Chapter 4 Flirting.

It had been five days since Freddie had arrived and Thomas felt he had not relaxed for one of them. It was becoming more and more evident that Freddie was flirting with him and the tenser Thomas became the more the valet teased him. Twice already Thomas had had to quickly excuse himself and relieve himself in his bedroom. But still he was wary. He couldn't allow his imagination to run away with itself again.

…

Freddie on the other hand was enjoying the process far more then Thomas was. He was becoming more and more daring. He made a point of coming to Thomas with even the most trivial of questions just to have an excuse to talk to him. Every evening during dinner he sat next to Thomas who would blush deeply every time Freddie brushed against him. As fun as it was, after a few days Freddie was just as frustrated as Thomas was and with only a few days left of his visit he decided to take more assertive action.

That evening after the servants had eaten their dinner Freddie was sitting next to Thomas who was reading the newspaper. Jimmy and Alfred were playing cards noisily nearby while Miss Butler was chatting happily to Anna who was mending the hem of one of Lady Mary's blouses. Freddie was polishing a pair of shoes for Lord Cartwright. He had already "accidently" dropped the brush on the floor and when he went to retrieve it he made sure to slowly run the back of his hand up Thomas's leg. He heard the soft crunch of the newspaper as Thomas had clutched it sharply in surprise.

Freddie was smiling to himself when Mrs Hughes walked into the room. "I've just been speaking to Lady Grantham and the family are to take a picnic tomorrow to give Lord and Lady Cartwright a tour of the grounds. So you will all be pleased to know that you will have the afternoon off!"

Everyone laughed and clapped and Alfred scattered his cards in excitement much to Jimmy's annoyance.

"What will we do?" asked Anna.

"Well as a treat her ladyship has given you all permission to take the car into Rippon. There's a fair going on. Just a small one, but there will be market stalls and maybe a few games if anyone is interested".

The table murmured happily in agreement. "Well then we should probably all get a good night's sleep" said Mrs Hughes and with that she turned and climbed the stairs to her bedroom. There was a scraping of chairs as one by one the others began to get up and say their good nights.

Thomas remained in his seat. He had let his mind wander after Freddie had brushed up against him and once again, to his embarrassment, he found he was not quite ready to stand up.

"Will you go to the fair Mr Barrow?" asked Freddie trying to hide his amusement at the under butlers current situation.

"Oh I don't know I might just take the afternoon off, I don't have the best track record with fairs"

"That's a pity I was hoping we could go together"

Thomas felt every muscle in his body contract at those words and he tried to subtly hide his erection with his newspaper.

"Are you quite well Mr Barrow? You look a little flushed" said Freddie softly moving closer to Thomas.

"No no I'm fine!" said Thomas hating the squeak in his voice. "I think I just need to rest".

"Well are you sure there is nothing I can help you with?" Freddie left the question lingering between them.

Thomas couldn't speak he was desperately wishing he was upstairs in his room so he could take care of his painful erection.

"Because" continued Freddie "I'm always willing to help out a friend".

And with that he placed his hand firmly on Thomas's knee. Thomas could feel heart beat so badly he thought it might beat right through his chest.

"Just tell me to stop" whispered Freddie and keeping his eyes locked with Thomas's he slowly moved his hand along the inside of Thomas's thigh coming to rest on the bulge and squeezing.

Thomas inhaled sharply as Freddie began to massage his cock through his trousers.

"You shouldn't have been so coy Mr Barrow" said Freddie grinning "We could have been doing this days ago". With that he undid the buttons on Thomas's trousers and pulled out his cock. "You're free!" laughed Freddie as he began stroking.

Thomas couldn't believe this was happening. He felt sure he must be dreaming but as Freddie's strokes increased in tempo Thomas knew this was no dream.

Freddie pumped faster and faster feeling himself stiffen with every stroke. He never took his eyes of Thomas who by now was moaning softly.

"Oh Freddie… I'm close" Freddie only worked harder and faster and Thomas suddenly shivered all over as he came all over Freddie's hand. Freddie silenced the under butlers groaning by firmly kissing him and continuing to softly stroke Thomas until he was completely spent.

"That was amazing" gasped Thomas. He grinned at Freddie and suddenly seized his face in both hands and kissed him. "Well" said Freddie between kisses "you could return the favour".

Thomas smiled and slowly ran his hand down the valet's chest causing him to moan softly. He was just about to undo Freddie's trousers when he heard footsteps approaching. He quickly redid his trousers but to his dismay saw the front was very obviously stained.

"Shouldn't you be getting to bed Mr Barrow?" boomed Mr Carson. "I expect a lot of work to be done in the morning if you are to get the afternoon off".

"Of course Mr Carson!" said Thomas reluctantly standing up desperately trying to hide the stains on his crotch without bringing attention to the area.

"You too Mr Reid"

"Yes right away Mr Carson" said Freddie rising to his feet and looking the picture of innocence to Tomas's annoyance.

"I'll see you both bright and early" said Mr Carson indicating that they should leave first.

"Don't forget your paper Mr Barrow" said Freddie slyly handing it to Thomas in such a way so it hid the front of Thomas's trousers.

"Thanks" replied Thomas wryly and the two quickly exited the room and scurried up the stairs.

It wasn't until they were well out of earshot that Freddie suddenly doubled over with laughter.

"Sssh!" whispered Thomas frantically glancing around. "You'll wake the whole house!"

"Sorry but that was too close. We'll have to be more careful next time"

"Who says there'll be a next time" said Thomas grinning slyly

"Oh there'll be a next time. You still owe me remember?" with that Freddie grabbed Thomas's hand and placed it on his crotch.

Thomas grinned "we really shouldn't push our luck. Unless you like the idea of Mr Carson finding us like this when he comes up to bed?"

The pair dissolved into giggles at the idea. "It'd probably be the most exciting thing to happen to him in years!" laughed Freddie clutching his side. "But I suppose your right this probably isn't the place for it. Besides you have a whole afternoon off tomorrow to make it up to me".

With that Freddie gave one last quick kiss before disappearing behind his bedroom door. Thomas just stood there smirking to himself until he was startled out of his revive by a door opening to his left. To his surprise Jimmy's blond head popped out.

"Oh" said Jimmy embarrassed "I thought I heard something but it's just you Thomas".

"Yes I was just heading to bed sorry to have disturbed you"

Jimmy seemed to accept this but his eyes widened as he caught sight of Thomas's trousers which he had failed to button correctly in his haste to redress.

Jimmy met Thomas's eyes and his eyes and face grew hot. "Goodnight Mr Barrow" he said stiffly and closed the door firmly.

Thomas sighed but despite Jimmy's behaviour Thomas was happier the he had been in years and as he walked to his bedroom to clean himself off and go to bed he couldn't help but think of what tomorrow would bring.