This a rather long chapter but I felt it'd be better to keep it as one to keep the mood constant! Apologies if it's too much all in one go!
Bentley bustled into the servants hall, his nose and ears red from the cold. He caught Thomas's eye and jerked his head, hinting that they meet upstairs. Thomas got up a few moments later while everyone was bumbling around and slunk upstairs he walked in to find Bentley already in regular footman attire.
He went over to do his hair for him, "So a little update on the plan, O'Brien is investigating us and she seems to have a particular interest in you, but we can use that to our advantage. Same plan as before only, I'm going to hint out to O'Brien that you offered to help finish the walls of Bates cottage to keep the cold out and if Anna agrees with our plan, she and Bates will be staying in Downton so as to keep the story of the plan as realistic as possible, they'll explain that the cold is coming in and you have offered to finish the plastering so that they can spend Christmas together in the cottage comfortably.
Bentley nodded so far he was liking this, "How are you with the Duke?" Thomas asked, Bentley smiled as he recalled the Dukes mistake, he'll save that one for later he decided, "I have successfully mislead him I think." Thomas cleared his throat, he didn't like the idea of Bentley coming on to the Duke, "Good, so a brief knowledge of the Dukes promiscuity and greed tells me that he will most probably try to seduce you. Hmm what next? Mayb-"
"-I could then seduce him, but then tell I have to go and spend all night plastering by myself in a cottage which I may inadvertently give him the directions to?" Bentley suggested. Thomas put his hands on Bentley's shoulders, "Yes! Then I could tip O'Brien off that you'll be all alone in the cottage and so on...she'd then walk in to find the Duke, most probably spread out ludicrously on the rug and then, Anna being compliant, could walk in!" He was excited now
Bentley put his hands on Thomas's face holding his head still, "And then we could threaten to expose both of them and it's yours, mine, Bates's and Anna's words over the Duke's or O'Brien's any day. In return for our silence we'll keep quiet about the Duke, as long as he stays away and we'll use it as leverage in case O'Brien gets too close? Thomas looked thrilled. "Only issue, how will we know to send O'Brien down, without the risk of her catching me and the Duke, because that would just turn the plan around to her?"
Thomas's eyebrows furrowed, "Well it takes 15 minutes to get to the cottage, if I remember rightly it has electricity, so if you make an excuse to flicker the lights before you leave, say two times, I can see the cottage from the courtyard and when I see the flicker, I'll drop the hint to O'Brien who'll probably speed walk, you'll go off-path to get back here so as to avoid her. A few minutes after sending her off I'll send Anna, who'll be 'checking up on you' and then she'll catch them out, a few minutes after Anna's gone me, you and Bates will go down and be 'witnesses' to help corroborate the story. They won't speak out but if they do, Bates and Anna will be our alibis."
They stood there for a second basking in their own genius. Bentley still holding Thomas's face leaned in close, "Look at you, using the scheming brain for good..well good for us." Thomas smiled at the term 'us', "You're a fox Mr Barrow...a very sly one indeed." Thomas kissed Bentley, although still enthusiastic for the plan later, he wanted to stay in this embrace of soft lips, Bentley's natural aroma, and his warm body holding him close. He felt love toward Bentley but the intimacy of their bodies touching was awakening a passion, he wanted to be closer to Bentley, to consume him with touch and be enveloped by his senses.
Bentley could feel Thomas pulling him in tighter, he felt it too and was savouring the kiss. He ran his tongue over Thomas's, letting out a muffled whimper as the other footman pushed his body against his own. Thomas relished the sound as he knew it meant he wanted him as much he wanted Bentley. Somewhere downstairs the sound of plates smashing startled the two men, the stood arms wrapped around each other as they listened to the shrill tones of Miss Patmore wreaking audible havoc on the scullery maid responsible. The smiled and shook their heads, Bentley nuzzling his into Thomas's neck. "You've messed you hair up..." Thomas said calmly. Bentley looked in the mirror and laughed, sparing a quick glance at Thomas who was now leaning against the window slicking his hair back into place, Bentley straightened out his livery and then imitated Thomas doing his hair.
Thomas tilted his head and took a deep breath, admiring Bentley, he raised his eyebrows quizzically when he saw that Bentley's imitation actually worked to fix his hair, Bentley noticed the odd look on his face and stuck his chin up, giving Thomas a cheeky expression. Thomas pushed himself off the window sill, "That reminds me, we have a plan to attend to." He cupped Bentley's chin and gave him a quick gentle kiss before exiting the room.