Servants Series 4

by ss9

Can Flora recover from the tragedies of series 3? How will Walter react and will Will be able to safely avoid the butler's wrath? And who is this glamourous Scottish beauty who is causing quite the stir amoungst the male members of staff?

1. Episode 1

Mr Jarvis sat as his desk, his big book of figures open in front of him; but Jarvis wasn't concentrating on the figures his mind was far more disagreeably engaged. So much had happened in the last few weeks that he needed time to sit and think things through properly, so far all he had been doing was reacting to situations, first the miscarriage then the business with Will's father and now this latest maddening situation with Flora. Sighing to himself he drew out his pocket watch, and softly stroked the locket of hair bound in its casement, thinking sadly this was the closest he was able to get to her at the moment. Every since loosing the baby she had become more and more withdrawn, he could understand her need to grieve but why push him away?

Didn't she realise he was in pain that their child's lose had cut him to pieces as well? The only difference was he couldn't go around with his heart on his sleeve; he wouldn't give into the weakness of character that would have him wallowing in self-pity and despair, abandoning his responsibilities. He could understand her wanting to sleep alone to some extent, in the past they normally only shared a bed after a little nocturnal activity, but he shook his head in frustration did she really think he was that unfeeling he would try something on after all this? All he wanted was the chance to hold her as she slept, safe in his arms, not dim and distant and hidden behind closed doors. It seemed to him that he was loosing her, the only times she chose to speak to him was over Taplow's business, the rest of the time she seemed to be avoiding him, throwing herself into her work and not stopping till she exhausted herself.

He had tried on numerous occasions to get her to invite him into her room for a quiet chat after dinner but she wouldn't let him in preferring to bid him goodnight at her doorway with a cold kiss on the cheek before turning and entering alone. Whenever he tried to mention anything personal, their relationship, the wedding or even the baby she clammed up and either found a way to leave the room or change the conversation. He was at his wits end, he could try and force her to talk; however rather reluctantly he realised he just didn't have the bottle to do it. He was afraid how she might react if pushed, a dim and distant Flora was better than no Flora at all; desperate for advice and with no Felix to turn to Jarvis looked over at his bureau at the half finished letter to his mother. Deciding he had put off finishing it for long enough already he got to his feet, determined to put his pride aside and ask the other woman in his life for some much needed help and advice.

Ten minutes later…….
Jarvis is still writing at his desk '……oh my dearest mother, I am at a loss at what to do with her, she will not talk to me or even look at me most of the time, I feel as if I mean nothing to her any more…….'

Female voice rather shrill: Mr Jarvis!

Jarvis concentration is broken suddenly by a woman's voice screeching frantically in her ear. He glances up, ink splashing his writing paper, to see Mrs Diggins looming over him, hre flowery bosom far too close to his face for his liking

Jarvis more sharply than he had intended: What IS it, Mrs Diggins!

Mrs Diggins slightly taken aback: It's my Lady, Mr Jarvis, she's gone missing!

Jarvis obviously irritated, pulling off his spectacles: Missing! How on earth could she go missing, you're with her permanently, Mrs Diggins, it is a miracle if I ever see you apart from her these days!

Mrs Diggins flapping about and reminding Jarvis of an oversized distressed chicken: I only went to fill her bath, but when I returned to her room she had gone!

Jarvis sighing and rising from his chair, and moving from behind his desk: Well, she can't have gone far, she's hardly athletic!

As Jarvis makes his way to the front of the house, Mrs Diggins trots at his side desperate to keep up with his large strides, while wittering on about how Lady Mary may have exited through the front door on her way to find her (dead) husband in his carriage. Jarvis, unconvinced of this, tuts and huffs, thinking just great, this is all he needs. A mad old biddy causing trouble on one hand and a red-faced, hyperventilating lady's maid on the other. With George in mind, he has an overwhelming urge to yell at Mrs Diggins 'oh push off, shovel face!' but manages to just about contain himself as he hurries down the steps at the front of the house, Mrs Diggins breathlessly following him, calling out 'My Lady! My Lady!' in the most annoying fashion. In the midst of all this chaos, Jarvis least expects to bump into a rather portly gentleman; a little shabby around the edges in a worn brown three-piece suit and wearing a large grin on his face.

Man offering Jarvis his tubby hand and speaking in a broad Cockney accent: Mr Jeffries is the name, presume you're the butler on this fine estate.

Jarvis looking at him sourly, and not offering his hand in return: I may very well be. If you have business then you should use the side entrance.

Man raising his eyebrows, pointing to the house: Oh I don't think so, sir, I am able to go anywhere I please, including right through that there grand front door of yours – oh sorry, his Lordship's, if the mood takes me.

Jarvis gritting his teeth, puffing out his chest and sizing the man up: Is that so?

Mrs Diggins, meanwhile, is dashing up and down like a maiden in distress, calling out for Lady Mary while Jarvis completely ignores her

Man grinning again and wobbling his head from side to side: Yes that is so. I am a bailiff, sir, and whatever Earl Whatisface owns is now mine, so to speak.

Jarvis hands on hips: Well, you're not taking anything today, we need far more notice!

Man rolling his eyes in annoyance: No sir – what is your name?

Jarvis becoming impatient: Jarvis, not that it's much of your business!

Man almost drooling with delight, flexing his fingers: No, Mr Jarvis, we're not taking anything today, just come to assess all the beautiful things in this grandest of grand country houses. Well, not quite the grandest. I'd say Petworth was grander than this sir, not that that family has any need for the likes of us!

Jarvis interrupting – the man was obviously out to rub him up the wrong way: Yes, thank you, Mr Jeffries, but I will NOT permit you to use the front door! You will go round the side and mind your manners, and you will be discreet, His Lordship is rather ill at the moment and he does not need any more disturbance or upset, do I make myself clear!

Mrs Diggins trying to force her way between the two men: Mr Jarvis! I beg you!

Jarvis rather curtly: ALRIGHT Mrs Diggins, I will be with you momentarily!

Mrs Diggins panic rising in her voice: But Mr Jarvis…….!

Jarvis turning to her, completely exasperated: Mrs Diggins, as I have said, I will be with you……..

Mrs Diggins to his shock grabbing him and spinning him round, pointing over to the statue: No, look!

Jarvis, Mrs Diggins and Mr Jeffries all gasp in horror. Lady Mary is attempting to haul her small, fragile frame up the side of the statue, and they can just about hear talking in a very animated fashion to it. Jarvis, momentarily snapping out of his disbelief, shoos away Mr Jeffries, ordering him round to the side of the house to get him out of the way. Glancing at Mrs Diggins, the two of them hurry across the grass and up to Lady Mary, who has by now managed to climb part way up, waving a hand at the statue, her skirts clinging and pulling on the stonework.

Lady Mary failing to notice the two servants calling out to her, most politely, to stop: What are you doing up there, Algie? What are you doing!

Mrs Diggins turning to Jarvis, panic in her eyes: Please, get her down from there, she'll hurt herself!

Jarvis, not really knowing the best way to pull down a disorientated, aristocratic lady from clinging to a statue she assumes to be the former Earl of Taplows, sighs, telling himself that it's all in a day's work as a butler. He is of course trained in this kind of thing, or having to turn his hand to anything, rather, so with some gentle words and coaxing manages to convince the old lady that being safe and sound on the grass is most certainly the best policy. He holds his hand out, Mrs Diggins shrieking inexplicably behind him and putting him off, and Lady Mary reluctantly takes it and he lifts her light frame off the statue. Once back on solid ground, she smiles but is obviously confused. Mrs Diggins is just about to speak when her Lady squints up at Jarvis, then reaches up, and to his absolute horror begins to stroke his cheek with a soft, wrinkled hand

Lady Mary smiling again and nodding knowingly: Ahh, Algie there you are. My sweet, sweet husband. My, you ARE more handsome than I remember, and I only saw you in the ornamental garden a few minutes ago.

Jarvis, unable to speak, begins to back away slowly, glaring at Mrs Diggins to get this crazy woman away from him. But Lady Mary, completely oblivious to this, continues to chatter at him about 'their little boy' (or the current Earl, rather) and how she had to send him to his room AGAIN that morning as nanny wasn't doing her job properly, and they must consider sacking her as she is convinced the little madam has been stealing his (Algie's) finest Malt again and stashing it under her bed. As Mrs Diggins coaxed Lady Mary away from caressing Jarvis' hand, she suddenly jumped forward twenty years and managed to have an entire discussion about 'their little boy's' education without absolutely zero input from 'Algie'

Up in one of the front bedrooms, the housekeeper is looking out of the window and down on the scene below, a small smile spreading across her lips. It is the first time she has felt a hint of humour since the terrible event of a few weeks ago, and she is amused to see her fiancé waving his arms around as he tries to block Lady Mary's advances, Mrs Diggins' less-than-slight frame trying to wedge itself between the two. Her Ladyship, obviously trying to get far more frisky with Jarvis than he would ever like in her wildest, and maddest, dreams, is dragged backwards slightly by Mrs Diggins, who manages to pin her arms down and pull her away, Jarvis pacing in circles before shaking his head and storming back into the house.

Flora Ryan chuckles to herself, watching him walking distinctively across the grass, willing him to look up and see her smiling down on him. If he had have seen her, she would have waved coyly, then held his gaze long enough for him to realise that she still cares for him very much, but he doesn't even notice her there. Disappointed, her thoughts consuming her, Flora turns but gasps in shock as she sees a man standing in the doorway. Instantly she begins to shake – she doesn't recognise him, he certainly isn't a servant as she would know him, but he isn't gentry either that is for sure. Gulping and moving backwards towards the window, panic begins to rise in her chest and her eyes widen

Flora trying to catch her breath: Who are you! What do you want!

Mr Jeffries smiling politely and stepping inside the bedroom: Jeffries, madam.

But Flora's panicked state gets the better of her, and sudden flashes of a maddened Will Senior flicker across her mind as she grips the front of her dress and backs right up to the window. The bailiff, baffled by this strange woman's behaviour, approaches her and tries talking to her, but she cannot hear a word he is saying about being a bailiff and just wanting to assess the items in the house.

Flora holding one hand out in front of her, her voice trembling in fear: Get out! Get out now! I don't know you!

Jeffries shaking his head: But………….?

Flora flying into a rage and lunging forward, shoving him out of the door in terror: Out now! Please, just leave me alone!

Suddenly, as if summoned by all the commotion, Jarvis appears in the doorway and instantly realises what is happening. Stupid Jeffries wandering in and scaring the living daylights out of Flora and triggering bad memories, that's what.

Jarvis dragging Jeffries down the corridor after calming down Flora: What do you think you are doing, wandering around! I told you to be careful!

Jeffries growling and waving discourteously at Flora: She's bonkers, that woman!

Jarvis grabbing him by the collar, to his shock: You do NOT have any opinion in this house, and you will treat a lady with respect, scaring her half to death! Now do your business, Mr Jeffries, then kindly leave!

Jeffries, muttering something about being in a mad house, scurries off as Jarvis glares after him before turning on his heels and marching back to check on Flora

However Flora had not waited for Jarvis to return, instead she had taken the opportunity to escape running along the long corridor though the East Gallery and then down the main staircase, passing the rotund Mrs Diggins and her batty charge with out a word and ignoring the surprised looks from Joseph and Fred who were stationed at the foot of the stairs. She just needed some fresh air, so she dashed through the servant's quarters and out into the stable yard. Pausing for a moment to catch her breath she leant back against the wall, her arms wrapped around her as she rocked slightly, willing the fear back into the pit of her stomach where it seemed permanently to reside.

It was like this that Will, emerging from the scullery for his mid morning break, found here. At first he paused on the threshold, he hadn't spoken with Mrs Ryan since the accident, he just hadn't been able to face her. By now he had managed to convince himself that everyone else was right, that he was just as much to blame as his father. That he didn't deserve anyone's friendship and so he kept himself isolated from the others throwing himself into his work even ignoring all of Lizzie's attempts to reconcile. Resigned to the fact that he still didn't have the nerve to face her Will turned silently and went back into the scullery.

However as he was putting his apron back over his head he heard a noise and turned around. Standing in front of him was Mrs Ryan. For a moment Will couldn't speak and he just stared at her in shock, tears springing to his eyes as they locked gazes and he saw the warmth and understanding in hers, and something else, could it be forgiveness? At that Will just crumpled, dropping to the floor and hugging his legs as if he were a small child; hiding his face so that the tears which were now falling freely would be hidden. Suddenly he felt arms around him drawing into a warm embrace and he buried his head into her shoulder, sobs racking his frame as he cried for her, the lost child, his mother and himself.

Flora held Will tightly, rocking him gently in her arms, smoothing his hair back soothingly and shushing him as she would a small child. After a few minutes Will seemed to exhausted himself and it was then Flora spoke, "I never blamed you Will and you shouldn't either, these things happen, its not right and its certainly not fair but such is life."

"But he came because of me…..!" Will gasped, looking up for the first time.

"You didn't ask him to, and even if you did….you're not responsible for his actions, a child is not accountable for the sins of their parents."

"But what if Mr Jarvis is right, what if I am just like my father, I always seem to hurt the people I love……" Then Will tailed off unable to meet her gaze.

Flora grasped his chin and forced him to look at her, "he's wrong Will, you are nothing like him; I know you! Given a choice between hurting someone or taking the pain yourself, you'd always take it upon yourself."

"Can you ever forgive me?" Will asked tentatively, seizing both her hands and bowing his head over like them like a child at prayer.

Flora leant forward placing a kiss on Will's forehead, to him it was like a heavy burden had just been released from his shoulders and he wanted to laugh with the relief of it. Freeing her hands Flora ran her fingertips over Will's cheeks removing all traces of his tears before speaking once more "stop living the life of a condemned man Will, you have your entire future ahead of you, if you let this hold you back for the rest of your life then your father has won." With that she rose and made her way over to the door.

Will got to his feet and as she was about to leave called out to her, "I hope Mr Jarvis realises how lucky he is, however if you ever feel like a change?" He added raising one eyebrow suggestively; causing Flora to laugh out loud for the first time in weeks and to Will it was a wonderful sound.

"I'll bear that in mind Mr Forest, in the eventuality that he is unable to carry out his duties I may take you up on that offer!" She retorted winking cheekily and with that she swept out of the scullery leaving Will standing staring dumbfounded after her.

Meanwhile upstairs the newly promoted Mr Adams stood preening himself in front of his own mirror, in his own room which he had to share with no one else, at this thought he couldn't contain the small gleeful grin that appeared on his face. It was amazing he thought how you never realise the joys of something as simple of privacy and peace and quiet until you loose it. He couldn't remember it being so difficult the first time round, maybe that was because his memory was playing tricks on him or maybe it was because there hadn't been a footman that snored like Frederick Matkin when he was younger. The sheer range of the lad's nasal orchestry astounded Adams as he had spent many nights unable to sleep listening to the Welshman's reverberating snores echo around the small footmen's bedroom, no matter what you did you couldn't escape them, the loud long deep ones physically vibrated the air, and the short high pitched wheezes would penetrate any pillow no matter how hard you had it wrapped securely over your head.

"No more sleepless nights for me!" He expounded joyfully to his reflection as he carefully trimmed his whiskers. At least not because of snoring he added mentally a lascivious smirk replacing his smile for a second as his thoughts returned to the more pleasant task of thinking about Lady Rebecca who was far more entertaining any day than Frederick Matkin. For a few moments Adams simple stood motionless before the mirror, then the loud bong of the Grandfather clock, which stood at the entrance to the servants hall, brought him quickly out of his reverie.

Puffing out his chest he smoothed down the lapels of his Under-butler uniform, taking care to arrange his cravat so it lay central. This uniform had never suited young Mr Forest; he just wasn't man enough to do it justice. No Adams thought with a malicious grin, his new uniform of butchers apron was far more suitable, even his Lizzie seemed to have gotten over whatever she felt for the lad; he had been keeping an eye on them both and they barely spoke these days. So he turned and with one last look at himself in the mirror and a quick swipe at his hair made his way downstairs determined to show Jarvis and everyone else how a proper under-butler behaved.

Later that day as evening drew in the footmen were sitting in their room, Fred and George were powdering their wigs whilst Johnny worked on buffing up their shoes, putting into practice all those years of experience as a master shoe shiner Suddenly the door was flung open by a very panicked Joseph.

"What's the matter mate?" Fred asked, slightly worried that it might be request for someone to come and fish Lady Mary's teeth out her bedpan again.

"Carriage…….On the hillside…..Mr Adams says to come quick….."And with that he turned and dashed back out to the front of the house leaving the others to struggle into their uniforms.

A few frenzied minutes later the footmen appeared at the front door still making last minute adjustments to their appearance; Fred George swapping wigs, each having grabbed the others in the mad dash out of the footmen's room. Mr Adams stood by the door, tutting disapprovingly, himself looking immaculate his collar pressed and his suit brushed even his shoes gleamed in the fading sunlight. As the carriage drew into the driveway, the lads caught a glimpse of the occupants one of whom they recognised immediately, Lady Caroline.

Fred immediately jumped forward and opened the door, whilst Mr Adams stood on hand to relieve the new arrivals of their travelling apparel. This gave George and Joe, who stood by the main door, ample opportunity to examine the other occupant. Physically he wasn't much to look at, mousey coloured hair, a somewhat overlong nose, and tall but a little on the weedy side. Although that was hardly surprising as he was obviously wealthy he probably had never had to carry anything heavier than his cane in his whole life, and even that he handed over to Mr Adams at the earliest opportunity.

It was this stranger who insisted on assisting Lady Caroline down from the carriage, a fawning look of total and utter devotion on his face, as he ignored her grousing and moaning about the long uncomfortable trip, instead making all efforts to placate the moody little madam.

"I'm sorry my darling but we did have to make the trip…." He was unable to finish his sentence as Lady Caroline cut him off with one of her looks.

"There is no need to remind me Julian, I have a mind of my own and I can understand perfectly the need to visit my father without your help!" She snapped sarcastically back at him, the affection in their relationship was obviously a one sided affair. Suddenly her attention focused on the sniggering servants, and with a round of scathing glances she stalked passed Mr Adams and into the main body of the house, her young man following at her heels like a demented love sick puppy.

Later that evening and the house was full of gossip over Lady Caroline and her new fiancée. The maids sat huddled around the fire, their sewing lying forgotten in their laps as the task of dissecting the honourable Lord Julian Dalrimple-Sykes proved a more engaging task.

"Don't you think……." Charlotte began.

"What?" Grace queried intrigued by the normally silent maid sudden entry into the conversation.

"Well couldn't she have picked someone else, I mean…well… he's not the very image of a man, now is he?"

Her naive phrasing struck Lizzie and Grace as incredibly amusing and they both burst out laughing, earning disapproving looks from Mr Adams who was keeping a firmer grip on the lower servants conduct since his promotion. Leaning forward so the others could hear her whisper, Lizzie began. "Well you know Charlotte beggars can't be choosers, I mean everyone knows what's happening to the Earl and how her inheritance has practically disappeared, and nobody especially nobility wants to marry a pauper. It would bring such shame and disgrace on their family, not to mention the added burden of supporting the Earl and his considerable drinking habit!" She added winking maliciously, a sly grin tugging at the side of her mouth.

Suddenly their girly tête-à-tête was interrupted by the arrival of the lads, they had just spent the last few hours serving dinner, no mean feat when you are one footman short, but fortunately the food had been moderately hot upon arrival and so Will's absence had gone unnoticed by all except Lady Caroline, but she hadn't commented on this out loud, preferring to raise a querying eyebrow to George when the others were not looking.

Exhausted the lads collapsed against the table, clamouring for the beer Mr Jarvis had provided as a reward for their hard work, sighing Grace got to her feet and went and fetched it. On her return she settled herself down next to George and elbowed him gently, "Sooooooooooooooooooooooo!" She asked impatient for more gossip.

George turned to her a deadpan expression on his face, "So What? Miss May?" He replied playing dumb, preferring to have her beg him for titbits of gossip.

Realising he was toying with her Grace leant forward and brought her face to rest mere inches from his, then softly reached up and traced his jaw line with her fingertips, before grabbing his cravat and almost strangling him. "Tell Me!" She demanded, tugging playfully on his cravat.

"Alright woman, hold your horses! I presume you're talking about our house guest, the estimable, honourable, Lord Julian Dalrimple-Sykes, younger son of the Duke and Duchess of Cheshire?" He was rewarded for his stating the obvious by another sharp tug on his cravat combined with a pull on his tails.

With a slight grimace at this continued man handling George grasped both of Grace's hands before continuing, "Well what more is there to say? He's a bit of a snob but he does notice things, he commented on the small number of staff, especially the number of footmen. Moaning about how long it took to get his bags unloaded, apparently they have eight footmen at his family's country estate."

"Ohhhhhhhh," added Grace, "I bet Lady Caroline and the Earl didn't like him mentioning that, you know how touchy they are over this whole finance business."

George smiled at her, "Grace have you been listening at keyholes again." He teased.

Most indignant Grace sat up straight, her checks flushed and her trademark pout much in evidence, turning away from him slightly she retrieved her sewing and sat with her back towards him acting as if the patchwork she was finishing was the most fascinating thing in the room. Amused at first by her childishness George tried to cajole her into turning around but to no avail, deciding that if that was how she wanted it two could play at that game.

Looking around the room to make sure that Mr Adams was now no longer in sight he slid along the bench and seized Grace's sewing out of her hands. Standing up he held the patchwork aloft taunting the shorter maid by lowering it just enough so that if she jumped she could retrieve it before raising it out of her reach. Frustrated and now very hot and bothered Grace decided on a simpler method, albeit a rather more painful one for George Cosmo, and stamped down hard on his left foot causing George to yelp in pain and drop her sewing. For a moment Grace stood there amused content to simple watch George hop helplessly, grasping his now throbbing foot in his hands but after a while she relented and assisted him into a chair. At first George just glared at her as he massaged his damaged toes, but he couldn't remain angry at her for long not when she continued to fuss over him like she was doing.

"So what did they say?" Grace asked.

"What did who say?" George replied confused, the pain from his foot diverting his attention from their previous conversation.

"The Earl and Lady Caroline, how did they react to Lord Julian's remark?"

"Well the Earl didn't say much he sort of mumbled something incoherent, but Lady Caroline got all uppity and upset and practically bit the upper-class twits head off. She made it quite clear that they normally have another footman but for some reason he wasn't present tonight, but he would be back tomorrow."

"Ohh, how is Jarvis going to react to that?" Grace asked shocked.

Shrugging his shoulders George sighed, "don't ask me love, but I wouldn't like to be in Will's shoes when he does!"

Over in Jarvis's office the butler sat at his desk his new book of figures open in front of him, it's pages clear and waiting to be filled however Jarvis sat there poised pen in hand. It wasn't as easy as he thought it would be, a new book signifies a new chapter in the life of a butler. However as he glanced over at the shelf where the old one lay he has an overwhelming urge to go and open it and leaf through it's reassuringly full pages. As he stared at the blank page in front of him, he wondered whether this bleak expanse was all he had to look forward to now. He had resisted starting a new book before because there had seemed to be little point, Flora and he would have been leaving Taplows in a matter of a few short weeks as by that stage in her pregnancy it would have been obvious to all. However now who knows how long they would be here, Flora was unwilling to discuss the wedding, yet Jarvis had stubbornly refused to cancel the church. In his heart he hoped against hope that she would come around before then and that in a matter of weeks she would be Mrs Corey as planned.

Sighing to himself Walter pushed the book away from him and getting up from his desk wandered over to wall cabinet, removing a bottle of brandy and a glass, pausing for a moment to count the bottles in confusion, he hadn't drunk that many? He could have sworn there was at least fifteen when they got back from Italy, and he had only drank three in a little over a year, so where had the other eight gone. Growling to himself his thoughts drifted between two possible culprits, Mr Adams and William Forest, they are the only two stupid enough to think that they could get away with stealing from me! Although he knew from personal experience that Adam's was more of a whiskey man, the Earls single malt to be more precise, so that left Forest.

A malicious grin spread onto Walter's face, theft now there was something he could sack the little monster over if only he could prove it. Maybe after Will had gone, and all connections to that incident were removed Flora would start to come around, it couldn't be easy for her having to face the possibility of coming face to face with that little toe rag every day. So in a way he'd be doing it not to punish Forest, although he rightly deserved it, but to help his beloved Flora, he tried to convince himself. However in the depths of his soul, there was a little part of him that spoke out in a clear voice that could not be extinguished, you're not doing it for Flora you're doing it for yourself. Pushing it to one side Walter concentrated on ways of catching out his crafty thief, it was thus engaged that his thoughts were interrupted by a short sharp tap on the door.

Waving for the person to enter Jarvis paid little attention to who it was until they slammed the book shut on his desk. Shaken from his thoughts he glanced up and saw a stern Flora staring down at him. Suddenly he got to his feet, delighted that she had actual sought out his company, but before he could exclaim his delight Flora cut him off.

"Mr Jarvis what do you mean by drinking on duty?"

Astounded and more than a little hurt Walter picked up his brandy glass and downed the remainder before pouring himself another, "I do believe that is my business Mrs Ryan, after all the Earl has himself retired, you are more than welcome to join me." He replied indicating the opposite chair as he sat back down in his. However as Flora made her way over to it Jarvis gave into one of his spontaneous ideas and seized her round the waist drawing her onto his lap. At first she struggled but Jarvis held on to her, determined not to let her get away as this was the closest he'd been to her in weeks.

"Walter for god sake let me go!" She exclaimed.

"I thought I told you before I never have any intention of doing so!" He replied pulling her closer.

Realising the futility of further struggling, Flora relaxed allowing Walter to hold her in his arms before finally giving in and resting her head on his shoulder. Jarvis now convinced that she was not going to get up and run away, released his tight grip on her, leaving one hand resting on her waist but allowing the other to rub up and down her back. "I've missed you." He whispered into her hair, allowing himself to place a row of kisses along her forehead.

For a few moments they sat in silence simply enjoying being in each others company, Walter wanting desperately to talk to her about so many things but afraid to begin just in case she ran away. Instead he decided on a safer topic of conversation. "So Flora what was it you wanted to talk about? The upcoming nuptials?"

At this Flora sat up sharply a look of panic on her face, and Walter realised what his question had sounded like to her, "I meant that of Lady Caroline and Lord Sykes, after all it will be held here which means a lot of organising for us to do…." He added quickly, desperate not to loose her now she was here.

"No actually…..Walter we need to talk." Jarvis smiled at that, finally this was what he had been waiting for, however her next words knocked the wind right out of his sails.

"About Will."

"What about him?" Jarvis asked his voice becoming icy.

"You can't go on punishing him like this it's not his fault…."

"Not HIS fault! How can you of all people say that? He helped murder our child!"

"No he didn't! He had nothing to do with it Walter, he's just as much a victim here as you or I were."

"Him a VICTIM!" Jarvis bellowed getting to his feet and dislodging Flora, who stumbled at first before regaining her balance. "William Forest is no victim, he's a thieving, lying, philandering wastrel….."

"No he isn't he's just a boy!" Flora pleaded with him, seizing his arm.

Walter shook her off, "No he's not he's a grown man, capable of fighting his own battles, he shouldn't need to hide behind a woman's petticoats. Especially not those of a certain woman whose petticoats he's been anxious to get into ever since he arrived!"

Shocked and disgusted that Walter could be so crude Flora backed away, but Jarvis followed her. "So tell me Flora why are you so anxious to defend him? Is there something going on here that you're not telling me?" Mutely Flora shook her head.

"Really? You see I find it difficult to believe that you'd defend any of the other footmen so vigorously if their positions were reversed, you seem to have quite the soft spot for the young Mr Forest.."

"Walter don't be ridiculous, there is nothing going on just like there was nothing going on between me and Felix or me and anyone else for that matter…."

Slightly calmer Jarvis shook his head, she was right he was being absurd he just found it difficult to reconcile the idea of a woman having platonic male friends especially when he happened to know for sure that man had a rather large crush on her.

"Just give me your word that nothing improper has ever happened between you, nothing at all!" He asked glancing up at her, expecting an immediate acknowledgement.

Flora stood there like a rabbit in the lamplight, all she had to do was lie, after all it was only a kiss, Walter never needed to know; but could she lie to him?

"Flora?" Jarvis growled, closing the distance between them rapidly when she didn't immediately answer, grasping her roughly by the shoulders and shaking her. "What did he do?" The images of them together, laughing at Jarvis behind his back filled his mind.

"Nothing, Walter it was nothing really, just a kiss and it was ages ago before we got back together when I was going to marry Felix!"

Furious Jarvis barely restrained himself, he turned from her quickly and vented his anger on his desk, flinging the items on top one by one at the opposite wall before picking up the desk and turning it over. Finally exhausted he slumped down in his fireside chair, his back to the terrified Flora who was curled up in a ball in the corner.

"So I suppose that Kiss doesn't count in your mind? I mean after all it was only poor Felix you were officially cheating on!" Jarvis expounded sarcastically. "That is of course if it did stop there?"

Slowly Flora raised herself up off the floor, "Of course it did!"

"Well why should I believe you, after all by the time we got back together how I am I supposed to know that you weren't even third handed by then? Hmmmm, tell me was it so very different with a much younger man, I'm sure what he was lacking in experience he made up for in enthusiasm and stamina?" He turned and glared at Flora, who by now was shaking with fury.

"How dare you!" She hissed. "How dare you of all people have the nerve to sit there and lecture me? You ask me how you can believe me? Well I'll tell you Walter Corey I don't lie. If I did wouldn't it have been easier to just swear nothing had ever happened, besides I don't think you're one can question my fidelity not after I caught you in your nightshirt coming out of another woman's bedroom." At this she turned and walked towards the door only adding, "People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." Before she opened the door and left Jarvis alone with his thoughts.

The following morning, Jarvis was in no lighter frame of mind, his mood was as black as the midnight sky after spending what seemed like the entire night awake, tossing and turning. He wouldn't have minded that one bit had Flora been next to him, even though she'd be there scolding him for being so restless, at least she would have put her arms around him to hold him still. The thought of such bliss only in the past tense was really getting to Walter now, especially after their embrace the previous evening, when he allowed himself to hope that things were at last beginning to get back on track. He dared not recall any further their conversation, as once he remembered her revelation regarding the much loathed Will Forrest, he could not stop himself from trembling with revulsion.

Whilst he could not fault her for her honesty, he wished to god he had never pursued his line of enquiry, after all, he only did so as he was so secure in the knowledge that she would refute his claims, but when this turned out to be a spectacular misjudgement on his part, he was shell shocked to say the least. When she had left him, it had all painfully sunk in deeper. With Felix it had just been an irrational jealousy, he had not once seriously thought that he and Flora were involved, as there was no indication of any physical attraction between them. But to learn of a kiss, a KISS between her and the former first footman, this … well this was something else.

At the breakfast table, whereas he would normally not take his eyes off of the housekeeper, that morning he just sat, stirring his tea aimlessly, until it went cold, shuffling his slice of toast back and forth across his plate. That morning, he couldn't bear to look at her exquisitely moulded lips, for the image of them locked with the youngster's was far too much for him to stomach. The same image had been imprinted in his mind for the past ten hours, just when he had managed to shift it, another wave of jealousy would overcome him, bringing it back in full Technicolor, each time getting more vivid and equally sordid.

Currently, he was sat, at the head of the upper servants table as usual, but unusually devoid of all manners, as his hands were clasped, both elbows on the table as he leaned on his knuckles, staring into space. He was suddenly jolted awake by a hand gently squeezing his shoulder. After blinking, he could see that he was the only one left at the table, and noticed the time as almost half eight on the mantle clock. He looked up and over his right shoulder, to see Flora standing above him, her head titled, she was obviously trying to engage his stare. She managed this for no more than a second before he looked straight forward, breathing in, as he drew himself up to his full (seated) height, before asking her in a rather clinical tone of voice, "And what can I do for you Mrs Ryan?"

"Walter, his lordship has had to send for you, he expected you in his study ten minutes ago." she informed him.

"Always the bringer of bad tidings aren't we my dear?" he said with a sarcastic grin on his face as he rose out of his chair, turning to face her.

At this Flora looked down at the ground, unwilling to give into his taunts, biting her top lip, then taking a deep breath in before raising her head to look him in the eye. "He's most insistent you go forthwith, haven't you heard him ringing?"

"No, I'm afraid I haven't much more pressing things on my mind at the moment, but lets not go into them eh?" he retorted initially light heartedly, but getting more spiteful towards the end, brushing past her on his way towards the door.

Her reflexes as sharp as ever, Flora seized his hand, anchoring him to the spot, causing him to swing round sharply. "Please Walter, we need to talk."

"Really? I think you said enough for the both of us last night. But, if you can tear yourself away from the subject of master Forrest for long enough, I'm sure whatever it is can keep." he said defiantly, his eyes fixed determinedly on hers.

This received a rather tearful look from the housekeeper, one which pained him to see, prompting him to squeeze her hand gently, softly rubbing it with his thumb, his eyes flickering back and forth between hers, willing a tear not to drop, out of fear that his whole angry stance with her would be lost, and she would have got round him once more. After a few moments, this time he did hear the Earl's bell ringing, at which he turned on his heels and marched up to the study, feeling marginally better than he had done at breakfast.

However, shortly after entering the study, his more positive frame of mind was crushed. Once again he had intruded on another father-daughter squabble between the Earl and Lady Caroline. Although he could tell they had been having words for sometime before his arrival, it was not yet resolved, and spilled over into Jarvis' morning lecture.

"Jarvis, where the devil have you been?" the Earl scoffed in a somewhat gruffer tone of voice than usual.

"I, I'm sorry your Grace, there was a slight staffing problem…." Jarvis started

"Your damned right there is man, I'm told we've lost a footman - why wasn't I informed of this? By gum, I know I never authorised it!"

"Well, um…." Jarvis had no idea what to say, in all honesty he never thought the Earl would have actually noticed.

"Well, spit it out man, where is the fourth!" the Earl demanded.

As Jarvis sought for the words to tell him about the whole Will situation (well, not the actual Will situation, a fabricated one), Lady Caroline chirped up "Well I don't know how we manage to get by with just the four anyway! In London, its quite unheard of to have under 6, oh really Daddy, must we appear so destitute!"

"We have been through this" the Earl seethed, glaring at his spoilt daughter, obviously having been over (and probably over) this before "You know we simply do not have the means to take on extra staff, that's why I employ Jarvis here in order to best utilise those we have." At this, Lady Caroline lifted up her skirts and stormed out, while the Earl turned back to Jarvis who had just about got his story straight "Though possibly not for much longer if he persists to dilly-dally!"

"My Lord, Mr William Forrest is currently undergoing a disciplinary procedure, and consequently has been withdrawn from all duties as footman until further notice" he stated informatively with some satisfaction.

"Disciplinary proceedings? What on earth does he need disciplining for?" The Earl obviously wanted to get to the bottom of this, throwing Jarvis off guard once more with this probing question.

"He, he …"

"This isn't a laughing matter Jarvis!" The Earl barked, less than amused at the butler's feeble attempt.

"A few weeks ago, he got into a scuffle with a few of the locals, he came off worse, but was entirely to blame by all accounts, and I have sought to make him see the error of his ways, Sir." Good recovery, he thought to himself.

"I don't care if he's roughed up Prince Albert himself, that boy will be back at his full duties by lunchtime, do you hear me?" The Earl declared, laying down the law.

"But Sir, he has to be-"

"Nonsense, a good hiding will have taught him all he needed to learn."

"But Sir!" Jarvis could hardly believe what the Earl was asking him to do.

"But Sir nothing! I employ four footmen Jarvis, and since only three are being paid, I have a good mind to withdraw the wages of the forth! But, as my daughter and her esteemed fiancé have observed, we are indeed in need of all the footmen we can afford, so you WILL reinstate this Mr Forrest, and you will be held personally responsible for ensuring that he make no further trouble for himself - do you understand?"

At this, Walter just stood there, looking down at the paisley carpet, clenching his fists and breathing heavily. He did manage to muster a "Yes Sir", however, this went unheard by the old man, who bellowed "Look at me when I'm talking to you - do you understand!"

"YES SIR!" came Jarvis' reply as his head darted up, looking the Earl straight in the eye. His reply came with such conviction, that he may as well have been a Corporal, answering his Sergeant Major. Indeed, the Earl was rather taken aback at the forcefulness of the reply, so Jarvis decided to venture it a third time, at a lower pitch, as he slowly backed out of the room after giving a most courteous bow.

Half an hour later, the butler is back in his office, glaring menacingly at his empty book of figures in the furthest left hand corner of his desk, his feet resting upon it (uncaring about the new leather patch he had just had recovered), top button undone, half empty glass of brandy gently swaying in his right hand. He'd stormed back downstairs after his meeting with the Earl, clashing with Johnny on the central servants staircase, the poor boy dropping the entire tea tray he was just about to take to Lord Julian.

Surprisingly, Jarvis didn't seem to give two hoots about that, just yelling at him to go and fetch that 'dastard' Will Forrest on his way back. For a second the hapless footman looked at his superior in amazement, having mistaken the word dastard for something else. This ignorance did annoy Jarvis however, who then poked and prodded Johnny all the way down to the end of the corridor (once he'd cleared up the debris naturally).

Placing the now empty brandy glass back down onto the desk, he leant back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his left thumb and forefinger. He looked at his watch - ten to nine - ten to bloody nine and he'd already polished off a large brandy, the strain of the day already taking its toll when it had hardly started. He knew he shouldn't, but he felt he needed a drink if he was to get through this next meeting intact.

He was absolutely livid that his decision to punish Will had be overruled by the Earl, so it was totally out of his hands. Even Flora had not been able to subdue his abhorrence of Will, quite the opposite in the end. He was damned if he was going to allow her to think for even a second that her feeble pleas had got him to change his mind, so resolved that once the deed was done, he would make it clear to her, and then the entire staff that he had not relinquished willingly, after he had informed Will of that first of course.

At that resolve, he heard a tap on the door, after hiding the brandy glass, and with a heavy heart, rising from his chair slightly, he sighed "enter".

He slumped back down in his chair as if in a sulk when it was Johnny who poked his head around the door frame. "I thought I told you to go and get Will Forrest!" he hollered, just wanting to get it over and done with now.

"I'm sorry Mr Jarvis Sir, but Mr Finch says he'll be a few minutes, he's just trawling the bottom of the pond at the moment, apparently Lady Mary dropped a piece of jewellery in there which she just cant do without - Mr Finch has sent one of the chimney boys to fetch him."

"Yes, yes, that will do!" Jarvis insisted, waving Johnny out of the door.

For a moment or two, Jarvis put his legs back up on the table and considered pouring another glass of brandy, to help get the Dutch courage back that the unexpected appearance of Johnny had just knocked out of him. However, on second thoughts, he decided that if he were to go and pay Flora a visit, he didn't want her catching him with brandy on his breath at such an hour …. Not that she'd get that close though, he said to himself dejectedly.

It was in this subdued manner that Will found the butler on entering his office, where he had anticipated, (and got) a somewhat frosty reception. As Will stood in front of his desk, Walter sat still, looking up at him, though Will did not return the stare. Surprisingly, Jarvis had a rather smug grin on his face, as Will was dripping wet, covered in the dirtiest and most foul smelling water imaginable - and to think, Jarvis had been complaining that the men hadn't turned up for its annual drainage and renewal!

Jarvis tried to picture it, but the only image he could form was that of the kiss he stole from Flora, the thought of which immediately brought him back to his threatening thoughts. Finally, he found the words to speak. "So, Mr Finch keeping you busy is he?" he mused.

"Well yes Mr. Jarvis I-"

"Oh spare me." Jarvis cut him off. "Now Forrest, first and foremost, you are only here because of a decree made by his lordship, if I'd had my way, you'd be scouring that cesspool of a pond for all eternity - are we clear?"

"Yes"

"Yes what?" Jarvis ordered, exaggeratedly raising his right hand to his ear, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes Mr Jarvis Sir" Will in a heavy tone of voice.

"That is better!" Jarvis said patronisingly, walking from behind his desk, looking Will up and down. "Now, on his lordships request, you have been raised from your lowly rank, back to footman-"

There Jarvis stopped, Will, who kept his head and stare strictly facing front, had made the catastrophic error of letting the butler see the smile on his face, at being reunited with the other junior servants. However, Jarvis interpreted this as not a smile, but a smirk, and a personal insult to him to boot. Consequently, he stalked back behind his desk, having gone full circle, and leant on it with both hands.

"But don't think your back to First Footman, oh no, not even second, third or fourth for that matter! His lordship did not take it upon himself to assign you a rank, that, now that is left up to me."

At this, Will gulped and for the first time since he was demoted, looked Jarvis straight in the eye as he continued "You sunshine, will be the lowest of the low, if I could jog the books to hire your replacement, I would do so in a instant, but the fact remains that as we are at full stretch as it is, so you will have to do."

At such a put down, Will broke the staring contest, looking out through the glass windows in disapproval, asking in a ungrateful tone of voice "Is that all Mr Jarvis, SIR?"

"Not quite Mr Forrest, not quite" Jarvis teased, his mouth curled up at the corners, but on the inside, he was cringing, this was the part he least looked forward to, but he knew damned well it had to be done. He didn't want to give Will the satisfaction of learning that he knew of the kiss he shared with Flora, but had to warn him off all the same. "I don't know what yarn you've spun my fiancé, but your riddles won't fool me - the fact of the matter is, that animal was here because of you, and be it directly or indirectly, because of you, I have lost my child, Mrs Ryan has lost … her … child" he said, slowing his pace as he went, intending to hammer them home to the person he still regarded as ultimately responsible. "She seems to have got it into her head, or rather you've planted it in her head, that your one of the good guys, a lost soul, but I'm far from convinced. The only thing I'm sure of is you're going to stay away from her, away from both of us, because I for one can't stand the sight of you!" he hissed.

Will just stood there, grinding his teeth, breathing heavily and shooting a deadly cold stare at Jarvis, who returned this himself, creating an atmosphere you could cut with an axe. Will thought to himself, he knew who had the brains as well as the looks in their relationship, it certainly wasn't this idiot if he still couldn't see the fact that consciously, he had nothing to do with his loss, but felt its repercussions as much as they did.

"That was your cue to go by the way" Jarvis said in a unnervingly calm tone, sitting back down in his chair, opening his book. But as Will approached the door, he continued "Don't expect your colleagues to give you any warmer a welcome, except that poor misguided soul George Cosmo, after all, they do say there's great honour amongst thieves!"

"Thieves, we're no bloody thieves?" Will protested.

"That may well be so … Its just an expression Mr Forrest, don't look so worried"

Jarvis now spoke in a most friendly voice, which unsettled Will further, so he once again turned, heading for the door, with a courteous "Sir"

Just as Will turned the handle, Jarvis called out "Oh, one last thing, do you enjoy a glass of brandy now and again?"

Looking over his shoulder in complete confusion - was he even offering him a drink now? - replying in his thick Yorkshire accent "Brandy? Nah, can't stand the stuff sorry, Sir"

"Very well" Jarvis said excessively sarcastically, with a nod, as Will was finally able to get through the door.

When it was closed, Jarvis threw the book to be filled with figures down on the table, rose from his chair and paced up and down a few dozen times in front of his fire place. 'Damn' he cursed to himself, thumping his fist down on the mantle, he was sure that he'd get the young troublemaker with that last question. In that case, 'just where had the brandy got to?' he puzzled, resisting the urge to scratch his head, electing instead to gently pat the little balding patch on top of his head. He was convinced it had been stress induced, and had grown larger these past few weeks, especially in the absence of Flora planting a kiss there, assuring him that it greatly added to his character. With that thought, after tugging his waistcoat down to straighten it, he left his room to survey his employees, before seeking out Flora, to carry out a more personal study.

An hour later and the whole staff had been called together in the Lower Servants hall for an impromptu staff meeting. Will delighted to be back in livery, stood at the back of the room as many of the other junior servants were still ignoring him, and sensibly he had no desire to feel the full force of Jarvis's fury twice in one morning. After a few minutes in walked the senior staff, Jarvis striding in first, followed enthusiastically by Mr Adams and then at a more sedate pace Mrs Ryan. As she entered the room her eyes flickered over the assembled staff, for a moment they locked with Will's and she gave him a small smile of encouragement, which he returned gratefully, before her mask of authority once more descended.

"Settle down!" Jarvis barked his bad mood from the morning now evident to all and the staff quietened immediately. "Now I have quite a few items to get through and we don't have all day! Firstly we will be gaining a few new members of staff as certain members of Lord Julian's household will be joining us for the duration of his stay at Taplows. I expect you all to extend to them all the courtesy we show to all our guests, despite our troubles we still have standards and I will not have the name of Taplows further disgraced, if I hear anything of the sort it will be my pleasure to throw the perpetrator out on their ear without a warning or reference!" At this Jarvis paused his eyes scanning over the assembled faces until he locked glances with Will and then he smiled maliciously, "a pleasure, believe me…. We have no room here for idleness or troublemakers!"

"Sir?"

"Yes Mr Matkin."

"Well I was wondering, these new servants when will they be arriving?"

"According to his lordship, Lord Julian's personal valet will be arriving this evening, the other staff, coachmen and stable hands will arrive in the next few days….." At this point Jarvis stopped dead a look of total bewilderment on his face. Surprised at this sudden silence the rest of the staff looked about bemused, and Mrs Ryan walked over to the Butler to check he was all right. Nodding furiously Jarvis glanced down at his notebook, by try as he might he had lost his thread and his attention kept being caught by the bizarre occurrences going on in the servants courtyard. Turning to Flora he shoved his notes into her hands and indicated for her to continue whilst he himself investigated.

Leaving the rest of the staff inside Jarvis made his way out of the side door and out into the yard, the need to confirm what he had seen pressed heavily on him. As soon as he opened the door he was met by the most bizarre of sights. Lord Julian's behind! The head and shoulders of the aristocrat could not be seen, probably because they were located down the well. Curious and slightly nervous Jarvis strode over, unwilling to shout and possibly scare his lordship into toppling over, he chose to stand a good foot away and cough politely. For a good few minutes he had no response, however just as he was about to cough again, Lord Julian suddenly withdrew his head and began to make furious notes. At first he seemed oblivious of Jarvis's presence, but when he had finished his notes he looked up and acknowledged the butler. "Ahh Jasper just the person I was looking for!"

"It's Jarvis Sir, how can I be of assistance, have you lost something?"

Julian shook his head and waved away Jarvis's comments dismissively, "No No nothing like that, I need to have access to all the machinery currently employed here at Talpows, automatic spits and the like. Would you be a good fellow and show me around? This place is like a rabbit warren, I got lost three times trying to get down here from the main house."

For a moment Jarvis paused, who the hell did this loony lord think he was a tour guide? As butler he was far too busy to spend his day leading him around by the hand just so he didn't get lost and end up in the cess pit. "Of course Sir, I would be delighted to find someone to show you everything you wish to see." For a moment he considered assigning such an onerous task to Mr Forest, however he quickly realised that the potential negative side affects of this, such as Julian leaving Taplows and never returning, would possibly just outweigh the tremendous personal satisfaction he would feel. He would just have to find some other person to do the job.

Jarvis stalked back into the main hall Lord Julian scampering behind him, eager and excited like a child on Christmas Eve, especially when he saw the giant fireplace and bellows which he dashed over to scribbling furiously in his notebook, ignorant of the looks he was receiving from the servants scattered around him. Jarvis left him there striding through the hallways looking for Mr Adams. As he passed Flora's office door he heard Adam's voice and he quickly opened the door wider and marched through.

"Ahhhhh Mr Adams there you are! I have a task of the utmost importance for you." Jarvis said sarcastically with a small sly grin.

"Yes Sir!" Adams replied enthusiastically practically jumping to attention, causing Jarvis to step back in surprise.

"Calm down man, I haven't told you what it is yet!" At this Jarvis shot a quick glance over to Flora who was standing behind her desk her hand over her mouth suppressing a quiet giggle, Jarvis raised his eyebrow and winked conspiratorially at her.

"Lord Julian requires your assistance in the lower servants' hall. Please extend to him every assistance, but for god's sake get him out of here! The last thing we need is one of them underfoot all day!" He added looking disdainfully up at the ceiling, scowling at the space where he imagined the Earl would be.

"Yes Sir right away Sir!" Adams barked back and practically ran out of the door anxious to make a good impression on the new arrival.

For a moment no one spoke, they both stared at the closed door where a few seconds ago Andrew Adams had been, before bursting out into laughter. Jarvis staggered over to the desk, almost bent double with laughter and threw himself down into the chair, Flora giggling madly leant back against the desk for support.

"Who would have thought it possible?…." She gasped.

Jarvis smiled broadly and rubbed the bridge of his nose distractedly, "I know, I know….I'm convinced something is going on with him we are unaware of…."

"What like divine intervention? Flora asked still wheezing slightly.

Jarvis shook his head slightly, "I was thinking more along the lines of an impostor!"

"He could just be trying to impress you…." She countered quickly.

"Me! He's never bothered about what I think before…..But you may be right, maybe he is trying to impress, but somehow I doubt it's me."

"Who then, the Earl?"

Jarvis shook his head, his brow drawn in concentration, "No, somehow I think there's a woman involved!" Then Jarvis raised his gaze to look at Flora, and teasingly he asked, "You don't have any more admirers I should be aware of?"

"Walter Corey!" Flora exclaimed, her cheeks flaming, and she punched him playfully on the arm.

Jarvis caught hold of her wrist and drew her closer. "Well if you do start finding strange presents left outside your door, bunches of thistles or a pound or two of haggis don't say I didn't warn you!"

"Walter be serious!" Flora replied, resisting his efforts to pull her onto his lap.

"Well then who else could it be?" Jarvis asked standing up slowly, his other hand sneaking round her waist. "One of your maids?"

"Or Mrs Diggins?" Flora replied, her giggles returning in full force.

Jarvis frowned slightly as if in the effort of thinking hard. "Mrs Diggins, well I suppose so, stranger things have happened. Do you think I should have a quiet word with the lady in question? Warn her to be on her guard around Scottish Casanovas!"

Flora snorted and her giggles became higher and higher pitched as she struggled for breath, resorting to poking Walter in the stomach instead of replying.

"Ow!" He exclaimed after a particular sharp and well-placed prod, seizing her wrists to protect himself from further injury. "So you want to play rough?" He asked raising his eyebrow mischievously.

Flora's giggles stopped as she saw the look on his face and she tried to back away, but for every move she made he mirrored her until they were both backed up against the desk. Flora looked around for an opportunity to escape and spied her smaller book of figures lying open on her desk, seizing this firmly she threw it in Walter's direction, intending to distract rather than injure him. The book itself did miss the Butler, however the inkwell, which had sat on the open book, hit him plum on the chest, the purplely blue liquid spilling down his shirt and staining his waistcoat as it went.

For a moment both just stared in shock. Then they sprang into action at the same time, Flora grabbing a spare handkerchief and Walter stripping off the offending items before more damage could be sustained. As soon as he was down to his vest she seized the stained clothing and went to work with her handkerchief and a glass of water. Shivering slightly in only his vest Jarvis bent down and picked up the offending inkwell, the remaining ink now staining his fingers and as he stood up a plan for revenge formed in his mind.

It was as Flora leant over the table trying furiously to remove the stain, Walter walked up behind her and dipping his fingers in the ink streaked them down her nose and across her cheekbones. Outraged Flora turned round, her beautiful face now streaked like a Native American's, and she reached for the inkwell. Jarvis laughing, held it just out of her reach and backed away taunting, however a determined Flora tripped him up, pushing him down backwards on to the floor before seizing the inkwell and streaking his face as well.

"Stop it you harridan!" Jarvis bellowed, secretly delighted that Flora had broken free from her melancholy. Pulling her close he rolled them both over so that he could pin her down and have his hands free to cover her in yet more ink. Flora giggled madly and squealed as he drew purplely lies across her forehead and down her neck, retaliating by smearing the last of the ink across his face and into his hair.

Pausing for a moment Walter looked deeply into her eyes, raising a hand and brushing his fingers softly down her cheek. Their gazes locked, her eyes pulling him down like magnets and he leant down placing a soft almost hesitant kiss on her lips. Withdrawing slightly Walter rubbed his nose playfully against hers, placing inky kisses on the tip of her nose and then along her jaw-line before nuzzling under her ear.

Suddenly the door slammed open and the pair were disturbed by a high-pitched screaming. Jarvis still clad only in his vest jumped quickly to his feet before reaching down and assisting Flora to her feet.

"Algernon! How Could you? You promised me!" Lady Mary screamed at the bemused butler.

"Lady Mary…." Jarvis tried to calm the distressed aristocrat, but he's pleas were cut off.

"Oh don't you dare try and weasel out of this one! I've caught you red handed this time and with your shirt off, rolling around the floor with one of the servants! It was bad enough last time when it was Lady Wympole! And after you promised me so faithfully! That's it I warned you last time, and this time I mean to go through with it, I'm leaving you and I'm taking the baby with me!" With that parting shot she turned and hitching her skirts ran sobbing back to her room, leaving two very stunned and worried servants behind.

Later that day as the evening mists were rolling off the hillside and down towards Taplows, one of the footmen stood in the drizzle shivering. Winter was following closely on the heels of autumn and in an effort to escape the dampness and biting wind Will pulled his thin jacket further around him. Blowing on his numb hands he resigned himself to finishing his task and shovelled another load on manure into his already heavy-laden wheelbarrow. Finally it was full enough to satisfy even the sadistic Andrew Adams. Under his breath Will cursed the under-butler with the foulest of names, kicking a small rock towards a tree taking great delight in imagining it was Adams's face he was smashing. After a few moments of envisioning all the nasty things he wished he could do to his superior, Will shook himself out of his stupor, wiping the rain off of his face and bending down to seize the barrow and wheel it back to the house.

He was heading down the hill when suddenly he heard voices and the crack of a whip; pausing for a moment he looked back over his shoulder and saw the carriage approach. Realising that this must be the new Valet Will wandered over to the edge of the road and waited, realising that this first glimpse of the new staff might well be his ticket to acceptance by many of the other servants. As the carriage began its descent of the hill the driver reined in the horses to a medium trot, therefore as it passed Will was able to get a good look at the occupants. There was one man in the far corner; one who caught Will's eye and smirking tipped his hat in mockery of a greeting. Stunned Will stood for a second, unable to believe what his eyes had seen, him! Turning on his heel Will ran down the hill as fast as he could, consumed by one thought alone he abandoned his wheelbarrow, he had to warn them.

Meanwhile at the house, the Upper servants were gathering for dinner. A now clean Jarvis stood at the head of the table, knife in hand about to carve the joint, his beloved Flora sat next to him studiously ignoring the amused glances the rest of the staff were sending them. The news of Lady Mary's unexpected visit had managed to circulate amongst the household and so had the manner in which she had found the two most senior of the household staff. Both Butler and Housekeeper had had all afternoon to perfect the skill of turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to sniggers and giggles.

Fortunately most people seemed to find it amusing and so had no intention of ratting them out their superiors, many were just pleased that things seemed to be getting back to normal between the pair. All except Mrs Diggins who was sending them daggers, after all she had had to spend all afternoon trying to dissuade the distraught Lady Mary from taking the Earl and leaving Taplows. Finally the batty old dear had been persuaded to sleep on the matter and had been settled down with a warm glass of milk and an assurance that Algenon would keep his distance for the remainder of the evening.

Jarvis was for the most part oblivious to all this, despite all the bizarre occurrences that were going on around him, the matriarch of the family thinking he was her philandering husband and Mr Adams out of character good behaviour, he was just relieved that for the first time since the accident Flora was sitting next to him at dinner. As he carved the beef he had to resist the urge to just stand there and grin stupidly at her like some lovesick schoolboy. Even the meat he was carving brought a smile to his face, it was his favourite and for once he knew it was not a coincidence as he had overheard Flora earlier specifically instructing Cook to prepare it.

However as Jarvis passed the last of the joint around and sat down to say grace, the door to the Upper servants dining room swung open. Everyone's head shot upwards to glare at the intruder, whose face was at first concealed in the shadows. Stepping into the room, the stranger bowed removing his top hat with a flourish, and for the first time revealing his identity to all the diners. For a good few seconds no one spoke as they stared in shock at the new arrival who was familiar to them all, then suddenly a very angry Jarvis shot to his feet, "What in blue blazes are you doing here?"

An extremely red faced and completely out of breath Will Forrest burst through the lower servants dining room door. He flung it so wide open that on impact with the adjacent wall, it managed to splinter right down the centre of one panel. At this, all the diners let out a gasp and in a reflex action, rapidly turned their heads towards the commotion. On seeing it was Will, Mr Adams leapt out of his chair, and after momentarily choking on his chicken leg, simply gave Will a deathly stare. However, much to his annoyance, the newly-promoted footman (or demoted, whichever way you wish to look at it) was not fazed by this, but largely due to the fact he did not witness it.

He was currently hanging off the door knob, doubled over, his head hung between his arms, desperately trying to take in some much needed oxygen. Adams being Adams, saw this as insolence, so tore his tucked in napkin from his shirt, before storming over to Will, grabbing him by his hair, dragging his head up, whilst bombing "Well, at least have the decency to face me!"

At this, Will raised his eyes, staring Adams coldly and hardly in both eyes before raising his eye brows just a touch, still gasping for breath. There was no need for his usual grin to complete this look of contempt, which enraged the under-butler further, who let out a gravely "Why you little…" turning a shade of beetroot which was uncannily similar to Wills.

Breathing heavily, Will let out a little snort, then indicated with his eyes (and a barely detectable nod) over to the crowded table where the entire employ were watching, resting his gaze on a particularly key witness - Lizzie, who was squirming in her seat, with an expression of strained hesitance. Prior to this moment, the maid had considered leaping into action herself, in his defence, but now two things pinned her to her chair; the recollection of Will's cold attitude towards her the past few weeks, and her father's powerful stare.

Instead, she simply lowered her, resting the tip of her nose on her knuckles. At this, Adams roughly released Will, banging his head accidentally on purpose on the door as he did so, just for good measure. As he took his hands away, he realised that Will's hair was sopping wet, and now his hands were unpleasantly clammy. "Urgh" he muttered, as he turned away from the door, wiping his hands down his waistcoat.

As the elder was doing this, Will too brushed himself off, and began to make his way over to the table, so he could be in full view when breaking the news. However, he didn't get very far, as on lifting his hands up to inspect them, Adams discovered something that he (now unbelievably) hadn't noticed when he was closer to Will.

"And just where do you think your going Mr Forrest?" he quizzed in an authoritive, but slightly malicious tone

"Im going to have my dinner SIR" grimaced Will, giving his superior a polite (but entirely false) nod.

"Ooooh no your not" Adams layed down the law.

"Look, Ive done your stinking dirty work, now just let me have my-"

"Och, you've certainly done a grand job aye!" Adams bellowed, taking his seat at the head of the table, picking up the remainder of his chicken leg.

For a second Will paused, totally bewildered at what the sadistic Scotsman was getting at, he knew full well there was something, as Andrew Adams never paid anyone, least of all him a compliment and actually meant it. Looking round, he could see the others had this notion too, they were just waiting for him to kick off again. A little nervous, he started shuffling towards the table.

Thumping his beer glass down onto the table, Adams reiterated "No, see, I told ye, your not eating with us-"

"Really, well that's not what Mr Jarvis says!" Will retorted. He now desperately wanted to lie low and just get the information he'd given himself a stitch trying to deliver, to those who needed it most. But somehow, Adams never failed to push his buttons.

"Well if your looking to Mr Jarvis to defend you, I'm afraid you'll be waiting a long, long time, you may as well wave the white flag now. He's still as disgusted with your recent behaviour as the rest of us are, only one hundred times over" Adams paused here for dramatic effect, allowing Will to look around the table, where very few people seemed to be disagreeing with what had just been said. "And, if you'll let me finish, there's no way your eating at my dinning table smelling like a pig sty - you're a bloody disgrace. Now, get yourself up those stairs and get scrubbed up, when your back, you can have whatever's left, after all, that's what they feed pigs isn't it?"

For a moment, Will just stood motionless, seething with anger after such a putdown, whilst Adams, then followed tentatively by the rest of the diners resumed their meals, unsure of where to look, except George and Joe who were sending him supportive glances, as was Lizzie, but hers went unnoticed.

Still looking down at his dinner, "For the last time" Adams started off calmly, but with a deathly undertone, before his head shot up "The door is there" he snarled, indicating to it threateningly with his knive. "MOVE!"

With this, Will reluctantly exited the room, not allowing any more room for Adams to degrade him further.

Less than ten minutes later, a calmer Will Forrest re-entered the dining room in a much less dramatic fashion, but the urgency to inform his colleagues of the arrival had increased. Adams didn't even do him the courtesy of looking up as he walked over to the table, as the under-butler knew very well that it was Will who would walk through the door next.

The meal was at its end, only the last few stragglers remained, tucking into their second helping of blueberry crumble - naturally, Fred and George were two of them. Adams had given the maids leave of the table to start preparing for the washing up, and the person whom Will was seeking out was one of these.

As time was now very much of the essence, for once, thinking logically, instead of solely about lining his own stomach, Will asked his two fellow footmen "Where's Grace, I need a word?"

Barely looking up from his pudding, George simply gestured with his spoon and replied "She's in the kitchen mate, whats up?"

"Oh, nothing really" Will fobbed him off, turning on his heels walking back down the table, towards the kitchen door.

Typically, Adams had overheard them, and couldn't resist a little dig as Will walked by "Ahhh, onto the next one is it? I'm watching you laddie" he said quietly, with a wink and a smile that unnerved Will, but didn't deter him from his course. Adams then continued at a high pitch to ensure that Will could here him in the hallway "You ought to watch that one Georgie!"

Although George had no intention of taking Adams' taunt to heart, as soon as he'd shovelled the rest of his pudding down, he was hot on Will's heels, who had now found the maid stacking up the dishes, and who was less than eager to speak to him

"Your dad not with you then?" she scoffed, pushing Will out the way with an elbow in the stomach as she hauled another stack of crockery onto the kitchen table.

At this, Will had to bite his tongue, there was now a more pressing matter to attend to. "Look, Grace, I'm not going to apologise for-"

"Nah didn't think you would, you must've used all your apologetic strength to win round poor Mrs Ryan. When I think what you father-"

"Alright, alright, that's enough Grace!" George chipped in, "He's got something to say"

"Well its nothing I want to here, if you'll excuse me" she sneered, bustling passed to two footman as she went towards the door.

"Maybe you wont like it, but at least here him out, I certainly want to know" reasoned George, looking from Grace who was stood in the doorway to Will stood next to him.

"Your not going to like it Grace" Will started, walking towards her, shutting the door, as Grace walked passed him to stand next to George. "But you've got to hear it sometime, and the sooner you do the better, trust me"

As Will said the latter in such a serious tone of voice, Grace looked up at George, hoping he'd know what Will was on about, but he just looked down on her, totally oblivious to what Will was about to say.

Cut to outside, looking in through the kitchen windows Will walks towards the couple, then round them, leaning against the window ledge as he breaks the news, at which Grace gasps, her eyes widening, jaw dropping, clasping her hands over her mouth. George stands there shell shocked for a second, before, snaking his arms around Grace, drawing her to him, as she buried her head in his chest.

"What in blue blazes are you doing here?" Jarvis bellowed.

Any normal person would have recoiled from such an outburst, the temper of the butler when roused had now become a local legend; however it appeared to have quite the opposite effect of the new arrival. The smirk on his face seemed, if possible, to increase to a full evil grin and instead of shrinking back into the corner he walked further into the room, drawing up a spare chair and sat down at the table.

"Now Jarvis I would have thought that would have been obvious to everyone, even you! After all you have been told to expect me!"

Jarvis, whose face had quickly turned from pink to scarlet, was lost for words; no it couldn't be him he thought to himself, what idiot would appoint this monster as a valet. Then the thought suddenly hit him, this was Lord Julian they were talking about.

"Excuse me," piped a timid voice, and both Jarvis and the newcomer shifted their attention to the right hand side of the room were the rotund Mr Simpkins sat. Embarrassed at being the focus of everyone's gaze the portly fellow mopped his brow with his handkerchief before continuing. "Would someone kindly explain what is going on?"

"Oh course my dear chap!" Expounded the newcomer cheerfully, delighted at once more regaining the floor and beating Jarvis to the draw. "I am Mr Keneally, Lord Julian's Personal Valet."

Whilst Frank had been speaking Mr Simpkins had been nodding furiously, however this explanation did not lift the confused expression from his face. "I still don't understand!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhh, well you are new here, otherwise I'm sure our esteemed Mr Jarvis would have found time to spin you the tale. Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away there was a young under-butler called Frank. Now Frank was a bright lad, ambitious and keen to get on in life, and he realised early on that there was more to life than servitude. So he decided to leave his home and go off and seek his fortune in the big wide world. However many of his fellow servants were jealous of the lads youth and daring and so conspired to make his life as hard as possible, most noted for this was the strict and overbearing butler at the castle where Frank worked."

"Now Frank had a sweetheart as fair and true as any lad could hope for, and Frank his love talked endlessly about their future and the dreams they would build together. However the day came when young Frank was ready to leave his home and set out to make their dreams come true, but what he didn't know was that the strict butler and his cohorts had conspired to try and ruin young Frank. At first they tried to bully him directly into staying, but the brave lad stood up to their taunts and torments and stood his ground."

"However the conspirators had another plan, far more devious and treacherous than the first. Whilst Frank had been away, faithfully fulfilling his final duties to his lord, they had been poisoning the mind of Frank's sweetheart against him; filling her head with fears and doubts. Then finally the day came when they were ready to leave and his sweetheart refused to go, and the conspirators were delighted and rejoiced knowing that they had hurt Frank more deeply than if they had imprisoned him within the castle dungeons."

"But Frank was not afraid, he knew his lady loved him still, if only he could talk to her once more he was certain she would throw off the spells and enchantments of their enemies. However she had been locked up in a tower to ensure that they were kept apart, but Frank still had some loyal friends up at the castle and they smuggled a message to his lady begging her to meet him at their usual rendezvous point later that night. But Frank's message to his lady love was intercepted, and although she met him the conspirators were close by, and as Frank was trying to convince his love to leave, one of them appeared out of the darkness and spirited her away. Then at the insistence of the strict butler Frank was exiled from the kingdom, sent far away from his beloved."

"However Frank did not forget his love nor those who had taken her from him, and vowed to spend the rest of his life in search of her and in wreaking revenge on those who had wronged him." He added finally, his gaze resting firmly on Jarvis as he spoke attempting to gage the butler's reaction, but Jarvis apart from being slightly red was acting surprisingly calm. At first Frank wondered whether the obvious references had been lost on the butler, maybe his age was really starting to affect his mental capacities.

Looking around the room his gaze settled first on Simpkins, the allusions within his story had certainly hit home there, as the portly gentleman was looking distractedly between both him and Jarvis. There was only one other person's reaction he was interested in, he didn't care two hoots about the other valets or even Mrs Diggins, turning his head to the right he locked gazes with the housekeeper. For once he was surprised, the sheer force of her glare was unexpected, true she had always been protective of Jarvis before; he had even suspected at times their relationship was slightly more than professional, however the scale of her silent rage astounded him.

"A very amusing tale, Mr Keneally, but like a good fairy stories it has little to no basis in fact!" She snapped practically rising out of her seat, only being stopped from doing so by a restraining hand from Mr Jarvis, whose touch Frank noticed seemed to linger longer than necessary, maybe things had moved on in his absence, and he had to resist the urge to rub his hands together in glee. He'd been looking for years for something to bring Jarvis down with; wouldn't it be poetic justice if love would prove to be the butler's Achilles heel.

Rising to his feet gracefully, Frank picked up his top hat and coat and moved towards the door, "Well I'd better go and supervise the safe removal of my luggage, after all who knows better than I what tricks these lower servants like to play. Till tomorrow then." And with that parting comment he bowed graciously to the room before sweeping out into the darkness.

Jarvis was sat in his room staring morosely into the fire, a glass of brandy in his hand, the contents of which were being swirled around like a whirling dervish before Jarvis brought it to his lips and downed it in a mouthful. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he continued to stare into the flames, this had always been able to quiet his thoughts before but now his mind refused to cooperate, continuingly replaying the events of that evening in his mind. Damn it, why did he have to come back now? That snotty nosed arrogant little whelp!

Jarvis remembered vividly their last encounter, it was not something you forgot being told by someone you'd spent time and effort supporting and promoting, tutoring in the art of service, that your life was pointless and worthless. That the masters you served and system you uphold is antiquated, that there is no honour in a life of servitude. It was bad enough that Frank had insulted him so in private, but then he had done something unforgivable in Jarvis's eyes, he had deliberately undermined his authority in front of the staff, humiliating him in public.

Jarvis gripped the arm of his chair, last time he'd had the satisfaction of slapping that smug look off the rascals face, but now! Now he was in a very difficult position. True he was still head of the household, the Earl's man, but in reality the future of Taplows was dependant on Lord Julian, or more precisely his money. Frank as his personal valet would have his lord's ear, and so was in a powerful position to do great damage to Jarvis should he wish to do so and judging by his outburst this evening that was indeed his intent.

Suddenly Jarvis was brought out of his silent reverie but a soft yet insistent tapping at his door. "Come in", he muttered, as if to no one in particular, although he had a more than sneaking suspicion as to who his visitor was.

Slowly the door opened and Flora sashayed into the room, she didn't speak but walked over to Walter wrapping her arms round his shoulders and kissing him lightly on the top of the head. Reaching backwards Jarvis grasped her hands and brought them forward; placing tender kisses in each of her palms before releasing them.

"What took you so long?" He asked.

"I had to go and check on Grace, make sure she was alright."

"And is she?" Jarvis asked.

"Yes, Will had already told her and George was looking after her so I think she'll cope." Flora replied running her fingers through his hair soothingly.

"Good." Jarvis added, although his thoughts did not dwell on the plight of the young maid, she would get over it, they all would; after all it wasn't like they had any other choice.

"Walter Corey you're all tense again!" Flora teased, her hands now kneading the butler's tensed muscles.

"That feels much better thank you." Jarvis exclaimed, leaning back into her touch and closing his eyes, finally starting to relax.

After a few moments Flora added in a concerned tone, "It can't be good for you all this worrying, you're too wound up, though it's no wonder with the weight of all our fates upon your shoulders. I just wish there was something I could do to help."

Gently Walter brushed away her hands and rose out of his seat, walking round the chair to face her. Slowly he slid his hands around her waist and pulled her against him, leaning down he rested his head on her shoulder. For several minutes neither moved Walter content just to be held and comforted within Flora's embrace. Slowly he nuzzled into her neck, kissing and nipping along her collar bone, then up her neck and along her jaw until he claimed her lips. Flora responded passionately, kissing him back as though her life depended on it.

Gradually Walter drew her over to the bed and sat down pulling her with him; then gently he pushed her back, his hand moving to the fastenings on her dress. His mouth moving to her shoulder as her dress loosened, then travelling down covering every new exposed inch of her with a kiss and caress. However as he began to quickly unlace her corset Flora stopped him, pushing him off of her she grabbed desperately for the collar of her dress.

"What the hell is wrong?" Walter demanded.

"I'm sorry I can't!" Flora gasped.

"Why ever not? Jarvis asked jumping to his feet and stalking over to her.

"I can't, I'm just not in the mood tonight!"

"Well you could have fooled me, especially as it was your idea!" He retorted angrily, upset and confused by her conflicting messages.

"Walter please, lets not argue, I just can't!" Flora replied leaning against the fireplace for support.

"Then why come here tonight? Why make that comment about wanting to help relax me, if you were just going to lead me on and then turn around and say no?" Jarvis expounded. "Or was that the whole point, you wanted to see if I would jump through your hoops….. Or is that you have a previous engagement this evening you don't want to miss?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Flora asked stunned.

"It just seems funny to me, one minute you are completely in the mood ready to make love and then suddenly whoops sorry your not. Are you sure it isn't more of a case that you've had a better offer for your time this evening and so don't want to wear yourself out first bedding me out of pity?"

Flora didn't reply, he couldn't be serious, did he still think there was something going on between her and Will. "Walter stop, this is madness!"

"Oh I'm crazy am I? Well madam you want me to believe you?"

"Yes I am telling you the truth." Flora pleaded, grasping his arm.

"Somehow I doubt that, but there is a way to convince me!" Jarvis retorted grabbing her firmly by the elbows.

"What?" She asked warily.

"From now on you spend your nights in my bed!" Jarvis raised a hand to fall stall her protests. "I'll behave like the perfect gentleman, if you aren't ready then fine I can wait, but I won't be made a fool of Flora!"

Flora shook herself free of his grasp, shaking her head furiously her own temper getting the better of her. "How dare you! How dare you stand there and order me about like…like I'm something you own? We aren't married yet Walter Corey, nor at the moment is there any likelihood of us ever being so! If you can't trust me then there is little point to this relationship."

"How can I trust you? When you've admitted to my face that you've kissed another, which means you must have wanted him on one level or another. Can you honestly stand there now and say you're not still attracted to him, how I can I compete, he's so damn young?"

"But I don't love him, I love you!" Flora pleaded.

"Then prove it, stay here with me, be my wife!" Jarvis whispered, reaching out and brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face.

"I can't, don't you understand I can't?" She replied tears spilling down her face.

"No my dear I don't understand!" Jarvis replied his voice turning icy as he backed away from her. "I could understand if you didn't want me anywhere near you, if loosing the baby had made you uncomfortable with any sort of intimacy, but as tonight has proved that doesn't appear to be the case. In fact I'd go so far as saying before your change of heart you seemed practically on heat, but then suddenly after egging me on you turn to ice, why? Hmmm." He asked as he paced the room. "So what other possible explanation is there, other then that indeed you are desperate even begging to be bedded just not by me?"

"I do want you! It's just…." Flora tailed off.

"Just WHAT? For god's sake woman tell me what is going on!" Jarvis bellowed walking up to her and seizing her by the shoulders trying to shake the answer out of her.

"I don't want to get pregnant!" Flora whispered bowing her head with the relief of finally getting it off her chest.

"Is that it?"

Flora didn't answer, she just nodded her head slowly.

"Oh Flora!" Jarvis exclaimed, relieved at her confession and pulling her into a bone crunching embrace. "Is that all? Oh love why didn't you just say so?"

"I was afraid you would hate me?" Flora sobbed burying her head into Walter's shoulder.

"No I understand of course you don't want to get pregnant now, you've been through so much lately I can wait, and then after the wedding we can let nature take its course."

In tears Flora pushed him away and staggered towards the door.

"Where are you going, what's wrong now?" Jarvis called out to her.

"You didn't listen to me Walter, I'm not sure you ever do!" Flora added bitterly as she turned the door handle. "I didn't say I don't want a baby now, I said I don't want to be pregnant and I meant ever!" And with that she turned her back on him, slamming the door shut behind her.

Meanwhile, downstairs, the three lower servants were panicking, and although their anxieties had been subdued a little during Mrs Ryan's presence, panic stations were now reaching fever pitch. They were wondering why the hell Frank hadn't found them (or more accurately Grace) yet, as the housekeeper had informed them he had stormed out of the upper servants dinning room with that intent.

Whilst they were all relieved he hadn't actually located them yet, this didn't do much to compensate the knowledge it wouldn't be long before showed his face. This, Grace had already resolved that she didn't wish to see, not now, not ever, meanwhile George had professed that if he came across 'the pillock', he wouldn't be held responsible for his actions.

Whilst Grace was inwardly touched at George's defensive display, in the heat of the moment, she snapped, telling him that it wasn't his fight. George had been understandably hurt by this, and so lashed back, accusing Grace of making him feel useless, resulting in the two of them descending into bickering. Only Will remained somewhat calm and focused, pacing back and forth in front of the window, trying to come up with a plan.

When he'd lost his thread at least half a dozen times, and could stand no more of the two lovers ranting in the back ground, he paused, turned towards them, raised his hands into the air and shouted above their squabbles "Will you two just shut up for a second!"

At this, the pair, whose noses were now only inches apart, staring hard into the each other's eyes, scowled and turned their heads sharply towards Will who continued

"Don't you see, this is what he'd want? The pair of you at each others throats - literally" giving then a stern look.

Reacting to what had just been pointed out, they looked at each other before backing away slightly, nervously brushing themselves off. George walked over to a chair and dejectedly slumped into it, running his hands through his hair, then down his face, bringing them to rest on his chin, his elbows on his knees. Grace wandered over to the door, but as it wasn't open, she couldn't go through it, and so resigned just to stop, look down at the floor, her left-hand fingertips rubbing her forehead, her right hand on her hip.

After a tense moment, George lifted his head and after brushing his teeth with his tongue, turned to face Will asking spitefully "Well just what the hell are we supposed to do?"

At this, Grace, her back to the two men, facing the door, let out large sigh followed by a quick series of trembling breaths, before the tears began to fall. However, the first didn't get very far, as George jumped up, ran to her, brushing it away. He took her head in his hands, quickly whispering "Its alright Grace, its gonna be alright, he cant touch us" before kissing her forehead and taking her in his arms.

This quaint little moment however, was interrupted by Will, who announced "I'm going to tell you exactly what we're going to do, well, for tonight at least."
This intrigued the couple, as they looked up at each other, before gazing at Will, hoping he had a probable solution

Cut to the second floor corridor, which the new arrival was now purposefully striding down. After leaving the upper servants meal, instead of storming down to find his old colleagues, he had taken it upon himself to check on his master. He did a lot of this 'just checking', as it had proved to keep him well and firmly rooted in Lord Julian's good books - such an act, most would refer to as 'sucking up', the art of which Frank had now perfected.

But as he rounded a corner, suddenly he found he could go no further - Will was blocking his way. Before Frank could round him, or if necessary, push him out of the way, the former reached out and grabbed his hand, shaking it vigorously, adding a "Frank mate, what you doing back here?"

As Will had been an ally in the past, Frank could not resist returning the gesture, and informing Will that he was now valeting for Lady Caroline's fiancé, and was being paid a ridiculously high wage to boot. Once he had stopped singing his own praises (which Will pretended to be enthralled by, only to stall him, whilst George got Grace well out of sight), Frank asked his companion "So Mr Forrest, hows life treating you as under-butler then?"

Will was at a cross roads here. Should he tell the smug sod that he'd never properly been given that station, allowing the arrogant womaniser to pity him (which, he thought, might take up some time)? Or, should he play along, and assert that he had the others wrapped around his little finger?

He concluded to go down the path of least resistance, which incidentally, was neither of these. He resolved to let him carry on thinking that which he had assumed, but was very sketchy with the details. Pretty soon, he could tell that Frank was getting weary of the conversation, as he was repeatedly looking over Wills shoulder. So, Will decided to swing the topic back to one which he knew the vain valet would have no hesitation in taking up, using the old 'I know all about me, I want to know what you've been up to in London'.

It turned out, that on leaving Taplows, Frank didn't go home, as being a local boy, home was roughly only a mile or two away from the place he running from. So, he had decided to venture to London, with the aim of joining the navy, seeing a bit more of the world etc etc.

One stormy late summers day, as the SS Periwinkle was rounding the Rock of Gibraltar, the Admiral let Frank (who was in mid hurl over the starboard bow) know, that he was well aware that the sea faring life was obviously not for him. To this, Frank had no choice but to admit it was true, but, in a shrewd move, ensured the Admiral, that if he so wished, he could put up with his queasiness 'to serve Queen and Country' (this is where the sucking up really began).

As Will could imagine, this certainly impressed the Admiral, leading him to offer Frank the chance to work for his son, who was in need of servants to staff his new London residence. Lord Julian honoured his father's judgement and appointed Frank as his personal valet. "And the rest, as they say, is history!" Frank concluded his epic tale.

However, on coming back down to earth, Frank noticed that Will's once eager face, had slipped into a rather blank expression - was he listening anymore? Frank looked puzzled for a moment, as Will appeared to be in some sort of trance, but he couldn't be sure. So, in order to check if his audience was still paying attention, he continued in a raised voice "And then the sea monster swallowed the Admiral whole!"

This did the trick, snapping Will out of his slumber "Sea monster!" he cried, looking at Frank as if he had two heads.

"You haven't been listening to a word I've said have you?"

"What, course I have!" Will protested, desperately trying to recall a few details that he'd actually been able to catch.

"Nevermind, I'm sure it wont be the only opportunity I get to tell it" Frank replied, quite calmly, as he didn't really care if Will had taken any notice, as he had bigger fish to fry, and as he had Will temporarily flummoxed, he saw his chance to get some information out of the hapless footman. "So, things have progressed with Jarvis and Ryan then, I've heard they make quite a couple!"

"You haven't heard the half of it mate, believe me!" Will sniggered, without thinking, quickly trying to backtrack, but Frank cut him dead. "Really, my, my, I have missed out!" he mused back, with a devious glint in his eye, which Will failed to spy.

"Though, there's one person, in particular that I've missed." he said with a rather devious tone in his voice. "Where is she Will?"

"Where's who?" Will let out, not realising how stupid that sounded until he'd said it aloud.

"Come on, don't play dumb with me, we know each other too well for that." Frank scoffed.

"She's on duty"

"At this hour?"

For what seemed like a lifetime (but was actually a few seconds), Will stood there, lost for words, his mind racing trying to think up an excuse. The only one he could grasp at the moment was totally absurd, and wholly implausible, but, if Frank had been away at sea, he wouldn't have known any different, so Will took a gamble.

"Shes, shes, with little Lord Harry, he's been having a few restless nights…"

"Right, thanks for that." Frank said shortly and sharply as he pushed passed Will, no doubt to make his way to the nursery, prompting Will to think even faster. "NO, um, no, don't disturb her, if the little sod wakes up, you know what a tantrum he has, and the Earl has made it perfectly clear that the next servant who causes another screaming fit will be dismissed".

Frank didn't quite swallow this, but resolved that she probably wouldn't thank him for turning up whist she was on duty, especially when he knew full well how much her precious job meant to her. After a moment of grinding his teeth with frustration, Frank decided that Will was right, and that he didn't want to do anything to annoy Grace further. So, he bid Will goodnight, mockingly thanking him (though in a most sincere tone) for the chat, and walked back the way he came, towards the upper servants dwellings.

But instead of going straight to his room, the thought that Jarvis and Mrs Ryan might well be together intrigued him, and as he walked along the upper servants corridor, he couldn't resist stopping at the butler's door to try to detect any signs of life. When he couldn't, he was momentarily disappointed, but then the thought occurred to him, that they must be in her room. As a crafty grin spread across his face, he picked him self up, and marched further down the corridor.

As he reached Flora's door, he heard a sound that he hadn't exactly been expecting - the sound of a woman crying. He noticed that her door was slightly ajar, so peered through the slim opening, finding the housekeeper sat at her desk, with her head resting on her folded arms that lay on the table in front of her. Frank felt a slight twinge from his conscience, but quickly brushed this aside, pushing the door open.

Flora didn't lift her head at this, but when Frank spoke, she sat bolt upright, even when he saw the tears streaming down her face, he didn't regret it. "You know, you could have done SO much better" he teased with a great smirk on his face.

In a rage Flora leapt to her feet, letting out an angry scream as she ran to the door, slamming it hard in his face, before collapsing onto her bed, sobbing. Frank flinched only slightly as the door came to rest just millimetres from his nose. He took a deep breath before leaning even closer to the door, coldly snarling "I hope he doesn't make you too unhappy my dear, with the time you have left!" After waiting for a response that never came, he simply huffed, turned on his heels, and stalked back down the corridor, with a self-congratulatory snort.