Margaret fancied Mr. Thornton, but he did not want her, so it seemed. So when we were invited to the Thornton's, she was thrilled. I personally, did not care from him. He was cold. Sadly, father insisted I need to go. Putting on a blue dress, with black lace that covered the top and sleeves. Margaret braided my hair and styled it for me.
I stood next to Margaret and father. But father soon left me and Margaret stood by ourselves. My sister's eyes were caught by Mr. Thornton. I felt sick at the thought of feeling. He came by, bowing his head to us.
"Miss Hale and Mrs..." his words trailed off as he looked at me with gentle eyes.
I took his hand with both of mine and shook. "Miss Dell."
"Miss dell, it is a pleasure to meet properly," he bowed with a slight grin.
Our hands slowly let go of each other. I quickly looked away when a man came up to ask for a talk with Thornton. It wasn't long after that Thornton's sister came over to meet me.
"I am Fanny, Thornton's sister. Who are you, if I may ask." Her hair was a beautiful blonde and her clothes spoke loud.
"I am Miss Helen Dell. I am Margaret's older sister," I replied with a smile.
"Your dress is so lovely. Are you from London?"
I smiled, thinking of James and our home. "Yes, I use to live there."
Fanny took me to sit down while Mr. Bell came to talk to Margaret. "Why would you come here? Do you know the piano?"
"I came for my family, Miss Thornton. And yes, I used to have a grand piano back in London," I replied as she was leaning me elsewhere.
She hopped on her feet, showing off her grand piano. "Please, call Fanny. Can you play me something? I have always wanted to go to London, but mother does not want me to go."
We sat down, in front of the piano. At first, I had no idea want to play, but then came to me. A song of a woman that dreamed to see the world. Fanny stared at me with wide eyes, amazed at how well I played and my voice of singing. But it was all stopped by a knock at the door.
Mr. Thornton was standing at the door. "Fanny, Miss Dell." He nodded.
"I am sorry, Mr. Thornton. Fanny asked me to play, I did not mean to ring the air with something distasteful," I bowed my head, looking away.
He came farther in the room. "No, I did not come because it was bad. I happened to enjoy the wonderful song. I came to say that food is ready."
I felt my face redden at his words of liking my voice.
Fanny seemed to like me more or less for that I used to live in London. At the dinner table, Fanny had me sit next to her. I was across from Thornton. The dinner was fine until a strike was brought up. Works at the mills went on strike for better everything. But the master's dared no give in. Margaret has been passing food and money out to those in need and on strike. My sister, so young and naive only angered the masters, making the workers suffer longer.
Going home Margaret and I learned that mother was sick, from Dixon. Our hearts, heavy from the thought of losing mother. I was to go to the Thorntons tomorrow to retrieve something to help mother.
