February 1852

"I think that covers everything for now then." Jarvis concluded, looking over his notes as the daily senior servants meeting came to a finish. "The hunting party will be arriving after lunch and the arrangements are as usual. I'm sure everything will run smoothly." He said, looking up at his staff as they began to make their way towards the door and go about their various duties. "Ah Mrs Ryan, could you wait behind one moment, there was something else I needed to discuss with you." He added crisply, ignoring the look that Felix shot him as the housekeeper resumed her seat at the table. Honestly Felix had not given him a moment's respite since New Year and virtually every time Jarvis tried to engineer some time alone with Flora there was the chef with some innuendo-laden comment or look. Not that he wasn't entirely correct in his insinuations, but that was beside the point Jarvis thought as he closed his office door, what went on between the housekeeper and himself was their business and certainly not that of the far too nosy chef.

Walking up to the housekeeper who had stood up again and was clearing the tea cups and saucers off the table, he slid his arms round her waist from behind, pulling her back against him as he gently kissed the nape of her neck.

"I thought you said you wanted to talk about something Walter!" Flora said teasingly, linking her fingers through his and sighing softly as his mouth moved down her neck.

"Hmmm, you know I've quite forgotten what I wanted to say." He murmured in between kisses. "I'm sure it wasn't that important though!" He added as he turned her round to face him, pulling her properly into his arms. "Sorry I didn't come and see you last night, I didn't finish with the Earl until almost 1am and I thought you'd be asleep by then."

"I thought you'd be late, he was being rather difficult yesterday and don't worry, I'm sure you can think of a way to make it up to me!" Flora replied, smiling as he leant down to kiss her on the lips, murmuring "Oh of course, it would be a pleasure Mrs Ryan!" as he did.

Suddenly however they heard footsteps approaching the door and it opened just as the pair hastily sprang apart.

"Ahh Mrs Ryan, you're still here, excellent, I just wanted to confirm that it was still possible for me to have a couple of extra maids in the kitchen this evening." Felix asked sincerely, trying as hard as possible to hide the amusement from his face and voice as the now blushing couple tried to put as much distance between them to convince him that they were conducting a purely business meeting. It had been so amusing baiting Walter on the subject for the past few weeks since New Year, it was obvious, to Felix at least, that they were together but both were still vehemently denying it, despite having almost been caught in compromising situations several times by himself and various other members of staff.

"Yes of course Mr Kraus, that will be fine, they can come down after they have finished their afternoon duties." Flora said quickly, sitting back down again and shuffling her bits of paper.

"Excellent, well I'll leave you two to it………..the meeting that is!" Felix replied with a smirk as he headed out the door.

"That man is far too bloody smug." Jarvis said, glaring at the door where Felix had just left. "What a ridiculous excuse, he asked you that question over breakfast, why would he need to suddenly check you hadn't changed your mind in the past couple of hours? He must think we are stupid or something."

"I think he feels he has a right to know, that he has played matchmaker and so we should let him in on the secret as it were." Flora placated softly.

"Hmph, it's none of his bloody business! And as for his little matchmaking plans, personally I think our dear chef deserves a little of his own medicine." Jarvis snorted.

"Anything particular in mind Walter?" Flora asked, slightly intrigued.

"Well as a matter of fact, I did overhear one of your maids earlier saying that Mrs Diggins had complained about Lady Mary's food last night, that it wasn't mild enough apparently, and that did give me an idea…."

"Yes…" The housekeeper prompted.

"I think Mrs Diggins could be persuaded to spend a little quality alone-time with Mr Kraus, benefiting from his extensive culinary knowledge!" Jarvis said with a smirk.
--------------------------------

That evening as the staff began to gather for dinner, Flora made her way over to where Mrs Diggins was standing.

"Mrs Diggins, I was hoping to have a quick word. I heard from one of my girl's that Lady Mary was a little off-colour this afternoon, nothing too serious I hope?"

"It is all sorted now Mrs Ryan but thank you for your concern. There was a slight problem with her ladyship's food last night and then again at luncheon, but I have had words with Cook and hopefully the problem will not reoccur." Mrs Diggins replied rather pompously.

"I'm glad to hear it Mrs Diggins, however I'm sure Cook would not object if you or someone else were more involved with Lady Mary's food preparation. After all it would only serve to prevent little mishaps such as these." The housekeeper replied smoothly.

"Yes that did occur to me as well, her ladyship has such particular food preferences and I must admit I do know them rather well by now. However I doubt if my cooking skills are quite good enough for some of Lady Mary's favourite dishes, she was rather impolite about my soufflé last week."

"I do believe you are in luck then Mrs Diggins." Jarvis suddenly interjected, having been discreetly listening in on the conversation. " Our own Mr Kraus is a veritable expert on soufflés and I have no doubt would be delighted to pass on his knowledge and expertise on that, and indeed many other culinary related subjects."

"Yes indeed, that's an excellent idea Mr Jarvis." Flora added earnestly, as the lady's maid still seemed a little unsure. "I'm sure that is the best way to ensure her ladyship encounters no further problems with her meals."

"I'll tell Mr Kraus after dinner Mrs Diggins, I suggest you meet him in the kitchen at 9.30 this evening." Jarvis added, knowing that the chef was going to be there at that time in order to check some of the pastries he had put in the oven a few minutes ago and sharing a conspiratorial smile with the housekeeper.

"Thank you Mr Jarvis, I appreciate it and I'm sure Lady Mary will too." Mrs Diggins replied sincerely.

"Any time Mrs Diggins." The butler said solemnly, winking at Flora as the lady's maid turned away.

----------------------

At 9.30 that evening the chef made his way down to his kitchen wondering if he was going to surprise any amorous couples in here like one evening last week when he had caught a very red-faced and dishevelled butler and housekeeper emerging from the pantry and who had mumbled some excuse about needing to check stocks of flour or some such nonsense. Shaking his head in amusement, Felix entered the kitchen and was somewhat surprised to see Mrs Diggins standing by a counter, clearly waiting for someone. What on earth was she doing here? She couldn't be here for a romantic rendezvous, or at least Felix fervently hoped she wasn't as that was a mental image he could do without.

"Can I help you Mrs Diggins?" He inquired politely.

"Actually yes Mr Kraus, you can. Did Mr Jarvis mention that I..." However she was suddenly interrupted by the butler entering the kitchen.

"Ahh Mr Kraus, my apologies for not mentioning this earlier however I'm sure you will be able to accommodate. Mrs Diggins here would like to be more directly involved with the preparation of her ladyship's meals but feels that her skills in the kitchen could benefit from some kindly instruction. Given that you have learnt from some of the best chefs in Europe, as you have told us on many occasions, I thought it would be only a kind gesture to impart some of that wisdom on those of us who have not been so lucky." Jarvis said briskly, watching as the chef realised what he was up to.

"Why thank you Mr Jarvis, however I do have a very busy schedule and..."

"Indeed you do which is why it is so generous of you to do this." Jarvis interjected smoothly. "I'm sure Lady Mary will appreciate it, you could even start now as you mentioned earlier that you were relatively free tonight." He added with a slight smile.

"Very well Mr Jarvis." Felix muttered through clenched teeth as he couldn't see any way to back out gracefully at the moment, foreseeing all his evenings being taken up by spending far too much time alone with Mrs Diggins.

"Excellent, I'm sure you will both have a very informative time!" Jarvis replied, smirking at the chef who was now glaring at him behind Mrs Diggins's back, and the butler couldn't resist a parting shot at the fuming chef. "I'll leave you two to it then…………….the cooking that is!"