Servants Series 3

by ss9

Will Lizzie's secret become public knowledge? What is so dark about William Forest's past that he tries to hide it's very existance? And what could possibly happen to Flora and Walter now to upset the careful balance attained at the end of series 2?

4. Episode 4

Johnny bolts into the servants quarters, panting and blue in the face, and darts up to the nearest person who happens to be Grace, kneeding her dough. She gives him a cursory glance, continuing to punch her bread as if it were the face of her worst enemy, as he leans on the table

Johnny: Have you seen Mr Adams! He's….he's back!

Grace momentarily stopping: Who's back? Mr Jarvis?

Johnny shaking his head quickly: No! The Earl! I saw the coaches in the distance!

Grace suddenly stops, wiping her hands on a cloth and making for the door. She turns to Johnny and, frowning, indicates to him to follow her

Grace sighing: Come on then! We'd better go and find Mr Adams and George. I'm sure this is a day earlier than was expected!

They don't have to go far – Adams is on his way to the servants quarters, looking once again for Lizzie, when Grace catches him and explains. His face turns white and Grace can tell that he is starting to panic. This early return is indeed most unexpected, but she doesn't expect to see him quite this distressed. But he had heard the rumours before the Earl left about the Fiffington-Piffles, and now with Mrs Ryan in bed after an overdose Adams could very well do without this kind of inconvenience

Adams breathing in deeply and thinking he should never have had that double whiskey: Right, well, I'd best get upstairs then! He stalks off, calling out for George as he goes.

Outside, the two carriages are pulling up in front of the house while Adams appears, George in tow. George opens the door for the Earl, who steps out and hurries past him and up the stairs, swinging his cane almost violently from side to side. Adams, still in under-butler mode after Will's absence, attempts to greet his employer, but the Earl is having none of it and barely acknowledges his presence until he shoves his top hat at him

Earl in low, grumbling tone: Where is Jarvis!

Adams bowing slightly: He has yet to return from Eastbourne yet, sir.

Earl turning red in the face: Well, it's just not good enough! He should be here! Where the hell is everyone!

Adams reluctantly: I'm afraid there seems to be a bit of illness going around, m'Lord. Mrs Ryan is I'm sorry to say a little unwell in her bed sir.

Earl looking as if Adams has just told him that Monty and Barnaby have been accidentally baked in one of Kraus' pies: In bed! When there's this place to run! I don't pay her to sleep, Mr Adams!

Adams: No, sir.

For a moment Adams was concerned the Earl was going to order him to get Mrs Ryan up, but instead he mutters something about fetching the doctor. Adams doesn't think for a moment this is out of concern for his housekeeper's welfare, it was so she could be up and about soon and without little disruption as possible to his silver spoon lifestyle. But Adams can tell this setback is by no means what is on the Earl's mind. Glancing back he sees Will talking to George and both men frowning and rubbing their chins and shaking their heads. He looks back at the Earl, who is stood in the hall glancing wistfully around it, a desperate sadness in his eyes.

Adams: Will your Lordship be requiring a meal very soon? I can have chef prepare……

Earl dismissing Adams' words with a cursory wave: No, no food. Not yet. I will retire to my bedroom for a nap. When is Jarvis expected back?

Adams trying to sound positive: Oh, in the next day or so sir. Not long, I am sure.

But as the Earl is about to climb the stairs, Lady Caroline bounces up to him, grinning in her girlish manner

Lady C: Oh father, you're back, and so soon!

The Earl kisses his daughter, but he is obviously not interested in talking to her. Nevertheless she chatters away, following him upstairs, Adams walking a little way behind them. Lady Caroline knows very well why her father went to London, Adams thinks, she is just trying to put her father at ease so he will spill the beans on her inheritance. She then walks after him into his room, shutting the door behind her. Adams knows that Will will soon be looking for him, ready to dish out the next order or two just to annoy him, but he cannot resist hanging back to eavesdrop on the Earl's conversation with his daughter. Carefully, he leans in towards the door, keeping an eye out for anyone coming. Most of what he hears is, frustratingly, mumbled, but gradually the voices get louder and louder until Lady Caroline's high-pitched squeal can be heard through the door and down the hallway

Lady C: I don't care, daddy! I don't care about Freddie, he's a complete beast, I just want MY MONEY! How could you do this! How could you, daddy I hate you! I hate you, I hate you, I hate you! And where will we live! I shall be disgraced, and I'll never find a wealthy husband! How do you expect me to show myself in society again after this! You will tell me next we will have no servants at all!

Adams can hear her sobbing and stamping her foot, the Earl's voice surprisingly quiet and muffled, but suddenly there is a smash, followed by another, and the Earl shouting at her to calm down and stop breaking the china as they'll need all the money they can get from those kind of items. Adams wonders whether to go in when the Earl calls out for him in a rather distressed tone, so he flings the door open only to find a large painted vase heading straight towards him. Instinctively he ducks to avoid it, but it catches him in the stomach and he goes flying backwards, the still intact vase in his grasp, landing hard on the floor completely winded. Lady Caroline, without any apology, huffs loudly, tears streaming down her cheeks, and flounces out of the bedroom without even a second glance at the temporary footman's position on the floor

Lady C: I never want to see you again, daddy! Grandmama and I will be destitute – I will be destitute, and it is all your fault!

The Earl, distraught, fails to answer his daughter, but instead sits on his four-poster with his head in his hands. He looks over at Adams who is scrambling to his feet, but then his gaze falls onto the Persian rug which he knows he will have to give up

Earl quietly but angrily: Get Mr Forest to bring me whiskey, and I don't just mean a glass of it. I want a fresh bottle. And tell chef I will dine alone tonight, in here. In fact I don't intend to come out for some days. When Jarvis returns, I need to see him urgently. And send for the doctor for Mrs Ryan, I can't afford to have sick staff at the moment.

He can't even afford to HAVE staff at the moment, Adams concludes. But he knows that the Earl doesn't even consider the gossip William Forest is almost certainly spreading around the servants quarters at that very moment. Staff morale had hardly ever been His Lordship's priority, and it certainly wasn't now.

Adams nodding and backing out of the room, once he has replaced the vase: Very good, sir. I will have him come up to you straight away.

The Earl doesn't respond as Adams closes the door in front of him. Sighing, he turns on his heels. All thoughts of Rebecca Farquharson have gone completely out of his head for the time being. Now, it seems, there is a lot more at stake than the love of his life coming to visit. She may not even have a house TO visit by October. With a heavy heart, Adams turns and marches off down the corridor in search of firstly Will then his daughter. He has unfinished business with her.
Fortunately for Adams, his first task was over pretty swiftly as he knew just where to find Will, who was meant to be unloading the Earl's possessions with the help of George. But on entering the courtyard, from what Adams could see, the two of them were simply gossiping idly, about the latest hot topic, which Will had been greatly privy to during his stay in London with the Earl. Not used to having quite so much information, Will looked forward to telling as many people as possible, showing them just how much know-how an under-butler had, starting with his old faithful, George.

On seeing Adams, who was just about to make a comment about them disregarding their duties (as old habits tended to dye hard with him), Will chipped in first, asserting his authority. Once he had spouted on, much ado about nothing, for a few moments, Adams deciding he'd had enough and before the Earl could emerge from his room in a cold sweat, missing his heavy dose of whiskey, the footman informed Will that he was required upstairs. Unable to ignore this direction from Adams, Will dropped the first trunk he had unloaded in 10 minutes onto the cobbles and trotted off to attend to his master.

Reluctantly, Adams stayed with George for a few minutes, helping the second footman to remove a rather large and awkwardly shaped trunk from the carriage. However, as George was just about to attempt to strike up a conversation, on returning to his full height, after crouching down too free a tassel that had become entangled in on of the horse's reigns, he saw that he was alone in the yard, just catching the back of Adams as he entered the scullery door. 'Typical' he thought to himself, even with his demotion, Andrew Adams still managed to avoid most forms of hardwork.

On entering the dining room, where he assumed Lizzie would still have been, he was informed by Fred in a rather matter of fact manner, that the maid had been summoned by Mr Kraus, who had ventured out from wherever he had been hiding to ask that she take Mrs Ryan a bowl of luke warm water, with which the housekeeper intended to wash her face. There was no word of gratitude from Adams towards Fred for relaying the information, instead the Scotsman left the room without a word. However, this discourtesy didn't really bother Fred, indeed, he was beginning to expect nothing more from the man, and so simply continued to fill Joe in on the happenings of the day (as this had been Joe's first day off in nearly a fortnight.)

As it was the chef's duty not to let the Earl and his family go hungry that evening, and as he still did not completely trust Adams to watch over the invalid with due care, Mr Kraus had left Lizzie to sit at Flora's bedside for the time being. Although Mrs Ryan had repeatedly insisted that she would be quite alright in his absence, he still felt that she needed a companion, partly out of worry that she may do something silly again, despite her having totally denounced her behaviour that morning. It was for this reason that Adams did not catch up with her before the evening meal, which Lizzie had taken in the housekeeper's room, having successfully convinced her patient to do the same.

After dinner, Adams watched Kraus like a hawk, hanging on his every move, waiting for him to go and relieve Lizzie. However, this took longer than he had anticipated, forcing him to 'lower' himself quite unprecedently, as he volunteered to help with the washing up, in order not to let the Prussian out of his sight. Shortly after 8 o'clock, he saw his chance, as Kraus had just made a pitiful excuse (that he was going to practice his ice sculpting), informing those present not to expect seeing him before the morning.

After waiting a few moments, Adams seized his opportunity, leaving the kitchen, and arriving in the Upper Servants corridor just as Lizzie was closing Mrs Ryan's door behind her. When Lizzie spotted him, the breath caught in her chest, which she struggled to hide, in fear of him noticing. She knew she couldn't escape either the corridor or the impending conversation, so took a deep breath and walked towards her father. It didn't start off as badly as she had predicted as he began by asking after Mrs Ryan, though she knew this was only out of politeness. Lizzie informed him that the lady in question was feeling much better and had now almost fully taken responsibility for her actions, forgetting the accusations she had made towards him when she awakened from her blackout. He was glad to hear this, shown in his facial expression, which put his daughter at ease a little, until the pleasantries subsided and the second query on his agenda came to the forefront.

"Lizzie, that man you found earlier…" he started

Lizzie, wanting to get the fact that she had never seen him before in her life made clear, cut in "I have no idea where he came from, I was in the laundry, cleaning the towel like you told me to and I just heard this crash, I went out to see what had happened, and I just found him there, a complete stranger, Id never-"

By now having argued her case without pause, and becoming more irate as she went on, Adams decided to step in, as she wasn't making much sense.
"Id hope you hadn't met him before lassy! But someone around here obviously has!" he announced.

At this Lizzie was convinced that he knew everything, well, almost everything, people, even drunken people didn't usually go around telling others they were murderers, and even if they did, they generally wouldn't be believed. Having gone off on somewhat of a tangent, she dragged herself back to her more immediate concern. Deciding to play dumb until it was clear he knew otherwise, Lizzie answered with a question "What do you mean?"

"Well, from what I could gather, he was muttering something about knowing, or used to knowing someone who worked here…"

'Thank god' Lizzie thought, 'he doesn't know that its Will.
"… said something about a son." he continued, though in a clear state of conclusion.
'This was it' the monologue continuing in Lizzie's mind 'he wont be able to resist hunting out the son now he's seen the father'

But after less than a second of contemplation, he corrected himself "sorry, by all accounts the son USED to work here" (Lizzie breathed a sign of relief at this before tensing up once more at a further question) "You got any ideas who he means?"
She gave him an unknowing look, shaking her head.
"He didn't sound local, but if he came from the village, so I spose he must be. But none of the lads (meaning the staff) are local boys are they?"

Lizzie enthusiastically informed him that they weren't, unless he classed Fred's South Wales mining town as local, which he didn't. Adding to which, by a stroke of luck, she remembered Grace talking about Frank (her ex-fiancé), who was indeed a boy from the village. "I think that Frank character was from Tappleton by all accounts, he used to trespass on the Earl's land when he was younger, until his lordship told him to go and find something constructive to do, which he did, for a time at least"

"But why would his dad come looking for him here?" Adams puzzled.

After a few seconds hesitation, Lizzie came back with "Well, you said it yourself, Bill (realising she may have been a little over familiar there).. Or, or whatever his name was, said that his son USED to work here."

Rubbing his forehead with his hand he replied "So I did, well that's that then, stupid old fool eh?"

For a moment she considered asking him whether he meant HE was the stupid fool, but she left it as it was, just relieved to have settled him on the Frank idea. Before he could start to doubt that, she yawned exaggeratedly, commenting that it been a long day. He agreed with her on that, and soon after the two parted, each feeling content.
end scene

As the next morning dawned, Lizzie lay awake in her bed. Lifting her head ever-so-slightly off her pillow, she looked around the maid's room. Grace, opposite her was sleeping soundly, a sight which raised a smile on her friends face. She glanced down to the other two, Susan was turned over, facing the wall, her bed lining dishevelled as she always managed to get it, and Charlotte was resting on her side also, though facing Lizzie, who could see that her hands were clasped as if still in prayer.

Her eyes turned to fix upon the ceiling above, which was just visible, partly due to the poor natural light at such an hour, and partly due to the huge canopy of spiders webs forged after many months of simply being left there. When she first arrived at Taplows, it had frightened, well, bothered her that there must be a whole host of insects living in the network, but as little was done about it, and as she hadn't (yet) encountered one face to face, her agitation had subsided.

She couldn't stall her thoughts any longer, she was furious with Will for leaving her to deal with the unexpected return of his murderous father. Just what did he think she was going to do if his father found his way there, and make a scene that people may actually have believed! What would they do if he tried again, turned up when neither of them were around - just what were they to do?

After a few moments of wracking her own brains as to a solution, she concluded that Will had to be told, be told immediately, that his father was likely to show up at any moment. Telling him right that minute was fortunately possible, as with the Earl drinking in excess once again the previous evening, Will had been obliged to stay in the vicinity of his lordships chamber, incase he required urgent attention.

Without hesitation, she threw back her bed covers, donned her extra night gown, and tip-toed toward the door. Silently, she opened it, looking both ways up and down the corridor before emerging into it. She crept through the hallways thoroughly on edge as she had been told the last time anyone had been discovered late at night, Mrs Ryan had instigated a witch hunt, in order to seek them out. However unsuccessful the housekeeper's attempts had been, Lizzie moved as quickly as she could, through the servants dwellings and emerged into the main house, just off the reception area.

Again, she clung to the door, checking no one was doing the rounds, before scurrying off up the central staircase, up to the family residence rooms, where she found Will, dozing on a rather posh chair outside the Earl's door.

Resisting the urge to throttle him awake, Lizzie simply whispered quietly, but forcefully "Will!" However, when it became apparent this wasn't going to be enough, she tried again, this time poking him, quite hard on his left shoulder. This strategy had the desired affect, with a rather loud "Ow!" coming from Will in response. At this, Lizzie let out a commanding "shhhhhh!"

When his eyes focused, he grabbed his upper arm, massaging it intensely. "What was that for Liz!" he sneered in a lower tone of voice.

"Thats nothing compared with what I should've done to you!" she declared
Will, quite bemused as to what she was on about, just looked at her as though she had two heads, which only served to irritate her further.
"Your father …!" she reminded him

"What, he's here!" Will gasped, leaping out of his chair, looking up and down the passageway.

"No, but he was yesterday!"

"When, how, why…?" he struggled to grasp the situation. "Did he just waltz in here?"

"Stagger in here more like, Mr Adams had to almost carry him off the premises."

"ADAMS!" Will couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Well that just great, of all people to find ou-"

"He doesn't know, though he very nearly did!"

Failing to hear this, Will carried on "Well if he knows, that's just about it for me really isn't it! And I suppose everyone knows now, Im probably only still here because we're short staffed till Jarvis gets back later!" His rant was now wearing thin with Lizzie who fought to get a word in edgeways.

"No, no one else knows. It was me who found him yesterday, he'd wandered in his drunken state up here and just collapsed in the courtyard." She went on to explain how he had mentioned having a son at Taplows, but not revealing the name, and that she had managed to convince her father, when he turned up to aide her, that his son must have been Frank.

Will took some comfort from these words, as all was not lost. However, when she could see he'd calmed down, she demanded to know what the he thought they were going to do if he found his way back following another binge.
"I don't know Liz" he sighed utterly dejected. "I never asked for this, any of this to happen"

His words somewhat melting her icy tone, she conceded "I know you didn't, but it has, and we need to do something before it gets out of hand."

"Well, if he was as drunk as you say he was, surely he wouldn't be able to find his way back!" he hoped.

"Well, he managed to find his way the first time." Lizzie was not so hopeful on that eventuality.

"We're just going to have to keep a look out then!"

"What, the two of us mark every entrance and exit to the entire house?"

I little dejected at her criticism of his efforts, Will pledged "No matter what happens, that man is not going to ruin my life again!"

Lizzie didn't know what to say to this, though wished it would come true. The pair just stood there, before being interrupted by a stern cough.
"Quite the ladies man aren't we Mr Forrest!" mused Lady Caroline, who was stood in her doorway.

At this, Lizzie turned on her heels and scurried back down to her own room, leaving Will to face Lady C's wrath. But instead of making a scene, the Earl's little princess, simply strode passed Will, holding a little lamp. on her way towards the library.

A few hours later and a carriage could be seen breaking through the early autumnal mists that shrouded the parklands around Taplows. Jarvis leant out the window desperate for his first glimpse of the house, he had only been absent for a few days but to him it seemed like forever. Sighing deeply he rubbed his chilled hands together, summer was well and truly over and autumn was here, with winter approaching hard upon its heels. For what seemed the hundredth time that morning his thoughts returned to Flora and their child, with any luck these few days apart would have given her time to place his hurtful comments in perspective and dismiss them as a natural reaction to the shock and extenuating circumstances.

He smiled softly to himself these few days at home had made the idea of his own family more real. It was also a great comfort to him that he had been able to tell his father before he died that the family name would live on, that he was finally going to be a father. This had pleased the old man and so they were finally able to have the family reunion his mother had always hoped for in the few hours between his arrival and his father's passing, he had even altered his will to include his expected grandchild. Jarvis frowned he wished he could have spent more time comforting his mother, but she had been adamant about him returning to Taplows the day after the funeral. The sooner he left the sooner he could return, she said, but only on the condition he brought her 'new daughter' as she kept referring to Flora to Eastbourne soon. If this was to be her only grandchild then she wanted to be around to watch him or her grow up, and so Jarvis had dutifully organised a quick departure and following his mother's instructions to the letter they had driven over night.

He had only paused for half an hour in Bristol, but for such a break he was sure his mother would forgive him, fumbling around in his coat pocket he brought out the small jewellery box, and once more opened it to reassure himself that this ring had remained in it's box. The small but perfect sapphire caught the light and sparkled, just like her eyes when she laughed he thought, he had brought it on impulse having previously decided to go for something simple. However he had caught sight of it in the jewellers sparkling in the sunlight and before he knew it had spent a much larger proportion of his inheritance than he had previously planned. However he knew instinctively that this was the right ring, there is no way she would say no to him with this.

Finally the carriage pulled up into the servants courtyard, and Johnny ran out of the kitchen to open the door for Mr Jarvis, "Good Morning Mr Jarvis!"

"Morning, where's Mrs Ryan?"

Johnny was just about to open his mouth to answer, when Jarvis butted in "In her office I suppose!" He answered his own question and stormed past the astounded Johnny without giving him a second glance.

However Jarvis was in luck, as Flora had been feeling much better that morning and Felix had allowed her to return to light duties, which meant nothing more strenuous than the household accounts providing she remained sitting down in her office. It was thus pouring over the figures for the last few days, trying to interpret the different squiggles Felix used instead of any recognisable language that Jarvis found her.

He stood for a moment by the open door, content to simply watch her work, her brow furrowing whenever she encountered a problem, and the quirk of a smile every time she solved it. "Mrs Ryan!" He called to her softly, but still she jumped as if startled.

"Mr Jarvis!" She began rising from her chair, knocking her papers off her desk, distress obvious on her face, "You're back!"

"So it would appear!" Jarvis countered, amused by her need to state the obvious.

"But it's so soon, we weren't expecting you back for a few more days, I haven't had time to….."

Jarvis bowed his head slightly, "Well my father had very little time left indeed, but we were able to make peace before he died and then I stayed only until after the funeral, I felt I had more pressing business here!" He glanced up at Flora hoping to catch her eye and so gage her reaction to this news.

However Flora had turned from him and was staring out the window, "You heard about the Earl's troubles even in Eastbourne? He will not be pleased!"

Jarvis opened his mouth preparing to refute her assumption and reassure her it was not the Earl that drew him back so quickly. However the door opened and Will poked his head round, grinning with desperate relief when he saw Jarvis. "Mr Jarvis thank the lord you're back the Earl is asking for you, something about his dwindling supplies of whiskey?"

Jarvis nodded in Will's direction but kept his gaze firmly locked on Flora's back, "Alright Mr Forest I will be there directly." Then waiting until Will had left and shut the door behind him he walked towards Flora, stopping a few feet away from her, "Flora we need to talk, but now is certainly not the time! Meet me in my room in an hour?" He asked reaching out a hand towards her but then drawing it back when he heard the insistent ringing of the Earls study bell. "Later?" He asked backing away from her to the door. Flora wrapped her arms further around herself before nodding, and taking that as her consenting Jarvis turned and dashed off to see the Earl.

An hour later and Jarvis paced his room, as if he didn't have enough on his mind with Flora and the baby, and the impending crisis, now he had to add detective to his list of duties! He harrumphed to himself, as if he needed any skill to find the culprit of stealing his lordships whiskey, it had to Mr Adams although frankly he was surprised his former under butler had been conducting himself properly for the first time in months. Sighing to himself he glanced once more at his watch, she was late probably doing it on purpose to make him suffer and try his nerves. For once she was correct his nerves were frayed, in a few minutes he was about to change his life for ever, his life in service would be over and his new life, no their new life could begin as a proper family. Quickly he walked over to his desk and unlocking his drawer drew out a bottle of brandy and grasping his water glass poured himself a large measure, settling in his easy chair to wait.

A few minutes later and there was a brisk knocking on his door, standing slowly he walked over and opened it wide ushering her into the room and indicating she should sit down as he returned to his easy chair. For a moment she paused unsure of how to react, then she remembered her reason for visiting and handed him a letter before taking the proffered seat. Jarvis took the letter without question and flipped it over, it was addressed to the Earl, Jarvis looked up shock and horror clear on his face.

"You'll find it is all there Mr Jarvis!" Flora replied her, tone all clipped and professional. "I had planned to have left as per your request, before your return, however such arrangements take time and there is no available crossing until late next week!"

Jarvis sat wide eyed, his confusion clear on his face, "What are you talking about, what crossing?"

Flora raised an eyebrow a malicious smile tugged at her mouth, a part of her was enjoying this, making him squirm like a worm on a hook, just like he had to her a few days before. "The crossing to Prussia, I thought Felix had explained all this to you, you see he's asked me to marry him and I have accepted!"

"Come again?" Jarvis spat, almost choking on his sip of brandy.

"Oh, I think you heard me the first time" she said with some degree of confidence, having fully expected this.

Quite worryingly for Flora, Jarvis began to laugh, uncontrollably at this. As she wasn't sure he'd taken her seriously, she reiterated her statement.

Indeed, Jarvis had heard her loud and clear, the only problem he had was in comprehending this revelation, which, to her amazement he still seemed to find humorous, until the notion firmly settled in. "You're not serious, surely" he scoffed with a short sharp blast of air through his nose, a strained smile on his face.

"Walter, I'm quite sincere. I-"

He cut her dead "WALTER, how can you call me that and after you drop that on me?"

"You think I have a choice!" she cried

"Of course you have a choice, you can stay here with me!"

"Stay here! Could you be anymore dense!"

Ignoring that insult, he continued "Well, you're not going! I won't let you! Especially not to Prussia!" he bellowed, attempting to lay down the law.

"Would you sooner have me go to the poor house then? Have my child taken away from me? You MUST know that is what would happen if I was to be discovered. Don't you have any consideration for my dignity?"

"Your dignity! What about mine-"

"You resigned all rights to any shred of dignity when you told me to leave this place. How could you do that, how could you think this child was anyone else's!"

"I didn't know that then, I do now!" (pleading as though his life depended on it, which in a sense it did)

Shaking her head Flora continued "It's too late for that Walter, you should have known then, you should never have questioned" She said this with such conviction that Jarvis was taken aback, he'd expect her to be in tears by now, but she was holding it together (by no more than a thread, though she wouldn't have him see that.)

"But please, you can see how it looked surely" trying to reason with her.

"To one wearing green tinted spectacles yes! But to one who had some trust, some faith in our relationship, you would have seen that Felix and I are no more than friends"

Unable to hide his frustration at the chef's name: "Well that certainly isn't true now is it? You can't seriously think this charade will work out do you? Not when you're still in love with someone else, you're still in love with ME?" he questioned desperately.

After a brief hesitation she conceded, unable to utter the alternative "You know I do, and that I'll never truly stop. But that's not just not enough" she said quickly before she could stop herself, but shaking her head disagreeing, gulping hard.

"HOW can it not be enough!" Jarvis was now distraught

"Surely you can see that we can hardly make things work with just the two of us, imagine how destructive it would be for a child!"

"Don't you DARE bring our child into this, as an excuse! The child WILL have all the love it could desire, and we could make it work, that's if you wanted to … which … I'm not sure you do" his words slowed as the sudden realisation come over him, looking at her, head tilted sideways, as if it was weighing him down.

"OUR child now is it! You think I'm using our child as an excuse! This is not about what you and I want any longer Walter, it is what's best for them!"

"Don't you think what's best for them is to have both their parents around?" he hissed.

"They will have a father! A father who has always wanted them, who can provide for them, love them and upon whom I can utterly rely"

"FELIX KRAUS! Oh what a FINE father he will make, if they need to know how to make crème anglais, or any other delicate cuisine, he's their man! But if they want to know who they really are, then how will they ever discover that? Don't you think I would love them?" he cried, his desperation to make her see sense increasing.

Astonished that he did actually have a valid point, Flora felt a little unsure for a second, but quickly brought herself back around. She couldn't let him talk her round, she had made her mind up, it was for the greater good, no matter how loudly her heart was screaming otherwise. "Well, you said you loved me, on occasion." she reminded him quietly, but accusingly.

Aghast at her naivety "Flora, I still do - do you have ANY idea how much!"

"Well you have a damned funny way of showing it" she sighed "IF that's true of course" she added quickly, allowing him no room to jump in.

At this final comment, he resigned himself to that fact that, if she had convinced herself otherwise, there was little he could do to change her mind, he'd tried almost everything his pride would allow. He slumped into a nearby chair, holding his head in his hands, now in a complete state of anguish. When his eyes were shielded from hers, Flora snuck a glance at the broken man before her, her heart sunk to its lowest depths, and her conscience began to get the better of her. She was about follow her instincts, start to walk towards him, take him in her arms and have the pair of them forget all the negativity that had gone before, and just be together, the way she had dreamed it for so long.

But, as she did so, Jarvis, concluding that if indeed she was going to do this to him, he wasn't going to hold back. "Fine, GO! You and your SHAM of a marriage have my blessing. I'll be glad to be rid of you, the pair, oh sorry (indicating to Flora's abdomen), the three of you !"

"But, you just said…!"

"Men say a lot of things my dear, they're just three … little … words" (he paused, hardly believing what he was spouting, denouncing his words almost as immediately as he had said them)

Flora's eyes widened, her jaw dropping, a dreadful feeling of sickness, far worse than any bout of morning sickness came over her, rolling both her eyes and head back, slipping into silent hysteria.

Jarvis, unable to stop now he was on a roll continued "When did you say the boat sails the North Sea?"

Flora murmured something inaudibly, failing to muster the strength, or spirit to answer in a coherent way.

"Hmm? After your party no doubt, oh what a joyous occasion that will be!" he mused venomously.

The housekeeper had no idea how to react to this, she simply stared into space, unable to face reality. Jarvis, exasperated at her silence, strode over, taking her by the shoulders, shaking her vigorously, though even this fail to stir her. He stepped back, he'd never seen her like this before, he felt the greatest pang of guilt he'd ever experienced - just what had he done to her? Maybe this was what she meant when she said things never went right between them, and for once he couldn't shake the feeling that it was all his own fault, which he loathed himself for.

For a few moments he just stood above her, his eyes fixed upon her vacant face, willing her to say something, anything, however it was sometime before she did. "So, if that is all Mr Jarvis" she stuttered, looking at him, the familiar tears finally welling in her eyes, a single drop rolling down her left cheek.

'That it!' he thought to himself. Was this really it? Was this how it was all going to end, the love of his life fleeing to raise his child in a foreign land with a man he had almost considered a brother? Before his heart escaped his chest, finally having drummed up the sense to put a stop to this insanity once and for all, he held his right index finger out to catch the tear, but on looking down to her, his gaze was met only by an empty chair.

At this, he practically flew across the room, throwing open the door, looking both ways, up and down the corridor. He spied her, calmly walking down towards her room, almost floating. He fondly remembered a time when he would have followed her, and almost did so, shuffling a few feet forward before something inexplicable stopped him. Instead, he resolved to have a rather extra large brandy, but on closing the door gently, he slid down the back of it, slumping onto the cold hard floor.

Almost synonymously, Flora had found herself on the floor at the end of the corridor. After hearing Walter's door close, she had lost what little control she'd retained over her limbs, first staggering, before sinking to the ground. Each now held theirs heads in their hands, looking up, as if to the heaven's both asking what had they done to deserve this, why the stars were seemingly against them, on all levels.

Next scene
Ten minutes later, Jarvis looks up from staring at his knees, his expression having changed to one of furious rage rather than sadness and self-pity. Scrambling quickly to his feet, he straightens his jacket and waistcoat, then flings open the door and flies down the corridor. He is met briefly by Will, who tries to grab his attention
Will looking slightly bemused: Mr Jarvis, the Earl wants to see you again, he says it's very important…………..

But Jarvis hardly notices Will's presence let alone hears him – if he does then he conceals it extremely well. He continues down the corridor, completely ignoring him, teeth gritted and face like thunder, leaving the under-butler standing and staring silently after him in utter shock at the butler's unprofessional attitude. Not that Jarvis cares in the slightest at the moment. He doesn't stop until he reaches the kitchens, failing to acknowledge the 'welcome back' greetings from the lower staff as they bustle around him. Storming in, he briefly surveys the scene. The kitchen staff are noisily beginning to prepare the evening meal; pots are bubbling away, elaborate jellies are being moulded in the shape of fruit and baskets of flowers, ham and pork is being roasted. The heat pumping out from the kitchen is enormous, taking Jarvis aback slightly, but he is in no mood to come back later. He huffs, dissatisfied. He is only interested in hunting down one person, but as yet he can't see him
Jarvis to all: Where is Mr Kraus!

Lizzie glancing up from chopping cabbage: He's in the Pastry, sir
Just then Kraus appears, flour on his apron and a hand-full of dried fruits in his grasp

Jarvis striding into the kitchen and booming: Alright, everybody out!
The maids all stop and turn to stare at the butler. It slowly dawns on them that he is being totally serious – ordering them out just as meal preparations are in full swing. Nobody makes the first move – they just exchanged worried glances. Mr Jarvis seems in absolutely no mood to be messed with, and they are genuinely scared
Jarvis exasperated: I SAID – everybody OUT! NOW!

Kraus stepping forward, his hair falling across his forehead: Mr Jarvis, we are very busy here, can you not see……….?

Jarvis looking at the chef but still shouting out his order to the maids: Out now, or I'll dock all your wages! Mr Kraus, you will stay in here!

Hurriedly, the maids drop what they are doing and file out as quickly as possible, chattering quietly. Once they have all gone, Jarvis kicks the door shut violently behind them. Kraus puts down his fruit and marches up to Jarvis, fury on his face
Kraus: How dare you order out MY staff, in MY kitchen! I do not order around YOUR footmen, Mr Jarvis, I do not come into YOUR quarters and humiliate YOU!

Jarvis his expression full of hatred and contempt, he steps as close to Kraus as he can get, his voice beginning dangerously low but getting louder: Humiliation, Mr Kraus. I do not think you know the meaning of the word. And yes I do dare to come in here, and I do dare to order your maids to leave! I should say how dare YOU, Mr Kraus!

Kraus half a mind concerned about the pots bubbling furiously and the sagging jellies on the table: If this is about Flora…..

Jarvis thumping the worktop and causing an exquisite jelly to flop over completely in the rising temperature of the room: Too damn right it's about her! What the hell have you filled her head with now! Going with you to Prussia – with YOU of all people, my God you must think I was born yesterday!

Kraus pleading and trying to keep his cool: Walter, I can explain……..

Jarvis not wishing to listen to a word the chef has to say: Coming over here with your fancy foreign ways, you're all the same you lot! I saw it in Italy, how you European men are – full of yourselves and your fancy clothes, thinking you can have any woman you want and spreading around your 'seed' or whatever filthy word the likes of you probably use!

Kraus becoming red, his fists clenching wildly as Jarvis still refuses to hear him out: Now, I think you should stop there, you are not being fair…….!

Jarvis kicking a chair over, causing Kraus to flinch slightly and step back: Fair! How do YOU know what's fair! Is it FAIR that you should take away my child, is it FAIR you should get to marry the woman of my dreams, is it FAIR – Mr Kraus – that I should be expected to stay a celibate bachelor for my entire life, being denied what is every man's right, surely - to have a loving family! And my only chance to get this is robbed from me by a foreign upstart like you, it may be done in Prussia, but stealing a man's woman and child is most certainly NOT done in this country!

Kraus barking in Jarvis' face to try to shut him up: If you have quite finished, Mr Jarvis!
By now the pans are bubbling over, hot water spilling onto the floor. Kraus dashes over, lifting the pans away from the heat, but his baked Alaska is now totally ruined. Thank heavens, he thinks fleetingly, for the Pastry where at least the cherry pies were safe

Jarvis not caring if every morsel in the entire kitchen burnt to a crisp: I have not finished! Why is it you want to do this to me! Tell me, you Prussian idiot!

Kraus thumps a pan down hard then swings round to the butler, who is pacing up and down, sweat pouring down his face as the heat intensifies further because the windows and the door are all shut.
Kraus hands on hips: It is not all about you, Walter! It's about Flora and the child and the sort of future they deserve!

Jarvis: With YOU!

Kraus: Yes, with me! Foreign, eccentric me!

Jarvis: You have taken advantage of a vulnerable, fragile woman…….

Kraus Finally loosing his well-controlled temper, throwing his arms around: And why the hell do you think that she is so fragile! Who made her that way, it certainly wasn't me! Do you have any idea what went on while you were away!

For the first time, Jarvis looks a little sheepish and lost for words
Kraus: You left and she was inconsolable, Walter! She….she took pills. Lots of them. Pills I had given her to help her sleep. She got whiskey from Adams' room and drank so much of it and took so many damn tablets – she tried to kill herself!

Jarvis, stunned, has to steady himself on the table. He looks down, breathing heavily, then back up at Kraus who has shocked himself at the callous way he has told Jarvis about Flora
Jarvis his voice shaking: I…..thought……I……told………you……to…….look…..after……her

Kraus his eyes widening. Why couldn't Jarvis accept his responsibility: I did look after her, but I can't watch her every move! I can't keep her locked up in a cupboard, although I'm sure you'd have wanted me to!

Jarvis obviously deeply upset, but maintaining a strong stiff upper lip as he had been trained to do: Well, I think it just proves my point – that you are incapable of looking after her and being the sort of husband she needs! And what sort of person gives a pregnant woman pills anyway! Is that another bloody foreign stupidity of yours…….!

Kraus lowering his voice in warning: Get out of my kitchen!

Jarvis sizing Kraus up, not budging an inch: Make me.
But before Jarvis can even register Kraus' fist heading straight towards his face, he falls back, grabbing a chair on the way down. Startled, he blinks as he sits on the cold stone floor, until the pain hits him and his lip begins to become very hot and bleed. He looks up at Kraus, panting, who far from backing off is standing over him, a look of defiance on his face

Jarvis coming to his senses and touching his sore lip: Oh, like that is it! You want to take it outside, finish it man to man!

Kraus nodding emphatically: Yes, I think we should! Maybe I can knock some sense into that English head of yours!

Jarvis pulls himself up, storming over to the door and throwing it open to reveal a group of maids – and footmen – listening up against it. Quickly they back off, but he doesn't speak to them, just walks past them, followed by a seething chef. They all gasp, noticing Jarvis' injury, but say nothing as the two men head off outside towards the courtyard. Only Will has the instinctive idea to fetch Mrs Ryan – surely she could sort this out?

Jarvis: Right! We'll do it here!

Kraus nods, frowning, as they stand face to face. Neither notice that the rain is pouring out of the sky as Kraus pulls his hat off his head, throwing it to the wet ground. Jarvis roughly shakes off his jacket, dropping it into a large puddle, then strips off his waistcoat and shirt. The two men are already drenched through. Jarvis wipes his hands on his face as Kraus pushes back his soaking hair, then they size each other up. A clutch of maids have appeared in the doorway, peering out not wanting to miss the action. The carrots could boil to cinders for all they care. This was the fight of the year, forget Kraus and Adams! Jarvis, his anger getting the better of him immediately, takes the first swing, catching Kraus right on the side of the cheek and knocking his head sideways. Unperturbed, the chef comes back at him with a hard thump in the stomach, winding Jarvis completely and making him gasp for air, but soon he has forced Kraus onto the soaking cobbles, punching him on the chin repeatedly until he is dizzy and dazed. It was only then that Jarvis sees Flora standing only yards away from them, in the rain, a look of shock and disgust on her face. Taking his gaze away from her, he looks back at Kraus but that momentary lapse in his concentration meant that Kraus could push him off and roll him over, kneeing him in the groin
Flora crying out: Stop! Both of you, stop! You're hurting each other!

Kraus drags himself off the butler, standing back, his wet clothes pulled and his face red with anger. Jarvis stands, his vest pulled out from his trousers, which are sticking to his legs and covered in dirt
Kraus: Shall we call it quits, then, Mr Jarvis?

Jarvis lunging at him again and shoving him against the wall, thumping him in the stomach: No such luck, I'm afraid!
Kraus pushes him off, flinging him against the water trough, but Jarvis quickly scrambles to his feet, landing one final punch on Kraus' nose. Staggering back, finally succumbing to the beating, the chef falls to the floor, out cold. Flora, desperate, dashes forward and falls next to Kraus. She looks up at Jarvis, who is staring down at his colleague with complete distain on his face

Flora: How could you! What have you done! Are you never finished hurting people! I just hope that we do not receive the same treatment once we arrive in Prussia…………!
She gasps, then glances over at the large crowd of servants who have assembled in the courtyard. They all stare at her in shock and surprise. Prussia? Mrs Ryan is leaving?
Flora to Jarvis, tears falling down her already drenched cheeks: Get away from me! Do you really feel nothing for me at all!

Jarvis hanging his head: Flora, I……
But he doesn't finish. Instead, he turns, his head hanging, and pushes through the crowd, leaving Flora cradling Kraus in her arms as he slowly begins to come round
end scene

Next morning. Breakfast time in the upper servants dining room. Well, it would have been breakfast time if indeed breakfast had been provided on time and all the servants had bothered to turn up. Mrs Ryan and Mrs Diggins are sat quietly at the table, staring down at their empty plates, the clock ticking loudly in the background. In the end the silence becomes too unbearable for both women

Mrs D huffing: Well, this is completely unacceptable! Twice this has happened now, Mrs Ryan, TWICE!

Flora extremely quietly: Yes, Mrs Diggins, I know.

Mrs D apparently not hearing: And to think what went on yesterday! Utterly disgraceful! I don't know what it was about, but fighting like two schoolboys indeed! I should go straight to the Earl with this...

Flora suddenly rises from the table, causing Mrs D to jump. She doesn't look at her colleague, just pulls away from her place and moves swiftly towards the door

Flora: Yes, well you just do that, Mrs Diggins! Whatever you feel you need to do! I'm past caring any more, I really am!

With that, she flings open the door and walks out, leaving Mrs Diggins sat open-mouthed at her outburst

The Earl's bedroom. Jarvis has been summoned by the Earl, who is even more furious now as his butler had completely forgotten to see him the previous afternoon, despite repeated desperate attempts from Will to get him to go. The Earl is sat at his writing desk, but instead of paper and a quill on its surface sat two empty bottles of whiskey and half a bottle of brandy. His glaring stare is fixed on Jarvis, who is trying his level best to hide a throbbing hang over and numerous bruises on his cheeks. He is barely able to stand properly, every bit of him aching. Oh, how he longs for Flora's bedside manner so soothe him, but he knows that this is the very last thing on her mind. The Earl is barking at him about his lack of professionalism - he doesn't know the half of it, Jarvis thinks, almost with cheeky amusement.

Earl red in the face, although Jarvis can't decide if its from excessive drinking or his anger: I will not stand for it Jarvis, do you hear me!

Jarvis: Yes, sir.

Earl: You will TURN UP when I require it, I don't care what you are doing!

Jarvis: Indeed sir, sorry sir.

Earl: Well!

Jarvis: Well, sir?

Earl sighing: What were you doing, man!

Jarvis thinking that the Earl had just said that he didn't care about that: I was, er, consulting with chef, M'Lord. On the winter hamper, and the Christmas food stock arrangements. And the alcohol storage for the festive season. Sir.

This seemed to placate the Earl a little. Jarvis knows the mention of alcohol stocks is something the Earl could sympathise greatly with, but then his employer's expression changes to one of deep concern, which causes Jarvis' heart to leap into his throat

Earl turning back to his desk, unable to look at Jarvis: I'm afraid...my trip to London. It wasn't fruitful. The bank - it won't help. He took it all, Jarvis. All of it. I'm bankrupt. Officially. The bailiffs will be in soon. I'm trying my best to hold onto Taplows itself, but the contents will have to be auctioned. I think, though, without over half of the servants this place will be unable to function...

With those words, Jarvis knows exactly what is going to happen. His worst fears are confirmed. In his roundabout way, the Earl is telling his butler to go off and make redundant scores of servants, and this made him sick to his stomach. Of course he always knew that it is one of the more unsavoury aspects of being butler, but he always hoped that he would never have to actually carry it out

Earl: As I'm sure you are aware, Mrs Ryan and Mr Kraus are leaving. I am loathed to look for a replacement as yet, once Kraus has gone you will have to promote up a senior cook. I can't afford to pay these fancy wages any longer. If you wish to stay working for me you will have to have a large salary cut, probably as much as £40 - let me know your decision in due course. And I want to know of the redundancies as soon as you make them, preferably within the next week. The reserve redundancy money will unfortunately have to be kept, but I am sure most with good characters will find suitable employment elsewhere quickly. Dismissed.

Jarvis, surprised at the Earl's sudden end to the rather one-sided and cold conversation, hesitates for a moment, then with a nod slowly (and painfully) exits the bedroom and makes his way back to the office. Walking through the servants quarters, he barely notices that the gossiping subsides when the staff see him, that Kraus is yelling at some poor - and probably redundant - kitchen maid for not whipping the eggs correctly, and that Mrs Ryan is stood in his office in the corner. He slams the door shut behind him, then sees her standing by the window, her arms crossed and her expression sour

Jarvis sharply, ignoring her gaze: I don't want to hear it. I just don't. Leave me.

Flora walking forward: Mr Jarvis I...

Jarvis walking over to the door and grabbing the handle: I don't want you in here. I've just seen the Earl, and I'm going to have to decide - without your help, as you're running away - who I am going to have to sack! See, there are even more important things in the world than you and Mr Kraus, if you can believe it! He pulls open the door and indicates to her to depart as her stern expression softens to one of shock and worry So if you'll excuse me, Mrs Ryan, I've got some more lives to ruin, and I'm sure poor Felix is desperate for you to go and soothe his pains.

Flora shaking her head: So it's true then? It was all a scam? But what did the Earl say? What about Taplows? How many staff have to go?

Jarvis unmoving in his coldness towards her: I do not think it is any longer any of your business, Mrs Ryan. Looks like you're getting out at just the right time, don't you think? How nice and convenient! You may feign concern for your fellow servants if you like, but don't do it in front of me. Now if you please!

Fighting back the tears, Flora ducks under Jarvis' outstretched arm as he leans on the door and hurries away

Jarvis after her: That's right! You go after him! Tell him the whole sob story!

Growling, he slams the door again, and looks over at his desk. He has a whole morning of figures and decisions ahead of him, and none of it looks inviting.

Meanwhile, at the lower servants breakfast table, the conversation simply cannot stop flowing, as all who were present in the courtyard, and even those who weren't, all had an opinion on the rather unexpected turn of events. There was no need for the usual round of extravagant theories to be dreamt up concerning this latest senior staff bust up, as those who were able to press their ears up against the kitchen door, after Jarvis had slammed it shut on them, heard the whole sorry mess, beginning to end. Breakfast had been served in the understandable absence of the chef, but the most of the food remained on the table, as the frenzied discussion left little time for eating. Both Adams and Lizzie, who had some prior knowledge of the situation were almost as stunned as the rest, though they chose to remain largely silent, out of respect for those involved. However, not much respect was currently being shown for Mr Kraus, whom on walking from his room to get another cold compress, gained a scathing stare from Charlotte. The maid was of the notion that it was he who, as Jarvis had said, had prayed upon the distressed Mrs Ryan, taking this opportunity whilst she was vulnerable, to claim her for himself.

Indeed, this seemed to be the general consensus, as the footmen all praised Jarvis' efforts to show his 'friend' exactly what he was made of. Johnny, once again having found his voice was boasting over how he had been so right about the situation, denouncing them all for not having taken his account of a kiss between the housekeeper and the chef with anything more than a pinch of salt. The usually reserved footman was in his element after being proved right, and he wasn't about to let the others forget that in a hurry. It was only Grace who was sympathetic of all three, the only one who was defending Kraus, as she hit the nail on the head with the suggestion that he was only trying to save face for Mrs Ryan and would be umpteen times more reliable than Jarvis, as all their rowing would hardly be constructive for the child. Lizzie wanted to jump in and help her friend out, as she was also of the same opinion on the matter, but feared if she started speaking her mind, she may let slip that she had known about Flora's unborn child.

After Grace had declared that, the conversation moved from the surface issue of the men fighting it out over Mrs Ryan, to the most alarming subject of her pregnancy, more accurately who the father was. However, surprisingly there were few who would argue against it being the butler, as though they had never dreamed she would let herself become pregnant, it was so far beyond any of their wildest thoughts that the child could not have been Jarvis'. Naturally, Grace was leading this strong case, the only objections coming from a certain sarcastic footman. This was a rare occasion when this wasn't actually Will, as he was being rather serious and sensible about the matter, insisting that no one could have any reason to doubt Mrs Ryan, as she had always been so admirably forthright. The footman in question was the next natural choice, Fred, who hadn't been at Taplows the previous afternoon, as it was his time off. On returning from Tappleton, well, actually, from the Cock and Bull, he was not really of a deposition to take much in, as he had previously taken in a rather large amount of apple cider. So, it was like hearing the story for the first time (again) this morning, and he couldn't resist jumping into the conversation here and there with little quips.

Finally, as the great clock chimed for 8am, leaving the staff just ten minutes to be ready for duty, verbal bets were being taken whether or not the two unlikely lovers would indeed leave, together, or apart, with the winnings not being in money, but the distribution of the most unwanted tasks, for the duration of a fortnight. As George was placing his, he suddenly held his tongue, as Grace returned to the room. She had left it a few moments earlier with Lizzie and shortly afterwards Adams, in disgust that people could view theses awkward circumstances in such a trivial light. She came back reluctantly to deliver a message to Susan that she was required in Mr Jarvis' office promptly, before turning on her heels and returning to the sewing room. At this announcement Susan began (once again) to complain that he had probably conjured up a mammoth task for her, which would take her hours - why was it always her, she puzzled, that he chose to do all the hardwork? As she left, so did the others, fearing that in his current state of temper, Jarvis might storm down there and give them all extra chores to do.

Jarvis stood with his back to his door, already he'd notified five scullery maids and three of the stable lads that their services were no longer required at Taplows, the news they had they had taken the hardest was that they would only be being paid till the end of the week. He had asked them to clear out their belongings and report to him at the end of the day for their characters. Sighing to himself he wished he hadn't shouted at Flora earlier, especially since now he had to sack one of her maids and he had had to make the decision alone which one to sack. He was snapped out of his reverie by a soft tapping at his door, he took a deep breath and wished under his breath it was Flora, preferable bearing a tray of tea and cake like she used to whenever he missed a meal. Turning around he beckoned to Susan to enter, with any luck he thought this shouldn't take long.

"You wanted to speak to me Mr Jarvis?" Susan asked, pushing her bonnet on straight and whipping her hands on her apron nervously.

"Yes Susan I did, would you please sit down, what I have to say is going to come as a bit of a shock!"

Five minutes later and the door to Jarvis's office opened once more, a sobbing Susan slowly shuffled into the corridor, blinded by her tears she walked straight into Joe and Fred who were carrying a heavy chest outside.

"Watch were you going Susie!" Bellowed Fred as he swerved to avoid a collision, unfortunately jerking the chest out of Joe's hands which then smashed down on the poor footman's foot. Joe grabbed his injured toes with his hands and hopped along the corridor till he could sit quietly on the stairs massaging them back to life.

Fred laughed out loud at his friend's plight, glancing in Susan's direction in order to share the joke, but the maid wasn't laughing. She wasn't even trying to stifle a giggle, the tears were running freely down her cheeks, and when Fred opened his mouth to ask what was wrong she practically threw herself into the young footman's arms. Bemused Fred patted her awkwardly on the back, comforting distraught women was obviously not his specialty. Curious Joe rejoined them, his throbbing foot forgotten in the light of Susan's distress, slowly he mouthed to Fred, "What's wrong?"

Fred shrugged his shoulder, rolling his eyes to the heavens, as far as he knew it could be anything from a dying relative to a toothache. Slowly he prised the blubbering maid from him and carefully he and Joe escorted her to the lower servants hall, where she flung herself onto Charlotte. After a few minutes a substantial crowd had gathered all anxious to learn what was the matter with the maid.

"Come on Susie out with it! What's got you so upset?" Joe asked concerned.

"Adams probably turned her down!" Will quipped from the sidelines, snorting with laughter at his own joke.

Suddenly Susan found her voice, and pulling away from Charlotte she strode over to Will, "That's right you laugh it up now Will Forest. You'll be laughing on the other side of your face soon, when Mr Jarvis summons you into his office and tells you you've been laid off!"

"What!" Will gasped, his disbelief echoed by those around him.

"That's right!" Susan yelled as if possessed. "All of you! All of your jobs are at risk too. Guess what the Earls gone bankrupt, and he's ordered Jarvis to sack most of the staff, we're to leave by the end of the week and what's more there's no money!"

"What do you mean no money?" Fred asked anxiously.

"Thought that might get through that thick scull of your Frederick Matkin? There's no money, no redundancy money, all we get are our wages paid up to the end of the week and our character!"

"Bloody Hell!" Exclaimed Will, shaking his head in disbelief, as most of the servants began to panic and shout.

"What on earth is going on in here?" Sounded Mrs Ryan's voice clear as a bell above the rabble.

Susan dashed over to her and grabbed hold of the housekeepers sleeve, "Please Mrs Ryan you have to talk to the Earl for us, Mr Jarvis said there's no redundancy money but there just has to be Mrs Ryan, how are we going to cope with no job and no money and being thrown out at the end of the week!" Her voice just tailed off as she once more descended into hysterics but she could not be prised away from the startled housekeeper.

Finally Will stepped in and physically wrenched Susan's hand off of Mrs Ryan's arm, which the housekeeper rubbed furiously anxious to restore circulation. Susan was quickly whisked away by Charlotte to the maid's room to lie down and compose herself.

Flora turned anxious and worried, how could there be no redundancy money the Earl had a duty to look after his staff, she had no choice but to risk Walter's wrath and ask him what was going on. She turned and made her way to Mr Jarvis's office, Will sensing an opportunity quickly followed and fell in step beside her. After a few moments she stopped and indicating for Will to follow made her way to her own office.

"I can only give you a few minutes Mr Forest, I suggest you get whatever it is off your chest." She said stepping inside and making her way over to her desk

Will smiled and followed her over to the table, he waited for her to sit before he began. "What's going on Mrs Ryan, the Earl isn't really completely bankrupt is he? I mean I know he went to London to meet some bankers and everything I mean I was there but……"

Flora sighed and rubbed her forehead trying to ease the start of yet another headache, "it's true, he is bankrupt and there is no redundancy money, over half of the staff will be made redundant over the next few days!" She raised a hand to stall his next question, "no I don't know who! Mr Jarvis has not seen fit to discuss the matter with me and as a result I have little to no influence in the process. I'm sorry." She added, looking up at the concerned lad, sympathy clear on her face. "As if you haven't been through enough changes this last year. Will if you need any help, you can always come and talk to me, I'll do what I can." She said smiling one of her half smiles.

Will let go of the breath he'd been holding and he looked up meeting Flora's gaze and he smiled back, "don't worry about me Mrs Ryan, I always fall on my feet and besides you've got enough to worry about what with moving and the…. The well you know, the baby and everything." He stopped suddenly as Flora's eyes teared up. "I'm sorry, I didn't say that to upset you or anything, it's just I understand how hard it must be on you at the moment you don't need to be burdened with my problems on top of everything else."

Flora's smile widened and a single tear broke free and fell down her cheek as she reached out and grasped Will's hand, squeezing it reassuringly. Will smiled back, a slight blush appearing as he felt the warmth of her hand on his, and reluctantly he released it and slowly backed out of the room, leaving Mrs Ryan alone with her thoughts.

However, Will didn't manage to get very far, only down to the second floor corridor before another firey female caught up with him. Lizzie had just returned, in some haste from the orangery, where she had mistakenly thought she had seen a rather unwanted visitor marching down the drive towards the house. On spying the man, she had dropped the miniature watering can she had been holding, and leapt behind one of the more fuller trees. As she hid, her heart pounded in her chest at the anticipation of it being William Forrest the elder, as the man was walking rather oddly. But after an anxious few minutes, Lizzie thankfully recognised him as being Jacob, one of the more aged gardeners, who had, for as long as she had known him, walked with a limp. It was only then that she was able to relax a little, but not for long, as her fear soon turned to anger. She had volunteered to go up to the orangery, as it would help her keep her end of the bargain with Will, to help him look out for any sign of a return. However, Lizzie was all too aware that, Will, who never seemed to be around anymore, was not keeping his end, a matter that she intended to correct that very moment.

"Will, I need a word with you!" she called down the corridor with a hint of strain in her voice

"Not now eh Liz? His lordship's got me walking his bloody dogs this afternoon, damned things, was hoping for a rest with my time off!"

"YOU were hoping for a rest! What about me?" she cried

"You had your morning off yesterday luv, I havn't had one since before London!" he reminded her

"Not much of a bloody morning off was it? Keeping to the garden, checking the perimeters for a certain relative of yours!"

"Well, you know that cant be helped I-"

"And don't call me luv! Honestly, I could just about throttle you right now!" she warned, still breathing a little heavily due to her brisk jog from the orangery.

Noticing that her cheeks were infact a little red "Whats up Liz, are you alright"? he enquired tenderly, reaching out to brush her arm.

At this she stepped away from him, holding up her hands, before hugging herself as a barrier toward him. "NO I'm not alright, we nearly had another close call just now!"

Will, immediately comprehending what she meant by that, reverted back to his cat-on-hot-bricks mode, bursting "What, is he here!"

"Well, no…"

"Well who was it then? Are you sure!"

Lizzie tiring of his selfishness, was forced to admit a little sheepishly that it had, in actual fact been Jacob. Though she didn't leave Will chance to call her silly or anything like that, though it may as well have been written on his forehead on reading his expression.

"But it could have been for all you'd have known! Where were you when I needed you Will?"

"But you didn't need me though did you, it was a false alarm, don't worry."

"Don't worry? No I suppose you don't do you, as its always me whose on guard while your off god knows where, leaving me to deal with, with…. (she was struggling).. Oh, you know what he is!"

Taking offence at the implication that he wasn't pulling his weight, Will answered in a raised voice "Well its not exactly my choice is it!"

"Well, do you really think its mine!" she retorted

"I HAVE no choice, I'm at the Earl's beck and call, even more so now bloody Jarvis just turns up whenever he sodding feels like it!"

At this, Lizzie did concede that he had a point, but continued with her thread regardless "I'm on edge ALL the time, I cant even go into town now through fear that he'll recognise me!" shaking her head, nodding towards the floor wearily.

At this, he again stepped closer to her, and his voice softened, assuring her that she was safe. This appeared to fall on deaf ears, as once again she withdrew from him, leaving him a little confused and decidedly put out.

"Well, what do you expect me to do Elizabeth? Hmm? Drop everything, tell Earl to tie his own shoelaces, just so I can hold your hand!" he challenged.

"No of course not I-"

Having taken no notice, he continued sarcastically "Right, that's it then, I'll go and tell the earl right now, shall I!

Lizzie just glanced up at him, just catching his eye.

"After all, he is expecting me, may I be excused?" At this, he started stomping off down the corridor towards the stairs.

"I just, just want a little more support from you!" Lizzie called after him, before entering the room of the doorway she had been standing in.

At hearing these last words, Will did turn round, as although he was frustrated, he did feel bad about leaving her to potentially encounter his father lone. As he carried on walking, he pledged he'd never forgive himself if something did happen to her, and resolved to tell her that, when he'd calmed down. However, this wasn't going to be anytime in the very immediate future as he hated dogs, especially the little yappy things that Lady Caroline owned. Indeed, on his way, he had decided that, if he wasn't going to be able to have his afternoon off, and as he couldn't face stepping foot in the Cock and Bull anyway, he would have to create his own makeshift pub. This wasn't going to be as difficult as it sounded, as on looking after the rather intoxicated Earl the previous evening, Will had taken the liberty of removing one of His lordship's prized bottles of port, for safe keeping naturally. After to picking up the mutts from the west wing entrance, Will decided to take them on a new route, via the gazebo, but didn't actually manage to get beyond the structure in the garden, tying the dogs to a nearby trees, letting them walk themselves.

On entering the gazebo, he removed the small vintage bottle from his jacket. Before the rim could touch his lips, a stern, but playful voice called out "I don't think his lordship will thank you for that Mr Forrest!"

Will froze for a moment in shock, then he began to chock on the small mouthful of port he had managed to swig out of the bottle. Suddenly the hidden figure dashed over and began to pat him firmly on the back till he stopped choking.

"Thank you, Mrs Ryan." Will wheezed.

"Hmmmmmm, well if you didn't find the need to hide out in the gazebo drinking his lordships spirits things like this wouldn't happen!" She said in a firm yet teasing tone, a slight smile pulling at her mouth.

"Yes, well, sorry." Will added sheepishly, shrugging his shoulders and pulling his knees up under his chin. "It's just….well I needed to get away, away from all that!" He said pointing back over his shoulders at Taplows.

"Yes, believe me that I understand!" Flora said sympathetically, "I suppose that's why I'm here too, hiding I suppose you'd say." She added hugging herself protectively.

Will turned and looked at her then, she seemed so lost and alone, not at all like the normal armour plated Mrs Ryan he'd seen in all his time at Taplows. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked tentatively.

Flora shook her head, "You?".

"Definitely not!" Will replied, taking another swig of his port before remembering he had company and offered the bottle to her.

Flora looked at it for a minute bemused before bursting out laughing, she laughed so hard that she thought she would burst in two and she couldn't stop tears sliding down her cheeks. For a few moments Will just stared at her, he had never seen her like this and surprisingly it suited her, then her laughter became infectious and pretty soon he too was in hysterics.

"What are we laughing about?" he choked out after a few minutes.

Flora sat up, wiping her tears away and trying to stifle her laughter long enough to answer, "I honestly don't know, it's just the whole situation I haven't swigged out of a bottle since I was sixteen."

"Well it wasn't that long ago," Will replies teasingly, "You should remember how!"

Flora turned to him beaming, "that has to be the sweetest lie I think I've ever heard!"

Will pushed the bottle towards her, "Go on I bet you do remember!"

Smiling Flora shook her head once more, and patted her stomach "I'd better not, I don't want this baby coming out pickled."

"Are you really going to Prussia with Mr Kraus?" Will asked hesitantly. Flora didn't reply, but simply nodded her agreement, her eyes welling with tears once more. For a moment Will didn't know what to do, finally he opened his arms and Flora just fell into them, sobbing against his shoulder. "There there, it'll be alright, I'm sure you'll like it, Prussia can't be all that different from here and Mr Kraus will take good care of you both."

Flora mumbled through her tears and Will leant in closer to try and catch what she said, all he caught was, "but Walter….he said…so what choice do I have?" She finished looking up at Will in despair, her eyes pleading with him for another solution. Will smiled sadly brushing her hair away from her tear stained face, his eyes locked with hers, which pulled him in like magnets. They're just like sapphires he thought before leaning forward and kissing the tears off her face, he pulled away and brushed his nose against hers glancing up at her eyes, but they were half closed and she leant towards him. Will paused then gently lent down placing a soft kiss on her lips, Flora's eyes opened suddenly but she didn't pull away. After a few moments Will pulled back, his cheeks red and his smile bashful. Flora smiled back at him, "Thank you."

"It's alright, believe me my pleasure!" He replied cheekily, anxious to hide his embarrassment.

"I mean it Will, I came out here earlier thinking that my world was coming to an end, but then you came with your jokes and, well you know….It made me forget all my troubles for a least a few moments, thank you!"

Will stood awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head as he stared down at the ground before speaking, "My Pleasure honestly, I mean how many lads get to live out even a small part of their youthful fantasies?"

"Will!" Flora called out as he turned to leave, "Don't give up, whatever you do if something's worth having it's worth fighting for!" He glanced up at her, fixing forever in his mind the way she smiled and the twinkle in her eyes, and then stored that away forever in his memory. Then bidding her goodnight he practically skipped up back up the house, his good humour restored he thought once more of Lizzie and his growing affection for the young Scottish lass. Maybe Mrs Ryan was right perhaps it was time to take the bull by the horns, and tell the girl how he felt.

It is 10pm and Jarvis is still sat in his office, rather than retiring to his room. He is done looking at his figures – his head is spinning with the day's events and his brain is just unable to calculate any more numbers. He sits back, pulling out his last cigar. He frowns and grunts; damn he had forgotten in the midst of everything to order more. Shrugging, he decides to send in Johnny, saved from the chop, into Tappleton to buy more tomorrow. He lights up, the loneliness beginning to creep in again in the silence of the room. It seems so long ago to him since he made a habit of visiting the chef in his sitting room for a swift brandy and a chat about the day. He hasn't done that for weeks now – in fact he hasn't spoken to hardly anyone in the evenings for a while now, unless it was to shout and argue.

He concludes that the silence is actually rather a blessing compared to everything that has happened of late. His mind wanders to thinking about his own future. He still hasn't decided whether to stay or not at Taplows, or to look for alternative employment. True, he was still rather young for a butler, as well as experienced, but he knows that there isn't exactly a shortage of them, so it could be quite a gamble. And it all seems totally pointless anyway without a certain someone – a certain family, he feels he is entitled to.

Tap, tap!

Jarvis looks up from the desk and his thoughts, and to his surprise and strange amusement sees Adams hovering outside his door, a bottle of brandy in his grasp and two glasses in the other. He doesn't even want to begin where the footman had got
the liquor from.

Jarvis somewhat sarcastically: Mr Adams, if you must drink do you have to make it so obvious!

Adams enters quietly, putting the glasses and bottle on Jarvis' desk

Adams: Well, I thought after today you could do with a drink.

Jarvis sharply, hardly in the mood for Adams and his attitude: I am quite capable of getting my own drink if required, thank you all the same.

Adams ignoring him and pouring: And I thought you could do with the company. I know I could.

Jarvis, immediately suspicious, tuts and indicates to Adams to pull up a chair anyway. He didn't think it right to turn down a drink when offered, so concludes he should, out of politeness, spend one glass in the footman's company. Reluctantly he accepts the glass and looks intently at Adams, who obviously wants to say something but can't seem to spit it out. There is a rather uncomfortable silence as the two men sup their brandy, not quite sure who should speak first

Adams giving in: Nasty business, these sackings. Fiffington-Piffles, he should burn in Hell!

Jarvis eyes widening: Mr Adams! The man should most certainly be brought to justice yes, but I do not think that you, or I for that matter, are in any position to serve him his sentence!

Silence descends once again until Adams goes to speak then hesitates. Jarvis is finding this most infuriating and is just about to end the evening when Adams blurts out what is on his mind

Adams shifting uneasily in his chair: I was thinking………about you and Mrs Ryan, and your, er, situation.

This causes Jarvis to raise his eyebrows and lean forward slightly, not quite sure what to make of that somewhat shocking statement. He was really expecting Adams to moan about Will and how much of an upstart he considers him, or at a push the awkwardness of working with his estranged daughter, but never that. He is just glad he wasn't actually drinking at the time

Jarvis teasing slightly but also a little put-out that a footman could be thinking about a butler's private business: Oh, were you? And what situation would that be then?

Adams gulping and reddening: Well, you know, I don't know how you can bare her to leave with that Prussian nancy when she's expecting your baby.

Jarvis is gobsmacked, but is also to his surprise a little interested to know Adams' opinion, although he would never let on that he needs any advice from anyone. He doesn't know what the whole love triangle must look like to an outsider, so decides to press Adams a little further while half feigning and half believing that Adams has no right to say such things

Jarvis placing his glass down on the desk: Is that right? And what would you have me do? You are hardly one to give advice on affairs of the heart, Mr Adams.

Adams almost defiant: It seems so simple to me, Mr Jarvis. You should have let her know who was boss right from the start.

Jarvis toying with Adams' awkwardness and embarrassment: Well, she knows that I am butler and she is housekeeper, Mr Adams, she has worked here for a number of years.

Adams exasperatedly shaking his head and pouring two more glasses of brandy: She should have known that you know best and that she couldn't manipulate you.

Jarvis glaring: She hasn't manipulated me!

Adams: Aw, c'mon, Mr Jarvis, she has you wrapped around her little finger. Fighting in the courtyard, that's not like you! She has you mad, mark my words! You obviously let her get away with far too much in the beginning, she now needs to know exactly her duty to you – her submissive duty. Never mind that chef! I cannot bear to see a man dragged down by a woman!

Jarvis hissing: Mr Adams! I think you have said quite enough and I am now fully aware of your opinion on the matter!

Adams downs his glass of brandy, then scrapes back his chair. Oh good, thinks Jarvis, he's got the message to leave

Adams grinning: I know what we need – some of Kraus' homebrew!

Before Jarvis can reply that he can't bear the stuff, one only has to sniff it before falling unconscious it is so toxic, Adams has trotted out of the office in search of it. This leaves Jarvis, momentarily, with his thoughts. He concludes he needs a speech. That's right, he needs to work out exactly what to say to her before he says it. He can't trip over his words or mumble or give her an inch – she has to know that she has an obligation as the mother of his expectant child to marry him and be a proper wife. Adams was right. It is time to assert his authority.

Two hours later, Adams and Jarvis are still in Jarvis' office after four pints each of Kraus' homebrew and a further two glasses of brandy. Adams is slumped backwards in his chair, but as he has had lots of practice over the years – more than Jarvis it seems – he is still rather alert if more than a little slurred. Jarvis is leaning forward, his head resting on his hand as he tries to focus on the bottom of his glass

Jarvis slurred and somewhat incoherent: But I love her, Mr Adams, I really do.

Adams feeling nauseous: Aye, you do that, sir. You've said many a dozen times now.

Jarvis looking almost tearful as he tries to squeeze one last drop out the brandy bottle: She's so beautiful, and funny, and attractive, and oh that accent Mr Adams, so soft and soothing. Why does she love him? Why! What's he got that I haven't!

Adams, rolling his eyes, is now beyond caring and wishes he had never brought up the damn subject. He tries to get up from his chair but can't even lift out his weary and numb body

Adams: Well, you just tell her who's boss.

Jarvis waving his glass around then pointing at Adams almost accusingly: Y'know, I will. I will! If she thinks she's hic! going to leave with…with HIM then she can bloody well think again!

Adams sniggering: Well, you certainly need to take out your frustration somehow!

Jarvis nodding as gravely as he can manage under the circumstances: Yes her attitude towards me is totally unacceptable!

Adams Finally wobbling to his feet: Not that kind of frustrating! Well, hic! you're not getting any at the moment are you! And once you get used to having it on a regular basis! What it seems you need is a damn good……..

But before he can finish his rather dubious sentence his legs are so weak they give way under him and he goes crashing down, knocking the chair out of the way and landing hard on the floor. Jarvis begins to snigger then laughs out loud as Adams tries to pull himself up but slips back down again, burping loudly. The butler finally calms down, scraping back his chair and slowly – very slowly – stands and staggers round the side of the desk, looking desperately hard at the floor for Adams. Adams, giggling to himself on the floor, is awkwardly hauled up until the two men are standing to the best of their ability

Jarvis waving his arm in the direction of the door: You know what? You know bleeding well what!

Adams gulping hard and breathing deeply, not really interested in 'what': What?

Jarvis: I'm going hic!….going to go and tell her now! She is going to sleep in MY bed tonight and she'll damn well like it!

Adams even in his drunken state taken aback by Jarvis' forthrightness: No! Noooo. Sir, don't do that, not tonight. You're intoxicated, you need to be on top form and I think you need to sleep now.

He steadies Jarvis who staggers backwards into the desk, banging his leg. Jarvis fails to notice that this is about the most sensible thing Adams has ever said to him, as they both exit the office in the most wobbly fashion, leaving their drinking debris behind them.