Prancer [Jimmy]

Christmas Day- 1919

She watched him over the top of her glass. "I believe the new livery suits you very well, Jimmy."

"Thank you, My Lady. Your Ladyship was most generous to suggest the new uniforms." The new livery were almost identical to the old, but the tailoring had been adjusted slightly. The pants were cut tighter and the vest was almost like a corset. There was no denying that they were flattering to the male form, especially forms already in pretty good shape, like James and Terrence. "I hope that they help Terrence and I better represent the household."

"I think they certainly do, Jimmy." Lady Anstruther was enjoying her after dinner port in her drawing room. James was the only footman in attendance. A few callers had been by earlier in the day to pay their Christmas respects. All of Lady Anstruther's sons were abroad with their respective regiment or ship. Her daughters had celebrated the Yuletide with their own families and children. Lady Anstruther chose not to visit them. She found it far too fatiguing. Though Marguerite usually sat with Her Ladyship in the evenings, the maid had been sent to bed early tonight. Lady Anstruther had insisted that the young woman had looked quite unwell.

"Please stand forward, Jimmy, so I can see you more clearly." He stood in front of her. She motioned for him to walk around and show her all the angles of the new livery. He raised his arms from his sides and turned on a spot before walking back to face her. "I must remember to compliment Mr. Ulster on his workmanship."

Lady Anstruther pulled a small white and red wrapped box out from behind a cushion and held it out to him. "I have a present for you, Jimmy."

"You did not need to get me anything, My Lady." He flashed her a toothy smile that said otherwise.

"But I wanted to, my pet." She beamed hungrily back at him.

James knew what was expected of him. He accepted the package. He opened the gift slowly, slipping the ribbon teasingly through his fingers as he untied to bow. He knew how to prolong her anticipation. He also knew that she loved it when he toyed with her. Finally, he opened the box.

"They are magnificent, My Lady. They are far too fine for a simple footman." He picked up one of the gleaming cufflinks. It was heavy; obviously of solid gold. These were not plated like the cufflinks he currently wore with his livery.

"But you will not always be a simple footman, Jimmy. Not a smart boy like you." She gushed at him. Around her mouth, the red liquid of the port looked revolting contrasted against the ghoulish grey of her lips. He fought to conceal the shudder than ran down his back. How he resented her drooling and fawning, but it was the price he had agreed to pay. "Let me help you put them on, pet."

James sat beside his benefactor. Her claw like hands pawed at him as he offered his arm. She leaned bodily against him, smelling of powder and port. He let her caress his strong, smooth hands with her bony fingers; she never made him wear gloves when waiting on her. When she was done with her attentions to the cufflinks, her hands remained on his arm, stroking him gently.

"They are beautiful, My Lady. Thank you." He held them up as if to admire them. He was able to shrug off her grabbing hands in the process.

"Is that how we say 'thank you', Jimmy?" She pouted, showing more of her port stained lower lip.

"Of course not, My Lady." James leaned towards her. He placed one hand delicately on one of her cheeks and placed a long, lingering kiss upon the other. He felt her face form a smile beneath his kiss, the side of her mouth approaching his lips. It took all of his self-control not to flinch away from her. Her hand had dropped to his knee and she rubbed his leg possessively.

James knew she did not want anything more than these little intimacies. The old girl was harmless; she was 85 if she was a day. She just wanted to feel desirable for a moment; to feel her heart flutter as it had in her youth. If she chose to spend some of her copious money for such a silly thing, who was he to stop her?

He knew Lady Anstruther was starved for attention. These cufflinks, whose cost meant nothing to her, had bought her one kiss and some innocent groping. Sometimes he found his complicity in these exchanges humiliating but, in his mind, he was already calculating the value of his newest gift. He would have to keep and wear all of the little trinkets she had bought him; the watch fob, the ring, the tie pin and all the others, but only until he left her employ. His little treasure trove was becoming more impressive with each passing month.

Finally, he drew away from her, hearing Lady Anstruther sigh sadly. She was already wondering what she could buy him next. Her hand remained on his leg.

"You know I am thinking of moving to Paris permanently, my pet." He felt her fingernails on the inside of his thigh, but smiled nonetheless.

"The staff can talk of little else, My Lady. You will be greatly missed. England shall be losing one of its loveliest flowers."

She blushed at his ham handed compliment and licked her lips noisily. James kept his smiling mask in place. "I shall, of course, be writing excellent references for all the staff who are not coming with me, but I was hoping…" She looked down bashfully. "That is, might you consider joining my household in Paris?"

James had been anticipating this offer. He had worked in this house, cultivating the old woman's interest in him for over two years. He had a bit saved up now and he was finding it harder to play this game. He was ready to move on and now felt like the right time to extract himself from this situation. With Her Ladyship moving her household to Paris, he could do this and he could secure an excellent reference at the same time. No other ending was likely to be as favorable. "I will give the matter some thought, My Lady. I am so attached to Your Ladyship, but England is my home. It would be quite the hardship for me to leave my home."

"If it is a matter of salary…"

"I assure you, My Lady, money will not enter into my decision." And if you believe that, I've a castle in Orkney to sell you. "But that is many months off, My Lady. Do not let it mar your Christmas. Would you care for more wine?"

Reluctantly, she let him stand and retrieve the decanter. After filling her glass, James retreated to the side of the settee. He considered his new cufflinks and flashed a winning smile at her as he stood at attention.

She smiled sloppily back at him between her sips of wine. Shortly, Her Ladyship grew tired and her eyelids began to grow heavy. Her head bobbed slightly a few times, which James took as the signal that she was ready for bed. James rang for Claire. She helped Her Ladyship to her feet. "Let's get you upstairs, My Lady, and get your brain settled for a long winter's nap, as they say." James gave the head housemaid a cheeky wink as she led their drowsy mistress out of the drawing room. Claire was a game girl alright, he knew from experience.

As soon as they were gone, James flopped down on the settee and poured himself a heavy helping of the port. He felt that he'd earned it. His options for the evening filtered through his mind. If he were truly nearing the end of his employment with Lady Anstruther, it would also put an end to his having to juggle all the eager downstairs ladies. The thought came as a huge relief and a small disappointment.

They all knew that he flirted with the others. "But if I don't flirt with them all, they'll suspect us, love. Don't be jealous, frowning gives you ugly wrinkles." They had all believed his lie and they all believed they were the only one with whom he'd taken flirtation to the next step.

And where were his ladies currently? Marguerite was already in bed, Claire would be with Her Ladyship at least an half hour, Alison was probably waiting for him in the servant's hall and Lucy had taken her half day, but would be back soon, probably already well into her cups.

Always one for the path of least resistance, James took the still half full decanter and two glasses with him and headed for the attics. Confined to her bed Marguerite would be very happy to see him and the wine. If he was lucky, she might not be his only stop this evening.

-00-

Christmas Day 1920

James walked back and forth past the full length mirror at the bottom of the stairs admiring his reflection.

"Maybe you'd like to take that up to your room so you two can be alone." Mrs. Patmore heckled as she passed him on her way back to the kitchen. Ever since being elevated to first footman, the lad had become insufferable. He was still toying with Ivy and avoiding any superfluous interaction with Mr. Barrow.

"Now, Mrs. Patmore, it is a footman's job to look his best at all times." Mr. Carson reminded her as he emerged from his office.

"Well said, Mr. Carson." James agreed.

"But I must say, James, it is possible to preen to the point of appearing ridiculous. Please desist and take the fresh coffee up to the drawing room. I believe most of the family are already gathered there."

"At once, Mr. Carson." He sauntered into the kitchen in search of the coffee tray. Alfred, Ivy and Daisy were already there, preparing the buffet luncheon for the family and putting the finishing touches on the servant's Christmas feast. "I'm to take up the coffee. A little help, Ivy?"

"It's just there, Jimmy. You've eyes haven't you?" Ivy teased.

"The better to see you with, my dear." He smirked back.

"Well, you'd be better off using them to see the coffee tray. If it were a snake, it would a' bit you." Daisy cracked at him. She would not mind Jimmy showing an interest in Ivy if he were sincere, but even she could see he did it to get under Alfred's skin. Daisy hated to see Alfred so uncomfortable. She really hated that his discomfort usually led to a clumsy profession of his feelings for Ivy. And all in her kitchen! "You'd best do as Mr. Carson said if you know what's best for you."

Carson raised his eyebrows in surprise. He wondered when Daisy had become so assertive. Mrs. Patmore just smiled sadly. She was proud of how Daisy was coming along. She might have gumption enough to be a cook yet, but Beryl knew that the poor girl was suffering. At least her anger was focused on that puffed up footman rather than simple Ivy.

A humbled and huffing James bustled past the cook and butler as he carried the mid afternoon coffee. Carson shook his head and Mrs. Patmore just laughed as she headed back to the kitchen.

"Servant's Christmas luncheon will be ready in one hour, Mr. Carson."

"Thank you, Mrs. Patmore. I shall inform Mrs. Hughes."

A/N Something like this scenario has been kicking around in my mind since Jimmy arrived and Mr. Carson said, "I don't care if you were Father Christmas to Lady Anstruther!"

I hate to speak ill of others around the holidays, but I believe, Jimmy is a preening, prancing fop. I think he was probably just one step better than a gigolo while at Lady Anstruther's. I think he has so much more potential for growth at Downton, but he is content to just be pretty. I think that is part of why Carson is so tough on him, to challenge him. Or maybe he just doesn't like him, which is cool with me.

Thank you for all the suggestions for Rudolph! They have given me a lot to think about.

Tomorrow…VIXEN!