A/N: Try number two. The first time I posted it from my notes on my iPod. WORST. IDEA. EVER. It came out all wibble wobbly. So from now on I will post from a computer. Anywho, this story was born after a Downton Abbey binge after reading COHF. Thanks to ParisFan83, for convincing me to post, my beta for looking over this chapter and Midlife-Fan for PMing about the last chapter. Now onto the story!
Disclamer: I do not own these characters. The lovely Cassandra Clare does.
Chapter 1
September 1914
"When's he coming," asked Jace.
Alec took a drag on his cigarette. "Not for another hour."
Jace groaned and lit himself one. "I wish he'd get here already."
Will smirked. "You might want to watch what you say."
"Since when do you," asked Jace.
"What are you boys doing just sitting around? There has to be something for you to do," said Charlotte as she came through the kitchen.
Henry came bustling through the kitchen. They boys stood up. "William, shouldn't you be helping Lord Ragnor."
Will smashed his cigarette in the ash tray. "I was on my way up Mr. Branwell,"
"You could try to be a bit more like Isabelle and Cecily and go up early," shouted Henry up the stairs.
"That's because they help ladies," replied Will as he disappeared to the upstairs.
"You boys will need to get ready too. It won't be long before the food goes up," said Helen as she overlooked a pot.
"Alexander, could I speak with you for a moment," said Henry.
Alec nodded and put his cigarette out. He followed Henry to the office space that he and Charlotte shared. He went inside and noticed that she was already in there. "What is that you want?"
"We have decided to place you as Lord Alicante's new valet," said Charlotte.
"He isn't bringing someone," asked Alec.
Henry shook his head. "No, this is why we chose you. We wanted someone dependable and reliable."
Alec smiled. "So that ruled out Jace."
Charlotte smiled back. "Yes, that did rule him out."
"We have already hired someone else to take the place of second footman and have Jonathan be first footman," explained Henry.
"When is he arriving," asked Alec.
"Tomorrow, you'll have to play both roles tonight," said Charlotte with a bit of sympathy.
"I suggest that you start getting ready," advised Henry.
Alec nodded and left the office. He went back into the kitchen to find Jace hitting on Clary, the new kitchen maid.
"What was that about," asked Jace as he turned to face Alec.
"Henry and Charlotte appointed me as Lord Alicante's valet," explained Alec.
"Congratulations, your glove wearing days are over. But you did get it easy, at least you weren't the late Lord Alicante's valet. He was a-" Clary smacked Jace upside the head with a spoon. "What was that for Fairchild?"
Clary huffed, "You should show more respect for those above you. Especially when they're dead."
Jace laughed. "He's not here to stop me from calling him a demon from Hell that was a great, bleeding pain in my-"
Sophie walked by and happened to hear what Jace was saying. She rapped him on the head. "That kind of talk can get you fired."
Jace rubbed his head. "What's with you women hitting me? I don't get it."
Helen sighed. "It doesn't matter. If Clary and I don't get done in time, I'm blaming you."
Jace sighed. "Lighten up, Helen."
Cecily was arranging Tessa's hair in a pleasing fashion. Tessa looked up towards Cecily. "Do you know what Magnus is like."
Cecily raised an eyebrow at the use of his name. "He's your cousin."
Tessa made a face. "Not really. He left for school before I ever met him, minus the odd holiday. I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for Ragnor and Catarina. It was kind of them to take me in after my parents died."
"I was hired after he left as well, so I don't know him very well. If you're curious I could ask Mr. or Mrs. Branwell," offered Cecily.
Tessa shook her head. "No, that's all right, Cecily. I'll have plenty of time to get to know him." She looked at her appearance in the mirror. "I best be getting downstairs. He'll be arriving soon."
Catarina was rolling on a pair of gloves while Isabelle lifted up a necklace. "I'm glad Magnus is coming. It would do this house good to see some youth." Isabelle handed her the necklace. "Thank you, dear. I remember when Magnus was born. His father had gone over on a trip to Asia. That's where they met, his father and mother. She had just debuted and she was a beauty. Three months later they were married and not long after that they learned she was pregnant."
Catarina shook her head. "The poor girl, died in child birth. Asmodeus never got over it, that's probably why he always sent Magnus off to boarding schools. He looked too much like his mother, except for his eyes, those were his father's."
Catarina looked up at Isabelle. "I'm just an old lady rambling. You're a good listener, Isabelle."
"You don't ramble and you're not old," insisted Isabelle.
Catarina laughed. "You're sweet, but I'm not as young as I used to be."
Will grabbed the brush off of the dresser. "The new Lord Alicante should be here any minute. Carstairs went to fetch him."
Ragnor buttoned the cuff of his shirt sleeve. "It must be interesting for him to come home after so many years abroad. I don't think he's stayed at Brooklyn Manor long term since he was ten. Just the occasionally trip back."
Will smiled and got a piece of lint off of Ragnor's suit. "It was always waiting for him."
"When Asmodeus asked us to be his godparents I was a bit surprised. Regardless, it has turned out well; though I think I was always more of a friend than a father figure," chuckled Ragnor. "Catarina was more like a mother." He looked in the mirror. "It'll be interesting to see how he's turned out after all these years."
"Herondale, take the vegetables upstairs. No good is going to happen if they stay downstairs," chastised Clary.
Jace picked up the tray. "You can call me Jace."
Clary tossed her head and poured out a sauce. "I highly doubt I will."
"Both of you stop your clucking. We have jobs to do," reminded Charlotte.
"Be careful with the sauce, Clary," cautioned Helen.
Alec carefully pulled his white gloves on for the last time.
"Hurry up! Charlotte's tense, it can't end well," warned Jace.
Alec grabbed a platter and followed Jace up the stairs to the dining room.
Henry was upstairs doing a last minute inspection. "It looks good. Don't mess it up."
Jace sat his platter down carefully on the table. "Wouldn't dream of it, Mr. Branwell."
Henry pulled a pocket watch out of his coat jacket. "We need to get outside. He should be here any moment. Go downstairs and tell the staff." He hurried out to the parlor to inform Ragnor, Catarina and Tessa.
Jace rolled his eyes. "I don't see why we all need to go out in the cold to meet the man. We'll see him at dinner."
"It's respectful and polite," Alec pointed out.
"I don't see the whole household come out when I come back on my day off," complained Jace.
"You can always get a different job," mentioned Alec.
"It won't nearly pay as well as this," said Jace with a smile as he entered the kitchen.
"Mr. Branwell has asked the staff to go up to greet Lord Alicante," announced Alec.
Helen dried her hands off on a towel. "Someone will need to grab Sophie and Aline."
"I'll get them," offered Will and he got out of his seat.
Everyone was outside, the staff on one side the household on the other. Alec stood in between Sophie and Jace as they waited. The car pulled into the driveway and stopped in front of the doors. Jem got out of the driver's side and walked around to open up the door. A tall man in somber suit stepped out. A cat jumped out of the car and stayed close to the man.
Magnus smiled. "Hello everyone, it's been awhile."
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