Chapter 1

John Thornton could not believe how the good luck was bestowed upon him when he was expecting the least. Only today he came to know that the man he saw at the station with Margaret was her brother. He went to Helstone to cherish the memories of the lady he loved so dearly and with all his heart. He was certain of not ever seeing her again, now that he was no more to be her tenant. But her sight at the station and then her fluttered attempt at proposing to spend all her fortune with him caused ripples in his senses and when she reciprocated the love he showed, he almost melted with emotions. There must indeed be God somewhere up there.

Now, she was sleeping by his side, leaning her head on his shoulder and her soft palm on his lap, he could not help admiring her pure beauty and the serene sense of faith that she had on him. There was no hesitation in her demeanour when she decided to join him to Milton. She must love him as dearly as he did to her – he was trying to convince himself. He was extremely tired but couldn't bring himself to sleep out of fear if it was just another cruel dream.

There was a slight jolt as the train stopped at the next station and Margaret woke up. She was still quite sleepy but gave a bright smile and a peck on John's cheek when she caught him watching her intently. Her decision to go with John was as natural as the sunrise and sunset. She was feeling a bit guilty about having vexed Henry with her act, but on her return from Helstone, she had decided to always look at the future and John Thornton was her future. She was thinking of writing to her aunt and Edith explaining her actions later that day, but she pushed all that aside. Her present thoughts were just about her togetherness with the man she loved dearly. Just then she remembered about her business proposition,

'John', she said with a little blush as she called his Christian name for the first time, but he looked at her so naturally as if he had imagined her calling him ever so often in his dreams.

'John, I had presented a business proposition to you only because I didn't want you to reject the money I wanted to offer. I know you are a wilful man and wouldn't have accepted my money if I didn't make it sound as a business matter. When I saw the empty mill this morning, the reality of its misfortune pained me. John, this money was never mine and I still don't own it. I want you to have it all and use it to bring Marlborough Mills back to the peak it was ever before. I want you to own all the money.'

John was mesmerised by the sincerity in her voice and could not help admiring her selfless nature even more. He entwined his fingers with hers and laid his other hand on them and said, 'Margaret, my sweet love, you are the kindest and purest heart I have ever met! As much as I would like to own everything that is yours, I cannot own your money, purely for the sake of my self respect. I had very proudly reached the heights of a mill owner with my hard work and even now when I have failed in my business, I would like to live with honour. I am grateful for your kind offer which is out of your heart I know, but I beg you to keep it to be a business proposition only. This would let me keep my head high and moreover, I would be able to share even more with you as you would be the joint owner of the mill.' He smiled at her as he said that.

Margaret eyes filled with tears of respect for this man who she is now betrothed to. She hid her face in his shoulder and he held her tight. After a few minutes, she raised her head and said, 'John, I have to admit something. The man you saw me at the station that night was my brother, Frederick.'

'I know darling it was your brother, Higgins told me.'

'John, please forgive me for having kept it a secret from you, I was worried about the safety of Frederick. Frederick has a prize on his head as he got himself involved in a mutiny in navy. He is innocent but he cannot clear his name. I swallowed all the insults and told a lie in order to protect Frederick – he would have been court martialled otherwise. John, forgive me for lying to you.'

'No my love, you did right. If I were in your position I would have done the same. You did what was required of the circumstances and with no malice. You never have. I must admit that I felt dejected having seen you in the arms of a stranger so late at night with so much love in your eyes. How I had longed for the same for me. But even if I wanted to, I could never doubt your character or think of you having done anything unmaidenly. You don't need any forgiveness nay you deserve even more respect from me.'

With this he smiled and kissed Margaret on her lips. Margaret felt a sheer sense of relief and laid her head on his shoulder smiling and went to sleep again.

A couple of hours later, the train reached Milton. John collected his belongings and Margaret's bag and helped her out of the train. Once out, Margaret tucked her arm into John's and together they started walking towards home slowly.

'John, would your mother accept me as your wife?'

'Yes she will. She loves me and will accept my happiness with her whole heart. When we reach home, I would only ask you to freshen up whilst I have a word with my mother. I hope you don't mind that.'

'Yes, I would rather that you speak to her in my absence.'

John was also worried about his mother's reaction towards the news he had to give but he did not want to express it to Margaret in order to avoid her from worrying anymore. However, he knew that if explained correctly, his mother would indeed understand him – she always had.

Soon enough, they reached Marlborough Mills. The silence of the mill was painful but it would be back up and running soon. For now, they both had a more urgent issue at hand.

Mrs. Thornton was trying to concentrate on her worsted work but couldn't help worrying about her son. He had been away since morning and hadn't returned yet. She did not care about her last night in this majestic house of Thornton's for she had faith in her son's capabilities. She only cared about her son's spirits. Her thoughts also lingered towards what Margaret Hale said about her son this morning. She admired the confidence of this girl but still hated her for having hurt her son. Just then she heard some foot steps – not one but of two people. She froze – had something happened to her son but then heard her son calling her.

'Mother', John said.

She turned around and saw her son with a strange unexpected smile on his face and relief in his demeanour. Before she could say anything, she saw Margaret Hale appearing from the door, still in the same clothes she had seen her in the morning.

John called Jane and asked her to show Miss Hale the guest room where she could freshen up. Margaret followed Jane out of the room. It all happened so quickly that Mrs. Thornton had no time to react. Once alone with her son in the room, she looked at John with pleading eyes to relieve her of the anxiety. John sat down on the side by her and said,

'Mother, we are opening Marlborough Mills day after tomorrow. Margaret Hale has decided to invest her fortune with me'

Hannah Thornton let out a gasp but busied herself with the worsted work and said, 'Is that why she is here?'

'No mother, there is more', he said now looking down. 'Margaret and I are engaged, we intend to marry as soon as we can.'

This was like a bolt from the blue for Mrs. Thornton and she looked at John with fright on her face.

John not noticing her mother's reaction, still looking down, continued, 'Mother, she loves me and I know your feelings towards her. Please accept her, she is my life, my happiness and nothing would pain me more than the knowledge that my mother detests my wife.'

Mrs. Thornton held her son's face in her hands and said, 'John, I am your mother. I hate her because of the pain she has caused you once. She has been seen late at night with a stranger. How can I trust her to give you the happiness that you expect from her?'

John looked at his mother and said with pain in his voice, 'No Mother! She rejected me because she was made to believe that my proposal was out of circumstances and I only intended to possess her. She didn't know how truly I loved her. Her rejection made me love her even more. The stranger at the station was her brother who lives in Spain and cannot set a foot on this soil because he found himself on the wrong side of the navy. His life was in danger when he came to see his mother, Mrs. Hale one last time and Margaret was only protecting her brother. Mother, I cannot dare question the integrity of this woman. When she found out about the misfortune of our mill, my failure in business she rushed to offer all her fortune to bring back all that was lost. I agree she rejected me when I was the proud mill owner but Mother, more important is that she accepted me even though I am practically penniless. Mother, she has lost all her family in this very town but she still wants to spend all her life here with me. I don't need any more proof of her love and nor should you. There can be no other woman who would love me like her and I cannot live without her. Mother, please accept her.'

John's words brought the reality of Margaret's character to Mrs. Thornton. She admired this young girl now but being not in her nature to show any kindness all she managed to say was 'John, I know you love her, and from your account, I think she loves you too. I bless you both a happy life together.'

John could not suppress his delight and he kissed his mother.

Just then Margaret entered the room, still unsure of what to do or say. Mrs Thornton broke the silence and ordered Jane to set the dinner. Margaret looked at John and understood immediately by the smile on his face that all was sorted. She felt more relaxed now.

At the dinner table, Mrs. Thornton decided to lead the conversation. She said to Margaret,

'So Miss Hale, I understand from my son that you are soon to become the new Mrs. Thornton.'

Margaret looked at her in amazement and then couldn't help but smile when she saw John's mischievous grin. Mrs. Thornton continued,

'Normally, it is quite improper for the betrothed to live under the same roof before the marriage.'

'I understand Mrs. Thornton, nay I was thinking of spending next few nights at a nearby hotel', said Margaret.

'I hadn't finished, Margaret'. Mrs. Thornton continued with authority. 'Considering that you intend to marry quite soon, I would not object at having you in one of our guest rooms for these few days and I think John would agree to that too.'

John looked at his mother with utter devotion and respect and only managed to say, 'You are right mother.'

Margaret was surprised but was only too happy to stay as close to John as possible. She anyway, didn't want to spend even a single night in hotel, but had forcefully convinced herself in doing so.

Mrs. Thornton continued, 'I think Sunday, three days from now is a good day for you to get married. We have to be very quick with sending out the invitations. Would you like to give me a list of your relatives and acquaintances for invitations, Margaret?'

For Margaret, all this was so unexpected. She nodded, 'I have only Aunt Shaw and the Lennoxes to invite and they all live in London. I will give you their address.'

John intercepted just then, 'Mother, please add one more to our usual list of guests – Nicholas Higgins and his family.' Hannah Thornton could not believe what she heard – invite a mill worker to the wedding, but she kept it to herself. It was her son's big day after all. John continued however, 'Higgins is a common friend to both Margaret and I and Margaret will appreciate his presence as much as I would.' He said this looking into her eyes.

Margaret's heart poured with all emotions for this man who she loved more than anything. She nodded eagerly and with a bright smile.

'Then comes the clothes', Mrs. Thornton said consciously ignoring the little eye-talk between her son and his fiancé. 'We need to get your wedding gown and a few more clothes stitched. John, please take Margaret to the drapers tomorrow. For once, John, you should thank Fanny for her sense of spending money. She has built enough contacts with the drapers and tailors that they would stitch a few clothes in no time.'

She said this with her ever so rare smile that even John couldn't suppress a hoarse laughter and Margaret smiled too. Margaret was so relieved with this lightness in the conversation and silently thanked Mrs. Thornton for having taken all the responsibility of organising their wedding. If her mother was around, she would have done it all, may be it was time that Margaret started accepting Mrs. Thornton as her new mother.