For Henry Fitzhugh Lee, the choice of Maggie Thornton as a second wife became more and more reasonable the longer he readjusted to the differences in American culture since he had put 23 of his 24 years of service abroad, never coming home except for brief trips to see his family in the Blue Ridge, or his in-laws the Mortons in the rather large but self-contained existence they lived in New York.
Self-contained … that was the thing about Maggie … she was a warm and intensely passionate woman, but also of great emotional and spiritual discipline. She was not moved out of her essential self by every dramatic happening, nor was she in need of the chronic over-stimulation that dominated the culture of the United States in the social media age. She remained Lady Magdalena, at all times, without being cold or stiff or unfeeling.
Maggie was trustworthy with the heart of a quiet man, who said little but with whom every word was of consequence, and who enjoyed a variety of quiet pursuits and a quiet, growing, and considerable fortune.
Every reason why that was important came down the street in Big Loft downtown – a protest of some kind, in which every woman that came by was topless and braless.
Both Captain Lee and his fiance stared, helplessly, as all manner of women of all shapes and sizes chanted as they flowed by, their topless figures appearing and disappearing between the streetlights like a strange kind of strip tease show.
It was impossible to drive away because the intersection was blocked for the time being… Captain Lee recognized his counterpart Captain Stanton on the scene, and Captain Stanton was delighted to meet Mrs. Lee-to-be and give the summary of what was going on.
“They are all on their way to the county courthouse – some trial is going into the night that will set a precedent about changes in family law, and they want to be seen and heard.”
“I think they have probably succeeded in that part,” Captain Lee said.
“I hope it is worth it to them,” said Maggie, “because it is a cold winter night and they are running the risk of becoming seriously ill.”
“No chance – the courts don't work that way, and ever since October and the Downtown Drive-in Lockdown, it's been even more that way,” said Captain Stanton. “Unless you can bring power to bear on how things run through direct action like the lockdown did, Big Loft's officials, who are still angry about being beaten then, will completely ignore you. Protest is played out here.”
“How sad,” she answered, “to not equip one's self to be effective before risking life and reputation.”
And that, in a nutshell, was why Magdalena Milano Thornton had snagged Henry Fitzhugh Lee as her second husband, and did not have to resort to protest in the street to secure resources for her future. She was equipped – for him, as he thought with horror about being the husband, father, or brother who was going to see allllllllll of his female relative flashing in and out of the streetlights all over social media the next day.
Maggie Thornton got a big kiss just before going into the restaurant.
“Thank you,” her fiance said. “Thank you.”