Theo would be lying if he didn't admit that Fletcher being a gentleman and retreating didn't sting him a bit. He felt like he had done something wrong and was being cruel to the man. Like he really was a tart and just kept leading him on and shutting him down. He didn't mean or want to be a tease, at least not right now and like this.

"I'm sorry," he murmured while misbehaving further and drawing him into a tight hug. "Not trying to be a tease. Go. I'll...settle down. Anyone asks I'm looking for...," he paused and looked at the shelving,  "...a candle?"

Fletch deflated a little and drew back. "No...you're right. You're right. I've got to hold it together. I'll be good. You do make it hard to be, though. Especially when you keep doing that. And when you're dressing for me."

He bit his lip again, then shook himself mentally. There was no sense in letting himself get worked up when they had a full day ahead of them. "N' I'll be fine. I'm bloody unstoppable today, love. Don't you worry about me. Now. You're about the color of your robe, so I'm going to leave first and let you get a handle on it. We can come back to this tonight. Yeah?"

He smacked Fletcher's chest lightly. "No, none of that. We are going to be good so that this can be a thing that continues instead of ending right here."

Still he leaned into Fletcher's touch like a man equally thirsty and needy. A deep blush flushed his cheeks once more as if the mere mention of it brought it right back to say hello.

"It's your cocky little smirk that does the same for me. I see it and I want—" Theo cut off abruptly, blushing deeper and looking quite bashful. "Nevermind. Are you going to be alright today?"

"No," Fletch smirked, breaths coming a little quicker now as his neck flushed hot. "Don't be better. Better's no fun. Be worse. Be greedier." He reached up and brushed Theo's hair back, caressing the man's cheek. Theo had said what he wanted. Fletch wouldn't push it, but... "I know now. I like it. And I meant what I said. Drives me wild when you blush. You're going to be the death of me. Like I'm starving and staring at a cake in a shop window."

"I know," he replied a bit pitifully, his brows knit in concern. "But I just really wanted a hug from my beloved. The kisses are a lovely bonus."

So saying he lead in to steal a gentle peck. "I'll be better going forward. I just am greedy. I warned you of this. You know this...all of this was for you, right? Never her. Never the game."

Fletch followed Theo, glad to be away from the both of them. It took him a moment to realize, though, that he was being led in the wrong direction. "Theo," he hissed, but the man couldn't see him and didn't notice. It was a complete surprise when he was pushed firmly into a closet, though he wouldn't argue with what came next. He returned the embrace without question, breathing the man in and laying kisses down his neck like they'd both planned it all along. When they drew apart, he grinned at his love, biting his lip. He looked the man over, eye sliding over every beautiful inch of him, wondering how much they could get away with and for how long. "Well that was dangerous," he chastised teasingly. "But I'm not about to complain."

"Oh," she commented looking the man up and down before pouting slightly. "Does this mean I'll see less of you Jack? I always feel safest when you're on duty."

Theo adopted a fake smile to keep from rolling his eyes. "Mr. Daw will be doubling with Mr. Truckett until he learns the routines and comings and goings here. After the ball, the Baron wants to ensure our utmost safety, my dear. Trust you are in good hands.

"Now then, have you eaten? I had Mr. Truckett check on it for us but it seems to be taking a moment. Mr. Daw if you'd be so kind as to escort me to check on it?"

"Oh surely you can have Mr. Trucker escort you dearest? Uh it's just I have something to discuss with Mr. Daw."

"I'm afraid it's the Baron's orders that I be accompanied at all times," Theo said easily, determined to not break his promise and to keep Fletcher from being caught alone with her. "And Mr. Truckett is still not familiar with everything here. You don't mind do you?"

"...no of course not," she replied faking a tight smile that turned to a sneer the moment his back was turned on her.

He nodded to Fletcher to follow him as he made a hasty retreat from the room. Theo did not immediately head to the kitchen however and instead walked down the hall to where one of the house's washrooms were. He looked around to see if anyone was around and then suddenly yanked Fletcher into a closet.

The moment the door closed he embraced him warmly and closely. "Good morning, my heart," he whispered against the man's ear. 

Fletcher shot Theo a scathing look. "Bollocks," he muttered, but that was the end of his protest. Instead he watched the two perform their strange, stiff dance of make-believe affection, careful to hold his disinterested expression steady. Already, though, that smugness rose in him again. He's mine, he thought as he indulged in a memory or two of the night prior. He thought of the ball, too, and how he'd been so rotten with envy at what he'd seen. And now... He's really mine.

He snapped back to the present as Edwina sighted the bait and now watched her with keen interest. Your moment to shine, Sparkles, Fletch thought. Sure enough, Neal rose to his feet, hands clasped behind his back, the picture of a gentleman. "Neal Truckett, Miss. I'm a bodyguard to Master Theodore. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Fletch begrudgingly admired the way he said it: with just enough of a note of warmth to hook the girl while passing it all off as professional. Theo could hear none of it, of course, but Fletch knew the sound of a flirt working his magic. Maybe he'd chosen well after all, in spite of the many risks. 

"Just hired him on," he added gruffly, still playing his part and more than happy to throw a measure of his disregard for her into his tone. "You'll be seeing him around on shift, I expect, as we fit Mr. Truckett into the mix."

"If there's anything I can do to make your time here more pleasant you need only voice it and I'll see what I can do. Mr. Daw can attest to that given he is unused to our seasonably colder weather and requires more and more blankets at night."

Theo smiled fondly at the men and had opened his mouth to say more when in bounced his fiance. "Oh Theodore darling I'm so sorry I'm late—look at you!" Edwina exclaimed as the nobleman stood to greet her. They exchanged cheek kisses as she fawned excessively over his appearance.

"Oh and who might this be? Jack I know, but I don't think we've met sir?"

Neal glanced uncertainly between Theo and Fletch, to which Fletcher simply raised an expectant eyebrow. The man acted and pretended every night of his life. Surely a little boring noble speak wasn't that confusing. Or maybe there was less blood to the man's brain sitting up as opposed to laying on his back. 

"I did," Neal replied carefully. "It is. It's very quiet here," he added. "It's not at all what I'm accustomed to. I'm sure I'll adjust in time."