Work Text:
Whatever else could be said about her, Hannah Thornton was a firm believer in avoiding any undue interference in such matters as pertained the most private aspects of married life. What happens between man and wife ought not to be discussed outside the bedchamber, as her own mother had been wont to say, and for the better part of a year, she had scrupulously avoided broaching the subject with the interested parties. Still, she could scarcely ignore the continued appearance of Margaret’s courses, and while she knew her son would not thank her for prying into such a delicate issue, she resolved to discreetly approach her daughter-in-law; after all, the poor lass had no female relatives close at hand that she might turn to for advice, and she only meant to speak as a mother would to her own daughter.
One might, therefore, imagine her surprise when the ever-collected Mrs John Thornton immediately dissolved into tears, several months’ worth of secret anguish pouring forth as if a dam had been broken. Her mother-in-law found herself powerless to do anything but gather the young woman into a stilted and somewhat awkward embrace, as Margaret begged her to tell her where she had gone wrong, and how to go about enticing a husband who showed very little interest in taking what was his by right. This was more that she had ever wanted to know about her own son, but Hannah prided herself in being no shrinking flower, and she immediately resolved to do everything within her power to set things to right, no matter how unpleasant the ensuing conversation might prove to be for her and her son alike.
When John returned from the Mill well after midnight – there had been some difficulties with a very important delivery that was due the next week, and he had thought it better to oversee the matter personally – he was more than a little surprised to find his mother still up and waiting for him.
“Is everything all right, Mother?” he enquired as she busied herself with pouring him a cup of tea. She did not miss the hint of concern in his tone, no matter how hard he strived to conceal it.
“I just wished to speak to you, John. In private.”
His eyebrows shot up at that, his piercing stare never once straying from her face as he guided her to the nearest chair and sat down opposite her.
“Before I begin, let me assure you that I take no pleasure in meddling with your private affairs. I am only worried, as your mother, that you might be lacking the guidance only a father could provide to his own son.”
She watched him frown in some confusion, the cup of tea sitting untouched at his elbow. “Mother, what is all this about?”
Hannah took a deep breath to fortify herself, then plunged headlong. “It has – come to my attention that you might be experiencing some – difficulties, pertaining the bedchamber. Now, I know a gentleman would never own to it, but I feel sure Doctor Donaldson would be most discreet in offering his professional advice, and I’m told there are some remedies that might work for such a – condition.”
John’s eyes were very wide, and there was no mistaking the sudden rush of colour to his cheeks. “Mother, I can assure you that – there is no need – everything is working just as it ought to, or so I’m told.”
She sighed. “I am your mother, John. I know this is a difficult subject, but there is no shame in seeking advice where it’s needed.”
“I do not understand,” he replied somewhat agitatedly, his eyes darting around the room. “Has Margaret – mentioned something that might indicate she is displeased with my attentions?”
How Hannah wished she were anywhere but here, discussing anything but this. Still, she persevered. “Not as such, more that – there has been very little of those of late, or so I gather.”
“I,” he stood up abruptly, and started pacing the room as if he could not keep still a moment longer. “I didn’t give it much thought, to be honest. Besides, I have been led to believe that well-bred ladies scarcely welcome – that is to say, a gentleman ought to impose on his wife as seldom as he can manage.”
“John, no later than this morning I’ve had your wife cry all over my shoulder because she was convinced you no longer desired her. A woman’s – need – might not be as powerful nor as frequent as a man’s, but it does not follow that she wishes to be entirely neglected by the one who is her rightful husband before God and man.”
“Need,” John repeated, somewhat dumbly. “I dread to ask, Mother, but – I fear I do not entirely understand you.”
She stood very upright, somewhat offended that her own son would resort to such tricks. “We were neither of us born yesterday, John. I scarcely need to explain to you why a man is wont to seek out a woman’s bed, be it his wife’s or – otherwise.”
A look of horror spread across her son’s features. “Mother, you must know that I’ve never – I would never – how could you even suggest such a thing?”
“I know you are an honourable man, John. I was merely attempting to indicate that, as a grown man yourself, you may see why no bride would expect her husband to be the one to deny her.”
John was very pale now, and she could see the faintest tremor running through his powerful frame. “I – had no idea – I still do not entirely understand – but it is no matter. I only wish Margaret had told me sooner, that is all.”
“Surely you must understand that it is not considered proper for a woman to approach her husband thus,” Hannah pointed out with some asperity. “Lord knows it was not my place to speak about such matters, but I could not bear to see you go on like this – either of you, for despite our differences, I have become rather fond of Margaret myself.” And I still have hopes to see the blessing of grandchildren within my lifetime, she thought, but did not say.
For the first time that evening, her son’s beloved features relaxed in something close to a smile. “I thank you for your concern, Mother,” he murmured, stepping closer to press an affectionate kiss to the top of her head. Soon after, he expressed his wish to retire for the night, leaving his exhausted mother to contemplate the grim satisfaction that comes with carrying out an extremely unpleasant duty.
As it was, her satisfaction was destined to be magnified tenfold with the happy arrival of Maria Hannah Thornton, scarcely a twelvemonth later. And while her son was never to fully understand her cryptic remarks about a man’s need, he still applied most diligently to seeing to his wife’s continued happiness, as attested by the growing number of grandchildren Hannah was to be blessed with in the years to come.