It had been six months, two days and fourteen hours since he had last laid eyes on his wife, not as Felix kept sniggering, that he was keeping a tally or anything…

"It won't be long now sir!" Mr Adams piped up, sending the butler a knowing look. "Less than an hour and you'll be curled up in front of your own fire with a certain wee lassie fussing over you."

"And you Andrew?" Jarvis retorted smugly, knowing his under-butler's own private hope, after all it had hardly been a secret over the last few weeks just who Mr Adams was hoping had managed to arrange for a little detour south of the border.

"Aye well lets not out count our chickens, as your mother is so found of saying sir."

"Indeed…Indeed…" Jarvis trailed off unable to restrain his frustration, finding himself tapping out his impatience on the carriage door until an irritated Felix could restrain himself no longer.

"Walter for goodness sake! Stop that infernal irritating noise!"

"What…What did I do?" The Butler stuttered.

"THE TAPPING!" Both Felix and Andrew exclaimed at once causing the startled butler to sit back in his seat.

"You only had to ask." Jarvis mumbled sulkily crossing his arms and staring out the window.

"We just did Walter." The chef retorted. "We know you are anxious to see Flora again, in fact I don't think there has been a spare moment in the last six months when we ever doubted that fact…Hell even when you were bent double throwing up my laboriously created delicacies, first on the boat and then when you caught that dickey tummy bug…"

"Yes, Yes thank you I think I remember I have no need for you to remind me!" Jarvis snapped reaching into his attaché case and pulling out his now crammed journal.

"You aren't going to write in that thing at a time like this now are you?" Felix teased. "After all you're seeing her in now a matter of minutes, not much more to add surely?"

"I'm just leaving my wife a brief note, something about needing to remind a certain chef and under-butler who employed them in the first place!" Jarvis trailed off smirking as the two men opposite him visibly tensed.

"That's a cheap shot Walter!" Felix hissed, flicking his hair away from his face in his typically effeminate manner. "And besides Flora would undoubtedly agree with me."

"Aye he's got a point there sir…" Adams gleefully added watching as the butler's face grew more and more beetroot but before Jarvis could come up with a suitable retort one of the footmen yelled out.

"We're home!"

Suddenly excited all three men tried to crane their necks to stare out of the carriage door wincing as they suddenly and unexpectedly bashed heads.

"Gentlemen!" Jarvis snapped holding his now throbbing head, his immediate worry that he would have to greet his wife with a nasty looking red mark throbbing on his forehead. "Can we all try to remember we are all adults, then perhaps some of us will start acting as such!"

"Oh aye so now we're the immature ones…" Andrew began intending to remind the butler just whose idea it had been on their long trip to amuse themselves by playing sick pranks on a certain valet but the look on Jarvis's face was enough to stop him in his tracks.

"It would be such a shame if when we arrive I felt the need to place a certain under-butler personally in charge of all the unpacking instead of the irritating Mr Forest, such a task would certainly keep him occupied for hours, far too busy to undertake any quick excursion above stairs he might be planning!"

"Fine!" Adams snapped crossing his arms and glaring back at the butler. "If that's the way you want to play it then I might just have to drop in passing conversation to a certain pregnant housekeeper that her husband was hardly the model of virtue whilst we were away and in fact…"

"What?" Felix cut in suddenly concerned. "Did something happen that I don't know about? I knew it would be a bad idea letting the two of you share, I'm surprised you didn't drink yourselves into such a stupor you accidentally walked over board!"

"It's nothing Felix!" Jarvis snapped his severe tone indicating to all that it was very much not nothing. "Just Andrew making something out of nothing as usual and if he isn't careful he'll find himself on the wrong side of my boot, kicking his pimpled Scottish behind back up to the highlands."

"I'd like to see you try it." Adams mumbled under his breath, just loud enough for the butler to hear above the sound of the clattering horseshoes over cobbles.

Suddenly the convoy came to a stop and both Walter and Andrew made a dash for the door, succeeding in wedging themselves both firmly in the small opening.

"Mr Adams what did I say about your fat arse being in my way!" Jarvis snapped trying to elbow his under-butler out the way. "It's about time you learnt your place." He added as he managed to shove Andrew out the way.

"Oh go ahead, age before beauty as they say…"Adams snorted earning him a disapproving look from the butler.

"I am going to find my wife…Do try to make yourself useful for once Mr Adams!" Jarvis snorted over his shoulder as he turned and entered the house. Adams pausing for a moment, barking a few orders at a certain William Forest to take over before surreptitiously sneaking off round the other side of the house, hang Jarvis and his bloody secrets he was going to see if his lady love was indeed here as she had promised.

Meanwhile the Butler had exactly the same thing on his mind, well a different lady, but the love of his life none the less; the only problem was finding the damn woman! Shouldn't she have been waiting in the courtyard for him, all morning long if necessary? Failing that was it too much to expect her to be near by, in her office or failing that in his? So far his scouring of the servants quarters by himself had proved fruitless so he whirled round and storming into the kitchen he grabbed hold of the nearest maid and demanded to know in his usually straightforward although some would say brusque manner just where the hell was Mrs Corey?

"In her room…" Blubbered the new maid, her eyes wide in terror at the irate gentlemen who had so rudely and suddenly grabbed her arm.

"What the devil is she doing in there?" Jarvis interrogated.

"Changing…She spilt the…" But the poor girl never got the chance to finish her sentence as the butler was out the door and storming towards the room he and Flora shared. Then the idea struck him perhaps if she was already up in their room changing he might be able to persuade her to take a little rest….

At such a thought he was unable to suppress the naughty smile that tugged at his lips, six months was far too long for newlyweds to be apart, as the poor Mr Adams had found on a regular basis when he discovered the butler had an annoying propensity to talk in his sleep. Putting aside the disturbing thought that Andrew Adams probably now knew more about his superiors fantasy life than even the his wife did, Jarvis concentrated on surprising his wife, suddenly realising he had left the little tokens he had brought her in the carriage along with his journal.

Cursing his own stupidity he quickly dashed along their corridor, purposefully avoiding their room and darting into the main body of the house where he quickly found one of his wife's beautiful flower arrangements. Snapping off the most beautiful red rose he could find he then turned back and headed towards their room, placing the stem between his teeth as he made his dramatic entrance.

Seeing she wasn't in their sitting room he crept into the bedroom, squinting in the poor light as he spotted the silhouette by the wardrobe dutifully folding clean linen and putting it away.

"Darling I'm home!" He called out through clenched teeth so it sounded somewhat garbled but the essence was still there, grasping the stunned lady inside by the arm, spinning her round and bending her down for a dramatic kiss closing his eyes in anticipation.

"I don't know who you are calling Darling Mr Jarvis but somehow I doubt it's me!" A sharp mocking Scottish voice hissed just before he planted a passionate kiss on her.

Shocked the butler simply let her go and the stunned and unbalanced deputy housekeeper could do nothing to stop herself from slumping to the floor.

"Well if this is how you would treat your wife Mr Jarvis then I am very glad not to be her!" Molly snapped waving aside the butler's offer of assistance and getting up from the floor all by herself.

"I thought…I'm sorry…but what are you doing in here and where's Flora?"

"Probably down in the courtyard wondering the very same thing about you!" Molly retorted rubbing her sore elbows before snatching up the remaining clothing and this time shoving them into the wardrobe not caring if they creased. "I came and got her the moment I heard the carriages, she hadn't finished her task so I offered to finish it as she was so anxious to go see you. Honestly Mr Jarvis did you never think of waiting for her to come to you?"

"Well no I…." Walter began.

"Well I suggest you hurry and follow her before she decides to go off and try to find you, she won't have been there long."

"Thank you." He called out over his shoulder as he turned to leave.

"Oh Mr Jarvis." Molly added. "I think you'll be wanting this…" She added handing him the rose which now looked somewhat worse for wear mainly because the butler had bitten through the stem with the shock and the head now hung pathetically to one side. "I suggest you get another one, just don't go breaking that one I would like some roses left in my arrangement!"

Somewhat abashed the butler accepted the mutilated flower and made his escape, snapping off the head and placing it in his button hole he quickly garnered himself another before heading back downstairs.

Returning to the courtyard the first thought that struck him was chaos, carriages had been brought in higgledy piggledy, boxes had been unloaded and then dumped on the stone cobbles people were yelling 'hellos' and 'how are you's' across the space but there was one voice that stood out amongst the mealy and that had a distinctive Irish lilt to it as it called for order. For a moment Jarvis simply stood and listened to his wife's voice, smiling as he heard her reprimanding the porter's footmen and telling them to sort this mess out.

Walking towards the sound he caught a fleeting glimpse of her face as she stormed past one of the carriages, and desperate to see more he followed like Paris drawn to his Helen.

Then suddenly she appeared in front of him and the sight literally took his breath away, from the back she hardly looked any different but then she turned, calling Grace over and reaching into her pocket gave the young maid a well worn and crumpled piece of paper. She was breathtaking, and so big….

He knew of course that she would be, after all she would seven months gone by the time he returned and he knew in his mind technically what that would be like but somehow he had never been able to picture his Flora like that; now all he wanted to do was rush over and pull her into his arms and run his hands all over her just make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him. She was fine, their baby was obviously thriving and at such a thought Jarvis finally let out that metaphorical breath he had been holding practically since the moment he had left her on the platform.

Then suddenly Flora turned, it was if instinctively she suddenly realised he was watching and as he drew closer he saw the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

"Walter." She whispered her eyes closed as she savoured the moment.

"Yes my love." He answered softly reaching out and brushing his hand down the side of her face before leaning forward and pulling her as much into his embrace as he could manage.

"You're home…" She gasped, tears now freely flowing down her cheeks as she opened her eyes and looked at him.

"It would appear so my darling…But why the tears, you don't want me to leave again do you?" He teased, blinking back his own tears as his wife flung her arms round his neck and kissed him soundly.

"Never, don't you ever leave me again!" Flora gasped once they had come up for air.

"I won't I promise, I'll never leave you alone again." He replied earnestly, kissing her soundly once more before escorting her back into the house.

"Lady Rebecca?" Adams called out formally, in case she had company, as he peered around the door into the library, keeping a firm ear out for any footsteps heading his way. It had been a strange request of hers to ask to meet in here and not her bedroom, but he had taken it as the peculiars of pregnancy and had thought not much of it, except to fleetingly ponder whether it may very well have been because she wasn't in the mood for much else except talking even though they had been apart for nearly seven months. He had now stepped fully into the room, slightly puzzled at not being able to see her at first, but as he quickly turned his head he saw a sight not even his own imagination could have really prepared him for, and in an instant it had completely taken his breath away.

"Andrew! My darling!" Rebecca breathed, placing a book back on the shelf and darting over to him as quickly as she could under the sheer weight she seemed to be carrying. Adams gasped and smiled, unsure what to make of the complete transformation which had undergone his lover in his absence, but quickly he thought her to be a beautiful sight as his eyes took in her excited, expectant eyes, the soft but definite flush of her cheeks and her large belly which for a moment looked like she had simply stuffed her pillows up her dress.

As she approached him, her arms outstretched, the reality of her pregnancy hit him for the first time. He had fantasised about what she must now look like, how big her stomach must have grown, but also he had worried for her safety every minute of every day and dreaded returning in case the worst had happened. He had seen just how scared Jarvis had been for Flora; he may not have put it into words all that much - well to him at least - but he could tell and he had been desperate to share his own fears. Instead he had taken to his diary, not wishing to speak to anyone about it for fear of breaking down in tears, as that of course would never do, he wouldn't have heard the last of it if bloody William Forest had caught him blubbing like a baby.

"My God thank goodness you are alright." Adams sighed as she practically fell into his arms, however the swell of her stomach was getting firmly in the way of much embracing so instead the under-butler ran his hand over her hot face and kissed her inviting lips firmly, his first touch of affection since their parting kiss in what felt like a lifetime ago.

After a minute or so of simply enjoying the feel of each other, their lips broke apart and Rebecca nuzzled her face into the stiff collar of his shirt, smiling in contentment. Suddenly she let out a small gasp then smiled, reaching for his hand and placing it on her stomach.

"Can you feel it?" She whispered in his ear. "I know I am used to it, and now getting downright fed up with it through all my sleepless nights, but I have dreamt of you lying with me and able to feel them kicking away, you can tell they have Adams blood in them."

Adams beamed proudly, he was indeed feeling small movements and he realised what he had missed out on, never knowing of Lizzie before her birth. It felt strange to know that one day soon he would suddenly be a father of three instead of one, but it also felt incredibly right. "You're forgetting your own fighting spirit, Rebecca my love." He reminded her, kissing her forehead.

"Anyway I think it should be me who is pleased that you are alright." Rebecca laughed gently, sliding her arms under his jacket. "I have missed you so much, I have felt so alone, especially up in Scotland. The estate was so dreary and Father will not let me manage my own affairs, he won't stop interfering! He says it's for my own good but that's ridiculous, it's not for me it's for the twins, and I'm so scared Andrew!"

Rebecca gulped hard and looked up at Adams, the excitement in her eyes at seeing him now gone and replaced with an incomprehensible fear which sliced through Adams to the core. He feared Lord Farquarson may have wanted a hand in bringing up his grandchildren, well at least any boys Rebecca may bear, but there seemed much more to it than that. Rebecca would never be in such a panic over things such as the schooling and religious teaching her father may insist her children have if she knew she would be able to see them every day. She looked to him like a woman in desperate fear of losing them, and he realised quickly there was much he had missed since his rather inconvenient excursion to Asia.

"What's happened!" Adams demanded, placing his finger under her chin and lifting her head as a tear released itself from her eye and stung her blushed cheek. "I need to know, I have been cut off from you for too long! I bet that sister of yours has had a hand in encouraging your father, and I won't stand for it!"

Rebecca released her hold on Adams, sensing an incredible fury building inside him, and she hadn't even told him everything yet. Too many months apart from her and she had been left vulnerable to the scheming of Francesca and the tyranny of her father, and Adams felt he had let her down just when she needed him most and that was unforgivable. It was if he sensed what she was going to say, that Lord Farquarson was inadvertently going to prevent him from seeing the love of his life, and his children, ever again.

"He keeps saying that it's what Hugo would have wanted, when I know he would never have agreed to it, but every time I try and talk to him he won't listen, saying now Hugo's dead he's in charge of me again!" Rebecca blurted out, gripping onto Adams' sleeve as he shot a worried glance towards the door, a small part of him concerned that someone of aristocratic blood may suddenly barge in and see Rebecca in a state.

"That's rubbish, he's not in charge of you!" Adams growled in a hushed tone, grasping her hand and holding it tightly to his chest. "You're a woman of wealth now, you don't have to listen to the old fool any longer, you can make your own decisions, please tell me what he's been saying to you, so I can think of how to stop it, I'll not lose you Rebecca, not after everything, not after all this time……Rebecca!" The under-butler gasped in sudden horror as his sweetheart suddenly cried out in pain, her hand weakening in his grasp as her knees buckled, her other hand flying up to the side of her stomach. "Rebecca what is it!" Adams asked frantically as she began to pant, breathing heavily as the look of agony on her face was replaced with one of pure shock. She looked down and whimpered when she saw a clear pool appear at her feet and once Adams saw what she was staring at he began to stutter in confusion. "What…what's happening to you! Are you sick! Surely that's a bad sign!"

"Oh bloody hell!" Rebecca strained as she doubled up, Adams for an extremely fleeting and inexplicable moment finding her expletive astonishing for such sweet, aristocratic lips. "I think…it's started!"

"Started!" Adams gulped, helplessly waving his arms around Rebecca as she backed into a chair and awkwardly flopped into it while making a rather unattractive guttural screech. She sucked in a mouthful of air and held it. "STARTED!" He repeated unhelpfully, much to Rebecca's annoyance.

"Yes, started, Andrew! The babies, they're coming, they must be, I've not had anything like this before, apart from a small incident last month when I thought I was about to, but it was nothing compared to this!" Rebecca gasped breathlessly, groaning as she slid her hand under her stomach. "Emily told me what to expect, what to feel, the water's just normal….damn it Andrew why are you just standing there, go and get help! More specifically go and get Flora and Molly, I don't want my sister to know, not yet!"

"I can't leave you!" Adams shouted in panic, frantically snatching at cushions and shoving them behind Rebecca's back in an attempt to make her comfortable, but he could tell by the expression on her face that nothing short of getting those babies out of her would make her better, and that was something he certainly had to leave up to her and the encouraging words of others better equipped than him to deal with this alien situation. "I'll ring the bell!"

"No, don't!" Rebecca ordered frantically as the second surge of pain overwhelmed her. "Didn't you listen to what I said, I don't want everyone to know yet, and anyway there's no time, go and get Flora, and the doctor!"

For a second Adams paused, rooted to the spot as his brain attempted to comprehend the sight before him. His emotions were in turmoil, he couldn't bear to see his lover and the mother of his children in pain and that filled him with sadness and apprehension, but at the same time he felt a surge of incredible happiness. To his surprise, Rebecca reached out and clasped his fingers, gazing into his eyes reassuringly and forcing a smile.

"It'll be fine, don't worry." She whispered in an incredibly calm voice under the circumstances, sensing that Adams' panic was preventing him from being any use to her whatsoever. "In a few hours we shall have two beautiful children and the rest of our lives together, you'll see. I'm a couple of weeks early I think but I'm sure it'll be alright. It has to be."

Adams bent down and kissed her softly on her sweating brow, but as the urgency of what was happening hit him he knew he had to be strong and that meant staying strong and doing exactly what she wanted, even if that did mean leaving her on her own in the library for a few minutes. "I love you so much. You can do this, I know you can." Rebecca simply nodded, unable to speak while the pain and instinct to push controlled her every thought.

"I'll be back very, very soon, just stay there!"

Rebecca rolled her eyes, where else would she go? Into the drawing room for a spot of sewing while she was waiting for the first baby to show up? With a proud smile, Adams hurried out of the room and headed straight for the servants quarters at top speed ready to accost the first female senior member of staff he came across, hardly prepared for the long, long wait he would have to endure before it would finally all be over.

Meanwhile downstairs oblivious to the dramatics that were taking lace in the library a very contented Mr and Mrs Corey were settling down in the butler's pantry.

hi

"I made sure we had lemon cake for your arrival, it's not like you would have any of that in India..." Flora prattled on as she poured the tea, oblivious to her husband's stares as he watched fascinated as she moved effortlessly aground the room despite the load she was carrying. "Do you want sugar?" She asked, then when after a prolonged silence she turned round, hands on hips. "Walter are you even listening to a word I said?"

"Mnn…What dearest?" Jarvis mumbled, realising he had been caught off guard and trying his best to sound placating.

"Honestly you're away for months then when you get back you ignore me…."

"I was thinking…"

"So that gives you an excuse to ignore me then?" Flora snapped, her cheeks quickly flushing with anger.

"I was thinking how you look even more beautiful then I remembered." Jarvis countered getting to his feet and drawing his now wavering wife into his arms and kissing her softly on the lips before trailing off down her neck. "And how much I missed you…And god damnit I have far more entertaining things on my mind than lemon cake and bloody tea!"

"So you don't want your cake then…" Flora asked coyly.

"No I want to have my cake and eat it!" Jarvis replied cheekily sliding his hands down to her bottom and giving it a quick squeeze. "Six months is far far too long my love…"

"Walter Corey what are you suggesting…."

"I think you know very well my love what I am suggesting, I think perhaps we both could do with a little lie down."

"That's disgraceful talk, propositioning a heavily pregnant woman and in the middle of the day as well!" Flora retorted in a mockingly shocked voice.

"Well it is night-time somewhere on the globe."

"Yes but not at Taplows…Walter would you stop that right now!" Flora demanded as her impatient husband began unbutton her dress. "We're in your office, in the middle of the day, and you just know any moment your mother is going to come barging in…"

"So let's go upstairs and lock the door." Jarvis countered reaching down and grasping her delicate hand his own and literally dragging her towards the door.

"Well it's not like I have any choice…" Flora mumbled before wincing slightly as her hand flew to her stomach an action which automatically had her husband panicking all amorous thoughts fleeing as fear set in.

"What is it, what's wrong?"

"Nothing it's just your child deciding to wake up… She's been dancing a jig on my bladder for the last few weeks and now I think she's graduated to a full fledged Irish dance routine."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No Walter. I just need to sit, it helps…" She trailed off as her husband helped her to his fireside chair before pulling over his desk chair and sitting next to her.

"You can touch you know she won't bite. "Flora teased watching as Walter tentatively reached out and laid his hand on her stomach. "Lower down and to the right." She instructed watching as his face practically lit up with delight as another well placed kick distorted the skin just below his hand.

"Quite the little athlete we have here." Walter mumbled after a few minutes of sitting entranced.

"Yes well I'm just glad we're only having one, Rebecca was a good ten inches bigger than me at seven months."

"Oh so she made it down…Been comparing bumps have we? Just as long as you haven't been comparing anything else?" Jarvis snorted disapprovingly.

"Perhaps we have, perhaps we haven't Walter I know you don't approve of her being here but it has been so incredibly dull without you, Molly has been a treasure but sometimes your mother…."

"What has she been up to now?"

"Taking over that's what! Sometimes it isn't difficult to see who you take after…First she stops me from doing hardly any of my duties, the next she sending me to bed at nine and now she has totally taken over sorting out the baby's things I can't say anything without her tutting and reminding me she knows more about this than I do. You have to do something Walter I swear I don't know if I can stand it much longer!" Flora broke off unable to suppress the tears that once more appeared in her eyes.

"This is our baby and I know she means well but I'm getting so paranoid now that I question everything I do so much I end up doing nothing at all. Damnit when this child is born I swear if she could find a way to breastfeed it herself she would just to show me the right way of doing things…."

"Surely it can't be that bad."

"Not that bad… I suppose you think I'm exaggerating some feeble pregnant female reaction well you haven't been here so how would you know how bad it's been?"

"Oh so now its back to being my fault?"

"I didn't say that!"

"Yes you did, it's my fault because I left, and it's my fault because it's my mother, anything else that I should be aware of?"

"Not yet but it's still early!" Flora retorted angrily, levering herself out of the chair and wobbling over to the door.

"Where are you going?" Walter demanded getting to his feet and following her to the door. "I thought we were going to have a little lie down?"

"I'm going for some air!" Flora snapped. "You must be delusional if you think I am in the mood for that now."

"But…" Jarvis began determined to think of some stellar argument that would win her round once more but before he add anything Molly came darting round the corner.

"Flora dear hurry we need you."

"Why what's happened?"

"Rebecca's labour has started, Mr Jarvis welcome back but could you send for the doctor and keep it quiet she doesn't want certain people to find out…" Molly trailed off nodding upstairs at an imaginary nobility.

"Yes of course." Flora replied dashing off to her office in search of her medicine box without even a backwards glance at her now fuming husband.

"Flora!" Rebecca exclaimed Flora bustled quickly into the room, Molly frantically trying to take the medicine box from her grasp and to slow her down. The under-housekeeper clicked her tongue and shook her head; Flora had been doing far too much recently and she just would not let Molly take over many of her duties, no matter how much she had nagged on at her, and she suddenly regretted fetching her at all. She should have left her in the arms of her husband, she and Emily could have dealt with this situation and Dr Evans was now on his way and she may have been none the wiser until she heard the babies' healthy cries echoing around the house.

Molly hurried over to Lady Rebecca, shooting her brother a glance as he stood helplessly, but all the while thinking how awful it would be if something went wrong, that would certainly be something Flora shouldn't witness and she was sure Mr Jarvis wouldn't thank her for exposing his wife to such upset. Molly felt her own private grief for the child she never had beginning to surface but she knew she had to keep it suppressed, she would be no good to anyone if she began to inexplicably weep. She knew she still had time, although not much, although any child she might conceive would be out of wedlock to a certain Lord. She had resigned herself to remaining childless as she had hardly seen her lover in the last few months, and anyway it was probably for the best, what with her husband still out there and to her knowledge not in the slightest bit dead.

"Do you want me to help lift her? What…what should I do?" Adams asked Flora weakly, feeling even more useless than before as Rebecca smiled with joy through her pain as finally the cavalry had arrived. Somehow Adams knew that he would be the most awkward, unimportant, incidental person to Flora, Molly and even Rebecca during the drama of Rebecca's labour and he hated not being in control of the situation. Not even giving Forest a bloody good thump could make him feel any better, so he knew how he felt was hopeless.

"What should you do?" Flora repeated in what seemed to him a slightly condescending tone, obviously baffled by such a strange question as she stared at him in disbelief. Rebecca shrieked in pain again, her contractions coming slightly faster now as Flora and Molly lifted her out of the chair by her arms and supported her weight between them. Flora's own state didn't allow for her to take much of Rebecca's weakening body so Molly took the brunt of her, her slender frame deceptively strong.

Flora glanced back over her shoulder, realising she hadn't answered poor Mr Adams' question. "Oh, there's nothing you can do Mr Adams, you're a man and unless you're the doctor I suggest you stay well away as this does not concern you. Find Mr Jarvis and ask for a stiff brandy, you're going to need it." She said sagely. For the first time in his life Adams felt inadequate for simply being a man.

"Doesn't concern me?" He began, sniffing out a laugh and desperately trying to catch Rebecca's gaze, but she looked in no state to be defending him, if she even cared a jot at that moment. "But Mrs Corey, it does concern me, surely….."

"You have done your bit, Mr Adams, now let Lady Rebecca finish hers!" Flora announced hotly, Adams flushing as he glanced over at his sister to see if there was a flicker of embarrassed recognition on her face from such a comment. "And besides, if you are hanging around what would Lord Farquarson think, Lady Francesca knows too much already without you causing more trouble, now do as I say for once and find Mr Jarvis! You will know any news as soon as we can get any to you."

Adams had nothing left to say, Flora was right, he had to stay away and he would get to see Rebecca and the children in time. He felt it slightly wrong that he wasn't able to be there for her, to hold her hand and tell her how well she is doing, but it was laughable that any sane woman, or doctor, would let the father of the child into the room during what was essentially a womanly act and he couldn't foresee such a time when that would be acceptable. Still, he couldn't help feeling utterly useless, he would take all Rebecca's pain and endure it himself if he could.

"Do as Mrs Corey says, Andrew." Molly urged in a less sharp tone than the housekeeper's, noticing her brother's turmoil while Rebecca whimpered and muttered something about not being able to do this and never doing it ever again. Andrew wasn't sure if by 'it' she meant sex or babies or both, but he could forgive anything she was obviously saying in haste – in fact it was apparent she had no idea what she was saying, quite blamelessly.

"Andrew, stay near! I need you!" Rebecca called out breathlessly, reaching out in a rather unsubtle gesture, but Flora noticed to her dismay Lord Farquarson marching into the hallway, booming orders to his valet.

"I won't go far, I promise, I'll be here for you." Adams whispered, only able to briefly clasp her sweating fingers. "You'll be fine, the doctor will be here soon….." "Hold on My Lady, we'll get you to your room." Molly soothed as the two women dashed Rebecca towards the main staircase. "Emily's preparing everything you need, she knows what she's doing, she's been through it all twice remember."

Adams was utterly fed up with pacing up and down Jarvis' office, he was sick of the sight of the four walls which surrounded him and he couldn't hear Rebecca in the slightest. He wished he was nearer, even if that meant having to endure listening to her muffled screams of agony, at least he would be able to know what was going on to a certain extent. He glanced at his pocket watch – the one Rebecca had given him and remained his most valued possession. It had been hours now, he was convinced, but on looking at the time he saw that it had only been ten minutes since he had last stared at it. Sighing soundly the under-butler flopped into Jarvis' armchair and rubbed his forehead, completely wound up with anxiety but also strangely bored.

Jarvis had ordered him to stay there, and not to move until he came back with news. He had had the foresight to realise that his under-butler would probably be as much use as a chocolate teapot in carrying out his duties and he was bound to make a mistake, whether it be polishing the wooden dining table with silver polish or miscounting the items brought back from India, so instead of letting him make a fool of himself and earning a stern word from the Earl he had given him the rest of the afternoon off. Jarvis had thought that most generous of him, and thought that was it not for Flora's situation then he may not have been so understanding of Adams' anxiety, as he knew that really he should have been dismissed without character for impregnating an aristocrat and not given compassionate time off because of it. Jarvis simply concluded that he must be going soft in his old age, and the slightly worrying fact that he was so happy about impending fatherhood he couldn't stop grinning long enough to get all that annoyed with Mr Adams' stupidity.

The butler had stayed with Adams for a little while, sharing a drink and trying to calm his subordinate with reminiscing about that rather fun scam they got up to in India at the expense of that rather mysterious manservant the Earl temporarily acquired. As the time approached an hour, however, Adams had taken up the rather predictable habit of all expectant fathers of pacing frantically, simply grunting as Jarvis tried to make light conversation and drown him in whiskey. Jarvis had become rather twitchy himself, desperate to hunt out his wife whom he knew would be overworking herself on Lady Rebecca's behalf, so he downed the drink he had hardly touched and made for the door.

"Can you see if you can find out anything?" Adams had asked him hopefully as the clock above the fireplace chimed 4 o'clock.

"Well, I can try, but I am probably banned from going anywhere near the Lady's bedroom and I doubt I will be able to get much detail from any of the attending women." Jarvis had muttered thoughtfully, rubbing his chin.

"Besides His Lordship needs me, I may be some time as there is plenty to sort out now we're back and I don't fancy leaving our Mr Forest in charge of the unpacking."

"Aye, sir, I understand." Adams replied mournfully. "It's probably far too early anyway, but if you hear anything…."

"I will find Dr Evans presently. As soon as I know anything….well, I will of course inform you." Jarvis tried to smile reassuringly, but he remembered only too well what had happened to the Countess and the Earl's firstborns – twins – all those years ago. He had secretly prayed Flora would not conceive twins as the death rate was far too high not to cause concern, but he felt this was hardly the time or the place to mention such grave statistics to Mr Adams.

Now, three hours on, and amazingly Jarvis still hadn't returned. Even Elizabeth hadn't come to find her father, as he thought she might do considering she hadn't seen him in months, but he then supposed she was used to not seeing him and there was still all that father-daughter bonding they had to catch up on. He had fallen asleep for nearly one hour of the three and had woken up feeling disorientated and rather sick, and that was when he had begun his rapid pacing again and glancing at his watch – and the clock, as if it would somehow read a different time – every ten minutes. Finally it became too much to bear, he couldn't foresee an end to the interminable waiting so building his resolve flung the door open to the pantry and stepped out, his first instinct to empty his full bladder.

There was maid he didn't recognise – obviously new – who took one glance at him as she hurried past and frowned furiously as if she had laid eyes on some hideous gargoyle. Well, Adams thought, not all women could see him for the handsome devil he was so more fool her. She looked too young for his tastes anyway, not much older than his own daughter he suspected, and he turned away cursing himself for letting his mind wander to more frivolous matters. Well, it had been a long time, and he had got used to the attention Lady Rebecca had lavished on him for the months she was at Taplows. He had been most well behaved while he had been abroad, of course temptations were everywhere and he had visited enough of the more seedier watering holes with Fred Matkin to know how the British colonialists liked their Asian entertainment, but he had stayed true to his Lady despite Fred's encouraging nudges.

He doubted she would ever know how hard it had been for him not to give in to certain ladies of pleasure and their exotic dancing, but somehow he presumed she wouldn't be up to talking about that right now…..

"Mr Adams."

Adams spun round to see Jarvis standing there, looking rather tired and ever so slightly put out. Quickly the under-butler tried to think of an excuse for not still sitting where he had been left hours ago, but he suddenly abandoned that train of thought when he saw the inexplicable look spreading across his superior's face.

"Mr Adams….Andrew." Jarvis began, indicating to him to step into his office. "Please, if you wouldn't mind."

Wouldn't mind! Adams thought, just tell me what's happened for God's sake! He did as requested, studying Jarvis carefully but not able to actually ask the questions he was so desperate to know the answers to. Jarvis, however, made sure he kept his eyes on the ground, on the window, even the ceiling – anywhere as long as he didn't have to look Adams in the eye.

"You have a son." The butler announced a little coldly, a ripple of a smile appearing across his lips. Adams suddenly exhaled the air he had been holding in for the past few seconds as the words sank in – a son ! It was over, Rebecca had done it, he knew she could, and he felt so proud. But that was only one, Jarvis only mentioned a son, there should be two children not just one……

"A son, that's wonderful, but Mr Jarvis, what about Rebecca, the second twin…..?" Adams breathed, a wave of nausea engulfing him as the butler's expression turned rather grave. He felt his legs weaken and it felt an eternity until Jarvis finally spoke again, running his fingers through his hair and sighing soundly in exhaustion.

"You should sit down, Andrew, you don't look to well and I think you should hear this in the comfort of my armchair….."

"Just tell me, Mr Jarvis, please!" Adams cried, unable to bear this tense atmosphere much longer. He refused to sit, his heart was thumping in his throat and the adrenalin pumping through him, he wanted to dash out of the room and to Rebecca, she must be desperately needing him , not her father or Lady Caroline or any other aristocrat who pretended to care but had no idea what she must be going through. "Please sir, I can tell it's bad – just how bad?"

Jarvis nodded, how this pained him to tell Adams the news, he often believed he got what he deserved, especially now he had been such a bloody idiot by sleeping with the eldest daughter of a well respected aristocrat like Lord Farquarson, but he wouldn't wish this on his worst enemy – and that included Prothero. "Lady Rebecca gave birth to two boys, the first is healthy, how he should be, but the second…..I'm sorry Andrew but he only lived for minutes, he didn't even cry."

"Oh God." Adams gasped, reaching out to the mantelpiece to steady himself. He clasped his hand over his mouth, stifling the tears which were desperate to fall. "She said she was too early, I knew it….!"

"No, it wasn't that, yes he was small but Dr Evans said it was the cord, it was somehow wrapped around the little thing's neck, he was surprised he had lived that long, said it must've happened not long before the birth." Jarvis didn't know what to do, what else to say but the truth, and he knew Adams would thank it for him later. He reached out and grasped his under-butler's shoulder firmly, his eyes soft and almost tearful himself. What if this happened to his child? What if Flora fell as sick as Lady Rebecca was right now? "Andrew, it was an accident. You being nearer wouldn't have made a scrap of difference."

"Rebecca." Adams gulped, all the blood draining from his complexion as he made a dash for the door. "I must get to her – must see her!"

"Andrew, you can't, that's an order!" Jarvis said a little too firmly, frowning at his own short-temper. He was tired, it had been a long evening and all he wanted to do was be with Flora, hold her, and instead he had to try to comfort another man's loss without even knowing how. Adams spun on his heel, his eyes wide in terror, unable to mutter the words and make real what he feared most. "You can't see her, not yet, she's sick. Dr Evans says she's been through a lot, she's lost more blood than is normal and she fell unconscious after the second child was born, she doesn't even know he didn't make it. Dr Evans says she should live, but he won't know for certain for a couple of days. Her father is by her side right now."

Adams finally sank down into the armchair, leaning forward and cradling his head in his hands as his own selfish, grieving thoughts consumed him. He couldn't believe it, this surely wasn't true, Rebecca was strong, she wouldn't leave him, she promised. They were to be together forever, it was meant to be. His only surviving son couldn't lose his mother, Lord Farquarson would take him away, he would never see his child again. His life would be over, an empty shell which once had everything to live for but had now cruelly been destroyed by fate.

"I can't lose her, I love her so much." Adams sniffed. His voice was so shaky he could barely catch his breath as he spoke. There was so much he had to say to her, and he couldn't bear the thought of her going through everything alone. He knew she would want him there, and if he couldn't be there for the hardest part then he could damn well be there now for her and his baby. "Mr Jarvis, I must go to her, you of all people must understand that."

"Well I can't physically restrain you, and I'm not about to." Jarvis said sagely. "But I must warn you that if you go up there now and try to get into her room you may be risking everything. Hasn't Lady Rebecca risked enough for both of you today?"

"With all due respect sir I think I have been to Lady Rebecca's room enough times to have practiced the art of subtlety." Adams said firmly, desperately trying to keep his stiff upper lip, but he wasn't fooling anyone, least of all himself. Without waiting for a response from the butler he leapt out of the chair, feeling he had been waiting long enough. He had to see her for himself, he needed to see his son – both of his sons. Rebecca was relying on him to be there, and when she wakes up she will expect to see him, to feel him stroking her brow soothingly and cradling their children. He didn't want Lord bloody Farquarson to be the one who she saw when she opened her eyes, shouting at her in no uncertain and harsh terms that she managed to kill one of her children but not to worry that's the beauty of having two of the blighters, there was an heir to Lord Hugo's fortune still breathing and that was all that mattered.

"Mr Adams." Jarvis called out as Adams reached the door. "Your son, Flora says he's beautiful. She says he has Lady Rebecca's eyes but your nose, poor bugger, oh yes and his hair is as fiery red as his mother's." For the first time Adams smiled, he hadn't considered the small person lying upstairs just waiting for his father to come to him and he wondered whether his half sister was watching over him. Rebecca wasn't the only one relying on Adams that night.

Jarvis stepped towards him, and to Adams' great surprise drew him into a manly hug. "She'll live, I'm sure she will. Now go to them if you must, your son is in Lord Harry's old room, it will be the temporary nursery."

Adams pulled away and wiped the rogue tear which had escaped, and Jarvis watched as he dashed away from the pantry, almost banging into Joe who was lugging a large box through along the corridor. With a thoughtful pause, the butler felt he needed a few moments alone before braving the emotional wreck which was Flora.

Therefore whilst the under butler was heading upstairs to see his second borne and his remarkably willed mother the butler was also heading upstairs in order to retrieve his own wife, who as the doctor had pointedly warned had been on her feet for far too long which couldn't be good for the child she herself carried. So Jarvis had the somewhat complicated and dangerous task of somehow persuading his wife to leave her place by her friends bedside and returning to her own for some much need rest and relaxation.

"Mrs Watson would you ask my wife to step outside." Jarvis whispered after having tapped on Lady Rebecca's door Molly Watson had answered it.

"Thank goodness." Molly had replied conspiratorially. "She won't listen to a word I say!"

"Well I doubt she'll listen to me either but I have to try!" Jarvis retorted dryly, peaking through the slender gap into the room beyond and catching sight of both his wife and Miss McDuff as they hovered around the bed, and although he couldn't hear what was being said he make out the angry look on Flora's tired face and her obvious obstinance. However despite her objections somehow Molly managed to manoeuvre Mrs Corey out the door to face her husband.

"Yes Walter?" Flora snapped, unable to hide the obvious exhaustion from her voice.

"Don't you yes Walter me!" The butler snapped, nodding at Molly who suddenly conspiratorially closed the door in front of them.

"What!" Flora exclaimed dashing towards the door intending to pound against the old oak but her husband caught her arm and pulled her away.

"That will not do any good and besides you are under doctor's orders, you have to go straight to bed and rest, at least eight hours he said and now I am back I intend to make sure you carry them out to the letter…AND no buts!" He added as he watched the fire enter his wife's eyes. "Unless of course you'd prefer to lose more than one baby today?"

"No…" Flora replied softly the tears brimming in her eyes. "You're right I do need to rest but what if Rebecca…"

"Mrs Watson will be there for her and I have it on a good authority a certain other member of staff will be watching over her closely! So it's off to bed with you Mrs Corey and that's a direct order!"

"I'm the housekeeper Mr Jarvis not one of your footmen!" Flora snorted.

"I wasn't ordering you as your superior I was ordering you as your devoted but concerned husband!" Jarvis retorted, gently taking her arm and escorting her back to their quarters.

It didn't take long to navigate the dark corridors and before long Jarvis was pushing open the door to their joint quarters, rooms that he himself had only spent one night in, but memories of that night, their wedding night were more than enough to sweeten his thoughts and he had hoped that his first night back would be an equally romantic and memorable occasion. However looking at his obviously exhausted wife he seriously doubted any of his imaginings would come to pass that particular evening.

Glancing round their sitting room Jarvis couldn't help but notice the little homely touches that Flora had added over the months, the pictures that he had collected over his travels had been hung proudly on the sitting room walls alongside a beautiful and complex sampler that his wife had obviously created with her talented fingers. Not to mention the umpteen cushions and new upholstery that covered the two fireside chairs, it didn't take a great deal of brain power to realise what had kept his wife amused in the wee hours of the night and morning when he had been on the far side of the globe.

"You've been busy." Walter whispered rubbing Flora's shoulders softly.

"Hmm." Flora replied distractedly.

"I've got some more pictures to hang, perhaps you can lend me your eye tomorrow?"

"Of course, after you're unpacked of course!" Flora retorted waving at his three trunks that were piled up against the wall. "You're going to struggle to find your nightshirt and dressing gown in all that."

"Oh well I'll manage I'm sure!" Jarvis retorted cheekily pulling his wife into his arms and holding her close. "If you'll keep me nice and warm that is?"

"Oh I'll try." Flora muttered, reaching down and clasping his hand tightly in her own before leading him through the open door to their bedroom.

"Could you..." She trailed off nodding to her dress fastenings, which her smiling husband made quick work off, helping her off with her summer dress and undergarments and on with her nightdress, taking time to marvel at her distended stomach and running his hands over her skin before pulling the light cotton dress down properly.

"How on earth have you been coping without me?" He joked as he helped her into bed tucking her in firmly.

"Oh well there was always a string of volunteers…" Flora sniggered enjoying the momentary shocked look on his face. "But mostly Molly or your mother and its only been the last week or so its been a struggle before that I managed on my own."

"Well I'm here now I can take care of you properly, stop you from overdoing it as you obviously have been doing. What was the point of hiring Mrs Watson if you still insist on doing everything yourself?"

"But resting is boring and I have enough baby clothes for triplets…" Flora suddenly trailed off her eyes tearing up as the memories of that evening came flooding back. "Oh Walter what if…"

"Shush…" Walter whispered moving to sit besides her on the bed and pull his trembling wife into his arms. "Don't even think it, what happened to Rebecca was a terrible thing but that has no bearing on us, on our child." He added gently rubbing his hand across her stomach and smiling when he felt their child move underneath his fingertips. "See even the baby agrees with me!"

"Well I could never win an argument against two Corey's now could I!" Flora retorted wiping away her tears and snuggling into Walter's chest.

"No you couldn't so why don't you close those eyes and get some sleep." Walter added pulling her tighter and rubbing his hands up and down her back and planting tiny kisses along her hairline.

"How can I sleep with you doing that?" Flora giggled trailing her fingers teasingly down his waistcoat and playing with the buttons before naughtily tugging his shirt and vest out of his trousers and running her fingertips up over his bare chest.

"Oh so now you want to play? How typical just when I've told you to rest!" Walter muttered tersely but he couldn't resist the invitation in her eyes and made quick work of his waistcoat before letting his wife enthusiastically assist him with his shirt.

"Oh Walter don't be a spoilsport!" Flora retorted reaching up and kissing him soundly on the lips before suddenly pulling away. "Oh not now baby…Please!"

"It certainly has a Corey sense of timing!" Walter hissed. "What's the matter baby don't you want your parents to be happy?"

"I think he just wants me all to himself!" Flora mumbled. "He's not used to sharing after all!"

"He?" Walter said smugly.

"Oh stop gloating Walter, he's better than it!"

"I believe you, I suppose you'd better try getting some sleep then." He added sadly.

"You have to be joking, with the baby moving around like this…And you wonder why I'm tired all the time, you would be to if you had every night's sleep disrupted like this."

"Is there anything we can do to make him stop?" Jarvis asked exasperated, realising if Flora wasn't getting any sleep then it was doubtful she would let him snooze away.

"Well I find singing to him helps, but I suppose if you were to talk to him it might work just as well."

"Read what?" He asked, bewilderment clear on his handsome face.

"Well I don't know, anything will do….Last months household orders if needs be!" Flora snapped, squirming around until she got comfortable.

Suddenly the Butler jumped off the bed, he had just thing, not only would it sooth his child but it might even keep the missus in the mood long enough to get some much needed relief.

A minute later he returned brandishing an instantly recognisable book, one that caused his wife's eyebrow to suddenly shoot skyward.

"So you didn't loose it!"

"No." Jarvis retorted smugly, settling beside her on the bed and opening to the first page, somehow managing to keep it away from his now intrigued wife he propped himself up on one elbow and began to read his first letter aloud resting his other hand gently on her stomach so he could gage the effect.

"My Dearest Darling Wife…."

Half an hour later the baby had finally stopped kicking and a hopeful Jarvis read to the end of the letter he was on before closing the journal shut. Slowly he edged up the bed until he was lying side by side with his sleepy smiling wife.

"I think it might have worked!" He whispered nuzzling into her hair and eliciting a promising moan of agreement. "Now where were we?" He added trailing kisses down her neck before teasing at the bow of her nightdress and making his way down from her collarbone.

"That feels nice…" Flora murmured sleepily, raising a hand to stroke his hair softly.

"Just give me five minutes!" Jarvis added cheekily as he caressed her now bare arms. "And it'll feel more than nice…"

However the only response he got from his incredibly relaxed wife was a soft whimper followed by a loud yawn as she drifted off to sleep, completely oblivious to her now extremely wound up husband as he balled his fists in frustration.

"Bloody typical!" He hissed under his breath but as he gazed down at the ravishing creature below him he couldn't find it in his heart to stay mad for long, she looked just like an angel when she slept, and besides one more night wouldn't make that much of a difference, after all tomorrow was only a few hours away and Flora had always been partial to a spot of snuggling in the mornings.

While the reunited couple were just beginning to doze off, another pair of adults not too far away, were still up once again needing each other's company as they had over the last 6 months. The younger of the pair had her head buried in his shoulder, muttering things he couldn't understand.

"Grace darling, I can't understand a word you are saying," he whispered soothingly, stroking her hair gently. "Have you found out what happened at George's trial?"

Pulling away from him she shakes her head, "I've not seen one member of the higher staff since we returned, only Mrs Corey briefly."

"Well it doesn't take a genius to work that one out. Jarvis will be busy reuniting with his wife between the sheets, Adams will have nipped upstairs for a similar appointment and Prince Albert will be reunited himself with his true love," suddenly forgetting the reason for her dismayed, Grace looked at him her eyebrow raised, wishing to find out anything about the chef he didn't already know. "his kitchen" Frank adds, noticing the interest on her face.

"Oh," she whispers, finally able to smile. "That may explains those members of staff, but Mrs Watson and Mrs Corey…senior version, have both disappeared too." Frank chuckles slightly.

"I wouldn't worry about it, if anything slightly entertaining had happen we would have heard about it."

She nods, "I just wanted to ask someone what had happened to…George."

"Grace I warned you while we were away not to get your hopes up," Her bottom lip begins to tremble, she splutters slightly as she tries to hold back more tears. "I know it's difficult my dear, but I'm here for you." She nods, feeling a lot calmer and reassured as he pulls her back into his arms. He smirks to himself, as he runs his hands up and down her back. He'd almost succeeded in breaking her down completely. He'd spent a lot of time earlier sneaking around trying to spot any sign that George was there somewhere, he'd seen none, so now all he needed was the hear the words from someone's mouth to confirm his suspicions, then onto operation two.

"Mrs Corey…gave me this earlier," she whispers, pulling the letter from out of her pocket and waving it under his nose.

"That's Cosmo's writing," he mumbles, suddenly beginning to feel the temperature rise, as he imagined all the things he may have managed to convince her of in a letter. "You've not opened it," he sighs relieved, as he noticed the fully tact seal.

"I can't," her voice sounded cracked and strained. "What if…what if I find out tomorrow the trial…didn't go well, but I've just read this letter. I don't want to know what he has say, coz I'm pretty sure it'll either contain a bunch of lies or his supposed 'love' for me…neither of which I wish to hear."

"That is understandably. You should get rid of it straight aw-"

"However!" She cuts across him. "If the trial did go well and I wish to read this letter I want to know it is safe for until I'm ready." She spoke firmly, wiping the tears bravely from her face and sitting up, holding the letter out to him.

"You want me to keep it?"

"If you would be so kind," she smiles at him.

"Grace..." he begins warningly, "you know what i'm like, i'll loose it!"

She smiles once more taking his hand gently and squeezing it. "I know you Frank. I know you'll keep it safe for me. You been so kind to me these past few months, I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to repay. I just need you to do this one last favour for me." He nods encouragingly at her. "Thank you." She whispers, pulling herself up from his lap, before pulling him up too.

She wrapped her arms around him, standing motionless in his embrace for a moment. "I couldn't manage without you during this rough spell." With those final words she leans up, kissing him briefly but firmly on the lips, before making her exit.

Smirking to himself, Frank slumped down into his chair, running his fingers over the writing on the letter. Without a pang of guilt he ripped over the letter. He didn't even read it properly through, he couldn't be bothered, he'd heard it all before. George had used a page and a half explaining his innocence, then had used another page going on and on about how much he loved her.

"What a shame you'll never get to read this Gracie," he murmurs, before flinging the papers on the fire. "May have saved you some despondency, but I'm not going to let that happen…oh no."

After he'd done with her that foolish lass was never going to trust anyone again, he'd make sure of that. Get her close to him then bring her down. Pay her back for all that crap he put her through once upon at a time. Revenge is sweet.

If Adams had thought he was going to get to Lady Rebecca's room without any interruption, then he had been sorely mistaken. He had only just started his ascent of the main staircase, trying desperately not to look like a man desperate to see his sick lover who had just given birth to two illegitimate sons, when he heard the all too familiar throaty bark of His Lordship bellowing at him from the hallway.

"You! Mr…Adams, yes that's it, where's Jarvis with my evening brandy!" The Earl questioned him abruptly, his complexion beetroot as he huffed and paced the foot of the staircase. Adams came to a halt mid-step and sighed a little too loudly, turning on his heel and bowing respectfully.

"I am sure he will be on his way with it soon, My Lord." Adams replied, amazed at his own self control as the Earl puffed out his cheeks and groaned.

"Likely bloody story, don't know what's the matter with the fellow, now he's got himself a wife he thinks he can pay her more attention than me!" He snorted, his moustache bristling like an irate hedgehog. "I'm going to have to have stern words with him at this rate, it's no good having a butler and housekeeper who are married if they forget their priorities, I'm too good to the likes of you people!"

"Sir." Adams grumbled, but as he turned to move at an even quicker pace up the stairs the Earl coughed in annoyance, so much so that the under-butler had no choice but to turn to him again and wait for instruction. Sometimes he felt just like Monty the dog waiting for a bone to fetch, for no other purpose than to amuse toffy nosed rich sods like Algernon Sturges Bourne.

"I think the doctor might have been informing him of the state of Lady Rebecca's health, sir, and the situation with her newborns…." Adams began, trailing off as he felt the sadness gripping his chest. He feared that if he said much more he would be unable to stop himself from making the Earl not inconsiderably suspicious. His Lordship, however, did not seem particularly bothered, if at all, about the woman he not so long ago professed his undying love for, nor supposedly the late Lord Hugo's children and heirs.

"Would you like me to fetch your brandy now, sir? Ah, Mr Forest." Adams' clenched jaw eased and he managed to force a small smile at such good timing as Will tried to sneak past, relieved from his duties for the night by Fred. Will ground to a halt and frowned; even throughout the last 6 months in India some things hadn't changed. "Mr Forest, could you fetch His Lordship his evening brandy?"

Relieved that the brandy situation had been resolved successfully and he hadn't had to waste his time trying in vain to keep the Lord of the manor happy when all he wanted to do was sit at Rebecca's bedside, Adams finally reached Rebecca's bedroom and for a moment he wasn't sure what he should do. The door was firmly closed, so he pressed his ear up against the door in the hopes of hearing the voice of his sister and Lizzie, but he couldn't hear a word so he built up his resolve and turned the handle.

He slid inside, concentrating on shutting the door as quietly as possible before turning his attention to the familiar sight of Rebecca's bed. He was used to seeing her lying there before him, welcoming him with open arms – and legs – while often wearing as little as possible, but more recently with her head in a chamber pot, and he was used to seeing her sleep, watching her steady breathing and sometimes a smile on her face which he hoped was there because she was dreaming of them together. Even now, she appeared as peaceful as if she were simply dozing, waiting for him to come to her and hold her in her sleep, cuddle her and keep her safe and away from the awful social stigma attached to their secret relationship.

Adams moved over quietly to her bed, his eyes fixed to her pale face surrounded by her beautiful red locks, and he could tell that although she was silent now she had been through an awful lot the past few hours as red circles around her closed eyes told him that she had obviously been crying quite hard throughout her ordeal. He cursed himself for not being there, he had promised her he would be near but instead he was drinking whiskey with Jarvis and unable to help her in any way, nor save the child they had lost. He carefully grasped her warm fingers, raising them to his lips and kissing them gently, but his eyes remained dry as he simply stood and stared down at her, the most beautiful creature in the world. Rebecca's bump was still there, it had reduced slightly but it looked as if she were still pregnant, so he hoped to God that wasn't the case for if there were more of them in there he doubted she would see out the next 24 hours!

With a small smile of pride, he bent down and kissed her motionless lips, but then suddenly he heard a small cry from the corner of the room and his head shot round in an instant. He could see a crib and immediately his heart leapt, he thought Jarvis had said the surviving child was in Lord Harry's old room, but he had been wrong as there was certainly a baby inside it.

Tentatively he placed Rebecca's arm down by her side and moved cautiously towards the crib, its contents eliciting another small but healthy cry, and as he peered over the hood he stopped dead and his eyes widened in wonder. The baby, his baby, was just as Jarvis had described, he had had an image in his head from the moment he told him but nothing had prepared him for the real thing. The child was a tiny, pink bundle wrapped in a soft crocheted blanket, with hair as equally red as his mother's, and his tiny fingers were peaking over the top of the blanket. Adams smiled broadly, this time unable to prevent the tears of joy and intrepidation from springing to his eyes, so with shaking arms he reached down into the crib and lifted the almost weightless baby from inside it and cradled it close to his chest. He had never held a baby before, he had no idea how to, but somehow he felt he was doing something right as the child stopped crying and sighed, as if he knew he was instantly loved.

"Hello there, little one." Adams whispered softly, placing his first kiss on the baby's tiny forehead as he slept in his arms. He rocked his son gently and moved over to the window to gaze out at the still summer evening. "Well, laddie, I suppose I should introduce myself, I'm your daddy, although I bet I'm a bit of a disappointment in comparison to your mother." Adams beamed, staring back down at the baby. Even the stunning orange sunset couldn't hold his attention, he had far more beautiful things to look at. "You're as every bit as perfect as I imagined, you know. I just hope your mother wakes up to see you, she will be so proud. You will have to be so brave and look after her if I can't be around, but remember I will always love you, no matter what happens, no matter what your grandfather or your Aunt Francesca may say and do. I am so sorry you will never know your brother, I would like to have called him Archie….no, we will call him Archie. Now as for your name my son….."

"She wants to call him Hugo." Lizzie said in a hushed whisper from by the door, a whisper of a smile across her lips. Adams jumped slightly; he had been so engrossed in talking to Hugo that he hadn't heard his daughter quietly open the door and watch him with interest.

"Elizabeth!" Adams exclaimed, smiling as he lay eyes on his daughter for the first time in over six months. He felt more joy than he would have imagined at seeing her, and she returned the smile and walked up to him, clutching a neatly folded cambric slip which she placed next to the crib. "Hugo, eh? Well I suppose it was to be expected - Hugo, say hello to your sister! How are you anyway? Did you get the letter I sent?"

"Yes I did, it sounds like you had quite a bit of fun while you were away." Lizzie laughed, peering over her father's shoulder at her half brother. "He's so bonny, and so small, those little hands and feet…..have you seen Archie yet?" She asked him, her expression turning grave. Adams' smile fell away and his brow furrowed, and he glanced over at Rebecca and shook his head sorrowfully.

"No, I haven't, not yet. Where is he?"

"He's in the nursery….Dr Evans thought it would be a good idea that Hugo be in here with Lady Rebecca, it may help wake her up if she hears him cry and gurgle." Lizzie whispered, walking over to the bed and straightening the covers out. "He said it wouldn't do her any good for a dead baby to be around, Lord Farquarson has even suggested he be buried very soon, even before Her Ladyship wakes up if necessary."

"Never!" Adams growled, tucking Hugo's delicate hands back inside his blanket. "I won't allow it, she has to see him before that, she would never forgive her father, or me, or herself if she didn't get to see what he looks like, let alone miss the child's funeral!"

Lizzie looked at him pitifully with soft brown eyes, cocking her head to one side and reaching out to lay an affectionate hand on Adams' arm, smiling wistfully. "He doesn't look the same as Hugo, he has brown hair and certainly doesn't have your nose. Mrs Corey said he looks far more like me than Hugo does…" Lizzie gulped, wondering if she had said too much and upset him, but instead Adams nodded slowly and looked back down at Hugo, humming a lullaby.

"I'll come and see him, of course. Just….can you give me just a couple more minutes?" He asked, sniffing and turning away so she couldn't see his tears.

"Yes, but Lord Farquarson could come back at any minute." Lizzie protested. "Mrs Watson is keeping watch outside, you'd better hurry up – I can't tell you what to do, father, but…."

"Yes, I realise thank you." Adams snapped a little too harshly, Lizzie obviously taken aback as she blinked in surprise. He sighed in regret, placing his hand behind her head and pulling it forward so he could kiss her forehead. "I'm sorry, it's been a long day, I don't think my body knows what time it is and I just didn't expect Rebecca to give birth so soon. Tell Mrs Watson I'll be out in a moment."

Lizzie nodded, picking up an empty water jug on her way towards the door.

"Oh and Elizabeth," Adams said softly. "It really is lovely to see you. I've missed you a lot, there's so much for me to make up to you." A smile flashed across her tired face and she left quietly, leaving Adams still rocking Hugo who was now sleeping soundly, his small breaths the only sound in the room.

"Aye, you'll be a strapping young man one day." Adams muttered, brushing his nose against the baby's cheek. "I can tell you'll have all the lassies after you, and if Jarvis has a daughter then maybe one day we'll have to introduce the both of you, you may hit it off. Alright, I'm probably jumping ahead of myself, let you learn to feed and clothe yourself first before setting you up with a girl! Although something tells me there will be certain expectations of you, certain standards which won't include me or the likes of any daughter of Jarvis'." Adams lowered Hugo back into his crib, gently pulling the blanket around him and carefully stroking his soft hair. "I'll be back soon, little one, don't worry. Probably tomorrow now though, so keep your mummy company and Lizzie and Aunty Molly will feed and change you until she wakes up."

He felt a pang of worry churn in the pit of his stomach at his final words, and if feeling guilty for paying their son rather than Rebecca attention he walked over to her and kissed her again. "I won't let them bury Archie before you get to say goodbye, I promise I won't." He breathed, running his thumb across her knuckles as if to reassure her. If only she would wake up, she could argue with her father, what could he do in his position? He found it so frustrating to have no control and he just didn't know what to do. Maybe Jarvis could stall it somehow? For now, it was time to make the visit he had been dreading most. He knew he had to do it, he wanted to do it, but it didn't make it any easier.

Early the next morning Walter Corey rolled over in bed, his hands reaching out and automatically groping around beside him for his wife, just as he had so many mornings before; even during their long trip where the most he had ever uncovered had been an empty bottle of brandy or once to his disgust a pair of Andrew Adams socks, a very much worn and smelly pair. However despite the correct location his search once more was fruitless. Immediately alerted to this fact Walter risked opening one eye a crack, squinting even in the dull morning light as he discovered the fact his loving wife was indeed as suspected absent from their marital bed.

Sitting up he huffed in annoyance, where the hell could she be now of all times? Looking round for his dressing gown he suddenly remembered that it alongside all of his other clothes, well apart from the suit that he had so recklessly abandoned onto the floor last night, were still neatly packed in his trunks. Sighing loudly he gathered the bed sheet around his middle and staggered out into their sitting room.

"Flora?" He called out hopefully as he stuck his head round the door. "My love?" But instead of the cheerful good morning he had hoped for he was met by stony silence. "That's just bloody typical!" He huffed throwing himself down in one of the fireside and chairs and venting his frustration by beating one of Flora's delicately embroidered cushions until he felt slightly better.

"She could have bothered to wake me first…" He muttered pushing himself out of the chair and over to the trunks which he began to slowly unpack, noting the creases in his trousers which would have to be pressed before he could wear them that morning. However despite his pressing need for clothing that wasn't the prominent reason for unpacking at such an hour, as the thought had occurred to him that perhaps the reason for his wife's frostiness had less to do with a new found dislike of his company and more to do with some febrile female frustration probably because as yet he hadn't showered her with gifts…

"Well I'll show her!" He exclaimed to himself, smiling as sorted through the multitude of items he had impulsively purchased for her during the trip.

Yards of the finest Spanish lace, Indian silk not to mention the new mink stole that had cost him a pretty penny in London. Beneath the clothing though were the other little trinkets the silver rattle and assorted wooden toys for the little one. But most importantly that little felt box he had been paranoid would suddenly disappear and along with it the delicate pair of sapphire earrings he had brought on a whim in that auction in Calcutta, when he was meant to bidding on that ugly bejewelled miniature elephant for his lordship.

"I'll show that filly just who does she thinks she's playing with!" He scoffed haphazardly throwing aside that damn book he had searched all over India for.

Why couldn't Lady Rebecca have asked Andrew to do it instead of him, and why the damn secrecy? But then he had never felt it necessary to understand all of his superior's orders, but he did think it a might bit cheeky that an aristocrat who wasn't even his employer should have the nerve to give him instructions. Why he hadn't just said no straight away, but deep down he knew why, it was difficult enough saying no to any aristocrat but to say so to one who processed such dazzling blue eyes and such a sweet temperament and of course was his wife's closest friend was nigh on impossible.

"What's so special about the Karma Sutra anyway?" He muttered under his breath, as he remembered the many long futile afternoons spent in search of the said book, remembering the downright rudeness of the of the many bookshop owners when he had made the most polite enquires about purchasing a copy. You wouldn't have people act that way in England, those foreigners were just downright rude, you'd think they didn't want his money the way they acted as though he had the plague or something. Then just as he was about to give up the search as a futile one that local guide fellow they had hired to take them from Calcutta to Madras came up trumps and managed to find him a copy and it was so neatly wrapped and probably in Punjab or whatever dialect that region spoke that there seemed little point finding out what it was about; although the guide did mumble something about the etching on page seventy eight was well worth a closer look…

However before his curiosity could get the better of him the door to their rooms opened and in tiptoed the absentee Mrs Corey totally oblivious to her husband standing in the corner of the sitting room as she tried to slip back into the bedroom.

"And just where do you think you've been?" Walter demanded having snuck up behind her, causing to practically jump out of her skin when she heard him bellow.

"Walter you're awake!" She exclaimed a hand clutched over her pounding heart as she thought it might leap out of her ribcage in terror.

"That much is evident but you still haven't answered my question!"

"I…"

"This is my first morning back and instead of lying by my side providing wifely comfort you're off putting yourself and the baby at risk by doing too much…" Jarvis carried on as if she hadn't spoken. "Without a decent reason I might add and without even waking me to tell me where you were going!"

"I went to see the baby!" Flora snapped.

"Oh…"

"Yes and before you start Walter Corey I was asked to go, not that you'd notice as usual you could sleep through a train crash, Lizzy came and got me an hour ago as the baby wasn't settling or taking any milk and as Lady Rebecca still hasn't recovered the doctor suggested I might be able to help."

"How could you help?" He replied genuinely confused.

"Oh use your brain Walter do you see any other heavily pregnant women around here?" Flora snapped.

"But how…." He began only to be cut off by his hormonally charged wife.

"It doesn't matter and besides it is nothing to do with you!"

"Nothing to do…"

"I said I don't want to talk about it and I don't intend to!" Flora retorted before he could even finish a whole sentence.

"Well fine then I suppose if your activities are none of your own husbands business then I had better find somebody else to give the presents I brought back from my trip then shouldn't I?" Walter added smugly, watching as his wife's expression quickly turned from tired and waspish to alert and curious.

"Presents?" She muttered surprised.

"Well what did you expect? That I'd go all that way and not buy you a few things?" He added teasingly delighted as her face lit up in anticipation. "But you're not getting them unless you get back into bed this instant and promise me you'll take another few hours rest!"

"If you promise to keep me company…" Flora added coyly holding out her hand, which Walter gladly accepted as she drew him over to the bed.

"That sounds like a marvellous idea!" Walter replied huskily leaning down to kiss her but Flora reached up and placed a restraining finger across his lips.

"Presents first!" She giggled drawing out of his arms and reclining on the bed. "And give me back my bedclothes!" She added reaching out and catching the end of the sheet tucked about his waist, which she tugged sharply whilst Walter tried desperately to hold on to the other end.

"Flora…"

"What?" She purred softly. "There's only the two of us."

"You are a hard woman to please Flora Corey!" Walter retorted letting go of the bed clothes reluctantly before gamefully disappeared back into the sitting room and returning a moment later his dressing gown firmly wrapped around him and several oddly shaped packages in his arms

"I notice you didn't indulge in an all over tan then!" Flora giggled patting the space beside her on the bed.

"Why you cheeky little…." Jarvis began but he was cut off by his wife kissing him quickly before turning her attention to the presents.

"What'd I get?" She demanded like a ten year old at Christmas.

"Hold on my little Mercantilist one thing a time." He retorted handing her the first present and watching with delight as she gushed over the materials he has brought home exclaiming how that ivory silk would be perfect for a christening gown and the lace would be perfect with that dress he had bought her for Christmas last.

"Oh Walter they're such lovely thoughtful presents and the toys for the baby are just the sweetest!" Flora whispered resting her head on her husband's chest and pulling him as close as she could manage for a tight hug. "Thank you my darling!"

"You still have one left you know!" Walter added mysteriously.

"What more?" Flora started surprised. "You shouldn't have spent so much…."

However she never finished that sentence as at that moment the Butler reached into the pocket of his dressing gown and retrieved the little felt box.

"What's that?"

"Open it and see!" Walter retorted smugly, studying her face closely as she reached out and flipped the lid open before gasping in surprise. "So you hate them then?"

"No oh Walter they're lovely really beautiful but how could you…"

"Why don't you let me worry about that? Let's just say although you may be able to beat me at chess I doubt that you would be able to beat me at poker and its amazing how bored people become on those ships and trains…"

"Walter Corey have you been gambling?" Flora exclaimed in horror.

"A little and before you start it was only ever for under a pound…I just can't help winning more than I loose now can I?" He added defensively.

"Well I suppose…" Flora relented as she stroked the delicate sapphires in the box. "Just promise me something!"

"Anything!"

"That I won't wake up one morning and find you've turned into Andrew Adams!"

Laughing suddenly at her bizarre and to his mind ridiculous suggestion Jarvis nodded firmly. "I think my love despite having spent far to much time in the aforementioned gentleman's company I can safely promise you never to turn into another Andrew Adams….Now as that's the presents over and done with…Where were we? Ahh yes time for you to show your appreciation…" He trailed off suggestively running his fingers down the side of her face before pulling her close for a passionate kiss his hands drifting to the fastenings of her dress.

However just as things were getting interesting, from Jarvis's perspective that is as his wife had virtually ripped the dressing gown from his back and thrown it dramatically across the room whilst he fumbled with her buttons, they suddenly went from blissful rapture to acute horror and embarrassment.

"Flora my dear your usual!" A sharp and wholly recognisable voice rang out as the owner pushed the door to the couple's rooms open and headed towards the bedroom causing the housekeeper to grasp the bed sheets closely to her in an effort to preserve her modesty, a fact that did not aid the butler in preserving his.

Panicking, "Mother", was all Jarvis could squeak before attempting to dash across the room to retrieve his abandoned dressing gown missing it by a few inches as he tripped spectacularly over his own feet, bashing his head against the smooth wood of the wardrobe just as the bedroom door began to open. Without further thought Jarvis seized the wardrobe door and flung himself inside shaking in horror at the very prospect of his mother catching him in the all together.

"Emily." He heard Flora's somewhat strained voice ring out. "I wasn't expecting you."

"But you always have tea in bed at this time!" Emily rebuked and he heard the clink as a tea tray was set down on the bedside table. "See and I even brought an extra cup for Walter just in case he was here!"

"But he isn't as you can see!" Flora retorted but even to Jarvis's ears her voice sounded forced and panicking. "And well now he is back I think it best you don't keep bringing my breakfast…"

"But the Dr said…" Emily began.

"Yes but Walter is looking after me now and…"

Flora began but she was cut off by the sound of his mother laughing hysterically, which caused his temper to bristle, what was so funny about him looking after his own wife.

"Oh I am sorry Flora but the thought of my Walter being capable of looking after anyone, even himself properly, let alone his pregnant wife, well that's ridiculous I mean for example just look at this place, he's not even been home five minutes and look all this tissue paper on the floor not to mention his dirty clothes… Oh and look he's even forgotten to put away that lovely dressing gown of his…" She trailed off and for a moment Jarvis literally held his breath in horror she couldn't, she wouldn't, would she?

"Well fortunately that is something I can remedy…" Emily added finally ignoring Flora's strangled cry of 'don't' before the door to the wardrobe suddenly opened and she was confronted with a sight no mother should see, her only child standing as naked as the day he was born with only one of his wife's bonnets to cover his modesty.

"Hello mother…" Jarvis muttered hopefully. "You're looking well…." He trailed off unable to think of anything else he could say to ease the tense atmosphere as his stunned mother appeared speechless.

"Yes well….I suppose I can say the same." Emily added swallowing nervously as she then wordlessly handed him the dressing gown before the butler once more shut the wardrobe door.

"I'll be off then!" She added and ashen headed for the door. "I think perhaps you were right for once Flora my dear, from now on Walter can bring up your tea."

A moment later his modesty now covered Walter stuck his head out of the wardrobe. "Has she gone?"

Nodding in affirmation Flora slid off their bed and quickly refastened her dress before lifting the tea tray and heading into the sitting room.

"Wait darling…" Walter called out catching her before she could leave and moulding himself against her back he slid his hands around her waist as far as they could go before nibbling at her earlobe. "Weren't we in the middle of something My Dearest?"

"If you honestly think I am still in the mood after THAT DEBACLE, then you must have hit your head harder than I thought!" Flora hissed trying to wiggle herself free.

"Give me five minutes and I can change your mind." He added mischievously kissing down her neck.

"I doubt it!" Flora retorted. "If it's a choice between you and breakfast then I hate to break it to you my love but to this pregnant woman breakfast wins hands down!" And with that she broke free from his grasp and strode into the sitting room leaving a stunned and frankly exasperated Walter Corey behind her.

As the first footman strode down the first floor corridor, receiving a few choice looks as he nodded with gusto to Mr Finch's men and winked overtly at Mrs Corey's ladies maids as he went. Just as he was getting into full stride, he was abruptly stopped in his tracks at the rather faint sound of a thoroughly familiar and uplifting voice.

Taking two paces back, he caught sight of the back of Grace, as the washroom door was left ajar. From what he could make out, she was rubbing someone's shoulders, patting their back as they stood to the side, leaning both hands on the large sink, but somehow he suspected they weren't doing any laundry. He carefully pushed the door a little more open, just so he could see who it was. However, on looking upon the second person, he was crest fallen to discover that it was Lizzie.

She was now leaning in her left arm, her hand scrunching her hair, her other grasping the spare piece of linen she was currently using as a makeshift handkerchief. Straining to hear, he managed to make out the words 'awful', 'doctor' and 'Lady Rebecca.'

He glanced at Grace for a second (as she had swung round), she wasn't looking much better, obviously the news of what had happened upstairs was having a rather personal affect on her too. It was as he stared into space contemplating this that he suffered a most rude awakening, just as he was respectfully attempting to pull the door to a close.

'William Forrest!' Grace scorned, looking straight at him.

'Will!' he heard Lizzie gushed, turning away from the door as she immediately tried to gather herself.

'Yes?' he said cautiously, fearing he'd have to face Grace's wrath once more (honestly, on times he admired George's bravery, not often though), as he sheepishly peered back around the door.

'Eavesdropping at doors again are we?' she taunted.

'Well, I was just pass-'

'Oh Grace!' Lizzie cried, giving her friend a knowing look, still keeping her back to him.

'Alright, alright.' She conceded 'Just knock next time will you?'

'Its alright…' Lizzie continued quietly.

'Will do.' Will answered graciously, though with a hint of sarcasm.

'Well see that you do!' she scolded as she bustled up to him carrying a washing basket, almost knocking him down as she bid to get passed him, rolling her eyes at Lizzie (who momentarily glanced over her shoulder), shooting her a 'we'll talk later' look as she disappeared out the door, leaving the pair alone.

As he looked back at her, she quickly slid her hands, still clutching the now sodden scrap of material, into her pinafore pockets.

Will cautiously approached her, she still refused to show her face, leading him to gently push her so she'd turn round. The colour had now returned to her cheeks, indeed, they were looking quite rosy.

'Just how long were you standing there?' she enquired.

'Oh not long, don't worry, I wasn't prying-'

'I, I know' she assured him, briefly glancing up at him before crossing to the other side of the room (not that this did a lot of good, as it was particularly tiny).

However, it did allow him a better view of her, one which he allowed himself to fully take in, before commenting upon it. 'I see Scotland it is a lot more agreeable in summer than in than in winter, your looking well Liz.'

Nothing was said at this, the only reply he received was a rather bemused expression, one which he now attempted to rectify, he had always seemed possess the ability to make her laugh, so he resolved to see if he still had it. 'Whats up Liz, am I not the handsome rogue your remember, or have I grown yet more dashing?' he quipped, placing his hands on his hip, giving an exaggerated up-nod in order to flick his hair, flashing her a cheesy grin think Blackadder's Lord Flasheart!

Lizzie didn't know whether to laugh or cry, frankly at the moment she was doing her utmost not to cringe with embarrassment, straining a sweet smile before answering, with a nervous nod 'I suppose'

'You suppose?' he retorted 'So you find me hideous then?' he continued in a lighthearted tone.

'Indeed, I always did, you know' she teased, deciding to come someway out of her shell.

For a second Will had to check she was joking, but it was her quick wit (amongst her other talents) he had remembered frequently on his journey and indeed, throughout his time in India, despite its many attractions. When he had made sure and once again looked upon her face, across which a genuine smile had now spread, he followed suit, the pair erupting into laughter, as he suddenly and (if Lizzie was honest) rather unexpectedly drew her into a hug.

At first his gesture was reciprocated, as she nestled her head against his shoulder, at which he leant down to rest his chin on the crown of her head, breathing in deeply to draw the heathery scent of her hair to his nostrils. However, they remained in each others arms but a moment before the maid coughed fretfully, proceeding to pull away from the footman, who seemed (initially) somewhat reluctant to release her.

As she retreated, Will tried to engage her vacant stare, a pleasure she chose to denied him, keeping her head down, studying the slate floor. He could tell she wasn't exactly at ease, so thought better of his immediate reaction, which was to gently lift her head, to see if her eyes would tell him what her lips would presently not. Consequently, there was an, slightly awkward, silent pause.

When they were a more comfortable distance apart, Lizzie saw fit to glance up at him. 'Well I see your all in one piece at least, what with your party of the last six months consisting of Mr. Jarvis, Frank and … (with a little hesitation, but she had to admit) my father'

'Ah well, just about in one piece, felt as though I were in several yesterday, after bloody Jarvis decided to swan off and leave me handle the unloading – dya know he alone had six trunks, he only went out with four, the other two were only crammed with presents! …' he exclaimed

Lizzie held her breath as he reached the end of his sentence, she was in no doubt as to whom the presents were for, and was sure neither was Will, but as she did not detect any obvious change in his manner of speech (just the usual sense of disdain he had for carrying out orders), she allowed herself some hope that her friend had at last resolved his feelings for the housekeeper, though perhaps a little too late.

Her chain of thought was interrupted as Will continued '… And as for the other two, well, we didn't really see much of Frankie boy to be honest, he was - as you'd expect - kept away as much as possible, but when any of us did catch sight of him, he appeared - and I say appeared, coz we've all seen his little performances before - pretty … mellow.'

'Are you sure it was Frank Keneally, mellow?' Lizzie repeated disbelievingly.

'I know, there's something not quite right there.' Will pondered.

'There never is where he's concerned.' She concluded, rolling her eyes.

'Tell me about it, I can't understand why he's still here, well, no one can.'

'Well, no doubt Mr. Adams was cracking the whip. And not just with Frank.' She added inquisitively.

'Your dad? I didn't have much of a problem with him.' He shrugged.

Lizzie was so shocked at Will's most unlikely comment; she stared at him quite confounded, as if he'd somehow instantaneously grown another head. She just had to take a double take on that one 'You didn't?'

'Nah, I mean there were a few occasions…' he reminisced, but wasn't about to go into detail as he was trying to make a good impression. 'Yeah, I, I mean he's not that bad really, really quite funny when he has his moments, like this one evening, we'd had a few and …' he trailed off as he registered her rather sceptical expression.

'…he got stone drunk and made a complete prat of himself?' she offered

'No no!' Will wished he'd never started trying to talk her father up, and now he had to somehow convince her that her old man had mended his ways – this, even he didn't have the gift of the gab to pull off, so simply admitted defeat. 'You know he was most anxious as to what was happening in Scotland, with Lady … and of course you.'

'I should think so.' She scorned, rather more bluntly than she had intended.

His previous statement was intended to get her off the subject of his travels and onto her trip north of the border, as he knew full well what went on in India and was infinitely more interested in what she had gotten up to in his absence. Evidently, the direct approach was required.

'Anyway, that's enough about us lads, so just how did you ladies get on without us, how was Bonnie Scotland?'

Not knowing quite what to say, she once again looked away from him, simply admitting somewhat absent-mindedly 'Yeah, it was good to get home, managed to see a few old friends, you know', as she nervously twiddled her hands which were clasped in front of her.

He sincerely agreed with her there, but was still secretly exasperated at the lack of forthcoming information, so tried again 'Not very eventful upon the Highlands then I take it.'

At this her head shot up, betraying her tearful expression, one that instantly roused concern in Will, who tentatively reached out to claim her trembling hands. That was his aim, however just as he could feel the soft downy hair on the back of her hands, she snatched them away, rejoining them behind her back as she leant back against the wall, looking down at her shoulder as she closed her eyes, as the tears began to fall.

'Liz? Liz, are you quite alright?' Will stammered, now deeply worried, not advancing any further forward, in an effort to allow her room to breathe, something inexplicable was telling him that she wouldn't have wanted him to.

After liking her dry lips and dragging her bottom teeth over her top lip, she raised her right hand to her forehead, brushing the stray strands of hair aside (leaving her left arm supporting her resting on the wall) 'I'm, I'm fine Will, honestly, I'm just so tired … so very tired, but I can't … its just what with all that's happened' she gasped, looking up into Will's eyes '… so quickly … one minute he was … in my arms … the next … he didn't even open his eyes.'

'Hey…' he whispered, going against his better judgement and wrapping his arms around her waist. As he drew her away from the wall, she once again hid both hands behind her back, a move which primarily alarmed Will, who half expected her to throw his hands away. To his most pleasant surprise, she simply proceeded to plunge her hand into her right apron pocket, presumably to grasp the handkerchief, yet none emerged.

He was assured that his close presence was not too forward of him, as she flung her arms round his neck, burying her head in his shoulder. 'There's nothing you could have done you know, nothing anyone could have done' he said softly, trying to soothe her, gently running his hands from round her waist up into her hair before coming to halt between her shoulder blades, each laying their head on the other's shoulder, as they moved closer, drawing strength from their mutual embrace.

'We all try to make our own way, as best we can in the world, but inevitably, in some cases, our path is chosen for us, whatever it maybe' he continued.

'Yes' Lizzie agreed sorrowfully, gulping back yet more tears that threatened. However, his words had meant more to her than he knew, they brought her back from this safe haven into reality, as she loosened her grip to face him.

'Or at least that's the philosophy Reverend Postlebury tries to convince us of every Sunday.'

'Well berate me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think it was from the gospel according to St.Forrest!'

'Well I'm …' he started, but when he saw her eyes brighten and lips curl up at the corners, despite her persistent tears, he decided to let that one slide, anything to see her looking a little more composed.

With her eyes flickering between his, Lizzie swiftly wiped away the stray tears from her cheeks before grasping his hands intently. 'You're my dearest friend Will …' she confessed, adding a 'thank you' as she reached up to place a kiss on his cheek, lingering for a few seconds longer to feel the warmth of his skin against hers.

There she left him, feeling too drained and too troubled for words, she slipped away. On turning from him she had once again slipped her hand into her pocket, though this time she did retrieve something, that which she had deposited there moments before. As she wearily wandered down the corridor towards the second floor stairs, she slid the small band of fine metal back onto the third finger of her left hand, where it had rested for the past month or so, quite happily, at least she'd thought.