Thomas woke up with a start. A dream again. At least they weren't about Jimmy anymore, just a faceless man who wanted him. He had promised Jimmy they could just be friends, but Thomas couldn't control his dreams could he? He looked at the clock. It was a quarter til 6-no point in trying to sleep again. Thomas got up and went to the mirror. The calendar on the wall behind it mocked him. 1922 in big red numbers. How long had it been? He didn't want to think about it. It put his teeth on edge and today was not a day to be on edge. There'd be so much to do with the biggest party since Lady Mary's wedding happening. Thomas wondered if she'd thought of that too. He didn't often feel sorry for Lady Mary, but after the man she'd known for so long and was married to for such a sort time died he did feel some pity. He'd always thought some of the reason Mary loved Matthew was because being with him meant being the queen of Downton. Maybe that was true, but she'd loved him. Stop thinking about love, he told himself.
Downstairs Carson was bellowing orders to everyone about what they had to do and who had to be where. After the family's breakfast they were to get ready for Mr. Napier's arrival. He was bringing two friends and they'd all be staying the night since they were coming up from London. Surely they'd all been having a great time there and their own houses weren't ready for them. At ten-thirty they were all lined up at the front of the house except Lady Mary. She didn't want to see other people until the party. Dealing with well-wishers before then would only tire her. Thomas didn't blame her. The three men got out of the car. Thomas remember Napier from before the war. He introduced his friends.
"This is Lord Gillingham and Sir Charles Blake," he said.
No doubt spare heirs, Thomas thought. At least they were handsome, but he doubted Mary would be ready to move on quite yet. They must be careful if they want a chance with her.
Two valets got out of the front of the car. He recognized Napier's-Mr. Parks he thought-and the other turned out to be Gillingham's man Green. Blake didn't have one but assured Carson that his friends' men would help him if he needed anything.
"Don't want to put extra work on you staff," he said. "Not tonight."
Thomas thought this man looked tired, but he perked up when he mentioned "tonight". He'd be trouble alright.
Inside Thomas was helping the valets unpack the luggage. Mr. Green was a similar age to Thomas, but his face somehow seemed more youthful. Jovial might have been the word.
"So what does an under-butler do exactly? I've never been to a house with one before?"
Thomas tensed up for a second, but then realized Green's tone was mocking, but genuinely curious.
"I just help out Mr. Carson. Hopefully I'll get to be butler one day. He's not getting any younger and the house is getting pretty full with the kids and all. Should be fuller though..." he trailed off.
"Do you think she'll get married again?" he asked excitedly.
"Are you always such a gossip Mr. Green?"
"I just like to know where thing's stand."
Thomas looked up again. Mr. Green didn't seem offended. Thomas considered him and his question for a moment.
"I don't know they went through a lot together, but...I hope she does one day. She's too young to spend the rest of her life alone."
"No one deserves to be alone," he said and held Thomas's gaze.
It seemed like for too long and Thomas broke it and went back to the shirts. He must've imagined it, he told himself. After everything with Jimmy, Thomas figured there was no such thing as being too careful.