Speculation

Speculation - Chapter 7

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<TD vAlign=top colSpan=3><FONT size=2><STRONG>Chapter 7 - Homecoming...</STRONG><BR><BR>A light algid drizzle had begun to fall over Milton, mirroring perfectly Mr. Thornton's current state of mind as he made his way down the main thoroughfare of town. He was completely bereft of all thought, his mind losing control of all directions as he swiftly passed Green's Mercantile. With his head bowed down, he felt it would have been a great relief if he could have sat down upon a door step and cried through his misery like a little boy who was raging and storming through passionate tears. Instead he kept moving forward with the desperate hope that this motion would provide relief from his sorely troubled mind and wretchedly aching heart. <BR><BR>No reprieve came,though, as an array of turbulent emotions cascaded upon him like strong waves crashing against a rocky cliff. The onslaught was so severe that no sooner had he mastered one emotion then another would smash unmercifully upon him. One moment he felt frustration, mingled with dread that he might have to face closing Marlborough Mills. Next he experienced fear, along with an utter sense of helplessness for the fate of his dear aging mother and young sister. This in turn, caused a surge of white hot rage to befall him once again at the thought of his worthless brother-in-law and all the pain and suffering he had recklessly inflected upon Milton and the good men who worked so hard for him. And all the while mingled within these chaotic emotions were his endless, torturous yearnings for Margaret. <BR><BR>He so passionately longed just to behold her once more; he would even forsake gazing into her beautiful cerulean eyes if only he could just view her from afar. To have one more moment within his waking life where she walked in his world; to have pure sunshine and joy fill him once again,wiping away the oppressive gloom that constantly weighed upon his soul. ~ <I>Oh Margaret, If I could gaze upon your angelic face one last time and hear your sweet voice, that's all I would ask from this world, no more.... ~</I><BR><BR>Often in former days, before Mr. Hale's death, he would walk down this same street looking upon the myriad of faces, or glance into a shop window as he passed by, even casting his gaze upon building stoops in the hope of catching the mere sight of her enchanting face. That little prospect always made his heart soar and gave him a little glimmer, a tiny shred of hope. Foolish as it was, it gave him something to cling to and live for. In more recent months, he found himself doing this same foolhardy thing again,with always the same outcome, yet he clung to a fraying thread of hope. <BR><BR>Today, the thread had all but unraveled for he couldn't bear even the thought of raising his head, knowing that if he did he would once again search for her beautiful face among the crowd, inside every shop window,and upon all door steps. The agony of not seeing her was beyond his ability to endure. With his head still lowered, he quickened his strides as he passed a carriage pulled to a stop alongside one of the hotels on New Street. He gave no heed to the occupants ascending the stairs of a local establishment. <BR><BR>As Mr. Thornton continued to make his way aimlessly though the crowd, he slowed his strides. He thought he had caught a name whispered on the wind, and that name was ~ <I>Margaret. ~</I> <BR><BR><I>~ No! It cannot be, ~</I> he thought, certain he was going mad. Taking a few more strides, he heard her name called from behind him once again, <I>Margaret!</I> It was louder this time. John paused in his motion once again not lifting his head. Swallowing, he closed his eyes as her name passed almost inaudibility from his lips. His thoughts swirled, but logic finally prevailed for he knew it couldn't be <I>his</I> Margaret, not here, not in Milton. She was hundreds of miles away in London, engaged to her lover; he was sure of it. Yet, it still seemed to him that something was calling to him, urging him to lift his head and turn around; so strong was the desire. ~<I> Could it be? Could Margaret truly be here in Milton standing behind me right now? ~</I><BR><BR>The very thought left him dizzy. Oh, how he longed to see her exquisite face once more as his aching heart cried out for him to look back. However, he could not bring himself to trust his heart, and dared not lift up his head to turn around. His fragile heart was already on the verge of breaking and could handle no more, filled as it was with utterly bleak desolation. The reality of what he would certainly find if he did raise his head and cast his gaze behind would shatter his desperate heart into a million insignificant fragments leaving him broken. Bowing his head lower, a ragged sigh escaped his lips as he opened his eyes and continued on his desultory journey. <BR><BR>Margaret had reached the top step and turned to watch as Henry helped Dixon up the flight of stairs. The light drizzle abated, causing Margaret to throw back the hood of her mantel. She cast one last look over the people making their way up and down the busy street in a final, desperate hope of catching sight of Mr. Thornton. Suddenly, from the corner of her eye, she thought she caught the glimpse of a dark clad figure moving swiftly through the crowd. Her head quickly turned in that direction while her eyes searched the street. <BR><BR><I>~ Mr. Thornton!</I>  ~ She was certain her eyes were not playing tricks; it was him! His fine figure bore him above the common height of men, despite his being slightly bent over and focused; he still had a commanding air about him as he seamlessly made his way through the crowd. Gasping, she raised her hand to her mouth in an effort to stifle her audible cry of his name. <BR><BR>Henry caught the small gasp and turned his attention in the direction in which Margaret looked. All he saw was a myriad of people moving back and forth, up and down the main street. "Margaret, what is it? What do you see?<BR><BR>Margaret momentarily looked at Henry and Dixon. She tried to speak but no words came, and quickly turned back to search the street in hopes of espying Mr. Thornton once more within the swirling throng of people. <BR><BR>"Margaret! What is it that you see?" Henry and Dixon asked in unison, now genuinely concerned. <BR><BR><I>~ There he is! ~</I> As she spotted him near the book store, her heart leapt, for he had paused in his strides. ~<I> Oh, Mr. Thornton, please turn around. I am here right behind you, please look back - look back at me! ~ </I>Her heart cried out, but to her dismay his pause was but for a moment as he continued on his way and Margaret lost sight of him within the crowd. <BR><BR>"Margaret, what is it that you see? Please tell me what it is." Dixon asked again in an agitated, fretful voice. Turning back to look at Dixon, Margaret did the only thing she could think to do. Bolting back down the flight of stairs, past Henry and Dixon, she headed in he direction where Mr. Thornton had disappeared. Their protest rang hollow in her ears as she raced along through the crowd. However, reality soon overtook her as she realized there was no way she could ever hope to overtake him. She must accept that Mr. Thornton was gone. ~~~Her heart ached as it never had before. After so much time, to be so close to him and lose him in a crowd! She was utterly sick with disappointment as she slowly made her way back towards the hotel, and was surprised to find Henry waiting for her. He said nothing but held open the door for her to pass within.<BR><BR>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<BR><BR>After the gloomy drizzle of the previous day, the morning seemed off to a promising start. The rising sun set the Milton skyline ablaze in shades of fiery crimson and burnished orange as it made its slow ascent in the skies over the smoke laden city. <BR><BR>Margaret stood looking out her window at the early morning spectacle and was struck anew at the sight that lay before her. ~ <I>Today! </I>She thought to herself.  ~ <I>This is the day I have longed for. Finally I will come face to face with Mr. Thornton.</I> ~ How fitting, she thought, that the blazing sky so mimicked her emotions.<BR><BR>Having little appetite for breakfast, Margaret quickly returned to her room, anxious to look over the business proposal that Henry had drawn up. Her heart soared! Everything was just as she had wished. Yet, as she sat reading over the documents she was struck with a sudden sense of utter dread. Quickly she stood gripping the papers in her hands as she returned to the window. <BR><BR><I>~ What if he rejects my proposal? ~ </I>She thought. ~ <I>Or worse, what if he still thinks poorly of me after all this time and refuses to see me? Oh,what a fool I am! What was I thinking yesterday running after Mr. Thornton as if he still cared for me? His only concern was because I am the daughter of his cherished friend. I should just let Henry go alone and talk with Mr. Thornton; he would have much better success without me... ~</I><BR><BR>She lowered her head and began pacing back and forth across the sitting room. Her heart ached beyond measure, and tears stared to well in her eyes as she thought of Mr. Thornton and what could have been. She stopped once more by the window, but could not bring herself to look out. <BR><BR>After a moments struggle, she said "No!" Margaret spoke the single word sharply and slowly lifted her chin in proud defiance of her inner weakness. ~ <I>I must see him, I have to see Mr. Thornton; he has to know! Come, little heart we must be brave! He may never know how deeply I regard and love him and might reject my proposal. Perhaps he will refuse to see me, but I must try, even though it may all be for naught. Today he will know that it was my brother he saw and the reason why I had to tell that wretched lie! ~ </I>With renewed determination, she returned to her seat and once again looked over her proposed plan. <BR><BR>A short knock sounded on her door. Documents still in hand, she opened the door certain it was Dixon hoping to persuade her one last time to stay and let Henry take care of business matters with Mr. Thornton. She was surprised to find Henry standing in front of her.<BR><BR>"Henry!" she exclaimed with a small look of surprised delight upon her face, so thankful was she that she did not have to argue with Dixon yet again. <BR><BR>"Good morning Margaret." He politely smiled in return. "Forgive me for intruding, but there is a matter I wish to speak to you about before we go see Mr. Thornton." he calmly explained. <BR><BR>Margaret's response was quick, while her tone held a slight hint of concern. "Why, of course, Henry, please come in. Is there a problem with the business proposal?"<BR><BR>"No Margaret, I believe everything is as it should be." He briefly glanced at the papers she held in her hand. "I hope everything meets with your satisfaction."<BR><BR>"Yes, Henry, everything is - everything is exactly as I wished." Her face softened into a warm sunny grin. "Thank-you for helping me with this. You will never know how much this means to me." <BR><BR>A confident smile broke forth across Henry's features as he replied "It was my pleasure, Margaret. In truth I came to see you because I wish to speak to you on a slightly different matter, if I may." He slightly bowed his head in his gentlemanly way towards Margaret. <BR><BR>"Of course, Henry, please have a seat." Margaret stepped aside, allowing Henry to enter. She gestured to the chintz covered sofa in her small sitting room. <BR><BR>As he entered, he was stuck anew with her singular beauty. He found himself captivated by the radiant, glowing blush that alighted her fair cheeks and shone incandescently out of her beautiful eyes as they met his gaze. <BR><BR>With-out pretense, Margaret took a seat across from Henry and straightforwardly asked "What do you wish to speak to me about?"<BR><BR>"Margaret, these past few months helping you to better understand your financial situation has been one of the most pleasant times I have enjoyed since you returned to London. It has been like old times, and I have always...I mean, I never stopped...What I am trying to say is..." <BR><BR>Margaret was surprised that Henry, always so articulate, was now fumbling, or so it appeared, for his words. She knew she had to step in and say something. "Henry, you have been very kind and patient with me. Because of your assistance I better understand my financial situation. You are a dear friend and I will never forget how you have helped me" A small smile softly glowed in her eyes and tugged at the corners of her mouth. <BR><BR>Unbeknownst to Margaret, that was all the encouragement Henry need to continue. <BR><BR>"Margaret, I have always felt you were an incredibly remarkable woman, but these last few months have confirmed upon my mind and heart just how remarkable you truly are. I had always hoped, had always dreamed that perhaps..." His eyes glowed with admiration as he impulsively reached out and placed his hand over her delicate fingers. "...perhaps you might care for me?"<BR><BR>Margaret breathed in sharply, as if his touch burned her fair skin. Without thinking, she quickly pulled her hand away from his. The rapid movement was enough to halt any further declaration of love from Henry, and he noted that the glowing color of a few moments ago faded from her face. <BR><BR>Pulling his hand back as well he quickly regained his composure. "Please forgive me Margaret, for my impulsive behavior I didn't mean to cause offense. I had hoped that you perhaps had a change of heart and...." His words trailed off, and all at once the pieces of this puzzle of her behavior came tumbling into place. What a fool he was. How did he miss the obvious? Her radiant countenance and sparkling eyes were not because she had grown to love him, they were because of Mr. Thornton.<BR><BR>Margaret quickly noted the look of pain that crossed his face, and knew that she had unintentionally inflicted it. She sought to ease his hurt, saying softly, "Henry, please understand I care greatly for you, just not in the way you hoped. I have always regarded you and still consider you a most cherished friend, but that is all. Henry, I am truly sorry, I never meant to -" <BR><BR>Her words were cut short by Henry's agonizingly heart rending question "That is why you are doing this, - you love him." Gazing deeply into her sapphire eyes he again implored, " You love Mr. Thornton, all of this time, you have loved Mr. Thornton." <BR><BR>Henry's pained filled eyes pierced into her very soul, yet Margaret never wavered. She steadily replied, "I am so sorry, I never meant to cause you hurt, and what I feel or do not feel for Mr. Thornton is irrelevant. I know that he does not care for me. I am doing this because I feel Mr. Thornton can put my funds to better use and give jobs back to people within Milton who desperately need them. If Marlborough Mills can prosper, then perhaps other mills will offer work again to the people of Milton. That is all that I hope for, Henry."<BR><BR>Looking away from Margaret he quickly rose and started towards the door then paused, turning back to look at her again. Quietly she stood up meeting his gaze and for several moments no words were spoken. Finally Henry said, "I think it is a fine and noble thing you are doing, Margaret. Mr. Thornton would be a fool not to accept your offer and your heart." With his last words, Henry's voice was wrought with emotion and his eyes locked upon Margaret. "But, Margaret, if Mr. Thornton is fool enough to reject your heart, perhaps you would consider me...." <BR><BR>The look he saw within her eyes gave him the answer he sought. He averted his glance and lowered his head slightly as he smiled bitterly to himself. "No, of course not a London Barrister would be a poor second for John Thornton Milton, Master and Manufacturer." <BR><BR>He turned to leave, but Margaret's entreaty halted him. "Henry, please don't go, not yet."<BR><BR>Henry turned to look at Margaret one last time. He smiled gently, his composure once again in place. "I hope you will be happy Margaret, where-ever your life takes you."<BR><BR>Margaret was shaken, not knowing what to do; she was not prepared for Henry to depart. "Henry, you can't leave, not just yet. What about the business proposal we are to present to Mr. Thornton?"<BR><BR>He glanced at the papers she still clutched in her hands "This is your proposal. You know it by heart. I have full confidence that you can present it to Mr. Thornton in a way that he will have no problem understanding. Everything will turn out for the best."<BR><BR>He smiled down at her and reached out to gently squeeze her hand. "I wish you all the best, Margaret." With those final words, he turned and left the room. Margaret did not realize that it would be several years before she would see Henry Lennox once more. <BR><BR><!-- google_ad_section_end --></FONT></TD></TR>

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