Author's note: Thank you for the review, Mona Ogg! Feel free to say hi on AO3 – it's much easier to reply to you there!

Warning: Things get a bit steamy in this chapter, so if that's not your thing, look away halfway through.

December 1913

'I hate that it gets dark so early,' Mary said, looking mournfully out of the window, her head on Tom's bare chest. Once more, they were spending his half-day together in the privacy of his cottage, in his bed.

'Well, it's winter,' he said with a small shrug, stroking his hand up and down her back underneath the blanket tucked over them both.

'Yes, but it means I can't stay here as long as I'd like to. Carson has done everything just short of ordering me to be back at the Abbey before dusk when I'm out walking the estate,' Mary complained. 'It's severely cutting into our time together now it's getting dark so early.'

Tom smiled, tipping his face down to kiss the top of her head. 'Just be glad he doesn't know anything about what you actually do on your walks, especially these last few weeks, or he'd be stopping you from leaving the Abbey completely.'

Mary grinned and manoeuvred herself up, lying flat on top of him, revelling in the feel of his chest hair against her bare breasts.

'Can you imagine? He'd be apoplectic.'

'I know,' Tom said, dryly. 'And then he'd come after me with a pitchfork before turfing me out on my ear, and all this would become a dim and distant memory.'

Mary looked down at him, shivering a little as he ran his hands down her back and cupped her bottom through her petticoat. 'Don't even joke about that, Tom.'

'Sorry. I won't.'

'I am serious about the lack of time we have together, though,' she said, resting her palms on either side of his head.

'We do the best we can, Mary,' Tom said softly, smoothing his hands over her buttocks again. 'But I understand why Carson doesn't want you wandering the estate in the dark, even if we both know that's not what you're doing.'

'I've been thinking, and I've made a decision,' she said, tilting her head in a way that made him a bit nervous about what she was going to say next.

'What decision?'

'I want to spend the night with you.'

'What?' he said, stupidly. 'Where? Here?'

'Of course, here, silly,' she said, grinning fondly down at him. 'Where else? It's not like you can come to my room, is it?'

'But… how?'

'Well, I was thinking I could steal one of the keys to the garden doors in the morning room. I could sneak downstairs one night and let myself out, and then I could come here and spend the night with you. We can set an alarm for early the next morning to make sure I'm back in my own bed before the household begins to stir.'

Tom stared up at her, taking all that in.

'What do you think?' Mary asked, giving him an impish look, pleased with her plan.

'Isn't there a hall boy or something always about? Won't they see you trying to sneak out?' Tom said, doubtfully.

'There's normally only one and he's usually asleep by about midnight when we're not entertaining,' Mary said, wriggling to settle herself more comfortably on top of him. She crossed her arms on his chest and lay her chin on them, gazing up at him.

'Are you sure about this? It sounds risky to me.'

'Don't you want to have me in your bed all night?' she pouted, batting her eyes at him. 'Just think about it. If I'm staying all night, perhaps we could take off even more clothes. Dispense with petticoats and so on.'

Tom swallowed, desire darkening his eyes. So far, they'd always made sure to leave their clothing on the lower half of their bodies, especially hers. 'You're a temptress, aren't you, Mary Crawley?'

'I hope so. I quite like the idea of being a temptress,' she purred, giving him a slow, sultry smile. 'So, how about it? Are you willing to let me spend the night in your bed?'

'Of course, I am if you think it's possible. When are you thinking?'

Mary smiled, sensing victory was within her grasp. She reached out a finger, rubbing it over his lower lip. 'Christmas night. A little festive gift just for us.'

Tom's eyebrows shot up. 'Christmas night?' he echoed in surprise. 'Won't you be missed?'

She shook her head. 'No, as long as I'm there all day and for dinner in the evening, once everyone retires for the evening, they'll assume I'm in my bed like everybody else. Nobody will even suspect that I might be in yours instead. And I won't see you otherwise on Christmas Day except for maybe a glimpse when you ferry Granny to and from the Dower House.'

Tom gazed up at her, already thinking how wonderful it would be to fall asleep beside her and wake up next to her the following morning. He could feel his resolve wavering despite his misgivings.

'If it helps you make up your mind any, I'd be willing to let you see me completely naked. My Christmas gift to you,' she murmured, bending her head to kiss his collarbone and then peeking up at him, one hand sliding down his side, her fingers trailing lightly over his surprisingly soft skin. 'Maybe you could teach me some more things we could do to give each other the shivers.'

Tom let out a small groan, closing his eyes, as Mary felt his thing stirring underneath her again. He opened his eyes and looked at her.

'I might have the shields by then. By Christmas,' he said, his voice low.

She raised her head, excitement whistling through her chased by a healthy dose of nerves. 'Really?'

'Yes.'

'So, we could…' She widened her eyes meaningfully, not quite able to voice the possibility that they could make love properly on Christmas night.

'Yes. If you still want to,' Tom said, his mouth feeling suddenly very dry.

Mary wriggled slightly higher up his body, her groin rubbing against his, her nipples dragging tantalisingly over the hair on his chest. She gazed down at him, and deliberately circled her hips, feeling him harden beneath her petticoats.

'I want to,' she breathed. 'I really, really want to.'

'Are you sure?'

'Will you make me shiver all over when we do it?' she asked, sighing a little as his hands came to rest on her waist, his thumbs stroking the silky skin below her ribcage.

'I hope so. I'll certainly be aiming for that,' he said, his eyes locked on hers.

Mary smiled, excitement beating out the nerves. 'I can't wait then,' she whispered, bending down to kiss him.

Tom groaned, wrapping his arms around her and rolling her onto her back, deepening the kiss as she threaded her fingers through his hair.

Mary chewed her lip, thinking about the hall boy always stationed in the Great Hall at night. The last few nights, she'd made it her business to creep onto the gallery and peer over the balustrade. Each time, the hall boy had been awake at gone midnight.

If the hall boy was awake, she wouldn't be able to sneak into the morning room and make her way out of the Abbey to Tom's cottage on Christmas night. Or if she could, she might have to wait until a ridiculously late hour and given that she had to return to the Abbey before the scullery maid got up to lay the fires, she'd actually have even less time in Tom's bed than she'd normally have on an afternoon.

It was vexing her no end. She was thinking that she might have to come up with a different plan. She needed help, she decided, and so it was time to turn to the only person who could offer her that help.

'Anna, I need to talk to you about something,' she said to her maid as Anna was collecting up her clothes one evening in mid-December.

'Of course, milady,' Anna said, looking up expectantly.

'I need your help.'

'With what?'

Mary hesitated, remembering that Anna had not approved of her intention to bed Tom outside of wedlock. But in the end, her maid had tried to help her, and without Anna's help, she may not be able to visit him on Christmas night after all, so she ploughed on.

'I want to spend the night with Tom,' she said, holding Anna's gaze, trying not to blush at how forward she sounded.

'Oh, right, um, well, that's… that's… um, well, yes,' Anna stuttered, startled and a little shocked by her mistress' intentions, trepidation stealing over her as she wondered what Mary was going to ask her to do. 'Er, what do you need my help with?'

'I had planned to sneak out of the garden doors in the morning room, but I don't think that's going to be as easy as I originally thought.'

'The hall boy,' Anna guessed, watching Mary nod.

'Yes, the hall boy. I thought he'd be asleep by midnight, but I've been checking over the last few days and he seems to stay awake later than that.'

'So, you need an alternative route out, then,' Anna said, thinking quickly.

'Yes. Can you help me?'

'When are you planning on going to Mr Branson's?'

'Christmas night.'

Anna stared at her mistress in surprise. 'Christmas night?'

'Yes. That's the only way I'll see him at Christmas,' Mary said, hoping her maid understood her need to spend time with her lover at Christmas.

'Right, well, actually, that might make things easier. You should use the servants' stairway instead,' Anna said, thinking it all through.

'Won't it be busy?' Mary asked, doubtfully. She had considered that but had dismissed it as being likely to have too many people coming and going.

'Well, usually on Christmas night, there are fewer staff on duty. Only those involved in dressing the family and cooking and serving the meal will be around. And Mr Branson, of course, driving the Dowager back and forth,' Anna explained. 'We have our Christmas dinner at lunchtime, so we don't have a big meal in the evening. Those who are still about usually have a drink before we retire for the night, but we're not late to our beds. For most of the staff, it's one of those rare nights when we can go to bed a bit earlier than usual.'

Mary nodded, thoughtfully. 'But how will I know when it's safe to use the stairs?'

'I'll come and get you,' Anna said, formulating a plan. 'And then I'll take you down to the servants' hall. I can let you out the back door. I'll have to get the key from Mr Carson's office, but as long as I put it back, he'll never know.'

'But how will I get back in the house in the morning?'

'Through the morning room like you first thought,' Anna said, thinking it all through. 'I'll take the key out of the garden door and give it to you before you leave the house. You'll have to be back before five o'clock in the morning, though. Certainly no later than half past five. Daisy starts laying the fires about then. She starts at the top of the house and works her way down. What time is she usually in your room?'

'Hmm, I'm not sure. About half past six, maybe,' Mary said, hazarding a guess. Most mornings, she never even registered Daisy coming into her room and laying the fire.

'Well, you need to be sure you're in bed when she comes in. And you don't want to run into her in any of the corridors, especially not if you're wearing a coat. She'll wonder where you've been, and you don't want any gossip about that. Especially not with Thomas and Miss O'Brien already suspicious,' Anna said, laying out all the dangers for Mary.

'Goodness, this is going to have to be quite a rigorous affair, isn't it? There's a lot to consider,' Mary said, blowing out a breath.

Anna cut her a look, trying not to seem too impertinent. 'Well, yes, milady. It's quite a big decision you've made and it's not without its dangers and difficulties. Are you sure it's worth it?'

Mary nodded her head, firmly. 'I'm sure.'

Anna suppressed a sigh. 'Right, well, then we need to be thoroughly prepared to make sure everything runs like clockwork and reduce the chances of you getting caught. It might be worth you thinking up a reason as to why you're out of bed and dressed for the outside in the wee small hours, though. Just in case.'

'All right, I will,' Mary agreed, determined that nothing was going to stop her from carrying out her plan to spend the night with Tom.

At just gone half past eleven on Christmas night, Anna held out Mary's coat for her, a dark, plain one, watching her slip into it and button it up.

'Your bag,' she said, handing Mary the soft linen bag she'd hidden in the boot room for her. Mary took it, peering inside and smiling.

'And here's the key for the garden door in the morning room,' Anna said, pressing it into Mary's hand. 'Don't lose it. And remember not to walk back directly over the garden. The dew will show your footsteps.'

Mary smiled, tucking the key safely into her coat pocket. 'You know, I had no idea you possessed a Machiavellian side, Anna.'

'Not Machiavellian, milady. Practical,' Anna responded with a small smile.

'Well, whatever it is, I'm grateful for it.'

The two women scurried along the corridor of the deserted servants' area up to the back door. Anna took the key she'd liberated from Mr Carson's office and unlocked it.

'You're sure you'll be all right?' she asked, still doubting the wisdom of this nocturnal venture her mistress was embarking on.

'I'm sure. It's Christmas night, Anna. Who's going to be lurking about on Christmas night? Besides, he's waiting for me on the edge of the woods,' Mary said, her heart kicking under her ribs at the thought of Tom out there in the dark keeping an eye out for her.

'Well, just you go carefully. And don't forget to set the alarm for the morning, milady,' Anna reminded as Mary slipped through the door into the courtyard. 'You don't want to get caught coming back in if you leave it too late.'

Mary turned briefly, pressing a hand to her maid's arm. 'I won't. Thank you, Anna. Thank you for everything.'

Anna nodded, watching as Lady Mary hurried off across the yard and then she closed the door and locked it. She hurried back to Mr Carson's office to replace the key and then headed back to her bed, hoping that her mistress didn't get caught on the way back into the house.

The darkness was denser than Mary had expected it to be, the stars blocked from view by thick clouds. In some ways, that was a good thing, she supposed. Anyone looking out of a window in the Abbey was unlikely to see her crossing the lawn. But it also meant it was hard for her to see where she was going, even knowing the grounds as well as she did.

Her eyes were gradually beginning to adjust to the dark when she heard a low whistle from somewhere in front of her.

'Tom?' she called in a low voice, scanning the area in front of her. She saw a dark shape detach itself from the darker bulk of the woods and then he was there in front of her, catching her in his arms.

'Hello, mo chuisle. Merry Christmas,' he whispered, his breath warm on her cheek.

'Merry Christmas,' she whispered back, hugging him tightly.

He pulled back, seeking out her lips in the darkness, kissing her. 'I can't believe you're here.'

'I said I would be.'

'I know, but I couldn't help thinking that something would happen to stop you from coming. It seems too good to be true that you will actually be spending the night with me,' he said, rubbing the tip of her nose with his.

Mary smiled. 'Well, let's consider it our very own Christmas miracle. Now, take me back to your cottage, so the night can begin properly.'

Tom laughed and let her go, reaching down to take her hand. 'Come on then.'

'What's in the bag?' he asked curiously as she put it on the kitchen table and unbuttoned her coat.

'I brought some Christmas cake in case we get hungry and a bottle of wine.'

Tom raised an eyebrow. 'Wine? Well, that's something I don't have every day.'

'It's not one of Papa's best bottles – I couldn't swing that – but it's a fairly decent one.'

'How did you manage that?'

'I have my ways,' Mary said, with a smile.

'I bet you do,' he replied, well able to believe Mary could get anything she wanted out of anyone. Except maybe for Lady Edith.

'I… I also brought you a gift. For Christmas,' she admitted, suddenly feeling a little shy.

Tom smiled broadly at her, touched that she'd thought to get him a gift. 'Did you?'

Mary nodded, reaching into the bag. One by one, she took out the wrapped slices of Christmas cake and the wine bottle, placing them on the table, and then she delved back in and pulled out a bulky package wrapped in brown paper and string. She walked around the table to Tom and held it out.

'Happy Christmas, my darling.'

He took the gift and then looked up at her, smiling. 'It feels soft.'

'Open it,' she said, feeling nervous, hoping he would like it.

He set it down on the table and pulled at the string, undoing it and then turned the package over, pulling the paper open. Inside lay a scarf made of navy blue wool. He picked it up, feeling the softness and quality of the wool.

'Do you like it? I made it,' Mary blurted out, waiting nervously for his reaction.

'You made this?' he asked in surprise, looking up at her and then back down at the scarf in his hands.

She nodded her head. 'Anna taught me how to knit to help me pass the time during those sleepless nights.'

'I remember you saying,' he said, turning the scarf over in his hands, impressed by how neat it looked. 'You really made this?'

'I did. Do you like it?'

'I love it,' he said, looking up at her and grinning. 'I can't believe you made this for me. It looks so… so…'

'What?'

'Perfect.'

Mary smiled, relief washing through her. 'Well, it's not quite that. There are a few bits that are less than perfect, but I wanted to make something for you. I did try making some matching fingerless gloves for when you're working in the garage, but they were… well, let's just say that my knitting skills are not quite up to that.'

Tom grinned and put the scarf down, wrapping his hand around the curve of her hip, pulling her in towards him.

'Thank you, sweetheart. I love it and the fact that you made it for me makes it all the more special,' he said, dipping his head forward to drop a kiss on her lips. 'And as it happens, I have a gift for you too.'

He released her and crossed to the dresser, opening one of the drawers and pulling out a small box. Turning, he walked back to her, taking hold of her hand and putting the box in it.

'I made something for you too.'

Mary glanced up at him, wondering what he could have made for her that was so small. She opened the box and caught her breath. Inside was a perfectly shaped wooden heart, polished so it shone in the candlelight in the kitchen. She reached in and picked it up, marvelling at the smoothness of the wood.

'You made this?'

He nodded. 'My grandfather taught me how to whittle and carve when I was a boy.'

'It's beautiful, Tom,' she breathed, turning it over in her hand, seeing the whorls of wood veined through it, feeling how tactile it was, so wonderfully silky and smooth under her fingertips.

'I didn't know what to get the woman who has everything,' he admitted. 'So, I decided to make this for you, and then you will know you carry my heart with you wherever you go.'

Mary bit her lip, emotion welling up inside her. 'It's the most beautiful thing I've ever been given,' she said softly. 'I will cherish it always.'

She carefully put the wooden heart back in the box and set it on the table, and then she stepped forward, taking Tom's face in her hands.

'Let's go to bed, my darling.'

At night, with the curtains drawn and the candles lit and a fire roaring in the grate, Tom's bedroom felt even more intimate.

They stood by the side of his bed, entwined in each other's arms, kissing deeply. When they pulled apart, Tom ran his hands up her arms, the slight, gentle touch making her shiver.

'All right, love?' he murmured.

Mary nodded, butterflies roaming around inside her. 'Have you got them?'

'Yes. But we don't have to if you're not ready,' he whispered, determined to take this next step at whatever speed she felt most comfortable with.

She put her finger over his lips, silencing him. 'I want this. I want you to be my first real lover. The first one that counts. And I want it to happen tonight. Now. I'm ready.'

He nodded, emotion sweeping through him at the trust she was showing in him. He pulled her flush against him and kissed her again.

'Undress me,' she whispered when the kiss ended. 'Take it all off. I want to be naked with you.'

'Let's undress each other,' he said, softly.

Mary nodded and reached for his tie, pulling the knot open and sliding it from around his neck, dropping it on the floor beside her, and then she waited for him to take his turn.

Tom reached out, unbuttoned her cardigan, and slipped it from her shoulders, tossing it aside.

Next, Mary dealt with his waistcoat, undoing each button in turn, sliding it off him.

Tom shifted his hand to her waist, bunching it into the material of her blouse, pulling it out of her skirt. As it fell loosely around her hips, she lifted her arms, letting him tug it up over her head.

Mary moved on to his shirt, cufflinks first, handing each one to him to place carefully on the bedside table behind him, and then she slipped each button through its hole, gradually parting the shirt until she could push it off his shoulders and down his arms.

As his turn came around, Tom took hold of the hem of her corset cover, pulling it gently up and off her, his stomach clenching with desire as it always did at the sight of her in her underwear, the swell of her small, perfect breasts teasing him through the fine lawn of her chemise. He dipped his head forward to kiss her, savouring the delicious anticipation of what was to come.

When they broke apart, Mary smiled at him and pulled his undershirt out of his trousers, tugging it upwards as he raised his arms and let her sweep it over his head, ruffling hair that was free of pomade. Mary threw it aside, her hungry gaze on his bare chest as she reached out and ran her fingers over his chest hair.

'Your bare chest is one of my favourite sights,' she confessed, dragging her nails over his skin, smiling as he shivered and let out a tiny moan.

'And yours is definitely one of mine,' he agreed.

'Corset next?' she asked, playfully.

'No. Skirt,' he said, his voice dipping low, as he stepped up close and slid his arms around her, reaching for the buttons on the back of her skirt.

Mary stood still, anticipation raging through her as, for the first time, he began to undress her lower body.

Tom finished with the buttons and tugged on her skirt, feeling it slither over her hips, falling to pool at her feet.

'Petticoat, too?' Mary asked, her excitement growing.

'It's not my turn,' he said, his eyes shining with desire in the soft candlelight bathing the room.

'You're going to be naked before I am,' she observed, a little breathlessly, the thought of seeing him completely unclothed making her stomach flip.

'I don't mind. You're worth waiting for,' he whispered.

Mary smiled and reached for the buttons on his trousers.

'No braces today?' she murmured.

'Figured I didn't need them,' he said, smiling back at her. 'And it's one less thing to get in the way.'

Her smile broadened and she popped the buttons on his trousers open one by one, her fingers grazing the shape of his thing already hard beneath the material.

Tom shivered, standing very still as she slid her hands into the sides of his trousers and pushed them down. He lifted each foot in turn, shaking his trousers free, kicking them aside.

Mary looked down, the sight of the material of his drawers tented at his groin making her insides swoop in anticipation of what was going to happen tonight. Surprisingly, she didn't feel any nerves, just an eagerness for this to continue.

'Petticoat now,' she whispered, looking back up at him.

He nodded, reaching for the delicate drawstring and tugging it loose. Her petticoat fell, landing in a fluff of air on top of her skirt.

Mary stepped out of the pile of skirts and kicked them backwards out of the way with her stockinged foot. And then she dropped to her knees, peeling Tom's socks off one by one.

When she'd finished, she raised her eyes, fixing them on the hardness hidden by his underwear. Boldly, curiosity zipping through her, she leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the head where the material was damp, going so far as to swipe her tongue over it, tasting his musk.

Tom exhaled a desperate, shaky breath, fighting to keep himself under control, not to grasp her head and keep her there on her knees in front of him.

Mary glanced up at him, delighted by his reaction to her impulsive kiss, and then rose to her feet again.

'Your turn.'

He stepped closer, starting from the bottom of her corset, undoing each hook in turn, glancing up every now and then to look at her face, her shining eyes, her parted lips, his arousal spiralling higher and higher.

The corset separated and he dropped it on the pile of clothes beside him, going straight back to cup her breasts through her chemise, rolling his thumbs over her stiff peaks, earning a breathy moan for his trouble.

'Hmmm, I will never get tired of that feeling,' Mary groaned, closing her eyes. 'I feel it everywhere in my body. How is that even possible?'

Tom chuckled, rolling his thumbs again. 'You have very sensitive nipples, my love.'

'Oh, yes, apparently so,' Mary agreed, opening her eyes. 'But now it's my turn again.'

She reached for the drawstring on his underwear, stepping slightly away from him to watch them fall from his hips. The material caught on his thing and she reached for it, tugging it free, his drawers falling to the floor, leaving him completely naked.

Mary stared at him, her eyes roaming over his body, coming to rest on his thing rearing stiffly up from its nest of hair. She'd seen it before, but she'd never seen him completely unclothed like this.

She looked up, meeting his eyes. 'You're beautiful,' she murmured, feeling momentarily overwhelmed.

Tom smiled and moved closer, stepping out of his underwear. 'My turn now.'

He took hold of the hem of her chemise and gently lifted it up, pulling it over her head as she raised her arms to help him.

'Now, you're beautiful,' he murmured, dropping his eyes to gaze at her breasts, her skin even creamier than usual in the warm light from the candles and the fire.

He glanced back up at her and then fell to his knees, his fingers tugging at the garters above her knees holding her stockings up.

Reverently, he rolled each stocking down in turn, smiling at the sight of her long toes scrunching up on his floorboards.

Looking up at her, he smiled, happy to see her smile back at him, no sign of nerves now there was only one piece of clothing left between them. Following her lead, he leaned forward, his hands cupping her buttocks, and pressed his face between her legs, gently kissing her through her drawers, savouring the heady scent of her arousal.

Mary gasped, her hands coming up to clasp his head, the thrilling thought that perhaps he might kiss her there in her most private place crossing her mind for the first time, making her heart race.

She looked down at him. 'Take them off me, Tom.'

He nodded and reached for the drawstring, tugging it free and then pulling her drawers down until she was naked in front of him. He gazed at her, his heart pounding, and then looked up as she spoke.

'Kiss me there again.'

Tom dropped his gaze again hardly able to believe this was happening. He licked his lips and leaned forward, his thumbs gently parting her folds, and licked the little bud he found there, following that up with a brief suck and a tender kiss.

Mary trembled under his hands. 'Oh, dear sweet heavens,' she managed, her voice shaking. 'That feels incredible.'

Tom smiled and did it again, delighting in the little cry she gave.

'St-stop, Tom, stop,' she panted, one hand landing on his head, her fingers winding into his hair. 'It's too much. I'm already beginning to feel all shivery.'

He looked up at her, love and desire on his face. 'That's a good thing, mo chuisle. I want to make you all shivery.'

'I want you to make love to me,' she whispered, looking down at him.

Tom rose to his feet, cupping her face and kissing her. 'I will. I'll do whatever you want me to do.'

'I feel like I'm very wet between my legs,' Mary whispered, knowing from the times he'd touched her there before that the slicker she was, the better it felt.

He reached down, slipping his hand between her thighs, his fingers gliding along her slippery flesh.

'Yes, my love, you are,' he told her as she gasped again at being fondled so intimately.

'Then take me to bed, Tom. Take me to bed and make me yours,' she said, her voice dissolving into a throaty moan as his caresses sent tendrils of pleasure curling through her body.

He bent his knees and scooped her up in his arms, kissing her deeply before laying her on the bed. He climbed up beside her, smoothing his hand over her hip as she reached for him, pulling him towards her, her hands roaming over his back and chest.

'Have you got one? One of your shields?' she asked, feathering his face with kisses.

'Yes. Just give me a moment to put it on,' he murmured, rolling onto his back and reaching for something on his bedside cabinet. He picked up a small paper packet and opened it, the shield falling onto his chest.

Mary stared at it with interest, this rubber device that was going to stop her from getting pregnant. It looked so strange. She watched as Tom rolled it onto his thing, and then looked up at him as he turned on his side to gaze at her.

'Are you sure?' he asked, raising his hand to cup her face again, stroking his thumb over her cheekbone.

She nodded, longing now to feel the length of his body pressing against hers. 'I'm sure,' she whispered, parting her legs to let him settle between them.

He dipped his fingers between her thighs and then ran them in a loose grip down his thing, the rubber around him glistening with her wetness, and then he fixed his eyes on hers.

'If you don't like it or it hurts you or you just want to stop, tell me,' he said, gazing down at her.

Mary nodded again, gazing down the length of her body to watch as he guided his thing between her legs. She gasped as she felt a blunt pressure as the head of his thing pushed inside her.

He stopped, glancing up at her. 'All right?'

'Yes, keep going,' she muttered, tightening her hands on his waist.

He pulled his lip between his teeth, watching her carefully, as he pressed forward, taking it slowly.

Mary gasped, the unaccustomed feeling of fullness both surprising and thrilling her. Experimentally, she flexed her hips and Tom groaned as he slid in deeper, his groin finally flush against hers.

'Oh. Oh. That's… that's…' she said in wonder, tilting her hips up again, feeling something rub against that spot that always made her catch her breath when he touched it.

'I need to start moving, Mary,' Tom said in a tight voice, his hips beginning to thrust gently. 'Tell me if you want me to stop.'

'No, don't stop, don't stop,' Mary gasped, feeling darts of pleasure shooting through her as he began to move faster.

She wrapped her arms around him, her hands clutching at his back as the pleasure intensified. Instinctively, she bent her knees, planting her feet on the bed and began rocking her hips up towards him as he stroked into her.

Tom groaned again. 'Oh, God.'

'Don't stop, Tom. Please don't stop,' she panted as they moved together, their bodies finding a pace and a rhythm that had them both moaning and gasping.

Tom dipped his head, his lips seeking hers and Mary kissed him back as best she could when her focus kept slipping to what was happening between her legs. She could feel the pressure building, those same exquisite sensations she felt when he had his hand up her skirt, fondling her.

'Oh, God, oh, my goodness,' she muttered, the pleasure rippling out through her whole body.

'Oh, God, I'm going to come soon, Mary,' Tom panted desperately, his hips flashing backwards and forwards, the sound of flesh against flesh filling the room. 'Are you close?'

'I don't know, I don't know,' she gasped, not sure what she was feeling other than that she was liking it immensely.

He sucked the pad of his thumb into his mouth and then reached between her legs, rubbing around that wondrous little bud in a way that always enhanced the excitement she felt.

'Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,' she panted, her eyes widening as everything began to feel impossibly better.

'Yes, yes, that's it, love, that's it,' Tom murmured, his hips and his thumb working in tandem to build her pleasure. 'That's it. Come on, let go for me, let go. Come for me, sweetheart.'

Mary gasped, tiny moans falling from her, unable to concentrate on anything and then, suddenly, white-hot pleasure ripped through her, flashing right down to her toes, and she shuddered, her body shaking and tightening.

'Oh, Christ,' Tom moaned, and he snatched his hand from between her legs, planting it on the bed beside her as he juddered in her arms, pushing himself deep inside her, his groin tight against hers.

Mary felt her whole body go limp, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Tom appeared to be in a similar state, collapsing on top of her. After a moment, he raised his head and grinned at her.

'Are you all right, mo chuisle?'

Mary raised a lethargic hand, threading her fingers into his soft hair. 'I'm… I'm… marvellous, thank you.'

'Aye, love, you are,' he said, his smile still wide.

'Oh, God,' Mary gasped, staring up at the ceiling, her heart still racing. 'That was… that felt wonderful. Does it always feel like that?'

'I hope so. If we do it right,' Tom said, dropping a kiss on her lips.

He reached down, holding tight to the base of the shield as he withdrew from her, sliding it off him and dropping it on the floor next to the bed. He lay down beside her, running a finger lightly over her breast, making her shiver.

'Did you like that, then? It seemed like you did,' he said, barely able to suppress his grin.

'Yes, I should say so,' she said, breaking into a smile. 'That shiver at the end was the best one yet.'

Tom chuckled, feeling mighty pleased with himself. 'Yes, I felt your shiver and had a good old shiver myself there, too.'

'We're definitely doing that again,' Mary murmured, her eyelids suddenly feeling very heavy.

'Get under the covers while I set the alarm, sweetheart,' Tom said, nudging her before she fell asleep.

Mary nodded and wriggled under his sheets, fighting against the lethargy overtaking her.

Tom fiddled with the alarm clock and then slid in next to her, gathering her close. 'Go to sleep, mo chuisle. We can talk some more in the morning.'

Mary nodded again, tucking her head on his shoulder, and in seconds, she was asleep, wrapped up tight in the arms of her lover.

When the alarm went off, Mary could have cheerfully stopped it ringing, turned over and gone back to sleep. Reluctantly, Tom nudged her awake.

'We have to get up, love. Get you home before anyone spots you're missing,' he said, stroking her arm.

Mary nodded, half wondering whether she should just stay there and let her relationship with Tom become common knowledge. After all, something this wonderful could not be wrong. But eventually, she let him hustle her out of bed and into her clothes.

As they put their coats on in the kitchen, he wrapped his new scarf around his neck.

'This is perfect. It will keep me cosy all through the winter,' he said, taking hold of her lapels and pulling her in for a kiss.

Mary grinned, delighted that he liked her gift and that the colour suited him so well. When he released her, she turned to the table, picked up the box with the little wooden heart in it and stuffed it deep into her pocket alongside the key to the garden doors.

'Right, we'd better get going,' Tom said, taking her hand.

'Tom,' she said, tugging him towards her. 'Thank you. Last night was… it was perfect.'

He smiled, his face softening with affection. 'Yes, it was.'

'I'll never forget it.'

'No, neither will I.'

They stood there smiling soppily at each other and then Tom pulled her to him, kissing her.

'Come on, mo chuisle, we have to go,' he whispered against her lips.

Mary nodded, reluctant for this night to end, and then she let him lead her out of the cottage and into the woods.

Anna arrived in Lady Mary's room at half past nine, much later than normal, pushing open the curtains.

Mary stirred, blinking her eyes open against the sunshine streaming in.

'Everything went to plan then?' Anna asked, a small smile tugging at her lips. 'You didn't get caught.'

'No, I didn't get caught. I remembered not to walk directly across the lawn, I locked the morning room doors behind me and left the key in the lock, and the hall boy was snoring as I crept up the stairs,' Mary confirmed, grinning at her maid.

'And, er, it was… it was worth it, was it?' Anna asked, curiosity overwhelming her, even as her cheeks pinked up at the very thought of what she was asking about.

Mary beamed at her, happiness flooding through every inch of her body. 'Oh, yes, Anna. It was very worth it. It was wonderful.'

Anna blushed, gazing at her mistress and smiling, and when Mary let out a delighted giggle, Anna couldn't help but join in, buoyed by her lady's obvious happiness.