‘Thank goodness,’ said Martha. ‘Now, where were we?’ A mischievous smile spread across her face. ‘I have missed you, you know.’
Thea grinned. ‘We slept in the same bed last night.’
‘I know, but…’
‘I know,’ said Thea. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘No need,’ said Martha gently.
Thea reached forward to pull Martha down for a kiss, the silk smooth against her fingers. ‘As much as I love this,’ she said, pulling the material to the side to get a better look, ‘I think, perhaps, you might take it off and join me in here?’ She twitched the covers to her side.
‘I think, perhaps, I might,’ said Martha, her voice dripping with promise as she slid the robe off her shoulders and let it pool on the floor. Thea should have noticed from the leg that had emerged earlier, that the only garment Martha was wearing was a silk night slip. She gulped.
‘Right then.’ And then a very practical thought occurred to her. ‘Did you come down the corridor like that?!’
‘I did,’ said Martha, an eyebrow raising. ‘I know we are rather alone at this end, but it was still a little exhilarating.
‘Worth it,’ said Thea, still unable to take her eyes off Martha’s exquisite legs. ‘I think you should join me.’ She threw back the covers to invite Martha in, who settled next to her in the centre of the bed before dropping a gentle kiss underneath her ear. Thea moaned at the touch.
‘More of that?’ asked Martha, her breath warm against Thea’s ear.
‘Most certainly.’ Thea shifted down the bed and Martha came with her, planting gentle kisses on her neck. Thea let out a longexhale when Martha’s hand began to travel up her thigh. How she had waited for this. The excruciating party was almost worth it.
The hand’s glorious progress halted abruptly as another knock sounded on the door. They looked at one another in alarm.
‘Who on earth?’ mouthed Martha. Thea shrugged.
‘Maybe Mrs Phibbs again?’ She whispered, before scooting herself up. They couldn’t be found like this. ‘I’ll go and check.’
She hopped out of the side of the bed, grabbed her own robe from the rail and slid it around her shoulders before positioning herself at the back of the door. Another knock sounded, startling her. Usually, Mrs Phibbs would say something to make her presence known.
‘Mrs Phibbs?’ she asked, a little loudly. To her horror, the door began to open. Reflexively she placed a foot behind it to halt its progress.
‘Just me,’ came a sing-song voice from the corridor. She relaxed a little. It was Cecily.
‘Ah Cecily,’ she said to one of her hostess’s eyes through the small gap in the door. ‘I was just about in bed and–’
‘Oh, are you not decent?’ asked Cecily, the half of her face Thea could see dropping. ‘I just thought I would check that you were alright.’ She paused. ‘After earlier. I think it is my place as hostess and I didn’t want anybody going to bed out of sorts.’
‘I’m fine, thank you,’ said Thea, relieved it might be this easy to dissuade their friend. ‘My apologies for the small outburst, but Mrs Fairclough and I are quite made up.’
Cecily nodded, but the half of her face didn’t move. ‘I know I shouldn’t say it, but she was quite inappropriate. She is only threatened by your cleverness.’
Thea snorted a quiet laugh. ‘I don’t think…’ but Cecily went on, her voice becoming a little quieter.
‘She is. And she was very rude to you, I thought. Mrs Henry told her so herself. Anyway,’ she brightened. ‘I thought it might be nice to make the most of the pleasant company while you are all here.’
‘Well,’ said Thea, glancing over at Martha who had sat up and covered herself up with the sheets. ‘I am decent I suppose, but–’
‘Excellent.’ While Thea’s attention was distracted by Martha, Cecily pushed her way in. ‘Perhaps we can have a nighttime tot or two?’ She held up a decanter of a liquid that Thea saw glint amber in the candlelight. She suspected whisky. Cecily placed the container and two glasses on the dresser and then saw the set up on the table. ‘Oh, but I see you’re already set with tea.’ She turned to look at Thea, now standing by the bed, and Thea saw her blink as her eyes travelled to Martha in the bed.
‘Oh.’ She said.
‘Ah,’ said Thea, trying to think quickly. Cecily looked between them, and Thea could almost hear her brain trying to make sense of the scene. Thankfully Martha was quicker.
‘I came in for Thea’s help in identifying a sample I saw today in the garden,’ she said sounding calmer than Thea knew she must be. ‘And I got a little cold so we thought we might do a little reading in bed, as Thea was already in her nightclothes. Mrs Jenkins brought us some tea from your kitchen, and we are most grateful.’
Cecily blinked at her, and for an awful moment Thea thought she wasn’t fooled. But then a smile cracked her face.
