It had been a success, a not unparalleled success but a success nonetheless. The actors had taken their bows and he and Flora had been forced to return to the makeshift stage to take a final bow on their own at his Lordship's insistence. A grateful Earl had quickly sent them back downstairs taking the remaining credit for himself but not before the cunning butler had strong armed him into sending several bottles of champagne downstairs for a small cast party.

"A toast my friends…" Mr Jarvis called out bringing the happy chatter to a still. "To Master Shakespeare, His lordship and our humble company…May we never ever have to return to the stage again!"

That elicited raucous laughter from the group who were quickly becoming inebriated on the strong liquor. "Now please Enjoy, we have certainly all earned it." Then with the butler's approval another bottle or two were opened and the drink began to flow. Yet despite the exquisite vintage of the champagne that the butler had himself selected Jarvis had only two glasses whilst the rest of the staff decided to indulge heavily. If he was honest the reason was that he found him distracted enough by another form of intoxication. Was it over an hour ago now? It seemed like only minutes to Walter, his lips still tingled slightly it was as though every nerve ending was alive and fire was facing through his blood. Yet it would fade and all he would have was the memory.

"Oh…Well they were the stars of the show…Seeing stars if you know what I mean, a most realistic performance!" It seemed the alcohol had truly gone to his under –butler's head as Adam's deep Scottish brogue was carrying even further than normal and so more than the small circle he was conversing with overheard his comments. One person in particular seemed unduly affected by the Scotsman's coarseness as out of the corner of his eye he caught the swish of silk and the glimpse of moonlight reflected off of porcelain skin as she slipped out of the door.

Concerned Walter followed her out of the room, sneaking a half empty bottle of champagne out with him he followed her into the courtyard. It took her a few moments to spot him and when she did the look of panic on her face almost had him turning on his heel apologies on his lips for startling her, but there was something in her eyes that stopped him.

"I think since we carried everyone else we deserve the spoils." The butler insisted so as to break the embarrassed silence holding up the bottle he had purloined on his quick exit. Smiling Flora held out her empty glass letting him fill it and taking a hasty sip so as to avoid conversation.

"Another toast is in order… To the end of make-believe and getting back to normal!"

That elicited a smothered chuckle from the housekeeper who raised her glass, watching him carefully over the rim as they bother sipped. Shifting from foot to foot the butler suddenly felt a lurch as his stomach turned over, he knew they had to talk about this but he was deviled if he knew how to start, so instead he settled for clearing his throat loudly. However that seemed to have the opposite effect as Mrs Ryan practically leapt out of her skin spilling her champagne all over his jacket sleeve. Muttering her sincere apologies she quickly reached for her handkerchief to mop up her mess at the precise same moment as he moved to brush the remaining liquid off. Their fingers brushed across each other and Jarvis could barely suppress a groan, it felt like a flash of lightening had sparked between them and his pulse quickened.

Blushing furiously the housekeeper went to pull her hand out from under his but the Butler found his fingers closing involuntarily around hers holding them in place. Surprised she glanced up at him, her dark eyes wide and luminescent in the moonlight as they bored into his baby blues, she was so close, and he could feel her pulse beating fast and wild beneath his palm. Her scent filled his nostrils, rosehips and something muskier, heady and alluring, he just couldn't help himself. How on earth could he have worked all these years and not felt this inevitable pull towards her, it was though there was a string between them that kept tightening drawing them closer and closer together until they were merely inches apart. It was clearly affecting her as well, her eyes were half closed and unfocused her chin tilting towards him and then she unconsciously wetted her lips and he knew he was lost. His gaze was drawn to that perfect Cupid's bow as he lent down intent on capturing her lips once more.

However it was at that moment the drunken footmen decided to burst out of the door and ignoring the senior staff rush past half naked in the direction of the lake. Staring after them Walter watched unti they had disappeared from sight before turning back to his companion. Flora had drawn away from him; her cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment as she sunk back into the wall and so he sought to alleviate that by giving her the way out she so desperately craved.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have…The alcohol and well the romantic side effects of our performance…"

"No…" Flora cut in dragging her eyes up from studying the floor. "I mean it wasn't your fault, if Mr Kraus hadn't pulled out when…"

"None of us would be in this mess?"

"Indeed. Well it is late." She added moving to push past him, it seemed like it was too late and it was probably for the best and yet he simply couldn't stop himself.

"Do you think I should recommend him for a raise?"

That clearly confused him and so Walter decided it was now or never. "Well if he wasn't so temperamental then I might never have had the privilege of doing this…"

Stepping quickly forward he lent down and cupped her cheek gently intending only to brush his lips against hers, a friendly gesture yet one that lingered longer than he had intended. Pulling away slightly he gazed down at her, if she was offended by his behavior no doubt he would know when her palm connected with his cheek. Yet instead she continued to lean into him, her chin tilted upwards her eyes closed so trustingly so there was only one possible course of action. Covering her lips gently he caressed them lovingly with his own, worshiping her in his own modest way relishing the feel as she slipped effortlessly into his arms and so he pulled them both into the shadow of a doorway. His fingers running up to trace her cheek and jaw before threading into her hair and pulling her into a more passionate embrace. Surprisingly Flora matched him kiss for kiss, her passion increasing with his own, and she shocked him by being the first to open her mouth to him her response so natural and artless that he swore the rest of the world faded away until she was everything; the air he breathed, the earth that nourished him and the spirit that drove him.

Finally breathless and parched the pair pulled reluctantly apart, reaching for his champagne glass Walter offered it first to her, watching in delight as her kiss swollen lips closed eagerly over the glass before offering it to him. Downing the contents quickly Walter reached for the bottle, sighing in frustration when he found it empty. "Well all good things must come to an end eventually…"

Giggling coquettishly Flora Ryan stepped closer catching the edge of his waistcoat before kissing him soundly almost possessively. Breaking the kiss she stared up at his delighted but surprised expression then leaning in closely she whispered softly " not all things Mr Jarvis", before turning and with a hungry gaze over her shoulder and a small wave disappearing into the building.

"All things come to he who waits!" Walter finished unable to keep the childish grin from his face as he returned to the party, he had suddenly the urge to make a new toast, to the future, and then to look out his dog-eared copy of Shakespeare perhaps next year he could help guide his lordship's choice, if he remembered correctly Midsummer Nights Dream had some interesting scenes he would enjoy rehearsing at length with a certain leading lady.