In Courtney's bedroom, Bridgette and Katie were on either side of the bed finishing off the counterpane. Heather stood in the doorway.

"Neither of them were picked up," said Heather. "That's what he said."

"Mr. Crawley and Mr. Patrick?" Bridgette asked.

"That's what he said," Heather repeated. "Her ladyship's face was the color of this cloth."

"Well, it's a terrible shame if it's true," said Katie.

"It's worse than a shame," said Heather. "It's a complication."

She left. Bridgette and Gwen picked up some linens, a candlestick and a water carafe and follwed.

In the back staircase, the three maids were coming down into the hall.

"What do you mean?" Katie asked.

"What do you think?" Heather responded. "Mr. Crawley was his lordship's cousin and heir to the title.

"I thought Lady Courtney was the heir," said Katie.

"She's a girl stupid," said Heather. "Girls can't inherit. But now Mr. Crawley's dead. And Mr. Patrick as his only son. So what happens next?"

"It's a dreadful thing," said Bridgette.

"Hello?" said a male voice.

There was a man standing in the hall. With a suitcase.

"I've been waiting at the back door," he said. "I knocked but bi one came."

"So you pushed in," said Heather.

"I'm Geoff Bates," he said. "The new valet."

What made this surpizing is that he walked with a stick and had a noticable limp. Heather stared at him.

"The new valet?" Heather questioned.

"That's right," said Geoff.

"You're early," said Heather.

"Came on the milk train," Geoff said. "Thought I could use the day to get to know the place. And start tonight."

Bridgette stepped forward.

"I'm Bridgette," she said, "the head housemaid."

"And I'm Heather," said Heather, "her laduship's maid."

"How do you do?" said Geoff.

He held out his hand. Bridgette shook it. Heather did not.

"You'd better come along with us," said Heather.

Geoff shared a look with Bridgette as he went.

...

In the kitchen, Beth was questioning Geoff, watched by Heather, Leshawna and the rest. They were amazed.

"But how can you manage?" Beth asked.

His answer was direct, even challenging.

"Don't worry about that," he said. "I can manage."

"Because we've all got our own work to do," Leshawna put in.

"I can manage," Geoff repeated.

DJ and Scott entered.

"All right, Beth," DJ said. "I'll take over, thank you. Good morning, Mr. Bates, and welcome."

But he hadn't seen the stick until the others had broken back giving him full view.

"I hope your journey was all right?" DJ said.

"It was fine," said Geoff. "Thank you."

"I am the butler of Downton," DJ continued. "My name is DJ Carson."

"How do you do, Mr. Carson," said Geoff.

"And this is Scott, first footman" DJ said gesturing to Scott. "He's been looking after his lordship since Mr. Watson left. It'll be a relief to get back to normal. Won't it, Scott."

But Scott wasn't sure he wanted to go back to normal and even DJ was not sure this change will be "normal."

"I'm sure everything's ready for Mr. Bates' arrival?" DJ asked.

"I've put him in Mr. Watson's old room," said Beth, "though he left it in quite a state, I can tell you."

"But what about all of the stairs?" Leshawna asked.

"I keep telling you, I can manage," Geoff sighed.

The awkward moment registered. Bridgette came to the rescue.

"Of course you can," she said.

"Scott take Mr. Bates to his room and show him where he'll be working," said DJ.

Scott and Geoff went off together.

"Thank you everyone," said DJ.

The company dispersed back to their tasks.

"Well," said Heather. "I can;t see that lasting long."

"Thank you, Heather," said DJ.

He left, leaving her flattened.

...

In the servants' staircase Geoff briefly paused at the foot of the ninety-seven stone steps as scott moved ahead... Geoff followed.

...

In the servants' attic, Scott warched from the ddoor as Geoff put his case on the bed. The room was modest but adequate.

"Oh, yes," said Geoff. "I'll be comfortable here. Why did the last chap leave."

"Nobody knows," said Scott. "Just took off. Came down one morning, said cheerio, and that was it. Some of his lordship's cufflinks went missing at the same time, but nothing was done about it."

"Why not?" Geoff asked.

"They don't like scandal and he was clever enough not to take too much," said Scott. "Come on."

...

In the library, Courtney was completely stunned. She was alone with her father.

"But I thought he wasn't going over until next month," said Courtney.

"And he didn't write to say they were leaving earlier?" Chris asked.

"We weren't in each other's pockets," said Courtney.

"No," Chris said.

A horrid thought struck her.

"Does this mean I'll have to go into full mourning?" Courtney asked.

"My first cousin and his son are almost certainly dead," said Chris. "We will all be in mourning."

"No, I mean with the other thing," Courtney said. "After all it wasn't official..."

"If you're saying you do not wish to mourn Patrick as a fiancee, that is up to you," said Chris.

"No one knew about it, outside the family," Courtney said.

"Well that's a relief," Courtney sighed.

...

Chris' dressing room was neat, lined with mahogany doors, with dressing brushes and bibelots out on a chest of drawers. The large bed as always made up, but never slept in. Scott closed the wardrobe door.

"There's some cedar-lined cupboards in the attick, for things that aren't often worn," said Scott. "Travelling clothes and such. Mr. Watson used to rotate the summer and winter stuff. I'll show you later."

"What about studs and links?" Geoff asked. "Do I choose them? Or does he?"

"Lay them out unless he askes for something in particular," Scott answered. "These are for a ball, these are for an ordinary dinner, these are only for London..."

"I'll get the hang of it," said Geoff.

"Yeah, you'll have to," said Scott.

Geoff wandered over to the vitrine beneath the window.

"Snuff boxes," said Scott. "He collects them."

"It's lucky Mr. Watson didn't help himself," Geoff commented.

"He knew they wouldn't let him go if he had," said Scott. "He was canny like that."

Geoff stared down at the glittering geejaws.

...

In the upstairs passage, Scott met Heather, who was carrying some linen.

"Well?" Heather questioned.

"I can't believe I've been passed over for Long John Silver," Scott gumbled.

"You should have spoken up when you've had the chance," Heather pointed out. "Don't make the same mistake next time."

"Who says there'll be a next time?" Scott said.

But Beth was in the passage now.

"Is this a public holiday no one's told me of?" Beth asked.

They went about their business, but Heather winked at Scott.

...

In the gardens, Chris and Blainley were walking the dog.

"I think she's quite right," Blainley said.

Chris didn't comment.

"It was a family understanding, that's all," Blainley continued. "There's no need to present her as second hand goods because of a private arrangement."

"If you say so," said Chris. "She was reluctant to go into mourning."

"Well, she'll have to," said Blainley. "We all will. Heather's sorting out my black now and I've told Bridgette ro see what the girls have that still fits."

But mourning was not what she was thinking about.

"Of course this alters everything," said Blainley.

She spoke with real finality, but he said nothing

"You won't try to deny it?" Blainley asked. "You'll challenge the entail now? Surely."

"Can't we at least wait until we know they're dead before we discuss it?" Chris groaned.

"Don't talk as if I'm not brokenharted, because I am," said Blainley.

But she still had something to get off her chest.

"Of course I've never understood why this estate has to go to whomever inherits your title-"

"I don't make the law," said Chris.

"But even if I did, why was my money made part of it?" Blainley asked.

"I can't go over this again," said Chris. "My father was anxious to secure Downton's future and-"

"Your father was anxious to secure my cash!" Blainley exclaimed. "He didn't wait a month before he made me sign it over!"

"If we'd had a son, you'd never have noticed," said Chris.

"It was bad enough that Patrick would get everything," said Blainley, "but at least he was going to marry Courtney-"

The sight of DJ walking towards them calmed her down.

"What is it?" Chris asked.

"The Dowager Countess is in the drawing room," said DJ.

"I'll come now," said Chris.

"She asked for Lady Grantham," said DJ.

This was a surpise to both husband and wife.

"I wonder what I've done wrong this time," Blainley sighed.

She didn't bother to include the butler.

"Oh, and the new valet has arrived m'lord," said DJ.

"Has he?" Chris asked.

"I'm not sure he'll prove equal to the task but your lordship will be the judge of that," said DJ.

He turned back to the house. Chris and Blainley registered this.

"I'd better go," said Blainley.

"Tell her about James and Patrick," said Chris. "She wouldn't have heard."

...

"Of course I've heard!" Izzy, Dowager Countess of Grantham exclaimed. "Why else would I be here?"

"Chris didn't want you to read it in the newspaper and be upset," said Blainley.

"He flatters me," said Izzy. "I'm tougher than I look."

Blainley's expression implied that this would be hard.

"I'm very sorry about poor Patrick of course," said Izzy. "He was a nice boy."

"We were all so fond of him," Blainley put in.

"But I never cared for James," Izzy said. "He was to much like his mother and a nastier woman never drew breath."

Which put paid to any worriesabout excessive grief.

"Will you stay for luncheon?" Blainley asked.

"Thank you," said Izzy.

Blainley walked to the bell rope.

"I'll let DJ know," said Blainley.

"I've already told him," said Izzy. "Shall we sit down."

Izzy had business to discuss.

"You agree this changes everything," Izzy continued.

For once, Blainley was surprised. She did agree.

"My word entirely," said Blainley.

"Do you know the knew heir?" Izzy asked.

"Only that there is one," said Blainley.

"He's Chris' third cousin once removed," Izzy explained. "I have never, to my knowledge, set eyes on him."

They both knew what this conversation was about.

"Of course if I hadn't been forced to sign that absurd act of legal theft by your late husband!" Blainley said.

Izzy flashed for a moment, then steadied herself.

"I haven't come for a fight," Izzy said.

Blainley was silent. Why had her mother-in-law come?

"Lord Grantham wanted to protect the estate," Izzy continued. "It never occured to him that you wouldn't have a son."

"Well, I didn't," Blainley said bitterly.

"No," said Izzy. "You didn't."

Obviously, this had been a source of quarrel before now.

"But when Patrick had married Courtney and your grandson been hailed as master, honour would have been satisfied," said Izzy. "Unfortunatly, now-

"Now a complete unknown has the right to pocked my money along with the rest of the swag!" Blainley exclaimed in a soft voice.

"What does Chris say?" Izzy asked.

"Nothing yet," said Blainley. "He's too upset."

"Good," Izzy said. "Don't let him come to a decision until we can be sure it's the correct one," Izzy said.

At this, Blainley started to huff, but Izzy raised her palm.

"The problem is, saving your dowry would break up the estate," Izzy explained. "It'd be the ruin of everything Chris' given his life to."

"And he knows this?" Blainley asked.

"If he doesn't, he will," said Izzy.

"Then there's no answer," said Blainley.

Blainley was now truley fascinated.

"Yes there is," said Izzy, "and it's a simple one. The entail must be smashed in it's entirety abd Courtney recognised as heiress of all."

"There's nothing we could do about the title," said Blainley.

"No," said Izzy, "she can't have the title. But she can have your money. And the estate. I didn't run Downton for thirty years to see it go, lock, stock and barrel, to a stranger from goodness knows where."

"Are be friends then?" Blainley asked.

"We are allies," said Izzy. "Which can be a good deal more effective.

...

In the servants hall, it was lunchtime. Leshawna, Lindsay and the kitchen staff were eating in the kitchen and in the other room, DJ was addressing Geoff.

"Downton is a great house, Geoff," said DJ, "and the Crawleys are a great family. We live by certain standards and those standards can at first seem daunting.

"Of course," Geoff nodded.

If you find yourself tongue-tied in the presence of his lordship," DJ continued, "I can only assure you that his manners and his grace wukk soon help you to perform your duties to the best of your ability."

"I know-" Geoff started.

"Geoff!" a male voice called.

Everyone turned. Chris was standing in the doorway. The stunned company struggled to their feet.

"Probably should have realized you'd be at luncheon," Chris muttered. "I just want to say a quick hello to my old comrade in arms. Welcome to Downton."

But Geoff struggled to his feet and now Chris saw that he was disabled. He took his hand.

"Sorry... even though I'm not really," said Chris.

He went. The table sat down and was silent with everybody's eyes fixed on Geoff. He shrugged slightly, looking around.

"You never asked," he said simply.

Heather caught Scotts eye. Their look was not friendly.