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

Ch. 16 (PG-13): Hannah's Long Forgotten Memories Awaken While Caring for Lissa

"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons",  Ch. 16 (PG-13):  Hannah’s Long Forgotten Memories Awaken While Caring for Lissa,   January 06, 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”: 

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, 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:  Hannah Thornton’s and Dr. Cameron Ogilvy’s Saturday night at the ballet after Christmas was interrupted just after the intermission by a young mill girl patient who had broken her arm as was waiting for him at his practice.  Hannah accompanied Cameron there and soon learned of the family’s impoverished circumstances and filthy living conditions--and that the family were Marlborough Mills employees.  This struck a poignant chord for Hannah and she and Dr. Ogilvy gave the family some food and astonishingly, Hannah invited to have the little girl Lissa convalesce at her home since her children were away and she has an empty house--though she does not want her kindness known to others, for fear that she will be thought soft hearted.

Ch. 16 (PG-13):  Hannah’s Long Forgotten Memories Awaken While Caring for Lissa

On Sunday at Church--the day after Dr. Ogilvy had set Lissa’s arm Saturday night, interrupting his date at the ballet with Hannah Thornton--the Dillard Family agrees to allow their four year old daughter Lissa stay with Mrs. Hannah Thornton during the first two weeks as she rests to heal her broken arm. Their older six year old daughter Leanna and baby Timmy will also stay at Thornton Manor during the work day hours starting Monday, to keep their sister company. The Dillard’s acquiesce, mostly at Dr. Ogilvy’s urging and reminder that he will personally check on Lissa daily.   And daily checkups will also give Dr. Cameron Ogilvy a lovely excuse to see Hannah Thornton--but he does not tell the Dillard’s that.

So after church, Lissa Dillard is transferred to Mrs. Thornton’s carriage to tearful farewells, with Dr. Ogilvy also in attendance.  Mrs. Dillard had done her best in seeing that Lissa was cleaner than she was Saturday night, but they had no soap which is usually expensive, and little water, to make real progress in Lissa’s cleanliness.  Lissa arrives at Thornton Manor, Dr. Ogilvy carries her upstairs since she is weak with the pain of her broken arm.  Hannah Thornton follows behind.  Upon entering the bed chamber Hannah Thornton has had made ready for little Lissa, Hannah takes charge to clean the little girl before she is put to bed.

Hannah: “Dr. Ogilvy, let us take  Lissa into the adjoining bathing chamber.  I intend to give her a bath, then put her in fresh clothes before putting her to bed.”  She says rolling up the sleeves of her simple charcoal grey day dress that has little to no ornamentation on it.  Some might call Hannah’s dress a high society work dress.  But to Cameron Ogilvy, Hannah Thornton still looks beautiful.