A few hours later Barbara woke with a longing pulling at her groin. She was on the verge of an orgasm just thinking about what had happened. She was still nestled into Tommy's arms facing him. So this is what love feels like.
She knew her main feeling at the moment was that of physical need. The emotional side would follow, she was sure of that now, but at the moment all she wanted was his body. She wanted to know what he felt like, what he looked like and so reached down between seeking him out.
Tommy was still half asleep but could feel what she was up to. Hmm so you want to play? He could do that. He feigned sleep and let her explore him. She stroked him one way and seemed to almost stop breathing as he grew in her hand. She experimented with different ways to hold and stroke him until he could bear it no longer. He picked her up and rolled her on top of him laughing at the shock on her face.
"So you are feeling randy this morning are you my love?" His expression was soft and loving but had a mischievous edge to it that was not there last night. Barbara giggled her 'yes' and then bent down and kissed him; gently at first then more and more fervently. Before she knew it he was inside her again. She looked at him and he recognised the panic in her face. She had never done this before and did not know what to do. His smile reassured her.
"Just follow your feelings Barbara" he encouraged.
She did and twenty minutes later they were lying in each other's arms again, hot and sweaty but complete.
He had suggested they could stay in bed all day but both of them were hungry and knew that at some point they needed to re-join the world and drive down to Cornwall. Barbara went back to her room for a shower but Tommy decided to join her. It was the best and longest shower she had ever taken.
On the drive down they did not talk much, both lost in their thoughts about what had happened. About an hour from Howenstowe Tommy realised they needed to agree what to tell his family. Barbara had suggested that they act normally.
Tommy was astounded. "Well you don't seriously think I am just going to pretend nothing happened do you? And don't think for one minute that we could fool Mother. She will see it on our faces. Besides I don't want to pretend. I want to shout how much I love you from the rooftops!"
"I hadn't thought it through really." She wasn't really sure what to think. Things had happened so fast.
"Well we need to think about what we do. And what we do about work until we are married. In the meantime I don't want to let you out of my site for a moment Barbara."
"Married?" her voice was filled with genuine alarm. "Where did that come from? You haven't even asked me yet!"
"I'm sorry my love, I was just thinking ahead". He instantly regretted using the 'm word' so soon. Even the suggestion of telling his family had spooked her. To him it was so natural that their relationship would go there but he knew she would take some convincing. They sat in silence for a while. Barbara looked a little angry so he did not want to raise the issue again until they were almost there. A snap decision might then be the right one.
"Is it always like that?" her question was almost random.
"Is what always like what?' he replied guardedly unsure if she meant their conversations or that he had seemingly made some important decisions without consulting her. He did not want this to become another discussion about him being a control freak or not trusting her, or thinking because he was a Lord he could assume what was best for her.
"Making love." That sounded so clichéd she actually winced.
"Never!" his response was heartfelt. "I've never experienced anything so wonderful".
He looked across and smiled. The fearless Barbara of last night had vanished again and the insecure Havers was sitting next to him. He inwardly cursed that they were going to Cornwall. They needed to be together and work through what would happen next. This was so sudden neither of them was prepared.
"Me either. Last night might have been the highlight of my life." She sounded forlorn and lost.
"Well it will always be exceptionally special to both of us but I hope we can have a lot more highlights too Barbara. You make it sound as if last night was all we will ever have."
"I guess last night I told myself that if it was all we ever had it would be enough, but it won't be will it? I'll want more."
He was tempted to chuckle and be the nonchalant prig he knew she hated just to tease her but knew he needed to be serious. This was another turning point and he needed to make sure he didn't lose her. "I hope so Barbara, because I want more. I want everything. I meant what I said earlier – I want to spend the rest of my life with you. We have so many issues to consider but when you think back to how it felt last night, how it feels now, nothing is insurmountable."
She could not see how he could be right but she really hoped that he was correct. Tommy pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. Barbara was unsure what he was doing as he got out and came around to her side of the car and opened the door. She undid her seatbelt and went to get out but he knelt down beside her and took her in his arms and held her so tightly she could barely breather. He kissed her, softly but deeply, trying to reassure her that this was all going to be fine. She relaxed a little and clung to him.