Chapter Three

"There is one other thing, milady," Mrs. Hughes said. She was embarrassed to be bringing up the topic with Cora after they had just reviewed the household accounts and agreed to cut the family meals when there were no guests down to five courses instead of seven. There had been a number of scheduled replacements that would be postponed and the new scullery maid Mrs. Hughes had hired to replace Ivy when she moved to America would be let go.

"Please, continue, Mrs. Hughes," Cora replied.

"The staff have asked me to inquire, well this is a trifle embarrassing," Mrs. Hughes began.

"There isn't any easy way when dealing with staff issues and household budgets," Cora said.

"The staff would like a schedule with guaranteed off duty times," Mrs. Hughes said, then pursed her lips together in embarrassment.

"I wasn't aware there was a problem," Cora responded.

"Nor I," Edith added in puzzlement.

"Its all this talk of labor reform in the papers," Mrs. Hughes continued. "At first I thought it was nonsense and just talk, but I've come to realize it isn't an unreasonable request. There are a few staff who regularly work late and have missed half days due to extra duties."

"I see," Cora replied slowly. She didn't really understand what the fuss was about. None of the staff seemed particularly unhappy to her.

"Would creating this schedule add to the household expenses?" Edith inquired in an attempt to be helpful and give her mother a moment to digest things.

"No, I don't believe there would be any increase in costs," Mrs. Hughes replied. "It's a small thing really to calm people's nerves. There is a great deal of dread as to what may come with all this talk of riots and workers rights in the papers."

"Are the servants unhappy?" Cora inquired still puzzled.

"No milady, but it was pointed out to me the other day there have been a number of times when company was arriving or an outing was coming up that people have missed their half days or rest hours without compensation."

"I hadn't thought it was an issue in the past. We've always given the staff free time after large events."

"After large events, milady but not after small," Mrs. Hughes replied.

"You may go ahead and draw up a schedule for me to consider," Cora agreed at last.

"Thank you, milady," Mrs. Hughes replied. "If that will be all, I'll return downstairs and get started on the changes you've requested immediately."

-0-

"No fish course with their dinners," Jimmy commented as he and Molesly entered the servants hall for their dinner. No one above or below stairs could bring themselves to call Molesly by his Christian name. "I for one don't mind having less dishes to carry."

"I'm only too glad to have my post," Molesly replied while he took his place. Mr. Carson and Thomas Barrow hadn't come down yet.

"They gave into our demands easily enough with the scheduled time off. I think we should ask for other benefits. That is what they're calling them in the papers."

"Calling what?" Thomas asked as he entered the room.

"Things your employer supplies. They're called benefits," Jimmy replied.

"Our employer supplied this meal your about to consume," Thomas reminded him. "Some would say it is a benefit of the job depending on taste."

"Why can't we ask for more benefits?" Jimmy inquired.

"A schedule of time off is not a benefit," Mrs. Hughes stated as she took her place. "It is a tool to communicate clearly when members of staff should be working and when they should not. It was embarrassing to say the least to broach the subject with her ladyship."

"We have the right to have time off," Jimmy replied. "What do you have to say in all this Mr. Bates?"

Mr. Bates had been moody and brooding over the last year. Every time Anna went with Lady Mary on one of her weekends or trips to London, his mood got darker to the point where he seldom spoke to the other staff members.

"I've had enough of my wife having to go off whenever Lady Mary takes a mind to go here or there," Mr. Bates replied. "This time it was with less than a half days notice. I've had about enough of it."

"Are you saying you're unhappy with your positions here?" Mrs. Hughes inquired.

"I'm saying it wasn't something either Anna or I considered when we entered into our union," John Bates replied seriously.

Just then Mr. Carson entered the room. Everyone got to their feet and then sat down again for their meal.

"What hadn't you considered Mr. Bates?" Mr. Carson inquired.

"I was commenting my wife and I hadn't considered the amount of separation we would have in our current positions," Mr. Bates replied.

"I don't see anyway around it," Mr. Carson said. "Travel and trips to London and country homes are part of the job. Are you unhappy with the situation?"

"I'm not particularly pleased with it at the moment," John Bates replied. He returned to his dinner without another word. Thomas Barrow got a slight smile on his face but said nothing. The rest of the room busied themselves with their dinners and made no comment.

-0-

"I'm surprised you haven't headed off to a house party," Tom commented to Rose as they entered the drawing room after dinner a few days after Tom had let the family know about the household budget shortfall.

"I had an invitation but it didn't appeal," Rose replied with a smile. "I was in the mood for some time with the family, so here I am."

"I was very interested in the comment you made about diversified economies. Would you care to discuss your thoughts further?" Tom inquired. He was hoping Rose's sudden comment the other night wasn't a passing fancy. Since Sarah had left town he had come to realize he missed someone to discuss current affairs and view points with, but he certainly didn't miss Sarah's brand of dictating what she thought everyone else should think.

"I don't know that I have much to contribute to things around the estate," Rose replied. "My basis of understanding is all international politics."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you," Tom said with a tinge of disappointment.

"You're never a bother," Rose replied.

"Rose come and make a forth for bridge," Edith called to her from across the room.

"I've just promised Tom a game of chess," Rose replied quickly. The rest of the family moved to the bridge table. Isobel Crawley was over for dinner. With Robert playing they were all occupied with the game.

"Rose, I don't play chess very well," Tom said quietly so the others wouldn't hear.

"I do," Rose replied just as quietly. "I played quite often with my father when my mother wasn't about to ruin our fun."

They moved to a corner where there was a chess set on a small table near the windows.

"You're not cold with the chill from the windows?" Tom asked her. The layers and stiffness of his tuxedo provided him with ample protection against the draft.

"The cool air will keep me alert and give me an advantage," Rose said with a slight smile. She picked up a white pawn and a black, mixed the two then held out her closed hands for Tom to choose. He tapped the hand holding the white pawn.

Rose didn't comment as Tom made his opening move. She waited until they were each two moves into the game before she spoke in a low voice so as not to be overheard.

"My father taught me the political world is much like a game of chess," Rose said thoughtfully. "Sometimes it's better to let the other person make the first move, sometimes not. You have to read the situation before you make an aggressive move."

Tom looked at the board and moved his knight. Rose moved but didn't block him.

"At times it is best not to let your opponent think they have the upper hand," she said quietly after his next move. "While other times you don't want to reveal yourself too quickly." She hadn't raised her voice or even looked like she was paying that much attention to the game. Rose looked into Tom's eyes. She was leaning forward with a slight smile. "I think the greatest lesson of this game that applies to the political world and perhaps farming is to never, never underestimate your opponent or take a situation for granted."

Tom was momentarily transfixed by Rose's words. There was something different about her tonight. When she spoke it was as though she were in complete control of the situation without letting on. The strength under her pretty, flirtatious demeanor that she kept well hidden was obvious. For a moment it was as though there was a tension in the air that drew his undivided attention. He couldn't take his eyes from hers.

"Check mate," she said sitting back in her chair.

Tom looked down to see his king over with Rose's pieces clearly in control of the board.

"You are very skilled in the art of war," he said in surprise. "This is what this game is isn't it."

"That and other things," Rose replied with a secretive smile. She began setting the board up for another game.

"What do you really think of the factory and mine owners lowering wages to maximize profits. That is what is leading to all this unrest?" Tom asked her with a hushed voice. He glanced towards the others who were engrossed in their game of bridge and not paying them any attention. He made a move to start. Rose stopped his hand with a light touch and guided him through a more strategic opening move.

"I think we are all in for a change," she replied softly. She bit her lip slightly. "There isn't as much to go around in any circle and people are going to have to wake up and realize it."

She guided him through a few more moves. Tom could see the definite advantages she was teaching him on the game board already.

"Now you can play a bit on your own," Rose said softly. "As to your original question, I think people can't deny there isn't the funds to maintain a lifestyle with a great deal of expensive pursuits much longer. You only have to look at the royals on the continent who are loosing absolutely everything and the country houses falling one after the other to death taxes to see it."

"I think diversification is the key," Tom replied in a soft voice with a slight frown as he tried to concentrate on their game.

"If it can be done without too much financial pressure on the rest of the operation," Rose replied. "Too much diversification is as bad as not enough."

"You would make an exceptional politician," Tom commented.

"I'm not my mother," Rose replied with sudden irritation. She made an aggressive move that had Tom in check.

"I never said you were," Tom replied calmly and quietly. "You're a brilliant woman in your own right. I meant it as a compliment. I would like to see this side of you more often."

"Thank you, Tom. I will take that as a compliment as you meant it. I have no desire to control the world around me as most politicians do." Rose's voice had returned to a softer tone.

"You don't think there are those who are trying to make a better world?"

"Everyone has their own reasons for being in charge," Rose replied. She made a few more moves and easily beat him again. "To win an argument against someone you have to understand what their reasons are. Once you do that, you have the upper hand. My father taught me that."

"Would you be interested in continuing with chess lessons in the future?" he asked with a slow smile. Rose had some surprising things to say when she decided to let them out. The conversation they were having was exciting and ever so slightly daring.

"As long as you promise to listen and not cut me off if I say something you don't like."

"I'm quite enjoying getting to know this side of you," Tom replied sincerely.

"I'm quite enjoying myself as well," Rose replied. "Only one thing Tom."

"What's that?" he asked while resetting the board.

"I'd like to sit closer to the fire. I am a trifle chilled."

"I thought it gave you the upper hand," he said with a smile as he picked up the chessboard to move it closer to the fire.

"There is one thing you should know about me," Rose replied getting up to follow him across the room. "Actually, two."

"Being?"

"I don't like to expose my weaknesses and I dislike being cold." She laughed slightly as she took a seat closer to the warmth of the fire.

"I already knew you disliked the cold," Tom replied. "We have lived in the same house for the last two years. Time for one more game before I go up to check on the children."

"Tell me something about you I don't already know?" Rose asked with a smile as they started the last game of the evening.

"I don't like the smell of pigs," Tom replied with a grin.

"And yet you started a pig operation?" Rose asked with a slight laugh.

"I hired someone else to look after them right away didn't I?" Tom replied with an equal smile. "I remember you once went to comment on the pigs when we first purchased, but Lord Grantham would let you say a thing. What do you know about pigs?

"Well, when I lived in Scotland we had pigs on the estate," Rose began with a light coming to her eyes.

-0-

For the next few weeks life at the Abbey seemed to run the same as it always had with the exception that Tom and Rose had started spending one or two evenings a week together when Rose was home ostentatiously to play chess. Mary returned from her week in London and her parents invited guests to dinner at least twice a week. Edith was occupied with writing articles. Things below stairs were quiet. The new schedule had given the staff a sense of accomplishment and direction.

Near the middle of November Mary suddenly announced she had heard from Charles Blake. He and Evelyn Napier would be in the area for work and had asked to stay for the week and were arriving that afternoon. Mary and Cora immediately planned a party for that evening and invited a group of ten guests who both men were acquainted with.

"I'm sorry your ladyship," Miss Baxter said calmly when Cora told her of the impromptu party that evening. "There is a wedding this afternoon of a close friend. I don't feel I can miss it."

"Oh no, Miss Baxter," Cora replied. "I was counting on you mending my black chiffon for this evening. I so wanted to wear it."

"Perhaps Anna or Mrs. Hughes can complete the task this afternoon while I'm off," Miss Baxter suggested. "The schedule does show that I'm off today. I asked for this day specifically two months ago."

"I didn't think having a schedule would mean things weren't flexible as they were in the past," Cora said. "I don't think Anna or Mrs. Hughes will mend my dress as well as you could do it. Won't you reconsider?" The last was said with a slight pout.

"I'm sorry milady. I'll do as much as I can this morning, but I don't know if I'll be able to finish all the hand work on your dress before my time off," Miss Baxter said. Today was important to her. She had asked for the afternoon months in advance and confirmed with Mrs. Hughes on Monday she would have the free time. She was attending the wedding with Mr. Molesly and they had planned on a special meal out for the two of them before they returned to the Abbey that evening. Here it was four days later and Lady Grantham was trying to change things to her own needs. Everything downstairs was in chaos with everyone trying to accommodate such a large party with so little notice.

"Very well, I'll just have to choose something else, you can prepare before you leave on your afternoon," Cora said when she could see she wasn't going to cajole Miss Baxter into moving her afternoon free.

"Perhaps the blue silk, milady?" Miss Baxter asked as she turned to the wardrobe to fetch the dress. A smile curved her lips. It was a small victory, but one she felt she deserved. She was feeling more in control of her own life all the time.