Author's note: a couple of paragraphs here have a strong suggestion of being M-rated, but don't bother asking for the details in a separate M chapter, as it will not happen.

Tommy wondered whether Barbara would ever see him as more than a soulmate and close friend. That day, any attempt he made at intimacy of any kind quickly got rebuffed, and he became deeply concerned when Barbara announced that she wanted to spend the night back in the spare room.

"Have I done something to upset you?" he asked, trying to stay calm and considerate.

"No, nothing, I swear. It's just… what if we're only meant to be friends? I mean… I do fancy you. A lot. Always have. But…"

Tommy frowned. "I'm sorry, Barbara but I'm not following your logic. If we both feel… attracted to each other, physically and spiritually, then I don't understand the problem. I'm not rushing you. I promised not to, and I won't. But I thought we would evolve… this feels more like you're saying no."

Barbara bit her lip. "What if…? What if we don't like it? Then we're sort of stuck."

"Oh, I have no fear that I won't like it, and I'm sure you will too. Maybe I won't be your best lover, but I'm a quick learner. I'm sure I will surpass them with a little practice."

"I… I've only done it once. Well, twice technically, but on the one night. It was… not very pleasant."

Tommy smiled and held open his arms. "I promise you that I will make it pleasant. Extremely pleasant."

"Stop bragging."

"I'm not. Come here, Barbara. Let's sit down and make a plan."

"A plan? Like you're going to do a raid on my body?"

"No. Not at all like that. Any um… involvement of your body will be done will your full permission. I don't raid."

"No, I didn't mean that. I was trying not to make a big deal of it, and now look, I've embarrassed both of us."

"I'm not embarrassed, and I'm glad you told me. By a plan, I meant… yeah, that sounds far too sterile and impractical. I liked the evolution part, but please stay with me. You don't have to snuggle in as you have been. I just want to know you're safe and that you're there."

Barbara nodded. He had no idea how hard it was not to give in to temptation, but then if it was horrible, she'd lose him.

Tommy and Barbara were busy for the next few days sorting out uniforms, attending doctor's appointments to get the all-clear to return to duty, and eating out most nights. Tommy appeared to have launched a charm offensive, and while it was working well, Barbara still couldn't get over her fear. The only thing that helped was food. She waited until Tommy was asleep then snuck down to the kitchen. The wall clock told her it was after midnight. As she pulled open the French doors of the enormous stainless-steel fridge and stared inside, a shadow crossed behind her.

"A penny for them, Miss Havers?"

"Oh, Charlie. Sorry, am I in your way?"

"Not at all. If you tell me what you're looking for, I can probably find it. I keep some less used items in the spare fridge."

"There's a spare fridge?"

"Yes, in the cellar with the wine fridges."

"Of course, there's a cellar and wine fridges."

"Miss Havers, if you don't mind me saying, you seem a bit out of sorts. Has Lord Asherton upset you?"

"No. Sorry. He's been the perfect gentleman."

Charlie smiled and took off his glasses and polished them on a cloth from his pocket. "And that's the problem."

"No. Yes. No, not really. I think I'm a frigid old cow."

Charlie returned his glasses, made a point of looking her up and down then grinned at her. "All I see is a beautiful woman."

"Charlie." Barbara felt her cheeks flush and looked down at her shoes.

"I'm just being truthful, Barbara."

She looked up. "I'm scared, Charlie."

"You don't have to be. I know only too well that my employer has made several poor choices regarding women. I also know that this time, he has got it right. Trust him. He'll look after you. You just have to let him."

"Easy said. "I'm not… I don't have his level of bedroom skills."

Charlie grinned at her. "Is that what you're worried about?"

Barbara shuffled her feet and looked down again. "Yeah. Making a fool of myself."

Charlie poured her a glass of wine, then poured a smaller one for himself. "Here. This might make you less nervous. Can I ask… do you understand the basics?"

"Yeah. I've… oh, for heaven's sake, this is ridiculous. I'm standing in the kitchen at 3 am discussing my non-existent sex life with…" She didn't have a word for Charlie.

"Your partner's manservant?"

"No! No, I didn't mean that. I mean… shouldn't I be talking to him about it."

Charlie sipped his drink. "Clearly, you don't feel comfortable doing that, so perhaps try it out on me. I might be able to help."

Barbara sighed and then told Charlie about her life, starting with Terry's death, her parent's reaction, and how she had become marginalised from her family and society. She told him about her one-night stand that was more to see what she had been missing than any great desire. That, she told him, had only made things worse, and then she had met Tommy. She told him how she had been instantly attracted yet repelled by his social standing and everything he stood for but had then come to love him for who he was. "Now, I'm in a mess."

Charlie refilled her glass. He had listened patiently, and she felt he would give her good advice.

"Barbara, you're in the perfect place. One-night sex is easy because it has no meaning. Making love with someone for the first time is always stressful. I'm sure he," Charlie said, pointing to the ceiling, "is almost as scared as you. He's stuffed it up a lot more than you, and he stands to lose everything too. But I do know him, and I know he'll look after you. Just give in and do whatever feels natural. Don't be scared to indicate that you do or don't like something. Just let it flow and stop thinking about whether he's keeping score and will rate you out of ten. He won't. and neither will you. You'll see. It's not lying back and thinking of England. Explore him. See what he likes too. I'm 100 per cent convinced you'll both laugh afterwards about why you waited so long."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, and if you get desperate, nibble on his earlobe."

Barbara's eyes went wide. "Should I ask how you know that?"

Charlie tapped the side of his nose. "A good manservant knows everything."

"You're not a man…"

Charlie's laugh cut her off. He topped up her glass. "Here, Barbara, some Dutch courage. I will make sure I don't disturb you in the morning."

"You mean… do it tonight?"

Charlie smiled. "Why not? The longer you wait, the harder it will get. Especially for Tommy."

Barbara looked at Charlie, grinning like a schoolboy, then realised what he meant. "How am I going to face you tomorrow, Charlie?"

He winked. "I'm paid for my discretion. I will see nothing, hear nothing, and know nothing. Now good night, Miss Barbara, you have an ear to nibble. oh, and there are frsh condoms in the bedside drawer."

With that, Charlie was gone. Barbara drained her glass and then went upstairs.

Tommy was having a very pleasant and somewhat erotic dream. He and Barbara had just been for a swim and were lying on an isolated tropical beach. Barbara was slowly removing his swimmers. Despite the promise of the dream, he knew he should wake up, or he might embarrass himself. Being so close to Barbara, and wanting her so badly, was playing havoc with his body.

Tommy opened his eyes. It was 4 am. Too early to get up. He could perhaps go to the bathroom. Maybe he should because his body was still reacting to his dream. He could almost feel Barbara's hand pulling at his shorts. But he was warm, and he could feel her body pressed against his back. He didn't want to wake her. He started to drift back to sleep. He was back on the beach, and Barbara's hand had slid inside his wet trunks. Her fingers explored his skin as they moved inexorably towards his groin. They brushed his hardness, then stopped. No, don't stop. Please don't stop.

The fingers found their courage and began a tentative journey of discovery. "Oh, mmmm."

They stopped again. Tommy was in that state between waking and sleep. He knew it was a dream, but he was getting annoyed with his mind for teasing him. Then he felt a warm palm stroke him. "Ohhhh."

The hand stopped. Tommy opened his eyes. It was 4:03 am. He would go to the bathroom and resolve his issue. When he twisted slightly, he could still feel the hand. Then it stroked him again. He looked at the clock. He could see its red light shining back. 4:03. He was awake. "Barbara?"

The hand paused. "Are you awake?" she asked.

"I'm not sure. I think so, but I might just be having a wonderful dream about your hand inside my shorts."

"It's not a dream."

Tommy smiled. "I'm glad about that. What do you have in mind?"

"I thought we could… should… oh, for heaven's sake, let's make love."

Tommy rolled towards her, allowing her grip to follow and not strangle him. "Are you sure?"

"Let's just see where it leads, eh?"

Charlie had stopped outside Lynley's bedroom at eight o'clock. Inside, he could hear the exhausted snores of two people. He hoped Barbara had taken his advice. By nine, there were faint giggles and a few other noises that told him they needed more time alone. At ten, he could hear Tommy's bed moving on the floor as he dusted the drawing room. By eleven, he could hear running water and splashing. At noon, he felt they should eat to keep up their strength, but as he started up the stairs, the couple emerged, dressed in bathrobes.

"Any chance of some lunch, Charlie?" Tommy asked.

"Certainly, would you like it served on the terrace?"

Tommy nodded. "Yes, please. Oh, and Charlie, would you mind taking the afternoon off?"

Charlie grinned at Barbara. "Certainly, M'lord. I have some errands to run in the city. I will return around seven if that suits you?"

Tommy followed him towards the kitchen. "Perfect, and would you mind, err... restocking the bedside drawer?"

"Of course."

"And Charlie, how did you know I like having my ear nibbled?"

The enigmatic young man grinned at him. "I didn't, M'lord. I thought anything Miss Havers did to you would be enjoyed immensely. It was about giving her some confidence."

Tommy slapped him on his back. "I'm going to give you a bonus this month, Charlie."

"Thank you, M'lord. I'm glad my little suggestion seems to have worked."

Please note: while this could be the natural conclusion to this story, there is still a chapter to go, maybe two…