Mariana Lawton

Passionate, intelligent, cynical Mariana is the great disappointment of Anne Lister’s life.

The two women share a powerful and enduring sexual chemistry, but Anne’s hopes for a more meaningful connection were crushed in 1816 by Mariana’s marriage to Charles Lawton, a man decades her senior. Anne has worn black in quasi-mourning ever since.

Although she and Mariana have maintained a physical relationship intermittently across the intervening years, Anne remains hurt by what she still views as Mariana’s betrayal, and Mariana in turn finds herself jealous of those she views as her rivals for Anne’s heart.

## Season One

"I Was Just Passing"

Anne first receives a letter from her old friend soon after returning home from Hastings informing her that she is going to stop by and spend the night at Shibden.

Joseph Booth hurries upstair to Miss Lister's room to let her know that Mrs. Lawton's carriage has been spotted. Anne hurries downstairs to greet her friend. The two of them say hello with friendly kisses and begin chatting as Anne leads her guest inside.

Mrs. Lawton eats dinner with the Listers and listens to Anne and her sister Marian argue over the elder sister’s plans for Shibden’s coal.  Captain Lister soon puts a stop to it and Aunt Anne asks how her husband is.  Mrs. Lawton admits that she barely sees him as Anne strokes her wine glass.

Mariana and Anne Lister have sex in bed after dinner with Miss Lister on top. Mrs. Lawton asks her lover to tell her what happened in Hastings. Anne refuses as usual. Mariana suggests that Anne should marry a man like she did. In her opinion it would make her life easier. Anne quickly shoots that idea down. She could never marry a man. Miss Lister intends to live with someone she loves, someone who loves her, and not settle for someone who shows up every once in awhile. Mariana doubts that woman exists and that Anne needs to accept that. Anne proposes that they should run away and live in Paris together. Mrs. Lawton explains that she can't live like Anne Lister. She doesn't have the skills to make the world believe that their relationship is purely platonic. She asks Anne if they're going to go at it again. Anne isn't in the mood anymore, and is bummed that her friend is leaving in the morning and lies back down to go to sleep. Mariana accepts that and gives her friend a soft headbutt before going to bed as well.

"Most Women Are Dull and Stupid"

Marina and her husband Charles are eating breakfast in their mansion, Lawton Hall. The two of them are seated at the head and foot of the table respectfully. Mrs. Lawton is reading a letter from her lover. Anne has informed her that she’s in York so her neighbor Miss Walker can see her brother Doctor Belcombe. When she summarizes the contents of the letter to her husband he sarcastically notes that Anne’s neighbor is a woman and on Miss Lister’s “selflessness”.

Do Ladies Do That?

## Quotes

* "Hello Freddy." Mariana's first line, I was just passing
* "I tell these things because I care about you, because I love you, and because there’s probably no one else that would". I Was Just Passing
* “If and when you do find someone, someone who will defy the lot of them and make a conspicuous commitment to you, well, then, she’ll be a very special and particular kind of person.” I Was Just Passing

## Appearances

 **Appears**
 "**Let's Have Another Look at Your Past Perfect**":
 *Absent*

## See Also

William Priestley • **Mariana Lawton** • Elizabeth Sutherland • Suzannah Washington • Dr Kenny • Mr AbbottCaptain Sutherland • Elizabeth Sutherland • James Mackenzie • Mary Sowden • Alf Sowden • Amy SowdenSam Sowden •