Milton Belle

Part 26
The day went well. For the mill workers the picnic had been like a banquet and the chance to breath in clean sweet air was not to be missed.
John had been vastly protective of Margaret, as soon as she looked like being tired he took her elbow and told Cedric and Nicholas that they were going home.
" You've both done the most amazing job here". He told them. "Hard to believe that this garden was once just wasteland ".
" It's been a pleasure ". Cedric bowed politely "and of course it led me to my beautiful bride ". He kissed Hannah's hand gallantly.
Nicholas just blushed a little and said it had been a labour of love.
The tale of Mrs Hannah Thornton now being the wife of Cedric Boucher and happy with it was soon spreading around the town. 'The Owd Dragon' as Hannah had long been known, turning into a contented pussy cat.
" Aye smiling she was". Those in the know where heard to say with him holding her hand as if they were a pair o' young lovers.

3 more months passed and by June Margaret's belly was beginning to swell visibly.
John looked at her at the end of one of the first really warm days and his brow crinkled in concern.
" You have to take things easy My Love. You have 3 more months to go yet........" Margaret looked at him serenely. "Thank you John, but I'm very well aware of how things stand with my condition. As it happens I am thinking about delegating completely at the school. Miss Dixon is brilliant. A much better teacher than I am in all honesty. To be frank I have felt a little surplus to requirement's for a while.
I think it's time for my teaching career, such as it has been to end in favour of a more skilled colleague. "
John kissed her softly. " I must say that's a great weight from my mind. I think something still troubles you though. I can see it in your eyes ".

Margaret nodded. "I'm just afraid that if I leave myself with too little to do I'll end up like Fanny Watson and her cronies......" She cringed and shivered at the prospect of such brain degeneration.
John chuckled softly as he slid his arms around her. "I think you have little to worry about their Sweetheart. Fanny and friends have never been exactly great thinkers. You and Cecily have more brains in your little fingers than they have in all their heads ".

One of Margaret's first tasks of the next day was to speak with Grace Dixon to arrange for her to take over the school fully.
" I'll need to stop when the baby comes in any case but I do think you could run it now easily and far better than I ever did. If you need any help than please tell me and I'll find someone.........I don't want to make things difficult for you ......"
Grace hushed her gently. "Calm yourself Mrs Thornton. " She told the younger woman. "I am more than capable of what you are asking of me. In point of fact I was considering suggesting the self same thing only you beat me to it. If I am in need of help then my brother is quite willing to help me with the children as well as his adult pupils ".
Margaret sighed in relief. "Thank you Grace. You're wonderful. I'm so glad you came to us ".
Grace softened visibly. "It's been a pleasure for me too Mrs Thornton My Dear ".


Today Margaret was going to take lunch with Cecily. She had been entertaining thoughts about her friend for a few weeks now. There was something a little different about her of late. Margaret hoped she might know the cause of it.

The moment she saw her friend however she could feel the joy in the air.
"Margaret ". Cecily gasped, taking her hand. "I shall burst if I don't tell you right away.
A colleague of Thomas came to see me today. Thomas didn't think he ought to do it himself but he confirmed what we've both suspected. I'm having a baby too ".
Margaret was delighted. "Oh darling Cecily. How marvellous. I know how you and Thomas have longed for this, and we'll have our first borns close to each other in age. Oh I'm excited too now".
The 2 ladies had a happy afternoon together. Young Mothers to be now able to share the experience of pregnancy.
Thomas came in for a few minutes not bothering to pretend he had any other reason than to want to kiss his wife.
Margaret hugged him briefly but affectionately. "Thomas. What a wonderful day for you both. "
It was lovely to see the handsome doctor so shining with pleasure and pride. She imagined that Hannah and Cedric would also be beside themselves and decided that she and John must pay his Mother and step father a visit.

Hannah and Cedric were indeed ecstatic at the news. "My word. Fecundity abounds". Cedric crowd raising a glass to Thomas and John.
"Suddenly Autumn and Winter don't seem to be quite so bleak a prospect this year and into next. Births in October and January.
Me thinks you need to get out your crochet hook My Love ". He said to Hannah.

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August came and with it John and Margaret's first wedding anniversary. They had arranged to have dinner with their friends in the evening but for during the day......
John left a note for Jane to give to Margaret with the rest of the post.

My lovely Margaret,
Is it really a whole year
since you promised
yourself to me forever?

I shall enjoy our celebrating
with our friends tonight
but would you grant me
the pleasure of your company
in the Mill Gardens
for a picnic a deux
at 1 O' clock.

Forever yours John, xx


Margaret's heart fluttered joyfully as she made her way to the gardens. Of course John could just as easily have joined her in the house for lunch but this was extra special
and so romantic.

The gardens were thankfully well used but John had timed the picnic to be when the mill workers would be back to their labours.
He had no objection to spending time with his staff, but today for an hour he wanted Margaret all to himself.

As he saw her swaying towards him along the path, her 7 months pregnant body ripe and blooming gorgeously, he was glad of the lack of observers.
His body reacted to her dramatically and he hoped for time to do something about it before having to return to the mill.
Margaret was equally stirred. The sight of her tall, dark handsome husband sitting on the bench beneath one of the gnarled old trees excited her to a thrilling degree.
He stood up as she approached. The simple meal was spread on a blanket and he had provided a cushion and a foot stool to make her comfortable on the bench.
" Hello ". The both greeted each other and kissed tenderly before John settled his wife on the bench, cushion at her back and feet supported.
Then he passed her a slice of the pork pie she was so fond off. They chatted contentedly over pork pie, bread, cheese and fruit and then John checked his watch as he packed the picnic hamper up again.
" We have plenty of time yet before we need to get back to the mill."


He chuckled softly as she blushed girlishly. A married and pregnant woman yet still with a streak of coyness that he found irresistible.
"Do you fear to be alone with me little Maggie?" He asked in his soft tigers purr.
"Oh no John". She answered softly. "In fact I've been thinking about you all morning.
I think you might also like to know, " she smiled kittenishly, " that on this rather hot day I've found it rather more comfortable to leave off my bloomers ".
A slow smile spread across John's face until it became a wicked smirk. Margaret had called him 'John' not ' Mr Thornton ' which could only mean that she had no intention of being meek and submissive with him. Quite the reverse in fact in this latest admission was anything to go by.
"Well then. " He growled quietly. " I look forward to seeing the direction your thoughts have taken you.......Miss Hale ".

In the end a replete, satisfied Mr Thornton dropped his glowing wife at their house a good 10 minutes late. "Well if a man and his wife can't get a little over excited on their wedding anniversary......." He grinned, blowing her a kiss before going back to his office.

They were both dressed and ready for their guests to arrive. As she took John's arm, Margaret licked her lips sensuously. "You might like to know John that I'm still without part of my under wear this evening ".
John groaned. "Wicked woman. How will I keep my mind on food and guests now?"
He smiled at her as they walked downstairs together and Jane announced that Sir Cedric and Lady Boucher had arrived....

They had a wonderful dinner with the people they loved best after each other. Hannah
was looking 10 years younger since her marriage to Cedric. He was undoubtedly the best thing to happen to the lonely widow for many a year.
Cecily was beginning to show signs of swelling and she was certainly enjoying her pregnancy as much as Margaret.
Grace Dixon was invited and would be seated with Nicholas as Bessie would be bringing her ' Young Man' Ted Stephens with whom he'd been walking out for some time now.
John thanked them all for being there saying that so many wonderful things had gone on in the last 12 months amongst their little group.
He smiled around fondly at them all. "I hope you'll all forgive me for focusing on the event that happened 12 months ago today..."
He took Margaret's hand and kissed it. "The day this angel took my name and made me a very happy man. Not content with that she will soon be giving birth to our child ".
He raised a glass to his wife. "I love you "He mouthed to her.

None of the guests stopped late that night for which John was delighted. Margaret had been wanton in the gardens today. He felt himself stir at the memory.
Now he hoped she would still be in the mood to continue to take the lead this evening.
He went to check the gates were locked and returned to find his wife's eyes glittering with anything but meekness.
She reached up and slowly pulled free his tie pin. "You've been a very good boy this evening John ". She purred gently.
Her husband's lovely blue eyes were suddenly as wide and innocent as a school boy as he answered. "Thank you Miss Hale. I do so want to please you ".
" You have pleased me very much ". Margaret replied voice satiny smooth as honey, and she began to slowly walk up stairs in front of him.
"So now, let's go and have some fun while you show me what a very naughty boy you can be ".
As John closed their bedroom door behind them Margaret sat down and rested her feet on the foot stool with a sibilant sigh.
"Would you remove my shoes please John darling? " So John knelt and did as she asked.

He smiled as he saw her skirts raise a couple of inches showing her shapely calves to him.
" Now would you unfasten my dress ". Still silently John moved behind her and loosened the buttons at her back as well as the pregnancy corset she had worn this evening.
So she sighed with relief.

He walked back to the front again as he saw that her skirt was rising further and further still until he saw the tops of her stockings that would normally be covered by her bloomers.

"You like what you see?" Margaret purred, eyes moving up John's long legs to where the answer was obvious.

"Yes Miss Hale ". He replied in a shy voice so unlike his own that she was highly impressed.
"I like it very much ".

"Come and show me how much then. " Margaret held out her arms and John sank to his knees her fabric rustling as he burrowed beneath.

Then there was just the sound of a ticking clock and breathy feminine sighs as Mr Thornton skilfully worked his magic.