“North & South:  John Thornton, Love Lessons”, Ch. 24 (PG-13):  Tea for Two Becomes Fractured,   January 27, 2014 Gratiana Lovelace 

(An original fan fiction copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace;   All rights reserved; Based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novel, North & South and its  2004 BBC adaptation; No copyright infringement intended) 

[I will illustrate my story using my dream cast from the 2004 BBC production of “North & South”: Richard Armitage for John Thornton, Daniela Denby-Ashe for Margaret Hale, Lesley Manville for Mrs. Maria Hale,  Tim Pigott-Smith for Mr. Richard Hale, Sinead Cusack for Mrs. Hannah Thornton, Jo Joyner for Fanny Thornton, Brendan Coyle for Nicholas Higgins, and Graham McTavish as Dr. Cameron Ogilvy, Holliday Grainger for Angharad Ogilvy MacIntosh, Simon Woods for Baird Ogilvy, and Emma Ashton as Mrs. Dillard, John Light as Henry Lennox, and Tim Faraday as Watson, etc]  [(1) story logo]  

Author’s Mature Content Note:  “N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons” is a story with mature themes of love and relationships set within a period drama of the 1850’s and beyond.  As such there will be heartfelt moments of love and sensuality (S)--as well as other dramatic emotions, including some violence (V)--and I will rate those chapters accordingly.  If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings that I provide, then please do not read that chapter.  This is my disclaimer.

Author’s Recap of the Previous Chapter:  Fanny Thornton and the Hales return home to Milton--accompanied by Fanny’s secret fiancé, Baird Ogilvy.  But though their reception is warm, what awaits Baird and Fanny are revealing their engagement and difficulties for John with Watson blackmailing him to force Fanny to marry him.  John would not be moved by Watson’s blackmail.   And Watson stormed out of Thornton Manor vowing revenge.  However, Watson will find that today will be more his undoing, than John’s undoing.

 “North & South:  John Thornton, Love Lessons”, Ch. 24 (PG-13):  Tea for Two Becomes Fractured

After greeting her brother John and sister-in-law Margaret upon returning to Milton from her extended stay in London on Monday January 20th--and escaping from the unexpected and unwelcome visit of her former suitor Watson--Fanny goes to her bedchamber and removes her cloak and hat, removes her traveling clothes and freshens up.  Then she changes into her pretty plaid dress that Baird likes so much on her.  She hopes that she sees him at tea today.    Fanny picks up Watson’s letter, looking at it with foreboding.  But she does not want to deal with what it might contain just now--she presumes that it is a marriage proposal.  So Fanny tosses the letter upon her bed for her to read later, before she goes to find her mother and this little girl named Lissa.

And though  not intentionally coinciding with Fanny’s return home, it is time for Little Lissa Dillard to return to her family to finish healing.  Walking to her old bed chamber, Fanny halts just before entering and shyly watches her mother Hannah Thornton helping little Lissa pack up her belongings into a small fabric bag to go home with her mother, Mrs. Dillard at the end of the work day.    Lissa is still in a splint for her broken left arm--as she will be for another month--but she is healing well.   So Lissa sits quietly on her bed.

And Lissa will be going to a new  home when she leaves Thornton Manor today.  For as an experiment in creating affordable mill worker housing by John, the family has relocated to in a converted caretaker’s two bedroom cottage on the unused portion of the mill property near where John would like to build some low cost affordable housing.  One might say that the Dillards are testing the new housing set up for the Thornton’s.

Hannah and little Lissa have not noticed Fanny standing just outside of their view in the hallway next to Lissa’s bed chamber’s open door.  It is perhaps discourteous of Fanny to eavesdrop on her mother, but she justifies it to herself by saying that she doesn’t want to intrude upon them.

Hannah:  Sitting on Lissa’s bed her Fanny’s childhood bedroom, Hannah Thornton is already missing Lissa’s company.  “Lissa Dear, we don’t want to forget to pack your extra socks.  It is still quite chilly outside.”  Hannah shows Lissa two pairs of socks before putting them in the bag.

Lissa:  She smiles [(2) right].   “Yes, Nana Hannah.” 

Lissa’s nickname for Mrs. Thornton stuck almost as soon as Lissa came up with it two weeks ago--little ones liking the alliteration of the rhyming.  Hannah Thornton smiles at the fondly bestowed appellation from the little girl.

Hannah: “I have folded your nightgown, extra underclothes, and your other day dresses and already put them into your bag.  Are we missing anything?”

Hannah Thornton and the little girl look around the room.  Then Lissa becomes a little somber.

Lissa: “I will miss you, Nana Hannah.  Thank you for taking such good care of me.”  Her little lips tremble with sadness.  Lissa has never had a grandmother before, and Hannah Thornton has filled that void for little Lissa.

Hannah [(3) right]  gazes at the little girl with love and caring.  Then she opens her arms and the little girl leans in to her as Hannah embraces her.

Hannah: “Now now, I will miss you, too, Lissa!   But I’m glad that you will get to be with your family again.  And you can visit me during the day from time to time.”  Hannah smiles, but she is also tearing up.

Fanny:  Standing in the doorway to her childhood bed chamber and leaning in the door frame, Fanny spots what is missing.  “Don’t forget to take Betsy with you, Lissa.  Margaret wrote to me that you have become quite fond of her.” 

Betsy [(4) right]  is the fabric doll that Hannah made for Fanny years ago when she was a little girl like Lissa--and that Hannah gave the doll to Lissa to have to play with during her stay at Thornton Manor. Fanny walks over to a chair with the fabric doll on it and picks it up, looks at it fondly,then she hands the doll to Lissa.  Lissa is wide eye upon seeing the pretty lady before her. Hanna and Fanny kiss cheeks and embrace in greeting.

Hannah: “Fanny Dear.”  Hannah caresses her daughter’s cheek and smiles lovingly at her.

Fanny:   “Mama.”  Fanny smiles lovingly back at her Mama--like she did when she was a little girl.

Hannah:  “Fanny, this is Lissa Dillard who has been recuperating here for the past several weeks while you were away.  Lissa, this is my daughter, Fanny, come back from London.”

Lissa curtsies to Fanny.  And Fanny smiles at the little girl

Fanny: “Hello, sweetheart.”  Fanny bends down and caresses the little girls’ cheek.

Lissa:  Her lips trembling, Lissa asks Fanny.  “Don’t you want to keep your dolly?  I know your mama made it for you, she said so.” 

On the edge of tears, Lissa holds out the dolly for Fanny to take.  Fanny takes the dolly from Lissa.  Hannah sits stoically on the bed.  The lovingly crafted fabric doll--with a beautiful fabric dress made from scraps of one of the then child Fanny’s new dresses--betokens the end of their poverty so many years ago and the start of their new beginning.  Fanny hugs the dolly Betsy and gives it a kiss like she did when she was little.

Fanny:  “Lissa, I loved Betsy very much growing up--especially since Mama made it for me.”  Fanny walks over to her mother.   “Mama made me this and several other dolls--all of which I saved in my hope chest for when I have a little girl.”  Fanny smiles warmly at her mother, who smiles back at her--both of them are teary eyed.

Lissa: “I understand.”  Lissa nods sadly.

Fanny:  Then Fanny kisses the dolly Betsy good bye and she holds the doll out for Lissa to take again.   Lissa smiles hopefully at Fanny as Lissa takes the dolly back. “But Betsy has made a new friend in you, Lissa.  And I think that Betsy would enjoy living with you now.  Will you promise to take good care of her and love her as much as I have?”  Fanny smiles poignantly [(5) right] at the little girl.

Lissa  holds out her good arm for a hug and Fanny leans in as best she can with her large hoop skirt popping up behind her.  Fanny strokes Lissa’s back caringly.  Fanny has been around several little children recently between London and now home.  And she finds them so dear and longs to be a mother herself one day.  Then Fanny sits back down in her chair.

Lissa:  “Thank you, Miss Fanny!”  Lissa sighs happily.  “I will love Betsy all my life!”  Lissa hugs dolly Betsy and kisses her tenderly.

Fanny: “Then she is going to a good home.”  Fanny smiles.

Lissa returns to her packing on the bed--carefully putting Betsy on top in the bag and patting her, telling Betsy that she is coming home with her--and Hannah walks over to her daughter.

Hannah: “You remembered playing with your doll Betsy?  I thought that you didn’t want her anymore because she was hand made and not store bought when I found her in your old bed chamber here--and not with your other things in your larger bed chamber that you use now.”

Fanny: “No Mama, I didn’t forget her.  Betsy was my favorite dolly--because you made her for me.  I left her in this bed chamber because I would sometimes sneak in here to curl up on the bed with her and read stories.”  Fanny sheepishly shrugs her shoulders.  “I always tidied up the coverlet so it didn’t look wrinkled.”

Hanna lovingly caresses her daughter’s cheek, then embraces her.  It is a tender and loving mother and daughter moment.

Lissa:  “I’m all packed.” Lissa says in a small voice.

Hannah: “Good!”  She takes Lissa’s right hand in hers since Lissa’s left arm is still in a splint and sling. “Let’s go downstairs one more time and have a farewell tea party for you with the whole family.”

Lissa: “That’s nice!  Will Miss Fanny come, too?”

Fanny:  Fanny picks up Lissa’s bag to carry it downstairs for her.  “I’ll be down in a few minutes with your bag.   I just have to read a letter that I received.”  She is talking about Watson’s letter.

Hannah nods and guides Lissa downstairs to the parlor. 

***

Fanny detours back to her bed chamber and sets Lissa’s bag on the sette at the end of her bed. 

Then Fanny lifts up Watson’s letter as she sits down on the bed and opens it.  Fanny reads the first part--and the letter is as she feared.  Watson proposes marriage to her--which she now could never accept, since she is in love with and technically engaged to Baird Ogilvy.  That thought perks  her up and she smiles with the realization.  I am in love with Baird Ogilvy--I am going to marry Baird Ogilvy.  Fanny knows that she will have to decline Watson diplomatically, somehow. 

Then almost as an afterthought, Fanny looks at the second page of the letter and reads further--to her shock and dismay.  It seems that Watson has somehow made her brother John’s business loan indebted to him.  Fanny becomes very worried.  Not that John would make her wed Watson.  She knows that her brother would never do that.  But Fanny is still worried that marrying Watson will be the only way for her to save her brother, Johnny, as she affectionately thinks of him.  And Johnny means the world to Fanny--he has given her so much, and all she has done is take from him.  But can she break off her engagement with Baird--and forgo her future happiness--to save her brother?

It is a mess that Fanny doesn’t see a way out of--nor does she see any happiness in her future if she must give up Baird Ogilvy.  For how can Fanny give herself in a loveless marriage to Watson--whom she now detests.  No!  Thinks Fanny.  There must be something that can be done.  There must be!  Fanny shakes her head and picks up Lissa’s bag and walks downstairs with it--putting in on the table in the hallway for later when her parents pick her up. 

***

When Dr. Cameron Ogilvy arrived a quarter hour ago with his son Baird in tow, they find John and Margaret in an unexplained somber mood in the parlor.  Her parents had already left for Crampton, and Hannah and Lissa and Fanny had not come downstairs yet.  So with his father smiling broadly and literally pushing him forward, Baird asks to speak to John privately and they walk back to John’s study.

John:  Sitting behind his desk and looking at Baird Ogilvy sitting where Watson had been not 30 minutes prior, John looks piercingly at the young man.  “Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Ogilvy?”

Baird:  His voice cracking with his nervousness, even though he tries to speak in an even tone, Baird begins.  “Meesterr.  Kkhh! Mrrr. Thorrrnton, we arrre to become brrrotherrrs when me fatherrr marrrries yourrr motherrr in a month frrrom now.”

John:   John smiles for the diversion of speaking of someone elses marriage--other than Fanny’s. “Ah!  Yes.  I had not thought about it that way.  But you are correct.  And as you are my soon to be brother, please call me John.”

Baird: “John, thank you.  And please call me Bairrrd.” John nods.  “And given that we arrre to become brrrotherrrs, I feel that we should speak frrrankly and honestly with each otherrr.”

John looks at the younger man questioningly.  John wonders if Baird does not approve of his father’s marriage to John’s mother.

John:  “Of course.”  John [(6) right]  wonders how many awkward and tension filled private discussions he can endure today.

Baird:   “You know that I am my fatherrr’s heirrr.”

John: “Yes, you will be the Earl of Airlie one day.  My congratulations to you.”

Baird: “Thank you.  But it is an accident of birrrth.”

John: “Excuse me?”  John is perplexed at direction this conversation is going--or goes, since it seems to be veering in multiple directions.

Baird: Baird elects to put forth a serious demeanor [(7) right] to show John that he is in earnest.  “It is just that, it is merrrely the luck of my birrrth that I have the birrrthrrright of becoming the Earrrl.  And I have grrrown up with knowing about and learrrning my rrresponsibilities--and ultimately, my future duties as the Earrrl.  Therrrefore, in choosing his wife, the Earrrl of Airrrlie knows that the Countess of Airrrlie should be a woman of uncommon grrrace, beauty, kindness, warrrmth, loving tenderrrness, and charrrm.”

John:  “Alright.”  John says slowly.  Then he asks for clarification.  “And which countess are we talking about?  Your late mother, your father’s betrothed my mother, or your future wife and mother of your hoped for future children?”

Baird:  “Technically, we could be speaking of all thrrree of them.  Forrr my motherrr will forrreverrr rrremain perrrfect in me hearrrt.”

John: “Naturally.   But I hope that you will accept--as I have--that our parents are to be wed.  We should support your father and my mother as they begin their new life together.”

Baird:  “I concurrr most hearrrtilly!   Yourrr motherrr, Mrrrs. Thorrrnton, has brrrought a happiness to me fatherrr that I have na seen in his eyes since me motherrr died.  I am glad to see him happy again.  And Angharrrad and I arrre prrroud to welcome she and you into our family.”  Baird smiles eagerly.   

John: “Thank you.” John nods cordially and with no small relief.  “And we are proud to have Cameron and you and your sister  and her family become a part of our family.  So, shall we join our family for tea?” John asks as he starts to stand up.

Baird: Baird raises his finger--as if a school boy wanting to saying something in class. “A moment, please?”  John sits back down with a perplexed look on his face.  “I have na finished what I came to ask ye.”

John: “Well, ask away.”  John smiles cordially at Baird, but wanting to be out of the confines of his study at some point today.

Baird:  “Hhhhh!”  Baird exhales with a heave sigh.   Then he plows ahead.   “I have come to know, Miss Fiona--yourrr sisterrr Fanny--verrry well durrring herrr stay in London.”

John: “Hmmmm.”  John prods noncommittally as his eye brows raise--him thinking that maybe Fanny has impressed the young laird.

Baird: “We get on agrrreeably with each other. And I find herrr very charrrming.”

John smiles politely--thinking that Baird has never heard Fanny prattle on about shopping and such.

John:  “That is kind of you to say.  Of course, Fanny being my sister, I am very fond of her.”

Baird:  “Of course.  As I am fond of me own sister.  And just as I was glad for my sister to find a husband whom she loved and who loved her, you will no doubt also wish the same felicitation in marriage for your sister Fiona.”  Baird gulps and  he smiles nervously.

John: “I do.”  And John distractedly thinks that Fanny certainly won’t be marrying Watson--loan or no.

Baird: His voice cracking with nervousness again, Baird continues.“Mr. Thorrrnton,  Kkhhh!  John, I have come to ask ye forrr Miss Fiona’s hand in marrrriage.”  Baird smiles earnestly sincerely at John.

John:  John closes his eyes, then turns his head to look back at Baird in stupefaction.  “I’m sorry.  What did you just say?” 

Baird: “I love Fiona and she loves me.  We wish to wed.”

John looks at Ogilvy the younger for a full minute.  Baird is sweating now--even though it is Winter time and the fire has not been lit in John’s study.   John feels put on the spot--him not knowing his sister, Fanny’s, wishes.

John:  “Baird, you will have to excuse me for my surprise--since you and Fanny have only known each other a short while …”

Baird: “Three weeks. Twenty-one days.”  Baird interjects moonily.

John: “Kkkhh!   Yes, that short length of time is what I am referring to.  You are a fine gentleman, Baird, and I have no reservations about your character.”  Baird smiles.  “But Fanny is still very young and untutored--she is not yet twenty-one.”

Baird:  Baird’s face falls.  “Are ye saying that ye will not consent to ourrrr marrrriage?”

John:  “Not at all.”  Baird smiles.  “But I do want to talk to Fanny first.  And if I feel that she is agreeable and is of a similar mind as you, I would like  you two to court, to get to know each other better before the momentous decision of a marriage is made.”

Baird:  Disappointed to not receive John’s full blessing, but understanding, Baird nods his head, stands and holds out his hand with a smile. “I accept yourrr terrrms.”

John:  John stands and shakes Baird’s hand.  “Excellent!   Then shall we join our ladies?  Surely mother and Fanny have come downstairs by now.”

As he and Baird walk out of his study to the parlor, John thinks hearteningly that at least Fanny will be safe, and taken care of if Marlborough Mills is crushed by Watson.

***

When they enter the parlor, John finds his mother and little Lissa, Margaret, Dr. Ogilvy there, with Hannah beginning to pour tea, hoping that Fanny joins them soon.  So they all take seats around the room. 

A few minutes later, all eyes turn to the parlor door again. Walking hesitantly into the parlor, Fanny finds Dr. Ogilvy, Baird Oglivy, and her brother sitting by the fireplace in three of four large wing chairs that Margaret had made special for John soon after they were married.  The men all stand politely when Fanny enters the room. 

Fanny sees Hannah sitting on the sette with little Lissa and her sister-in-law, Margaret.  Her mother is pouring tea with little Lissa spooning in the sugar as requested, then Margaret passes the cups and saucers to their destinations--along with offering them cakes and other treats to eat on a plate.  Fanny glances fleetingly at Baird--who smiles warmly at her--and then she glances at her brother, before settling onto the sette next to her mother and little Lissa.

John worriedly looks at his sister and her somber expression, wondering if she has read Watson’s letter--and he wonders if she understands the blackmail Watson is attempting.  As of yet, John has only informed his wife Margaret of the issue.  His mother and the Ogilvy’s are in the dark. 

John: “Fanny dear.  There you are.”  John smiles at her cordially.

Fanny:   “Johnny.”  She manages to croak out in a hushed whisper as she nods to him.

Fanny thinks that the view before her is surreal--as if it were any other tea party, when her heart is breaking.  After a lovely stay in London and getting to know and love Baird--and then coming home today with such promise--Fanny’s world is crumbling  around her.

Dr. Ogilvy:  Dr. Ogilvy gazes at Fanny with a clinical eye, but he refrains from making a diagnosis for now.  So he bows. “Miss Fanny.”

Fanny:  “Dr. Ogilvy, hello.”  She curtsies.  “I hear that congratulations are in order--to you and mother.” Tears well up in Fanny’s  eyes.  “I hope you will be very happy.”  Her mother smiles agreeably at her, but she also notices that Fanny seems subdued, when not fifteen minutes ago Fanny was cheerful.

Baird walks toward Fanny, noticing her pale face and sorrowful expression.  He sits in an adjoining chair to the sette--to Fanny’s right.

Baird: “Miss Fiona, arrre ye alrrright?”  He voices in concern what everyone is thinking as he extends his arm to her elbow to steady her.

And Fanny thinks that there is no better time than now to distance herself from Baird Ogilvy.

Fanny: “Mr. Ogilvy!  Why can you not remember that my name is Fanny?”  Fanny snaps at him in forced anger.

Baird looks at Fanny in mute shock.  He wonders, what has happened?  Fanny is usually so agreeable  with him.  They are to be married, afterall.

Hannah: “Fanny!  That is not like you.  Mind your manners. Baird is our guest.”  Baird winces.

Fanny: “Well Mother, then he should act like a guest and remember my name?  Afterall, he and I have been acquainted for three weeks now.”   Baird stares at Fanny with great concern for her changed demeanor.

Lissa:  Chirping cheerfully, Lissa says.  “I remember your name, Miss Fanny.  And I just met you.”

Hannah shoots her daughter a stern look for her not to take out whatever is bothering her on Lissa.

Fanny:   “Of course. Thank you, Lissa.”  Fanny says softly.

Margaret:  Margaret exchanges perplexed looks between she and John.  Then wanting to diffuse the situation and redirect everyone, she suggests softly. “I will bring you your tea, Fanny.” Fanny nods her head woodenly and places her hands in her lap dejectedly.

Lissa looks up at Fanny and she frowns.  Then Lissa clasps Fanny’s hand in hers and squeezes.

Lissa: “Miss Fanny?  You look like you need a friend.  Do you want me to get Betsy for you?  You don’t have to give her to me if you need her.”  Lissa tells Fanny compassionately.

Fanny: “No Lissa, you keep Betsy.  I gave her to you.  She is yours now.”

But the child’s caring and thoughtful gesture makes Fanny burst into tears and she covers her face with her hands as she sobs.

Fanny:  “Hmh  mhm  hmh hmh  hmh!” 

Everyone leans forward in concern.  And Baird can’t stand seeing Fanny is such distress and he kneels down beside her, embracing her lightly--for they are informally engaged, but not formally so.  So he should behave in a gentlemanly fashion and not touch her.  But what gentleman could stand by while his lady cries in pain?

Baird:  “Shhhh.  Fanny.  My sweethearrrt.  What is wrong.”

Hannah’s head lifts at hearing Baird call her daughter his sweetheart, since her intended Dr. Ogilvy had not had the chance to inform her of Baird’s attachment to Fanny.

Fanny:  Then Fanny reveals the problem through her sobs.  “Hmh  hmh  .. But I  can’t be  hmh  hmh  …  your sweetheart!  Hmh  hmh  hmh!”

John: “Oh no, Fanny!  You read Watson’s letter.”  John sighs forlornly.  Fanny nods her head up and down through her sobbing.

Hannah:  “Fanny, you received a letter from Watson?”   She queries.

Baird:  Still lightly embracing Fanny, he asks.  “Did he ask you to marry him and you want to say yes but you don’t want to upset me?”

Fanny:  “Yes!   No!   I mean.  I have to marry Watson.”   Fanny sobs some more.

John:  Putting his hand on his sister’s shoulder as he stands behind the sette, John sighs.  “No, Fanny. You do not have to marry Watson.  You may marry whomever you want to.”

Fanny: “But I can’t.  He’ll call your loan and take the mill away from you.  We’ll be poor again.  I can’t do that to you. I have to marry Watson.”  She wails and sobs.

Dr. Ogilvy: “Laddie, what is going on?”  Dr. Ogilvy asks John with a strident tone in his voice.

John: Gathering his thoughts, John explains as Margaret comes to his side and squeezes his hand encouragingly.“Cameron, I just found out this afternoon from Watson himself.  He has bought a large loan that I had made at the bank--for the mill worker living conditions improvements. He is trying to blackmail me into convincing Fanny to marry him or he’ll call the loan and  force me to sell my mill lease to pay the debt.  But nothing would ever make me force Fanny to do anything contrary to her happiness.”

Baird:  Pulling Fanny into his embrace--despite that it is forward of him to do so--Baird comforts her.  “We’ll find a way out of this Fanny.  I can even loan John the money.”

Fanny: “But you can’t!  It would be like you were buying me to be your wife!”  She says tearily.

Everyone nods at the unsuitability of Baird’s solution.

Baird:   “Well technically, Miss Fanny, I haven’t asked you to be me wife yet.”  He rolls his eyes and smiles impishly at her. “Well, not with yourrr brrrotherrr’s perrrmission anyway.  Arrre ye asking me to marrry you, Miss Fanny?”  He teases. 

Fanny: “Oh, call me Fiona.  I like it.”   She sniffles.

Baird: “Aww! That’s me gerril.”  He kisses her forehead as he embraces her closer.

Dr.  Ogilvy: “Kkhh!”  Mindful of the proprieties, Dr. Ogvily suggests to his son.   “Baird, ye should perhaps let my betrothed comforrrt herrr daughterrr.”

Baird: “Of courrrse Fatherrr.  Arrre you alrrright, Fiona me Dearrr.”  Baird gazes into her eyes.

Fanny: “Yes, thank you Baird.”  She nods her head and then she is transferred to being embraced by her mother as Baird stands up.

John: “Not to worry, Fanny.  I’ll figure something out--even if I have to sell something.” Margaret nods as she clasps John’s arm.

Dr. Ogilvy:  Dr. Ogilvy [(8) right] steps in to help..“We arrre getting ahead of ourrrselves.  John, the firrrst thing to do is to confrrront Lattimerrr about selling your loan without yourrr perrrmission.”  Cameron looks at the clock on the mantel.  “It is half past five.  If we leave now, we might just be able to catch him before he leaves forrr home at six o’clock.” For Dr. Ogilvy has a portion of his assets at Lattimer’s bank and knows his hours of operation well.

John:   ”Perhaps I should go alone.”  John suggests hesitantly.

Dr. Ogilvy: “Nay!  This matterrr  rrrequirrres the clan approach.”  Dr. Ogilvy raises his eye brown.

Hannah: “Cameron!  You’re not going to do Mr. Lattimer bodily harm, are you?”  She blanches.

Dr. Ogilvy: “Ach!   Woman!  Ye rrread too many novels.”  Then he turns to John.  “John, ye need a witness for yourrr discussion with Lattimer.  Now let us be off!”  John nods.

Baird: “Papa, I will stay herrre with the ladies--to prrrotect them should this Watson perrrson turrrn up--and we will await your rrreturrrn.”

John: “Thank you, Baird.”  John says over his shoulder as he and Dr. Ogilvy leave.

Baird joins Fanny in sitting on the sette and she leans her head against his shoulder as he comforts her with his arm lightly resting around her.  Hannah Thornton’s eye brow raises at such familiarity, but she says nothing for the moment.

So John and Dr. Cameron Ogilvy take Dr. Ogilvy’s smaller and faster carriage for their 10 minute drive into town to see the banker Lattimer.  To their great good fortune, they end up meeting Lattimer on his way back to his office.  He had gone home earlier for tea--missing Watson who had gone to see him, then Watson had been sent to Lattimer’s home and a few other places while that gentleman was somewhere in route back to his office.  Then providence smiled again upon John when Lattimer informs him that sale of the loan to Watson had not gone through yet--because he wanted to consult with John first.   However, not feeling comfortable that Lattimer is telling the whole truth--nor that he can be trusted--Dr. Ogilvy suggests and then with John’s permission buys John’s loan from Lattimer, thus truly keeping the matter within the family.  Except for Lattimer informing Watson that his proposed buyout of John’s loan is void, the matter is resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.  And John and Dr. Ogilvy head home to inform their family of their successful conclusion to the matter.

To be continued with Chapter 25

“N&S:  JT Love Lessons”, Ch. 24 References, January 27, 2014 Gratiana Lovelace (Post #507)

1) “N&S:  John Thornton, Love Lessons” story logo:  Richard Armitageas John Thornton and Daniela Denby-Ashe in the 2004 BBC period drama North  & South, was found at  richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/nands/album/episode3/ns3-110.jpg ;  For more information about this wonderful 2004 BBC miniseries adaptation of Elizabeth’s Gaskell’s story North & South, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_&_South_%28TV_serial%29

2)  Image representing Lissa Dillard propped up on pillows recuperating at Thornton Manor is an MS Office Clip Art image (with the right side of the pillow manipped to not be washed out) Jan0514 Gratiana Lovelace

3) Hannah Thornton is Sinead Cusack in North & South epi 4 (22h46m44s114)  Dec2814 GratianaLovelaceCap-crop-pinkroom manip

4) The charming fabric doll image representing Lissa’s Betsy doll was found at http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OFIXe4pTE_U/TXOPpLU-LGI/AAAAAAAAAh8/0WKNc5Il2nM/s1600/DSCF1843.JPG   at http://bois-fleurie.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-fabric-doll.html

5) Fanny Thornton was portrayed by Jo Joyner in the 2004 BBC drama North & South (11h03m52s71) Jan1214 Gratiana Lovelace Cap-crop-sized-brt

6) John Thornton (center) is portrayed by Richard Armitage  in the 2004 BBC drama North & South and was found at http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/nands/album/episode1/ns1-029.jpg

7) Baird Ogilvy  image (masked background, sized) is Simon Woods as Charles Bingley in the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice found at   http://image.hotdog.hu/user/Angelinna/magazin/Pride-and-Prejudice-2005-pride-and-prejudice-2005-32212524-264-400.jpg

8) Dr. Cameron Ogilvy image is Graham McTavish found at  http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsM/30775-29923.jpg  

Link to Ch. 24 Images for Wattpad: 

http://gratianads90.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/aansjohnthorntonlovelessonsfanficch24imagesjan2714gratianalovelacerev.jpg

Link to Ch. 24 with embedded illustrations on my blog: http://gratianads90.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/north-south-john-thornton-love-lessons-ch-24-pg-13-tea-for-two-becomes-fractured-january-27-2014-gratiana-lovelace-post-507/