"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", by Gratiana Lovelace (2013-2014) (Done)

Ch. 20: Some Return Home to Milton, Some Stay in London Part 2

“N&S:  John Thornton, Love Lessons”, Ch. 20:  Some Return Home to Milton, Some Stay in London Part 2 (to middle of January),   January 17, 2014 Gratiana Lovelace

(An original fan fiction copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace;   All rights reserved; Based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novel, North & South and its  2004 BBC adaptation; No copyright infringement intended)

 

[I will illustrate my story using my dream cast from the 2004 BBC production of “North & South”: 

Richard Armitage for John Thornton,  Daniela Denby-Ashe for Margaret Hale, Lesley Manville for Mrs. Maria Hale, Tim Pigott-Smith for Mr. Richard Hale, Sinead Cusack for Mrs. Hannah Thornton, Jo Joyner for Fanny Thornton,, Brendan Coyle for Nicholas Higgins, and Graham McTavish as Dr. Cameron Ogilvy, Holliday Grainger for Angharad Ogilvy MacIntosh, Simon Woods for Baird Ogilvy, and Emma Ashton as Mrs. Dillard, etc] [(1) story logo] 

Author’s Mature Content Note:  “N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons” is a story with mature themes of love and relationships set within a period drama of the 1850’s and beyond.  As such there will be heartfelt moments of love and sensuality (S)--as well as other dramatic emotions, including some violence (V)--and I will rate those chapters accordingly.  If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings that I provide, then please do not read that chapter.  This is my disclaimer.

Author’s Recap of the Previous Chapter:  Though Baird Ogilvy had been tricked into attending his sister Angharad’s tea on December30th and meeting Fanny Thornton--by his sister in collusion with their father--Baird soon relented.  And when Baird discovered that Fanny is actually named Fiona for her Scottish grandmother, his interest grew.  Then as he conversed with Fanny/Fiona, he became charmed by her forthright outspokenness--and her not flirting with him as so many insincere social climbing title hunting debutantes have done in the past.  To Baird, Fanny/Fiona is delightful.   So Baird asked and received permission from John Thornton to write to Fanny--since Baird’s current court case might not allow him much opportunity to see her again while she is in London--as Fanny and the Hales are still visiting Margaret’s Aunt Shaw and cousin Edith Lennox and their family.  But Fanny’s remaining week in London stretches to two or more

“N&S:  John Thornton, Love Lessons”, Ch. 20:  Some Return Home to Milton, Some Stay in London Part 2 (to middle of January)

While John and Margaret returned home to Milton on Jan. 2nd to attend to mill worker conditions and such, Fanny is delighting in her extended stay in London with the Hales at the Shaw-Lennox home.  As is appropriate etiquette, Fanny sent a thank you note to Angharad and Alistair MacIntosh for their kind hostessing of them to tea earlier on December 30th.  And Fanny received one note from Baird Ogilvy.

Baird Ogilvy’s Note to Fanny Thornton dated January 4th, 1851 is a bit stilted but does convey his interest in her:  My Dear Miss Fiona, I was delighted to make your acquaintance at my sister’s home last Monday. However, since my court case must take precedence in monopolizing my time at the moment, I fear that I will not have the pleasure of your company for several days to a week.  Though, this will probably be more of a hardship to me than it is to you.  But I do so hope that we will have a chance to meet again before you must depart for home in Milton.  Until then, I remain your humble servant madam, Baird Ogilvy

Fanny finds Baird’s note both charming and perturbing.  So she writes back to him in her characteristically breezy style--and she also liberally sprinkles some of her perfume on it for good measure.  Never let it be said that Fanny is subtle when it comes to what and who she likes.

Fanny Thornton’s note to Baird Ogilvy dated Tuesday, January 7th:  Dear Baird the Laird, You astonish me with your formality.  Considering I made you laugh most indecorously three times (!!!) when we first we met, I would hazard a guess that we are at least considered congenial acquaintances now--hence the familiar tone of my missive here.  All is formal and polite in Milton--boring!--but in London and meeting you and your sister Anghard and her family, I feel a kinship of spirit with you all that is quite delightful.  My hostess Edith Shaw Lennox will be sending an invitation to luncheon on Saturday next for you and the MacIntosh’s so that Edith’s and their children may play together.  I hope that you will be able to join us.  I will think you very mean if you cannot spare the time even for luncheon.  Besides, you must eat or you will become sickly.  And a sickly red headed Scotsman will not do.  What would your father the doctor say?  So I look forward to seeing you again soon.   Sincerely, Fanny/Fiona Thornton