“N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons”, Ch. 83 (PG-13): On Bended Knee, September 19, 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: With John and Margaret Thornton playing matchmakers, the weekend following Audrey Grace Thornton’s fourth birthday, Nicholas Higgins begins his courtship of Nanny Brigid Gordon with a picnic after giving her and the Thornton’s a tour of his overseer cottage home on Saturday, June 28th, 1855. And Brigid and Nicholas share their first kiss, chastely, on her cheek and they hold hands. A good beginning.
“N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons”, Ch. 83 (PG-13): On Bended Knee
What began as shy courtship on Nicholas Higgins and Brigid Gordon’s parts in late June 1855, develops into a blossoming friendship over the July and August Summer months with picnics and concerts and other outings--most including Brigid’s baby boy Arthur. Now a strapping eleven month old, Arthur has quite taken to Nicholas--as Nicholas has taken to Arthur as the son he never had, but now Nicholas has the chance to parent when he and Brigid are married. Marriage is the goal of courtship. Nicholas just has to work up the courage to ask Brigid for her hand in marriage.
John Thornton sits reviewing some figures in his Marlborough Mills office [(2) right] this blustery and overcast midday of Saturday, August 30, 1855 after everyone has left for the half work day. Nicholas Higgins approaches Thornton’s Mill open office door, twisting his cap in his hand. Nicholas pauses at the doorway.
John: Without looking up to see who approaches him--the footfalls on the wooden floor timbers gave Higgins away--and John observes. “Nicholas, if you twist your cap once more it might disintegrate in your hands.” John smiles and looks up to see a sheepish Nicholas still his hands.
Nicholas: “Well, John.”
Nicholas still feels foreign in addressing the Master of Marlborough Mills by his Christian name. But when they are alone--as they are now--John has requested that they address one another familiarly, as friends do.
John: Leaning back in his chair and observing his friend and Overseer, he prods with a small smile. “Yes?”
Nicholas: “You might have guessed what I wish to ask of you?”
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"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", by Gratiana Lovelace (2013-2014) (Done)
FanfictionJohn Thornton has an eager mind, starved for intellectual stimulation. But what John could not have foreseen was that just as his mind needs nourishment, so does his heart. Mr. Hale's proud, beautiful, kind, stubborn, and compassionate daughter Mi...
