Love Bite

Chapter 1

Jimmy walked down the hall, taking peeps at the rooms searching for someone who appears to be the Butler, Mr. Carson. He heard talking at the end of the hall and peaked in. He knocked lightly on the door to gain the attention of the staff. The paused what they were doing and all looked at him.

"Hello," he said smiling. There was a pause as the maids and the ginger man looked at him.

"Can we help you," asked the blond maid.

"I'm here to see Mr. Carson," Jimmy answered. Before any of the maids would answer, a tall man appeared from the corner of Jimmy's eye, and stood right in front of him. The man was very handsome. His dark hair was slicked back away from his beautiful face. Sharp cheekbones underneath his dark eyes. His lips were thin and swallowed as he looked into the man's deep dark eyes. There was an interesting hunger to them that made Jimmy shiver. The man looked at the maids then turned his attention back to Jimmy.

"Who's this," the man asked.

Perhaps he's Mr. Carson?

"Jimmy Kent," Jimmy answered, "At your service."

The man smiled.

"I'm Mr. Barrow," he replied, "His lordship's valet."

"And…" Jimmy paused looking at the fearsome eyes, "I'm hoping to be his lordship's footman," He gulped, "Which is why I'm looking for Mr. Carson."

"What's the matter have you all been turned into pillars of salt," came a woman's voice, tearing Jimmy away from the man's trance. Jimmy turned and looked at the elder woman standing to the side. She approached him.

"May I help?"

"I've come for the interview," Jimmy said, trying to regain his posture.

"I see," she said, "Well, if you'll wait there." She smiled and turned, pausing to look at the blushing maids before leaving them in room. Jimmy looked back at Mr. Barrow, who was still looking at him, smiling. Jimmy swallowed.

Does he even blink?

Throughout the interview, Jimmy was distracted. Mr. Barrow's eyes remained in his head. Before he knew it, he was standing up, shaking hands with Mr. Carson, and bidding farewell. He quickly left Downton and made his way back to town to the inn. He had a couple of drinks before heading on to bed, even though it was still daylight. That didn't seem to matter. Even as the night crept up, no matter how hard he tried, Jimmy could not get to sleep. Every time he just closed his eyes, those hungry dark eyes accompanied by that vicious smile was all he could see. He gave up and sat up upon the creaking bed. He knew sleep would not come to him tonight.

As Jimmy made his way back to downton with luggage in hand, all he could think about was Mr. Barrow. The man was intriguing yet sent fear down Jimmy's spine. He hoped it would be a rare occasion that he would ever be involved with Mr. Barrow at his new job. He rang the doorbell and the tall ginger footman, Alfred opened the door. Alfred greeted him and stepped back to let Jimmy in. Alfred showed Jimmy to his room before giving him a tour of Downton. Jimmy had to admit, the place was a bit bigger than Lady Anstruther's and many more servants. Alfred at first seemed to dislike Jimmy, or at least was not too kind to him, but as they walked on, Jimmy began to spark conversations to try and make the footman a little bit more comfortable. Jimmy had enough enemies and didn't need any more, especially jealous ones.

As they made their way back downstairs and Jimmy was lead back to his room, Jimmy could not help but ask the question that has been nagging at him.

"Where is ," he asked.

Alfred turned around.

"He's in London with Lord Grantham. Actually he should be arriving back today."

Alfred looked around the hall then walked back over to Jimmy.

"If I were you, I'd keep your distance. Mr. Barrow."

"W..why?"

"I've heard things from everyone. During his footman days, he wasn't exactly the nicest man around, and often tried to get other staff in trouble, especially the Bates."

Jimmy swallowed.

"So if ya need anythin', come ask me. I haven't been here as long as Mr. Barrow, but Mr. Carson seems to respect me more."

Jimmy nodded.

"Alright," was all he could manage before going back into his room. He shut the door, but only a little bit and began to unpack.

He looked at the clock as he finished and saw that it was time to get ready in his livery. He pulled it out and began to dress. He worked on his shirt as he heard the passing footsteps in the hall. He suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand as a cold feeling passed.

"So you got the job then," came Mr. Barrow's voice.

Jimmy jumped and turned around to see Mr. Barrow smiling that infamous smile. Jimmy could swear that the man's teeth were strangely pointed. He smiled and nodded.

"I'm on my way, Mr. Barrow," he replied. He was once again lost in the dark eyes.

"They say you were a footman once," Jimmy spoke. Mr. Barrow nodded.

"That's right."

"So...so can I come to you if there's anything I need to know?"

Jimmy didn't know why he asked that. It was as if he had no control over what came out of his mouth when Mr. Barrow was around. He hoped that this would not be a common occurrence.

Mr. Barrow smiled and nodded.

"Certainly, why not," Mr. Barrow replied.

Jimmy nodded then swiftly turned back around to focus on his task.

"I do have a couple words of advice to give you now," Mr. Barrow's voice came in a soft whisper right behind Jimmy's ear. Jimmy quickly turned around to see Mr. Barrow was only a few inches away, looming over him. Jimmy backed up but Mr. Barrow followed slowly.

"Do I make you nervous, Jimmy," Mr. Barrow asked.

Jimmy shook his head as he came up to the wall.

"N...no," he replied.

Mr. Barrow smiled wider.

"You should be," he grinned.

Jimmy shivered as Mr. Barrow was uncomfortably close. He should've screamed, but he couldn't even speak, let alone breath.

"M….Mr. Barrow," Jimmy squeaked.

"Thomas," Mr. Barrow replied, "Call me Thomas, from now on when we are alone. I don't mind the formalities."

Thomas's face edged closer and closer to Jimmy's. Jimmy was in a panic. He couldn't move and couldn't breath. He cried desperately in his mind for help.

Just before what it seemed like Thomas was about to kiss him, a woman cleared her throat. Jimmy opened his eyes and looked at Ms. O'brien, the lady's maid. Thomas looked at her and sighed.

"What is going on here," she asked rather amused. Jimmy gulped.

"Nothing O'brien, at least nothing that involves you,"

"I'm sure it doesn't," she replied glancing between the two men.

"Then what it is you want," Thomas asked, rather annoyed.

" Mr. Carson is looking for you."

Thomas sighed once more.

"Then I'll be right there."

"You better hurry," she said, "You know how Carson is."

Thomas nodded then turned his attention back at Jimmy.

"I'll see you around, Jimmy," He said with a wink then left the room. He pushed past Ms. O'brien who looked at Jimmy's pale face and smiled before following Thomas. Once Jimmy was able to gain his posture and breath, he quickly ran and closed the door. His heart was beating rapidly and sweat was pouring from his brow. He quickly finished getting dressed even though his hands were still shaky from the encounter. After a while, Jimmy managed to calm down enough to perfect his hair. He took a deep breath and let it out as he readied himself. He took one final look into the mirror and sighed. This was going to be a long night.