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"No No No…Not like that at all!"

The sound of the butler's voice filled the air but for once he was not yelling at an incompetent footman over the state of the silver or scolding Johnny Boots over the condition of his livery. No he was engaged in probably the most trying experience of his life, trying to direct the first and hopefully last ever Taplows amateur production that was due to air to the Earl and his friends the very next night.

"Felix you have to make me believe what you're saying…Put some feeling behind the damn words! When it says to silence her…You have to literally do so! Dammit man it is only a stage kiss but it at least has to look like you mean it."

He added before slamming one of the open scripts onto a chair and striding on to the mocked up stage area to join the few remaining cast members, the others having already given it up for the night.

"Just put yourself in the character's position here is a woman that you have fought with for years, sniped back and forth at and you've just found out she is in love with you…This scene has to be perfect the culmination of all that built up passion as you try to force her to confess it, yet at the moment your Benedick is nothing more than a damp squib!"

"Well fine if your so damned perfect Walter why don't you do it…Perhaps then you will see that is not only my fault, the woman is impossible to work with and so are you, there is about as much passion there as a wet trout! I QUIT!" The Chef expounded dramatically before flouncing off the stage storming up to his room as the remaining cast erupted in horror.

"Quiet down everybody…I am sure Mr Kraus will come round in the meantime I will take over his part, then perhaps we can finish this dress rehearsal before dawn? Very well then from the top…" The butler insisted slipping into Benedick's position as the penultimate scene started once more his eyes skimming over the motley assembled group of servants as they ran through the scene.

"Soft and fair, friar.—Which is Beatrice?" Jarvis finally demanded as his character came into the action and he made an admirable attempt at searching for his bride to be.

"I answer to that name;" A soft Irish lilt enquired as she let her mask drop dramatically her bright eyes focused entirely on the butler. "What is your will?"

Scoffing as if in amusement Jarvis circled her as a hunter does his prey his eyes never once leaving her face. "Do not you love me?"

"Why no, no more than reason." Flora retorted sharply her voice trembling slightly as she forced out a jovial mocking tone.

"Why then your uncle, and the prince, and Claudio, Have been deceived; for they swore you did." The butler retorted as he eased into the role unable to understand just what Felix had been complaining about, this was simple. Catching the housekeeper's eye he smirked knowingly watching as Flora seemed to tremble before delivering her line with an almost desperate yearning that stirred something within him and at that moment he could not tell where the character of Beatrice took off and where Flora Ryan began.

"Do not you love me?"

"Troth no, no more than reason." He retorted simply the lines slipping off his tongue and he watched as Flora flinched at having her own words twisted and thrown back at her.

"Why then my cousin, Margaret, and Ursula, Are much deceiv'd; for they did swear you did." She snapped back. "They swore that you were almost sick for me." She added her beautiful face contorting in a sneer as she stepped forward closing the distance between them.

"They swore that you were well-nigh dead for me." He countered sharply unable to contain the raising of his voice as he stared down at her in a move reminiscent of many of their own arguments. Shaking his head the butler tried to push such thoughts aside, this was simply a play not real life he was reading far too much into it. "'T is no such matter:—Then you do not love me?" He asked once more this time softly, catching Flora's eye and holding it for one long moment he could make out the conflict in her eyes a open vulnerability before she looked away embarrassed her cheeks flushing and in that moment he knew and suddenly things began to make sense all the bickering, all the squabbling over petty issues.

"No, truly, but in friendly recompense." Flora countered but he could tell she was lying her entire posture was screaming out the very opposite was true.

"Come, cousin, I am sure you love the gentleman." Mr Adams cut in suddenly and briskly cut in breaking the intimate spell that had fallen on the couple and drawing them back to reality and away from each other.

"

And I'll be sworn upon't, that he loves her; For here's a paper, written in his hand, A halting sonnet of his own pure brain,

Fashion'd to Beatrice." George added waving around a stray scrap of paper, which he thrust at the housekeeper with more than little sense of embarrassment as she had to pretend to read and scrutinise the love note from Benedick whilst it was obvious to him that she would rather run from the room than meet his gaze.

"And here's another, Writ in my cousin's hand, stolen from her pocket,Containing her affection unto Benedick." Grace added thrusting another such note at the esteemed butler who barely glanced at it his eyes remaining locked on the flushed looking housekeeper.

"A miracle; here's our own hands against our hearts!" He whispered almost tenderly before catching the trembling Flora's hand and pulling her towards him. "Come, I will have thee; but, by this light, I take thee for pity." He added teasingly his other hand trapping her chin and forcing her to meet his gaze.

"I would not deny you;" The housekeeper replied the faint glassines in her eyes betraying the sheen of tears that were gathering but despite the tremble in her voice she managed to add a mocking. "but, by this good day, I yield upon great persuasion; and partly, to save your life, for I was told you were in a consumption."

"Peace, I will stop your mouth." The Butler cut in sharply and just as quickly he bent to silence her, feeling her slide easily into his arms and instinctively lift her face to meet his descending lips. Throwing caution to the wind Walter did not pause an inch away from her lips for the required stage kiss but covered her waiting lips with his own. It was everything he had been expecting and yet so much more, her lips were so soft and willing, and she seemed to melt right into him he hardly noticed as she ran her hands up around his neck her fingers running into his hair as the kiss intensified.

Then suddenly an embarrassed and pointed cough brought them back to earth. Embarrassed and blushing furiously the pair separated to come face to face with some frankly astonished colleagues, Mr Adams had a shocked but smug expression his face where as the footmen just looked stunned.

There was only one thing the Butler could think of to say;"There now that is how it is done properly!"

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