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

Ch. 47 (PG-13): Sunday Luncheon Parting is Bittersweet

Fanny: "Are you all settled in? How do you like your new home, Mama?" Fanny asks politely. For though she chose to remain in her home at Thornton Manor, she still misses her Mother.

Hannah: "But for arranging the decorations, we are well settled in.  I like it."  Hannah smiles as she squeezes her husband Cameron's arm.

Cameron:  "Me Hannah has trrransforrrmed what was once a drrrab and drrrearrrry aparrrtment into a cozy home for us." He smiles broadly and pats her hand hooked around his arm.

Baird: "And I helped." Baird pouts.

Fanny: "Oh?"  She looks curiously at  Baird.

Hannah: "Yes, thank you, Baird."   Then she explains to Fanny, and now John and Margaret who have walked back over to join them.  "Baird helped me with moving the furniture for the drawing room arrangement, then both he and Cameron helped me rearranged our bed chamber."  Hannah pinkens slightly for mentioning so private a space--and for how she and her husband celebrated their new home in it last night.  Cameron smiles broadly.

Cameron: "I would na let herrr move anything on herrr own, lest she ... strrrain herrrself."  Cameron puts his arm around his wife's waist and gives her hips a tender squeeze.

John's eye brow raises at such a familiarity in public--let alone in their presence--but he says nothing since his mother Hannah seems to not mind her husband's embrace as she turns her face to him and he kisses her forehead as she closes her eyes and smiles.

Margaret: "Are you feeling more well today then, Mother?" Margaret asks solicitously of her mother-in-law, Hannah.

Hannah: "I am!  A bit more of rest the last two days has helped due to our extensive traveling taking its toll on me.  And having our new home mostly settled lifts a great burden off of my shoulders."   Hannah smiles with satisfaction.  "Perhaps you will join us for tea later in the week when I have the decorations arranged."

John: "We look forward to it Mother.   Ah!   Here are the carriages."

In addition to the two comfortable carriages seating four and two belong to John Thornton, there are also two larger open wagons with bench seating along each side that are used to transport the Marlborough Mill workers now living in Thornton Village on John's mill property beyond the city limits.  Seating arrangements for the Thornton carriages are quickly determined with Hannah and Cameron taking the two person carriage, while the young people--John and Margaret, and Baird and Fanny--take the other four person carriage back to Thornton Manor for Sunday luncheon.

***

Upon arriving at Thornton Manor, there is still a half hour before luncheon.  So John escorts Margaret upstairs to rest a bit while waiting for Hannah and Cameron to arrive--them not surmising the reason for their delay. 

And Baird begs a private audience with his Fiona in the Thornton's formal garden.  It is April and the foliage has returned, as well as, the tulips and crocuses are blooming already, creating a lush backdrop of color for the young couple.  He guides her to a rustic looking bench set amongst the greenery and flowers [(3) right].  

Baird: "This is a lovely spot.  Shall we sit here, Fiona?" He slips and calls her by his pet name for her--her given name for her Scottish grandmother.

Baird is resolved to be calm and not upset Fiona, since she has only recently recovered from her breathing collapse last week--which he caused by his inept apology to her.  Fanny also wishes to remain calm so as not to have a repeat episode.  She fears that if Baird thinks her weak and sickly that he will no longer want to reconcile with her.

Fanny smiles pleasantly and sits on the bench, then Baird joins her--taking care that their legs do not touch.  Technically, they are unchaperoned and, therefore, must strictly observe propriety.  They are each a little nervous due to the recent strain their relationship has been under--not the least of which was Fanny calling off their almost engagement after Baird's boorish behavior.