Alan's point of view

I had filled whatever I could find,

Bowls, goblets and the few remaining jugs from the table with the hot water for Marian's bath.

With nothing else at hand I knew it was time to possibly interrupt whatever they were doing.

Silently I walked out of the kitchen and towards the living room.

As I approached the entrance I stopped.

I couldn't hear their voices.

So slowly I peaked out from behind the door frame.

Witnessing something I guess I wasn't supposed to.

They were kissing.

Hang on….kissing!

Again ?

But…

My mind filled with questions,

Too many in fact.

But as I watched for a few more seconds all the questions faded away.

I know this is strange but watching this display between them,

I felt happy.

For both of them.

They genuinely looked in love.

When I walked in on them in the castle I saw the spark between them then and by the looks of things at this moment.

They're gonna start a blaze.

Who'd have thought Guy to be the passionate type.

No one of course.

Not in his line of work anyway.

The Sheriff would have problems with that.

Slowly I made my way back down towards the kitchen,

Being careful not to be heard and ruin their moment.

Only to stop at the doorway and be met by Lucy.

Lucy was a newly employed servant to the household.

Of course we had known each other prior to now.

We've been seeing each other recently.

Admittedly for once in my life I was completely smitten.

I snapped out of my thoughts as she spoke

"So this is why you stood me up?"

Our date

I slapped a hand against my head.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart."

"If you wanted my job you should of just said so."

She smiled.

I walked inside and held my arms out to her.

Instead of coming into my arms she placed a hand onto my chest and lightly pushed me back a little.

"I never thought I'd play second best to an apron."

"Darlin the only apron I want to be under is yours."

I replied teasingly with a grin on my face.

She gave me a cheeky smile before backing away,

out of my reach.

Taking one look at the mess I made she disappeared into the pantry at the back of the kitchen.

Only to reappear soon after with more jugs in her hands.

How…?

How did she know ?

I'm guessing my face looked puzzled for she spoke sweetly.

"This is what you were after wasn't it ? For a bath ?"

I walked up to her and placed a lingering kiss on her lips.

Not caring about the jugs within her grasp,

Digging into my chest.

She was the one who pulled away.

"You can thank me later"

She whispered before giving me another cheeky smile.

This woman drives me wild.

In a good way obviously.

Anyway she began replacing the bowls and goblets of water with more jugs.

Placing them on the table in the middle of the kitchen.

I stood watching her with amazement,

She knew exactly how many jugs were needed and executed this task effortlessly.

Once she finished I again tried to pull her into my arms.

"Now now mr A'Dale I'm not that type of woman"

She said teasingly as she stepped back.

Away from my grasp.

I gave her a sad look and lowered my head slightly.

Causing her to release a soft giggle.

Why must she deny me so?

Picking up two jugs from the table she proceeded on the task at hand.

Only giving me a playful wink before walking out of the kitchen.

Marian's point of view

I moaned softly as I melted against the man I love.

My fingers busied themselves with the clasps on his jacket.

Desperately I wanted to feel his skin against the palm of my hand.

Remembering that night when I had visited him here,

Witnessing his glorious chest against the light from the fireplace.

How he softly took my hand and held it.

Curse myself for not having the courage to touch him then.

'Calm down,

Your time will come'

What was this man doing to me?

Our moment as well as my thoughts were interrupted by a woman.

We broke the kiss and pulled away from each other.

"Sorry my lord,

I'm ere to do a bath"

She nervously said.

Guy gave her a slight nod and she proceeded on her task.

'Once she's out of sight jump into his arms again'

I smiled to myself at this thought.

Sadly as soon as she vanished out of sight it wasn't long before we set eyes on her again.

It took her quite a few trips to finally finish filling the bath up.

Guy and I stood apart in silence.

Only giving each other a loving gaze.

This sexual tension between us was getting far too much for me to handle.

Knowing we had been discovered not once but twice now.

Was alarming.

But why should it be ?

We are engaged now.

Craving warmth,

The bath began to call to me and broke me from my thoughts.

I made my way to the bottom of the stairs and gave Guy a smile.

He walked towards me still with love in his eyes.

Perhaps he wanted another kiss?

'Can't you see in his eyes he does'

Yes.

'Then kiss him'

I must be strong,

For both of us.

It was then I made my way up the stairs without giving into what we clearly both wanted.

Guy's point of view

As she walked to the stairs I held myself back from following her.

Feeling the desire to kiss her lips again was breaking me.

It wasn't until she stopped at the bottom of the stairs and gave me that smile.

'Kiss her now you fool'

I hurried closer to her and gazed into her eyes.

Before I could grace her lips again she turned her back to me and proceeded up the stairs.

Little minx.

My observation on her retreating form fixated me.

Making me unaware of the dazed smile that my lips had formed.

Once Marian had reached the top she had turned her attention back to me and gave me another one of those smiles.

Along with those eyes.

I melted.

Sadly she then disappeared into the washroom and the spell was broken.

"Why don't you go up there?"

It was then I was made aware of the presence of Alan.

How long had he been standing there ?

And how did I not notice him step beside me.

I turned my attention back to him,

Eyes blazing.

He could see the anger within my eyes and held two jugs up towards me.

"Why are you carrying jugs?"

I asked unamused.

My anger subsided when a soft voice replied.

"He's helping me m'lord"

The new maid Lucy made her way down the stairs and stopped before us.

Alan stared at her as he handed her the jugs.

She smiled at him.

"I always knew you were useful for something"

With a smile on her face she turned away and walked back upstairs.

I crossed my arms across my chest as I watched this little display.

Alan watched as she climbed each step and disappear into the washroom.

Finally after a few seconds he turned his attention back to me.

"What?"

I raised an eyebrow at him in reply before turning and walking towards the fireplace.

Away from the temptation of Marian.

Soon after steps were again heard coming down the stairs.

I didn't turn to see who it was for I already knew it was Lucy.

If I had any doubt then the voice that spoke confirmed it.

"Is there anything else I can do m'lord"

Hurry up and go.

'She's waiting for you'

Stop teasing me.

"Your both dismissed for the rest of the night"

I snapped without meaning to.

Once they left silence filled the room.

And that's when my mind went into meltdown.