Milton Belle

part 3

The park in Milton tended to be a very busy place on fine Sunday afternoons.
An ideal place to be seen together, with no suspicion of impropriety.

This became the first of many such walks. John and Margaret found that each week they discovered more to talk about than the week before.

They talked of books. Margaret was amazed that a man of business could be so widely read. Mr Thornton had devoured all manner of literature from novels and poetry to the works of Plato, Aristotle and Socrates.

In his turn John Thornton was amazed and impressed that in her years of servitude, Margaret had still had the spirit to preserve her sanity, becoming so well read herself.

He liked he fact that she had not been taught to hide her intelligence before a man. Which of the other ladies in Milton, aside from his own mother, could he discuss philosophy with?

As he weeks passed, the strike finally ended, neither as soon or as peacefully as hoped for.

There had been a riot at the mill, when it was discovered that Thornton had brought mill workers from Ireland, soldiers had been brought in to quell the riot.

This Margaret had voiced strong opposition to on one of the Sunday walks. 'They and their children were starving, John. They were not thinking properly. I know you needed to defend the mill, and the Irish workers
but...........', her voice tailed off, she could not voice how much she felt.

John sighed. 'You think me brutal Miss Hale, I know, but I would have you know that I would not bring in soldiers unless in great need. Do you suppose that if those starving men had broken into the mill that they would have talked either to me or the Irish workers? The mill would have been attacked and the Irish badly injured at best. Would you have me take that risk?'

Margaret shook her head. ' I tend to think with my heart Mr Thornton. I cannot always think as objectively as you have learned to do'.

John smiled at her then, not wanting their walk spoiled. He began to talk about the Great Exhibition soon to open in London. 'I shall be going with Mr Latimer to raise finance for the mill. I think that Mr Bell and yourself might enjoy a visit there too'.

Margaret discussed the exhibition with her guardian that evening. Mr Bell smiled at her enthusiasm. 'Would you like to go child?'

Margaret admitted that she would very much. 'Very well then.' Came the reply. 'As it happens I have some........business of my own to attend to in London. I think perhaps we might kill the 2 birds with 1 stone. I will arrange that while I attend to my business you can accompany Miss Latimer and her friend Mrs Watson to the exhibition'.

Even the tedious company of Ann Latimer ( she was unbearably vacuous thought Margaret, and her twittering friend Fanny Watson just as bad), could not spoil the exhibition.

Margaret felt that someone had taken samples of the whole world and brought them here to give London a taste of what lay beyond England's shores. Margaret determined to write down her memories of what she had seen, so that she could talk to her little pupils about it, now that normal lessons could resume again.

She tried to block out the over loud shrieking giggles of her companions as they gossiped, quite ignoring the sights around them.

As they rounded a corner, Margaret heard a by now familiar and most welcome sound. The deep rich voice of John Thornton. He was talking about the cotton industry to a group of Londoners. Idiots all of them he thought, with their ridiculous questions.

They really did seem to believe that making a fortune in cotton could be achieved with a click of the fingers and a little 'dabbling'!!'

He spotted Margaret, and could she dare to believe, gave her his tender smile.
'Ahh Gentleman, Miss Hale here can tell you that things are rarely simple in this industry, and cannot be put into simple black or white. Is that not so Miss Hale?'

The men all turned and stared at Margaret as though she were an exhibit. They were surprised however by the intelligence of her reply. 'Mr Thornton is right, it is a very difficult and young industry. There is a veritable maze of dilemmas to over come'. Another of John's smiles told her that they had begun to understand each other much better.

Some weeks later, back in Milton Margaret became very worried about her Guardian. He had been quiet and preoccupied since going to London.

She put a hand onto his arm. 'Uncle Henry, please tell me what is troubling you. There is no use saying 'nothing' I know you better than that'.

Mr.Bell sighed and invited her to sit with him. My business in London was a visit to my doctor. I have perhaps 2 maybe 3 years left to live'. He took Margaret's hand as her face seemed to fall. ' I count myself fortunate child. I have been able to see you blossom, and I have time to put my affairs in order and make my exit from the world in comfort'.

Margaret tried to swallow the lump in her throat as he went on. 'I have decided to make you my heiress. I will keep aside sufficient money for myself to live out my final months in comfort, and I shall return to South America. You my dear are about to become very rich.

I shall make over the money to you now. It will be in the region of £20,000. Marlborough Mill will also be yours. You may wish to talk with your tenant however, there are some financial problems.

Margaret stood in Mr Thornton's Office. John looked shell shocked. 'Mr Bell
dying?'. Margaret sighed, 'I'm afraid so'. She recovered herself, she must try to be business like now. ' I would be obliged Mr Thornton if you would explain the problems there are with the business to me'.

John invited her to sit down. The strike had taken it's toll, they had not caught up with orders, but this was not the whole problem. Many customers were not paying their bills and debts were mounting.

John had also been under fire from Mr Latimer. In London,Fanny Watson's husband had tried to persuade him to take part in a speculation. Mr Bell had ,taken the offer and on this occasion the gamble had paid off. A large portion of Margaret's wealth was from this scheme.

Latimer was calling John a coward for not joining in. John was devastated to feel that he had let the mill down, his Mother had of course been on his side, and here now was another woman who might just be.

'Speculation is very risky. There are no certainties. If I had taken part and it had failed, Latimer would have been just as angry as he is now. I've seen what a failed speculation can do Margaret. My father took part in one that failed. He could not bear the disgrace and he took his own life. Now I've failed just as he did'.

Margaret could not bear to see his anguish. Forgetting formality she sped around the desk and took John's face in her hands.

'You have done all you could for the business, I hear your workers talk about the hours you have put in trying to sort out the problems, as to the speculation, all gambling is risky, you behaved with honour, refusing to risk the business'.

Wanting desperately to take away the pain in his eyes, she softly kissed his lips.

It was a pebble sufficient to start an avalanche. John pulled Margaret onto his lap and kissed her back, the kiss deepening with the hunger they had both tried to hide for months.

He parted his lips from hers only to softly speak her name, 'Margaret , my Milton Belle. I want to offer you my heart, but I will have nothing else to offer you with it'.

Margaret's lovely face lit up with a smile. Then let me share what I have. I have come into £20,000 pounds, I can think of no better use for it than to use it to run Marlborough Mill, and no one better to run it than you John'.

There was no doubting, this time that his look of adoration was for her alone.

I accept your offer Miss Hale, on one condition,that it is not as your tenant but as your husband'.

His hand was on her cheek. Margaret took it and kissed it.

'Then we have a deal Mr Thornton'.

All was silent in the office, as the Master of Marlborough Mill and his bride to be sealed their business transaction with a long slow kiss'.

TBC