Disclaimer: I don't own Downton Abbey; unfortunately Julian Fellowes beat me to it.
Thomas stared in shock at Mr. Carson, "You want him to what?"
"I would like James to act as valet to the Duke of Crowborough when he comes in three days."
"Wouldn't you rather me act as valet to the Duke?" Thomas asked.
"Now why would I want you to be valet? It's far below your station as under-butler. Now please see the silver is clean and prepared for Saturday."
"Yes, sir" Thomas nodded stiffly. He didn't know why he was still trying to protect Jimmy, even after what he had done. Thomas barely knew what he was doing as he ran his hands mindlessly over the silver.
Jimmy popped his head around the door, smiling cheerfully.
"Mr. Carson wants to see you about a slight change due to the Duke of Crowborough's visit" Thomas said, not looking up from the silver.
At seeing Thomas's sullen face, Jimmy's smile dropped off his face.
"What's wrong?" he asked, shifting awkwardly.
Thomas just shook his head, "you should go see him, Mr. Carson would like to get this sorted out sooner rather than later."
Jimmy nodded and walked towards Mr. Carson's room.
~:~:~
The staff stood stiffly at attention, waiting as the Duke's car pulled up and the Duke elegantly stepped out. He surveyed the staff, "the same arrangement for a valet as before?"
"No Your Grace. Thomas has been recently promoted to under-butler. James, our new footman, will be serving you" Carson responded.
Thomas tried not to wince as he saw how the Duke's eyes lit up as his gaze slid to Jimmy. The Duke moved into the house, after expressing his sorrow to the family about Lady Sybil's death.
"Why is he here?" hissed Thomas to Mr. Carson.
"His Lordship requested that he visit. That is all."
Thomas frowned as he followed the rest of the staff, ignoring Ms. O'Brien's blatant stare.
The next day, Lord Grantham announced he had business in London and would stay over for a night before returning. As he apologized to the Duke, Lady Grantham said she wanted to do some last minute shopping with Lady Edith and Lady Mary. Tom and Matthew looked at each other and smiled; this meant the house would be relatively quiet for a while. Unless baby Sybil decided to go exploring again.
Thomas swallowed reflexively, wincing as he realized that it was to just be Tom, Matthew, and the Duke. Anna was going with the ladies as a maid and Bates was going as his Lordship's valet. He had to warn Jimmy before it was too late.
Jimmy was just coming out of the servants' hall as Thomas almost ran down the stairs.
"I need to talk to you."
"Can't it wait?" snapped Jimmy irritably, brushing past Thomas, his arms overloaded with dishes and platters.
"No-" Thomas started.
"I'm busy" Jimmy's voice came floating back.
Up in the dining room, the three men were finishing their dinner and Tom and Matthew were getting ready to play pool.
"Care to join?" asked Tom courteously.
"No, thank you for your kind invitation. I'd like to consult my valet about some clothing choices."
Matthew and Tom smiled, and as their cheerful voices drifted away, the Duke motioned to Jimmy who was clearing the side table.
"You. What was your name again?" he asked carefully.
"James. Your Grace" Jimmy did an awkward half bow.
"Come up with me" he ordered curtly.
"Pardon me, Your Grace. I need to finish here," Jimmy said respectfully, gesturing to the assortment of half-eaten food.
"You will come up in five minutes. I shall be waiting."
Jimmy only nodded, and proceeded to scoop up as much platter and silverware as he could carry and rushed down to the kitchen. Thomas had been waiting as long as he dared in the servants' hall and as Jimmy came rushing in, "Jimmy I need to talk to you!"
Instead he was briskly brushed off, "not now. The Duke's expecting me in five minutes!"
Thomas sucked in a breath, he hadn't thought that the Duke would act this quickly. With a pang of something akin to regret, Thomas fleetingly remembered those weeks in that summer…
He raced after Jimmy, only to be halted by Mr. Carson, who interrogated him for a full ten minutes on what had and what hadn't been done. Then came another ten-minute lecture, this time on the condition of the silver.
Meanwhile…
Jimmy tentatively knocked on the door to the Duke's room.
"Come in."
Jimmy slowly walked in, startled to see the Duke sitting and completely relaxed in front of the fire.
"Have a drink" he invited, motioning to the wine decanter. Feeling it would be rude to refuse a duke's offer, Jimmy poured himself a small glass. The Duke gestured to the empty chair across from him and Jimmy sat, feeling strangely uneasy.
"Now, what can you tell me about Thomas?" the Duke asked, leaning forward and staring intensely at Jimmy, who as suddenly wishing he wasn't there.
"Thomas?" he asked nervously.
"Thomas. Thomas Barrow."
"Well, he's um…um" Jimmy colored slightly and faltered.
"He's…" the Duke prompted.
"He…he likes other…people…I mean men…." Jimmy murmured, his face an unflattering shade of red.
"And how would you know this?" the Duke asked, his eyes lighting with interest.
"He-he-he kissed me" at this confession, Jimmy's head dropped even lower. He was so embarrassed that he didn't notice the Duke's hand tightening around the glass or the cold glint in his eyes.
Abruptly changing the subject, "have a drink. Tell me your opinion" the Duke gestured to the still full glass Jimmy held.
Tentatively Jimmy lifted the glass to his lips and took a large swallow, more like he was drinking beer rather than wine.
"It's good, but I'm not much of an expert on wines. Mr. Carson usually-" Jimmy's voice trailed off. He was starting to feel tired and dizzy.
The Duke smiled slyly, "you look rather tired. Why don't you rest for a moment on my bed."
Jimmy shook his head, slurring, "Noo…Mr. Carson wouldn't like it…"
"I'll explain" the Duke smiled as Jimmy leaned against him and stumbled to the bed. He smirked as Jimmy slumped against the pillows, his breaths shallow and uneven.
Thomas was out of breath by the time he reached the top of the stairs. He ran down the hallway and knocked on the Duke's door. Nobody answered so Thomas tried the door handle. It was locked and Thomas frantically jiggled it up and down. He finally swung himself against the door, knowing the locks weren't as strong as they looked and the door burst open.
Stopping in shock, Thomas stared at the scene that unfolded in front of him. The Duke was in the process of unbuttoning a barely conscious Jimmy's shirt. He looked up and glared at Thomas.
"So. Barrow, come back for more?" he snarled. On the bed, Jimmy flinched and rolled his head, trying to move.
"Release him" Thomas ordered as he stepped into the room.
"No, why would I take orders from a footman-oh excuse me-an under-butler now. Yes I heard about everything, and I must say I'm surprised you don't want any revenge on this young man" the Duke gestured at Jimmy's limp form.
Thomas swallowed, feeling angry tears burn in his eyes.
"I'll tell Mr. Crawley."
"You wouldn't" The Duke got up slowly, realizing that Thomas did have some power.
In answer Thomas ran out the door, followed by a cursing duke.
The Duke caught up to him on the stairs and grabbed Thomas from behind, but before the Duke thrust his hand over Thomas's mouth, Thomas managed to yell for Matthew Crawley.
Matthew came out from the study, as Tom followed. Together the two of them managed to pull the Duke off Thomas.
"For God's sake man!" exploded Matthew, "what were you doing?!"
"He-he-he attacked me" the Duke panted, his arms pinned back by Tom.
Thomas didn't defend himself, but only ran back up the stairs to the Duke's room.
He bent over Jimmy's still form, putting a hand on his too-hot cheek and cursing under his breath. Thomas sighed and slid his arms under Jimmy's limp body, instinctively hitching his shoulder to support Jimmy's lolling head.
~:~:~
Thomas placed Jimmy on his bed and turned as Mrs. Hughes came in.
"Oh my!" she gasped as she saw Jimmy's unconscious form and Thomas's worried expression.
"Send for Dr. Clarkson!" he ordered, not surprised when Mrs. Hughes turned and practically ran out of the room.
Ten minutes later, Thomas was watching as Dr. Clarkson examined Jimmy.
"It seems to be only sleeping pills" he said, standing up "the effects should wear off in the morning."
Thomas nodded, "is there anything we can do?"
"Not really. Just try to keep him warm and hydrated."
"Thomas, Mr. Crawley and Mr. Branson would like to see you in the library."
Please tell me how you liked it so far! I will be posting part 2 soon!