Later the next day Jarvis was once again conducting a futile search for his housekeeper, she had obviously been avoiding him, not coming to meals and purposefully not being alone with him or catching his eye during staff meetings. It was getting ridiculous though, how was he ever supposed to apologise or even begin to sort the situation out if he never had a moment alone with her. She couldn't keep this up forever though, what was she going to do, starve to death rather than look at him across the dining table! Just as he was about to give up and turn in for the night he had a sudden flash of inspiration, she probably wouldn't be up there but it was the only place he hadn't tried yet. Taking the stairs two at a time, Jarvis quickly arrived at the door leading out onto the roof, smiling when he found it slightly ajar before pushing it open and making his way quietly out onto the roof top.

Leaning over the balustrade surrounding the rooftop, Flora took a deep breath of the cool night air, it had been ages since she had used this place as an escape from Taplows but after the events of the previous night she was definitely feeling the need for some solitude. However suddenly she heard the soft footfall of someone approaching and whirling round she saw the butler walking towards her.

"So this is where you've been hiding."

"I haven't been hiding, I …I needed some fresh air." she retorted defensively

"Oh and let me guess, you also felt the need for some fresh air during breakfast, lunch and dinner!"

"No…I.."

"You can't keep this up forever Flora. For one thing, I doubt you can efficiently run the household from the rooftop." Jarvis remarked dryly. "Why have you been avoiding me Flora?" he added more gently when she made no move to reply, instead she turned away from him to look out over the grounds again.

"I would have thought you might have been able to work that one out Mr Jarvis." Flora muttered.

Watching her closely as she nervously clasped and unclasped her hands; he took a step towards her. "I apologise for my behaviour last night Mrs Ryan, I realise you must be somewhat disappointed in me and if my presence is so obviously distasteful then I'll remove it forthwith." he muttered, turning away as if to make his way back to the stairwell.

"No!" she cried, quickly turning and placing a restraining hand on his arm causing him to halt abruptly in his tracks "I mean, it's not that at all." she added more quietly,

"Then what is it?" Jarvis asked softly, glancing down briefly at her hand that still lay gently on his arm, causing her to remove it immediately

"I was embarrassed," she whispered, not meeting his eyes and fiddling with some loose stone on the balustrade surface, "I didn't want you thinking any less of me." she added so quietly that Jarvis was unsure whether he'd heard correctly.

"Why would I ever think any less of you?" Jarvis asked in confusion.

"I don't know…….. I….your good opinion means so much to me and I didn't want last night to change that, certainly not for things between us to go back to how they were last winter." she muttered, looking away from him again.

"I hardly think last night will move things in that direction Mrs Ryan!" Jarvis replied with a snort of amusement but not unkindly "Would you not agree?" he added more seriously, closing the gap between them and gently grasping her chin to make her look up at him.

"What are you saying Walter?" Flora whispered, her eyes wide, not quite believing what she thought he meant.

"What do you think I'm saying Flora?" Jarvis whispered back, running his thumb gently over her chin, looking her searchingly in the eyes for any hint that his advances were unwelcome before leaning down and hesitantly kissing her on the lips. Bringing a hand up to rest gently on his chest as his other arm slid round her waist, Flora softly returned the kiss before feeling Jarvis pull away a few moments later.

"I'm not going to let you run away this time." he said teasingly, looking her deeply in the eyes while pulling her properly into his arms.

"Let's hope no one comes and interrupts us this time then Mr Jarvis!" Flora replied, smiling up at him and wrapping her arms round his neck as he leant down to kiss her again, tightening his hold on her as he deepened the kiss and felt her respond enthusiastically, all thoughts of possible intruders fleeing from both their minds.