You guys make my days with your nice words. Thank you so much for the feedback!
I didn't care for Rocastle in the episodes, so I wanted to make him a little softer here. And this chapter contains my favorite 'nice Rocastle' scene. Also, remember what I said a few chapters back, I Googled the heck out of everything trying to avoid anachronistic items. Fairy lights were available in 1913.
Chapter 11
John patted his pocket holding the tickets as he strolled toward Rose's house. Jack's flirtatious ways often annoyed him. But today he was thankful for the man's ability to charm anyone he crossed paths with and the odd fact that he seemed to be able to procure just about anything you could possibly want. After starting to read Charles Dickens' works with Rose, he had practically begged Jack to do him this favor and his friend had come through.
With a smile, he tapped a lively rhythm on Rose's door and his smile widened as he took her in. Her hair was perfectly styled into an elegant chignon and the little bit of shine to her lips told him she had made an extra effort today, but she was still – adorably – in her bathrobe and completely flustered.
She yanked him into the house and then twisted her hands anxiously. "What am I supposed to wear, John?! Am I making us late?!"
With a chuckle, John caught her hands and laid a gentle kiss to the back of each one. "Calm down, love. First of all, good morning." He pulled her in for a sweet kiss and didn't release her until he felt her relax into his hold. "B, we are not going to be late. And number four, wear what you would for a nice evening out on the town."
Rose giggled. "First, B, and number four?"
John just grinned and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Got a giggle from you, didn't it?"
"That was not your intention and you know it, John Tyler!"
"Are you sure about that?"
With the way he was grinning, Rose wasn't sure so she just rolled her eyes and grinned playfully back at him. "Give me a minute to get dressed. An evening in town, you say?"
John nodded and Rose squinted slightly in thought as she turned back to her room.
John was staring out the window at the now bare trees when he heard Rose's door open. He turned to look at her and his breath was stolen from his lungs.
She had on a dark pink satin dress that brushed the floor and had a square, court collar. Over the dress, was a layer of a very pale yellow, sheer, gauzy material that was bunched at the shoulders and gathered at the waist, before flowing down to knee length in front and ankle length in back. The sleeves were full-length, pink satin and the sheer yellow overlay cinched at the wrist to give the cuff a tiny ruffle. "Is this alright?"
John raked his eyes over her figure, took in the uncertain way she was biting her bottom lip and the slight flush to her cheeks and strode to her quickly. He swept his thumb along her cheekbone and settled the rest of his fingers along her neck, mindful of her hairstyle. Unable to resist, he captured her lips in his, allowing his tongue to meet hers in the kind of kiss that usually resulted in a loss of inhibitions. He managed to keep it under control and pulled back to rest his forehead against hers. "You are breathtaking, Rose Tyler." He tugged lightly on one of her sleeves. "All pink and yellow."
She gave a breathless huff of laughter. "You look pretty incredible, too." Rose tipped her head to press one more quick kiss to his lips before pulling away entirely and exhaling a breath. "So, where are we going?" She busied herself with straightening his already straight tie, needing to do something with her hands.
"That is a surprise, Miss Tyler." He held her coat for her and lovingly bundled her up. "Winter has started its arrival in earnest now. You'll want your gloves and possibly a scarf."
Rose stepped outside once he had his coat on and shivered slightly as a gust of wind blew icy air across her face. "You weren't joking. It's freezing out here."
John offered his arm and began to lead her down the road. "It's only the thirtieth of November. I think we're in for a brutal winter. But, at least we don't have far to walk today."
A carriage came into view and Rose glanced up at a smiling John. She didn't say anything, but sure enough, the driver opened the door when they arrived. "So, are we going into London?"
John slid in next to her and shook out the thick blanket that was folded on the bench across from them. After arranging it across their legs and tugging Rose more firmly against his side, he answered her. "Yes. And that is all you will get out of me, love."
The sights of London were slightly less magical in the light of day. They were easier to see, but the warm glow of the street lights was missing and that was part of the romance for Rose. Still, she was immeasurably grateful for whatever John had planned for them to do.
The carriage pulled up in front of a tiny restaurant and Rose grinned brightly at John as he helped her down, ready to start this new adventure. He offered his arm and began to lead her to the doorway of the restaurant. "How do you feel about Italian fare for a late lunch or very early dinner?"
"Fine by me."
Once they were seated, Rose glanced around the cheery interior. "This is colorful. It just feels happy in here."
John looked around and hummed in agreement. "This time it was Jack's recommendation. I told you I would listen to Headmaster Rocastle if I had to, and that's true. But if it can be avoided…," he trailed off and Rose smiled with her tongue tucked into her teeth.
At that moment, their waitress waltzed up. Her gaze landed on John with far too much interest for Rose's taste and then she pursed her lips as she gave Rose an unimpressed look. She leaned closer to John and practically purred at him. "What can I get for you, sir?"
John – who was not oblivious this time – frowned as he saw her disregard for Rose. He barely glanced at the woman as he gave his order and then smiled charmingly at Rose. "And what would you like, my beautiful love?"
Rose was caught a bit off-guard and just quickly picked the first thing her eyes landed on. After the waitress gave a huff and left, John took in the slight flush to Rose's cheeks and the angry tears gathering in her eyes. "Love, don't let people like that get to you."
She gave a disbelieving laugh as she blinked the tears back. "Sorry, I guess I'm still a little emotional from yesterday." John gently began to trace patterns on her palm and she sighed. "I need to get used to that, I suppose."
"Used to what?"
"Women flirting with you and pretending I don't exist." Rose gave a flap of her free hand in his direction. "I mean you're absolutely beautiful and charming. Women are going to fall all over themselves for your attention."
John smiled slightly as he placed a kiss to Rose's palm and then continued his pattern. "I want you to listen to me very carefully. I. Love. You. Just you, Rose. I don't say those words lightly. I know with how quickly our relationship developed, it may seem that way. But I can honestly tell you, I've never said 'I love you' to anyone else before. Women can flirt all they want, but they don't have my attention or my regard. Just you."
Rose blew out a breath and with it, all the tension the waitress had caused. When the woman waltzed back in with their food, Rose almost choked on the sip of water she had just taken. The top buttons on her shirt were undone and she leaned forward toward John. "Can I get you anything else, sir? Anything at all?"
John didn't look away from Rose as he continued to stroke her palm, an adoring smile on his face. "No, thank you."
Alone again, Rose burst into giggles and John followed suit. "Oh my goodness," she whispered with her hands clasped in front of her mouth. "Did you see her shirt? And her face when you didn't even look at her?"
John chuckled. "Told you. Not interested." On the other hand, Rose's completely adorable reaction to the waitress' stunt, he absolutely wouldn't mind seeing again.
Rose lowered her voice, mimicking the other woman. "But she could have gotten you anything, sir. Anything at all."
John's heart stuttered and then started again at a faster pace. "Only if you're the one offering. And please don't use that voice in public again. I'll have to beat the men off of you with a stick, love."
Rose giggled. "It goes both ways, John. Only for you."
Rose and John were leaning against each other for support through their laughter as they emerged from the restaurant. "Oh my," Rose gasped. "I don't know how much further she was willing to go to get your attention, but she seemed pretty determined."
John couldn't resist and nuzzled Rose's temple. "Whatever she was attempting was worth it, since watching you trying not to laugh was thoroughly entertaining for me. Plus, you're beautiful when you laugh."
Rose smiled bashfully at him. "Anymore plans for us?"
He took her next door to a small building that didn't have any signage out front. "It isn't much, but a local amateur theater group is performing The Frozen Deep. It's a play by Wilkie Collins, but most people accredit it to Charles Dickens."
Rose frowned up at him. "Why Charles Dickens?"
"He was so involved in editing and revising the play, not to mention his involvement with staging and scenery, and his role as the lead character that people forget poor Mr. Collins is actually the author."
Rose brightened considerably. "So we're going to see a play?"
"We're going to see a play."
Rose sighed as they exited the small theater. "That was very good. I can't believe they were all amateurs."
John nodded and then shyly started to play with the fingers of her hand resting in the crook of his elbow. "I would have liked to take you to a grand production at one of the more prestigious theaters. But this was a sort of last minute idea, and since we've been reading Dickens…," he trailed off and Rose's brow furrowed at the uncertainty in his voice.
"John?" He finally glanced up at her and Rose decided that she didn't care what other people thought about her displaying affection publicly, and placed a quick kiss on his lips. "I loved that. Didn't you?"
John smiled at her. "Yeah, I did."
"Good." She cuddled into his side and they began to walk again.
Suddenly, John stopped and seemed to be thinking about something before turning and leading her across the street. "I have one more thing I would like to do."
Rose followed him to a small park situated near an upscale restaurant. Fairy lights had been strung through the trees and soft music could be heard wafting from the restaurant. John led Rose underneath one of the trees and shook his head. "It's probably a bit more romantic when the tree actually has leaves on it."
Rose glanced up and smiled softly. "I don't know. I think it's pretty romantic as is."
John bowed and held out his hand. "May I have this dance?"
Rose placed her hand in his and then giggled as he twirled her before bringing her into his arms. "I'm glad you found a way for us to dance tonight. I really enjoyed that on our first date here in London."
"Me too," John sighed as Rose tucked her head under his chin. They swayed gently from side to side in content silence, just savoring the closeness and the gentle sounds of the music.
One song turned into two, and as two turned into three, Rose pulled back. Their gazes connected and held for a charged moment until Rose tipped her head up at the same time as John dipped his down. They continued to sway to the music, trading kisses that grew in intensity and started to linger for longer periods of time.
John pulled away first, feeling a tingling that warned he would have an embarrassing situation if he didn't end things soon. "It's getting late and we both have work tomorrow. We should probably head home," he told her reluctantly.
Rose gave a little whine of disappointment that sounded more like a spoiled child than a mature young woman. She burrowed closer into John's chest. "I don't want to go yet."
John dropped a kiss to the top of her head. "What if I…," he floundered for a second as he tried to think of a suitable temptation, "…cooked dinner for you tomorrow?"
Rose gave him a look of playful outrage. "Are you trying to buy my compliance, John?"
John tried to school his expression into a serious one, but his lips twitched. "Hmm. I might be trying to bribe you."
Rose shot him an amused look. "Same thing." Stepping away from John alerted her to the fact that she couldn't feel the side of her face that wasn't pressed to John's shoulder and she acquiesced to their departure. "For the sake of the frozen and numb side of my face, I will agree to your request, Mr. Tyler."
John placed a few teasing kisses to warm her cold cheek, smiling the entire time. "I think that's a wise decision, Miss Tyler."
He led her to the carriage – thankfully avoiding any crimes this time – and cuddled her close as they began the journey back to Farringham.
Rose tried to focus on the books that needed re-shelving, but her mind was latched onto the carriage ride home with John last night. Between that memory and the books, the memory was more enticing.
Their discussions always jumped from one topic to another. Sometimes she could follow the natural progression. Other times, she was just as confused about how they got from point A to point B as any outside observer would be. It didn't matter, though. She could keep up with John's sometimes disjointed thoughts just as well as he could follow hers. When the conversation turned to Euthyphro and other works by Socrates, Rose was completely blind-sided. She had read plenty of Socrates' essays and such. Five years as a librarian tends to expand one's tastes in literature. But she had never expected a discussion about his works to come with a seduction by John Tyler.
It had started out innocently enough. Rose was cuddled up to his side, both of them trying to ward off the frigid air of late November by burrowing under the thick blanket John had brought with them. Sweet caresses and adoring looks had turned to chaste kisses. The pair of them always had a hard time keeping their innocent kisses from turning heated and last night had been no exception. When she pulled away to catch her breath, his lips traveled to her neck. She was supremely thankful her work dresses had very high collars as John nipped and sucked and licked at one spot, undoubtedly marking her. Rose tugged on his hair to bring him back up to her for a kiss. She thought all conversation was over as her tongue met his in a languid exchange. But John Tyler is full of surprises and words continued to tumble from his mouth between his attentions to her.
As his lips and tongue and words teased her lips, her face and her neck, for the first time she could honestly say she was not keeping up with the conversation. She could also say she honestly didn't care.
Piety, he said something about piety. She mumbled something in return, though she couldn't say for sure what it was. Whatever she said, it caused John to chuckle darkly into her neck. He was still muttering about Socrates as he trailed kisses from her neck and down her chest to the top of her dress.
Normally, Rose was too shy to make her own advances. But after enjoying a few more kisses from John, she was so delirious with arousal that her shyness was forgotten. When he pulled back, she ducked her head before he could move again and began to lavish attention on his neck. There was a surprised gasp from above her and Rose smirked as she got her first taste of John's skin. The nonsense he had been babbling about Socrates and whatever else was choked off on a moan.
He clutched at Rose and tried to resist the temptation to shift her so he could press his erection into her. "I want to make love to you, Rose. I know you want to wait until you're married and I agree. I want…oh…I want to wait, too. But I have to be honest and say I really want to make love to you."
"M-me, too," Rose managed to gasp.
She was suddenly hauled up by John who stared at her with the darkest eyes Rose had ever seen. Coupled with his flushed cheeks and riotous hair, Rose was certain no one and nothing could be sexier. "I love you," John breathed out.
Rose had to take a second to collect her thoughts so she could process his words. "I love you, too."
With Farringham just moments away, they had contented themselves with innocent hugs and small kisses to calm down after their passion-filled session.
Rose blinked and fanned herself as she came out of her memories of the night before. Luckily, she was in a position where no one could see her bright red face or heaving chest as she raised a hand to rest against the mark from John hiding under the high-collared work dress. She pushed all thoughts of John and the carriage to the back of her mind, determined to get her work done.
John was standing in his classroom, watching over his students as they took a test. At least, they were supposed to be taking a test. For all the attention John was paying, they could have already cheated their way through and left the classroom and he would be too preoccupied to notice.
Thoughts were tumbling through his clever brain at a terrifying speed, all coming to the same nerve-wracking conclusion. Half of his brain was saying, 'it's too soon', and that was true for most people. He had known Rose for one month. How do you know someone well enough to make this big of a decision in just one month?
'But that one glorious month has been the absolute best month of your life', the other half of his brain pointed out. In that one month, he and Rose had been through a lot together. So much had happened, that it seemed impossible to John that only a month had passed. As he had told Jack before, sometimes you just know. John could admit to himself, that he knew. He needed to propose to Rose Tyler.
Part of him worried that Rose would think he was only asking because their relationship was heating up to an insane degree, and she wanted to be married before moving further physically. But he had been picturing this for almost as long as he had known her. Afternoons watching her cook had been spent wishing it was their home and he was watching his wife care for him. Evenings had been spent wishing once he was done grading papers and they had spent some time together, that instead of trudging back to his room at the school, he could just slip into bed with the marvelous woman next to him. He wanted to marry Rose.
"Sir?"
John blinked out of his stupor to see Timothy Latimer standing in front of him, looking concerned. "Yes, Mr. Latimer?"
"I'm turning in my exam paper, sir. You didn't answer the first few times I said anything. Are you alright?"
John managed a smile for him. "Yes, thank you. Just a little preoccupied. You help Miss Tyler after this class, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"Since this is all we have for today, why don't you go ahead and start helping her now?"
Tim smiled. Even though neither one of them had said anything, it didn't take a genius to see that his two favorite adults at this school had fallen in love. "Yes, sir."
Tim was worried as he started the walk to the library. He knew Mr. Tyler's secrets, knew them even when Mr. Tyler didn't. That fob watch had told Tim everything and unless he was losing his mind, that meant one day Mr. Tyler would no longer be here.
He worried for Miss Tyler. She was one of the kindest people Tim had ever had the good fortune to meet, and he didn't want to see her get her heart broken. But the watch had been insistent – in a voice different from the one that told him stories – that he could not interfere and all would be as it should. He trusted that voice. He had no reason to trust it and didn't know why he did, but that voice held a calm air of ancient knowledge and great insight that was hard to ignore.
Rose looked at Tim in surprise as he appeared in the library twenty minutes before his usual time. "You're early, Mr. Latimer."
"There was an examination in Mr. Tyler's class today. He said I could come help you early since I was finished."
Rose breathed a sigh of relief. "Actually, that's going to be very helpful. I haven't been able to concentrate much today, I'm afraid. The work is just piling up."
Tim looked at the few small piles of books as he set his things down. "Do you want me to log these or are they ready to be shelved?"
"These two piles just need to be put away. This last stack here still needs to be logged."
Tim got to work on logging the last pile and Rose admired the changes that had occurred in him. He was still a target for bullies, but with her and John keeping an extra eye out for him, he seemed to be a happier young man than the one she had asked to help her just a short while ago. It made her feel like she had done some good in the world, so she set off to put books away with an extra spring in her step.
"Why are you asking me?!" Headmaster Rocastle looked at his furiously blushing history teacher, sure his own face matched the bright hue.
John looked at his boss and rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. "Well, Rose's father was gone before I even met her. Now that Mrs. Tyler is gone as well, I just…," he trailed off and tried again. "Rose mentioned that you and her father were friends. It made sense to me to ask you."
Headmaster Rocastle's wide-eyes swept around his office, as if expecting a response to jump out at him. The normal response of 'you haven't known each other long enough' was tempting, but Pete and Jackie had known each other for about that long before they were engaged. The only thing keeping them from marrying so quickly was Jackie's wish for a spring wedding.
In all honesty, he had never seen Rose so happy. Even as she worked through her mother's death, the times he had seen her with John, she practically glowed with love and happiness. He thought back to the charged moment when they met in his office, both of them spell-bound as they looked at each other. Some things, it seemed, were just predestined.
He sighed as he looked at John Tyler. A respectable job as a teacher, a decent wage, an upstanding young man of strong ethical character, and he could see plainly that he adored and cherished Rose. "You have my blessing, trivial though it may be."
The beaming smile John shot him caused an answering one from Rocastle. It was hard to stay stern in the face of such unrestrained joy. "Good luck, Mr. Tyler."
Rose smiled – a reaction she couldn't control – when she saw John heading for the library, Jack beside him. "Hello, love," John greeted her.
"Hello," she replied, linking her arm with his as they started toward the front door of the school. "Hello to you too, Jack."
Jack bowed with a smile. "Milady."
As they exited the doors and crossed the grounds, John smiled apologetically at her. "I'm sorry, love, but Jack will have to see you home today. And I don't think I'll see you until tomorrow. I know I said I'd cook dinner for you today, and I will cook for you. It will just have to be another day."
Rose pouted adorably, but he just rolled his eyes with a grin. "I have something to take care of in London and I don't know how long I'll be."
Rose sighed. She was disappointed he wouldn't be with her for the evening, but she didn't want to make him feel guilty about it. "Fine," she relented teasingly. "I suppose I can survive one evening without you."
"Just don't get used to it," John grumbled, but the quirk of his lips betrayed his good humor.
They passed the gate of the school grounds and Rose noticed the car waiting close by. John pulled her close to hug her, not caring that Jack was nearby. He pulled back and kissed her sweetly. "I'll see you tomorrow, love. Have a good night."
"I will." Rose pulled him closer by the hands she held. "Be careful. I love you."
"I love you, too." He knew they said the words more often probably than most couples, but with so much warmth and happiness spreading through him when he said them, he couldn't help himself. He pressed his forehead to hers for a second and then pulled away to head for the car, waving again before he slid into the back seat.
Jack shoved his hands in his pockets. With Rose looking so sad that John was leaving, it was his natural instinct to throw an arm over her shoulders, but that would not be a welcome gesture in 1913. "Don't worry, Rosie. He'll be back before you know it."
Rose startled as she turned to Jack, having forgotten he was there. "Yeah, I know. I've just gotten used to having him around." She sighed and looped her arm through the one Jack offered. "Tell me how you've been lately. We haven't really spoken in a while. I was too distracted to make conversation the last time you walked me home."
John took a deep breath to steel his nerves as he looked at the window of the jewelry shop. Thoughts of rings and marriages made his heart seize up for some reason. But when he thought of those things and added Rose to the mix, they filled him with warmth instead of dread.
He pushed open the door and with the tinkling of the bell overhead, an older gentleman emerged from the back of the shop. "Good afternoon, sir. What can I help you with today?"
"I…um…need to look at engagement rings." John ran his eyes over the display cases, everything shining and sparkling so brightly it was hard to make out what he was looking at from a distance.
The older gentleman smiled at the overwhelmed man looking around the shop. "If you'll step over to this counter, I have a lovely assortment to choose from."
