Let’s hear how Margaret first describes Mr. Thornton, shall we?
‘And what is your correspondent, Mr. Thornton, like?’
‘Ask Margaret,’ said her husband. ‘She and he had a long attempt at conversation, while I was away speaking to the landlord.’
‘Oh! I hardly know what he is like,’ said Margaret, lazily; too tired to tax her powers of description much. And then rousing herself, she said, ‘He is a tall, broad-shouldered man, about—how old, papa?’
‘I should guess about thirty.’ ‘
About thirty—with a face that is neither exactly plain, nor yet handsome, nothing remarkable—not quite a gentleman; but that was hardly to be expected.’
‘Not vulgar, or common though,’ put in her father, rather jealous of any disparagement of the sole friend he had in Milton.
‘Oh no!’ said Margaret. ‘With such an expression of resolution and power, no face, however plain in feature, could be either vulgar or common. I should not like to have to bargain with him; he looks very inflexible. Altogether a man who seems made for his niche, mamma; sagacious, and strong, as becomes a great tradesman.’
Rose Fairbanks 
Thornton…Darcy and Jamie Fraser are my book …what? Dream on.
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Sounds lovely!
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Has anyone read Common Ground by Elaine Owen? Or, Northern Rain by Nicole Clarkson. Another well written variation is Nowhere but North also by Nicole Clarkson. Well worth your time.
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I read and loved Northern Rain and Nicole Clarkston’s other books. I will have to read Common Ground. Have you read Pack Clouds Away which is unpublished but a Great variation on N&S?
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I have been re-reading the North and South variations that I have found over the years and so, this post is wonderful. My only thought while reading this post was, Oh heavens, I hope Mr. Thornton doesn’t walk in to be introduced while she’s speaking. Well written. I look forward to more.
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Well this is a quote from the original North and South. This was after she had just seen him and her father was unavailable. I had meant to edit the post before it went out to include more of a lead up to explain that. Oops! What are your favorite N&S variations?
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nor yet handsome? nothing remarkable??? I think Margaret should visit the optician asap.
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Heh. Don’t blame me. Take your argument up with Mrs. Gaskell!
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