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

Ch. 15 (PG-13): After Christmas Visit to London Part 2 (John & Margaret)

Mrs. Hale smiles agreeably, but she thinks that her husband has quite forgotten what it is to be a bridegroom--as John is.  And of course, were she and Mr. Hale to share a room, then it would be much more inconvenient with regard to her ladies maid Dixon helping her dress and such.

Edith: Coming to her mother’s hostessing defense, Edith remarks.  “Well, Uncle Richard, the guest bed chamber suite is quiet spacious and has its own sitting area.” 

Edith gestures and everyone follows her into the large guest bed chamber.  Margaret’s head is still lowered.  After being married for two months, Margaret knows that John would prefer that they share a bed chamber, as they do in their home at Thornton Manor.  But Margaret is too embarrassed to ask her Aunt Shaw to put them in this lovely bed chamber suite with the fire blazing and a large four poster bed with soft satin covered down coverlets.  When they were girls, Margaret and Edith would sneak into this bed chamber and pretend that they were sleeping beauties [(2)]   waiting to be awakened by their princes.  Such were the fanciful dreams of Margaret and Edith as young girls. 

John stifles his urge to suggest a change of sleeping venue with his in-laws and cousin-in-laws present--him not wanting to provide an explanation for his wishes.  And John begins to contemplate their two weeks stay in London without lying in comfort with Margaret--even if they do not make love?   He finds the notion of him being separated from his wife unworkable and best and inhospitable at worst.

However Edith’s husband provides the needed solution as he addresses his mother-in-law, Mrs. Shaw.

Maxwell:  “Mother?  I believe that Margaret and John will need to be placed in this guest bed chamber suite together--for John is taller than I am and this bed is the only one that I believe might a accommodate him.”  Maxwell Lennox gives John an understanding look as his cousin-in-law and as a young married man himself.

John: Grasping onto his cousin-in-law’s lifeline of marital cohabitation with both hands, John agrees.  “Ah!  Yes, Mrs. Shaw.  My height has always been a nuisance when traveling in trying to find suitable accommodations.”  He sighs lamentably--with a sheepish grin on his face that he hopes dissembles from his real purpose in wanting to share a bed chamber with his wife.

Mrs.Shaw: “Oh?  Maxwell, how would you know if this bed is long enough for John?  I don’t recall you having slept in this room before.” She looks at her son-in-law quizzically.

Now it is Mrs. Shaw’s daughter Edith’s head that is bowed in embarrassment. For what reason can she provide her mother with for her having slept with her husband in a bed chamber that is not their own?  It is a delicate matter that will require finesse--and not a little amount of slight prevarication.

Maxwell: Realizing his predicament, Maxwell flusters.  “Well … um …  you see …”

But John intervenes with a logical--if not probable--scenario.  Afterall, they are cousins-in-law--and they should stick together.

John:  “I imagine that when the fireplace flues are cleaned thoroughly at regular intervals, that the attendant coal dust released precipitates one removing from one’s own bed chamber to another for a short span of time.”  He remarks with great authority.

Fanny: “Fireplaces are such dirty, filthy things.”  Fanny wrinkles up her nose disdainfully.

John: “That provide much needed warmth--especially in the Winter months as now.”  He intones.  And now the topic of conversation veers into a whole new direction.

Fanny:  “I have asked John to put in a gas fireplace in my bed chamber.  Since the gas light burns cleanly, maybe it would work in the fireplace.  But he won’t hear of it.” [(3a) gas light]