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

Ch. 27 (R-rated, S): John and Margaret's Loving Evening and Such

“North & South:  John Thornton, Love Lessons”, Ch. 27 (R-rated, S):  John and Margaret’s Loving Evening and Such,   February 5, 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” and other actors for additional characters:   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, John Light as Henry Lennox, Tim Faraday as Watson, and Gillian Anderson at Carlotta Quint Watson, 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 from the previous chapter:  Having smoothed over the hurdle of Fanny’s objections to Hannah’s wedding attendant dresses in the Ogilvy tartan colors of red, emerald green, or yellow on Monday--including Fanny’s own as a bridesmaid--Margaret feels faint.  Dr. Ogilvy is called to examine her and he confirms what she has suspected--that she is with child.  Now it remains for Margaret to tell John--and then everyone else.

“North & South:  John Thornton, Love Lessons”:  Ch. 27 (R-rated, S)--John’s and Margaret’s Loving Evening and Such

It is only when Baird Ogilvy visits Fanny Thornton in Milton to court her--or when Fanny visits London and also sees Baird--that wedding planning mercifully ceases thinks both John and Cameron.  With Hannah and Cameron’s wedding not quite a fortnight away, everyone needs to take a breather from planning.  And it is one such quiet and peaceful Fannyless mid week night a few days after their final bridal attendant gown fabric selection in early February--and after having seen Fanny packed off on a train to London with the Captain Lennox who had come to collect her for her weeklong visit to their home--that John and Margaret, and Hannah and Cameron can return their focus to their respective romantic partnerships. 

So Wednesday February 5th John and Margaret have Thornton Manor to themselves for the evening--well, and with 12 servants, almost all ofwhom are given the night off--while Hannah has dinner at Cameron’s residence.  Margaret makes she and John a simple meal of soup and sandwiches--eschewing a formal dinner as is their usual habit when they dine alone.  And they eat their dinner in their night clothes (scandalous!), in their bed chamber’s adjoining sitting room--that also serves as Margaret’s dressing room bed chamber.  Afterwards, they sit cuddling together upon their sette gazing at the fire as they chat.

John: “That was a lovely dinner, Margaret.”  John kisses his wife’s forehead tenderly. 

Margaret always sees to John’s comfort and relaxation on working weeknights, to even the smallest details. So much so that their private time together is an oasis of calm and respite, that John appreciates mightily.