ofpotsandkettlesx

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

Tina's breath was caught in her throat, no sound able to pass her lips as James' lingered there against hers. So many thoughts ran through her mind that she couldn't make sense of a single one of them.

Her hand moved from his sleeve, to his chest, half wanting to push him away, to make it stop, half desperate to be tethered to him.

It all seemed too good to be true. Tina, who came from nothing, who was nothing, was being offered, what seemed, the world. Maybe she didn't want the world. Maybe she wanted safe. Maybe she just wanted love, no matter where it came from.

"You hurt me James," she managed finally, feelings overwhelming her. Her cheeks glistened with tears. How could she marry someone she knew could hurt her so easily, break her heart like it was nothing and then try to put it back together with nothing but flour and water. "You hurt me and you had no idea. No idea what every said, how people looked at me. You're wealthy, you have status-- You're a man! You can do anything you want!"

"Why not." James whispered against those honey like lips. He made her cry again, how many times would he bring her to tears - not enough times he ensured himself. One day he'd make her cry tears of joy.

He couldn't take the rejectment of her, had been spoiled with unreasonable thoughts, he felt like he should be selfish with her, but the more selfish he became the more he pushed her away. And now he had realized it was She he couldn't live without.

He needed her.

Those eyes found his, and he found himself drowning into them.

"You can Tina." He urged her with his lips. Showing her his heart. "I could have married Wendy, but I won't because she isn't you. No matter whose path I cross it'll always be you Tina. I cannot love anyone but you."

He looked down again. "Which is why...I went to her royal Queen Charlotte. To grant you a title." He looked at her. "That is if you marry me, you would become the lady of the house. No more cleaning, just you and me spending time together forever." It was a promise.

"Please Tina, I beg of you." He wrapped her in his arms, unsure if he should let her go- he didn't want to.

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

“You can’t marry me at all!” Tina protested, sticking her nose in the air. The action was practised, but it had one more reason than it usually did; to catch tears from falling down her cheeks.

Once again, this felt like a cruel joke. First, he loves her, tells her from nowhere when she is working in the garden. That was a falsity, she had thought. But he grew on her, slowly, to her chagrin, in spite of his weird behaviour. They grew closer and it culminated in a night that should never have happened. Not with her status, not with his employment, certainly not out of wedlock. Then he doesn’t want her. He asks her to leave and all she can think is that she had ruined her life for his entertainment.

And now... this. Her new place of work, setting the whole thing up with the lady of the house. It couldn’t have felt any more like a joke if he had tried.

What’s more, after all this, her heart went back to the familiar in Peter tenfold to seek his comfort. It was mortifying.

This was mortif--

Tina stiffened, her cheek in his hand, turning her head. The first time she looked him in the eye, those charming, haunted blue eyes, for weeks.

Her knees went weak, a hand finding the sleeve of his perfectly pressed shirt instinctively for balance.

“I can’t...” Tina whispered against his lips, eyes fluttering her tears down her cheeks.

-

"I do not." James said honest. "I cannot marry you if you are my maid." He pointed out. Normally he couldn't marry her because a non-member of the ton didn't blend well with members of the ton. But it wasn't unheard off. After all it's what Benedict Bridgerton had done. And that fact had given him courage.

"Marry me Tina, I don't believe what happened between us was a mistake. I do believe somewhere a part of you does love me." He edged closer to her, gently tracing her cheek as he forced her to look at him.

She could be terribly stubborn he had learned. But he found that so endearing about her.

"Love me, Tina. And marry me." He whispered before placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

Marry me, Wendy, is what Tina’s mind heard before Mr. Hook had finally found his courage. She wasn’t really listening, as frustrated as she was that he was taking forever beating around the bush, and thus it did not process. Went in one ear, and out the other. A common occurrence for Miss Bell.

A dawning horror spread across her features as Wendy spoke - sadly, with it being her job to be in tune with her mistresses needs, she heard all of that and wished she hadn’t. That horror turned first to Wendy, who offered to leave them. Tina thought that was a terrible idea, given that her ‘reputation’ was already in tatters. If word got out that she had been left alone with him, she would be ruined thrice.

The door closed with a quiet click!

The horror once more turned to a stubborn glare. The first real time Miss Bell looked at Mr. Hook since they had entered the room. A few weeks prior she might have been ecstatic.

“Don’t pretend you feel guilty,” Tina snapped, ignoring the request. Her arms folded across her chest.

James was insufferable, his new maid was perfect in every way. Tended to him, made sure he was okay, and certainly knew her way better than Tina could dream off. So sending her away had been the greater choice for the house - even so if the reason behind it was his own heartache.

why couldn't she love him?

Those words didn't go unheard, not to James, not when he looked at her and her alone. So be it. James thought. He looked at Wendy apologetically. a wry smile on his lips as he looked at Tina, his Tina. At least- it had been for one night. And that night he couldn't forget, so much that he too was startled by his next words.

"Marry me, Tina Bell." Wendy looked at James and it was strange that she looked almost relieved with his words. "I knew something was going on between you two-" Wendy said with a soft smile. Glancing at Tina, who hadn't been the best of friends with her since she joined. They were like two cats hissing to one another. But that alone gave Wendy comfort. It meant Tina was trusting enough to be herself around her.

"I'll leave you two be - I think you have a lot to discuss." Wendy said, as James nodded thankful for the privacy of all things.

"Tina..." He muttered the moment Wendy and the staff left.

"Marry me."

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

Miss Bell hadn’t been particular thrilled about being asked to leave her job, but she wasn’t wholly surprised. In fact, she saw it coming from a mile away. She could see how it would all play out the moment things got dangerous. Mr. Hook’s reputation had never been on the line, but Miss Bell’s had. Tina was angry; angry at herself for being so stupid, angry at Mr. Hook for abusing his position and filling her head with words that didn’t mean anything. For making her trust him, be vulnerable with him. Tina was angry at herself for even entertaining the idea of being heartbroken. Was ruining her future with Peter not enough, that she had to go and ruin her future prospects too?

Miss Bell had lost her job and her reputation and broken her heart in one fell swoop. The scabs on her knuckles were still healing from the caning Ms. Fairchild gave her when she found out. No one will hire you! You’ve ruined the reputation of this whole establishment. What a little trollop!

Tina was never granted the chance to explain herself, but thanked her lucky stars that Ms. Fairchild noticed the heartbreak in her eyes and gave her a final warning. (They’ll welcome you gladly at the whore house.)

Somehow, a few months down the line, Peter of all people had managed to find her a job at the Darling household. Something about Peter knowing Mr. Darling from business to do with the ships or the trades, she wasn’t sure. It was not the most thrilling, and she had no choice but to be prim and proper in spite of her feelings. Miss Darling was insufferable. Tina was now her maid.

This afternoon, the house staff had been informed of a visitor -a wealthy, incredibly handsome man- who was here to request tidings with Miss Darling’s father, and then with Miss Darling herself. It was required that Miss Bell follow her around to attend to her every whim, and so she had been sent to fetch refreshments from the mysterious man’s arrival.

The tray almost fell from her hands at the sight of him. She set it on the side, out of the way, avoiding all looks save for a single searing glare that she shot at the back of his head when he wasn’t looking. Wendy’s glance hinted that she shouldn’t leave them alone. She needed this job, or she would have.

No, Tina stuck to the corner, gaze averted, waiting as the man who almost ruined her entire life stammered for words in front of another woman.

“Spit it out...” Tina grumbled over the clinking of teapots as she straightened them up. She was absolutely certain she had not said it loud enough to be heard. Wendy didn’t so much as glance her way as she said it, instead waiting patiently for Hook to finish.

Will you- I mean - Will you M-

Here he was standing in front of Wendy, while thinking of another woman. A woman that was no member of the ton like Wendy was. A woman with character, too much character for anyone's taste but James his. There was no denying that he loved Tina Bell. But she didn't want him, and the woman in front of him did. Tina wanted Peter, he knew this - heard of it by a boy named Tootles. And here he was thinking his mother was a monster.

Then again as an orphan maybe his parents didn't name him, tootles.

His eyes fell on Tina for the first time in weeks. He avoided her, and then eventually they came together one night, but she had called it a mistake.

He scratched his throat. The right thing to do was to propose to Wendy, get children for his linage, and - Again he looked at Tina. As if he expected her to save him, his eyes fell down.

Why would she?

"Will you - I mean - Will you M-"

@ofpotsandkettlesx

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

maythehighgroundbewithyou​:

Yes, he should dismiss her, shouldn’t he? But he felt a need for company, and he wished for anyone well, it did not matter. He should not burden her with his pathetic sight; she probably would find him a burden as well. 

“That is all - ah, no wait. Do you by chance know something that can lighten the bruising?” He didn’t want to stay occupied in his room, and he surely wouldn’t be allowed to greet any guests with a black eye. 

He dropped the spoon to make way for Miss Bell and sat by the bedside. 

“ If not, I would not wish to take up any more of your time.” He did not want to be a burden. 

“Oh, and Miss Bell. I will be having my breakfast and dinner in my room, so please deliver the meals when you can.”

~

Tina breathed a light sigh of relief when he assured that was all. It seemed, however, that was not the case. She had scarcely moved. His next request should not have been surprising, and yet… This was not often the kind of request to be expected of a maid. There must be a nurse nearby? Or a senior member of staff. But, from what Tina had seen, most staff had been dismissed for the evening, leaving only her and a few night workers on the premises. From what she had heard in whispers… Mr. Hook was asking for discrepancy. 

She took another look at the bruise shining brightly on his cheek. There was little thought behind it when she reached up, moved his face slightly so that she could truly see it in the candlelight and dim evening light through the window, going so far as to raise slightly on her toes for a better look. There was bruising, and a slight, tender cut. “Witch Hazel might help,” Tina offered sympathetically. “And– if you’ll allow it, Sir, I may be able to steal– I mean, acquire some cold meat or ice from the ice house. Peter gets bruised up all the time and if we’re lucky we can get some of the ice off the fishmonger at the market, and it usually works. Ice, I mean. Not the fish.”

This was a recipe for disaster.

Tina relaxed again when Mr. Hook distanced himself, leaving her space to move to the door. Her hand lingered on the handle as he made another request. “Yes, Sir,” she replied, nodding gently. “Shall I tell the other staff?”

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

maythehighgroundbewithyou​:

James wasn’t one that liked to let people wait - perhaps the soup was hot to the touch, and he’d hate for a young maiden such as Miss Bell to burn her skin. Why he cared, he wasn’t sure - perhaps a part of him wanted to look out for her, a part of him wanted to care for her. Why? He hadn’t had the faintest of clues. 

A part of him didn’t want to know. Because knowing was dangerous. Far more dangerous than his mother was to him.

He’d call it loneliness - restlessness - desire? Yes, he’d settle for desire when he looked at Miss Bell. He didn’t know her, after all, and she was a maid above anything. A misfit for a duke’s son. She wasn’t even an option. 

And then he laughed, and it was a genuine laughter, one that he hadn’t expressed in a long time. “Yes, Miss Bell. That it is.” 

He moved towards her, leaned in to take the spoon, his hands caressing her body for a brief second, yet it felt as if he had been burned. If he moved even closer, his lips would graze her body - that was how close they were. And then James smelled it, the scent of Lavender. How pleasing.

@ofpotsandkettlesx​

~

Confusion read plainly on Tina’s face as Mr. Hook laughed. Why is he laughing? Surely, hopefully, that wasn’t the laughter of a man who was about to scold Miss Bell six ways from Sunday. It wouldn’t have been any surprise, if he did. Sometimes cruel men found humour in knowing they were about to do something upsetting. Tina’s eyes did not stray from the soup. Her only wish was that Mr. Hook was happy enough with it that he would dismiss her quickly, and not give her any more opportunities to speak her mind.

She was being rather meticulous with the setting of the desk just in case. Perhaps she was taking too long with it, because she heard the shallow click of Mr. Hook’s shoes coming up behind her, and was not quick enough to move out of his way. There was nary a space between them as he reached around, taking the spoon.

Tina felt the grazing of his hand against her waist through her pinafore. Her eyes flickered from the soup, to the spoon, watching as it went, slowly, to his lips. There was nowhere for her to go. Miss Bell was frozen to the spot. This must be the cruel joke. He was going to stand there and eat the entire bowl of soup over her shoulder and make her watch, just as a punishment for bad manners.

She breathed slowly. There was a distinct smell -not soup- that Tina knew very well. Like pine and fresh air. Like how she and Peter often smelled when they escaped to the forest for peace and quiet.

Tina, now with a hammering heart, had to get out of here before the cruel joke went any further. The only thing free to move without sending the spoon flying was her lips. “Is it… acceptable? You may dismiss me if there isn’t anything else you need, My Lord?”

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

maythehighgroundbewithyou​:

James wouldn’t call his mother horrible, dangerous perhaps, but not horrible. She was simply one of those women that believed she married a man out of love, to come to realize that his eyes would wander to other women. Yet he needed an heir, and therefore she did her best to give the man a son, and she did. She gave him James. But it seemed that even the one thing she could offer the duke was not enough to give her affection. Perhaps he could blame his father for the demeanor his mother had been portraying. The divorce was even more of a shocker in the English world, and Miss Whistledown had a field trip in writing about the affair. It broke the last piece of sanity his poor mother had left.

So every time she hit him, as small as a child or as big as a man, he didn’t phase him. It was simply a lot of bottled anger his mother needed to put out in the world, and he rather had it be that it was on him than on a poor maid or butler that faced her wrath. 

He however looked quite beaten when the maid asked him if she could deliver the soup he had requested, a red streak of the cane was already starting to turn purple as did his eye… She must be new, James thought to himself. Everyone would steer away from his room once the duchess had entered. But this maid didn’t, so he’d show her why people strayed from him.

He opened the door.

“Thank you, Miss Bell. You can place it on my desk.”

~

The door opened, quicker than expected (though after the last time she really should have expected the haste). She stood up straight, almost spilling the steaming soup as she did so. Tina felt wholly unprepared for this job, in this giant house, with seemingly endless skeletons in its closets.

Just as she hadn’t expected the door to open again, she didn’t expect to see the deep red mark spread across Mr. Hook’s cheek. She should have, given the whispering and the cane. For the briefest of moments, Tina forgot all sense of decorum and manners that had been forced into her from working in such places and she grimaced. The very thing that lost her her last job was about to be her downfall again. Tina opened her mouth, breaking the silence of the hall.

“That’s a shiner…”

She knew in an instant that she had spoken out of turn (again). Tina brushed past Mr. Hook with haste, eyes averting to the soup so she didn’t spill it this time, before setting it on the desk as instructed. She arranged the bread, and the spoon, and the napkin neatly, and prayed.

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

maythehighgroundbewithyou​:

One thing you should not be mistaken about is the fact that the lady of the house could walk perfectly without her cane. The cane wasn’t there to aid her in walking, it was a status of power - a power she wielded in more ways than one.

The moment the door closed, James came face to face with a woman who shared his height. His mother had always been one of the taller sides. His father is smaller than his mother. 

He didn’t speak, not without mother’s permission. And he wouldn’t cry without his mother’s permission. Those were the rules of the punishment - and James knew that he would get punished. 

The cane hit him unexpectedly. A loud sound echoing the room as the wood almost shattered by the force the woman used. James flinched but still didn’t say anything, and he could see his mother’s eyes filling with glee at the sight of it. She knew she still had power over him. And that was all she needed to know to hit him a second time, this time the cane did scatter, and so she went for his throat next.

“Pathetic little boy, James.”  This time, James’s eyes did fill with tears, but only because his throat was fighting for air. For a woman, his mother was very strong, and she knew exactly what she needed to do to get her son on his knees. 

“I told you to sleep.” She spoke once more, impatiently and hurried. “Why aren’t you sleeping, James?”

“I’m sorry.” The man said with a shut throat, and she released him. She had no interest in continuing this play - she wished to wash her hands with soap. After touching something so dirty. “Goodnight James.”

“Goodnight - mother.”

~

Tina had met her fair share of horrible women. She had worked for plenty of them (though their husbands were usually far worse), whose wealth spoke status, and that status spoke ill of the little scullery maid with the dirty apron and the messy hair. She had friends with mothers with no maternal bones in their bodies, forced into the life through necessity. She had friends with no mothers, who weren’t any better off. Aunt Mary was no angel herself, though, perhaps, in the grand scheme, she had done a kindness by taking Tina in and offering to help her.  And, in the world of orphans and maids, it was the unspoken courtesy to turn a blind eye to the treatment dished out by those above your station. It wasn’t worth stirring the pot when you couldn’t afford the pot to begin with.

When Tina began her work in the Hook house, she had been warned of exactly that, and expected no less. She had heard other maids whispering behind closed doors, but never been privy to the conversations herself. If Tina had been an ounce more jaded, she would have turned a blind eye now. The thumps could be heard from downstairs in the kitchens, but the words could not. The other maids carried on about their evening, with one offering to help Tina with some soup so as not to bother the matron. There was some left in the pot from dinner, so all it took was heating it up over the stove again.

By then, when the sweet smell of carrots and leek and potato filled the space again, all went quiet from above. They listened for the thumping of the cane along the floorboards, until they faded to the other side of the building, Ms. Hook’s quarters, before they urged Tina back out of the kitchen quickly, armed with a tray, a bowl, a spoon and some bread.

Tina wished someone else had taken the task, but their jobs were more important than Tina’s in the grand scheme, so she was left to it.

She couldn’t knock when she arrived, so she whispered through the keyhole, tapping the foot of the door with her toe. “Mr Hook, Sir… I have your soup…”

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

maythehighgroundbewithyou​:

What started as a request for a meal became something almost complicated. There was something building inside him, something he hadn’t felt for long, and a deep sigh escaped his lips as she told him that her first name didn’t matter. “Alright - Miss Bell.” It was still one way to call her - and if it depended on him, he’d call her plenty. Tomorrow he’d make a selfish request to his mother. 

But for now he’d find comfort in a meal and perhaps some sleep will do him well. 

“My soup?” He asked with an almost puppy-like sight. Sheepish and timid. As if he was unsure of what he was asking. Or if he was allowed to request such a thing at an hour such like this. James was never one for etiquette. Mostly because his life hadn’t been as proper as one could think.

“James?” He could hear his mother’s voice from the end of the hallway. Her steps echoed with each step she took, the cane clacking on the wooden floor. “I thought I had told you to sleep.” The voice of the lady of the house was ever threatening, and this time it was James turn for his color to drain off his features. 

“Ah-yes, I was about to.” He stammered. “Didn’t I tell you to speak confidently, I haven’t raised you to be a stammering fool.” James swallowed the insult like he always did when it came to his mother. “I’ll ask you to leave, Miss Bell. I have a word with my son, and I do not need any prying ears when I do.” The woman said coldly. 

With that, she shoo-d Miss Bell away. She and James left into his room, the door closing with a loud bang.

~

Tina didn’t think it would do any good for Mr Hook to know her name. In the case of a maid, it was a courtesy that wasn’t supposed to be granted. If things went the way they always did, she wouldn’t last long here anyway. There was no power to be had if he didn’t have her name.

Miss Bell fought not to roll her eyes at that puppy sigh. As if anyone working in this house had to be asked twice or bribed to meet the demands of their employers. It was all a mocking act, she thought, knowing nothing of the true story of the Hooks. “Your soup,” Tina conceded, with a nod, readying to go to the kitchen. 

The shrill voice stopped her in her tracks. It occurred to her, as the colour drained from both of their faces, that she hadn’t fetched the tea. But… the voice wasn’t directed at her. Still, etiquette called that she could not leave until dismissed if the Lady of the house did not demand it, and so, she stood, awkwardly, between Mr. Hook and his mother as she hobbled and clicked her way across the wooden hallway. Her eyes averted to the floor. She took a step out of the way. There’s nothing worse than a mother, Tina thought.

Finally, Tina was dismissed. “Yes, Ma’am,” she replied, bowing her head and popping a foot behind for a graceless curtsy. For a moment, she hesitated, opening her mouth as if in want of asking a question. But she glanced at the tall, no longer looming man, beside the wide, now-looming mother, and shut it just as quickly before flitting away to the kitchen.

The bang of the door echoed down the hallway.

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

maythehighgroundbewithyou​:

James was standing there in the door frame, wondering what to do with this maid. She wasn’t as well-behaved as he expected of his staff - or well, his mother’s staff, but perhaps because she wasn’t what his mother expected, made him actually like the girl all the more. He noticed how her cheeks first drained of all color to then return three times brighter than what he expected would be her normal; plenty of girls would be jealous of such a blush - it was a color not even makeup could achieve.

She was tiny, tinier than her profile had led to believe when she was in the garden. A silent beauty though she lacked a bit of charm. No, that wasn’t true - James found her very charming. The type he’d like to tease. If he moved closer, he could swear he’d hear her heartbeat hammering in her chest. 

Those paintings, after his father’s abandonment, not many paintings of his were placed in the house - except when he graduated. It was “a present” from his father. To congratulate his son on his achievements, James graduated in language, mathematics, biology and science. Only because he was smart, and only because he simply couldn’t pick one subject to excel in. If he could, he’d return for a course on history, but then again he could simply learn from his travels and his books instead. 

“I meant your first name, Miss Bell.” He snickered. So tempted to touch her - and he almost did, almost.

~

This was not how these things were supposed to go.

After Tina’s panic wore off, her next thought, looking at the smirk ever-growing across his features, was that Mr. Hook was like every other arrogant, rich bachelor the town had to offer. Money, status, people falling at his knees. Of course, he would find it amusing to tease the new maid. Tina had met plenty of men like him -some friendlier than others, some more handsy, more demanding, some with money to offer for company- and every time she regretted the consequences of her bad mouth. Sometimes, when they had a free moment, she and her best friend, Peter, her only source of light in an unjust world, would sit on the tall walls and look into the gardens of these rich arrogant men and make fun of them (or occasionally throw a stone). Mr. Hook was exactly the type for the treatment. 

But she couldn’t throw a stone in the hallway of the person paying her wages.

“My first name doesn’t really matter,” Tina replied, meeker than intended. He was closer than she had realized. Her hands went behind her back, coiling the ribbon of her apron around her fingers.

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

maythehighgroundbewithyou​:

Truth be told, James had not had any dinner today, and if it depended on his mother, he wouldn’t be getting any dinner tomorrow either. It was a waste of money (again, not that she lacked it after getting half of the funding her rich ex-husband held, together with three ships and the trading house). Surely his mother could miss a coin or two to feed her son, she simply didn’t want to.

He found himself smirking at the strange reaction of the maid, why was it that she doubted his request? Wasn’t a maid not made to do whatever he wished for? He stood up and yanked the door open, hearing her mutter under her breath. Who asks for soup this late after dinnertime? 

He could only be truthful. “A man that’s hungry -” He said with a chuckle filled with delight, a part of him wanted to tease her - a part of him wanted to grasp those lovely locks of her and pull them down, so that that bun of hers would fall out of its shape and her hair would caress her shoulders.

“No, one more thing-” He looked at her for a brief moment. “What’s your name?”

~

Tina’s heart leapt from her chest as the door swung open. She had been in trouble plenty of times before, and she had spoken back just as many times against better judgement and earned a beating for it. There was something to be said about having her wits scared clean out of her though, because she just about fell over, her face draining of all colour, and just as quickly flashing a hot shade of red at the sheer embarrassment of being caught. To come face to face with the man of the household under such circumstances was, perhaps, one of her worst decisions. 

He was much taller, a little older than she had expected, and much better looking than one of the paintings in the gallery had led her to believe. The way he lingered in the door frame, a wild smirk on his face, didn’t have Miss Bell’s heart slowing down any once the surprise had dwindled. 

His asking for her name could only mean that Tina was about to lose yet another job before she even began.

“Miss Bell, Sir.” she stated, sticking her nose in the air to look braver than she felt.

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

maythehighgroundbewithyou​:

-

There were a couple of things James was not used to. One of those things being noticed. Surely he had the opportunity to have people attracted to him before - and he had shared countless beds with the promise of his name, but never once with the intention of marrying. Why? He wasn’t sure - he believed there was a right one. And he’d know it at the moment he met her - at least that’s what he believed. A romantic at heart, his father would say, that is if he hadn’t shamed the family name by divorcing his mother and marrying his mistress. It granted him two daughters, two - twins, absolute angels if you ask him. 

Right now, James was in his chamber, resting on his bed while reading a novel. It was something one of his lost lovers had left behind, a girl with brown hair that went into soft curls - if he closed his eyes he could almost remember the touch of her skin on his.

He coughed as a knocking disturbed his daydream. And he found himself surprised that someone offered a meal to him. “Ah- uhm…” He said, startled. Well, he was quite hungry after all. “Yes - that is fine. Something like soup if you can.” Surely mother wouldn’t punish him for requesting a meal, right? Then again, she always found a way to punish him when he was a child - but she wouldn’t be so ignorant to pull such punishment to an adult, right?

The voice was an unfamiliar one, not one of his nannies who had taken care of him when he was but a youngster - nor that of the maids he knew. Which meant this was perhaps the girl he had seen in the garden? Perhaps it would be proper to ask her for her name.

~

Given her track record, Miss Bell half expected a scolding, either from Mr. Hook, or the matron, for speaking out of turn and interrupting the Lord of the house while he was in his chambers. That had happened two households ago. In her previous house, it had been an outright demand that she checked in with each person before bed. No such thing had been asked of her here, but it was such a habit now, that she had almost forgotten two houses ago.

Tina waited, rather impatiently, after her knock, moving her ear close to the keyhole of the door so that she might hear a little better. He was certainly moving around in there. The reply - “soup”- was not what she had expected to hear at such a time. Unable to catch her tongue at the oddness of the request, she repeated “Soup?!” much too loudly. Her voice hushed just as quickly to mutter something unsavoury that he would not be able to hear. “Who asks for soup this late after dinnertime…?” Curse rich folk and their ill-timed requests. Miss Bell huffed, blessed herself with the father and son that she might not get a punishment for bothering the cook over such a thing, and then spoke again.

“Right away, Mr. Hook. Will that be all?”

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

maythehighgroundbewithyou​:

May I find you ? - Tina Bell & James Hook

The Hook family was all but pristine, well known for their advanced boats that were both used for travel and exchanging of goods to southern countries. It wasn’t that strange that they were a member of the ton, however they weren’t as extravagant despite their money. One could say there were troubles with the beloved couple, miss and mister Hook, who haven’t shared a bed in quite some time. Out of their loveless marriage came but one son, no daughters. Something the lady of the house seemed to despise, but then again, everything about her son did. Perhaps it was therefore the son had not been seen into his loving mother’s arms for years - he had been off to university as soon as the man could flap its wings, and it was no wonder that Miss Wistledown found interest in this poor young man who came of age - and yet had to be wed.

James found his way home on a Sunday afternoon, the bees were quietly bussing on the flowers, when his eyes befell on a young maiden with blond hair - a maid. She was tending the garden, and he didn’t think much of it, yet the sight stung into his eyes for a reason unbeknownst to him. “Hello Mother.” He greeted once he entered the house only to be met with a cold stare. “James…” She said briefly before tapping with her cane on the floor. “You must be tired, go get some rest.” He nodded towards her invitation (though he knew it was more a demand than a request - she wanted him out of her sight as quickly as possible.) “ That I shall.” He even yawned and left his mother, so she could continue to gossip and share tea with one of her many associates. Either way, this would be a long night.

@ofpotsandkettlesx​

~

Though the namesake implied images of shining silver, Miss Bell came from naught. Left on the doorstep of the orphanage as a baby, and later taken in by one Ms Mary Fairchild to be put to work tending to the linens, Tina Bell had no choice but to accept her lot in life (with gritted teeth). Life put her through the wringer, and had it not been for a ragtag group of boys looking out for her, she may not have made it long as she had. It wasn't the life Tina ever wanted, but it was the one she got, and the one she had to accept.

As soon as Miss Bell was old enough to make some sort of way for herself, so said Mary, she was sent to work, finally finding her footing as a maid in some of the more well-to-do households. As she grew (in age, not height) her attitude grew with it, which, sadly, left her looking for a new household not too long ago. It had been, perhaps, a month or two, since Miss Bell found work in the Hook household (who she had heard whisperings of thanks to Lady Whistledown but had no formed opinion of yet).

It was odd work, here and there, as the matron didn't trust her yet with any difficult or important jobs. So, this evening, early in spring, when the days were just growing longer and the sun wasn't too hot, she was tending to the flowers at the side of the house, humming a ditty to keep herself occupied before she had to arrange the nighttime chores. The ringing of a silver bell called her attention to the house.

Her pinafore was dusted with pollen from the plants, the nose of her boots dusty from the soil. She had no time to right herself, given the Lady of the house's demanding nature. After a far too judgmental look, Miss Bell was sent off to make more tea for the guests. Tina rolled her eyes the moment she was down the corridor, out of sight.

Now, Miss Bell had been told off plenty of times for her etiquette, and once again, she ignored a warning, after seeing light pouring from under the door frame of Mr. Hook's bedroom door. She paused. Then gave it a very gentle knock. "Pardon me, Mr Hook," Tina said, quietly. " Would you like anything from the kitchen?"

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

                             𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓈𝑜 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒

         tinaxjames - bridgerton au

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

“ OH YES, TINKER BELL WILL TELL YOU...          ...SHE IS AN ABANDONED LITTLE CREATURE “

                                                     OFPOTSANDKETTLESX

✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*. ⛧*｡✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*. ⛧*｡

INDEPENDENT TINKER BELL FROM JM BARRIE / DISNEY’S PETER PAN MULTI-VERSE \ OC, CROSS-OVER & AU FRIENDLY \ VERSES IN SOURCE

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Written by Gem                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Follows back from @gemofindiex

✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*. ⛧*｡✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*. ⛧*｡

For now, I’m looking to write on discord (as I’m awful at keeping this blog updated) but may be persuaded back if the right plots and characters come along. I’m new to discord indie, but I would love some threads regardless! Find me on discord under Gemizzle#2410 to discuss ideas, or follow this link to be taken directly to my indie server.

✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*. ⛧*｡✫*ﾟ･ﾟ

[ofpotsandkettlesx]

✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*. ⛧*｡  

I am once again watching Peter Pan, and am once again looking for people to write Tink with over Discord. All of my verses are linked [here] but I am willing to throw Tink just about anywhere at this point.

My Discord is Gemizzle#2410 if you want to message me and be added to my Tinker Bell writing server [here]!

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*.  OOC ⛧*｡

[ofpotsandkettlesx]