Diana and Matthew meet at Oxford as Diana returns to teach history and research manuscripts at the Bodleian for a new book. Jealousy and mystery hinder their romance but their desire is made real. (All Human) NO VAMPIRES/NO WITCHES/NO DAEMONS. First story in a few years. Keeping it simpler by not adding the supernatural aspect.
Desire Made Real
By Goode Girl
DISCLAIMER: All rights to Deborah Harkness. Just borrowing the characters.
Chapter | THREE
Monday dawned earlier than I thought and my weekend was spent finishing unpacking. I'd officially been here for two weeks now, and decided that setting up my rooms was time better spent than focusing on the drama that was Gillian Chamberlain and Peter Knox. Matthew and I had texted each other periodically over the weekend. Nothing too serious, just random things like, 'Did you sleep in?', or 'Are you still in pajamas?', and the ever clever, 'Is the Cat in the Hat the only bipedal cat?'. It made me smile, and I think he knew I needed that. For the most part, my wrist was fine, but the bruise left it rather sore and achy, so I decided not to ride my bike today, and walk to the Bodleian. It would take longer, but the weather was still nice enough. I was only a few minutes down the road when I heard a car horn honking. Thinking I was too far into the street, I moved over, when the horn sounded again. I looked to my left to see Matthew pulling up beside me, a huge smile on his face.
"Good morning teach." He greeted, flirtatiously. The laugh that escaped was an instant reaction. "Teach? Really?" I teased. He simply shrugged his shoulders adorably, before he jumped out of the driver's seat and over to me. "Your chariot awaits milady." He teased. "And where is this chariot headed?" I smiled in response. "To the Bodleian of course. That is after we make our reports." I slipped into the passenger seat, while Matthew held the door. He helped me secure my seat belt before heading off. After meeting at the administration office to make our formal complaints, we were advised it was now on record and to contact them again if either Peter Knox or Gillian Chamberlain acted on any of these veiled threats. If there was physical evidence or their being involved in any real crime, they would be removed from Oxford permanently.
An hour later, we were seated in the Bodleian, at the same table together as last week, both waiting for manuscripts. Matthew kept looking at me, making me giggle. "Would you stop." I laughed. "You look beautiful." He smiled, winking as well. "You didn't smile much last week." He added and I couldn't help but frown a little at that remark. "In answer to your question…" I began, keeping my voice in a quiet whisper. "I believe the Cat in the Hat, IS the only bipedal cat." I finished, causing him to giggle this time. A few moments later, Sean stepped up to our table with a stack of books. "Good morning guys." He greeted quietly. "Morning." Matthew and I replied in unison. "Diana, when you get a moment, could I talk to you in private?" Sean queried, a nervous energy emanating off of him. "Hey, of course, is everything okay?" I wondered, worry seeping into my tone. I could feel Matthew watching in concern as well. "It's sort of awkward." He whispered. "Does this have something to do with why you left Brown's last week?" He nodded in confirmation. "Maybe we should go talk now?" I pressed and he agreed. Matthew seemed to understand and I followed Sean to a side door leading out of the main library.
Sean lead me to the end of the hall, for privacy. "Diana, something happened at Brown's last week, when you stepped out to talk to Professor Clairmont." He began. "Sean, whatever it is, you can tell me." I urged. He took a breath before speaking. "Look, Diana, Gillian told me how you felt and I just have to say that I'm sorry but I don't feel the same." He finished, gauging me for a reaction. "What are you talking about, what did Gillian tell you?" I retorted in confusion. Sean explained that when I stepped out to talk to Matthew, that Gillian seemed agitated and tried to pull him into her confidence, saying she needed to confess something to him. She told him that I had romantic feelings for him and that I wanted to pursue a relationship. "Sean, it's not true. I'm sorry, not that you're not a great guy, but I don't see you that way." I explained. "Thank god." He breathed. "Don't be relieved or anything." I laughed. "No, I'm sorry, I just, I've always just seen you as a great friend." He relayed. "Me too, Sean. Me too." I nodded. Sean stood in front of me, shuffling his feet awkwardly before speaking again. "That's not all Gillian said, Diana." Sean warned. I felt a little taken off guard, waiting for Sean to explain. He explained that Gillian 'confided' that I was 'in danger' with Matthew, and that I was 'not safe'. She asked him to help her keep us apart. Sean declared that he didn't believe her, and was aware of the rumors circulating about Matthew, and a stalker. He pieced together it was Gillian that those rumors were about. I knew I should be shocked, but I was just hurt, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. "Diana? Shit, what can I do?" He asked worriedly. "Matthew…" I mumbled, trying to get myself together. It seemed like twenty minutes had passed since Sean left me, when it was really only two. Within moments I felt arms around me. "Diana?" Matthew's voice filtered into my ears and I finally looked up to see him beside me, his arms supporting me. "What happened, Sean?" He called in worry. Their voices sounded like echoes in the recesses of my mind. I could tell Sean was relaying what he'd told me and when it registered with Matthew, I could feel his arms tighten, his frustration evident. "Diana?" His voice called to me once more. I blinked up at him as the fog dissipated. It felt like emerging from water where the sound is muffled until you break the surface where it's full volume. "Diana?" He called again until my eyes finally focused on him. "How could she do this to me?" I cried. "I don't know." Matthew mumbled, his embrace keeping me upright. "There's one more thing I haven't mentioned." Sean interjected. We both turned to him as Matthew urged him on. The reason Sean skipped out of Brown's was not only at Gillian's 'confessions', but he relayed that she seemed to be giving a veiled threat. "She told me if I wasn't going to help her, that she'd get Peter to do it. And before you ask, I don't know who she was talking about." He finished. "We know who she means, thank you Sean. Would you mind collecting our manuscripts and we'll continue with them tomorrow instead." Matthew requested. Sean nodded, leaving us in the hall.
Matthew led me to bench to sit down while he collected my computer and his notes before we headed down to his car. "Are you okay?" He questioned, taking my hand in his. I winced slightly, as it was my sore wrist. "Shit, I'm sorry!" I could tell he was frazzled as well. "I don't understand." I cried, the frustration getting to me. "Let's get home and then we can talk okay?" He suggested, as he sped down the road. I nodded in acquiescence. We passed my lodgings. "Where are we going?" I mused. "I thought I'd take you to my rooms at All Souls College instead, I have more security there." He explained. All I could do was nod again, and within a few more minutes he was parking the car and helping me out. Matthew carried my bag with my laptop and made a point of holding out his hand to me and I accepted with my right, so as not to hurt my wrist. When we arrived at his rooms, which were larger than mine of course, he gave me a quick tour before helping me off with my coat. We were standing a few feet apart, staring at one another, and it was like he could sense the damn was about to break, again. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, the frustration of Gillian's deviance breaking me. Before I could blink Matthew had me in his arms again. "It's okay Mon Coeur, we haven't done anything wrong." He comforted. "What did you call me?" He realized his slip, if it was a slip at all. "Mon Coeur." He repeated as he leaned down and rested his forehead on mine. "My heart." I confirmed. He smiled at me, pushing some stray hairs behind my ear before placing his hand on my cheek. "My heart." He repeated. "I like that." I smiled and he smiled in return. "I know there is a big pink elephant in the room, what with Sean's admissions." He stated and I felt like a bobble-head with all the nodding I'd been doing. "But all it is, are words and veiled threats. We ignore them and report any instances that happen, if they contact either of us, harass us, anything." Matthew stated assuredly. "I agree." I confirmed.
A few hours later, after Matthew had procured us some lunch; soup and sandwiches and hot tea. We were relaxing on his sofa, one of us at either end, our feet intertwined, while we did our own work. Me on my laptop, and he reviewing his notes. It felt good just to be close to him, no expectations and not trying to fill the silence. Every now and then, I would feel him grip my foot, rubbing gently, almost as if he was testing to see if I was still there. I was reviewing some notes on an alchemical image from last week, and the image contained a vessel of blood, when I realized I was meant to go to Matthew's lab to donate. "Oh!" I exclaimed suddenly, causing Matthew to drop his papers. When he saw the smile on my face, it seemed catching and he smiled right back. He reached out to me, and when he had a hold of my hand, he pulled me over his legs to sit on his lap, my feet hanging towards the floor. "What caused that jolt of excitement?" He teased, kissing my cheek as his arms held me in place. "I just remembered that I agreed to make a donation of blood to your lab." I replied, cuddling against his chest as he held me, my head fitting snug right under his chin. "You did, but…" He trailed off. "But what?" I implored. "Do you really want to leave this little cocoon we've created for today?" He had a point. I turned in his arms, and moved my legs, so I was straddling his lap. Before he could protest, I fastened my lips to his and when I did, his arms moved around my mid-section pulling me flush against him. Our lips danced hypnotically, but slowly, and I savored each dip and curve of his lips as they moved against mine. I parted my lips, letting him taste me as our tongues made first contact, his hands moved down, cupping my backside and pressing me harder against him. My nipples pebbled at the feeling of his hard chest. I snaked my hands up around his neck, tugging slightly at the hair at the back of his head, and I heard him groan gently into my mouth. I moved my hands down to his loosened tie, and removed it, tossing it behind the sofa, before moving to undo the buttons on his shirt. "Diana," He hummed against my lips. "What?" I mumbled in response, pulling his shirt from his pants in order to push it off of his shoulders. "We should stop." He added, trying to pull away. "I don't want to. Matthew please." I begged. He rested his forehead against mine, his hands underneath my shirt at my back, fingers drifting across my skin causing goosebumps. "What are you waiting for?" I pressed. "I don't know, honestly, I just feel like we should slow down." He reasoned. "We're two consenting adults, and from my standpoint, I thought we were cultivating a relationship? Unless you don't want one." I admitted. "I do Mon Coeur." He affirmed, hugging me close to him, and kissing the underside of my neck. "Then let's not stop." I repeated. "I want you Matthew. I want you to make love to me." I pleaded. He pulled me back to him while I idly traced my fingers along the exposed skin of his chest. "I want you Diana, please don't doubt that." He urged. I nodded in silence. "Fuck it." He mumbled, jumping from the couch, and carrying me with him. Before I knew it, we were tumbling onto his bed and I instinctively parted my legs, allowing him to settle there, as he pulled his shirt the rest of the way off, tossing it behind him. His lips found mine urgently and I couldn't stop the giggle that escaped. "Why are you laughing?" He queried, laughing himself, as he supported himself on his arms, as flexed on either side of me. "I don't know, you just carried me in here like Tarzan and tossed me on the bed." I laughed. "Me Tarzan, you Jane." He grunted and then the uncontrollable giggles erupted as he collapsed beside me on the bed, tugging me near. Our giggles died down and my eyes found his. He was gazing at me with such intensity. "I know it seems like it's too soon, but I love you, Mon Coeur." He confessed. I placed my hands on his cheeks, looking him in the eye. "I love you too, Matthew." I declared as his lips found mine in a passionate kiss.
That afternoon, Matthew and I did no more than cuddle and make out, a lot. With groping and caressing in between. I was in love. It was fast, but it was so right. I felt like I was back in high school with my first boyfriend, fooling around in my bedroom. When I got home later that night, I prepared for the week ahead, checking over the notes for my lessons. Trying to push thoughts of Gillian and Knox away seemed fruitless. I couldn't not worry. Like Matthew said, we weren't doing anything wrong. Gillian was delusional and Knox was clearly her puppet.
That following Friday, after finishing class, I was heading to Brown's for a cup of tea and a snack. I stayed too late at the Bodleian and missed lunch. When I stepped in the door, it was mostly empty, and I had my pick of where to sit. I chose a booth near the back wall where I could go unnoticed and have some quiet time. The server brought me my afternoon lunch and a small pot of tea and I tucked into my meal. The jangle of the bell above the door was loud in the quiet room as patrons entered. I stopped mid bite when I registered the voices of both Peter Knox and Gillian Chamberlain talking in hushed whispers. They sat in the booth behind mine, not taking notice of me, thankfully.
"You will do this Peter, or that evidence I have will mysteriously make its way to the police." Gillian threatened. "You don't understand Gillian. It doesn't matter what you want me to do, Matthew Clairmont will never be yours! I don't understand why you're so obsessed with him!" Knox retorted angrily. "He might not be mine, but he definitely isn't going to be Diana's either!" She spat back. "She's taken enough from me!" She added as I lowered myself in the booth. I was confused by that statement; I don't know what she thinks I've taken from her. I pulled out my phone to text Matthew, and kept the messages short. 'At Brown's. Knox and Gill talking. Planning something. Sitting in booth behind me.' I hit send and put my phone on mute so as not to be discovered. I added a second message, this time more short-hand. 'U R right. G has 'evidence' on K, threat to send to Police.' Matthew responded with a simple, 'On my way.' After viewing Matthew's text, I pushed the record button on my phone hoping to tape evidence of their conversation and plans of conspiring together against me and Matthew.
Their conversation continued in harsh whispers but my attention was peaked when Knox asked Gillian what it was, she exactly had on him. He didn't even know. "I know…" She began pointedly. "That you are the one responsible for the deaths of two people." She admitted, a hint of arrogance in her voice. I texted Matthew to not enter Brown's so I could continue recording uninterrupted. If Matthew walked in during this conversation, I might not get to hear what I need. He responded that he was outside around the corner and to text when I wanted him to come in.
Knox replied, "What you know and what evidence you have are two very different things Ms. Chamberlain. So how do I know you actually even have real evidence?". Gillian huffed and I could hear her tapping, likely on her phone. "I have video evidence of your conspirator Peter, detailing your crimes." She stated flatly. The next thing I heard was a voice, likely from her video evidence, but it was too quiet for me to hear. "TURN IT OFF!" Peter whisper-shouted. "Are you going to do what I ask now Peter?" Gillian added. "What do you want me to do again?" Peter sounded resigned, like he had no choice. I texted Matthew again. 'Knox sees Gillian has real evidence against him. About to tell him what she wants from him.' I could feel him pacing outside, I knew he was itching to come in. I just kept quiet, literally holding my breath as Gillian started speaking again. "I want you to contact Juliette Durand." She stated simply. "Who is she?" Peter queried. I swear I could hear Gillian smiling smugly. "She's Matthew's ex-girlfriend, and you're going to tell her that he misses her." Gillian detailed. "How the hell does she fix your problem, Gillian? Then you'll have two women to get out of the way!" Peter reasoned. "She won't be a problem, because she cheated on him and he'll never want anything to do with her again, so she's out before she even gets here. But it will put a wedge between Matthew and Diana." I shook my head; Gillian really was an idiot. "You're still not making sense to me. Can you please explain one thing?" Peter queried. I assumed Gillian nodded her head as Peter posed his question. "Why Matthew Clairmont? I mean why go through all this knowing he's never going to return your affections?" Peter sounded concerned in his question, and I waited in anticipation wanting to know the answer to that question, more than anything. "Never say never, Peter." She began. Just as Gillian was preparing to finish her answer, out of the corner of my eye I saw the server approaching my table and texted Matthew right away to come in. The server greeted me by name at the same time the bells on the door chimed, signaling Matthew's entrance. I tossed money at the server for my bill, and made a bee line for Matthew. I turned to see the shocked faces of Peter Knox and Gillian Chamberlain and held up my phone. "Thanks for the conversation, I recorded it for later!" I called as I pulled Matthew out of the Café behind me, giggling in nervousness as I pulled him along.
"Diana!" Matthew exerted trying to pull me to a stop "Slow down, please." He called as I finally stopped after rounding the corner. "I'm sorry, but did you see the look on their faces?" I laughed. "I did darling, now can you please tell me what was said?" He pleaded, pulling me into his embrace. I pulled out my phone and played the recording for him. Within thirty minutes we found ourselves at the administration offices. The Dean listened to my recording, and her concern for our safety was clear. But the evidence that Gillian Chamberlain seemed to have on Peter Knox in regards to the deaths of two persons was more worrisome. After we were reassured that they were going to handle Peter and Gillian, as well as contacting the appropriate authorities, Matthew and I departed from the college. We promised to provide them with any new evidence, should it arise.
Matthew insisted on driving me back to my rooms. "Did you have anything planned for the weekend?" Matthew questioned, our joined hands swinging between us as we headed up to my rooms. I shook my head in the negative before replying. "Just spending time with you, I hope." He smiled before leaning over to kiss me gently. "That was what I had in mind too, but I have a request, if you're up for it." He explained. "Of course, what is it?" I pondered, unlocking my door. "Marcus has made a request of me, of us actually, so I wanted to help him out but it would require leaving the college for the weekend." He began. "And where would we be going?" I pressed on, kicking off my shoes and jacket as we took a seat on my sofa. "Well I have a house, a little bit of a drive, just outside of town, and Marcus has a new girlfriend. He'd like us to double date with them, to meet her and make her feel welcome. So, I suggested we go to my house for the weekend. It has multiple bedrooms and space." He concluded. I had met Marcus earlier in the week when I made my blood donation to the lab. He was young, exuberant and friendly. "Oh, good for him, I think that sounds lovely!" I exclaimed happily. "Brilliant. Then why don't you pack a bag." He cupped my face, kissing me lightly before turning me and swatting my backside as I traipsed into the bedroom. A weekend away with Matthew in seclusion. My mind was running amok with the possibilities.