Servants Series 8

by ss9

Motherhood isn't everything it was supposed to be but will Taplow's newest mother be able to meet the challenges? On top of that there is a motherin law and new grandmother to deal with and a christening to organise.

2. Episode 2

As Emily settled down next to Grace that evening it was clear to her Grace had recently had another run in with Frank. Her eyes were red and puffy and the beginning of the new bruising on her wrists peeped out from under her sleeve. Emily didn't want to mention it to Grace. It embarrassed her talking about such things even more than it embarrassed Grace it seemed. However it did make her more determined to help George Cosmo out in any way possible. He was Grace's best hope at the moment.

George had reluctantly told Emily of his hiding place early that morning. An old farmhouse at the very bottom of the Taplows grounds. It hadn't been used in years and no one went anyway near the place. It wasn't even much of a shelter. Half of the roof had been burnt down in a fire around 5 years ago, but it kept him hidden from passers by. Emily insisted that even in there he was at risk of someone finding him, of course that was if the whole building didn't collapse around him first.

Emily was most relieved neither Walter or Flora had asked her to take care of Ellie that morning (neither of them had commented on the bruising on her face either, which she was most offended by). She was free instead to lurk in the kitchens with Felix (who had been concerned enough to enquire how she ended up with a large bruise covering a good half of her cheek). She realised pretty quickly she wasn't simply going to be able to steal food from Felix's kitchen right under his nose. So instead got rid of him by telling him she could smell burning coming from the pastry, then swiftly sneaking an apple and couple of other nibbles into her apron pocket.

She was feeling very generous and sympathetic and found a couple of books for him to read, so hopefully he wouldn't get bored and sneak towards the house in hope of seeing Grace. He was very grateful to see Emily and immediately bounded up to ask if she'd seen or spoken to Grace yet. She had in fact peered through the still room door earlier, but firstly Molly kept coming back and forth and secondly when Emily finally found her nerve and opened her mouth she decided against it and realised this wasn't the right place to discuss such matters.

So in the end Emily had asked Grace to meet her later in her room and this is where she found herself now. Emily was struggling to remember the last time she'd first so nervous…perhaps Flora's labour…but this somehow seemed nearly as bad. She had no idea how she was going to react to this news. There was a good chance she would take the news well and dash across the grounds to see him (which Emily would of course then advise her against) or she could take he really badly and alert everyone in the house to his whereabouts.

She had already decided to not tell her his exact location, but if she mentioned to someone she knew where he was hiding she may not live to see her granddaughter reach the age of one…oh goodness! She was losing her nerve again. She was quite sure Grace would never do that to her but it was still a risk she had to take…she still couldn't quite understand how she got herself into this mess.

"Mrs Corey? What on earth happened?" Grace suddenly gasped, breaking Emily's reverie. Grace was staring at the bruising in shock. Had this girl only just noticed the huge lump on the side of her face after spending at least an hour with her already that day?

"Door," she said simply, smiling slightly and feigning a tut to indicate her own stupidity.

"Right…" Grace smiled falsely, recalling herself saying the same thing to many people the last time Frank had left a visible mark on her face. "We are almost identical!" Grace chuckled nervously, indicating to the bruising on her wrist, before realising that it wasn't an especially funny thing to say.

"I doubt my dear you got those bruises from a door," Emily raised her eyebrow, a nervous smile twitching at her lips.

"Well I doubt…Emily…that a door would have left that bruise on your face and the lump on your head…" she trailed off, wringing her hands nervously.

"You are far too clever for your own good my dear," Emily replied, a definite twinkle in her eye.

Grace shrugged before answering, "Surely it's just common sense."

"Well in that case…the common sense is certainly lacking in this household." Grace nodded in agreement, smiling gently at Emily, pausing for a moment before approaching the subject again.

"So…how exactly did you get that pretty amazing bruise I must say!" Emily sniggered, before falling silent.

"Well perhaps this is the perfect opening for what I need to say to you…"

She was feeling very generous and sympathetic and found a couple of books for him to read, so hopefully he wouldn't get bored and sneak towards the house in hope of seeing Grace. He was very grateful to see Emily and immediately bounded up to ask if she'd seen or spoken to Grace yet. She had in fact peered through the still room door earlier, but firstly Molly kept coming back and forth and secondly when Emily finally found her nerve and opened her mouth she decided against it and realised this wasn't the right place to discuss such matters.

So in the end Emily had asked Grace to meet her later in her room and this is where she found herself now. Emily was struggling to remember the last time she'd first so nervous…perhaps Flora's labour…but this somehow seemed nearly as bad. She had no idea how she was going to react to this news. There was a good chance she would take the news well and dash across the grounds to see him (which Emily would of course then advise her against) or she could take he really badly and alert everyone in the house to his whereabouts.

She had already decided to not tell her his exact location, but if she mentioned to someone she knew where he was hiding she may not live to see her granddaughter reach the age of one…oh goodness! She was losing her nerve again. She was quite sure Grace would never do that to her but it was still a risk she had to take…she still couldn't quite understand how she got herself into this mess.

"Mrs Corey? What on earth happened?" Grace suddenly gasped, breaking Emily's reverie. Grace was staring at the bruising in shock. Had this girl only just noticed the huge lump on the side of her face after spending at least an hour with her already that day?

"Door," she said simply, smiling slightly and feigning a tut to indicate her own stupidity.

"Right…" Grace smiled falsely, recalling herself saying the same thing to many people the last time Frank had left a visible mark on her face. "We are almost identical!" Grace chuckled nervously, indicating to the bruising on her wrist, before realising that it wasn't an especially funny thing to say.

"I doubt my dear you got those bruises from a door," Emily raised her eyebrow, a nervous smile twitching at her lips.

"Well I doubt…Emily…that a door would have left that bruise on your face and the lump on your head…" she trailed off, wringing her hands nervously.

"You are far too clever for your own good my dear," Emily replied, a definite twinkle in her eye.

Grace shrugged before answering, "Surely it's just common sense."

"Well in that case…the common sense is certainly lacking in this household." Grace nodded in agreement, smiling gently at Emily, pausing for a moment before approaching the subject again.

"So…how exactly did you get that pretty amazing bruise I must say!" Emily sniggered, before falling silent.

"Well perhaps this is the perfect opening for what I need to say to you…"

Grace sat trembling, her hands were shaking so ferociously she looked as though she was trying to wave something from her lap. The tears were rolling down her cheeks and she was struggling to think of what to say. How to react? Emily comfortingly reached over and squeezed her hand gently attempting an encouraging smile, though unable to think she had perhaps not gone about breaking the news gently to her in the best way.

"I can't believe you actually offered to help him…" Grace croaked, shaking her head.

"Well I wasn't at first willing to do anything other than turn him in…but then I realised everyone has a chance to explain themselves so a took a moment to listen to what he had to say and to be perfectly honest with you I think he has a genuine explanation for this… catastrophe. It's not for me to say what you should do Grace, but I think you should go to him as he wishes and listens to what he has to-"

"No!" Grace suddenly interrupted, looking up to glare at Emily, causing her to shrink back slightly at the full force of her anger. "I do not wish to see him at all! Or listen to anything he has to say! I've finally managed to get George Cosmo out of my head and I really do not need to bring all that business back up again!"

Emily sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose, the stresses of the day finally catching up with her. "Well it's obvious to all in that case if you have forced him out of your head, you must still care for him on some level or another."

"No," she stated plainly. She wasn't crying any longer. Instead she was on her feet pacing up and down while angrily gesturing every now and again to emphasise her point. "I do not care for George Cosmo. On any level!" She quickly added. "I am quite happy to forget about George and spend my time with Frank who…cares for me a great deal." Emily couldn't happen raising her eyebrow at this final comment, looking suspiciously at the bruising on the wrist, while wondering if Grace was really stupid enough to believe what she was saying or if she was simply trying to convince herself of the fact that Frank loved her.

"I wouldn't so much as blink an eye if George was caught this very second," she continued her rant, "and hung up in the courtyard by his toes."

"Oh really?" Emily smiled, despite the serious situation, she found Grace's choice of words amusing all the same. However her next comment quickly wiped the smile from her face.

"Yes! In fact I think I will go find Frank! And make him aware of Mr Cosmo's presence in the Taplows grounds. I know for a fact Frank will not rest until he is located."

"Grace!" Emily exclaimed as she moved towards the door. "Dear, please think about what you are saying. You know what will happen if George is found and I know you do still care for him more than you want to let on." She heard Grace snort at this as she reached out for the door handle, but Emily, moving quicker than she had in years, placed herself firmly between Grace and the door. "Tell yourself all you like that you are happy with Frank Keneally, that you are completely over George but you know that you are not."

"Please move from my way Mrs Corey before I loose my temper," Grace growled in her direction, while giving her little nudge out of the way and storming out of the room.

Grace however didn't get very far down the corridor when she suddenly collapsed against the wall, sliding down it and sinking in a huddle, the tears flowing freely down her face. Emily's words had finally overwhelmed her. There was no escaping it anymore. She couldn't deny to herself any longer the fact she was still madly in love her sweetheart, George Cosmo.

Thinking now she realised she had been terribly shocked at the news of him lurking around Taplows and she hadn't reacted in the best of ways. She should be very grateful to Emily, yet she had just yelled at the woman who had taken her under her wing after all this issue with Frank, when she most needed someone to talk to and comfort her.

It was just as she was cursing herself under her breath that she felt a pair of surprisingly strong arms wrap around her. "Maybe I need time to properly think about this before making such rash decisions and mistakes." Grace whispered, as she recognised Emily's familiar perfume.

"I can take you to him…tonight or sometime tomorrow. As long as you promise me not to breath a word of his whereabouts to anyone."

"I need to talk to him before making promises like that…" Emily nodded, understandably. Hopefully though George would be able to convince Grace with his words just as well as he had her. If so there is no way she would utter his location to a soul.

"I also need your word you won't go see him without informing me first…we need to think about this very carefully. We can't both continually be seen dashing towards his whereabouts."

Grace nodded, swiping at the tears on her face. "I think I would prefer to see George after a good night sleep. After I've had time to calm down and when I look a little more fresh."

Emily smiled sweetly, pulling her up from the floor and leading her back to her room. "I think my dear that is a very sensible idea. A good night sleep will help everything seem better in the morning I'm sure."

"Thank you," Grace whispered, as Emily settled her into comfy chair. Glancing at the clock on the mantle piece she frowned slightly. She'd stay here instead of going to dinner. She found a blanket and wrapped it over the weakly smiling Grace.

"Now you sit tightly and I'll go see if I can find you a hot drink," Emily screwed up her nose and placing a soft kiss on the forehead of the almost dozing Grace tiptoed out of the room.

- - - -

It was only a few minutes after the dinner gong had been enthusiastically sounded by Johnny that Flora Corey and little Eleanor Corey made their way downstairs for Ellie's first Taplows dinner. Flora had cleverly thought in advance and the wee baby had been fed and changed and sent off to sleep before Flora had even stopped to change for dinner, pleased as she managed to fit back into one of her pre-pregnancy dresses, the lovely dark blue silk one she had had made all those months ago for her return to Taplows and the summer games. So both mother and daughter looked a vision of maternal loveliness as they entered the dining room where the rest of the senior staff had already gathered but the meal had yet to be served.

"I was beginning to worry you wouldn't make it my darling." Jarvis joked, his chest puffing with paternal pride at the sight of his wife looking so radiant and content and his little girl dozing sweetly in her arms.

"Well I didn't have any help with Ellie's basket so I had to wait and collar someone in passing…You can leave it there thank you Joe." Flora added waving the footman who carefully arranged the Moses basket behind the housekeeper's vacant chair.

"And here is your seat my sweet." Jarvis insisted pulling the chair out for her and then pushing it closer to the table when she sat gracefully, before leaning over and impetuously kissing her on the cheek, his hand tracing across her shoulders as he took his seat.

"Well I must say it is a delight to see you down here Flora my dear." Felix piped up smiling broadly at the ex-housekeeper who he had hardly seen since Ellie's birth, after all what use could he of all people be in a nursery. "It has been far to long since we have had you gracing our table…If only I had known in advance then I would have prepared something special for the occasion…But how about a special wine to celebrate?"

"Not for Flora Felix remember…" Jarvis cut in tersely earning him a scathing look from his wife.

"I can have a small glass Walter." She replied sharply, and Felix had to smother a smile at this marital spat it seemed to everyone as if she had never been away.

"Well…"

"One glass is not going to hurt!" Flora added before her husband could start once more and so reluctantly Walter gave in.

"A Toast." Felix piped up as soon as everybody's glass was filled. "To Taplows newest and if I might say cutest occupant Miss Eleanor Corey."

"To Ellie." Jarvis echoed as everyone took a sip of the claret.

"Thank you, thank you all so very much I can't tell you how much it means to be here with you again." Flora replied touched by the genuine affection of her former colleagues. "I have missed meeting and talking with you all."

"Well that is something we can set right my dearest." Jarvis insisted covering her hand gently with his and smiling at her softly. "Although believe me most of us would gladly take a day with Ellie then spend it bending to the whim of our latest visitors…"

"Lady Francesca you mean!" Molly snapped, her face darkening at the thought of her lover's wife.

"Oh you do not need to tell me Mrs Watson!" Felix agreed re-filling his glass as the maids served the glazed duck and vegetables. "Did you know I had to do a different dinner for her, she sent hers back to the kitchen not happy with it. One of my culinary creations and she dared to criticize, not enough salt for her liking and too much spice apparently!"

"Well if you think that was bad then you should have seen her with my maids earlier, poor Bridgette was in tears, you know Lady Caroline leant her the maid and oh my well I think she could barely manage to speak a word in English afterwards. Then she asked to see me, calling me to her room to complain about everything, really dragging me over carpet…"

Listening to Molly's rant Flora couldn't help suppressing a snort of amusement at her old subordinate's discomfort, taking an element of sadistic pleasure that Lady Francesca although a handful had never seen fit to call her to task over her duties. So it was nice to think that despite her husbands seeming satisfaction with her deputy's performance she was still a better housekeeper. However her little amusement at her deputy's expense had not passed by un-noticed and Molly bristled as people shot her sly little glances waiting to see her reaction to Flora's not so subtle dig.

"Do you have something to add Mrs Ryan?"

Smiling sweetly Flora replied innocently. "No no Mrs Watson, but then these things are sent to try us, I am sure with time you will learn how to deal with the demands of some of our more trying guests, it is after all a matter of experience."

However despite the saccharine layering of her answer and the apparently sincere expression on her beautiful face Molly gripped her fork tightly her face darkening; sensing the potentially flammable situation the butler cleared his throat drawing everyone's attention back to himself.

"Well I am sure that the children, unlike their mother, will be no problem even the new addition, little Oliver has learnt his place by now." Walter trailed off snorting his gaze drifting across to a certain Valet who had been keeping far to low a profile for his uncle's liking, it was a sure sign he was up to something! Of course there was no reason to pass up the chance to make Frank's life a little hellish. "You know it's amazing how fair haired that child is considering how dark his parents are!"

Frowning at that deliberate and hardly discrete jab at him, Frank knitted his brow together his eyes flittering towards the Moses basket and the dark haired angel who was sleeping peacefully and a rather evil idea came to him. Smiling to himself Frank leant forward and grasped his wine glass lifting it to his lips as he hissed out his nasty comment. "Well its amazing how often children don't appear to resemble their legal fathers, so I suppose it's lucky if they take after their mothers instead dark hair blue eyes could cover any manner of sins."

Although the comment had been low and hissed in Jarvis's direction a lull in conversation had meant the Frank's pointed remark had traveled down the length of the table and everyone turned to watch the Butler slowly start to combust whilst their ex-housekeeper lost the rosy glow in her cheeks.

"Keneally…."Jarvis began but before he could murder the valet with one of his pointed looks and sharp words and possibly a killer right hook the chef had stepped in.

"Flora my dear would you possibly indulge a godfather to be…I haven't held her yet after all…"

"Oh Felix I…" But then on realizing the clever ploy the chef was trying to employ she caved in. "Alright then only for a minute she is still asleep."

Then when Felix insisted he would be as careful as with one of his Crème Brule's the housekeeper gently lifted her sleeping daughter out of the bassinette and handed her to her closest friend. For a moment the chef cradled the sleeping child gently his entire face softening as he gazed on her peaceful face.

"Oh Flora…Walter she is perfect you must be so proud."

However not to be road roughshod over by anyone Frank deliberately picked up his knife and with sick smile on his twistedly handsome face he dropped the cutlery with a load crash causing the sleeping babe to start awake her pretty face automatically creasing up at being so startled awake and finding an unfamiliar face staring down at her.

"Mr Keneally!" Jarvis snapped causing Ellie to grisle even louder.

"Shush." Felix tried ineffectually and Flora automatically started from her seat but before she had made it down the table Ellie suddenly stopped crying, her blue eyes having locked on Felix's long wavy hair and she made a mis-aimed lurch for one of the locks that was hanging down over his face. However after a few attempts her attention shifted onto a far more accessible target, the oh so tempting looking tassel on his waistcoat which she quickly grabbed with her chubby fingers and tried to move it into her mouth.

"Now now Miss Eleanor…."

Snorting in amusement as he relaxed back into his seat sure that he had heard the last from Mr Keneally for the evening the butler retorted quickly. "Well its hardly surprising all Corey women love fancy waistcoats, don't they my love?"

Relieved that for once she didn't have to jump into her motherly role Flora was able to appreciate Walter's comment with an amused glance rather than the normal frazzled looks she had been sending him recently in response to his attempts at humor. Leaning across the table a conspiratorial smile gracing her fine lips as her eyes scanned over his trimmer figure and a certain gray silk waistcoat that she couldn't remember having seen him in for months if not over a year. "Indeed Walter does not the waistcoat maketh the man after all my love?" She added playfully reaching out and skimming her fingers over the shiny buttons before poking him in the tummy, raising an eyebrow in surprise when instead of the softness she had grown used to since the early days of their marriage her exploring fingers found firm muscle.

Catching his wife's surprised expression the butler sat back enjoying the look of confusion that flickered across her features and the querying eyebrow, it was amazing how appealing the prospect of early morning runs became when it was a choice between that and Ellie's morning change of nappy. Smiling indulgently Walter grasped her hand bringing it to his lips and kissing her knuckles one after the other, squeezing her fingers affectionately.

However the delicate mood was suddenly broken when Mrs Diggins in an unusual moment of sociability suddenly asked to hold the baby.

"Oh well of course Mrs Diggins…" The butler replied watching out of the corner of his eye as his wife shifted un-comfortably, Ellie hadn't the best track record with strangers.

"But please be careful…." Flora began but her warning fell on deaf ears as the inexperienced Mrs Diggins held the child as if she was a bomb about to explode on her, and Eleanor reacted accordingly after a few moments of being shifted uncomfortably and having to support her own head she began to voice her protest.

"Mrs Corey…" Mrs Diggins insisted holding the now screaming infant at arms length towards her mother.

Embarrassed Flora quickly retrieved her daughter from the cross lady's maid. "Shush Ellie!" She muttered placing her little finger between her daughter's lips in an effort to pacify her but to no avail and she could feel the hot eyes of everyone in the room boring into her, the disapproval was practically palpable; she was a failure as a mother, she couldn't even comfort her own child. Unable to bear it any longer Flora suddenly jumped to her feet and not even waiting to gage her husbands reaction stormed out of the dining room not paying any attention to where she was heading until a strong hand closed round her upper arm.

"Just where are you going?" Her husband hissed in her ear before dragging into his office and slamming the door. "Everyone is paranoid that they have done something to upset you!"

"I….I just thought they'd be happier if we left…I couldn't stop her crying…What is wrong with me Walter why does my own daughter seem to despise me?" Flora gasped the tears once more pricking behind her eyes. "I tried so hard tonight I so wanted you to be proud of me but it is going to take more than dressing nicely and coming down for dinner with the others."

Sighing deeply the butler moved over to his cabinet pulling out a glass and pouring a generous snifter of brandy into it before crossing the room and crouching down by his wife's chair. "Here."

Frowning as she swiped at the tears that were trickling down her cheeks Flora stared at the glass of brandy as if it were poison instead of alcohol. "But you said…"

"Only a sip or two." Walter insisted gently easing the now red-faced Ellie out of his wife's arm.

Leaning back in the fireside chair Flora brought the glass to her lips taking a few tentative sips and sighing as the sharp fiery liquid made its way down her throat and warmed her entire body. "I overreacted didn't I?"

"Just a little."

"I am sor…"

"No just stop there, no apologizing, I am not angry with you Flora I knew that it is going to take some time I just don't think you realized how difficult it was actually going to be; if I could lift this burden from your shoulders then I would in a heartbeat my love but…"

"But you can't. No one can Walter." She muttered almost to herself but her husband caught her words even as he paced up and down the room finally able to persuade their daughter to quieten down before handing her back to her mother and retrieving the brandy glass taking a deep swig himself..

"See she is fine now."

Snorting as she took her daughter back from her husband Flora nodded. "Yes after she was taken away from her mother's unstable influence you mean."

"No. Stop right there!" Walter insisted moving to sit on the arm of the chair and wrapping a strong arm round her shoulder, watching as she buried her head against his chest her fingers locking on to the buttons of his waistcoat. "You are a wonderful mother and wife and I have no doubt our daughter adores you just as much as I do!"

"Hmmmm."

"What?" Walter muttered into her hair enjoying the feeling if his wife's talented fingers trailing up and down his chest, tracing the outlines of his new firmer physique through the silk of his waistcoat then the crisp linen of his shirt.

"So I have some sewing to do then Mr Corey, alterations? If I had known I could have made a start already." Flora chided him gently retrieving her hand and reaching for his glass of brandy, which her husband teasingly held out of her grasp for a few moments until he relented and allowed her a small sip

"That would have spoiled the surprise!" Walter replied softly before adding awkwardly. "I thought perhaps that was why you…well you know we haven't been…"

Blushing slightly as Walter shifted uncomfortably obviously having to resist the urge to get up and pace as he always did when under scrutiny. "Well I don't think that was the reason Walter…Although I am not going to object to you toning up." She added softly taking his hand and squeezing it. "You look very handsome but then I always think you look handsome…"

"Thank you." Walter replied softly, putting the brandy glass down on the desk and reaching out to brush the stray wisps of hair back from around her face. "But we all know who the real beauty in our family is." He added before tracing along her jaw and down her neck before grasping her chin and angling her face up before leaning down and brushing his lips gently against hers.

Surprised at this sudden romantic gesture Flora stiffened in her seat her eyes widening in shock. Sensing her hesitance the butler pulled away inwardly cursing himself for once more moving too fast and ruining any progress he had made. Getting to his feet he moved towards the door clenching his fists as he moved over to his desk pretending to flick through his book of figures but that hadn't fooled his wife.

"Walter…"

"It's nothing Flora…My fault entirely…I should go see the Earl anyway the old duffer will be turning in soon after all."

"Walter!" Flora reiterated this time in a firmer tone of voice as she crossed the room to stand behind her free hand reaching out to grip his shoulder massaging the tense muscles. "It's not your fault…You're a man after all, my husband it is only natural that you, well that you are finding things difficult."

"But I am a gentleman I should be able to manage myself better…I am not a savage I can wait till you are ready, however long that might be." He replied sadly a hint of bitter resignation in his voice that worried his wife.

"Have I told you how much I love you today?" She whispered stepping closer until she brushed against his shoulder causing Walter to turn and look down at her lovingly.

"I would never get tired of hearing you even if you had!"

"Well I do!" She insisted grasping his cravat and pulling him down to meet her lips at first the touch was gentle but then it was like a dam had broken within her husband as he wrapped his arms round her waist careful not to crush their sleeping daughter but still pulling her firmly against him as he kissed her hungrily.

However wherever Walter had been intending to take his wife's change heart there was a pointed knock on the office door and a rather embarrassed cough. "Umm Mr Jarvis…The Earl sir…"

"Yes Mr Matkin I will be there directly." The Butler sighed leaning down and placing a kiss on his wife's forehead before repeating the action with his sleeping daughter and then turning and following the footman down the corridor cursing the entire way his lordships impeccable sense of timing.

- - - -

Sitting down by the fireside as her husband rushed off to attend the Earl Flora stared into the flames thinking about returning to the senior servants dinner before dismissing it completely. She just wasn't up to facing them right now and so instead turned her thoughts to her husband's new physique. It seemed obvious to her that her frustrated husband had used his demanding new regime to vent his frustrations, taking to the running track instead of the alluring possibilities of other women's beds and for a moment the perpetual blackness that seemed to dominate her emotional landscape lifted briefly.

She knew she love him, she knew she loved Ellie and her family, Felix and Rebecca who were as close as family to her; so what was stopping her feeling it? Tonight had seen her careful façade of coping crack ever so slightly and in front of her former colleagues that she could never forgive herself for. It only went to prove how much she needed a little liquid assistance and after that quick sip earlier from her last remaining bottle, recklessly snatched before she descended for dinner, she despaired having so little left. She needed a new supply, but she couldn't go into town to buy it herself as Walter or Emily would no doubt insist on accompanying her, nor could she risk popping into Molly Watson's office again as the housekeeper had already taken measures to hide her supply of Laudanum and would no doubt be suspicious on discovering her predecessor ripping the place apart to find her medicine box.

So that left her only one remaining option, she would have to find someone else to do it for her….

A now composed Flora Corey Made her way through the servants quarters her daughter balanced on her hip, nodding politely at the few maids and sculleries who were still working as she leaded out to the laundry where still there were the bustle and noise as the village women washed the days dirty laundry. Smiling politely at the sculleries who quickly suppressed their surprised glances in her direction, many of them had not seen the new addition to the Corey household up close nor their former housekeeper since her removal from office.

"Where's Maggie?" Flora asked one of the girls, a new face who bobbed respectably at the well dressed lady before pointing out the distinctive round figure of the most senior laundry woman.

"Erh Mrs Ry..Corey oh and the little poppet haven't seen you in ages…Have you come for her clean napkins, they are a devil for getting through them quickly?"

Smiling at the rosy cheeked woman's somewhat forced friendliness Flora struggled to decipher Maggie's thick Somerset accent. "Yes of course…Maggie can I have a word please…In private I have a favour to ask."

Bemused the laundry woman followed their former housekeeper out into the corridor and off into a storeroom. "I was hoping you would be able to get something for me in town…I would go myself but you know how things pile up, and I would compensate you for your troubles."

"Aye." Maggie nodded her eyes narrowing as she quickly realised this was definitely something Mrs Corey wanted keeping secret from the staff and probably from her husband as well, not that she would ever resort to blackmail of course but it was definitely something to bare in mind when discussing the size of her compensation.

"I need something from the apothecary…Some Laudanum, just to help me sleep of course, well you know how demanding babies are they don't care if they are screaming the house down at one in the morning and Dr Evans told me to try and sleep when she does but I just don't seem to be able to manage it." Flora babbled on shifting the now dozing Ellie against her shoulder and smoothing her daughter's soft baby hair.

"I see…Well that'll be no trouble only I'll need the money in advance…"

"Oh that's not a problem!" Flora insisted putting her hand into her pocket and pulling out a small money purse. "How much will you need?"

"Well that depends how much you want and the strength…Say give me half a crown and I'll see what I can do, you can come and collect it tomorrow morning."

Sighing in relief Flora smiled gratefully at the older woman handing over the coin with out a second thought. "I'll see you then."

Then as the older women turned to leave she added quickly. "Oh and Maggie there's no need to mention this to anyone…I wouldn't want my husband to worry and he does over the smallest thing and if he thought I wasn't following Dr advice…By getting enough sleep…So I'd appreciate if this arrangement stayed between us alright?"

Smiling knowingly Maggie nodded her hand reflexively closing tighter around the coin in her hand. "No worries Mrs Corey, your secret is safe with me."

- - - -

Meanwhile in the main house oblivious of the dangerous actions of his wife Walter Corey was enduring another unpleasant experience, that of attending on the Earl and his obnoxious guests his consolation being that at least the irritating Lady Caroline and her drunken fop of a husband were dining with friends for the evening. However that did little to detract from the horror of waiting on both Catherine Postlebury nee Stanwick and Lady Francesca, he just prayed to whatever deity that was listening that neither lady ever discovered he had found himself in bed with both, on different occasions.

"Oh thank goodness that dratted summer is finally over, don't you agree Lady Francesca?" Mrs Postlebury insisted holding her glass out for the fuming butler to fill, which he did albeit reluctantly as it was really a job for some lowly footman and not his lordship's butler but Jarvis was not so suicidal as to insult his master mistress.

However Lady Francesca seemed as unimpressed with Cat as the butler himself, although Jarvis supposed that was more to do with her lowly origins than anything else, after all her ladyship was hardly in a moral position to look down on Cat when she had herself dallied with footmen, valets and even a butler…or two.

"Summers are by their natures hot Mrs Postlebury…Tell me why hasn't your husband joined us this evening, did I hear Algie mention something about a chill?"

Choking slightly as she took a sip Cat for once had the decency to look uncomfortable. "Yes he has been under the weather a lot recently but he is such a dear he insists I go out and entertain myself after all as he says there is no point in both of us being glum."

"Such a kind and thoughtful man Mrs Postlebury you are a lucky woman isn't she Montgomery?" Franny added turning to glare at her husband who Jarvis thought looked as though he would gladly scale the walls to escape such mind numbing conversation.

"Yes my dear." He replied automatically without any apparent disruption in his thoughts or countenance and the butler mentally commented that was a very useful talent and one he should work hard to cultivate. Just imagine how many arguments he could avoid with Flora or his mother when they declared he was not listening to a word they said even when they hardly desired his attendance or contribution and merely required his sanction to do whatever it was they wanted in the first place.

It was at that moment Monty caught the butler's eye and sent him a small conspiratorial grin whilst Jarvis topped up the Earl's glass and the butler had to fight to keep from laughing out loud and concentrate on pouring without spilling brandy all over his lordship's best dinner trousers.

"Mr Jarvis?" A pleasant and lilting Scottish brogue muttered gaining the butler's attention politely and for once he didn't even attempt to suppress the slight smile that tugged at his lips.

"My lady?" Jarvis replied politely nodding at Lady Rebecca who was seated as far away from the other's as she could and still in mourning black for both her husband and her father.

"I understand you have been blessed recently with a little girl?"

Smiling broadly now the butler nodded once more before replying. "Indeed my lady a beautiful little girl we have name her Eleanor after my wife's grandmother."

"A girl?" Franny scoffed nasally from across the room showing her obvious contempt. "Better luck next time after all a daughter is never of much interest to her father."

"I do not know about that my dear." Monty interjected a layer of venom beneath his carefully constructed words. "After all I love little Jennifer just as much as I do all of our children why should her gender play any part in my affection for her unless of course you advocate treating siblings different from each other based on the most insubstantial of reasons?"

For a moment the occupants of the room seemed to positively freeze and the atmosphere could be cut with a knife until Rebecca sensing an opportunity returned to her conversation with the butler.

"Well may I offer my congratulations and pass on my regards to her mother I hope I will have the delight of meeting little miss Eleanor during my stay."

"I have no doubt about it my lady." Jarvis replied diplomatically before stepping back to resume his anonymous position by the wall watching as the conversation returned to the usual aristocratic gossip and then one by one the ladies excused themselves to retire leaving the gentleman to their brandy and cigars.

It was the wrong side of midnight before he was able to retire himself creeping up to his rooms checking first on Ellie and kissing her gently on the forehead whilst she slept before slipping into bed beside his wife falling asleep barely moments after his head hit the pillow.

- - - -

"You're to get on with your evening duties, Mr Adams, and you will go and see Her Ladyship, and Master Hugo, over my dead body." Jarvis had told his subordinate with incredible finality, then stalking off to inspect the silverware.

"Don't tempt me, Sir." Adams had muttered spitefully to himself in response, maybe a tad too loudly, for Jarvis paused briefly without turning round before continuing on his way at a much slower pace.

He of all people should understand the need for a man to see his child, the under-butler thought with frustration after a further two hours painstakingly going through the cutlery inventory until his eyes felt so exhausted he could barely see. He was convinced Jarvis was just keeping him even more busy than usual; he had completed the inventory only two days earlier but the butler hadn't looked convinced on the accuracy of his log so ordered him to do it again, coincidentally the very evening he was sure Lady Rebecca would be in her chamber awaiting her lover's arms.

Lizzie had earlier embraced her father but she brought him bad, although not unexpected, news. Her continuously ill mother had finally passed away only a month after her return but she had, at least, been able to spend a few precious days with her before the inevitable. Adams had felt sad, naturally, but far more for his daughter than for himself, and he wondered if it had only been Rebecca who had comforted her through the trauma. He lied to Lizzie when he told her that he remembered her mother - well, he did of course remember her; that girlish round face which Elizabeth had so obviously inherited brought back vague memories every time he looked at her, but he couldn't recall much about Kitty McDuff and it always left his conscience feeling a little guilty. Still, he hoped that Lizzie had reported back to her that although they didn't have the perfect father/daughter relationship she had at least not been all that disappointed by him. Well, it was that thought which was to comfort him as he changed the subject to that of Rebecca and Hugo's welfare. Strangely, Lizzie had been a little cagey. It wasn't anything she said particularly, more a…feeling he got from her. Yes, Rebecca was well, as was Hugo who was growing bigger by the day and demanding more and more attention. It was there Lizzie's recap of the past three months finished, abruptly and with no further elaboration. Must be because of her mother, Adams had thought, he was asking too many questions when she was obviously still grieving. With that she had forced a weak smile and dashed off in response to the timely sound of her aunt's thick Glaswegian shriek down the hallway.

Adams lost count of the fish knives numerous times; his mind was most certainly elsewhere and even a few provoking comments from a slightly intoxicated William Forest couldn't drag his thoughts away from the beautiful creature, and his sleeping son, at the other end of the house. There was, nevertheless, another thought playing on his mind, and however much he tried to dismiss it as Lady Francesca's evil mind stirring trouble, it kept creeping back.

As eleven thirty approached, he assumed Jarvis had finished his duties with His Lordship; the old man was looking more fragile by the day and even Dr Evans was showing some concern, but it meant that he was usually asleep by eleven o'clock without so much as a nightcap. The under-butler even wondered if the Earl had even noticed the arrival of his guests. His absence at dinner had meant his usual banter was unable to keep the conversation fluid and there were awkward pauses over Kraus' honey-glazed boar and the elaborate candle holders until Francesca made some inappropriate comment or Monty attempted political discussion with Julian.

"Oh, you do bore so, Montgomery." Franny had snorted into her parsnips after 'enduring' a conversation on the issue of free trade. She patted her neatly tied hair, perfectly curled ringlets hanging about her ears. It was a new style she was trying; the latest modelled in London. If her sister thought she could be fashionable then Franny was certain she could impress the Capital's socialites more. She was now a political wife, and with it she had a responsibility to her class. Monty was relatively young and ambitious, there was no reason he couldn't reach the highest of political offices. Oh yes, being the wife of a Cabinet minister would suit Lady Francesca Hamilton-Hussey remarkably well. The intelligent, charming men she would meet and be expected to socialise with, eligible or not, would be in a whole different league to those of Algernon Sturges-Bourne and that ridiculous drunk Julian. She would be expected to reside in London far more than before while her husband sat long, unsociable hours in the House of Commons suffering endless debates. So many men, Francesca thought with growing excitement, so little time. The likes of Frank Keneally were certainly beneath her now - in the literal sense, of course, until she could find somebody better in the political world rather than some handsome skivvy. Somebody much, much better.

Rebecca shot her sister a dark look, drawing her eyes away from the under-butler who stood by the door, silent and transfixed with longing. "Actually, my dear sister, I am very interested in Monty's new career, and so should you be. You and the children will be leading a very different life now. Certain things will be expected of you."

"We could find you a new husband, Rebecca darling." A cynical chuckle elicited from the back of Franny's throat as she flashed a sharp glare at Adams. "I'm sure Monty will get to know plenty unattached politicians and lawyers, many who come from very respectable families."

Monty smiled meekly at Rebecca as he sipped at his wine, his dark eyes locking with hers. They had a mutual understanding as far as the issue of Franny was concerned.

"Although I have heard you have been receiving one or two gentleman callers over the past few months, so maybe you are quite capable of finding that poor son of yours a father without Monty's assistance." Franny grinned as if her dirty work was complete. By the look on Rebecca's face, and Adams' pale complexion, it had worked a treat. It was the truth; it was hardly surprising that men were attempting to court a young, rich widow who happened to be the most beautiful woman in Scotland.

Lady Caroline had brightened at this whiff of gossip. "Oh Rebecca, anybody we might know?"

That, Adams had thought with horror, was a very pertinent question. But it had been the look between Monty and Rebecca; the joint mocking in their eyes but also something far deeper, which had caused Franny's vindictiveness to rear its ugly head. She had always known her husband had found her elder sister attractive, although today the way they constantly joined forces against her was nothing compared to how the sickening reality of their mutual attraction had been shoved so blatantly in her face in the most shocking manner on that hot summer's day, four years ago. How he could dare to judge her recent behaviour, after what he had done with her own sister, Franny had no idea. It had only been once, but once too many. Rebecca had never asked her for her forgiveness, and she had never given it. It remained, to that day, the great unmentionable between the three of them. Nobody else knew. Nobody. He was far too weak to tell his mistress and Rebecca far too ashamed to tell that unwitting under-butler, Franny was sure. Yet the illicit chemistry, and the damning truth, bubbled continuously under the surface. Monty would still do anything for Rebecca – anything. Franny found herself pitying the housekeeper with whom he shared a bed and one day soon Franny vowed to make him touch her again so she could demand to know, when he closed his eyes and they made love as a man and wife should, of whom he was really fantasising. She doubted it would be his mistress.

Finally, when the clock struck midnight and the house had fallen quiet, Adams saw his chance. Quietly he tidied away the cutlery, returned to his room so he could lock the door so it looked as if he were asleep, then crept through the house, wary that Jarvis could appear at any moment and demand he return to his quarters or face the dire consequences. Thankfully, he did not. Adams' heart thumped against his ribcage in anticipation. He and Rebecca could talk, he could hold his son, and then he would lie with her until the small hours. He had been celibate for ten months; six months in India then a further four on his return, and that for any red-blooded man was ten months too long in his estimation. He had remained true to his darling, beautiful Lady Rebecca, often returning alone from Tappleton after a few drinks when the footmen disappeared for fun of a carnal nature. Adams doubted Rebecca would understand how hard it had been for him not to part with a few bob for some quick relief, but it had never occurred to him, until he had heard Franny's observation at dinner and the look of worry on Rebecca's face, that Rebecca might become restless herself. It did, of course, make sense for men of a certain calibre to want her hand in marriage. Once upon a time he thought Lord Hugo's presence as an unwanted complication, now he realised just how much easier it had been for him and Rebecca to maintain their relationship when he was alive.

For a brief moment Adams wondered if Monty had dared to venture to see Molly yet, but he couldn't help but feel that his dear sister would end up unhappy, somehow. Molly couldn't run away from the truth forever, it would surely return to haunt her. Adams just hoped that, if and when it did, she had some sort of plan for he certainly didn't. Secrets and lies could be a person's undoing. Adams had also always had a bit of a hunch where Lord Montgomery was concerned. He hoped, for his sister's sake, Monty would prove to be a gentleman in a time of crisis. As far as he could tell, Monty and Francesca hadn't known each other in the Bibilical way for many a year, if the rumours about the various paternities of their four children were true. Therefore it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume he had lovers before Molly Watson and so he may be freer with his affection than the housekeeper might have liked, or indeed known about.

The moment Adams slid into the bed chamber, he felt he had come home and all thoughts of Monty and his sister evaporated from his mind. A feeling of overwhelming peace and love swept over him as the sight of Rebecca, lying asleep in a white nightdress, her curled, red tresses striking against the stark cotton, met his weary eyes. To his surprise Hugo was nowhere to be seen, but as he thought about it he supposed she felt confident he would be fine without her continued presence. Already Adams was missing vital months of Hugo's development; he was no longer the tiny baby in a crib but a child developing his own personality. He had so many things to ask Rebecca, her letters had simply not been enough. The boy was an Adams, his pride and joy, and he wanted to scream it from Taplows roof across the rolling countryside. Yet he had to remain silent, Jarvis' words of warning rattling around his brain, and he wondered if the butler's own pride would ever have let him deny Ellie as his own, under any circumstance. Not that Jarvis ever could have done; she looked more and more like her father every day. Part of him hoped Hugo resembled him, there was nothing Jarvis could do or say to change the boy's appearance.

"Rebecca." He called out in a hushed voice, tentatively taking a step towards her bed. She didn't move so with a mild frown the under-butler perched on the edge of her mattress and reached his arm out slowly so he could trace his fingers across the back of her hand. "My darling, it's Andrew. Please wake up."

Stirring, Rebecca rolled onto her back and sighed heavily. "I thought you were never coming." She mumbled, arching her back innocently but provocatively in a sleepy stretch. Flicking her eyes open she took hold of his hand and raised it to her lips as the moonlight shone through the partially open curtains and illuminated her face like she were an angel sent from Heaven.

"If you would rather sleep, I understand. It must have been a tiring journey." Adams whispered, realising his own selfishness, but instead of agreeing and falling back into her slumber she raised her head from her pillow and enveloped his lips with hers. He wanted to ask her if what Franny had said was true, eligible, sophisticated men were beating down her door to get to her, but for tonight at least she was willing to be his all over again. Shrugging off his jacket as Rebecca pulled urgently at his neck tie Adams breathed in her scent, placing hungry kisses across her cheek and down her throat. Nearly four months after the birth of Hugo and Archie, she was just about ready to accept a man again physically. Adams vowed to be gentle with her; his instinct told him no less. He would have to channel his pent-up frustration over a few nights rather than embark on too much too soon and put her off.

"My God, I've missed you." Adams gasped, exploring the sleek contours of her legs under her sheet, all the way up to the smooth curve of her bottom through her undergarments. His desire for her overwhelmed him as he tugged gently, teasingly at her clothing for better access. "I've waited so long for this moment.

Rebecca nodded in understanding; he needed his reward and she needed comfort. So, for the first night in the best part of a year, Andrew Adams spent the night in the comfort of his secret lover's arms.

- - - -

The morning could hardly come fast enough for Flora, she had had to go to bed the night before without taking any sleeping draft and she had found it practically impossible to sleep. Even though Ellie had gone down like an angel and was now sleeping much longer Flora had found herself tossing and turning whilst Walter snored on oblivious. How on earth had she never noticed how irritating his snoring was before now? It wasn't even consistent, sometimes a low deep rumble the next minute a nasal wheeze. Burying her head beneath the pillow she had fought the urge to batter him to death with a sack of feathers just to get some peace and quiet and had instead settled for poking him until he turned onto his side. Unfortunately for Flora the side he chose to turn onto was that closer to her and for a moment the former housekeeper had to stifle a snort of amusement as her husbands hands automatically slipped round her waist and pulled her resistant form back against him till he could snuggled his face into her hair, and if that wasn't enough he somehow still managed to find a way to snore.

So it was around six when the resigned Mrs Corey decided she might as well get up now as wait for Ellie to scream for her, she could just tell that her daughter would pick today to be a little monster as she seemed to have the knack for sensing if her mother was tired or depressed and making merry hell. Sliding her hands down she tried to unlatch her husbands hands from round her waist but in response Walter only pulled her closer now nuzzling into her shoulder.

"Walter please I need to get up." Flora whispered insistently reluctant to wake him but seeing no other option.

"Hmmm." The butler murmured as he slowly drifted awake. "But Ellie's not crying?"

"No I know that, please let me up." Flora added softly.

"No."

Stunned Flora rolled over in his arms to glare at her husband. "Why ever not?"

"Because you are always rushing off somewhere and we barely get a chance to be alone…And I want to cuddle with my wife is that so wrong? I thought we might have a chance last night or the night before after our little chat in my office but you were so distant but now I have you in my arms I'd be a fool to allow you to escape." Jarvis replied teasingly to cover the seriousness of his words.

"I'm not…"

"I only want to hold you." Walter butt in before Flora could object too strongly wrapping his arms further around her and pulling her against his chest. "See nothing frightening or untoward in my intentions I assure you." He added before running his hands against her back soothingly.

"I have things to do." Flora sniffed huffily.

"No you don't you are a lady of leisure when our daughter is asleep remember, no housework no shopping to do." Jarvis countered jokily realising he may have gone to far when he felt her stiffen even further in his arms.

"Is that what you think I do all day? Laze around just waiting to feed and change Ellie?" Flora asked bristlingly her tone so cold the Butler was surprised not to see icicles.

"No of course not it was a joke." He relied hastily. "Forgive me sweetheart I should have realised you weren't in the mood."

"The mood for what?" Flora snapped back unable to stop the words from flying from her tongue.

"A joke…Honestly Flora what else could I mean?" Walter retorted peevishly.

"With you my dear Walter one is never sure!" Flora huffed. "And you know precisely what mood I thought you meant."

"My darling I may be a blundering fool on occasions but I do believe I can tell when you are and aren't in that mood!" Walter insisted.

"I should hope so."

"Although it has been so bloody long you might have to forgive me if I end up forgetting."

That was the final straw for Flora. "You…bloody arrogant…" She trailed off punching him firmly on the shoulder forcing him to release her before another idea came flooding back and she reached for the pillow. "You had this coming." She muttered brining the sack of feathers firmly down on Walter's head and then repeating the action.

Spluttering against the pillow the butler tried to wrench it out of his wife's hands, well if that was the way she wanted to play it then so be it. So pushing Flora firmly off of him and on to the bed beside him Walter grasped his own pillow and began a counter attack eliciting squeals as he pounded the opposition into submission before grasping her pillow and throwing it to the floor. Leaning over he caught Flora's wrists pinning her to the bed. "Give in?"

"Never you are still an arrogan…" Flora began until her husband resorted to the next means of attack and began to tickle her mercilessly with one hand. "Stop that you immature…Git…" She gasped in between giggling fits trying to use her now free hand to push him away and failing miserably.

"You'll never win Flora so just apologise." Walter insisted enjoying every second of their play and delighting to see his wife laugh so freely again.

"I am not defeated yet." Flora hissed when he paused long enough in his assault to let her regain her breath.

"Really I don't see there is anything you…." The Butler stopped mid sentence his last word coming out as nothing more than a squeak as his eyebrows shot practically into his hairline.

"Now say you're very sorry and that you are an immature git who doesn't deserve such an understanding and loving wife or I'll stop." Flora whispered gently watching in amusement as her husband bit his bottom lip torn between his two desires.

"Flora…" He managed closing his eyes as a groan followed her name.

"No that wasn't what I wanted to hear Walter." His wife retorted slowly withdrawing her hand from between them.

"You…You…" The butler began angrily before falling silent at the unwavering look on her face.

"I'm waiting." Flora insisted running her hand back down his torso and teasingly stroking his stomach.

"I'm very sorry." Walter managed earning him a small smile from his wife as gave him a taster of what he wanted reaching down and grasping him firmly.

"And?" Flora prompted stroking softly.

"I'm an immature git…" The butler added closing his eyes as he stifled a groan his bottom lip trembling.

"And?"

"Ohhh…What was the…" Jarvis managed his hands clenching the bed sheets firmly.

"That you don't deserve such a loving and understanding wife." Flora replied insistently.

"Yes that…Oh yes that…I agree…completely."

"I need to hear you say it properly Walter." Flora scolded softly. "Or else…"

"God's Flora." Jarvis growled his eyes flickering open to lock on his wife's and Flora could tell by his dilated pupils just how close her really was.

"Say it!" Flora retorted harshly squeezing him firmly till he choked out a reply.

"I don't deserve such a…Oh god yes…such a loving and understanding…Oh Flora please…WIFE." He managed before collapsing on top of her.

Smiling superiorly Flora ran her fingers through Walter's hair and placed a quick kiss on her husband's sweaty forehead as he panted into her chest.

"I love you." He mumbled nuzzling against her before reaching up to capture her lips softly.

"I love you too darling." Flora replied lovingly only panicking when her husband shifted over her his hands skimming down her sides. "Walter what are you?"

"I thought I'd return the favour my sweet."

"Really please there is no need." Flora snapped her hands reaching down to grasp his and linking her fingers through his hands to bring them back up to more neutral territory but she didn't miss the hurt expression on her husband's face.

"As you wish." He replied grumpily.

"Walter…"

"What you expect me to just except the fact that my wife cannot seem to bear me touching her…Dammit you have allowed that ingrate Forest to touch you more than you have me! Or is that just it Flora? Since I have returned from India you have barely let me touch you at all yet you'd let him run his grubby hands all over you lest we forget what I interrupted in the gazebo!"

"Now You are being ridiculous." Flora huffed rolling her husband off of her and practically darting out of bed and wrapping Walter's dressing gown firmly around her before moving to her closet unable to quell the very real need that burned deep in her belly for a sip of her regular comfort about now.

"Am I?" Jarvis growled swinging himself out of bed to come stand behind her as she sorted through her dresses. "I know it is not that you cannot lie with me my love the Doctor was most informative about that when Ellie was born and we have long passed that period…"

"I would hardly call a matter of days long past." Flora retorted trying to keep her voice and her temper under control.

"I think you find that when dealing with a length time over fourteen days it is customary to refer to it as weeks." Walter peevishly replied. "So what is it? Are you too tired, just not in the mood or do you just not find the prospect of being with me appealing?"

"Fine if that is what you want to hear Walter then no I do not want to be with you…I don't want to be with anyone! The very idea of sex at the moment is so inexplicably nauseating that…that even if I were faced with you and Will and a hundred other naked and raring to go gentlemen I still would be unable to!" Flora retorted angrily whirling round to face her stunned husband before pushing him backwards out the door. "And what is more I am so mad at you right now I can't even bear to look at you!"

"Flora."

"No don't you Flora me Walter Corey."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry isn't good enough."

"I'm very very sorry sweetheart." Jarvis insisted sinking to his knees so she couldn't push him out any further. "I cannot help making mistakes my darling I am only a man and one unused to being around babies and new mother's it is only to be expected I would make mistakes."

Sniffing Flora felt her anger subside slightly he did have a point. "Well it is new for all of us Walter…Do you think I enjoy feeling like this? So alien from myself that I cannot predict how I will feel from one moment to another?"

"No." Walter muttered softly getting to his feet and pulling her gently into his arms before planting a kiss on her forehead. "I am sure you don't but as hard as it is for you to predict how you feel imagine how hard it must be for me to try and predict how you will be feeling if you do not even know. I cannot help finding you alluring my love, you are a very beautiful woman and it has been…well so long…too long since we were last together and as I am a faithful husband you must forgive me if I sometimes am a little overly enthusiastic when you do seem to be reciprocating my affections."

Mollified slightly Flora allowed him to kiss her once more and for a moment found herself enjoying his embrace however as usual that was the moment Ellie decided to inform her parents of her presence.

- - - -

Grace tugged at her dress, staring at herself in the mirror. Why did she have to look her worst when she was meeting him for the first time in what seems like years. Her face was utterly pale, she looked like a ghost, she couldn't help thinking to herself. It wasn't so much that she wanted to woo him, she just wanted him to see exactly what he had been missing out on. When he saw her though, she was positive he would be relieved she'd moved on. She tucked her hands up her sleeves and wrapped her arms around her, it was so cool in the room. Emily had warned her to wrap up warm, she'd been to see George earlier that day and reported it was extremely cold outside for the time of year. George would catch his death soon if he wasn't careful.

Emily had been supplying him with blankets and moderately warm food. She had even managed to sneak him an old shirt and pair of trousers she had found at the back of Walter's wardrobe. She was unable to stop giggling as she saw George in the clothes that were definitely too big for him around the middle. Well Walter definitely wouldn't be wearing them again in a hurry after the amount of weight he had been loosing over the last few months while out on his early morning jogs.

Nervously her eyes wandered around the room, Emily would be here any second. Would he have changed much since she had last seen him? Not just appearance wise, but would he have turned into the dangerous criminal the newspapers were describing him as. She found it difficult to believe it was her George they were talking about. He wasn't rough, he wasn't a thief. He didn't punch innocent people he passed on the street. Could people really change that quickly? Or had he in fact always been like that, he just hid it really well.

She shook her head, hoping to dislodge the uncomforting thoughts running through her head. Emily had assured her George was quite tame, he just seemed like he always had. What was she supposed to say when she saw him? She had a feeling she was just going to let him do all the talking and leave as quickly as she could. Dinner would only last so long and she knew she had to be back before it finish so Frank didn't find her creeping about the grounds.

Frank.

She swallowed as she pulled her sleeves tighter across her hands to hid her purple wrists. She dreaded to think what Frank would do if he found out what she was up to. She bit her bottom lip, trailing her left hand down to her flat stomach. Her period had been due yesterday…it was the second one she had missed now. She would just have to tell Frank tonight and face the consequences, she couldn't keep this to herself any longer…

A sharp knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Darting towards it, she felt Emily jerk her forcefully out of the door the second she opened it. "What is the rush?" Grace asked worriedly, as Emily began to frogmarch her down the corridor, before they descended the stairs.

"I have to be quick, Felix asked be earlier why I've been dashing back and forth across the grounds. If he's seen me I dread to think who else has. We have to find somewhere else for George to stay."

"How about the police station?" Grace asked.

"Very funny dear," Emily tutted, as they scurried through the gardens. "Just wait until you've heard what he has to say before you condemn him."

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

It was later than she would have liked that Flora made her way above stairs to visit her ladyship. Although if she was honest with herself she had been avoiding this visit, just like she always managed to find excuses not to write to Rebecca after Ellie's birth. There was this nagging doubt at the back of her mind that taunted her constantly; Rebecca wouldn't be such a bad mother, she wouldn't dread being alone for hours with her child and she would be able to see through Flora's act and spot a fraud when she saw one. That's why she had never finished and sent any of those letters, every time she had written the words they seemed to stare out of the page mocking her, so she had pretended she was far to busy and each unfinished letter had ended up turning to ash in their sitting room fireplace.

However this visit could not be avoided and she had gotten so good at convincing everyone around her that she was just 'fine and couldn't be happier' that she almost had herself fooled as well so Rebecca should be a walk over. Except for the fact that she knew the former housekeeper very well, but of she kept the visit short and was far to busy to pop up often then perhaps she could pull it off.

Checking her daughter's appearance for the umpteenth time Flora nodded in approval of the girl's dress she had picked out her best, the lovely little light blue one that Emily had delicately embroidered with little cream roses, and it was the exact shade to match her Corey blue eyes. Brushing the lasses fine baby hair till it lay smooth and even, she checked her little chin for any sign of drool or regurgitated milk. Patting her pockets she doubled checked she had several handkerchiefs just in case, a rattle to keep Ellie amused if she began to get bored, so certain that she was armed for any eventuality Flora knocked sharply.

A few moments later the door was opened by a surprised looking Elizabeth McDuff.

"Mrs Corey?"

"Lizzie." Flora greeted coolly, nodding politely at the young maid who she had hardly spoken with since that debacle with Philip and a certain inappropriate scene she ha witnessed between the then housekeeper and first footman. "Is her ladyship available for a quick visit?"

"I was just dressing her for dinner…" Lizzie began but she stopped mid sentence as her mistress called out to her to just let Flora in they could chat whilst she dressed after all.

"Rebecca." Flora greeted her friend warmly as she entered.

"Flora!" Rebecca practically squealed in excitement as she darted across the room pulling the housekeeper into a one armed hug careful not to squash the little girl who was cradled in her mother's arms. "Oh Flora she is precious. May I?"

"Oh of course…But your dress?"

"Oh she'll behave won't you poppet?" Rebecca cooed softly, as she expertly lifted Ellie into her arms. "All you except the eyes…"

"Yes she has Walter's eyes." Flora replied quickly as she scanned the room for any sign of Lord Hugo.

"He's in his crib Lizzie only just put him down." Rebecca replied before making her away over to the chaise and patting the seat beside her for her friend. "So tell me everything."

"Everything…Well that would be a bit difficult..." Flora replied hesitantly her eyes flickering to the lady's maid who lingered around the room like a shadow, quietly tidying things away and folding dresses. "Everything is fine…Just fine, no problems everything was straightforward, Ellie is in perfect health as is Walter and I am doing nicely according to Dr Evans…Everything is just perfect." Flora added automatically a smile plastered on her beautiful face but somehow she just could not meet Rebecca's eye.

"Oh I see…Lizzie would you be a darling and fetch me a cup of tea?" Rebecca asked suddenly as she spotted Flora's underlying discomfort and the obedient girl slipped out without a word not even questioning why her mistress didn't just ring for it. "Now tell me what's really been happening."

"I don't know what on earth…" Flora retorted sharply, unable to keep the nervous squeak from her voice as she stood up and paced over to Lord Hugo's crib and gazed down at the child with his flaming red hair. "I told you everything is fine."

"So you aren't finding it harder than you thought?" Rebecca asked softly as she stroked Ellie's porcelain cheek.

"Well of course the reality is somewhat different than I expected but well I have never been put off by hard work and now that Mrs Watson is housekeeper…"

"Yes I had heard about that from Andrew." Rebecca cut in. "I know it was probably for the best but I am so sorry for the way Algie treated you, after all those years of loyal service."

"Well as you said it's for the best." Flora replied softly as she gazed down at the sleeping child.

"Why do I get the feeling you do not really believe that?"

"I don't know what you can mean your Ladyship?" Flora retorted coldly. "I may wish things were different on occasion but I know now I would have struggled to manage both, it's not like Walter could afford to pay for someone to look after our baby and Emily is not as strong as she looks and Ellie wears her out after only a few hours."

"Flora I didn't mean to offend…" Rebecca began placatingly her lovely eyes wide with concern as the former housekeeper struggled to keep a lid on the obviously simmering anger that bubbled under the surface.

"No I'm sorry." Flora muttered shaking her head. "You know what it is like emotions all over the place still, but I shouldn't take it out on you it's not your fault."

"No I quite understand Flora my dear." Rebecca insisted patting the housekeeper's hand gently before handing Ellie back to her. "After Hugo & Archie…Well you know for yourself what a mess I was."

"You didn't seem to be a mess." Flora cut in softly. "You seemed to take to motherhood like a duck to water."

"Well I didn't. Being tired all the time, feeling like you had no control over your own body let alone you feelings, I never knew from one day to the next how I was going to feel but it does get better."

"Does it?"

"Yes and I'm only a month and a bit further along than you, you'll soon start to feel like your old self I promise."

Sighing Flora nodded. "I hope so I am not sure how much many more of my mood swings Walter can take, he's already…Well you know what men are like."

Surprised Rebecca was just about to push further when the door opened and in walked Lizzie with her tea. Setting it down in front of her ladyship Lizzie curtseyed politely before returning to her tasks but not before shooting the housekeeper a smug little smile, she had only brought one cup. True Rebecca had not reminded the girl to bring one for Flora but the message that deliberate omission had conveyed had not been lost on the former housekeeper, you are not welcome here.

"Well I should be on my way, you have hardly any time left to dress and I always have so much to do." Flora muttered suddenly getting to her feet and startling Rebecca.

"Come see me tomorrow, it gets so boring with only Caroline and Francesca to talk to."

"I will try." Flora answered truthfully, but knowing that it was unlikely. "Oh but I did have one thing to ask…Ellie's christening is coming up, my brother is coming over for it but I am still searching for the perfect godmother for her, I do not suppose you would be interested?"

"I would be honoured thank you, and thank Walter for me…I take it Mr Kraus is her godfather."

"Of course." Flora replied teasingly. "Do you think he would ever let us forget it if he wasn't?"

Giggling softly Rebecca shook her head, her delicate auburn ringlets caressing her shoulders. "I don't think he would…And her other godmother Molly I suppose?" She added stopping when the Flora's face suddenly lost its playful rosy glow. "Mrs Watson isn't her other godmother?"

"No…I don't think that would be appropriate considering..." Flora trailed off as she tried to suppress her still very real fury at the thought of Molly Watson. "Let me just say we aren't the best of friends any more."

"But why ever not?" Rebecca asked puzzled.

"We had a falling out." Flora muttered an air of finality in her tone. "I don't want to talk about. Now I really must be going." She added slipping out of Rebecca's room and leaving her to dress.

"What on earth was that about?" Rebecca muttered more to herself than anyone in particular but Lizzie still cleared her throat anyway. "Lizzie do you know something?"

Smiling sweetly Rebecca's maid nodded before answering. "There was a scene the day we left Taplows, after the Earl sacked her Mrs Corey totally lost it apparently, tore apart the senior servants dining room, even up ended a trifle onto her husband's head and all the time yelling about how they had gone behind her back and betrayed her. Now some people think she meant about loosing her job but then there are others." Lizzie paused dramatically. "That are convinced she meant betrayed her in another way entirely, that she was talking about them having an affair."

"But that's ridiculous!" Rebecca snorted Mr Jarvis would never..."

"Well he might and he might not, I mean we all remember what happened at the wedding and Frank's revelation perhaps he wasn't lying after all…Mrs Corey seemed to believe him anyway and what if he never had any intention of staying faithful to her…Some might say she hardly is in a position to complain I mean considering what she did." Lizzie added a hint of bitterness in her tone as she recalled the housekeeper's now infamous affair with a certain William Forest.

However Rebecca was so concerned for her friend that she missed the hostility in Lizzie's tone and as she allowed Lizzie to continue dressing her she considered just what she could do to put Flora's mind at ease without betraying the confidence of another close friend of hers.

- - -

"A penny for your thoughts my darling?" Frank whispered into her stomach as he placed soft kisses around her navel.

Grace jumped as she heard him speak, breaking her from her wild thoughts. The meeting with George, then coming back and telling Frank about the baby. She hadn't had any idea how he was going to react when he told her, but this was the last thing she had expected. Instead of thrashing the baby out of her he had dressed her for bed and tucked her in before laying down beside her.

This was the point when things had got even more bizarre, he hadn't rolled over and forced himself on her. He had simply placed her gentle hand on her stomach, before beginning to question her on how far along she thought she was? And where she wanted to go when they left and got married? She had wanted to run across the room and jump out of the window when she heard this suggestion. It had never occurred to her what would of course have to happen now she was pregnant. She would have to give up her job definitely but she had never expected him to offer to give up his so they could move far away from Taplows.

He was being so nice to her about the whole ordeal. It had only been less than an hour earlier when she had been sat a little way away from George dreading having to go back to the house to see Frank. Her time with George had eventually turned out to be quite enjoyable. She could hardly believe her eyes as she saw him for the first time.

He was lay on a soggy blanket in a corner of the damp and dark barn. He had his body tucked up to his chest, his eyes was shut tightly and he was snoring softly. Emily had moved towards him, gently shaking awake while whispering his name. He had jumped immediately and sprung into action raising an old looking cricket bat above Emily's head. She had flinched, then realised he had dropped the bat.

"Sorry," he croaked, his voice strained from lack of use.

"It's quite alright, I shouldn't have startled you," Emily replied, her hand covering her chest as her breathing slowed. "You have a visitor."

George's eyes at once shot towards the place Grace was stood staring him up and down. He looked so strange. He was as pale as she was. His cheeks were no longer smooth and his clothes no longer immaculate. She would never have recognised him if she had passed him on the street. Cautiously he stepped towards her, reaching out his mucky hand to run it down her colourless cheek.

She drew back, pulling his hand away from her as though it had burnt her face. "I'll leave you in peace now," they had barely heard Emily murmur as she had backed away from the pair.

"I'm so glad you came," George said, pointing at a blanket for her to sit on. She hesitated for a moment, obviously worried about covering her pristine dress in dirt. Eventually she sat, remembering she wouldn't be here long anyway. "I understand you probably want an explanation?"

She nodded staring at the floor, desperate to hold back the tears that had been dying to fall at the overwhelming sight of him. She listened intently to every single word he uttered, not wishing to interrupt him for a second. She knew what he was saying made perfect sense and it felt so good to hear the dreams she had hoped to be told.

"Please know I never meant to hurt anyone," George said as his tale came to an end.

"I think I always knew you were innocent," she said quietly, finally finding her voice. "What upset me was the fact you never trusted me enough to tell me this."

"You know I trust you Grace. I'd trust you with my life. I just wasn't sure how exactly to tell you. I did intend to though."

She closed her eyes shaking her head, she had a headache now and wished she could be back with Emily, "you had so much opportunity to mention this to me."

"You're right. There are no excuses, I'm just really sorry."

"I never lied to you."

"There is a difference between lying and not informing. For example say your new backstabbing boyfriend, Frank Keneally was knocking you around and you didn't tell me, that would be not informing me…if though I asked you whether he was and you told me his wasn't, we both know that would be lying." George clenched his fists tightly, just like he had when Emily had first informed him about Grace now being with Frank and the even worse news that had followed.

"I have no idea what on earth you are talking about. My relationship with Frank is perfect I think you will find," she replied indignantly.

"You know what Grace, have it your own way. 'I never lie to you' my arse. We both know that is absolute bullshit so blame me for not 'informing' you, because at least I never bloody lied to you." He was angry at her now. He was angry at Frank as well. He was angry at himself for not being around to smash Frank's brains in the second he had touched his Grace. If he could have it his own way he would storm up to the house right now and beat the crap out of him, but instead he held himself back, knowing no good would come from that.

"If you are content with Frank that is fine with me. All I want is you to be happy. However I think you better check you know the correct definition of the word 'happy' because from what Emily has told me you certainly aren't that at the moment with him." She didn't answer him. She knew of course he was right. She was dreading the moment he found her that evening and dragged her off to his bed. She wasn't about to tell him he was right though.

"What are you thinking?" George asked her, moving towards her after a few moment silence.

"I'm thinking Mrs Ryan would never have found us together here…why didn't we ever hide out here?"

He chuckled at her, "because it incredibly damp and there is very little ceiling."

"Like that would have bothered us back then, it's private isn't it?"

The two of them had talk for ages about how things used to be between the two of them and she found herself desperately wanting to just swoon in his arms. She was dying for him to hold her but all too soon she realised the time and knew she had to get back before Frank got suspicious of anything.

"Come and see me tomorrow," he pleaded, clinging onto her arm, not wishing to let her go in fear of never getting to see her again.

"Maybe I will, maybe I won't," she replied cheekily.

"That is not good enough."

"Alright, alright! I will!" She giggled and finally he let go of her. He leaned into kiss her and for a moment she had considered kissing him back, but in the end she turned her head so his lips came in contact with her cheek. She wasn't quite sure why she had done it, perhaps it was because she wasn't quite sure whether she could fully trust him yet or perhaps it was because she knew she had to now go back up to the house and tell Frank she was expecting his child.

Grace hadn't lied to George about the baby, she just hadn't informed him. It was definitely best this way, inform the father first and get a reaction from him.

"I was just thinking about us," Grace whispered eventually to him.

"Us?"

"Yes. Us before you came back from Italy."

Realising this was the opening for a conversation, he pulled her nightdress back down to cover her stomach and slid back up the bed until he lay next to her. "We had an amazing two years together, don't you remember?" She nodded smiling up at him as she recalled all the moments they had spent together during that two years of courting.

"I should never have demanded you come back to Ireland with me, it was wrong of me." Frank whispered into her hair. Was he apologising? "We should have talked about it together," he continued, "it wasn't until after I left that I realised how stupid I was to let you go and how much I loved you." She couldn't do anything but melt as she heard him say this. Her eyes were brimmed with tears as she leant up to kiss him softly.

"I promise this time we'll decide together where we go to, alright? This time we have to do it right now there is a little one to consider." He loved saying those words already. He couldn't quite understand what had got over his. When he had leant Francesca was pregnant with his child he had wanted to run as far away as he could in the opposite direction. Now he felt proud already. He wanted to look after Grace and their child. Love them and make up for all the times he'd hurt her.

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

Smiling to himself as he headed upstairs somewhat earlier than planned, Jarvis hastily tucked the bottle of port and two glasses under his arm lest any nosy passing servant would notice and start blabbering away; after all he had served his lordship loyally for years and everyone was entitled to the odd perk now and then surely? Not stopping to tap on their sitting room door Walter sidled in unable to contain the mischievous glee that tonight was the night that he was finally going to spend some baby free time with his darling wife.

"Flora my love, my light…Where are you? Come greet your husband properly!" Walter whispered as he slipped into the bedroom, always conscious to keep his voice low in the hope that he wouldn't disturb Ellie and for a moment forgetting he had already cunningly persuaded his mother to sit with her that evening on the pretence of allowing Flora to get some sleep.

However his sudden and unannounced arrival had hardly the effect on his beloved wife that he had expected, instead of immediately darting up and crossing the room to cover him in kisses like he had hoped she didn't even seem to have noticed his arrival and instead lay still on top of the covers. Frowning slightly as he walked round the bed to her still form he reached out and shook his dozing wife awake.

"Flora my love it's time to wake up it's far too early to go to sleep my dearest." He muttered as she came round grousing in her sleepy state that is was too early she didn't get want to get up. "But I've come up early extra specially to spend some time together…Mother has Ellie for the evening, we don't have to pick her up till late so we could…well you know…spend some quality time together…Perhaps sit by the fire and talk over the christening arrangements, and then a cuddle or two?"

Squinting against the light from the sitting room Flora frowned, snorting at his somewhat obvious ploy. "Quality time? Chatting about the christening and quick cuddle? Pull the other one Walter what did you really have in mind, a game of chess perhaps, a nice chat…? Or do you really mean come on my sweet we have a few baby free hours for me to ravage you in, but then Walter whilst you snore the night away I can pace the floorboards exhausted trying to get Ellie to settle after your mother has disrupted her carefully balanced routine?"

Taken aback by his wife's acerbic tone when only that morning she had seemed more responsive to his advances the butler plonked himself down in the bed beside her his handsome brow creased with his own frown. "But you said…"

"Said what exactly?" Flora spat getting to her feet and stretching out her sore arms and shoulders.

"You know…" Walter replied almost bashfully. "You were there, in my office earlier you said and I quote…That you knew things had been hard for me and that perhaps if I came up early this evening we could…well resolve the situation."

"I wasn't talking about having sex Walter!"

"Then what where you talking about…God's Flora talk about mixed messages."

"They are only mixed because you have only one thing on your mind and all of them involve getting me on my back!"

Snorting in amusement as he recalled his interesting dream from the night before the butler shook his head. "No only most of them involve getting you on your back, the others are somewhat more creative!"

"See this is precisely what I mean." Flora snorted however her anger abated slightly at his poorly timed attempt at humour. "This is not a laughing matter Walter."

"Really then why are you trying not to laugh yourself?"

"I'm not…" Flora retorted without underlying conviction in her words.

"Liar Liar drawers on fire!" Walter sniggered under his breath but his wife caught it.

"See this preoccupation with my underwear, you are obsessed Walter and let me assure you my drawers are not about to spontaneously combust." Flora added mockingly.

"Are you sure you don't want me to check, a husband's duty and all that." He whispered standing up and following her over to the window slipping his arms round her waist and nuzzling into her neck inhaling her perfume. "I miss you Flora…I know you'd say I'm being silly that you lie here every night beside me but you're not in my arms and I feel like I can't even hold your hand without asking permission first."

Trembling slightly as her husband nuzzled at the sensitive skin on the nape of her neck his hands locked round her waist the tension clear in them, Flora turned around slowly locking his gaze with her own. "We've been through this Walter…I just am not ready and I know what you are going to say, I also saw that permanent grin on Mr Adam's face all day and just because Rebecca is obviously comfortable with entertaining gentlemen does not mean that I…"

"Don't you want me anymore?" Walter muttered. "I know I want you and it has been so long Flora…too long for me I can't keep going like this…I…" His words muffled as he leant down and claimed her mouth his hands moving from round her waist to trail up and down her back before settling on the ties of her dress. "Let me love you I beg of you." He murmured against the porcelain skin of her neck his skilful fingers teasing the first lacing of her dress loose as he manoeuvred them back towards the bed.

"Wait." Flora insisted trying to stand like a rock against the raging sea, she just wasn't ready for this yet but how could she possibly deny him after that heartfelt plea he was begging her and Walter never begged but there was still unresolved issue of Molly Watson. He thought she had forgotten all about that, that she had accepted it.

"Please." Her husband reiterated. "We can go as slowly as you want I promise but don't deny me Flora."

"I…I just think we should do this properly." She added after a moment's panicked thought.

"You brought something to drink with you didn't you?"

"Yes some of his lordship's port." Walter relied confused.

"Then I suggest we start out there by the fire, a nice glass of port and a little snuggling before we come in here…Oh and I need to change." She added insistently.

"You're fine as you are." Walter began but a soft pleading look from his wife crumpled his resolve. "Just don't be too long my dear." He added running his hand down the side of her face before kissing her tenderly.

As soon as the door was shut Flora dashed over to her wardrobe fumbling for her sleeping draft, it was necessary she told herself, she was being cruel to be kind after all he would be devastated if she rejected him but this way he wouldn't even notice. Pulling out one of her more scanty nightdresses she quickly changed before pulling on Walter large silk dressing gown and slipping the bottle in the pocket before heading out to join her husband.

Smiling to himself as he relaxed by the fire Walter stretched his shoulders and leant back against the legs of his fireside chair. Pouring two generous glasses of port he raised his glass to his lips taking a deep sip before shrugging off his jacket and waistcoat, un knotting his cravat and unbuttoning half of his shirt until he thought he was the very picture of debauchery. It wasn't long before the door to their bedroom opened and in slipped his wife, her nervousness clear on her face but she had made an effort changing into a rather attractive off the shoulder nightdress and her long raven tresses free about her shoulders although the attractive look was somewhat unbalanced by his dressing gown which overly large on her hung off her slender frame.

"I saved you a seat." Walter spoke breaking the tense atmosphere and patting the space on the rug beside him. "Best seat in the house!"

Giggling nervously Flora crossed the room and slid to the floor beside him tensing automatically when her husband wrapped his arm round her shoulders and began slide the dressing gown from them his mouth caressing the skin it newly revealed.

"So how was your day?" Flora asked desperate to delay and distract him for as long as possible, her hand moving to stir his other from their direct path to her breasts and down to the relatively safety of her hip.

"Fine." Walter muttered pausing for a moment before continuing his path along her shoulder and down to the top of her arm as he eased the gown off them.

"That's nice…How is Felix I didn't see him today?" Flora added trying to relax as her husband ignored her questioning and ran his hands and mouth over her body.

"Walter?"

"He's fine…" The Butler added when prompted his attention now riveted on the rise and fall of her breasts through the thin fabric, which the firelight made practically see through.

"And Molly?"

"Hmm…Yes fine…They are all fine everybody is fine!" He added emphatically his thoughts far from the monotony of Taplows as he ran his fingers up her side.

"That's good…Can I have my glass please?" Flora asked trembling slightly under her husband's intense scrutiny and he passed her the practically full glass without once breaking his lock on her body then leaning down and nuzzling into her breasts eliciting a moan from his wife that he took for one of pleasure.

"Walter…." Flora began warningly her hand shaking as she groped around on the floor behind her for the abandoned dressing gown and the vile in its pocket, then clasping the tiny bottle tightly in her hand she slowly unscrewed the cap with her thumb. It was a slow laborious task and she had to keep her actions to herself but she was finally able to hold the open bottle over her glass of port and administer a healthy dose before secreting the bottle back in its hiding place.

Waiting until he came up for air a delighted impish expression on his face he gratefully accepted the glass she offered taking a deep swig from its drugged depths before offering her some.

"No I had better not, you finish it." She insisted watching as a rather worrying smile flittered across her husband's face as he took another deep sip before setting the almost empty glass down and returning to her.

"Now where were we?" Walter asked teasingly. "Oh yes…" He added before pushing her down onto the fireside rug and leaning over her. "I remember however I think we are both decidedly over dressed."

"Walter I thought you promised to go slow with me." Flora rebuked softly pushing her hands up and along his chest to stop her husband from rolling on top of her. "Can't you just hold me for a little while first?"

Sighing deeply in disappointment the butler pulled back sitting up and allowing his wife to follow resting her head against his chest as they both stared into the fire his hand idly stroking her arm and then her back soothingly for what seemed like ages. "Better?" He muttered not sure whether it was the heat of the room or the weariness of the day but he suddenly found it difficult to stay aware.

"Hmmm much." Flora replied watching as her husband fought to stay awake running her hands inside his shirt and along his newly toned chest, smiling as her touch elicited a groan of approval. "You wanted to talk about the christening?"

"Oh…Yes I had a letter this morning, your brother would have caught the ferry across a few days ago then getting the train down from Liverpool on Thursday, so with a fair wind and no delays he should be with us on Saturday morning…At least that was what his letter said so I do hope you have gotten round to asking Lady Rebecca to be Ellie's godmother because we wouldn't have much time to find a substitute if she said no."

"She accepted." Flora replied softly.

"Excellent." Walter sighed yawning as he leant back against the fireside chair. "Only one more to find."

"Walter you are so tense why don't I give you a shoulder massage like I used to?"

"Hmm that would be lovely my sweet." Walter answered dozily allowing Flora to pull him to his feet and into their bedroom before lying face down on the bed as his wife's talented hands quickly turned him into a pool of jelly.

"Are you tired Walter?" Flora whispered as her husband valiantly tired to stay awake his eyes drooping shut every few seconds before he forced them open again. "Why don't you have a little nap we have plenty of time?"

"Nuff not tired honestly just resting my eyes." Walter mumbled into his pillow not moving as his wife pulled off his shirt and moved to remove the rest of his clothes earning her a spluttered "Saucy minx" before her husband finally succumbed and began to snore.

Sighing in relief Flora pulled the coverlet over him smiling down tenderly as she ran her hands through his hair smoothing it back from his face before placing a tender kiss on his forehead. "I do love you Walter…I just wish I could explain but I can't."

Then slipping out of the room she shut the door gently behind her retrieving the dressing gown from in front of the fire and heading out to collect her daughter from her mother in law.

- - -