Milton Belle

Part 9



After breakfast Margaret bid goodbye to her hostess. ' Thank you so much for having me to stay Lady Townley and for how much I've learned'.



'It's been a pleasure my dear'. Elisabeth kissed her warmly. ' I'm looking forward to your wedding and seeing this inspired dress of yours.

She also kissed John. 'You're a lucky man darling. Take good care of her. She's a treasure

and you must come for another visit when you're married'.



She waved them away as the Townley's carriage carried them to the railway station to catch their train to Milton.



John found them an empty compartment and folded his arms around Margaret as she snuggled close. ' I'm so glad I'm coming home with you'. She sighed as their lips parted from a kiss. ' I had a wonderful time with your Aunt and she's become such a friend.

But I couldn't have borne having to say goodbye to you again'.

The journey passed quickly in a happy blur of kisses and conversation as they caught up on the last month.



John decided not to mention Nicholas plan until the man was there himself to further explain.



A cab took them from the station to Margaret's house. Bess and Nicholas were delighted and hugged Margaret who was just as happy to be with them again.

Still somewhat in awe of John they were warming to him enough to shake his hand.

' You look much happier now Miss is back Sir'. Nicholas quipped.

' He's been looking lost all month'. He told Margaret with a mischievous twinkle and she squeezed John's arm with an affectionate giggle. ' Well I don't plan on leaving you again until absolutely necessary'.



Bess had made a stew for lunch. It was delicious and reminded John of his idea regarding the Mill canteen.

' I don't know if you're father's mentioned to you Bess. But we thought that after the wedding you might like to help out in Marlborough Mill canteen'.



'He did thank you Sir'. She answered. ' And he said you might be asking Miss Margaret about my learning to help in the school'.



John looked at his future wife. ' What do you think ?' He asked her. He got a smile of approval. ' It's a wonderful idea. I might not always be able to do the school and someone to take over would be welcome. As long as Bess is happy with it'.

Bess throwing her arms around her was answer enough.



Next day was Sunday. Margaret went to church with John and Hannah and joined them for lunch. While Hannah asked for a report of Margaret's stay with her sister and seemed coolly satisfied.

Though she reacted rather frostily to John telling her that Aunt Elisabeth loved Margaret's plan for her wedding dress.



After lunch John suggested a walk. Hannah was disapproving until he said that Nicholas and Bess would also be there. ' Margaret's virtue remains safe Mother. He smiled.

' Higgins is very protective'.





John and Margaret having met up with the Higgins father and daughter a look passed between the 2 men.

' Shall we Nicholas ?' John asked and the gardener led the way down the path to the field that he hoped to make into a garden for thee mill workers.

Bess and Margaret both adored the idea. ' It's wonderful. Margaret gushed. It would do the children so much good.'

'All Nicholas idea'. John explained generously.

' But it also needed your agreement to become reality'. Margaret squeezed his arm smiling lovingly up at him.



They continued with their walk. The 4 of them together. Discussing the practical considerations of the project.

' We need some extra financial input'. John told Margaret. ' Buying the land and turning it from field to garden will not be cheap. I wonder if our friend Dr Boucher could get his father to help..............



A gentleman whose acquaintance we made at the ball'. He explained to Nicholas. ' His father is our Mayor'.



On the Monday Kitty Malone came to give Margaret her first fitting of her wedding gown.

Kitty unlocked the little room given over to the use of herself and her sisters.



Margaret sighed and ran her fingers over the still basic garment. Quality was written all over it. ' Kitty. It's going to be beautiful.' She smiled. ' I don't think anyone will be able to tell it's made of cotton.'

Kitty glowed happily. ' Aggie 's sent a sample of the lace she's making Miss'. And she proudly took from her pocket a strip of lace. It had roses alternating with the letters M,J and T entwined together.

Margaret had tears in her eyes. ' Do you ladies have faerie blood ?' She asked. ' Such wonderful work hardly seems possible for mortal hands. After all this. I look forward to seeing Lucy's embroidery at work'.

They chatted whilst Kitty circled Margaret noting which parts of the dress needed taking in, letting out or turning up.



In the early afternoon John left his office and made his way to the surgery of Dr Thomas Boucher.

He was told that Doctor was seeing a patient but would be with him soon.



As the patient came out Boucher's head looked round the door and grinned. 'Thornton !'

What can I do for you ?'

John asked if the Doctor and his father would be able to join himself, Mrs Thornton and Margaret for lunch the following Sunday.

'Business as much as social I'm afraid'. He said. And told Boucher about the garden idea.

' I wonder if your father might be interested in donating some funds towards getting the project started ?'



Boucher thought for a moment. ' Father very unlikely'. He mused. But I do have an Uncle who might be. He's a garden enthusiast to the point of being considered eccentric.

If I might bring him to dinner instead you may get your money.'

He looked a little bashful but made himself continue. ' Do you remember Miss Hale's friend Miss Harrington that I met at the ball ?' John replied that he did.

' Well'. Boucher went on. ' I 've been hoping to see her again but we have been struggling to find a time when a chaperone was available for her. Might Miss Hale be able to ask her to stay with her this weekend?' John smiled knowingly.

' And what could be more natural than an invitation to dine at the home of Margaret's fiancé. To which a certain Dr Boucher has also been asked....................

I think such an idea will greatly appeal to Margaret'. Asking her will give me a fine excuse to pay her a visit before returning to the Mill'.



Margaret, who hated to be idle was helping Bess to polish Mr Bell's silver ( she would be rather glad to sell it after the wedding).



When Bess when to answer the door and announced that it was Mr Thornton her Mistress jumped up in delight.



' Only a quick visit I'm afraid My Love'. John told her as they shared a kiss. He told her of his mission to Dr Boucher and the request the Doctor had for her.

' Oh darling Cecily. She'll be so happy'. Margaret was in ecstasy. 'She so hoped to see Dr Boucher again........You dear lovely man inviting her to Sunday lunch too'.



She kissed John again and he chuckled. ' No more you little temptress. I really do have to return to work and you're reminding me of all the things I'd rather be doing'.

( Steady.....He told his body that was reacting spectacularly to Margaret's nearness. Just a few more weeks to wait).





Margaret wrote her letter to Cecily who must have penned her reply to accept her friend's invitation almost as soon as she'd finished reading it.



She arrived in Milton on Saturday morning to be met by Margaret and a hansom cab.

The ladies had a quiet afternoon together taking a walk in the sunshine ( hats firmly on) and chatting companionably.

That evening, they dined at Margaret's house in the company of Mr Thornton and Dr Boucher.

John and Margaret exchanged satisfied smiles at the delight of the other couple as they met again.



On Sunday morning Margaret and Cecily went to church and met up with Mr Thornton and his mother. Dr Boucher was also there with his Uncle and the party left all together to go to the Thornton residence.



Sir Cedric Boucher QC turned out to be a highly intelligent gentleman of enormous charm and considerable wit.

He certainly had an eye for the ladies flirting unashamedly with Hannah about which even she could not keep up a pretence of disapproval for long.



The garden idea fired his excitement a good deal. ' Just what I've been saying the mills need isn't it just Tom ?' He asked his nephew.

' But my bone headed brother and his Mill master cronies found the idea laughable. When I heard that young Thornton here had the sense not to get involved with Watson's fool schemes I should have realised he had the sense for this too.'

His joy was crowned by the knowledge that the gardener who was to lead the project was none other than the propagator of the Milton Belle.



'Then it is serendipity that we should meet'. He said as merry as a school boy. 'I'm sure he and I can work together most happily.'



He was also rather taken with the young lady his nephew was clearly most interested in. The feeling was evidently mutual and as he bid his thanks and made his farewells he gave her his charming smile. 'I'm sure we will be meeting again my dear. If my nephew has the sense he was born with'.

Hannah had certainly become just as taken with Sir Cedric. John swore he saw a definite blush on his mother's cheeks as the gentleman kissed her hand at parting.

he looked at Margaret and raised an eyebrow making her giggle. ' I think we need to invite Dr Boucher and Sir Cedric to the wedding or Mother and Miss Harrington will be most displeased.

Of course both men were happy to accept.





Higgins was over the moon that his garden project was finally to be realised. Sir Cedric came himself to see him and the men chatted like old friends as like minded enthusiasts can.



Cedric brought some plant cuttings that he thought Higgins might like to use in the new garden.

Higgins looked at him with a chuckle. ' I think I can guess what you would like yourself Sir.

Take a cutting with pleasure'.

Sir Cedric patted the younger man's arm. ' Good man Higgins. You've read my mind. The Milton Belle is a beauty indeed. Rest assured that I shall not be sharing it with anyone.



'They'll be all over the place at the wedding'. Higgins told him. ' I'll have to watch for anyone trying to take them'.



Cedric grinned roguishly. ' I think between us you and I can protect them'.



TBC