31st July 1851 (Flora Ryan)
It seems impossible to believe after all this time and all those tears that I haven't learnt a single thing. I had spent all of the winter and spring convincing myself I was over him, purging my love and my soul through a regime of long days and hard work, driving my poor girls almost as hard as I was driving myself. I had even conned myself into believing I had conquered my heart, that my head had won over, but then he came home….
This morning I hadn't even realised the extra care I took with my appearance, it wasn't until I overheard William Forest's passing comment to one of the maids that I even realised what I had done, sniggering that that I was looking mighty fine that morning and it certainly wasn't for his benefit. I immediately disappeared into my office for the rest of the day, unable to keep from glancing in the glass, typically it was just as I had decided to change out of the light cornflower blue dress into something plainer and more conservative that men decided to return home.
It all happened so quickly, one minute I was standing there completely composed well apart from a slight heat in my cheeks then next it was like an inferno had been started, the very sight of him just lit something inside me and my whole body trembled. For the moment when he met my gaze I couldn't suppress the flicker of excitement that having those crystal blues lock with mine triggered it was like lightening shooting from the tips of my toes up along my spine, spreading out all over my body making places tingle that well I haven't even thought about in years.
Then as soon as it started it was over, that special moment that special connection that seemed to like to last for an eternity was suddenly shattered as Walter glanced away, not even a smile or a flicker of recognition showing on his handsome face and in that moment I truly thought my heart would break….
- - - - -
Suddenly Flora Ryan slammed her diary shut, shoving the little black book back into the top drawer of her bedside table, and throwing herself face down on the bed as the memories of that afternoon and that evening flooded her mind. It had started pleasantly enough, everyone seemed delighted to be home and even Walter had appeared relatively jovial, well for him any way. Over dinner the wine had flown slightly freer than was usual but it was hardly surprising, tales about the extremely strict household governed over by old Mrs Brunswick, a strident puritan, and the matriarch of the Cumberland household was legendry and as the stories went even Mr Jarvis could be intimidated by her.
So much so that it was an unwritten rule that no alcohol would be served at her tables, no beer for the footmen and much to the annoyance of Mr Jarvis not even a snifter of brandy to accompany his after dinner cigar. It was therefore not unsurprising that the gentlemen would choose to imbibe more than was good for them and that it would go to their heads a little quicker than usual, an act that had the secondary affect of loosening their tongues as well.
Flora had left them to it, smiling politely and quietly excusing herself as the conversation turned bawdier than she was used to. However on heading halfway back to her room she had suddenly remembered leaving her account book on her writing desk and she still needed to check over her figures before handing it over to Mr Jarvis in the morning and so had dutifully headed back to her office. However on heading down the now dark corridor it was inevitable that she should hear them, the door to her office was open and due to the influence of the wine all consideration for how their voices would carry had been forgotten.
"God its good to be home!" Felix had exclaimed causing Flora to giggle slightly as she approached her office.
"Yes." Jarvis snorted. "I wonder how long it will last though?"
"Oh Walter, there is no need to bring that up again, she seems to have returned to normal whatever was the matter before…" Felix retorted loudly causing Flora to stop dead in the darkened doorway, her hand trembling as she reached out for the door handle.
"Probably her age, you know what women get like when they go over like that…"
"I hardly think so she's still too young surely!" Felix snorted.
"Oh no the unmarried virgins are always worst, seem to start that earlier…Just as long as she doesn't start to turn into another Mrs Brunswick, god I don't think I could cope with two of them!"
"Walter you're over reacting surely…Besides…" Felix sniggered. "How can you be sure about the virgin thing? Unless you know something I don't?"
"Oh come off it Felix just look at what happened before, the very thought of it and she's separating the lower servants, if we hadn't left when we did the upper servants would be next. If she ever found a man in her bed she wouldn't know what to do with him, she'd probably insist on painting a white line down the centre of the room, not that she'd need such protection I'm sure her chastity belt would be enough of a passion killer!"
"Damn shame though!" Felix whispered thoughtfully as he suddenly got to his feet whirling round his eyes suddenly widening as he caught a brief glimpse of a pale face through the gap in the door, before there was the gently swish of silk and the light patter of running feet. "God no!" He gasped, jolting the butler out his silent contemplation of the bottom of his empty brandy glass.
"What?" Jarvis slurred.
"She heard!" Felix whispered.
"Who heard?" Jarvis snapped irritably.
"Flora she was outside the door and she must have heard…"
"Bugger!" Jarvis hissed, letting his glass drop from his hand, shattering on the floor as he got to his feet, "Bloody woman, why couldn't she just go to bed?"
- - - -
1st August 1851 (Flora Ryan)
I thought I would never get to sleep last night, those horrid taunting words just wouldn't leave me be if only they knew the truth then they wouldn't dare sit there and mock me like that…But I can't even bear to think about it so how could I tell anyone, much less Mr Jarvis, at least now he mocks me over something that I know is untrue but to reveal to him my true weaknesses….
I've never told anyone, I've wanted to but I've never been able to say the words. It doesn't matter I shouldn't have to explain myself to him or to anyone, and so what if I may appear prudish and am too hard on my girls, I am only trying to protect them, protect them like nobody protected me…
- - - -
Breakfast that morning was a somewhat more sobering experience, Flora had forced herself to attend, however the prospect of running into her had obvious proved too much for Mr Kraus as he had missed the meal in favour of reorganising his kitchen; the butler on the other hand obviously felt he had nothing to be acting bashful about and attended breakfast as if nothing had happened.
However as he was standing up to leave his eyes glanced softly over the quiet woman bent over her teacup apparently engrossed in the murky depths. Coughing politely Jarvis hovered nervously. "Mrs Ryan." He murmured causing Flora to look up at him for the first time that morning her face was composed but her eyes were like ice. "Would you join me in my office after breakfast?"
"Do you want to go over the accounts?" She replied softly.
"Amongst other things…" He added his eyes raking over her slender form, noting automatically how well that colour brought out the tints in her eyes and thinking to himself Felix might have a point for once it was a damnable waste, what was she still doing here? Why wasn't she married with children, it couldn't have been from lack of admirers surely?
Ten minutes later and there was a sharp knock at the Butler's door and on his instructive wave the door opened and in marched the housekeeper.
"Mrs Ryan." The Butler muttered waving towards the empty seat next to his desk without even glancing up at her in acknowledgment.
Nervous and uncomfortable Flora moved to take her seat her hands juggling the several large books, "Here's the household accounts, I think you'll find everything in order…" She muttered, unable to keep the sharp tone from her voice as she endeavoured to hide her nerves, her hands feeling large and clumsy as she shifted her household books around in order to find the one he would need. However just as she was passing to his outstretched hand the heavy book fell from her sweaty grasp, landing with a hard crash on the floor between them; reacting immediately both dived down to pick it up totally oblivious to the other's actions.
Both their head collided with a sickening crack, suddenly unsteady on her feet Flora landed heavily on the floor her vision suddenly blurring as she raised her hands to cradle her throbbing head.
"Jesus Christ Woman, don't you ever watch where you're going?" Jarvis barked, hissing out loud as this new injury simply amplified his already pounding headache. "Is it your mission to always be in the wrong place at the wrong time or is it a natural incompetency?" He added meanly without really thinking through anything he said.
"Well at least I don't always say the wrong thing!" Flora snapped back.
"Yes well if people didn't go around sneaking about at night then it wouldn't matter what people said now would it?" Jarvis retorted angrily.
"Well if people minded their own business and didn't go making unjust and cruel assumptions about things that they in truth know NOTHING about then it wouldn't matter where people went and when!" Flora retorted, her whole body shaking from both anger and shock, she had never answered him back like this before she had always been too intimidated but his comments last night and his apparent lack of concern for her feelings made her so mad she didn't care in the slightest.
For a moment Jarvis simply sat there in shock, unable to wrench his gaze from her blazing eyes and her flushed angry face, he had never seen her like this, true in the past she had been waspish had rebuked him for past actions but she had never truly lost her temper before there had always been a modicum of restraint, this new fiery Flora Ryan was another thing entirely. "Be very careful Mrs Ryan." He muttered softly.
"No you be careful Mr Jarvis!" Flora retorted getting unsteadily to her feet. "You have every right to chastise me over household matters, but not over this you went too far my private life is just that private and not to be gossiped about over one too many glasses of brandy! You certainly wouldn't like it if I started revealing things I know about you!"
At this Jarvis darted out of his chair grabbing her arms forcefully and shaking her roughly. "You keep that mouth shut, we had a deal…" He hissed pushing her back against the door and out of sight from any passer by.
"Yes we did, but even if we didn't I still wouldn't go around spreading malicious gossip behind your back, or badmouthing you to other colleagues despite repeated provocation, I suppose that was because I had a modicum of respect for you, either that or some regard for other people's feelings, something you clearly lack!" Flora gasped her whole frame trembling at his sudden closeness, the skin on her upper arms tingling, where his strong hands grasped her tightly through her thin silk dress.
As if burned Jarvis let her go turning and pacing up and down the room. "I didn't mean to hurt you, you weren't supposed to overhear, damnit we'd been drinking I didn't mean it to come out like that…"
"No you mean you regret being caught, but you don't regret thinking it or saying it." Flora retorted.
"Well why should I? It's not my fault if the truth hurts Mrs Ryan." Jarvis rebuked. "I was only voicing a commonly held opinion."
"Oh so now it's not just you and Felix who go around invading my privacy, it's everybody!" Flora sneered. "And for your information, not that I owe you a damn thing, you were wrong…On both counts!" She added turning and leaving a stunned butler to gaze after her as she stormed off down the corridor back to the safety of her office.
- - - -
1st August 1851 (Walter Corey)
I must admit I found myself completely stunned after Flor…Mrs Ryan's little outburst after breakfast. This is definitely the most awkward position I have been since starting at Taplows, well apart from that other business with that damnable woman, why is it every time I manage to slip up and make a mistake she is always there to pick up on it; she is becoming quite a threat to my position. It got to the point today where I didn't even want to leave my office for fear of running into her, however if I had done, then she would have know I was feeling guilty and uncomfortable and there was no way I was going to give her that pleasure.
Eventually I did go and find Felix, who I was amused to find out had also spent most of the morning trying his best to hide in the most discreet way possible. He'd been in his pastry all morning in an effort to take his mind off things and more importantly keep out of Flora Ryan's way and I think he was quite relieved of the company when I arrived and no doubt in his own sick way found the tale of my conversation with our housekeeper most intriguing.
- - - -
"The woman is completely off her head! I mean it Felix! I will not attend any meals! I'm going to stay far away from her bloody dining table, never mind her for a good 48hours! No! Cause then she'll know I'm trying to avoid her! Oh Felix I'm completely stuck! I've buried myself in a hole!" Jarvis sighed, rubbing his head and leaning against Felix's work surface, whilst the Chef took Jarvis' first silence since entering the room as a chance to voice his opinions.
"I told you, I told you to stay away from her for a while, but no…!" He trailed off, appearing to the Butler to be extremely stressed, flicking his hair away from his face, with his flour covered fingers.
"Well I know that now! Never even comment on a woman's 'private life'." Jarvis retorted and despite the situation Felix couldn't help chuckling slightly.
"She really said that's she not… trailing off as the butler nods Tosh!"
"Well she seemed quite adamant about it." Jarvis replied.
"Even the more reason to believe it's absolute tosh! Embarrassment!" He exclaimed confidently, although Jarvis couldn't help doubting Felix, he hadn't been there. There was something about the way she'd said it that made him sure she was telling the truth, made him think she was hiding something.
"We don't know that though." He added, taking advantage of the site of Felix's back to dip his finger in a fresh batch of whipped cream. "I mean for all we know she could be a retired whore." At such a statement Felix span around to look at Jarvis in disbelief, the Butler quickly retrieving his finger, and stuffing it into his pocket without thinking, trying his best not to touch the material inside with his sticky finger. "She could be! I mean it's very unlikely but not impossible." Felix shook his head, tutting slightly as he turned his back to the butler again.
"You are getting ridiculous now, have you been drinking? It's not even lunchtime yet." The Chef snorted.
"I may have had a drop of the strong stuff." He retorted stirring the cream with his finger again, before spotting a recently baked fruit pie. "Only a drop though. But we don't know anything about her. I could tell you where nearly half my staff grew up, but her no-oooooo!" He trailed off sucking on his burning finger, after trying to nibble at the hot pie.
"You alright?" Felix exclaimed suddenly turning around to look at him curiously.
"Bit my tongue." The Butler retorted, waving at his tongue with his scalded finger in an effort to cool it further, convinced the chef nodded slightly before turning away again and a relieved Jarvis sighs softly almost baffled himself by his strange behaviour, if this is what one day with Flora Ryan was doing to him then he'd been insane by Christmas.
"I don't suppose you know anything about her…" Jarvis asked suddenly but trying to sound casual whilst asking.
"I'm afraid I don't." The Chef replied tersely, trying to keep his frustration down, but all this distraction was really not good. He couldn't even get the right texture for his sponge mixture.
"Are you sure?" Jarvis probed, "I mean you don't even know where her parents are from? Or where she worked before this?"
"For gods sake Walter!" Felix snapped, spinning round and automatically smacking the butler's hand away from his strawberry tarts. "If you are that fascinated in finding out about Flora Ryan's past why don't you go and ask her yourself! Stop bothering me!"
"I'm not fascinated!" The Butler rebuked hastily, whilst shaking his throbbing hand.
Snorting in amusement Felix muttered pointedly. "Well you seem blatantly mesmerised by her to me! Good God! Anyone would have thought you were completely infatuated… with… the… woman. " He trailed off his words just managing to fall out of his mouth towards the end of his sentence, as his eyes widened, half knowingly, half curiously.
Shocked the astounded Butler gasped for a few minutes before exclaiming, "Don't look at me like that Felix! You know very well I despise the woman! The way she spoke to me earlier! I've never been so undermined by a member of my staff in my entirely life of service!"
Smiling innocently the Chef softly retorted, "Did I suggest anything? No."
"That doesn't mean you weren't thinking it though!" The butler huffed, his annoyance growing when Felix just smiled knowingly in return at him, teasingly and causing Jarvis to quickly flush bright pink, before turning and practically fleeing out of the pastry.
"You know the more you say that Walter, the more you will start to believe it!" The chef added mischievously calling after the Butler whilst chuckling to himself and shaking his head. He should bang their heads together!
- - - -
2nd August 1851 (Felix Kraus)
I return to my journal in I believe somewhat greater clarity than I left it, I am starting to think that perhaps there is more going on between our esteemed butler and housekeeper than a simple clash of personalities and styles. Flicking back through my old diaries I am amazed at the number of previous indicators that I have somehow failed to tie together. One of my earliest at Taplows recorded the day Flora Ryan started work with us, and I must have thought the words of our departing housekeeper so resonant at that I recorded them word for word. "I predict fireworks …" She said as we watched the butler and new housekeeper work through the household accounts after dinner, the pair both normally reluctant speakers appearing to be enjoying the other's companionship and I remember the accounts had soon been put aside for talk of travel, languages and the latest Dickens. Afterwards I must have dismissed her words without a second thought as completely contrary the pair seemed to maintain an excellent working relationship…But the more I think about it now I am starting to suspect she didn't mean the obvious fireworks resulting from a personality clash, I think she meant something very different indeed. Perhaps further study of my old diaries will provide greater illumination on the subject. It would certainly help shed some light on todays most peculiar of circumstances.
- - - -
Earlier that morning as was his custom chef had risen earlier, gone down to his kitchen, barked his orders at his incompetent so called assistants before getting on with the business of feeding one of the most pre-eminent families in England, a task that since that debacle at the hunt dinner he had taken as seriously as breathing. However that morning he had found himself increasingly distracted trying to think of a way to sooth the situation between the housekeeper and himself, as despite his drunken comments to the butler he had always admired the her beauty and quiet grace and it mortified him that she might now think of him as a loud, drunken, arrogant cad. Shaking his head he dismissed the butler's revelations from the day before, there was no way they could be true Flora Ryan was a lady in every sense of the word, she would only have said such a thing out of a sense of embarrassment, but then surely why should she be embarrassed about her virtue, shouldn't it be the other way around?
Shaking his throbbing head Felix resolved upon a course of action, forcing all those intriguing thoughts about Flora Ryan having a risqué past from his mind he turned and instructed his staff to assemble a tea tray and making sure they included several slices of Flora's favourite lemon cake he ushered them out the door in front of him and down the hallway to the housekeeper's office.
"Mrs Ryan." Felix called out suddenly causing the housekeeper to jump slightly in her chair and stuff the letter she had been reading firmly back into her pocket.
"Mr Kraus I didn't see you there." She mumbled, and for a moment Felix admired the delightful flush her embarrassment brought to her normally porcelain cheeks.
"My apologies Mrs Ryan." He replied. "I thought now might be a good time to go over my requirements for the upcoming week? And what pleasanter way to do this than over tea and cake?" He added smiling brightly as she scrabbled to clear a space on her desk amongst her papers.
"Here let me help!" Felix murmured brightly neatly stacking them to one side until his eyes alit on an open book, the picture was upside down but it was unmistakably the Coliseum. Smiling broadly the chef grasped the book before Flora, quickly flicking through the pages. "Ah Rome so many wonderful memories…I had no idea you had visited it yourself!" He added conversationally. "But then I suddenly realised the other day how little we know about each other, and that is such a shame considering how long we have worked together, eh Mrs Ryan?" He asked.
"I haven't been it was a present…" Flora trailed off, holding her hand out for the book.
"Ah and what a fine present!" Felix replied jovially. "Friend or Family?" He asked ignoring her hand and continuing to admire the pictures.
"Urgh…." Flora hesitated flustered. "Friend I suppose….Well more like a colleague."
"Well I should hope that you consider all your colleagues as friends!" Felix replied jovially.
"Some I do…did." Flora whispered but the chef was so absorbed reading the inscription that he barely noticed her words.
"To Flora Ryan, a small taste of the ancient world may it continue to inspire you on your literary journey, Yours Walter Corey."
Stunned the chef handed back the little leather book to its owner, who quickly placed it back in her desk drawer, there was nothing revealing about the message itself most of the senior knew of Mrs Ryan's fascination for ancient civilisations but it was the way it had been addressed, using both their first names as if the butler had wanted to be informal but had been unsure and so had used their surnames as well. But to secretly bring her back a present and not an inexpensive one at that, well that was surely the actions of a pair of sweethearts not colleagues? However before he could ponder this in more depth the housekeeper had began to pour the tea and prattle on about household supplies, smiling softly he realised she started to forgive him for his comments, this reconciliatory gesture had been accepted, but now he had something far more perplexing on his mind.
- - - -
3rd August 1851 (Walter Corey)
Well if I had thought things couldn't have gotten worse then yesterday then apparently I was mistaken, now not only do I have Flora Ryan acting as though I am some sort of leper but now Felix has started it. The looks he was shooting me over dinner, I don't know what to think, especially as he is once more friendly with our housekeeper, choosing to sit next to her during dinner gossiping away over something I couldn't make out and making her laugh every few minutes. I don't know what game he thinks he is playing, but if he thinks I'm going to let him take advantage of the situation then he is very much mistaken. Perhaps it was wrong to confide in him what Flora had told me, after all I being a gentleman would never even think about using such knowledge to my own advantage, but who knows what these foreigners would consider appropriate behaviour. Does he really think I haven't noticed the way he looks at her when he thinks no one is looking, I don't know why I haven't reprimanded him before over it, not to mention that inappropriate fraternisation at New Years; did he really think I didn't notice him kissing her like that? Then there was those constant naggings for me to be nicer her to her. Why else would he get involved if not to try and impress her? I will have to keep a close watch on him from now on, on both of them, I don't know why but just watching them together gives me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I think perhaps I ought to have a word…
- - - -
"Would care to join me for a brandy Mr Kraus?" Jarvis asked jovially after supper, trying desperately to keep the unusually tense tone from his voice as he watched the chef lean in far too close to the housekeeper.
"Yes of course Mr Jarvis I would be delighted!" The chef exclaimed, bidding Mrs Ryan a swift friendly goodnight and Jarvis felt a stab of something as she smiled brightly, almost dazzlingly in response to Felix before turning, the smile slipping as her eyes shuttered down leaving only a polite coolness as she faced the butler
"Good night Mrs Ryan." Jarvis murmured, willing her to look up at him the way she had looked at Felix. "Sleep well." He added warmly and for a moment their eyes met, and he fought to hold her gaze as long as possible before an inopportune cough from the chef ruined the moment and she glanced away embarrassed.
"Good night Mr Kraus, Mr Jarvis…" She replied heading swiftly for the door.
"Just what do you think you are doing?" Felix asked softly. "You're not fooling anyone Walter!"
"What?" Jarvis growled getting up from his heat and seizing the decanter from the side pouring himself a large brandy.
"How long have you been attracted to her?" Felix asked.
"I beg your pardon Mr Kraus?" Jarvis spluttered, choking on his large mouthful of brandy.
"It's a simple question!" Felix retorted, folding his arms across his chest.
"Yes a very rude and invasive one!" Jarvis retorted.
"But one you still haven't answered!" The chef pointed out. "There is no crime in admitting it; she is a very attractive woman after all."
"Yes well you certainly seem to think so!" Jarvis muttered.
"What was that?" Felix retorted.
Whirling round the butler snapped back. "I said you certainly seem to think so! Judging by the way you've been all over her since her revelation."
"What has that got to with it? If you had asked me the day before or the year before I would have answered the same, she is very beautiful, no that is the wrong word… striking…Is more appropriate, not conventionally pretty but there is just something about her…"
"Sometimes when she walks in the room you hold your breath and forget to let it out." Jarvis replied softly.
"So you are…" Felix began victoriously.
"So what if I was, not that I'm admitting to any such thing, I am a gentleman it's not like I would act on it!" Jarvis retorted.
"Well why ever not?" Felix exclaimed. "If you like her in that way…"
"Because I am the butler and she is the housekeeper and whilst we are on the subject, you are the chef and there is to be no staff fraternisation!"
"Why bring me into all this?" Felix snorted.
"Do you think I am blind?" Jarvis growled. "I have eyes in my head and I've seen the way you look at her! And I am telling you now Felix hands off, no taking advantage of the situation!"
"How dare you!" The chef exclaimed. "I won't pretend I don't find her attractive, unlike you I am not in denial about such things, but do you really think I would push her into something she didn't want?"
"No…" Jarvis trailed off, shaking his head, opening his mouth to apologise but an outraged Felix cut in.
"However if one day she turned round and did feel the same way about me, then I am damn sure no dictate from you would stop me!" The Chef retorted angrily striding towards the door. "I don't think I'll stay for that brandy after all Mr Jarvis, good night!"
- - - -
4th… no just gone the 5th of August 1851 (Flora Ryan)
I sometimes wonder why I've put up with the men in this house. I thought I only had Mr Jarvis to worry about when it came to weird signals, but now I'm getting them from Felix Kraus! When he first came back from Cumberland he was busy whispering with Mr Jarvis about me, then avoiding me, then the other night at dinner he seemed nicely friendly, but now! I can't even bring myself to believe it. This night, last night even! Has been one of most weirdest at Taplows… which is saying something. This is what happens when you continue with your duties after supper, you end up getting yourself into sticky situations and this tops them all!
- - - -
Supper had been a slightly tense affair that night, the staff found the angry glares between the chef and the butler almost unbearable. They very quickly all found excuses to leave as soon as dessert was over. Jarvis and Felix had stayed for a moment to continue their glaring competition, while an almost terrified Flora Ryan began to quickly to clear away the crockery before it began to get thrown around. She was just placing the large teapot on the silver tray, when both men jumped up.
"Allow me," The both chorused together, trying to grasp the teapot of her. "I've got it!" The both glare at each other, tugging at the teapot.
"Now, now gentlemen, is this really necessary?" Trying to soothe the two furious men and at the same time protect the expensive teapot, which she wasn't sure would hold the strain much longer. "Mr Kraus you take the teapot and Mr Jarvis you can help me fold the teacloth if you really want to help?"
Jarvis tuts, glaring at Felix. "Typical." He hisses. "Well if you think I'm going to give him that pleasure." He gives it one final tug, which Felix wasn't expecting and the teapot crashed to the floor. Flora gasped and bent down to get a closer look at the damage.
"Owwwww!" She suddenly shrieks, pulling her finger away to reveal the shocking amount of blood oozing out of her finger.
Both men sprang into action at the same time, pulling their hankies out with a flourish. "Here!" Flora looked between them not sure those to take or more to the point what the hell was going on.
"There you go," Felix moved in to take her hand and wrap the hankie around her finger, but Jarvis swiftly pushed him out of the way, snatching her hand away from the chef.
"No, there you go."
"Stop being so stupid Jarvis! I offered mine first!"
"No you didn't!"
"Look if you are going to fight about it I'll use my own!" Flora voiced suddenly, cutting across the two men, while pulling out her own and beginning to mop up the blood. "I thank you both for your concern but it really isn't needed, I can managed quite nicely by myself. Now if you'll excuse me." Picking up the final bits of broken crockery, before picking up the silver tray and storming out.
"You don't give up easy do you?" Jarvis hisses to the chef, who shakes his head, smirking. "You've no chance!" With that he storms out to retire to his office.
Later that night after her finger had finally stopped bleeding, Flora Ryan made her way towards the cellar. She needed to check a few numbers of products before she could hand her papers over to Jarvis tomorrow, if she dared go anywhere near him, his behaviour was most confusing, she'd never understand the behaviour of men, if she did she could have saved herself a lot of trouble in the past.
She was quite surprised to find the door to the cellar wide open, which was a good job really as she suddenly realised she didn't have her key with her. Kicking the door stop out of the way, she closed the door behind her and walked down the steps.
"Oh so it's you down here." Felix jumped quickly and spun around.
"I know I made you jump the other day but you don't have to do the same to me!" clutching his chest in an effort to calm his heartbeat.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you jump, I was just curious as to who was down here so late and had left the door wide open."
"Well I had some last minute things to check before I retired to bed and-" He suddenly stops turning deathly pale.
"Left the door wide open? I daringly asked Mr Jarvis to leave the door on the stop, because I've lost my key and it locks itself, something wrong with the latch." She swallows, following his lead and turning pale. "Please tell me you didn't!" She doesn't say anything, he quickly dashes up the steps, tugging at the handle forcefully, rattling it, shaking it… but no good! "I don't believe it!"
"No one ever tells me anything around here! How was I supposed to know not to close the door!" She chides herself under her breath, causing Felix to turn to look at her. "I'm really sorry, Mr Kraus." Rubbing her head, the tears welling in her tired eyes.
Quickly regretting his shouting he walks back down the steps towards her, slightly awkwardly tapping her on the back comfortingly. "Don't worry about it. It's alright, I told one of my maids to come down here straight away tomorrow morning to collect the red wine I was planning on cooking with tomorrow so it'll be alright."
"Tomorrow! We have to wait here till tomorrow?"
"It looks like it." He sighs softly, pulling a large crate from a big pile and offering it for her to sit down on, before pulling down his own.
"Oh what a day!" She whispers under her breath, once more rubbing her aching head. Felix looks up at her sympathetically.
"Can't have been as worse as mine." She shrugs, not all that interested really. "Nice meeting with the Earl this morning, bending my ear with his boring chat about new English recipes. I mean doesn't he understand that the advantage of having a chef of my astounding skills is so that he doesn't have to eat the bore of English food. Then Mr Jarvis accusing me once more of the most unexpected antics, he does surprise me sometimes that man I mean…" He trails off glancing at the housekeepers face, there was a single tear running down her cheek, her eyes were tightly shut and her face was one of confusion and suffering. "I'm sorry."
She suddenly opens her eyes and looks up at him in wonder. "Whatever for?"
"Talking about Mr Jarvis in such a manner."
"You have any right to talk about him however you want." She mutters, looking away from him, hoping to God he hadn't spotted the tear on her cheek. "I must admit his behaviour confuses me most of the time. I never know what he is thinking…"
"I'm glad I'm not the only one." Rising from his crate and indicating for her to shuffle along so he could join her.
She did so without question, though slightly uncomfortable at the sudden closeness between them. "One minute he's cold with me and next he's almost refusing to talk to me. I don't even know what I do wrong half the time. I think he just loves finding reasons to hate me."
"I don't think he hates you. I think he likes you more than you imagine." She's not quite sure how to answer this, so settles for staying silent.
They sat in an unbearable silence for an hour- going on hours! She couldn't help thinking about his last couple of sentences, what had he meant about him not hating her, but liking her. It was quite normal for a person to say something like that, it's the sort of reflex saying you say, but it was the way he'd said it, 'more than you imagine.' That had been strange. After some pondering she decided to put it to the back of her mind, allowing her to answer the question, Felix had just voiced.
"You care about him, don't you?" She looked up at him curiously. "You can tell me, you know." Laying a hand on hers, squeezing it gently, though careful not hurt her bandaged finger. He wasn't quite sure why he'd said that. He knew Jarvis liked her in an unprofessional manner, but he'd never suspected Flora had felt the same back, the question had come out in hope she'd say no without hesitation.
"I-" But she can't carry on the words stick in her throat and she goes silent.
"I can see it when you look at him." He whispers, still digging, reaching out and gently brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face. Her eyes follow the hand, as it now traces down the side of her face, she closes her eyes, nuzzling into his touch. Neither pair heard the door open and a pair of heels walk down the stairs. He'd only come down to get a bottle of brandy, he wasn't expecting anyone to be down there at 1 O'clock in the morning, and definitely wasn't expecting to find the chef and housekeeper in such an intimate situation.
Without drawing attention to himself, Jarvis spun back around, brandy now far from his mind. He stormed back up the stairs, purposely putting the stop back in front of the door, hoping that some thieving footman would walk past and craving their own bottle of brandy, catch the two of them… exchanging saliva! With that last thought he quickly made his way back to his room, determined that tomorrow he'd put a stop to this!
The same thoughts of exchanging saliva seemed to be going through the chef's head, as leaned in towards her, rubbing her nose gently with his. It was in the moment as he was leaning in to kiss her when she seemed to come back to her senses. What the hell was she doing? Letting herself get carried away with a colleague, she looked down at their entwined hands and suddenly it hit her. Mr Jarvis must have told him! Told him about her revelation and now he thought he could take advantage! But she wasn't going to let him. She quickly pulled her hand away and jumped up, spinning to face away from him. Morning! She was stuck with this man till morning! "What the hell do you think you are doing?" Spinning round to face him.
"I'm sorry, really I am! I don't think I was thinking at all." She raised her eyebrow, well that was obvious.
"And to think I almost thought you were on my side, not Mr Jarvis'." She hisses under her breath, causing him to look up at her.
"What?" He looked at her confused. She shakes her head, not wishing to mention any part of her conversation with the butler again. It's in that moment when they hear clear voices from up the stairs, they both quickly rush up them, accidentally bumping into each other, earning Felix a scowl from Flora, while he looked on embarrassed.
"Who opened the door?" They both glance at each other almost relieved, while a chattering Will and Fred look at them puzzled as they walk past.
Neither the housekeeper or the chef even considered asking why they were both out of bed so late, they just quickly nodded politely at each other before rushing in the opposite directions, both silently deciding never to mention what had just happened again.
- - - -
5th August 1851 (Walter Corey)
Well I've put the wheels in motion, did Felix really think I would let him get away with this right under my very nose, and then expect me to step back to give him a free hand to seduce the woman I…Well its my duty as Butler to protect those under my charge, my responsibility as a gentleman as Mrs Ryan so succinctly put it herself all those months ago, to prevent such immoral goings on under my roof. I can't believe he would do this, taking advantage of a fragile and often unstable woman like that, and as she is apparently incapable of protecting herself then it falls to me to protect her from both Felix and herself if needs be. However my plan is going to need subtle promptings over a number of days, and so in the meantime I am going to have to find another way of separating them, but how to do it without arousing suspicion, it would mean keeping an eye on one of them constantly and as I cannot forever be popping into the kitchens it means I must regrettably target Mrs Ryan for my surveillance; of course things would be that much easier if we shared an office….
- - - -
Later that morning Flora Ryan made her way back to her office, it had been a most disquieting morning, all over breakfast she had felt the furious gaze of Mr Jarvis burning into her, and it had disturbed her so much her hand shook so badly she could hardly manage more that a few forkfuls of breakfast. Then immediately afterwards he had marched her to her office, hanging around complaining about the most ridiculous of things until it was time to meet with the Earl. Fortunately he had requested a word in private with his lordship at the end of the meeting and she had been able to escape at least momentarily from under his intense scrutiny, which was a blessed relief in more ways than the obvious as she had bursting to visit the privy all morning. What was it with the senior staff all of a sudden, that she felt she had to spend half the morning hiding in her still room, giving poor Grace a complex, just so she could avoid them? However on reaching the normally blessed privacy of her office she suddenly exclaimed in shock to find her solitude full of half naked heathens, or the footmen as they were otherwise known.
"Mr Forest!" She exclaimed loudly, causing the first footman to suddenly stop his re-enactment of his version of the 'cellar encounter' as he and Fred were now calling it. "What on earth are you all doing in here?"
"Mr Jarvis told us we had to move, something about our room being fumigated an infestation of some sort, can't have it spreading, all that corner of the house has been evacuated apparently, lots of people are having to share…"
"But where's my desk, my paperwork?" Flora demanded.
"Oh Mr Adams had it moved into Mr Jarvis's office apparently you'll be sharing with him for the duration." Will replied. "Very cosy." He added cheekily earning him a scathing look from the housekeeper before she turned and strode off down the corridor in search of the butler.
This was just typical of him, how could he make such important household decisions without even consulting with her, an infestation, what infestation? Every house had the occasional problems with mice and rats but that was hardly cause for sealing off whole sections of the servants quarters! Where would it stop? Would she go up to her room tonight to find herself bunking with all of her maids, packed in the like the poor, six to a room? Positively seething she stormed along the corridor scattering maids as she went, and on reaching the Butler's pantry she flung the door open expecting it to crash satisfactorily against the wall but instead there was a loud yelp followed by a thump.
Stepping into the room Flora immediately made out the Butler sprawled on the floor holding his head in his hands. "Oh goodness!" She exclaimed diving to sit beside him on the floor. "Mr Jarvis I am so sorry, I didn't see you there."
"Well I would hope not, unless you planned to maim me!" Jarvis hissed, wincing in pain as he tried to push himself up from the ungainly position on the floor, of all the embarrassing situations to find himself in this had to be the worst.
"You're hurt." Flora exclaimed, noticing the cut on his forehead from where he had hit his head on the fire surround. "It's all my fault…No don't move." She added softly, leaning him gently against the wall as she examined the injury, before squeezing past his desk to reach hers, picking up her medicine box and bringing it over to where the butler sat against the wall. Squeezing next to him she leant forward cloth in hand, doing her best to ignore the tingle that being so close to him evoked.
"Now this may sting a little." She murmured, leaning in closer, resting one hand on his thigh to balance and for a moment she felt his breathing hike, the warmth of his breath on her cheek; her other hand trembling slightly as she breathed in his unique and distinctly masculine scent. Gently she cleaned the blood from his face before dabbing the iodine over the cut, a slight smile twitching at her lips as Walter tried not to react to the sharp stinging pain; it really wasn't as bad as it first looked just a flesh wound but even so her heart still pounded against her ribcage, if he had been badly hurt she was sure she would have become a nervous wreak.
Jarvis on the other hand was battling with demons of his own, she was just so close, barely inches away he could make out every nuance, every line and he now knew purely by accident of course every curve as a brief glance down in an effort to avoid staring into those exquisite eyes had provided him with that information and he had had to force himself to look away. After all it was hardly gentlemanly behaviour to stare down the neckline of a woman's dress, even if her breasts seemed to be practically heaving against their restraints in an attempt to break free. So now he had to face forward, concentrate on anything other than the beautiful creature next to him who certainly seemed to be taking her time over her exquisite torture.
Concentrate on the pain, clamp you jaw and for goodness sake get a grip, well perhaps not that he certainly didn't need to think about gripping anything, or anybody else gripping anything either…Especially that tiny soft white hand that lay on his thigh, helping its owner to balance, and sending nerve shattering currents of pleasure around his body, did she have any idea what she was doing to him? Well even if she didn't at the moment, at the rate his control was slipping she would soon have a somewhat obvious, and he thought smugly, large indicator of his affection for her.
"There we are!" Flora murmured, but she found herself unable to pull away, allowing her fingers to brush the hair away from his cut and linger for a moment, caressing it gently between her fingers, marvelling at the softness, only pulling away when her touch elicited a quiet moan from the butler. However she couldn't go far as unconsciously Jarvis had captured her elbow, anchoring her close to him, for a long lingering moment their eyes locked and Flora was surprised at the amorous nature of his gaze, feeling her cheeks flush under such intensity. Letting her hand drop to his chest she felt the pounding of his heartbeat through his waistcoat, it seemed as though it was beating in time with her own fluttering pulse.
Unable to resist his urges any longer the Butler tightened his grasp on her elbow pulling her closer, watching as she instinctively closed her eyes and tilted her chin up to meet his descending lips, which at first met hers softly, almost hesitantly, then suddenly it was like a damn had burst and bringing a hand up to hold her head firmly Jarvis kissed her passionately, his lips demanding her submission, hers firm yet pliant under his demands. Growling softly Jarvis released her elbow letting his hand run down her back, Flora responding by sliding both her hands up along his chest to wrap around his neck enabling him to pull her firmly into his embrace, both revelling in the feeling of finally being pressed up against the other.
"Mr Jarvis!" A voice suddenly called out from the partially open doorway, causing the startled pair to immediately separate, looks of sheer panic and horror on their faces as William Forest innocently pushed the door open wider in his search for the missing Butler, his eyes widening as he spotted the two most senior servants trying to get to their feet from a most cosy looking position behind the door.
"Yes Mr Forest!" Jarvis barked, tugging on his jacket in an effort to preserve his modesty until he had regained the sufficient level of control, a move not lost on the now smirking footman. "Mrs Ryan was just tending to my injury so unless this is urgent!"
"Oh I bet she was…" Forest muttered under his breath, forcing the knowing look off his face and replacing it with one of phoney concern. "It's just that the vicar is leaving sir!"
"Damn." Jarvis hissed, risking a glance across the room to where a now embarrassed Flora Ryan was furiously tidying her desktop. "Well I suppose I had best see him off…Perhaps we can finish our discussion later Mrs Ryan? When I get back perhaps?" He asked softly, his annoyance growing when she didn't even favour him with a glance instead nodding distractedly. "Excellent." He added turning and following Forest out of their office, this was going to be a most interesting discussion…
- - - -
5th August 1851 (Flora Ryan)
Oh my god, oh my god what just happened one minute I was sitting there thinking how much I wanted him to touch me, to feel his lips on mine and the next he was kissing me, and I let him, no I didn't just let him I positively encouraged him and it felt so right, I haven't wanted any man that way since….And if Will hadn't interrupted when he did….What must he think of me?
Is this some plot between him and Felix to send me completely insane? Or perhaps…Perhaps they have both decided to take advantage of what they now know, assuming that I'm a loose woman and will be quite willing to satisfy them both. What else could explain this sudden change of heart by both of them its not like I haven't been here for five years, if one of them had real feelings or affection for me then surely they would have made it known before now? So this must mean they are only interested in one thing, which one of them could get me into bed first, that would explain all the whispering and their hostile posturing, this must be some sick competition….
- - - -
Shaking with fury Flora slammed her journal shut slipping it back into her pocket and looking around the now extremely compact office, she had to get out of here, he would be back any moment and if he found her still in here…
Jumping to her feet she seized her accounts book determined to find a quiet space to think under the pretence of doing some work, she just couldn't be stuck in that crowded room with him right now and so picking up an ink pot and pen she headed out of the door and not a moment too soon as a few seconds later the butler came dashing round the corner. Pausing for a moment to regain his breath he straightened his jacket, and casually swiped at his hair, fixing a dashing smile on his face he sauntered over to his office hoping that she was waiting for him, possibly having untied her hair and leaning provocatively against the fireplace or perhaps even sitting on his desk. Coughing slightly in order to announce his presence his eyes quickly flicked across the room, his good mood souring rapidly as he realised she had done a runner, unless of course she had been called away by somebody.
Suddenly his eyes narrowing in suspicion…. "Felix!" He hissed, turning on his heel and striding off towards the kitchens and unfortunately for him in the opposite direction from the housekeeper.
"Mr Kraus, may I have word!" Jarvis bellowed into the busy kitchen, the harassed chef practically tearing his hair out already over the stupid mistakes of one of his incompetent staff members, turned and shot him an incredulous look.
"Now Mr Jarvis?" He asked astounded as he waved at the havoc around him.
"Now Mr Kraus!" The Butler retorted turning and heading towards his office, not even favouring the irate chef with a backwards glance.
"Well what is it?" The chef snorted. "What could possibly be so important for you to drag me out of my kitchen in the middle of the dinner preparations? Or do I not need to ask?" He added smugly.
"It has come to my attention that you need an official reprimand for your behaviour!" Jarvis snorted.
"My BEHAVIOUR?" Felix retorted, "What about yours first fighting over a teapot of all things, causing poor Flora to have an accident and now abusing your position to chain the poor woman to your side…" He added waving about at the cluttered office. "You don't think anyone is convinced by this fumigation story you've concocted."
"Oh that is classic, my stories, what about yours asking me to let you into the cellar last night and leaving it on the stop because you've lost your key, what happened Felix did Flora just happen to loose her key as well, how very convenient for you….If I hadn't come along when I did who knows what you might have done to the poor woman, she wouldn't have stood a chance against you! Not that she seemed to be objecting when I looked in on you, but then she is extremely vulnerable and so any slip in judgement on her part is excusable."
"You saw?" Felix exclaimed.
"I saw!" Jarvis snapped. "But believe me my friend whatever brief canoodle you had with her last night…"
"Nothing really happened!" Felix snorted. "Do you really think I am such a man? To orchestrate such a thing?"
"What?" Jarvis retorted. "But I saw…"
"Fine so I went to kiss her."
"So you admit that at least!" Jarvis cut in.
"Yes and I won't apologise for it either, I thought it was what she wanted but she pulled away, asked me what I was thinking." Felix admitted sadly.
"She did?" Jarvis whispered softly, unable to contain the flush of relief that filled him, she hadn't let Felix kiss her, but she had let him, in fact she had been most enthusiastic up until they were so rudely interrupted by William Forest.
"So are you happy now then?" Felix retorted angrily.
"Well I told you, tried to warn you to stay away that she wouldn't be interested, but did you listen?" Jarvis replied.
"Oh and I suppose that having rejected me she's just going to fall into your arms?" He snorted, shaking his head until the smug grin on the butler's face caused him to gape in wonder. "Liar!"
"Why would I lie?" Jarvis gloated.
"To get at me!" Felix retorted.
"Oh no… I certainly wouldn't make up something like that just to get at you, not when I can make the smallest effort and get to experience the real thing, hot and passionate in my arms, and who knows where else if Forest hadn't stuck his nose in where it didn't belong." Jarvis added bitterly.
"Really?" Felix mocked. "Well if that is the case, why are you yapping at me like a irate Yorkshire terrier still trying to warn me off then? Why aren't you off canoodling with her now? Let me guess the moment your back was turned she realised what a stupid mistake it was to allow herself to be trapped in a room with a man who won't take no for answer, and did a runner to escape your unwanted attention!"
"No" Jarvis hissed. "It wasn't like that! She's been called away..."
"Really?" Felix snorted, shaking his head in disbelief, as he backed towards the door. "I'll be sure to check that out when she comes running to me for a shoulder to cry on!" He added, smiling at the silently fuming Butler before heading back to his kitchen.
Unable to contain his anger, or suppress the doubts the Chef's comments had provoked Jarvis slammed his fist down hard on his desk top. He had to find Flora Ryan before Felix did, just to prove to both her and himself that his fears were unfounded.
- - - -
5th August 1851 (Flora Ryan)
…I didn't go to dinner; to be honest I just couldn't face seeing him until I had worked out how I was going to react. I know both he and Felix had spent the rest of the day looking for me they probably thought I was going to swoon into the arms of the first man to find me, typical men! Do they really think that I'm that fickle and gullible? The question I can't seem to answer is why? Why am I fighting this? I know I've had feelings for him for years; its obvious even Felix had picked up on it, so why now do I hold back? If I had needed any further proof then surely that kiss would have been proof enough, it sent me weak to my knees, so it was probably a good thing I was sitting down. I don't think I have ever felt like that before, such an instant and intense desire, perhaps it was a good thing that Will interrupted when he did as any longer and I think I might have shocked Walter…
- - - -
Suddenly there was a sharp tap on the door, sighing softly Flora put her pen down, closing her diary and heading towards the door she paused for a moment and whispered. "Who is it?"
There was no immediate answer, just another hurried gentle tapping. Huffing in annoyance Flora turned the key in the lock, opening the door a crack, her eyes widening in surprise when she caught a glimpse of the Butler, as he turned away glancing down the corridor worrying that someone might spot him lurking suspiciously in front of the housekeeper's door. Panicking Flora went to shut the door, but at that moment Jarvis turned back, reacting immediately he wedged his foot in the closing door wincing slightly in pain, before barging it open sending Flora staggering backwards.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Flora gasped.
For a moment Jarvis didn't answer, instead he closed the door firmly turning the key in the lock before removing it and putting into the pocket of his waistcoat.
"Put that back now!" Flora demanded.
"No, we are going to talk, now, without any interruptions!" Jarvis hissed, closing the distance between them.
"Stay away!" Flora warned backing up against the window, and quickly opening it. "I mean it Walter I will scream!" She added, taking a deep breath as the butler dashed towards her, and she only managed a quick squeak before one hand was over her mouth and the other wrapped round her waist pulling her away from the window.
"Calm down…I am not going to hurt you Flora I swear it but you have to listen to me…Give me the chance to explain." Walter whispered intently in her ear, unable to resist nuzzling into her hair as he spoke and gently inhaling the elegant perfume that clung to it. "Now I'm going to let you go and I want you to sit down so we can talk properly." He added softly manoeuvring them both over to her fireside chair before removing the hand from her mouth.
"Alright but we're just talking nothing else…" Flora replied, reluctantly pulling out of his arms and moving to the chair.
"Why…" Jarvis began, unable to meet her gaze as he paced to the door and back again.
"Why what?" Flora snapped.
"Why did you leave even after I asked you to stay, and why have you been avoiding me, not even coming to dinner?"
"Well I would have thought that would have been obvious!" Flora retorted.
"No it wasn't obvious!" Jarvis growled. "One minute you were…"
"I was what?" Flora cut in. "Ready to give in to your charms?" She added spitefully.
"Well for want of a better phrase yes!" He retorted.
"How would you know? You know nothing about me! Do you really think I am so blind and stupid that I can't see this sudden change in your attitude for what it really is?"
"What do you mean sudden?" Jarvis snorted.
"Oh really! So do you really expect me to believe that this change towards me had nothing to do with what I told you the other day?" She retorted getting to her feet.
"You are both so pathetically transparent, well let me clear this up for you there is no chance I am suddenly going to jump into bed with you, either of you so you can just call off this immature competition of yours…"
"What competition?" He argued.
"Oh so you and Felix just both decided on the same day that you'd try your luck, even after five years of working together…"
"It has nothing to do with that!" Jarvis bellowed, roughly grasping her by the arms. "If only you'd just listen…"
"I might do if you'll let me go!" Flora demanded, trying to pull out of his grasp.
Sighing deeply Jarvis released the tight grip on her upper arms. "There is no competition Flora, no scheme, no malicious plot…"
"Then why now? All of a sudden?...Before you could barely stand to look at me, even be in the same room, you looked at me like I was a constant source of irritation in your life, the thorn in your side; you never looked at me like a woman except perhaps when you thought I was reacting in my pathetic and overly emotionally female way to some problem or other."
"That's not true, and well how did you expect me to react, you were normally so reasonable about things but then we come back from Italy and you started becoming more and more difficult to work with, first you hire that Cosmo lad without any authorisation from me; then you try and protect that pretentious little maid even after I had specifically ordered that the culprit would be sacked; then you question my judgement over Lord Harry's death and this was all before…"
"Before I found out." Flora whispered. "I only did what I thought was right…"
"Perhaps but each time you undermined me you placed me in a very difficult position; I am the head of the staff here and although I have generally left your department decisions exclusively to yourself there are times when I must step in and have the last word." Jarvis replied. "I apologise if I was short with you but dammit sometimes you are a very difficult woman to deal with."
"I'm difficult?" Flora retorted. "I only act as my duty and conscience dictates whereas your only guiding principle seems to be self preservation, or to put it bluntly your own best interests!"
"Oh really." Jarvis hissed closing the gap between them, an unreadable expression on his face, but still something in his eyes made her back away her heart suddenly beating faster. "Since you seem to think I am such a selfish monster, tell me what will I do next?" He asked as her back met the door. "If as you say I think only of my own best interests…" He trailed off as he grasped her arms roughly. "What would there be to stop me from simply taking what I want?" He added before leaning down and roughly capturing her lips with his own, ignoring her muffled squeals of protest as he pushed himself up against her his hands moving from her arms to rake up and down her body, imprinting every flush and curve onto his memory.
Panting for breath he finally released her lips long enough to draw breath, one of his hands moving to tug at the pins in her hair, revelling in its softness as it cascaded down her back and the side of her face, his lips moving planting kisses along her cheek before nuzzling his face into the velvety dark locks. "You know you want me as much as I want you, stop fighting those feelings Flora…" He whispered as he gently teased her earlobe, his free hand moving to the fastenings of her dress.
"Walter please don't if you care for me at all…" Flora managed to gasp, unable to keep the throaty tremble from her voice as the butler kissed his way down the side of her throat his hand moving to slip inside her loosened dress his fingers running down the bones of her corset.
"Believe me…I do care…" Jarvis murmured in between frantic kisses, his other hand grasping one of hers tightly and running them both down his body. "Can't you tell how much?" He added cheekily as her eyebrows shot skyward in surprise.
"Well as impressive as that is…" Flora moaned huskily. "I think it would be better if you leave."
"So soon? Are you really sure that's what you want?" He whispered softly, moving his hands and threading them both around her waist pulling her tight, leaning down he brushed his lips gently across hers, lingering for a moment as he felt her melt into his embrace. Caving in suddenly Flora ran her hands up along his silk waistcoat wrapping them around his neck kissing him back with such a passion and intensity that took the butler by surprise, but he quickly recovered and growling at the back his throat he pushed her back against the door intent on disrobing her as quickly as possible and manoeuvring them both over to the bed.
However just as he was pushing the dress over her shoulders there was a sharp tap at the door, jumping apart in surprise the pair looked guiltily at each other, Jarvis noting with delight the flush in her cheeks and the naughty twinkle in Flora's eye. Seizing her hand he drew her away from the door, and leaning down he whispered in her ear. "Who do you think it is?"
"I don't know, it could be one of the girls perhaps there is some sort of emergency?" She murmured trying to pull out of his vice like grasp and open the door.
"And how would they react to finding us both here, and in such a state of undress?" Jarvis retorted his fingers trailing over her exposed corset before tiptoeing across her heaving chest.
"Behave yourself." Flora snapped slapping his hand away before clapping her hand over her mouth as her rebuke came out louder then she had hoped, causing their visitor to suddenly pause in their knocking.
"You've done it now!" Jarvis hissed.
"Perhaps if we stay very quiet they'll go away and then you can slip away undetected." Flora retorted.
"Oh I'm not going anywhere!" Jarvis snorted. "They are…"
"Flora, it's Felix please I know you're there I only want to talk please open the door…" The voice of the chef suddenly floated in through the gap under the door, "I've come to warn you about Walter, please open the door!"
At this the housekeeper glanced across at the now incandescent Butler, as he clenched his fists in an effort to control his now building temper.
"Can he not sink any lower?" Jarvis muttered, striding across to the door and taking a deep breath he hissed through the keyhole. "Bugger off Felix, the lady in question is more agreeably entertained and I'm sure the sight of your face is enough to ruin any mood."
"You!" The Chef exclaimed. "Walter what the hell do you think you're doing?" He added rattling the door handle. "Dammit let me in I refuse to leave her alone with a brigand like you!"
"Well tough its hardly my fault if she prefers a real man, brigand or not, to a simpering dandy such as yourself!" Jarvis retorted cockily.
"Hff…A real man don't tell me you've started listening to your own posturing that is the first of madness you know not only talking but listening to yourself…" Felix countered. "Now open this door, I want to make sure Flora is alright and not being forced to do something against her will!"
"How dare you even imply such a thing, I would never!" Jarvis retorted, purposefully ignoring the snort of amusement from the housekeeper as she hurriedly refastened her dress. "Forgive me if my memory is playing tricks," he hissed turning round and locking gazes with the somewhat amused Flora Ryan, "but I don't recall hearing anything from you except perhaps moans of encouragement!"
"Talk about a short term memory!" Flora snapped.
"Oh please now is hardly the time to play the bashful virgin we all know that one for the act it is…" Jarvis retorted.
"You are so arrogant!" Flora hissed. "I never invited you here, but you barged in then locked me in with you, then I told you to leave but you refused and for the rest of your conduct it was hardly that of a gentleman!"
"Well yours was certainly not that of a lady so I suppose we are evenly matched; who knows what over things we might have found in common if it wasn't for these constant interruptions!" Jarvis turned and spat through the door where the panicking chef was still pounding against the wood.
"One of you open this door this instant!" Felix demanded.
"I would be only too delighted to oblige Mr Kraus but Mr Jarvis appears to have gone quite mad and as locked the door and stolen the key." Flora called out smiling sadistically at the butler who turned to glare at her.
"You are in so much trouble." Jarvis murmured waving his finger warningly, but instead of cowing down the housekeeper's smile broadened instead.
"I mean it let me in or else I will go and alert the rest of the staff and I doubt that either of you want that!" Felix cut in.
For a moment Jarvis paused, weighing up the odds, it would certainly take them longer to get a little frisky then it would for Felix to summon help so taking a deep breath he retrieved the key from his jacket pocket and reluctantly he unlocked the door. "Are you still here?" Jarvis sneered as the flushed and angry chef came into view.
"Get out of my way!" Felix snapped, pushing past the annoyed Butler and dashing over to the housekeeper. "Flora are you alright…I should never have let him out of my sight after dinner…"
"I am quite well Mr Kraus!" Flora retorted frostily. "However I would be all the better for a good nights sleep, something I am hardly likely to get with all these constant interruptions!"
Smiling Jarvis went to usher the chef out. "You heard the lady out Felix…"
"I meant both of you!" Flora snapped, leaping forward and grasping both men by the earlobe and ignoring their squeals of protest dragging them towards the open door; then at the minute she released them pushing them roughly through it. "Now if you two GENTLEMEN will excuse me I am off to bed ALONE!" And with that she slammed the door shut in their stunned faces.
For a moment neither men spoke but then Jarvis turned to Felix. "This is all your fault you bloody kraut, just you stay out of my way from now on, and her to!" He added before turning and storming off down the corridor back to his room.
- - - -