Articles
Disclaimer: Downton Abbey would be a very different show, believe me, if I were the one in charge. Downton Abbey belongs to one Julian Fellowes.
Paring/ Character(s): Anthony Strallan/ Maud Strallan
Snow
"I do not believe bare skin contact is the doctor recommended remedy for a chill." Maud said, shivering – this time because of the delicate designs her husband's long fingers drew across her bare back. Under her sprawled torso her Anthony's lean chest shook with laughter. They were lying together on the rug before the library's roaring fire, their trail of boots and blouses, coats and corsets telling the staff that tea could wait.
"Are you suggesting I would lie to you?" he asked, a wicket smirk splitting his face. His fingers switched from absent minded tattoos to focused teasing.
"To get me naked? Yes!" his chuckle was deep, satisfied, and infectious.
"I am hurt, your health has always been my deepest concern. Though perhaps I miss diagnosed you." His blue eyes were dilated almost black, despite the fire light, as his skilled fingers roamed lower. His lustful gaze made her shiver even as she returned it.
"Perhaps?" she intoned as sarcastically as she could given her arousal on his fingers and his pressing against her hip.
"Yes, you are still shivering. I suspect hypothermia now, not a trifle chill."
"Need I remind you that you are the one who threw me into that snow drift?" She had to get that sentence out while she could. Anthony had a way of making her blissfully inarticulate.
"You started it, Maudear, but fear not. I shall finish it."
"How?" she moaned. God those hands.
"The best remedy for hypothermia is getting you between the sheets."
Splat! A cold, wet ball of snow hit him in the back of the head and slowly slid down the collar of his jacket. Surprised he whipped around. Maud smiled coyly, giving a small wave with a wet hand.
"You!" he exclaimed scrambling to both wipe the snow out of his coat and to form snowball for retaliation. She hit him again when he bent. His throw missed. She lobbed another. He ducked and rushed her, sweeping her off her feet. He swung her high in the air, giddy shrieks filling the evening sky.
"Anthony! Put me down!" he headed for a drift. "Not there!" she held on tight as he dropped her. They both fell laughing into the drift.