Roses and Lace
Chapter 16
These were the contents of Margaret's letter. They were written in a neat and even hand, suggesting that she had written at least one draft before entirely copying it over again.
Mrs. Thornton,
I pray that this letter finds you in good health and lifted spirits.
I cannot pretend to truly understand how the recent closing of Marlborough Mills will have affected you, and therefore I can only imagine the tumultuous feelings with which you might have received the news of its reopening, particularly in light of the recent understanding between myself and your son. I am sorry for any discomfort our engagement, and indeed our marriage, might cause you. Naturally I cannot and do not regret the attachment itself.
Madame, you once suggested that an enterprising young woman would seek to find her way into your good graces, the better to secure the affection of your son. Although we have had our misunderstandings, I hope that you might judge my character well enough to believe that I would undertake no such subterfuge. Although, according to my own estimation, I hardly deserve it, I believe myself to be already secure in your son's affections. I will strive to make myself worthy of those affections or otherwise falter solely based upon my own merits. Even if I wished him to be swayed, I do not think that he would change his regard for me even for your sake, however much he respects your opinion.
I am writing to you now because I also respect your opinion and your wisdom. It is not flattery to assert that you are the mistress of Marlborough Mills and one of the foremost matrons of Milton. It is true that such titles held little value to me when I first moved north with my parents. However, I have learned a great deal since that time, and I now understand something of the fortitude and determination that such positions entail. What is all the more to me, I have seen some of the enormous strength with which you love your son. As John Thornton is now one of the dearest people in the world to me, I value your love for him all the more. I know that my mother loved her own firstborn with a similar intensity. I hope that, if we are some day blessed with our own children, I might cherish them as you do yours.
I hope that I might learn from you and that we might grow in respect for each other. I do not expect you to hold any particular affection for me. Although I hope that John might have explained the circumstances of my being seen with a young man after dark, I cannot expect that to completely reverse your low opinion of me. I admit that I was deeply insulted when you suggested that I had committed some improprieties. I had expected you to have a higher regard for my character, not truly appreciating that you were basing your estimation of my character on what little you saw and heard of my behavior. I hardly believe that we shall always agree, but I sincerely hope that I might grow in your estimation the more we come to know one another.
As for a practical matter, I am hoping to sew a few garments for my trousseau using cotton and lace from Milton. I understand that there is precious little time for the construction of any elaborate dress, but I hope that you might advise me regarding the best materials to order in such circumstances.
I imagine that you do not relish a trip to London, especially at such a delicate time for the mill, but I do look forward to seeing you and Fanny and Mr. Watson. I believe that my aunt has already written to invite you. I assure you that she and my cousin Edith are very much looking forward to getting to know John's family, and you will be most welcome here. I do hope that you all will come.
Please convey my warmest regards to John.
Yours sincerely,
Margaret Hale