Milton Belle

Buzzing with pride at what she'd done Margaret ran back towards the mill. Eager to tell John.
Longing to see joy and she hoped admiration light up the handsome face of the man she loved.

She stopped at the gates and composed herself. She was after all to be the wife of the mill owner so an air of dignity was to be expected of her.

Williams the Over looker met her as she entered. ' Back again Miss ?' He raised his cap to her. 'Master's still in th' office'.
Margaret smiled. 'Thank you William's. I'll show myself in if I may'.

John looked up from his papers and a tender warmth suffused his tired face seeing Margaret there looking very pleased with herself.

'All done.' She said. 'Oh John. I'm so proud. Uncle James was being insufferable. Asking me how you would be running the mill with no money. The look on his face when I told him was priceless.' She perched on the edge of the desk and stroked a hand across John's cheek.
His look was all she'd hoped for and more. 'My clever darling. So know he knows he's to have a man he despises as a nephew in law.
No doubt he will tell your Aunt and Cousin Anne so very soon all Milton will know we are to marry.
We ought to tell my mother without delay then. Can't have her hearing it by gossip.'


Hannah Thornton looked from her son to her future daughter in law and back again. Her expression was not encouraging.
' John.' She said quietly. 'I would like to speak with Miss Hale alone if you wouldn't mind'.
John nodded. He kissed his Mother's head and pressed his lips briefly to Margaret's.
'Her bark's worse than her bite'. He whispered.

When he'd left the room Hannah addressed Margaret.
'John has been talking for some time about asking for your hand Miss Hale and I have voiced my concerns about the matter to him. Now I will do the same for you .

My Son is a highly respected man of business and a magistrate. In short he is one of Milton's leading men.

Before these financial problems he was welcomed into the highest social circles in the county and now that they are coming to an end he will be again I'm sure.

His marriage will either help or hinder in this. His wife must be able to hold her own in such company and be able to be a hostess with swan like poise. All her effort behind the scenes and in public serene and gracious.

You Miss Hale are the orphaned daughter of a country parson. You spent 11 years, regrettably, as a servant to those who should have been your guardians.
Dear Mr Bell took you in as his ward as a grown woman and you have spent less than a year in anything like the social circles you would encounter in future as John's wife.................'

Margaret looked at her appraisingly. ' Mrs Thornton. Are you trying to say I am not good enough for John ?'

Hannah gave the closest she had to a smile. ' I am a plain speaking woman Miss Hale. If that is what I meant that is what I would have said.
You are not the woman I would have chosen for John it's true. But you are his choice and I have nothing at all against you personally.

I am just worried for you. I am loathe to see you enter high society unprepared for the snake pit it is. And the inhabitants will not be sympathetic if you do not know their rigid rules. '
Margaret sat up straight and Hannah was impressed that the girl was neither cowed nor weeping.

'I appreciate your concern for my welfare Mrs Thornton. I will go so far as to say I'm touched by it.
It does not change my mind however. Ever since I got to know John I have dreamt of him as
part of my future and I love him. I can promise you I will be the best wife he could hope for.
As to the rules of society. I wonder if while we organise the wedding you would be willing to teach me'.
Hannah looked almost benign. ' Yes Miss Hale I would be glad to'. Margaret smiled with relief. 'Thank you Mrs Thornton'.

Hannah rang a bell to summon Jane the maid. 'Tell Mr Thornton he may come back in'. She told the girl.

John walked in looking tense. ' I trust all's well'. He enquired as though fearing the worst.

'I simply wanted to tell Margaret my concerns for her coping in society John just as I've said to you. And she has asked me to guide her whilst we prepare for your wedding.'

John gave a quiet but joyful chuckle. 'Well that's a relief. I was afraid you were going to try to put her off Mother'.

He felt Margaret take his hand. ' She would not have succeeded had she tried. Having set my heart on you and accepted your proposal I will not be put off by anyone'.

He felt his heart swell at her words and longed to embrace her. Instead he looked at the clock on the mantelpiece.
'I think it time I took you home. You are going to be a busy lady with a wedding to organise. You need your sleep.'

He helped her on with her coat. 'I'm so proud of you and Mother. She's such a forceful personality. I'm pleased when she's able to respect anyone.' He kissed her hand the closest possible to what he wanted to do.

Margaret bade goodnight to Hannah glad that this first hurdle was overcome.
Now she relished the time she could spend walking with her arm tucked securely under John's for the mile and a half long Journey to the house Henry Bell had left to his ward and heiress.

' We must consider what we will do with it when we are married.' John remarked as the house came into sight.

' And I must think of Nicholas and Bess', Margaret replied. ' I won't contemplate sending them away. They've always been so good to me. They're friends more than anything else............You will come in to tell them with me won't you ?' She added as they reached the door.

In reply John pushed open the door and followed Margaret inside.

'Bessie !' Margaret called. 'I'm back !' John took the time for Bessie to arrive to at last claim a kiss that Margaret was happy to give.

' Miss Margaret'. It was Bess's voice from the kitchen doorway. ' And Mr Thornton, Sir.' A little over awed she bobbed a curtsey.

' I'm so sorry I've been out so long'. Margaret told her. 'But things took an unexpected turn. Is your father around Bess we have things to tell you both.'

The 4 of them sat in the parlour while Margaret and John told of Margaret's financial offer to the mill and their subsequent engagement.

Bess threw her arms around her friend in delight. 'Oh Miss..........Margaret. That's wonderful news that is. And you too Mr Thornton Sir. You have very good taste'.

John bowed to her with a smile. 'Thank you Bess.' Nicholas also hugged Margaret. 'I thought you'd set your cap at him when you'd begun walking out . I'm right down glad to be right lass'.

He held out his hand to John. ' Grand news that Mr Thornton Sir'. With a wide grin he shook the Mill Master's hand full of warm good will.
So different to the unemotional responses he would get from the other Masters and their wives John thought.
' Thank you Higgins..........Nicholas I should say or My Lady here will be having words with me.'

Bess fetched tea and they sat drinking together. John drank from his cup and smiled at Margaret over the rim.
'This reminds me of the first time I realised I was falling in love with Miss Hale.' He told the company.
It had been a wet Sunday and walking in the park was unthinkable. Mr Bell had invited John to Join him and Margaret for tea instead.
He had watched the young woman pour tea and pass it to the 2 gentlemen before pouring her own and sitting down. ' I just knew then that I wanted to see you doing such everyday domestic things for the rest of my life'. He told her gently.

Higgins also had a domestic matter on his mind. ' Can I ask what's going to become of Bess and me ? If that's not too forwards of me'.

' It's not 'Forwards' at all Nicholas.' Margaret told him kindly. 'You've every right to wonder. As it happens. John and I need to talk about that. Rest assured that you'll both be alright. Won't they John ?'
She addressed her husband to be. Who would be lying if he denied feeling a rush of excitement at her being so firmly forthright. She would not stand for anything less than her friends being taken the best of care of.
' You have my word too Nicholas'. He answered gravely.
Meanwhile glancing sideways at Margaret with a cheeky 'naughty schoolboy' gleam in his eye. The 'forthright' lady took refuge in her tea cup to hide a blush.

John was normally so serious that when he was in a playful mood he put her in a delightful turmoil.