Chapter 3. New friends
"So Mr Reid, how did you enjoy America?"
"Quite well Mr Barrow. Though I have to say it is certainly good to be home."
Thomas simply couldn't take his eyes of him. He couldn't help but compare him to Jimmy though the two looked nothing alike. Freddie was tall and slim with soft brown hair and big watery grey eyes. He was older then Jimmy, closer to Thomas's age but there was a glint in his eye and a smirk in his smile that reminded him of the footman. Thomas found himself at a loss for words when he was around him.
Suddenly the dressing gong rang out and Freddie and Thomas rose up from the table.
"I better go up, mind showing me the way?"
"Not at all" replied Thomas.
"I'll look after Miss Butler" said Anna smiling at the Miss Butler and the two left.
Freddie indicated that Thomas should go first and so he began to climb the staircase unable to shake the feeling that Freddie was eyeing his every move.
They reached Lord Cartwright's door much sooner than Thomas would have liked.
"It's just through here".
"Thank you for your help Mr Barrow. I hope you don't mind if I come to you if I have any questions".
Freddie held out his hand. Thomas shook it feeling his whole body shiver as he did so.
"Of course Mr Reid that's why I'm here" stuttered Thomas.
Thomas was very aware that their hands were still clasped tightly together, even more so when Freddie suddenly took a step forward so that he and Thomas were almost nose to nose.
"Please call me Freddie, Thomas. At least when we're alone".
Thomas was frozen. He felt every muscle in his body tense up at the sudden closeness and embarrassingly he could feel himself getting hard.
"S-s-sure".
It suddenly became all too much for Thomas he wrenched his hand out of Freddie's grasp and turned to walk swiftly away. As he rounded the corner he briefly glanced back to see Freddie still watching him a smile playing on his lips. He nodded his head to Thomas and slipped into the guest room.
Thomas all but ran to his room. As soon as he was behind the door he shoved his trousers down to his ankles, lifted up his shirt and slowly ran his hands over his chest, stomach and lower gripping himself firmly. He closed his eyes imagining his hands were Freddie's stoking him, teasing him, wanting him. It had been a long time since he had felt like this. He increased the pace of his strokes and soon found himself gasping for breath. Suddenly he lurched forward crouched over his wash basin and he let out a long groan as he came.
Catching sight of himself in the mirror he flinched. What was he doing? He hastily wiped himself of and began to redress. It was dangerous to think like this. Freddie was only being friendly. But even as he thought this he remembered how Freddie had pulled him in close so that they were almost nose to nose. That wasn't just friendly, was it?
Thomas scooped up some water and splashed it on his face the chill of the water dampening his desire. Stop it! Whether or not he was interested was irrelevant. Thomas couldn't afford to slip up again. He had read the signs so wrongly before he couldn't allow himself to do it again. He straightened up and took one last deep breath before making his way back downstairs before someone came looking for him.
…
Freddie Reid struggled to hide a smile as the flushed under butler snatched his hand away and practically ran away from him. Unlike Thomas, Freddie had no doubt that Thomas was interested in him. He had seen the hungry look in his eyes before he had pulled away. Freddie tried to compose himself before seeing to Lord Cartwright, but his thoughts quickly returned to Mr Barrow. Miss Butler was a distant cousin of the former lady's maid Miss O Brien. She had told Freddie of how Miss O Brien had written of the events that had occurred between the then valet and one of the footmen. Freddie had felt pity for the man but was surprised to learn that he was still employed at Downton Abbey and on top of that had received a promotion.
All of this increased his interest in the under butler and when he set eyes on the ebony haired man he wasn't disappointed. He knew it would simply be a matter of time before he got him alone. He was somewhat disappointed when Thomas had pulled away but after witnessing the tense exchanges between him and Jimmy he understood why. Thomas Barrow was no novice, but his confidence had been knocked and Freddie knew that if he wanted Thomas he would have to make the first move.