I realize that this chapter is highly improbable. However, I will try to make up for it by being amusing. This is just a short chapter to set up the girls' continued scheming.

Several days later, Mr. Carson found himself in the library after breakfast, listening to Lord Grantham try to work himself out of a quandary. The governess had been given the day off to visit her sister and more importantly her sister's new baby in Ripon. She was not expected back until just before the girls' dinner. Ordinarily this would not have been a problem, but Lady Grantham was already engaged for luncheon and Lord Grantham had promised to take the girls on a picnic and to view the ruins of an old church. The quandary was that Lord Grantham had looked at his diary wrong and was already engaged for luncheon himself at a neighbor's home to discuss new farming methods. His daughters were naturally very disappointed and were just as naturally making Lord Grantham feel very guilty.

Mr. Carson could certainly sympathize with their disappointment. He knew the walk to the ruins, and it would be lovely on a pleasantly crisp early autumn day like today. Only half listening to the conversation, he found himself wondering if he could perhaps convince Mrs. Hughes to take a walk with him after their luncheon. His reverie was interrupted by hearing Miss Mary say his name. While he managed to keep his jaw from dropping, he did blink once when he heard her say, "I'm sure Mr. Carson would not mind taking us for our walk."

Then he blinked again as Miss Sybil interjected, "And picnic!"

Miss Mary then glanced at Miss Edith who quickly joined in, "Perhaps Mrs. Hughes could come too."

He was ashamed to say that he blinked twice at that. Then, he knew he was lost when his Lordship addressed him with a hesitant smile.

Walking downstairs in search of Mrs. Hughes, he had to admit that his head was still spinning with the deftness of the maneuver. Smiling, he thought that Miss Mary was going to be a formidable Countess someday. Somehow, three children whose collective ages were less than half his own had manipulated both his Lordship and himself into doing exactly what they wanted. The fact that in this particular case it was also what he wanted was beside the point. Hopefully, Mrs. Hughes would agree.

Walking through the open door of her parlor, he paused for a moment to watch her bent over at her desk clearly working hard. Clearing his throat, he asked, "Mrs. Hughes, I wonder if I might make a request of you?"

Turning slightly in her chair, she smiled at him and beckoned him closer, "What can I do for you?"

Walking over he stood a little uncomfortably beside her desk and paused as he tried to find the right words, "Would you go for a picnic with me?"

Seeing her look of astonishment as she turned over her ink well which he quickly righted, he realized that those were obviously not the right words.

"I'm sorry," he said smiling gently, "I didn't mean just with me. We would be taking the girls. I'm afraid the imps have out-maneuvered me."

He went on to explain the morning's conversation and was pleased to see that her look of astonishment changed to one of understanding and then outright amusement.

"Serves you right, Mr. Carson," she said through her laughter, "thinking that you could out scheme three girls. Are you sure that you didn't do anything to encourage them?"

"I beg your pardon," he answered, offended, "I was just standing there butlering…"

"Butlering?" she asked incredulously, "Is that a word?"

"Of course it's a word, it refers to standing patiently while being slightly less conspicuous than wallpaper."

"Well, you didn't do too good of a job of it this morning," she said wryly, "The girls certainly noticed you."

"Thank you for pointing out that humiliating fact. I'm glad to have provided you with your morning's amusement, Mrs. Hughes," he said with mock stiffness, "but you haven't answered my question."

"If my employer wants me to accompany his daughters on a picnic, I wasn't aware that I had a choice in the matter," she said smiling.

"No; his Lordship was quite clear that you were not to be bothered if you were too busy," he said, "That consideration does not extend to me obviously. I'm to be thrown to the gaggle of giggling girls no matter what."

Nodding appreciatively at his alliteration, she clarified, "So I've not actually been instructed to go?"

"Well, no," he replied, "but I would take it as a great personal favor if you would save me."

"Save you?" she laughed, "Surely three little girls couldn't do you any permanent harm."

At his level look, she said, "Well, not that much harm."

Nodding his agreement, he said, "Not to press, but you do need to make a decision this morning."

"Mr. Carson, I always have plenty to do, as do you I'm sure," she said, "but with no one here for luncheon surely we can find the time to take three little girls on a picnic. Besides, you said yourself that we should profit from their scheming. It's a beautiful day, and I'm sure it will be a pleasant walk and will be with pleasant company."

Pausing to look at her for just a moment, he thought he detected the faintest of blushes. Smiling at her with genuine pleasure, he said, "Will you make sure the girls get ready while I sort out the provisions?"

She nodded and they each went off to their respective tasks.

When they met three quarters of an hour later, Mrs. Hughes had the girls in tow, and he was happy to see that she was wearing a light-colored blouse with tiny flowers. He had changed from his uniform into an ordinary suit as well. Smiling, he held the door for the ladies and followed them out putting his hat on his head and grabbing the basket. He thought this might turn out to be a pleasant day, after all.

Reviews are welcome.