Some words - There is male/male smut during this tale (starting in chapter 3), so if that isn't your thing you may want to cover your eyes and read through your fingers :)
Thank you for coming, please enjoy! I plan to play out this story over several chapters. Glad to have you!
The day already felt long by nine o'clock in the morning. Thomas Barrow awoke six hours prior to help pack the cars for Lord and Lady Grantham's trip to London. The payoff for such an early rise would be a few days of a lighter load of work for all. He gazed out a hazy window by the kitchen while sucking down his third coffee of the morning. A pack of housemaids flitted by, leaving giggles wafting in the air. Few things exhausted Thomas like the seemingly unending giggles of housemaids.
Thomas filled his cup once again and grabbed a biscuit. He could still hear the maids from the servants hall.
"What are they chattering on about?" Thomas asked Miss Baxter, interrupting her conversation with Mr. Molesely.
"A few new staff arrived this morning," Miss Baxter said, not looking away from her conversation to answer him.
"And why is that worthy of gossip?"
"Because young women are keen to receive a new crop of young men," Mr. Molesely answered for Miss Baxter.
Miss Baxter giggled and met Thomas' eyes. "They're having a bit of fun, don't let that bother you."
"I've a headache and they want to neglect their duties to talk about some new hallboys and footmen. That bothers me."
Miss Baxter and Mr. Molesely returned to one another. Thomas took the hint and moved on to his own duties ensuring the dining room was properly prepared for luncheon.
Once he confirmed the place settings were exact, Thomas returned to the kitchen to carry the ham to the dining room when Mr. Carson saddled up beside him.
"Mr. Barrow, I need you to assist with training one of the new footmen."
Thomas unconsciously wrinkled his nose. "Surely one of the footmen can do that."
"Yes, but they are occupied training as well. I want a one to one ratio so that each new staff member is completely up to speed on the rules of the house before his Lordship and her Ladyship return. We're lucky to have so many starting at once."
Two young men seemed to appear out of thin air next to Mr. Carson. "Mr. Barrow, this is David Price. He's a second footman. Ensure the Lord and Lady do not perceive David is new to the house when they arrive." Mr. Carson departed with the other of the two young men.
"Right, well, so much for a lighter load of work," Thomas said smiling, as though this new footman was aware of Thomas's inner monologue.
"I'm sure an under-butler has far better things to do than train a second footman," Price said with caution.
"At least you're a perceptive chap. Follow me, watch what I do, stay a few steps behind when I walk. I can't have you tripping me or slowing me down." Thomas hadn't even looked at the man and was already halfway to the stairs before finishing his statement.
"Of course, Mr. Barrow."
By the stairs, two kitchen maids crossed Thomas and Price's path, giggling as they went. Thomas gritted his teeth and quickened his pace. Time away from downstairs would do him good this afternoon.
"Something must be funny today," Price observed as he fell in line with Thomas's shadow.
"Girls are like that," Thomas replied.
"So I've heard," Price said as they arrived at the dining room.
"Put this in the center of the serving table by the tapestry," Thomas directed, handing the platter to Price. He took the opportunity to look at the man for the first time. He was certainly young, as one would expect of a new second footman. Slightly shorter than Thomas, broad in the shoulders but narrow in the waist. Quite narrow, Thomas noticed. Price's hair was between blonde and brunette, a little closer on the sides and a little longer on the top than was customary at Downton, but combed neatly away from his face with pomade. As Thomas found himself being as distracted as those irritating maids, Price returned to his side.
"What now, Mr. Barrow?"
"Now we blend into the walls and await the family."
"Should I stay by you?"
"I should say so, how else am I to train you?"
"Right, of course." Price's eyebrows knitted together briefly and he stood next to Thomas, hands by his sides.
The family entered and Thomas carried a carafe of wine to each glass. Price waited in his spot but watched Thomas carefully. Thomas glanced at Price. Midday light from the tall windows fell nicely on the planes of Price's face. Perhaps this assignment wouldn't be so bad, Thomas thought, pouring another glass.