This story and one other that I've written are my first fanfiction experience. I'm so pleased that people are enjoying it and taking the time to review and follow! Thank you so much, I love hearing from you guys!

This chapter takes place in the morning right after that *first* night as a married couple.

The hot, bubbly water that surrounded Mary was lulling her into near sleep as she leaned her head back against the cold ceramic rim of her tub. She didn't get much sleep the night before, but then again who gets much sleep on the night of their own wedding. Who really gets much sleep on the nights leading up to it even? She had been waiting several years to marry and make love to her groom, and thought that on several occasions she had lost her only chance and the right to even fantasize about it. So of course the lead up to the wedding was an exercise in restlessness.

The bath water caressed her tired body in the same tender, gentle way that Matthew had the night before. He had touched her with such care and reverence. Their first time, though wonderful and intense, was also full of nerves and longing and hesitation. He was so gentle, it was as though he was afraid he would break her. And though she knew some of that gentleness would fade as they became more familiar and comfortable with one another's bodies and needs, she would always remember fondly that first time. The first time he entered her body she felt alive in a way she never had before. She felt free. Free of the fear that she might lose him again, that having him was all a dream. Free from the shame of the Pamuk incident.

Even though she wasn't a virgin any longer she was still rather novice and it had been quite a long time since her first and only encounter. Being with Matthew was so different from her first experience. There was love between them, not just lust or curiosity.

She closed her eyes and recalled their combined sweat pooling between their skin everywhere it met, her nipples occasionally rubbing against the smooth panes of his chest as he moved above her, the small flop of blonde hair that fell over his forehead, the way his eyes bore into hers, the way he buried his face in the crook of her neck at a particularly intense moment, the way she needed to kiss him, and the way it felt when he finished inside of her. She was lost in thought. After that first encounter the floodgates had opened for her and she was full of even more passion and longing for him. Fantasies flooded her imagination and clouded her mind relentlessly.

She was slightly aroused recalling that moment of intimacy between them but she realized that she was going to delay their honeymoon departure if she let herself reminisce too long. She had no idea where they were going. And the recollection of that quickly pulled back into another memory.

Matthew had wanted to surprise her and when he had asked if she had any requests he was taken aback to find her total lack of concern or seeming lack of interest in the matter. It was only later in the day that she realized how her dismissal might have appeared as disinterest and she cornered him in a back hall, pressed her body against his and whispered into his ear and assured him that she was very, very interested in their honeymoon. She told him she didn't care what the location was, not that she didn't care for the event itself. In fact, she added, that she only had two specific requests which she told him as she threaded her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck…all she needed was him and a rather comfortable bed as she anticipated spending lots of time in it. Matthew's eyes hooded over in and he swallowed heavily before she swooped in and kissed him to distraction.

It really was time to get out of the tub and get on her way to their destination. She hoped it was remote and she hoped it lasted quite a while. She opened her eyes and was startled to find Matthew peering in from the doorway. She was startled and Matthew chuckled to himself and apologized.

"Sorry dear, I was only checking to see if I was going to have to go on this honeymoon alone or if you were planning on joining me…"

Though she was surprised to find him in her bathroom she stared boldly at him and replied, "Oh my, I must have lost track of time! I was sitting here letting the water wash over my body and remembering every detail from last night…." She tried to sound seductive and confident but she could feel a blush rising on her chest and cheeks that was betraying her. It was then that Matthew stepped inside the bathroom and closed the door behind him. She could see that he was already mostly dressed for their journey but had not yet put on his jacket.

"Really?" he questioned.

"But of course, Matthew. I rarely joke. I'm a lady."

Matthew was suddenly very confident and very ready to play as he started to walk toward the tub. "Is that so? Lady Mary Crawley. MY lady Mary Crawley. Let's just see if we can work on getting you to be un-ladylike once in a while on this honeymoon of ours….. that we are going to miss…"

As he spoke he continued to walk toward the tub while removing his cufflinks and placing them in his pockets. She watched him in rapt attention and her heart rate began to accelerate as she noticed him begin to roll his sleeves. What was he going to do? He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her lips before pulling the stool from the side wall over and placing it beside the tub.

"Matthew, what on earth are you doing? I am quite capable of bathing myself and I have a lady's maid for everything else…."

He stared at her as he placed his hand aside her neck and trailed his fingers oh so gently across her sternum and down between her breasts. He paused and circled her nipple with his thumb, which now rested right at the water line. She gasped a little and he could see that she impulsively thrust her chest out higher above the water giving him an excellent view of her soapy breasts. His hand continued its journey down her abdomen where it rested atop her closed thighs. With a little coaxing from him she opened her legs and he gently touched her clit. He rubbed it very slowly just twice before pausing.

"I wasn't thinking I'd help you bathe. In fact I thought I'd help you with something else altogether, but if you don't want my help that's fine. We do have a train to catch."

Mary was at a loss for words. Her heart was pounding. Her cheeks were flushed. It turned her on greatly that she was naked in the tub and on display for him, that if she wanted him she could have him give her the pleasure she so desperately wanted. As he spoke his words and went to remove his hand from her sweet spot, she grabbed his wrist harshly before it could reach the water's surface and get too far away.

"No!" she cried. "I want you. I want you to…"

"What do you want me to do LADY Mary?"

"Please….please touch me."

She was embarrassed. They hadn't even been married for 24 hours and she was sitting naked before him in a tub of bath water, begging for him to touch her. She knew she would warm to passion and intimacy with him more and more over time. She knew that she would get bolder and more confident sexually. However she didn't expect to transition so quickly! Nor did he.

He smirked at her desperation and was quite pleased with himself. As his hand returned to its destination she actually sighed and his heart swelled more for her. He returned to work and she parted her thighs again for him. Two fingers found her entrance and worked it open, he was gentle, knowing she might be tender from the night's activities as his thumb found her clit and stroked it quickly.

Her breasts breached the water as she threw her head back and gasped and he took the opportunity to reach down and suck on their hardened peaks. Her hand flew to his head to hold him there and he could feel her moving her hips against his hand in her own rhythm seeking her release. He knew she was close. He reluctantly pulled his head from her breast. He wanted to watch her face as she exploded for him. She was panting heavily and having a hard time keeping her eyes open. While his right hand continued working at her his left hand cupped her jaw and turned her face toward him.

"Look at me, please look at me" he implored

The intensity of his gaze in symphony with the ministrations of his hand set her off. Her eyes opened wide, starting into his, her mouth gaped and she gasped and moaned for him over and over again, clutching the side of the tub. It was exquisite.

Once he knew she had calmed down a bit and her breathing had slowed he leaned over for a proper good morning kiss. Just when she was really getting into it he abruptly pulled back. He stood tall and began unrolling his sleeves and walking toward the door, ignoring her confused expression. Before he reached it, his hand on the knob, he turned back to her and said, "Do try to quit your dallying in here and hurry up. Honestly Mary, You're going to make us late!"

He opened the door and left before he could see her exasperation. Once he was gone she couldn't help but smirk to herself. Now she really was in a hurry to start their honeymoon.

Thank you for reading, please share your thoughts andreview!