Chapter 13
A/N: Still don't own them. Servery Romance, commence!
He had entered the servery expecting a minute alone away from the family, dearly needed after what Grigg was now demanding from him.
He had sunk to his level, something he never thought he would have to do, but he had stolen. He had stolen from the family and Anna had seen him.
Mrs Hughes came in from the other side carrying a stack of plates. When he saw her he couldn't help but lift his head a little higher. She was so beautiful and for a brief few moments all thoughts of Grigg were replaced with her.
She walked quietly into the servery intending to swap the plates for dessert without being seen, as was her job really, but looked up to see a preoccupied butler entering from the dining room.
He had been like this for a few days now and she didn't know why. She hated the uncertainty it cast on them, she had to be more careful and gentler to avoid fraying his nerves more.
"I'm changing round the dessert services," she whispered as she walked to the plate station, crossing in front of him to reach it.
He stopped walking and stood behind her as she spoke, making her speak over her shoulder to him. She longed to lean back into him and feel his arms hold her gently to his strong chest. She turned back to the station, closing her eyes against the thought, his scent making it very difficult to forget.
She was so close in the small space; all he wanted to do was reach down kiss her beautiful dark auburn hair and wrap his arms around her waist to pull her closer…rest his cheek on the top of her head.
These thoughts externally manifested as him gazing at the top of her head for longer than was proper, before he stepped away into the crockery store.
He stepped past her then, the reason for him being there becoming apparent:
"We're missing a sugar sifter, I know I put three out," he said, not facing her, but busying himself with looking for the missing item.
Having him there reminded her what Anna had told her earlier about Thomas, she decided now was the time to bring it up.
He heard her quiet voice speak next
"I was talking to Anna earlier" she started, looking at the plates she was stacking.
He froze, sure she knew what he'd done, but fervently hoped she didn't. He had to know what she knew, whether all his hard work to keep his past hidden from everyone, particularly her had gone to waste. He spun around so quickly he momentarily was a little unsteady on his feet
"Why? What's she been saying?" He spoke sharply, louder than necessary.
She looked at him then, her eyes questioning the sudden change in tone and the alarm she had felt from him.
She looked at him worriedly but he had to know her level of knowledge.
"Whatever's the matter?" she said gently but firmly, still watching his tense frame.
She out down the plate she was holding in case she needed to…needed to what? Reassure him? Gah!
"What did Anna say?" he pressed again, and now she was worried.
He had been tense for a few days now and she still didn't have an answer as to why, merely that Anna must know something. She looked away for a moment to gather her thoughts then looked back to him as she spoke
"Only that she thinks Thomas is bullying William"
He exhaled mentally releasing the tension he held. It was merely Thomas being Thomas; yes he could deal with that. That was easy, however men who know how to use your past against you were not so easy to repress.
"Yes, she may have a point, I'll keep an eye out"
Hearing him calm, she picked up another plate but kept her gaze fixed on him.
Safe in the knowledge that the information had been received and considered he went back to his original errand.
He stepped forward and reached for the sifter sitting on a shelf near her head. He so wanted to rest his hand at the small of her back as he did it, like a husband might a wife if he reached for a wine glass above her.
Once the item was in his hand he stepped past her, inclining his head away from the sifter
"Here it is" he said, his voice deep and low, then stepped past her towards the dining room again, his sleeve gently grazing her back as he passed.
She felt his sleeve touch her and closed her eyes. She could count on one hand the number of times they had touched during the time they had worked together and she treasured every moment. She watched his retreating back after he passed her, around the corner into the dining room.
She was going to find out what was bothering him so much.
A/N: My heart can't take these two :) Next is silver inspections and repressed desires...