The smoke filled the building, and Mr Jarvis could hear people calling out for help but there was one voice in particular he was searching for, but he couldn't find her. She was calling his name but he couldn't find her, she was just so faint and far away and he kept running wildly in the direction of her voice, but every time he drew closer the smoke and flames would get so thick he had to try and find another way. Finally he caught sight of her trapped on the grand stairway unable to get down, trapped by the flames and clinging to the banister. Running along the balcony he reached out to pull her safety just as the stairwell collapsed under her and she plummeted into the dark.

Shaken Jarvis sat up in bed still immersed in the remnants of his dream, raising a trembling hand he wiped his brow, his hair sleeked to his head with sweat and his damp nightshirt clung to him. It was just a dream Flora's fine, she's fine, he repeated to himself as a sort of mantra. Getting out of bed and pulling on his dressing gown he wandered out his room and down the corridor to the bathroom. Once there he tipped a jug of cold water over his head and sat down on the cold stone floor his back against the tiled wall. It wasn't long before he had drifted off, but once more it was uneasy sleep the nightmare of flora falling still haunted him. About an hour later he awoke once more, and dozily he got to his feet and made his way back down the corridor passing his own door and making his way to Flora's old room, intending in his sleepy state to just check she was alright. Opening the door he saw her outline resting peacefully under the covers and instinctively made his way over to crawl in beside her, falling asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

The next morning Flora woke early unable to contain her excitement at the prospect of seeing Walter again, she was washed and dressed and ready to go by six. Fortunately her coachmen were as eager as her to revisit Taplows and by six thirty they were pulling into the courtyard. Whilst she left them with Johnny unloading her things she darted upstairs determined to wake up Walter and maybe sneak a couple of hours of blessed privacy before breakfast. She didn't knock on his door, but opened it silently and slipped inside, the curtains were still closed and so she tiptoed over to the bed before pouncing on it. But it was empty, where was he? Walking over to the curtains she flung them open, he wasn't in here but where else could he be his suit and shoes were still here and where would he go in only his nightshirt and dressing gown?

Stalking out of his room she went downstairs to look in his office, but on her way she passed through the servants' hall and bumped literally into Mr Adams who was staggering around holding a hand up to shield his eyes from the light, which were a little sensitive probably in some part due to the half a bottle of whiskey he managed to consume last night. He had hoped to find something for his hangover before anyone else was up and he was more than a little surprised to see Mrs Ryan.

"Mr Adams? What are you doing?"

"Mrs Ryan, I could ask you the same thing."

"I just got back from London, my work there is finished." She said turning from him intent on continuing to Walter's office.

"Ahhh, and here was silly me thinking you'd just popped back for a quick roll in the hay." He said snickering under his breath.

Flora turned back her face like thunder, " You just watch your step Mr Adams, you may think that you can say whatever you like to me but I warn you I'm more of a threat to you than Mr Jarvis."

Adams raised his eyebrow in disbelief and over exaggeratedly mimed trembling in fear.

Flora took a step towards him her face set and her eyes as hard and cold as flint, "oh believe me I am, you see despite the fact that he despises you he's basically a good man and no matter how you treat him he'll do anything in his power to save you. I on the other hand, I'd have let you jump." With that parting shot she swept past him.

Adams stood for a moment unable to speak but then he shouted after her, "If your looking for Mr Jarvis I always find checking the housekeepers boudoir a good choice!"

Meanwhile upstairs Jarvis rolled over his arm snaking round what he thought to be Flora's waist. Mrs Stanwick woke suddenly and turning over she was pleasantly surprised to see Mr Jarvis pulling her towards him. Smiling to herself reassured that her charms must not be waning she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a passionate kiss. It took a few minutes for Walter to wake from his dream, and few moments more for his brain to remember that Flora was still in London, wasn't she. Opening his eyes he saw Cat and not Flora and then he panicked, grabbing her arms he unwrapped them from around his neck and pushed her away.

Then he said to a stunned and somewhat disgruntled Cat as he seized his dressing gown and backed toward the door, "I'm sorry I made a mistake I thought you were somebody else."

Flora froze at Mr Adams words, no it couldn't be true, Walter would never do something like that to her, but even so the seed of doubt had been sewn. Would it be so wrong just to check? Turning on her heel she marched straight past a smirking Adams and up the backstairs up to Mrs Stanwick's room. Reaching the door she grasped the handle just as Walter pulled it open. For a moment both were frozen their eyes locked on each other, Flora was first to look away tears springing to her eyes.

"Flora please I can explain…." Jarvis began.

Slap, her hand darted out and caught him across the right cheek, "how could you, how could you?" She cried and with that she turned and picking up her skirts ran away down the corridor as if her life depended on it.

As she went she heard Walter start to follow her, but she was already far in front of him and she dashed back through the kitchen and outside. Her eyes blinded with tears she ducked around the back of the scullery, pausing for breath she heard Walter enter the courtyard calling out to her. She waited until he had gone back inside before staggering off to the gazebo tears following freely down her face. Once there she sat down on the floor and curled up into a ball, how could he does this to her? Did she mean nothing to him other than as Mr Adams so crudely put it 'a roll in the hay' and so in her absence he had simply moved on to the next willing female? How could she face him, all of them; all knowing the truth and they'd probably been laughing about her behind her back, poor stupid Mrs Ryan. Surely if she asked Felix he'd tell her the truth? Unless he was in on this cruel excuse for a joke as well, determined to find out she stood up and collecting herself made her way to the kitchen where she knew Chef would already be preparing breakfast.

Around the breakfast table, Mrs Diggins, Jarvis and Mrs Stanwick are sat, not speaking but instead huffing and sighing as an uneasy atmosphere descends in the room. They aren't even attempting to eat, but not for lack of hunger, but because breakfast has yet to arrive, and it is now becoming late. Extremely late, in fact. The clock is ticking noisily on the wall, and every second seems like a lifetime. All Jarvis wants to do was attempt to eat a piece of toast then leave as quickly as possible away from Mrs Stanwick, and to find Flora who for reasons only known to him and the temporary housekeeper had not appeared at the breakfast table. Rather, he had PRESUMED the reason for her absence was the events of this morning. Little known to him, Flora had had every intention on coming to breakfast, to try to show the world she could live with his apparent betrayal, but the little matter of a missing chef in the kitchen and panicking kitchen maids had preoccupied her mind momentarily.

Flora To Lizzie, pacing round the kitchen: Where's Mr Kraus, do you know?

Lizzie: We all think he must be still in his room. He was a bit funny yesterday, Mrs Ryan, a bit, you know, quiet? We were all worried, he was muttering something about a letter but he seemed so distracted we thought it best not to ask him about it. Then what with Gwen leaving suddenly and causing the Earl upset he vanished into his room and didn't come out.

Flora almost furiously: Gwen left? Even more reason why the Earl needs to eat, so you had better get to work without Mr Kraus, and make sure the upper servants' table gets to see some food on it before lunch time!

Flora, shaking her head, quickly exits the kitchen having resolved to hunt out Felix, leaving the kitchen staff exchanging worried glances. Pausing in the hallway, her cheeks flushed, she leans against the wall as the events of the past minutes catch up with her. Face in her hands, she breathes deeply, trying to understand how everything seemed to be going wrong again between her and Jarvis when she had just wanted to surprise him, hold him in her arms and tell him just how much she missed him. She can't face the prospect of being estranged from him again, not after everything they had come through in the last few months. But this seemed worse somehow; worse even than when she found out about his wife. It hasn't even occurred to her to wonder why Gwen had left so suddenly, her mind was spinning with the thought of Walter with that woman, that hussy! The sadness once again turned to rage as she concludes that the only answer could be that she must have seduced him. She reminds herself that men are weak creatures with no reason to them, and because of this they often fall prey to women like Mrs Stanwick

Oh, she thought, who was she kidding? He must have known what he was doing, what the woman was up to…..or maybe he himself instigated it? He was, after all, in HER room. She had to know, but at the same time felt a fool and thought knowing might just make things worse. Resisting the fresh wave of tears that she could feel building, she hurries off to deal with the matter in hand and find Kraus, although if he needed comfort then she thought she was hardly the person to offer advice in her current state. She reached Kraus' bedroom door, hesitating momentarily

Flora knocking on the door: Mr Kraus, are you in there?

There is a moment of silence, and she is just about to tap louder when she hears his voice

Kraus: Is that you Mrs Ryan? I don't want to speak to anyone, I'm sorry.

Flora: So are you just going to stay in there all day? What about your duties? You can't leave those girls in the kitchen on their own, and you know how the Earl will only have you poach his eggs at lunch time.

More silence, but then she can just about make out some shuffling by the door as it is pulled slowly ajar, Kraus peering out. Flora squints at him, only his left eye and unkempt locks of hair visible

Kraus: Why are you back so early?

Flora raising her eyebrows: Well, what sort of welcome home is that?

Kraus pulling the door open, still in his nightshirt, and managing a half smile: Forgive my manners, Mrs Ryan, do come in.

Flora obviously shocked: I hardly think it appropriate, Mr Kraus!

She then sees in her horror from beyond the door the full sorry state in which he is in. His room is messier than Mr Adams' ever manages to get, clothes strewn about the place, empty candle holders covered in wax littering the window ledge and his bedside table, drawers open with socks hanging out, books written in 'foreign' open on the floor with dog-eared pages. The list was endless. Flora managed to tear her eyes away, staring in shock at Kraus but trying not to let it show. He opens the door wider, ushering her in, to which she reluctantly and timidly obliges. Shutting the door behind her, he sweeps some shirts off a chair and offers to her to sit down

Flora sitting slowly down: Are you ill, Mr Kraus?

Kraus sighing, hesitating before speaking: I received….some bad news in the post yesterday.

Flora looking concerned: Oh nothing to serious, I hope.

Kraus sadness in his eyes: Yes it was very serious, Mrs Ryan. A former…gentleman friend has passed away

Flora thinking his choice of words to describe a friend of his as 'gentleman friend' strange, but he could of course be getting his words mixed up: Oh dear, I am sorry. Were you close?

Kraus looking into her eyes: Yes, very, very close. We learned to cook together, and would visit each other's houses for meals to test out our newly learnt recipes. I was the first to taste his crème anglaise, Mrs Ryan, do you know how special that was for both of us!

He begins to sob loudly, crumpling up the letter and hanging his head. Flora, unused to such a public display of emotion from a man, put it down to continental behaviour and had no choice but to cradle him in her arms, patting his head soothingly

Flora: Shhh, now, he's gone to a better place.

But as she comforted him, Jarvis appeared in the doorway looking very stern. He quickly surveyed the chaos in the room, and Mrs Ryan with Kraus' head resting on her chest, tears streaming down his face

Jarvis in most unsympathetic tone, ignoring Flora: Mr Kraus, I do not appreciate being kept waiting in the morning for breakfast, I am far too busy to be sitting there for hours on end while you hide away in here.

Kraus didn't seem to have heard, he just sat and snivelled, his night shirt creased and stained with tears

Flora To Jarvis angry at the intrusion, especially from him: Can't you see the man's upset? He's just lost a friend, or do you just not care about anyone else's feelings but your own!

Jarvis ignoring her comments: Mr Kraus, when you feel you are able to return to your duties please do, the kitchen is becoming an unruly mess, not unlike this room of yours.

With one last disapproving glance, he marches away as Flora glares after him. Kraus is drying his eyes with a sock, looking at her in confusion through his blurred vision and puffy, red eyes

Kraus sniffing: Is there a problem between you two again, Mrs Ryan? And you have only just got back!

Normally, Flora would just tell Felix that everything was fine; that it would sort itself out like it usually does and that their argument, as often was, was of no consequence, especially under these circumstances, with him being so upset over his friend. But she like him needed a shoulder to cry on, and she wasn't going to find it with anyone else at Taplows. She sank onto the bed next to him, her expression wracked with emotion

Flora raising a smile as she wipes away the tears: Your crying must be infectious, Felix.

Kraus taking her hand: Flora, you know you can tell me. What has he done now? Not another wife I hope?

Flora staring down at her knees: I…I came back early to surprise him, and…this morning I saw him coming out of Mrs Stanwick's room in his nightshirt.

Kraus anger rising, flicking his hair back: The hussy! Ooh, she's such a madam that one! But I cannot believe it of Mr Jarvis, Flora! Are you sure?

Flora blubbing again: I was so sure I slapped him.

Kraus rising to his feet, a look of resolve on his face: Give me a few minutes to dress, Mrs Ryan, if you will!

Flora quickly rose, puzzled by this sudden change in him. She nods obligingly, not wanting to question a man who felt the urge to dress himself mid-morning, and leaves the room. The next item on her list – getting her own room back. Storming towards her own quarters, she bursts through the door to find it unoccupied by Mrs Stanwick. Determination gets the better of her, and she begins to pull out Mrs Stanwick's clothes from her drawers and starts piling them into the middle of the floor. She was too tired and too furious to cry now, she just wanted her out of her room and out of Taplows. She looks in disgust at the bed, her cheeks flushed and a steely look of hate in her eyes, and in a fit of maddened outrage tears the sheets off the bed and spreads them across the floor. In her all-consumed rage she fails to see Mrs Stanwick heading towards her, but took notice when she grabbed her wrist to stop her from ripping up a pillow

Mrs S: What on God's green earth are you doing!

But before Flora can respond she sees Kraus, now fully dressed, storming past the doorway. Shaking Mrs Stanwick's grip, she lifts her skirts and kicks past the clothes so to run after him

Flora calling down the corridor: Felix, just leave it! Don't go and……

Too late, Kraus had disappeared out of sight on his way to the servants hall where he hoped to find Jarvis. He was in luck. Jarvis had just finished shouting at poor Johnny for encouraging foxes by not disposing of the household waste correctly when Kraus came up to him

Kraus: Mr Jarvis, a word please!

Jarvis, realising that this could be about a number of things, takes him to his office, both men with faces like thunder. Kraus firmly shuts the door behind him, neither men realising that Flora has sneaked up behind them and is now listening carefully at the door.

Jarvis walking round to stand behind his desk: Mr Kraus, I am sorry for the way I spoke to you, and I'm sorry for your loss.

Kraus: Thank you, Mr Jarvis, but that is not why I am here. Mrs Ryan is most upset by your treatment of her……

Jarvis moving from behind his desk towards the window: I am sorry that she feels that I have mistreated her. I tried to explain exactly what happened but she wouldn't listen!

Kraus: It seems that coming out of Mrs Stanwick's bedroom in your nightshirt does all the explaining itself!

Jarvis becoming increasingly angry by Kraus' intolerable manner: MR KRAUS! I do not see how this is any of your business, and I don't need any lectures from you! I…somehow accidently got into the same bed as Mrs Stanwick. He lowers his voice I had had a bad dream and became disorientated, and I thought I was getting into bed with Flora. I was wrong, of course, but before I could correct my mistake Flora was back at Taplows. Jarvis sinks into his chair, burying his face in hands and sighing sharply Oh, Felix, what a God-awful mess. What have I done? She'll never trust me again.

Kraus: I'm not sure how convincing your story is, Mr Jarvis. You used to appear so indifferent to her and now it seems you love her dearly. Men can be so confusing!

Jarvis frowning, puzzled by his comment: What?

Kraus gulping and quickly changing the subject: If you love her as much as you say you do, then speak to her!

Jarvis despondently: I've tried, she won't listen.

Kraus: Then keep trying! If you give up then you're a fool. he turns to leave, a sudden look of pity on his face as he sees how distraught Jarvis is Love is a beautiful thing if you can find it, Walter. Looks like you've found it, so hold onto it with everything you've got. Life's to short to loose the people we love.

Kraus feels tears welling in his eyes again, so with a turn of the head reaches to open the door, Flora scurrying away before he pulls the handle

Back in her room, Mrs Stanwick was furiously throwing her clothes back into the drawers, muttering most unladylike comments under her breath. She is completely done with Taplows, desperate to leave but feels she can't be seen to be weak and forced out by certain members of staff before the Earl has even said a word to her about wishing her departure. 'Everyone here is so vulgar' she had written to her brother after Adams' attack 'I cannot make head nor tail of their cold natures and they seem to be determined to ruin my sense of fun. I feel like a complete outsider, encroaching on their cosy little world. Well, my dear brother, I am most certainly not going to be forced out without a fight, or at least without leaving my mark on this wretched place!' She pondered her last comment. Well, if that Flora wanted a bit of competition then she could have it! Turning round, her best frock crumpled under her arm, she sees Mrs Ryan standing sheepishly in the doorway, looking almost reluctant to be there. She raises her eyebrows and jumps a little over-dramatically at the intrusion

Flora looking everywhere but at Mrs Stanwick, not wanting to make eye contact: Mrs Stanwick, I think I may...may have been a little hasty in my assumption this morning.

Mrs S an evil glint in her eye as she feigns a puzzled expression: Oh, and what assumption was that?

Flora realising she wasn't going to make it easy for her: That...that maybe you and Mr Jarvis had been...together last night.

Mrs S turns her back on Flora to find a hangar for her dress, but as she does so a wicked smile spreads across her face. Changing her expression back to one of indifference, she turns back to Flora, who is still shuffling in the doorway

Mrs S laughing: Oh, I'm sorry, you mean Walter? We've been on first name terms for a long time now, I had almost forgotten that the silly Earl calls him that, and barely notice when the staff use it.

Flora is now desperately holding onto her patience, trying not to fall for her twisted words again. She feels attempting to apologise one more time to the jumped-up little madam is about as much as she can stomach

Flora a little more sternly: As I say, Mrs Stanwick, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions.

Mrs S looking at her in an almost pitying fashion as she crosses over to her, invading Flora's personal space a little too much: My dear, you didn't jump to anything. You were right. I can see why you shared his bed for so long, although he was a little distracted, muttering something about feeling guilty towards you? I naturally assumed he had finished with you.

Flora desperately trying to keep the tears back, a feeling of dread and sickness rising in her stomach: B...but I heard him tell Mr Kraus it had all been a terrible mistake, he thought you were me?

Mrs S: He may well have thought I was you, at first. When he realised it was me he hardly seemed too devastated, although his passing thought to you is really rather sweet. By the way, you don't mind me being around here a little while longer, do you? In case you're unaware the Earl is having ball for his birthday tomorrow night so I thought Walt...oh sorry, Mr Jarvis, could use another pair of hands - so to speak!

Flora unable to contain her fury, her face reddening and wanting dreadfully not to believe her: You're lying! He made a mistake, you two didn't do anything!

Mrs S Remaining calm and calculated: When he used to kiss you passionately, did he always brush your face with the back of his hand and run his fingers through your hair?

Flora, gulping hard and breathing heavily, realises she might be telling the truth. How did she know about that, or was it just a lucky guess? Had she seen them together at some point! Surely not. Her mind is in overdrive, thinking it over and over in her head, trying not to picture Walter being as tender with the dreaded Cat as he was with her. She blinks, trying to focus her mind as she realises Mrs Stanwick is still talking

Mrs S returning casually to making the bed: He told me that I make him feel like a real man, but it does seem that I am more experienced than you so it's not your fault, dear. Something to do with me bringing out the animal in him? You should be grateful, Flora my dear, that he wasn't as physically forthright with you as he was with me - may have damaged your delicate frame!

Flora the tears flowing freely for approximately the third time that morning: No! You're wrong! You're lying, you're just a cheap floozy who should be working in a place of ill repute in town, and not in a respectable position of authority! He would never do anything with you, he loves me!

She is now backing out of the door, her whole body shaking in shock and fury as she points accusingly at her rival. Mrs S, highly amused by the situation, barely shows any acknowledgement of Flora's distress

Mrs S sighing and placing her hands on her hips: You go ahead and believe what you want, dear, and yes he may very well deny our night of pure pleasure just so he can keep his job, but believe you me, I can't really see him ever wanting to have you again. As Mr Kraus would say, why have too much of a bland starter when you can have a rich, fruity pudding at the end?

Devastated and not knowing who to believe, Flora is unable to say another word, too consumed with upset and humiliation. She turns, walking swiftly away, resisting the urge to run all the way to the end of the estate and never come back.

Mrs Stanwicks' words still ringing in her ears Flora stalked down the hallway paying no attention to people in her way or to where she was heading she just needed to keep going. As she flew past his office Mr Jarvis looked up and seeing her distress followed her fleeing form down the corridor and out the side door.

"Flora wait please, we need to talk!" He called out to her.

Mrs Ryan breaking out of her trance glanced back over shoulder but kept walking, "No you stay away from me."

Mr Jarvis managed to catch up with her as she reached the Orangery, and after roughly grabbing her arm he practically forced her through the door, shutting it behind and standing guard over it. Unable to escape Flora paced the room, keeping as far from him as possible.

"Flora please you have to listen to me…."

"Why so you can tell me the same pack of lies you fed to Felix?"

"That was the truth, I thought it was you."

"Really and how many other times have you thought it was me?"

"What?"

"Well you don't really expect me to believe that this is a one off. Tell me Walter how many others have their been? And were you thinking of me those times to? Or maybe I was just like the others, just another notch on your bed post!"

Jarvis strode across the room his face like thunder and taking her by the shoulders he shook her. "I love you, nobody but you, I haven't been with anyone else since you and I never want to, you have to believe me."

"Why should I believe you? After all its hardly surprising any man would prefer to romp with someone as well practiced as Mrs Stanwick appears to be rather than someone as inexperienced and cold as apparently I am."

"What are you talking about? I never said anything of the sort."

"Well maybe its time you had a little conference with your other bed partner, it might help things if you both managed to get your stories straight but don't worry I wouldn't want to put you through the horror of having to bed me again, now I know what a disappointment I must have been." She said sarcastically, breaking free from his grip and stalking towards the door, but before she could leave he had turned her round and pushed her back against the door.

For a moment he paused staring into her eyes, but she wasn't frightened simply furious was more like it, before capturing her mouth and kissing her hungrily. At first she fought him but finally passion overcame her and she wound her arms round his neck pulling him firmly against her. Pausing for a moment to draw breath he whispered in her ear, "now tell me did that feel like disappointment or disinterestedness to you?" Not waiting for an answer he nuzzled down her neck pulling at the fastenings of her dress, intending to show her just how much he wanted her and no one else. Flora her notions of doubt swept away began to push off his jacket and loosen his collar as he unlaced her, but suddenly she spotted something that made her freeze and her desire evaporate; there on his neck was a love bite. Desperately she pushed him away from her with all her strength. Jarvis who had not been expecting such resistance fell backwards and landed hard on the floor. "What the hell's the matter now?"

Flora the tears flowing once more down her face was quickly fixing her clothing, and with a last disgusted glance at him opened the door "I suggest if your planning on lying to me you shouldn't leave such clear clues, that Mrs Stanwick must be quite the animal if she marks you like that." As she said it Jarvis's hand flew to his exposed neck, damn he forgotten about that and now Flora would never believe nothing had happened.

In the kitchen, Kraus is cursing as billows of black smoke come streaming out of his range, having failed to concentrate on cooking his second failed soufflé in the space of a week.

Kraus to himself: Oh you stupid, stupid man! Stop being so useless and get over yourself, Felix!

Just as he manages to pull out the ruined dish, practically throwing the charred remains onto the kitchen table, Mrs Ryan runs into the kitchen, surprised to be able to see very little in front of her and failing completely to see Kraus through the smoke

Flora her voice breaking with emotion: Felix? Are you there!

Kraus appearing in front of her, waving away the smoke in dramatic fashion and coughing: Mrs Ryan, how are you feeling?

Flora throwing her arms around Kraus and hugging him tight, the tears flowing: Oh Felix, it's so awful! He lied to you – it was all lies!

Kraus returns the hug, then carefully lowers her into a chair so he can throw open the windows and let some fresh air in. As Lizzie and a couple of her fellow kitchen maids dash into the kitchen to see what all the smoke and fuss is about, Kraus swiftly hurries them back out again as they stare at Mrs Ryan, who is trying to hide her face away from their gasping expressions. Shutting the door after them, he pulls up a chair, taking Flora by the hand.

Kraus shaking his head: I cannot believe he would lie to me – to you, Flora. Mrs Stanwick, she is a reckless woman out to upset everyone. Who should you believe more, eh? Walter or her?

Flora in high-pitched voice, pathetically sobbing into a drenched handkerchief: I don't know, Felix. I really don't believe either of them.

Kraus pulls out his own clean handkerchief and swaps it with hers. She blows her nose, leaning on the table and resting her head on her hand.

Kraus: This is a very sorry state of affairs, Flora. It affects all the staff when you two argue, it isn't good for morale. The lower servants don't even sing My Auntie Nelly nearly as much as they used to.

This manages to raise a smile in Flora. Kraus, patting her hand, offers her one of the Earl's special scones

Kraus: You must be starving, have one of these and I will make you a Kraus Surprise. I think that Walter, for all his faults, is telling the truth, Flora. I think you both need to cool off for a while, but I am sure you will both make up, and Felix Kraus is never wrong! Well, not often.

Flora nibbling at the scone, feeling a little better now she has had time to calm down and reflect: I am so sorry about your friend, Felix. I feel terrible for burdening you with this when you are so sad.

Kraus shrugging, hiding his devastation as he begins to whisk some eggs: No matter, Mrs Ryan. It was a long time ago, and I doubt I would have seen him again anyway. You are far more important.

Before she can reply, Adams flings open the door and strides purposely into the kitchen

Adams: Reporting for duty, sir.

Kraus confused, waving dismissively at Adams: I do not require you today, Mr Adams.

Adams: Mr Jarvis says I have to help you prepare for the ball tomorrow night. I'm still paying for my sins, unfortunately.

Mrs Ryan standing and putting down the scone: Well, I think you'll be working in here the rest of your life, then, Mr Adams.

"Eggs I need more eggs where is that stupid boy? I'll be back in a moment Mrs Ryan and as for you Mr Adams you can get started on peeling those potatoes." Felix called out to them as he stalked out the door in search of Johnny.

Adam scowled at her, her comments from earlier this morning still rang his head, but then he notices her eyes are red from crying and he realisation hits. So that's who those silly kitchen maids were gossiping about, her and Jarvis must have had another fight, so now it was time for a little payback and Andrew Adams smiled. He walked round the table his eyes locked on hers daring her to look away first, a somewhat disturbing grin on his face. He stopped too close for her for Flora's liking and so she attempted to step back to give herself more space but he seized her elbow and leant forward so as to almost whisper in her ear.

"Well if we're comparing sins, I'll show you mine if you show me yours?" He replied his inane grin replaced with a leer.

Wresting her elbow from his grip, "don't you dare speak to me like that…. I'll…."

"You'll what run and tell Mr Jarvis? I could have sworn you weren't talking to him, so who else can you tell, the Earl, somehow I don't think that would be a good idea considering what I know about your night time activities. So you tell me who does that leave? Felix, don't make me laugh what's he going to do batter me to death with a fresh salmon?"

Flora not prepared to listen to any more tried to walk past him, but he side stepped blocking her way, determined to escape she pushed past him, and Adams seized the opportunity for a quick grope. Outraged at his actions she punched him in the stomach, and he let her go wincing yet his leer remained, whilst she backed away towards the door.

"My My never thought you'd be into the rough stuff! I bet you're a right handful, far too much for little old Jarvis I bet!" Flora paused her hand on the door handle, her face was now red with anger and she was so affronted as to be unable to think of a suitable retort. Before she could gather her wits and put him firmly in his place, he spoke once more.

"You know I never did find out who it was who tied me to my bed. I never even considered you but whatever turns you on, if you like I'd be delighted to return the favour and give you a regular seeing to." Flora turned round in shock, he couldn't be serious, were there no limits to this man's depravity?

However all of a sudden Felix was back carrying the fresh eggs in a pail, and it was just too tempting, Flora reached out and grasping two hurled them at the under-butler determined to wipe that arrogant grin off of his face. Adams just stood there in shock, his alcohol-numbed reflexes meant he did not react in time; one egg struck him on the side of the head the other splattered on his shoulder. Wiping the yolk from his eye Adams reached out and grasped the nearest thing to hand; the chef's failed charcoaled soufflé and advanced on Mrs Ryan. Fortunately for Flora, Felix leaped to her defence in time and so instead it splattered across his chest. Annoyed at having missed his target Mr Adams searched for something else to throw, he spied a beautiful lemon meringue pie sitting innocently on the sideboard and picked it up. Turning around intent on lobbing it, instead he was met by a barrage of eggs Flora and Felix having teamed up against him.

Partially blinded by the egg yolk in his eyes and determined not to be outdone Adams threw the meringue wildly, and heard someone gasp in horror as it splattered all over them. Smiling to himself that he must have hit someone, Felix or Flora he really didn't care he grabbed his handkerchief and wiped the remaining egg off of his face so he could see properly. His grin soon disappeared when he saw who he had hit, Mr Jarvis!

The butler just stood there amazed, having just come into the kitchen to ask Felix about food for the ball, he was not expecting several pounds of lemon meringue to come hurtling in his direction. He raised a hand and smeared it off of his face, looking around the room for the culprit. He was not surprised to see both Felix and Mr Adams standing at opposite sides of the room both covered in debris, but he was surprised to see Flora crouching down behind the table with an egg in her hand frozen mid hurl.

Then in a dangerously quiet voice he asked. "Would one of you care to explain how all three of my most senior staff are standing in the Earl's kitchen engaged in something so silly and childish as a food fight?" However none of them spoke as they were all preoccupied watching the cream from the top of the meringue make its way down from the top of his head, down the side of his face and then the agonising wait before it finally dropped down onto is front lapel. " I asked you all a question?"

"It was Mrs Ryan sir, she started it!"

Jarvis started to laugh, "A likely story Mr Adams, somehow I suspect that real culprit is you, it nearly always is."

Adams started to "But…But", but judging from the look on Jarvis's face there was no way he'd believe him, frustrated by this he stamped his feet and sending death glares to both Flora and Felix who were looking at him smugly he stormed past Jarvis and out of the kitchen.

Jarvis turned to both address both Felix and Flora but she had turned her back on him intent on cleaning up the mess and even Felix seemed to be avoiding his eye, preferring to help Mrs Ryan. Typical thought Jarvis of course he's taking her side in this, and with a last look at the pair he also stormed off needing to wash and change before seeing the Earl.

Cut to the lower servants dining room, where lunch is running late due to the appalling state in which the kitchen was left, coupled with the fact that the eggs Charlotte intended to use to prepare for the mid-day meal had been most oddly utilised. They had been the main form of ammunition in the senior staff food riot, news of which by now had spread like wildfire. As they gathered around the table to dine, minus Mr Adams who was still trying to pick the fragments of egg shell out of his eye, this was the sole topic of conversation, as there were still a few members of staff blissfully unaware of the mornings obscure antics.

"NO!" exclaimed Will, his eyes widening and jaw dropping after being filled in on events. "Your kidding me, jeez, why is it always on my bloody morning off that something explosive happens round here!"

"And what, you actually saw this?" Susan (who had been sent into town to get some fabric for Lady Caroline's new - celebratory - dress) gasped in disbelief.

"Well not exactly" Charlotte began giving her account "I was on my way to start buttering the bread, and first of all I saw Mr Adams storming out of the kitchen covered in raw egg, he was followed by Mr Jarvis who was wearing what looked like a meringue on his head-"

"Was it lemon or blackberry!" Will said trying to be funny.

"I don't think it really matters - do you?" asked an unimpressed Grace

"Course it does, if it was lemon, its a damned waste!" Will asserted

Paying no attention to the last pathetic remark from the first footman, Charlotte continued "and then, when I thought the coast was clear, I walked into the kitchen, expecting it to be in some form of disarray - but that wasn't the half of it-"

"She only bloody saw Mrs Ryan and Mr. Kraus giggling away, him covered in soufflé!" Fred butted in

"Hey, whose telling this, who was there?" Charlotte scowled

"Mr Kraus and Mrs Ryan eh? What's going on there then?" Fred continued undeterred

"Yeah, Lizzie said she saw them hugging this morning" added Joe

"Ooooh!" Susan cooed in a suggestive manner

Lizzie, Grace and George looked at each other, aware that their companions did not share the same view on Mr Kraus that they did, though all three thought better of the idea, deciding it wasn't wise to open that can of worms.

"Oh don't be so silly, you know she doesn't have eyes for anyone but Mr Jarvis" Grace contended the accusation defensively on Mrs Rs behalf.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't say the same for him though" said Johnny

Simultaneously, somewhat in a state of shock, all diners turned to look at the normally shy and retiring footman. "Why dya say that mate, do you know something we don't?" enquired George

"No, its just, well, they've obviously argued about something again" Johnny reasoned.

"True, they've been on edge all morning" pondered Grace

"On edge! On heat more like, its probably coz they haven't-" Will joked, but Grace cut him dead.

"Do you always have to think like that, couldn't there possibly be any other explanation for it in your perverted mind?" she said angrily.

Will, seeing the look of disgust on Grace's face and the disapproval of those around the table, mainly from the female side, realised maybe he'd overstepped the mark on this occasion and fell silent.

"Well there must be some reason for it" said George, trying to bridge the gap by showing his concern.

"You don't think ... no". Lizzie stopped before she'd even started

"What is it Lizzie" asked Joe

"No, he wouldn't, he doesn't have it in him" she thought out loud

"Who doesn't have what in him" questioned George wanting to get to the bottom of it.

Nervously Lizzie continued. "Well, you know before she , um (correcting her self) Mrs Ryan went to London, I noticed she had a few marks on her neck..."

"Oh, well we all know what they were!" cried Fred dismissively

"No, they were more like bruises" she reflected

"You really need to get out a little more girl!" said Fred, reiterating his argument.

"No, not those kind of bruises, they kind of looked like finger marks"

"What are you saying" said Susan with a look of horror on her face! You don't think he's ... well do you?"

"Well he better bloody not have" piped up Will, who before Grace could set him down again, carried on "If he has I'll..." realising that his emotions had got the better of him

"You'll what?" scoffed Fred "You'll go and tell him a few things?" he said, complete with and expression of exaggerated sarcasm on his face.

"Fred's right mate, like what could you do if he had?" added George, trying to cool the situation, as Will was clearly getting irate.

"Yeah, I'd go and tell him a few things, no one should be able to get away with that, no one" he fumed

Lizzie, seeing his distress, trying to help George calm him down, said quietly "Are you alright Will"

He turned to reply to her, as he could see she was genuinely concerned, but as he did so, he noticed everyone on the table was hanging off his every word, waiting to see what he'd do next. Sod this, I'm not putting on a show for them, he thought as he got up, without answering Lizzie and stormed out.

"Will!" Lizzie shouted after him.

"Just leave it eh Liz, he'll calm down sooner or later" George tried to reassure her. But Lizzie wasn't convinced, he'd got up and left his food - his food, which was just not Will. As the general conversation diverged into a number of one to one chats, Lizzie remained largely silent, staring at Will's half eaten lunch, still wondering why Will had reacted so seriously to what she had suggested. One thing she was sure of, was that she would make it her endeavour to find out.

The day of the Earls birthday dawned and the staff were up earlier than usual in order to carry out preparations for that evening's ball. Kraus was in his kitchen shouting orders like a sergeant major drilling his troops, the footmen where busy moving furniture and polishing the ballroom floor and the rest of the senior staff were busy overseeing staff and coordinating the deliveries. It wasn't until late afternoon that they managed to meet for a quick staff meeting to run through the programme for the evening all except Chef who was far too busy with as he put it "actual work" to attend.

Mr Adams was the last to arrive and as he sidled into the room this earned him a scathing glance from Jarvis but Adams just smiled in return, the image of Jarvis covered in lemon meringue was not an easy one to dismiss. Glancing round the room he noticed that the two resident housekeepers were sitting as far apart as possible and that Mrs Ryan was doing her best to ignore the little glances Jarvis kept sending her preferring to glance at her checklist or gaze out of the window.

Jarvis cleared his throat "Now that we are all finally here! Lets begin. As you all know the guests are expected any time between six and seven, Will and George and Mr Adams will be on carriage duty, Frederick and Joseph will be on hand to relieve them of the Earls presents and will continue to look after them for the remainder of the evening. Drinks will be served between six and seven thirty at which time I will announce the start of the ball, the late supper will be served at ten o'clock precisely. Now are there any problems that I should be aware of that will impact on this timetable? Mr Adams?"

Mr Adams shook his head, "No Sir." At this Jarvis raised an eyebrow, typical even when I do my job properly he doesn't believe me, Andrew thought. Then Jarvis asked Mrs Stanwick who positively gushed in reply, "No nothing that you need to worry about Mr Jarvis, you know me always on top of everything!" She said with sly smile. Andrew watched Mrs Ryan reaction to this, for once he had to give her some credit not even a flicker of annoyance had passed over her face, this must be serious he thought and he had resist the urge to rub his hands together in malicious glee. He continued to watch her as Jarvis addressed her in turn, "Mrs Ryan?"

Flora looked up and for the first time in the meeting looked directly at Mr Jarvis his face softened and he looked at her wistfully but her expression remained icy and her voice was clipped and hard, "As far as I'm aware there are no serious problems, however things are not up to my usual standards, somewhat lax though I'm sure I can make do for the time being." Adams grinned at that comment he had to give the woman full marks for that remark, it had obviously the desired effect on both Mr Jarvis and Mrs Stanwick, Jarvis practically squirmed under her intense scornful gaze and Mrs Stanwick face was getting redder and redder. But before Cat could retort they were interrupted by Lizzie, her hair all dishevelled and out of breath from running, "Mrs Ryan, Mr Jarvis please come quick its Mr Kraus!"

However instead of just the housekeeper and butler the entire senior staff descended on the kitchen. Whatever they had expected they did not expect the usually extroverted but genial chef, well to all except Mr Adams, to be holding poor Johnny up by his collar against the wall. Mr Jarvis strode across the room and managed to pry Johnny loose from Felix's grasp, the poor lad had the look of trapped animal his eyes wide and fearful.

"What the hell is wrong with you Felix?" Jarvis shouted angrily. "If it isn't one thing with you its another, this sort of behaviour is totally unprofessional!"

Mr Kraus whose temperamental nature was legend whirled round and started on Mr Jarvis, "I'm unprofessional! I do not know how you have the nerve! It wasn't my fault I was provoked!"

"How exactly? What did he do move the salt seller or perhaps he mentioned haggis, eggs or lemon meringues? After all where you're concerned the list of sensitive topics is endless." Replied Jarvis sarcastically his own temper rising at Felix's accusations.

"Don't you talk to Felix like that!" Butted in Mrs Ryan. "At least he normally has a legitimate reason for his actions!" She said looking pointedly from Mr Jarvis to Mrs Stanwick and back again, then turning her back on Jarvis she stepped forward and placing a restraining hand on Felix's arm asked in a quieter more conciliatory tone "What happened?"

"He" Kraus pointed to Johnny, "has been fiddling the fish again!"

"What are you talking about?" Jarvis snorted.

"The fish order. It is not fresh and I will not take the rap for it this time, no not again just because one of your men," he said poking a finger into Jarvis chest, "has decided to make some easy money!"

All three turned to Johnny who by now had backed up trembling into the corner, unused to being the focus of so much attention at once. "Please it wasn't my fault it's not a fiddle just a different supplier, I tried to get him to take it back but he wouldn't."

"What new supplier?" Flora asked a malicious smile on her face her attention now turning to Mrs Stanwick.

Mrs Stanwick suddenly looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here. "Well it seemed like such a good deal, and how was I to know he seemed like such a nice competent young man?"

"I take it 'young' is the operative word?" Flora asked venomously.

Mrs Stanwick drew herself up to her full height, "I don't like your tone Mrs Ryan and as for what your implying…."

"Oh I'm not implying!" Flora said sashaying towards the now furious Cat, "I believe I'm stating quite plainly, you changed from our traditional and reliable supplier to a new and untested one directly before a major event solely based on your preference for the new one's appearance. Personally I'd call that both stupid and vain!"

"How dare you speak to me like that?"

"Oh I dare, after all you are now merely another member of my staff and as such I am responsible for disciplining you for your mistakes."

"I don't take orders from you and I certainly won't be disciplined…."

"Really? Personally I would expect nothing less than a dock in my wages for such a stupid error so I don't see why you shouldn't have yours docked the exact amount wasted."

Meanwhile the three men all just stood and stared at the two women. It was like watching a prize title fight and all had a morbid fascination for seeing the reaction of both to each verbal punch and at the moment Mrs Ryan was wiping the floor with her opponent. Quietly Felix asked, "Do you think we should break that up?"

Adams who was enjoying himself, "Na this is fun!" This earned him another scornful glance from Jarvis to which Adams retorted snapping, "Well you know them both intimately you do it!"

"Mr Adams!" Jarvis replied shocked.

"Oh come off it stop playing the innocent you go through housekeepers quicker than most men go through clean socks!" He practically yelled back at Jarvis causing both women to stop arguing with each other and turn their attention to Mr Adams, a well as the entire kitchen staff's, who all listened eagerly for items of gossip, all except Lizzie who cowered in the background cringing for her father.

"What did you say?" Asked Flora dangerously quiet.

"That's it I'm fed up with everyone in this house acting as though they've got some sort of moral superiority over me, you're all at it swapping partners at the drop of a hat. At least I've only got a drinking and gambling problem."

"How dare you, you of all people lecture us!" Mrs Stanwick retorted the memory of the Orangery still fresh in her mind. "I know all about men like you Mr Adams, men who get women pregnant, probably against their will and then abandon them, and then bring their illegitimate children here to work to try and make up for their complete failure as a father!" At this Lizzie turned and ran from the room crying her secret had been disclosed to everyone and seeing this made Adams angrier than he could ever remember being and stepped towards Mrs Stanwick who was still in full flow. "Men who drink and gamble and try to force their attentions on anything that moves…."

"You liar, you certainly didn't seem to mind!" Then seeing the stunned look on her face he continued, "surely you remember after all everyone else in this house had turned you down and you were really up for it, in fact as I recall you were begging me, practically dragged me into the bushes!" He added maliciously.

Mrs Stanwick had frozen, then when it struck her what he had said the tears started to flow, the humiliation. It was bad enough people thinking she was a flirt but everyone knowing she had slept with Andrew Adams, she would never live it down. Turning on her heel she ran out of the kitchen and up to her room to pack and nobody tried to stop her.

The surprise exit of Mrs Stanwick leads to an extremely uneasy silence descending on the kitchen, everyone's spleens now well and truly vented, for the moment at least. Harrumphing loudly, Kraus shoves poor Johnny out of the kitchen door, throwing one of the un-fresh fish after him so hard that it hits him on the arm and he yelps in pain, scuttling off to find Grace to mother him. Flora, meanwhile, her aggressive expression fixed, is leaning against the kitchen table, staring down at the floor, while Adams exits the kitchen, slamming the door hard behind him in fury. Jarvis moves over towards the door, staring hard at Flora, willing her to look at him. When she makes a point of turning further away from him, he flings open the door and glances, exasperated, from her to Kraus who is now sniffing un-thrown fish and frowning disapprovingly.

Jarvis in as formal a manner as he can muster: Well, if everyone's quite finished there's work to do. Probably best if Mrs Stanwick leaves by the back door, and as quickly as possible, if that is indeed what she has rushed off to do.

Mrs R suddenly straightening herself and marching past him out into the corridor: Well, I'm sure you can see her out, Mr Jarvis. Give her a kiss goodbye from all of us, won't you! I'm sure you can have fun with THAT!

Too stubborn to go after her, Jarvis glares after her for a second or two before storming off in the opposite direction.

Next scene. Preparations for the ball are now in full swing, as guests begin arriving ahead of schedule. The senior staff are far too busy to deal with their current problems, finding it best to just ask work-related questions of each other and answer appropriately and just leave it at that. Even Adams knew it wasn't the time for snide remarks, although he could almost certainly make an exception where William Forest was concerned. All appeared to be going well, until Mrs Stanwick finally appeared from her room and made it known to all the staff, in a very matter-of-fact manner, that she was 'requiring to speak to Mr Jarvis urgently about her wages before leaving for goodness knows where'. The message finally filtered through to Jarvis, who was already very much internally perturbed by the imminent arrival of the intolerable Fiffington-Piffles as much as he was the Earl's already heavy drinking. Once again poor Johnny was the bearer of bad news, but Jarvis managed a cursory 'thank you', resisting the urge to clip him round the ear on the account of Johnny's sore shoulder from the fish.

Mrs Stanwick was pacing impatiently outside in the courtyard, her bags roughly packed around her, when Jarvis appeared behind her. Sighing, he walks up to her, but trying desperately to keep his distance. This was not a time to get into another argument he just wanted her gone.

Jarvis: I will forward on the rest of your wages for the month when you have found a permanent new residence, Mrs Stanwick. I hope this will be satisfactory.

Mrs S face reddening as she snatches up her bags before Jarvis can help her to the awaiting carriage: Satisfactory! This place! I will warn all I come across to never set foot here, never mind take up a position here!

Jarvis bit his tongue, resisting a joke about positions. Hiding a small smile, he hands her an envelope, which she stares at as if he were handing her a head on a spike

Jarvis waving it at her, keeping his cool: It's your character. I wrote it some time ago, as I knew you were only temporary.

Mrs S huffing heavily and seizing the envelope: And you haven't seen fit to change it? I expect it to be... accurate, Mr Jarvis. I don't want any smears against my name!

Jarvis secretly hoping she won't read it until she is half way across the country: Oh, it is completely and wholeheartedly truthful, Mrs Stanwick. Reflects your most interesting time here precisely.

He manages a sweet smile, opening her carriage door for her. Neither of them noticed Flora standing in the doorway, steely anger in her eyes as her gaze falls on Mrs Stanwick, who is giving Taplows one last disapproving once-over as she climbs in. Tapping the side of the carriage, Jarvis stands back without a word as it begins to clatter over the cobbles and out of the courtyard, Mrs Stanwick not even looking out at him. He and Flora watch for a minute as it leaves, both with different thoughts running round their minds, but nevertheless coming to the same conclusion that Taplows would be a better - and hopefully much happier - place now at least one of the trouble makers had left. Jarvis turns to walk in but Flora is too slow to vanish before he sees her. Stopping, he opens his mouth to speak but she swiftly turns and hurries away before he can say a word, leaving him standing alone in the courtyard.

Next scene, fifteen minutes later. The Fiffington-Piffles have arrived to a fanfare of their own making, but thankfully this time without their brats in tow. They sweep into the hallway, this time literally throwing their discarded clothing at Jarvis, then marching forward to grab as many free drinkies as they can before the dancing. It would have all gone incredibly smoothly if it wasn't for the very tiny problem of the orchestra being late. The Earl begins to shout and rant at Jarvis for their lateness

Jarvis: Yes, sir. Very good, sir. (repeatedly until he sends out poor Johnny to look for them)

This isn't the only problem, however. The Earl, not wanting for anything, has instructed Fred and Joseph to stand by the 'present room'. 'If it moves kill it', he had said, 'if it's stuffed burn it and if it's china smash it in the fire'. Not about to argue, both men had sighed, glanced at each other and began to stand awkwardly by the door, waiting for the first gift to come pouncing/flying/crawling their way. This, they both thought, was surely to go horribly, horribly wrong. And they were rather accurate in their assumption. In the reception, Will is serving drinks to the F-Ps, a blank expression on his face

Lord F-P to a uniformed elderly gentleman with a great, sculptured white moustache: Yes, and although the East India Company shares have fallen, it appears to be stabilising now so I should find myself another £500,000 better off by the end of the year, what!

Lady F-P standing next to her husband, giggling and tittering: Oh yes, Freddie is making us a mint, aren't you darling? It's a frightfully good business to get into! She flashes a huge diamond ring on her right hand, staring at it lovingly as if it were her first-born

Out in the present room, Fred isn't happy and Joseph is in a panic

Fred shaking his head in his hands: 'I never want to see it again' he says. Well, it's easier said than done, ain't it!

Joseph: Never mind that, mate, just get it off me! I can't hold it up much longer, y'know, it's a little bigger than me!

Fred his mood lightening: Oh I don't know, mate! You two make a rather fetching couple!

Joseph, buckling under the weight of a seven-foot brown bear, which has toppled onto him, begins to show the strain of the weight and beads of sweat are appearing on his forehead. The bear had been presented to His Lordship by Lord Trumpington-Thistlewick who had just returned from a tour of Canada, but the Earl had only managed a dismissive wave of the hand, leaning drunkenly into Fred telling him that he 'never wants to see the damn ugly thing again, otherwise he would stuff and mount him on the wall instead'. Taking that to mean his firm dislike of the gift, Fred and Joseph had dragged it by its paws into the present room to decide what to do with it. They were just about to move it when Will hurried in, behind a large peacock which had run in, flapping and squarking away at Fred's heels

Fred in shock: What the hell is this!

Will exasperated: It's a peacock you twit, a present from, oh I don't know, Lord and Lady Boggerton-Jeffers who have just come back from India.

Fred: But...?

Will dashing back out again, fixing his wig: It's already bitten Jarvis twice on the leg. Anyway, sorry, mate, gotta go back on door duty! Just thought I'd bring it to you so you can, you know, do the deed! He mimicked slitting his throat with his finger as he backed into the hallway

Fred, sighing, turned to Joseph who was running round in circles after the maddened bird. Realising quickly his colleague was getting no closer to catching the thing, he dashed round in the opposite direction, knees bent and arms outstretched

Fred in childish voice to peacock: Come to daddy! Come on now, you know you want a horrible, painful death! Hey mate, d'you think it's got a name?

Joseph pre-occupied with the job in hand: Oh I don't know, Fred! Not much point giving it one, considering!

Fred dashing from side to side, the bird becoming more and more agitated, without realising Jarvis was standing in the doorway: I reckon we should call it Mrs Stanwick! A feisty bird, who squawks a lot about nothing, flirts with the opposite sex by fluffing up its feathers and has a taste for butlers!

Jarvis clearing throat: Thank you Mr Matkin!

Both Fred and Joseph looked up, startled, but as they did so the peacock dashed between Joseph's legs, past Jarvis and out of the door

Joseph: Oh, bug...

Jarvis to Fred: I suggest you and Mr James get after it before it tears the place apart, or worse the Earl sees the damn creature!

Jarvis stormed off again, the bird vanishing up the hallway, but as Fred turned to Joseph he collided with the stuffed bear, sending it crashing down onto Joseph and pinning him up against the wall. Fred, after his 'fetching couple' comment, manages to help Joseph prise the bear off him and prop it up.

Unfortunately for them, the peacock has managed to rush around the ballroom twice, sending the gentry into a right old tizzy and Lady F-P onto a chair, screeching at the top of her voice as if trying desperately to compete with its vocal ability. Both footmen, flustered and with wonky wigs, run into the ballroom to see the chaos, then before the Earl can corner them they race back out. Will, laughing at his post, points them in the right direction with a sideways nod of the head, while George is in pleats.

Joseph: Oh no, not upstairs!

Running up the grand staircase, holding onto their wigs, Fred and Joseph begin dashing up and down the hallways, skirting past Lady Caroline who is lazily on her way down

Fred stopping in front of her, trying to act normal: Ah Lady Caroline, have you seen a large bird by any chance?

Lady C waving her fan in front of her face and tittering: Oh, you know I don't have much to do with the ghastly Mrs Diggins, Mr Footman!

He smiles politely as she makes her way down the stairs, amused at her own joke

Lady C: I think it went to your left, very noisy it was. Why oh why do our guests have to bring daddy such beastly presents!

Joseph, meanwhile, has chased the bird into Lord Harry's old room, which has hardly been touched since his death. Shutting the door behind it, he lets out a long sigh. At least it was trapped. Both he and Fred decide that they can come back for it, the priority was to shift the stuffed bear before the Earl saw it again.

Fred grinning as he and Joseph walk past George, who is still chuckling away and pointing at them for their misfortune: And I've worked out just the place to put it!

Minutes later, Fred is holding the bear's head, it's teeth bared and snout distorted into a nasty snarl, while Joseph is supporting its long-clawed feet. They quickly trot past amused Will and George again, unbeknown to them that they are headed straight for the footmen's bedroom.

On their return to Lord Harry's room, Joseph throws open the door expecting to see the peacock either running riot or having knocked itself out. Sadly, they see neither. It has disappeared out of an open window, long peacock feathers on the window ledge, on the bed and on the carpet. They both stare in shock out of the window, looking right down to the ground below.

SQUARK! SQUARK!

Fred: Ere, can you hear that?

SQUARK!

Joseph looking up in puzzlement: Ah, that explains it!

He taps Fred on the arm, pointing upwards. The bird is perched on the edge of the roof, its neck bent down towards them and its piercing cries echoing around into the evening sky. Determined, Fred leans himself out of the window, sliding out backwards and waving his free arm around at the bird trying to get it to come down.

Joseph: Er, mate, I don't think it's going to respond to that!

Before Fred can slide himself out further, his behind hanging out of the window, the peacock suddenly takes to flight, gliding down to the earth below.

Joseph: Aw, now you've done it! We'll never catch it now!

They both watch helplessly as it lands and runs away across the ornamental gardens, destroying the flower beds and squawking. Running further and further away from the house, and into the distance, they realise that it was now gone. But whether it was for good, only time would tell.

Jarvis paced round the kitchen looking for Felix, well actually it was more of a slight limp who would have thought peacock's could be so vicious he only hoped Joseph and Fred had managed to dispose of the damn creature before he or the Earl had the misfortune of coming across it again. Sighing to himself he had to once more resist the temptation to smile, the lads had named it Mrs Stanwick and he for one could not think of a name more fitting for the odious creature. Pausing for a moment he automatically returned to thinking of Flora, if only all this mess had been avoided he would be able to tell her about it and they could laugh at it together later when all the guests had left and Earl had retired and they could

finally be alone.

It was these thoughts that preoccupied him as he signalled the start of dinner and the guests filtered through into the dining room. Although it appeared to all that he was watching his footmen like a hawk, giving Joe such a complex he almost spilt the soup, he was in fact far away from the clutter and noise of Taplows. As soon as dinner was over he retired to his office, Mr Adams was supervising after dinner drinks a fact Mr Jarvis might have reconsidered had his mind been on the job and not on a certain housekeeper. Finally he came to a decision this had to be sorted out the longer he left it the worse it would become, there was no way he was going to let her go without a fight and over what was in reality a simple misunderstanding. Determined he got to his feet and went in search of Mrs Ryan.

Flora stood on the terrace next to the ballroom looking in through the windows she could catch glances of movement through the open doors that led to the dining room. She always enjoyed organising a ball, unlike Walter and Mr Adams her work was relatively over once all the preparations were completed leaving her and her girls with a rare opportunity to relax for most of the evening until the task of clearing up had to be done. As a result it had become her custom over the years to wrap up warm and come and sit on the terrace in the shadows to watch the dancing and listen to the music. Fortunately for her tonight had been quite warm and so a light shawl was all she needed. For most of the evening she had to sit hidden in the shadows but once dinner was served and the guests moved through into the dining room she could come out of her hiding place and sit closer to the open windows to better appreciate the orchestra's playing. At the moment they were playing a soft rhythmic number in which the violins featured heavily and as the pace picked up she couldn't resist moving around in time to the music. However as she just finished a little twirl the hairs on the back of her neck prickled and she realised she was being watched.

Whirling around she saw Walter standing a few feet away from her on the terrace steps. Embarrassed and uneasy at him catching her here and in such a manner she dashed over to the wall and grasping her shawl turned intent on flight.

"Wait, Please!" He asked his voice breaking with emotion as he ran towards her stopping only inches from her, so she could feel his breath on the back of her neck and instinctively she shuddered, despite everything she still found physical closeness to him very distracting. Walter reached out and took her hand in his, "Dance with me Flora?" Although he didn't wait for a reply instead he drew her round and slid an arm around her waist, and leaning closer he added, "Please!"

Flora couldn't look up at him instead she nodded and he waited for a moment before leading her into a waltz. At first she kept her eye lowered concentrating on the needlework of his waistcoat, but then as he span her around sharply her head shot up and their eyes locked. Walter paused mid step his eyes bored into hers and the world outside of them disappeared, for what seemed like eternity they stood frozen each gazing lovingly at the other, before Flora pulled away, tears springing unbidden to her eyes.

She staggered over to the wall her body shaking and leant on it for support, Walter followed a few steps behind convinced she would collapse any second, after taking time to regain control of herself she wheeled round and faced him her face stained with tears but her eyes now sharp and stormy.

"Damn you!"

"Flora…."

"Damn you, how dare you do this to me. Isn't it bad enough that you have to break my heart in the first place but now you're back eager to hurt me again!" With that she flew at him but he grabbed her wrists and she barely struggled. Tears welling up in her eyes once more she collapsed against him, and Walter released her wrists only to wrap his arms round her and cradle her sobbing form in his arms. Slowly he lowered them both to the ground and pulled her limp as a rag doll onto his lap and rocked her softly. After a few moments he leant back so that he could see her face and grasping her chin firmly he wiped the tears off of her checks with his thumb before leaning down and kissing her.

Flora allowed the kiss, too exhausted to fight both him and herself any longer. She loved him, despite whatever she suspected had gone on between him and Mrs Stanwick she loved him anyway. All arguments against them died on her lips she simply could not bear to live without him she just wasn't strong enough to keep fighting their relationship. The knowledge of his betrayal was just something she was going to have to live with, reaching up she caressed his cheek running her hand up into his hair and pulled him down towards her kissing him back passionately. Finally coming up for air Walter looked at her warily wondering when she was going to change her mind and push him away, but she didn't instead she leant forward resting her head on his chest before whispering, "I don't know who I blame more, you for making me love you or myself for needing you so much?"

Jarvis sighed, relieved she wasn't going to fight him anymore and he lent down nuzzling the exposed skin at the back of her neck. Flora moaned softly at his touch arching against him as his hands ran up and down her back, suddenly she pulled away from him and reached for his hands practically dragging him to his feet. Shocked Jarvis let her lead him round the house back through the kitchen door, they passed through the back of the lower servants hall but as Susan was showing everyone how to dance like a toff ably assisted by an intoxicated Johnny nobody noticed. Still leading the way Flora strode down the upper servants corridor to her newly reclaimed room half her possessions still in the trunks from the other day. She pushed him into the room slamming the door shut and leant back against it. Jarvis slowly came out of his stupor and walked over to her grasping her hands, pulling her back against him before reaching up and untying her hair whispering in her ear, "I love you", before leading her over to the bed.

Cut to the courtyard where George and Will, still on carriage duty are overseeing the departure of the ball guests, who were leaving a little earlier than anticipated and indeed planned. After the birthday boy's drunken antics and somewhat increasingly inhospitable manner as the evening progressed, many of them couldn't wait to get home.

Even though the evening could have been viewed as disastrous in numerous lights, this was not the fault of the staff whom, even Lord and Lady FP managed to compliment, had put on a 'jolly good spread'. With riotous laughter (as they themselves were a little worse for wear) they commended the Earl (who was inside, recovering from the nights events) for putting on the evenings entertainment. However, by this they didn't mean the orchestra, they were part of the minority who infinitely enjoyed seeing the rather intoxicated host putting on his own spontaneous show.

Baroness Dewitt Bukater was the next in line to be assisted to her carriage, but at present, she was being assisted by Lizzie, who was forlornly trying to scoop up the ridiculously long train protruding off the back of the Baroness' dress. So far she wasn't doing too badly, but when the Baroness changed direction quickly, turning around to speak to another of her hoity-toity acquaintances, Lizzie's lack of concentration did not afford her with an anticipation of this - with a disastrous consequence.

Somehow, the Baroness had managed to stand on her own train, her heel piercing through it, tearing the very finest silk she had recently imported from the new empire in India. "Why you little ..." the Baroness paused in mid sentence deciding how best to make a show of the girl without damaging her own reputation as a lady.

"Of all the clumsy, careless, idiotic ..." the list of insults was endless.

All Lizzie could do to contend was protest her regret at the unfortunate accident. "I'm sorry your Ladyship, I wasn't thinking, please-" she gabbled, staring at the floor, wishing it would swallow her up.

"Damned right you weren't thinking, neither must your superiors have been when they took you on. Took pity more like, your a disgrace - you can't even look at me when I'm talking to you!" she seethed venomously, there was no stopping her now.

As Will rushed over on seeing Lizzie's distress, to hasten the Baroness DB's entrance to her carriage and her exit from Taplows. Lizzie continued as best she could with the apologies, gasping back the tears, on the point of hyperventilation, but it was clear her efforts were falling on deaf ears. The moment the carriage pulled away, Lizzie lost what little control she had managed to cling on to. Her knees weakened as she began a free fall towards the cobbles. Will was still staring hatefully at Baroness DBs carriage, ensuring that it disappeared from the courtyard, so George noticed Lizzie's desent first. "Will!" he exclaimed, nodding towards Lizzie who was in mid plunge.

Barely short of diving to her aid, Will leapt to her side, just managing to catch her before she ended up in a heap on the floor. She was clearly overcome, her eyes now welling up with tears. Will flung her arm around his neck and put his arm around her waist, holding her up, as he feared she could collapse at any moment.

"George!" he called with a slight hint of panic in his voice.

George made his apologies to the waiting gentry, who were all coming to their own conclusions on the maids current state. "Don't worry about me mate, I can handle these" George offered before turning to Lizzie, holding up her head which hung downwards, resting on Will's chest. "Are you okay Liz, you've gone terribly pale?"

Lizzie managed to nod her head, George thought it was best not to push her, so returned to his place in order to keep the outgoing flow of guests running as smoothly as he could. Will began stepping forward, but Lizzie didn't move, her legs still like jelly, increased greatly by gravitational pull. Quickly, Will realised that this attempt would be beyond futile, so reached down, taking the weight off Lizzie's feet, picking her up, and turning around to face the intrigued crowd, which let out a little gasp of disapproval when Will took Lizzie in his arms. This display of denunciation did not go unnoticed by Will, but after a what seemed like a lifetime of bowing and scraping to others, he decided the matter in hand (literally) was more important, and so continued, undeterred taking Lizzie back to the house.

Cut to inside the house, Will is stumbling down the 2nd floor corridor, still holding Lizzie who is only now beginning to come out of her daze. They had passed the servants dining room where all the others were having an after-ball celebration, but in Lizzie's condition Will decided, it was best that she got some rest, so was taking her to the maids' room. He toyed with the idea of removing Grace from the gathering, but he concluded that like yesterday at lunch, she'd probably only start shouting at him again and that wasn't what Lizzie needed right now.

"Will?" she struggled, with a look of confusion on her face.

Will answered immediately, trying to reassure her. "Its okay Lizzie, I've got you" (just, he thought as they rounded the corner, meeting another flight of stairs) To his relief, she replied "Set me down a second on the step, I think I'll be alright in a few moments"

Will did as she requested, carefully placing her on the middle section of one flight of the stairs. She sat their clinging onto the banisters for a few seconds. Will sat himself down next to her. There was a short period of silence before Will nudged Lizzie with his left shoulder playfully. "So whats brought all this on eh?" he said sympathetically.

Lizzie unintentionally ignored his enquiry, just stared into space as if she hadn't heard him. Fair enough thought Will, who by now was getting ever-so-slightly tiresome, though he persisted as it was obvious there was something clearly wrong. After a few moments, he gently held Lizzie's chin, turning her head to face him. The tears had returned, but with this her senses returned. Even though there was obviously nothing funny about the situation, she let out a little laugh. Seeing the smile he knew so well return to her face, Will followed suit.

"What am I like eh?" said Lizzie, mildly wiping her eyes with the back of her forefinger.

Will couldn't keep his smile there for long, he could tell this was a front. But he settled to keep the tone of the conversation light, if that's what she felt comfortable with. "So, what's brought all this on?"

"What hasn't more like, I take it you've heard about the revelations of this morning in the kitchen?"

Without thinking Will reflected "Yes, yet another display of oratorical fireworks from the senior staff, they really do air their dirty laundry in public these days!"

"Oh I'm glad you think its funny Will Forest, I certainly don't!" The penny suddenly dropped that one of the senior staff just happened to be her father, but before he could make amends, Lizzie wasn't finished at that.

"Do you have any idea what its like for me here? Having my 'father' make a show of himself and now thanks to Mrs Stanwick, me, on a daily basis! Everyone around here always thinks the worst of him, but the worst thing is, day by day I'm beginning to see EXACTLY what you're all on about!" she said in resentful tone he never thought her capable of."

Trying desperately to calm the state of play, Will tried to persuade her "He's not as bad as you think he-"

"Not that bad? He's a raging alcoholic, he swears blind to me that he's going to stop but I can smell the whiskey on him everyday." She said head shaking, eyes fixed straight ahead before she turned to face Will, pleading her case directly to him "Will, he put you in a sick bed twice in as many months and has had numerous scuffles with Mr Kraus - the man is a brute."

"A brute he may be-" Will started

"Well isn't that enough? Isn't having a lying, hard drinking, violent father enough for anyone"? she said pulling herself, bidding Will goodnight before climbing the stairs.

After only a few steps, Will replied "Yeah, hmph (breathing heavily through his nose), you'd think that wouldn't you, but you see, some of us are just gluttons for punishment, so think yourself lucky."

At this, Lizzie swung round to face him "Lucky!" she began again, but this time it was Will's turn to get in first. "Yeah, lucky, at least yours isn't a murder" he said with such a cold, but genuine tone that it made her freeze, thoughts racing through her mind. Surely he was just being hypothetical here, but when he stayed dangerously still, she began to think, he was speaking from personal experience, which she hoped against hope wasn't true. In any case, she couldn't leave things like this, so sank back down to sit on the stairs, a few up from Will, she sat there looking down at him, he'd turned around the same time as she did, hiding his face from her, but she could see he was shaking. They sat there for a second time in an awkward silence, though this one more intense and longer lasting than the previous.

Eventually, Lizzie gulped and said "Will, what are you saying?" with a look of fear in her eyes.

Will turned around to face her, his facial expressions mixed, whilst his eyes looked darker than usual, with a cold, hard stare, Lizzie could detect a slight trembling of his lower lip. "I'm saying, my dear old papa has been residing at Her Majesties pleasure for the last 10 years, good old Wormwood Scrubs - heard of it by any chance?" he said in an increasingly sarcastic tone - it was his turn to express emotion in really, the only way he knew how.

"Well, yes" she replied timidly, not really knowing what to say to what she was hearing, but continuing nonetheless. "And, and what you said about murder, was that...?"

"True?" he finished her off "Officially nah. The old bd got away with that one, yeah, manslaughter I believe they managed to get him for in the end, I don't really remember, wasn't allowed into the court - cruelly ironic seen as I was the only witness." his tone getting increasingly more malicious, which began to frighten Lizzie

"But if I had been, Id have made sure he'd got what he deserved, they'd have strung him up from the nearest hangman's noose if I had my way, but then thats justice for you".

"Will, don't talk about your father like that, why don't you try writing to him, try and straighten things out?" she suggested

"Writing to the 'man' - I don't EVER want to see him again! Sure, he sends me his scrawlings now and again, begging for money or whatever else he desires, I wouldn't know, I stopped opening the letters after the first one found itself here"

"But, no matter what he's done, he's still your parent and-" Lizzie expressed her disbelief that Will could actually mean what he was saying.

"Yeah, my ONLY bloody parent after that!" he retorted.
Having missed the poignancy of his last remark, Lizzie resolved "Well, all the more reason to make amends with him".

"Make am-" then Will realised she hadn't understood. "No Lizzie, don't you see, he IS the reason why I only have one parent-" Will continued

"Well it might seem that way to you but-"

"Seem that way! It IS that way! Lizzie, the person he killed was my mother." With these words the full weight of the what he had just disclosed fell on her shoulders, and the two were locked in an equally terrified gaze. In a state of shock, Lizzie tried to clarify the facts "And you ..." she managed to get out before loosing her thread completely.

"And I was there when it happened yes" he confirmed.

"But you couldn't have been much more than-"

"11 years old" he nodded "It was the week before my 12th birthday - I've been orphaned ever since, thought I'd have done anything to get away from him, but I couldn't stick that either, ran away to a job in service at 15" he recalled, biting his lip at the end to stop it quivering. Lizzie just sat there shaking her head, as everything fell into place, why he hadn't wanted her to tell Adams he was her father and why he had so protective of Mrs Ryan the previous day.

"Surely it was an accident Will, he wouldn't have meant to ...well" Lizzie reasoned

"That's just like you Lizzie, always trying to see the best in people, as you've discovered that isn't always possible" he said with a hint of a smile before returning to his explanation. "It was no accident Lizzie, it wasn't even a surprise, it'd been coming for years, no one ever listened to her, or to me, they thought I was just making trouble."

"What you knew?" Lizzie said cordially, her heart sinking at the thought of him being witness to his fathers rage, but what was to come filled her with horror.

"Earliest thing I can remember now, I think I was about 9 and it was spring time. My mums youngest sister Annie was getting married, and mum had just been into town with her, brought back a lovely hat to wear, she was going to be matron of honour you see. She loved that hat, paid a pretty penny for it mind you, which" he said slowly, with a sigh "was the problem. She was busy showing it to me, a little bonnet type thing you know, but then dad walked in, demanding to know how much she paid for it. Knowing he'd only go and have it out with the shopkeeper, she told him, and he just ... lost it I suppose. At first, he didn't see me in the corner crouching down, but when he did (shaking his head), it didn't stop him. I couldn't stop him the lasttime either, though I tried my darndest I, I ..." by now his voice was breaking with emotion, and he decided it was best not to carry on, as he looked up to see the tears streaming down Lizzie's face.

"I'm so, so sorry Will" she sobbed, hiding her face in her hands, rocking back and forth on the step. For a moment, Will was too lost in his own feelings, but then he dragged himself up, and sat on the step just before Lizzie.

"Hey" he said quietly trying to break the ice "You've got noting to be sorry about do you hear me? You've got your own problems, you don't need mine as well, I should never have-" he apologised shaking his head, slamming his right hand down on the step on which Lizzie was resting her feet. At this she looked up, taking her hand away from her tear-stained cheeks.

"Mine are nothing to yours Will, I thought Andrew was bad, but I never dreamt-"

"I wouldn't have you do so, their nightmares". He assured her, taking her head in his hands, wiping away the single tear falling down her left cheek. He gazed at her, the tears magnified her blue eyes, they looked just like a whirlpool, hypnotic, Will was lost in them. Lizzie stared back at him, trying to read his amazed expression, but before she could really focus, Will got up, still holding her face in his left hand, stroking her hair with the other, and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Lifting her head, she gazed up at him - did what she just think happened, just happen? She realised that it clearly did, when he knelt down and kissed he softly on the lips, just brushing them gently. She pulled away, stunned at this sudden change in events. After all she'd just heard, this was quite possibly equally as shocking. She couldn't think of a single thing to say, she just pulled her self up and carried on up the stairs alone, without a word.

Realising that this was totally unexpected to her, Will's mind began to race, did she think that what he'd just said was simply designed to soften her up? Fair play he thought, given his track record how could she not? But NO, this time it was SO different, there hadn't been a hidden agenda, it had just happened, and he for one was glad it had - but was she? He resisted the temptation to run after Lizzie, as he couldn't face the answer to that, not right now. SUCH an idiot he punished himself, wiping his hands down his face in frustration. She had been, and was, his closest female friend - had he just ruined things? After a considerable period of angst and feeling dejected, he hauled himself up and walked up the stairs to the footmen's dwellings. Swinging the, venting his pent-up tension. This was soon lost momentarily, as his eyes focused on a rather large object in George's bed, that wasn't actually George. What the HELL was a 9 foot stuffed grisly doing in place of his second in command? end scene