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

Ch. 57 (PG-13): You Are So Beautiful, to Me!

Ann:  Realizing belatedly that she is expected to make some comment about the salve, she offers begrudgingly.   “It is unusually unique. What do you call this?”

Carlotta:  “Thank you, Ann.  I call it a creamy lotion.  You may each keep one of the jars that I brought with me today.  When you would like more, simply return the jar to me and I will refill it for you.”  Carlotta smiles as she senses a potential business venture from her hobby of making her own cosmetic treatments.

Margaret:  “Carlotta’s Cream.”  Margaret ponders. “This cream will do wonders for my skin.”

Carlotta:  “Oh but Margaret!  Your complexion has quite surpassed mine with my second pregnancy.” 

Margaret: “Thank you, Carlotta.” Margaret beams.   “But your skin is quite translucent.”  Margaret returns the compliment and Carlotta smiles.

Carlotta:  “Ann, don’t you agree that Margaret looks lovely?” 

If there is one thing Carlotta Watson knows, it is that heavily pregnant ladies need constant affirmations of their attractiveness and their husband’s desire for them--especially first time pregnant ladies, like Margaret Thornton.

Ann:   “Oh yes, Margaret. Your skin is smoother than I have ever seen it.”   Leave it to the catty Ann to be able to insult and compliment at the same time.    For who uses smoother as praise?

Margaret: “Thank you, Ann.”  Margaret gives the obligatory response.  But she knows that Ann is insincere. “And how is Dr. Miles, Ann?  Are you still courting?”

Despite an initial hiccup--of Ann’s seeming mean spiritedness--Dr. Miles Houghton, Milton’s, newest medical practitioner has indeed begun courting the Banker Lattimer’s daughter, Ann.

Ann: “Oh, he is well, I believe.” She says blasely.  Her facial expression is placid--as befits a lady of good breeding.  But her quiet demeanor belies an undercurrent of unrealized dreams.

Ann is allowing Dr. Miles to court her since there is no one else in Milton whom Ann deems suitable as a prospective husband.  And Ann is still smarting that she did not have enough time to entrance John Thornton, Milton’s most eligible and most handsome bachelor--before he married Margaret Hale seven months ago.

***

John quickly finishes up work at his Marlborough Mill office and heads home for some relaxing quiet time with Margaret.  He is especially enthused because Cameron has written back to John with advice about how to treat Margaret’s increasingly more depressed feelings.   And John carries with him two parcels that he has taken special care in obtaining for his wife Margaret.

However, John not realizing that his wife’s tea party guests are still in attendance, John bursts into their front drawing room with a bouquet of flowers in his hand for her.

John: “Margaret, My Love!  I have brought you some lovely flowers to cheer you.”   He smiles broadly as he enters the room.

Then John notices that there are three women in the room as three pairs of eyes swivel to meet his gaze--and he freezes, feeling sheepishly lovestruck in front of the other two ladies who are not his wife.  And John strives to appear unperturbed at being found out to be a loving and besotted husband [(3) right].  

Margaret: “John!” She smiles excitedly. Flowers are a favorite of Margaret’s--and John has not given them to her in some time.

John leans down and kisses Margaret’s cheek as he hands her the bouquet.