Milton Belle

Hannah woke alone for the last time in her bed at Marlborough Mill. She smiled to herself.
John had said that she might come in and help with the Mill sometimes at least until she and Cedric had sorted out their plans for the future.
John and Cedric had been talking and the older man had made it clear that neither he nor Hannah would be content with a life of unlimited leisure.
" I think we'll both be happier if I can find us some light business venture to work on together............"
Hannah had liked the idea of this. Her only stipulation being that she didn't want to be too far from family.
Cedric patted her hand. "I agree My Dear. We have John, Margaret, Thomas and Cecily. Don't want to lose contact with them. Especially as they're vigorous young people in love, there are bound to be offspring at some point."
She recalled these words as she got ready for her wedding. Cedric would be delighted with the news of the coming Baby Thornton.
She would give it to Cedric, along with Thomas and Cecily who would be the other guests besides John and Margaret.

It was time to get to church. Hannah arrived with John and Margaret to find Cedric waiting with Thomas and Cecily. His face broke into a boyish smile.
"Let go in and get the formalities over with shall we. " He kissed her hand and they led the way in, followed by the 2 younger couples.
The Vicar had already been charged by John not to ask "Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?"
The fact was he knew that the marriage of his parents had been arranged and far from either happy or loving.
When the shock of his Father's suicide had faded, John had vowed that if his Mother ever married again then it would be to a man of her choice.
This meant that she would be the one to give herself.......

So he and Margaret moved to a pew on Hannah's side while Thomas and Cecily did the same on Cedric's side.
The ceremony was quick and with no fuss but all the bride and groom required was to make their vows and be declared man and wife so they were well content.

Now it was off the Cedric's Milton house (now Hannah's too) for a wedding Lunch.
Both John and Cedric stood up to speak letting the couple know how happy they and their wives were to have another happy couple in their midst.
John had more to add of course, smiling at his Mother first who inclined her head in approval.
"I know that this is a day for Mother and Cedric but this is news that is as wonderful for Mother as it is for Margaret and me, so she wanted you all to be told today.
Margaret will be giving birth to the first new Thornton in September. "
Cedric was delighted, hugging his new daughter in law and shaking his Son in law vigorously by the hand.
Thomas gave hugs too, expressing a hope that Margaret would allow him to deliver the baby for her. "Of course". Margaret smiled. "I'll refuse to have any other Doctor there ".
She could see that Cecily, though happy too, was looking rather wistful. "You'll be next darling ". She told her fr3ind softly. "Remember John and I have been married for longer than yourself and Tom. Give it time and we'll be rejoicing with you before too long".

During the next 2 weeks leading to both Easter and the opening of the Mill Gardens, John and Margaret's news spread like wild fire.
Servants talk had set the rumour off around the Mill and off into the town itself.
Mill workers came up to John in the yard. "Best wishes t'thi an Mrs Thornton Sir".
Bess made sure to provide Margaret with something extra nourishing in the canteen. She hugged the Master's wife forgetting her usual rule of not showing that she and Young Mrs Thornton were close. "Margaret. Ah'm so happy for thi.......But Ah'm not surprised given how thi and Mr Thornton are about each other. "
She said this quietly and privately enough so Margaret saw no reason to be shocked.
The passion she shared with her husband was hardly something to be ashamed of after all.
"Is it true what I hear about you walking out with an admirer?" She asked in return.
Bess blushed. "Jem Stephens ". She said. "I used to think he were a waste o'space til Ah got to know him like"..........
Margaret put a hand on her arm. "Then I shall have words with him. Tell him you're a fine treasure and he should take good care of you ".
Nicholas came in to have lunch with his daughter and beamed a smile upon also seeing his dear young friend.
"Well if it isn't the blossoming Mother to be ". He hugged Margaret closely and she heard his voice catch in his throat.
" Eh lass. Ah'm remembering thi as a little frightened child sent down t thy Uncle's Kitchen. Now here tha is, the beloved wife o't Master o' Marlborough Mill and carrying his child.......God bless aw 3 of you ".
Margaret hugged him back oblivious of whether this was seemly. "Thank you Nicholas.
I owe you far more than I can ever hope to repay........" Nicholas put a finger to her lips.
"There's no debts with love and Ah've loved thi as though tha were one o'mi own girls ever since I first met thi ".

He looked up to see John at the door. At first the younger man's face had darkened as if he though Higgins were over stepping the mark.
Then he heard him talking to Margaret like Father to Daughter and laughed within at his own foolishness.
He stepped up and was warmly and guilelessly greeted by the gardener. "Ah were just commentin' on how Young Mrs Thornton's blossomin'."
John smiled as he too sat down to eat. Jealousy forgotten as Margaret's eyes met his tenderly.
" She is indeed. I feel like the luckiest man alive right now. "
There was more he wanted to say to the older man. Yet here was not the right place to his mind.
It would wait the last few days until the Grand Opening of the Gardens.

*************************************

Margaret had done a wonderful job of organising the event he thought as he surveyed the gardens empty for the last time. In just half an hour they would be full of Marlborough Mill workers.
He hoped that staff from the other Mills would be told that it was also there for them too.......
There was a picnic still in baskets ready to be unpacked before serving and there would be games for everyone who felt inclined to join in with.
Cedric had tied a ribbon to the gates for Margaret to cut, before which John would make a short speech.

As 11 O clock approached the mill workers gathered outside and saw the imposing figure of their Master stand up to speak to them.

"This garden was the idea of Mr Nicholas Higgins wanting you to have a green place to call your own.
He and Sir Cedric Boucher have brought it to life and I thank them very much for that.

Looking at you all here I can see amongst you 1 or 2 potential trouble make
this place is for the benefit of all, therefore anyone found defiling it in any way will be letting down the name of Marlborough Mill and will find themselves out of a job. I hope that is clear?"

There was a good deal of muttering. John gave one last imperious glance around, then he stepped back to allow his wife to approach the ribbon scissors in hand.

Margaret smiled around. " I too want to say thank you to Sir Cedric, Nicholas and all their staff for creating thus lovely space for us all.
I hope you will all make full use of it with love and respect...........Now it is my pleasure to declare it open. "

The scissors clicked, the ribbon fell and John escorted Margaret protectively to one side before allowing the gates to open and the crowd to enter.

TBC