She stands in the doorway to her fathers room. The candles across the room glow behind her red hair. She looks back at me and I nod to her. She looks back into the room and I hear her father calling her name. She steps in and I walk over to the door. From where I stand I can see the room is almost completely dark, the windows boarded so that no sunlight can creep into the room. Madeline sits in a chair by her fathers bed. He's whispering something to her and she's nodding a little bit.
"Mr. Thornton is here, John." she turns around and I go to her side. I take her free hand gently.
"Mr. Thornton? Ah, good to hear that you've come. There was some business that I wanted to discuss with you, in private." her father says.
"Of course Mr. Teller, but you must rest. You are weak and we fear for your health."
"I see, I thank you for your concern."
For a long while Madeline and her father talk, she makes him laugh and he makes her smile. I sit there, enjoying the smile on their faces, a smile that I have never seen before. It is a smile that to me, speaks of a loving family and the care of a father. Though I do not have one and Ms. Teller does not have a mother I understand that pain of only one parent.
We leave her father to rest, blowing out the candles. Ms. Teller leads me back down the stairs and we both stand in front of the windows watching the clouds.
"Here Ms. Teller," Ms. Dixon comes out from the hallway carrying a shawl over her arm. She gives it to Ms. Teller who only smiles and she quickly wraps it around her shoulders.
"So is this what it is like? A large home, you, your father and Ms. Dixon running about from room to room to help your father."
"Mostly it is us. But we have had a very great deal of guests come here asking about my father and family." she answers. Lightning flashes above and thunder trembles against the ground. She backs from the window and sits on the couch.
"Ms. Teller," Ms. Dixon appears again.
"Shall I serve dinner now?" she asks. I nod to her, "The dining room or shall I bring it to appeal?"
"Anything is fine." Ms. Teller answers her.
"Then I shall bring it to appeal." Ms. Dixon leaves again. Upon her leaving I sit down, beside Ms. Teller and she smiles only slightly.
"Ms. Teller, I want to tell you, I am here for you every step of the way. I offer my assistance to help your father seek the best doctors and care." I offer her carefully, choosing my words. "Anything he needs or you may need, I am more than capable to provide for the both of you.
"I appreciate your kindness Mr. Thornton, you are most kind." she answers with a smile. "I am sure that we can put your 'assistance' to good use here at any time for my father. I am sure that he will appreciate it just as must as I have."
Dinner was brought to us. It was warm and hearty, giving us the strength that we needed during that sad storm. Though Ms. Teller ate little, I did not question her. We retired early, seeing as Ms. Teller seemed wearing and exhausted.
She retired to her room and I stayed up later in the large living room, the fire roaring in the hearth.
YOU ARE READING
North & South (A Fanfiction)
RomanceJohn Thornton. He was tall. Handsome for his age and was not the one for a real social conversation. A wealthy cotton mill owner in the north. Madeline Teller. She was young, beautiful and yet head strong. A clergyman's daughter from the south. When...
