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Chapter 3

I changed quickly and put my hair up, I was to hyped up to just sit still and wait so instead I went downstairs towards the back door, planning to make some time on my own in the last of the days sun.

Thankfully nobody was in the halls at all; they were all serving the lord and lady Granthem's tea so I slipped out un-noticed.

The sun was still fairly warm and I sat under the large oak tree on the slightly weathered wooden bench. Resting my head back against the tree I began to arrange my thoughts and calm myself down. I hated seeing people fight, particularly if this was going to be my home, and I had to live around it.

I was just starting to relax when I heard a quite cough, reluctantly opening my eyes, I was shocked to see Thomas stood in front of me, a small smile played on his lips and the evening sun made his slick black hair glisten in the dyeing light. Now that he had calmed down his eyes where beautiful, a brilliant shade of green.

"Mind if I sit there?" He asked quietly, still cocky though and gestured to the bench next to me. Nodding reluctantly I shifted along a bit so that he could fit in without being too close to me.

"I'm sorry 'bout earlier, I just get wound up when people talk about me behind me back," he paused and looked at me "especially when he wouldn't be brave enough to say it to my face." I could understand that so I just nodded and looked back down at the floor, hoping that maybe he might go. I tried to concentrate on the bird song that hung in the air and it relaxed me a bit, but I couldn't get the fact that he was there next to me on that bench.

"Soooo..." he said trying to break the awkward silence I looked up at him, "What job are you taking?" suddenly I realised that I didn't really know "I don't really know..." he looked at me strangely for a second before replying,

"How can you not know, you must have applied or something?"

"Nope, my master, Lord Canley knew Lord Grantham and when he had to sack some of his staff he must have sent me here not wanting me to lose my job, I was never told." Sighing I realised how stupid I must sound. He just nodded; I knew it was my turn to strike up conversation.

"So I'm guessing you're 1st footman..." he looked at me with those gorgeous green eyes,

"How did you know?"

"From my experience, all footmen look like you, and since William is 2nd..." I trailed of when he looked at me with a raised eye brow and an amused look on his face.

"What do you mean by 'All footmen look the same'?" damn I wasn't expecting that, this is going to be awkward and I was regretting opening my mouth, blushing a deep shade of red.

"Well?" he questioned me, pushing me for an answer with a playful edge to his voice.

"Handsome" I focused intently on the material of my dull black dress and heard him chuckle quietly, aware that I was turning into a tomato. I couldn't look up, this was not good, I had been here a matter of half an hour and I was crushing on the cocky footman, and not being discreet about it, and starting fights, this was going to be fun.

Suddenly I was saved by a girl with blond hair running across the grass expanse between me and the back door, "There you are Jenna! Thomas stop terrorising the poor lass and go inside and wait in line!" she was practically next to us now "I'm Anna by the way." I smiled at her politely as she pulled me inside.

When I got into the kitchen and all of the staff where in a line stood to attention, I was aware of their eyes on me and I wondered if Thomas had told them about my little confession earlier, my heart sunk at the idea.

Mr Carson gestured for me to come forward and he smiled at me reassuringly. Leading me to the first person in line, the first person he introduces as Mrs Hughes, the house keeper, she greeted me with a warm smile, the next in line was Anna, head house keeper "Hello again Jenna." She smiled at me; she was just one of those people you instantly knew you could trust and warmed to instantly.

Next in line was Mrs Patmore, she just nodded dutifully the corners of her lips turned up slightly, but not so much a smile, however she didn't come across as moody so it seemed okay.

Next was "Jenna, this is Mr John Bates, his lordships valet." Bates' eyes twinkled and he held out a hand for me to shake, he seemed to be a genuinely nice person, and he had warmth about his personality that I instantly felt comfortable with.

William was up next, he just smiled at me since he had met me earlier, but he seemed annoyed, did he think that it was my fault about the argument earlier, or had Thomas told him about what happened under the tree earlier? Whatever it was I knew that William was annoyed about something; I looked at the floor before going on to the next person.

The next woman was sour faced and bitter in her manner, she only gave the slightest of inclinations that I even existed; Carson introduced her as Sarah O'Brian. I instantly felt uncomfortable around her, knowing that I couldn't trust her.

My heart sank as she realised who was next. Thomas. This meant I had to look him in the eyes. Carson said "And I heard that you have also already met Thomas, our first footman..." Thomas smiled at me and I could have sworn he winked at me causing me to blush hideously. I knew I was being obvious but I couldn't help it.

The rest of the meeting went okay all considered and everybody was chatting at the end and laughing, William was playing an upbeat tune on the piano at one side of the room, while Thomas and Daisy danced, well Thomas danced, Daisy giggled like a little child.

A few minutes passed when suddenly Anna pulled me to the side, concerned by the look of it, "Jenna, I know this is strange but... do you like Thomas?" I was taken aback by the bluntness of her question.

"What makes you think that...?" I asked.

"Oh come on Jenna, you could be less obvious, and Thomas was full of himself when he went in." Damn

"Ok maybe I do like him a bit." I muttered looking at my feet and shuffling uncomfortably.

"Last time this happened poor Daisy over there got her heart broken, and William."

"What has this got to do with them?"

"William likes you Jenna, and last time that happened, William liked daisy, and Thomas did all he could to get her from William, even though he didn't like her. And judging by the way Thomas was acting when he came in, he might know you like him, that's why William was being grouchy." I was frightened

"That was why William was in a mood with me, because I like Thomas?"

"It seems that way." She looked at me concerned, I sighed but our conversation was interrupted by a cocky voice with a slight accent, and Anna's face showed it all. My heart sank even lower.

"Well, well ladies, I couldn't help but over hear your conversation..."

BUSTED again :')