"His Lordship promised to look into a cottage for us soon."

"I'm sure he will. I'm just sorry it couldn't be ready before you came home."

"For the best of reasons though. Everything came together so quickly..."

John smiled down at Anna, perched next to him sipping tea. The other servants sat around, in small groups, sharing the day's news, but John was left in peace after the surprise of his return that morning and a thorough grilling over luncheon.

"I can't say I'm sorry to have you home quickly."

Anna laid her hand on his. Just to be able to reach out and touch him was a wonderful thing. Surely they could wait for everything else. He was here. He was safe. That was all that mattered.

"Alright everyone, back to work now..." Mr Carson hauled to his feet, the rest of the staff following.

"See you at dinner."

A kiss was impossible, but John poured all of the emotion and longing of one into his eyes. Anna quailed inwardly at the intensity of his expression. Her knees shook as she went upstairs to lay out Lady Mary's outfit for the evening meal. Perhaps this wasn't going to be as easy as she had thought.

…

The moon was scudded with clouds, but the light from the windows in the scullery gave them enough to see.

Not that their eyes were open.

Hidden away in a shadowed corner, John wrapped Anna into his arms, pulled her close into him as their lips met, softly at first, but swiftly growing more passionate. The sensation of being able to hold his wife again, being able to kiss her, inhale her scent, stroke his fingers over her hair, it was overwhelming.

Anna's hands clutched at his overcoat, as though she would never let him go. She had dreamed of this moment through the long nights of their separation, holding close the memories of their one night together.

Now that it loomed before them, the prospect of separating for the night was devastating.

"I don't want you to go..."

"Anna..."

"Can't we find a way?"

With every fibre of his being, John wanted to say yes. But he dared not. If he were caught sneaking into the maid's corridor, he would be sacked. Anna might be his wife, but the embarrassment and impropriety to the other maids would be beyond Mr Carson's forgiveness. And he did not know or trust the other footmen, let alone Thomas, to hold their tongues if they heard anything from his room in the men's corridor, and this embrace alone had been proof that silence would be beyond them.

"Anna darling, the risk, it's too great."

"Oh, I know."

Anna pulled back, disappointment spread across her lovely face.

"Come now, at least I am here. Not still in that cell."

"I've longed for you to come home for so long John, it never occurred to me that we couldn't be together once you were here."

"Shhhh... it's not for long."

"But still..."

"Locking up now!"

Mrs Hughes' voice rang across the courtyard. With a last kiss and sighs of disgruntlement, Anna and John straightened themselves out and went indoors. With one last look of longing, it was time for bed.

…

The following morning they were both pale, with dark shadows beneath their eyes.

"I didn't sleep a wink last night," Anna yawned.

"Me neither. I was afraid I would wake and it would all be a dream."

"But here you are." Anna's eyes were tired, but her smile was bright as the sun at high noon. It warmed John through to his core.

"Do you have duties today?"

"His lordship has ordered me to rest until things get sorted out with Thomas. He suggested I stay in bed and read books, but I have had enough of that."

"What will you do instead?"

"Walk into the village I think..."

"I wish I could come with you, but I'm needed here today."

"No matter. There will be other days," John leaned closer and whispered softly, under the pretence of reaching for a piece of toast. "And other nights..."

Anna's cheeks flushed and her eyes shone. Gently she swatted him on the forearm.

"Behave, you!"

"Only while I must..."

His smile, reflected in his eyes, was almost too much to bear. With immense concentration, Anna finished her breakfast and tried not to picture taking her husband back upstairs to bed for the rest of the morning...

…

When Anna went upstairs to change for the evening, she was surprised to see a note shoved under her door. Her name was written on the front in dearly familiar handwriting.

She smiled to herself, wondering what he was up to.

My beautiful wife,

It occurs to me, that while I can't act on all of my wishes and do things to you that I dreamed of during my time away, I can still tell you about them.

Last night, tearing myself away from you was torture. The feel of your lips against mine was a dream. I long now for the taste of you, to feel you move against me in my arms, to be wrapped in yours. Had we had more time, had I been braver, I would have stroked my hands over every curve of you, every line of your body, reacquainting myself with every inch of you. In one night, I knew you so intimately, I long for our next time together, with all of my soul.

Until then, my words will have to keep you company as you undress and sleep alone. Just know I will be close by, thinking of you, of the touch of your fingers and the feel of your skin and the scent of you. And so much more.

Yours ever,

JB

Anna's face flushed and she clutched at the door frame to steady herself as she read the note. Her stomach churned with desire. Oh wicked man, to torture her like this, and yet... She longed to know more. How he thought of her, what he had dreamed of her while he had been kept away. How he wanted to please her, how he would touch her...

Hastily Anna stuffed the note back into its envelope and hid it under her mattress.

There would be time to read it again later, after dinner.

Shaking herself to regain her composure, Anna hurried to dress and return to work.