A/N: Starts with the third series but there are references to prior events. I'm a recent fan of Downton Abbey, having seen the first three series and waiting for the fourth. I love English period pieces but wasn't able to watch when it aired.
Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, dined twice a week at Downton and more often if there was a house party or other special occasion. Tonight was family only which gave her free rein to bring up a topic she wouldn't have shared with guests.
"I met the new gamekeeper today."
"Dixon?" Matthew Crawley asked with surprise.
"Good God, why?" The Earl's surprise was even greater.
"Hanley was appointed shortly after you were born, Robert. I wished to assure myself that his successor is up to the task."
"My assurances not being enough, I suppose." The Earl was accustomed to his mother interfering even though he had told her that Daryl Dixon was proving a satisfactory replacement for old Hanley.
"I like to form my own opinions," the Dowager replied.
"Not news to anyone," Cora murmured.
"How did you contrive to meet?" Lady Mary asked. "His cottage is at the far edge of the estate."
"I wouldn't know where he lives," Violet sniffed, which was a lie since she knew every inch of the domain she formerly ruled. "I sent a message asking him to call on me."
"He's an excellent fellow but I'm afraid you found him a bit rough," the Earl said.
"That's not such a bad thing in a gamekeeper. I shouldn't think he knew his job if he was too polished."
"How did you get on then, Grandmama?" Lady Edith was curious.
"He seems a sensible young man. A Scottish accent," Violet said with approval. "The Scots are great sportsmen and he appears to know his stuff about fishing, shooting and hunting."
"I have no complaints," the Earl announced. "He's quiet and competent and gives a good report when we meet. As I told you," he couldn't resist adding.
"He sounds quite fascinating," Edith said almost to herself as the ladies rose to withdraw.
Her father heard her and blanched.
Left alone with brandy and cigars, the Earl told Matthew: "I'm grateful to you for recommending Dixon but I'd prefer not to have him as a son-in-law."
Matthew chuckled. "A chauffeur, a solicitor and a gamekeeper. No one could accuse your daughters of making good matches. But you needn't worry about Edith. I believe Dixon has something in common with Thomas."
"Indeed?"
"I've no proof, it was just an impression I got when he was under my command. There was never any difficulty about it, and he was a good soldier. I got to know his background a bit, that's why I thought of him when Hanley retired."
"Well, I'm happy with his work and rather relieved to hear of his ... proclivities," the Earl said. "Shall we join the ladies?"
Violet made another announcement after coffee was served: "I've taken on a new footman."
"I'm so glad you finally found someone," Cora said. "Does he come from anyone we know?"
"Your mother," Violet replied tartly.
"He's American?" Mary asked since Cora was speechless.
"No. He is Oriental."
The room was divided by those who choked on their coffee and those who assumed Violet was employing her trademark sarcasm. But they were united in their stares. The Dowager seemed pleased with their reactions.
"But why did you take him on?" Matthew asked naively.
"I had no good reason to refuse," Violet replied, "and consequently I would never hear the end of it from Martha Levinson."
"But how did Mother come to recommend him?" Cora asked.
"I mentioned the difficulty of finding good help when she was here for the wedding. She sent Chang Glenn to me."
"Granny Levinson sent a young man to another country?" Edith asked with dismay. "That sounds rather harsh for him."
"Apparently he wanted to come to England anyway. It's a point in his favor," Violet admitted.
"But see here, Mama," the Earl said. "You shouldn't take on a servant you don't want just to score off Cora's mother."
"On the contrary, I think he will suit me very well. And I shall take great pleasure in writing so to Mrs. Levinson. I'm sure she expected me to send him packing."
"I look forward to seeing Chang," Mary said with diplomacy if not interest.
"He will be called Glenn," Violet corrected her. "It is his given name. Apparently they put the surname first over there. Besides, Chang sounds so very yellow."
"Is he very yellow?" Matthew asked with interest if not diplomacy.
"Oh no, he's pale as an Englishman. I understand that he is Korean not Chinese. On the whole, quite a nice-looking young man."
"What about language?" the Earl asked.
"He speaks English. Not the King's English of course, some American version. But with very little accent."
"Orientals in England," Edith said brightly. "There may be a column in this."
Later in bed the Earl addressed his Countess: "Mama's sudden interest in servants is disconcerting. Should I be worried?"
"I don't think so. It was natural she should wonder about Dixon taking over for Hanley. As for the new footman, the girls and I will go to tea in a few days and I'll let you know what I think. Or you might find a reason to call round and see for yourself."
The Earl sighed. "My reason could be to ask her not to set the cat among the pigeons so often in conversation."
"Oh, don't do that."
"I would have thought you wouldn't want her stirring things up."
"I don't mind, really. She's such good theatre."