CHAPTER 16: THOMAS BARROW'S FOLLY

A month later

Lord Grantham's Dressing Room

Bates was laying out his Lordship's uniform for a regimental dinner in Sheffield when Lord Grantham opened the dressing room door. In place of his usual cordial greeting, Lord Grantham announced, "It seems that your Barrow has been part of a scheme to cheat me!"

Bates had no clue as to what Lord Grantham was referring. "Cheat you, my Lord?"

"I received an outrageous bill in the mail this morning for the remodelling of Lady Mary's bathroom. Your Barrow's made a fool of me."

Bates slipped off Lord Grantham's coat. "Haven't you used the same plumber for years? Gibson is it?"

"Gordon. He's retired. Barrow selected someone new."

Bates unbuttoned Lord Grantham's waistcoat. "Perhaps Mr Barrow used poor judgment, my Lord, but I can't imagine that he tried to cheat you."

"You're so certain?"

"I would stake my reputation on it, my Lord."

"What spell has Barrow cast over you, Bates?"

Bates removed Lord Grantham's tie. "I believe I'm in my right senses, my Lord."

"And I believe Barrow received a bribe in exchange for hiring this new plumber."

"Has Your Lordship asked Mr Barrow for an explanation?"

"Are you telling me how to handle my affairs, Bates?"

"I beg your pardon, my Lord." Bates removed Lord Grantham's cuff links.

"I don't mean to snap at you, Bates, but I'll never understand this odd friendship between you and Barrow. Why do you defend him?"

"I wasn't aware that I was defending him, my Lord. I was only suggesting that you may not have all the facts."

Lord Grantham sat so that Bates could remove his shoes. "As soon as I began to question Barrow, Lady Mary sent him out of the room to fetch a fresh pot of coffee. The truth is, Bates, when I rehired Barrow, Lady Mary insisted that she make any future decisions regarding his employment, and I agreed."

"Then I'm certain Lady Mary will sort it out quickly, my Lord."

"And I'm certain, Bates, that Lady Mary will not be able to forgive Barrow if he has betrayed her trust in him."


Thomas Barrow's Pantry

When Thomas opened the pantry door, he didn't expect to find Bates seated and waiting for him. Thomas closed the door and walked to his desk.

"I've heard some unpleasant news about you, Thomas, from Lord Grantham.

"About the plumbing bill?" Thomas asked grimly.

"Yes."

"Lady Mary has asked me for the original estimate." Thomas opened his bottom desk drawer. "Here it is. I'm to bring it to her in the library."

"Tell me what happened, Thomas."

"We needed a new plumber. I hired this new fellow, Hopwood."

"How did you find out about him?"

"He had bought out old Mr Gordon's business. I went to Gordon's shop thinking I could see samples or photographs of the Roman tub Lady Mary wanted, and there he was."

"Did you speak to Gordon about him?"

"No. Hopwood said Gordon had left for Manchester to live with his daughter."

"Did you get references?"

"No."

"Speak to former clients?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"He was new here. He seemed a decent sort. I wanted to give him a chance."

"With Lord Grantham's money?"

Thomas dropped into his chair.

Bates hesitated. It had been less than a year since Thomas had tried to end his life, and at times Bates detected something fragile in Thomas that frightened him. But Thomas' career was at risk, and Bates had no choice but to push forward. "I may be able to help you, Thomas, but I must understand what happened."

Thomas nodded.

"You're a savvy man. What made you trust Hopwood without any sort of reference?"

"He was ... persuasive."

Bates was becoming impatient. "There's something you're not saying, little brother. What is it?"

"Hopwood is the same as me, John."

"The same as you?" Bates thought a moment. "Oh. Go on."

"We hit it off. He gave me a reasonable estimate, so I hired him." Thomas lowered his eyes to his desk. "He has a small flat above the shop, and I've been visiting him there."

"You've been visiting his flat, and...?"

Thomas nodded.

"I see. That's why we haven't seen you at the cottage lately."

Thomas nodded again. "Hopwood would tell me about new plumbing advances, things of which I'd never heard, and how impressed Lady Mary would be if I had them installed. They weren't in his original estimate, but he made them sound indispensable. I would ask about the cost, and he would say, Not much." Thomas placed his elbows on the desk and dropped his head into his hands. "I approved all his extras without estimates. I thought Lady Mary would be pleased with the results. I can't believe I was so stupid. I was nothing more than a stooge!"

Bates softened. "I'm afraid so. I'm going to ask you one more question, Thomas. You must be honest with me. I'm going to believe you no matter what your answer."

Thomas lowered his hands from his face and nodded. He could not guess what Bates felt he needed to ask, and he dreaded finding out.

"Did Hopwood promise you any personal benefit if you awarded him the job or approved the extras?"

"Benefit?"

"Such as a share of his profit or even ... sex?"

"No! I thought he and I..." Thomas fell silent. He picked up the estimate and headed for the door.

Bates stood. "I don't want to pry, Thomas. I want to help you."

"I know." Thomas leaned against the door with his back to Bates. "I didn't bargain with him for sex. He said he loved me. I thought we were making love. I thought we loved each other. I took him to the Netherby Hotel for dinner. I said that he was my cousin who had just returned from a year in Germany, and I wanted to remind him of the joys of fine English food. I stepped aside with the waiter and tipped him to make a fuss over Hopwood. I..." Thomas was too humiliated to continue.

"What?" Bates asked gently.

Thomas sighed. "I bought him gold cuff links."

"Oh, Thomas!" Bates was surprised that Thomas could have been so naïve. This Hopwood bastard must have been quite the charmer. Bates stepped behind Thomas and rested his hand on Thomas' shoulder.

Thomas continued, "I wanted to get them engraved, but Hopwood said that engraved cuff links would put his private life on display."

Bates didn't know whether to shake Thomas or hold him. "He didn't want you to get them engraved because he wanted to be able to sell them. I'm sorry, little brother. I doubt a man like that is capable of love."

Thomas didn't turn around. He only nodded, opened the door, and headed to the library.


Outside the Library

Thomas knew that Lady Mary never would have allowed herself to be manipulated in the way Hopwood had manipulated him. She was not going to understand. Thomas tried to calm himself before opening the library door. You are the captain. If the ship takes on water or you chart a wrong course, you are responsible, confident or not. Thomas struggled to breathe deeply. He could delay no longer.