A/N: Hey, it's Greenfield here! I apologise in advance, I'm feeling very festive. And I'm cold. Another George and Elizabeth, set in 1522, before they got together and just decided to flirt like maniacs! Please review! Song is 'Baby, It's Cold Outside'.
Elizabeth put down her goblet of wine and looked up at the gilded clock that sat on the oaken cabinet in George's room. It was most improper for her to be with him, alone, in his rooms, but she was so desperate for him to confess to his feelings that she quite honestly had given up caring. But then, when had she and George ever been bothered about propriety. She folded her hand of cards and threw him a glowing smile.
"I really can't stay" she said regretfully, rising from her seat. She looked out of the small window wearily. She would have to go outside and walk across the courtyard to get to the part of the palace that she and Elena were inhabiting, and there was a thick blanket of snow in the ground – plus, the air was like ice. She shivered at the thought.
"But baby it's cold outside" George responded incredulously, sensing that she didn't want to leave. He didn't want her to leave, either. He'd been enjoying himself, revelling in her delightful company, and she knew it.
"I've got to go away" she said, a little doubtfully. A fresh few flakes of snow had been to tumble from the dark sky. And it was terribly late. She drew her cloak around her and hugged herself with her slender arms.
"Baby it's cold outside" George repeated, rising from his seat.
"This evening has been – "she began, before being cut off by a now rather panicked looking George. She mustn't leave; he'd had plans for tonight!
"Been hoping that you'd drop in" he confessed in a slight rush.
"- So very nice" she continued, a little smug smile on her lips.
"I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice!" he cried, clasping her small, delicate hands between his, strong and warm. She shivered, this time not from cold.
"My mother will start to worry" she replied fearfully, thinking of the scolding she would receive if her mother ever found out that she had spent hours alone in a man's bedchamber.
"Beautiful, what's your hurry?" George asked innocently, still rubbing her chilled hands.
"My father will be pacing the floor" she added, already picturing her father marching purposefully up and down, glaring at her when he found out. If he found out.
"Listen to the fireplace roar" George pointed out encouragingly. The fire was deliciously warm and let off a pungent perfume that both smelt delicious and made Elizabeth feel a little reckless. The crackle was comforting and soft in the background of their speech.
"So really I'd better scurry" her voice had a little less conviction every time she opened her mouth.
"Beautiful, please don't hurry" Great, he was reduced to begging now. He hadn't meant to do that.
"Well maybe just a half a drink more" she relented, looking longingly at the flagon of hot spiced wine, quite a lot of which was remaining.
"Put some music on while I pour?" George offered, wondering if there would be any musicians around with a lute at this time of night. She shook her head, those fiery red curls swinging desirably.
"The neighbours might think" she continued worriedly, thinking of the Parker girl who slept in a room very close to her and Elena. She was bound to catch Elizabeth sneaking back at this late hour, and it wouldn't take a genius to figure out who she had been with.
"Baby, it's bad out there" to George's relief, he was telling the truth; the snow was getting heavier.
"Say, what's in this drink?" Elizabeth asked, eyes watering slightly with the extra spices George had just added to the wine that was now warming her body from head to toe.
"No cabs to be had out there" George added, knowing that no-one would be willing to drive a carriage across the courtyard in this weather and at this hour, not even to keep a pretty lady from getting snowed under.
"I wish I knew how – " she murmured softly, before being cut off again.
"Your eyes are like starlight" George blurted out, looking into her sparkling blue eyes. She laughed, a light tinkle of a laugh, and continued softly.
"-To break the spell"
"I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell" George offered, and, being much more forward, leaned over and removed her coif, letting the curls of hair that had been slowly spilling out over the past few hours completely free. Elizabeth blushed at his audacity and pulled uselessly at her hair, but he had put the coif to one side, grinning amiably.
"I ought to say no, no, no, sir" Elizabeth sighed weakly, wagging a finger at him. George laughed aloud, gaining a little boldness.
"Mind if I move in closer?" he asked gently, and took a step closer to her. They were rather close now; she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
"At least I'm gonna say that I tried –"she said feebly.
"What's the sense in hurting my pride?" George shrugged, eyes twinkling merrily at her.
"I really can't stay" she whined, dithering still.
"Baby don't hold out" George murmured, reaching out to take her hand again and massaging her smooth palm, eliciting another blush from her.
"Ah, but it's cold outside" she frowned, watching frost creep up the window. Then,
"I simply must go" she decided, squaring her shoulders and taking a step back from him. He retaliated by taking a step closer.
"Baby, it's cold outside" George repeated his mantra with feeling, and reached out to put his hands either side of her waist. She looked at him sternly.
"The answer is no" she said firmly, removing his hands with a teasing smile.
"Ooh darling, it's cold outside" he cautioned again, slightly abashed that she had brushed him off. But he could see the desire in her eyes. If he could only persuade her to stay a while longer...
"This welcome has been – "
"I'm lucky that you dropped in" he intervened sincerely.
"-So nice and warm" she continued sharply.
"Look out the window at that storm!" he cried, pointing to the angry, swirling snowflakes.
"My sister will be suspicious" she dithered, thinking of Elena, who would be surely waiting up.
"Man, your lips look delicious" George breathed, eyes fixed on the plump red lips that he upper teeth were tugging on thoughtfully.
"My brother will be there at the door" she continued, ignoring him, thinking of Thomas Wyatt, who might be worried if Elena told him that she still hadn't returned. They were very close, she and Tom.
"Waves upon a tropical shore" George continued musingly, thinking of the blissful existence that they could share. His eyes were still focused on her pretty mouth.
"My maiden aunt's mind is vicious" Elizabeth fretted, thinking of Elena's crabby mother, a widow who was the epitome of propriety. George moved suddenly forward and pressed a hasty but firm kiss on her lips. She gasped.
"Gosh, your lips are delicious" he said, looking dazed. She hesitated for a very long time, knowing that she should scold him for taking liberties and sweep out of the room. But she couldn't do that! She wanted him to kiss her.
"Well maybe just a half a drink more" she mumbled eventually. George grinned.
"Never such a blizzard before" he pronounced cheerfully. Maybe she was giving him the wrong idea. She didn't want to see loose.
"I've got to go home!" she cried, picking up her coif and making to turn away. He grasped her arm.
"Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there!" he protested pathetically.
"Say, lend me your coat" she suggested, gesturing to his handsome blue cloak, draped over the back of his chair.
"It's up to your knees out there" he pointed out, meaning that the cloak would not help to protect the bottom half of her beautiful green gown, which would surely be ruined entirely with snow stains if she dared to step out.
"You've really been grand" she tried to sound polite, but all she could think about was how much she wanted to stay. He let go of her arm and, once again, she made to leave, but this time he caught her hand instead. A bolt of fire flashed through both of them.
"I thrill when you touch my hand" he admitted softly.
"But don't you see – " she started, shocked.
"How can you do this thing to me?" he cut in pleadingly. Conflict shone in her blue eyes.
"There's bound to be talk tomorrow" she worried. What would people see if they saw her sneaking back across the courtyard in the early morning, with her hair loose and coming from the men's quarters, in last night's dress?
"Think of my life long sorrow" George looked at her with puppy-dog eyes. She laughed.
"At least there will be plenty implied" she comforted him jokily.
" If you caught pneumonia and died" he retorted, eyes boring into hers.
"I really can't stay" Elizabeth said, but this time, she knew that she would.
"Get over that hold out" he murmured, his hands encircling her waist. This time, she did not push him away. They smiled at each other.
"Ah, but it's cold outside" she concurred quietely.
And there were no more words.