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dyns33 · 3 years ago

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Two Swallows made a Summer

So I did a Thomas Barrow x Phillip Villiers x Reader...

Y/N had always wanted to be a free woman. Emancipated. Strong.

But even though there were more and more women's rights movements in the country, it was still complicated.

When she was still very young, she had fled her family who wanted to marry her by force to the son of the neighbours.

Poor Victor wasn't a bad boy. He was going to inherit his parents' store, he was quite a handsome, kind and well-behaved young man.

But Y/N didn't want this life. She didn't want marriage. It was a prison, in which she would become her husband's servant, having to ask his permission to do everything, even work. And she should give him children.

No, really, thank you but no thank you.

It might seem paradoxical that she should become a maid.

But she couldn't find a better job and at least she was earning her own money, which she could spend however she wanted, and in her spare time she could do whatever she wanted without asking anyone's permission.

Besides, the Crawleys were really lovely people.

Well, their daughters were sometimes a little temperamental. And the grandmother could be very severe. And a lot of very bizarre adventures happened to them.

But at least Y/N was never bored, she always had a lot of work, a nice room, she was treated well and her colleagues were quite competent.

At first, she simply had some trouble with Thomas.

Everyone had some trouble with Thomas.

Mister Barrow was a complicated man. Secret. Cold and sarcastic. Sometimes mean.

It took her a while to realize that it was a defence mechanism for him, to avoid being seen as weak, manipulated and hurt. What he had been in the past.

But, knowing this, it was not to be answered with pity. On the contrary.

"You are late Y/N."

"Seems to me you're the one ahead Thomas."

"And once again I have to remind you that you're supposed to call me Mr. Barrow."

"In life we are supposed to do many things, and sadly it is not always possible for us to do all of them, Thomas. But in any case I am not late."

His shocked look made her smile. Then he resumed his neutral expression, which made her snicker, and suddenly, a true miracle, he snickered with her.

They became friends very quickly after that. It was quite by chance that she discovered his biggest secret. What he called his evil inclinations.

Y/N didn't see the problem with that. What someone did in the privacy of their bedroom was nobody's business. It was just a shame he couldn't be happy and himself the rest of the time. He just wanted to be free too.

"...Do you really think that ?"

"Sure."

"When Carson found out, he was mortified. And now he's using me to detect which servant or guest are like me."

"Mr. Carson knows ? And he didn't have a heart attack ?"

"Unfortunately no."

The decision to get married was obvious after a year together.

Of course, they didn't love each other. Not like this.

But Thomas respected her desire for independence, he treated her as an equal, and he expected absolutely nothing from her. She could do whatever she wanted without ever telling him, they wouldn't sleep in the same bed, not even in the same room, and they would only have children if one day they both wanted to, which was not the case at the moment.

Even though Thomas loved children, he loved his job even more.

For her part, Y/N had to allow Thomas to hide his secret. The announcement of the engagement surprised everyone, and at the same time, their union seemed obvious. They were perfect together.

When they were alone, Carson asked if Barrow was cured, or if he was taking advantage of poor Y/N's naivety. When he realized that she was absolutely not naive, and perfectly aware of Thomas' particular situation, he nodded and left.

The decision to accept a position with the Villiers was not so obvious.

"Villiers... Wait, that's not the name of the Duke with who you..."

"Yes."

"My God. And he wants you to work for him ?"

"I'm pretty sure Philip knows nothing about this job offer. It's his wife who's looking for a new valet. I believe Mrs. Crawley recommended me."

"Are you going to accept ?"

"I do not know."

The place was much better than the one Thomas occupied at Downton Abbey. Better paid. He would have more responsibilities, he would be recognized very quickly as a good employee, and maybe one day he would become a butler.

The letter indicated that he could perfectly well come with his wife, there would be a position for Y/N if she wished.

The Duke and Duchess had two children. Thomas really loved children.

Crowborough was truly a beautiful place.

Everything was perfect.

There was only one small problem. Philip.

"Maybe he's forgotten. Or forgiven. You've got nothing left to blackmail him with anyway. And you're married now. If you show him you've moved on, that you're behaving in exemplary valet who doesn't pay attention to him when it's not necessary, everything should be fine."

"You just described the perfect challenge for Philip, who hates when he's not the center of attention."

They accepted the offer, deciding to be optimistic.

As he had expected, the Duke was not at first really pleased to see his former lover arrive. Then, as Thomas had also foreseen, he was not happy to be ignored, flirting as soon as he could with his new valet.

According to Thomas, the Duke hardly changed. He was still just as handsome, if not even more handsome. Very elegant, very attractive. Dangerous too.

Philip was discreet when his wife or witnesses were present, but he didn't seem concerned about shocking Y/N.

For a while she thought it was because he knew that she knew. Since they were married, Thomas had been with several men, and it hadn't bothered her at all.

On the contrary, she was happy for him, smiling, wishing him to finally find the right partner and teasing him when he returned with a mark on his neck and red cheeks.

But it turned out that Philip didn't know anything.

"He thinks I'm making fun of you. And so he wants to make fun of you too. He's also hoping for a scandal when you find out."

"It's a bit risky isn't it ?"

"No, he's considering making a deal with you. Lots of money, for your silence, and to help you get a divorce. Then disgrace for me. That's a bit rough. I guess he's still mad at me for the letters."

"Well, we both know you're safe. Do you want me to pretend to fall into his trap, or do you prefer to ignore him ?"

"Hmm. Although I'd love to see his face when he realizes he got played, I'd rather focus on my work."

"Thomas Barrow, getting serious and responsible. Or rather old and boring."

"I'm asking for a divorce."

For several months, everything went well, which meant that Thomas and Y/N did their job, while Philip continued to have fun, resting his hand a little too long on the arm or on the back of his valet, whispering orders very close to his ear, and asking him to come and help him in his room when it was very late.

Sometimes Thomas came back with a strange expression. Without saying a word, Y/N patted the bed so that he came to sit next to her, he put his head on her shoulder and he let her cuddle him, massaging his neck.

He still loved Philip. Despite everything that had happened between them, of course he would always love Philip. He had been his first lover. They had shared something very strong. This situation made him suffer a lot.

In front of the Duke, Thomas did his best not to show anything, remaining calm and distant. But one word from Philip, and he might get down on his knees, kiss his hand, do anything for him.

In addition to this love, Thomas really appreciated the Duchess and their two children, who often asked to play with the valet.

It was probably for all these reasons that Thomas ran to their room after hearing a heated discussion between Philip and one of his guests.

"It's... He knows. They have... The Baron wants to blackmail Philip !"

"Like you with the letters ?"

"Worse ! He has pictures !"

Like Thomas, in the years they hadn't seen each other, Philip had had other partners. Many. And contrary to what he had sworn after burning the letters, he hadn't always been careful.

Now a former lover who needed money dared to come to his house to threaten him. If he didn't give him what he wanted, he would show the pictures to his family and the rest of society. Philip would be humiliated, ruined, he would lose everything and would certainly go to prison.

"...We have to do something." decided Thomas.

"Do you think he took the pictures with him ?"

"I don't know. But he doesn't live far away. I... I could get there quickly by train, while he's here. And you could search the room he's occupying while he's out."

"Do you think they'll let you search his home ? But what am I saying, you're Thomas Barrow, of course they'll let you, you'll come up with a ridiculous excuse."

He kissed her on the forehead, smiling, before taking his coat to run to the station in the middle of the night.

For her part, Y/N waited for the moment when the Baron left his room to sneak inside. She did not find the photos, but incriminating letters and documents. She burned the ones that concerned Philip, and kept the others, just in case. To make sure he didn't keep the photos on him, she then waited for him to take a bath to search his clothes. Nothing.

It wasn't long before the Duke noticed his 'favourite' valet was missing. Y/N invented something, saying that he had received a telegram from his aunt who was seriously ill and who asked him to come. He was sorry, but he would be back soon.

"Hmm." Philip mumbled, obviously not believing her. "Very well. But don't let that happen again."

"Of course your Grace. Thank you for your understanding."

When Thomas returned, he looked satisfied. He gave her a wink, indicating that the mission was accomplished.

The Baron noticed that some of his evidence was missing, but unable to complain, and not knowing who had taken it, he left Crowborough. For several days, Philip was very tense, probably imagining that the pictures were going to be made public. Then after a week, he understood that he risked nothing more, by receiving a letter congratulating him for having destroyed everything.

The Duke did not understand, before looking at Thomas and Y/N, remembering the unexplained departure of his valet. Then he understood.

The Barrows understood that he had understood, because his attitude changed. He abruptly stopped flirting cruelly with Thomas, only observing them from afar, with insistence and what looked like admiration. It was strange.

When his wife and the children wanted to go to London, he ordered Thomas to accompany them, because he was really very good with the little ones.

This worried Thomas.

"He's up to something."

"What do you mean ?"

"I know Philip. His wife's departure is a perfect opportunity for him to do whatever he wants. If he sends me with her, and not you... then you have to be careful."

"Oh, he's going to kill me and hide my body in the cellar ?"

"Nothing so dramatic. Philip hates getting his hands dirty. He will ask you to kill yourself, then he will get angry because you are not able to bury your own corpse. Please, be careful, he is vicious."

If Philip de Villiers, Duke of Crowborough, was vicious, then he hid it very well.

Even knowing his past, and having seen his manners since she worked for him, Y/N felt like meeting a new man as soon as they were alone.

Philip was nicer. More polite. Charming. Inviting her to sit down with him for tea and a chat. It was the first time they really talked.

To be fair to him, except when he was with Thomas, the Duke was not that bad most of the time. Good husband, great father, polite master, hard worker. Not much to say against him.

Being honest, he asked her if she knew about Thomas, and he was surprised to learn that she did. Surprised, but not disappointed. He thought it was wonderful.

"I have to say, I didn't know what to think when I found out Thomas was married. I thought it was unfair to you. And... I was a bit jealous to be honest. Now I'm still jealous, but for others reasons."

"Which ones, if I may ask ?"

"You two are clearly friends. Very good friends. With no secrets from each other. You respect and help each other. I wish I had that with someone. With my position, I can't trust anyone. I have too many responsibilities to allow myself to risk my reputation. My wife is a nice woman, but I don’t love her and I know how she would react if she knew. She gave me everything, money, beautiful children. Sometimes it's hard to pretend. To feel so alone."

"You are not always alone."

"Ah ! And you have seen the result. I was threatened in my own home. I have to thank you for what you and Thomas have done for me. What can I do to repay you ?"

"Nothing, your Grace. It was normal."

Philip looked skeptical. He hadn't expected this answer, convinced that the Barrows were going to ask him for something for their help, or that they had kept evidences against him.

Then, while cleaning his office, Y/N found Thomas's letters. She thought it was a coincidence at first, but later realized that Philip had left them there for her to see.

When he had told her about their relationship, Thomas was certain that Philip had burned all the letters long ago, long before he came to Downton to destroy the ones he had.

It was touching to find out that was not the case. That this relationship had really been important to the Duke, to the point that he retained those memories, even after Thomas tried to use his letters against him.

Y/N left them on the desk. Again, the Duke was surprised.

"I thought you would have got them back."

"Why ?"

"I could harm your husband with these letters. Or you could harm me. Didn't you keep the photos ?"

"No, Thomas destroyed them. As for the letters, they are yours."

So that was his plan. What he had in mind. The Duke believed that Thomas decided to use the pictures against him. He believed that Y/N, as greedy as him, was helping, and since she knew what her husband was, he had to find something else to save his reputation.

It was quite sad to be honest. Y/N was not as offended as she could have been.

"Your Grace, I guess what you imagine. But Thomas has changed, he has grown up. He has no ill intentions towards you. As for me, I don't meddle in his business except when he asks me to. Like when he asked me to help you. I understand what you're going through. Well, in part. Like you said, you're a Duke, you have a lot of expectations on your shoulders that prevent you from being yourself. But I am a woman, who cannot say or do what I want, so I understand. I understand why you acted like you did. I understand that you loved him, but that it was not possible, and that his desperate attempt to stay with you displeased you. I understand Thomas, who felt used and abandoned. I know that if you could, you would have been together. I wish the world would leave us alone. But know that Thomas will never do anything to hurt you. And so I will never do anything to hurt him, or you."

Philip's response was to kiss her.

Not expecting it, Y/N doesn't react right away, before stepping back and leaving the room, shocked.

Until Thomas returned, she avoided the Duke like the plague, not knowing what to make of his gesture. The kiss had been quick. Pleasant. She didn't want to know if she liked it or not.

She did not dare speak to her husband about it. She didn't know how Thomas would react. Was Philip's goal to hurt his former lover by seducing his wife ? After what they had done for him ? Or it was something else... Was he even interested in women ? It made no sense.

The next week Philip resumed flirting with his valet. Only he was more gentle, more patient. More sincere. This surprised Thomas, who was not sure how to react. It reminded him of their summer, during which they had been very happy.

On top of that, Philip also started flirting with Y/N.

In fact, he often flirted with the Barrows, at the same time. This did not escape Thomas, of course.

"...He touched your neck."

"And he looked at your backside with shining eyes. Pass me the tablecloth please."

"Why did he touch your neck ? And yesterday he had a weird smile."

"He always has a weird smile."

"No, I know that smile. It's...Y/N, did he do something when I was in London ?"

"Can you pass me the plates ?"

"Y/N."

"Thomas."

"You two are really adorable."

They jumped at the same time, which made Philip snicker, who was standing next to them, displaying the famous smile that Thomas was talking about. A huge, happy smile.

As if it was perfectly normal, he put a hand on their shoulder, leaning even closer.

“To answer your question, yes, I did something. I couldn’t help myself. You know how I love beautiful brave little things. If it was inappropriate, I apologize. But if that wasn't the case... I would be delighted if you would come and help me tonight, to put me to bed. The two of you."

He said the last sentence with a kind of purr before going out of the living room, leaving the couple a bit lost, Thomas staring at her, before blushing and continuing to frantically clean the cutlery, while Y/N tried to catch her breath, putting the plates in their place.

"... We're not going, are we ?"

"Of course not."

"That would be stupid."

"Ridiculous."

"He kept your letters."

"Ah. I imagine he kissed you. He loves kissing."

"Would you want him to kiss you ?"

"No... Maybe. If he really needs help tonight, we should go. It's our job after all."

"Indeed."

"Unless it was inappropriate. Was it inappropriate ?"

"It was surprising."

"As I told you before, he can be vicious. Deceitful. And temperamental, demanding, lazy, annoying. It will be hard to... put him to bed."

"I found him quite nice. He said he was jealous."

They finished their work in silence, side by side, knowing that they were going to spend the night in the room of the Duke.

And it will only be the first night.

At the Crowborough estate, they felt free, and at the same time imprisoned by love and desire.

#downton abbey #philip villiers #philip duke of crowborough #duke of crowborough #thomas barrow #thomas barrow x philip villiers #thomas barrow x reader #philip villiers x reader #thomas barrow x philip villiers x reader #sorry sorry sorry

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