"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", Ch. 13: Dr. Ogilvy joins the Thornton Christmas Celebrations, December 29, 2013 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”:
Richard Armitage for John Thornton, Daniela Denby-Ashe for Margaret Hale, Lesley Manville for Mrs. Maria Hale, Tim Piggott-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, 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 of the Previous Chapter: After Dr. Cameron Ogilvy had made his family background in Scotland as the Earl of Airlie known to the Thornton’s through casual conversation, he felt emboldened to reveal his feelings for Hannah Thornton. She was at first incredulous, then astonished, then uncertain, and finally warmed to the idea. And Hannah invited the good doctor to spend Christmas Eve and Day with them.
"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", Ch. 13: Dr. Ogilvy joins the Thornton Christmas Celebrations
Christmas at the Thornton’s this year is non-traditional to say the least-- festive is the only word that does justice to describing it. Margaret had insisted on having a Christmas tree in Thornton Manor--which they all helped to decorate. And there were greens and red ribbons and mistletoe balls hanging everywhere. Then after discovering that she has a suitor in Dr. Cameron Ogilvy, the Earl of Airlie, Hannah also invited the good doctor to stay with them Christmas Eve night as well since his grown children could not get away from London and he was alone. And of course Dr. Ogilvy fancies Hannah, as he told her in his vernacular--which makes Hannah Thornton feel both unsettled and uncertain, but in a pleasing way.
Leaving Christmas Eve services at the church around 9 o’clock at night, John coordinates the carriages.
John: “Mother, Margaret and I will take the smaller carriage home. We’ll be stopping first at the Hales for some holiday time with them since Mrs. Hale does not wish to go out in the cold and risk her health since the day after Christmas we are to travel to London to her sister’s to spend some holiday time with them.”
Hannah: “We will be sorry to miss the Hales tomorrow at Thornton Manor.” She states graciously with a warm and sincere smile [(2)right]. “Please convey to them my very best wishes for the holidays. We will send over some of our Christmas luncheon for them in the morning.”
Margaret: “Thank you, Mother.” She gives her mother-in-law a hug and peck on her cheek. Then she whispers. “Shall we take Fanny in our carriage with us tonight?”
Since having the four of them plus Dr. Ogilvy necessitates using two carriage, the logistics of who gets Fanny is a delicate matter--especially since she has not heard the real reason why Dr. Ogilvy is joining them for Christmas Eve and Day, that he is courting her mother. John and Margaret had picked up Dr. Ogilvy in their carriage--along with his overnight luggage--before services. Fanny and her mother had been driven to the church later. Though Dr. Ogilvy had sat in his usual pew during the services since his association with the Thornton’s on a more personal level is so new.
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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...
