Robert won, of course he did but he praised Mary's attempt before gloating in his own victory. If they had been playing seriously Mary would have owed Robert two and a half pounds. Instead they decided to shake hands.

"Not bad considering it was your first go," Robert held out his hand to her, and Mary drew her tongue across her bottom lip before she slipped her hand into his. He didn't shake it at first, but just held it, curling his slender fingers around her small hand. He let her go and turned his hand, so that her small palm rested on top of his palm, and then finally he took her hand again and shook it firmly.

Mary swallowed thickly, and drew her hand back. Robert was watching her, and a blush seeped onto Mary's cheeks. He always watched her, with that little smirk on his face. He just looked at her like she was some silly girl.

Well she wasn't a silly girl, she was a woman. She drew in a shaky breath; she wanted him to touch her. She wanted so much but she did not know where to start. She couldn't bear the thought of going home the next morning, going back to her Ladyship's apartment and then back to the Trentham estate. She couldn't bear it, the though of never seeing him again.

There had to be a reason why they met each other again. Mary wet her lips with her tongue then she turned towards him, her heart was pounding in her throat as she leaned up, she cupped Robert's face with her hands.

"Mary," he said her name softly, so that she almost didn't hear it. Then she closed the space between them and pressed her mouth against his. It was a gentle kiss, a brush of Mary's lips, she kissed him again, and finally Robert kissed her. She shifted on the couch and then Robert pulled back.

"Mary," he said again, this time he said it louder. He rested his forehead against hers, "I don't want you to do this because you think you have to."

"But what if I want to?" She replied. She felt a tug in her stomach, and stroked her hand against Robert's cheek.

Robert laughed, "There's plenty of time for that, but not when I know you'll regret it." He brushed Mary's hair away from her face, and then he pulled her hands away from his face. "Maybe it's a good time for you to go bed."

Mary wanted to object, but she knew that Robert was right.

"Do you need me to come with you?" He asked, pulling the key from his pocket.

"No, I can manage."

He handed her the key, "everything is set for you. When you wake tomorrow, just strip the sheets from the bed. Does six sound all right?"

Mary nodded, her Ladyship didn't get up until seven, and she would be back at her town house before she awoke. Robert stood with her, and walked her to the door, Mary was holding onto the book, and before she left, he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"It's room two-oh-seven."

"Goodnight," Mary stepped out into the hall and padded down the hallway. Room 207 was just three doors down from Robert's apartment. She unlocked the door and pulled it open, she stepped inside and closed the door, locking the deadbolt and pulling the chain into place.

She walked into the bedroom and looked at the bed, it was narrow with a sagging mattress, the sheets were fresh and the quilt was thick. Mary pulled off Robert's house coat and draped it over the chair that sat at a desk under a window that had a blue shade drawn down. She undid the belt and pulled off his pants so she was standing in his sweater. She walked back to the bed and pulled back the covers; she climbed in and sat there for a moment.

What had Robert meant when he said there was plenty of time? Did he mean courtship? Or was it simply something to say to get out of the situation?

No, Mary thought, lying down. He wouldn't do that. Mary knew that she didn't know Robert well, but she knew he didn't say something unless he meant it. There's nothing you can do about it now, Mary thought, turning onto her side, might as well sleep.

..&..

Mary awoke to the sound of someone knocking on the door. She sat up, disoriented for a moment. Then she remembered, she was in Robert's building, they had played cards, and she had kissed him. She stood up, calling that she'd just be a minute.

She pulled on Robert's robe, and leaned down to look into the mirror of the dresser, she ran her fingers through her hair. She then began to strip the bed, taking the time to fold the quilt and the sheets. She placed them onto the naked mattress and then she left the bedroom. She unlocked the front door and opened it.

Robert was smiling and holding her clothes and a paper bag.

"You're things are dry," he said as Mary gathered her clothes and the paper bag into her arm. "I put everything for her Ladyship in the paper bag."

"Thank you," Mary said, "I'll just change quickly." Robert nodded and told her he would be in his apartment making tea and toast.

She placed the paper bag on the floor by the bedroom door, and then she went back inside. She took off his robe and dragged his sweater. She climbed back into her clothes, her grey skirt and her green sweater. Always so drab, she thought looking down at herself, all she was missing was her shoes, but since Robert was making tea and toast she knew that she could get them there before she caught her taxi.

Mary grabbed her bag of purchases before she exited her rented apartment, she locked the door. She walked over to Robert's apartment and opened his front door and stepped inside.

She dropped his clothes back into his room before she made her way into the kitchen. Robert already had two cups of steaming tea ready, as well as a plate of toast.

"I don't have any jam," he said.

"That's okay, I like butter best."

"So do I," Robert smiled. Mary put the paper bag down on the counter and took a piece of toast. It was warm and she ate her first piece quickly before taking a long drink of tea.

Mary stood sipping her tea; they both leaned against the counter in silence. Mary set down her cup and licked her lips before picking up another piece of toast. She stole a glance at Robert, who was looking out to the front door; she ate her warm toast and then finished off the last of her tea.

"So," she said, "I best be off."

Robert nodded; he put down his cup and walked over to the telephone, dialing for a cab. He spoke quickly into the phone and then hung up.

So that was it.

Mary took a deep breath, and clasped her hands in front of her, trying to stop them from shaking. "Well," she said, "thank you for breakfast," she smiled, "thank you for everything," Mary couldn't help the clipped sound of her voice, Robert hadn't so much as touched her since she'd arrived at his apartment.

She felt the hot rush of tears and she turned away reaching for all her things that were lying on the counter. As her hand closed around the bag containing her Ladyship's purchases a sob escaped her throat.

Just leave She thought; leave now and save the cry for the taxi! Disappointment tightened in her chest, she went to step towards the door and she felt him wrap a hand around her arm.

The last thing Robert had wanted to do was make her cry! "Mary," he began, "don't…" don't run away. When he didn't say anything more she turned to face him. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. She was looking at him, tears slipping down her flushed cheeks. Perhaps… the thought came to him suddenly. Perhaps he should just damn the consequences.

"What?" She whispered. She knew the cab was downstairs waiting, the driver likely growing impatient.

"I," Robert began again. He never wanted to see her cry again, he wanted her to stay with him, he wanted to hear her laugh, and listen to her stumble with her words bashfully; he loved to see her blush. He wanted her to look at him without fear or pity, he wanted to love her, and he wanted her to love him in return.

Mary looked at Robert, she felt a sad smile lift the corners of her mouth, she reached out and laid her hand on his arm, she didn't say anything her throat was too tight. She gathered up her belongings and nodded at Robert before making her way to the front door. She made her way outside into the hall and she hurried towards the steps. When she made it to the main floor she saw through the front doors that it was still raining—though not nearly as hard as the day before. She saw the cab waiting, the driver was inside, and Mary dashed out the front door.

"Wait!" She cried, even though the driver's window was closed and he likely couldn't hear her. She just wanted to go home, the driver's door opened and the man stepped out. "I'm sorry," she apologized and he simply nodded before heading towards the trunk.

"Your bags Miss."

"Thank-you," Mary said, dropping her purchases into the boot, the driver slammed it shut. Mary thanked the driver and was just about to get in the backseat when she heard someone call her name.

..&..

I'm going to be cruel and make you all wait for the next chapter! Muahahaha! Please let me know if you would like a sequel there is so much more to be done with these characters!