The short drive to their honeymoon cottage just outside of Milton did not take long. It was far enough away from the factories that the air was clear and the sky a beautiful blue with orange and red streaks from the now setting sun. The silhouette of Milton with its many smokestacks and cloud of 'unparliamentary' smoke could be seen to the south as well as the River Irwell wending its way to the industrial town. Margaret alighted from the carriage and was transfixed by the view.

"Oh John!" she exclaimed, "I didn't know any place existed like this so close to home!"

John smiled. She had said it before but it never ceased to amaze him. She considered Milton her home! He wrapped his arms around her from behind as they admired the view. "I had hoped you would like it," he said, "We only have it for the weekend but we might be able to arrange to come back here at other times throughout the year." She spun around in his arms to hug him tightly.

"Cook has provided us with food for the next three days," he explained, "There is also a horse and buggy at our disposal in the stable out back, only we must make sure the mare stays fed and watered."

"How delightful!" Margaret gushed.

"Let me show you around," John suggested.

He took her around the grounds first and introduced her to the horse. Margaret and the animal became fast friends. They made sure she was well supplied and headed indoors.

The cottage was small, just a kitchen, sitting room, and bedroom but it was pleasantly decorated and cozy. The coachman had brought their bags and supplies in before he had left.

The newlyweds decided they were not hungry so John built a fire in the sitting room to spend some quiet time together before retiring.

They sat snuggled up on the couch recounting the pleasant events of the day interspersed with loving kisses and light touches.

After one such kiss, John asked Margaret in a low whisper, "May I remove your hairpins? I have for so long wanted to see your hair down."

At first she thought to offer to do it herself as that would be most efficient, she knew where all the pins were, but then she realized that that was not his request. He wanted to do it himself. So with a blush and a smile she replied, "Please do."

He took her face in his hands and kissed her again. As he took the kiss deeper he slid his fingers into her hair and started removing the pins. He did not let up until he was certain he had gotten them all. For Margaret this was the most sensual kiss he had given her yet. As he pulled back he drew some of her locks over her shoulders. He was amazed at how long her hair really was. It fell to her waist. He was fascinated by it and continued to twirl the ends with his fingers enjoying how the firelight danced off her tresses.

While he was thus occupied, Margaret reached up to untie his cravat. Just as she touched it however, her fingers stilled. She looked into his eyes and asked tentatively, "May I?"

A barely audible, "Yes," was his reply.

This was something unfamiliar to her and took her some time to get the knot undone. She feared at one point she had made it tighter on him but he enjoyed watching her concentration and the light brushes of her fingers against his skin.

When she finally had it removed she could not help tracing her fingers around the triangle of skin now exposed to her by his open collar. As if in a trance, she leaned forward and kissed him there. She felt his hands slide around her back and tighten into fists in her hair. He was ever careful not to hurt her. She trailed kisses up his throat to his jaw and around to his mouth. When her lips slid across his he captured them with passion.

When they finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead on hers and asked, "Shall we retire, Mrs. Thornton?"

Margaret smiled to hear him use her new name and replied, "Yes, Mr. Thornton," eliciting an equally broad smile from him.

Margaret gasped in surprise and giggled as he scooped her up in his strong arms and carried her to the bedroom.

….oOo….

The couple woke up the next morning and spent the time they had enjoying the newfound pleasures of the marital bed. Unfortunately they had to rise by nine to be ready when the coachman would arrive at half past. It did take Margaret some minutes to find all of her hair pins but she still managed to be ready on time. The couple hoped that this would be the only interruption to their honeymoon weekend.

After the thirty minute ride back into Milton, John reluctantly deposited his new wife at her former home in Crampton and proceeded to the infirmary where Leonards was being kept. There he found inspector Mason.

"Well, you are a lucky man Mr. Thornton," Mason began while shaking the magistrate's hand, "We almost put out a warrant for your arrest on charges of manslaughter last night."

A look of horrified shock came over John's face.

Mason continued, "Leonards died just after midnight. We had it down as death by violence until the autopsy. However, being that you are a fine upstanding citizen we were able to get the Doc to perform the autopsy first thing this morning and he found that there was an internal disease of long standing, caused by Leonards' habit of drinking to excess; that the fact of his becoming rapidly worse while in a state of intoxication, settled the question as to whether the last fatal attack was caused by excess of drinking, or the fall. So you are not culpable."

Relieved, Thornton inquired, "Did he ever wake up?"

"Yes," replied Mason, "I went and heard some kind of a rambling statement last night when I returned from your place, which the clerk said was of no great use. I'm afraid he was but a drunken fellow. You're welcome to take a look at it if you wish but there is hardly an intelligible word." Mason handed Thornton the file for the case.

He took some time reviewing the statement and other official documents and was relived to find there was nothing that could inculpate Frederick. Mason was right, there was really nothing at all.

"Has word been sent to Marlborough Mills?" Thornton asked next, adding, "My mother's housekeeper was betrothed to this man."

"Yes, we sent word there this morning," Mason replied.

"Well, I guess that finishes the business," Thornton said, extending his hand, "Thank you, Mason."

"You're welcome, sir. And congratulations once again," he replied. Thornton tipped his hat in thanks and left.

His next stop was Marlborough Mills to see if all was well there.

….oOo….

Mr. Thornton did not go to the Mill. He knew Williams could handle things for a few days and he did not want to fluster the man. He was really only here to see his mother, and Jane if need be anyway, so he mounted the steps to the house.

"John!" his mother called upon hearing him enter the house.

"Mother," replied he when he entered the drawing room, mostly put back in order after the fete of yesterday. Sobbing could be heard coming from somewhere deep in the house.

"Have you heard the news?" she asked, "I didn't get the message until after the coachman had left for you."

"Yes," he replied, "I just came from the infirmary where Mason informed me of the whole affair. The case is closed and nothing undesirable has come of it, except for the man's demise, of course. I take it Jane has been notified?"

"Yes," she affirmed.

John, now rolling his eyes at the incessant crying, said, "Can't we give Jane the week off? Better off without that scoundrel Leonards, you know."

"Yes, I'll see to it," replied his mother, "she's only had the news for a short time." Then she turned the subject, "How is Margaret? Is everything well?"

At the mention of her name a smile diffused across his face and his eyes sparkled. That was answer enough for his mother but he said, "Yes, very well. She is with her family right now but I will return there momentarily to take her back to the cottage. Please send us word if we are needed for anything. Otherwise, we will return for breakfast Monday morning." Then he rose, gave his mother a kiss on the cheek and left.

….oOo….

When he had arrived at Crampton he found that they had received no word at all of the Leonards case. He called Mr. Hale, Frederick, Margaret, and Dixon to the drawing room. Mrs. Hale was not aware of the previous day's incident and was currently napping anyway. They were all quite relieved to hear what John had to tell them, although shocked by the manner in which their relief was obtained.

Mr. Hale implored those in attendance to bow their heads while he said a prayer for the deceased and his family who were once parishioners of his.

John still maintained that Frederick should remain hidden and all agreed.

Margaret had seen that her mother was doing tolerably well and was happy to find the family pantry well stocked with leftovers from the wedding breakfast. Dixon would not have to do much cooking for the next few days.

The newly weds took their leave and departed for their little cottage once again with no more plans to return till Monday.