Milton Belle

Hannah Thorton looked at her dresses. Which of them would be suitable for her evening out with Sir Cedric ?
She had been in black ever since her late husband's suicide but she did also have gowns in deepest blue, green and purple. She chose one the shining dark green of a wine bottle.
It was still dark but a welcome change from perrenial black.

The drawing room door opened and she walked in to see her son and daughter in law sitting together. John reading the newspaper, Margaret embroidering initials onto household linen a job she and Hannah were doing together and not one of Margaret's favourite tasks.
They might not be touching but the connection between them was tangible.

They stood up both smiling at Hannah. ' Oh Hannah. You look lovely'. Margaret gasped in delight. Hannah was touched. The girl spoke with the sincerity of a child.
John kissed his Mother's hand. ' Aren't I the lucky one. The 2 fairest ladies in Milton to love me'.
His warmth was real and gladened Hannah's heart but she still couldn't douse a wave of envy at how he eyes constantly wandered to find Margaret. Sharing silent secrets with her that his Mother would never learn.

Jane appeared to announce that Sir Cedric was here. ' Show him in Jane'. John said turning to face the older man as he strolled with his usual good humour.

' Margaret'. Cedric kissed her hand. ' Marriage suits you more every time I see you. You glow like a star, pretty child'.
He shook John's hand and then turned to the older woman.
' Hannah My Dear . I'm honoured. You've come out of black for me this evening'. He kissed her hand, lingering more against the skin than he did with Margaret.
' You should wear that colour more often lovely lady. It brings out your eyes beautifully'.
He grinned rougishly and she felt a tingle of pleasure. The late Edward Thornton had never commented on her eyes. Then he'd never been a man for flirting and complements.

' Forgive me'. Cedric said gently putting a hand on her arm. ' I'm embarassing you. Though I'm very much in earnest I assure you.
Shall we be off then ?' He moved on to spare her blushes. ' Leave the Young Ones to their dining with friends'.

He turned to John. 'Knock some sense into that nephew of mine there's a good lad. It's high time he proposed to that adorable young lady of his'.

He gave his arm to Hannah and they went out together. As the door closed John returned to the sofa. This time laying his beautiful dark head in Margaret's lap as she thankfully put down her latest completed work.
' It's good to see Mother so happy'. John said quietly. 'Though she insists on trying not show it'. He added with a grin.
Margaret's hand was in his hair and he closed his eyes enjoying the sensation as she massaged his scalp. ' I'm not sure how happy I am though about how easily my wife seems able to charm other men'.
He had a dry tone that told Margaret that he was actually rather pleased.
' Ahh but I only have eyes for my husband'. She flirted kissing his forehead, giggling as he sat up one long hand guiding her mouth towards his.
Their increasingly ardent kiss might have ended in their going off to bed if Jane had not come to announce that Miss Harrington and Dr Boucher were here.
The Thorntons were still lovingly tidying each other's clothes when their friends came in.
Thomas gave Cecily a shy grin as they noticed how slightly flustered their host and hostess still were.
Cecily's returned it though her heart ached with longing to have such intimacy with him.
Perhaps John would be able to talk him round.

John normally put up with dinner parties because they were a business and social necessity.
Dinner with friends was totally different and Margaret revelled in how happy and relaxed he was. His smile and laugh melted her from the inside out. His hand resting on the inside of her thigh had her more than ready to continue where they'd laid off earlier.
For now it was time for her to take Cecily to the drawing room and leave John and Tom to enjoy a glass or 2 of port alone.

' So how goes marriage Thornton ?' Boucher asked cheerfully. ' I take it you recommend it ?'
John nodded. ' Highly recommended if you get the right wife as I did. Margaret's a marvel. I don't imagine she'll ever cease to surprise me.'
Boucher smiled. ' I'm certain I've found the right woman in Cecily.....but'.
' But ?' John prompted. ' You love her don't you ?'
' Very much'. Came the reply.
' And Cecily has told Margaret that she adores you. I fail to see the problem'.
Tom shrugged. ' She's never said she adores me. So how do I know'. John put his head on one side. ' Have you told her how you feel ?' The answer was as he expected ' no'.
' I'm worried that a mere doctor wouldn't be a suitable match for her. She's a titled lady. I'm the son of Milton's Mayor. Hardly a social equal. And I have enough connections with the 'Upper Echelons' to know that Father's there won't marry their daughters to an inferior. I couldn't bear the rejection'.

' Just try her'. John suggested. ' From what I've seen of her she seems like a girl who knows what she wants and how to get it'. Tom downed his glass of port swiftly.
' Would it be bad form for me to swap places with Margaret in the drawing room and talk to her now ?'
John patted him on the back. ' Probably but I won't tell anyone.
I'll go and hint to Margaret that I need a word with her. Then you can go in and talk with Cecily'.

Margaret was rather puzzled when John wanted her to leave the drawing room. ' Is something wrong darling ?' She asked in a hushed tone.
John slid an arm around her with a boyish grin. ' Tom wants to 'talk' to Cecily. And I thought he ought to strike while the iron's hot'.
Behind Margaret Tom was knocking on the drawing room door. Then it opened and in he went.
Margaret smiled as the penny dropped. ' Oh I love you Mr Thornton. How romantic of you'.
' I do have an ulterior motive of course'. John's eyes lit up with mischief. ' No doubt they will be in there for sometime. Love and Marriage are a lot to discuss. So you and I will have time to finish what we started just before they arrived'.
Understanding glowed in Margaret's face too. So she grabbed John's hand and all but pulled him into the dining room with her...................

Nearly an hour later a shiningly happy Tom and Cecily returned to the dining room. They were quite oblivious to the fact that their host and hostess were sitting in a haze of post coital fulfillment as they gave the news that they themselves were now engaged to be married.
Margaret cried out with excitement. ' Cecily, Tom ! Oh darlings that's marvellous. The 2 of you are made for each other'. She kissed them both then stood back to let John speak.
' Congratulations and well done'. He told them both. ' It will be a relief to have a wedding to go to where we actually like the Bride and Groom. Unlike the wedding of Margaret's cousin we have to attend this coming week'.

************************************
John comforted himself during the marriage service where Miss Anne Latimer became Mrs Henry Lennox with the memory of himself and Margaret making the same vows just over a month ago.
He couldn't help thinking that there was a notable lack of sincerity. He couldn't detect much love between Bride and Groom. Not much cherishing and honouring in their household. If he was any judge.
How lucky he and Margaret were. He stole a tender glance at her and she smiled back squeezing his hand.


Margaret felt strange as she approached the Latimer's house for the reception. The last time she'd been here it was as a servant.
But she had met John here and made some very dear friends so the memory was not all bad.

The bridal line up had a rather solemn feel to it. Mr and Mrs Latimer and Mr and Mrs Lennox senior were certainly cheerful enough. But Cousin Anne was looking far from the glowing contented woman in love that she ought to have been today. Henry looked bored and was casting his eyes around the room at every remotely pretty girl who caught his eye.
As John and Margaret came up to greet himself and Anne he gave a smile that had Margaret wanting to vanish in a puff of smoke.
' Congratulations Lennox, Mrs Lennox' . John said giving Anne a chivalrous nod and smile and shaking Henry's hand. You must be a very proud man Lennox'. He remarked conversationally. 'You have a very fine Lady there'.
Lennox leered. ' Not so fine as yours Thornton. But we're not all born as lucky as you. Some of us must make our own luck.'
John looked at him suspiciously and moved Margaret on quickly.

After dinner when the dancing began John endeavoured never to let Margaret out of his sight. He didn't trust the way Lennox had been smirking at her. He'd been leering at other ladies too but his looks at Margaret had appeared far more serious.

So far so good. Everyone who had wanted to talk to him had not needed to take him from Margaret's side to do so.
But then Watson had come up with the ridiculous Fanny in tow. He wanted to talk business with John who could hardly refuse without revealing his reason for not wanting to leave Margaret unguarded.
Watson must have wanted Fanny to court Margaret for some purpose because the girl was being unusually sociable tonight.
The fact was Marlborough Mill was beginning to do well again. Thornton had pulled the place out from the doldrums. He was managing to cajole those customers in debt to pay their bills at last and business was starting to boom. The name of John Thornton was commanding respect again. Coupled with the knowledge that he was more in demand as a Majestrate these days.
The influence that the new Mrs John Thornton was having on her husband was being duly noted, so Margaret was likely to find many more Mill Wives wanting to befriend her.
Reluctantly John went aside with Watson hoping that the presence of Fanny would be some kind of protection for Margaret's honour.
Alas. Fanny was a social butterfly. Margaret did not have the kind of gossip and fashion talk she wanted and before long Mrs Watson drifted off to talk with her best friend the Bride.
Lennox had been awaiting his chance with the lovely Mrs Thornton all evening. Trust that airheaded Fanny Watson he thought. As soon as she had moved he slid into her place pulling Margaret's hand to draw her into an alcove with him.
' At last we can be alone Mrs Thornton'. He smiled horribly. Shall we have that kiss we've been promising our selves.
He grabbed her in hands like a vice and forced her lips open with his own. Then he howled in rage as her teeth clamped down hard on his tongue. And an almighty clatter rang out as she kicked hard at a brass plant holder in order to draw further attention to the situation.
People flocked to see what had been happening in the alcove and Margaret took full advantage tearing herself away to find her husband.

' John'. She said firmly. 'I think it time we left'. And she told him what had just happened. ' I'm sorry Anne dear'. She said to her distraught cousin ' but it seems your husband will need a very firm hand from you'.
James Latimer turned on his neice. ' I hope young woman that you would not lie about such things. Accusing my son in law on his wedding day.

' Believe me Mr Latimer'. Margaret was sternly formal to hide her trembling. This gives me no pleasure at all'.
And she explained about the other occasions when Lennox had tried to take advantage of her.
Anne looked at John and he at her. ' I believe her Papa'. She said. Henry's been casting eyes at every woman but me all day..........'
' And he's been leering at my wife in the most ungentlemanly manner'. John growled. 'I've been loathe to leave her alone since dinner for fear of what he might try'. And he gave Watson a foul look for taking him away.
He kissed Margaret's hand. ' Just one more thing I have to do darling and then I think we ought to go'.
He had seen Henry trying to mingle with everyone un noticed.
Let Anne, Thornton and Latimer vent their spleens. Henry thought It would soon blow over. He had come to the conclusion that Margaret Thornton was far too much trouble. There were more pliable and prettier ladies about than her.
It was a shock then to be grabbed by the fuming Thornton. ' What sort of a man are you Lennox ?'
He growled. ' You all but ignore your Bride on her Wedding Day and insult my wife.
And I believe it's not the first time either.......'.
Lennox was ready with a retort but John cut him off. ' Don't go compounding your shame by calling my wife a liar.

He regained his breath and then smashed a fist into Lennox's nose. ' That's for the insult to my wife'. Then he hit Lennox in the belly. ' That's for the insult to your wife'.

Then he offered his arm to Margaret. ' I'm sorry to have had to do such a thing Mrs Lennox.' And he kissed Anne's hand.
'Good evening to you all'. And they left.

' I'll have the law on him'. Lennox finally had breath enough to say. ' I'll bleed him dry in court'.
But Anne was standing over him with a steel in her gaze that had not been there before.
' I wouldn't Henry Lennox unless you want to be involved in a very messy divorce.
Oh yes. I've made it my business to find out about your many exploits and they'll be palstered all over the newspapers. Especially how you even tried it with a married woman on your own wedding day.
If I were you, you'd best knuckle down to be a decent husband to me'.................

TBC