Synopsis: Tom and Mary go to London together with the pigs for a contest, but a problem occurs with the hotel room, causing confusion in their hearts, and a happening between them… and now? A hurricane passed that night, are there survivors?
The "pig breeders contest" could not have gone better. Downton's pigs were the highlight of the competition, they took almost all of the competition's prizes, Tom acquired several important contacts, Mary received many compliments, and as soon as they took photographs and were ready to go, Tom received an invitation from a beautiful journalist for a short interview.
"But they are my pigs!" said Mary jealously, but she couldn't tell if it was over the pigs or over Tom.
"Well, if you know how to explain Tamworth breeding, please go!" Tom said to Mary. Rolling her eyes, Mary sat down irritably.
Twenty minutes later Tom returned.
"Was I seeing things or did the two of you exchange phone numbers? You talked and laughed quite a lot for a short interview about pigs!"
"Yes, well…" Tom scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "She has an uncle with a large butcher shop here, and she wanted to give me a contact. And Kate is a journalist, you know I also have been a…"
"I know, I know!" Mary interrupted angrily. "Kate, hmm? She said her name was Catherine, but I imagine you are already close enough," she said, turning her face away. "Let's go over to the hotel. I'm exhausted."
Wanting to avoid confrontation, Tom agreed. "Alright, let's go. I need a bath!"
Upon reaching the hotel, Mary took the lead and called the receptionist over.
"We have a booking under the name of Mrs Crawley, please."
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Crawley, how are you? It's a pleasure to receive such distinguished people in our hotel. I'll go get your room key," the receptionist said.
"But I'm not Mr. Crawley, I'm Mr. Branson! My room will be on Mrs. Crawley's floor, correct?" Tom responded, apprehensive.
The receptionist paled, glancing ashamedly at the two of them. "Oh, Mr Branson, I'm sorry! I think I have made a mistake; when Mrs. Crawley called and asked for two rooms close to each other, I thought she was looking for an adjoining room, which couples with children often request, and I booked one of them for you! I'm sorry, I'm new here and this is the second time I've messed up, forgive me, please don't get me fired!" She pled in desperation. "And I just gave another gentleman the keys to the last available room."
"Well, what will we do, Mary? Shall we look for another hotel?" Tom asked.
"Absolutely not! This is the best hotel here, and besides, since I booked a table at their restaurant and have already chosen our dinner, I don't believe everything went wrong! I want to talk to the manager, he will solve our problem," Mary said, glaring at the receptionist.
"Well Mary, how about we do this: You already requested rooms one beside each other, do you mind if I stay in the adjoining room, which is probably the smallest?" Tom asked, realizing the desperation of the poor receptionist, "It has two bathrooms, right, miss?"
"Oh yes! This hotel is the best in the area. We ensure the comfort of all our guests, there will be no problem."
"Well, if that's true and you don't mind staying in the smaller bedroom, we'll stay here," she said, looking at Tom. "But I would like you to confirm our table and dinner with the chef, I don't want to deal with any more of your mistakes!" Mary said to the girl.
….
Tom took the keys and as they chatted as they walked up the stairs.
"It looks like you already knew we were going to do well in today's contest! You even planned a special dinner, what a surprise!" Tom said, glancing at Mary.
"My aunt said that the food was delicious, that's all!" She said with a blush. "But you deserve it, I won't deny that!"
Tom unlocked the door and they went into the room.
"What a huge bedroom! We won't have any problem sharing. If you get lost in here, I can just find you tomorrow!" said Tom, laughing. "Well I think this is where I'll stay," he opened the door of the adjoining room.
"It looks quite comfortable, I'll say! But I still can't believe that receptionist could have made such a mess of it!
I'll freshen up and dress in my bathroom so you can go about the room. I'm without Anna to help me so I'll take a little longer than usual. You can go down and wait for me in the restaurant if you want." Mary closed the door on Tom and laid out her dress for the evening.
Tom remembered that Mary had said that there would be a surprise in the suitcase, so he jumped up and went to open it. A small package laid inside with his clothes. "A tie? Really? She must have a thing with them, at the rate she gives them to me! I hate ties! And cologne? Why? Do I smell? Well, at least this smells nice." Tom took his clothes and started washing up.
...
As he knew Mary would be late, Tom went down to the restaurant and ordered a drink. Forty-five minutes and three drinks later, Tom started feeling a little hot and took off his tie, stuffing it in his pocket.
"Almost an hour late, how wonderful. I was asleep at the table!" Several choice phrases arose in Tom's mind to be said when Mary finally showed up. He so absorbed in his thoughts he didn't notice she was standing right behind him.
"Tom?" Mary said, touching his shoulder "Tom? Aren't you going to complain about how long I took?" she said, coming before him. She was stunning. Tom's mouth widened slightly, and, losing his voice, he stood up and pulled out Mary's chair for her and sat down again, his eyes locked on every detail of her dress.
"You're so angry you won't say anything?" She said apprehensively, ordering a drink from the waiter.
"No! It would be unfair to complain after you did all that by yourself! You look perfect." He said awkwardly, taking a sipping his drink, unable to take his eyes off of her.
"This is the first time I hear a compliment from you about one of my dresses! It's a miracle!" she said, smiling sweetly. "Garçon, please serve us!"
The two started talking and forgot the time. They were drinking more then usual when the receptionist approached them.
"Forgive me for my interruption my lady, there is a call for Mr. Branson and I do not know if it's important," she said.
"For me? Is it about Downton?" He asked, sharing an anxious glance with Mary, worried that it was something about the children.
"No, sir. It is a woman named Kate Knight. Will you answer the call or would you like me to tell her you will return the call another time?"
At the sound of Kate's name Mary's face hardened. She sat straight up in her chair and crossed her arms, waiting to hear Tom's reply.
"Actually," Tom paused, looking to Mary's upset features, "Tell her I cannot answer now, I'm in a very important commitment," Tom said, waiting to see Mary's reaction.
Hearing Tom's reply, Mary relaxed and said, "Very well! I'm glad you find my pans important!" She raised an eyebrow as she took another sip from her drink. "Now, let's dance." She stood up, pulling on Tom's hand. "Come on up the stairs, I can see the gallery." She began heading in that direction.
"I don't know if it's the perfect time to be whirling and twirling after all these drinks!" Tom said, hesitant. "It's been a long time we danced. I don't know if you've noticed, but you have never asked me to dance, I'm always dancing with the old ladies!"
Mary laughed. "Oh, come on then!"
"Alright." Tom said, rubbing his forehead. "And thank you for the gifts! I didn't appreciate the tie, but I quite liked the cologne." He remembered to thank her, slightly embarrassed.
"Oh yes, the scent? I went to buy one for myself and that was my favorite. The seller insisted it was for men, however, so I decided to buy it for you. The one you used to use is not nearly as nice."
"I thought I was the only person who had to like my cologne! But oh well, who can contradict the Lady Mary Crawley?" Tom smiled.
Mary smirked, but then her eyes widened upon realizing what he had said previously. "Tom, I can't believe it! You're not wearing your tie! How didn't I notice before? We can't dance with you lacking a tie!"
"Oh, come on, Mary! I had it on, but after waiting a bit I got annoyed with you and stuffed it in my pocket. Here it is. I'm not sure if I can put it back on right now though," He laughed, the piece of cloth in his hands.
"Come here, I'll put on you. Just be quiet!" Mary said, entwining the tie around Tom's neck, trying to remember what she did with Matthew.
After a few failed attempts to make a decent knot, she started laughing. "I don't think I can tie it either, I'm so tipsy!" Just then, she lost her balance, grabbing at Tom's collar, who instinctively wrapped his arm around Mary's waist to steady her.
For a moment it seemed as if the world had stopped spinning. They shared a penetrating gaze. Mary slowly closed her eyes and rested her forehead into Tom's. Tom memorized every inch of her face, then leaning in, their noses bumped, and then finally Mary touched her lips to his and kissed him. It could have been just an accidental kiss, a touch on the lips, but it was not. There was no stopping their intensity once it had begun. They breathed as one, lips burning, hands clutching desperately. Tom pulled Mary to him, and she held him as if she was afraid that he would leave her. Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the hall and they finally came loose, staring at each other, terrified, like a hurricane had erupted between them…
Ps: (You have my permission to hate me for this, but be sure to keep reading….)
Let me know what you like history
** Thanks for helping me with grammatical errors