Ch. 61 (PG-13): The Angus Scotland Highland Games Open
"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", Ch. 61 (PG-13): The Angus Scotland Highland Games Open, June 01, 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" and other actors for additional characters: 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 Ogilvy, Jo Joyner for Fiona/Fanny Thornton Ogilvy, Brendan Coyle for Nicholas Higgins, 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, Tim Faraday as Watson, Gillian Anderson at Carlotta Quint Watson, Jeremy Northam as Dr. Miles Houghton, and Gerard Butler as Lord Jamie Ogilvy, etc] [(1) story logo, top right]
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. As such there will be heartfelt moments of love and sensuality (S)--as well as other dramatic emotions (D), 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 from the previous chapter: Getting the new weaving looms installed in the new Ogilvy-Thornton Scottish Mills took much of John Thornton's and the other family men's time. But as a precursor to the Highland Games, John practiced his archery skills--which had been non-existent up until then. But the unexpected and troubling news John received came from Cameron as physician to John's pregnant wife Margaret--with him telling John that Margaret is nine months pregnant and her large size might necessitate a dangerous cesarean operation. John was beside himself with worry. But Ogilvy cousin Lord Jamie Ogilvy confided in John about his and his wife Thistle's middle child who died during labor--and that it was only the birth of their young daughter Blythe that helped them find joy in life again. John listened to Jamie's tale with reverence and humility--turning to console Jamie, even as John realized that what vagaries of fate cannot be predicted cannot dampen their present joy about his and Margaret's baby's impending birth. Though John refrained from worrying Margaret with Thistle's pregnancy difficulties, John still worries.
"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", Ch. 61 (PG-13): The Angus Scotland Highland Games Open
The Angus, Scotland [(2a)] Highland Games[(2b)] Season Opener from Friday June 20th to Sunday June 22nd, 1851 includes teams from the surrounding region, is being held on Cameron Ogilvy Lord Airlie's Airlie Estates that are situated just to the South of the Angus Glens at the beginning of the gentle hills stretching to the city of Dundee. There will be an opening Welcome Ceremony lead by [Dr. Cameron Ogilvy] Lord Ogilvy, his Countess Hannah [Lady Ogilvy], and their families. Then a parade of all the teams from Airlie Village (adjacent to the Airlie Estate), Dundee, and Strathmore, etc., will culminate in an explosive start to the games.
But first, there is a tiara crisis to be averted. When Lady Angharad Ogilvy MacIntosh and Lady Thistle MacLaren Ogilvy arrive with their families at Airlie Castle for a quick Friday morning family breakfast before the Highland Games Welcoming Ceremony festivities begin, upon their heads rest the problems. For upon Angharad's and Thistle's heads sit lovely daytime casual tiaras. And when Lady Fiona Ogilvy sees their hair finery, her patience in waiting for her own tiara selection is at an end as she whines cutely to her husband Laird Baird Ogilvy.
Fiona: "Baird? Am I not to have a pretty little daytime tiara, too?" Fiona pouts sincerely [(3) right].
Fiona leans in so that the fullness of her breast discreetly brushes her husband's forearm as she bats her eyes him. Fiona asks so sweetly that he cannot resist.
Baird: LordBaird smiles broadly. "An overrrsight my Love. Of courrrse, ye shall have a tiarrra. We will go to the Towerrr Vault afterrr brrreakfast and select one for you."
Fiona: "But I want my tiara now." She insists sweetly.
Baird: "Well ..." His voice trails off, wondering if it is better to feed his hungry stomach, or to indulge his young wife's fancy.
Lady Fiona discreetly cuddles up to her husband Lord Baird--seductively walking her fingers up his forearm coat sleeve. Then Fiona whispers into her husband's ear--something related to her wearing naught but her tiara and a smile for him later--that causes Baird to blush crimson [(4) right] and to lower his hands to in front of his kilt, to save himself from further embarrassment.
Fiona: Then Fiona purrs. "And I need time to situate the tiara in my hair."
Both Lady Angharad and Lady Thistle nod in agreement. Along with Lady Fiona, the young and beautiful Clan Ogilvy wives form a formidable and charming bevy of ladies. Margaret and Hannah look on from the side in amusement. Though Margaret will not be wearing a daytime casual tiara--or any other kind of tiara by her choice, though she had been offered the loan of a tiara for the Highland Games Opening Banquet tonight she declined as the formerly prim vicar's daughter that she is. As Countess of Airlie, Hannah will wear a modest tiara for the Angus, Scotland Highland Games Opening Ceremonies today and then she will wear her impressive crown like pearl and diamond Airlie tiara [(5)right] tonight.
Angharad: "Aye Bairrrd! One does not simply plop a tiarrra upon one's head." Baird smiles
Thistle: "Indeed! A tiarrra must be carrrefully positioned within ones coiffurrrre--and then, securrrely fastened."
Baird: Baird throws up his hands--now that he has had some time to collect himself. "I am out numberrred. " Then he extends his arm to his wife. "Let us make a quick trrrip to the Towerrr Vault for your daytime tiarrra. And then we will come rrright back for brrreakfast. But ye must wait until this afterrrnoon forrr a longerrr time to take in selecting the tiarrra for your evening gown for tonight's Angus Scotland Highland Games Opening Banquet."
Fiona: "Ooh! Thank you!" Fiona impulsively wraps her arms around her husband's neck and kisses him thoroughly. Baird wraps his arms around her waist and kisses her back.
Baird: After Baird and Fiona come up for air, he smirks. "Well! Perhaps we should have you select a tiarrra everrryday, My Love! Ha ha ha ha ha!"
So with Lady Angharad and Lady Thistle assisting in daytime casual tiara selection, Lady Fiona makes her choice. The tiara [(6) right] Lady Fiona chooses has a low front diadem silouhette, with some filigree swirls encrusted with diamonds in its design. It is pretty without being ostentatious--as befitting the youthfulness of the future Countess of Airlie, Lady Fiona.
***
Sitting on the purpose built stage in front of Airlie Castle for the Angus, Scotland Highland Games Season Opener, the whole Ogilvy-MacIntosh-Thornton extended family sits in rows of chairs--the men and boys are all wearing kilts. However John was gratefully given a pass on having to wear a kilt since he is English. So John is wearing long trousers--no one has seen his lower legs since he graduated from boyish knickers, except for his wife Margaret.
In front of the stage party are the hundreds of people gathered together for these three days of games--competitors from all seven teams, including Airlie Village and Estates, Dundee and Strathmore, etc., and spectators alike. For the Highland Games events are also a way to highlight Gaelic Culture [(2b)] through arts music, dance [(7) right], and storytelling for the children--as well as, crafts and goods to sell.
And perhaps not surprisingly the loud, brash, and hulking six foot four inch tall Sir Angus Ogilvy serves as the Master of Ceremonies and Announcer for the Angus, Scotland Highland Games Season Opener hosted by the Airlie Estate, as he does every year. Angus received this responsibility years ago because he does not need a megaphone to be heard throughout the sea of 300 or so competitors, exhibitors/vendors, and audience members in attendance.
Angus: "My Lords, Ladies, Citizens, Children, and Honored Guests, I am Sir Angus Ogilvy. And on behalf of Dr. Cameron Ogilvy, Lord Airlie and his Countess Hannah, Lady Airlie and all of Clan Ogilvy, we welcome you today to the opening of our Annual Angus Scotland Highland Games Season Opener!" Angus lifts his arms into the air excitedly and the crowd responds with enthusiasm--with shouts and whistles.
Crowd: "Yay! Forrrr Scotland! Cheerrrs forrr Clan ________ (insert clan name)! Wherrre is the frrree ale, laddie?"
Clearly, some spectators are attending the games for more than mere sport.
Angus: Then Sir Angus makes some important team introductions. "Let me recognize the Team Leaders for each town or area. We have Sir Brian Ague and the team from Dundee!" The older Sir Brian waves and their contingent applauds and cheers wildly, everyone else applauds politely. "Then we have Lord Finniston Cragston and the team from Strathmore!" More cheering. Several other Teams and their Team Leaders are introduced, and then he introduces their team. And finally, we have the reigning champions--for several years running--Lord Jamie Ogilvy and Airlie Team SCOT, the team from Airlie Village and Castle Estates!"
Lord Jamie Ogilvy [(8) right] stands and walks forward on the stage toward his younger brother--with Jamie at six feet six inches tall towering over Angus. In general, the Ogilvy brothers present a very daunting image--not the least of which is because their size and brute strength have greatly contributed to the success of Airlie Team SCOT with the Angus Scotland Highland Games Season Openers in past years. A very large contingent-are roaring their approval for the Airlie Team SCOT--nearly a third of the crowd since everyone lives nearby and can easily attend the games.
Then smiling pleasantly, but not overly cheerful--because Jamie wants to maintain his air of formidableness to their competitors--Jamie also welcomes the crowed.
Jamie: "I welcome ye! And may the spirit of congenial sportsmanship ..."
Thistle: "Kkkkh!" Lord Jamie's wife Lady Thistle coughs loudly to get her husband's attention--so that he does not forget to mention the other competitors--for the Highland Games have included some amusing contests of skill by the ladies as well.
Jamie: He smiles. "... and sportswomanship, ..." Lord Jamie nods back at his wife and she smiles. "... be the focus of our activities both on and off the field this festival weekend." The crowd cheers and Lord Jamie returns to his seat next to his wife Lady Thistle.
Angus: "Aye! And though we might be fierce competitors, we are all Scots!" The crowd cheers again! "So remembering our heritage of successful games--and winners, such as Clan Ogilvy, Team SCOT, that has won these games for the past fifteen years ..."
However, Cameron frowns [(9) right] just as Angus begins to deviate from the previously decided upon Welcoming Ceremony speech--the grey and sage colors of Cameron's attire suiting his mood perfectly--by talking a bit too boastfully about the past winners of these games, with all of the winners being from Airlie Team SCOT (Scottish Clan Ogilvy Team). And Sir Angus' now slightly two months pregnant but still not showing wife Lady Davina rolls her eyes at her husband's bragging tone. Then she looks pointedly at her brother-in-law and head of their branch of the family and Team SCOT Team Leader, Lord Jamie Ogilvy. Jamie shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders at his brother's antics and looks to his cousin Dr. Cameron Ogilvy, Lord Airlie--because as Lord Airlie, Cameron is the titular host of these games for Clan Ogilvy.
Cameron: "Hhhhh!" Cameron sighs, stands up and walks up behind sir Angus, clapping him on his shoulders. "Thank ye, Sirrr Angus!" Cameron smiles at him warmly. "That was a wonderrrrful opening speech! Let us give Sir Angus Ogilvy a rrround of applause, everyone." Cameron leads the applause and Angus smiles broadly.
Angus: "Thank ye, Lorrrd Airrrlie!"
Cameron: "Shall we get these games starrrted?" Cameron yells to the Highland Games attendees with his arms open wide.
The crowd of competitors and spectators: "Aye! About Time! Can't wait! Brrrring it on!" They yell back.
So Cameron, Lord Airlie lifts a small red flag out of its holder on the stage and looks toward the lake beyond the spectators, where a canon is positioned some quarter mile away (or two furlongs) [(10)] --with the canon pointing toward and over the lake--and he waves the red flag. Everyone turns their attention to the lake. The kilt wearing Artillery Captain of Airlie Castle standing by the canon at the lake waves his companion red flag. Then the captain picks up a flaming wick and looks back to Cameron, Lord Airlie. Cameron waves his flag once more, with the highland games attendees eyes riveted upon the canon [(11) right]. The captain lights the canon fuse and steps backward as the few seconds tick by. Then there is an enormous thundering boom as the canon recoils and shoots a canon ball over the lake to a predetermined position where nets have been placed under the water in hopes of catching the solid granite canon ball. Canon balls are hard to come by and expensive--so they are not left to sink to the bottom of the lake.
Then the crowd disperses to various games contests and exhibit/sales booth venues for the highland games.
This Friday morning, there will be initial contests of skill through the archery competition that John Thornton competes in with Lord Baird Ogilvy and Sir Alistair MacIntosh--as well as brute strength, such as Caber tossing [(12a)]. John and Baird acquit themselves well for AirlieTeam SCOT--each earning high marks for their arrows consistently--in three out of five shots--hitting near the target. With their third member SirAlistair hitting the target squarely in the center. However, it is the team from Dundee that wins the archery competition because two of their three archers hit the center of the target. But Team SCOT is gracious in defeat, congratulating the Dundee Team and shaking their hands. Airlie Team SCOT will still have time to improve their overall team score from all of the competitions to hopefully win the coveted silver Team Cup traveling trophy--that has not traveled out of Angus, Scotland for the last fifteen years.
Next up is the caber tossing event with Airlie Team SCOT's Team Leader Lord Jamie Ogilvy besting all of the other competitor's throws--in a best of three tosses format--by twenty feet. Coupled with Jamie's brother Angus' long throws, and one other very muscular team member's [(12b) right] throw, Airlie Team SCOT wins the caber tossing competition as their ladies wave their linen handkerchiefs at their champions. With Strathmore being the second place team and Dundee third, the higher point value caber tossing event inches Airlie Team SCOT into the lead for the team standings.
Everyone breaks for two hours for a lovely picnic lunch and to peruse the Highland Games accompanying Gaelic Festival stalls with all manner of items to buy. Lord Baird will be lucky if hiw wife Lady Fiona does not spend all in his purse, for she has decided that she loves all things Scottish and embraces her heritage and her new second home with her new husband Lord Baird. Margaret has to sit most of the time because she is so largely pregnant, so they visit only a few booths today. John had wanted his wife Margaret to rest today and stay in their guest bed chamber. But Margaret will not miss out on the fun of the Highland Games for anything in the world. Well, almost anything.
Then the real fun of the competition today occurs as the younger members of the teams--children ages four through ten--participate in a children's tug of war contest. The Airlie Team SCOT children's division has nine year old Viscount Hamish Ogilvy, eight year old Roland Dillard, six year old Leanna Dillard, five year old Lady Blythe Ogilvy, five year old Andrew MacIntosh, and four year old Lissa Dillard. This is the first time that Blythe has participated due to her leg mobility issues and her delicate heart. Her parents are none too certain if they should allow her to take part in the tug of war, as they help the children into the jumpsuits they will wear so they don't get their nice play clothes muddy.
Jamie: "Arrre ye cerrrtain that ye want to do the tug of warrr, Blythe?" Lord Jamie asks his daughter in a concerned tone.
Blythe: "Oh yes, Papa! This twill be fun!" Ever since Blythe formed her friendship with little Lissa Dillard, Blythe has been fearless to do all that she had been too shy or scared to do before--to her parents' bemused chagrin.
Thistle: "Now if your team loses, ye know that ye will end up in the mud pit." She tries to make it sound unpleasant.
Blythe: "We will na lose, Mama! Will we, Lissa?" The girls make a charming pair of friends. And Lady Thistle is grateful for Lissa helping her five year old daughter Blythe [(13) right] to blossom as a an independent and confident person with Lissa's unconditional support and friendship to Lady Blythe.
Lissa: "We are certain to win with the boys pulling harrrd. Me brother Roland is verrry strong!" Lissa lilts her growing Scottish accent somewhat haphazardly.
Blythe: Little Lady Blythe pulls her blue beribboned and real tortoise shell barrette out of her hair. "Please take this forrr me, Mama. I do na want to lose it with ourrr tugging."
Thistle: "Very wise, Blythe Sweetheart." Lady Thistle caresses her daughter's cherubic face. "Now rrrememberrr, stand and brrrace yourrrself only on yourrr good leg. And just let go of the rrrope if you feel faint or pain." Lady Thistle is referring to her daughter's somewhat weak heart.
Blythe: Blythe rolls her eyes in an amusingly exaggerated way. "I will, Mama." Lady Thistle smiles at her daughter's exuberance.
When the Airlie Team SCOT children are called to the mud pit for the tug of war, they look down to survey its muddiness. It is a six foot square, three inch deep, churned up patch of water soaked soil that makes for an oozy mess. The children's bravado about their tug of war skills is dampened by the icky mud and the size of the members of the opposing team--all of whom look to be at least nine years old. That puts Airlie Team SCOT at a disadvantage with half of their team under the age of eight--and three of the six members are girls. Never the less, the Airlie Team SCOT children take their positions along the rope that has a scarf hanging down from it in the middle--boys in the front, then girls according to age. Little Lissa is at the rear. Whichever team can pull the hanging scarf over to their side past the pit edge wins.
At first, the two teams of children tighten their holds on the rope without really pulling hard. They are just testing each others' hold upon the rope. The fathers of the children for each team are standing to the sides whispering suggestions to them. Then the crowd starts to cheer and encourage the children to really start pulling.
Crowd of spectators: "Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull!"
So the children start to pull--their little faces become scrunched up with determination as they begin to pull hard. Lord Jamie Ogilvy notices a pattern of tugging and then regrasping the rope by the opposing team--his son Hamish at the head of their pulling team notices this as well.
Hamish turns his head back toward his teammates and whispers.
Hamish: "Rrrememberrr what I said about my commands about pulling and letting go."
They all shake their little heads. For Lord Jamie had suggested earlier to his son Viscount Hamish that Hamish's verbal tugging commands to his team incite the opposite of what they plan to do--to set the opposing team off balance. So pull means to slacken their hold, and let go means to pull as hard as you can. The theory being that the opposing team won't want to fall backwards--even though they would not get muddy. So they will be off guard and Airlie Team SCOT might be able to pull them into the mud. This plan will only work with one team, and only once--then their strategy will be known. So timing is everything.
Hamish notices the other team tugs and then regrasps the rope again, loosening their hold and relaxing their stance.
Hamish: "Pull!" Airlie Team SCOT gives some slack to the rope, which confuses the other team just long enough. The other team stops pulling and stands upright. "Let go!" Then Airlie Team SCOT pulls with all their might--and the other team topples into the mud pit in a startled heap as the hanging scarf is pulled well past the pit on the Airlie Team SCOT side.
Angus: "Airlie Team SCOT wins!" Angus bellows with pride and just a hint of surprise. He was uncertain about his brother Jamie's suggested strategy. But it worked.
The Airlie Team SCOT children's team is jubilant as they raise their hands in the air, jump up and down, and hug each other. And happily, they were only mildly spattered with mud when Team Dundee went kerflop into the mud pit.
Then Dundee tugs against Strathmore--losing again, because Strathmore tried Airlie Team SCOT's strategy, them rightly thinking that Dundee would not expect it twice in a row. The final matchup is Airlie Team SCOT children tugging against the Strathmore team children. With the two teams being evenly matched for strength and cunning, anything could happen. By now, the edges of the mud pit have become slippery as well. So standing their ground and not sliding into the mud pit will be a challenge. But that is where Hamish and his father Jamie also have a secret weapon. Hamish changes shoes into a similarly styled pair of shoes--but with a distinct difference. Hamish's new shoes have pointy spikes on the bottom--the better for Hamish to grip the slippery ground with. There is no prohibition upon foot wear and Hamish's shoe innovation helps the Airlie Team SCOT children win their second Tug of War Match--and thus the Angus Highland Games Tug of War children's trophy.
After the Airlie Team SCOT tug team children are ushered back to the family tent, Lord Jamie and Lady Thistle help them change back into their nicer clothes behind screens for privacy--with only a bit of need to wipe faces and hands where some inevitable mud spattering appears.
Thistle: "How do ye feel, Blythe? Arrre ye tirrred?" Lady Thistle asks her daughter Blythe in concern.
Blythe: "I'm good! Oh Mama! We had so much fun!" Then Lady Blythe turns to her friend Lissa. "Shall we go see the sweets booth as ourrr rrrewarrrd, Lissa?"
Lissa: "Yes, lets! Papa gave me a penny for Leanna, and Roland, and I." Lissa holds up her penny--which will buy them many candies and treats.
Blythe: Not realizing until now that she would need money for her needs--when usually they come to her literally on a silver platter, Blythe asks. "Mama, may I have a penny, too?"
Thistle: "Of course." Lady Thistle reaches into a little purse on her dress belt--for Lady Thistle is wearing casual Highland dress--and she fishes out a penny for her. "Come back to me in a few minutes and we will walk up to the castle together." The two little girls nods.
Lissa: Lissa picks up her friend's walking stick. "Here is your walking stick, Blythe."
Blythe: "Thank ye! I will need it on the lumpy grrround." Blythe exclaims excitedly, not feeling out of place for having her big shoe that balances the length of her legs, nor for her carrying her walking stick to help her balance as she walks. Lady Blythe feels free from being singled out as different and she is effervescently bubbly about it--as every five year old should be.
Then the two girls go off in search of sweets as Lady Thistle keeps a close eye on them from a discreet distance as the girls and their siblings walk through the various food and craft stalls--before she herds the brood up to the castle.
***
Friday evening, there is the Angus Scotland Highland Games Season Opener Opening Banquet for all and sundry competitors and their families. People of every rank and station are present in the Great Hall of Airlie Castle that has been converted into a banquet hall with long rows of tables with bench seating. The Ogilvy family sits at the head table--Cameron Lord Airlie and his Countess Hannah Lady Airlie, Lord Baird and Lady Fiona, and the MacIntosh family consisting of Sir Alistair and Lady Angharad and their children. Then Lord Jamie and Lady Thistle Ogilvy and their children sit with John and Margaret Thornton--as well as Sir Angus and Lady Davina Ogilvy. The Dillards are sitting at a nearby table--so Blythe and Lissa cutely wave back and forth to each other when they think no one is watching.
However, the evening ends with each of the visitors paying homage to Cameron Lord Airlie and his family. The visitors bow and present a small token gift to Lord Airlie and his Countess--a nightingale in a cage, a piece of lace, a wood carving of the Airlie crest, and a ceremonial sword are among the simple to exquisite gifts they receive graciously. Hannah is particularly delighted with a small bolt of beautiful Honiton lace [(14) right] that matches the lace used on her wedding gown.
And by extension, John and Margaret Thornton are also honored as banquet guests pause to pay their respects to John as the lead entrepreneur in developing the new Ogilvy-Thornton Scottish Mills project--which will bring jobs to hundreds when it is fully operational and insure a long lasting prosperity to the area. John and Margaret receive some hand woven Scottish textiles, as well as, several baby things like blankets and clothes and a silver teething rattle owing to Margaret's very pregnant condition. John and Margaret are deeply touched by the gratitude and thoughtfulness of the Scottish people.
And these gifts from the heart by people who will benefit directly or indirectly from the new Ogilvy-Thornton Scottish Mills, make John think of his own employees back at Marlborough Mills. And the worker welfare projects that they enacted at Marlbourough Mills will also be established here in Scotland to benefit these new Mill workers. John and Margaret Thornton have been gone a long time from Milton--two weeks, between their London stay and now their Scotland trip.
And with Margaret's pending birthing trials, they might be staying in Scotland for several more weeks as she recovers and their baby gains strength. But as yet, John has not told Margaret of Cameron's supposition that she is further along in her pregnancy than she thinks. But he realizes that she must be told so that she is not fearful of her birthing trials--thinking that it would be too soon for the baby. So as they dance a slow waltz--the only time Margaret is standing this night--John breaks the ice.
John: "Margaret, how are you feeling tonight? Tell me truly." He cajoles as he gazes at her with loving adoration [(15)right].
Margaret: "Truthfully? I am very tired and every part of me seems to ache. Hhhhh! I wish ..." She lets her wish hang in the air.
John: "You wish to have our baby tomorrow?" John smiles lovingly repeating her oft voiced wish.
Margaret: "Or, yesterday. Ha ha ha!" She smiles impishly. Then Margaret's eyes mist over and she says tenderly as she lovingly gazes up at him. "For that would mean that I am holding our baby in my arms this moment. Oh John! I do not know if I can wait two more months for our baby to be born. Hhhh! Hmm. Hmmm."
Margaret begins to cry quietly so as not to attract attention to herself and John folds her within his loving embrace. Pregnancy is a strain on anyone, and is especially trying as the birthing time draws near.
John: "Well Margaret, you might get your wish to have our baby--tomorrow or in a few days." Margaret quizzically gazes at her husband John as she dries her eyes. Then John whispers in her ear. "Cameron thinks that you are nearly nine months pregnant--from the date of our wedding." John explains delicately.
Margaret: Margaret's eyes grow wide in astonishment, even as her hands rest protectively on either side of her very pregnant belly. "He does?" She whispers back.
John: "He does. But let us talk more in private our bed chamber. I fear that all of the fresh clean air has made me sleepy." John is being only slightly truthful. For he knows that Margaret would stubbornly try to stay and enjoy tonight's festivities long past her much needed bed time.
Margaret: "I am sleepy as well." She concedes with a grateful sigh as she leans her head upon her husband's chest.
John: John strokes Margaret's back and rocks her back and forth a little--as if they were still dancing slowly. "Then let us retire, Margaret, My Love."
So John and Margaret slip away to their guest bed chamber in Airlie Castle after saying their goodnights to Cameron and Hannah and their immediate family. And eventually, the other married couples of the extended Ogilvy-MacIntosh-Thornton family do the same and retire to their respective beds--with several couples actually falling asleep some time after they retire for the night [(16) right].
Tomorrow will bring more Angus Scotland Highland Games competitions--including a special event involving the ladies.
To be continued with Chapter 62
"N&S: JT Love Lessons", Ch. 61 References, June 01, 2014 Gratiana Lovelace (Post #575)
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
2a&b) Information about the Angus region of Scotland is found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angus ; For more information about Scottish Highland Games, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_games
3) Fanny is Jo Joyner in the BBC 2004 drama North & South (11h04m47s104) Jan1214 Gratiana Lovelace Cap-crop-sized-shrp
4) Baird Ogilvy image (aspect, drken,sized) is Simon Woods as Charles Bingley in the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice found at madambaggio.blogspot.com at http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJFEabizaEI/UKAkFwXlJtI/AAAAAAAAANI/G5pZUxqcZGY/s320/Hugo+Weasley+02.jpg
5) Hannah's wedding gown image Manip: (crop to head only) is comprised of
a) Tiara found at Image used for Airlie Tiara (with manip by Grati to create both sides of the tiara and a cender diamond) was found at http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/tiaraguessing.jpg
b) Sinead Cusack as Hannah's head found at Hannah Thornton image is Sinead Cusack in North & South epi 2, Dec1913 (crop-drkn) found at http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m628/lena_catta/English/kinopoiskru-North-_26_2338_3B-South-1668820.jpg ; and
c) Gown: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/2e/15/49/2e15496303608330e024783c1f887e4c.jpg
6) The image for Lady Fiona's daytime casula tiara was found at https://media.andreasbeau.com/catalog/product/cache/1/image/2036x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/p/r/princess-rhinestone-tiara.jpg
7) Scottish/Gaelic girl dancer was found at http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/goskagit.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/53/75345dd7-6bad-5d9b-8de9-986bf34d8ca3/51e22ce8a0ce0.preview-300.jpg ; for more information about Highland Games from the Skagit Valley Herald, visit http://www.goskagit.com/all_access/kilts-caber-toss-and-more-at-highland-games/article_b714b517-7dea-5b18-839c-911c2ae5de1f.html
8) Jamie Ogilvy image is Gerard Butler at the "Machine Gun Preacher" premiere found at http://i52.tinypic.com/sg7nrm.jpg ; for more images shared by G&Ggals.com visit Oh No they Didn't live journal at http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/62685495.html
9) Dr. Cameron Ogilvy image is Graham McTavish in the role of Dougal MacKenzie in the Starz tv series "Outlander "found at http://outlander.wikia.com/wiki/Dougal_MacKenzie
10) In the English System of Measurement, refined after 1592 a mile became 5280 yards, or 8 fulongs as found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_units
11) Canon and stone canon balls from the 1851 restoration at Edinburgh Castle was found at http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Mons_Meg,_Medieval_Bombard,_Edinburgh,_Scotland._Pic_01.jpg ; for more information, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_Castle
12) a) For more information about the High Games contest of caber tossing, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caber_toss ; and b) Highland Games Getty image of man about to toss his caber was found at http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/30/article-2616812-1D6D285200000578-487_306x423.jpg ; for more information, visit this Daily Mail article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2616812/Scotland-holidays-Highland-Games-heaven-Loch-Lomond.html
13) Blythe Ogilvy image (brt) is Portrait of a Young Girl by Paul Emile Chabas found at http://www.oceansbridge.com/oil-paintings/product/89623/portraitofayounggirl
14) Image of beautiful Scottish Honiton Lace was found at http://www.scottish-wedding-dreams.com/images/BobbinLace-HonitonWeddingFlounce-LaceFairy.jpg ; for more information, visit http://www.scottish-wedding-dreams.com/201107.html
15) John Thornton is Richard Armitage (brt and bl eyes) and the back of Margaret is Daniella Denby Ashe in the BBC's 2004 drama North & South, epi 2, pix 108 found at richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/nands/album/episode2/ns2-108.jpg
16) Feet-coversoct1012instforenergyresearchorg_May1614-crop-sized-stretched
Link to Ch. 61 with embedded illustrations on my blog:
http://gratianads90.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/ns-john-thornton-love-lessons-ch-61-pg-13-the-angus-scotland-highland-games-open-june-01-2014-gratiana-lovelace-post-575/
Link to Ch. 61 Images for Wattpad:
https://gratianads90.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/aansjohnthorntonlovelessonsfanficch61imagesjun0114gratianalovelace.jpg
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