Milton Belle

Part 21

December had come to Milton bringing with it the first snow of the winter. Margaret came back from helping Cecily with her final dress fitting before the wedding, cold of hand yet warm of heart. Just 2 weeks to go and Miss Cecily Harrington would become Mrs Thomas Boucher.

She walked into the Mill Canteen where her husband was already sitting amongst his staff being served something hot and delicious smelling by Bessie Higgins.
“ Hot pot today Mrs Thornton. “ Bessie sad warmly. Always Mrs Thornton around the Mill. Margaret when they were alone.
“ Thank you Bessie that would be most welcome”. Margaret smiled. John beamed up at her, patting the seat beside him. “ Room for a Little'un”. He said softly.
Had the canteen been empty he would have pulled her down for a kiss, but he had to maintain his gravitas with the workers.
They had developed a great respect for their Mr Thornton, since he had brought the Mill back fro the brink of disaster.
He was lauded as far and away the best Mill employer in Milton though he would often joke to Margaret that it would not require much to be better than his peers.
“ Don't be ungracious Darling.“ She had replied to this. “ You've earned that praise, just enjoy it. “
Over lunch John tended to studiously avoid Mill talk. Today it was bliss to listen to Margaret talk about the coming wedding of their friends. The dress, another triumph in Marlborough Mill Cotton by the Malone sisters.
Then the roses. a winter variety from Kew Gardens newly christened ' Saint Cecilia' that had been a gift from Cedric to his nephew and soon to be niece.
Margaret had been curious as to how these roses and the ones Higgins was working on came about.
“ I mean doesn't it take years ? “ She asked puzzled. “ Oh yes My Dear. “ Cedric had said warmly. He liked to see this attractive young woman all animated and interested.
“ If one is going for a totally new variety. Higgins and I however will be using a number of varieties that he and I between us have already propagated. In the meantime Higgins will work on propagating some more. He's been very busy on the quiet has Our Nicholas.
A customer just finds a variety he likes and we organise the name he wants for it. Then copy the blooms “.


The Wedding Day had finally come. In one part of the Harrington's house Thomas got nervously ready with John and his Uncle Cedric beside him.
“ What if she hates me for hurting her tonight “. He bemoaned as John handed him a glass of brandy to steady himself.
“ Do you see Margaret hating me ?” John smirked. “ Just be gentle and courteous with her Thomas. Admit it will hurt a little, but that you'll do what you can to make the pain as brief as possible. “
And he told the wide eyed fascinated young Doctor what he had done to ensure Margaret's suffering was minimal.
“ Above all. Be considerate. She's entitled to enjoy her self just as you are. So take your time. Let her adjust to the new feelings you're giving her. Believe me it's worth the effort in the long term. “
And Thomas did believe him. He saw Margaret's adoration of her husband and hoped that Cecily might look on him in the same fashion.
Well if all it took was a little effort and a lot of love...........He could do that for his Cecily.

In another part of the house Mrs Harrington and Margaret surveyed the final effect of Cecily's outfit.
“ There Lady Harrington. What did I tell you”. Margaret smiled. The Bride's Mama had been suffering all sorts of misgivings over her daughter marrying in a cotton dress made by 3 Seamstresses in Milton.
Lady Harrington had seen nothing wrong in Margaret as the wife of the Master of Marlborough Mill wearing cotton. But for her Cecily she had envisaged Parisian silk and perhaps Nottingham lace.
The girl had been insistent though. She wanted to support the friends who'd been so good to her and Thomas.

Now Lady Harrington saw her however there really was no way of seeing what the dress was made from and admittedly the work was exquisite from the minute stitching to the embroidery and lace.
Margaret beamed at her friend and her Mama. “ I'll go and tell Lord Harrington you're ready.” She said “ and see about the carriages.”


The ceremony went beautifully. Thomas's face a picture when he first saw his bride arrive and had remained so ever since.
The love between the 2 of them creating a warm glow in the cold December air. Even the weather was on their side. Snow lay on the ground and the sun in the crisp air made it sparkle and shine.

In the vestry of the little village church that Cecily had attended from childhood the bride and groom signed the register witnessed by both their parents and by their Best Man and Matron of Honour Mr and Mrs John Thornton.
As they prepared to leave the church, Margaret adjusted Cecily's gown and veil before handing her back with a shared smile to her new husband.
Now she was his, Thomas was quite unable to keep from holding Cecily and kissing her whenever possible of which his wife approved greatly.
The couple dreamily linked arms and exited the vestry followed by their 2 sets of parents and at the rear the Best Man offered an eager arm to the Matron of Honour along with a very heated look that she returned alluringly.

John and Margaret travelled in a carriage back to the Harrington's estate with Cedric and Hannah.
John noted with glee that the older couple were holding hands though trying to hide it. He was grasping Margaret's hand too, though he longed to do more.

He was delighted for his friends today, of course he was. No doubt but Cecily was a beauty and was clearly eager to be a good wife to her beloved Doctor.
But on the minus side John had been deprived of his own lovely lady's company for what felt like an age.
They had made love that morning, then as soon as breakfast was over had been parted to help the Bride and Groom.
In church John had stood beside Thomas and seen Margaret sitting demurely beside Lady Harrington. Happy tears were trickling down those rose petal cheeks and he longed to lick them away.
He remembered his own wedding day and the detoured trip back home. The heated kisses and first caresses he and Margaret had shared.......... Thomas had a arranged the same today for himself and Cecily......
Well. This would mean the couple wouldn't get back to the house before the guests did. Time for a quick assignation then.

As the carriage stopped John helped his Mother down the step, letting Cedric take her and then turned his attention to Margaret .
He put an arm around her waist as he supported her . After so long without any contact this simple gesture shot a wave of arousal through them both.

“ There's a summer house just around there “ Margaret pointed. Her tremulous voice betraying her own feeling of aching need. “ But do we have time before Thomas and Cecily arrive ? ”
John lifted her up and strode purposefully in the direction she had shown.......” I don't think this will take long my sweet. “ He purred. “ And there are plenty of guests for them to greet before us. We can slip back in unnoticed easily enough.”

He was very glad of the thick cotton cloaks that the Malone sisters had made for both Cecily and Margaret.
Along with his own winter jacket it shrouded them both as they sank down onto one of the wooden benches.
They were creating a good deal of heat with their impassioned kisses which became wetter and more erotic every second.
Margaret moaned softly as John's mouth found her earlobe, he nipped the tender flesh with his teeth. whispering words which belonged only to private moments like these into the shell of her ear........
Her heart was pounding. She couldn't wait a second more.
“ Please John”. She whimpered. No more words, as wonderful as they sound in your heavenly voice. You've made me ache so..........”

John could see the desire in her eyes, as much as hearing it in her voice, every word a moan..........She could see how aroused he was. He knew she could and it excited him to know that it excited her too.
So he didn't waste time on more words. The only sound came from the soft pop of his trouser buttons, the rustle of Margaret's skirts as he lifted them and the slide of her bloomers being removed. All accompanied by their 2 sets of breath coming laboured and heavy as he lifted her onto his lap.........A moment of almost painful anticipation and them.........
She mewled and he groaned as they finally gave each other what they had been craving......
As John had said it didn't take long before both were crying out in release....Glowing and satisfied they clung to each other while their heart rates slowed, mouths kissing tenderly.

John lifted his wife from his lap and they adjusted their clothes, carefully checking one another over......
“ Let's get back and greet the bride and Groom shall we ?” John smiled.

TBC