Margaret: “Thank you, John. But I fear that my culinary talents are limited to our simple fare tonightof soup, sandwiches, and dessert.”
John: “Still, it’s not like we’ll starve.” Margaret pokes John in his ribs in amusement. “Ow! What was that for?”
Margaret: “For agreeing with me that my cooking leaves much to be desired.” She rolls her eyes impishly. “Isn’t there a marriage code of conduct somewhere that teaches husbands to always be more flattering toward their wives than they feel?” She asks impishly.
John: Taking her meaning literally, John thinks for a moment. “Not that I have heard of. But then, men do not discuss our marriages with each other. ” Well maybe not their wives, but certainly their mistresses, thinks John disdainfully. However John is a faithful husband--and he always plans to be so.
Margaret: “Really? I talk about you all of the time with Fanny and Edith and Angharad. Ha ha ha ha ha!” She giggles.
Looking at her aghast, John examines Margaret’s upturned face worriedly. He knows the level of ribald talk--to the point of being debauched--that the other mill owners sometimes engage in. But John cannot think that their refined lady wives would behave so crassly. It is John’s opinion that ladies are above such musings--them preferring instead to be reserved and religious--like his mother is--and not concerned with carnal matters.
John: John admonishes his wife. “I hope not! What we do together is private, Margaret.” And John counts himself extremely lucky that he has a wife in Margaret who welcomes his loving attentions and who does not refuse him her comfort. But then, John and Margaret are a love match--not arranged for convenience or social standing.
Margaret: “Well I don’t talk about … that.” Margaret smiles coquettishly. For she loves her husband and cherishes his love of her.
John: “I should hope not!” John blanches and squirms and pouts.
Margaret: Margaret says soothingly as she caresses his face and nestles into his arms. “Do not worry John, I always speak in vague but highly complimentary terms about you.”
John: John is not soothed. “Do I even dare ask, about what terms you discuss?” John rolls his eyes in mortification, even as he blushes.
Margaret: “Hmmm. Let me see.” She impishly gazes up at the ceiling and thinks as she taps her finger on her chin. John nudges her and looks at her pointedly. “Wellll, I mention how thoughtful you are, and how considerate you are--and well, …” Margaret outlines John’s lips with her finger. “… what a good kisser you are. Ha ha ha ha ha!” She giggles for having shocked him.
John: “Good lord! Now I will be self conscious the next time I see these ladies--wondering if they’re examining my lips.” He shakes his head wryly.
Margaret: “I’m teasing you, John.” She glances at him sideways to see if he believes her. By the look of him, he doesn’t believe her. “Don’t worry. All I said was that your kisses make me swoon--and they do.” She smiles and kisses him lovingly, such that he deepens their kiss as his tongue entangles with hers for some pleasurable moments. “Seeeee. Hhhhh!” She sighs. “And I didn’t talk about the kind of kisses you give me.”
John: “Margaret!” John is almost apoplectic at the thought of Margaret relating to others how he kisses her--let alone, where he kisses her. She smiles at him mischievously and his anger cools--but he feels battered about. Then John melodramatically shakes his head in resigned defeat with his punctured dignity [(2) right]. “At least with Fanny and Baird not yet married, I hope that she is not contributing to the conversation--about kissing.” He says off handedly.
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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...
Ch. 27 (R-rated, S): John and Margaret's Loving Evening and Such
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