would be returned later in the day.

On his way back to the mill he stopped by St Ann's Church to take in the precise layout of the stairs that led to the front door. He stopped by the rectory and exchanged a few words with the parson before he was on his way again.

When he arrived back at the mill he summoned his carpenter to his office. He commissioned the man to build a ramp that would lead up the church steps, wide enough to comfortably fit the wheelchair.

He smiled at himself, pleased with his arrangements and imagining the appreciative look that would grace his lovely Margaret's face when she was made aware of his plans. However, he decided to save it as a surprise for her to see when she and her parents arrived at the church.

….oOo….

Meanwhile, Mr. Leonards had been visiting his fiancé Jane at the mill house just about every day. Whenever he was there all the activity and the talk in the servant's quarters centered around the preparation for the upcoming wedding and the subsequent reception of their new mistress. He was never much interested in the details but once or twice he thought he heard the name 'Hale.' This struck him as curious since that very name had crossed his mind the previous week when he saw that foreigner whom he thought looked like his old playfellow from his youth in Helstone, Frederick Hale.

So he asked Jane, "Who is this 'Hale' you all keep talkin' 'bout?"

"Oh!" replied Jane incredulously, "Dontcha know? That's Miss 'ale, the master's fiancé!"

"Miss Hale!?" he said with startled confusion. "Is she from 'round here?" he asked.

"She and her family live out in Crampton," Jane answered him, proud that she personally knew so much about her new mistress, "but she came 'ere from the south. 'ampshire, I think - where you're from, love."

He gave her a quick kiss for her information and her endearment and then sat down to think on this new development.