Chapter 7: The Wine Cellar

Most of the servants were seated in the servants' hall trying to ignore the raised voices coming from Mr Carson's office.

"Poor things" whispered Anna "I feel bad for anyone who has to be on the receiving end of Mr Carson's temper".

"It's not as though they don't deserve it" noted Bates.

"Too right" muttered Thomas still angry about the punch he'd received though thankfully the swelling had reduced significantly and there was only the faintest bruise remaining.

"We all do foolish things for love" smiled Anna blushing slightly as she gazed at her husband.

"We certainly do" smiled Bates as he tenderly held her hand.

Thomas rolled his eyes. He had just begun to eat when he caught sight of Freddie walking into the room. He gave him a smile which Freddie returned, though to Thomas's disappointment he sat down next to Mr Bates and began chatting to him. Thomas sighed and took a long gulp of his tea holding out his cup for Ivy to refill.

Just then Alfred and Jimmy walked into the room looking like they had just returned from a funeral.

"So I take it you're staying?" asked Thomas.

The pair nodded glumly. Alfred tried to offer a smile to Ivy who promptly turned around and stalked away making him look even more miserable.

Jimmy glanced up at Thomas shyly watching as the older man chewed his toast. But as Thomas caught his eye Jimmy quickly looked down again and began to butter a scone. He couldn't stop thinking of his dream from last night. He wished he could talk to Thomas about it. He decided to make an effort to be nicer to him today. Then maybe this evening when they were alone he could try and bring it up somehow.

Thomas sighed once more and rose from the table pulling out his packet of cigarettes and heading outside to smoke.

Jimmy quickly finished his scone and stood up to follow Thomas outside trying to ignore Freddie's watchful gaze.

Thomas glanced in surprise as he saw Jimmy approach him.

"Morning Thomas."

Thomas nodded his head in reply. It was getting cold and he had just been about to leave but Jimmy's presence caused him to stay and light up another cigarette.

"Thanks again for the food last night".

"It was nothing".

Jimmy stood in silence for a few more agonizing minutes before he worked up the courage.

"I wondered if you wanted to do something tonight."

"I don't know. I might already have plans" Thomas could feel himself blush as he thought about what those plans might entail. Jimmy stared at Thomas's blush in surprise before feeling his expression darken.

"Of course" he muttered coldly. "You probably want to spend your time with him". Jimmy suddenly remembered he was trying to be nice. "Well maybe I could join you."

Thomas suddenly couldn't help himself and burst out laughing trying and failing to hide his embarrassment as his mind suddenly conjured up the image of the three of them together.

Jimmy suddenly turned bright red "I didn't mean… I don't want to... I was talking about playing cards for heaven's sake!"

Thomas tried to control himself enjoying how flustered Jimmy was getting. "Of course you were" he consoled. "Let's just wait and see eh?"

Jimmy still hot with embarrassment just nodded.

"I'm going inside its bloody freezing" said Thomas still chuckling as he made his way back to the servants' hall.

Jimmy groaned. How could he be so stupid? He took a deep breath and resolved to try again later. But he took one thing away from the disastrous encounter. He didn't know how he felt about Thomas but he knew he definitely didn't want him to spend the night with Reid. As he walked back inside he resolved to keep them apart by any means necessary.

…..

Later during the day Thomas was down in the wine cellar doing inventory when he heard a creak on the stairs. He turned around surprised to see Freddie smiling at him.

"There you are. I've been looking for you all day".

Thomas felt his stomach flutter at Freddie's words but schooled his face into a more serious expression.

"Were you? I thought you were avoiding me Mr Reid."

Freddie smirked at Thomas's reaction. "I just wanted to give you your space. I didn't want to influence your decision. Or have you already made up your mind?"

Thomas swallowed loudly. "Well I… that is I hadn't…"

"I see" said Freddie. "Well maybe I was wrong".

Thomas glanced nervously at Freddie. It was stupid of him to be undecided. He was never going to have with Jimmy what he could have with Freddie. And Freddie was only here for one more night, he should be enjoying their last few hours together not day dreaming about some fantasy affair with Jimmy that was never going to happen. He wasn't ready to give Freddie up at least not yet. But it looked like the decision was about to be taken out of his hands.

"Wrong?" asked Thomas anxiously.

"Yes I was wrong." Suddenly Freddie stepped forward and pulled Thomas close to him. "Maybe I should be trying to influence your decision."

With that Freddie took hold of Thomas's waistcoat and kissed him.

Thomas let his inventory book clatter to the floor as he embraced Freddie and pulled him deeper into the cellar.

Once they were nestled behind a large stack of shelving Thomas began to unbutton his trousers.

"Does this mean you've made up your mind?" gasped Freddie in between kisses.

"Yes" whispered Thomas. "Only I don't think I can wait until tonight".

Freddie's eyes burned at Thomas's words and he quickly complied, pulling his trousers down to his ankles and turning around bracing his hands against a shelf holding a selection of French wines.

Thomas wrenched his own trousers down and positioned himself behind Freddie.

The pair groaned as Thomas pushed inside him.

"Finally!" gasped Freddie.

Thomas slowly began thrusting in and out of Freddie reaching around to stroke him in unison with his thrusts. The two moved together with increased vigour and with every thrust the wine bottles on the shelf Freddie was gripping jingled softly. Suddenly Thomas gave one final thrust and moaned as he came inside Freddie. Freddie's own climax followed only seconds later as he leaned back into Thomas who kissed his neck.

"That was definitely worth the wait" whispered Freddie turning around to kiss Thomas fully. Thomas was surprised when Freddie suddenly leapt back looking in horror over Thomas's shoulder. Thomas whipped his head around and felt his own face mimic Freddie's when he caught sight of Jimmy staring at them as though traumatized.

"Jimmy wait!" called Thomas but it was too late. Jimmy had quickly turned and fled up the stairs tripping in his haste to exit the cellar.

"Damn it" muttered Thomas quickly pulling his trousers up and smoothing his hair. "I have to find him."

"No" said Freddie who had also pulled up his trousers and was now tucking in his shirt. "You stay here and finish whatever you were doing I'll go talk to him". He paused to plant one last kiss on Thomas's mouth but he pulled away quickly glancing back at the staircase as though expecting the police to come storming down the stairs.

"It will be ok Thomas" said Freddie soothingly trying to ignore the hurt he felt at Thomas's reaction. "I'll go talk to him".

With that he too ran up the stairs in search of Jimmy.

Thomas put his head in his hands as he tried to hold back his tears. He'd really blown it this time. He couldn't get the look Jimmy had given him out of his mind. The hurt and anger in his expression had been almost too awful to bear. Thomas's body shook with his sobs as heavy tears rolled down his cheeks.

…..