In Consequence

In Consequence - Chapter 10

Margaret greeted the morning with fresh vitality. The regular pattern of daily life no longer seemed tedious; small incidents that she might have sighed over in days past were met with buoyant resilience. She happily swept the kitchen floor when she discovered Dixon muttering at some spilled flour, eliciting a few kind words from the overwrought servant. After the morning tea had been prepared, Margaret found herself humming as she carried the breakfast tray up to her mother's room.

Mrs. Hale smiled upon her entrance. "I believe your stay in London has done you good, Margaret. I'm certain it has cheered you to see Edith again. You must tell me all about her plans for the babe that is to arrive," she insisted.

Margaret willingly answered all her mother's inquiries as to all the events and activities that comprised the carefree days at Harley Street. And when Margaret was bidden to describe what Aunt Shaw had served for dinner with a Member of the House of Lords in attendance, the dutiful daughter recounted all the details of interest, not forgetting to inform her mother of the great impression Mr. Thornton had made not only upon her family, but upon the distinguished guest.

Mrs. Hale was pleased to hear that her sister had found Mr. Thornton to be a respectable figure in the realms of power. "I think I begin to understand Mrs. Thornton's great pride in her son. I don't believe we had esteemed him properly at first, Margaret, in thinking him a mere Milton tradesman. It seems he is indeed known beyond this city," the frail woman mused aloud.

"I didn't tell you, my dear... Mrs. Thornton payed me a visit on Monday, while you were gone. I thought it was quite kind of her. Mr. Thornton must have told her that I would be in need of company," Mrs. Hale revealed, pleased at this courtesy. "She is not the type to talk endlessly, and I was concerned that we would run out of things to say to one another, but she was very polite and offered her assistance in regard to planning the wedding, since she is very familiar with the goods and services here in Milton."

"Which brings to mind, Margaret," her mother began with cautious tone. "We must settle a date. I fear Mrs. Thornton was anxious to have some idea of your intentions, and surely Mr. Thornton will wish to know when you are to become his bride."

Margaret felt the coils of trepidation begin to tighten in her stomach. For as much as she had warmed to the idea of linking her life to Mr. Thornton's, the thought of setting in stone the time in which she would become his wife seemed frightening. "But you are not well...." she countered weakly.

"Well, we cannot put it off, can we? Besides, I have been feeling fairly well lately," her mother replied, endeavoring to make light of her condition for the moment. "Three months' time would be traditional, but perhaps it would be best to have the wedding earlier," she posed in a wavering voice, averting her eyes from her daughter's scrutiny.

Margaret nodded in helpless agreement, realizing that the issue must be faced at length - and faced squarely.

"Let's reflect on it for a time, shall we?" her mother suggested, eager to dismiss the somber contemplation that had stolen in to hover as a shadow over their happy gathering.

****

Margaret stepped out later in the afternoon while her mother rested. The sights and smells of the streets she walked were pungent and oftentimes sobering, not at all like the quieter streets near her aunt's house in London. But she was grateful to be home where she had the freedom to move about as she pleased amid the teeming life of this busy city. She saw everything around her not as proof of man's intractable depravity, but as a testimony to the tenacity, resourcefulness, and desire for progress evident in all the bustling activity.

She wended her way though the darker alleys to the Higgins' modest dwelling, eager to bring a basket that might help feed the Boucher children and to hear news from Mary.