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

Ch. 40 (R-rated, S): Romantic Partners Times Three

“North & South:  John Thornton, Love Lessons”, Ch. 40 (R-rated, S):  Romantic Partners Times Three,   March 24, 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, Gillian Anderson at Carlotta Quint Watson, and Jeremy Northam as Dr. Miles Houghton, 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:  Newlyweds Hannah and Cameron Ogilvy return home to Milton early on Tuesday April 1st to find their living quarters redecorating still in progress and that Margaret has been faint in her fifth month of pregnancy.  Rushing to Thornton Manor, they find her resting comfortably in her husband’s arms. And upon Margaret discovering that Hannah and Cameron are planning to stay at the hotel, she promptly invites them to stay at Thornton Manor.  Cameron is a bit chagrined because he would like privacy with his beloved wife--and John agrees with him. But when Fanny and Baird’s parting is related to Hannah and Cameron, the four of them resolve to be supportive of Fanny at this sad time.  And tonight’s dinner at Thornton Manor with Dr. Miles Houghton--Dr.Cameron Ogilvy’s new medical practice partner who is interested in Fanny--should be an interesting affair.

“N&S:  John Thornton, Love Lessons”, Ch. 40 (R-rated, S):  Romantic Partners Times Three

When Dr. Miles Houghton arrived at Thornton Manor for dinner around 7 o’clock the Tuesday night of April 1st, he had not anticipated that Cameron and Hannah Ogilvy would be present--let alone them staying at Thornton Manor when their intention was to stay at the Milton Mayfair Hotel until the private living quarter rooms renovations in their medical practice building were complete.  So now Miles faces four pairs of inquisitive watchful eyes as he converses with Miss Fanny Thornton before dinner as they look out the window at the night sky. The others are standing or sitting a respectful distance away in the sitting room.  

Trying to find a neutral topic of conversation, Dr. Houghton relies upon etiquette and its standard topics. Everyone is dressed in formal evening wear attire which helps to aid in one acting formally and with reserve.

Dr. Miles: “Miss Fanny, It was so kind of your brother and sister-in-law to invite me to dine en famille this evening. I have missed being with family.”  He smiles [(2) right]  cordially at her.

Fanny:  Continuing to gaze absentmindedly out at the starry night, Fanny replies graciously as is expected of her--but her heart is not in it.  “Yes, John and Margaret are always welcoming of others.”