Thomas had carried her in his arms all the way home, despite her protests. The journey home had gone amazingly well, she had to admit. Despite the fact he was blind, despite she knew she wasn't exactly light he had insisted on carrying her home. She was happy to be away from that overbearing doctor, but she realised halfway through that she should have insisted on finding another method to get home.
He hadn't complained once though, not even sighed, though his breath had gotten more and more laboured as they went along. He wouldn't give up though, not even when she had urged him to sit down and take a break. He wouldn't put her down either... She was sure she could have hopped along with his support for part of the journey, but he wouldn't hear of it.
And she also had to admit, she liked it. Despite everything, the pain in her leg, the fact he was a man that was holding her very intimately... the fact he was her employer which she didn't even want to think about, because this was wrong on so many levels... she had never felt safer cradled in his arms. It was strange... and wrong... and yet. When the police officer had her Thomas' wife, and Thomas had not objected, but held her closer instead, it did something to her.
She had always been determined to be a strong independent woman, and yet today she has easily given into Thomas' ready arms. He had been so sweet and kind to her though... And strict, which surprised her. But it wasn't malicious. Just by no means would he let her stand on her feet for even a second.
When they got home he had immediately offered her to make a cup of tea, but she had ordered him to sit down and get his breath back first. "You have done great. Thank you," she said, grabbing his hand.
"It was my fault you got hurt in the first place. I should have taken better care.. I'm sorry." Poor Thomas, of course he would blame himself.
"No it was my fault. I shouldn't have left you in the middle of the street where the crowd could push you around. You don't look blind, on the face of it it's like nothing is wrong with you, so people don't take in account they should be careful. I should have been the one to realise that, not you." She could kick herself for being so stupid.
"Still, I'm sorry you got hurt. And I will do anything to make it up to you," he promised.
Now she felt even more guilty. He would do anything he could for her, she realised. "You don't have to. You're the master, and I am the servant, remember. Perhaps we should get some extra help in for the moment. I won't be able to do much."
He immediately shook his head. "No, we'll manage. I can do what is needed as long as you are my eyes. I don't like the idea of strangers poking round here... "
If she was honest, neither was she. "Alright. We shall see how it goes. But promise me you will be careful. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I will do anything you say, " he promised gently. But then his face changed. "Janey, I got to know. You are really not wearing a corset?"
It confused her. What was he asking? "And why would you need to know that? Are you gonna judge me like the doctor did?"
"No! I don't care of you are a suffragette or not... Which doesn't mean I do not care about that cause... I think women should be equal... But you seemed very determined to get rid of the man. Please tell me you didn't do that at the expense of your own health?" He looked so worried.
She smiled. … of course. This was Thomas. All he cared about was her safety. He really had no idea how special he was. "I'm really not wearing a corset."
"Promise?" he asked again.
She grabbed his hands and put them round her. It was a wicked thing to do, not proper at all, and she knew it. "Does it feel like I'm wearing a corset. Do you feel any bones?"
He blushed a deep crimson. It was kind of cruel of her to do so. But his hands felt so good on her. She had never even considered letting a man close. Thomas was different though. She wanted him closer, and she couldn't quite explain it. But it wasn't right...
"I need to get some stuff, so if you don't mind..." She tried to hop past him on one foot.
"Where do you think you are going?" he asked, grabbing her by her waist. There was no fooling this blind man, he had very keen hearing. And he wasn't going to let her hurt herself.
She needed to get out there though, and not just to clear her head."The garden.. I need to pick some herbs"
"What do you need? I'll get it," he said ever so helpful.
"Comfrey. It will help heal the sprain. I'll need to find it myself, because I'm not sure where it grows..." She wanted to go past him, but he swept her up in his arms again. This was getting ridiculous... Especially if she considered how good it felt. "Thomas!"
"Yes, madame. As you wish," he said, carrying her outside, and completely ignoring her protests.
She sighed. "Aren't you getting tired of carrying me around yet? I'm not exactly light."
"You're like a feather. And I'm fine. Now where to?" he asked stepping outside.
Janey looked around."I think there is a patch by the gate... Yes.. Put me down here."
He didn't. He just kept holding her. It seemed he knew her too well already, and knew exactly how stubborn she was.
And he was right... But if he insisted, she would listen. At her terms."Please. Just put me down on the ground. I promise I won't stand on my foot but it's growing among nettles. You can't do it without hurting yourself."
He put her down ever so gentle and she crawled to the patch. "I'll get you up when you need to. Do you need anything else? Scissors? A basket?" he offered.
Pilot, her other hero already came to her rescue. "We are good... Aren't we Pilot?" She cuddled the dog. Her two men... Alright, time to gather some herbs, the sooner this ankle was healed, the sooner things would be back to normal... Though it really wasn't that bad being carried around. No one had ever done such a a thing for her.
She picked the comfrey leaves to make a foot bath later on. It would help her Thomas came and sit by them on the grass, letting the sun seep into his skin. It was like he was watching her, which of course wasn't possible.
"Yes, the rumours are true. I am a witch." She didn't know why she said it, it just came out.
He sat up. "What? Who says your a witch? Why would anyone say that? You are lovely."
"Loads of people, ever since I was little. I usually keep it under a bonnet, but have bright red hair you see, so I must be the devil's spawn.. I probably am..." she said casually. She had stopped caring about what other people thought about her a long time ago.
"No you are not. You are the nicest woman I have ever met. You are not evil... Don't you ever think that of yourself, do you hear me?" His speech had become so passionate that he was almost shaking. She had never seen him like this.
Esmem83976: I would never hurt them... much
Sparky She-demon: Yes Thomas is finding his groove.
Princess Prettypants: Handsy? You mean pompous ass? :p
Smithsbabe65: Without telling to much, yes, yes, he'll be fine, yes, sorta, but he cares to much to ask directly. Something will happen though that makes it all come out.
Annie: Thank you.
And thank you Isi for liking my LokiAdvent project "The Frost Giant that Stole Christmas" that is now complete and I also put the text on fanfiction.