Lady Ann's Holiday: Chapter Thirty Four - Part Eight

Burt worked extra hard for the rest of the afternoon, trying to make up for the time lost down on the bank of the river. He felt guilty that he’d neglected his duties and was determined to do right by his promise to the Earl.

When he was done he wandered down the lane into Griply and popped into the Dog & Pony. Jeb was in there, railing against losing his post as groom up at the hall. Burt had himself a chuckle over that, ordering a pint.

Mavis was tending bar and gave him a dirty snog once she’d poured his drink. Burt grinned at her and settled onto one of the tables with some of his mates.

The beer was delicious and he sank back into his seat, enjoying the rosy glow that spread into his tired limbs.

It had been a right good day, from the attention Mavis had given him in bed, to getting his job back as a groom, to enjoying Lady Ann being home, to being called a man of the world by Lord Hurley, to just doing another honest day’s work and getting a well-deserved bevvy in at his favourite watering hole.

His life certainly was elegantly simple now. He knew exactly where he stood and that was the way he liked it.

He could even consider…

Hmmm.

He took a long swig of his beer, letting it make its way down into his belly as he chewed it over.

Yes.

He could even consider trying another day, remaining as himself, just enjoying having Lady Ann around – just trying on for size the idea of staying that way forever.

Course he was worried about what would happen if she left to live with Lord Hurley… but maybe she could take him with her to look after her horse. 

Burt took another draught of beer and closed his eyes, smiling to himself, imagining what it would be like to go on serving Lady Ann for the rest of his days.