A few days later, Alexander is seated at the table with the newest footman, Francis Henderson, playing the piano.
Ms. Frances is quietly reading a book when she turns the book toward Alexander. "I wish I could learn to dance like that."
"You don't know the 'Revolutionary Step?'" asks Alexander.
"No, I wish I did." she tells him wistfully.
"Like you do." Charles Lee, Lord Philip's new valet, mumbles unkindly from the corner.
"I do, thank you." Alexander replies. "Shall we show them, Maria?"
Maria looks up from her knitting. "I do not expect so."
"Come, join me Ms. Frances." Alexander takes Ms. Frances by the hand as the other footman continues playing.
"It'll be fun. So, you position your arms like this…"
Alexander takes Ms. Frances's arms and arranges them, then swoops into them and leads her in a dance.
The other servants clap in-tune with the piano, enjoying the moment. Alexander tentatively places his hand on her hip so they can gracefully turn together.
They dance a few more moments and then lead into another turn.
"Ms. Frances." Martha, the head cook, calls.
Alexander and Ms. Frances are too busy dancing to notice.
"MS. FRANCES! STOP THAT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE YOU INJURE YOURSELF!" shouts Martha.
Alexander stops whirling Ms. Frances and smiles, tucking his hands behind his back.
"Thank you, that was lovely." Ms. Frances tells Alexander before hurrying away.
"My pleasure." Alexander remarks kindly, dramatically taking a deep bow to the audience's applause.
X
In the kitchen, Martha warns Ms. Frances. "I would not hurry to be involved with that Alexander."
"Why not?" Ms. Frances asks.
"Only that he's a bit...odd."
"That's all right." Ms. Frances says, puzzled. "Good night, Martha."
"Good night, Ms. Frances."
X
The next day, Lady Angelica receives a letter that Mr. James Reynolds, a man her family intends to make her suitor. He states he will be passing through to talk to Angelica, which gets her family talking.
Lady Angelica reads the rest of the letter aloud over the breakfast table as Alexander serves the dishes.
"Lady Angelica, I am afraid that the weekend I informed you that I would arrive, I was told that French ambassador, Mr. Thomas Jefferson, would be joining me to experience the colonies. He is deciding whether to support the colonies."
"Well, what shall we do?" Lord Philip asks.
Lady Angelica continues reading. "I sincerely hope it would not inconvenience you if he were to join me at your home. It would be an excellent way to view the colonies."
"Certainly not." Lady Catherine answers. "Please write to tell him he is welcome to bring Mr. Jefferson. It will be lovely to inform him about the colonies."
"I will. Thank you." Lady Angelica says, standing up from the table.
Alexander moves to her chair to assist her. Her Ladyship nods, and Alexander steps back to open the door for her.
"How lovely it will be to have a French gentleman in our home." Lord Philip and Lady Catherine murmur as they stand. Alexander calls in the maid to clear the dishes.
X
That night at supper, Mr. Washington addresses Alexander.
"Alexander, the family's guests will be arriving next Tuesday. Mr. Reynolds will have his own valet, but I have not heard anything of a valet for Mr. Jefferson. You will be responsible for him."
Alexander feels indignant at this position, but holds his sharp tongue.
Mr. Washington goes back to his supper, and the matter seems settled.
X
On Tuesday, a car pulls up outside the house and Alexander moves forward and opens the door. He stands completely straight, as he is required to do.
Lord Philip greets the gentlemen that step out.
"Mr. Reynolds!" he hails a gentleman with a tight face, high collar, and neatly combed hair.
"Lord Philip! Please, allow me to introduce Mr. Jefferson. He is in charge of deciding whether France will aid the colonies in a potential war." Reynolds replies.
Alexander looks Mr. Jefferson up and down. He is undeniably appealing, with slightly powdered cheeks and immaculately set hair. He feels a sudden appreciation in being given the role of valet to this gentleman.
Lady Angelica steps forward. "Mr. Jefferson, do you have riding clothes? We are just going out."
"Certainly, miss." Jefferson replies in a smooth tone. "I shall join you in just a moment."
X
Jefferson heads quickly out on the route with the others, and it is clear that Lady Angelica is gravitating toward Mr. Jefferson more than Mr. Reynolds.
"Too bad." Alexander drawls to Maria over a cigarette. "After all their efforts."
"Oh well." sighs Maria.
"But not an ugly Frenchman at all." Alexander remarks idly.
Maria suspects this remark might have something more behind it, but decides to remain silent on the matter for now.
X
Later that night, Alexander is helping Mr. Jefferson into his dinner jacket.
Jefferson struggles slightly and turns away from the mirror.
"Shall I help, m'lord?" Alexander asks respectfully.
"Certainly. I trust you to see that I go downstairs properly dressed." Jefferson replies.
"You do well, sir." Alexander answers.
There is something very alluring about this gentleman. Alexander feels there might be something that the gentleman is not letting on. Perhaps an affection?
Alexander straightens the gentleman's coat. "I would appreciate a visit to France during my lifetime, it seems very beautiful."
Mr. Jefferson stiffens, having turned back to the mirror to wear his tie. "Yes, it is a very grand country." He fumbles with his tie and turns around in frustration.
"My valet always knots my tie, could you please?" He asks.
"Certainly, sir." Alexander answers, moving to knot Mr. Jefferson's tie. "I am enamored by French culture."
"Well, I hope your wishes come to something." Mr. Jefferson replies, looking into Alexander's eyes.
A sensation comes over Alexander, and he gently places his hand on Mr. Jefferson's face, asking for a kiss.
Mr. Jefferson startles backward, slapping Alexander's hand away. "Remember yourself, man!"
Alexander steps back, looking solemnly at the floor. "I am sorry, sir. I fear you may have mistaken-"
"I mistook nothing. I ought to report you." Mr. Jefferson keeps his hand on his cheek. "However, that would sincerely create a fuss." He replies.
Mr. Jefferson turns around to knot his tie in the mirror, and Alexander notes that he is perfectly capable of doing so himself, which simply makes him more upset.
Mr. Jefferson turns to face Alexander. "I have come up with an arrangement. Later tonight, I may desire to be better acquainted with the geography of the house."
"The geography?" repeats Alexander.
"That is correct. If this is the case, you will show me around the house and I will not report you."
Alexander consents, having no choice. "Yes, m'lord."
X
Throughout dinner, Alexander notices Mr. Jefferson watching Lady Angelica closely.
Therefore, Alexander is not entirely surprised when Mr. Jefferson desires to visit Lady Angelica's room later that night.
Alexander mildly objects, but knows he must hold up his side of the agreement for risk of being exposed.
He obtains a candle and leads Mr. Jefferson quietly through the passages to Lady Angelica's room. He stops outside her room and nods. Mr. Jefferson understands and steps inside. Alexander is careful to keep his face out of view of the door, he will be severely punished if he is found to know of this encounter. He hears Lady Angelica's gasp and take up her blankets against her nightdress. He steps quickly away from her room to escape back to his room. Luckily, he does not get caught on this particular night.
X
The next day, Alexander is roused to clear up Mr. Jefferson's room. When he steps inside, he sees Mr. Jefferson lying dead on his bed with the covers securely around him.
There is no blood, so a violent injury is out of the question. Alexander is unsure if Mr. Jefferson made it back to his bedroom and died or was brought back to his bedroom by someone in the house. He simply has to guess, and he feels it might be more likely that he came back of his own accord, seeing as Lady Angelica would not have been able to carry him soundlessly across the house.
Alexander decides to keep this information to himself, as no one else knows what happened last night and telling them would do him no favors.
Alexander clears the bedroom and goes back downstairs. He tells Lord Philip that something may have happened to Mr. Jefferson, to which Lord Philip assures Alexander that he is aware.
Alexander nods and continues his tasks as footman, knowing this will come back to cause an issue at a later time.
Well, I'm sure you can guess about Mr. Jefferson. Yeah, this chapter is a little weird, and I'm sorry about it. I realize it would have been cool to have Alexander as Tom, since he could marry upwards, but it's too late now. Alexander and Thomas's positions don't quite line up exactly, so please be patient. Any suggestions are welcome!
Please review!
-HamiltonAsparagus