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.

5. Episode 5

- - -

There were times when the butler wondered just what he had brought upon himself when he finally decided to marry. Suddenly instead of the one remaining relation he now had a mother and father in law, two brothers in law and a sister in law and umpteen nieces and nephews. And although they only had three visiting currently he felt as stretched and as near the end of his rope as if there were a dozen Ryan's running about the place. Although after the night before he had to admit there were some aspects of married life that he found extremely appealing and no amount of relatives could put a dampener of his spirits this morning.

'After all It wasn't Flora's fault, she had only expected one arrival not three!'

He reminded himself as he performed his warm up exercises. Checking his pocket watch he once more cursed under his breath just where the hell were they? This was one thing he could blame fairly on his beloved wife, after all just because he was looking for a new running partner did not mean he wanted to be lumbered with two and to think it had all started so innocently.

A few afternoons ago he had entered his office after being delayed with the Earl only to find his wife waiting for him with that look on her face, one that he had come to know as the 'she wants something' look. Resigned to the inevitable he simply asked what it was on her mind thinking perhaps it would involve putting his hand into his pocket or finding a novel way to preserve his dignity whilst bending over backward.

"Walter."

"Yes love."

"I was wondering."

"Yes why does that not surprise me?"

"Shush now I know you haven't been running lately and…"

"You think I am getting fat again is that it?"

"No...No darling not you, although it would be a shame to let all that hard work slide now wouldn't it? No its Felix he is worried he is no longer the slim man he once was…Trying all those dishes is starting to show and he was wondering if he could go running with you in the morning?"

Of course he had agreed and although woefully out of shape the Chef had at least provided a source of amusement every morning but now she had gone too far, inviting her brother along as well. Jarvis was quite happy to exercise with Felix, he was only a few years younger than his good self but to go running with a young man in the peak of his strength and fitness where he would have to struggle to keep up was practically humiliating.

'And they could at least have the dignity to be on time!' He pondered to himself, wondering whether he could get away with waiting a minute or two more before slipping back upstairs and into his toasty warm bed where he was sure his beloved would be more than delighted to give him a workout of her own. However just as in the distance the church bells chimed the hour one of his annoying running companions showed up.

"Oh Walter sorry I am late…"

"What was it Felix all that port last night?" Walter snapped unable to contain his disappointment at missing out on a long morning cuddle with Flora out of his harsh tone.

Surprised at the acerbic tone Felix took an instinctive step back before he remembered that Walter had never been much of a morning person. "I think if you remember carefully I was one of the less indulgent participants…I actually have already been in the kitchen this morning, although I suspect other's of our party might have a hangover or two to contend with!"

"Yes Felix I did notice." Jarvis snapped shaking his head at the memory. "In fact everyone noticed…Did you see the look the old Bas…Oh good morning Ardal." He called out to the new arrival hastily changing the subject.

"Good morning Mr Ryan, I hope your hand is feeling better?"

"Good Morning Walter…Mr Kraus, yes thank you it is much better." Ardal answered politely, and the butler could only turn slightly green at the sight of his brother-in law's perfectly slim and toned frame, it must be an inherited trait he thought to himself as Flora herself had scarcely gained a pound even after her pregnancy.

"Shall we gentlemen?" Walter asked he purposely rolled up his sleeves to show off his now toned biceps, after all he might not have Ardal's height and grace but he did have the fruits of his labours in his now nicely developed torso. Something that Flora was becoming extremely vocal about not to mention how very useful his newly improved strength was in certain activities he sniggered to himself and so missing the perplexed looks shot at him both of his running mates.

"Yes lets away." Felix replied cheerfully earning him a surprised glance from the Butler, Felix had never been this enthusiastic before; in his opinion the chef was definitely not a morning person unlike him of course who never seemed to have a bad time of the day.

Of course he hadn't meant to do it. Well that was what he would be telling Flora but as Ardal continued to match him he just couldn't help but rise to the challenge. So instead of the simple run he had planned they ended up doing a practical tour of the estate. Poor Felix looked as if he were about to curl up and die right there on the path…Even Ardal showed signs of fatigue and as for the Butler it felt as though every step someone was poking him with a flaming poker and pouring burning lava down his throat. But in his pride he did not dare show it or be the first to ask to return to the house.

"Walter…I have to…get back to…my kitchens." Felix finally managed to gasp out.

"Right then…I suppose we have done enough?" He added turning to his brother in law who merely shrugged.

Mistaking that for the challenge that it in reality it wasn't the Butler finally thought of a way he could show his superiority to this snotty nosed slip of a boy.

"How about a dip in the pond to cool us off?"

"Walter's it's the middle of winter."

"Oh don't exaggerate Felix." He hissed shutting up the chef with a look as they headed down to the lake which he entered with an almost perfect dive.

Surfacing he ignored the freezing temperatures ache in his muscles and proceeded to swim a few fast laps all the while looking over his shoulder to try and gage his brother in law's reaction.

However had he known Ardal better that he would not have mistaken the nonchalance with which he carried himself as the man had been battling a war all of his own and so challenging his new brother in law had been far from his mind.

'Flora hadn't seen fit to mention that he and Walter would have company.'

Then again why would she think to? After all he had simply heard that his brother in law ran most mornings and in an effort to build bridges at his sister's insistence had offered to accompany him. The sight of the chef standing there in that light and thin shirt and those close fitting running trousers almost made him turn round and return to his own room but Walter had spotted him before he could and he had been trapped. So during their run he had stuck to his brother in law like glue, keeping his eyes fixed firmly ahead not caring about the burning in his legs it was good for him, punishment for such sinful thoughts.

But then Walter had suggested the swim, well he had no grounds to refuse and he couldn't help that a part of him wanted to, even if he had to punish himself later it would be worth it for a glimpse of a pale chest through a sodden and clinging shirt. And it had been until he had been caught staring.

And now he knew…He had to have known. The look of shock on his face was heartrending, not disgust just pure unadulterated shock and Ardal had not waited until it became one of horror instead turning and bolting up to the house having muttered some ridiculous excuse about not getting his bandages wet.

"What the devil's the matter with him?" The butler snapped as he pulled himself out on to the shore and began to head up the slope towards the house. "Felix?" He added when the chef did not automatically answer.

Quietly thoughtful Felix shrugged muttering, "I couldn't possibly hazard a guess."

- - - -

Stomping sullenly up the stairs to his room to change the butler mused over what he could have done now to offend his new family and so engrossed in such thoughts that he didn't notice his wife sitting by the fire putting the finishing touches to some new garment whilst Ellie dosed in the corner.

"Walter Corey Just what on earth have you been doing?" Flora's voice demanded just as the butler's soaking shirt hit the polished wooden floor with a definite splat. Shivering slightly the Butler whirled around to find his wife standing in the doorway, hands on her hips a decidedly no nonsense expression on her face.

"Just a little dip to cool off after my run dearest."

"A little dip looks more like you half drowned yourself." Flora retorted acerbically as she stormed over and picked up his dripping shirt heading over to the wash bowl that sat on her dressing table and wringing out the remaining water. "Come on strip!"

Suppressing a smile the butler quickly shed his remaining clothes sauntering over to her and handing them over before wrapping his arms around her waist and moulding himself against her back. Nipping at her neck slightly he teased the stray locks of hair, marvelling at the way she just decided to ignore his nakedness and carry out with her task.

"That is not going to work Walter." Flora finally snapped when his hands began to move from her waist to other more agreeable areas. "Shouldn't you be attending his lordship?"

"He's already left…Out riding with Lord Julian and Montgomery, your parents are in Tappleton…Will not be back for ages…Sooo." He trailed off kissing his way down up her neck to nibble on her earlobe.

"So you have plenty of time to go and make yourself useful…Check on those rascals of footmen, or even heaven forbid pay a visit to your mother I am sure there is some use she can put you to."

"Yes but I would rather there was some use you would put me to?" Walter retorted huskily turning his wife around and pressing her back against the dressing table.

"Well…" Flora replied huskily running her fingers along the outlines of his defined torso as she seemed to consider his proposal. "There was something…No but I couldn't ask you."

"Anything my sweet." Jarvis growled catching her hand and planting kisses along the palm before returning it to his bare chest. "I am ready and willing to serve."

"Yes dear I had noticed." Flora replied girlishly biting her bottom lip. "Well how about…" She teased before suddenly pushing him back onto the cold floor and seizing the now half full bowl of cold water tipped it over him. "YOU GO PUT SOME CLOTHES ON and pick up Ellie's christening present from the Jewellers?"

Stunned the butler lay shivering sprawled over the floor for a moment as his sniggering wife gazed down at him before turning and heading for the door.

"You little…" He began before jumping up and wrestling her to the floor. "We'll see how much you like it shall we?"

"Walter don't you…Dare!" Flora gasped as her husband reached out and pulled the water jug from the dressing table holding it precariously balanced over her. "No…Don't!" Flora screeched giggling in horror as he let a trickle of water spill from the lip of the jug to splash over her neck and chin before moving it down to seep into her collar then down over the bodice of the dress.

"Dear me now we really must get you out of those wet things Flora dear before you catch your death." Walter cooed in his best imitation of his mother.

"They aren't that wet." Flora snapped before she could stop herself. "No…" Flora gasped in horror as her husband upended the jug over her spilling its remaining contents over her dress.

"Spoke too soon didn't we my darling?"

"You bastard!"

"No I am not I have it on very good authority from my mother that she and my father were married before I was born." Walter replied smugly as his fingers made quick work of Flora's dress buttons before moving on to the complicated lacings of her corset.

"My corset isn't wet Walter!" Flora began but on seeing the self-satisfied way he smiled back she quickly relented and allowed him to remove it as well.

"Ah yes now where were we?" The butler mused as he picked up his half naked wife and deposited her on their still unmade bed. "Oh yes you were putting me to good use."

- - -

Shivering alone in his room Ardal clutched tightly at his rosary muttering prayers under his breath so fast that anyone who had even tried to listen in would have been confused by the virtual blur of words. So engrossed was he in his penance that he didn't hear his door open nor the presence of another in his room until the sharp tapping of a cane disrupted his thoughts.

"I leave you alone for one morning and this is the state I find you in…Boy you are a disgrace." Lorcan growled his hands tightening on his cane as a startled Ardal whirled round cowering as he tried to keep his embarrassing situation hidden from his step-father.

"Stand up boy when I am talking to you!"

Shaking his head Ardal refused, he just couldn't bare that much humiliation, he'd get a thrashing anyway so why take the risk.

"Are you disrespecting me boy…I told you to stand like the man you are supposed to be and face me like a son I could be proud of and instead you choose to grovel on the floor like some snivelling little brat. Stand up I say or do I have to make you Sir?"

Shaking like a child Ardal got to his feet his cheeks burning in shame as his predicament became obvious, lowering his head as he caught sight of his step-father's disgusted expression he waited for the first blow to fall.

"So this is why you disobeyed me…Your perversion has re-surfaced and instead of coming to me for my aid and guidance…" Lorcan trailed off an ironic smile briefly gracing his twisted face before he continued. "You tried to hide, from me and from yourself."

"I…"

"Well speak up or are you going to compound your shame by lying…No continuing lying, you had promised me such things were past after all the years we spent purging this from you and what with your courting the O'Brian girl I finally thought I had drummed it into that thick head of yours!"

"I am sorry Sir." Ardal muttered. "I swear to you I didn't do anything…I don't want to do anything of that sort, I do not know why God has chosen to punish me in this way?"

Snorting in derision Lorcan moved to rest his weary bones on Ardal's bedside chair. "I would have thought that were obvious even to someone of your limited abilities. You and your family are the most sinful of creatures I have ever had the misfortune to come across, you were all born out an infamous liaison that should by rights never have taken place, and as long as that monster's blood flows in your veins you will never be free of your demons. But as you know I was sent to help guide you back to the light, and I will make sure you stay on that path till the day you die if I have to keep you their by force with the last breath in my body."

"I know Sir…I am grateful, but I don't understand why now I have followed the path as you said I have never willingly strayed, why am I being punished?"

Shaking his head in what was almost a pitying gesture Lorcan sighed deeply. "It is your sister's influence. I should have known that letting you come here would be a mistake, the pull of your blood is too strong, I am just relieved we were wise enough to not let you come alone."

"As am I." Ardal replied his breathing now returning to normal as his body calmed down. "I do appreciate all that you do for me Sir; I know it is a trial for you."

"A trial given to me by the almighty is not a burden that I would shrug aside." Lorcan muttered reverently. "They cannot understand that…Your sister and her family, all those who are not of our church back home. They see but they do not understand, they go to their churches once a week like good little sheep and think that that is enough to buy them salvation and escape damnation, whilst in between Sundays they lie and steal and bed down with one another's wives and think that this once a week mass will absolve them. Catholics…Protestants what on earth is the difference really, they have all strayed from the true faith. Our faith, our church is the only one that matters because we live with god everyday, in our souls and minds as we wreak his vengeance upon the un-worthy so that they will see the errors of their ways and truly repent."

"Can we really be saved?" Ardal muttered softly. "All of us?"

"I believe it is possible, otherwise I would not have dedicated my life to the task." Lorcan retorted sharply.

"Flora too?"

Smiling tightly Lorcan nodded getting to his feet. "Flora too…Or did you think I came all this way for nothing but a heathen christening? She will accept our faith just as her child will be inducted into it...As for her husband; an Englishman well he is scarcely worth the bother. No he can stay here and wallow in his own guilt, you sister will come home with us where she belongs in time she will adjust and forget and be saved along with the rest of you."

"Can I have my penance now?" Ardal pleaded quietly.

"You want a penance?" Lorcan asked his eyes narrowing as Ardal hung his head.

"It would ease my spirit to know I had made amends for my transgression."

"Very well…Since you asked." Lorcan replied. "I think only two more than usual."

A few minutes later Lorcan watched as Ardal struggled back into his shirt wincing silently as the harsh material scratched at his broken and weeping skin. "You have till lunch to compose yourself, take this time to pray and meditate on what triggered your fall from grace then rejoin us there is something I think you need to see. It will makes things easier and then I will have a special task for you so do not fret I believe there is hope for you yet." And with that he turned and leaning on his cane left Ardal alone with his thoughts.

- - -

It was getting late, Walter really should have been downstairs issuing orders left right and centre but as he lay cuddled in his wife's arms he found it difficult to find the motivation to move.

"You should be in your office." Flora murmured voicing his thoughts as she nuzzled into his shoulder

"I know." Walter replied gently but still he made no attempt to move instead running his fingertips along the curve of her arm. "But the view is so much pleasanter here."

"Why I should hope so Walter Corey, I would feel aggrieved indeed to loose out to a pile of paperwork in the beauty stakes!" Flora teased. "But really you should at least be downstairs for when the Earl returns or just in case one of the ladies rings for you…" She added her beautiful face creasing slightly as she remembered just which odious woman was now in residence and could at her whim summon the butler to her side.

"What is that look for?" Walter scoffed cupping her chin and forcing her to look at him concern etching his features as he saw the very real scowl on his beloved's face.

"That woman is here…You don't think she will…I mean try to punish you for how you behaved, no woman likes to be well cast aside Walter and…"

"Flora don't."

"Don't what?" His wife snapped back. "I think considering what almost happened between you and that…well that woman I have a right to be unsettled with her in the house."

"Oh whereas having to look at Forest everyday is simply a picnic for me!" Walter spat back his blue eyes darkening dangerously with anger. "I gave you my word that should be enough?"

Shaking her head Flora reached up and stroked his face softly pulling him back down beside her kissing him gently by way of a silent apology then pulling away she whispered softly. "It's not you that I don't trust it's her! I am afraid she will try to lash out at you, to punish you for avoiding her since…Well since you know after all it must have been a blow to her overly inflated ego. Just promise me you'll be careful, avoid being alone with her if you can; god knows what sort of sick story she would try and concoct just to get you into trouble."

Reassured Walter settled back down wrapping his arms tightly round his wife and pulling her firmly against him. "I made a promise to you that I intend to keep till the day I die and no little hussies will make me break it, I assure you I know how to handle scheming little madams like that."

"I am delighted to hear it…Walter…"

"Yes Flora?" The Butler asked dramatically earning him a playfully slap on the behind for his sarcasm.

"Just kiss me you fool!"

Smiling broadly he leant down capturing her lips gently whispering against them. "As you command Milady."

- - -

"Oh but are you sure?" Aoife's timid voice muttered. "I know you are so clever my darling but this is just too awful to be true."

"Take a look at the brat yourself and tell me who do you see in him if you need further proof?" Lorcan snapped causing his wife to withdraw into herself taking a quick peek into the cradle before looking away in horror.

"So it is true…" Ardal muttered to himself. "I know see why the lord brought us here…Poor Flora to live with such a burden."

Smiling to himself Lorcan ushered them quickly out of the nursery before the fool of a nanny returned and demanded to know what in the hell they were doing. "So now you finally understand?"

"Yes Sir…" Ardal replied sadly, it had all been a lie, a façade of contented marital bliss put on for her family.

"Then you agree something has to be done?" Lorcan added not really giving a damn if Ardal approved of his plan or not but to have the boy cooperate of his own free will would makes things that much easier and be more convincing.

"I agree."

"Then you know what to do…"

- - -

Giggling Flora lent back in the trap unwittingly jostling the sleeping Ellie in her arms. "Ardal where on earth are you taking me?"

"I told you it is a secret!" He brother retorted smiling across at his blindfolded sister.

"Well as long as it isn't far…If I am not back by nightfall I promise Walter will have you head and any other extremities decorating the walls of his office and believe me I wish I was joking!"

Flora retorted jovially, unable to contain her happiness since her brother had surprised her after lunch and insisted that she and his new niece join him on his little expedition. Of course what she wasn't expecting was that it had to be a secret escape from Taplows with no one the wiser nor that the moment they were in the trap her brother would insist on playing this childish game with the blindfold. But what ever their destination she had to admit it was wonderful just to be able to escape and spend some time alone with her little brother just as they had when he was a mere scrap of a boy.

"Are we there yet?" She added in a deliberately childish tone.

"Not quite…What is the matter Flora don't you trust me or something?" Ardal retorted a faked hurt tone to his voice that simply caused her to laugh louder.

"Of course I trust you."

"I hope you do…I really hope you do." Ardal replied, his playful tone gone and in its place something un-placeable.

"Well of course I trust you, you're my brother I'd trust you with my life itself which considering your driving isn't far from the truth." Flora added as the trap continued to bounce around wildly. "I've never met anyone who drives as badly as you…Are you aiming for every pothole in the road?"

"No…I am glad you trust me Flora, and you have every reason to I would only ever act in your best interest, I would only ever do anything I could to protect you."

Suddenly worried by his serious tone Flora reached up for the blindfold turning to face her brother who had stopped the trap. "Ardal where are we…What is going on?" She asked as her eyes wildly scanned the thick woodland around them. "I thought we were going into town…"

"Trust me Flora." Ardal insisted getting down from the trap and reaching out his hand for his sister. "There is nothing that can harm you here."

Suspicious but unwilling to make herself out a liar when only a minute before she had declared her implicit trust in him Flora took his outstretched hand and stepped down from the trap Ellie cradled protectively to her chest as he led her from the trap and into the forest.

- - -

"Hello? Is there anybody there?"

No answer, just the peaceful twittering of winter birds and the cold breeze rippling the collar of his greatcoat. He wasn't really surprised, turning up unannounced quite like that, but his unexpected posting overseas had given call for him to leave Scotland and make his way to Portsmouth. He had left as early as possible, but it meant his long detour to Taplows on the journey down had happened suddenly and without warning of letter or even telegram. He just hoped to find her in good spirits, and her son equally well – he felt he owed it to his good friend Hugo's memory to be courteous; a woman left on her own like that, the father of her baby tragically killed by the perils of a winter pond dip while giving his life for another, it would be no wonder if she felt vulnerable.

There was, of course, the main reason for his visit. She was a magnificent beauty, like nobody he had ever come across during his postings around the world, her fiery tresses and bright eyes capturing his heart and soul. If he was to be sent on a long voyage, to face peril and possibly even death, he had to have an answer. She had been given long enough to decide, and now it was time.

Taking a deep breath, his lungs filling with the fresh country air, Colonel Laurence McCartney called out again as he leapt from his dark stallion. The house seemed deserted and not a servant in sight, so with a frown he removed his top hat and smoothened down his brown locks and whispered to his horse to stay put while he had a wander round. The horse neighed and stamped its hooves as if to acknowledge the instruction then Laurie took his first few tentative steps around the building in search of signs of life.

He immediately found Taplows an intriguing place, nestled amongst the hills, almost as if it wanted to hide away from the outside world and keep its secrets locked away. A smile inched across his rugged and windswept face; this place had secrets alright. He could almost feel them. Strangely enough, however, he didn't feel uneasy. He could certainly see why Rebecca would treat it as her second home. It was delightful. As he entered the courtyard he could hear the horses in their stables and around the corner quiet giggling and light female panting followed by a low, masculine grunt. His eyebrows flew up and he drew to a halt on the cobbles, staying silent, in time to see a slightly plump maid dashing out from behind the corner as she adjusted her skirts, her cheeks flushed and a broad smile across her face. She failed to notice the stranger watching her from the other end of the yard as she hurried through a door and into what Laurie could only assume were the servants quarters. He chuckled quietly to himself, wondering who was about to follow her out, and as if on queue a young, tall fellow with a crop of blond hair and a slim, fairly handsome face stepped out of the shadows.

"Excuse me." The newly arrived aristocrat called out tentatively, his breath steaming before his eyes. "I was wondering, could you possibly help me?"

Frank spun round on his heel, suddenly panicking he had been spotted doing something he shouldn't with a maid who was ugly as sin but all she had had to do was flash him a bit of leg to get him interested. He had used his imagination and suddenly she had become Francesca, who for all their differences – and similarities – was still the best he had ever had.

"Oh, I'm sorry sir." Frank said uneasily, clearing his throat as he carefully examined the well-presented and obviously wealthy stranger in his midst. "I didn't see you there. Was Mr Jarvis not there to greet you?"

Laurie shook his head and smiled sheepishly. "Mr Jarvis? I'm afraid I am here rather unannounced, it is my fault. My name is Colonel Laurence McCartney, I am here on a visit to Lady Rebecca MacKenzie, I am a friend from Scotland."

"Frank Keneally at your service, Colonel – valet to Lord Julian Dalrimple-Sykes." Frank said, introducing himself in the most polite way he could muster. More visitors to Taplows was certainly something he could do without; all it meant was another aristocrat to keep his piss-head of a master away from, making his own life rather more difficult.

"Indeed, of course, he's now part of this family isn't he? I have come across his father. Admiral Ronald Dalrimple-Sykes was by all accounts an extremely competent seaman." Laurie suddenly stopped himself from saying more. His fondness for banter with servants had landed him in trouble in his youth with his own father and he had tried to heed his words ever since, but very much like his old friend Montgomery Hamilton-Hussey he often enjoyed their company far more than the boring old farts of his own class. He certainly remembered Lord Julian – the Navy drop-out who had a penchant for too much liquor - from a Royal military dinner years before, and Laurie couldn't help but wonder if he had changed. He very much doubted it.

Laurie cleared his throat. "I will not be requiring accommodation as I am staying at an inn in Tappleton, but my horse will need tending."

"You heard the Colonel, Mr Keneally!" A gruff, thick Glaswegian voice called out from by the door, much to Laurie's surprise. "The gentleman's horse, if you please!"

Frank opened his mouth to protest; it wasn't his job, looking after a horse not belonging to Lord Julian – in fact horses weren't his job at all – but the look of anger and contempt on the under-butler's face warned him to stay quiet and get on with the instruction. With a curl of the lip, Frank stalked away, knowing full well he had far more interesting things to do with his time than deal with the mule of what was quite obviously one of Lady Rebecca's past shags. The only amusing thought was, what would that Scotch git Adams make of it all? How the amusement never ended in the Sturges-Bourne household.

Little did Laurence McCartney realise it, but as he turned and nodded a greeting at the gruff Scotsman, who was undoubtedly a senior servant, he had come face-to-face with his most unlikely love rival for the first time. Adams, on the other hand, had more than a hint of suspicion already playing in his troubled mind. It had been the look Lady Francesca had cast him the evening before as he served her sherry; an almost pitying stare which was mocking more than it was sympathetic. If she had muttered to him, as he bent down over the table with the decanter, that Rebecca would inevitably find another more suitable, handsome fellow, then he wouldn't have been surprised. He didn't need a hussy like Rebecca's younger sister to tell him what he already knew. Maybe, this Laurence McCartney hoped one day to be like a father to baby Hugo. And maybe Andrew Adams would want to rip his throat out with his bare hands.

"I do apologise, sir, that there was nobody there to greet you on your arrival. I am Andrew Adams, the under-butler here and I will fetch the butler Mr Jarvis presently." Adams put on his most professional of voices and the new arrival visibly relaxed at meeting someone senior whom, he hoped, hadn't just been having relations too. Laurie liked to think of himself as a fairly open-minded sort of chap, but he didn't particularly wish the sight of a post-coital dash back to work to be his lasting memory of the place. Still, the place was already privately amusing him and he was intrigued to find out more about its inhabitants. The name Adams rang a vague bell – he was sure Rebecca must have mentioned him before, and had quite possibly worked at Highlands at some point. He was about to ask, considering himself a rather inquisitive fellow, when a familiar face jogged towards him, the man clad in long-johns and untucked shirt and cold sweat matted in his hair. If a certain housekeeper hadn't been so preoccupied running the house and had seen him in his current state, she might well have dragged him to somewhere more private to assess his wellbeing after such physical exertion and provide medical attention if required.

"Laurie, my good man! What the devil are you doing here?" Monty beamed, placing a sweaty palm in Laurie's a shaking it firmly.

Good question, Adams thought as he eyed the Colonel suspiciously.

Laurie chuckled as Monty panted, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. "I am afraid the great and the good are sending me to foreign parts, for my sins, so thought I would be chivalrous and call on darling Becca. You're still keeping fit, I see."

"Always one for a good workout, you know me, although the butler here sometimes gives me a run for my money! A sprint up to that statue over there and back does me the world of good, you will have to join me if you are staying." Monty replied jovially as the two men trotted towards the steps up to the house, the under-butler leading the way.

"Gosh, this place is a hive of activity, isn't it?" Laurie grinned, almost boyishly. Monty could see what might attract Rebecca to him as they shared the same sense of mischievous humour, but as he caught Adams' eye he saw the hate and concern already beginning to burn up inside the under butler.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Monty muttered to his friend.

"So how is your darling wife? Same as usual?"

"Oh, you know how Francesca can become, especially not long after giving birth, but every time I think she is going to find some good humour, perhaps under her pillow at night, she remains in such a foul temperament I simply cannot talk to her." Monty rolled his eyes as they walked through the main hallway, Adams taking the Colonel's greatcoat and top hat, desperate to catch a word or two about Rebecca and what the hell this new man in her life was doing turning up out of the blue. He hardly believed such an obviously distinguished gentleman would have precious time to spare taking such a diversion to Somerset if he were journeying to be posted abroad, unless he had a very good reason. Rebecca was always good enough reason to journey half way around the world for, in Adams' opinion, let alone diverting on a journey from Scotland to Portsmouth, but then he was the one in love with her and she was the mother of his son. Colonel Laurence McCartney had no such reason to come out of his way, to the wintry countryside of Somerset and the under-butler had never felt more deeply suspicious. He concluded, as he stalked off to find the butler and inform him of this untimely arrival, that the Colonel must be on a mission – a mission to steal the heart of his beloved Rebecca. Adams didn't care if Laurie McCartney was the good Lord himself, he wasn't about to allow that to happen, he had been waiting long enough for the day he had dreamt about for years now. He wouldn't confront Rebecca just yet, but would watch from the sidelines, observe them together and decide what to do next.

- - - -

Grace May hummed gently to herself as she spread the flour roughly across her work surface before throwing down her lump of dough and kneading it as forcefully as her good mood would allow her to. For once in what seemed like such a long time things were actually going well for her. Frank was being such a darling, completely honest with her and caring attentively to her and the baby. They were planning to leave in about a month, Frank had written to his parents last night with Grace's help and was waiting for his charge to pass out drunk before he could sneak off to send it.

She had to admit though she was really quite nervous…what would his family be like and how would they react to her being the unwed woman he'd got knocked up and decided to bring home. They'd decided however not to tell his family that she was pregnant just yet…probably not until they were married, which Frank was trying to organise, all the legal details were too complicated for her. She just had to turn up looking stunning, although Frank had insisted she wouldn't have any trouble with that.

She smiled dreamily at the thought of his sweetness. She sometimes wished she'd just left with him those years ago instead of wasting all this time, it would have been the proper thing to do and she wouldn't have spent the last 2 or so years of her life caring for that good for nothing murderous scum.

She paused in her thoughts 'murderous scum'?…she knew he wasn't really that, but it was better this way, she decided, trailing her flour covered hand over her abdomen. There were only a small number of people in this world, apart from Emily and herself, that knew George was innocent and she couldn't wait around for him while the rest of the world discovered this…if they ever did that was. What if he was never cleared? He was a man who had been accused of murder and then run away, things certainly didn't look too good for him.

No! She told herself sharply, stop thinking about him! She forced her thoughts of George to the back of her mind, telling herself repeatedly that things were much better off this way. With Frank she had security and he loved her, cared about her. George didn't care enough to stop himself getting locked up in the first place and now he'd come back asking her to spend her life with him, in such risky circumstances. She couldn't do that to her baby, or Frank.

"Mrs Watson will have a fit if she sees you slacking," Grace heard a familiar voice whisper as someone peered round the door. "Is she around?"

Grace turned to face her husband to be and shook her head, "just been called upstairs," she told him, wiping her floury hands on her apron and trying to dust down the white hand print across the front of her dress.

"Being notified of our new guest probably."

"Lovely," she replied sarcastically "not one of Lady Caroline's friends is it? Or please don't tell me lovely Catherine has 'popped in' again. The witch is driving me crazy, came down for a little chat with 'the help' when she was last here, rubbing it in the smug tart." Grace moaned, recollecting the encounter with Mrs Postlebury on her last visit and how she had delighted in telling Grace that she shouldn't find being around her uncomfortable now that they were from different class.

"Oh no this person I feel is going to be far more interesting," Frank chuckled, thinking back to the Colonel's mention of being a 'friend' of Lady Rebecca's and the angry look on Adams's face when he'd heard this. "Colonel Laurence McCartney."

"Really? A friend of Lord Hamilton-Hussey by any chance?"

"Oh no, no," he continued to chuckle, "far more interesting still. A friend of Lady Rebecca's…a very good friend was the impression I got."

"You're pulling my leg!" Grace giggled, before Frank shook his head.

"I swear down on our little baby's life that this is no hoax."

Grace let out a low whistle, "Mr Adams isn't going to be too fond of this guy then I take it…it's funny, Lizzie never mentioned it. But then again she is very devoted to Lady Rebecca, I can understand why she didn't want this one to get out."

"Well I'm telling you Andrew Adams didn't look too happy a moment ago when he just arrived I can tell you that," his happy smile fading into angry gritted teeth, as he recalled Adams sending him to tend to the Colonel's horse. Then again, maybe he should be quite thankful that he stunk of horse, at least he didn't reek of…what was her name again? Anyway it didn't really matter, 'that tart' would have to do.

It didn't mean anything, it never did. She was just there and offering, that was all he needed. With Grace it was different, he really did care about her and since learning about her pregnancy he'd decided that she was out of bounds except for a cuddle before bed, and she seemed to have warmed to the idea. However there were certain things that you couldn't just give up like that, even for your pregnant girlfriend.

"I missed you this morning before breakfast," she cooed, running a finger beneath his chin, winking briefly.

"Well Lord Drink-a-lot started even earlier than usual this morning, didn't even start his breakfast before he was flat on his back."

"Oh you poor dear," Grace sympathised, stroking his arm soothingly. "I hope he's not being too much hassle for you."

"Well a little, it's hard work," he sighed, searching for compliments, "but on the bright side I managed to go into town to post the letter to my family."

"Well that is good news," Grace smiled nervously, "I so do hope they will be willing to accept me into their family. When should we expect a reply?"

"Anytime soon my dear," he comforted, wrapping an arm around her, while his free hand clasped around the letter still safe in his pocket.

------

"Keneally is not a one woman bloke. Everyone knows that…except Grace it seems."

"Well I've tried to tell her, but-" Emily began, however she was cut across by the angry George.

"That is not good enough! You have to tell her again and again, until it's embossed on that befuddled brain of hers!"

Emily stepped back an inch as he jumped to his feet, stamping forcefully on the ground and spraying his partially chewed bread all over her as he spoke.

"There are only so many times you tell someone that her boyfriend is fooling around behind her their if you want to keep that person's trust and friendship." Emily sighed deeply, rubbing her head in exhaustion.

George looked up at her and suddenly felt a great deal of sympathy for the aging woman before him. He'd never seen her looking so pale and almost drained. He'd been so wrapped up in his own insignificant life, that he had completely forgotten that he wasn't the only one she was tending to at the moment. She'd recently become a grandmother and by the looks of things, it was running her to the ground.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout…I sometimes forget that you have other concerns besides myself and Grace. It's just…the thought of them, her and Frank bloody Keneally together, well, it makes my blood boil."

Emily nodded understandingly, wishing to god that she couldn't back up what he was saying with her own experiences. "I'll try again if you wish though I'm not sure what good it will do. She is so set on the idea of them leaving in the next month. And I've even seen Frank with her and he seems thrilled about the baby and as far as I can tell I have no reason to doubt his fidelity other than your word and my own judgement on his past."

"Thank you…"

"But I'm not promising anything." Emily cut across sharply. "It's my little Eleanor's christening tomorrow and I'm rushed of my feet. Trust Flora to disappear with her brother when we have so much to plan…anyway! That is neither here nor there. I'll do my best!"

"Just as long as you try. That is all I ask…except…could you possibly mention her giving me a visit sometime in the near future. I know she doesn't want to, doesn't want her 'darling Frankie' to find out, but if you could just suggest it. Please." He pleaded with her now, before settling himself back on the floor.

"I will," he grinned at this for the first time since the beginning of her visit.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," he winked at her, before she left ready to find out where the hell that daughter-in-law of hers had got to.

- - -

"Ardal I am not taking another step until you tell me what is going on!" Flora snapped her patience having worn through when after ten minutes of stumbling over twisted old roots and kicking up mouldering leaves her beloved brother still hadn't seen fit to fill her in.

"Just a little further." Ardal coaxed fixing his sister with his most innocent smile. "If your arms are getting tired I can take Eleanor?"

"No." Flora retorted more sharply than she had intended, but it was instinctive she wasn't going to hand over her precious darling even to her own brother not when he was acting so very out of character. "No you are going to tell me now or I am just going to turn around and head back."

Shaking his head sadly Ardal turned and headed along the path deliberately calling his sisters bluff, a slight smile pulling at his aristocratic features when scarcely sixty seconds later Flora could be heard scurrying after him. A minute later and they arrived in a small clearing surrounded by ancient oaks, long grasses and wild roses had made it their home but it was still possible to make out the tops of gravestones peeking mysteriously through the undergrowth, a long low crumbling stone wall encircling them broken only by what must have once been an impressive set of gates of which now only the posts remained encircled by some adventurous Clematis.

"What was this place?" Flora asked in wonder the wild beauty captivating her imagination as she followed Ardal through the old archway and into to the ruins.

"It was an old settlement before the reformation…a group of Jesuits lived here, the local's called it God's Elbow for some reason; don't ask me why that was lost over the centuries…" Ardal muttered. "I have developed quite a passion for old chapels and monasteries…Most were raided for stone over the centuries so to find them like this is so rare, the place was abandoned when the Jesuits fled fearing persecution but the locals stayed away, some nonsense about a curse handed down it would afflict thieves and non believers alike if they removed the stones or dared disturb the remains of the buried monks…It was so unusual to find somewhere where locals actually believed that and after a few hundred years the place was forgotten about. By then Charles I had had the land turned into one of his hunting forests and had oaks and beeches planted before filling the land with deer and what with the penalties for poaching no one dared venture too far into the forest so it wasn't unusual for this place to be overlooked."

"Then how did you find it?" Flora asked unable to contain the growing feeling of uneasiness that was growing she just couldn't help shake off the feeling of being watched.

"Oh well there was a mention of a religious settlement here in the Doomsday book and then when I was studying with the priest back home he knew of my interest so he let me catalogue the old library and there were copies of correspondence dating back to the mid fifteenth century…Papal bulls and so on and one of them mentioned this place the name just stuck in my memory I suppose and from the records in the Doomsday I was able to ascertain its basic location what rivers it was near, any large hills that had been documented. I suppose it was just fluke that it ended up being within riding distance of Taplows…Now of all times…"

"Now of all times?" Flora repeated nervously. "Ardal what is going on?"

Instead of answering her question her brother meandered along the path till the remains of the old chapel came into sight. "You should at least see the chapel before you go Flora…There was supposed to have been some very fine carving, it will be weather beaten but even so…"

"Ardal!" Flora hissed as she scampered after him, the feeling of being watched from the shadows now growing. "Ardal I want to go home right now…This place is making me nervous and it is getting late."

"It's not late."

"But it is time for Ellie's nap and she will sleep better in her crib than being jostled about on a trap." Flora countered. "I am asking you to take me home now!"

"But why would you want to do that my dear you'd miss the party?" Another deeper and decidedly unpleasant voice echoed out of the shadows as Lorcan Gilroy stepped out of the abandoned chapel and faced his step daughter. "And you and your delightful daughter are the guests of honour!"

- - - -

"So then he said…"

The sound of tittering gossiping females assaulted his ears as he approached Mrs Watson's office where the housekeeper was holding court with the ladies maids under the official guise of a staff meeting but that didn't\ fool the butler who recognised a male bashing bonding session when he saw one. Reluctant as he was interrupt such an occasion when the ladies' acid tongues could just as easily turn on him as on the other poor fellow they were maligning , Jarvis decided to risk it in exchange for the information he sought. Drawing himself up to his full height he tapped politely on the door waiting for a muffled enter before pushing it open, his suspicions immediately confirmed when sitting around the table sipping tea and munching away on Felix's excellent lemon cake were Molly Watson, Mrs Diggins, Bridgette and a few other visiting ladies maids of lower status.

"Ladies…" Mr Jarvis began nervously, as usual his eyes studiously avoiding noticing the fact they were clearly not working and were more to the point indulging themselves at his lordships expense, his gaze going straight to his housekeeper who fixed on him with a wry smile as if noting his discomfort. "I was looking for my wife…"

"Oh I haven't seen her at all since lunch Mr Jarvis." Molly replied, before turning to confer with her colleagues but the butler did not follow her gaze after all the last thing he needed was for those rumours about Bridgette to start circling again as it appeared there were enough people gossiping about his private life as it was.

"No…I saw her with her brother..." Mrs Diggins cut in her expression distant and thoughtful. "We have such a good view of the parkland from her ladyship's room and the trap must have left shortly after one as I remember I spotted it whilst helping her ladyship with her lunch."

Scowling for a moment before covering his annoyance with a dashing smile the butler muttered his thanks before withdrawing. What on earth was Flora doing gallivanting off with her brother the day before her daughter's christening when there was still so much that needed organising? The deliveries for the special buffet lunch that Felix had generously offered to prepare were arriving and it wasn't like he had any idea where they should be stored or just how many guests would be coming and the chef was starting to drive him insane with questions like how many of this or that needed to be made. Then on top of that his bloody under-butler had gone AWOL again, he was supposed to be supervising the footman polishing the silver and sorting out arrangements for the upcoming cup dinner not brooding around hiding in shadows somewhere on the estate!

Rubbing his aching forehead he consoled himself with the fact that at least his odious new relatives seemed to have had sense enough to get out from under foot whilst the house was in upheaval. Although he couldn't help but find that a little suspicious, surely a man such as Lorcan Gilroy a born meddler and mischief maker would have enjoyed watching his new son-in-law flap around all flummoxed making the usual vile digs just for the malevolent fun of getting a reaction. Shaking his head in order to dispel such pointless wonderings the butler in him vented by snapping at any servant who appeared in his sight and did not appear to be doing anything of use that would teach them all, how dare they swap malicious gossip behind his back?

So far he had managed to keep it from reaching Flora's delicate ears as she had enough to deal with at the moment without that old nasty, albeit not totally unsubstantiated, rumour resurfacing and ruining everything. God knows where these lower servants got such ideas, one temporary slip and now not only was he the Lothareo of the upper servants but he had illegitimate brats apparently scattered all over the countryside and one not even as far away as that. Such complete nonsense as if they needed to look at him for such a thing when they all had a perfectly good candidate in that slimy toad Frank Keneally! That was the trouble with rumour mongering people didn't want to believe what was right under their noses they preferred to believe the absurd, the ridiculous. So not only was the newborn lying upstairs really his son but apparently since his return from India had had managed to put several of the sculleries and laundry maids in the same condition because of course it couldn't have been any of his lusty footmen or that smug odious valet now could it!

And talking about Keneally just where had that little weasel had been hiding, true he had been on his best behaviour now for months not so much as looking at the butler in a funny way and although Jarvis was certain some of it was due to the influence of Miss May it still niggled at him. Could Frank change so completely for a woman, even one he claims to love so completely, or is that evil sadistic streak simply lurking underneath that smiling façade striking out in secret at his nemeses? Running his fingers through his hair the butler decided to put all thoughts about Frank Keneally out of his mind for the moment, first he had to find his mother and have her sort out this christening mess that Flora had dumped on him to go gallivanting off with her brother and so valets and under-butlers would have to wait till he had the time to deal with them.

- - -

"And you and your delightful daughter are the guests of honour!"

Shaking her head in disbelief Flora instinctively stepped backwards as if putting a few more feet in between her and Lorcan would somehow dispel the hold he had over their entire family. "I wouldn't want to be a guest at any party of yours." She blustered when she had regained her voice.

"Oh but you simply have to stay Flora we have gone through so much trouble to organise everything." Lorcan bit back evilly.

"I don't care."

"Oh but I do and so I am afraid I cannot possibly allow it."

"I am a married woman not some small bit of a child anymore I refuse to be intimidated by you…If I want to leave then that is what I will do." Flora snapped, her temper flaring as she gripped her daughter closely to her chest her eyes flickering to her brother who was standing silently and watching the exchange with a resolved expression on his face. "Ardal I want you to take me home now."

"Ardal go and join our guests in the chapel your sister and I need to have a little chat." Lorcan cut in, his eyes flickering to his step-son who reluctantly obeyed his instructions leaving his stunned sister behind without even a backwards glance.

"I have nothing to say and there is nothing that I want hear from you apart from that you're leaving and will never darken my doorstep again!" Flora countered bravely standing her ground as Lorcan limped towards her leaning heavily on his stick.

"That is your choice of course…But if you do not listen to what I have to say then I have no doubt your husband will find what I have to tell him most enlightening!"

"I doubt Walter would find anything you had to say interesting."

Smiling smugly Lorcan lent against the crumbling wall fixing Flora with a knowing look that made her tremble. "Oh so you told him about your family then…All of your family even those who you have tried to forget! I am sure he must be looking forward to the prospect with relish, an unstable wife who will one day inflict violence on all those around her even her own little darling daughter."

"That is a lie!" Flora hissed. "A lie you made up."

"A truth that your mother, brother and sister accept and after all they were there…You on the other hand were off gallivanting with some Frenchman instead of supporting your family when they needed it."

"I was working, and he was my fiancé not just some man!" Flora retorted angrily. "And I supported them long before you came onto the scene, I sent them all my wages to help keep the farm."

"Well whatever he was, you still didn't come home when your mother asked now did you and why? Because you didn't want to introduce that darling man of yours to your father didn't want to face the shame of a family cursed by madness. What were you afraid that once he found out he would turn and leave you?"

"No." Flora muttered.

"Oh so that isn't the reason that you haven't told you husband then." Lorcan teased evilly.

"Walter would never leave me regardless of whatever happened!" Flora retorted but her voice wavered slightly as her resolve showed signs of weakening.

"Well then it won't matter if he finds out, for warned is for armed after all." Lorcan countered getting to his feet and offering her his arm. "I am sure he will adapt well, after all from what I have heard he has already dealt with one mad wife so a second will hardly be a burden! We'll go tell him now than shall we. Tell him all about your grandmother who spent her last few years unaware of anyone around her and lashing out at anyone who came near. Then your father…Tell me what did you tell your darling Walter about his death?"

"There was nothing to tell!"

"Oh you don't think it is an interesting story? A man slowly driven mad, isolating his family from the entire village becoming increasingly paranoid about those around him. The butcher and fishmonger conspiring to kill him wasn't it…Oh and yes the fit he had in the church when he started swearing and cursing the almighty. Then the icing on the cake, becoming convinced his own son was the devil incarnate and lashing out at him taking a shotgun to him and only just missing so your brother had to go lodge with his aunt instead of being at home…"

"Stop!" Flora screeched. "It wasn't like that…My father was a good man, he was just ill it wasn't his fault."

"Oh so it wasn't his fault he killed his own son then?" Lorcan asked innocently hiding a malevolent smile in the growing dim light.

"He didn't it was an accident!"

"An accident?" Lorcan scoffed. "He pushed the boy under the plough and then when he realised what he had done he took the cowards way out and blew a nasty whole in his own head with a shotgun."

"Liar." Flora replied but the fight had gone out of her voice as the tears filled her eyes. "My father was the best of men…You're the damn devil here, you've bullied my mother until she is a mere shadow of the woman I knew…Ardal, god knows what you have done to him but he is so cowed and afraid all the time…I will not let you turn me into that."

Snorting in amusement Lorcan shook his head.

"What?"

"What makes you think I want anything from you?" Lorcan retorted. "I am here to help, just as I was the one to bring your family back from the brink. Your mother was an emotional wreck until I started courting her; a social pariah and I gave her back her position and her self-respect! Your sister is happily married thanks to me and the efforts and money I put aside for her dowry and your brother has been raised as my son and heir so do not stand there Mrs Corey and presume to judge my impact on your family in those prejudiced and emotional terms."

"Then you won't tell Walter?" Flora mumbled softly lifting her tearstained face to gaze at Lorcan in wonder.

"I won't tell Walter…That is of course providing you do a little tiny favour for me." Lorcan replied sweetly his face a picture of innocence as he gazed down on his step-daughter.

Wary Flora wiped at her tears. "What do you want?"

"What do I want?" Lorcan scoffed as if Flora had somehow insulted him. "I want what every loving father and grandfather wants, to see his children happy and healthy and worshipping the good lord the way it was intended and not facing eternal damnation in the fiery pits of hell because of their sinful behaviour…" Lorcan added his kindly tone vanishing, his eyes narrowing in disgust he continued. "Oh yes I know all about it Flora. The adultery…bellying down with a married man and then carrying his illegitimate brat whilst his poor departed wife was barely food for the worms…Then if that was not shameful enough there were other men…That foreign devil and a boy, old enough to be your own child, oh yes I have heard of your whoring! As for how long such behaviour has carried on I am unsure but I doubt your mother would be happy to discover where the money that you sent so graciously to support her came from."

"So Walter and I made a few mistakes…We're married now and we have a family…I was never a whore!"

"Yes you have made the first step away from your sinful behaviour and for that I applaud you but until you face god and make a full account of your sins and pledge your life into his service then I fear for the consequences!" Lorcan cut in reaching out to grasp Flora's shoulder tightly. "Have you not realised you are being punished Flora?"

"What?" Flora gasped in horror.

"For you sins, God has been punishing you…You lost your first child because of it…Didn't you always realise that, deep down, that God took that child as payment for your behaviour that you were not fit to be its mother." Lorcan insisted staring into Flora's eyes and she could not tear hers away, unable to stop the memories from flooding back; the nights where she raged against the almighty for taking her baby when so many unwanted ones were born perfect and healthy everyday, crying herself to sleep as she let the depression set in deep.

"No." But it came out as a weak whisper of protest.

"Yes…If you had only turned from you path and repented then it might have been saved but you did not and so it was taken. However now you have a child God has chosen to bless you for turning away from wantonness and adultery but you must not turn back…For he will wreak his vengeance not on you but on those around you. Can you not see the vultures closing in? Your marriage stands but on a knife edge stray but a little and it will fail, only through communion with the lord can you find the strength to turn your husband from the temptations of others, to keep him loving and faithful to you alone."

"Walter loves me…He gave me his word…"

"And you believe him?" Lorcan scoffed in incredulity. "A man who has a proven record of licentious behaviour…Pursuing you whilst he was lawfully married, and then the others…Oh yes I am aware of those Flora you need not try to defend your husband to me, I have taken the measure of the man and found him wanting. But if you will not do it for yourself or your marriage then do it for your daughter."

"What has Ellie to do with any of this, she is only a babe." Flora spluttered.

"Why she is the future…Our hope…The whole reason for us being here this afternoon, to welcome her into our church and the true faith." Lorcan replied smugly. "Did you assume that we would stand idly by whilst you made her into a heathen? Or did you misunderstand, that little favour you will be doing me, is bringing your daughter up in our faith starting today when she is baptized."

"No."

"My dear I do not think you understand what is at stake here…Your immortal soul and that of your daughters." Lorcan retorted his grip on Flora now becoming painfully tight.

"I don't care…I won't go behind Walter's back."

Chuckling to himself Lorcan shook his head in amusement before replying. "What makes you think you have any choice…I have tried my best to persuade you but you are as stubborn as your father, well you want a reason other than that I have given, you comply to this little request or I will march right back to your husband and tell him all about your families condition, this inherited dementia, and how his loving wife failed to mention it to him."

"He wouldn't care…He loves me." Flora muttered softly.

"Yes he loves you…But will he ever be able to forgive you?" Lorcan added slyly.

"Forgive me?"

"For passing such a burden on to his precious little girl, you've condemned her to the same fate. Such is a mother's love!" He added sneering sarcastically. "To pass such a sentence on to another, that in her prime she will become delusional and violent, needing to be confined for her own safety and that of others…Tell me Flora don't you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, panicking that you're starting to loose control of your own mind. From what I've heard your behaviour over the last year has been far from normal, erratic and emotional don't tell me dearest Walter hasn't noticed?"

"You Bastard!" Flora growled pulling out of his iron grip and shoving the old man backwards till he landed heavily on the ground yelping in pain as his rheumatic leg bent painfully underneath him. For a moment the old man lay stunned on the grass then breathing heavily Lorcan dragged himself back to his feet leaning on his cane for support.

"You will obey me girl or by heaven I will bring the full force of the lord's wrath upon you! I hold all of your dirty little secrets in my hand; I can reveal them and destroy you or bury them forever and give you a fresh start. Isn't that what you really want anyway, to start afresh? To put you past mistakes behind you?" Lorcan paused watching the indecision on Flora's face, it would be so easy to just give in. "Do this small thing for me, your beloved need never know, after all it is not like he will notice or question you going into town or your upbringing of his daughter. It can be your little secret, just yours and Ellie's a special bond between you, step on this path and I promise you all your troubles will be at an end for the Lord does not forsake his true children."

"Walter…Walter wouldn't need to know?" Flora asked softly, inwardly cringing at the very thought of keeping something from her husband when only months before they had sworn no more secrets.

"No he would not." Lorcan replied soothingly reaching out to pat her hand gently.

"But how could we go to mass? He would notice we go to church together every Sunday…"

Smiling reassuringly Lorcan added. "You wouldn't need to go to mass…With those so called Catholics, they have the truth in front of them but they do not see just as the heathens do not…No you and Ellie will be joining the true faith, our church…I can lend you books for instruction so as to guide her properly, and we have brothers and sisters in England just as back home who have seen the light as we have, many have come here this afternoon to welcome you into our fold. They will help you in my absence, for although we are small in number we are mighty in spirit, they can arrange for a preacher to visit on occasion, I am sure a clever girl such as yourself can think up a reason to cover such visits." He added offering Flora his arm as though their heated words had never been exchanged and her change of heart had been entirely her own decision.

For a moment Flora paused, gazing down at the sleeping child in her arms, it didn't sound so onerous a task to ensure their family's happiness as long as her daughter grew up loved and on the right path did it matter whether she was labelled protestant, catholic or something else? It would be for the best and it wasn't so very big a secret to keep from her husband now was it? Reluctantly Flora accepted Lorcan's arm and allowed him to escort her inside, ignoring the feeling that settled in her stomach like lead a distinctive portend of doom if there ever was one.

- - -

"Less spice!" Felix fumed to himself as he stormed out of the Earl's study and along the corridor, making his way back towards the servants' quarters. "Dinner has already been prepared and he tells me now; less spice! What does he think he knows about cooking? To be telling me, me – Felix Kraus, who knows more about cooking than he will could even dream of. Does he think he knows more than me eh?" he demanded to a passing maid, grasping her by the elbow so she stopped in her tracks, starting in fright at the chef's alarming manner before hastily muttering 'Of course not Mr Kraus' and then scurrying away as quickly as possible.

"Less spice, hmph." Felix muttered to himself again as he reached the stairs and began to storm down them, scattering more maids as he went. "I'll show him less spice, let him taste the blandest of the bland and see how he likes…." He suddenly trailed off as he passed a window that looked over onto the back gardens of the house. Nights were closing in earlier and earlier as winter drew in but it wasn't quite dark yet at this time. Dusk had fallen but it was still light enough to make out the figure of someone down by the ornamental pond. Stepping closer to the window, Felix tried to make out who it was but the reflection from the nearby lamp was blocking his view. Swearing under in his breath in German, the chef moved the vase of flowers from the window sill so he could block out the light with his hand and so make out the identity of the person in the garden. Squinting through the glass he suddenly realised that the tall figure pacing so relentlessly up and down was none other than Ardal Ryan.

Drawing back from the window slightly on that realisation, he didn't carry on down the stairs but instead stayed at the windowsill and pressed his hand once more against the glass to block out the light, watching in curiosity as Ardal showed no sign of slowing down his restless pacing or of returning to the house. Now he was turning out to be even more of an intriguing puzzle than the chef had originally thought. He hadn't seen him since early that morning after Walter had insisted on that ridiculous swim in the lake and then afterwards when they'd got out and he'd caught Ardal staring at him like…..

No! It was ridiculous to even think such a thing and Flora's brother of all people. But he had been thinking about it all day and it seemed that Ardal had been avoiding him ever since, not coming to breakfast and then bolting down his lunch so fast before making his excuses and leaving with barely a glance at anyone or anything except his plate.

He couldn't have imagined it, that look was so transparent; it said lust, pure and simple. And the boy, well, young man, had been staring at him. Him, Felix Kraus, and not, he was pretty sure, someone else as there had only been the three of them down by the lake that morning. Mentally he chided himself for the shiver of excitement that ran through him involuntarily at the thought of the young Irishman finding him not just attractive, but wanting him as well. It had been years since anyone had looked at him like that; he had resigned himself to the fact that a job deep in the English countryside would leave him relatively little opportunity for romance, especially as any liaison would have to be kept on the quiet side and he had no desire to be on the wrong end of the Taplows rumour mill.

Nothing was going to happen though, he told himself sternly, so it is pointless to keep dwelling on it. Even if, and that was a very big if, he hadn't mistaken that look this morning, then there was still no way anything could happen. Yes Ardal was a very attractive young man but he was also Flora's brother and while Flora had been nothing but understanding since she found out about his…..preferences, the chef was sure her attitude would be slightly different if it was her little brother that was involved. And as for Walter, well he didn't even want to think what Walter's reaction would be if he found out the chef had been thinking such things about his brother-in-law. Everything was finally sorted now between the two of them, they were back to being as good friends as they were before Walter found out and he had no desire to jeopardise that again, but even so Felix couldn't help think that the tranquillity was partly due to the fact that the cause of their falling out had never since been brought up.

"Lost something in the gardens Mr Kraus?" A smarmy voice suddenly cut in on the chef's private thoughts, making him start and jerk his head abruptly away from the window to glare at the valet standing behind him.

"That would be none of your business Mr Keneally" snapped the chef "shouldn't you be with Lord Julian at the moment anyway? I'm sure I heard him ringing for you not so long ago."

"Ahhh yes but you see his dear lordship has managed to consume one too many aperitifs before dinner so I was off to find your good self in the hope of getting some food to sober him up slightly before he has to attempt sit at the dining table." Frank drawled back whilst leaning casually against the banister.

"Could you not find one of the kitchen maids to get you something?" Felix demanded, still slightly flustered at being caught by the valet and hoping Frank would just move on before he saw just who he had been spying on. "I am very busy with tonight's dinner now that the Earl has changed his mind at the last minute and I cannot be dealing with these little annoyances."

"As you wish Mr Kraus." Frank replied good-naturedly. "Now just what were you looking at when I came down the stairs?" He added with a slight grin, moving to peer out the window and barging the chef slightly out the way as he did so.

"Do you mind Mr Keneally!" Felix retorted indignantly "I was simply trying to see if it was a cloudy night that is all."

"You were taking rather a long time to determine the weather." Frank commented dryly "Who is that down there….I can't quite make it out" he muttered to himself "Ohhh it's our dear Mrs Corey's brother." He added.

"Is it?" Felix replied, trying to sound disinterested "I couldn't see anyone myself."

"Since he arrived all the women round here have been acting like simpering fools when they come across him." Frank muttered darkly, shooting a glare out the window "They're not interested in a real man."

"Aren't you supposed to be a taken man Mr Keneally?" Felix retorted acidly.

However the valet ignored his comment and instead turned to look at the chef with an intrigued look on his face. "Is that why you were so engrossed when I found you Mr Kraus?" He asked maliciously "Taken a shine to Flora's little brother have we! My my, what would Flora have to say about that?" Frank added with a wicked smile up at the chef, not really interested in whether he was right or not but wanting to provoke a reaction from the chef.

"I think you would do as well to keep such ridiculous and malicious thoughts to yourself Mr Keneally." sniffed Felix disdainfully as he tried to keep the valet from guessing just how accurate his comment had been. What he didn't need was Frank Keneally stirring up more trouble "Now if you go on down to the kitchen and stop blocking the staircase then I can find you something for Lord Julian so you can go and be useful for once." added the chef sarcastically as he ushered the disappointed valet down the stairs and away from the window

- - -

After another excellent, although less spicy than normal, dinner, the Earl and the other gentlemen retired to the drawing room after their port and cigars to join the ladies. As was becoming the norm at Taplows, the Reverend's wife, Mrs Postlebury, had been a guest at dinner although her dear husband hadn't been able to make it, parish duties had apparently kept him away according to that good lady. As it was she was generally able to monopolise the Earl's attention for a good part of the evening without having to be distracted by the presence of her husband on the scene.

"Algie what a wonderful dinner!" Cat gushed as he entered the room "Do come and sit here and tell me about that exciting fishing trip I overheard you talking about at dinner."

"Ahhh my dear Cat, hardly got a chance to talk to you at the table, but the fishing trip will have to wait for a bit. Now tell me honestly; what did you think of the soup?" replied the Earl earnestly as he sat himself down on the couch next to Cat.

"The soup?" Cat asked in slight puzzlement "why it was excellent as always."

"Not too spicy?"

"No not at all, in fact if anything I would have to say it was a little bit the opposite, although delicious of course. Now Algie stop being a tease and tell me why this sudden desire to know about the soup?" she added with a little giggle.

"Not spicy enough you think?" he asked slightly concernedly "should I tell the chef more spice next time then?"

"Well yes you could do." Cat replied airily "Mr Kraus is such a wonderful chef, I am sure he will not object in the least to such suggestions. Just say we will appreciate his efforts all the more for a little extra spice in the soup. He is sure to take it very well if you compliment him like that." she stated with confidence.

"Yes, yes I'll do that tomorrow. Thank you my dear, as ever your advice is most gratefully appreciated and I would not want you to find the soup lacking eh!" beamed the Earl.

"Oh Algie you're so thoughtful as ever!" simpered Cat, laying a hand on the Earl's arm "but really you have such a marvellous chef that the food here is always exquisite. Tell me, just how did you come across such a man?" she asked innocently, hoping to glean a bit of background information on the enigmatic Prussian.

"My chef?" The Earl asked in surprise "hmmm, I'm not sure I quite remember, anyway now what was it you wanted to hear about, my fishing trip the other day I think it…"

"Yes, yes Algie," Cat interjected quickly "of course I do, but really it must have taken some skill on your part to pick such a talented chef as that. Surely you can remember a little bit about it just for me?" she added coaxingly, flashing him a beaming smile as she did so.

"Well if you put it like that I'm sure I can dig up something from the old memory. Let me see, must have been a few years back that I was staying in London, or was it Bath now………hmmm, yes, old friend of mine, Bertie….Bertie oh whatsisname, anyway he recommended him to me, said he was looking for a new job and could recommend him highly so there you go, a good find I think you'll agree eh!" the Earl finished, looking very pleased with himself and leaning over to give Cat's knee a quick squeeze as he was talking.

"You're simply too clever Algie." Cat replied adoringly "Does he not have to go back to Prussia often though, to see his family……or wife perhaps?" she added trying to keep the curiosity out of her voice, after all that could be the reason why Mr Kraus had never been particularly forthcoming to her advances; maybe he had a wife and children back in Prussia. Oh well she thought, even if he did, she was sure she could overcome such an obstacle, after all, out of sight and out of mind!

"No, no, nothing like that to distract him!" The Earl guffawed "Now really, enough talk of the servants, I really must tell you about my fishing excursion with Lord Julian. You see I knew it was a mistake to take him along but I must say the entertainment he provided was definitely worth the extra time…."

However although Cat appeared to listening with the keenest interest imaginable to the Earl and was nodding along enthusiastically in all the right places, her thoughts were actually with what she had just learned. No wife to complicate matters, that made things all a lot nicer she thought with a sigh of relief. Now all she had to do was engineer a little alone time with the chef!

------

"Where the hell is it?" Flora hissed under her breath as she practically tore apart Molly's sitting room searching for the bottle of laudanum she knew the housekeeper had hidden somewhere. "Come on come on!"

She knew she was taking a terrible risk, any moment now Molly could come bursting in here and spot her, she would waste no time in telling Walter this time and he would drag it out of her. He would find out not only had she still been taking the laudanum albeit in much smaller doses but he would be able to drag out of her all about that afternoon. Trembling Flora sank down into one of the fireside chairs her head now firmly in her hands as she fought to hold back the tears, just what had possessed her to agree? If Walter ever discovered the truth then their marriage would be over, he had always possessed a seemingly irrational hatred of Catholics ever since they had first met and it had just seemed easier to adopt the Anglican faith of the household rather than make a stand over beliefs she didn't really hold herself. If Walter loathed Catholics then how on earth would he react to discovering his own precious daughter had been baptised into the Jesuit Church and that is was his own loving wife that had betrayed him?

No he could never find out…She had to stay strong, it is only a couple of days get through the fake christening tomorrow and then her family would be leaving for good, after that if she happened to forget about the proper instruction for her daughter then who would know? It wasn't as though Lorcan was going to be hiding just round the corner to catch her out; he would be far away in Ireland so she just had to pretend until then. However she did need something to help her through those two days, to help her keep a smile on her face when inside she felt like screaming if only she could find where Molly kept it.

Then suddenly inspiration struck and kneeling down by the fire she ran her fingers inside the hearth looking for the little hidden depression.

"You're a clever woman Molly Watson but you really are no match for me."

Flora muttered to herself as her fingers closed on a little bottle wrapped up in suede pouch, pulling out the half full bottle of laudanum bringing it quickly to her lips she took a deep gulp coughing most of it out when a stern voice demanded from the doorway.

"Just what the hell are you doing?"

"What are you doing sneaking up on people?" Flora managed to snap back after a few moments to gather her thoughts. "Creeping up on decent folk like that…Well you should be ashamed of yourself?" She added blustering whilst she hid the little bottle in her hand and fixed the intruder with a firm gaze.

Shaking his head in disbelief the handsome young footman closed the door sharply behind him and strode across the room. Determined Will reached out and grasped the stunned Flora's wrist firmly, twisting it roughly he ignored her screech of pain instead catching the delicate glass bottle that fell from her grip. "This!" He retorted sharply thrusting the bottle close to her flushed face. "This is what I was talking about…Just what the ell are you up to?" He demanded bringing the uncorking the bottle and bringing it up to his nose. Wrinkling it in disgust as he caught a whiff of the vile concoction it contained Will slammed the bottle back on the table to. "Well care to explain why you of all people are sipping on Laudanum like some old soap?"

"I don't know what you are talking about!"

"Oh come off it Flora I caught you red handed, do not continue to doubt my intelligence or cause me to doubt yours further by denying it!"

"What intelligence?"

"Drop the act, insulting me will not get you out of this or divert my attention from you answering my question. The Truth now Mrs…Or would you prefer me to march you down the hall to your beloved husband and have him drag some answers out of you?"

"No…" Flora gasped sinking down to her knees and grasping at the footman's hand pleadingly. "No you can't…Please Will I need it…You can't tell Walter, you just can't…I'll do anything please just don't…"

"Even if it is for your own good?" The footman asked hesitantly, he had not seen Flora in such a state for months she seemed wild almost desperate. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't?"

Biting her lip as she searched wildly for a option, before deciding on drastic action. Pulling her hands loose from the footman's grasp she ran her finger's suggestively up his toned thigh caressing him gently through the thin material of his livery. Stunned for a moment by her forwardness the footman stood frozen to the spot as her dexterous fingers cupped him gently through his trousers coaxing him to action, her other hand moving to the closure of his trousers.

"STOP!" He managed to choke pulling away in horror from the trembling housekeeper, one look at her un-naturally dilated pupils and knew that it was the drug talking and not the woman he knew.

"Why I am only giving you what you want?"

"I said a reason not sexual favours Flora! God what has happened to you?" He added harshly, surprised when instead of retorting angrily the woman before him collapsed into a heap her head in her hands so that he had to struggle to hear her muttered.

"I only wish I knew…"

Suddenly really concerned Will dropped gently to her side and reaching out pulled the sobbing woman into her arms. "Shush….Flora…Come on now, you know you can tell me…Tell me does it have something to with that odious Step-father of yours?" When she continued to remain stubbornly silent Will began to speak once more. "I had the pleasure of meeting your step-father before anyone else, I bumped into him at the pub and got damn near drowned for my troubles. The man is a sadist, he took pleasure from having that brother of yours beat me and hold me under the water until I passed out…"

"Oh god…" Flora's voice suddenly piped up as she lifted her head to gaze on the footman. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"And ruin your family reunion and Ellie's christening?"

"You really are a darling…First that and then just a minute ago when I…I shouldn't have insulted you like that Will." She added. "Of course you wouldn't want to…I mean your too honourable a gentleman to take advantage of an old washed up 'soap' as you put it even if she is throwing herself at you."

"You're not old…And your not a soap, well not really…At least not yet!" He added cheekily earning himself a punch on the arm. "Tell me what is wrong?"

Shaking her head Flora pulled herself out of his comforting embrace. "What makes you think anything is wrong?"

"Look Flora I might not be the brightest of people, but you…You I know and so I know that something is very wrong!"

"How very presumptuous of you!" The housekeeper bit back, brushing down her dress so to avoid his piercing gaze.

"And you are avoiding the question. Again I might add." Will countered his own temper getting the better of him once more. "Come on now Flora…We've been through too much and know each other to well, why can't you trust me? You obviously need help!"

"Oh and you think you are the just the man to give it? Well I don't need rescuing Mr Forest, no white knight on a charger coming to slay my dragons and sweep me off my feet. My problems are of my own making and will be of my own solution…And just in case you haven't noticed I already have a knight of my own and have no need for another especially not some pimpled faced boy who doesn't know when to keep his nose out of other people's business!" Flora countered her voice becoming more shrill as the need to flee this hot and claustrophobic room got to her, she needed fresh air, needed to breath, to sleep, to get as far away from William Forest as possible.

"That was uncalled for!" Will hissed back at her, his handsome face creased up with anger, his fingers closing round the delicate glass bottle as he felt the edges dig into the soft flesh of his palm.

"Just give me back my property and get out!"

"Your property? I was under the impression that this…" He paused waving the little bottle around for emphasis. "Belonged to a certain Mrs Watson and not your good self…Of course if you want all you have to do is catch…" He added before hurling the bottle onto the carefully laid fire, watching in satisfaction as it smashed into a thousand pieces as Flora screamed in frustration.

"You little bastard!" She added moving too scrabble on her hands and knees at the hearth.

Shaking his head in disgust as Flora sobbed over the vanishing liquid he moved towards the door. "You're pathetic…You want to do this on your own, well that is just fine with me Princess because this knight has just quit!" And with that he turned and stormed out slamming the door behind him for good measure.

- - -

Andrew Adams had spent the entire of dinner ignoring Mrs Postlebury's obvious and embarrassing hints to the Earl about her utterly misplaced feelings towards poor Felix. Instead he kept as close as possible to Taplows' newest arrival, his narrowed eyes drilling into the back of the aristocrat's neatly cropped scalp as he stood silently by the dining room doors, his gloved hands clasped into tight fists behind his back.

To Adams' horror, Rebecca completely ignored him. Usually there would be a stolen look; a half smile of acknowledgement over the French gilt candleabres that would soothe the under-butler's paranoia, but tonight there had been nothing. Instead, his beloved had positively gushed over Colonel McCartney as Franny watched with barely hidden glee. Rebecca had looked more radiant than Adams had seen her since Hugo's birth, her fiery hair in tight ringlets down her back and complimented with a tiny diamond headdress woven throughout them. The dress she wore, a beautiful deep green satin, was daringly off the shoulder for the current fashion and the curve of her breasts was deep and alluring. Colonel McCartney dominated the conversation with tales of battles fought and a lifestyle which sounded most glamorous while Lord Montague complimented his friend warmly and chatted about his new political career. Adams' insecurities had washed over him – it was no wonder Rebecca found her acquaintance from Scotland more interesting than him. Where did he and his sister fit into the lives of those they loved? He had known Rebecca had been hiding something from him since her return, and now here that something was, handsome, dashing and – unlike Lord Hugo before him – most firmly a ladies man.

Now it was late and Adams made his way back to his room after serving the gentlemen copious amounts of Port and cigars. Usually, now would have been the time to hurry up to Rebecca's room for some quality time with the son he barely saw, followed by a little bit of the affection he had felt starved of for so long, but tonight he thought he had best stay out of the way. It was just as he wearily pushed open the door to his own small, insignificant part of the house, that he heard the thumping footsteps heading down the corridor towards him. He snorted when he saw who the footsteps belonged to and stepped out of the shadows to block his path.

"Oh, now he turns up I see!" Adams held out his hand as William Forest ground to a halt in front of him, cursing at the interruption to his troubled thoughts. "Where the bloody hell have you been? I expected some assistance with His Lordship and his guests this evening but I see you completely failed to get your scrawny arse into the drawing room!"

"Not now, Andrew, for God's sake." Will muttered, attempting to push past his immediate superior, but the under-butler quickly leant against the wall so the entire width of the corridor was blocked.

"Oh you're not going anywhere, laddie. You can explain where you were or I'll go straight to Mr Jarvis…"

"Leave me be will you!" Will met Adams' hard stare before turning to walk back the other way – anything to get away from the accusations the under-butler had begun to hurl. Adams was the very last person he was about to share his whereabouts with.

"Off with another slut of a maid, no doubt!" Adams called after him. Suddenly he was spoiling for a fight, the pent-up anger he felt towards those around him spilling out onto his tongue and energising his body. "Between you and Keneally I don't know who's worse, those stables are more of a whore-house than a horse shelter, although from the looks of some of the women you two have been dragging off there recently 'horse' appears to be the best description!"

"Oh, someone's upset!" Will smirked, turning and raising his eyebrows. "Colonel 'Fancyman' McCartney turns up, out of the blue, and because you're bloody jealous of someone you've not got a cat's chance in hell of competing with you're taking it out on me!"

Adams paced over to Will and dragged him aside roughly. "Keep your damn voice down about things you know nothing about, Forest!"

"Worried the Colonel's about to whisk Rebecca off and wed her, adopting little Hugo in the process, I bet!" Will scoffed, but although he winced, bracing himself for a fist in the face, it didn't come. Instead Adams simply looked…forlorn. It was the truth. Will's sardonic grin spread further across his lips, he couldn't stop now. "It's hardly come as a surprise, now, has it, Mr Adams? It would hardly be that difficult for Her Ladyship to find someone who actually had two shillings to rub together and prospects which didn't include polishing the silver on an under-butler's wage for the rest of his days!"

Without warning Adams gripped at Will's throat and pinned him against the wall, but as the footman felt the under-butler's fingers beginning to painfully close off his windpipe raised voices could suddenly be heard in the distance. Adams took no notice for the briefest of moments while Will strained to breathe, dropping him on hearing his sister's voice echoing shrilly down the corridor towards them.

"Andrew! Oh God, you've got to come!" Molly was panic-stricken, a shawl draped haphazardly over her nightdress and a candle wobbling in an unsteady hand.

Will's hands flew up to his neck and he gasped, but suddenly Adams had more important worries surging through his brain.

"What is it? It is Rebecca, or Hugo..?"

"No, nothing like that, it's…oh I knew this day would come, just not so soon! I had received a letter, I was warned, but only this morning, what could I do?"

Adams hurried over to Molly and saw the fear in her eyes - he had only ever witnessed such terror in his sister at the hands of one man.

"Where is he?" Adams asked determinedly, pacing off down the corridor as Molly followed at his heels.

"Where is she! I demand to see my wife, sir, now let me past!"

"As I have told you three times now, you're not going anywhere, especially at this time of night!"

Jarvis tightened the belt of his dressing gown and eyed the intruder suspiciously. The man appeared drunk, a stench of liquor about him as he leered at the butler and claimed to be Henry Watson, the very much alive husband of the housekeeper. Jarvis could hardly understand a word he was saying, his thick Glaswegian accent was even harsher than Adams's, and his clothes were as scruffy and dirty as any of the waifs and beggars the butler noticed regularly in Tappleton. Still, the man didn't appear to live an undernourished life and looked the sort to appreciate Mr Simpkins' substantial meat pies on a regular basis.

Jarvis rolled his eyes and shivered in the chill of the courtyard as Joe and Fred, relaxed from an evening of knocking back Kraus' home brew, came out of the servants quarters to see what the fuss was about. "Henry Watson is very much dead, I have been reliably informed! I have no idea how you made it past the night watchman, or indeed where your transport is, but whether you believe yourself to be Henry Watson or not I suggest you go back to your lodgings and sober up!"

"Where's Andrew Adams!" Henry slurred, belching in such a way which caused Jarvis to take a quick step back, just in case. "He'll tell you exactly who I am! Even better, bring my wife here, unless she's too busy in some man's bed like the whore she is – you'd better watch yourself, 'though she tends to screw more aristocratic dick, you'll be pleased to know…"

"I may not be able to understand half of what you say, but I will thank you not to use such language and to take yourself off Stourges-Bourne land!" Jarvis yelled brusquely, grappling with Henry's arm to march him to the gate himself after a knowing nod to Fred to assist him.

Henry shook Jarvis off roughly, nearly tripping over his own feet. "MOLLY! MOLLY WATSON GET YOURSELF OUT HERE NOW, I'M YOUR HUSBAND AND YOU WILL DO AS I SAY FOR ONCE IN YOUR MISERABLE LIFE!" Henry staggered backwards and bellowed up at the window where Molly was peering down from behind a curtain. She was sure Henry couldn't see her, he was too far gone for clear vision, but that hadn't stopped him from making his presence felt to every servant – and possibly every aristocrat – accommodated in the house.

Joe felt the anger rage inside him but it wasn't his place to interfere unless Jarvis requested it. He stood, stony-faced and furious, watching this revolting man, whom he had no doubt was Henry Watson, air his disrespectful feelings towards Molly with no remorse on his own part. He also felt annoyance at his own inaction on discovering the letter, from Molly's friend, warning her that Henry was on his way, but now he was here he would hurt Molly again over Joe's dead body. Fred glanced at his colleague nervously and remarked to himself that he had never actually been pleased to see Adams before that night as he stormed past him and up to the raging madman who, even intoxicated, was more than a match for the struggling butler.

"Oh look who it is!" Henry slurred, pointing at Adams and grimacing.

Jarvis raised his eyebrows and stepped towards his under-butler. "You know this man?" He hissed.

"Walter, what is it?" Flora's voice rang out from the door, but Jarvis ushered her back into the house saying it was nothing before turning back to Adams as Henry laughed out an hysterical, drunken guffaw.

"Of course he knows me!" Henry exclaimed, slapping Adams on the shoulder. He caught his hand after the third slap and squeezed his fingers tightly, almost crushing them in his grasp. Adams spun Henry round so he was facing away then pulled him back into him, pushing him firmly up against the stone wall of the courtyard then placing his lips right next to Henry's ear.

"What the HELL are you doing here, Henry?" Adams growled viciously, but when Henry laughed again, mocking and desperate, Adams dug his fist into the unwanted visitor's spine with a crunch. "I SAID what the HELL are you doing here, Henry! I warned you years ago what I would do to you if our paths crossed again!"

"Mr Adams…!" Jarvis called to his subordinate gruffly, but kept his distance from the growing confrontation. Joe crept forward edgily but caught sight of Molly cowering in the window, a look of absolute horror on her face. She caught Joe's eye and from the look on the young man's face, it wasn't surprise or disappointment at the revelation her husband was alive and intoxicated, it was a knowing look of concern. Molly visibly gasped and she realised instantly that he had known. Somehow he had found out…it must have been…the letter. He must have seen the letter! That would be for a discussion at a later time, right now it was how Andrew and Mr Jarvis would deal with the intruder and whether she was out of a job. Molly could only fear the worst, but whatever happened she wouldn't go back to Henry, not for anything. And Monty surely wouldn't allow it – oh, dear, darling Montgomery. Should she alert him to Henry's presence? Turning in the window she leant back against the wall as the tears brimmed in her eyes and her stomach cramped uncomfortably with fear. Below her the situation was worsening, as it also appeared, was Henry's ability to stay conscious.

"You should leave here and never come back, she doesn't need you, doesn't want you, after the way you treated her!" Adams was pressing Henry's face sideways against the rough stone while Jarvis demanded he stop, but the under-butler hardly heard him, the blood was rushing through his ears in a fury he hadn't felt in a long, long time. Henry spluttered and grit his teeth, his face reddening, but Adams was sure he detected another mocking laugh.

"You hurt her, Henry, so you can't blame her for turning up to see her brother! What good did you think you'd do, trying to ruin her life all over again! EH? Talk, you stupid pissed bastard!"

"She's a slut who needs a bloody good belt, that's why I'm here, then I'm taking her back to Glasgow where I can watch her like a master watches his slave until the day she dies!" Henry snorted furiously, accidentally biting his cheek and drawing blood as it pressed into his teeth.

"Sorry, Henry," Adams spat, ignoring Jarvis who was nearly expiring with fury at being ignored. "but I'm afraid that was the wrong answer."

Heaving Henry round, smashing his back into the water pump, Adams brought back his fist then sent it travelling straight towards Henry's blood-streaked face. Unfortunately, for at least one man, Henry slumped down, out cold, before Adams could make contact with flesh and in time for him to make contact with the same patch of rough stone wall Henry's face had occupied.

"OW, shit!" He yelped as his knuckles crunched painfully. "That's it!" He dragged his unconscious brother-in-law up by his dirty jacket lapels and shook him violently, but by this time Jarvis had had enough and forced Adams away from Henry with one hard shove.

"For God's sake, Andrew, this isn't getting us anywhere!" He shouted while Adams looked suddenly deflated. "The man's in no fit state to talk! Now tell me, is he or is he not Henry Watson back from the dead! Tell me!"

Adams hung his head, opening his mouth to speak, but before he could either utter a denial or admit the truth, a small voice spoke out from behind them.

"Yes, he is my husband. I am so sorry, Mr Jarvis. I'll hand in my notice immediately."

Both men spun round, Henry slumped at their feet and snoring heavily. Jarvis blinked, for once lost for words as he tried to process a response he had no idea about. Joe shook his head as Molly's gaze fell upon him – all he wanted to do was to reach out, take her hand then hold her. She looked so vulnerable, and yet so incredibly beautiful. How could she ever have married such a beast as Henry?

"Mrs Watson…" Jarvis began, but he trailed off. There seemed little point reprimanding her right here, in the middle of the night with a gathering number of servants muttering from the open windows of the servants quarters and watching with keen and interested eyes. "We should discuss this tomorrow. For tonight we will bring Mr Watson indoors, lock him in the scullery and keep him there until he sobers up and calms down." He saw the fear in his housekeeper's eyes and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy, but her untruths had to be explained – and fully. He hardly liked his staff bringing their private lives into their work, although he felt a tad hypocritical if he really thought about it, but he needed time to consider what to do with Mrs Watson. Jarvis blinked – Adams was protesting.

"Bring him into the house, sir?" The under-butler whispered, giving one of Henry's limp legs a half-hearted kick. "He's too good to provide even the scullery, we should give him a night in the stables for his discourtesy. Sir."

Jarvis' handsome face creased in exasperation. "Mr Adams, I am butler and therefore I decide who does and who does not stay in the servants quarters, and I have decided that Mr Watson should be provided a roof over his head! He could freeze to death in the stables and I don't want a body on our hands, even if I was lead to believe the man had been six feet under for many months! I have already had my evening peace disturbed enough – Mr James, Mr Matkin, take Mr Watson to the scullery!"

Jarvis pointed at Hettie, who was peering mischievously around the door. "You girl, fetch some blankets and put them down in the scullery for our guest, and the rest of you get back to bed or you will all lose your next afternoons off!"

Molly continued to stand silently, her eyes glued to her husband as the two footmen scooped him up under his arms and dragged him into the house. She could barely look Jarvis in the eye, but Adams caught her arm gently and nodded. It would be alright, soon they would be rid of Henry, his expression told her. Strangely, however, Molly wasn't so sure. Tomorrow she would find Monty, and she would do the unthinkable – end their relationship, and her happiness, forever.

- - -

"So you are sure that your man will do the job?"

"Oh my dear believe me you can rely on Frank…He will be delighted to break the news to our esteemed butler…"

"It cannot be traced back to me."

"Oh it won't be…Frank is a nice boy but he isn't the brightest lad, I'll tell him one of the scullery's told me and that she heard it from her sister at the Nag's head who overheard some of the guest's discussing it. He'll believe that and besides he will be too excited at the prospect of telling Mr Jarvis and destroying his little world to investigate where the information came from."

Harrumphing softly Lorcan stepped out of the shadow his free hand running exploratory over his confidant's ample bosom a barely disguised leer on his face. "I cannot visit you tomorrow, I have to play the doting grandfather…Although perhaps in the afternoon during the so called celebrations we could meet up to 'discuss the progress'?"

"I'll be waiting."

Smiling suggestively Lorcan turned and hobbled down the corridor towards the staircase, and so he missed his co-conspirator roll her eyes in disgust and brush down her now crumpled blouse before plumping up her ample bosom in anticipation of her next guest. He was much more her taste, tall handsome and energetic albeit a little reluctant on occasion. Still as she removed the crumpled note from where the lascivious Lorcan had slipped it down her cleavage she had to admit despite the old man's many odious characteristics at least he wasn't stingy.

- - -