Milton Belle

Part 20

Miss Grace Dixon stood in the parlour of the Marlborough Mill House casting a critical eye around the place as she waited for Margaret.
Jane had informed her that " Young Mrs Thornton' s seeing the Master back to work after lunch. "

What this entailed was Margaret and John at the door in each other's arms. Neither prepared to let go first.
" You shouldn't be so warm and comforting Darling ". John sighed nuzzling his wife's sweet hair. " You should be all cold. Putting me away from you without mercy........But I'm so glad you're not ".

Margaret sighed too. " I'm not sure I could be cold with you for very long. Does that make me a useless wife ?...."
Then she gasped. " Goodness ! I really do need to go. I have a visitor haven't I ?" Jane had already told her of Miss Dixon's arrival and she had forgotten about the poor woman while wrapped in John's entrancing embrace .
John, if he had paid Jane's words any heed at all, was certainly not about to do anything to encourage Margaret to leave his arms to go cold.
Unfortunately she was swiftly back into business mode. Romance reluctantly postponed until later and she gave him one last kiss. Lips lingering adorably . " I love you. See you this evening ."
John kissed her small hand. Mentally dousing himself with icy water. " In answer to your earlier question.....No you're the best wife a man ever had.........Now go and make sure that this Miss Dixon knows you are Mistress here...
And Margaret..........I love you too. "

Then he was off back to the mill and Margaret went through to the parlour.

Miss Dixon beheld a small neat figure entering the room. A brunette with large soft hazel eyes.
Margaret was glad she had tidied herself before coming in. Miss Dixon reminded her of the Nanny that had been taking care of Anne when she'd first arrived in Milton all those years ago.
She looked severe and stern. But just like Hannah, Margaret sensed that there was warmth in her that was being sternly repressed.

" My apologies Miss Dixon. " But she gave no further explanation.
The older woman stepped forwards. " Am I to understand Mrs Thornton that it will be Mill worker's children that I would be teaching here ?"

Margaret sensed disapproval and felt annoyed.
" Do you have a problem with such children receiving an education ?" She forced herself to maintain eye contact and remain drawn up to her full slight yet still impressive height.

The other woman looked slightly abashed. " Well you have to admit it isn't going to be much good to them is it ?" She said trying to keep an upper hand.

But she felt it slip away as Margaret replied " how do we know what they are capable of if we deprive them of the tools to enable them to get on ?
Why should they remain stuck working in a mill if there is a chance for them to do more ?
A large part of my youth was spent amongst the working classes. I cannot see them as lesser beings as my so called peers are able to .
Of course if you feel it beneath you to give them this chance yourself Miss Dixon then I can get someone else who will I'm sure ".


The 2 women entered the classroom and Margaret introduced Miss Dixon to the 10 children there.

This was a revelation for Grace Dixon. What she had expected to find she didn't know.
But it wasn't the calm efficiency of little Mrs Thornton nor the eagerness of the children.
As Miss Dixon came on other days and gradually saw all Margaret's pupils she realised their eagerness and thirst for education.
" The school is purely voluntary". Margaret told her. " All these children want to learn and they parents want them to. So they are all keen and willing. "
It was also amazing just how intelligent some of the youngsters were.

Such a contrast to her previous charges. Given the best education money could buy and yet entirely disinterested.
2 girls who had considered education to be a waste of their time and a brother who as soon as he inherited his Father's estate was intending to pass it's running to clerks.
Leaving him free for the more desirable pursuits of hunting and fishing.

Now here were these children with only the most basic education on offer. Just the 3 Rs. and it was like a gift from Heaven to them.

" What does Mr Thornton think ?" She asked.

Margaret smiled as she recalled John's enthusiasm when Mr Bell had told him that Maggie was to set up a school for the children.
His own education had been temporarily interrupted by his father's death and he had leapt at the first opportunity to resume it.
Many of the Upper and new Middle Classes were fearful and cynical about the working classes becoming educated.
John Thornton however believed that any one who wanted it ought to have the means to better themselves.
Now little Maggie Hale was going to give them that chance. It took him another step on the road to being in love with her.


Nicholas Higgins had proved the theory admirably. No one could have had more humble beginnings and yet this fine man had enthusiastically cultivated his brain and his gardening skill.
Cedric had been so impressed by his cultivation of the Milton Belle rose that he had asked him if he would be able to do more new varieties.

" It could be a grand money spinner old boy ". He said warmly. " These Upper Class Gents and wealthy Business Men wanting to give a grand gift to a wife or mistress, celebrate a new heir and so on.
It would be as good as buying a work of art. I could get you half a dozen commissions tomorrow if you wished ".
Now that the Mill Gardens were coming on well and would certainly be ready to open at Easter, Nicholas could afford to embrace other projects so had loved the idea.
True to his word Cedric had introduced him to potential clients and he was now " Workin' wi Nature ". To confer immortality upon the wealthy.
" Don't under charge 'em either ". Cedric grinned. " More money than sense all of the blighters ".

Grace Dixon searched her soul and decided that letting the working class get an education was no bad thing.
Hardly worse than doing the same for some of the imbeciles walking around with more money than they deserved and power they hadn't the sense to wield wisely.

And so a week after meeting Margaret Thornton she took on 2 out of Margaret's 4 weekly school sessions. A huge relief to the younger woman.
" In fact. Now that you are no longer alone My Dear, why don't we have 5 sessions a week. Provided there are enough potential pupils.

Margaret made enquiries at the Mill and found that there would indeed be enough interest for another session.
" The only problem is finance ". She said with a sigh. I don't want to over burden Mr Thornton's outgoings just as the Mill is beginning to thrive again.......

But Grace Dixon proved to have friends in unexpectedly high places and who owed her favours. Margaret didn't want to ask too many questions and was just grateful when funding appeared.
Oh the blessed relief to now have to only devote 8 hours a week to the school. Miss Dixon soon proved herself to be a worthy partner in the project.
And to hers and Margaret's surprise a potential friend too.

Margaret now threw herself even more heartily into her duties as Mrs John Thornton and also into the Advent Wedding of her friends Cecily and Thomas.