Sharing the Love

A/N: This is a secret santa gift for @cassiemortmain for the 2018 S/T Secret Santa Exchange. This fic mostly follows the 2x04 timeline. Sorry it took so long.

STORY REQUEST: Show Era-something romantic, secret and sexy would be perfect - secret (mutual?) crush, secret affair, secret engagement/marriage, etc are all good. Nothing too angsty; a bit of drama with perhaps a dash of jealousy is fine, but ultimately a happy ending. Set at Downton before Tom and Sybil have children.

In the Dark

“We better hurry, love,” said Tom, before he leaned in to bestow a kiss on Sybil’s nape after he had helped her button the blouse at the back. “We need to return to Downton before the dressing gong, which is in less than an hour.” The sun had already set.

“I’m hurrying,” replied Sybil, fumbling with the clasp of the chain that held her claddagh ring. Glancing at her husband of six months, she asked, “Can you help? I’m butter-fingered today.”

Tom put on the cap of his chauffeur uniform as the finishing touch before he reached out to take the chain from her. They had married secretly in a civil ceremony in Leeds mere weeks after her 21st birthday last year.

In a rare opportunity, they did not have to fumble in the dark or by the light of a single candle. Their lovemaking had been somewhat frantic at first since Sybil had not been able to slip down to the chauffeur’s cottage in two weeks due to her duties at both the convalescent and the regular hospital, but she had been able to trade for three French letters from the wounded and convalescing soldiers for this quick getaway. In the end, they used two.

“It’s on,” said Tom, his fingers lightly tracing her neck after he fastened the clasp. “Are you ready?”

After a quick sweep of the room with her eyes, Sybil nodded, while she tucked the chain and ring inside her blouse. “Yes, let’s go.”

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