Broken Promises

By: SilverLunarStar

Chapter Three: Only Human

The hope of seeing Miss Jones was dim, however, and he woke up a tad bit grouchy. He got ready for the day before hurrying out of his room, bumping right into young Timothy Latimer. "You need to watch where you're going boy," he said, somewhat sarcastically, before continuing onto his classroom, the poor frightened boy dashing away.

His foul mood did not lift as the day went on and his other students got the brunt of it as well. Three were serving detention and one class received extra work. He thought most of them deserved punishment right in the class, but held himself back. By the end of the day, he was still rather irritated, but tried to calm down. However, during class, Mr. Latimer was not trying hard enough and he knew it. He raised his voice and scolded at him scathingly, ignoring the snickers in the room.

Timothy flushed as he stood in front of his desk for the remainder of the time.

John observed the boy and felt a pang of guilt at the boy's embarrassment. He'd been in his place once and, knowing he was partly to blame, tried to apologize after class was dismissed. However, before he could call him out, the boy dashed off. Heaving a weighed sigh, he scrubbed his face with a hand, his shoulders slumped, and he headed to his rooms. Unable to help it, he glanced at the door of the library, opened just a crack, but decidedly moved past it, determined not to peek in, lest he be disappointed once again.

Tim, for his part, had run into the library, sniffling. The young boy startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder and a handkerchief presented to her. He shook her head, pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes so his tears wouldn't fall. "I'm sorry, Miss. I forgot that the library was now in use…"

"Not yet; it's just me in here. Would you like to talk about it?" Marion asked the crying schoolboy.

"No Miss! I'm mean…" He flinched at the high pitch his voice took; he sighed. Looking up, he saw the new librarian's kind look and he couldn't help but explain what had happened. "It's not just Mr. Smith, it's just everything piling up and…" He shrugged feebly, suddenly feeling as weak as his schoolmates told him he was. He was highly embarrassed he'd just spilled everything to a woman he didn't even know, but there was something about her that garnered trust, a song that lulled those in need.

Marion looked affronted. Sure she'd only met John Smith for a short while a few days ago, but she'd thought him a good man, strict but fair. 'Of course, he's such a man,' her mind sneered. She detested teachers, any adult really, who bullied children. Maybe she was a bit ahead of her time, but Marion was of the belief that everyone should be treated equally, even children. Of course there were times when they needed to be disciplined; she didn't think she'd have turned out so well had her mother not done so, but that didn't mean they had to be belittled. It saddened her a bit that the kind man she'd briefly met turned out to be so callous. "I'd like to give Mr. Smith a piece of my mind!" She was outraged and wasn't even thinking that causing a scene could cost her, her job.

Thankfully, Timothy was thinking much clearer than she. "Please don't Miss! He's never been so cruel; perhaps he was just in a foul mood? He is right though, I wasn't trying hard enough." In the few weeks he'd been here, he'd never one raised his voice or been cruel. Everyone had an off day. He truly hoped the new librarian wouldn't tell the schoolteacher anything; he'd be utterly mortified! Crying to the new, young librarian and telling her of his difficulties in this school.

The blonde hesitated, but agreed she wouldn't confront the man. "That's still no reason to punish you over. It's not your fault he was having an off day." After making sure he was truly okay, she sent him on his way.

On her way out of the school, she caught sight on the brunette man talking with the school's nurse. Something brewed within her and she huffed at herself, hurrying down the stairs and out of sight.

Later in the week, Marion carried a large tome, determined to bring it up the few steps and to the top shelf of the bookcase. She made it up the steps, but it was a struggle to lift her arm high enough to shove the book to its proper place. Getting the bottom corners set, she pushed, but it wouldn't budge and one of the corners slipped off the shelf. She squeaked and was just about to let the thickly bound manuscript fall to the floor when a large hand with thin, long fingers enveloped hers, giving the right amount of momentum necessary to put it in its place. Marion moved back a little and heard a sharp intake of breath as she grazed the front of someone. She turned her head just in time to see John Smith scrambling down. "Mr. Smith," she greeted, not knowing quite what to say. She was still miffed about what Timothy had told her even though the girl had already dismissed the incident.

"Good afternoon Miss Jones." He felt his face grow warm. He'd finally given in and approached the library. When he saw her struggling with the book, he couldn't help himself and entered in order to assist her. He'd not thought it through, simply climbing up the steps to steady the book, before pushing it firmly in place. In doing so, he'd come off as a lecherous old man. 'I'm not that much older than her, I think.' He frowned, though he didn't deny the lecherous part. There was something that drew him to Miss Jones. He hadn't stopped thinking about her since he'd met her earlier in the week; he'd even become a bit grouchy when he hadn't caught sight of her. John Smith had always been a logical man; he didn't believe in fate, but there was something there. Just how coincidental was it that she'd come to Farringham when he'd just started teaching at the school?

When he first arrived, he'd been attracted to Matron Redfern, but it had been something subtle, more admiration than attraction. He'd never been…smooth when it came to talking to women, but he turned into an outright bumbling fool towards the mature woman. Marion was something else entirely… The first time he touched it, it felt as if an electrical current had coursed through him. While still feeling nervous around her, there was something that made him feel at ease in her presence. 'Oh, what an oxymoron!' he thought, rolling his eyes internally. He'd blown it off as a one-time thing, but he felt it again when he'd touched her hand to prevent the book from dropping to the ground.

"Thank you," she finally said, her voice somewhat dismissive as she tried to calm her racing heart.

"You're welcome. How could I not? A fair damsel in distress-"

She raised a brow. "Someone's been reading too many fairy tales."

He spluttered. "I have not!"

"I'm told you have most of the books from here even though you've only been here a fortnight."

"I assure you, there are no fairy tales in my room. I don't even think there were ever any fairy tales in here," he remarked distractedly. 'Well, except perhaps my journal and that certainly will never make its way in here.' "Would you like me to start bringing the books in?"

"Not just yet, thank you. I'd like to put these away before I get started on any others." She couldn't imagine how many books he had in his residence.

"Well," he hesitated before jumping right in. "Would you like some help? I've just finished teaching…"

"No thank you. I'm sure you have other things to do."

"No I…" Watching her as she went to a desk holding a few, thinner, books, he noticed her annoyance. "Miss Jones, have I done something to offend you?"

"No, of course not. I just don't think I require help of someone who has nothing better to do than scold at poor, unsuspecting boys."

He flinched. "You saw-"

"No, I did not. I'm sure if I had, I would have been kicked out for you can rest assure that I would have had a thing or two to say to you in that instance."

"And you don't now?" He was slightly amused, but didn't want to show it because she really did look incensed.

She finally whirled around to face him. "Actually, yes. I can't believe that a man of your upbringing would punish young boys over something so trivial. You must have not been looking where you were going yourself or else the two of you would have never collided and then having the audacity of making him stand for over an hour just because he wasn't trying hard enough." She glared.

He waited until she calmed herself down. "I assure you Miss Jones I feel terrible for what I did. I was in a bit of a foul mood and took it out on the rest of the world," he admitted. "I was terrible to my students and apologized to them generally; I just haven't been able to catch Mr. Latimer. He truly seems to be going out of his way to avoid me when he's not in class," he said sheepishly.

Marion looked at him suspiciously, but he really did look remorseful that she let up. "Well," she huffed, "as long as you apologize." The she paused, looking around the room. She'd made great improvement in the library, but it was still a ways away from being used by the students. "Jenny will be up with tea soon and Mr. Latimer will be by soon; he comes to help when he's done with his work. If you'd like…" she trailed off, now embarrassed to ask after she'd gone on a tirade.

"I'd be more than happy to help." With that set, the two got to work.

Just before their tea arrived, Timothy came in. He startled as he saw Mr. Smith helping Miss Jones, but before he could sneak away, the librarian saw him.

She cleared he throat and John whirled around. "Mr. Latimer, I've been trying to have a word with you for the past few days."

"Mr. Smith?" He fidgeted. Surely he was not about to scold him in front of the young woman. What was he doing in here anyway? Miss Jones had looked absolutely furious when he told her what happened. He didn't think she'd talk to the man. Soon, however, he heard an apology and was absolutely mortified; he wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. Miss Jones had, apparently, given him a piece of her mind.

"I swear it won't happen again," the schoolteacher assured.

Timothy stuttered an acceptance and told Miss Jones he had come to let her know he had a lot of work to do so he wouldn't be able to help, before dashing off.

John turned to the blonde and smiled when he saw her looking at him approvingly.

Jenny soon arrived with tea and, since Tim usually joined Marion, there was an extra cup. The maid excused herself, shooting the blonde a grin.

They were silent for a few minutes as John took it upon himself to serve their tea. After nibbling on a scone, he asked, "So what brought you to Farringham?"

Marion shrugged. "It's just a bit of a recess, really. I've been traveling for the past fourteen months. Whenever I run out of funds, I find a place to work until I've saved up enough until I can travel comfortably again."

"On your own?" He was surprised. Not many women her age were unattached or took it upon themselves to travel without a friend, at the very least.

"Pardon?" Her eyebrows drew together. What was he implying…?

"You've been traveling on your own?" he clarified innocuously.

"Ever since my mum and best friend died," she confirmed when she realized he'd meant no harm.

"I'm sorry," he said with such sincere sympathy.

She shrugged. "Thank you. It was a while ago."

"My parents died when I was sixteen," he offered, after a few minutes of silence.

"It must have been hard." She couldn't imagine losing her mum at such a young age.

"It was. I was still in school, of course. It got better with time."

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"No, only child. And you?"

"Same. It was just my mum and I growing up. My dad died when I was a baby. My friend, Michael was sort of like an older brother, I guess. Annoying me when we were younger, defending me whenever an older kid teased me…" Her eyes looked out into a world that no longer existed. She shook her head. "So what made you decide to teach? Did your history teacher inspire you?"

John laughed. "Something like that. My history teacher was a bore! Well, at least until I got to college; the professors were brilliant! I set out to be a history teacher to inspire students, but I'm afraid I've followed into my schoolteachers' footsteps." He frowned. "I couldn't get any of my students to listen if I dressed as a gypsy and told them their fortunes."

"I was never much for history," she admitted. "Too dreary. English was my forte, much more creative! 'Course, my English teacher didn't much appreciate my creativity," she stage whispered.

"Marion Jones," he drawled playfully. "I never would have pegged you as a trouble maker."

"Whatever would make you believe that?" She was the picture of innocence.

He looked at her as he'd look at one of his students caught breaking the rules, but then his eyes crinkled and he saw her lips twitch. She was surprised at how she fell into an effortless rhythm with this man. She'd always had a way about people, her mother told her. She was able to make friends everywhere she went, but there was something different about John Smith…

Similarly, John found himself amazed at how much he enjoyed Marion's company. He felt like a completely different man around her. He was usually very serious and he hardly thought it appropriate to natter about with a recently-made acquaintance. She was just so…he couldn't find the words, but there was something about Marion Jones that made her special, that much he knew.

Finishing their snacks, they drank the last of their tea, and got back to work, asking questions about one another here and there.

"Miss Jones! What are you still doing here? It is almost sundown!" The headmaster paused, seeing the other occupant in the room. "Mr. Smith." His tone bordered on disapproval.

Marion looked out the window. "Oh! I hadn't noticed the time," she said, embarrassed.

"Nor had I. My apologies Mar- Miss Jones."

"No, I should have been more careful. I better go. Thank you for your help Mr. Smith."

"Please, let me walk you back to Mr. Cartwright's. It wouldn't do for you to be out on your own after dark."

She bit back an unkind retort, knowing he was just being a gentleman.

"That would be a good idea, Miss Jones. I have no doubt Mr. Cartwright would not appreciate it if I let you leave unescorted after hours."

She knew her new employer was right so she simply nodded. "Thank you." She looked at John.

"Good evening to you both. I shall see you in the morning Miss Jones. Mr. Smith, don't forget you have morning duties tomorrow." He looked at the new schoolteacher pointedly.

"Of course headmaster. Good evening."

Noticing Marion had finished settling things and had already put on her coat; he picked his up from a nearby chair. He offered his arm and suppressed a smile when she linked hers with it. Nothing but the nighttime noise permeated the air as they walked in companionable silence. One would think things would feel slightly awkward after a whole afternoon of chatting away, but for two people who have known each other no more than a day, there was something about the other that set them at ease.

"Thank you for walking me back."

"My pleasure," he repeated his earlier statement and she smiled. "Good evening Miss Jones."

"Good evening Mr. Smith." With a last smile, Marion entered the shop, climbed up the stairs to her room, and made her way to the window that looked out to the front of the shop. She quickly drew back when she noticed he was still standing outside. She scolded at herself for being a coward and opened the window. "Mr. Smith!" she called out just in time as she saw his retreating back.

He whirled around and saw her halfway out her window. "Yes Miss Jones?" he raised his voice so she could hear him.

"Marion's just fine."

He could just make out her tongue peeking out between her lips and grinned as he understood her words. "And it's John, Marion." He saw her smile widen and she nodded before retreating back inside. He turned back, making his way back to the school with a spring in his step.

Closing her window, Marion sighed. What had she done? She'd promised herself once that she'd never get attached, but… She's only human. Taking one last glimpse at John Smith's retreating back, she got ready for bed.

One more HN/FoB chapter, then I promise to get back on course.

Thoughts?

~*Eli