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

Ch. 49 (PG): Fanny's Birthday Surprises

After family greets each other--except Baird who has secreted himself in his Father’s bed chamber--John, Margaret, Hannah, and Cameron begin to give Fanny her birthday presents in the salon drawing room before luncheon. Baird has crept to the hallway door, carefully carrying Angharad’s gown with him and watches through a crack in the half open doorway frame. Fanny thanks each of them for their thoughtfulness--ribbons from John and Margaret, monogram embroidered linen handkerchiefs from Hannah and Cameron, and a set of pearl earrings and necklace from all four of them. 

They are lovely gifts and Fanny knows that she should be happy.  But it was to have been her wedding day today, but it isn’t.   Then she receives her surprise as Baird strides confidently into the room.

Baird: “Might my bride be wondering where her wedding gown is?”  He smiles broadly and lays the exquisite  ivory satin gown, encrusted with seed pearls along the edge of its sweetheart neckline and also dappling the full but unhooped skirt.

Fanny: Fanny jumps to her feet and rushes over to him gleefully. “Baird!  You came!  And you brought Angharad’s gown for me to wear!”

Baird: “Ha ha ha ha ha!” He laughs as she gives him a quick hug then she instantly pulls away to examine the ball gown as the rest of her family gather around her.

Fanny:  “It is soooo beautiful!”   Fanny sighs.

Then, Baird also greets John and Margaret, since his Father and Stepmother had greeted him earlier.

John: “Baird!  You were almost late.”  He joshes him.

Baird: “Me?  Late? Never!  Ha ha ha!”

Fanny: “Baird, do you think Angharad would mind if I added some of these lovely ribbons John and Margaret gave me to the bodice of this gown?”

Both Angharad’s father Cameron and brother Baird blanche.  For though they know that Angharad is being generous in loaning Fanny her gown, Angharad expects the gown to stay unaltered.

Hannah:  Hannah intervenes diplomatically--she is getting good at this.  “Fanny Dear.  You should save the ribbons for another gown.  Angharad’s ball gown is lovely all on its own.  And you will be the most beautiful bride we have ever seen.”  Hannah caresses her smiling daughter’s cheek.

Margaret: Picking up the gown’s veil, Margaret fingers its delicate lace. “Oh Fanny, the veil is also  lovely.”  Margaret smiles.

Fanny: “It is lovely.”  Fanny says meekly.

Baird: “Do ye na like the veil?  You do na have to wearrr it.”

Fanny: “No, it is fine.  It is just that …”   Fanny purses her lips and wrinkles her nose.

Baird:  “It is just what?”   Baird prompts.

Fanny: “Well.”  Fanny whines and pouts.  “I thought that I might get to wear a tiara for my wedding, like Mama did.” 

Hannah: “Fanny Dear.  I told you that my tiara is locked away in the Airlie Castle Tower Vault.”

Baird: “Will ye na marrry me without a tiarrra upon your lovely head?”  Baird teases his Fiona.

Fanny: “I know, Mama.”  She whines.  Then Fanny turns back to Baird.  “But if Mama got to wear a tiara because she will be--and is now--a countess, then I should also have a tiara to wear.”  Fanny pouts some more.  Fanny has given in on many points with regard to her and Baird’s wedding.  But she wants to wear a tiara.

Baird becomes quiet, observing his Fiona’s petulance about their Scottish titles--again.   He thought that they had gotten past this.

Baird: “Well, ye shall be happy with a veil, or nothing at all.”  Baird states more brusquely than he intended.