Life at Downton, for once, was exactly as it should be. The Crawley Family were upstairs entertaining their guests in celebration of the end of the shooting season, whilst downstairs the staff were preparing a feast fit for royalty. The kitchen was busy, of course, and a little chaotic, but for once there were no arguments or drama; however, the peace was not to last for long.

A loud resounding crash between James and Mr Carlton, valet to Lord Carlton, started a battle that would cause more chaos than Downton had ever seen. The dinner James was carrying was ruined and all over the shirt that Mr Carlton was bringing down to iron.

'You idiot!' James exclaimed.

'Me?! You should watch where you're going!' Mr Carlton replied as he squared up to James.

Tension had been building between the two men ever since the latter's arrival, but now Mr Carson found himself pulling the two men apart in an appalling display of behaviour.

'Now that's enough!' He shouted and observed James' bloodied lip and the red ring around the valet's left eye. 'Alfred, come here at once!' He barked at the other footman who was now hovering in the corridor, closely followed by a shocked Mrs Hughes.

The young footman sheepishly walked towards his superior, slightly afraid of the backlash that was sure to come.

'Alfred, go into the kitchen and get the next plate from Mrs Patmore!' Carson ordered and the young lad ran off into the kitchens without another word. 'As for you two, get yourself cleaned up and I will see you immediately in my study.'

Mrs Hughes closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, preparing herself for the battle ahead of her. If she was honest, she had seen something like this coming. Ever since the valet's arrival at Downton Abbey he had caused nothing but problems, with his constant flirting and distracting of the female staff, his rudeness and his generally casual attitude to the authority of Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes. Yes, this was exactly as she had expected it to happen. But for now, the two men would have to wait, as the Crawley Family required their dinner to be served.

Mr Carson re-entered the kitchen to ensure the rest of the dinner was ready to be served and watched as the serving staff took up the silver serving plates. He closely followed behind them, whilst Mrs Hughes supervised the other staff, who were now frantically trying to get the other courses ready early, since the first course had now been lost.

'Milord, dinner is served.' Carson said as he finally entered the drawing room, interrupting the conversation of the Crawleys' and their guests, giving no hint that anything below stairs was wrong, the sign of a good butler.

Lord and Lady Grantham were joined for dinner by their four daughters, Lady Mary, Lady Edith, Lady Sybil and Lady Aurelia (Ella to her family), Matthew and Isobel and the Dowager Countess, as well as their guests, Lord and Lady Carlton along with their two sons Edward and Alexander and the Duke and Duchess of Canterbury with their daughter Lady Daphne. Their son had also been invited, but had been unable to accept the invitation due to a prior engagement, something Lady Edith had been most aggrieved about.

The men lead the way with one of the ladies each on their arm. They all gathered round the dining table with comfortable conversation in the air and the sounds of cutlery against plates. Their discussion had turned to the upcoming 21st birthday of Sybil and Aurelia and the ball in which they were planning. It was to be a very special occasion.

'Lady Grantham mentioned that you are to have a live string quartet at your ball Lady Aurelia.' Edward said to the young woman sat on his left.

'That is indeed the case Lord Edward. I do hope you will be able to attend.' Aurelia replied curtly, although she did hope that the invitation would be declined.

Whilst she may have been born to a title, she hated all the pomp and ceremony that went with it, especially after the experiences she and Sybil had shared together when they had trained as nurses during the war. For once she would have liked a celebration with just her family and their closest friends. Alas, it was never to be the case and she had to do what their culture dictated.

Downstairs Mrs Hughes was gathering the staff together for their evening meal. As well as the regular staff, they were joined by the Valets and Lady's Maids of the guests. The regular staff of Downton filled the others in about local events and were especially full of excitable chatter about the fair that would be soon arriving in Thirsk and the fact that Mrs Hughes had finally persuaded Mr Carson to let the staff go whilst the family went away to London for the weekend.

She still had a few concerns about Lily McAlister, their latest kitchen maid and cause of some, if not all, the tension between James and Mr Carlton. She, Mrs Hughes, didn't approve of the way McAlister conducted herself in the presence of young men. She had previously spoken to the maid about her conduct, but it was a warning that had clearly fallen on deaf ears. Mrs Hughes also believed that McAlister was nowhere near the quality of staff that Downton Abbey should have, but since the war the availability of quality maids and footmen were hard to come by. But for now, it would have to wait as Mr Carson now entered and all the staff stood for his arrival. Neither footman was in attendance, so Mrs Hughes surmised that they were still waiting in Mr Carson's office.

'I bet Lord and Lady Grantham weren't best pleased to be without their first course Mr Carson.' Thomas said casually, much to the glare and disproval of Mr Carson.

'It is none of your concern Thomas and you will kindly keep your comments to yourself! If there is any more talk about this evening's debacle then I will stop you all from going to the fair. You have been warned.' He snapped, leaving the staff in no doubt that he meant it.

Mrs Hughes glanced at him with a look of warning that even he wouldn't challenge, but just the same, he disagreed with her opinion that he was being too harsh. Words needn't pass between the two for him to know that that's what she thought.

The rest of the meal passed with an uncomfortable silence until the bell to Lady Aurelia's room rang. Mrs Hughes stood up from her place and went to attend. Although a Head Housekeeper would not normally serve as a Lady's Maid, unless in an emergency, Mrs Hughes had always served Lady Aurelia and Lady Sybil and both girls had always refused to have anyone else. So it was a special arrangement between the three, something that others did not understand, but they were never asked to understand or accept it.

The time was nearly midnight and when Mrs Hughes entered Aurelia's room, Aurelia looked exhausted and quite ready to fall into bed fully clothed if she'd been given the opportunity.

'How was your evening Milady?' Mrs Hughes asked as she began to help Aurelia out of her dress.

'Dreadful Mrs Hughes; you know how much I hate these functions but I always have to rally to the occasion.' Aurelia replied with a very tired smile.

Mrs Hughes gave a small laugh before replying candidly.

'Well Milady you have never been one for entertaining, that I am aware of; but you do it so well.'

Aurelia rolled her blue eyes slightly at the older woman, who was now unpinning Lady Aurelia's long honey coloured hair from its bun. Her curls fell around her shoulders and framed her pale face, until Mrs Hughes took the brush and ran it through the corkscrew locks. This had always been Aurelia's favourite part of the day, her escape from her upbringing, the parties, the entertaining and her own time to relax as her scalp was massaged and freed from the tight constraints of the many pins and clasps that held it up. Although she was always exceptionally busy, Mrs Hughes always ensured she made the time for Lady Aurelia and never rushed her.

'What do you think to Lord Edward Mrs Hughes? I feel he is far too stuffy for my taste, but mother thinks I should make more of an effort with him, but I am not sure about him.'

'He seems nice enough; he certainly has a good head on his shoulders for business…'

'But….?'

'But, it would not be my place to say Milady.' Mrs Hughes replied curtly.

'Oh please tell me what you think Mrs Hughes. I value your opinion. You are ever such a good judge of character.' Aurelia complimented and made Mrs Hughes smile politely.

'Well, if it is my judge of character you wish then I will say this; be careful Milady. I do not know anything for sure, but I do not believe Lord Edward is short of any offers and I am not too sure how honourable his intentions are.'

'That is exactly what I thought.' Aurelia replied thoughtfully as she stood in her sleeping attire.

'Will that be all Milady?' Mrs Hughes asked, feeling tired herself now as she desperately stifled a yawn and just as the clock on Aurelia's mantelpiece struck one o'clock.

'Yes Mrs Hughes, that is all. I do not intend on having an early start in the morning so I will ring when I am ready. Good night Mrs Hughes.' Aurelia replied and watched sleepily as the housekeeper left her.

Mrs Hughes left the room and closed the bedroom door behind her quietly and had barely walked a few steps before Lady Sybil appeared dressed in her nightgown. Mrs Hughes was relieved to see that she at least had one less job to do on this occasion.

'Ah Mrs Hughes, is Lady Aurelia still awake?' She asked politely with a tone clearly as tired as her twin's.

'Yes Milady, but only just. If you are quick you may just catch her.' Mrs Hughes replied and watched as the young lady walked briskly towards her sister's bedroom, and she gave a smile as she herself walked away.

She had known both girls since the day they had been born and they had been inseparable ever since. They were very different from their older sisters, who thrived best in social situations, whereas Aurelia and Sybil thrived best together, away from any pomp and ceremony and helping other people. Over the years they had raised many an eyebrow with their actions, but they had only ever done things to help others and things that had made them happy, especially during the war when they had both trained as nurses and had excelled at it. Ever since then they had found returning to aristocratic life very difficult; but Mrs Hughes believed that it wouldn't be long before they were raising eyebrows again.

In the bedroom, Aurelia and Sybil were laid awake and talking about their guests, who would now be asleep somewhere in the Abbey. Robert and Cora had rather hoped that both girls would find suitable suitors in their dinner guests, but it would seem that the girls had other ideas.

'So have you heard anything more from Dr Forbes?' Sybil asked with excitement and the two girls giggled.

'Well as it happens he wrote to me this afternoon.' Aurelia said as she reached into the drawer of the cabinet beside her bed and handed it to her sister. 'You must promise me that you will not say anything to Mary or Edith about this. If either of them got wind of this before I had the chance to tell Papa it would be the end of any romance before we even got started.' She added as she handed the letter to her twin.

Dr Henry Forbes had been after Aurelia's affections since his time at Downton as the hospital doctor during the war. He and Aurelia had met whilst assisting one of their patients and they had grown very close; but Aurelia kept hanging back, regardless of her feelings for him, she did not want to disappoint her father.

'What are you going to tell Papa?' Sybil asked as she finished the beautifully written letter in her hand, which Aurelia took back and tucked back into the drawer out of sight.

'I'm not sure. I can't think that he'll be best pleased that I want to marry a doctor; a man with no title or fortune to his name.' Aurelia replied with a saddened look.

'But Aurie, you must follow your heart. Can you honestly see yourself the wife of a Lord or a Duke or whatever? Surely we should be allowed to be with the man that makes us happy, not marry a man for the sake of his title and be miserable for the rest of our lives.' Sybil replied defiantly.

'Well Papa married Mama for her money and they've been very happy together.' Aurelia replied thoughtfully, but the prospect didn't fill her with hope. 'And what about you and Branson? Is he any closer to winning your affections?' She added mischievously, changing the subject from herself.

'Oh Aurie, I don't know what to do. I love him, I know that now and I would love for us to be together; but if Papa would react badly to your relationship with a doctor, imagine what he would say about my wanting to be with a chauffeur! It just won't happen.' Sybil said as she flumped back onto the pillows on the bed and starred grumpily at the canopy above her. Aurelia did the same and they both lay side by side starring up towards the ceiling, contemplating their complicated situations until all talk had subsided and they both drifted off to sleep.