Hello readers, here is the second instalment, as per usual all the errors are my own, The Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins and beware pre-slash ahead.
Governess!Peeta, Gentleman!Cato, Quasi-Victorian, slash, Peeto, bitch!glimmer, mentions of the games
I've also borrowed a line from Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë
Governess – Landed Gentry – Chance Meeting
The town clock had struck half three only moments ago, it was a crisp autumn afternoon and he would be wanted back at the manor any moment now. Peeta had been taking his hour of respite from his pupils to take a short walk to the post office to see if his advertisement in The Dispatch had been answered, unfortunately ''twas not.
They are a very respectable family and Lady Snow is a lady of a very cheery disposition his dear mamma had assured him, though had he taken the time to think he ought to have known the Misses Snow were not good children and Lady Snow was little more than a vicious, pompous, misfit of such blatant disregard for human life and feeling that reduced trial by ordeal to kindergarten level, or so certain souls had said.
His occupation as governess to the Misses Snow had doubtless taken it's toll on Peeta both physically and emotionally, it would sometimes feel as though his skin were on fire, they would stare and it felt as if their eyes were burning his eternal soul, the pressure it was overwhelming and next he found himself turning away, though not a servant he was not a member of the family, very almost Sir Snow had once said but that was it.
Presently Peeta had reached the gates of the family's ancestral manor, he had slowed his pace. The feelings of dread had filled him once more, gripping, filling him with terrors if just what may come about in a matter of mere minutes. Of the Misses Snow and Lady Snow. It made his skin crawl.
When he reached the foyer he came face to face with Sir Cato Hadley, Baronet and Victor of The Hunger Games he had so narrowly avoided were it not for the fact Gale Hawthorne was in love with Katniss Everdeen who had volunteered for her sister, though neither had survived it was a valiant effort nonetheless and not at all intimidating to come face to face with the brute who had killed them. He could still see faint scars from where the mutts had gotten his face.
He had seen Sir Hadley several times even on one occasion he tipped his derby and said 'Morning Mr. Mellark', Peeta of course fled the library like a frightened schoolgirl.
Sir Hadley looked as if he were about to say something but before he could says something Lady Snow's supercilious Lady's maid Effie Trinkett came rushing through the foyer.
"You're to go to the school-room directly, mum- the young ladies are WAITING!" Climax of horror! actually waiting for their governess!
Peeta found himself walking a pace that fell very short of jogging towards to school-room where as Miss Trinkett had said '…the young ladies are waiting'
'Where were you Mr Mellark!' The youngest Snow; Glimmer had shrieked before he was yet past the door and before he could reply to the question posed she yet spouted more unpleasantness 'Why I have been waiting nearly an hour for you! Not only that but I had to pour my own tea, disgraceful'
'Then' replied he, overcome with a sudden bravado something unfamiliar to him 'If I am disgraceful as you so boldly say, you madam are far worse, you as far as I am concerned may go back to whatever hole it is you have crawled out of and hang, good day' her jaw hung down opening and closing so as to speak 'Close your mouth dear, it's unbecoming of a young lady'
Victor of the field Peeta was left in the room as the Misses Snow had stormed out of the room in a flurry of silken skirts.
Yet even as victor of the field he felt the pangs of anxiety which would usually precede words had with the Misses Snow.
Heavy footsteps filled the vaulting school-room.
'Mr Mellark' he jumped at the voice, knowing no avenues of escape for he was a stranger in a strange land, trapped behind enemy lines. He spun around to find just as he had expected Sir Hadley.
Backing himself against a bookshelf he spoke the words 'Sir Hadley'
'So you aren't such a mouse after all? Oh don't give me that look, I heard exactly what you said as did everyone else, not that I blame you' was he was not going to strike or otherwise scold Peeta.
'I, unlike certain souls do not think people are automaton without feelings, perhaps I have gone against misguided standards and if I have, then sir I have retained my humanity, now if you will excuse me I've packing to do' Peeta walked forward letting out a breath he knew not he was holding but Sir Hadley had gripped his arm as he tried to quit the scene, his grip was possessive and strong.
'If it is work you need, there is a position for a governess in my fathers house in 2, his name is Tiberius Hadley, my mother is Claudia, good luck'
Peeta was astounded,now it was his turn to gape, for this so-called brute had just all but given him a new situation where he may yet be valued.
'You needn't worry Peeta, I hate to see those with goodness like yours downtrodden, good day' he relinquished his hold on Peeta's arm leaving him astounded yet again and weak in the knees.
'Dear God' he muttered
Dear God indeed.
Do review my dear readers I do so enjoy reading them.