Moonlight
Anna waited patiently beneath the gazebo that overlooked Downton for her husband to join her...her husband. They had been married just over a day now, and Anna still couldn't quite believe that all of it was real. Her and John knew that they would not be gifted with a room for a second night and therefore had agreed to meet out here to spend some private time together.
Anna was so caught up in the beauty of the moonlight across the great lawn that she didn't hear the soft approach of Mr. Bates. It was his voice that announced his arrival.
"You have never looked more beautiful than you do right now, Mrs. Bates." His voice was deep and husky and carried across the night air, settling into every fiber of her being, filling her desire for him.
She turned, and there he was. Leaning against a column in only his trousers and shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He looked stunning.
"I could say the same about you." She whispered, and watched as a blush crept up his face. He still wasn't used to her compliments and probably never would be. "Come join me, please." She patted the space next to her.
He sat down with some effort, but when he finally made it his arms came around her immediately. Wrapping her in the comfort of his bulk and warmth.
"It's so gorgeous out here," she said. "The moonlight makes everything look so perfect and peaceful."
She felt him place a kiss on the top of her head, and then pulled back so she could feel his lips upon hers. The kiss quickly became heated, and they allowed themselves to be lost in it.
They made love beneath the stars that night. With nothing but the moonlight to light their path across the other's body. He whispered to her over and over how amazing, perfect, and incredible she was...how much he loved her. And she returned every word. They allowed themselves that night, that moment, to pretend that the rest of the world didn't exist around them. For that night the world was shrunk down to the garden gazebo that was their shelter...and it spun only for them.