The last few weeks had seen Taplow's become a hive of activity, as preparations were made for the Earls masked garden party, responsibility for which had fallen to Mrs Ryan, who could normally be found out on the back lawn drilling her troops and generally organising everybody. She had been left to shoulder the responsibility alone because Mr Jarvis had been allowed a week off in order to attend a family funeral, his wife's but that fact wasn't commonly known.

He had arrived back this morning, and she had been avoiding him. It was bad enough having to plan and stage the biggest event of the summer alone, but his departure had left her to deal with the two invalids Grace and Will, who were now back to light duties, calm down Chef after each kitchen crisis and more disturbingly trying to keep Mr Adams in line. Andrew Adams was becoming increasingly insubordinate, taking any opportunity to undermine and criticise her, even on occasion in front of the staff. Yet her hands were tied, she knew about him beating William but he also knew about her feelings for Mr Jarvis, so far it was stalemate.

So whilst the housekeeper was dashing here and there attending to the final details, Mr Kraus was rushing round making sure the food is arriving fresh and he is planning one of his amazing ice sculptures and the butler unable to locate the housekeeper had settled for quizzing the chef about the preparations for the party

"And if you could refrain from knocking its head off this time, Mr Kraus, it would be much appreciated!"

Snorting at such an absurd suggestion as he dashed around the kitchen. "Oh, these rich people make me so angry sometimes; do they not make you angry, Mr Jarvis?" He asked not waiting for a reply. "They can be so ungrateful! Felix Kraus spends hours on hours creating a masterpiece and then the party is called off! Tisk!" Kraus exclaimed before stopping dead in front of Jarvis, clutching a large dead pheasant, much to the Butlers surprise. "And will you please, please, please talk to Mrs Ryan. She does nothing but snap and bite people's heads off at the moment, even more than usual."

"Maybe you should talk to her." The Butler moodily retorted.

Shaking his head Kraus looked knowingly at the butler. "I don't think it's me she wants to talk to, Mr Jarvis. We will soon be even more preoccupied with another household descending on us, and Felix Kraus does not need any more distractions than is needed. Please, I beg of you, talk to her."

Sighing Mr Jarvis nodded and muttered a reluctant. "Very well!" The funeral had been dreadful and being surrounded constantly by Marie's family had been draining, that and guilt that was now his constant companion. It surely should wasn't right for a man to stand by his wife's grave and feel nothing but relief, to sleep under the roof of her home and have his dreams filled with another woman. A woman that still wouldn't give him the time of day even though he was free to pursue her at last.

- - -

Surprisingly for once thoughts of their newly returned butler were not uppermost in the housekeeper's mind. She was far more concerned at reports that one of her girls was sick and unable to work and so headed up to the maid's bedroom surprising a guilty looking Grace who had her head over the chamber pot.

"Grace, are you alright?"

"Oh I'm fine Mrs Ryan, um, it must just have been something I ate. I will be downstairs in a minute I'm feeling much better already."

"If you say so Grace, I wish I could give you the day off but we are so busy with the preparations that we can hardly manage without you."

"Yes Mrs Ryan."

But despite Grace's assurances that she was find Mrs Ryan still left looking confused and she was still so when she entered Mr Jarvis' office, a worried expression creasing her usually serene countenance.

"What can I do for you Mrs Ryan?" The butler asked surprised to see the housekeeper who had to his knowledge being avoiding his presence like the plague. "Would you care to sit?" He asked suddenly realising the mess his office had descended into during his absence and quickly picking up the pile of papers that were stacked on his fireside chair. "Please…"

Nodding Flora took the seat ever cautious of his presence but her nagging doubts refused to be silenced and she had to tell someone. "I think there may be a problem with Grace May."

"Oh yes." Jarvis muttered raising his eyebrow in surprise that she would come to him with a problem over one of her girls, she normally jealously guarded her authority over them.

"A while ago, I went out to the bake house and I found Grace May and George Cosmo "breaking house rules" if you know what I mean."

"Yes I get the idea. I was suspicious of a romance between them.…" He trailed off unable to look her in the eye, for a moment he felt a flicker of envy that George Cosmo had clearly been more successful in wooing the woman of his dreams than Jarvis had himself. "What do you suggest we do about it?"

"There is only one thing we can do." The housekeeper replied sadly. "Its such a shame I had such high hopes for her."

Nodding the butler reached into his desk draw pulling out two clean pieces of paper. "There is no need to ruin their future. They can go away with good characters if they agree to go quietly….Shall we do Miss May first?"

- - -

Hovering from one foot to the other Grace waited by the stairwell she just had to find George, she had to tell him before Mrs Ryan worked it out and threw them both out. Hearing the casual joking of the footmen as they returned to their room she waited until the had almost passed before hissing "George!" Reaching out and grabbing the startled footman she dragged him into the nearest closet. "I need to tell you something."

"Alright what's up gorgeous?" George asked teasingly brushing her stray curls from her face.

"I don't know how to tell you this..."

"What...tell me what?..." George replied.

"George...I think I might be pregnant!"

For a moment George was stunned to silence before he could splutter. "Are you sure?"

"Not completely."

"Well how sure are you?"

"Pretty sure, oh God George what am I going to do?" Grace exclaimed her hands shaking as he held her tight in his arms.

"Well we'll get by somehow, you and me, won't we?" He replied soothingly. "I won't let you down Grace I swear it."

"But I don't want a baby George...not now...not ever...my career...my whole life...it will all be ruined." She snapped pulling away and glaring at him as if he had suddenly grown another head entirely.

"Don't over-react. We'll get through this." George retorted more harshly than he intended, his expression softening when he saw her tears.

"How can I make over-react when my whole career is in jeopardy?" She retorted wiping the tears from her cheeks ignoring his offer of his handkerchief.

"Look don't panic. Wait until you know for sure."

"And when I am? Then what am I supposed to do?" She snapped.

"I don't know! You'll have to speak to Mrs Ryan. Have time off or something." George replied running his hands through his hair.

"Tell Mrs Ryan...tell Mrs Ryan, oh that will go down a treat "Oh by the way Mrs Ryan I'm having George Cosmos's baby so can I have a few months off." She'll love that! I'll never work in Taplows again after this; I'll be completely disgraced. They'll turn me out without a character, and you too probably!" She retorted her voice growing increasingly shrill with every word.

"Oh don't cry Grace." He whispered putting his arms around her. "It'll be alright really it will."

"No it won't, nothing's going to be alright ever again." She added pulling out of his arms and disappearing down the corridor and as George stared after her he could only hope she wouldn't do anything foolish.

- - -

"Well what's done is done." Mr Jarvis muttered laying down the pen and glancing across at a rather pale Flora Ryan. "I am glad you felt you could come to me with this Mrs Ryan."

Standing up quickly the housekeeper turned to stare out of the window muttering coldly. "Well you are the butler are you not Mr Jarvis who else would I go to about such a thing?"

Sighing Jarvis stood and slowly closed the distance between them placing his hand gently on her arm he winced when she started at his touch. "I am sorry Flora for all of this, if you believe nothing else you have to believe that. I never intended to hurt you."

Glancing back at him for a moment there was a trace of a smile about her lips before it vanished like the sun behind the clouds. "I do but you did and nothing can change that now."

"Flora can't…." The Butler began but a sharp scream cut him off. "What the hell was that?" The butler exclaimed heading out into the corridor shortly followed by the housekeeper, only to find Grace May lying at the bottom of the servants back staircase. Shards of the broken tea set she had been carrying scattered around her and a trickle of blood oozing from a cut on her forehead. The scream was heard by most of the household and servants ran from all locations to see what the commotion is about.

"Oh my god, Grace!" The housekeeper gasped reaching out to stroke her protégé's face gently whilst holding tightly onto Jarvis's arm for support. "Doctor Evans is here visiting Will."

Turning round at one of a the gawking servants Jarvis barked at them to fetch the doctor immediately and within a few minutes the young doctor was darting down the stairs to tend to his new patient.

"Don't try to move Miss, just lie still." Dr Evans instructed softly whilst inspecting Grace's head.

"Alright can you try to sit up for me now so that I can have a proper look at this cut." Grace sat up slowly whilst George pushed through the crowd and ran towards Grace.

"Grace what happened?"

"I just lost my footing and fell." The maid whispered.

"From the second floor?" George gasped in horror watching as Grace nodded and everyone gazed up at the second floor landing, it seemed terribly high up.

"Step back please George. You are in the Doctors way." Jarvis instructed tersely.

"Any abdominal pains?"

Grace nodded and indicated an area wincing as the doctor felt for abnormalities and a frown passed over his face.

- - - -

Later once Grace had been moved up to her room and everyone else had returned reluctantly to their work. Mr Jarvis, Mr Adams, Mrs Ryan and George were waiting anxiously for news outside Grace's door. Finally the doctor came out to speak to them.

Dr Evans shaking his head sadly. "I'm terribly sorry; the impact of the fall has ultimately resulted in the baby dying."

"Baby?" Adams exclaimed before reiterating, and turning to the butler and housekeeper. "Baby?…You knew! Didn't you?" He added when there were no similar outbursts from the others. "Well?"

"We guessed." Flora replied softly unable to meet Jarvis's eye.

"Oh brilliant, just brilliant." Adams exclaimed before storming off to find an innocent servant to take his anger out on.

"What happens now?" George asked softly.

"Well there might be complications we will have to wait and see but it could be a week or so…" Dr Evans replied.

"Will she need bed rest for long?"

"A few days, she has a few nasty bruises but nothing is broken apart from the baby she has been a very lucky young lady." He paused glancing sadly at an ashen George. "I'm very sorry but there is nothing more I can do."

"Poor Grace." Flora whispered unable to imagine the torture that Grace must be going through, but even the thought of loosing a child was enough to shake her to the core and she lent against the wall for support.

"I suppose we will both be dismissed now as well." George added, vocalising the truth that no one had yet spoken.

"Mr Jarvis?" Flora asked softly reaching out and placing a placating hand on the butler's sleeve and he glanced across at her, his demeanour softening slightly at her pleading expression.

"I'll deal with you both later when everyone has calmed down, for now everyone must return to his or her duties. George you may have a few hours off to sort yourself out." The butler replied nodding at the footman whilst the housekeeper hurried off to find Charlotte to take over Grace's duties.

"I will give you a few minutes together but that is all after that you will be completely circumspect this must not become common gossip!"

Nodding the footman pushed past the waiting Butler entering the dimly lit room where Grace was convalescing yet before he could say anything Grace demanded answers.

"Well what did he say? Am I being dismissed? Are you?"

"No...he seemed very vague when I spoke to him as if it didn't really make much difference to him if we stayed or not just that no one finds out about the…the baby."

"So we are staying then?" Grace demanded her pretty face twisted in pain and confusion.

"Yes but that's not important now. How are you feeling?"

"I've been better, but it's nothing serious. You heard the doctor I was lucky just a few bruises."

"If you can call losing our baby nothing serious."

"And I can. I'm glad I lost it. I don't want a baby George, I'm sorry."

"How can you be glad you lost our baby? I know it was a threat to your precious career but I thought it was a bit more important than that. But obviously I was wrong."

"George it's not what you think."

"No...next you'll be telling me you threw yourself down the stairs to get rid of the baby once and for all." He muttered bitterly surprised when Grace didn't immediately deny it and instead stared at the wall. "Grace?…. Grace, you didn't, tell me you didn't. Look at me dammit I have to know!"

Biting her lip Grace wiped at the tears that trickled down her cheeks. "I'm sorry George. I just couldn't have this baby. I had to do something."

"So you threw yourself down the stairs...for god's sake Grace you could have killed yourself as well. Is that what you wanted."

"No...but.."

"Just don't talk to me Grace."

"George"

"Just don't!" He muttered unable to even stomach her presence a moment longer. Striding over to the door he paused before adding. "I thought I knew you…." Then shaking his head in disgust he stormed out ignoring her pleas for him to stay.

- - -

A few days later and the day of the Garden party had finally arrived. The entire house had been thrown into helping out all except; two of the footmen were studiously trying to avoid doing any work.

"Listen, mate, can I ask your advice?" Will asked after a few minutes.

Shrugging his shoulders as he hung his head George replied. "You can ask, but whether I'll answer is another matter. Is it about a girl?"

"Yeah, sort of."

Sighing George looked up at Will, shaking his head. "Ah, you see, don't do advice on girls."

Will bending down, smirking, muttered back. "Well, you may be interested when I tell you what I know about a certain-" He paused glancing round to see nobody is there and lowering voice. "-Mr Adams!"

Looking half interested as he throws small stones on the cobbles, George asked "What? Does he want more money from somewhere?"

"Nah, far more interesting than that. He's got a daughter. Here. At Taplows."

George glancing round as his interest is roused. "A daughter? Who?"

"Lizzie!" Will began to explain everything when Adams walked up.

"Well, what are you two up to? Shouldn't you be helping out preparing for the party rather than lounging around out here?" The Under-butler snapped brashly.

Causing both lads to leap back, trying not to act suspicious but before any more can be said, the butler entered looking puzzled, on noticing the other's he stuffed what appeared to be a small box into his in his pocket before demanding.

"Has anyone seen Mrs Ryan lately? I can't find her anywhere."

"No sir. I haven't seen her since this morning." Adams replied immediately and both Will and George shook their heads.

Smirking evilly the under-butler added. "Oh dear, it seems we have lost the housekeeper, Mr Jarvis. Where oh where could she be?"

Frowning at Mr Adams apparent lack of concern and the mystery concerning Flora Ryan's whereabouts, the butler turned and with a worried expression, stormed out of the courtyard without another word, leaving Adams to grin evilly before ordering the two lads to get back to their posts before he docked the rest of their wages.

- - - - -

Meanwhile oblivious to the panic her absence was causing the housekeeper was down by the lake, pondering the increasingly complicated situation between the butler and herself, when suddenly Joseph interrupted her solitude.

"Mrs Ryan, where are the statues supposed to go?"

"I wish I could say dump them in the pond but his lordship wanted them brought down from the roof specially, so can you place them round the outside of the gazebo, like a guard of honour." Glancing at the blank expression on Josephs face, she smiled. "On second thoughts I just show you."

- - - - -

Over in the lower servants' hall, the fire was burning low as Grace May huddled closer for the warmth, putting another shovel full of coal on the fire she didn't notice the under-butler enter, but on spotting Grace sitting alone and content with her sewing he strode over to her.

"Have you seen Mrs Ryan? Mr Jarvis wants to see her."

"No." Grace quietly replied concentrating on her work.

"Are you quite sure? I need to talk to her."

"Look I just said no and I thought you said it was Mr Jarvis who wanted to see her?" Grace snapped.

"Mind your tone missy, you may think your jobs safe because they haven't fired you but believe me just give me an excuse, letting you stay on here is a disgrace to Taplows, a woman who was pregnant outside of wedlock." Adams was suddenly interrupted by a shocked gasp from the other side of the room realising the well kept secret that he had foolishly let out of the bag; whipping his head round he spotted Lizzie. "And what do you think your doing eavesdropping on a private conversation?" With that he stomped out the door continuing with his search, leaving two tearful girls behind.

- - - -

Outside in the gazebo by the pond, Mrs Ryan has stayed behind after showing Joseph where to place the statues, when suddenly her solitude was interrupted by one Andrew Adams.

"So this is where you've been hiding? Mr Jarvis has half the household looking for you."

"Really." Flora replied seemingly disinterested

"Now, don't tell me there's trouble in paradise already?"

"I hardly think it's any of your business Mr Adams."

"Well now this is where we are going to have to agree to disagree, I consider it my business when the personal lives of my colleagues interfere with their abilities to do their jobs, and even you can't deny that's happening?" He added slyly

"For once you have a point." Flora was forced to agree with him on this.

"Why do you stay here? Your obviously not happy, why don't you resign, a get a nice new position miles away from here? It would be for the best you know, eventually someone else would find out and then bye, bye job and any chance of a good character. You'd be ruined and for what? A man who doesn't appreciate you; lies to you even!" Flora snapped round to face him at that remark. "I know about his wife, the Earl let it slip last week. How can you ever really trust him again? If he's lied to you once what's stopping him from lying again?"

Turning to leave he added slyly, "Maybe its time you realised who your real friends are."

- - -

Several hours later the party was going strong, throngs of people were congregated on the lawn, now a veritable sea of colour. The footman dashed and dived in between the guests ferrying tray after tray of champagne out and tray after tray of empty glasses back to the kitchen. Mrs Ryan had been forced to send down to the cellar for another case, and she had recruited all available house staff to wash and dry and refill the empty glasses, before shipping them back out to the party. So far it had been a good evening, the guests were obviously enjoying themselves, they'd catered the right amount of food and Mr Adams had only managed to smash one tray of glasses. She was in the middle of handing George another tray when Mr Jarvis entered the kitchen having spent the last hour interviewing a potential new footman..

"Wonderful Party Mrs Ryan, I do believe you've outdone yourself." Mr Jarvis stated smiling, as he walked towards her, "The Earl himself asked me to pass on his congratulations and thanks."

"How is the Earl holding up? The last time I was outside he looked a little…worse for wear."

"Yes I know, but fortunately after his attempt at juggling the coy carp out of the ornamental pond failed, he decided to go and sit quietly with his cousin in the gazebo until he dried out." Then he added so that only she could hear, "If your maids can spare you for a moment would you care to step outside, we do need to talk."

She nodded her assent, "Grace can you keep an eye on everything until I get back."

"Yes Mrs Ryan," replied Grace eagerly moving from her chair by the fireplace to the centre of the room so that she could supervise.

As soon as they left the kitchen they were surrounded by people all drinking and having fun, for a moment it looked like they would be separated by the crowd until Mr Jarvis reached down and grasped Mrs Ryan's hand, literally dragging her after him and off to the relative safety of the Orangery. Once there he virtually pushed her through the door before closing it and then prowled round the room to ensure that they were alone and could not be overheard.

"At last some privacy." He exclaimed.

"Mr Jarvis!" Flora replied once she'd got her breath back. "Are you quite mad? What if anyone saw us, you know what they'd think."

"Let them."

"But…But." For once Flora was lost for words.

"I'm sorry but I 'm fed up with everybody sticking their noses into my private affairs. First Mr Kraus, now I know he means well." He said raising his hands to stall her consternation, "but the way he carries on always telling me what I should be doing, well sometimes I just want to tell him to keep his opinions to himself. And then we have the ever watchful Mr Adams who's always hiding round the corner waiting gleefully for one of us to trip up, so that he can run off to the Earl and steal my job."

Flora who had remained in stunned silence throughout his rant finally managed to find her voice and enter the conversation. "Well don't you think dragging me in here is playing right into his hands?"

Despairingly Jarvis sank down onto the Chaise lounge, "I know, I know, but what choice do I have? I've spent the whole day trying to talk to you and you've spent all yours trying to avoid me."

"I've been busy."

"Yes busy keeping far away from me. Flora there are things I need to tell you, things you need to know." He rose off the chaise and grasped her by the shoulders, "and you are not leaving here until you have heard me out, do you understand?"

"Alright, I'm listening."

Relieved Jarvis released her and taking her hands in his own, drew her over to the chaise. Once she had settled next to him, he began. "I know that the last few weeks have been difficult for you but they have been difficult for me as well. So many things have changed it has seemed at times that the world is spinning, the one thing, the only thing that has remained the same, constant is the way that I feel about you." He paused releasing her hands in order to gently grasp her chin and force her to look at him.

"I love you Flora, I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I know that finding out about Marie must have been a terrible shock for you; it caused you to doubt me, even your own feelings. I should have told you before I know that now, but please try to understand I didn't intend for this happen, I didn't have any ulterior motive for hiding my wife from you when we first met how could I have known then what would happen between us? Then by the time it became important things had moved so fast between us telling you would have only hurt you and that is something I have never wanted."

Jarvis slowly stood and helped her to rise, "That was all I wanted to say, I understand that you can't forgive me now, the wound is still to raw, but will you at least give me the chance to earn back your trust?"

"I ….I don't know, I want to believe you, and I want to give you another chance but I don't think my heart could cope with being broken again."

"I wouldn't let you down, not again," he replied earnestly.

"You can't promise that."

"No, I can't, but I can promise to try."

"There aren't any other secrets?"

Jarvis chuckled softly, "No, no more secrets."

"You are sure about that? You aren't on the run or anything?" She replied almost teasingly.

"Not when I last checked." Jarvis replied smiling softly at her

"Good."

"Well now that's settled Mrs Ryan…"

"Flora, my name's Flora"

"Flora." He said smiling softly and offering her his arm. "Would you be so kind as to allow me to escort you back to the house?"

"I'd like that." She replied placing her hand atop his arm and allowing him to lead her out of the Orangery and back to the house.

- - - - -

Later as the party was winding down and some of the more worse for wear guests were finally being loaded into their carriages the butler finally had a chance to conclude his discussion with that potential new footman Thomas Bayten. It was true they had been short handed ever since their return from Cumbria, 'the heathen' as Mrs Diggins had called that footman, having left the Earls employ to pursue a career in clock making.

Normally the position would have been properly advertised, but with one thing and another he still hadn't gotten round to it and here was an opportunity to perfect to miss. A chance to steal a certain well trained and disciplined footman out from under the very nose of his arch and bitter rival Prothero, as Tom had accompanied Lord and Lady Frankham to the party, but he wouldn't be returning with them, not if Jarvis had his way.

"Well we can't really employ you until I've consulted with the Earl, but that is a matter of formality…"

"Thank you Mr Jarvis, I won't let you down".

"Enjoy the rest of the evening then, a rare night off will be like gold dust once you are working at Taplows."

"Thank you Mr Jarvis" The lad replied respectively before heading back to the house, and inadvertently bumping into Will and George who were downing the remaining glasses of bubbly.

Smiling Tom Offered his hand to George "Thomas Bayten, new footman".

"George Cosmo, old footman and this is William".

"Actually got Jarvis to employ you then. I'm impressed already." Will added.

"Mr Jarvis, he seemed pleasant enough once I told him who I was."

"Yeah Jarvis is alright it's Mr Adams you need to watch out for." George replied

"Mr Adams?"

"The under butler, a nasty piece of work." Will explained.

"Do you run? Like Mr Jarvis probably told you the Earl likes his athletes."

Puffing up his chest Tom replied confidently. "Yeah I do."

Smiling mischievously Will retorted. "Ah you'll give our Fred a run for his money then...what you looking at?"

Thomas has been gazing up at Taplows and had spotted Grace looking out of one of the windows. "Who's that?"

Frowning slightly at the other lad's rapt expression George relied tersely. "That's Grace, Grace May."

"What's someone as beautiful as that doing cooped up inside during an event like this?"

"Well she's um ...she's um"

"Well I'd better go and introduce myself. If I'd known the girls down here were as lovely as that, I'd have moved ages ago." Tom added starting to leave.

"Oh no, you don't want to talk to her." George snapped moving to stand in Tom's way.

"Why not?"

"Well she's um...ill. That's right ill. Right Will."

Will shrugged. "Er right...ill yeah."

"Right" Tom muttered disbelievingly before heading over to introduce himself to Susan and Charlotte.

"Watch out mate. Looks like you've got competition!" Will hissed stretching slowly before pulling out his pipe.

Huffing as he crossed his arms George shook his head. "What from that stuck up prick, my Grace wouldn't look twice at him."

"Oh so she's your Grace…Since when?" Will began but a sharp pointed look from George shut him up.

"Leave it Will…Why don't you tell me more about Your Lizzie?"

"She ain't my…"

"Cause I don't fancy your chances when her old man finds out…You know now I can see the resemblance - big nose, sideburns-."

"Oh, give over! I don't know what to do about Lizzie!"

But before George was able to answer, Lizzie ran up to Will and grabbed his arm, pulling him aside and muttering franticly in his ear. "I'm going to do it! I'm going to tell him now!"

"Lizzie, no!" Will hissed but before he can persuade her otherwise, she rushed off, Will and George giving chase and following her towards the kitchens. Outside Kraus is slaughtering a chicken by cutting its head off, while Adams looks on laughing sadistically and pointing at the poor fowl.

"Mr Adams, I do wish you would stop watching me when I do this! I do not understand your morbid fascination in this essential activity!"

"I'm pretending it's someone else, Mr Kraus!" The Under-butler retorted drolly, not noticing as a panting Lizzie rushed up to him.

"Mr Adams! I have something I want to tell you!"

"Well then out with it girl…"

"Mr Adams, I need to tell you that—"

At that moment, as George and Will appeared, Kraus lifted the cleaver for the final death smack on the chicken, but he missed and stumbling backwards over his own apron and landing hard on his rump causing the under-butler to snigger even louder especially as the chicken broke free and began to dash around the yard. However it provided the ample distraction for the footmen to drag the emotional maid away and back into the safety of the house.

"What were you doing, Lizzie? Don't tell him, not yet!"

"But why not? And is Kraus hurt, do you think?"

"Oh, don't worry about him. Look, Lizzie, don't say anything. Mr Adams is-well-you don't want to get to know him. You saw how he was, laughing at Kraus's accident! He's not the father you hoped he would be."

Sobbing Lizzie wiped at her face, fixing the footman with a pleading expression. "But Will, I came here especially to find him! Why shouldn't I talk to him?"

"He will deny it - deny knowing your mother!" Will replied honestly, offering the girl a shoulder to cry on. "I'm sorry but that is just the type of man he is…You're better off without him."

- - - - -

It didn't take long for Taplows to return to some level of normality and in the days that followed the new footman fitted so easily into the household that many would have claimed he had been there for years and his fellow footmen accepted him readily into their fold as his sunny nature and quick wit meant he was a pleasure to have around. However one might not have been so ready to accept him if he had realised what young Thomas was about behind his back and that was befriending an increasingly isolated Grace May.

Sad and exhausted Grace had been glad to have someone to talk to. Every evening that he crept upstairs keeping the miserable girl company whilst all her other friends enjoyed themselves down in the servants hall endeared him to her and eventually she had spilt her heart to Thomas and cried on his shoulder, telling all about the pregnancy, the accident, her miscarriage and more importantly her estrangement from George. If only Grace had been less caught up in her own misery then she might have noticed the lad quickly falling in love with her but blinded by her own pain she remained oblivious. Nor would it have mattered where it not for the hope he carried that perhaps if she could see George for the unfeeling monster he was she would realise the true man of her dreams had been sitting in front of her all along.

It all started one morning as he listened in on Will and George talking over the water butt as they shaved.

"But I thought you loved her George"

"I do but I just need some space right now. If she leaves me alone for a while I hope I'll be able to forgive her".

Hidden from view Thomas smiled and hurried back upstairs to Grace. Half an hour later Grace was still unconvinced.

"So you really think that I should go talk to him."

"Oh definitely he said he couldn't forgive you if tried to avoid him."

"That doesn't sound like George at all."

"I wouldn't lie to you."

"Right, I'm going down to talk to him now if that's what he wants. Thanks Tom what would I do without you?"

Grace hurries down the stairs to find George in the courtyard. Thomas follows secretly behind her.

"George"

George looks up and then continues to splash his face with water.

"George, we have to talk sometime, you can't avoid me forever."

Glancing over his shoulder lest anyone overhear George waited until the sculleries had left before replying bitterly. "Grace you killed our baby and now only two weeks later you want me just to forgive and forget like nothing happened."

"I'm sorry George."

"No you're not"

"I am."

"You're not, look me in the eyes and tell me honestly that you made a mistake." The young footman asked, his face set in all seriousness, his eyes darkening in anger when she wouldn't meet his gaze.

"I did make a mistake." Grace muttered, her anger growing when he harrumphed his disbelief, before adding sharply. "I made a mistake because I trusted you. When I told you I was pregnant you said you'd stand by me, I thought I was more important to you than some stupid baby."

"And I thought I was more important to you than your career!" George hissed.

"We can't let this ruin everything."

"You know as well as I do that it already has." George retorted storming out of the courtyard leaving Grace alone and crying whilst behind the door Thomas suppressed the urge to comfort his beloved, it was for her own good and so instead he hurried off smiling at his own cleverness

- - - -

A few hours later in the lower-servants hall, everyone was sitting down tucking into the midday meal, George sitting at one end of the table with Will and Lizzie all as far from Mr Adams as possible. When Thomas walked in late and sat by Grace who was sitting, as far away from George as possible, so he had to sit next Mr Adams.

"Where have you been Thomas? I expect my footmen to be prompt for meals."

"Sorry Mr Adams I had to run some errands for Mr Jarvis, he asked me to pass on a message."

"Well!"

"He's called a staff meeting for the Upper-Servants in his office at half past one."

"I wonder what that could be about?" he muttered to himself.

Thomas overheard and leant in conspiratorially, "Well when I was waiting outside his office I heard him tell Mrs Ryan, it's the Earl, he's decided it's time the household paintings and furniture is valued, something to do with insurance. So he's sent to London for some Valuers, they'll be here Friday."

Andrew Adams looked at Thomas as if for the first time, almost appraisingly, "thank you for telling lad, you won't regret it."

Meanwhile at the other end of the table Lizzie nudged Will who in turn got George's attention. They both turned to her, "look whose getting cosy with Mr Adams."

They both glanced up to the other end of the table and saw Thomas chatting away to Adams.
"I don't like that, anyone who can get on with Adams has to be a snake in the grass. We'd better be on our guard around him."

"He's seems to be being very friendly to Grace, you wouldn't believe they'd only just met." Said George sullenly.

"Be fair George it's not like she has much choice, your not talking to her and we're with you, Charlotte refuses to acknowledge her and you know Susan follows wherever Charlotte leads. Fred and Joseph try to make a joke out of everything and I doubt she's in the mood, who else can she talk to?"

- - - - -

Meanwhile in Mr Jarvis's office, a few minutes before the meeting was about to start, Mr Jarvis was walking around the room in the middle of telling Mrs Ryan his funny Italian story, it was merely one of the small changes they had implemented to their schedules to ensure some time together each day.

"So there am I trying to restrain Felix whose swearing and insulting the Italian chef in German and the little Italian fellow is just getting redder and redder, finally he reaches out grabbing the nearest thing to hand and throws it at Mr Kraus. I have never tried so hard not to laugh in my life, there was our esteemed Chef standing stock still whilst rice pudding slowly dripped from his face onto his best waistcoat."

Mrs Ryan who breathless from laughter, manages to gasp out, "Then what did he do?"

"Felix wiped it out of his eyes, then picking up the discarded bowl containing the remaining pudding he scooped some up on his finger, tasted it, and then stated deadpan, 'It needs more sugar!' Then he just stalked out as haughty as a prince, rice pudding dripping on the floor as he went."

By now they are both doubled up from laughing, and it takes a good five minutes for them to calm down getting ready for the staff meeting. Mrs Ryan has just managed to stop giggling when in walks Mr Kraus, she looks at Felix and then catches Jarvis's eye, the grin on his face is her undoing and once again she burst out laughing.

"Would someone care to let me in on the joke?"

For a few moments neither Jarvis nor Mrs Ryan are able to speak without laughing. Finally Mrs Ryan manages to squeak out "Rice Pudding."

At first Mr Kraus is confused then realisation dawns and the colour drains from his face. He turns to Mr Jarvis, "you told her?"

"What's the matter Felix I'm just following your advice, you told us to talk."

Before Mr Kraus could think of a suitable retort they were interrupted by the arrival of the other staff for the meeting, and Jarvis told them all about the arrival of the Valuers on Friday and the requirements this meant for the household.

- - - - -

However not all of the housekeeper's time could be spent in the butler's company as Taplows still needed a firm hand, and no more so it seemed than William Forest. It was the third time that morning she had caught him trying to weasel his way into the kitchen disrupting her girls from their duties, but this time she discovered a suitable punishment that should act as a deterrent.

"William the Earl has been waiting for that bath water for ten minutes!" The Housekeeeper's voice suddenly, shocking the footman, who had been trying to sneak once more where he didn't belong, out of his skin.

"Yes Mrs Ryan…Sorry Mrs Ryan."

"Oh and William…" She called out after the grousing retreating footmen. "Don't forget to go and clean Lady Mary's teeth as she dropped them in her used bed pan again!"

Screwing his face up in disgust Will climbed the winding staircase, now known as 'Lord Harry Corner' after that fateful incident that no-one in the house mentions ever. Content in her righteous duty Flora assured herself that she had now earned additional time with her true love and surreptitiously returned to Jarvis's office to hear more amusing stories about Kraus but when she entered he wasn't there.

Shrugging in resignation she is about to leave when she notices a small box on his desk. Curious, she glanced around to see if anyone has seen her. Realising she is completely alone, she hurried over to the box and opened it. Gasping, when she sees inside there is a ring – it is simple but beautiful. Also there was a small piece of paper folded up. She opens it and reads. It says simply 'a symbol of our love – will you marry me?' Clasping a hand over her mouth in shock she realises quickly, it is Mr Jarvis's writing. Quickly, she closed the lid of the box and placed it back on the table.

Muttering under her breath. "Marriage! A proposal!"

Hearing footsteps, she hurriedly exits the office, only to bump into Jarvis in the corridor.

"Mrs Ryan"

"Mr Jarvis"

"You seem a little, well, flustered, Mrs Ryan"

Swallowing Flora endeavoured to walk past him, her skirts rustling uncontrollably. "I'm fine, completely fine, Mr Jarvis, thank you."

Confused the Butler gazed after her as she hurries along the corridor, patting her hair has she goes, before walking into his office, unaware that Flora had been in there. Sitting down behind his desk, he thoughtfully picked up the box and twirled it round in his fingers. Staring at it hard for a good few minutes, he then opened his desk draw and popped it in.

- - - -

By the end of the week the Earl had the household in chaos, every painting and trinket that had spent the last ten years gathering dust in the attic had to been brought down and stacked in the ballroom as this was to be used by the Valuers as their base of operations. Mrs Ryan was once again in charge and she was being run ragged trying to ensure that everything was ready in time, that the footmen took care when moving the objects, and somehow still find time to check up on the rest of the staff. By early evening she was exhausted and gladly collapsed into her fireside easy chair for a break, but instead of just resting for five minutes she fell fast asleep.

A few hours later, her having missed dinner, Mr Jarvis went looking for her. The door of her office was slightly ajar but the room beyond was dark the only light coming from the dying embers of her fire. He gently knocked on the door and when she did not answer he was about to leave when he heard in the distance the nasal whine of Mrs Diggins. Mr Jarvis was no coward he could face a pudding wielding Chef, an angry Earl, even spending time alone with Andrew Adams, but the thought encountering Mrs Diggins, alone and in a narrow corridor was enough to bring him out in cold sweat. So in an effort to avoid such an unpleasant experience he quickly dashed into Flora's office quietly shutting the door behind him.

It was then that he noticed her sleeping peacefully in the chair, the shadows cast by the fire fluttering across her face, framed by wisps of hair that had worked their way free. His breath caught in his throat, slowly he walked over to her and as if in a daze brushed the hair off her face as he bent down to kiss her. Unfortunately that was the moment Flora decided to wake up. It was quite a disconcerting feeling being suddenly jarred awake, especially out of dreams about B&B's by the sea. It was for that reason Flora reacted as she did. It was over very quickly; one moment Mr Jarvis was kissing her passionately, the next he was sprawling on the floor holding his now bloody nose in shock.

"Mr Jarvis!" She exclaimed in surprise as if seeing him for the first time, jumping up out of her seat and moving to help him up.

Mr Jarvis shrugged off her attempts to help and drew out his handkerchief, which he held against his nose to stop the blood from dripping onto his shirt. "Well that is a new one, I've never had a woman hit me when I've tried to kiss her before."

Indignant Flora snapped. "Well that depends, is it a habit of yours to go around kissing women?"

"It's one I won't be repeating in a hurry if that's what you mean." Jarvis added still sulking from being turned down.

"Who asked you to in the first place?" She retorted. "What happened to taking things slowly and earning back my trust? What were you thinking that you'd give me a few days to get over it and then everything would be back to normal?"

Jarvis for once looked abashed, she did have a point, "In all honesty I don't think I was doing very much thinking."

Mrs Ryan gave him her, well why doesn't that surprise me look.

"Actually It's really all your fault if you hadn't fallen asleep then I wouldn't have come looking for you and I wouldn't seen you sitting there looking so beautifully angelic and I wouldn't have been tempted." He said moving towards the door.

At this last statement Flora replied surprised, "You think I'm beautiful?"

Jarvis paused on the threshold, glancing back over his shoulder at her, "beautiful?" shakes his head, "You my dear are positively exquisite", and with a small smile he turned and left.

Smiling broadly Flora was sat in front of her fire, feeling somewhat terrible about punching Walter, he had been so sweet to her over the last few days, why at least two or three mornings that week she had arrived in her office to find a fresh bunch of wild flowers in a little vase on her desk. Then there were his impromptu little visits, using the slightest pretence to stop by her office, never once leaving with out complimenting her on some part of her appearance, whether it be her complexion, the dress she was wearing or the way she had dressed her hair that morning. However of course the highlight of her week had been two days ago….

She had been sitting in her office much like she was now, her head bent diligently over her smaller book of figures, frowning at a column of numbers that simply refused to add up correctly. So engrossed in her work had she been that she hadn't noticed the door open and a certain butler slip inside, his hands clasped mischievously behind his back. In fact it wasn't until his shadow fell over the book she was working on that she had noticed him at all, starting in surprise and clutching a hand to her chest.

"Mr Jarvis…"

"Mrs Ryan." He had retorted cheekily, a look in his eye that spelled trouble. "Flora." He had added after a moments pause before bringing his hands out from behind his back and presenting her with a single pink rose. "For you…a rose for a rose…Although I fear it will fade in comparison."

"Oh its beautiful...Thankyou, but you shouldn't really, what if people were to see, I mean I am not often besieged with flowers, people are going to start to notice."

"Let them…"

"But…"

"Let them my sweet." Jarvis replied finally, moving round the desk and catching her chin softly, caressing it with his fingers. "We have done nothing wrong…Well not yet anyway." He added cheekily before leaning down and placing a quick kiss on her cheek, smiling endearingly as he bowed ever so slightly and heading out the door.

Giggling as she smelt the rose, she could have sworn she felt her cheek continue to tingle where he had kissed her…

Back in the present Flora Ryan sighed, why had she reacted so foolishly to such a little kiss, after all of she was seriously going to accept his proposal then they were going to be doing more than kissing, that was if he was ever going to get round to asking her. Perhaps he had changed his mind, it did seem a little sudden, his wife had only recently died so it would have to be a secret engagement. Shaking her head to put aside such morbid thoughts Flora picked up the lone rose that still bloomed in the vase, taking it upstairs with her she hoped it would sweeten her dreams as much as it had her mood.

- - -

In no time at all Friday morning had arrived, Mr Jarvis was pacing around the courtyard avoiding conversation with Mr Adams who was busy reprimanding Will and George over the state of their wigs, for once Mr Jarvis had to agree with him they looked as if they had been dragged through a hedge backwards. Mrs Ryan finally joined them as the coach pulled into the yard, a last minute crisis in the kitchen had required her personal attention, and she was still slightly out of breath from running all the way back. The coach pulled to a stop and Will jumped forward to open the door, an old rather portly gentleman got out, he walked over to Mr Jarvis and shook his hand.

"Mr Jarvis?"

"Mr Stevenson? Are you alone, I understood you were bringing an associate."

"Oh he's on his way, prefers to ride whenever he gets the chance." He said moving along the line to greet Mrs Ryan.

The party were just making their way back into the house when suddenly they were interrupted by the clatter of horse hooves on cobbles. Mr Stevenson's associate jumped down from his horse, handing the reins to George and dashed up the stairs, "My apologies for being tardy….." he began when he spotted Mrs Ryan, "Flora?"

"Jean-Luc?"

The newcomer strode over to Mrs Ryan and grasping her face kissed her on both cheeks.

"So I take you two have already met?" Mr Jarvis added tersely.

"Yes but it's been a while, what a good 12 years, wouldn't you agree Flora?" He said taking her arm, escorting her into the house but Flora still so shocked at his arrival could only nod.

"We were in service together down in Southampton, till I went to London to seek my fortune." He explained to Mr Stevenson. "What are you doing here?" He turned asking a dumbstruck Flora.

"I'm the housekeeper."

"That's my girl I knew you'd get there eventually, despite Mrs Harrison declaring you were a one person disaster area, you were always so committed to your career."

A loud harrumph from Mr Jarvis brought Flora back to her senses, "Jean-Luc, may I introduce Mr Jarvis our butler here at Taplows and Mr Adams the Under-Butler. Gentlemen, this is Mr Jean-Luc Delacour, a very old friend of mine."

"Delighted to make your acquaintances." He stated tipping his hat to both Mr Jarvis and Mr Adams.

Jarvis nodded slightly in acknowledgement an unreadable expression on his face, before turning and leading Mr Stevenson through to inspect the preparations they had made in their behalf in the ballroom. Whilst Mr Adams delighted at the turn of events, (isn't he evil) offered his hand to Mr Delacour, before adding gleefully "So our Mrs Ryan was once a one person disaster area, I find that hard to believe sir."

But before Jean-Luc could enlighten him further about her past Flora jumped into the conversation, "That can wait till later." She said pointedly to Mr Adams. "Jean-Luc I'm sure that you and Mr Stevenson wish to settle in, so why don't I have one of the footmen show you where your rooms are." She said signalling to Joseph.

"My dear Flora still as thoughtful as ever I see. I will see you later." He replied catching her hand and raising it to his lips and placing a tender kiss on her knuckles causing the housekeeper to blush furiously and Mr Adams to beam as if Christmas had come early watching the whole scene with avid interest; another party also watched, through the open ballroom doors, but his expression was almost murderous.

- - -

Later in his office Mr Jarvis had called a meeting with Mr Kraus and Mr Adams to try, so far in vain, and sort out their current difficulties. "Gentlemen Please. Can we discuss this like civilised adults instead of squabbling and fighting like children. I will not continue to tolerate these outbreaks of violence."

Mr Kraus looks mortally offended at Jarvis insinuation that any of this was his fault, whereas Mr Adams really couldn't care less what Jarvis thought of him. Since neither was forthcoming Jarvis continued to speak. "Well I suppose silence is better than shouting. However as it is not possible for you two to simply ignore one another I suggest a compromise, from now on Chef will remove all haggis recipes or any such derivatives from the menu." Jarvis raised a hand to stall Mr Kraus's consternation. "And you Mr Adams will cease to pass comment on anything created in the kitchen. Agreed?"

Both men glared at each other for a good minute, neither one wanting to capitulate first, before Jarvis reiterated, "Agreed?" This time both men nodded and made to leave. "Excellent, now Felix before you leave there have been some changes in the dinner arrangements for tonight."

Now for Chef if there was something in this world worse than having to agree to be civil to Andrew Adams it was last minute changes to his menus, and so he was about to throw a tantrum when Mr Jarvis cut him off. "The Earl has a headache and so does not feel up to entertaining his guests this evening, so they have requested to join the Upper Servants for supper instead of having to eat alone. Will this be a problem?"

Noticing that Mr Adams was still listening Felix pointedly replied, "May be for some other lesser Chefs it would be, but I am sure I can adapt to the situation, Mr Jarvis." The he turned and stalked out the door, closely followed by Mr Adams, who shut it firmly behind him. "What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall during that meal" he muttered.

For once intrigued Kraus turned back, "Why?"

Adams pleased to have an audience and an excuse to spread malicious gossip, smiled gleefully, "you haven't heard?" Kraus shook his head. "Well one of our guests used to work with Mrs Ryan, back in the days before she was a housekeeper."

"So, why would that cause problems?" Replied Kraus a worried glint in his eye.

"Well from what I saw they must have been good friends, very close. If you get my meaning, and being a man of the world I'm sure you know what generally happens when you get more than one cockerel in a hen house." Then with his evil deed done he sauntered off to the lower-servants hall to get a cup of tea and a slice of Grace's Dundee cake.

- - -

The meal had been an acclaimed success; Mr Kraus's cooking lived up to everyone's expectations and on the surface there had been a plethora of conversation. They had covered many topics literature, art even travel; yet underneath this pleasant even jovial atmosphere there was an undercurrent of tension. Felix Kraus had noticed it the moment he entered the room, it was so palatable that even without Mr Adams warning he was sure he would have picked up on it. It had intensified when having led their two guests into the room; the younger, Jean-Luc, had taken a seat to the left of Mrs Ryan, who sat at one end of the table. Felix had taken his usual seat at her right-hand-side and Mr Stevenson had settled at other end of the table next to Mr Jarvis and although the conversation had flowed fluidly and quite naturally from one end of the table to the other, Mr Jarvis had been quieter than normal. For those, who knew him as well as Felix, and could read beneath the mask could see the struggle. The emotional turmoil, the conflict between the need to be polite and courteous to a guest who, as Felix suspected, Jarvis was secretly imagining throttling every time he leant forward and whispered something to Mrs Ryan that made her laugh.

"Well if you ever get bored of the countryside my dear Flora I know of a certain position in London..."

"Thank you but I am more than happy here." Flora replied shaking her head as she patted Jean-Luc's hand affectionately smiling as he stood to make a toast.

"I would like to thank you all for making myself and Mr Stevenson so very welcome, it has been a truly delightful evening, one which I'm sure in the coming days we will have the pleasure of repeating. So I propose a toast, to you my friends, may we take the opportunity in the in the days ahead to forge new lasting friendships and strengthen those already dear to us. To Friendship."

"To Friendship."

Everyone drank for the toast, but Felix noticed out of the corner of his Mr Jarvis quickly finish his previously full glass, tonight was obviously getting to him, as normally he never drank more than two glasses of wine with his meal and only had a small brandy afterwards. Before anyone else could start up another conversation Mr Jarvis rose from his seat, obviously intent on escaping as quickly as possible.

"Hear, Hear, well I do hate to leave our little soiree but it has been a very long day and I do have some paperwork to attend to before I can retire for the evening, so you will forgive me if I bid you goodnight." With that he walked towards the door and the conversation resumed, opening the door he glanced back over his shoulder at Flora, who appeared to be engaged in animated conversation with Jean-Luc, but she looked up for a moment and caught his gaze, and saw for a moment the anguish clear in his eyes.

- - -

Whilst the upper servants wined and dined their guests the lower servants amused themselves by dancing, singing and laughing, whilst Mr Adams sat and watched in amusement. The only person missing is Grace, although we had heard the rumours could understand why. George was stood solemnly in the corner, shuffling his feet, and even Will couldn't keep him amused. Susan was playing jovially on the piano, singing in her rather offtone manner a rather crude song that had Charlotte muttering that they are all damned for such blasphemous talk, but as usual she was drowned out. After the song, Will grabbed Lizzie by the arm and indicated to her to follow him, they slipped away and headed off outside.

Back inside, Mr Adams was finally getting tired of the childish antics of the servants, especially when they start doing the Conga in a long train around the room, and he saw Will and Lizzie slip out. Smiling to himself, he pulled himself out of his chair and headed in their direction, thinking he would catch them 'breaking house rules'. Following them as they walked through the gardens he hide in the shadows straining his hearing to catch Will's low voice.

"Lizzie there's something you should know about Adams before you tell him... He's the one who put me in my bed for two weeks, and he's done it before. He's a bully and a nobody and you're better off without him. He blackmails and will ruin anyone who stands in his way. It looks to me as if your mother most certainly was a complete inconvenience for him. Do you see what I'm saying?"

Nodding Lizzie turned into the footman's embrace her not saying a word but from the way her shoulders were moving Adams could tell she was crying. "Don't tell him he's your father, he doesn't deserve someone like you, he will only hurt you."

Adams, who was standng only a few feet away in the shadows, was dumbfounded. The memories of over 16 years ago come flooding back as he gasped in horror. A daughter! Surely not! Shaking his head as he staggered back to the house he could only think of one solution she couldn't be allowed to stay here at Taplows, she had to leave before she stupidly puts her foot in it with Jarvis or Mrs Ryan. He simply had to make butler here, and as the years went past and he lost more and more of those he cared about the man that was Andrew Adams became increasinly bitter and introverted. First get rid of Lizzie, then Will, the snotty footman wouldn't dare stand up to him now as he knew what a beating he'll get if he did, and then Jarvis, the one man standing in his way to the top job. It wasn't going to be easy, but he was sure he could do it.

- - -

In the housekeeper's office the remaining staff began to head off to bed all that was save the housekeeper and Jean-Luc who was delaying his departure taking the time to get reacquainted with his former love.

Leaning back in his chair Jean-luc played with his brandy glass rolling the amber liquid round in his glass as he stared over the rim at the smiling beauty before him. "You looked positively radiant tonight, Flora."

Smiling at such a lovely compliment Flora nodded gratefully before replying. "It was so lovely to see you today, Jean-Luc. I had forgotten what a gentleman you are. After all that happened between us, I…."

"No, no, there is no need to talk about that save for me to apologise I was a headstrong young fool and I must admit I have regretted it every day since but it is water under the bridge now, best forgotten. We have come a long way since then, and I can see that the years have made you more beautiful yet wiser. Goodnight, Flora." He added getting to his feet before kissing her on the cheek. "I just wish..."

"Wish what?" Flora asked standing up as well as she began to gather the crockery.

"No I shouldn't even mention it."

"Jean-Luc!" Flora snapped turning to face her guest who looked suitably abashed at her reprimand. "You have never been backward at coming forward, such indecision has never suited you."

Smiling the Frenchman stepped closer catching her hand and staring deeply into her dark eyes. "I would like to ask...No beg, may I once more for old times sake, I want to know if my memories are accurate of it perhaps it is just an old man's mind playing tricks on him."

Leaning forward until they were only inches apart Flora muttered gently. "You may." Surprised when an instant later his lips were on hers and his arms were round her waist pulling her into his embrace, it was a simple kiss. After a moment a flustered Flora pushed him away, it just didn't feel right he had once lit a fire within her and now all she could think of was Walter, even a friendly kiss made her feel guilty of betrayal. That was clearly an opinion their silent observer shared, standing in the shadows of the corridor his blue eyes narrowing in righteous anger as he watched the couple before finally he could no longer torture himself and he stormed off to the relative sanctuary of his own office pouring himself a large brandy which was downed with professional accuracy.

A few moments later and a flushed Flora appeared on his doorstep it was then he made up his mind about and stood up decisively from his desk. Taking one last swig from his brandy glass, he strode purposely towards the door, his face like thunder. He appeared somewhat surprised to see her standing in his doorway, but determined not to be distracted from his course of action he slid his arms round her waist and with an "Excuse me my dear", picked her up placing her out of his way.

Flora at first shocked by this display of familiarity then began to worry what could be so important that he wouldn't even stop to talk to her, so she dashed after him. But her initial hesitation had cost her a good few strides, so by the time she was at the foot of the main staircase he was halfway up it. As a result she heard rather than saw the first punch thrown. When she did make it into Jean-Luc's room he was sprawled on his back by the fireplace, holding his now bloody nose. "What the hell did you do that for?"

"Stay away from her." Jarvis bellowed, as Flora dashed across the room to check that Jean-Luc was all right, no bones broken.

"Stay away from who?" Jean-Luc stammered in amazement.

"I think he means me." Flora added quietly. Then turning round to address Jarvis, "what the hell do you think you are doing? I'm not some sort of prize to be fought over; do you really think I'm impressed by this display of loutish behaviour? It's not something I would have thought you capable of." Then adding, "You do realise that you could be sacked for this?"

"Fine if that's what you want. If it's a choice between leaving or having to watch the two of you together I think I'd prefer the former." And with that he turned and left.

Flora torn between following him and staying to help Jean-Luc in righteous indignation. However even in her anger she felt a tinge of guilt she had been partially responsible for this, she had allowed herself to flirt with Jean-Luc over dinner knowing full well how Mr Jarvis might react. Could she really blame him if he did?

"You really love him don't you?" Jean-Luc stated.

"More than I thought possible, it's just so hard sometimes, loving someone and fighting the urge to throttle them at the same time."

"He must care a lot about you too, it must have taken a lot of nerve to come in here and punch me. Not that I approve of his actions," he said touching his still bleeding nose, "but your Mr Jarvis is no fool he must have known what he was risking, dismissal without a character."

"You won't tell will you, Jean-Luc please?"

"No, I won't go running to your Earl and telling him he's got an insane butler."

"Thank you, you will be all right won't you?"

"I'll be fine, not like I haven't had one of these before. Now I suggest you go and find him before he does anything else stupid."

Smiling Flora kissed him on the cheek, and went to find Mr Jarvis, but before she had left Jean-Luc called after her, "and you can tell him from me if he ever hurts you again I will personal see that he gets more than a bloody nose."

- - -

Later Adams has finally returned to his quarters after taking over the task of helping Jean-Luc from Mrs R. He had cleaned him up, with the help of the fussing Mrs Diggins, who kept tutting and churning out sayings, which seemed to have little if no relevance to the situation in hand.

"People in glasshouses shouldn't throw stones, Mr Adams!"

"Or punches." Jean-luc countered dryly. "But what do glasshouses have to do with anything, Mrs Diggins?"

Bored with the pointless conversation, Adams left. When inside his own quarters, he pulled out his own big book, but it certainly didn't contain figures (apart from the odd picture or two of naked women stuffed in the back). He sat at his small, wooden desk, opened the book, dipped the pen in ink, and began to write

Dear diary,

Everything is going wrong! EVERYTHING! I hate them all, especially that foreigner. Who does he think he is? Trying to cut down on cigarettes but failing. Trying to cut down on alcohol but that's not happening either. Found out about my secret daughter today. That Lizzie. Don't think she's as smart as me. Need to get rid of her fast, and I have decided that I can get rid of her as well as causing trouble for K in the process. This will be entertaining! Note to myself: I must stop smirking or people will think I'm evil.

Next I'll get J. I don't need that damn love letter to bring him down. Mrs High-and-mighty (Mrs R) doesn't know that I know about the wage money, but I do! Then they will both be out of here, and I will be in charge! K's haggis is awful. I hate him! Must eat more fish and less pudding. Think I'm putting on a bit of weight.

End of entry.

He put his pen down and sat back, before blotting his writing, closing the book and putting it in the bottom drawer of his desk. "Now, how to frame that little madam?"

- - -

After she had left Jean-Luc, Flora went looking for Mr Jarvis, he wasn't in his office and none of the other servants claimed to have seen him since dinner, if she hadn't been so distracted she might have noticed the curious looks she was getting. However that left only one place, but she was more than a little apprehensive at disturbing him when he had retired to his room. After a few minutes of indecision she made up her mind this had to be sorted out now before he did something really stupid like resigning. Gathering up her courage, bearing in mind she was breaking a cardinal house rule, she knocked on the door.

"Felix for the last time go away, I told you before I'm in no mood for your lecturing, and no amount of bribery or blackmail is going to make me change my mind." Mr Jarvis yelled through the door.

Impatient Flora knocked again, more firmly. Once more Jarvis yelled, walking over to open the door and stress his point, "look this is the last time I'm going to tell…" Then seeing Flora stopped dead. "What do you want? Come to tell me the happy news. Sorry to disappoint but I'm busy and really not in the mood for company." He said moving to shut the door.

For once unwilling to be fobbed off she pushed open the door shutting it firmly behind her. The room was in a state of disarray; in the middle of the floor was a huge trunk into which Mr Jarvis was haphazardly throwing his belongings. "See I told you I was busy, got to be ready to leave as soon as that sweetheart of yours, or is it fiancée, tells his lordship."

"What are you talking about, Jean-Luc isn't going to the Earl."

"What? Why not? No, let me guess, you asked him not to." He said closing the lid of his trunk and sitting down on it.

"Yes."

"Well that was very good of you, but I don't need your pity."

"Good because you don't have it." That comment surprised Jarvis who looked up at her as if seeing her for the first time, sensing she had his full attention Flora continued. "When are you going to stop this?"

"Stop what?"

"Feeling sorry for yourself."

"I was not."

"Really than why did you feel the need to leave dinner early, to go sit in your office and simply stare at your big book of figures? Why did you then go and punch a completely innocent man instead of coming and talking things over with me, there are two of us in this relationship or hadn't you noticed? But no you decided to defend your territory or whatever such nonsense is called and so you've ended up sitting all alone in your room sulking!" Flora paused this wasn't why she'd come here; she was fed up with this constant fighting.

"Is that all or do you have a complete catalogue of my inadequacies you want to discuss." Jarvis snorted, and Flora shook her head. "No, well if that is all you will excuse me, I'm sure Jean-Luc is wondering what's taking you so long, and I've got packing to do, you think I'm going to stay here knowing that all my staff are laughing at me behind my back." He said turning from her and slumping down into his chair by the fire, his back to her.

Flora wasn't prepared to put up with that, "You stubborn, stupid, insensitive man." She said as she walked over to his trunk throwing the lid open and grasping whatever she got a hold of first, a pair of rolled up socks, "I didn't come up here to let you do this to yourself." She said throwing first the socks at him, then a book and then proceeding to dump all the contents of his trunk onto the floor.

Jarvis jumped up from his chair and grabbed both her hands before she could throw anything else at him. "Quite the little fireball aren't we? Maybe I've had a lucky escape, I hope Jean-Luc knows what he's got in store."

"Will you stop it, there is nothing going on between Jean-Luc and me, once we were engaged but a lot has happened since then. I'm in love with you, although the reason escapes me at the moment, and if you had bothered to speak more than two civilised words to the man you'd know that he's very happily married."

"What?" The full realisation of what he had done hits him. "Oh my, what have I done, Flora I'm so sorry I just…" He said sinking back into his chair his head in his hands.

Flora walked over to him slowly she reached out and ran her fingers through his hair caressing the back of his neck. After a few minutes he looked up at her, and she brushed her hand down the side of his face, "I still can't believe you hit him."

Jarvis sat back and looked into the fire, his voice wavering, "I just couldn't bear the idea of giving up on you without a fight. When I thought I was losing you…."

"When are you going realise you're not going to lose me?" She replied sinking to the floor next to him, and grasping his hands firmly with her own before resting her head gently against his knee. "I suppose it's all round the lower servants by now?"

"Most definitely!" Jarvis replied, freeing his hands from her grasp and tugging at the pins that bound her hair, freeing it from its restraints and running his fingers through her dark locks.

"What are we going to do?" Flora whispered, nuzzling slightly against him, sighing in contentment as his hands moved to caress her neck and shoulders.

"What can we do except tough it out, there is going to be a lot of rumours and sniggering, but as long as we are careful I'm sure we can wait it out, in time they'll get bored and start gossiping about something else." Jarvis replied his voice soft and reassuring, for the moment content to simple forget about anyone and everyone else and concentrate on the delectable creature before him, barely containing his delight as Flora responded warmly to his every touch and caress.

"Careful? As in no more late night meetings in the bake house; when you make them that is?" She replied teasingly, looking round at him lovingly and, much to Jarvis's amazement, raising an eyebrow in an almost saucy fashion.

"You're not going to let me forget that are you?" He replied unable to keep the amusement from his voice as he brushed a hand gently down the side of her face, indulging himself and tracing his fingers across all of those fine features he had coveted for so long, the delicate curve of her brow, the creamy texture of her fine skin and then the soft perfect cupids' bow of her lips.

Unable to prevent the lascivious images that sprung immediately to mind, of pressing his own lips firmly against hers and pushing her onto her back on the fireside rug; Jarvis had to fight to keep his thoughts from wandering further, that could wait till after she left. He had no desire to make her feel uncomfortable and insecure in his presence, the delicate balance they had managed to create was far too precious to him; she trusted him enough to finally relax in his presence, to allow both his kiss and respectful caress and he had no desire to push his luck and watch her retreat away from him, locked away behind those insurmountable barriers that were her sense of respectability and propriety.

"Why should I, leaving me waiting out there, in the cold for half an hour." Flora replied, not completely oblivious to the affect she was having to the now very quiet and tense butler, her voice quavering slightly as their gazes locked and she realised the extent to which his ardour was roused. Her breath catching slightly in her throat as she saw the hungry almost predatory look in his eyes, surprised to feel herself drawn towards him rather than wanting to run away, and for a moment even wishing he would try to take things further, to forget his gentlemanly behaviour and in that moment make her his in the true sense of the word.

However slowly she saw him regain control, his eyes shuttering slightly as he managed to cage his more primal desires, before returning to their lapsed conversation. "What did you want to talk about anyway?" Jarvis asked his interest piqued.

"Well." Flora replied a blush rapidly creeping over her cheeks as she got to her feet, "I don't think that matters now." She added remembering how talking had been and was in fact now the last thing on her mind.

Jarvis rose up from his chair threading his arms about her waist, "you're not leaving until you confess." He replied sitting back down and pulling her impulsively onto his lap, luxuriating in the feel of her in his arms, content to simply hold her close.

Flora's smile deepened a part of her both pleased and disappointed by his gentlemanly restraint. "Will a penance do instead?" She said leaning forward to kiss him goodnight.

"In this case I'll make an exception." He said before kissing her softly and far too briefly for Flora's liking. Chuckling slightly at her delightful naivety and almost unbelievable modesty, considering how beautiful she was, Jarvis simply nodded, before pulling her back into his embrace and nuzzling into her hair breathing her in.

"Well I suppose… considering…I had better be leaving." Flora whispered after a few minutes.

"Yes." Walter replied a hint of sadness in his voice. "I wish I could ask you to stay longer even to sleep here tonight, but I have to be honest despite my honourable intentions I don't think either of us would be relaxed enough to sleep and I although I do not doubt my control now, somehow with you lying next to me, the warmth from your body and the sound of your breathing, somehow I doubt my restraint would last!"

"Hmmmm, well it doesn't sound so awful!" Flora teased, causing Walter to stare at her in shock.

Leaning forward she kissed him tenderly on the lips, pulling away she whispered softly. "Just give me a little time to think about it, alright?" She asked her eyes locked with his as she saw the look of delight enter his expression, before he nodded his agreement. Delicately she got her feet, holding out her hands to pull Walter up after her, sliding her arms round his waist and burying her head into his chest, whilst he placed featherlike kisses on the nape of her neck, before breaking their embrace and leading her to his door watching as she disappeared quickly down the corridor.

- - -

Breakfast the next morning was an interesting affair for the butler. It was clear that the rumours of his confrontation with one of their guests had reached even the upper-servants who just like their subordinates were speculating on the reasons for the butler's uncharacteristic behaviour. According to Felix Kraus who had taken the seat next to him and who clearly had heard every wild rumour going the staff were splitting neatly into two camps, one thought that the gentlemen had clearly turned to blows after some competition or other turned sour the others were convinced a woman was at the heart of it and given their history the lady in question was Flora Ryan.

Gritting his teeth as he ignored Felix's less than subtle questioning Jarvis tightened his grip on his knife as he tackled his breakfast, wincing slightly as his bruised fist complained loudly. Sipping his tea the butler turned and glanced at the senior staff, all save the housekeeper was there and clearly people were drawing their own conclusions from that little fact; what confused Jarvis was that no one seemed to be leaving. Normally as soon as their breakfast had been shovelled down the senior staff couldn't leave fast enough, none of them morning people conversation was dull and minimal. Yet today they all seemed to be lingering over their tea, chatting away as if they had all the time in the world. It wasn't until the door opened and in walked their two houseguests that Jarvis realised that was what they had been waiting for.

"Good Morning all!" Mr Stevenson greeted warmly, a greeting that was returned half-heartedly as their attention was instead fixed on the younger gentleman whose nose still looked rather red and puffy, a testament of the accuracy and force of the butler's right hook. Sitting down at the opposite length of the table from the butler Jean-Luc quickly served himself a large helping of scrambled eggs and concentrated on them not returning any of the greetings from the staff.

Eventually bored from the lack of dramatics and clearly uncomfortable at the way the butler continued to glare at them as though they clearly had somewhere more important most of the staff began to trickle out.

"So, Mr Stevenson, how long do you think it will take to value everything? There's lots of stuff to see!" Felix suddenly asked, the tension clearly too much for the exuberant chef.

Mr Stevenson was clearly as pleased that someone else had made the first attempt at breaking the tension. "Oh, probably all day. I expect we will be staying tonight too."

At that news Jarvis's expression begins to sour, and his grip on his knife doubled despite the throb from his hand. Even though Jean-Luc was married, he still didn't like the idea of him being around longer than was necessary all the history he and Flora shared was unsettling as was the easy affection the pair clearly had for one another. It was just the not knowing that was unnerving him, had it been Flora's decision or Jean-Luc's to break their engagement, how close had they been? Just the very thought of another man touching her no matter how many years ago brought him out in a cold sweat. Yet he had better make an overture, at least to apologise for his behaviour so as not to alienate Flora, she would expect him to considering the nature of his error of judgement.

Clearing his throat the butler stood and made his way round the table until he was standing somewhat reluctantly in front of the Valuer. For a moment Jean-Luc ignored his presence before finally glancing up his entire posture radiating ennui. Smiling tightly Jarvis swallowed his pride and mumbled softly. "Look, I'm sorry I hit you. And I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."

"No damage done, really. She is a beautiful woman and I can see why you became so jealous. What man wouldn't? You know if I wasn't married…."

"Who said anything about jealousy! I wasn't jealous, I have no reason to be jealous I was just concerned for her welfare!"

"If you say so Mr Jarvis." The Frenchman replied in that smooth manner of his, a simple elegant raised eyebrow telling Jarvis just what he thought of his protest.

"Look Mr Delacor I told…."

"Mr Jarvis! Jean-Luc!" Flora's clipped voice interrupted the argument before it could start.

As if taking his cue from the stern-faced lady Mr Stevenson quickly got to his feet his large belly barging the table in his haste. "Jean-Luc, I think we have work to do, so I suggest we get on and do it!"

Glaring slightly at both Jarvis and his departing superior Jean-Luc followed him out the room, only pausing to bid Flora a cheery good morning and deliberately plant a kiss on her cheek which left her flustered and unable to meet Walter's eye for a moment before she remembered why she was there.

"Mr Jarvis, you had better come quickly, and you too Mr Kraus. It's Lizzie, she left all the meat uncovered last night and now it has all gone off, including all the fish!"

All three march off towards the kitchen, and with every step Mr Kraus was becoming increasingly agitated and muttering under his breath in Prussian before he finally relented turning on the poor butler who was just as annoyed by this turn of events as the chef. "I cannot stand for this, Mr Jarvis! You keep providing me with unreliable girls, and Felix Kraus cannot work under these conditions!

"Mr Kraus." The butler began placatingly as he rubbed the bridge of his nose in an effort to ward off a headache. "I suggest we find out exactly what went on before leaping to conclusions."

"But it was her who was in charge of covering the meat last night! She should be sacked, Mr Jarvis!"

Sighing the butler quickly realised rational argument with the chef was futile when he had wound himself up so and so muttered bitterly. "Please Mr Kraus, let me handle this."

By the time they reached the kitchens, Lizzie was sobbing uncontrollably the rest of the kitchen staff studiously ignoring her and pretending not to listen whilst Adams yelled at her. "You stupid wee girl! How could you have forgotten such a simple task!"

Pausing at the entrance to the kitchen Mr Jarvis frowned with annoyance at seeing the under-butler, wondering what on earth he was doing involving himself in matters that certainly were no of his concern. "Thank you Mr Adams, that will be enough I believe Miss McDuff has been suitable chastised." Then turning to Lizzie he added. "Can you explain this?"

Sniffing into her handkerchief Lizzie sniffling managed to mutter in between sobs. "I didn't leave it off, Mr Jarvis, I swear I didn't. I remember doing it, as I Mr Kraus told me!"

Snorting in derision the Chef retorted sharply. "Well you obviously forgot, and now our entire meat supply is ruined! I will have to kill more chickens!"

Sighing Jarvis shook his head, wondering how he came to be in charge of such a mad house. "Please can we try to maintain calm. Mr Kraus is right, Miss McDuff. You must have forgotten after all who on earth would come along and remove the cover?"

"I….I don't know, Mr Jarvis." The maid replied as a fresh wave of tears overcome her and she collapsed into a chair.

Glancing across at Flora who was clearly concerned at seeing the poor girl so distressed Walter decided now would probably not be the best time to come across as an unfeeling monster, so partly to curry favour and partly to end the distressing whine of a bawling Lizzie McDuff he relented. "As it is a first offence you will go without pay until the meat is repaid out of your wages. You will also be banned from joining in evening entertainment for the next two weeks, confined to your room at night. Do you understand?"

Surprised at not being instantly sacked Lizzie wiped her eyes and managed a weak smile. "Yes, Mr Jarvis. Thank you."

"Now get back to work! All of you…" The butler replied not eager to be inundated with platitudes from the grateful girl.

"But Mr Jarvis….!" The chef began but one look from the butler silenced him.

"Do you really wish to be short staffed Felix? One more chance for her if Miss McDuff even so much as puts a finger or toe out of place, come to me."

Nodding reluctantly the chef cursed in some foreign tongue before pushing past the butler and picking up a bowl which he began to whisk furiously screaming instructions at his staff, a clear sign for everyone else to leave. An unspoken request the butler and housekeeper were only to delighted to follow, but in their relief they missed the usual look of hatred and fury that flickered over Mr Adams face as he stormed out looking for some lower servant to vent his frustration on.

- - -

"I just can't believe Lizzie would be so forgetful and careless! She seemed so competent and her character is flawless." Flora Ryan added pacing up and down the butler's pantry.

Sitting behind his desk as he tried valiantly to continue with his accounts the butler watched in wry amusement as Flora continued to wind herself up. "Yes, it does seem out of character for her, as she seems to be doing so well up to now. But really Flora everything is sorted why don't you sit down at least for five minutes…We can go over the arrangements for the next week…" He added patting the seat beside him.

"Perhaps later I really should be getting to the still room to check on Grace May." However catching sight of Walter's disappointed expression Flora relented slightly walking up to his chair and placing her hands on his shoulders rubbing them gently. "You're very tense, Mr Jarvis, and it's only half past ten in the morning. I think you need your knots loosening."

"Mmm, sounds very good. Maybe tonight?" Walter replied glancing back his shoulder at her surprised when she smiled brightly, leaning down and for a moment Walter was convinced she was about to kiss him. However at that very moment there was a sharp knock on his door and Charlotte Lucas peered round.

"Errr Mrs Ryan, Grace would like you to help her squeeze the jam, if you have a minute. She still hasn't got the hang of it." Charlotte added laughing nervously as the butler turned his glare on her.

Sighing Flora waited until Charlotte had turned before smilingly warmly at Walter accepting the hand he offered and squeezing it gently before following Charlotte out of the room. For a few moments after Flora left the Butler continued to smile softly to himself, then pulling open his desk draw to find his pen he suddenly felt his good mood evaporating.

Sitting innocently amongst the stack of letter headed paper and envelopes, was the small black leather case he had placed there yesterday and had until now quite forgotten about. Reaching in almost reluctantly Walter pulled out the case staring at it for a long moment, as in the midst of wrestling with some momentous decision. Eventually he opened it and stared at the simple engagement ring, it had been his paternal grandmother's, a gold band with a simple ruby, it still reminded him of Marie, or how he preferred to remember her young and beautiful.

Picking it out of the box he fingered it gently marvelling at the size it wouldn't even fit properly on his littlest finger then he noticed the note and he almost dropped it in surprise. She had kept it all those years? When James had given him the case after the funeral he hadn't thought to look inside, the pain was still too raw and he couldn't help the guilty feeling that at times overwhelmed. His wife hadn't even been dead a month and already he was thinking of another woman, of what it would be like to make her his wife. Swallowing his guilt he reached out and pulled out the small slip of paper but he didn't need to read it to know the words, they had taken him long enough to write in the first place.

Snapping the box shut the butler hastily crammed it into his pocket then getting to his feet he stormed out of his office, determined to put the past and his feelings of guilt behind him. For the first time in years he actually had a future worth looking forward to and he wasn't about to waste that…There was only one way he could move forward he would sell the ring, make a clean break of it. Or at least that was his intention as he headed along the corridor and up the stairs to the ballroom where Mr Stevenson should be lurking, perhaps if he had been paying attention he might have noticed, when barging through a group of gossiping maids by the stairwell, that he hadn't secured the box properly and it had opened. The little ring had fallen out along with the little note wrapped around it; it had bounced down the hallway, settling itself in a little groove by the stairs, where it sat and gleamed, just waiting to be discovered.

- - -

Andrew Adams was fuming and that was putting it very mildly. He had just taken his fury out on poor a stable lad, with a sharp clip on the head, and now he felt like he needed a good dose of fresh air and a smoke but on checking his pocket he realised he had managed to misplace his tin of tobacco and that made him even madder. Why hadn't she been sacked? Well, as it would only take one final push to get rid of the little missy he had to think of something, and do it soon otherwise Jarvis might let her off for a second time and that would never do.

Leaning against the wall Andrew went over and over potential ideas yet the only thought that kept returning was that of Lizzie's tearful face. Pushing that thought away Andrew forced himself not to think of the girl, she was an accident, he had never wanted to be a father and certainly never wanted the burden of a daughter. He would be doing her a favour in the long run, he knew he was not what people would call a nice man, he had done plenty in his life that he had been ashamed of, or should have been ashamed of. Only once had he been on the cusp of becoming a better man but his past had caught up and ruined that life for him, now he had no desire to try, to struggle against those impulses that fed his anger and addictions.

No it would be better for both of them if the girl left as soon as he could arrange, she could go back to Scotland and he could go back to wallowing in his own self pity without the annoyance of his conscience pricking him whenever he caught sight of her. Crunching his knuckles Andrew decided to go back in and try to find Jarvis, ask him about the footmen's pairing arrangements. However on his way to the butler's office, his eye caught sight of something shining on the ground. Glancing around, Adams checked that nobody was there before bending down to examine it, a curious look on his face.

"A ring. Pretty."

He mused holding it up to the light then pulling off the note, which he quickly unfolded and read. His surprising increasing as he immediately recognised the handwriting.

"Well, what have we here? I think you may come in very, very handy."

He muttered smiling to himself as he placed the ring firmly in his pocket along with the little note. Suddenly he had something far more interesting to think about and besides who apart from Jarvis would care about such a boring thing as the pairing of the footmen.

- - -

Meanwhile oblivious to the plight of his precious property Mr Jarvis knocked on the ballroom door, and it was opened by Jean-Luc who was more than little surprised to see him there.

"Mr Jarvis, can I help you?"

"Is Mr Stevenson in there I was going to ask his quick opinion on something."

"No he isn't, he's gone to inspect the paintings in the long gallery."

"Oh well I'm sure I can catch him later."

"Are sure I can't be of some assistance?" Jean-Luc asked pleasantly as if their past misunderstandings were quite forgotten. "Please come in."

Jarvis hesitated for a moment there was just something about the Frenchman that made his skin itch he would have preferred to return to the relative sanctuary of his office but then common sense prevailed and he realised that this was probably a good idea, an opportunity to bury the hatchet, with any luck in the smiling Frenchman's handsome face.

"It isn't much just old family heirloom……" but before Walter could continue he decided to get something off his chest. "Mr Delacour I have to admit that your being here unsettles me."

"So you are jealous?"

"Not any more, I have no reason to be, Flora and I have discussed this and I believe her when she tells me she no longer has any feelings for you."

Jean-Luc at first seemed mildly affronted by this, how can any woman ever really get over him, but then he seemed resigned to the situation. "So she did make the right decision, after all…" he muttered to himself.

"What decision?" Jarvis asked before he could stop himself.

Jean-Luc looked up surprised, "not to marry me. She hasn't told you why she didn't go through with it?"

Jarvis shook his head, "I always assumed that she chose her career over marriage."

"Well in a way I suppose she did but that wasn't the real reason." Jean-Luc replied, striding over to his desk and pulled out a box of cigars from on of the drawers, he took one and offered one to Jarvis, who gratefully accepted. When they were both seated comfortably Jean-Luc began.

"To cut along story short Flora and I met when she was just sixteen and new to service, we fell for each other straight away and started planning to get married. The plan was that we'd save up for four years then move to London and start up in business, everything was going well when a couple of months before the wedding there was an accident at home, which killed her father and left her brother seriously injured." Jean-Luc paused for a moment, glancing up to see how Jarvis was taking this so far, and whether or not he had to duck for cover.

Seeing that he was relatively calm and obviously curious he continued. "I don't know if you know this but her family has been tenant farmers for generations, each gradually increasing the amount of farm they managed, this works fine unless all of a sudden you are unable to meet the rent. That was what happened, with her father dead and her brother dying the farm was neglected they only managed to collect in a small proportion of the harvest before it spoiled. Her mother was desperate; she still had two small children to raise and no way to clothe and feed them, let alone keep a roof over their heads. It was then that Flora came to me asking if we could postpone the wedding, as she needed to send her mother all of the money she had saved. It was either that or instead of going to London we moved to the farm and ran it ourselves."

Jean-Luc shifted uneasily at this point. "It was then I did something unforgivable, I told Flora in no uncertain terms that I was not going to be a farmer, nor was I prepared to put off our lives together in order to support a family that I didn't know, so I gave her an ultimatum, either she came to the church me in three weeks time or I was going to London without her. She was naturally distraught and tried to make me change my mind, I being young and a swaggering fool was convinced that she'd eventually come around to my way of thinking. I was wrong, she never turned up at the church, deciding to stay in service and send her wages home to support her family, I being a hot headed fool took her decision as an affront to my honour and so the next day I left for London without her."

"You just left her?" Jarvis stated, obviously disgusted by his behaviour.

"Yes, I was so angry I didn't even bother to say goodbye. A few years later, after I realised what I'd lost I wrote her, begging her to forgive me, but I never received any reply. And I suppose when I first saw her standing on the steps here, a small part of me wanted to believe that she had spent all these years pining after me but when I saw the way the two of you looked at each other I could see that wasn't the case. I know it was small and petty but I couldn't bear the idea of her loving anyone else, so…."

"You decided to cause trouble." Stated Jarvis the picture beginning to clear.

"Just a little, call it a test."

"A test!" Snorted Jarvis. "For whom?"

"For you, to see whether the better man had won so to speak."

"And?"

"When you came into my room and punched me, I realised then just how much you loved her; you were prepared to put your own situation and interests aside to fight for the woman you love, exactly the opposite of me all those years ago."

"Now that that is settled what was it you wanted me to look at, some family heirloom?"

Jarvis stood up patting his pocket for the box, which he then pulled out and played with nervously, passing it from one and to the next. "Yes it has been passed down through the family, recently it belonged to my late wife." Jean-Luc looked up in surprise, he hadn't been expecting that, but he allowed Jarvis to continue without interruption. "However I'm thinking about selling it and I would like the opinion of a professional before I take it into town."

"Yes of course would you like me to look at it now?" Jean-Luc asked reaching out his hand for the box. Surprised when the butler suddenly pulled away thoughtful.

"No there's no hurry, I'm sure we can sort this out later, perhaps over a glass of brandy this evening? It would put Flora's mind at ease…"

Smiling Jean-Luc rose, and escorting the butler to the door. "I'll look forward to it."

- - -

Sitting by the fire intent on her sewing Grace tried to block out the sniggering of the other housemaids, a fact not made easy by the fact that Susan was making no attempts to lower her voice.

"It is true, I heard it from Maude and she heard it from Betty and well she overheard Mr Adams say so himself!"

"It can't be she'd have been sacked." Charlotte pronounced glancing over at the fire where Grace was valiantly trying to not notice she was the topic of their gossip.

"Oh come on Charlotte you know Mrs Ryan she's as soft as old soap. Besides she got rid of the baby so…."

"Got rid, you mean she deliberately…." Charlotte gasped her normally serene face twisting in horror as she crossed herself so as to ward off such evil influence.

Finally under able to maintain the pretence Grace got to her feet and strode over to the lower servant's table. "If you've got something to say say it to my face!" She snapped angrily surprised when instead of confronting her the lower servants turned inward ignoring her completely.

It had been going on for days ever since the garden party and Mr Adam's unchecked comment in front of Lizzie McDuff, as despite the girl's promise to keep what she had learnt to herself the rumour mill at Taplows had somehow caught hold of her miscarriage. At first people had not given it the time of day, it was ridiculous but then over the days the rumours kept circulating and with each telling people where becoming more and more vocal with their suspicions. It certainly didn't help that her normal defender, George was staying firmly tight-lipped, and that only lent credence to the gossip as normally he would have be the first to leap to her defence.

"Murderer." It was said so low it was almost a whisper but Grace heard it and blanched at the words.

"Who said that?" She demanded looking from maid to footman and back again. "Who?"

"Murderer." There it was again but this time it was a different voice. "Murderer." And another until it had become a mantra around the table.

"It was an accident." Grace protested weakly trying to find one friendly face in amongst the mob, turning she caught sight of George and Will who stood by the door clearly unsure just what they had walked in on. "George please…" Grace pleaded but her pleas fell on deaf ears as the footman turned and strode out of the hall as if the very devil was at his heels, the first footman following immediately but not without shooting Grace a disgusted look.

Unable to bear the atmosphere and hostility a moment longer Grace turned and fled out into the corridor and straight into the arms of Thomas Bayten.

"Whoa there girly." Tom joked but his pleasant smile soon fell as he caught sight of Grace's tear stained face. "Grace what's wrong?"

Sobbing Grace buried her head into Tom's strong chest mumbling against his crisp livery. "They know…I don't know how they know but they do…Everyone hates me Tom."

"Now that's not true." Tom whispered softly and for a moment a smug smile pulled at his lips, before a look of sincere concern replaced it. "I like you, I like a lot Grace, you're the brightest bravest person I have ever met and if they cannot see that then they are not people worth bothering about anyway!"

"But…"

"No buts Grace." Tom insisted grasping her chin and forcing her to meet his gaze. "Remember what I told you last night?" Smiling through her tears Grace nodded. "Well you take those words to heart don't let these people try and push you away, true friends will stand by you. This just saves you the trouble of working out who they are for yourself!"

"Thank you Tom."

"You don't need to thank me lass now go up to your room, wash away those tears and get back to work. We'll show those bunch of no hopers and when you get promoted and they are stuck in their badly paid positions you can look down and laugh at them."

Nodding the maid turned and did as he bade secure in the knowledge that she had at least one true friend. However had Grace lingered she would have found that conviction shaken to the core, as the moment she was out of sight Tom turned and slinked into the scullery. Standing by the sink was the very person he was hoping to see. Putting his hand in his pocket he pulled out the shiny half a crown he had promised and placed it gently on the draining board. The Scullery maid then reached out and pocketed the coin without even looking up.

Smiling Tom turned and slipped back into the corridor muttering back over his shoulder. "A pleasure doing business with you Betty."

- - -

However if one mystery had now been solved another was slowly developing. So consumed with his work and the emotional turmoil of his visit Jean-Luc had continued to work through lunch, after recounting the tale of their engagement to Mr Jarvis he had been in no mood to join the senior servant for lunch; the prospect of sitting next to Flora throughout the meal gnawed at his already troubling conscience. So instead he begged off due to work claiming he was still full from breakfast, but he had not counted for the housekeeper's diligence. Not five minutes after the Upper-servants meal was finished but Flora Ryan was knocking on the ballroom door tray in hand, scolding him for missing the meal and neglecting his health. It was so familiar a gesture that it elicited a rare genuine smile from the Frenchman who ushered the lady in without a twinge of regret.

For a few moments the pair sat in companionable silence as Jean-Luc tucked into his lunch.

"I hear Walter paid you another visit, I take it this one went without incident?"

"He behaved himself if that is what you are asking." Jean-Luc replied enjoying the embarrassed blush that enhanced Flora's cheeks. "He was most pleasant, I think we might even come as far as to tolerate each other."

Snorting in amusement Flora shook her head running her fingers along the tops of the gilt frames that stood stacked along the wall, unable to quell her shudder of disgust at the layer of dust coating them. "That would be almost too much to hope for!"

For a moment Jean-Luc questioned his next words but finally his conscience over came his better judgement and he muttered softly. "Things are serious between you, I am pleased for you Flora. The thought of you rotting away in service has haunted me."

Blushing even deeper Flora pretended to study a portrait closely whilst she regained her control. "I have had a good career, I have been happy in my choices Jean-Luc."

"But you are happier now I think? He has made you happy Flora and I am glad to see it….If not a little envious."

"Envious?" Flora questioned turning round in surprise.

"In all the time we were together you never looked at me like that. Whenever he enters the room you light up, you always wore your heart on your sleeve my dear but somehow now even a blind man could see you're in love!"

Smiling broadly Flora nodded unable to contain the flush of excitement whenever anyone mentioned Walter's name. "I think….I think he is going to ask me to marry him."

"Undoubtedly eventually he will, he is an honourable gentleman and his affection for you is unquestioned."

Giggling Flora leant in conspiratorially. "No I mean soon, any day now in fact."

Frowning slightly Jean-Luc tried to contain his own doubts. He had only know Walter Corey a matter of hours rather than days and although his affection for Flora was clear he did not strike Jean-Luc as a man given to hasty action, apart from of course with his fists. Marriage was a serious prospect, one that took time and money; it was not something that any man let alone the esteemed Mr Jarvis of Taplows would jump into lightly. "He certainly loves you, but how can you work here as man and wife?"

Shrugging as she brushed aside those small concerns Flora was too caught up in her excitement to notice Jean-Luc's less than ecstatic response. "We can keep our positions as long as the Earl doesn't object, it has been done before after all. If he doesn't Walter has some money put aside. I think, maybe, we could leave I've always fancied setting up a little hotel by the sea. Professionally I have reached where I want to be here, so has he, it maybe time to make way for the younger ones to have a chance." Flora added mostly to herself, a slight smile tugging at her lips as she imagined the life the two of them could have away from the demands of Taplows.

"But are you sure that's what he wants, Flora?" Jean-Luc suddenly asked his concerned tone cutting into even Flora's daydream.

Flustered at his tone Flora retorted rather sharply. "Of course it is…I mean well maybe not the hotel, that was just me but I know he wants to marry me I've seen the ring!" Then wincing at her acerbic tone Flora smiled apologetically crossing the room to pat her former fiancé's arm consolingly. "It's beautiful, simple but lovely and he keeps it in a lovely black leather box. There's even a note inside so I don't know if that means he is going to leave it for me to find or propose properly but it means he will….If he already has the ring…" She added suddenly all smiles again, her heart full of joy at the thought.

Smiling politely as he finished his lunch Jean-Luc couldn't help the sinking feeling he felt in his stomach, a ring in a black leather jewellery box. It couldn't be the same ring could it? Not the same that had belonged to Mr Jarvis's late wife. Surely many jewellery boxes look the same, so it couldn't be the same ring. Besides Mr Jarvis had told him he intended to sell it, surely no man would want to give a woman a ring that belonged to his recently deceased wife, even if these Englishmen were a funny breed that was beyond the pale. But if it wasn't or it was where precisely did that leave Flora? Sighing Jean-Luc rubbed his now throbbing head, wondering for the umpteenth time that morning just what he had gotten himself embroiled in now.

However glancing at Flora's happy face he couldn't bring himself to air his suspicions, what if he were wrong, even if he were right and it was a misunderstanding on her part she wouldn't go demanded the butler propose she would wait until he did. Relaxing as he settled on doing nothing about it Jean-Luc settled back and decided to enjoy Mr Kraus's delicious meal, steering the conversation away from marriage and proposals to talk of the past until a panicking Flora suddenly announced she was late and had to dart off to meet some new staff member or other who was due to arrive.

- - -

The housekeeper's forgetfulness seemed to be catching as she dashed down the back stairs a familiar voice called out for her to wait. Pausing on the small landing Flora struggled to catch her breath as the butler pocket watch in hand caught up with her, muttering venomous about some 'Old Duffer' who was clearly the cause of his tardiness. Not needing to ask which old duffer he was moaning about as he had clearly come from the Earls Study the housekeeper instead offered him a commiserating smile. Returning it after he had finished moaning the butler glanced once more at his pocket watch before coming to a decision. Glancing around him for any passing servant he reached out and caught Flora's hand pulling her to an abrupt halt.

"But Mr Jarvis we're late…"

"Only a minute or so, we won't be missed." Walter replied softly slipping his free hand round the gentle dip of her waist eliciting a bright smile from the housekeeper who lent into his embrace, her fingers playing with the buttons of his waistcoat. "I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed last night…I hope I didn't over step my bounds and I was hoping this evening you might join me for a walk after dinner…"

"To talk?"

"Amongst other things." Walter replied coyly bringing up their joined hands and kissing the back of her knuckles reverently.

"What other things? Walking perhaps?"

Smiling at her playful teasing Walter nodded. "And perhaps a little…" He broke off leaning in and kissing her gently, surprised when instead of pushing him away Flora wound her hands round his neck and returned his kiss passionately.

Unable to restrain himself Walter pressed her back against the nearby wall his hands moving of their own volition up her sides and along her arms heading for a previously unexplored territory. However hearing the warning footsteps of approaching servants the pair breathlessly pulled apart and continued their hurried descent hopeful that their little interlude had escaped unnoticed. Yet taking one glance at Flora's flushed face and kiss swollen lips Walter concluded it wouldn't take a genius to figure it out, he could only wonder about his own appearance and what Flora's fingers had done to his already unmanageable hair.

Fortunately for the pair their arrival was barely noted by the other senior staff present, the few assembled lady's maids ruled over by the austere Mrs Diggins were far more distracted by the new arrival and it was obvious to even the love drunk Butler they were not friendly glances. One look at lady Caroline's new companion and the reason became obvious, she had glorious chestnut hair which was piled rather showily about a very pretty face that was showcasing a somewhat knowing smile and her dark blue eyes sparkled with hidden mischief. She was the sort of woman men would fall over themselves for and women would detest from the very moment they laid eyes on her.

Glancing across at Flora to see if she had a similar expression of barely concealed loathing Walter was concerned to see instead an expression alarm flicker across her face. For a moment Walter frowned in confusion but then realisation dawned and he realised quite smugly his own pre-occupation with the newcomer's appearance was probably the cause. Smiling reassuringly at her, Walter deliberately reached out and squeezed her hand gently before reaching out to greet the newcomer.

"Welcome to Taplows I am the butler Mr Jarvis…May I present Mrs Ryan the housekeeper and Mrs Diggins, Lady Mary's Lady's maid who has kindly agreed to take you under her wing."

"Gwendolyn Harrows, but my friends call me Gwen." The new companion replied nodding politely at both the ladies in turn but saving her bright smile for the butler alone, and if possible Walter was sure he heard Flora take a sudden panicked breath before muttering her greetings.

"Well shall we go in I am sure you whish to settle into your rooms before you meet the other senior staff and of course Lady Caroline, Mrs Ryan will present you to her before dinner."

"Thank you Mr Jarvis but I would prefer to make sure my horse is settled first."

"Your horse?" Walter spluttered in confusion before spotting the lady's riding mount tethered to the back of the carriage.

"Her ladyship is fond of riding I believe, it seemed prudent to bring him along."

Nodding distractedly the butler replied. "I am sure one of the stable boys will put your horse in a stable."

"No, no I will do that." Gwen retorted somewhat sharply causing the Butler to start at her tone.

"Alright…", Jarvis replied suddenly able to see what the ladies had reacted so instinctively to, she was a beautiful woman but beneath that veneer that was a hardness that he found most unsettling. "But watch out for the Earl, he should be returning from his hunting trip any time now."

Smiling her enigmatic smile again Gwen tittered slightly at the butler's concern before adding teasingly in a manner bordering on flirtatious. "Oh don't you worry about me Mr Jarvis I'll make a point of it!"

- - -

If it were possible the rest of the day passed without major incident, there had been a moment of panic when Lady Mary had momentarily disappeared but fortunately the ever watchful Mrs Diggins had managed to retrieve her babbling charge before she managed to escape the house. With promises that her beloved Algie would be sure to meet her back upstairs the lady's maid had managed to guide her charge back to her room with a minimum of fuss, however from the way she recounted the experience over dinner it sounded as challenging and complicated as the excavation of the Suez. Of course there was one other topic of dinning room gossip, the new Companion who it seems had made a more favourable impression on the Earl than Lady Caroline. They had met in the stables and had immediately become fast friends or so the lower servants gossiped; the senior staff were of course beyond such scandalous speculation but noted with superior foresight to watch Miss Harrows carefully.

After the dessert had been finished the butler decided that now would be an appropriate moment to take Jean-Luc up on his offer. "Mr Delacour, could I possibly see you now? If it is convenient?"

"Indeed you may, Mr Jarvis." Jean-Luc replied jovially rising and following the butler to the door both men glancing back to catch the somewhat puzzled and almost alarmed expression on the housekeeper's face.

Catching her gaze Walter smiled reassuringly before silently mouthing 'ten minutes' waiting until she nodded her agreement before leading Jean-Luc down to his office. Waving the younger man towards a seat Walter crossed the room and unlocked his cupboard pulling out a new bottle of brandy and two glasses he poured them both a generous measure before passing one to his guest.

Taking a deep sip Jean-Luc savoured the strong liquor surprised by the quality. "So, what is it that you want me to look at, Mr Jarvis?" He asked after a moment sensing quite correctly the Butler's desire to be somewhere else or more tellingly with someone else.

Smiling politely the butler reached into his pocket pulling out the small black box. "It belonged to my ex-wife. It's her engagement ring, I think perhaps it's time to sell it on make a clean break..." He muttered more to himself as he fingered the little box nervously before popping it open, his handsome face suddenly turning ashen. "It's….it's gone! The ring….!"

Panicking Walter began to tear the room apart, he had seen it only that morning. Turning to Jean-Luc who was watching the butler with some concern he asked pleadingly. "Can you see it…It had a little note attached which I wrote to my wife, asking her to marry me. Dammit I didn't want to loose that." He added cursing under his breath as the valuer joined in the search.

"Let me check in the corridor." Jean-Luc insisted. Dashing up out of his chair before Walter could protest his only thoughts were of Flora, had she found it, taken it perhaps thinking he had left it for her when in fact it was never intended as such. Perhaps if he found her first he could stop her from making a fool of herself. Fortunately the housekeeper was where they had left as she sat alone finishing her wine in the dining room, and when she saw him she smiled and sat back.

"And what were you two plotting? I'm pleased to see you getting along."

Sighing Jean-Luc did not return the smile but slowly sat down in the chair next to her, taking her by the hand he paused unsure how to break the news that would undoubtedly cause her such distress.

"Jean-Luc what is it? What's the matter? Has Mr Kraus' exquisite food made you ill?"

"Flora, I need to tell you something about the ring you saw. It…it wasn't for you. It didn't belong to you, but Mr Jarvis's late wife."

Shaking her head in disbelief Flora retorted softly. "But the note..."

"It was for her – she had kept it all these years and it seems to me he must have valued that. Flora you have to give it back…"

"But I don't have it!" Flora exclaimed starting from her seat. "I would never have taken something that wasn't given to me Jean-Luc you know me better than that!"

Sighing in relief Jean-Luc nodded but his relief soon turned to concern as Flora's face crumpled and flushed in embarrassment.

"it was a mistake anyone could have made Flora."

"No not anyone!" Flora retorted shaking her head. "You didn't jump to that conclusion did you? You tried to warn me earlier but I wouldn't listen and why because I am a silly – a silly woman who had jumped to conclusions… Why on earth would he want to marry me?" She added her eyes filling up with tears that she forced away sinking back into her seat and gripping her napkin firmly.

"I'm very sorry Flora." Jean-Luc whispered reaching out and catching her hand, which he squeezed comfortingly. Neither noticed the Butler's presence in the doorway until he spoke, clearly irritated by the somewhat cosy scene in front of him.

"What is going on in here?

"Nothing, I just wasn't feeling well, I went to get up to quickly I suppose."

"Really?" Said Jarvis still suspicious. "Then why did Jean-Luc find the need to come dashing from my room to see you the moment I was out the way?" He said stalking into the room, "and why do you look as though the world is about to end?"

For once Flora was lost for words, unable to meet Jarvis's gaze she was still too upset. Seeing an opportunity Jean-Luc jumped in. "It's alright Flora you don't need to cover for my mistake. I was just on the way to your office to help you look when I decided to pop in here and ask Flora if she'd come across the ring that you lost, being housekeeper she may have heard or seen something vital. I could see how important it was to you and I had assumed that since you two seem to discuss everything that you'd told her. However it appears I was a little presumptuous, and I guess it came as a bit of shock and stirred up some bad memories." Jean-Luc stated, staring at Mr Jarvis as if daring him to contradict him… "Are you sure you're alright?" He asked Flora softly.

"Yes, thank you. I am feeling much better now, your right it was just a bit of a shock."

Jean-Luc turned back to Jarvis, "So did you find the ring?"

"No I couldn't find any trace of it or the note anywhere; it wasn't in the office or the hallway I checked."

Anxious to escape as soon as possible Flora brushed past them and headed towards the door, still not giving Jarvis eye contact, "Well if you two gentlemen will excuse me, it's late and I do have to get up early tomorrow."

"Flora?" Jarvis grasped her hand before she could leave.

Sensing he should be miles away Jean-Luc took this as his cue to leave.

"Please, let me go." She whispered, tears threatening.

"Not until you talk to me, Flora, she was my wife surely it's understandable if I want to keep a small memento." Jarvis said softly.

"Yes, it is its fine." She said trying to leave, tears slowly falling.

"Then why are you crying?" He said grasping her chin and turning her face towards him.

"As Mr Kraus would say, Mrs Ryan crying it must be because it's a day in the week with a y in it."

"Flora stop this, it isn't like you."

"Maybe not but believe me this is better than the alternative." She replied warningly

"What is going on? You say you understand about the ring but still you can't look me in eye. Is there something else, what did Jean-Luc tell you?"

"That doesn't matter now, just leave it alone."

Jarvis grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Damn it woman, tell me what's wrong if you don't tell me how am I supposed to do something about it?"

Flora shook her head, "you really don't get it do you? This has nothing to do with the ring, it's to do with you and me and that damn ghost that stands between us."

Aghast Jarvis released her. "That is not a nice thing to say."

"No its not but it's the truth and it's taken having Jean-Luc here to make me realise it."

"I knew he had to come into this somewhere."

"Stop it; stop trying to turn this around. Him being here should have been a godsend to you. You got the chance to meet and facedown the only other ever rival for my affections, to test my feelings for you and guess what you won, I never felt for him a fraction of what I feel for you." She paused for a moment, while the impact of her words sank in.

"I will never have that chance. When we're together I am always going to have this doubt in the back of mind, is he with me because I'm the one he wants or because his first choice was never really an option."

Jarvis paced the room, "are you seriously asking me to choose?"

Flora shook her head and started towards the door, she was not going to have this conversation.

"Don't you dare walk away from me; you're always walking away from me." He said moving to block the door, his eyes locked with hers. "What do you want from me?"

"I don't know…..I don't know." She said turning and walking towards the fireplace, leaning her cheek against the cool marble before sinking to the floor.

Jarvis walked over to her and crouched down beside her, and then softly he asked her again, "What do you want from me Flora? I can't do anything about the past; you have my heart here and now, what more can I give you?"

She looked up at him imploringly, "just hold me… Make the rest of the world go away, let's forget about her and Jean-Luc and everyone at Taplows and just be us, if only for a little while."

Silently he opened his arms and she practically fell into them, burying her head into his shoulder as his arms tightened around her waist pulling her close to him, then placing feather like kisses along the nape of her neck. "Everything is going to be alright, I promise, I promise", he whispered, rocking her slowly in his arms.

- - -

For the first time in years Flora Ryan had overslept. She had awoken with a smile, and a name on her lips, Walter. However one glance at her mantle clock and all thoughts of her beloved were forced from her mind. She had missed breakfast and morning prayers and if she didn't hurry would miss bidding an old friend farewell. After dressing quickly Flora made her way through the corridors down to the entrance hall at one point bumping into a highly amused Andrew Adams who enquired if she had enjoyed her evening. For a moment she had wanted to slap the smug and knowing smirk off of the Scotsman's face but she pushed both it and him aside. She shouldn't let Andrew Adams get to her but he made her skin crawl, every time he looked at her it was always with that leer. She toyed with the idea of telling Walter no that would not be a good idea; Mr Adams would not hesitate to go to the Earl. Then she stopped dead when had that happened, when had he ceased to be Mr Jarvis in her thoughts? Smiling to herself she resumed her walk to the entrance hall. When she arrived Walter was telling Fred and Joseph to load the last of the luggage onto the carriage.

"There you are." Jean-Luc called out to her. "We almost had Mr Jarvis send out a search party."

"Sorry I hope I haven't kept you waiting long." She said walking down the steps to them.

"For you my dear Flora it is a pleasure as always", said Jean-Luc gallantly

"Hmmm" She replied.

"Honestly!" He insisted, taking her hands in his own.

"Well Mrs Ryan, Mr Jarvis I would like to thank you both for your hospitality, you have made our stay here a very comfortable and pleasant one." Mr Stevenson shook Mr Jarvis hand and tipped his hat at Mrs Ryan.

"That my good fellow is a positive understatement, it has been truly wonderful to see you again Flora", leaning in to place a kiss on her cheek. "Mr Jarvis it has been truly enlightening." He said offering his hand; Jarvis paused only for a moment before accepting it. "You take good care of her", he said in a low voice so that only Jarvis could here.

"Don't worry I intend to." Jarvis replied, earning a quizzing look from Flora.

Then Jean-Luc joined Mr Stevenson in the carriage, and Mr Jarvis joined Flora on the steps to wave them goodbye, waiting until the lads had scampered back into the house he grasped her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. Then as the carriage disappeared down the drive he offered her his arm and escorted her back into the house.

- - -