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

Ch. 39 (PG): Unexpected Developments in Thornton Manor Residents

Lying on the bed next to his wife and cradling her in his arms--John’s shoes haphazardly kicked under a nearby chair that also holds his suit jacket and cravat--John and Margaret are sweetly kissing each other and holding hands. This is as intimate as they are allowed to be whilst the five months pregnant Margaret is recovering from feeling faint last weekend. And John’s tenderness toward his wife Margaret is a healing balm that is helping her to feel better. 

John had joined Margaret for lunch, and will return to the mill soon--but not yet.  Their bed chamber door is slightly ajar after the maid left with their eaten lunch trays a few minutes ago.  So initially upon reaching John’s and Margaret’s bed chamber, Hannah and Cameron have a tender view of the young married couple.  Margaret is dozing with her eyes closed and John is cuddled up next to her [(2) right].  Cameron smiles at Hannah and knocks upon the bed chamber door.

John:  “Hhhhh.  Must we be constantly interrupted?”   John whispers in Margaret’s ear, then he nibbles her ear.

Margaret: “Ha ha ha! Oh you!”  She turns toward him, opens her eyes, and smiles tenderly at him.  They kiss again sweetly Then she turns to their bed chamber door.  “Please come in.”  She calls out in a strong voice as John reluctantly pulls himself away from her ear, for decorum’s sake--otherwise, he would have continued nibbling.

Cameron and Hannah enter Margaret’s and John’s bed chamber with large smiles on their faces--in hopes of cheering up the bedridden Margaret.

Cameron: “Might two wearrry trrravelerrrs come to visit ye?”  

Margaret: “Of course!  Welcome back!”  Margaret smiles warmly at the newlyweds.

Cameron and Hannah walk further into the room with Cameron’s arm around Hannah’s waist.  He always has some discreet form of touching connection with his wife in public, either by her taking his arm, or by him clasping her hand in his. They are newlyweds afterall.

John:  “Mother! Cameron! We did not expect you until tomorrow.”  John smiles broadly at his obviously happy mother, Hannah [(3) right]--and her ecstatic beyond words new husband, Cameron.  Clearly, the married state is agreeing with each of them.

Hannah: “We decided not to tarry longer in Northumberland.”  She smiles wryly at her son and daughter-in-law still cuddling against each other while sitting up in bed--Margaret wears her nightgown and shawl under the covers and John is fully dressed, but for his shoes, and  sitting above the coverlet. “What is this we hear from Dr. Houghton about Margaret fainting?”  Hannah walks swiftly to Margaret’s side and kisses her cheek.

Margaret: “It was nothing.”  She shrugs her shoulders with a sheepish smile.

John:  Standing up from the bed to greet Cameron with a firm handshake, John says chidingly as he glances askance at Margaret.  “It was not nothing, My Love.  As usual, Margaret is trying to do too much, Cameron.”

Cameron: “Aye! Drrr. Houghton told us of Marrrgarrret’s condition when we stopped at ourrr home above me medical prrractice, Hannah insisted that we come strrraight herrre, not even stopping at the hotel to drrrop off ourrr luggage.  Even now, ourrr carrriage waits to take us therrre after we have seen to you.” He [(4) right] smiles benignly at his caring wife.

Margaret:  “Hotel? Is the redecorating at your home not completed yet?”

Hannah:  “No.”  Hannah shakes her head.  “I think that it will be at least until Friday before we can move in. So, we will stay at the Milton Mayfair Hotel.” She smiles at her husband.

Margaret: “Nonsense!  You will stay here, with us--in the guest bed chamber suite at the end of the hall.” 

John looks at Margaret with a startled pout.  It is not that John does not want his mother to be a guest in their home at all--just not while she is a newlywed bride.