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

Ch. 36 (PG): Fanny's Dalliance with Baird Ends

"North & South:  John Thornton, Love Lessons", Ch. 36 (PG):  Fanny's Dalliance with Baird Ends,   March 10, 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:  Fanny and Baird's fight at the British Museum Charity Ball has caused Fanny to reflect upon their relationship--and what she must do next.

Ch. 36 (PG):  Fanny's Dalliance with Baird Ends

Early on the Friday morning of March 28th, after two days of silence from Baird following the British Museum Charity Ball fight they had about Fanny's indiscreet conversation and Baird being peevish about not using his Scottish noble title, Fanny thinks that Baird must be too upset with her to speak to her.  She is correct--but that is more his failing than hers, were Baird to admit that.  And she does not think they can mend the breach.  They certainly won't if they are not on speaking terms.  So Fanny has decided to return home to Milton, one week earlier than she had planned for this London visit. 

But first, Fanny stops by Baird's sister Angharad MacIntosh's home around 8 o'clock in the morning to return the gown she borrowed and to leave with Angharad the letter Fanny wrote to Baird--for Angharad to give the letter to her brother.  As the Shaw-Lennox carriage patiently waits outside the MacIntosh home for Fanny--with Dixon dozing inside the carriage while she waits--Fanny is ushered into the smaller family parlor in the MacIntosh home where Angharad soon joins her after having come from the breakfast room.

Angharad:  "Fanny!"  Angharad crosses the room and kisses and embraces Fanny.  "I did not expect you.  Have you eaten?"  Angharad smiles at Fanny warmly.  Angharad is on Fanny's side in her misunderstanding with Baird.

Fanny:  "Yes, thank you."  Looking sadly at the kind and sweet Angharad, Fanny [(2) right] forlornly points to the sette.  "I have returned the lovely gown that you loaned me for the ball.  Thank you, it was very kind of you."  Fanny says meekly.

Angharad:  "You looked lovely in the gown, Fanny."  Angharad says sincerely and charitably, noticing Fanny's withdrawn demeanor.  "Why don't you keep the gown?  We arrre almost sisterrrs, afterall."

Fanny:  "Oh no! I couldn't keep the gown." Her eyes tear up.  "It would remind me that we are never to be sisters."  Fanny bursts into tears and covers her face with her lace gloved hands as she cries.    "Hmm.  hmmm.  hmmm."