Desire

Sybil managed to circle the house three times before they headed off down one of the lanes to the back part of the estate. She was improving gradually and with Tom's guidance was not having any problems keeping the car to one side of the road. They passed the hay field where they had been yesterday. Workers were loading the hay onto a cart. They continued on driving until Sybil pulled up by a trail that went into the forest.

"My governess used to bring me here. I haven't been here in years," she said.

Tom got out and went to open her door only to find Sybil already out of the car and waiting for him. He took her hand as they headed down the trail. The forest canopy overhead was cool and here and there glimpses of pasture could be seen between the trees.

"I'm going to send out applications over the next few days," Tom said after a few minutes. "I want to try my luck writing."

"What type of writing?" Sybil replied, not wanting to let on that she had pried into his personal affairs.

"Reporting. I've been writing for a while now in my spare time. I've had pretty good success at it. I can always pick up extra car repairs on the side if need be. I should have something in a few weeks."

Sybil didn't reply right away.

"Where are you thinking of looking?"

"I'd like to go back to Ireland but we can go anywhere you want."

"I have no real preference," Sybil said. "Somewhere where I'm not recognized would most likely be best." They walked a few more minutes before Sybil spoke again. "I know you so well, yet I don't."

"What do you mean?"

"We've talked about everything except how we think our lives will be. Where we want to live, how many children we want. Things like that."

"That's easy. I want to live anywhere that makes you happy. I don't care if it's a flat or a cottage or a fancy house. I'll take as many children as show up. I have no preference."

"You are a funny one. You don't seem to care about the things that other people do and yet you are so passionate about politics and the issues."

"I care about you. Isn't that enough?"

"It is. I only want a few children, maybe one or two. Is that something you can live with?"

"I will love them no matter how many we have. If we only have a few, so be it."

They had come to a spot in the trees that widened out to a pool in the middle of a stream.

"It's a lovely spot," Sybil commented off handedly. She moved to pick up a handful of pebbles and toss them one by one into the stream. Tom came to stand beside her. He pushed a piece of her hair back that had come loose.

"Not as lovely as you," he whispered.

Sybil turned and looked into his face. He was so different than the men she had met in drawing rooms and at shoots. There compliments were so practiced and their smiles so false. Here was a man that wore his heart on his sleeve and held love in his eyes. Sybil swallowed. When he looked at her like that it was all she could do not to melt into his arms.

"Tom, I want…" Her lips were dry and all she could do was to stare into his eyes.

"I know. I want the same thing, but we will wait. It is what you really want, with no regrets. I want to be able to face your father with a clear conscious. It's what you deserve." Sybil nodded against him. While he was speaking he had pulled her into an embrace. Her arms curled around his back and she held him as well.

"I love you," she whispered.

"And I you," he replied. "We should head back, before your father mounts a search party."

Sybil laughed as she pulled back.

"I almost laughed out loud when he accused us of finding trouble," she said.

"If he only knew how close he was to the truth. I almost choked," Tom said with a grin as he took her hand and headed back to the waiting motor.

A few days later, Tom had to drive Lord Grantham to a meeting in York. He had a list of errands to take care of while he waited but they only occupied a third of the time he had to wait. He spotted the county courthouse and went in to inquire about a marriage license. He was surprised when the clerk handed him a flyer listing the different types of marriage licenses and the waiting periods for each.

"We want to get married with the minimum of fuss. What's the best option?" Tom inquired.

"Not exactly approved of are you?" the man behind the desk inquired.

Tom pressed his lips together and didn't reply.

"Your best option is a special license. You only have to wait two weeks. If you're thinking of going to Gretna Green forget it. Scotland has a twenty-one day waiting period. Makes no difference to me, what you choose. You can buy the license today. Doesn't mean you have to use it. You swear out a statement that there are no legal reasons you can't be married and that she is over sixteen. Make an appointment when you want to get married and the judge will do the deed."

Tom pulled out his billfold and paid the fee for the special license. The man had said they didn't have to use it, but then again they would have the option if need be.

"It's valid for one year from today," the clerk said. "If you decide to cancel things come back and it can be voided."

"Thank you, for your help," Tom said before he left.

He had already sent the first two letters of application and had another four planned for next few days. He stopped by a newsvendor that carried out of town papers and picked up a few that he could possibly apply to. He had received a few job offers from his previous articles and was in the process of contacting those leads as well to inquire if there were any openings. He thought about buying Sybil a ring, but decided against it, as she wouldn't be able to wear it anyway.

The next few days he was kept busy running the family to calls and doing errands around the estate. He had managed to get all of the applications into the mail. Now it was a matter of waiting. It was almost six days before Sybil was able to catch up with him one morning. She was working a late shift at the hospital in the village and Tom had no trips booked until afternoon.

"How have you been," Sybil greeted him. She ran up to him and gave him a quick kiss.

"Busy," Tom said. He was happy to see her and had a lot he wanted to tell her. "Let's go for a drive."

Sybil nodded happily. He started the town car and she hopped in behind the wheel.

"I hope I haven't forgotten everything," she said. She raced the engine a little too much when they were taking off but once she had the car moving she was doing fine.

"Go faster," Tom said with a laugh. "You drive like an old granny."

Sybil pushed on the gas a little harder and the car seemed to shoot forward.

"It always seems so fast," she said.

"You can only drive twenty miles an hour in town, but here on the estate you can push it up to top speed. I've set it up so you can go a lot faster than twenty."

Sybil was zipping along what she thought seemed like a crazy speed on one of the country lanes on the estate. In fact she was going thirty miles an hour. At that rate she drove out further than she had ever done before it was time to turn around and head back. The lane they were on was shady and covered with trees. The leaves weren't starting to turn yet and it was a mild day.

"How did I do?" she questioned once she had the car turned around and pointed back. She switched the engine off.

"You'll be ready for town in no time," Tom assured her. He put his arm along the back of the seat and Sybil moved over to lean against him.

"I've missed you," she said shyly.

Their lips met in a frenzy of desire. "Thank God we're in the front seat, with a steering wheel and gear shift in the way," Tom thought. There was no way he would have been half as restrained had they been in the back.

"I bought something," he said between kisses. Sybil was pulling at his tie attempting to get it off him. She was doing a better job of choking him with it, so he pulled it loose and took it off.

"Like what," she said. She was busy opening the top buttons of his shirt and kissing the hollow at the bottom of his throat. Tom's mind was clouding and he was finding it difficult to speak. He held her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.

"Like the paper that would allow us to marry in a week," he finally said against her mouth.

"Ummm," Sybil said not really hearing him. She had the buttons of his shirt and waistcoat open and was busy exploring the play of muscles that made up his chest. "I always wondered what you look like without a shirt," she said against his skin. Tom had slid down on the seat and she was lying on top of him. The desire between them was running rampant. His erection was so hard, it was uncomfortable against the tightness of his pants. He could feel it throbbing taking all thought of priority out of his mind.

He pulled the hem of her blouse free from her skirt and pushed it up over her head, throwing it the back seat. His fingers were busy pulling at the catches of her undergarments. When he finally succeeded and her breasts sprang free of their captivity, they both gasped.

"Ooh," she moaned as he touched her. Her breasts were topped with nipples the size of ripe cherries. Tom slid her slightly higher on his body so he could take one into his mouth.

"Uhh," Sybil gasped. She could feel the moisture pouring out between her legs. Tom broke off his assault of her breasts and moved back to kissing her mouth. He undid her skirt and slipped his hand into her underwear.

"Tom?" she gasped as she realized where his hand was. Her eyes flew open and she looked down into his lust filled gaze.

"it's alright," he whispered. "Just let me touch you. I won't hurt you."

He kissed her again and placed his free hand on her breast and teased the tip as he slowly moved his finger to explore her wet folds.

"Oooh," she breathed against him as the sensation took over. He used his other hand to push her skirt down and her drawers. When Sybil sensed what he was doing she reached down and pushed the remainder of her clothes down. She returned to lying on top of him. Without the restriction of her skirt she was able to open her legs a little wider to allow him access. They shifted slightly so she was on the seat and Tom was beside her. She was going crazy in his arms and he was enjoying watching her squirm and whither at his touch. Before he knew it, her hands were at his belt buckle.

"Sybil," he said against her mouth. "Just let me touch you. Trust me."

She was getting close and the desire to explore his body more fully was pushing her on.

"I want to see," she said. Her lips were trembling and she was pushing herself against him. When she finally got the buttons undone, she gasped in wonder at what sprang free. There surrounded by fine red blonde hair was the most perfect male organ she had ever seen. The head was full and hard with little drops of fluid dripping from it. It was beautifully round and longer than her hand. She reached for him and slid her fingers around his engorged penis. Her fingers didn't quite reach all the way around. It was swollen and thick and made her want to do things she couldn't name.

He groaned into her mouth and rubbed her wet folds even faster. His finger slid around the opening to her vagina and his thumb rubbed her faster and faster.

"Uh," she groaned. "Oh Tom, Ooooh." She pressed herself harder against his fingers as her orgasm started. Wave after wave of sensation rocked through her body causing her to move involuntarily. Her first orgasm was shocking and wonderful at the same time. As Sybil's vision cleared slightly she realized Tom was still lying beside her on the seat and she was holding his erection in her hand. His breathing was labored and she wanted nothing more than to return what had just happened to her. She pushed herself up to kiss him. She tentatively tightened her grip and slid her hand along the smooth length. He was gasping against her mouth, touching her breasts and running his fingers along her still moist center. It wasn't long and his mouth went slack as his release came in a series of gushing spurts that pooled on his stomach. He was still partially dressed. He put one arm around Sybil and held her close as he reached for a handkerchief and wiped up the mess. He threw the now soiled cloth on the floor.

"Did you enjoy that?" he questioned into her hair.

She placed a kiss on his mouth.

"You know I did, you evil boy," she teased.

"I was trying to tell you before we got carried away, that I bought a marriage license. It has a two week waiting period," he said.

"We need a plan, first."

"I've sent applications. Now we just have to wait. I found out Gretna Green has a twenty-one day waiting period. After what just happened I don't think we'd make it that long."

Sybil nodded against him and ran her hand across his chest.

"We could get married and tell my parents once you have a job."

"That's what I was thinking. There are only six days left to wait, and then we can be together legally. We'd have to get married at the courthouse in York. We'll need a way to get away for the day."

"I'll come up with something," Sybil said. She started to pull her clothing back on. The way she desired him the longer they waited the harder it would be to resist the temptation. Now that she had seen what was waiting for her, she was only too ready to try it out. It would be a difficult six days.