"What in the...?!" Mr Carson was taken aback when he glanced out the window to see O'Brien and the Duke running across the front of the house to get in. He heard the door being quietly opened and then frantic whispering. He walked briskly to the entrance to see what was going on. The Duke and O'Brien were wiping their snow sodden shoes on the wall and froze when they saw Carson.

The Duke straightened his posture and resumed his normal posture, "Evening Carson, absolutely stunning scenery out there." He patted him on the shoulder and then went up stairs. Carson turned his ferocious gaze to O'Brien who's blank expression was fixed on the ground. "What! Where you just doing?!" He whispered angrily gripping her arm and pulling her downstairs. All the staff started to whisper as Carson paraded her viciously through the servant's corridors and into his office. "Sit down!" He pointed at the seat in front of his desk.

Carson peered out of the room at all the spectators. "One of you, fetch my Miss Hughes, tell her it's of utmost importance." And he shrank back into the room, banging the door as he swung it shut. "You better have a good explanation and it better be the truth. Miss Hughes hurried through the servants hall, she looked worried as she saw everyone was looking at Carson's door. There was a silence that was only disturbed by the sound of her keys jangling at her hip and her skirts rustling.

She opened the door, saw O'Brien and then turned to the staff outside, "You all have work to do I presume?" She said sternly, she new immediately by the cowering form of O'Brien that this was a matter bad behaviour. "Well I suppose you better tell me what's going on." She looked up at Carson. Carson leant against the desk, I was all set to lock up for the night when I heard footsteps on the gravel outside. I was sure it was a fox or some other creature of the nig-"

"Just get to the point!" She hurried Carson. He paused for a minute having been taken out of stride. "I saw Miss O'Brien here running toward the house with his Grace the Duke, not moments ago." Miss Hughes looked shocked, not only was she expecting that, but a sexual dalliance with a Duke? She certainly wouldn't be expecting that. "Instead of sitting their in dull silence I think you should explain yourself, I somehow have a feeling it isn't what it looks to be." She looked at Carson who frowned slightly, he acted all regal but he enjoyed a good scandal just as much as the nosey staff outside. He wasn't too happy to find out there might not even be one.

Sorry for the late uploading :)