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

Ch. 46 (PG-13): Home is Where the Heart Is

Cameron tries to draw his quiet wife Hannah out of her shell tonight as they cuddle together on the sette in their guest stateroom at Thornton Manor in their dressing gowns after preparing for bed.  The fire brightly blazes in the hearth and emits a pleasing toasty warmth--since April evenings are still cool.  With Hannah leaning back into her husband Cameron, his arms encircle her and clasp her hands in front of her.  He kisses her temple and rubs his bearded cheek against her smooth cheek, claiming her as his own.

Cameron: "Arrre ye happy, Hannah?"  Cameron asks haltingly.

Hannah tilts her head to look over her shoulder and into her husband's eyes.   The worry lines upon Cameron's furrowed brow and his amusing pout [(3) right]  give evidence of his concern.

Hannah:  She smiles up at him as she squeezes his hands clasped in hers.  "Have I not said so?"  She rubs her smooth cheek against his bearded cheek in acknowledged submission to him.

Cameron: "Aye.  But I do na mind hearrring it daily.  I fearrr that ourrr marriage has meant much change forrr you.  But I also wish to make a sacrrrifice."

Hannah: "Sacrifice?"  Hannah startles and sits up and turns to look at her husband fully.  Then she softens and gently caresses her face as her voice also softens. "And what, pray tell, is the sacrifice that I have made in marrying you Cameron?"

Cameron: Put on the spot, he blusters. "Well!  Ye ... ye ..."

Hannah: "I?  I?" She teases and gives him a playful kiss on his lips with a loving smile.

Cameron: "Hannah, Me Dear.  I'll na be able to think if ye give me such distractions."

Hannah:   "There you have it!  Your sacrifice is your lack of clarity of thought.  Though, I can't think of any sacrifice that I have had to endure."  She shakes her head smiling ruefully.

Cameron:  "Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" His laughter booms loudly for she has punctured his nervousness and he pulls her to sit across his lap and they kiss some more.  "So!   My loving attentions are not burdensome and make you wish to return to our initial friendship marriage agreement?" He asks shyly, because they have not made love as often since coming to Milton.

Hannah:   Her cheeks blushing crimson, Hannah lowers her eyes demurely.  "No.  I no longer wish for a friendship marriage with you, Cameron." 

Cameron's eyes twinkle and he nudges Hannah to look up at him with his nose under her chin. Hannah and Cameron kiss each other adoringly--caringly stroking each others' backs as they console each other for their lingering insecurities.

Cameron: "Ach!   I was worried since ye... well, since we have na ..."

Intuitively understanding what her husband is trying to say, Hannah offers an explanation for her reticence to make love while they are in Thornton Manor.

Hannah: "This house--Thornton Manor--holds many memories for me.  In it, I have been a mother first and foremost. I [had] never been a wife--until I married you."  Her having been widowed four years before [she and her children] moved to Thornton Manor [twelve years ago].

Cameron:   Cameron nods in understanding.  "Ye will be sorrrry to leave it?"

Hannah:  "Yes, and no.  My children are grown and their days of needing my mothering of them is long past.  Well!  Except Fanny still needs a bit of guidance." They both roll their eyes.  "But my home is where you are."  She gazes at him lovingly as she puts her hand flat upon his chest, over his heart.  "I gave you my heart, Cameron.  Wherever you are is my home."