Milton Belle

Part 14

Hannah Thornton was not a 'morning person' . She preferred to sit quietly at breakfast and read her post contemplating the day ahead in silence.


It was a treat therefore for John to now have someone with whom to talk over the day's plans. He wanted to know what his Margaret would be doing with the time they were apart and he was warmed to the soul by how she was so interested in the business of the mill.

On this Tuesday morning he was planning to see the last 2 customers still owing money.
The bank's debt had been repaid as soon as Margaret's gift of love had been added to Marlborough Mill's account. The customer's money therefore was owed to the Mill alone which relieved John of a great deal of pressure.
' They've had long enough'. He said firmly between a mouthful of tea and another of porridge.
'I'll be telling them today that they have a month to settle their debts or we will dispense with their custom. It isn't as if we 'd lose money is it ? Margaret nodded. This no nonsense no messing John was very much to her liking.
She'd bled from the heart to see him so down and defeated when it looked like he'd lose the mill.
She couldn't but be glad about her decision to invest her inheritance in the business of Mr John Thornton and her own marriage to the man himself.
So Darling'. He turned to her. What are your plans for the morning ?'

Margaret was planning to visit her cousin Anne. I know we're never going to be friends. She told him. ' But she doesn't deserve how Henry treats her.
I feel awful that I had to tell her what Henry did to me on their Wedding Day. I know I'm not to blame for Henry's actions but I need to know if she's alright.'

John kissed her hand. ' I'd imagine nothing less of you'. He said softly.
Hannah discreetly made her exit. John's other hand had slipped beneath the table and she wasn't comfortable with such flagrant displays of affection . Worse still at the breakfast table.
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Margaret walked up to the Lennox house and nervously knocked on the dark green door.
It was opened by a middle aged, disapproving looking woman.
She let Margaret into the hall and took Margaret's offering of one of the calling cards she had had made up after the wedding.
Mrs John Thornton It sounded so lovely. Would Anne ever feel the same thrill to be Mrs Henry Lennox ?
The servant returned. ' Mrs Lennox will see you now Mrs Thornton'.

Margaret followed her into the drawing room where Anne stood to see her. She didn't look like a happily newly married woman.
Margaret had never been one for looking in mirrors. But for days after her wedding she had been fascinated by her own glowing reflection.
The wonder of John's love and the pleasure they were discovering in private written across every feature. There was none of that radiance in her cousin.

'Anne'. She said barely above a whisper. ' I feel so dreadful about your wedding.
I don't want to make you think I was trying to spoil your day.
I wouldn't have said a word about Henry if it had been the first time he'd insulted me in that way. But it was the third time. it just couldn't go on.......I'm so sorry'.

To her amazement Anne smiled. Sadly it was true but still a smile. The first she'd ever given her cousin.
' I'm glad you told me Margaret. You actually did me a favour. Now I can keep an eye on Henry and his peccadilloes.
But don't let's talk too much about Henry. Will you stay for midmorning tea. Just you and I ?'

Margaret left feeling much more contented. She and Anne were too different to ever be truly close but the animosity was fading.
There had been genuine affection there today. She couldn't wait to tell John about it over lunch.
To the chagrin of Hannah they had been going once a week for lunch in the Mill canteen.Margaret had always loved Bessie's cooking and this way didn't have to give it up completely.

John hadn't yet been on his errand he had been delayed in the shed. So he was going after lunch while Margaret was preparing for her 2 hours in the school room.

Much as she enjoyed teaching the children she very much hoped that Cecily could help her with finding someone to share the load. During the week there was only Wednesday when the school didn't open.
Margaret's duties as a wife meant that she was finding her attentions being grabbed from all angles. She wanted to continue her teaching.
There was a real satisfaction in seeing the progress of her pupils and their pride in their achievements but if she could just do 4 out of the 8 hours a week that the school ran then it would be far more manageable.

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On Wednesday morning John suggested that he and Margaret go to check on progress at
the Mill Gardens.
He'd had a productive day yesterday. The customers had fluffed and blustered at what he'd told them but he was hoping to see their money soon and if not they would find themselves no longer welcome at Marlborough Mill.

News had also been spreading about the cotton wedding dress of Mrs John Thornton.
Now enquiries were coming in from haberdashers and dress makers about whether the mill would be making any more cotton suitable for special occasion gowns.

John had had Margaret's dress fabric made specially for her. No reason it couldn't be done again he told his wife cheerfully.
So it was a highly good humoured Thornton who linked arms with his lady and walked with her to view Nicholas and Cedric's latest work.

The grass was now cut short, tree saplings had been planted and flower beds could be seen dark against the green grass. The whole place smelled of fresh greenness and the tang of manure dug into the soil to feed it in preparation for more planting later.

' Should be ready for use by Easter I'd say'. Cedric said proudly. We ought to have a grand opening make an event of it'.
Margaret threw her arms around first him and then Nicholas. ' You're both wonderful and have the most brilliant ideas.
Nicholas grinned to himself as he noted a twinge of envy on Thorton's face. Still insecure bless the lad.

Now John was walking Margaret to the house Cecily Harrington shared with her cousin. Margaret was to have morning tea and later lunch with her friend. ' And she says she might have a solution for my school room dilemma'. She smiled.
John squeezed her hand. He adored seeing her glow with this child like joy though he loved her the same in any humour.

They were passing down Caxton Street now. John knew it well because it was where Mattie lived. He had often wondered how he would manage to introduce her to Margaret if they ever met.
Some power evidently wondered the same and decided to try him out. For who should come walking down the pavement alongside the cobbles but Mattie.
' Mr Thornton'. She greeted him warmly. 'And this must be your lovely wife'. John smiled with equal bonhomie. ' Good to see you again Matty. It's been far too long..'
Margaret was looking at the woman before her. Trying to stem her feeling of mounting horror. She was beautiful, well groomed and seemed to ooze with worldly experience and charm. Not upper class and probably not even one of the new middle class, she 'd had elocution lessons smoothing out a northern brogue. Non theless she had a grace and poise that seemed effortless. Margaret felt like a gauche child all of a sudden.
John clearly knew her well. But how well ?'
'Darling. ' She was roused from her tortured musings by John. ' Can I introduce Mattie Oldroyd. Mattie this is Mrs Margaret Thornton'.
'Pleased to meet you at last Mrs Thornton. John painted an image of an angel in his description of you. I see he made no exaggeration at all'. Mattie spoke with total sincerity. Then her face dropped a little.
' John. Your poor wife looks highly perplexed. You've told her nothing about who I am'.
Faced now with the prospect of talking about his arrangement with Mattie to his wife John felt tongue tied and his mind went blank.
How could he tell the truth without causing offence ?
But Margaret was looking at him her eyes full of bewilderment. So he ploughed straight in.
' Mattie's an old friend of mine'. He began. ' Before you and I began courting she and I were...........'. He couldn't think of the right word to use. Mattie gave him an exasperated look and was about to fill in the gap for Margaret when the younger woman filled it in for herself and exploded.
“ John Thornton how could you be so cruel. Rubbing my nose in your.....your sordid little secret”. With an effort she tried to pull her dignity together around her.
' I really ought to get to Cecily's house. It would be rude to be late'. John proffered his arm but Margaret pushed it away it. “ I'll find my own way there thank you.”
She ignored Mattie, gave John a freezing glance and walked off feeling more miserable than she had for a long time.
It was plain as the nose on your face that they'd been lovers. What if they still were ?
Margaret knew that most of the mill masters had mistresses as well as wives. This Mattie was so beautiful, gracious and sophisticated. How could John not want to be with her still ?

Mattie gave John a very stern glare. ' I'm not sure how you could have dealt with that any worse.' She reflected.
John was bemused. ' But what did I say ?' He'd told the truth hadn't he ? No lies and he'd thought it best not to mention Mattie's profession to Margaret. So how had he upset her ?
' We ladies tend to, in the absence of important details, fill in the gaps. Sadly this often leads to dreadful misunderstandings. As has happened now.
If I'm not mistaken John I'd say your poor dear wife is under the impression that she 's been brazenly introduced to your mistress.'

TBC