Milton Belle

No sex yet but theyre not married yet of course..............





Part 4



They might have sat there embracing for 5 minutes or 5 hours and not known the difference.

John was in delightful torment as Margaret's soft backside moved artlessly across his manhood.



He parted his lips from Margaret's with a reluctant sigh. ' I could sit here with you for the rest of the afternoon My Love. But there is too much work to be done'.



Margaret slipped from his lap and ran a finger down his long noble nose. ' We have the remainder of our lives to make love in. For now I cannot rest until that £20 000 ceases to burn a hole in my pocket and is put to work.

I will go to Mr Latimer and I will have every penny put into the name of Marlborough Mill. '



John took Margaret's small hand into his large one. ' I'm coming with you. Latimer knows no scruples when he is dealing with money and wrong as that is he will think of you as a green innocent young girl, ripe to be taken advantage of.



As to the money itself £ 20 000 is a lot of money. Perhaps you should put only half into the mill. £ 10 000 will cover our debts and leave us with a handsome profit. Then you will have £10 000 for your own future.

I don't want you to feel any under any obligation to marry a dour, severe Mill Master if you should think better of your decision from earlier'.



He felt himself submerging into the soothing depths of large warm golden eyes. ' You have so much work to do here piled on your desk before my eyes.' Margaret said with silk coated steel.

'If Mr Latimer thinks me ignorant then his guard will be down. He will try to talk me out of letting you stay at the mill that much I know. He thinks you less of a man because you will not speculate and that you have no money to run the business with.

I know that he is wrong, on both counts.



I will put £12 000 into the mill.' If there are still payment's outstanding and orders to catch up on then a good profit will help will it not?



As for my own future Mr Thornton. You do not know how I've dreamt of you these last months since we began walking out together. You are my future. I am more certain of that than I have ever been about anything before.

I think Uncle Henry knows too and guessed that I would want to use part of my money for the mill'.



John's blue hypnotic eyes were making her feel hot and unsteady on her feet. They blazed with pride for her strength and intelligence. Even more so with barely controlled passionate love.



' You should go'. He broke the spell. Voice husky with desire. ' Or I might lose what little self control I have'.



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James Latimer had been interviewing potential new tenants for Marlborough Mill. He had lost any respect he had had for John Thornton after the fool had refused to take part in Watson's speculation. Where then did the man expect money to come from ?



He had just about decided on Wilfred Hamper another of Milton's Mill Masters who had coveted Marlborough as well as his own mill.

A man who had always gambled for fun so when he had the chance to do so for business he had jumped at the chance without any fear of possible failure.



He couldn't say he felt easy at the prospect of dealing with his late sister's daughter as the new owner of the property. What had Bell been thinking of leaving it to a girl ? She had also, rumour said been walking out with Thornton for the last few months. How could she possibly be objective about him?



One of the bank clerks knocked on his door. ' A Miss Hale is here wanting to see you about

Marlborough Mill Sir'.



Latimer was pleased. At least he could talk her into having Hamper as her new tenant more easily face to face.

'Show her in'. He told the young man.



Margaret entered the office and Latimer was amazed at what a beauty she had become. So much like her late Mother.

'Do sit down Miss Hale'. He invited her. ( How polite he is now I'm a rich woman. Margaret thought wryly).



' I'm glad you came today My Dear'. Latimer smiled, not an expression guaranteed to make one feel at ease. ' I believe I have found you the perfect tenant for you mill'.



'What a coincidence Mr Latimer'. The young lady replied. 'I came for the self same reason.

I am inclined to believe we are not agreement of what constitutes our perfect tenant however. Who did you have in mind pray?'



When Latimer told her she squared her shoulders sitting up poker straight.

'Over my dead body Mr Latimer. If you'll pardon my bluntness.

I've seen the conditions in Hamper's mill and they are diabolical. The man himself I cannot stand. I find him crude and ignorant. He believes himself the better of those who work for him but I disagree. He's far from being a gentleman.

No Sir. I will not have that man running my mill'.



Latimer grinned, the unfriendly grimace of a shark about to strike. 'Let me guess who you have in mind Miss Hale. Would it be Thornton perchance?.



'I think you know that it is Mr Latimer'. Margaret replied. he has always been the best master of the best mill in Milton as you well know.

The financial problems were not of his making and he has done his best to resolve them......'



Latimer made to speak but a small hand in a lace glove was raised as regally as a queen to silence him.



' You think him a coward and a fool for refusing to speculate.......But only because the speculation succeeded this time. There are no certainties in gambling. I thought a money man would appreciate that........'



Latimer barged in. 'Most laudable I'm sure Miss Hale'. He was patronising her now and Margaret fought to control her temper.

' May I ask however what this noble gentleman of yours will be running your mill with ?

There is no money there My Dear. Or will you tell me a Leprechaun has shown Mr Thornton his pot of gold or a rich lonely widow has taken him under her wing ?'

He mocked..................

Margaret paused for effect before replying a kittenish innocence masking her relish.



'How clever of you to guess Sir' She answered sweetly.

Rich she most certainly is and if you'll credit the coincidence Mr Latimer she owns Marlborough Mill. She has offered Mr Thornton £12 000 to run the Mill and he has agreed.......

Provided he became not my tenant but my husband.

I believe £12 000 will cover the debts and leave ample remainder for a rainy day will it not.



Now Mr Latimer if you will sort out the paper work I will transfer the funds in question to the mill's account.



TBC