"When we remember a special Christmas, it is not the presents that made it special, but the laughter, the feeling of love, and the togetherness of friends and family that made that Christmas special." — Catherine Pulsifer
Christmas 1852
It was late afternoon, and there were still two hours left in the work day. John had struggled to keep his focus all day. In his dreams last night, Margaret opened her arms to him and welcomed him into her loving embrace. In their bed. The dream was vivid, but when he awoke, he was alone, and the cold hard reality of the situation hit him like the winter wind blowing against the window in his bedchamber.
Angry at himself for allowing his guard down, and never mind he did not do so willingly, but the dream was just that, a dream, and one that would never become reality. Try as he may, practical as he was, he could not stop loving Miss Hale. In the deepest recesses of his heart, he acknowledged her place in his life. He loved her as he loved no other.
What he would not give to wake up beside her every morning and fall asleep in her arms. He ran his hand across the emptiness beside him and closed his eyes against the aching longing he felt in those quiet and private moments when he allowed himself to think of her.
Sighing deeply, he got up to dress for the day and went directly to the mill.
oooOOOooo
John did his best to keep his thoughts of Miss Hale at bay. He plunged into the tasks of running the mill that morning, but he could not shake the melancholy that seemed to have seeped into his very soul. There was more than one man could do on any day at the mill, and John was able to get his ledgers balanced and his order book updated before he took a short break for lunch in the canteen with Higgins, and then returned to work.
Later that afternoon, John decided that a walk might help him shake off his troublesome thoughts. He closed his shipping logs, shrugged on his coat, and let Williams know that he would be back later. He left the mill yard with no destination in mind. John was so lost in his thoughts that he was not paying attention to where he was headed, and he soon realized that he was walking toward the dreary landscape of Milton Cemetery.
John stopped by his father's grave and paid his respects before he continued walking. As always, he prayed for his father's soul. It was on a dark and dreary December morning seventeen years ago that his father had left his son to become the man of the family. John often wondered what his father would advise him to do about his unrequited love for Miss Hale.
After he topped the hill in the cemetery, he spied a lone figure hovering over the headstone of a grave. John recognized the dismal brown hat that belonged to the object of his thoughts, Miss Hale. She was weeping, and he realized that she was standing at her mother's grave. John's heart constricted at the sight of her distress.
She seemed unaware of the freezing cold. John felt resentful of the man he had seen her embrace at Outwood the night after her mother passed from this Earth. Where was that man now when she clearly needed the comfort he could give her? Miss Hale, friendless since Bessie Higgins had died, was clearly missing her mother.
He waited for her to turn to leave. John saw her dab her eyes and rub her hand over her mother's headstone. He often touched his father's headstone in the same manner. He understood her need to touch a tangible reminder of someone you had loved so dearly.
Maria Hale had never been well during his acquaintance with her, but she had been kind to him. John knew the pain of losing a parent, and he knew the void left in a child's life whenever their parent is no longer alive. There was not a day that he did not think of his father and even more so as he got older, he missed him. He was alone in his grief, just as Miss Hale was because Fanny was two young at the time of their fatherś death to remember him, and his mother never spoke of her late husband.
Finally, Miss Hale turned to leave, and she caught sight of him. She raised her hand in greeting and managed to give him a timorous smile. Even from ten feet away, it touched his heart.
He walked forward and stopped a few feet from her mother's headstone.
She spoke quietly, her voice muffled by the wind, "Mr. Thornton, I am surprised to see you here."
"Miss Hale, and I might say the same. I can see that you have been visiting your mother's grave. I know you must miss her terribly. "
Margaret met his piercing blue eyes with her own tragically sad gray ones and said, "Yes, I do miss her." Miss Hale's voice trailed off, and she lowered her eyes.
She spoke so softly that John had to step closer and lean in to hear her. "I have found myself without anyone other than Papa and Dixon for company for these last few months since her passing. You know that Bessie Higgins died around the same time. I visited her grave before I came to Mama's grave. I loved them both very much." Margaret wanted to add that she loved him very much as well, but those words would remain unspoken. She was sure they would be most unwelcome.
Bessie had worked at Marlborough Mills, and John felt ashamed that he had not known more about the young woman who had been Miss Hale's close confidant since moving to Milton.
He looked at this glorious woman, who even in grief, found the fortitude to walk to the cemetery so that she might feel close to her mother. John understood, all too well. He had visited his father's grave many nights after work when the agony of Miss Hale's rejection had twisted him in knots so tight that they threatened to take his breath away. He took great comfort in speaking quietly to his father about all that tormented him.
Margaret was looking at him, and she lifted her arm to touch him as he was also grieving a lost parent but then lowered it down. She looked toward the ground. Margaret lived with the shame of her lie to Inspector Watson, and John Thornton knew that she was a liar. She was debased in his eyes, and he had told her that he no longer cared for her.
They stood there for just a moment, two souls that cried out to each other, but neither one believed their soul would ever be loved by the other.
John's voice was husky with emotion when he broke their silence, "You must allow me to see you safely home, Miss Hale. The sun will be setting soon, and the winter air will become even more frigid."
Margaret lifted her sad expressive eyes to him and thought it remarkable that he was so kind to her. His cheeks were ruddy with the cold, as she knew hers must be, but it was his piercing blue eyes that she noted. He was looking at her with such compassion that it made her heart flutter.
She thanked him and they began to walk toward Crampton. The recent snow had made the ground slippery, so John offered his arm as support, fully expecting her to reject it. He loved her independent nature, but at times, it was to her detriment to refuse assistance. He longed for her to need him, even if it was just a little. To allow him to be of service to her in some small way.
To his surprise, she took his arm firmly and walked next to him. He had to shorten his stride, but he did not mind. She was on his arm, and she was close enough for him to feel warmth emanating from her body. He was at a loss for words, but Margaret did her best to make conversation.
"Mr. Thornton, what brings you to the Milton cemetery at this time of day? I always picture you sitting at your desk until late at night. I sometimes wonder if you ever sleep."
John looked at her in awe. He was shocked that she gave him any thought at all, much less cared about his well-being.
"You are correct in that I do work long hours at the mill, but I must work to keep the mill operating at a profit. The workers will have their jobs as long as I am able to keep the mill running." John knew that Margaret cared a great deal about the welfare of his workers. He wished she cared about him, too. But… he was a cotton master, not a gentleman in her eyes.
Margaret replied, "Your work ethic is to be admired, Mr. Thornton. I know that you are well-respected as a fair mill master. Your workers speak well of you."
He uttered, "Thank you, Miss Hale."
Again, the conversation surprised him. He hardly knew what to think, but it pleased him immensely to know that she had a better opinion of him than she once did.
The wind had picked up; John tugged her a bit closer to his side and did his best to shield her from the worst of it. Her winter coat, upon closer inspection, was far too thin for these climes. She needed a thicker and warmer coat, and a warmer hat as well. If only she were his wife, he would see to her every need.
All too soon, they arrived at her home in Crampton. Margaret turned to Mr. Thornton, and gathered her courage, "Papa has missed you these past few months. He has had very few pupils since Mama's passing. Won't you please come in and have some tea, if only to warm up a bit before you return to your mill?"
John felt badly that he had been absent since Mrs. Hale died, but it hurt too much to be around Miss Hale. Even now, when she was being nice to him, it pained him to know that she would never be his. Still, Mr. Hale was his friend, more like a second father than a friend if he were to be honest, and he had been remiss in his duties.
"Yes, Miss Hale, I will come in to see your father." He was rewarded with a timid, but genuine smile, and they entered the house. Margaret was sure Mr. Thornton could hear her heart thumping in her chest as he was following close behind her.
Margaret called out, "Papa! I have brought Mr. Thornton home with me." Richard appeared on the stairs and beckoned his friend to come on up to the study. Margaret told the men she would see to tea.
When she returned with the tea tray, John stood to take it from her, and she blushed when their hands brushed in the exchange. She made John's cup first, then her father's. After she made her own cup, she sat in a chair closer to John than her Papa.
Margaret looked down at his leather boots that were blotched and wet from the snow. "Mr. Thornton, your boots got wet in the snow. You must take them off and allow them to dry by the fire before you go out again."
John felt gobsmacked! She was speaking to him as if she cared that his feet were cold and wet. He cursed himself that this morning in his haste, he had donned a sock with a hole in the heel.
"Miss Hale, thank you for your concern, but I can only stay a few minutes. I must return to the mill soon. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and payday for the workers. I have work yet to do."
John finished his cup of tea and reluctantly stood to return to his mill. When Margaret saw him to the door, she held on tightly to his hat and gloves instead of handing them to him.
She lifted her expressive eyes to his and after taking a deep breath, she asked, "Mr. Thornton, would you come for dinner tomorrow night?"
"Yes, Miss Hale, I would be pleased to."
Margaret's gratitude lit up her beautiful face. "Mr. Thornton, you cannot know what it means to my father and to me for you to visit our home again. You have been missed. We will look forward to your company again tomorrow night."
She handed him his coat, hat, and gloves, and after he was dressed warmly to brave the cold again, she wished him a good evening. He nodded and turned to go back to finish his work at the mill.
oooOOOooo
On his walk home, John felt confused. Never had he been on the receiving end of such warmth from Miss Hale, and he was not sure what to make of it. What of the man he saw her embrace and favor with such a tender look at Outwood Station?
He needed to know what the man at Outwood Station meant to her. At no other time in their acquaintance had he ever seen her behave as anything other than a proper lady, and her behavior that night did not comport with the Margaret Hale he knew her to be.
John stopped in his tracks, then and there, and the people bustling on the street had to go around him. The Margaret Hale I know her to be. Had he let jealousy and resentment cloud his own sense of reason? His own sense of fairness? She had tried to tell him things were not as they appeared, yet he had refused to listen.
Shame flooded through his body. He loved her, unconditionally and with his whole heart. But…. in his resentment and hurt, he had judged her harshly. Could it be possible that there was another explanation for what he had seen?
The invitation to dinner was a complete surprise, and he accepted the invitation without reservation. He closed his eyes and remembered her smile, but most of all, he remembered her eyes. There was something in them, soft and imploring, asking him to believe in who he knew her to be.
John realized he had been lost in his musing for several minutes, and he resumed his walk back to his office at the mill. Back in his office, he opened the safe and took out a small black box. Inside, there was a beautiful pearl and diamond ring. He had seen it in a store window in Le Havre on a trip before the Outwood Station incident, and impulsively, he had purchased it. He knew that Margaret had rejected him, but at that time, he still held out hope that with time, he could win her love.
Was there reason again to hope that someday, the ring might find its rightful home on her finger?
John placed the ring back in the safe, and went to have dinner with his mother.
oooOOOooo
The next day, Margaret and Dixon worked hard preparing for dinner that evening. It would be a simple meal of roast chicken, potatoes, and vegetables with chocolate cake for dessert. There was a bottle of wine in the larder, and Margaret would serve it with dinner.
Margaret added some festive touches to the mantle and lit every candle they had to give the place a warm ambience. After setting the table, she went upstairs to dress. She would wear a beautiful gown made of burgundy silk that was a Christmas gift from Edith last year. Dixon had drawn her a bath earlier in the day, and Margaret's freshly washed tresses gleamed in the candlelight. Dixon outdid herself with a soft style that was much like the way she had dressed Margaret's hair the night of the Thornton's annual dinner party. Margaret wore her mother's earrings and necklace to honor her memory. Satisfied that she was ready at last, Margaret went downstairs to wait for their guest. For this one evening, it felt nice to set aside her mourning.
oooOOOooo
John was beside himself with anticipation for the evening. Hope had taken hold in his heart. Last night, he prayed and asked God for guidance. He believed that this might just be a new beginning for them. He would never stop loving Miss Hale, he was certain he was not capable of it. He hoped God would answer his most fervent prayer that Margaret would come to love him as well.
He had sent a note to the cheesemonger on New Street earlier in the day to prepare a basket with fresh bread, cheese, jams, and fruit. He brought a bottle of fine wine from the cellar at Marlborough House. He was learning Helstone ways. One did not go for a social visit without a basket. He chuckled to himself. Margaret and her penchant for baskets was one of the things that endeared her to him because she had such a generous heart.
He dressed with great care for the evening at the Hales. John wore a gold waistcoat and burgundy cravat. He shaved closely and applied cologne.
He stopped in the drawing room to say goodnight to his mother before he walked to Crampton.
When he arrived, Margaret answered the door herself.
She had never looked more beautiful to him, and she greeted him with a smile. He handed the bountiful basket to her, which she handed to Dixon, before she took his hat, gloves, and coat.
"Good evening, Mr. Thornton, I am so glad you have come." Margaret held out her hand, and John took it in both of his. He felt her bare skin on his, and he had to control his response to her. He noticed her blush before slowly withdrawing her velvety soft hand from his.
"Good evening, Miss Hale." John felt the force of his love for this precious woman assail his entire body. He could not take his eyes off her and took in every detail of her appearance. There was something regal in her bearing, but there was nothing imperious in her manner. She seemed genuinely pleased to be in his company.
"Miss Hale, if dinner tastes even half as good as it smells, I am in for a treat this evening."
She lifted her eyes to meet his beautiful blue ones, and said, "Thank you, Mr. Thornton, Papa and I have been looking forward to this evening."
John felt his hopes soar. He wondered if he was dreaming. Margaret's mellifluous voice cut through his thoughts, "Please come up to the study with me to see Papa."
Margaret led the way, and John could not help but notice the gentle swaying of her hips as she climbed the stairs. She was so lovely, and he was very much affected by her womanliness.
Richard stood when they entered the room, "John! We are so honored to have you share our humble Christmas Eve dinner this evening. Thank you so much for coming."
"You must forgive my absence these past few months. I have been terribly busy at the mill."
Richard said, "All that matters is that you are here now."
John noticed that his friend had aged in his grief. He felt even more guilty for letting his jealousy keep him away from being a dutiful friend.
He took a seat on the settee and to his surprise, Margaret sat next to him and listened as John and her father talked about the difference between the winter weather in Helstone and in Milton. Everyone agreed that the winter in Milton-Northern was harsh.
Margaret surprised them both when she said, "Late at night, especially after a heavy snowfall, the streets of Milton that I can see from my window look quite beautiful when the snow is yet undisturbed. Last night, I sat on my windowsill, and it was almost like seeing snow in the New Forest. Of course, there are few trees in town, but it is a pleasing sight nonetheless."
John had never heard her speak so kindly of Milton, and he was heartened that she had made the adjustment from her beloved Helstone to Milton.
Richard blinked back tears, and Margaret immediately went to kneel at his side. "Papa, I know you are missing Mama. I am, too."
Looking fondly at his daughter, he said in a voice that was barely audible, "Yes, My Pearl, just now as you were speaking, I thought of how you are so like Maria when she was your age. We were newlyweds, just beginning our lives together. She was idealistic as well and saw the world through much the same eyes as you do."
Richard said tenderly, "Thank you for wearing your mother's jewelry tonight. It is comforting to me that you keep her memory alive, even continuing the Christmas traditions she loved."
John took in the scene before him, and he felt honored to be a guest in their home this evening. He thought back to the first Christmas his father had left this world, and how alone he and his mother had felt. The only bright spot he could remember was seeing Fanny's face, and her two-year-old's delight in the rag doll his mother had sewn from scraps he had brought home from the draper's shop where he worked.
Dixon appeared in the doorway a few minutes later and announced dinner. Richard asked John to escort Margaret to the table, and he seated her. She was wearing a lovely floral scent, a mixture of lavender and roses, a scent that was uniquely her own. John inhaled it, and for just a moment, basked in her warmth before moving to take his own seat across from her.
Dinner was delicious, and as John looked around, he noticed that every effort had been made to make their humble home cozy and inviting from the multitude of lighted candles, the fire gently burning in the hearth, and all the simple touches for the holiday that no doubt Margaret had added. This had to be a sad Christmas for both Margaret and Richard, and yet, life moved on.
He commented on the decorations, and Margaret explained, "Mother and I would go out into the forest to collect branches of Douglas fir to decorate the vicarage and the church with. We always had an abundance of candles. Every year, we bake sugar cookies and ginger naps. In fact, you had some of the Christmas cookies we baked this year when you were here yesterday.
John felt closer to Miss Hale than ever before. He had been given glimpses of her life before she moved to Milton, and the Christmas memories she held dear in honor of her beloved mother.
Richard said, "This is our first Christmas without Maria, and I am finding myself wishing we had been blessed with more time together."
"My Maria got to see Frederick before she closed her eyes for the last time. It gave her such joy, and for that, it was worth the risk of him coming here. My boy, my precious boy, will never step foot in England again, I fear."
John was confused. Who was Frederick? Richard had referred to him as his precious boy. A son perhaps? But no, Richard would have told him if he had a son.
Margaret was speechless. Papa had told Mr. Thornton their family secret and seemed to not realize it.
Margaret gathered her composure and began to speak, "Mr. Thornton, Papa is speaking of my brother, Frederick Hale. He was in the navy some years ago, and the captain of the ship was a cruel man. After another sailor died from his cruel punishment, Fred and some other shipmates put the captain on a boat and set him adrift at sea. Another ship picked Captain Reed up, and mutiny charges were filed against all the sailors involved."
"My brother risked his life to see my mother once more, and it was out of deep respect for your position as magistrate that we kept our secret from you. We did not want you to have to choose between your duty to the Crown and your friendship with our family."
Richard said, "John, I wished very much that you could have met my Frederick. He is a good man, but he cannot stand to see others suffer at the hands of another. He and Margaret are alike in that way. We may never see him again as he is exiled in another country."
John looked over at Margaret and said, "He was your brother."
"As I told you, Mr. Thornton, things were not as they appeared."
"I should have believed you, Miss Hale."
John was reeling. There was no other man. Could it be that her smiles and this invitation were meant to convey that her feelings for him had truly changed?
He had little time to consider it all because Dixon brought a beautiful chocolate cake to the table.
John said, "Chocolate cake is my favorite dessert. I am looking forward to tasting it."
Dixon said, "Miss Margaret made it herself, Mr. Thornton."
John was touched that Margaret would bake dessert for them, and once again, he felt his heart racing with the possibility that her regard for him had changed.
Margaret replenished everyone's tea and then cut the delectable dessert into slices. She served John his cake first, and when she handed his plate to him, their fingers brushed. John noticed that Margaret blushed. His male instincts told him that she most certainly was not unaffected by him.
After serving her father, Margaret cut a small slice for herself and was relieved that the cake was quite good.
John complimented her, "Miss Hale, this is the best chocolate cake I have ever tasted."
Margaret blushed again and thanked him. "I will make it for you again, Mr. Thornton, should you grace us with your presence another time for dinner."
John replied, "I will be happy to accept any invitations you extend, Miss Hale."
Richard cleared his throat, and said, "I second Margaret's sentiments. You are always welcome in our home, John."
There could be no mistaking the warmth in Miss Hale's manner, and the revelation that the man with her at Outwood Station was her brother was an unexpected surprise. The previous two months of angst dissipated, and John felt peace come over him that she had not given her heart to another.
After dinner, they returned to the drawing room. Richard took out the family Bible, and explained, "John, every year on Christmas Eve, we read the story of the birth of Jesus. It is a tradition that both Maria's family and my family passed down to their children. I hope both of my children will continue it when they have families of their own someday."
Margaret looked across at John, and for a moment, their eyes met.
Richard opened his Bible to the book of Luke and began to read. John heard anguish in his voice and his heart filled with compassion. He struggled through a few more lines of the story when he became overwhelmed by grief. Richard handed his Bible to John to continue.
Margaret listened as Mr. Thornton read, and she felt comforted by the soothing and deep timbre of his voice. She cast furtive glances his way as he read, and noticed his beautiful hands that held her Papa's Bible. She closed her eyes and listened to the rich, deep baritone tone of his voice as he read.
She might never again have this experience with him, and she wanted to commit it all to memory. When John stopped reading, she opened her eyes and found him looking at her with such tenderness. Margaret hardly knew what to do with all she was feeling, and she was disconcerted to say the least. She felt herself wrapped in the cocoon of her love for this wonderful man.
"Thank you, Mr. Thornton, for reading tonight."
Richard regained his composure and thanked John, too. He stood and said, "I am going to retire for the evening, but please stay and keep Margaret company, John. Goodnight."
Under Dixon's watchful eyes, John and Margaret sat together in the cozy drawing room for another hour. John asked Margaret to tell him more about her brother. Margaret related to him the details she knew of the mutiny and of Fred's life since that time.
Margaret had only recently discovered the secrets of her heart, and she decided to do what she could to make things right between them.
"I ask for your forgiveness, Mr. Thornton. I have judged you wrongly and have been unkind to you. I regret it all, and I wish for us to start anew, as friends, if you will have my friendship, Sir."
John smiled and took her hand in his, "I will accept your apology and your friendship. However, I must be honest with you and tell you that I wish for more than just a friendship between us. There were things said the day after the riot that were regrettable, but one thing I said was true and still is true, Miss Hale. I will not burden you with my sentiments on the matter, but if we are to start anew, then it must be done without ambiguity."
Margaret smiled and squeezed his hand, "Truth certainly minimizes misunderstandings, and I told you a lie that day that I must make amends for. I told you that I did not like you, and while at that time I did not know what I felt for you, I certainly did not dislike you. I simply did not understand you. I am ashamed of how cruel and unkind I was."
John felt his heart racing, and he was sure Miss Hale could hear it thundering in his chest. "Miss Hale, dare I hope that you could come to care for me, as more than a friend?"
"Yes, John, I already do."
His name on his lips was music to his ears, and it signified more than he had hoped for.
"I must speak to your father tomorrow, Margaret. I will come in the morning."
Margaret said, "Yes, John."
John lifted her hands to his lips and kissed each one.
Dixon cleared her voice and told them it was time for Mr. Thornton to take his leave. Margaret showed him to the door, and he bent down to kiss her forehead before he left.
oooOOOooo
On Christmas morning, John sent a note to the house in Crampton that he would like a private audience with Mr. Hale. Even though he was almost assured of a favorable answer, this was an important step in moving forward with Margaret. Richard gave his permission for a courtship with the intent of marriage.
Just as he did that disastrous morning months ago, John waited for Margaret in the drawing room. Margaret stood in the doorway for a moment. John was dressed in his finest clothes, and she thought he looked well. He was the most handsome man in her acquaintance, but also the most extraordinary.
She stepped into the room to greet him. "John, I trust that your conversation with my father went well."
John smiled at her, "Yes, Margaret, he gave me his permission to ask for a courtship."
Margaret was disappointed, but quickly masked her feelings and smiled at John.
John had not missed her reaction and asked, "Does it not please you, Margaret? Will you not agree to a courtship?"
"Yes, I will agree to it, John. I cannot tell you what I had hoped for instead, as it is not proper for a lady to speak of such things."
John walked closer to her and in a husky voice, he made his request, "Proper or not, please tell me what it is I can do to please you."
She gathered her courage and said, "Ask me again what you asked me months ago in this very room."
John could hardly believe it, but did as his heart demanded him to do, "Miss Hale, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"
Margaret flew into his arms, "Yes, I will be your wife, your very own Margaret, John."
John laid his cheek against hers, and he held the whole world in his arms at that moment. She put her arms around his neck, as she did the day of the riot, and lifted her face to his. He bent down and with great tenderness, touched his lips to hers.
oooOOOooo
John went directly to the mill after securing Margaret's hand. He was overcome with how quickly his life had changed and bowed his head to give thanks for answered prayers.
He noted that the streets were covered in glistening white snow on that glorious Christmas morning. The skies were unusually blue due to the lack of smoke in the air. The mills were closed so that families could celebrate the birth of their Savior and to attend church. There would be a service at his own church this evening, and Margaret, her father, his mother, and the Watsons would sit in the front pew beside him. Following church, they would gather at the Watson's home for a sumptuous Christmas dinner.
That evening at church, the minister had reminded his congregation that the gospel of Jesus Christ was a message of reconciliation and hope, and on this day, John understood the message as he never had before. He and Margaret reconciled their differences, and he had all he hoped for in her love. The loneliness that had plagued him for so many years had lifted and been replaced with unbounded joy.
After dinner that evening, Fanny played the piano and led them in singing one last carol, "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear."
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, from heav'n's all gracious king
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurl
And still their heavenly music floats, O'er all the weary world.
Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing
And ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.
John found this verse resonated with him, and the lyrics touched his very soul:
O ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing!
John took Margaret's hand in his as they sang and knew the loneliness and strife of his life was over. He would look for "glad and golden hours" in his life from this day forth. His rich baritone filled the room as they sang the last verse of the song:
For lo the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old
When with the ever circling years shall come the time foretold
When the new heaven and earth shall own the prince of peace their King
And the whole world sent back the song which now the angels sing!
oooOOOooo
Later that night, John would place the engagement ring that he had bought for Margaret on her finger, and he would hold her in his arms as his betrothed.
Tragedy would once again strike a cruel blow only two months later, but this time, Margaret was not alone in her grief. She and John married quietly only a few days after Richard joined his beloved Maria in Heaven. In her husband's loving embrace, Margret found strength and comfort. When the bitter winter winds blew against their bedroom window, she snuggled deeper in his arms.
Margaret kept her mother's Bible by her bed and it gave her great comfort to read from it every day. Maria Hale had marked several verses, but Margaret's favorite was"1 Corinthians 13:13. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
…Indeed.
oooOOOooo
Epilogue:
There would be decades of Christmases to follow as a married couple with a family of their own. Every year after their marriage, John and Margaret carried on the tradition of reading the story of the birth of Christ from the Bible on Christmas Eve with their own children. John and Margaret cherished each other and the blessings God bestowed upon them, including seven wonderful little Thorntons.
The End
I wish you all abundant blessings. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Annabella Grace
Author's Notes:
I want to thank Mimosa, editor extraordinaire, who generously edits my stories. She is a gem and a wonderful friend!
When I think of John Thornton, I think of a man whose life was one of loneliness and toil until he and Margaret declared their love for each other. I have included a bit of the history of the carol I chose to end this story with as a way of explaining why I think it would have resonated with John.
"Unitarian minister Edmund Hamilton Sears wrote his carol, The Angel's Song – It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, from the well springs of his profound faith in God and the belief that through the centuries God sends his emissary angels to earth with a resounding message of peace. He also wrote his carol while recovering from the depths of profound despair. This carol was written in the United States, 1849."
I also thought it a fitting addition to a North and South Christmas story because the author of North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell, was the wife of a Unitarian minister, and of course, a woman of deep faith.