April 2016 Friday Howenstowe

"Tommy I thought we could go riding before everyone gets...up" Judith said happily as she burst into his bedroom, "oh good gracious. I'm so, so sorry." Judith turned to flee.

"Wait!" Tommy called out after his sister.

Barbara pulled the sheet over her head and tried to disappear. She was not ashamed of what had happened but to be caught in bed together by his sister was mortifying. She had hoped to break it to the family gently.

"I'm sorry Tommy, Barbara. I didn't know. You two seemed so normal last night. We never guessed you were finally...together."

Barbara groaned and Tommy uncovered her head. She smiled weakly at Judith. "Hiya."

"I think it's wonderful though," his sister continued, a huge smile lighting her face.

"It is," Tommy agreed thinking back to their night of passion. Barbara and he had been asleep for barely an hour after making long, slow love and planning their future. The sex had been far more intense than he had ever dreamt possible but more importantly they had talked about their feelings, their regrets and their hopes as they lay contentedly in each other's arms. He had found the love he had been seeking for so long. "But this is quite new for us and we didn't sleep much. We won't be down for breakfast and maybe not even lunch."

"Of course." Judith tried not to smirk as she backed away towards the door. "We'll see you later. Have fun."

Once she had gone Barbara groaned. "Do you think she'll tell your mother?"

Tommy snuggled her closer. "Of course she will. We're adults Barbara. We have nothing to be ashamed about. We love each other. They had to find out sooner or later but something tells me they knew before we did. Now go back to sleep." Tommy kissed her gently. "Before we...we should sleep...oh Barbara."

"We should..." Barbara responded passionately to his kiss.

It was well into the afternoon before the two new lovers emerged. A quick bite of toast and they headed out into the garden. For Barbara holding hands with someone was a new experience but one she liked. She felt connected to him and yet free to be herself. She had always imagined being subsumed by Tommy but he was not desperate and cloying like he had been at first with Helen. She hoped it was because he was more certain of Barbara's love. "I love you Thomas Alexander Lynley," she said to reinforce the point.

He smiled at her in the cheeky way he had always reserved for her. "I know and it's made me feel more like the First Earl. I know ours will be just as strong a love story for generations to come."

"Yeah, they can talk about the copper from Acton who stole your heart and pretended to be Countess."

"You won't pretend. You'll be spectacular."

"More like a spectacle."

"Never. When will you understand that you're perfect for me and will make me proud?" Tommy stopped and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her lovingly.

"Oi, enough of that!"

Red-faced they broke apart and stared at Peter. "Hello Peter," Tommy said flatly.

"Judith said you were porking Barbara but now I have proof."

"Peter! Don't be crude." Tommy was searching for the right words to chastise his brother without appearing too protective of Barbara.

Barbara looked Tommy's younger brother defiantly in the eye. "Peter, I know you've never liked me and I'm fine with that but I don't want to cause trouble in the family."

"Then leave."

Tommy bristled but Barbara put her hand on his arm. "I love your brother and he will always come first. I'm not going anywhere but I know he loves you very much so I would like us to be friends for his sake."

Peter and Tommy stared at her. "He has a funny way of showing love," Peter spat.

"Peter please," his brother pleaded, "not now."

Barbara looked at Tommy. "I'm going back to the house. Tell him what you told me last night. I'll see you soon."

Barbara turned and walked back to towards the manision. She sensed Tommy might follow so turned and gave him a stern look. This weekend could resolve a lot of issues and give them a fresh start.

An hour later Tommy found her unpacking her bag in his room. He embraced her and held her tightly. "Thank you."

She hugged him back. "You're welcome, for whatever I did."

"I wish I'd told you months ago how much I love you. We've wasted so much time."

"We have the rest of our lives Tommy." She gave him a reassuring kiss.

Tommy glanced at the bedside clock. They had time before dinner. He deepened the kiss and playfully pulled her onto the bed. "It'll never be long enough."

Dinner was entertaining but crept too slowly for Barbara. Peter and Tommy were tentatively exploring their new relationship and the ladies were plying her with not too subtle questions about weddings and where they would live. She was trying hard to concentrate and play the game but she just wanted to be alone with Tommy.

"Have you tried on your outfits yet?" Judith asked.

"No, not yet. We haven't had time," Tommy replied. Everyone sniggered or giggled, even his mother.

"Tomorrow morning will be fine," he said trying to assert his authority.

"Too late if it's not," Dorothy snorted. "Well don't wait on us. Off you go. It's quite clear you two want to be alone."

"It's not like that Mother."

"No? But I don't blame you." Dorothy sighed and smiled, a look of happy memories in her eyes. "Nothing beats that first flush of love when you know it's returned just as strongly. Go on, you both need some sleep before the big day tomorrow."

Barbara looked guiltily at Tommy. "Maybe we should try them on now."

The costumes had been laid out in the room Barbara was not occupying. She took one look at the dusty rose pink dress with a delicate pattern of flowers running in lines down it and sighed. It was definitely not her style. She screwed up her nose.

"It's only for a few hours," Tommy said sympathetically. "And most Regency dresses were white but I insisted on one with some colour for you."

"Thanks."

They began to change. Barbara struggled into the undergarments starting with the plain cotton shift topped by a stiffer, roped petticoat. The long, high-waisted dress was flounced with several ruffles at the hem and rows of tucks pulling the neckline into shape over her breasts. The dress was a little tighter and more revealing here than she would have preferred but she smiled when she saw Tommy looking lecherously at her. "Later," she admonished.

"You know women back then rarely wore undergarments, they didn't really come into vogue until ten or twenty years afterwards."

"Interesting but no one will know what I'm wearing underneath."

"Except me."

"You want me to leave my underwear off?" Tommy grinned and nodded. "Thomas Lynley! There's a side to you I never knew existed."

"I'm a man Barbara, with normal needs and passions." He gave her a heated kiss. "I want to make love to you every minute of the day but when I can't I want to think of you wanting me too."

Barbara had little experience in these things but she and Tommy had seemed very compatible lovers. Despite her fear that after just one night together she had become un-countessly wanton, she found his idea sexy and exciting. She quickly redressed. "You had better leave yours off too Your Lordship!"

"I did."

Barbara swallowed hard as she stole a peek at his tight tan pantaloons that were straining at the front. "Oh good heavens!"

"And here's me very sexy in no undies and laced up ankle boots!" she muttered as she re-dressed.

"Very practical though." He gave her a tempting kiss and started to pull up her dress.

She swatted his hand away. "Yes, I see your rationale m'lord but let's not crease our costumes until we show you mother."

Tommy grinned with a heady mix of lust and love as Barbara pulled on her elbow length gloves. She draped a light lace shawl around her shoulders the put on her bonnet that matched her dress. She looked at herself in the mirror and groaned. "I look like a reject from a Jane Austen novel."

Tommy came up behind her and encircled her in his arms. He rested his chin on her shoulder. "You look beautiful. A very fitting countess."

"Let me look at you."

Tommy stood back and pirouetted with his arms spread out. His double-breasted velvet tailcoat was a rich blue with a high collar. Beneath it an ornately patterned silk waistcoat covered a soft, loose shirt that was tied at the neck with a maroon cravat and sapphire tie pin. His pantaloons were tucked into soft, knee-high, black leather boots. He held a shiny, silk tall hat in his hand.

"Hmm, quite the dandy," she said approvingly.

"Come on let's show the others and then I'd like to take you for a walk."

"A walk? In this?"

"Well it's only eight o'clock. We still have a few hours before nightfall. There's a lovely spot I want to show you."

Barbara could barely believe she was wearing such an outfit but the way he suggested the walk was quite romantic. She imagined he might have an ulterior motive; one she would not resist. She was beginning to see what he meant by practical. "Sounds...nice. Come on."

Winston and Hillier had arrived a few minutes before and were standing chatting to Dorothy and Judith while Deborah and Simon were chatting with Peter. Everyone clapped their entrance and made loud jokes about Barbara being in a dress.

Winston looked nervous and Barbara went over to speak to him. He grinned at her. "Seems you and the DI are the talk of the family."

"It's a bit embarrassing really."

"Barb, it's great. You both deserve to be happy and it's about time you realised that all those looks you give each other when you don't think the other can see should be shared. There's nothing wrong with being in love."

"Except he's my boss and no doubt Hillier knows too."

"He was funny. Simply said 'about bloody time, now I can promote them.' I think he's hoping you'll head up our squad."

As if on cue Hillier appeared. "Sergeant Havers, I believe congratulations are in order. You got your man yet again."

"It's too early for congratulations Sir but thank you. I want to make him happy and perhaps he finally got his woman."

"Yes, and I get my new DI and Superintendent."

"Super? But the DI..."

"Has been DCI Lynley for over a year. Just after he returned." Hillier looked at Tommy. "He never told you?"

"No."

"I can explain," Tommy said feebly. Her frown told him he needed to have a very good reason.

Dorothy eased the tension in the room by inspecting their costumes. "You look so much like Thomas and Elizabeth," she said.

"Getting a bit paunchy there Thomas," Peter teased, "too much of the good life or good whiskey or a good woman."

"Ringlets!" Everyone turned to look at Judith. "Barbara needs ringlets in her hair."

"Oh no! I draw the line at that," Barbara said vehemently.

"Well they were the fashion," Tommy said with an air of authority.

"Who's side are you on? No!"

Tommy smiled. He liked her feisty side and he could tell he was going to feel it later. "No ringlets. Mother can I have a word?" He and Dorothy went into the library.

"I don't dislike you," Peter announced, "and you seem to make my brother happy. So I'm glad you're together."

Barbara felt her face blush. "Thanks Peter. Tell Tommy, it'll mean a lot to him."

"I did."

She smiled awkwardly unsure what to say next. Winston winked at her. She knew he understood. This could be a very long weekend. Fortunately Tommy reappeared quickly, carrying a leather satchel and a blanket. "Come on then my love. We must say goodnight. We're going up to Druid's Hill for a walk."

Barbara smiled awkwardly and blushed deeply as everyone stared at them. With the blanket under his arm he may as well have announced they were going up the hill for a shag! She only hoped no one noticed she had no underwear on. "Night all, see you tomorrow," she said pretending there was nothing suspicious in their actions.

"Yes, don't wait up. We'll see you at breakfast." Tommy waved to the room and took her hand.

Dorothy looked at her son and felt a pang of regret or fear. She frowned. "So tomorrow is all set?" she asked stalling their departure.

"Yes. The caterers arrive at seven to set up. We have Bill from the village arriving then too to set up the games. He said yesterday there will be hoop-la, swings, some sort of old pin bowling game and other amusements for the children. We will go into the village at ten in time for the parade. Richard will take the horses and carriage first thing. After the parade everyone will come back here for the garden party where we'll open the box at three o'clock."

Barbara was curious. "What box?"

"Come, I'll show you."

He led them back to the Library. On an ornately carved marble table stood and old wooden box about a foot long and half as high. "It's a puzzle box. The First Earl left it in here the day he died with instructions that it was to be opened on the two hundred year anniversary of the Earldom. His letter was quite specific that the Earldom would fall if anyone tried to open it earlier. I think that scared my ancestors into obeying. Although in truth I think most thought the mystery was more valuable than the contents."

"Do you know how to open it?"

"I have an idea. I studied it a lot as a child. Thomas left written instructions in a separate letter that he send to the Bodleian in Oxford. An archivist, a Ms Bullard, is bringing it down tomorrow. Apparently it is in quite good condition but the inner envelope has never been opened so we hope the instructions are intact."

Barbara squeezed his arm. "This is quite exciting. I can't wait to see what he left for you."

"Neither can I. I have a feeling it will be very important."