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.

4. Episode 4

There was a definite bite to the air this morning Jarvis concluded as he strode purposefully around his domain, but surely he would be used to that coming from Ireland so there could hardly be any complaints about that? Jarvis snorted to himself, before frowning at one of Mrs Watson's scullery maids as she seemed not to be putting 100 into her floor scrubbing.

"Start again Miss from scratch!" He snapped as he strode past the startled girl, not even favouring her with a backward glance on the way to his office; didn't these fools realise everything had to be perfect over the next few days? Then for the umpteenth time that morning he reached into his waistcoat pulling out his beloved pocket watch, staring as the minute hand seemed to move laboriously round, how long did he have left before he arrived?

An hour at least, time to get some of his onerous paperwork out of the way so he could be free to spend at least a little quality time with his new brother-in-law, after all it would hardly go down well if he disappeared into his office the moment the chap arrived, nor would his wife be likely to forgive him either.

What kind of man would this Ryan chap be? Flora seemed to be particularly close to her brother of all her siblings, so his opinion would no doubt be of consequence to her and so he had better make the right sort of first impression. But how to do it? What type of man was he? Serious and straight-laced, intelligent and companionable, or heaven forbid a pompous fool much like that bloody Prothero? Well either way he had better not let on to Flora of any distaste on his part, after all he knew only to well that family was family and despite faults tended to stick together through hell and high water!

Disturbed from his thoughts by a gentle tapping, the butler glanced up from his open book of figures and smiled at seeing his somewhat nervous looking wife cradling their gurgling infant daughter. Waving them inside he shut his paperwork with a snap, not forgetting a certain promise he had made to make more time for his family, after all he owed them more than he ever could his lordship.

"What can I do for you my dears?" Walter asked indulgently as his wife settled herself down in one of the warm comfortable seats by the fireside.

"Oh I just wanted to check that everything was going according to plan, has my brother's room been finished I did so want to cut some flowers to put in it but I don't want to take Ellie out in this bitter cold…" She trailed off her obvious request dieing on her lips at the sight of the mountain of paperwork set before her husband.

"I can look after our daughter for a few minutes if that is all you will require." Walter cut in earning him such a delighted smile that he considered offering to take her for longer just to keep such a look of delight on his beloved's face, it had been too long since he had seen her seem so much like her old self and he was anxious to encourage that as much as possible.

"Oh would you!" Flora answered quickly getting to her feet and passing her daughter over to her father's firm yet tender embrace. "I won't be more then ten minutes, I know you must have lots to do but I just wanted to place some personal touch in there…"

"Yes yes I know you harridan, now be off with you before I change my mind!" Jarvis chuckled jovially. "I'll be timing you, just so you know…No gossiping with Felix, you know I'll find out…" He added teasingly.

"Really Mr Corey as if I would do such a thing!" Flora exclaimed playfully before leaning down and catching her surprised husband with a tender peck on the lips, pulling away she couldn't resist smoothing down his hair, smiling at his clearly stunned expression. "What?"

"I love you Mrs Corey, don't you ever forget that." Walter replied suddenly serious, such a depth of emotion in his eyes that it verily took her breath away.

"I won't…I promise." Flora muttered softly leaning down once more, this time deepening the initial brush of their lips, closing her eyes as her husband took the advantage and kissed her back enthusiastically.

"I've missed that." Walter whispered as she pulled away a certain naughty twinkle returning to his eye as he stroked her cheek gently. "I've missed you Flora."

"And I you…But lets not dwell on it, I'll be back in a few minutes after all." She added cheekily heading towards the door leaving the butler to scowl playfully after her before turning his attention to his daughter who seemed to have woken and was now trying to grasp the spectacles from the end of his nose.

-- - - -

An hour later and the Corey family had quickly gathered in the servants courtyard, even Emily had managed to scurry along from whatever corner of the house she had been hiding in for the morning once the word had spread that a carriage had been spotted on the hillside.

"Well is he here yet?" Emily wheezed as she leant against the courtyard wall trying to keep out of the freezing wind that cut through the archways causing everyone to shiver.

"No not yet, any minute now though!" Flora replied excitedly, and Emily couldn't resist smiling indulgently at her daughter-in-law, she found it hard to imagine being separated from her family so to see them as rarely as Flora did appeared an impossibility from where Emily was standing.

"Now calm yourself my darling." Walter cut in, deliberately wrapping his arm possessively round his wife's waist and pulling her surprisingly close to him for in company, and once more Emily had to stop from smiling, at least something's were finally returning to normal.

"Yes but Walter Árdal is always so punctual…And it has been so long since I have seen him, not since I started at Taplows at least." Flora retorted impatiently, but instead of pulling away she nuzzled deeper into her husband's warm embrace, trying to shield herself from the wintry breeze. "I wonder if he has grown very much?"

"Flora he is a grown man by now." Walter cautioned, not wanting her to be totally surprised by what he was sure would be a huge shock for both siblings. "You cannot expect him to be the same boy you left in short trousers…"

But whatever Flora was going to say in reply was cut off by the clatter of horse hooves and carriage wheels over cobbles. Coming to a standstill the door slowly opened and out stepped a young man, who even though Walter had never set eyes on him before he knew instantly this was his wife's brother, the dark hair yet fair skin and those signature Ryan eyes were a sure give away.

"Árdal!" Flora exclaimed happily flying across to embrace her stunned brother. "I am so happy to see you…"

"Flora by god you've changed…"

"There is no need to take our lord's name in vain." A sharp and somewhat nasal voice rasped from in the darkness of the carriage and for a moment Walter could have sworn he saw his wife turn deathly pale. "Well isn't anyone going offer an old man a helping hand?"

Then as Flora drew back to his side Walter watched as his brother-in-law stepped back to the carriage, extending his hand to assist down an elderly but far from feeble looking old man.

"Well girl no such warm welcome for your step father?" The Old man snapped his eyes racking far to freely for Walter's liking over Flora's features and he could have sworn he detected a slight shiver from his wife as she stepped forward and placed the customary kiss on his wrinkled cheek. "Mr Gilroy Sir, we were not expecting you that is all…" Flora began to mumble before her eyes widened as the last occupant was helped down. "Mother…"

"Flora my sweet." The lady in question muttered before enfolding her eldest in a tight hug. "Oh my you've only grown more beautiful…Hasn't she Árdal? Married life must agree with you…Oh and is this your husband?"

"Walter Corey Ma'am." Jarvis replied courteously, years of subservience and training coming into play as he nodded respectfully. "It is an unexpected pleasure, we were led to believe only my wife's dear brother would be visiting…"

"Not putting you out I hope?" The older gentleman cut in acidly and for a moment the butler struggled to suppress his instinctive dislike for the man.

"No not at all…But perhaps it would better to continue introductions in doors, it is getting somewhat biting…" Jarvis replied offering both his wife and his new mother-in-law his arms to escort them inside, but despite the cold as he took Flora's elbow he could have sworn she shuddered for reasons other than the weather.

-- - --

Sitting finally alone after a week of enforced familiarity Ardal turned to his neatly packed case, running his fingers across the battered leather and the faded initials that were the only remaining clue of his real father existence.

'You would not have approved of such trickery Father.'

He mused to himself recalling the look on his sisters face mere hours before as she caught sight of her uninvited guests. He had never asked what that monster had done to Flora that made her appear faint in his presence. Perhaps he was too cowardly, fearful of learning something too horrible that would brook the last of his restraint which kept him from dealing with that man. After all he knew enough from his own experience.

Distracting himself Ardal turned to slowly unpacked his processions, neatly setting out the carefully pressed clothes as was his custom before noticing the vase of cut roses. They had to be from Flora, so she still remembered even after all this time how much he loved beautiful things around him, he often supposed it was both his gift and his curse this inexhaustible desire to possess things of outstanding natural beauty.

Glancing quickly in the mirror for he would not stay long…Vanity was his greatest sin according to his step-father and it would not do well to pander to it, but even so he could not prevent the flicker of a smile as he took in his appearance. Then in a moment of spontaneity he picked up one of the smaller cream rose buds and fashioned himself a button hole before heading down to dinner.

- - - -

Dammit why here of all places?

Finding his room in a hurry Ardal could only begin to breath again once he felt the solid wood close behind him and he could lean against it for reassurance.

Dinner had started so well his new brother-in-law had proven himself a well travelled man of wit and peculiar tolerance and Ardal had not found it hard to warm to the man, of course it had helped that Walter was clearly besotted with his sister. He had never seen a couple so in tune with one another, not that he had much to compare them to as his own frame of reference was decidedly skewed considering the couple he had as an example.

He had sensed his sister was on edge but then so had her husband and it gratified Ardal to see how instinctively the butler drew his wife closer for protection, leaning subtly towards her or laying a guiding hand on her elbow. For a moment he was almost envious that Flora had been lucky enough to find someone to love who could offer their support with suffocating their partner with affection.

And to think that he had actually began to relax, pretending that the odious old man was to far away to rebuke their playful chatter and then that vision of sin and loveliness had entered and his cheerful mood vanished like the morning mist on a summer's day. How the old bastard had known was beyond him, or perhaps it was Ardal's own tortured mind that jumped automatically to that conclusion but he could have sworn that the old git had deliberately caught his eye and given him a warning smirk.

He had retreated into himself after that, remembering to answer every question politely but briefly until he could escape back to the safety of his own room and purge himself of such sinful urges. After all if he did not then it would not be long before the old bastard did it on his own behalf, it was for his own good, to save his soul from eternal damnation in the far reaches of hell. Lust was a deadly sin just like his vanity and pride perhaps that was why he deserved so suffer so much in order to compensate for his tarnished soul?

It was a good job he had packed it after all and he had managed to go so long without wearing it, longer than he ever had before. Reaching into the bottom of his case he pulled out the rough coarse hair shirt and unbuttoning his crisp linen one slipped the abrasive shirt over his muscular frame before covering it with his night shirt; then retrieving his rosary beads from their place of reverence on the bedside table he began to pray for his condemned soul.

- - - -

It was after dinner, when the gentlemen had retired to play billiards and drink brandy, that Lady Francesca saw her chance. The banal chit-chat of Lady Caroline, moaning about her tiresome husband, was enough to make Franny feign a yawn and haul her frame from her chair. An early night was what was required, with a short detour past her sister's room. There was nothing quite like a heart-to-heart amongst siblings who obviously were very in tune with each other's feelings, Franny thought with a small smile as she swept her skirts out of the drawing room and towards the main staircase.

As she worked out just how she was going to phrase what she had to say, with a wonderful feeling of glee consuming her, Franny barely noticed the servant moving swiftly yet silently behind her as she hiked up her dress and tip-toed up the stairs. It wasn't until she reached the top, muttering to herself under her breath, that she was jolted from her thoughts with a pair of hands flying up to her eyes and pulling her backwards.

"Guess who?" A voice whispered with a small laugh before Franny could scream in shock. "It's certainly been a while, my Lady."

Franny wriggled in panic. "What the hell d'you think you're doing, Keneally!" She retorted harshly – anybody could be watching!

"My, you do smell fantastic." Frank kept a tight hold on Franny's waist, glancing around furtively. "Just as good as I remember, and believe me I can remember an awful lot about you – Lady Francesca."

"Let me go!" Using all her strength Franny forced Frank's arms from her waist and spun round on her heel to see an incredibly smug valet grinning at her, his slim pale face lit up as he studied her body, a lustful glint in his eye.

Stepping forward, Frank leant against the banister and watched Franny's discomfort with relish. "How's my little son, then? Can't keep away from him, can you?"

"Keep your bloody voice down, Frank, are you mad! If anyone hears you saying such – such…!"

"Well it's the truth, isn't it?" Frank asked smoothly. "I mean, he even looks like me, Francesca. People will but two and two together and some will even come up with four. He's blond, with the Keneally nose…"

"Stop!" Franny spat in fury, looking over her shoulder, but her worry only caused Frank to look even more pleased with himself. With a grunt he moved close to her and ran his finger down her exposed neck to her collar.

"He's going to be a good-looking lad, just like his daddy." Frank muttered quietly, his cold blue eyes locking firmly with Franny's. He had her just where he wanted her. "He's going to be the best of your bastard bunch, that's for sure. Oh don't look so worried, Franny my dear, I'm not about to storm up to that poor sod of a husband of yours and threaten to ruin his career, I couldn't be arsed with all that nonsense for a start."

Franny tried desperately to look away but she was shocked and disgusted to find herself just as captivated with him as she always was. The servant was pressing himself into her and she could feel his warmth radiating through her dress and bodice so her skin formed tiny goose bumps. "Then what the hell do you want!" She said unconvincingly, her voice cracking.

"Isn't it obvious?" A sly, naughty smile spread itself across Frank's thin lips before brushing them delicately against Franny's cheek. "Let me into your boudoir and I'll demonstrate."

Franny gasped, grabbing his hands and forcing them away from her before he could become too adventurous. If Monty caught her then that would be her last chance done with, but that thought alone couldn't give her the will-power to fend off Frank's less than unwelcome advances for long. Seemingly without a care, he forced his lips onto hers and kissed her desperately, as though they were long lost lovers rather than two people who had had a fling but continuously despised each other. Franny caved immediately, kissing him back and feeling her way around the familiar mouth she hadn't kissed in months while his hands worked their way slowly back to her body.

"Frank, we mustn't…" Lady Francesca tore herself away from him but the valet lunged at her again, pushing her up against the nearest available wall. They could hear chattering and laughter coming from downstairs, but it was firmly shut away behind closed doors. Nobody cared what Franny was doing, let alone her husband – as long as she was being faithful, of course.

Frank breathed heavily, smothering Franny until she felt mildly claustrophobic, but it was his next remark which got her thinking. Had he slipped up?

"I'd do you right here, right now if I knew I'd get away with it, Francesca." Frank gasped, a sudden frantic edge to his tone. "I know it's been a while but the more I think about it the more I know I want you back in my life, I've missed you, I want you and our son…"

With an exhausting heave Franny pushed the valet away forcefully so he fell backwards, the seductive smile replaced with panic. "You can get that out of your great thick head for a start! Who've you been taking lessons from, Andrew bloody Adams!"

Frank threw his hands up in despair. "I just want to spend some time with the lad, is that too much to ask? Even from you?"

"Yes it damn well is, Mr Keneally!" Franny spat furiously, keeping mind to lower her voice. "You stay away from Oliver, d'you hear? Monty is his father!"

"Bullshit!" Frank scoffed, in a purposefully loud voice. "I remember when you told me, in the Orangery, all with your knickers in a twist because you had missed your 'monthly annoyance', or whatever you call it! You hadn't so much as shared a piece of soap with His Lordship in a very long time, so don't give me that crap about Oliver's parentage!"

"You know and I know, Frank, even Monty knows, but to everyone else the boy is his!" Franny snorted, edging down the hallway. Anybody could be just around the corner, listening in, but Frank just wouldn't let it go. He and she were far too alike and Franny hated him for it.

Frank folded his arms, a new fire burning in his eyes. "So who is it to protect then? Monty? I don't think so! The boy? I doubt it very much! It's to protect YOU and you alone, bugger everyone else!"

"Like I say, Frank, stay away from Oliver!"

"Why should I? The poor kid needs some attention from a loving parent, 'cos he ain't gonna get it from you now is he?" Frank sneered, his expression menacing. For the first time Franny could remember, she actually felt frightened of him. It was also the first time she was actually glad to see her sister, who appeared at her bedroom door at the sound of raised voices.

Frank brushed himself down and began to back away, his wide eyes darting from one woman to the other. Rebecca could never look at the valet, who in her opinion should have been thrown out on his ear months ago, without the reminder of that awful night when he held her down on her own bed as she pleaded for mercy. Her blood ran cold and she glanced back into the bedroom where baby Hugo gurgled for his feed, blissfully unaware there could be such evil in the world.

However Frank, realising he was outnumbered, merely grunted and turned on his heel without even catching Franny's eye. He knew it would be easy to get to see Oliver one day soon, all he would have to do was to woo the nanny, get her away from the child so he could just have a closer peek. He was curious, what was wrong with that? And Grace, and Francesca, would never have to know.

"Are you retiring for the night, dear sister?" Rebecca asked coldly once Frank had disappeared, returning to her room and scooping up Hugo.

Sauntering in after her, Franny smiled falsely and sat down on Rebecca's bed. "I thought I would just say goodnight and compliment you on how you are bringing up Hugo."

"Well I suppose there is a first time for everything." Rebecca muttered, settling down into her favoured chair and discreetly latching Hugo onto her. She kissed her son on his forehead and began to ignore Franny, who glared at her impatiently. Nevertheless, she kept her voice calm, if a little vindictive.

"So you must be happy to be back at Taplows." She said flatly. "Nice to have the baby's father around."

"Not that you would know anything about that." Rebecca said spitefully, but keeping her eyes down on the task in hand. "Was there something else you wanted?"

"Just because you're down here doesn't mean that you can just pretend a certain gentleman doesn't exist, Becca." Franny gloated, grinning. Rebecca's head shot up and she stared at her sister furiously, her pale cheeks flushing scarlet.

"We are merely friends, but I doubt you would understand such a concept!" She hissed, but Hugo began to wriggle in her arms sensing his mother's discomfort.

Franny shrugged and elicited a disbelieving noise. "So have you told your servant lover about him, then? You and your FRIEND? He has been courting you and you have been stringing him along as he runs about after you, bending to your every whim…."

"Francesca, stop!" Lady Rebecca demanded, rocking Hugo until he began to settle again. "You don't know what you're talking about!"

Franny moved away from the bed and towered above her seated sister, her hands on her hips and her eyes ablaze. "I have eyes in my head, I admit I'm experienced enough to notice a man's interest in a woman and for some Godforsaken reason he's decided to choose a brazen hussy like you so you should be grateful someone is willing to marry you and treat Hugo as his own!" She hissed through gritted teeth, but Rebecca appeared unmoved.

"I will not be forced into anything, dear sister….."

"Admit it, you have feelings for him! He's wealthy, he's good looking, far more your age than that old under-butler!" Franny pushed her finger under Rebecca's chin and forced her head back up so she would look at her. "For once I am thinking of your welfare, if you remain unmarried then you will die and old maid with nobody to love you, nobody to care!"

"Are you sure that is me you're talking about, or is it you, darling Francesca!" Rebecca raised an eyebrow accusingly and Franny froze. "Aren't you just worried that Monty will abandon you, go off to London and forget all about you, for good enough reasons, so you'll end up lonely and nobody to care about YOU!"

"Oh I wondered when you would bring our beloved Montgomery into this! It's always him isn't it?" Franny sneered, pulling away as Rebecca lifted Hugo, a little roughly, and patted his back. Lizzie was hovering by the door, peering reluctantly round it, but when Franny turned and glared at the maid she gulped and made her excuse to leave. If her mistress needed help with Master Hugo then she would have to wait – Lady Francesca's stony expression was far too threatening.

Rebecca wasn't simply frustrated by her sister – Hugo was refusing his feed, probably through her own bad temper, so she placed him back in his cradle where he began to cry "Franny that was years ago, forgotten about, you know that!"

"Well you may have forgotten but to me it is as if it were yesterday." Franny responded, but her tone was sad rather than spiteful. "But Monty still loves me, I know he does."

"He must do, more than you deserve, considering what you've put him through over the years! Oliver belongs to Frank Keneally, doesn't he? You'll never give Monty a legitimate heir will you? Is it your way of punishing him further for simply marrying you?" Rebecca's cutting words appeared to be slicing through Franny right to her core and tears sprang to her eyes. For a moment Rebecca wondered if they were genuine, she couldn't remember the last time she saw her sister cry, but somehow she doubted it.

"Is it so wrong that I may wish to look after your welfare, Becca?" Franny asked in an uncharacteristically small voice. Psychological games could be her favourite.

"But I love Andrew." Rebecca whispered, turning and staring down at Hugo who had eventually begun to settle. "How can I give him up, the father of my child, for another man, no matter what status he may have?"

Because I want you to be unhappy for the rest of your miserable life and safely away from my husband, that's why, you stupid mare! Franny could feel her mask slipping. It was very hard to feign sensitivity. "You have to think of Hugo now." She said softly. "I feel I have made such a mess of my own life, and you're right I have been so beastly to Monty, and I feel that at least one Farquarson should be able to look back on their life and be pleased. I know we have hardly been friends in the past, but let me make it up to you? Please?"

Rebecca tried her best at a convincing smile but her body remained rigid and hostile. There was more chance of Andrew becoming Lord of the Manor than her elder sister saying she wished to see her happy and meaning it. It was probably best to play along.

"Of course." She said hoarsely. "Your advice is always welcome, dear sister."

Franny took a step forward and placed a strangely cold hand on Rebecca's arm. It was, Rebecca thought cynically, the first time her sister had touched her since the slap after she discovered her and Monty together. It had been so hard Rebecca thought she might have been scarred, but the hand print faded over a couple of days.

"Well, I think, if Laurie were to arrive at Taplows, maybe unexpectedly, you should be as gracious as Algie would be and enjoy his company." Franny beamed, reaching down and stroking Hugo's soft downy hair.

"And why would Laurie come looking for me here? He doesn't know where I am, surely?" Rebecca wanted to slap Franny's hand away – she had hardly gone near her own children since they escaped from her womb so her advances towards her nephew were hardly well-meaning. One day, Rebecca vowed, Hugo would have nothing to do with his spiteful aunt.

Franny shrugged. "I may have mentioned it to him, I had no idea at the time you were running to hide from him, he is such a delightful chap…"

"Oh Francesca how could you!" Rebecca suddenly exploded, cursing herself immediately as Hugo stirred from his sleep. "You knew I was coming down here to…to…"

"Continue your illegitimate relationship with the under-butler?" Franny cut in, but mindful of what Rebecca might say about Frank. "I have told you, I am just looking out for your welfare, if he were to propose to you…"

"Yes, Laurie is attractive, and charming but he serves in the army, I would never see him!"

"So you admit to having feelings for him?"

Rebecca opened her mouth but no words came out. Franny had backed her into a corner and she was trapped.

"If he turns up, Becca, then you must trust your heart, and your head. Andrew Adams is no good for you, he feels inadequate and unworthy of you and secretly wishes you would find someone of your own status…." Franny's hand flew up to her mouth and she gasped, hoping her fake shock would work. Rebecca suddenly seemed alarmed – she was falling for it.

"That's ridiculous, why would he say that to YOU?" Rebecca snorted, folding her arms and sitting down firmly on the edge of her bed so her skirts billowed around her. She looked beautiful even in a strop and in that moment Francesca hated her more than ever.

"Oh he didn't say it to me, don't be silly dear – Frank told me. He said he overheard Andrew telling Jarvis, over a glass of Port, that he loved you but couldn't give you all the things you need and didn't know how to say it to you." Franny's forehead creased in concern and she wrapped an arm about Rebecca's shoulders, but Rebecca couldn't bear to make eye contact with her.

Rebecca hung her head, hardly registering Franny's feeble attempts at genuine affection. What if she wasn't lying? If indeed Frank had overheard such a conversation Franny wouldn't waste any time in telling her sister just how Andrew felt. It wouldn't be unusual, for him to feel like that, he had said it to her face so many times before. Maybe, this time, he really did want it to end between them, quite possibly for Hugo's sake as well as her own.

Franny was still talking. "Maybe Laurie has come along just at the right time for you, a chance for a fresh start. I know you are comfortable financially but it isn't everything."

"Thank you, Franny, but I would just like to be on my own right now." Rebecca sniffed, blinking back tears. "I can't concern myself with this tonight, I am visiting Archie and my darling Hugo tomorrow morning and I'm feeling a little…melancholy."

"Of course." Franny forced a smile and patted Rebecca's shoulder. "Shall I accompany you?"

Rebecca responded quickly with a firm shake of the head. "No, no I…would like to be alone for that. It is all still so raw, so painful…" She stopped herself from saying more – she was damned if she was to reveal how vulnerable she was still feeling to a vicious woman who would as easily use it against her as copulate with the next male servant who might wink in her direction.

"Indeed, I understand." Franny rose to her feet to leave, much to Rebecca's relief. "Oh, and I should also say, if you are finding it difficult for the baby to accept your breast then I can offer my wet nurse her services."

Rebecca looked startled; she hardly needed some other woman's help to feed her own child. "What happened to her own child?"

Franny shrugged. "Died or something, don't really know, don't really care as long as she does her job. When she's done with she'll be out anyway."

That was it. Francesca had slipped up; reminding Rebecca just how unfeeling she could be towards her fellow human beings. She turned to stare at Hugo's crib as Franny left, closing the door quietly behind her. The seeds of doubt had been sewn and soon Lady Rebecca MacKenzie would be walking arm-in-arm up the isles with young Colonel Lawrence McCartney and Andrew Adams would be ancient history. Francesca couldn't help but smile.

------

"So my darling don't you have some explaining to do?" Walter asked later as they finally settled down in their rooms late that evening, watching as an exhausted but relieved Flora finally managed to settle their restless daughter in her crib. "Flora sweetheart?"

"oh Walter." Flora replied distractedly as she collapsed on the bed next to him. "What?"

"Your mother's husband!" He began wearily. "You never mentioned she had remarried…"

"Oh didn't i…" Flora replied cagily but from the way she tensed next to him on the bed he knew her answer was nothing like lazy unconcern. "Must have just slipped my mind."

Realising that he was treading dangerous ground but he couldn't shake the feeling there was something seriously wrong so he felt compelled to plough on regardless.

"I have a confession to make my love…I haven't particularly warmed to your 'step-father'" He stopped waiting for some sort of reaction his concern mounting when she didn't even harrumph a reply.

"I don't want to sound like an old moan but well the man is impossible…First their room isn't big enough even though we had no idea they were coming…Then the dinner was too 'foreign' and Felix put so much effort into that dinner, and how he found two more portions at that short notice I will never know…" He paused trying to gage any reaction at all but Flora was still staring up at the ceiling not moving or saying a word her lips strangely tight and white.

"I know." She whispered so softly he could barely hear it. "He…"

"Yes?"

"He is a difficult man…He always was but he is my mother's husband."

"Oh I know." Jarvis replied quickly. "I didn't mean any disrespect but it seems funny that they came all this way to see Eleanor and then all they wanted was to go to bed, I think your mother barely got the chance to hold her for longer than five minutes before he was dragging her away."

"Well there is tomorrow…" Flora muttered. "I am sure we'll have plenty of time together then…Could you keep him busy?"

"What..Who?" Walter replied genuinely confused until the pleading expression in his wife's face caused realisation to dawn. "Oh him!"

"Please Walter…Just for a little while, perhaps a tour of the house and grounds, you don't even have to do it yourself, get one of the lads to do it even Johnny, I just would love sometime with my mother alone…It's been so long and…"

"Alright!" Walter caved in, he could never deny her anything when she looked at him like that, her eyes so wide and tearful. "I will keep him entertained for a few hours at least, but that will be all…I do have duties to perform after all my love."

Smiling through the tears that had started to trickle down her cheeks Flora flung herself forward wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him so firmly and desperately on the mouth and then across his cheek, holding him so tightly. "Have I ever told you how much I love and respect you…You're a wonderful man, I am so lucky…"

"Well I'm lucky to have you and Ellie so I guess we are more then even." Walter replied pulling her properly into his arms, resting her head against his shoulder and running his hands soothingly along her back before stroking the exposed skin of her neck teasingly. "Although if you'd care to show your appreciation I'd be a poor man if I refused." He added mischievously, raising his eyebrow as he shifted to lean over her slightly the fingers of his free hand tiptoeing along the fastenings of her dress.

"Behave you bad thing!" Flora exclaimed but there was no venom in her words especially as her husband desisted immediately pouting like a child denied a favourite toy. "Well if you promise to be a gentleman perhaps we can have a little 'us' time?"

Smiling Walter nodded shifting to lean back against the pillows cradling his wife as she leant into his embrace. "I'm not ready to well…you know." Flora whispered hesitantly afraid that he would react badly but instead Walter simply smiled reaching up to release her hair from its clip and caressing it gently.

"Anything you want is fine with me my love." He replied gently before pulling her into his embrace and kissing her with all the love his heart.

- - -

Early the next morning and armed with Emily and Walter at her side providing their own silent support even if they didn't know the real reason for her uneasiness Flora headed down to breakfast little Ellie balanced in her arms.

"So I was thinking Flora my dear that perhaps your mother might enjoy taking afternoon tea with me this afternoon after all us grandmothers should have so much in common and I am sure she will want to hear all about your wedding, well the edited version at least." Emily added flushing slightly at the memory of her other grandchild crashing the happiest day of her son's life. "Oh and then there are the arrangements for the christening to go over and I am sure she will want to meet the godparents you selected…Of course they have already met Felix but Lady Rebecca and Mrs Watson well she was busy last night after all and didn't make it to dinner."

"Hmm." Flora replied cagily wondering if she could possibly get her mother alone long enough to broach the subject of the christening ceremony, perhaps if she did then they could avoid the explosion of outrage she was expecting.

"Are you alright my love?" Walter asked as he held the door open for all the women in his life. "You hardly slept last night and for once Ellie is not to blame nor myself for that matter!" He added on catching his mother's amused glance.

"Just so much to sort out…I'll be fine after everything is over I promise!" Flora replied forcing a smile on to her face, it was difficult enough to keep things from Walter under normal circumstances but these were far from normal and once he started digging…

Entering the dining room all three adult Corey's greeted their guests with polite good mornings and the butler even managed to suppress his frown at the sight of Flora's step-father sitting pointedly in his seat at the head of the table. Determined not to loose ground or status the Butler moved and took the other end seat this unfortunately had the result that he had to gaze down the table at Lorcan Abram Gilroy and endure his barely concealed contempt.

"Did everyone sleep well?" Emily asked pleasantly determined to ignore the old man's harrumph and concentrate on Ardal's polite. "Yes thank you Mrs Corey."

"Please call me Emily, we are family after all." Emily insisted favouring the quiet polite young man with one of her motherly smiles.

"Thank you Emily I would be delighted." Ardal answered ignoring the snort of disapproval from his step-father who realising he was being ignored turned his attention to demolishing the rather superb breakfast that had been placed in front of him by one of the young scullery maids who quickly shrunk under his piercing gaze and the butler had to resist the urge to comment as the old letch slowly looked the slip of a girl up and down.

"Mr Gilroy!" The Butler suddenly spoke causing the old chap to start in his seat dribbling his mouthful of tea onto his waistcoat. "Would you be so kind as to join me for a tour of the estate this afternoon I am sure you will enjoy it."

Frowning as he realised he had been out manoeuvred the old man could do nothing but nod his agreement whilst the victorious butler returned to his eggs suppressing a smile as he felt his wife's hand squeeze his knee gratefully.

"Here Flora let me have her for a moment you have to eat some before it gets cold." Emily insisted standing up and taking the gurgling Ellie out of her mother's arms and detangling one of Flora's curls from her daughter's ever searching grasp.

"Oh please you wouldn't mind if i…" Aoife suddenly piped up her wizened face lighting up and for a moment it her former beauty shone through and Walter could see elements of his wife in the smaller frailer fair woman before him, even though the customary spirit he had grown so accustomed to seeing in his fiery wife was conspicuously absent.

"Please go ahead." Emily replied softly carefully handing over her precious girl carefully hiding the flicker of resentment that another woman had muscled in on what she considered her turf before rebuking herself after all she had the delight of seeing Ellie grow up everyday and her other grandmother would never have that privilege. "I thought us ladies might enjoy sitting down to talk about the christening later Aoife…I know Flora has a few stitches left on the gown, it was made from her wedding dress you know."

"Oh I have been working on a shawl since we received our invitation…That is alright isn't it?" Aoife piped up looking nervously from Emily to her daughter and back again, ever so conscious of stepping on someone else's toes.

"I am sure that will be lovely." Emily replied diplomatically shooting Flora a look so she wouldn't blurt out that Emily had been working on one since the little one had been born.

"Oh I am so glad." Aoife muttered turning her attention to her little granddaughter who was reaching out with curious hands for the tableware.

"Women." Lorcan sneered shaking his head at their idle frippery. "Well unlike everyone here I at least have things to do…Ardal have one of those stable boys bring a trap round…I have business in town."

"Business?" Flora asked frowning, immediately regretting her question when for the first time in their visit Lorcan Gilroy's attention became firmly focused on her and she shivered under his icy glare.

"Yes business or do you expect me to waste around doing nothing Mrs Corey?"

"No sir." Flora replied softly staring down at her teacup so to avoid Mr Gilroy's piercing eyes.

"I didn't think so." Lorcan snapped a small twist of the mouth as he surveyed his eldest stepchild. Getting to his feet he folded his napkin before flinging it down on the table. "Now Ardal!"

"Yes Sir." Flora's brother replied obediently getting to his feet and leaving his half eaten breakfast. "It was excellent as always Mr Kraus." He added without actually meeting the chef's eye.

"Felix please how many times must I remind you?" The chef replied magnanimously favouring the handsome young man with one of his most sincere and dashing smiles.

Colouring slightly as he backed out the room Ardal fell subserviently behind his stepfather whose frown soon had him wishing he were a hundred miles away. "Always once more Mr Kraus." He replied as he followed his stepfather out of the room.

"I see my loving guidance has fallen on deaf ears…Was I foolish to think that we had been making progress after all Ardal?"

Clenching his fists as he forced down his natural instinct to protest, when had that ever done him any good? Hanging his head Ardal waiting for his step father to continue as he knew he would.

"I trust you are taking the appropriate measures to purge this evil from your system…Although for once I do not think the blame can rest entirely on your shoulders alone my boy. This house is a den of Satan; all its inhabitants are his agents on this earth even your poor sister and her babe are within his grasp. They deny the true faith and so will be condemned to eternal damnation."

"Oh but surely Mr Corey would not allow sinful and dishonourable behaviour under his roof?"

Snorting in amusement as they entered the courtyard Lorcan raised an eyebrow at the boy's naivety. "Simplicity must run in your bloodline! Do you not use the ears you have been born with boy? Servants are the biggest gossipers that were ever born, and Mr Walter Corey is not the gentleman he has presented…Why he began a relationship with your sister whilst he was still married…Oh yes he had a first wife, one he kept secret because of the madness inflicted on her, so do you still think he is honourable?"

"Why didn't Flora say anything?" Ardal asked astonished that his sister could have married someone so devious.

"What could she say?" Lorcan replied as he heaved himself into the trap that was waiting. "The cad had her with child within months."

"But Eleanor?"

"Eleanor is not the child to which I was referring…There was another pregnancy, the child died taken no doubt as payment for your sisters sinful and wanton behaviour." Lorcan pronounced with confidence. "If only she were home with time I could no doubt save her soul and the little one could be brought up in the true faith and lead a good and virtuous life but here I feel she will end up like her mother."

"What can I do?"

"You?" Lorcan retorted in amusement. "What makes you think you can do anything?"

"Well she is my sister perhaps I can talk to her persuade her to save herself and the child…"

"No." Lorcan replied thoughtfully. "You leave the preaching to me, you concentrate on preserving your own soul whilst amongst these heathens and keep an eye on your mother you know how vulnerable and fragile she is."

"Yes Sir." Ardal muttered standing and watching as his stepfather encouraged to pony off down the country lane before returning to the house these new disclosures weighing heavily on his mind.

- - -

It was nearing lunchtime when Lorcan arrived back from the village, although as far as Flora was concerned he hadn't been gone long enough. The morning had passed pleasantly enough, Emily, Aiofe and her brother had taken a morning stroll around the gardens pushing little Ellie around in her pram. A task which both ladies showed great enthusiasm for and her brother more than a little reluctance as he still continued to treat his new niece as though she might suddenly explode if handled incorrectly.

As a result Flora was able to snatch a few blessed hours of privacy to gather her still frazzled nerves, sitting mulling over her step-father's unexpected and decidedly unwelcome visit while under the pretext of finishing off the accounts before heading to join everyone for lunch.

"A penny for them Mrs Corey?"

Startled Flora whirled round her serene face contorting into something a akin to a grimace as standing over her desk was the much abhorred Frank Keneally.

"Mr Keneally…" Flora began unable to quell that instinctive panic that crawled up her spine and threatened to choke her very words just being in the presence of this man. "I didn't hear you come in."

"I am not surprised, I knocked but you were miles away…Somewhere nice I hope?" Frank asked sweetly but still there was an underlying sliminess about him.

Somewhere far away from you would be wonderful Flora thought as she tried to quell her nerves, just because this is really the first time she had been alone with this man since…Well she stopped, she really didn't need to think about that now! "Can I help you Mr Keneally?"

"Why yes actually you can…" Frank replied before taking the seat next to the desk and leaning in far to close for Flora's comfort. "I take it you know Grace and I are planning on getting married soon…I was hoping that you would take her under your wing and help her organise things? After all we are family Mrs Corey, and family should pull together at such special occasions despite the odd falling out."

"Odd falling out!" Flora snapped unable to bite back her words. "We did not have small tiff over who has granny's silver Mr Keneally, or have you forgotten what you did…What you tried to do?"

"Oh come now Flora you're not still holding that against me are you?" Frank joked snidely. "It was hardly worth remembering let alone mentioning as far as I can recall…I was just trying to scare you into telling my darling Uncle the truth and you would have realised that yourself if that snotty nosed whelp of a lover of yours hadn't stormed in acting the knight in shining armour!"

"You lying bastard!"

"Now, now Auntie dear it is hardly fair to use a man's parentage against him and I would have thought that a woman with your track record would have been more forgiving after all accidents will happen." Frank countered, leaning back in his chair as if he owned the place whilst surveying his former housekeeper through squinted eyes. "Or are your delightful family unaware of your previous licentious behaviour? Bedding down with first the Butler then a boy scarcely into manhood…Oh and let us not forget agreeing to run off with some Johnny foreigner as well, even though you were carrying another man's brat at the time. After all even your current little angel was lucky to have been born the right side of the blanket, she certainly was conceived on it!"

"Get out!" Flora growled clenching her fists and having to quell the desire to knock the cocky valet's head square off his broad shoulders.

Smiling as if he hadn't heard her last command Frank turned his attention to picking at his pristine fingernails. "Well I suppose it is hardly your fault, my dear uncle must be somewhat lacking if your attention wandered not once but twice…Come now Flora you can tell me, out of the three of them who would you rate highest? My experienced but ageing Uncle, the enthusiastic but immature Mr Forest or perhaps even the eccentric Mr Kraus?"

"I said out Mr Keneally."

"Very well, after all some of us actually have work to do! But don't worry Flora dear your secret is safe with me…Although I cannot say the same for the rest of the staff, people do tend to gossip here and it may only be a matter of time before your family find out what a little slut you really are."

"I am a respectable married woman Mr Keneally…"

"Oh well now you are, but you weren't then were you…Not when you frolicked with Forest in the stables…Or my dear Uncle in the…Orangery of all places was it? Of course if you do fell like resurrecting old habits, I would be happy to lend myself for comparison." Frank added getting up from his seat to tower over his aunt reaching out to skim her chin with his fingers and watching he macabre delight as Flora physically flinched from his touch.

"Don't you dare touch me again, I'll tell Walter…"

"Oh really?" Frank snorted.

"Yes really, and I think by now he will have though of some way of getting rid of you for good."

"Well if you want to make a scene whilst your darling family is here and ruin your daughter's christening, after all it would hardly seem appropriate to have a Corey family celebration without the airing of dirty linen in public now would it!" Frank retorted before heading towards the door, pausing to shoot one parting comment over the shoulder. "Oh but really there is no reason to worry your stupid little head about it, what with carrying that brat around you'd hardly be worth the effort anymore, definitely all washed up and sagging in unpleasant places…It is only a matter of time before the old goat starts looking elsewhere as well, that is if he hasn't already!" And with that he was gone leaving a trembling Flora to pick up the pieces.

- - - -

However if Flora had realised just who filthy Frank was heading off to see then she might have abandoned pulling herself together and settled for just doing a runner. Sauntering into the courtyard winking at sculleries as he went Frank headed round to the laundry, smacking one young lass on the bottom as she bent down to pick up a sheet from a huge stack she was supposed to be hanging up to dry. Her quick squeak of surprise quickly alerted the other maids to his presence.

"Oh watch out girls…Here's Taplow's resident Casanova, hold on to your skirts." Maggie called out guffawing as her large bosom bounced around in her loosely laced blouse.

"Oh Maggie my sweet how can you say such things when you know I only have eyes for you!" Frank joked draping an arm around the blushing woman's thick waist and giving her bottom a friendly squeeze.

"Oh you are a one Mr Keneally." Maggie hissed slapping his hands away before ordering her girls to mind their own as she led him into the laundry and away from prying eyes. "Now Frank my boy what can I do you for this fine day…Another bottle or two of Tom's finest? Or perhaps you're in the mood for something stronger, our Bill just had a shipment in…This one came all the way from India and is top quality stuff."

"Perhaps…Perhaps later." Frank teased before reaching into his pocket and withdrawing several shiny coins. "But I must admit to being somewhat intrigued by our last little conversation and I was hoping that these little beauties.." He paused dropping the coins into her upturned palm. "Might help jog that memory of yours?"

"And what conversation would this be Mr Keneally? I mean I hear and know some many little secrets it would be difficult to remember one specific." Maggie asked innocently enough.

"Concerning your newest admirer…And his desire for information." Frank muttered his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "I am sure you cannot have forgotten it was only last night."

"Oh…Yes my older gentleman, the fellow Irishman whose name for the moment has escaped me." Maggie replied playing along for the moment.

"Yes the very same, the one you mentioned in passing who was interested in learning about certain parties and their activities whilst under this roof…Well I was hoping and so were my other little friends here…" Frank added pulling out a few more coins from his pocket. "That you'd be prepared to pass along a little information, from one concerned party to another of course."

"Oh I don't se why not…He is coming to pay me a little visit tonight as it happens just before I head off home, just to catch up friendly like, I suppose I could tell him then for the right inducement."

"That's my girl." Frank cooed before dropping the coins into her palm. "Now this is what I want you to tell your new friend. Tell him that the little darling being christened on Friday isn't the only little babe with a Corey for a father, that in fact upstairs lies another child whose real father can claim that name and whom he bears a more than startling resemblance to!"

Laughing loudly Maggie nodded, catching the valet's intended misinformation and realising just how she could lead the old goat by the nose to the wrong conclusion. "Oh that he does indeed…"

"I think that should be enough for now." Frank replied smugly, unable to keep a smile from his face at the prospect at the mayhem he was going to cause.

"So is that all you need…Or would you be in the market to buy a little information yourself?" Maggie asked, running a podgy hand up Frank's arm covetously causing the uncomfortable Valet to pull way.

"That depends on what it is Maggie my dear!" Frank replied unable to walk away without at least knowing first just who he would be buying dirt on. "As you can see you have already cleaned me out." He added holding out his empty pockets.

"Oh well I am sure we can settle another method of payment." Maggie muttered her piggy eyes narrowing lustfully and for a moment Frank actually felt a flush of fear, but he forced it back down. "You see it concerns our lovely leading couple and the real reason the delightful Mrs Corey has been under the weather so to speak…" Maggie trailed off snorting in amusement.

"She's not knocked up again?" Frank gasped in horror.

"Oh no…No something infinitely better than that!" Maggie cooed, running her hands up Frank's collar to stroke the hair that curled over the top. "But you'll have to trust me…Now I've given you a taster, you be a good boy and give me one."

Forcing a charming smile on to his face, Frank tried to repel the desire to vomit, his last thought before turning to job ahead that this had definitely better be worth it or dammit he would be asking for a refund.

- - - -

Lunch had passed all to quickly for Walter and with the prospect of a whole afternoon spent in the company of the delightful Lorcan Abrams every bite of Felix's superb apple pie, which he knew from the looks Flora was shooting him she wondered whether he should really be eating anyway, settled like lumps of lead in his stomach.

"Thank you so much my darling." Flora muttered as he headed back from their room, suited and booted for the foul weather which matched his mood.

"Just remember you owe me one Mrs Corey." He had replied a touch more ruthfully than he had intended and so had been forced to kiss her on the cheek as way as an apology for his bed temper.

Lorcan was already waiting for him in his office, lounging behind his desk as if he owned the place and superior sneer on his face that told the butler was had far more important things to do himself that afternoon than spend it socialising with his new step son-in law. "I was beginning to wonder what the devil was keeping you Corey!"

Plastering a fake smile on to his face as he was oft to do with some of the Earl's more trying acquaintances Walter fell automatically into his best butler mode, determined for that afternoon to squash the very real feelings of revulsion for the man in front of him and make his wife proud of his restraint. "My apologies Sir…I take it you are ready to leave, I have the trap ready to go."

Thrown off balance by Walter's good natured reply Lorcan merely nodded his agreement, getting to his feet and stomping out of the door practically drilling his cane into the floor with every step. Heading out into the courtyard Walter assisted his new father-in-law into the trap before settling himself down and urging the pony on, ignoring the distant rumblings over the hills as if there were not enough portends of doom already!

- - -

Smiling like the cat who had not only stolen the cream but had snuck into the dairy and had consumed enough dairy products to keep both the Earl and his obnoxious daughter in cream teas for an entire month, a beaming Frank headed back to tend the odious Lord Julian completely oblivious to the stares of his fellow servants. His grin even remained on his face as he dragged the pissed aristocrat from the drawing room up to his bedroom to sleep off that lunchtime's intoxication before the evening session. It didn't even slip when he was forced to remove the burping Julian's dribbled dress shirt, even though there were distinctive tinges of vomit on the collar.

In fact by the time he was finished and the snoozing old lush disposed of Frank could barely contain the urge to clip his heels and skip down the hallway singing, 'Auntie is an Addict' at the top of his lungs; restrain himself he did however and so settled for containing all his excitement within his smile which had by now reached distorting proportions. He was going to have so much fun with this he could scarcely decide where to start.

- - -

"Oi Bonny Prince Charlie pass the butter down!" Fred growled watching as the new second footman deliberately lathered extra butter on his bread and leaving Fred barely enough to scrape over his slice. "He's such a smug little…" Fred muttered under his breath before turning to Will expecting the first footman to back him up immediately his annoyance growing when instead Will barely seemed to pay him any attention. "What's up with you? You've been like a bear with a sore head for two days now!"

Jarring the footman out of his reverie Will turned to glare at Fred. "What?"

"See proves my bloody point! You haven't heard a word I said…Charlie Farlie over there, I thought we were doing something about him. Remember at the pub the love letters for Mrs D…"

Shrugging Will muttered. "Yeah I remember."

Exasperated Fred snapped back. "So did you finish it? When are we going to send it? I mean the sooner that boy learns his place the better!"

"Oh I haven't finished it yet." Will replied absently as if his thoughts had returned from whence they had first came and he was back to staring off into space, his handsome young face sporting a slight frown as if some heavy decision was weighing on his shoulders. Then as if coming to some momentous decision he turned to Fred and asked. "What do you think of our visitors?"

"Alright I suppose…I mean you just have to look at the old fellow to see he's a grumpy ole sod, nothing's good enough…I hear he had some right unpleasant things to say to Joe when he carried his luggage up, racist old bugger!" Fred added scowling into his stew.

"And the others?"

"Oh Mrs Corey's Ma is right lovely…A bit on the quiet timid side, you'd wonder where Mrs C got her fiery temper from if you look at her mam and as for the brother. Well lets just say I am fed up of hearing about him!"

Confused Will retorted. "What?"

Shaking his head Fred replied. "Well if you hadn't been if Cuckoo land for the last few days then you might have noticed for yourself…The women of this household have declared Ardal Ryan the new Taplow's Adonis and are pining away for him. Surely you must have noticed that we've barely had a look in over the last two days…The girls follow him everywhere any excuse to exchange a word or two with the dashing Irishman, to be captivated by those dark limpid pools of his eyes, bla blab la…Well you know women they talk a whole load of rubbish. Poor sod gets mobbed whenever he walks about the house, he can't go take a leak with a group of giggling sculleries trying to get a peak."

"Oh." Will replied quietly seemingly uninterested in all that but behind the façade the cogs were turning and a decision was being made.

"So about this plan of yours…" Fred began speculatively.

"My Plan!" Will retorted a little sharply, worrying that for a moment he had actually been talking aloud and not just thinking things through. "What plan?"

"Mate try and keep up…Charlie…Mrs Diggins…A little Wink wink, nod nod, nudge nudge!" Fred added a maniacal grin stretching across his handsome face.

"Oh just drop it Fred we've all got better things to be doing anyway!"

Hurt and confused Fred leant back in his chair slamming his fork down sharply on the table and earning him and sharp look from Mr Adams at the head of the table. "Oh so you have better things to be doing, do ya? Let me guess not another old tart's knickers you're trying to get into?"

'Smack'

"Mr Forest!" Adams bellowed from the far end of the table, outraged as the first footman apparently for no reason stood and punched one of his co-workers flat on his back. "Fighting on duty…That's cost you a months pay, now get the hell out of my sight and report to Mr Jarvis once he is back, I am sure he will be able to think of something appropriate as punishment."

"Aye Sir!" Will muttered bitterly, turning to glare at a stunned Fred who was still lying flat on his back gingerly touching his bloodied nose and staring up at his old friend in shock, before turning and storming out of the servants hall his decision finally made.

- - -

"It is an impressive estate Mr Corey." Lorcan muttered grudgingly. "You must have worked hard to have attained such a position."

"Well hard work never hurt anyone Mr Abrams." Mr Jarvis replied politely, deliberately returning the use of the formal address, two could play this game and the butler was an appointed master.

"It must be so hard, balancing such demanding work and family life." Lorcan added, leaning on his walking stick as they headed back to the pony and trap, his wizened old face turning up to glare at the sky as if it were the gathering rain clouds fault he could not seem to get under his new son-in-law's skin.

"Hard yes but worth it!" Jarvis replied jovially, for once taking great delight in winding someone up. If he had gained nothing else from the man, his arch nemesis Prothero had certainly taught him how to irritate someone immensely by simply failing to react.

"And managing such a large number of staff and from such varied backgrounds, it must be like managing a circus at times, all those animals." Lorcan muttered evilly hoisting himself into the trap.

That was an especially low blow and Walter knew exactly to who Lorcan was referring, after all he was the butler and any mistreatment of his staff always got back to him. Clenching his fists in order to resist the urge to make any smart comment that would no doubt feel wonderful now but that he would end up paying for for the rest of his married life, he instead plastered a vague smile on his face and ignored the deliberate barb.

"I am glad to see you manage my step-daughter quite well…She wasn't very promising as a child I remember, pretty enough but far too out spoken and stubborn for her own good! Girls like that always end up in trouble unless a strong man takes them in hand. I'll wager you'll have similar problems with you Eleanor unless you stamp it out early it's the Ryan temper. Flora's sister was lucky, as I had a hand in raising her so the men were queuing to take her off my hands as soon as she turned of age, pretty and pleasant tempered, knows her place and is happy in it but her sister. Well we'd began to accept that Flora would never marry, some women just aren't meant to are they? I mean what man would want a woman of her age, grown into her stubbornness instead of out of it; well I don't need to tell you that now do I!" Lorcan chuckled watching Walter out of the corner of his beady eye, practically unable to contain his glee as he had finally found the one subject that was making the butler seethe.

"I cannot say I have had any problems." Walter muttered his voice thick with tension. "Flora has her own mind but she is not an unreasonable woman, it just needs a level headed man to explain things to her calmly."

"Yes and when that fails a quick reminder of her place in things cannot go amiss. I know you are a man who understands such things." Lorcan added needling further. "A good short sharp shock to help her re-evaluate things."

Whirling round in his seat Walter glared at his father-in-law. "I do not like what you are implying Mr Abrams…I would never strike my wife just because she disagreed with me…"

"Who said anything about striking anyone Mr Corey?" Lorcan retorted sharply. "I never said anything of the sort! Why the implication that I would advocate violence of any kind is abhorrent Sir! Especially…"

"Especially what?" Walter snapped angrily. "Coming from me?"

"Coming from a man who has indeed used violence to make his point…Come come Mr Corey, servants do talk after all and you treatment of both your male staff members and even your beloved Flora is indeed common knowledge, or let me guess did she get injure herself falling downstairs or perhaps walking into a door…" Lorcan paused watching as Jarvis visibly tensed at that last comment, he had struck a nerve. "And coming as her most senior male relative you can understand my need for asking…Her protection is my priority after all, family has to stick together."

"Are you questioning my fitness as a husband and father?"

"What if I was Mr Corey? What would you do, throw me out of the trap and Taplows altogether a lame old man? That would only confirm my suspicions." Lorcan replied slyly.

"I think it best we return to the house, it will rain soon." The Butler replied, inwardly trying to suppress the conflicting emotions, his instinctive dislike for the man and desire to be rid of the sight of him and the knowing voice that reminded him he could prove the old bastard wrong if only he held his temper. "The ladies will no doubt be awaiting our arrival."

"Oh I have no doubt of it." Lorcan added an amused expression dancing over his face, and Walter had a sinking feeling that this first battle had not ended in his favour.

- - -

Shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot Will hung around the housekeeper's office, peeking through the glass he spotted a strange assortment of people. Emily was sitting by the fire with little Ellie bouncing up and down on her grandmother's knee, Flora's mother was sitting next to her and looked on the point of snatching up her grand-daughter. Ardal was sitting obviously embarrassed and wishing he could anywhere but stuck in the middle of a group of gossiping women, silently sipping at his tea and looking as if he wished the ground would swallow him now. Where as Flora…No Mrs Corey, he mentally corrected himself, was nervously flitting between the two groups, trying to keep Emily and Aoife from squabbling and at the same time draw her brother out from his self imposed solitude.

'Just come out for a minute or two.' Will thought to himself, determined that now he had made his decision he should see it through before he lost his nerve or worse Mr Jarvis returned and made it nigh on impossible. Stepping back into the shadows to wait, Will only had to observe the complicated family interaction for a few minutes longer before a relieved Flora took upon the excuse of the empty tea pot to disappear for a few blessed moments.

Waiting until she was a good ten feet down the corridor Will darted after her. "Mrs Corey…I need a word."

Surprised by his sudden appearance Flora barely kept hold of the tray and the precariously balanced crockery. "Mr Forest what on earth are you doing jumping out on people…Shouldn't you be working not skulking in shadows?"

"Mr Adams told me to make myself scarce so I am…Please Flora it is important." He added softly but insistently, glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one was around.

Nodding reluctantly she headed into Walter's office setting down the tray on the table she motioned for Will to shut the door. "Now what on earth can be so important?"

"It is about your family…" Will began hesitantly, all his carefully prepared speeches quickly abandoning him. "I think you should be more on your guard, they aren't how they seem."

"William Forest what on earth are you talking about?" Flora snapped angrily, her eyes flashing warningly.

"They are up to something Flora I just know it." Will insisted stepping towards her and laying a calming hand on her arm. "I don't think they just came here for the christening…"

Shaking Will's hand off Flora crossed her arms over her chest defensively before stalking towards the window. Sneering over her shoulder she snapped. "Oh and how have you come to this lofty decision?"

"I just feel it!" Will muttered, realising then how pathetic he sounded. "It's a gut instinct Flora…That Gilroy fellow and even your brother, well…"

"Well what?" Flora hissed rounding on him in anger now. "What do you have to say about my brother…Hmmm…A man you have what possibly exchanged a maximum of a dozen words with? A man I know who has always held the highest of morals, a man you are not even fit to shine the shoes of!...How dare you come in here and think to lecture me about my own family, you of all people, or is that it Will just as things are finally going well for me you decide to try and wreck it!"

"That was low even for you."

"I'm sorry I didn't…" Flora began her anger fading as she realised just what she had said.

"Yes you did, you meant every word!" Will added bitterly. "You are such a hypocrite Flora…You of all people know what my family life was like, and to accuse me of basic jealousy when all I have ever done was look out for you. I've sacrificed everything for your happiness even my pride. Or do you think you are the only one who has to live with the consequences of our actions? What do you think it was just all hunky dorey for me when everyone found out? Jarvis turning a blind eye and not holding it against me for the rest of my natural life, the lads slapping me on the back and saying good on you son?"

"I never thought that."

"Well they didn't and even now there are still the little digs the whole 'hide your mother's mate ole Will Forest is around' load of rubbish. That your husband still goes out of his way to humiliate me, if I give him an inch he'd sack me without a second thought, or demote me again... And to think I still worry about you, your reputation, your happiness. I only came here to warn you, that old bastard is a danger to you…Believe me I've already been on the end of his sick sense of right and wrong, and yes your precious sainted brother is involved. He's up to his neck in it! But don't believe me if you don't want to…Go stick your head in the sand until it is too late, see if I give a damn anymore!"

And with that parting shot Will turned and stormed out of the office ignoring Flora's call for him to wait. That was fine if she wanted him to stay out to let her deal with things without his help then good on her, he was washing his hands of the whole matter but deep down he still couldn't help the twinge of uneasiness.

- - -

Heading up to their rooms to change before serving dinner the butler was somewhat surprised to find both his wife and daughter sequestered away in them. Creeping into their bedroom Walter couldn't contain the smile of paternal pride as he watched over his sleeping daughter, as usual she had kicked off her blanket in her sleep and so he carefully tucked it round her before turning to face his wife, his smile quickly being replaced by a look of concern. Sitting down gently beside the sleeping Flora he noted the way she was clutching at her pillow and the tell tale puffiness around her eyes that revealed she had cried herself to sleep.

Not wanting to wake her and yet worried about leaving any problems to fester Walter reached across and stroked the curls back from her forehead. "Flora sweetheart, if you sleep now then you'll never sleep later."

Murmuring in her sleep Flora shied away from his touch, causing the butler to frown his hand moving to grip her shoulder and shake her gently. "Flora you need to wake up my love."

"Walter?"

"Who else?" The Butler joked sitting back to allow his yawning wife to stretch out rolling back onto her pillow to gaze up at him in surprise at his almost jocular question when only a few months ago he would not have been able to laugh about such things.

"Indeed." She replied stretching some more before sitting up and impulsively pulling her husband into a hug. Smiling broadly Walter wrapped his strong arms around her slender frame and held her tightly, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder as he nuzzled into the exposed nape of her neck. "Did it go alright?"

"Well neither of us killed the other…It wasn't the most pleasant experience of my life but we both survived and are still talking so I would call that a success." Walter mumbled in between planting kisses along her neck. "I was on my best behaviour, despite all attempts at provocation so I am sure I deserve some reward." He added naughtily leaning back slightly so he could nuzzle into her jaw and nibble suggestively at her earlobe.

"Don't you have to change for dinner?" Flora teased running her fingers gently through her husbands blond locks, playing with the few stray curls that grew down over his collar.

"Oh I have a few minutes to spare…" Walter muttered before catching her lips and pulling her against him before lowering her back down against her pillow.

"Only a few minutes?" Flora retorted as he began to toy with the buttons of her dress. "That's such a shame…"

"Well there is a lot that can be done in a few minutes." Walter added suggestively rolling over to his side of the bed and pulling her with him, running his fingers over her one exposed shoulder

"Darling you really do not give yourself enough credit!" Flora snorted, giggling at her husbands smug grin and wacking his hands away earning herself a boyish pout. "What? Do you expect me to settle for less than your best?"

"You never get less than my best Mrs Corey!" Walter replied sincerely gently cupping her cheek and stroking it reverently. "And you never will!"

"I know." Flora whispered her voice wavering as her eyes filled with tears. "I truly do not deserve you."

"Yes you do…You deserve the very best that is in me to give and nothing less than that." Walter replied earnestly his eyes locked on hers and for a moment time seemed to freeze, he could see the extent of her love for him reflected back in her eyes and it verily took his breath away. Leaning up he brushed his lips gently against hers unable to contain the shiver of excitement that rushed through him even at such a brief touch.

Suddenly impatient Flora darted forward covering his lips passionately with her own, feeling her urgency returned through his lips and the way his hands raked through her hair pulling her as close he could to make her as much a part of him as possible. A need Flora more than understood as her fingers groped for the buttons on his shirt yanking them apart and ignoring the popping noises that would mean hours of sewing for her later, unable to think of anything but the need to feel his skin on hers.

"Bloody lacings!" Walter swore as he struggled with her dress finally succeeding in loosening her corset and attacking every inch of her chest and shoulder with his lips as his wife moved to help him remove her accursed garments. "Missed you…So much…" Walter muttered in between passionate kisses running his hands freely up and down her now naked body revelling in this newly regained freedom and making his wife shudder beneath him.

"Walter please…" Flora moaned gently wrapping one leg round his and caressing his toned calf gently with her toes through the fabric of his trousers.

The butler didn't need asking twice and within a few seconds his trousers and undergarments joined their growing pile of clothes on the floor. Pausing for a moment to gaze into her eyes Walter whispered. "Are you sure?" Smiling when Flora simply nodded in reply wrapping her arms across his shoulder and pushing him down arching her back in surprise and pleasure when her husband reclaimed her as his own.

A few minutes later and a somewhat abashed Walter Corey moved deliberately for his ruined shirt.

"Walter…" Flora muttered softly tracing her fingers across his shoulders then when he continued to ignore her she sat up and draped herself across him. "What's the matter…I really don't mind, I mean it was to be expected really, I kept you waiting for so long…"

"That is not the point!" Walter snapped shrugging her off his pride in tatters. "I should have been able to control myself better."

Giggling girlishly Flora fell back against the pillows gazing up at her husband before replying. "Well rather than taking it as a slur on your ability I intend to claim this as a personal victory…I had no idea I could get you that excited!"

"Why you little minx…" Walter retorted unable to maintain his wounded pride at the sight of that playful smirk on his wife's face.

"I'll let you make it up to me…" Flora added teasingly biting her lip suggestively and causing her husband to growl deep in his throat as he advanced towards her. "But not now…I mean don't you have somewhere else to be?" She added innocently glancing over at the carriage clock and watching in amusement as her husband's face fell in horror.

"I'm late…"

"Oh so you had noticed!" Flora added chortling to herself as her husband darted towards the wardrobe pulling out his dinner suit and fumbling for a new matching waistcoat and necktie.

"Oh his lordship is just going to love this…And we have guests as well…Mr Adams will be delighted I have no doubt!" He muttered under his breath as he struggled to dress as quickly as possible.

"You might want to brush your hair." Flora called out watching in delight as her now dressed husband darted to look in the mirror his jaw dropping in horror as he spotted his bed mussed up hair and lips all red and swollen from kissing. Grabbing a handful of water he smoothed down his errant locks patting some water on his face before turning to leave and catching sight of his still naked wife lying decorously on top of the covers a sultry expression on her face.

"You really are not trying to make this any easier now are you?"

Stretching in a decidedly feline way Flora fixed him with a look that spoke volumes. "Is there any reason on earth why I should?"

Closing the distance between them in two strides Walter lent down and pulled her to him kissing her passionately. "Later!"

"Later then Darling." Flora retorted before straightening his necktie. "I'll be here, waiting…"

Shaking his head at the decidedly cruel situation he had found himself Walter forced himself to walk out of their bedroom, storming downstairs with only one thought on his mind that this was going to be Taplows's fastest dinner of record!

- - -

Dinner with the senior servants had been a more relaxed affair than the night before, in fact everyone even Lorcan seemed to him more comfortable in their surroundings and as a result the wine and port flowed freely around the table and idle chatter about inconsequential matters filled the air. That really should have set the warning bells off in Ardal's mind, wasn't this always the way that his step-father had behaved in the past drawing in potential rivals first as friends, wooing them to him just long enough that they revealed enough about themselves to him that he could bring them to their knees. Perhaps he had let their situation fool him, far from home what could Lorcan possible think to gain by his meddlings here?

However as soon as he had thought the question the answer popped into his mind. As usual his step-father had one reason and one reason alone, he didn't go after his victims for the money it would bring him or that they were a threat to him in some way; it was the power, just the simple unadulterated love of the power it brought him over another human being. To be able to manipulate and control another person completely, to bend their will until it was merely an extension of his own that was the true prize in all of the games his step-father played and unfortunately for his sister and her family they had presented Lorcan with an irresistible opportunity, a challenge.

He could stop it. He could warn them. For a moment the spark of rebellion gleamed in Ardals' eyes as he stared at his step-father over the rim of his port glass, his fine long fingers closing tightly around its delicate glass stem. It would be so easy, he is not as strong as he used to be and I am no longer a cowering boy, I could just reach out and squeeze and that would be an end to it once and for all he thought tightening his grip until suddenly the stem broke in his hand.

Gasping in horror as the glass shards imbedded themselves in his flesh Ardal had to resist the urge to swear, moving and setting down the remains of the glass on the table staring in shock at his own hand now covered in his own crimson blood.

"Oh my god." The chef was the first to notice, not surprising Ardal thought as he had caught the other man looking in his direction more often than not during the meal, attention that he had tried his best to ignore up to this point when he could scarce avoid it.

"Ardal." Flora exclaimed jumping to her feet and approaching him, cradling his damaged hand in her own reaching for her napkin.

"Careful there might still be glass imbedded."

"I will be." Flora replied. "I'll need some clean water and bandages…Walter can we use your office?" She added drawing her silent brother up from his feet and along the hallway to the relative privacy of the empty office.

Sitting down in the desk chair Ardal watched as she flitted about accepting the bowl and bandages from a maid before shooing her away and shutting the door. He could warn her now. He really should warn her, she was his sister it was his duty to protect her. But the courage he had felt as the foreign alcohol warmed his blood had abated and so he sat silent as his sister carefully removed the splinters of glass from his hand, washing and bandaging it carefully.

"There all better again." She mumbled almost under her breath but Ardal caught them and silently disagreed, there was nothing that could make everything all better again.

- - -

It was after the senior servants dinner had been cleared away that night that a rather relaxed chef made his way back down to his kitchen to check that some preparations for tomorrow had been carried out as per his instructions. Dinner tonight had been most pleasant he thought, with even Flora's step-father not making an outright complaint about the meal but making do with a desultory snort as his plate was placed in front of him. Their guests had certainly provided much gossip in the lower servants quarters recently, some of which he had overheard whilst in the kitchens. It appeared that more than one of the lower servants had been on the receiving end of Mr Gilroy's acid tongue in the past couple of days and he was fast becoming just as loathed as Mr Adams by some. Flora's mother on the other hand had caused little controversy as yet, probably because compared to her husband, she said very little to cause offence. And that just left Flora's brother, Ardal. He was probably the subject of most of the lower servants' gossiping, with most of the female members of staff expressing their enthusiastic admiration and the men moodily cursing their luck at having such an attractive guest among them. He was a bit of a puzzle all the same. Felix had been watching him most of the evening, trying to figure him out. Despite the copious amounts of female attention he had been receiving, which surely he must be used to Felix thought, he didn't really seem totally comfortable with it and seemed to make an effort to switch the conversation as soon as he could, albeit ever so politely. Maybe he was just nervous amongst so many others and would come out of his shell and relax as time went by Felix pondered as he absentmindedly carried some pastries out into the store.

It was thus, caught up in these musings, that the chef was suddenly interrupted from his reverie by a voice in his kitchen that he generally had no desire to encounter at any time of the day.

"Cooee, Mr Kraus? Is anyone about?"

Sighing to himself, Felix realised if he didn't answer now then she would probably come searching for him, or, even worse, would take it upon herself to rifle through his meticulously ordered kitchen in order to find whatever she wanted. "How can I help you Mrs Postlebury?" he enquired politely, determined to get rid of the odious woman as soon as was possible.

"Ahhh Mr Kraus there you are! Now I am so very sorry to disturb however now that I've found you I was wondering whether you could do me a little favour."

"And what would that be Mrs Postlebury?" Felix replied in the same simpering tone she had used.

"It's dear Algie you see," Cat began in a conspiratorial whisper. "He was feeling a bit peckish and I said I would get him a little evening snack…just something to keep him going." She added with a jovial wink.

"But they have just had a four-course meal! Guests are here, how can he be hungry! Did he not like my first meal?" Felix demanded huffily.

"Of course he did Mr Kraus" Cat hastily placated "but you know how his lordship can get settled on an idea, and as such he has now decided that he is in the mood for some of your superb lemon cake."

"Hmph." Felix sniffed, clearly not impressed at the Earl's lack of respect for the wonderful meal that been served up not two hours ago.

"I knew you'd understand Mr Kraus!" Cat beamed at him as she bustled around trying to find a maid to prepare the tray for her. "I did try ringing the bell actually, but no one was answering which was a little strange I thought." she continued as the chef went to get the cake for her.

"How odd indeed Mrs Postlebury." Felix muttered in reply, knowing full well why no one had answered to her most insistent ringing. He had overheard the footmen complaining about her the other day and how she always rang for the most mundane and irritating requests just to be able to rub it into her former colleagues that she could now order them about. They had decided that whenever Jarvis was not about they were not going to answer her bell but let her ring in vain until she gave up, it seemed their plan had worked for tonight at least. "Perhaps that bell is broken." He added.

"Hmm maybe," Cat replied "I did pass Fred on the way down and asked him why he hadn't answered it and he said he hadn't heard it. Though I did always think he was a little gormless so he probably isn't the most reliable one to ask." she remarked while the chef merely attempted a smile in response.

"Here's the cake you wanted Mrs Postlebury. Was that everything now?" Felix added, hoping she would take the hint and bugger off to leave him in peace.

Feeling she was not being as well received as she could be by the chef, Cat decided to up the flirting slightly.

"Oh thank you so much Mr Kraus! Algie will be delighted, I will make sure to compliment your helpfulness to him." Cat gushed as the chef placed the tray on the counter.

"You're too kind Mrs Postlebury." Felix replied staidly.

"Now Mr Kraus, or Felix – I can call you Felix can't I, I'm sure it's nothing less than you deserve for your wonderful services." Again however the chef merely nodded his head in reply and smiled benignly. Changing tack slightly, Cat tried again "You know Felix I do think it has been far too long since the two of us had a lovely, now what is the expression………. tête-à-tête…..is that not what they say where you come from!" She added with a coquettish giggle.

"I come from Prussia Mrs Postlebury, not France." Felix corrected, wondering why, after months of looking down on her once fellow servants, she was now choosing to stop and exchange pleasantries with him.

For a moment Cat was nonplussed but then valiantly resumed her efforts. "Oh yes of course, Prussia! Silly me!" she replied with the same little giggle "Such a lovely country, and much nicer than France obviously!" she added, winking again at the slightly bemused chef. "You must sit down and tell me all about it sometime."

"I never knew you were interested in travelling Mrs Postlebury." Felix replied hastily, slightly alarmed at the prospect of spending prolonged periods of time by himself in the company of the infamous former-Mrs Stanwick.

"Oh I've never really done much," Cat simpered back, pleased that the chef now seemed to be taking an interest in the conversation. "I would of course love to, but I doubt my poor Reggie can afford it at the moment." She added, while fixing a look of mock concern on her face while the chef struggled to maintain his impassiveness. 'Poor Reggie' probably can't afford it because he has to keep you in fine dresses and jewellery so you can seduce the Earl into doing your bidding he thought derisively. Cat however was unaware of the chef's current opinion and so carried on chattering. "I'm sure you have some wonderful tales to tell about your homeland, I would love to hear them I'm sure."

"Oh I doubt they would interest you Mrs Postlebury…."

"Please Felix, do call me Cat." She interjected sincerely, laying a hand on his arm and throwing him off course somewhat.

"Ahhh of course, well as I was saying, I doubt the tales of rural Prussia would interest a woman such as you. Not when you must hear such exciting tales of travel from the Earl and his companions."

"Oh you are too modest Felix! Modesty is such a wonderful quality in men and one found too rarely I might add." Cat said delightedly with a beaming smile, fluttering her eyelashes at the chef for all she was worth.

"Once again you are too kind Mrs Postlebury….Cat." he corrected hastily when he saw she was about to remind him and as such was rewarded with another smile. "Now I do hate to break up this 'tête-à-tête'," he added, ignoring her "Oh Mr Kraus you are a wicked tease!" as he said it "but I think that tea is just about perfect and I would hate to think of it being served cold to the Earl."

"Oh of course, you are so thoughtful Mr Kraus. There was me, chatting away again, no thought for the time!" Cat chuckled as she picked up the tray and made her way towards the door. "It's been lovely to see you Felix, we must catch up again soon." She called cheerily as she left the room causing the chef to vow to avoid her at all costs for the next few weeks.

Leaving the kitchen however Cat's expression was one of slight puzzlement. The chef certainly hadn't been quite so receptive of her charms as she would've hoped but maybe he was a bit wary of her now she was not a servant. And of course he always had been close to her favourite people in this house she thought sarcastically; the Coreys. Although thinking back to when she first arrived at Taplows then the chef never had been overly enthusiastic about returning her affections but maybe through perseverance this time she could wear him down she decided with a slight smile to herself, and if not, she would damn well find out why not.

- - -