Work Text:
March 1987 - Buckingham Palace
"For fuck's sake!" The stack of documents tipped over the side of the coffee table and scattered all over the rug, including on Anne's feet. She grunted in frustration and bent down to pick them up. All that time spent sorting out the reading material had been for nothing, now she had to do it all over again. The exhaustion of a long day and her short temper got the better of her, and she just piled the paper sheets in a messy heap on top of the table, not even bothering to stuff them back into the folder. She would get back to it tomorrow, she was definitely done for today.
Leaning back on the sofa, she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. She had always been the hyperactive one, partly because it was her nature to never sit idle, but lately also because she needed to fill the void in her life. Keep me busy, I'm here to work, she always insisted, the more, the better. Well, maybe she had reached her limit. She had been lucky enough to establish her own charities trust, but right now she was growing frustrated with it. The trustees report and the financial statement had to be written, approved and filed by April, and like every year, she had asked to review and contribute to them personally. Some would call it unnecessary micro-managing, but for her it was a matter of pride. The charity bore her name and was supposed to support organizations in which she had a special interest, whose causes were close to her heart. So yes, she was particularly attentive that things were done properly. She could only imagine the scandal if some irregularities were discovered, how it would reflect badly on her, on her family and all the more on the charities supported. Journalists were always sniffling around for scoops, and even if the reports were going to be audited by an independent firm beforehand, she still wished them to be spotless.
However, she hoped it would change very soon with the much anticipated cooperation of lieutenant commander Laurence - Tim for his friends, including her - her mother's utterly effective and no less dashing equerry. She frequently picked his brain on the subject and he had been of great help. Highly intelligent, but without any trace of arrogance, he had a gift for thinking out of the box and making suggestions that others hadn't thought of, his writing skills were much appreciated, and he wasn't afraid to contradict her if needed. Their collaboration on the matter was unofficial for the time being, consisting mainly of her venting her frustrations and of Tim supporting her views or trying to find some solutions for her problems. However, this would soon change. She wouldn't really call it a happy coincidence, but one of the historic trustee had recently requested to be relieved from his functions due to health issues, and she had immediately thought of Tim to replace him. In fact, she had been thinking about involving him officially for a while now, and this was just the perfect occasion, with the hope that he would accept. A little bit of fresh blood would certainly do the charity's board some good, and on a brighter, more personal side, it would allow her to spend more time with him.
Ever since they had first met last autumn, the attraction had been growing, slowly but steady. The initial polite conversations had rapidly evolved into a close friendship, the more time they spent together and discovered common interests. After just a few weeks, she had offered to use first names, a rare occurrence for her, and the unmistakable physical pull had become hard to miss. The long, meaningful glances, the little compliments, the blush that more than often crept over their cheeks when their chemistry became a bit too obvious. In a subtle way, Tim had let her know during a seemingly mundane conversation about Valentine's Day that he wasn't seeing anyone right now. As for her marriage, there was nothing to report there. Dead. A failure. A mockery. A convenience. An arrangement for the sake of the children. At least now it had stopped hurting, and she expected nothing more from Mark than a few official appearances. Christmas, Easter, one or two state visits, these were already more than she could stomach. For the rest of the time, both had agreed to look the other way and be discreet. She was free to do whatever she wanted, so what was the harm in having a little carefree fun with no strings attached, no feelings that always complicated everything? She had never been good at long term relationships anyway, including her marriage whose cracks had started to show just after a few years. She had assessed the situation in a very rational way and Tim appeared like the ideal candidate: the physical attraction was mutual, he was spending a lot of time at the palace, making late night encounters easier, and he didn't seem like the type that would kiss and tell. A sensible agreement between two consenting adults. There was only one catch to her plan: would he accept?
The following afternoon, when she had met with Tim in her office, she had tried to push those thoughts at the back of her mind and to focus on the new role she had for him. She had insisted on making the occasion an official meeting, set in both their diaries to stress its importance. They had made small talk while she had served some tea, and when she had sat down next to him, she had decided to take the plunge right away.
"Before we start, there's something I'd like to discuss with you." Her heart rate accelerated a bit, and she wondered why she felt so nervous. He wouldn't turn her down, surely? "I know your plate is already pretty full here, and I don't want to add to your burden -"
"You're not, trust me, I'm more than happy to help you out. In fact, I didn't know much about charities before, and now I've been thinking of getting involved in some way."
She felt the weight lifting off of her mind. Once again, they were perfectly in sync. "I’m glad to hear you say that, because I've got a proposition for you. You know Malcom, one of the trustees?" Tim nodded. "He's not getting any younger and he's experiencing some health issues, so he informed me that he wished to step down at the end of this year. Would you be interested in taking his place on the board?"
Tim's eyes widened "Me? But I don't have any significant experience..."
"You have enough already, don't worry... I know you, and I trust you. I appreciate your skills, you’re a good judge of character, and I think you'd be an excellent fit with the other trustees."
Slightly uncomfortable following her compliments, Tim cleared his throat and bent his head over his little notebook, attempting to hide the light blush colouring his cheeks. "What would it entail exactly?"
“Well, you’ll have to meet regularly, I’d say once every other month with the three other trustees, to review current affairs, assess the application letters and approve the grants. The criteria for support are clearly defined, so usually the decisions are made swiftly, and if I remember it right, they get copies of the application letters one or two weeks before, to read through them and make a first selection before getting together.”
Tim lifted his eyes from his notes. “And what about the financial aspects?”
“The portfolio of investments is managed externally, but the trustees make the decisions, with the investment advisors of course. You’ve seen the reports, I’ve got the draft for the last one here, they’re pretty basic. It’s common sense actually, we’re not aiming to make big money, just enough to sustain the charity.”
He was still writing some information down, so she went on. “I'm aware it's a lot to ask, especially when your position in the household is already very time consuming, so if you feel this is too much, just tell me. I don't want you to feel obligated. Take your time to think about it, you don't have to give me your answer right now!"
She could practically see the wheels turning in his head, and his silence seemed to last forever. He put his pen down, took a sip of tea and replaced the cup back on the saucer. Her eyes were following every movement and she couldn’t help admiring his hands. Large and strong, and yet, she presumed, capable of the most delicate touches. Stop it, you're obsessed!
“So? Are you going to tell me to naff off?” Patience had never been her strong suit.
Tim burst into laughter. “Not at all, no. I'm in, I don't need more time to think it over. Thank you for considering me for the position, I promise I won't let you down!”
She pretended to scowl at him. "You better not!" She reached for the first folder. “Now that it’s settled, shall we start with the draft of the financial report?"
“I've come prepared!” Reaching into his shirt pocket, he proudly pulled out a little calculator, and Anne couldn’t help a chuckle. He never failed to make her laugh when he was a bit dorky, a side of him that was mostly kept private, in contradiction with his more serious naval officer persona.
The next hour was spent sitting at the meeting table, poring over the documents, making some annotations for parts that needed clarification or should be rewritten. Tim was taking his task to heart, reading aloud and commenting, and after a while, she had lost track. Lulled by his beautiful voice, she wasn’t really paying attention any more and was covertly staring at him instead, observing every little detail. He was so handsome, it was hard to remain insensitive to his charm. Anne had noticed how women, young and more mature, perked up when he entered a room, how he made heads turn when he walked through the palace. Behaviours she found rather unprofessional and made her want to roll her eyes in contempt, but also sparked a bit of jealousy. Be careful, I've seen him first, and I’m very competitive!
His majestic nose, the very characteristic mole just beside his ear. Those lovely little dimples when he smiled. His thick, always impeccable hair, how she wanted to run her fingers through it, to ruffle it in a moment of pure passion. The light stubble that was already growing back on his chin, forcing him to shave a second time before receptions and official dinners. She stared at his lips forming words, his tongue regularly darting out to moisten them, or lingering a little longer when he was processing a more complicated segment. The way his Adam's apple bobbed up and down with every sip of tea he took. When he had bit his lower lip, just once, she had felt a surge of desire in her whole body. Get a grip, girl! She made sure of averting her gaze every time he turned towards her to make a point, but their eyes met anyway. His eyes. Beautiful, of a rare hazel green, the colour as unique as him. His rich, deep voice, music to her ears. How wonderful it would feel, murmuring sweet little things, gasping in pleasure, moaning her name. Not for the first time, she wondered how he would be in bed. He was always so composed, would she succeed at making him lose control? Would he be loud? Would he be as thoughtful and devoted between the sheets as in the rest of his life? He wasn’t the kind of man she would fall for habitually, but there was something terribly attractive about him. Soft-spoken and well-mannered, and yet so masculine.
All of a sudden, something snapped in Anne. She had been fighting this yearning for too long, it was time for action. Still trying to focus on what he was saying, she subtly moved her right hand sideways on the table, just an inch until she could extend her pinky far enough to graze the little finger of his left hand.
“You know, I think -” The contact made Tim stop mid-sentence, but when he turned his head to first look at their joined hands, and then at her face, his smile was so soft, so honest, and there was no trace of surprise here, like he had been expecting this moment. Feeling emboldened by his reaction, she moved her hand a bit further and curled her fingers around his. What now? Should she take the next step? What should she say? By the way, Tim, I'm in dire need of a good lay, what about you?
As it turned out, she didn't have to. Still holding her hand, Tim leaned forward. "Anne, may I kiss you?"
Ever the gentleman, he was always showing so much respect. She titled her head up and nodded, just before his lips met hers. The first kiss was gentle, a little hesitant, lasting just a few seconds before they both pulled back, only to start again. His hand moved to her shoulder, keeping her close, and she wrapped her fingers around his upper arm. This time, it became much more passionate, giving way to their desire for each other, until Anne broke the kiss with a soft chuckle.
"Is that your way of sealing the deal for the trustee job? Damn, if I had known, I would have suggested it way earlier!"
Tim's lips curled in a playful smile. "Well, you caught me..."
They stared into each other's eyes, and Anne felt overcome with sensations. His thumb, gently rubbing her shoulder through her blouse. His boyish smile, the twinkle in his eyes, the way he looked at her like she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her lips were still tingling from the kisses, and out of the blue, she felt her heart swelling. I think I’m in love with you. Wait - what?