It is seriously overwhelming how many lovely reviews you have sent. Thank you, everyone! You make it a pleasure to continue this story.
The arresting power of his gaze caught and captivated her. It pulled her in like his strong arms, took her right back to a shared moment. Brought her into the intimacy they shared. Reminded her of when they had last made love. It happened at all kinds of moments during the day, not only when they were alone in a corridor or in the servants hall. It also happened with people bustling all around them. She used to blush and lower her eyes.
In time, she learned to hold his gaze. She learned to read his eyes as they spoke to her. She even learned to respond to him, biting her lip when his gaze darkened or a blush crept up his neck. She found pleasure in such moments, and she knew he did as well.
They had been exchanging gazes of such a nature all morning, seated across from each other at the table in the servants hall; he making notes and she mending a dress. The rising tension was becoming almost unbearable. She knew had they been home, they would be in each other's arms by now. She could see what she had done to him: his colour was high, and a thin sheen of sweat showed on his face. She gave him a little look of apology. He answered with a wry, tender smile.
"Shall I get us a cup of tea from the kitchen?" Her voice wavered only slightly.
"Yes, thank you, my love." He had whispered the endearment but that did not diminish its impact on her. Her heart beat wildly.
She returned with two steaming cups, rounded the table and sat next to him. She gently touched his arm, and, knowing that it was only Mrs Patmore clattering about in the kitchen, leaned in to give him a quick kiss. He caught her by cupping her cheek in his hand and kissed her again. She felt weak. She knew she was giving him a longing look. He knowingly caressed her cheek before he pulled back to propriety. Not a moment later Daisy bustled in, breaking their moment but not the gaze of John's eyes as they caressed his wife over the rim of his tea cup.
