Breakfast had been announced early next morning for the staff, they had only a short while before they had to be on their way. There promptness would usually have been scolded by their butler if he had yet managed to appear himself. Even Andrew had managed to climb out of his sick hole before happy couple had emerged, though he flinched at every word said above a whisper and was thanking Felix constantly for preventing him from doing anything stupid the night before.
At one end of the staff's large table sat Madam Bouffant, her eyes were narrowed, as she scanned around the table, her lip curling in disgust as she received a sweet yet nervous smile from Grace May. Grace had spent her all evening and morning trying as hard as she could not to make eye contact with any… less than appropriately dressed female, though at the same time making sure George made definite eye contact, better he looked them in the eye, rather than focusing his vision on any other part of a woman's body.
Felix had been almost as uncomfortable as Grace this past night. All this female attention – he wasn't sure how to react to it. He'd settled for bearing with it at first, but soon it had begun to get out of hand, or things had got far too close to his hand. In the end he'd taken over the job of looking after Andrew Adams.
His main task at the beginning had been to keep Adams away from any little madams who seem to have targeted him (quite rightly) as a desperate man. He'd tried to occupy him with a game of chess, but his attention span didn't stretch that far and not long after getting into the game, he'd trailed off into talking about his lady love. The more drinks he consumed the more careless he became, he didn't seem to care what he told Felix. After a while the topic turned to how lucky the new wedded couple were and then to how fantastic a butler, Mr Jarvis was.
By this time Felix was having to pick Andrew off the floor, not an easy job for a man who had drunk enough for him to be classified as intoxicated himself. It was in the moment when Andrew was stumbling into the chef's arms, babbling on about god knows what, that Felix felt a rare sense of sympathy for the dim under-butler, as well as realising the guy had a slight charm about him.
In the absence of the butler Fred had pompously adopted the other head of the table, though without Jarvis' grace, as he was sat on the back of the sturdy chair. Will was lounged in the chair next to him, raving to another listening about his night in paradise.
He was in the middle of his story when the far too affectionate couple decided to materialise. At the moment of hearing the content of his story they both exchanged amused glances. While the staff looked on at them slightly shocked by the fact Jarvis hadn't even made an effort to make Fred move from his place of management. Instead he sat next to wife, who in expecting him to shift Fred had sat to the left of him, opposite Will.
Will: Honestly Fred mate! You should have seen her. indicating to his chest, while risking a glance at the woman opposite him, trying to detect even a glimmer of jealousy in her eyes. However he wasn't as half as disappointed as he thought he would be when finding only amusement in her face.
Grace: That's the closest you'll ever get to heaven you do realise Will. Jarvis seemed to find this highly humorous and Grace was slightly embarrassed to see his huge smile and flicker of a wink directed at her.
Fred: So you got less sleep than me than mate? not really interested in the answer, just hoping to put an end to the conversation.
Will: Well definitely. I didn't get a wink of sleep.
Fred: For gods sake Will! We get the picture, no need to carry on bragging.
Will: No I mean after we'd finished. Those buggers next door! At it all night! Friging hell! They were making so much noise! They'd stop for a moment and I would be just about to drift asleep when I'd hear the deafening screams and low moans would begin again. Just make sure if you notice a woman with no voice and only just able to walk you'll introduce her to me. 'Ere Fred mate it wasn't you was it?
Fred: I wish. snorting to himself, while a certain butler is unable to help chuckling to himself, just managing to pour his tea without it all ending up over the table cloth, earning him a sharp kick under the table from his wife. She didn't like where this conversation was going and felt her temperature rising dangerously quickly. Well Mr Jarvis and Mrs Cory were in Room 13… who was in room 11? muttering to himself.
Frank: I thought that room was empty? I could be wrong of course but we all know how unlikely that is. smirking at the fidgeting butler, who seemed completely oblivious to the fact his wife looked about to faint. Felix and Andrew were doing everything they could not to meet each other's eyes, so settled for suddenly finding their tea dregs interesting.
Grace: I'm sure their was something I was suppose to be doing. breaking the tense, yet amused silence and jumping up. but I can't think what it was. Mrs Cory? I'm sure it was something to do with being at it- in London, not being at it in London, I mean being at London. She stutters nervous, trying to retrieve herself from the hole she was digging, but instead digger herself deeper into it. Instead she settled for muttering something about large trunks and making her way from the room, stumbling into Gertie in the door, who was laden down with trays.
Gertie gave the room a quick glance over before entering. The tense atmosphere had lifted slightly, though still no one dared look in the direction of the butler or housekeeper, save Frank who was positively grinning at the pair, only turning his attention away from them when he noticed Gertie hovering by his side trying to offer him even more food than he had already scoffed himself with that morning.
Gertie: Good morning Mr Keneally. grinning at him in a way that convinced the rest of the staff this wasn't the first time they'd greeted each other that day.
Frank giving her a brief wink: Morning.
Gertie raising her voice so Jarvis could hear her: Mr Keneally would you kindly pass this note to Mr…Cory, that right? One of your other footmen was 'ere a bit ago, but there was no sign of sir… for some reason. she hisses, word of the goings on in room 13 the night before had got around quickly and she was truly disgusted by the fact that many of her customers were more interested in listening outside their door than paying her a visit.
Jarvis: I'll just- he begins, reaching over to take the note from her hand as she passes it to Frank, but instead of acknowledging him, she turns her back even more to him.
Flora: That's mature. She whispers, as Dirty Gertie passes the note to Frank, who then leans over the table to pass it to his favourite uncle.
The note was from Joe, he'd had the pleasure of being with the Earl all night. He'd been most annoyed by this, as Frank hadn't been made to stay with Lord Julian. Jarvis had been instructed to get him and the staff to him as soon as possible, he informed the staff of the Earl's wishes, trying his best to ignore Frank and the giggling Gertie.
She'd placed her generously proportioned backside on the edge of the table, in front of Frank, resting her delicate feet on his knees. She was leant forward pushing a substantial amount of cleavage into his face, as she played with his neck tie, while whispering little playful things in his ear.
Jarvis: We really don't want to miss another train, do we, so get ur breakfast down ur necks then hop food. Mr Keneally! Have you listen to a word I've said!
Frank: Of course. smiling sweetly at him You were being your usual boring self, dragging on about the usual nonsense, which I really couldn't care less about.
Jarvis: Mr Keneally! jumping from his seat. You better start sorting yourself out or you are gonna find yourself in some very sticky situations. Being stuck on a boat in the middle of the ocean isn't gonna be great for you if you begin to cause more trouble.
Frank rolling his eyes: Oh give it a rest uncle Wally. Walter suddenly looks about to jump over the table to strangle him, causing Flora to quickly grab his sleeve. Andrew's mouthful of tea seemed to have gone down the wrong hole as Felix had to give him a good smack on the back to stop him choking to death.
Fred: That's a good one. whispering to Will, who nods, stifling a chuckle.
Jarvis: Haven't you got work to be doing Mr Keneally! Sighing the valet pushes the whore's heels off his knees and hurled himself off the chair.
Madam Bouffant glaring at her: I've sure you've got jobs to be attending to Gertie. She jumps off the table, throwing a glare at both the butler and the housekeeper.
Huffing the butler settled himself back into his chair, throwing the staring footmen a piercing glare. They quickly resumed to their meals, unable to resist glancing up at the housekeeper who was only just managing to keep a straight face. 'Uncle Wally' sounded quite funny. She'd had an uncle Wally herself (Wallace not Walter), on her mother's side, a short chubby bloke. He'd was an old bachelor, who only lived for drink, money and girls.
He was a great guy, her favourite relative. He had so many niece's and nephew's he forgot who was who, but he always remember her. She was his little buttercup, he'd called her that since the age of 2. Her mother had landed him with her for a day when she'd been having trouble on the farm. He'd taken her to the park for the day and she'd run around the field on her little legs collecting all the buttercup's she saw, cause she thought they were 'pwetty'.
He'd passed away not long after her father, choked to death on his own vomit in a brothel. Her mother had been devastated at the time, but she'd been unable to resist sharing her little joke about him dying in suitable circumstances with the rest of her family, he'd have preferred to have died there instead of peacefully in his bed. He was a bloke she'd never ever forget.
While Flora was recalling some forgotten memories, hubby Wally was eyeing up Adams and Felix's abandoned chess set. That could be an interesting idea, maybe if she agreed to his other…experiment she'd consent to his new brainwave.
Leaning closer to her, he nudged her with his elbow slightly to get her attention. Glancing around the room to check the other were on their way out of the room.
Walter: Flora my darling. automatically moving his hand to rest on her knee. It only took her a moment for her to realise what he was up too. Smiling to herself she decided it could be funny to play along.
Flora: Yes Walter my love?
Walter: Well I was wondering if you'd thought anything more about my… proposition? She could read his mind, his thoughts were always in his trousers. He was becoming more like her uncle Wally by the second.
Flora: I may have Mr Cory, I may not have. But surely I have more time to decide. He nods.
Walter: I was just thinking, you know. giving her a cheeky grin, as he hand travelled further up her leg.
Flora: I don't think so Walter Cory, we have to be going soon and to be completely honest I'm still utterly knackered from this morning.
Walter: Oh I don't mean now…but when we get to London, I'd be delighted to give you a couple of games of chess.
Flora: Where exactly is this going? smiling at him, he decides not to answer her. He gives her a cheeky wink, leaning down to kiss her on the forehead, before making his way out. This was going to be interesting.
An hour later and the staff were beginning to assemble down in the lobby, Mr Adams stood at the bottom of the stairs bellowing up for the missing footmen. "Come on you toe rags leave those wee madams alone…There will be plenty of time to spend you wages in the big smoke and beyond on such indulgences."
As if on cue two of the doors slammed opened and two somewhat dishevelled footmen came bounding out of their respective rooms tucking their shirts back into their trousers and sharing knowing grins as they dragged their still unfastened trunks down the stairs. "Er Mate," Fred exclaimed, "Mine made more noise than yours and for longer if you know what I mean!" He added with a wink, nudging the first footman sharply in the side causing Will to stumble on the final stair landing hard on the polished wooden floor of the foyer.
"Watch your step Mr Forest we wouldn't want you to do yourself any permanent damage! After all that would deprive the working ladies between Bristol and Calcutta with some much needed revenue, and it is hardly fair that such innocent bystanders should suffer, although come to think of it you have precious little in the way to offer so…!" The Butler's voice rang out from the balcony above, for a moment his buried dislike for the footman coming obviously to the fore, a contemptuous smirk on his face as the footman hurriedly picked himself off the floor brushing at his livery in an effort to remove the specks of dirt that had gathered on his white stockings.
"Walter…" A distinctive and obviously unamused voice rang out from behind her husband. "Will you stop dawdling and help me with this trunk it is yours after all!"
"Of course my darling!" Walter replied and sending one last self-satisfied smirk in Wills direction he headed back into the bedroom with his wife. A few minutes later and the pair descended Flora sweeping ahead of her now cowed husband as he struggled under the combined weight of their bags whilst she carried only a light vanity case.
"Oh come along Walter!" Flora snapped her tone becoming increasingly inpatient. "They aren't that heavy and I'll be damned if I miss yet another train, it puzzles me why you just didn't ask for some help I'm sure the lads would have been only to delighted to assist you wouldn't you… Will, Fred?" She asked the two sniggering footmen who in reply simply nodded, the first footman immediately stepping forward and taking the light vanity case from her hand and favouring her with his most dashing smile and a cheeky wink.
"Here Mrs Corey let me help you with that, after the night you had I doubt you should be carrying anything heavy!" He muttered offering the housekeeper his arm to help her down the last few steps.
"Thank you Mr Forest!" Flora replied curtly trying to keep the telltale flush from her cheeks. "The last few days have been most trying…" She added, trailing off only when her husband pointedly coughed from behind. "Yes Walter my darling, my light, my reason for being." Flora replied sarcastically.
"I thought I was the one who needed help!" Jarvis retorted snidely, and shooting Will a look of pure evil that left the footman in no doubt as to the butler's thoughts, the order to take his filthy hand off his wife's arm was implicit with the latent threat that if he didn't some form of physical violence would be the consequence.
"Perhaps we can help you with those sir?" Adams perked up, waving the lads to unburden the Butler and carry the trunks out to the waiting carriages.
"Thank you Mr Adams!" Jarvis exclaimed practically beaming in gratitude at his under-butler and former best man as he tugged on his waistcoat moving over to his wife. "I will not be long but I need to settle our bills." He whispered softly, unable to resist letting his hand side round her waist and then down to give her bottom a surreptitious squeeze as the rest of the staff hurried off to their waiting transport.
"I had forgotten you were a bottom man!" Sniggered a loud cockney voice from behind the reception desk, as Madame Chalvois had apparently forgotten her pledge to never speak to 'that man' again.
"Some are nicer than others!" Jarvis quickly retorted, patting Flora's behind firmly much to the housekeeper's surprise and consternation.
"Well if you prefer them flat!" Gertie huffed, pushing out her ample bosom as she located the household's bill. "My My Walter, that is what you are calling yourself today?… You and your boys have run up quite a little bill…. There's the overnight stay, breakfast, stabling oh and irreparable damage to some delicate and eminently fashionable sheets!" She added turning to lock gazes with the housekeeper who simply smiled, whilst her husband practically choked as he ran his eyes down the long bill.
"How on earth did the food come to this amount, I mean the staff had dinner last night and we all had breakfast this morning, but five pounds sixpence!" He exclaimed thrusting the bill towards a shocked Flora before adding, "I trust that none of my men's extra curricular activities have been included on MY BILL?"
"No of course not, what sort of place do you think this is?" Gerties demanded. "You know Madam has very strict rules money upfront for all exchanges of a personal nature….Except for the very few exceptions, you must remember Walter dear, referrals and special clients….You remember about that of course!" She added mysteriously, winking as she emphasised the special, running her tongue openly over her full lips.
"Yes well!" Jarvis coughed rummaging in his waistcoat pocket for his wallet and drawing out several notes before slamming them on the desk. "That should cover everything!" He snapped roughly seizing his stunned wife by the arm and frogmarching her over to the open door.
"Oh so the little woman doesn't know about those tendencies does she?" Gerties called out. "Can't say I'm surprised I mean its not something you bring up in polite conversation, well I suppose the day you come home with one of your little dress up outfits and ask her to put it on…"
But whatever else Gertie was going to say it was suddenly cut off by the slamming of the front door, and a surprised and somewhat amused Flora turned to stare at her husband. "Do you have something you want to tell me darling?" She asked icily. "Or should I wait till you come home with a nicely wrapped package addressed for my eyes only?"
However Jarvis was so embarrassed he couldn't even look her in the eye, convinced now any chance he had of getting some action on the train was well and truly scuppered he offered her his arm and as quickly as was decent he ushered them both into the carriage and as far away from this den of sin as possible without even a backwards glance.
Jarvis had managed to get the Earl on the train with the least amount of fuss (if only the same could be said for the VERY intoxicated Lord Julian). The staff and the large amount of luggage they all carried seemed to be more of a problem. Their trunks seemed to be flooding into the corridors and a number were stashed in the conductor's compartment.
Flora had been most excited to be travelling by train, a new luxury for the housekeeper and to be travelling with Walter, well it seemed even more special (of course this had nothing to do with his little proposition). Once Walter had finally managed to settle her in a carriage with Felix and Andrew he proceeded round the carriages doing a quick headcount, silently deciding which members of staff he wouldn't actually mind leaving behind. Frank Keneally for one and then of course that cocky little sod of a first footman and when he thought about it, he wouldn't mind losing that incompetent Grace May, giving him an excuse to take his gorgeous wife instead. It didn't take him long to realise they were missing a footman.
Jarvis: Mr Cosmo! His eyes darted up and down the platform in search of the useless footman.
Frank smirking to himself: Looks like Mr Cosmo's gone and done a runner.
Jarvis ignoring Frank, becoming less of a difficult task by the day: When did you last see Mr Cosmo? turning to the footmen, standing in the train doorway, however the group of brainless idiot's shoulders promptly come in contact with their ears.
Will: He didn't get on the carriage sir. Said he had something to do then he'd catch us up.
Fred: Something or someone? exchanging a knowing look with Will and sniggering, while Grace sniffed loudly and Flora wrapped her arms tightly around her, glaring at the heartless footmen
Frank: The bugger's probably up to some dirty business. The smug smile on Frank's face quickly convincing Flora (who knew him better than she liked) that he knew something the rest of them didn't, either that or he was just pleased by the idea of having George from under his feet.
A whistle is blown somewhere along the platform, the station master unable to be seen from the smoke now billowing about. How was he going to explain this one to the Earl? Jarvis thought bitterly while jumping on the train at Flora's insistence, pushing past a haughty Frank and whispering to Adams.
Jarvis: Remind me to give that boy a beating when we return.
Adams: I don't think that will be necessary sir. Jarvis spun around to see George running along the platform in an effort to catch up with the now rolling train.
The footmen all dashed to the door, flinging it reopen and stretching their arms out. George reached out with his free hand, quickly finding Will's arm who with a determined tug pulled him onto the train. Both relieved and exhausted George lunged forward, not expecting to crash into Will.
Will: Surely you can find a less intimate way to thank me mate? Jesus what you got under your coat? He pushes George off him, glancing at the weird-shaped bulge in his coat which he was using his other hand to hold close.
George: Nowt. angrily elbowing his way past him.
Will: George mate?
Jarvis: Off the corridor now ladies and gentlemen if you please. glancing at the queue of people waiting to pass them. More than slightly disappointed about George's reappearance Frank slouched off to find an empty carriage. While the others disappeared George stayed, scanning all the trunks trying to find his own as quickly as possible.
Grace: George! The footman jumped a foot in the air and spun around, almost tripping over the trunk he'd just been looking at, Fred's.
George: What?
Grace: What do you mean what? Where the hell have you been?
George: None of your damn business! he snaps quickly at her.
Grace: None of your damn business? Some woman then? she mutters to herself George what has got into you?
George: Nothing! Alright! Nothing! Just leave me alone! barging past her.
Grace: Fine. Fine! If that's how you are going to be! Well I can be equally awkward! She gives Fred's trunk a good kick and storms in the opposite direction.
Sighing to himself George rubs his head, he hadn't meant to snap at her, but he didn't have time for her irritating questions. It only took him a moment to find his trunk, throwing it open he pulled a couple items of clothing out. Before pulling the brown package out of his coat, glancing up and down he swiftly, but carefully pulled the gun out of the paper, laying it in his trunk and hurriedly placing his clothes on top. He'd get that bastard Keneally if it was the last thing he did.
"Are you sure everyone is finally on board?" Flora asked desperately as her husband finally slid back the door to their compartment, for a moment a frown flickering across his handsome face as he noticed that neither Andrew nor Felix had taken his pointed hint from earlier and left the couple alone, however in order to cover this up he forced himself to smile at both Andrew and Felix.
"It appears so, Mr Cosmo made it by the skin of his teeth…" Walter replied.
"Such a shame we couldn't arrange to accidentally leave someone behind!" Andrew snorted.
"Indeed Andrew", Jarvis replied taking his seat next to his wife and rubbing his fingers across the bridge of his nose as he always did when stressed.
"I know which particular person would get my vote!" The Chef piped up.
"All of our votes I am sure." Flora giggled, pausing for a moment before daringly adding, "Including that of his dear uncle Wally!"
"That is not a laughing matter!" Jarvis snapped as Flora burst out laughing at the look of horror on his face, and both the chef and under butler tried desperately to stifle their sniggers.
"I know my darling but your face when he said it!" Flora retorted reaching out and rubbing his arm reassuringly before sliding it down and threading her fingers through his.
"Personally I don't know how you stopped yourself from leaning over the table and throttling the bloody life out of the wee beggar!" Andrew piped up for a moment the look of malevolent glee in his expression betraying the bent of his thoughts.
"Yes well!" Jarvis huffed. "It wouldn't have done either of us any good, well it might have knocked some sense into him but I have no desire to air anymore dirty laundry in front of my staff or complete strangers…"
"You mean there's more?" Felix snorted, earning him disapproving looks from both Mr and Mrs Corey. "Fine Fine." He added immediately immersing himself once more in his newspaper in order to ignore their almost identical annoyed expressions.
"So how long should this take?" Flora suddenly asked. "To get from here to London?"
"Well we've left at nine or there abouts, so we should finally arrive in London around half twelve." Jarvis replied smiling indulgently. "I can't believe you've never travelled by train before, why on earth didn't his lordship send you down to London this way before?"
"Oh well there was just so much to take and it would hardly be appropriate a woman travelling by train all alone…" Flora trailed off distractedly as she glanced out the window. "How fast do you think we are going?" She asked excitedly.
"Forty, maybe fifty miles an hour." Walter bragged. "It really is a marvel, it's just a damn shame we can't catch a train all the way to India instead of having to take that damn boat!"
"Yeah a lovely six weeks or so cooped up on the same boat as the lovely Frank Keneally…" Adams cut in. "I don't suppose sir you would turn a blind eye if he accidentally fell overboard?"
"I might after a few weeks of having to listen to his bragging and posturing not to mention any further Uncle Wally remarks!" Jarvis snorted, a smile tugging at his lips as he watched his excited wife engrossed by the passing countryside.
"Well just wait till we get back then it'll be daddy Wally!" Adams added indulgently earning him a beaming smile from the housekeeper and she instinctively touched her stomach before glancing across at her husband, his eyes softening as he gazed lovingly back at her. Shifting uncomfortably in his seat Adams shared a raised eyebrow and conspiratorial knowing smile with the chef, wishing that he had had the foresight to bring a newspaper or a book or anything so that he could bury his head and not have to sit here and make small talk with a loved up couple who obviously wanted a bit of privacy.
Then suddenly inspiration struck turning to the chef he coughed slightly catching Felix's attention. "Mr Kraus would you care for trip to the buffet car, I feel that after last night a strong cup of tea would have untold benefits?" He asked pointedly, risking a quick nod and raised eyebrow in the direction of the now oblivious and snuggling couple.
"An excellent idea Mr Adams!" Felix replied retrieving his top hat from the rack and standing up suddenly causing a surprised Mr and Mrs Corey to glance up, Flora blushing slightly but making no move to pull away from her husband who had laid a possessive hand on her knee.
"Well we'll be off then!" Adams added moving towards the door. "We may be some time…" He trailed off realising no matter what he said, even if it was that the Earl had suddenly appeared and was demanding their presence dressed in only a corset and bright red stockings, they would have paid him as much attention.
"Thank you Mr Adams." Jarvis called out distractedly as his under butler slid the heavy wooden door back across, cutting them once more off from the rest of the world. "Now Mrs Corey since we are at last alone perhaps now would be an excellent time to discuss my little proposition…"
"You want to sit here and just talk to me?" Flora asked coyly, teasingly running her fingers across the buttons of his waistcoat.
"Well no that would not be my preferred…." But what ever else the Butler was going to say it was suddenly cut off when a pair of impatient and eager lips covered his own, only pulling away when both were gasping for breath.
Pulling apart slightly Flora smiled mischievously before slowly unbuttoning his waistcoat. "I do hope since this was your idea you have some suggestion just how we might manage this, without being caught!" She added pointedly, unable to keep her stern expression on her face when her husband ran his hand up under her petticoats and began to tease the sensitive skin behind her knee.
"I do indeed Mrs Corey, if you come closer I'd be delighted to whisper it to you." Jarvis replied gently drawing her back into his arms, unable to wipe the grin off his face she had agreed to this so who knows what else he might persuade her to in the future?
However whilst the happy coupled were embarking on a new first, well for them anyway, a distressed Grace May was trying to find somewhere quiet and private to dry her tears and try and figure just how she was going to work things out with George. She couldn't stand the idea of them falling out again, and over what? Nothing she could work out, just because last night she had declined to spend the night with him cosying in one of Madam Bouffant's finest featherbeds did he have to dash off this morning to visit the first lady of disreputable virtue he could find? Sometimes men were so insensitive he simply couldn't take the hint that there were times of the month…..
So instead she had spent the night with her head buried under her pillow trying to forget the look of disappointment and annoyance on his face, he had been on edge for days and the only times he seemed to want to be around her was when there were engaged in a little stress relief. How on earth were they going to cope when they were travelling to India, cooped on the boat with no privacy and no chance to sneak off for a quick kiss and a cuddle, would he spend the entire time ignoring her then? Finally Grace had managed to wander as far away from the others as she dared and grasping one of the compartment doors she slid it back slightly relief flooding her frame as on a quick look it appeared to be empty. Pushing it back completely she stepped into the compartment, sliding the door back behind her as she moved to sit down, wiping at the few remaining tears on her face as she stared out of the window.
"Penny for your thoughts Miss May?" A soft and polished Irish lilt asked suddenly causing Grace to whirl round in her seat her heart leaping into her throat.
"Frank!" Grace gasped her arms wrapping across her chest in an effort make herself as small as possible as she sank into the corner.
"Grace!" Frank replied mockingly in the same shocked tone.
"I had no idea…I wouldn't have intruded on your privacy, so I'll go!" Grace managed after a few minutes of avoiding the Valet's curious glance and knowing smile.
"Why go? You'll make me think you don't like my company anymore and besides you look like you could do with someone to talk to! And who can you talk to here except from me, all your little friends are back at Taplows, Mrs Corey is probably interestingly occupied and I suspect that George is the reason for your tears in the first place."
"I don't want to talk about it thank you!" Grace sniffed, earning her another pitying look from Frank, which made her uncharacteristically angry. "It's nothing to do with George actually," she snapped "I'm just feeling a little homesick!"
"Really!" Frank mocked. "As I recall you do tend to suffer from that don't you, I remember the day you arrived at Taplows, do you?"
"Of course!" Grace replied. "I'd never been away from my mam before, it was a big step leaving home and coming into service, not something you forget!"
"I remember it clearly myself, you were the tiniest thing when you arrived, just two big blue eyes filled with tears, you just looked so lost my heart went out to you, who could of guessed then what we would come to mean to each other!" Frank whispered, his eyes locked with hers, a softness in them that Grace hadn't seen in years. "You were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, so pure, so delicate, all I wanted to do was protect you sort of like the little sister I never had, who could have known how things would change!"
"Well things always change, hopefully for the better!" Grace replied unable to keep her gaze locked with Frank, the expression on his face was making her increasingly uncomfortable. "Look I really should be getting back, I promised Fred that I'd sew the loose buttons back on his spare waistcoat…" Grace muttered getting to her feet and heading towards the door.
"Grace!" Frank suddenly called out, catching gently at her arm to make her stay and then at her panicked expression letting her go quickly. "I just wanted to say I was sorry, for the way I reacted when you decided not to marry me…I won't pretend I completely understand why you didn't want to go through with it but I should never had reacted the way that I did…And well if you ever need someone to come to, if George or anyone else hurts you well lets just say I'm in your debt!"
For a moment Grace stood stunned unable to believe what she had just heard, Frank apologising… Frank saying he was wrong… Frank in her debt! "Errr Thank you Frank, but I'm fine!" She mumbled opening the door and stumbling out.
"Well just in case!" Frank retorted as she closed the door, before sinking back into his chair a broad smirk replacing his previously sincere looking smile, this was going to be all too easy!
The previous day at Taplows:
After the last carriage had vanished into the distance, Molly Watson turned her attention to the guests still in attendance at Taplows. Worry over helping Emily to run the household was temporarily taken over by the awful thought which had been mingling with the terrible private doubt she had over her professional abilities, and she couldn't help but take a respite from her duties to watch him from an upstairs window patrolling the Hamilton-Hussey carriages while they were prepared for departure. Her heavy gaze was broken by the sudden and forceful arrival of Lady Francesca by her husband's side, although it was very much obvious to Molly that the two were maintaining a frosty silence between them at best. Molly was desperately upset that the time she had to spend with Monty had for one reason or another been interrupted the past day or so, mainly by the wedding but also by a certain very attentive black footman whose intentions Molly suspected weren't all that platonic but nevertheless she found most flattering as always.
Now most distractions had left bound for Bristol she had hoped she could catch at least five minutes with her lover but he seemed so very much preoccupied with other matters when she had tried to catch his attention moments earlier and for a heartbreaking minute she thought it was his way of saying it was over between them. But surely not? After she had finally retired to bed the previous night, exhausted and emotionally drained by the happiness of the day, she had found a note under her door which she knew definitely wasn't from Joseph this time. It was a full blown love letter from Monty, the first of a kind, pouring out his heart to her and telling her that one day they would be together. It was so romantic it had taken a full night of thinking for it to occur to Molly that he hadn't said exactly when they would finally be able to spend the rest of their life together, or indeed how he would end his marriage to Francesca, if at all.
Part of her simply wanted to follow them all the way back to Scotland, she was sure that he would pay for her to live in a small cottage on their estate and he could visit her frequently, but she had a horrible feeling her not-so-dead husband would catch up with her. She had started to build a life for herself at Taplows, she already loved the place despite her rocky start and she felt comfortable and at home amongst the wonderful mix of people who were her colleagues, but above all she knew she would be bored just playing the silent mistress, couped up and being a 'kept woman' by a man she would hardly see. She felt utterly torn, and although she had hoped she would see things more clearly in the cold light of day it all seemed even more complicated than the night before. One thing was clear, she loved Monty and didn't want to let him go, but what choice did she have? With a heavy sigh she was about to return to stripping the bed the Hamilton-Husseys had shared during their stay when she heard a swish of skirts behind her.
"Oh my dear, why so sad?" Rebecca asked, cocking her head to one side and pursing her lips. Molly glanced up and smiled sadly, shaking her head and busying herself with a pillow case. "You look far worse than I do, and I'm the one who has just brought up their breakfast all over poor Lizzie!"
"It's nothing, I'm fine, I didn't sleep too well last night and I'm….well, just a bit flat now the chaos has died down and everyone's gone." She replied unconvincingly as Rebecca moved over to help her strip the sheets. "Besides I'm more worried about you now that Andrew's gone and you're to be subjected to travelling back up to Scotland with that dreadful sister of yours……." Molly hadn't intended for that to come out, she just felt so comfortable in Rebecca's company that the words literally fell out of her mouth and no amount of gasping and clasping her hand over it could stuff them back in again. "Oh Lady Rebecca, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to insult Lady Francesca…..!" She began in haste, but Rebecca simply waved her hurried apology away with a knowing snort of laughter.
"Oh Molly think nothing of it!" Rebecca exclaimed, rolling her eyes. "I think you have been positively polite about her, she is an interfering scheming little madam and I am sure many, including dear old Monty, would agree."
Rebecca could tell that Molly was quite taken aback by her incredible openness with a mere servant with regards to her family, but she could also detect something else at the mention of Monty's name. It was as if a light had been momentarily switched on in Molly's eyes they flickered so intensely and her interest was quite obviously suddenly piqued as she immediately stopped tugging at the sheet and instead clasped it tightly in her hands. Rather naughtily Rebecca quickly thought up something else to say about her brother-in-law to see what further reaction she might elicit from the under-housekeeper , taking care to not let on she had seen such a noticeable change in Molly's body language.
"Yes, dear, dear Monty, I do feel for him, it must be so difficult for him, I must confess I never knew why he married my sister in the first place." Rebecca shrugged, settling herself down on the corner of the mattress and feigning a pensive frown. "I mean, I can see how he might have appealed to Franny, he's rather dashing do you not think?"
"Well, I hadn't really taken much notice……" Molly coughed, suddenly finding a speck of dust on the bedside table the most interesting thing she had seen all morning.
"Well once upon a time I may not have turned him down!" Rebecca said most sincerely, pinching her lips together to try to stifle the smile she was desperate to spread across her face. "Such a handsome fellow shouldn't be subjected to a life of misery with one so tiresome as my elder sister but he is such a righteous fellow I doubt he would find it in him to leave her, although I'm sure with a hefty sum to buy her off he could keep her happy. All she's interested in is money and bedding various male specimens, all of varying quality may I add, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he had another woman."
From the look on Molly's face, it didn't take Rebecca much to work out that the mistress Francesca spoke so spitefully about to her husband on Christmas Eve was indeed Molly Watson as she doubted he had more than one, and her arrival at Taplows certainly wasn't just to do with Andrew.
"Oh I do hope that we can stay in touch." Rebecca beamed, leaning over and taking Molly's hand as she worried her new friend was about to let the pooling in her eyes to trickle down her cheeks. "It is good, however, that by happy circumstance Monty is to return to Bristol on business in just over five months and I may accompany him, if I am allowed, to pay Caroline another visit."
Molly's instant delight was hardly just for Rebecca's return, she suspected, especially after being subjected to a barrage of questioning regarding Francesca's plans to return with her husband, and she seemed particularly pleased when Rebecca hinted that her sister may refrain from journeying and not just because of the rather pregnant condition she would be in.
"Will you stay to see Andrew?" Molly asked, her heart leaping for joy at the thought of being reunited with Monty without his wife's accusing glances. "I am presuming you wish to see more than Lady Caroline."
"My dear, if I get my way I will stay for as long as possible before being declared unfit to travel by the delightful Dr Evans until after my expectant event." Rebecca whispered, giggling rather girlishly as Molly raised her eyebrows quizzically.
"Good gracious, you wish to give birth here?" Molly asked, a hint of panic entering her voice.
"I thought I might, I can't bear the thought of being all alone in Scotland, I want to be with my friends and most of all the babies' father." Rebecca smiled wistfully, running her hand over her slightly swollen belly.
"But Flora….gosh both of you, two babies….no, three babies! Dr Evans will certainly have his work cut out!" Molly laughed, her mood lightening from her brooding over Monty. He was to return for her, she knew he would.
How convenient that he had managed to arrange business in Bristol, and she also knew that he wished to stand for Parliament so at least a train journey from London was far closer to Tappleton than an entire week's carriage ride to the highlands of Scotland. Maybe, after all, things would work out and she could lead a happy working life at this beautiful country house while receiving the pleasure of Lord Montgomery's company at regular intervals. It almost seemed too good to be true, but for now she would have to deal with the pain of him leaving and she was suddenly saddened again at the thought of not being able to bid him farewell in the manner she wished.
"I would live here forever if I could." Rebecca muttered dreamily, taking a deep breath and strolling over to the window to observe the wintery landscape. The slowly thawing frost was like a dust of icing sugar on one of Mr Kraus' Christmas cakes as the pale, piercing sun peeped through the bare trees, rays of sunshine reflecting on the window like long, thin fingers desperate to reach in to the relative warmth of the bedroom. "It is so perfect here, for many reasons."
"You love my brother dearly, don't you?" Molly asked quietly after a pause, but it was more of a well-timed statement rather than an intrusive question.
Rebecca smiled to herself and nodded. "Yes, more than anything. I try not to think about what could happen to him, so far away, in an unknown country. I thought Africa was far away enough when Hugo asked me to go with him……" She trailed off, unsure how Molly would react to this but also choked by the emotion gripping her chest at this sudden memory of the best friend she had lost.
"I was so very sorry to hear about Lord Hugo, it must have been awful." Molly sighed, noticing the pain on Rebecca's beautiful face.
"Yes it was, terrible. I miss him dearly, his company and advice was invaluable to me. But of course we all have to learn to deal with death, as you know only to well yourself." Rebecca was so busy watching Monty and trying to stop her mind from wandering to indecent thoughts of him and Molly together that she failed to spot the look of guilt which flittered across the deputy housekeeper's face. The 'grieving' Mrs Watson had almost forgotten to put on a black dress that morning her mind was so swimming with preoccupation, but had soothed her conscience by joking to herself that forgetting to put on a black dress still had to be better than forgetting to put on a dress at all.
"Well," Rebecca beamed, tearing her eyes from the window and clasping her hands together through a slight sense of awkwardness. "It looks like we're very much ready to depart down there, you will come and say goodbye won't you?"
"Of course I will! Try and stop me." Molly laughed, desperate to hurry downstairs for one last gaze at Monty before they were separated for nearly six long months. "Oh and I must say my goodbyes to my niece - how very strange it is to be saying that!"
"Yes, you will have more family than you know what to do with soon." Rebecca quipped, Molly abandoning the sheets for the time being and following her out and along the corridor to the main staircase. "This place certainly can't be quiet for long! I am so looking forward to returning the summer, it should be lovely to sit outside and watch the men taking part in their summer activities. Monty always seems to win these things though, he seems to like to build up a sweat!"
"I can imagine." Molly muttered, almost to herself as she recalled certain memories which made a private smile spread across her face while Rebecca wasn't looking. But her grin soon fell away when they were greeted by Lady Francesca bustling into view, frowning furiously and calling out for her lady's maid in a screech that could hurt even the most robust of ear drums.
"Well I suppose a man needs to keep his strength up when he's married to someone like her!" Rebecca turned on the stairs and whispered to Molly, who had to mask a laugh with a well timed placement of the hand.
"Are you coming or not!" Franny demanded indignantly of Rebecca, making Molly imagine, to her own amusement, how it must have been like when they were children, a spoilt tubby child stamping her foot because her livelier, prettier sister had hidden her favourite doll. "We do have to leave you know, I don't wish to stay around this awful place much longer, I feel as if I have been here an interminable amount of time as it is!"
"Calm down, my dear!" Rebecca snorted, rolling her eyes at Molly knowingly. "Just because a certain valet isn't here for you to have your extremely wicked way with doesn't mean you have to take it out on me!"
Francesca was quite obviously desperate to answer back with a stinging comment about Adams but just as she opened her mouth, her face reddening, Monty strolled through the front door as his staff busied around him with the last few items of luggage. He removed his hat and nodded politely in greeting to Rebecca and Molly, who was sure she was blushing scarlet as she saw a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Ladies." He said firmly, locking his gaze with Molly's. Although there was no possibility of being able to talk, words weren't needed between them. Molly could feel her heart rate increasing and she had begun to tremble so much she was sure she would lose her footing and fall down the stairs, although she could face that prospect if a certain Lord was there to catch her and break her fall. Monty smoothed down his neck tie and fastened up his greatcoat, sneaking a risky wink at his beloved while his wife admonished her maid for failing to live up to her incredibly high standards.
Rebecca was sure she saw Molly's eyes begin to brim with tears, so thought she ought to make sure they departed as swiftly as possible to save Molly from showing any emotions Francesca would hardly appreciate, putting her in an even worse mood for the journey. After Molly had said her fond goodbye to Lizzie, and that she very much hoped to see her again soon, she turned her attentions to making sure that Rebecca had everything she needed for the journey and that she was wrapped up warm enough. Once Rebecca had managed to convince the woman that she was fine and Lizzie had attended to her needs most adequately, although she did wonder whether it was simply stalling tactics on Molly's part, the Lord Monty's valet indicated that everything was set for departure.
There were two carriages at the front of the house, the children, the nanny and Lizzie were to travel in one, the Hamilton-Husseys and Lady Rebecca in the other. Monty politely helped his wife into the carriage first, Franny smacking away his hand viciously as she landed hard on the seat causing the back end of the sturdy vehicle to dip, taking the full force of her fury. As Rebecca was about to climb into the carriage she turned and to her sister's utter horror broke all protocol by drawing Molly into a tight hug, kissing her on her cheek.
"I will return, I promise." Rebecca breathed, reluctantly drawing away from her friend and following her sister inside the rather cramped interior of the carriage. She did at least managed to keep Franny occupied in mundane conversation about the cold weather snap long enough for Monty to subtly brush his hand against Molly's, slipping another note into her palm. At last, this time, Monty had put into words exactly how – and when - he would finally break free from Lady Francesca's icy grasp.
Jarvis' knowledge of trains was actually quite accurate. His comment about them arriving in London at half twelve was extraordinarily precise and had not just been a boasting guess to impress his wife. As a result they arrived at the London household at around half one, to absolute pandemonium. The housekeeper was a batty old woman, who seemed to have got it into her head that the Taplows lot would be arriving the day after. She was quite hysterical and it took a lot of calming words from Flora to stop her collapsing on the spot. Flora, who knew quite a few of the staff already began to get things in motion, earning her a proud grin from her husband. He himself was busy in the courtyard, ordering all the footmen to get all the luggage into the house as quickly as possible.
Just when he began to think their situation was resolving itself, Will nervously came running towards him announcing the livid Earl's arrival. It turned out Lord Julian had managed to puke all over the carriage and him.
Jarvis couldn't help but find this amusing and began to scan the courtyard for the lucky valet. Frank however was nowhere to be seen, he'd snuke away when they'd got off the train.
Jarvis: Well you better go deal with the matter then Mr Forest. smirking at Andrew, while the poor footman (as Flora would later comment, much to the butler's annoyance) dashed off the attend to the Earl.
Andrew in a whisper to Jarvis: Let's just hope the bloody b doesn't return, shall we?
Jarvis: Which one Forest or Keneally?
Andrew: Either, I ain't fussed. the two men chuckle maliciously.
The staff were relieved to sit down to dinner that night, the day had dragged for all and the dining discussions were more interesting than they ever were at Taplows. Jarvis wasn't sure whether it was to do with the fact they were in a different setting or more to do with the extra characters sat around the table.
George sat by himself that night, he wasn't talking to anyone and not even a drop of any liquid other than water ventured down his throat, he needed to have his wits about him that night. It was no good Frank returning with any trouble, if he couldn't even stand to defend himself. Frank however didn't return till much later when all the lights were out and most of the servants seemed to have retired. He hadn't however predicted that the butler and the housekeeper would still be up and about, they were the last people he expected to be up at this hour. He hid round a corner when he first heard the voices of the newly married couple returning from their midnight stroll around the gardens…or midnight snowball fight. Both were soaked to the skin, which would have made Emily flip into mother mode instantly when seeing them. To their relief however she was miles away so couldn't fuss over them.
Jarvis: I may have the maturity of a fifteen-year-old, but it's more than you! wiggling his numb fingers in an effort to bring them to life. You have the maturity of a 10-year-old, no, heaven forbid, a 5-year-old!
Flora her teeth chattering: Well I couldn't let you get away with pinching Miss Laird's backside, thinking it was mine could I? Poor girl. shaking her head
Jarvis: No need to throw a huge ball of snow at my head! You look very similar from behind. He argued, hopefully
Flora: Yes, to one who drunk 5 glasses of brandy over supper. Thank god the girl didn't go running to Mrs Miggins or even worse thank god you didn't go pinching her arse, not only would you have been up before the Earl, you'd be divorced quicker than you could say baby Corey.
Jarvis without thinking: You should be flattered, Miss Laird's a lot younger than you. She froze on the spot and Jarvis quickly began to regret accepting that last glass brandy.
Flora spinning round to glare at him: Perhaps it's a good job Mrs Miggins organised separate rooms for us because I think you are going to be sleeping very alone tonight. Goodnight! turning and storming up the stairs.
Jarvis dashing after her: Oh come on Flora, you know I was only joking!
Flora: You sounded quite serious to me!
Smirking to himself, Frank turned round the corner after hearing a door upstairs slam, before being reopened and slamming once more. He just found their fights so amusing, they were so pathetic. He could imagine his dear old uncle, squeezing some poor wenches arse, completely rat-arsed, thinking it to be Flora's. Even if the housekeeper's whole body was entirely unique. Turning his attention to his afternoon, he grinned, it was TOO easy. All he had to do now was wait, wait for the right moment when Georgie boy let his guard down and they'd be ready.
Upstairs, the butler and housekeeper's room was very tense. Neither were speaking as they dried themselves off. When finished the butler turned his attention to getting his wife to look him in the eye, before she succeeded in filling up his trunks with his scattered objects and items and managed to get them into the other room.
Jarvis: I didn't mean it darling. walking up behind her and rubbing her shoulders gently. I'm drunk for starters and Mrs Miggins' battiness must be contagious because you're in no way old compared to that girl.
Flora couldn't help chuckling, she was almost double the girl's age, maybe he was right, she should have been flattered.
Flora: She is quite mad isn't she?
Jarvis: Completely! I've never met anyone like her! How on earth she managed to wrap the Earl around her finger is anyone's guess! He must only hire insane housekeepers.
Flora: Oi! turning around and whacking him on the arm
Jarvis: Sorry, it's the drink, gone right to my head. tapping his head and she giggles. Fancy a game of chess? winking at her.
Flora: I'm not all that good.
Jarvis: Believe me, that makes it even better. She rolls her eyes before agreeing.
Flora and Jarvis may have seen Mrs Miggins as a completely batty old woman, who had trouble eating peas, but Grace May quickly realised she had standards. The elderly woman had reprimanded Grace about her bread; it hadn't risen well enough, therefore as a punishment she'd been made to make it all other again after supper, expenses on her!
Grace was naturally furious and got down to it straight away, trying not to think about what the back of Felix Kraus' hand will feel like when he finds out she hasn't had time to repair the hole in his trousers. She returned her thoughts to think about her day, first the argument with George and then the conversation with Frank, if you could call it a conversation.
She was busy with her thoughts, flouring her work surface and didn't hear the door behind her open. The figure of the second footmen stopped in the doorway, just taking a moment to watch her, imprinting her every move onto his memory. Though maybe he didn't need to, maybe all this worrying was for nothing. Frank had been gone all day, but nothing had happened. Perhaps the valet was making it all up to tease him.
He was hoping to talk to her, but now that he saw her sniffling into her dough he felt his courage falter. Deciding that it was best if he left it for another time he made to leave, however an unexpected sneeze didn't allow him to get away unnoticed. Grace jumped slightly and spun around to glimpse the spy.
Grace: George. she mumbles slightly, before turning back around to finish the bread.
George: Grace, I need to talk to you. Did he? The words were just slipping off his tongue. Well he'd started now. Sighing he took his jacket off, hanging it on the back of his chair before sitting down. You have to understand that…well…the thing is, I wasn't with some woman earlier, there was some business I needed to attend to in town.
Grace: What sort of business? she mutters, trying her best to give him the cold-shoulder, but still wanting to know what he had to say.
George: Important business. It's difficult to explain…maybe now isn't the best time to start getting into all that- He is cut of by a loud from Grace
Grace: So we are back to where we started, you keeping secrets from me!
George: I've told you Grace, you are better off not knowing for now-
Grace: George either tell me the truth or leave me alone! She screams, spinning to face him, the tears now running freely down her cheeks For good. she whispers If you have to keep things from me then maybe it would be best for us to be apart. I don't want to be with any man who has to lie to me… So… what's it going to be? He doesn't answer for a moment.
George: I love you. he whispers, before shaking his head and standing. And I always will, but if you can't trust me then maybe we shouldn't be together.
Grace: Why did you have to turn this around?
George: Trust me, Grace! We can do this if you trust me!
Grace: But I can't. I'm sorry, George.
George: Don't do this Grace. She doesn't reply, her head just drops and she turns her attention to kneading the dough again. She hears his heels on the stone floor as he walks away.
Grace muttering under her breath: Don't turn around.
When she could no longer hear him walking, she began to feel faint, her body whacked with sobs she stumbled into George's chair, leaning back against she closed her eyes for a minute, before wriggling slightly. There was something digging into her back. Sitting up curious, she wiped the tears off her face to see George had left his jacket.
Recalling his sneaking around the trunks earlier and the bulge in his coat, it suddenly accrued to her that this may be the answer to all the riddles. It couldn't hurt to take a look. Pulling his jacket closer she dug her hand into his inside pocket, gasping as her hand wrapped around the unmistakable shape.
Upstairs the scene had taken a definite unexpected turn. What had Jarvis got himself into?
Flora: Ha! Removing one of his pawns Check!
Jarvis: Not good at chess, my arse! he growls as he pulls his vest over his head, leaving him in only his long johns.
Flora chuckles to herself, as he throws it down angrily before turning his attention back to the chess set. Flora was sat quite happily, still fully clothed save her shoes and her cap, which Jarvis had argued against being counted as a REAL item of clothing, before she had mentioned the fact he'd just pinched another woman's backside and she was their playing strip chess with him.
Flora: Your turn darling. smirking at him, his face utterly severe as he began to study the chess board.
Jarvis: There you go. taking his move, quite pleased that he'd got his king out of check, even if he hadn't managed to get her more uncovered.
Flora: hmmmmmmmmmmmm….hmmmmmmmmm…hmmmmmmmm. tapping her nails on the edge of the chess board, which Jarvis found increasingly annoying. hmmmmmm…where to go…where to go…hmmmmmmm-
Jarvis after about 5 minutes of 'hmmmm's: Oh just move!
Flora: Alright, alright! Keep your knickers on. She chuckles to herself. D'you get it?…eh…keep your knickers on… Pretty good don't you think?
Jarvis: Ha bloody ha! Will you just get on with it, I'm freezing here!
Flora most offended he hadn't found her joke funny: Fine! She moves, swiftly knocking his knight off the board with her queen. Oh yes! Get 'em off big boy! sulking he stands, removing his long johns for the first time feeling more than slightly vulnerable. Weren't you supposed to be the king at chess? I thought that's why Felix and Andrew don't let you play because you thrashed them, but the real reason is they'd die of boredom by the time the game's fin-iiiissssssshhhheeeddd! she shrieks, as Jarvis flings her over his shoulder, before throwing her down onto the bed.
Jarvis: I let you win! climbing on top of her and beginning to quickly unfasten her dress.
Flora: Oh you did, did you? You 'let' me win. Besides we haven't finished yet! waving his hands away and trying to push him off her.
Jarvis: But I've nothing else to take off.
Flora: That doesn't mean I can't sit and laugh at you freezing to death while we finish the game…and anyway… sliding under him. Just because you've got nothing else to take off doesn't mean that I don't either.
Jarvis: Tu est fantastique Madam.
Flora: Pity you aren't as good at playing chess as you are at speaking French.
Jarvis: Quel dommage!
Flora: What does that mean?
Jarvis: Pity you aren't as good at speaking French as you are at playing chess.
Walter must have decided to continue letting her win as his performance didn't pick up…until he managed to get her on her back. Flora decided it wasn't worth the hassle and 'let' him carry her to bed. The train idea may have been VERY good, but the chess was a bit of a step back. Maybe he could persuade her to play a bit of one on one cricket or he could 'help' her clear away the crockery in Mrs Miggins' office one night. That would take a lot of persuading but surely he could wrap her around his little finger.
Despite all of George's worrying and Grace's tears the next day proceeded as normally as it ever did in the Sturges-Borne household. Mrs Miggins the dotty London housekeeper had immediately shooed Mrs Corey out of her office first thing in the morning, stating quite firmly that this was her house and she didn't need any outside help especially from 'some slip of a girl' to run it. Far from being offended Flora was quite pleased by the comment much to Mrs Miggins consternation and before the old lady could change her mind she was off hunting for her husband. When she did find Walter she was most annoyed to find his head buried in his papers, shuffling them furiously whilst he scribbled away secretly and ignoring all his wife's attempts to distract him. In the end Flora settled for sulkily retrieving her sewing from her room and with several loud huffs of disappointment settled herself next to Grace in the servants hall whilst she worked on the seemingly endless pile of baby clothes Emily had insisted she would need.
If Flora had thought she might see more of her husband after lunch then she was very mistaken, it had all started so well…Walter had caught up with her on the way to the dining room, mischievously dragging her off into a store cupboard for a quick kiss and a cuddle before they had both headed off to lunch arriving ten minutes late and earning them amused glances from Felix and scathing ones from Mrs Miggins. However instead of continuing their activities after lunch Walter promptly announced that he was off into town on the Earl's business and ignoring the obvious pleading looks from his wife he was to be going alone as he was seeing about manly matters and with a pointed hint in her direction there would be no time for idle fripperies! As a result Flora found herself pacing up and down in his office awaiting his return, her fury growing with each step, was that all she was to him a sex object and a brood mare? It seemed the only time he spent any time with her at all was when he was trying to get her to consent to one of his bizarre schemes, not that she minded then but they were supposed to be on their honeymoon shouldn't they be inseparable especially as he was going soon and would be so far away?
Perhaps now he had his ring on her finger and technically she was his property he didn't think he had to pay attention to her, in a non physical manner she conceded, he didn't need to confide in a woman about his affairs and so she would be the last to know anything from now on. Well one thing was certain she was going to put him straight on that one when he got home, whenever he got home since he hadn't even deigned to tell her when he would be expected back. Flushed and angry Flora stormed out of his office and down the corridor, searching for something, anything to take out her frustrations on until her oblivious husband finally returned.
Several hours later just as Flora was severely scolding Fred for the abysmal state of his tails, not that as the footman later grumbled it was her area of responsibility, she received the news that she had been waiting for the butler had returned. At once whirling round she left Fred cowering in the corner, muttering expletives about moody pregnant women, and strode off to the Butler's pantry; when however her husband failed to materialise she collared the nearest servant demanding to know where he was. Stuttering the shaken housemaid whispered something about bath water and dressing for dinner barely able to finish her sentence before the housekeeper was off and heading upstairs.
On reaching their rooms Flora pushed open the door careful not to let is crash and so inform the oblivious butler of her presence. Sashaying into the room, there was only the barest whisper of silk against floorboards but even this Jarvis failed to pick up on as he was in the dressing room happily ensconced in a tub bellowing out various little ditties, from the clean 'Row Row your boat' to some interesting smutty little ditties that caused his wife to raise her eyebrows in surprise.
Scurrying over to the old desk in the corner Flora quietly pulled her husbands leather bound folder onto her lap and teased open the bow, flipping it open she gazed down at the clutch of papers encased inside her eyes automatically widening when she caught the words 'last will and testament'. Stifling a gasp she clasped a hand over her open mouth, relieved when instead of storming out to find out who was messing about with his papers Jarvis switched over to singing about bottles on a wall. Her curiosity piqued Flora slid the ribbon off from the legal document and turned her attention to the first page, the first paragraph was a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo and made about as much sense as lady Mary on a good day, however something in the second caught her attention….He had left everything his entire estate to her….a sum of….
Raising her eyebrows in shock Flora stifled a choke of surprise, in her confusion her mother's voice immediately springing to mind and in her typically cynical Irish lilt commenting it might just be worth bumping off a husband to be in receipt of such a sum! How on earth Walter had managed to amass such an amount she would never understand, she knew he had inherited some money from his father who had proved himself quite canny in financial matters but surely there couldn't have been that much and there was no way he could have much from his simple wages scam…Unless that wasn't the only scam he had on the go, but surely he would have told her about any others?
Managing to put her shock aside for the moment Flora looked past that interesting fact and continued down the page, a slight smile touching her lips as she examined the arrangements of the trust fund for their child, which would mature when he or she was 21. However what stopped Flora dead in her tracks was the final paragraph, shaking slightly she allowed the paper to fall from her fingers, unable to believe what was written. How could he even think such a thing, and go to the extent to plan for the eventuality? Not that she didn't approve his selection but he could have talked to her first before appointing their unborn child's guardians. Did he really think it was a likely possibility that he would fail to return from India and that she might die giving birth, so much so that he had to make provision for the eventuality?
"What do you think you are doing?" A harsh icy voice cut through the air causing her to whirl around in her seat, a single tear escaping from her lashes to splash down on her porcelain cheek, but she didn't answer frozen in her seat whilst her husband glared at her from across the room.
"I'll ask you again and this time I'll expect an answer Flora!" Walter hissed moving out of the shadows and into the room, a simple towel wrapped around his waist but he hadn't paused long enough to dry himself properly and trickles of water ran down his calves to pool on the floor around his feet.
"I..I…" Flora muttered getting to her feet and moving towards him, unable to restrain her tears any longer she threw herself at him, flinging her arms round her still damp shoulders and sobbing against his neck. Surprised Jarvis stood in shock for a moment his anger at catching her rummaging through his things quickly abating as his concern quickly grew.
"Flora what is it? I promise I'm not that angry that you have to be afraid of me darling I would never hurt you or the baby I swear to you…."
"It's not that…Oh Walter don't ever talk about not coming back! I just couldn't bear it…."
Suddenly realisation dawned and running his hands soothingly down her back he manoeuvred her over to the bed sitting her down gently. "Flora it was never meant like that, of course I'm coming back…That was just a what if, to make sure you and the baby would be provided for if I…"
"Don't say it please don't!" Flora cut in. "It's bad enough dealing with my own worries about you going and never coming back." She sobbed. "But to see it written down like that, in black and white it made it sound so real, and I could just picture it all in my head, the funeral….the will…everything… Walter I love you so much but one day it's just struck me we are going to loss one another."
"But not for a very very long time!" Walter whispered soothingly brushing the hair back from her face.
"You can't promise me that!" Flora snapped pushing his hands away and pacing the room. "And even if you return who knows I might…."
"You might what?" Walter demanded watching as Flora began to shake uncontrollably. "What Flora?"
"What if I don't survive…You can't help but hear things you know, and it's frighteningly common especially among older…My cousin for example she was about my age and on her fourth child when she…"
"Stop!" Walter snapped. "Don't say one more word, you're going to be fine, the baby is going to be fine!"
"Then why have you made arrangements if I don't?" Flora retorted. "Naming Emily and Felix the baby's guardians!"
"I….I had to cover all angles!" Jarvis snapped storming over to the dresser and grabbing his dressing gown, pulling off his towel he quickly finished drying himself before pulling on his dressing gown, tying it loosely and turning back to face her.
"Is that what this is, just another 'angle'!" Flora hissed, wiping at her tears. "Don't you understand I'm terrified, terrified of loosing you, of loosing the baby and of not making it…"
"Listen to me!" Jarvis cut her off, walking over to her and pulling her into his arms before leaning down softly kissing her forehead. "All three of us are going to pull through this…." He added moving his hand down to rub gently over her stomach. "This baby is going to be strong and healthy and I'm sure a lot of trouble to both his parents, and no arguing!" He added when her head suddenly shot up her mouth opening as she began to retort.
"Yes Walter." Flora whispered meekly burying her head into his shoulder unable to keep fighting his convictions anymore, content for once to let her husband win the argument and secretly wishing with her whole heart that this time he would be proved right.