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

Ch. 81 (PG-13): Courting Permission

"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", Ch. 81 (PG-13): Courting Permission, September 9, 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 Ogilvy, Jo Joyner for Fiona/Fanny Thornton Ogilvy, Brendan Coyle for Nicholas Higgins, Graham McTavish as Dr. Cameron Ogilvy, Holliday Grainger for Angharad Ogilvy MacIntosh, Simon Woods for Baird Ogilvy, Emma Ashton as Mrs. Dillard, John Light as Henry Lennox, Tim Faraday as Watson, Gillian Anderson at Carlotta Quint Watson, Jeremy Northam as Dr. Miles Houghton, Gerard Butler as Lord Jamie Ogilvy, Juliette Lewis as Lady Thistle Ogilvy, and Helena Bonham Carter as Brigid Gordon, etc.] [(1) story logo top right] 

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.  As such there will be heartfelt moments of love and sensuality (S)--as well as other dramatic emotions (D), 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:  If Audrey Grace Thornton turning four years old wasn't excitement enough--she had two parties, one at the Mill School and one in the Thornton Manor gardens--her littletwo year old sister Caty fell into the water fountain during the treasure hunt. But Nicholas Higgins quick thinking and quick reflexes pulled her out of the fountain, coughing up water, her top half drenched in water, but happily not permanently harmed.  John and Margaret were beyond grateful to Nicholas as they moved everyone to the chocolate desserts.  However, Nicholas delayed joining them to shyly speak to Nanny Brigid Gordon.  And she surprised him by guessing is interest in her and laying down her terms for their acquaintanceship--if they were both agreeable after a suitable chaperoned courting period, it would be matrimony or nothing.  And Nicholas agreed.

"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", Ch. 81 (PG-13):  Courting Permission

The June 20th Friday evening of the now four year old Audrey Grace Thornton's birthday party, a tired and sleepy household prepares to retire for the night at Thornton Manor.  Little Caty seems none the worse for wear after her falling into the water fountain.  Yet John and Margaret kept her by one of their sides the rest of the day.  And true to his word to Margaret, John has already had the gardeners drain the fountain and flowers will be planted in it the following day. 

John and Margaret have read Audrey Grace and her two year old sister little Catriona a bed time story and kiss them good night  as Margaret places a sleeping Caty in bed and John carries the almost asleep Audrey Grace to her bed. 

John: "My little treasure!" John carries his daughter Audrey Grace into his arms.   "Did you enjoy your birthday today, sweetheart?"

Audrey Grace:  Audrey Grace [(2) right] smiles in looking up at her father.  "I did, Papa.  It was the bestest birthday I have ever had."  Audrey Grace kisses her Papa's cheek then she hugs him tightly around his neck. 

Then John places her in bed next to her sister, Caty--and the girls instantly embrace, with Caty still asleep.

Audrey Grace:  Lying hugging her sleeping sister Caty in their shared bed, a sleepy Audrey Grace holds out her free hand to her parents. "Thank you for my parties and presents, Mama and Papa."