#one last dance before retirement: somehow saving williams again | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

srebrnafh · 3 years

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This FF is definitely trying to gain priority over my novel.

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"The Master is here!"

William grimaced. He hadn't meant to surprise the household with his arrival, but since the carriage wheel had become damaged and the driver and two footmen remained behind to get it taken care of, he and Richard left them to the task and made much better time home on horseback than they would have otherwise.

And so, they had arrived in the midst of a chaotically looking discussion between several servants and what looked to be a young woman berating them with the authority of a housekeeper.

The girl was too young to be a housekeeper.

That was his first thought.

On the second look, however, he didn't notice anything lacking about the house - all servants seemed to be about their tasks - even though he had arrived without warning - and everything seemed to be in good repair. Apparently, the house didn't suffer much due to Mrs Reynolds' illness.

Actually, if she's that good, he mused, This may be the best moment to get Mrs R to retire at last. She can't be working forever and as Papa had a cottage prepared for her long ago, she wouldn't be moving that far away...

His thoughts trailed away as she suddenly turned, finally noticing servants staring at him.

He in turn noticed her, finally registering the slim figure, the wisps of feathery ebony hair sticking out from under her cap and the dancing steps of her tiny feet - bare feet? - peeking from under her slightly raised skirt hem. Even holding up the mass of wet cloth she was still as graceful as any lady of the London ball floors.

"Mister... Darcy," she finally uttered, clasping her hands together in surprise, then caught her skirts again, as the fell - water-logged and heavy - on her bare toes. Yes, definitely bare, he could see it clearly now. "Dear me! I'm so, so sorry - we didn't know you'd be coming!" she seemed flustered and uncertain right now, just as she had been all poised and decisive a moment before.

"Ah, my fault completely, madame," he managed to keep his gaze at her face - now blushing deeply and embarrassed.

As for first impressions, this must be one of the most interesting, he thought as he looked at her trying to somehow save her feet from touching the wet dress and recover her dignity at the same time.

"There has been an accident with the water, I presume?"

He now kept his gaze steadfastly away from both her heart-shaped face and the unusual view of stocking-less female feet.

"I'm afraid so, sir," she sighed. "Someone had trailed mud in through the kitchen entrance and one of the maids was assigned to cleaning it. Unfortunately, she was called off and left the broom in a wrong place. A footman tripped on it, while carrying a bucket of water, so the water did the job of flushing the mud from the floor quite nicely but reached the door exactly as I opened it from outside. And with me being two steps down," she smiled ruefully and gestured towards her skirts. "If you will excuse me, I will go to my rooms and try to..." she paused "deal with the immediate issue. I shall be back with you presently."

"Of course, absolutely," he managed to say before she fled, both still flushed with embarrassment.

"I must say, William, this was new," the voice of his cousin came drawling from the doorway.

"Well, this is my new housekeeper"

Richard straightened and strolled inside.

"I rather meant you - talking in such cultured way to a woman standing in front of you on her bare feet. And such tiny feet they are - she seemed all rather delicate, didn't she?"

"Richard," he growled. "This is my new housekeeper. You are not to try and dazzle her with your wit, charm or supposed gallantry. I don't want her scared away before I have at least a chance to gauge how she did her work."

"And what is the name of this promising black-haired young lady?"

They walked towards the library, passing by the various servants, set apparently to cleaning and mending the windows for the fall season.

"It's... well, Chester did the actual hiring, but I know I remembered it... Ah! Isabelle Benoit!"

"A French name," Richard remarked with distaste.

"Born in England, of English mother. My lawyer did a thorough check - mostly with the attorney of her previous employers. After all, I did hire her."

"That you did," Richard nodded amicably. "And what are you planning to do now? Have dear old Reynolds retire to a quiet cottage and let this young thing stay? You know what people will say."

William's brow furrowed in quiet anger.

"I know perfectly well what people will say. That's why I'm considering my options here very carefully. I could... well, let her go, and hire someone local, preferably a married couple, to deal with all the servants..."

"... but she seems to be doing fairly well."

"Exactly. It would be rather unfair to fire her without an actual reason to."

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@totallysilvergirl Another piece ;)

#pride and prejudice #fanfiction #srebrna writes

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itsmajel · 6 years

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Majel Reads - September2017

[What is this?]

Supernatural - Destiel

Hell on Earth Verse by grey2510, ThayerKerbasy

Summary Verse: Crowley had always had a plan. Even when he lost, he won. And when he died, he made sure his affairs were in order and that the one person he liked trusted tolerated inherited his most valuable and prized possessions.

Dean wasn't sure he'd ever forgive the bastard.

Juliet couldn't believe she'd been stuck with a blind pup for a new master.

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Summary First Story: I, Crowley, known in life as Fergus Roderick MacLeod, being of sound mind, body, and demonized soul, declare that this is my last will and testament. I hereby revoke, annul, and cancel all wills and codicils previously made by me, either jointly or severally. I declare that I am of legal age, and have been since before my lawyer's grandfather was conceived. This last will expresses my wishes without undue influence or duress, even — or, indeed, particularly — when said wishes are contrary to those of anyone who ever wanted anything from me. I hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint the demon Timothy Hubbard as Executor. If this Executor is unable or unwilling to serve, then I appoint the demon Harold Newman as alternate Executor. My Executor is empowered to settle any and all debts on my behalf, excluding soul contracts. I hereby bequeath...

[Teen And Up Audiences ] [ 38,138 Words ] [4 Works] [Read on AO3 here]

What Happened In Vegas by Ltleflrt

Long time friends Dean and Castiel are road tripping from Chicago to San Diego for Sam and Eileen’s wedding, and a pitstop in Las Vegas turns into drunken love confessions and a surprise marriage. Turns out the pining has been mutual this whole time, but now they’re finally together and on cloud-fucking-nine. Until they remember that this trip isn’t supposed to be about them.

To avoid undermining Sam and Eileen’s important weekend, they decide to keep their new relationship status a secret. They’ll keep the heart eyes toned down and their hands to themselves, but the struggle is real.

[Explicit] [ 18,447 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

My Liege Lord by jhoom

From a young age, Castiel has been groomed to serve as Dean’s personal bodyguard. They’re inseparable as children and good friends as adolescents. When Dean ascends to the throne, though, there’s a subtle shift in their relationship. If only Castiel knew what to make of it…

[Explicit] [ 70,525 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

I'm the Only by Desirae

Dean cleared his throat. “It’s just, if she did something really bad, maybe Charlie didn’t tell me for a reason. Like, say you cheated on me. If there was the slightest chance I was going to forgive you, I probably wouldn’t tell Charlie about it because I wouldn’t want to taint her image of you.”

“Woah, wait. You think about me cheating on you?” The outraged tone of Cas’ voice had Dean wanting to backtrack fast.

“No, no you’re missing the point. I am just saying IF you cheated on me-”

“If I cheated on you? If I cheated on my husband whom I have loved since high school, who I am utterly devoted to?” Cas’ face had pinkened in his ire and Dean wished he had kept his mouth shut.

When Professor Winchester makes an offhand remark on the way to his sexy husband's tattoo convention, it sends them both on a trip down memory lane, back to High School, where popular goth, Castiel, made it his mission to win the heart of quiet, bookworm Dean. A story of blooming first love that grew into forever.

[Explicit] [ 25,121 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

Captain America / Marvel CMU - Stucky

The North Star by littleblackfox

“I heard rumour that William Fly is swinging from a gibbet in Boston harbour. They say the age of piracy is ending,” Steve utters softly, rubbing the tip of his thumb across his lower lip. Sam glances at him. “You got plans to retire, Cap? Find a nice little beach in the Indies and a good supply of rum? Couple of pretty girls in grass skirts to dance for you.” “Sam,” Steve mumbles, covering his face with his hand. “I’m sorry, a couple of pretty boys?” Sam grins wickedly. “Sam!” Steve looks scandalised, which gets him nothing but laughter from his Quartermaster. “You’re fired. Go throw yourself overboard this instant.”

[Explicit] [61,335 Words] [Read on AO3 here]

the cold never bothered me anyway by icoulddothisallday

Bucky Barnes has spent his whole life in a state of mild hypothermia. Steve Rogers has spent the last 70 years in the ice. The two things aren’t related until, suddenly, they are. Shrunkyclunks soulmate AU (AKA the awkward bb au)

[Explicit] [ 75,562 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

penis for password by obsessivereader, talkplaylove, wearing_tearing

Bucky's had his wifi name since forever, courtesy of his friend Clint thinking he’s funny as shit, and he's pretty much forgotten about it—until he hears the enthusiastic shout of 'PENIS!' through the walls from his new next door neighbor.

[Mature] [ 1,557 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

Death Doesn't Discriminate (Between the Sinners and the Saints) by sangha

James Buchanan Barnes died four years ago, while deployed to Afghanistan. An IED blew up his convoy, his left arm in pieces, his life ended. Eleven months later, his lungs filled with stale air. He was in a wooden box. He had never been this hungry. Somehow he clawed his way through the wooden lid, through dirt and sand. He didn't seem to need to breathe at all. All he knew was hunger.

Now, four years later, Bucky is just trying to make a life for himself, when he meets Steve and he is forced to decide how Steve is going to fit into this new life.

[Mature] [ 57,045 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

The Northern Lights by ThisChairIsMyHomeNow

“I can’t feel my face,” Steve shivers.

“I can’t feel my left arm,” Bucky says, deadpan. Steve barks out a laugh. It’s all white puffs of vapor in the chilly air.

“This the spot?”

“Nah,” Bucky pants, breath ragged from the long ascent up a mountain. “Almost there.”

[Mature] [ 21,754 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

to feel your skin on mine by obsessivereader

“Hey Buck, what's wrong?”

Bucky grimaces as he sits down next to Steve. “It aches sometimes,” he says, as he rotates his left arm.

Steve puts down the report he’s reading. “I could massage it for you? I had a physiotherapist after I came out of the ice. The massage really helped when I overdid things while getting back into condition.”

“You?” Bucky pauses mid-rotation, a look of patent disbelief on his face. “Overdo things? Say it ain’t so.”

“Very funny.” He tries to ignore the way his heart is pounding. “You want that massage or what.”

[Explicit] [ 2,484 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

How to Seduce a Writer by obsessivereader

What's a determined master strategist going to do when the oblivious writer he's trying to woo keeps missing all the clues?

He doesn’t think it’s because he hadn’t signaled his own interest to Bucky. He’s pretty much done everything short of hitting Bucky over the head with semaphore flags by this point. There’s no way Bucky could’ve missed them. Unless… There’d been that one link he’d stumbled upon when he’d googled ‘how to talk to a writer’. It’d been written by a writer, who’d been candid about how oblivious writers could be, and how someone could go about seducing one. An idea starts to form. It’s ridiculous, but at this point, he’s willing to go with ridiculous, since subtle wasn’t getting him anywhere.

[Teen And Up Audiences] [ 2,111 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

maybe bi guy by obsessivereader

Steve: i saw that guy again. i think i’m not as straight as i thought i was Unknown number: i hate to tell you this but you got the wrong number pal. but hey, i’m bi. i’ve been there. i can talk you through it if you want --- Or Steve embarks on a journey of self-discovery assisted by a helpful stranger who likes to make really bad puns

[Mature] [ 3,338 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

Lessons In Chemistry by Brenda

Bucky Barnes is having a rough senior year of college: his girlfriend of two years just dumped him for being too boring, he's drowning in lab work and classes and assignments, sleep and free time are a distant memory, and all his friends seem to want to talk about is how he needs to out of his comfort zone.

But then his old high school buddy, Steve Rogers, drops back into his life, and suddenly classwork and studying and getting into a great grad school are the last things on his mind.

[Explicit] [ 42,388 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

Dare to Dance: Leave Shame at Home by MarleyMortis

Having suffered an accident that left him with anterograde amnesia and an incomplete spinal cord injury, Bucky Barnes is determined to live his life to the fullest and meet the challenges of daily life head-on.

Steve Rogers, marine biologist and a retired Space Airman who led a squadron of F40 Avengers to save New York from an alien invasion, isn’t sure how to move past war until he meets the vivacious Bucky. He’s eager for a second date. Trouble is, his date doesn’t seem to remember him.

[Explicit] [ 86,660 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

Summer Don't Own Me No More by alby_mangroves, Nonymos

Bucky Barnes, weary soldier, illegal immigrant, sarcastic sex worker. Steve Rogers, miracle of science, lonely man, disillusioned cop. Both of them on a collision course in this brave new world, like that's not gonna end in sex and explosions.

[Explicit] [ 28,349 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

The Hobbit - Bagginshield - Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield

It's a braid thing (you wouldn't understand) by authoressjean

After the last near "tragedy" (or so the dwarves are calling it, Bilbo's about done with them), Bilbo doesn't cut his hair and instead lets it go long. Except now, now he's almost home, his dwarves insisting on escorting him back, and he's got long hair he doesn't know what to do with.

When Thorin offers to braid his hair, Bilbo reluctantly agrees, if just to have something to remember the dwarf by.

Except it doesn't do Thorin any favors. Bilbo was already attractive enough, and now there are braids. In his hair.

And if Fili and Kili don't stop snickering, Thorin's content to return to Erebor without his heirs.

Prompt fic. One-shot. Sort of.

[Explicit] [ 6,102 Words ] [Read on AO3 here]

slow dancing in a burning room by fideliant

don't you think we ought to know by now? don't you think we should have learned somehow? don't you think we ought to know by now? don't you think we should have learned somehow?

[Explicit] [ 18,806 Words ] [2 Works] [Read on AO3 here]

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(All summaries are the official summaries of the author. Stats and infos as according to hosting site or information given by the author)

Looking for more reading inspiration? Check out my fic rec tag here on tumblr, my reading list masterpost or just check out my AO3 bookmarks.

#fic rec #majels reads #reading list #september #2017 #supernatural #destiel #Marvel CMU #captain america #stucky #the hobbit #bagginshield

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