Grace groaned as she opened her eyes next morning and took in her surroundings. Frank's room. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and slid as slowly as she could onto her back. She was expecting her bruised and bashed body to start shrieking at her, however when she began to shift around a bit more she realised she didn't feel pain in the slightest. On the contrary, she felt better than she had in weeks.
Puzzled for a moment she turned over to face Frank's side of the bed…but he wasn't there. In his place was a piece of paper addressed to her and single red rose on top. She felt her heart melt as the night before came flooding back to her. She still couldn't believe how well he'd taken the news of the baby and having receiving his reaction she felt excited about the news too. It wasn't like it had been before with George, there wasn't the worry about what they would do and where they would go. She and Frank had it all planned out, they'd get married and return to Ireland and everything would be just perfect.
A baby...
She smiled again and she picked up the paper and began to read the brief but sweet note Frank had written:
Good morning my darling, I hope you slept as well as I did. Today shouldn't be too hectic so I'll hopefully see you quite early this evening. Have a lovely day and make sure you take good care of yourself and our little one. Get something to eat and have plenty of rest, you look far too pale for my liking (but beautiful of course). I love you so much, Frank x x
'Our little one' She beamed once again, she was so happy she wanted to shout it out to the world, she refrained from doing so however. The two of them had both agreed the night before to keep low for a while until everything was definitely sorted. She could though tell Emily and Lizzie when she saw her and she couldn't wait…oh and George!
She froze as she swung her legs over the bed, George! She had promised to go see him later, he'd be expecting her. She wasn't quite sure if she wanted to visit him anymore. It wasn't right, it was like she was going behind Frank's back. She wouldn't have cared so much yesterday but things had changed so quickly over night.
Realising it was for the best she decided she'd write him a little note and make Emily take it to him, yes, that would be the right action to take. But what would she say?
She would just say how pleased she was he was well and it was nice to see him, but circumstances had changed and it wasn't right for them to meet anymore. That would be perfect she thought. Finding a piece of paper she scribbled her words and quickly dressed, hoping she would be able to find Emily before she took him his breakfast.
- - -
It had been one hell of a day; yes hell was indeed the closest possible comparison but then with the start to it that she had had it was hardly surprising when things rapidly went downhill from there. She had given him far too much that she had realised, but combined with alcohol the effect had been even more unpredictable and most disturbing.
At first things appeared to have fallen in line with her plans, Walter was getting a much needed good nights sleep and she was enjoying her ill gotten respite from her overly amorous husband but then when daylight broke Walter still didn't wake up. Unperturbed at first Flora had simply lay beside him, smiling as his soft snores filled the room before retrieving her daughter from the bassinette before her loud squawks could wake her father. Deciding against abandoning the warmth of their bed for the chilled sitting room Flora quickly returned to it Ellie in her arms and snuggled back against her toasty warm husband as she fed her daughter.
After Ellie was content she had turned her attention back to Walter, it was getting late for him and with a gentle shake she tired unsuccessfully to rouse him but nothing seemed to work, not shaking, nor calling his name, not even a firm slap on his normally sensitive cheeks. In the end there was only one course of action left to her so pouring a glass of water she tipped it over her husband's head. That startled him awake immediately and grousing into his pillow he buried his wet head under the covers.
"Walter you're late…" Flora insisted dragging the covers off of her naked and now very grumpy, not to mention cold husband.
"Too early." The Butler mumbled still refusing to get up. "Tired." He added sleepily before closing his eyes once more as the soft snoring began again.
"Walter!" Flora retorted once more when her oblivious husband managed to return to sleep in spite of the goosepimpling of his skin and the now sodden pillow he had buried his head under. "The Earl will be waiting." Flora added and for the first time since the night before she considered the effects of her actions, of course he would oversleep the dose she gave him would have been enough to knock out Mrs Diggins let alone her Walter and combined with the port well who knows what untold reactions it would have.
"Walter Darling you have to get up…I am sorry but this has to be done." Flora muttered to herself before giving her husband a firm push and rolling him off the side of the bed.
Landing heavily and with a loud crash Jarvis had bellowed in protest as he landed awkwardly on his shoulder grousing loudly as he cradled his injured limb glaring up at the concerned face of his wife as she gazed down at him.
"Well the bloody hell did you do that?" He snapped his fingers running over the now faded scar from the burglary and caressing his battered shoulder.
"You wouldn't wake up…And its late…" Flora began in way of explanation but her husband barely gave the chance to finish as he jumped to his feet glaring at the little carriage clock cursing under his breath as he tried to stop that awful dizzy feeling from overwhelming him.
"Walter are you quite well? You look a little green?" Flora asked concerned reaching out to try and steady her dazed looking husband but it was too late and he landed heavily on the bed beside her his hands going to his throbbing head.
"How much of that port did I have?" He groaned as the very real feeling of nausea emerged once more.
"A glass or two, I didn't keep track." Flora replied gently stroking his bare back. "Do you think it was off…Or perhaps you've picked up something that is going around?" She added hastily sure that that would be the perfect excuse.
"Perhaps I have?" Walter replied his tone questioning as he once more tried his feet. "But I simply cannot be ill now, we have too much to do and Andrew is being pigheaded as usual if I didn't know his cowardly streak I would place bets that he is after my job!" He added grasping the bedstead to steady himself as he made his way to the wardrobe to retrieve his suit and unknowingly selected a clashing necktie and waistcoat.
"Walter you should be in bed if you are sick!" Flora insisted crossing the distance between them and placing a hand on his forehead which was surprisingly warm before brushing the still damp hair back from his face reminding herself that it was time he got it cut as it was starting to look a little overgrown.
"I am fine Flora!" Jarvis snapped hastily as he pushed her hand aside. "And now I am even later than before, I'll get something from Mrs Watson to calm my stomach if it gets worse." He groused. "I don't need some woman fussing."
"Oh well fine then be like that…You don't seem to want anything from me apart from well a quick fumble, well just fine if you want me to leave you alone and not worry about you then I won't after all I am sure there are plenty of other's only too willing to do so…Besides as you said I am sure Mrs Watson will fuss about you later at your leisure." Flora replied emotionally backing up and having to clench her fists to resist the urge to throw something at his thick head, preferably something heavily and blunt.
"What the hell is the matter with you?" Jarvis demanded as he whirled round, regretting the sudden movement as the ground seemed to shift but forcing that aside he finished dressing as he glared at his red faced wife.
"Nothing it wrong with me Walter! I am perfectly alright, in fact better than I have been in ages things are finally starting to fall into place again…"
"Oh not this again, Flora you are paranoid it is all in your head that bloody drug has warped it, I told you before there is nothing going on between me and Molly Watson…There is nothing going on between me and any other woman…OR man…Or anything else for that matter and this really is not the time." He added pulling on his jacket as the little clock began to chime nine. "And now thanks to you I am late for prayers…Perhaps you would like to explain why to his lordship and save me the trouble, unless of course you want our entire family out on the street?" He barked nastily as he pushed past his wife to get to the door.
"If you dare walk out now Walter Corey don't even think about coming back tonight!" Flora yelled at his retreating back. "Fine go, go and get sick and spend the night in her bed have her nurse you better, see if I care about it…Truth be told it will be a blessed relief not to have you here bothering me!" Flora snapped before she could stop herself and Walter stopped for a moment in the doorway his eyes narrowing in fury. "Walter I…" Flora began immediately regretting her outburst, what on earth had she been thinking but her husband cut her off.
"Well if I am so distasteful to you Madam perhaps you suggestion does have merit after all!" And with that parting comment he was gone and Flora was unable to call him back.
The rest of the day had not passed any better as despite her attempts to catch him alone and apologise her husband had found many ways to avoid her virtually disappearing and Ellie picking up on her mother's distress and the undercurrent of tension had fretted the entire day barely spending more than a few minutes asleep in her cot. So by the time evening came Flora was literally going out of her mind, it had been the day from hell and she couldn't wait until it was other. So unable to face the senior servants dining room with such a fractious child and enduring the frosty glances from her fellow staff especially as Walter had sent word he wouldn't be attending she took Ellie outside instead. Pushing the pram along the path through the garden she made her way down to her usual thinking spot the soft lapping of the water always seemed to sooth her troubles.
However as she drew closer she heard something that made her breath catch in her throat and her blood run suddenly cold; it was Molly Watson and she wasn't alone.
-- - -
"Flora!" A sharp yet lilting Scottish brogue echoed down from the main staircase. "Flora are you alright?"
Whirling round the housekeeper tried to hide her tearstained face and called out. "I'm fine a little tired…I have to get Ellie down, please excuse me."
However before she could slip away her ladyship had closed the distance and a finely manicured hand had clamped down on the housekeeper's arm. "Flora…Oh god what on earth is wrong?" Rebecca asked drawing the housekeeper out of the wide open scrutiny of the main hallway and off into one of the drawing rooms. "What is wrong is it Ellie?" She added leaning down to gaze into the pram where the little girl was now sleeping soundly.
"No she's asleep now." Flora replied cagily edging towards the door. "I need to put her down…Honestly everything is fine."
"So it's Walter then." Rebecca muttered softly causing Flora to glare at her defensively. "Look Flora I don't mean to pry…"
"Then don't!"
Undeterred Rebecca continued regardless. "Does this have anything to do with Molly and why you two aren't speaking?" She asked watching the former housekeeper closely her suspicions confirmed when Flora's bottom lip began to tremble and her eyes fill with tears. "Oh Flora don't you see it's all a mistake, it has to be Walter would never do such a thing to you!"
"Oh really!" Flora retorted her cheeks flushed as her temper got the better of her. "So what is he doing now then?"
"Well I suppose he is serving the gentlemen after dinner drinks…I wouldn't know I had to check up on Hugo…"
"Well he isn't is he?" Flora retorted angrily. "He's abandoning his duties and his family and he's out there…" She turned and gestured wildly at the window. "Out there canoodling with HER!" Flora spat her beautiful face contorting in disgust as she spat out the word.
"No."
"Yes, I heard them…Down by the gazebo it was unmistakably her all giggling and god knows what else, well I didn't stick around to hear that I have some pride left in me…I know what those sounds mean." Flora trailed off the flush draining from her cheeks. "And after he promised me so faithfully after Ellie that nothing had happened, he swore on our baby's life, he sat there and swore to my face that he loved me and me alone that there had never been anyone else and never would. So I let it go…I convinced myself I was going out of my own mind, that the hormones and worries about the baby had meant I invented things that weren't there I thought I was loosing it Rebecca and yet all the time he was lying and he still is!"
"Stop just stop!" Rebecca insisted holding up her hands to distract Flora who glared at her like she had suddenly grown two heads. "Flora I should have told you…There is simply no way that Walter is having an affair with Molly Watson because…"
Rebecca paused her conscience suddenly stopping her, Monty had been her friend for most of her life, much longer than Flora and he had supported her against her father and all those impatient suitors her sister was so maliciously encouraging. How could she betray him and his confidence to simply assuage Flora's fears, there had to be another way?
"Well do go on!" Flora snapped angrily. "Or are you in on this two? Has Molly told Andrew who has confided in you…All the Adam's together having a great big laugh at the stupid demented Flora Ryan..Corey."
"No it's just…" Rebecca paused a brilliant idea striking her and she dashed over to the wall reaching for the bell and giving it three distinct pulls.
"What…" Flora asked confused.
"Well despite your husband's legendary abilities even he cannot be in two places at once!" Rebecca explained. "So all we have to do is wait…If he is in the building he will be here any moment, but if he is as you think out in the gazebo with the lovely Molly Watson well then he won't answer the call now will he?"
"I…" Flora began but before she could finish there were three sharp knocks on the drawing room door before they were sharply pushed open and in strode a composed but decidedly put out Walter Corey.
"My ladyship…I was just with the gentleman can I get you…." The butler trailed off his eyes widening as he caught sight of his wife standing over by the window scrutinising the slope down to the lake. "Flora?"
Turning round slowly Flora did nothing to hide the tears that were streaming down her cheeks and like lightening she darted across the room throwing herself at her stunned husband who stepped backwards with the force of her embrace. Shaking Flora buried her head into his shoulder the tears trickling down her cheek and into the finely dressed linen of his suit.
"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry." Flora kept muttering over and over again against her husband's neck as she held onto his strong frame with all the remaining strength in her small body. "Forgive me I was a stupid jealous fool."
For a few moments the butler did nothing, his eyes locking in confusion with the aristocrat who suddenly felt very out of place and so moved to study the sleeping Ellie. He had a definite feeling of being outmanoeuvred and involved in something of which he had no knowledge, why was Flora so upset? Was it because of their argument that morning and the terrible things she said or was something else going on and what on earth was Rebecca doing getting involved?
However as he felt his wife's words and her tears on his cheek he felt his indignant anger crumble, perhaps he had been harsher than he should have been and he had provoked her she had only wanted to look after him when he felt ill. "Shush." He muttered soothingly reaching up to caress her loose curls, wrapping his other arm firmly round her waist and cradling her close. "I am not angry Flora, I know you didn't mean it."
"But you were avoiding me and I thought…" Flora murmured lifting her head from his shoulder and catching his gaze. "Oh god knows what I thought…I should never have doubted you can you ever forgive me…Oh please Walter can't we just forget it ever happened can't you forgive me, write it off to my being a foolish, stupid woman who should know better but doesn't and promises never ever to give you a moments trouble again!"
Sniggering slightly at such a thought Walter smiled softly, brushing the tears from her cheeks. "Forgiven, forgotten and no permanent harm done but don't make promises you can't keep my darling. I know you, you would never be happy playing the meek little woman and besides perhaps I like the fact you give me a little trouble from now and then keeps me on my toes!"
"Liar…" Flora began but on Walter raised eyebrow she caved in. "Fine so I can't…Oh Walter you know me too well." She trailed off a flush of embarrassment gracing her cheeks.
"Yes but that's why I love you!"
"And I love you so much." Flora replied softly reaching up and stroking his face leaning forward to kiss him when there was a pointed cough from behind them.
"Perhaps I could take Ellie to see her grandmother, then you two lovebirds could go take a sunset stroll?" Rebecca suggested as she pushed the pram towards the door pausing for a moment as the butler leant over to glance at his sleeping angel.
"Take care of my girl." He muttered softly dropping a hand to skim softly over Ellie's silky cheek watching as she stirred for a moment in her sleep before settling back down.
"I'll do my best." Rebecca replied as she pushed the pram out into the corridor leaving the couple to it.
"Would you be so kind as to accompany me Mrs Corey?" Jarvis asked tenderly offering his wife his hand, which she took eagerly.
"But shouldn't you be getting back, his lordship and the gentlemen?"
Shrugging Walter answered as he pulled her towards the door. "Andrew can cope its only the old man and lord Julian, I left Lord Montgomery in the library working on his speech and he hasn't been out for hours so I think the rest of the evening can be all ours my dearest." And with that they slipped out of the main door and into the dusky darkness.
- - - -
Emily's head pounded as she rocked Ellie, desperate to settle her. She had been brought to her by Lizzie less than 10 minutes ago and she had done nothing but scream. These mere 10 minutes and Emily was already exhausted, she wouldn't allow herself to admit it however she was beginning to struggle to care for Ellie alone at the moment…how was she going to cope when her great grandchild was born.
Grace had been extremely excited that morning when she had cheerfully knocked on her door before breakfast. She couldn't quite understand why she was so happy as she informed her she would no longer be going to visit George and that Emily was to forward this to him. Wouldn't she be upset about this, since she had been moderately pleased after going to see him the day before.
"Why ever not?" Emily had asked, as she had beckoned Grace into her room.
"I just don't think it would be appropriate…with Frank and myself engaged," she had added.
"Engaged?"
Grace had been slightly taken aback by Emily's shock and forcefulness, "indeed. It was decided last night. Frank and I are having a baby."
"A baby?"
"Emily is there something wrong with your hearing this morning? I did say a baby…or is it that you do not wish to believe what I am saying?"
"I do apologise Grace, maybe I didn't get enough sleep last night…Congratulations."
"You could sound a little more enthusiastic? Just for me?" Grace sounded disappointed by Emily's tone. Was she not happy for her?
"It's just a lot to take in so quickly," Emily had managed to force half a smile for Grace, which seemed to satisfy her. "So what does my grandson say about all of this?"
"Frank is thrilled about the whole thing. We spent half the night discussing our future, where we are going to go and names for the baby. I doubt very much I'm going to allow Frank to name our child after himself." Grace had giggled excitedly, as she grasped Emily's hands, before she whispered, "what would you say if we decided to call the baby Emily if it is girl?"
"Well I'd be honoured… 'Going to go'? What do you mean? Are the two of you planning to leave?"
"Well we won't be able to stay once we have married. We've decided we'll go to live with Frank's family…his family in Ireland that is." Grace had been so over the moon that she had not noticed Emily's face fall even more after hearing this.
Finally able to lower the now sleeping Ellie back into her basket Emily sighed, settling herself down into her comfy chair, resting her aching head against the back. What was she going to do without Grace to keep her company in the evenings? The idea of her and Frank moving far away where she wouldn't be able to see her or her great grandchild was a great pain to her. It wasn't as if Frank would be willing to invite her for a visit.
She was wondering just how long it would be until Frank gave up on his pleasant farce and showed Grace his true colours again. It wouldn't last for long she was sure of that. Give it a month or so, if that. A couple of weeks may be more accurate. She didn't want to believe that Grace was giving up everything George and her had and ever had for her grandson.
The look on George's face when Emily had passed on Grace's message was unbearable. He had bounded over to her like an excited child at Christmas when Emily at first entered.
"Have you seen Grace? Is she alright? Is she coming to see me later?" He didn't allow her a moment to get any words out, just began firing questions at her. "What is it?" He had asked concerned. His face falling as he saw the look of upset on Emily's face.
"Grace won't be coming to see you again."
"You what?"
"You heard me," Emily couldn't bring herself to repeat those words that made George look like nothing was worth living for any longer.
"This is Frank's doing isn't it? He's told her she can't see me and she's foolishly following him."
"Frank doesn't know that you are hear as far as I know. The reason she won't come and see you is because her and Frank are engaged."
George had looked at her in disbelief, before swinging around and angrily thumping the wall. "She's not supposed to be with him. He doesn't care for her. He won't look after her like I would. Why has she excepted this proposal of his?"
"She's having his baby."
George chocked at this, a baby? This wasn't how it was supposed to be, this wasn't why he was risking his life to come back to Taplows for her. It had all been for her, she knew this, yet she still delighted in throwing it all back in his face.
"They plan to leave as soon as they marry, in a month or so, I assume," Emily added, laying a hand on his as he had slid to the floor and covered his tearstained face.
"Tell me…did she seem happy or intimidated by Frank?" George had managed to croak out.
"I'm sorry, but I think she seemed truly happy for the first time since London. Whether it will last…I do not know. Frank can be a master at pretending…I fear for her. What will you do now?"
George didn't answer straight away, he paused thinking intently. Should he go and leave her to face her fate? "I will wait. I must know how this is to end. Even if she and Frank leave to marry. I want to be there for her when it turns nasty."
"You are a true star," Emily had murmured to him, running a hand across his face to remove his tears. "Grace is lucky to have you."
"Let her know I respect her wishes to not see me, but assure her I'm here if she needs me…"
Emily had done so while taking her aside during lunch. Grace barely seemed to notice Emily and what she was saying. She was far too busy trying to catch Lizzie's attention. It seemed to the senior Mrs Corey that now Lizzie was back and she had Frank again, Grace no longer needed her. She was disregarded, this however was something Emily was getting very use to.
- - -
Sitting in the carriage as they bumped along the country track Ardal tried to ignore the continue complaining of the old man seated opposite him. It had taken him years to perfect the skill but now he had managed to all but tune out the old man's high pitched whispery voice.
"Are you even listening to me boy?"
Lifting an elegantly chiselled eyebrow Ardal Ryan returned his gaze politely to his step father with a practised look of detachment. "Of course I was listening Sir…I do believe we will arrive at the inn sometime within the hour…If we leave at first light tomorrow then we should arrive in Bristol by nightfall and then on to Taplows before lunchtime to next day."
"Good then we'll really be able to see what this scoundrel heathen your sister has married."
"We do not know he is a heathen sir." Ardal patiently reiterated once more, it had seemed like months that he had now been defending his sister choice of husband even though he had himself never met him but the reports and obvious happiness of his sisters letters infrequent as they were encouraged him to think well of this butler she had married.
"Should we not have warned them we were coming as well my dear?" Aoife's timid voice whispered softly. "I would hate for Flora…"
"I have told you repeatedly of the soundness of my plan Wife!" The old man cut in once more causing his wife to retreat back into her shell and bow her head in subservience. Satisfied that she had been suitable reprimanded he turned his attention back to the young man who was struggling to suppress the flicker of righteous anger that still burned within him. "Yes boy I know it is you who have putting doubts into your mother's head but remember who is the head of this family and my word is law…Unless of course you feel you can do without my protection after all these years?"
"No Sir of course not…I apologise." Ardal replied his tone an indicator he was anything but, but as the words turned to poisonous ash in his mouth he forced himself to swallow it down. They had a bargain and just like Minas of old he would be forced to sacrifice much more in order to protect his own dark secret.
- - -
For a few minutes they simply walked in companionable silence both unwilling to break the pleasant spell with such serious issues that desperately needed airing.
"Flora…" Walter muttered finally cracking and pulling his wife to a halt, as they reached the still water's of the pond, squeezing the hand he held in his gently as he pulled her round to face him. "We should..."
"I know we should talk about it." Flora answered softly leaning forward to rest her head against his shoulder and sighing contentedly as he wrapped an arm round her waist. "Do you want to go first?"
Nodding the butler led them both towards the fortunately empty gazebo and sat down on the bench to stare out at the water, the faint beams of the sunset flickering over the water and casting shadows over the plains of Flora's face. "I think my darling that we have been having a breakdown of communications, I hardly know what you saying let alone thinking and I have no doubt some of that is of my own doing I am not the easiest person to confide in at the moment but I want you to know that no matter how grumpy or stressed I may appear you and Ellie are always my priorities."
"I know…I do know that Walter." Flora replied consolingly covering his hand tightly with her own and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "And none of this is really your fault, I haven't found being a mother as easy as I thought I would and without the structure of working well it leaves me so frustrated. All I have to converse with is an infant child and when I see her your mother, and although I love them both to distraction the lack of adult conversation and interaction, well to be honest is sending me a bit batty!" Flora added, unsure where such an outburst had come from but knowing deep down that her isolation was undoubtedly a cause of her depression. "And so when you come home…Well I am afraid you bear the brunt of it."
"Well that I had noticed." Walter replied teasingly turning her hand over and tracing the lines of her palm gently with his thumb. "Perhaps there could be someway to get your more involved with the house again, personally I think the accounts definitely need your skilful hand I think somehow it is a Adams failing, it appears they can add two and two but forget asking them to do anything more complicated. It would certainly cut down on the extra work I have had to do and so free me more time to spend with my gorgeous wife and lovely little daughter."
"Do you really think so?" Flora replied excited at the prospect of doing something other than feeding, burping or changing her daughter.
"Yes but it would mean you working closely with Molly Watson…" Jarvis trailed off leaving the rest unsaid. "She would have to agree as well you know."
"I know Walter. I owe her an apology don't I?" Flora muttered softly.
"Well that depends on whether you believe me or not when I tell you quite firmly and honestly that nothing has ever or would ever happen between me and Molly Watson." Walter replied gently but with just a hint of steel behind his words as he struggled to contain the hurt at having his own wife repeatedly question his fidelity. "I take it you do believe me now. Or are…"
But whatever he was going to add Flora cut off by covering his lips with hers, sliding her free hand up his chest to run through the longer layers of his hair that now curled over his collar before pressing herself firmly against him. Moaning softly as she pulled away Flora rested her cheek against his shoulder until her breathing returned to normal. "Convinced?" She muttered as she nuzzled into his neck nipping just under his jaw before trailing over his Adam's apple her clever fingers unbuttoning his necktie and collar allowing her to graze her teeth into the hollow at the base of his neck as her fingers moved to unbutton his shirt.
"Flora." Jarvis growled grasping her fingers and raising them to his lips, kissing them gently before bringing one into his mouth to suckle. "Do not tease."
"Tell me you want me." She hissed seductively into his ear nipping at the lobe as she gripped his hair firmly.
"You know I do!" Walter spluttered. "But I want you to want this as well, and not just because you feel guilty." He added prising his wife off him so he could look in her eyes and see her true motives. "I thought not."
"But I love you and you have waited long enough already, and more than anything I want to make you happy!" Flora insisted pushing his restraining hands away and settling on to his lap her lips capturing his once more as their tongues battled for dominance.
Taking all the restraint he possessed the butler seized his wife firmly by the shoulders and pushed her gently away. "This is not right, I see that now…" His words stopping in his throat as a smirking Flora moved her hands to the collar of her dress and began to unbutton it.
"Really?" She asked teasingly. "Is that what you really think Walter because I am definitely getting mixed messages?" She giggled dropping her hand between them and causing Walter to start, his expression a mixture of ecstasy and horror. "Feels like you are more than up for it my darling."
"Yes but you aren't…This wantonness is not like you, this all an act and I will not take you this way." Jarvis snapped pushing back on to the bench as he sprang up from the seat as though it were on fire pacing for a moment in order to regain his legendary control.
"Am I that repulsive?" Flora muttered dejectedly as she stared down at her feet unable to bear that thought.
"No…Never…Flora I do want this, I want it almost more than anything but I have it in my head how it should be. It should be perfect, dammit woman I don't just want you to want me…I want you to want me so bad you'll beg for it!" Walter trailed off staring out over the lake, embarrassed at revealing so much of his own private fantasy world, that which had sustained him throughout the India trip and long after and had managed to keep him on the straight and narrow.
Giggling as she realised she was definitely on to something Flora crossed the room wrapping her arms around her husband's middle and resting her head against his shoulder. "Begging…Anything else I should bare in mind?"
"Stop it Flora, it was a silly fantasy nothing more, I don't want to talk about it." Walter replied huffily crossing his arms across his chest and ignoring his wife pressed up against his back.
"Tell me." Flora whispered softly in his ear.
"No."
"Tell me!" She reiterated this time more determined as she stalked round him trailing her hands across his chest. "Walter please, just tell me…I am your wife and I would never laugh at you."
"You already did!" He sniffed ignoring her placating gestures.
"That was in delight not disgust. Please tell me I mean who knows I might be amenable to a little role play…" Flora trailed off dragging her fingers along his jaw to lean forward and catch his lips playfully.
"Really?"
"Yes really after all you said you wanted it to be perfect, so if you tell me then well perhaps I could surprise you?"
"Really?" Jarvis muttered his eyes wide in astonishment, as if he couldn't quite believe what she was saying. "You'd do that for me?"
"Well that depends on what it is…" Flora replied teasingly watching as her husband's face fell slightly before adding. "But I am open to almost anything so I am sure it is negotiable as long as it doesn't involve chess sets!"
Snorting out through his nose as a decidedly naughty twinkle entered his eye the butler linked his arm through his wife and drew her out of the gazebo to continue their walk along the lake all the while whispering in her ear.
- - - -
After breakfast the next morning Flora waited as the rest of the senior staff began to disappear for their duties until only her husband and the housekeeper remained. Realising his wife's intentions Jarvis finished his breakfast quickly keeping one eye on the time and the other on Flora's pensive expression. Leaning over he covered her hand and gave it gentle squeeze for reassurance, earning him a brief but dazzling smile in thanks.
"Well I must be on my way." He muttered finishing his tea and standing up from his seat planting a tender kiss on his daughter's forehead and then a far more passionate one on his wife. "I'll see you at lunch my darlings."
"Not unless I see you first." Flora quipped hiding her nervousness under a smile and joke as her husband slipped out the dining room leaving her to shift uncomfortably as Molly began to clear the table, pointedly ignoring her former superior's presence.
"Mrs Watson I was wondering if I might have a word?" Flora spoke up, causing the housekeeper to whirl round in shock at Flora's almost friendly tone.
"Of course Mrs Corey." Molly replied coolly, watching as Flora squirmed under her level gaze.
"How can Taplows be of assistance?"
"It wasn't a Taplows matter that I wanted to discuss…"
"Well if it isn't a household matter then I really cannot see how we have anything to talk about!" Molly snapped, her attractive face flushing despite her efforts to remain calm and aloof.
"Not even if I mean to apologise?" Flora asked softly looking up and catching her former friend's eye for the first time.
"Whatever for Mrs Corey?" Molly retorted sarcastically. "Blaming me for something I never did, undermining my position in this house or perhaps just making fun of me with Mr Kraus behind my back…"
"I never did that." Flora replied softly. "I'll admit to the first two but I haven't made fun of you behind your back…And I was wrong, so very wrong and I am very very sorry Molly…"
"Don't you dare!" Molly hissed. "Don't you dare come down here now after everything you said and did and just expect me to accept it and that everything can go back to normal…You took our friendship away without even consulting me, you accused me of things I never did and then didn't even give me a chance to defend myself. Well I am sorry, you may have forgiven me but I cannot and I will not forgive you!" Molly added slamming the napkins down on the table as she leaned down over the former housekeeper.
"Look I'll admit it I was angry and stupid and so jealous I couldn't even see straight!" Flora yelled getting to her feet and slamming her hands down on the table so hard that even the cups rattled in their saucers.
"Jealous of what?" Molly bit back unable to stop herself from asking.
"Of you…Dammit I could see you taking everything that I had ever worked for…That I had ever wanted. I could see my life slipping away from me, all I had worked for my career, my independence, dammit even my youth was going away from me and I was right; here I am and what am I now? I'm the Wife…I'm the Mother…But I am not Flora Ryan anymore, that person is long gone and then all I could see was my friend who had all that I had lost gaining the last thing that I had, the only thing that could make such a sacrifice worth it…I thought you had taken his heart from me and I couldn't bare it!"
"But I hadn't…I would never do that to you. Don't you understand that while you were craving what you had lost all I ever wanted was what you had gained. A loving husband…A child of your own…" Molly broke off unable to stop the tears that sprang to her eyes. "Dammit you don't even know how lucky you are, some women would give up everything even their soul for what you have, but I would never…never stoop so low as to try and steal that from you and I would have thought you would have known me well enough by now to realise that!"
"I do now." Flora replied softly. "Please forgive me, I have been a stupid, emotionally foolish woman who you're right should have known better. I should have trusted you even if I wasn't sure I could trust Walter but I really haven't been myself, what with all my hormones and..."
"The Laudanum?" Molly muttered shaking her head in disgust. "You of all people should have had more sense!"
"I know but…I needed it!"
"How on earth could you need it? It's nothing better than poison Flora, thank goodness Walter stopped you when he did…" Molly trailed off her eyes raking over Flora who had suddenly gone rather pale. "He has stopped you hasn't he?"
"Yes of course." Flora snapped but the slight twitch of her hands as the twisted her cuff indicated otherwise.
"Oh Flora tell me you have stopped." Molly sighed, sinking down in the seat next to her friend and taking her hand.
"I…"
"Oh no…"
"Please you can't tell Walter." Flora insisted grasping Molly's hand tightly. "I have been so much better I hardly touch it, nothing like I used to…I just haven't found being a mother easy and trying to sleep when I could was so hard but things are better now. Ellie is sleeping through so I am getting enough sleep so I don't need it often to get some rest."
"But he…"
"He can't know Molly, things have been so awful between us and things are only just getting back on track, I couldn't bear for things to be upset now and soon I won't need even a drop so really there is no need for him to know it would only make him all angry again…Please don't make me beg!" Flora pleaded her dark eyes wide with tears. "I have so little to hold on to as it is and I don't think our marriage can take much more."
"Flora it is for your own good, and Ellie's and Walters." Molly began sadly shaking her head.
"But what if I gave you my last bottle…You'll see it's practically full I have hardly touched a drop. Then if you kept it you would see I barely need it, that it couldn't harm anyone."
"Perhaps." Molly wavered unsure about just what she was committing herself to.
"Well if you did we could gradually bring my usage to a stop…I barely need it now so it wouldn't take long. Please Molly don't tell him."
For a moment Molly was torn, should she agree and risk Mr Jarvis finding out later or should she tell him now and risk destroying her friend's marriage for definite this time. She kept telling herself that if she did it wouldn't really be her fault, but deep down she knew that she wouldn't be able to shake the guilt aside and this time Flora would actually have a reason to blame her. "You promise to give me the bottle…And you won't get another or drink from it when I'm not around?"
"I promise…I swear to you!" Flora insisted a relived smile lighting her lovely face as she pulled her friend into a tight hug. "Thank you I swear you won't regret this."
"Well we shall see about that Mrs Corey." Molly replied formally as she pushed her friend away.
"You still haven't forgiven me have you?" Floras asked softly.
"I am not sure that I can." Molly replied bitterly. "We Adam's are a stubborn bunch and I trusted you and you let me down, worse than that you actually hurt me, really hurt me Flora."
"I can't do anything about that now Molly…" Flora replied softly. "I wish I could but I can't."
"I know." Molly admitted grudgingly. "I have missed you Flora."
"And I you…Emily has been driving me batty…Oh and if only I hadn't been so stupid and stubborn we wouldn't have missed out over these past months, there have been so many times when something has happened and I simply couldn't bare not being able to tell you. Walter well he is such a man sometimes and most of the jokes have been at his expense so I doubt he would have found them as amusing…Like the time he changed Ellie's first proper nappy, dear god I swear he turned green just at the sight of it let alone the smell, he left them to me after that!"
"Indeed I don't doubt it." Molly replied trying to keep the sly smile from twisting at her lips but failing miserably.
Seeing her friend cave Flora carried out determined. "Oh and then…Oh yes." She trailed off snorting in amusement at her own joke. "Well do you remember when little Phillip was still here…Well Walter and I got our wires crossed and he ended up waiting for me upstairs for a spot of 'Afternoon tea' only he didn't exactly what he bargained for as I was so rushed off my feet I sent his mother up instead…"
"So that was what that was all about!" Molly exclaimed chuckling as she gasped for breath.
"Yes and then…"
"Flora stop please I have to get started on my day. I wish I could stay but I have these things to clear and the maids to supervise and then those dratted books to go over, personally I have no idea how you coped, your husband despite his admirable qualities is a stickler for perfection!" Molly sighed as she got her feet and began to clear the table, smiling slightly in surprise as Flora helped her.
"Thank you." Molly added when the breakfast things were cleared away. "It's always nice to get some help."
"Well it was my fault you're running behind and talking of well help…Although you'd be helping me more than anything, why don't you let me look over those accounts, unless you really want to do it. It would give me something to do other than knit more baby clothes and beside Ellie is asleep and it would free you up for your other duties…"
"Believe me I am already sold on the idea!" Molly replied gratefully waving at the mountain of paperwork, books and invoices piled haphazardly on her desk. "If you can make head or tails out of that then I would be eternally grateful." She added before moving to the door.
"Oh and one more thing?" Flora asked waiting until her friend turned round an expectant look on her face. "I meant to ask you before and I still would like it ever so much if you would consent to be Ellie's other godmother?"
Touched Molly was stunned into silence.
"Unless of course you'd…"
"No I'd be honoured!" Molly cut in a soft smile gracing her face. "Thank you."
"No thank you…Thank you for everything!" Flora insisted crossing the room to wrap her arms round the housekeeper once more. "I don't deserve such a good friend I only hope I can one day prove worthy of your forgiveness!"
"Yes well…" Molly began tersely in her best Mr Jarvis impersonation so that it caused Flora to giggle. "We will have to see about that won't we!" She added flashing her friend a smile as she went to see about her duties.
Stepping over to her daughter's bassinette Flora leant over and stroked her baby soft cheek whispering. "One down only one more Ryan to win over and then everything will be perfect." Before turning and making a start on her work.
- - -
"This is bloody ridiculous. I wonder what his last slave died of, although that valet of his makes a damn good job of doing bugger all if he can help it." Joseph James muttered furiously under his breath as he marched into the footman's room and roughly pulled on his wig.
Fred, sat on the bench as he busily examined his stockings for imperfections, glanced up at his colleague and rolled his eyes at the back of his head. "I won't ask who you're talking about, and somehow I don't really want to know."
"Lord Montague 'I'm so nice it hurts' Hamilton-Hussey, that's who!" Joe spat indignantly, swinging towards the door.
"I said I didn't want to…"
"He's so nice to me and it pisses me off!"
Fred rose to his feet having had quite enough of Joe's recent moods. Ever since Lord Montague arrived back at Taplows the footman had been in such a foul mood he had been barely worth talking to but if they were to continue to work together Joe's jealousy had to stop. Right now. "He's nice to everyone, I've told you before, he's simply a nice bloke, Joe!"
"He's cheating on his wife, does THAT make him nice, eh, Fred!" Joe's chin began to tremble with pent-up anger. Everything had been going great with Molly while Lord Montague had been absent; they had read poetry together when they had a spare moment and sometimes they could talk about this and that for hours without His Lordship's name even being mentioned, but now he had returned she hadn't even so much as given Joe the time of day. It wasn't as if she was with Monty, it was more she was THINKING about being with him, and Joe simply didn't fit into her life when he was around. And, for that, Joe had grown to hate him.
"Oh come on!" Fred was saying, but Joe wasn't listening. "Everyone knows what Lady Francesca's like, all the men she's been with! Give the poor bloke a chance, he's got to get it from somewhere, like we all do. You've got to get over this, Joe. Whether Mrs Watson was bedding Lord Montague or not, you don't stand a chance with her. Why won't you just accept it, eh?"
Joe glanced away from Fred's condemning stare. "We connect…somehow it's right, when we're together. She doesn't need the likes of him!"
"Oh, but she needs the likes of you?" Fred raised his eyebrows. "Don't look at me like that, Joseph. What have you got to offer her that he doesn't? And don't say you understand her better, or any of that crap, because you don't know that, and don't say that you and her could get married when she and Lord Montague couldn't, because you know that's not the case either."
"And why not?" Joe snorted. He was going to be late for Monty and he didn't give a damn.
Fred sighed, both in pity and in frustration. Why was Joe being so blind about all of this? "You know why not. She's your superior for a start, and then there's the more obvious issue…"
"That shouldn't come into it and you know it!" Joe yelled, a little too loudly. "I love her, and that's all that matters! Am I condemned to a life of misery just because of the colour of my skin? I want to marry her one day!"
Suddenly Joe's eye caught sight of something small on the shelf inside his locker and he paused, muttering under his breath: "I WILL marry Molly Watson, I promise you."
Fred followed Joe's line of vision in horror until his own gaze fell upon the object. It was a small, black box – quite obviously a jewellery box – and Fred practically felt his heart sink into his highly polished shoes. "Oh Joe, tell me you haven't…"
"I've been saving up for months." Joe said softly and cautiously. "Haven't you been wondering why I've not been spending every spare shilling down the pub or on Rosie like the rest of you? Got a bargain on it in Tappleton."
"You idiot, Joseph James!" Fred hissed through gritted teeth, despairing at his friend's blatant stupid naivety. "She'll never say yes to you, she doesn't love you! Believe me, I know women, and just because one is nice to you, or smiles, doesn't mean they want to set up home with you! She's well out of your league, mate. Just ask Will, he'll tell you to stay well clear after what happened to him, I'm sure."
Joe took the box out of the locker and flipped the lid, smiling at the shining golden contents. Fred flew his arms up in despair. He wasn't listening to him; Joe obviously didn't care for his opinion and now he was going to get badly hurt, either emotionally by Molly or physically by Lord Montague if he found out Joe had been chasing his bit of skirt.
"She does love me, Fred, and you'll be bloody sorry when she agrees to run away with me; we'll go far away, Europe maybe, build a new life away from this shithole…."
"The only running away you're going to be doing, sonny, is running away from my fist as it comes flying towards yer face."
The two footman spun round at the sound of the depressingly familiar harsh Glasweigan brogue, Joe snapping the ring box shut and shoving it awkwardly behind his back.
"Mr Adams, we were just…"
"Being bone idle on His Lordship's time?" The under-butler grunted, taking a step closer, a wry smile across his lips. "And who's the unfortunate object of your affections, Mr James?"
Joe gulped. Hadn't he been there long enough to hear? It didn't appear so. "N…nobody, sir. We were talking…what's the word? Hypothetically."
"Oh, right." Adams nodded insincerely. "Then in that case you won't mind handing over that object in your hand to me then, will you?"
Joe frowned, twitching. "Oh that's nothing…"
Adams held his hand out in a demanding gesture and for a moment Joe considered not giving in. He had spent his hard earned money on a ring and Andrew Adams had no right to take it from him just to humiliate him. At the same time, it was more than his job was worth to take Adams to task, and the last thing Joe wanted was for everyone to know his secret.
A final, threatening stare caused Joe to cave and he smacked the small box into Adams' palm, his lips tightly pressed together to prevent any regrettable words from leaping from them.
"Thank you, Joseph." Adams smiled bitterly, opening the box. "My, my, very nice – very…expensive, I'm sure. You steal this or what?"
"No, I bought it, sir."
"Very strange thing to do, for a hypothetical woman, don't you think, Mr Matkin?" Adams raised his eyebrows as his gaze fell upon a silent Fred Matkin, who was busying himself with his stockings again.
Fred blinked in mock surprise. "Er, well, I dunno, Mr Adams to be honest. Joe can be a funny one sometimes."
"Well, maybe we should ask him again who the lady is." Adams growled in a threatening voice, closing the gap between himself and Joe. "Come on, Joseph, spill the beans. Who is she? Someone from town? A whore, perhaps? Or one of the maids here? You've got an abundance of arses – some nice, some not so nice - to choose from around here. Or maybe it's someone a little more senior than that?"
Joe felt his mouth dry up and his stomach churn uncomfortably. Oh God, he thought, Adams knows. "Really, Mr Adams, it's nobody of any interest." He blurted out as Fred deliberately kept his eyes down and focused on a minute hole in a stocking.
"Well, that's good to hear, Mr James. Because if I was to find out you were chasing somebody who was very much of consequence then I may have to intervene a little more than confiscating a ring. I am sure Mr Jarvis would be very interested to hear how you like to spend your wages. Follow Frederick's example – spend it on beer and women – paying out to use them, rather than to keep them, of course. Far less complicated."
He patted Joe on the arm a little more forcefully than was required for a friendly gesture, grinning coldly. "Right, now we have that sorted out, best get up to see Lord Montague. He'll be waiting."
Joe cast a furious glance at Fred, who had hardly supported his friend in his moment of need, before storming past the under-butler and the ring he had worked his socks off to buy for Molly. Turning his back on Fred, Adams stared down at the ring again with a wicked smile. It was indeed a beautiful ring, it would seem a shame to pawn it just to make some cash, and he had wanted to buy Rebecca something as a token of his love. What better than a formal proposal of marriage? She would be delighted; they had talked about it for a months, years almost, but he had never actually got down on bended knee. This ring was the perfect opportunity.
Chuckling to himself, he placed the box in his trouser pocket and sauntered along the corridor. He had killed two birds with one stone – acquired the perfect gift for Rebecca through no expense of his own while preventing Joe from making a fool of himself, and his sister. He had known of Joe's obsession with Molly for quite some time; the boy had made it perfectly obvious on more than one occasion. Molly was in enough mess already, not least because of the husband she had quite rightly escaped from was in fact very much alive. Joseph James had better watch his step.
Joe had never felt such anger in his whole life; not even the stares and haughty, disapproving sniffs of the bigots in Tappleton made him this enraged. Why was everyone against the happiness he sought with Molly Watson? True, she had never shown any interest in him in the sort of way he may have liked, but he supposed it was because of the prejudice they would face. Or, maybe it was worse; she no longer loved Lord Montague but he was such a powerful man now she didn't know how to get out of it.
"Don't do it, mate. I've been there, done that, and believe me it never works out." Will had told him with an air of finality. Joe didn't care; this time it was different, he was sure.
Marching through the servants quarters, slightly amused through his anger that he was running late, he caught sight of the day's post strewn across the table. Sighing he scooped it up; Johnny was being so forgetful and careless lately and Joe felt it certainly wasn't he job to clean up after him. With a quick glance around the deserted room, he then idly flipped through the letters – four of them were for Jarvis, one for Kraus and two for Molly. One of them looked ordinary and business-like enough; the other…the handwriting on the envelope was sloppy, as if written in a hurry, and the scruffy penmanship had caused the ink to go blotchy. Joe wasn't sure why, but something deep inside him told him he had to read the letter. It was unusual, it was…personal. A friend, maybe? A lover perhaps? Holding it up to a lamp he squinted to see if any words were visible through the envelope but to his disappointment he couldn't see a thing. If he was going to do anything, it would have to be now.
Luckily not a soul was in sight. Hurriedly he heated a knife over a candle flame then set to work, carefully running it under the wax seal so not to break it. His heart was thumping in his chest; he was late for Lord Montague and any moment now either Jarvis would come searching for him or the bell would sound. But, when he began to read the short but shocking letter, Lord Montague and the butler were the furthest people from his mind.
My dearest Molly,
I hope you are well, my dear, it has been a long time. It is so terrible that I write to you with bad tidings and I am not quite sure how I should say it but I feel it my duty to tell you. Henry has discovered where you now reside through means that I have no idea, but I have heard he has vowed to come for you.
We have been friends for a long time, Molly, and I am suddenly afraid for you. Henry is angry, even more angry than when he did those awful things to you. I couldn't stand by and not tell you, although by the time you receive this letter he may be on his way to Taplows.
I am sorry for the rushed nature of this letter, and I hope to write again under more favourable circumstances with news of how my family is faring.
Please take care and do whatever you need to do to keep safe.
All my love, your ever faithful friend,
Frances
Joe lowered the letter, panic rising in his chest. Henry? Wasn't that the name of Molly's dead husband? But if he were dead then how could he come looking for her? There was only one conclusion – she had lied. Joe didn't feel anger, more confusion. She must have had a good reason to abandon her husband then lie about his death; maybe Mr Adams knew he was still alive too? So many questions swam around Joe's head as he stuffed the letter back inside with a shaking hand and resealed the envelope, but then he found himself with a dilemma. Should he put the letter back in the pile, letting Molly see it and causing her upset and worry, or should he bite the bullet, admit to Adams he had read Molly's letter and show him the contents? No, he decided, that would be foolish. It would be best to make sure Molly received the letter, if she didn't wish her brother to know about it then he would have to respect that. Maybe this could give Joe the opportunity to show to Molly just how much he cared about her, that he was willing to stand up to her husband and fight him for her. He couldn't bear the thought of any man harming a hair on her pretty head, so he vowed to be ready for Henry Watson should he show up.
Quickly he placed the letter back on the table and shuffled it amongst the others, knowing that if he didn't get a move on even 'nice' Lord Monty wouldn't stop short of giving him a bollocking. Joe's engagement plans may have been on hold, but certainly not forever.
- - -
"He is a bloody idiot!" Will snorted as he spat on his leather shoes, glaring down into their dull depths as if the answer to Joe's stupidity could lay in them.
"You don't have to tell me that Mate." Fred retorted as he stretched out the kinks in his back.
"He's only going to get his heart broken…"
"And other things if Adams gets wind of it!" Fred snorted shaking his head.
"There are worse things than getting a thrashing Fred." Will countered softly staring somewhat off into the distance a thoughtful look on his handsome face.
"Yeah well but it's not like he is going to get anything for his troubles either, I mean at least you got a bit…" Fred trailed off as he caught sight of the furious look Will shot him. "Sorry but well at least you had done something worth a thrashing. Joe hasn't got a chance in hell and he'll still end getting an Adam's special and worse beside. All bloody women are more trouble than they are worth but some are a damn sight worse than others…" He trailed off warily as the footman's door opened, afraid that it might be the ever present Andrew Adams, and only slightly relieved when it wasn't as in strode an immaculate Charles Lewis.
"Frederick why aren't you tending Lady Mary?" The blonde youth snapped his livery pressed and shining putting the other two lads to shame.
"Joe's doing it." Fred huffed, trying to maintain a civil front but barely concealing his contempt for the newest footman who had been promoted over him.
"Well I fail to see how he can be in two places at once and one of those was nowhere near her ladyship and besides I distinctly remember Mr Jarvis gave you that duty this morning as Joseph had her yesterday." Charles countered confidently, a slight smile pulling at his lips.
"Well we swapped, besides if you're not busy why can't you do it?...Oh yes I forgot you prefer not to!" Fred gasped in exasperation slamming down the silver teapot he was polishing with such force that the spout gained a new interesting bend to the tip. "It'll bend back…I just need to…" The footman began hastily as he foresaw his wages trickling down the drain.
"No you just need to do nothing, such items require care and attention and a craftsman and not some clumsy oaf of a footman." Charles retorted. "I am sure Mr Adams will be delighted to dock the cost out of your wages."
"Now come on Charlie, you know how these things work." Will suddenly spoke up causing the younger lad to whirl round not realising the first footman had been hiding away in the corner. "There is a code see…Us against the management, and well we've been tolerant so far of you but there are some lines you just don't cross and dobbing in a mate is one of them! Fred will just bend it back…See there is no dents or nothing that needs hammering and no one will be any the wiser."
Folding his arms across his chest Charlie raised an eyebrow as if considering Will's words. "So you want me to lie to save your sorry useless hides is that it?"
Shaking his head in frustration Will flung his dirty polishing cloth down on the table. "No we're just asking to forget see…Not lying just forgetting the truth."
"Lying by Omission is still lying!" Charles retorted pompously before turning on his heel and striding out the door. "Oh and Fred Lady Mary in five minutes or I will have several things to talk to Mr Jarvis about."
"That bloody, pompous…" Fred hissed, clenching his fist together in order to stop himself from going after the 2nd footman and beating some sense into him. "He needs a kick up his catholic arse…'Lying by omission is still lying'." Fred added in his best weaseley Charles impression.
"No…" Will countered. "No he needs something far more effective, we need to humiliate him good and proper show him up in front of the one person whose good opinion means the most Mr Jarvis."
"Yeah but how?" Fred asked genuinely interested as Will favoured him with a conspiratorial grin.
"I don't know yet but I don't see why until we do we can't make his life a living nightmare?"
"Well count me in." Fred insisted. "Do you think we should tell Joe…I mean you know how he has been recently, a bit funny in the head; do you think we can trust him?"
"We'll wait and see." Will replied finally happy with the shine on his house shoes. "Well one of us had better go see to her ladyship…Although these days I'm not sure who is worse her or Mrs Diggins!"
"Yeah well…Oh mate you do realise she's only one of the senior ladies who hasn't had a footman trying to get into her knickers, who knows perhaps Charlie will be her lucky man!"
"Mate you're a bloody genius!" Will exclaimed whirling round his eyes bright with mischief.
"I am?" Fred asked confusion clear in his expression.
"That's what will teach Mr High and Mighty to keep his pointed nose out of our business!"
"What is?" Fred countered.
Smiling evilly Will leant forward and muttered softly. "I think it's time to play cupid between a certain lovelorn lady's maid and one rather prissy footman."
- - - -
"I never considered this would happen to me…that I would find a man who would care for me as much as Frank has since I told him about the baby," Grace smiled, with a gooey expression on her face.
"Well I don't exactly know Frank very well but he sounds like an impressive chap to me,"
Lizzie muttered disdainfully, although Grace was too far away in her perfect little world to notice the sarcasm in her voice. "What man who thrashes his partner around wouldn't be a stand-up guy?" she added bitterly, under a breath.
"Huh?" Grace beamed at her as she snapped out of her day dream.
"What man who can keep Lord Julian under control wouldn't be a stand-up guy?" Lizzie quickly covered herself.
"He is quite the man…" Grace replied, her eyes melting once more as she spoke.
Lizzie rolled her eyes as she returned to her sewing. What was with this girl? Why had she so easily fallen under Frank Keneally deceptiveness?…again! Lizzie feared this would end the identical way it did last time, except maybe this time Grace wouldn't leave the fray as unscarred as the time before, because this time she didn't have George to fall back on.
Well that is what Lizzie thought away… Little did she know George was agitatedly waiting not far across the grounds for any sign that Grace was in need of help or protection. He would gladly give himself and his hiding place away to defend her.
"So when are you planning on leaving?" Lizzie ventured. She loved Grace to pieces and even though she wasn't about to reprimand Grace for being so stupid as to fall for Frank for a second time, she knew she wouldn't be able to get a peaceful nights sleep until she knew she would be safe with Frank.
"In a month or so. Frank has to alert his family to our coming and we wish to receive a month or so more wages before we leave, I won't be showing for a while yet so there is no harm in that. Which means you better keep this under your bonnet."
Lizzie nodded in assurance. "Perhaps a good meal or so before you leave will help you put some of the weight back on I've noticed you've lost…I'm incredibly jealous!"
"Don't be," Grace replied softly, her genuine smile now fading into a feigned one. If Lizzie only knew what she'd been going through…the many thrown punches… But that was all behind her now. A few hearty meals and she'd soon put on the weight she'd lost during her mistreatment. "So…was it nice to go back up North for a few months?"
"Yes it was…great." Now it was Lizzie's turn to wear the phoney smile.
"And…have you spoken to Will since you've been back?" Grace giggled nudging her slightly.
"The odd passing comment on the corridor but I've simply not had the time so far for a decent length conversation with anyone, you know how busy I've been what with Hugo and everything," Lizzie replied, before hurriedly adding, "but enough about me… what do you want, a girl or a boy?"
"A girl of course!" Grace exclaimed, quite happy to change the conversation back to talking about the baby. "Some little darling I can dress in pink and who's hair I can plait. Haven't you seen how adorable Ellie is?"
"You're right, she's a little cutie," Lizzie sighed, all this talk about babies and spending so much time with Hugo certainly wasn't doing her any good. The last thing she needed at the moment was all these broody emotions, her mind was disorientated enough.
"Just think…" Grace beamed at her. "It'll be your turn soon. You know I was surprised when you came back down here. Haven't you got your wedding date set yet?"
Lizzie started, jerking out of her thoughts. "Well I could hardly leave Rebecca at the moment, not when she needs me so much."
"Really?" Grace asks, raising her eyebrow in disbelief. Why did she get the feeling this had something to do with Mr Forest.
To her surprise the very person on her mind walked in at that very second. He scanned the room for Grace, shrinking back awkwardly as he saw Lizzie with her. "I-Errr…can I borrow some writing paper?"
Nodding Grace looked from the fidgeting Will to the flushed looking Liz who was concentrating on her shoes. Will had tried to catch up with Lizzie on the day she'd walked into Flora's office to find the two of them rolling around on the floor. She'd purposely been avoiding him though and she'd done a great job of it. He'd not been able to find her at all until it was too late.
Now months on the two could only glance at each other without cringing and turning away. Whatever chance Will had thought the two of them had together was now definitely over without question.
- - - -
"Oh how about…Your lovely big round arse!" Fred snorted in amusement as he downed the last of his beer.
"Fred I have told you a hundred times, she has to like it and beside arse doesn't rhyme properly." Will muttered his eyes narrowing as he scanned the few meagre lines they had managed to pen through the soft alcoholic haze that clouded his mind.
"Look mate it doesn't have to be Shakespeare most of the lasses just appreciate the effort." Fred insisted thumping his tankard down on the grotty pub bench. "Now don't you think we should be heading back it's getting late and you know how Adams gets he'll take great delight in shutting us out and letting us sleep in the stables with the other animals!"
"Yeah I know." Will replied sadly folding up his few sheets of purloined note paper and shoving them into his pocket as they left the pub. "We'll only be home just in time anyway, we'll finish it tomorrow while Joe is off mooning over his ladylove and Charlie has his nose stuffed firmly up Jarvis's arse!"
"Yeah its no wonder Mrs Ryan hasn't got jealous!" Fred spluttered giggling madly. "Oh well perhaps she don't mind as long as someone is keeping him busy?"
"Mrs Corey." Will muttered. "It's Mrs Corey you idiot."
"Yeah fine mate keep your wig on! Jesus you say one little thing and…" Fred added throwing his hands up in a dramatic fashion. "Sometimes I can't tell the difference between you and Joe, I at least thought you had got your head straight!
"I have…It's just you don't have any right to bad mouth Flora and beside I'm not wearing me wig you brain-dead fool." Will snapped testily roughing up his brown fringe so as to emphasis his point.
"Err who you calling a fool…You old maid loving poncy mommer's boy!"
"What did you call me GIRLY BOY?" Will hissed clenching his fists together as he eyed up the bulkier footman for a moment looking like he would pounce and pull the other footman's head off. But then Fred who despite the copious amounts of beer he had consumed still had a shred of sense left in him backed off.
"Look alright sorry mate…" He added still holding out his hands to ward the first footman off. "I didn't mean it, it was a mistake I mean we all make them."
"Yeah some of us more than others." Will retorted bitterly but backing down his attention drawn to the stage coach that had finally arrived dropping off it's weary patrons by the public house.
"Look I said I was sorry lets just drop it…I promise not to mention a certain person again if you'll take that rod out of your backside!" Fred insisted before turning and storming off leaving Will to brood in the courtyard.
"Well Fine I I'll take the rod out of my arse If you stop thinking with YOUR DICK long enough to string a sentence together!" Will called out after him.
"Charming." A sarcastic voice sneered deliberately loud enough for them to overhear. "Such quaint local sayings I am sure your daughter has picked up!" It added as the footman whirled round. "You boy my bags and be quick about it!"
"Carry it your bloody self I ain't your lackey!" Will exclaimed angrily shoving his hands in his pockets as he barged past the old goat who had addressed him, deliberately shoving his shoulder against him as he went.
"How DARE YOU speak to me in such a manner! I demand an apology"
"I'll speak to you any way I like you old piss pot I don't bloody work here!" Will added calling over his shoulder, speaking nice and slowly as if talking to some demented idiot. "Alright Grandad?"
"Bring him back here!"
"Ehhh Let Go!" Will snapped when a pair of strong hands clasped on his shoulders and dragged him backwards. "I haven't done anything wrong why don't you just piss off?"
"Your mother should have washed that filthy mouth out with soap years ago…Shame it is so late but perhaps a sharp lesson will set you straight young man…Over to the trough with him."
"My dear perhaps we shouldn't…" A timid a somewhat nervy voice spoke up but was immediately shushed by the old man.
"Don't interfere wife, why don't you do something useful and see about our rooms for the night…Well now woman!" He bellowed and the little old lady who was obviously his wife scampered in doors as if her very life depended on it. "Now where were we…"
With his hands rammed up behind his back Will struggled against the stronger man holding him watching as the old goat strode up to them, his cane deliberately smacking against the cobbles. "We're going to wash those filthy words away…Dunk him!"
"You are sick!" Will gasped as he managed to resist their attempts to force him to his knees. "Just who the hell do you think you are?"
"I know very well who I am boy…" He replied raising his cane and bringing it down firmly across Will's shins so he buckled to his knees. "I'm the man who is going to teach you a valuable lesson…Respect for your elders!" And with that he leant forward and grasped Will firmly by the hair dunking him face first into the murky water of the horse trough.
Panicking Will tried to hold his breath and struggle free but the two men kept a strong hold on him, but finally the burning in his lungs grew too strong and impulse to breathe too great and he drew in a gulp of water; his fight with his assailants now very real as he began to drown. Then suddenly the fingers in his hair tightened as he was drawn gasping and choking out of the water.
"Had enough Boy?"
"You stinking Bastard!" Will spluttered coughing up the water from his lungs his long fringe now matted in his eyes along with the slime from the day's countless passing horses.
"Oh I don't think he has! Such a shame down we go then." The Old goat hissed before plunging the footman's head back into the water.
This time Will barely had time to take half a breath and so moments after being submerged he was once more gasping for breath, his stomach churning as he took down lungful of the pungent smelling water. It was becoming more and more difficult to keep fighting and remain awake but then once he had stopped the pressure from his back suddenly lifted until all there was keeping him down was the old man's hand on his head. Then abruptly that was lifted too and he was dragged from the water and left to slump on the muddy cobbles. His vision and hearing hazy as he struggled to cough up the water unable to draw in much air he lay winded and helpless on the ground shivering in the cold winter air.
"Sorry now aren't you boy." A malicious voice hissed near his ear before the sound of the cane clipping against the cobbles receded and he would have though himself alone but for the lingering presence of his other attacker who had retreated back into the shadows.
"Not going to finish the job?" Will hissed when he had the breath. "Or is that the point perhaps you've been told to follow me home and make sure I end up in the river of something?" But there was still no answer from the shadows although Will could see them shift. "Well go on…It's not like I am any threat and isn't that how you people prefer it? Two on one? Kicking a man when he is down and defenceless…You're a bloody shameless coward!"
"I am sorry." A soft cultured voice echoed from the shadows. "If there is anything I can do."
"Bit bloody late for sorry now isn't it mate." Will retorted levering himself to his feet his legs still aching from the blow the old man's cane had delivered right at the base of his knee caps.
"And there is nothing you can do apart from leave me alone, I'll be in enough trouble because of you as it is." He added hobbling round and setting out for home and so missing a troubled Ardal Ryan step out of the shadows.
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