CHAPTER 27: A NEW MAN
Later that morning
The Rose Bedroom
Thomas found himself looking forward to his morning duties with Novello. When he had returned to the rose bedroom the previous day, Novello was a perfect gentleman. He regaled Thomas with tales of his learning to fly and subsequent crashes in the Royal Naval Air Service during the war and his exploits while working on the stage and in films. He made Thomas laugh out loud when he described demonstrating the Apache dance to his friends only to accidentally pull the wig off the head of a good friend's wife.
When Thomas arrived, Novello was already dressed in the clothes Thomas had laid out for him and required only the finishing touches. Thomas was self-conscious. Not only was he sporting a multicolour bruise on his face and a misshapen lip, but his eyes were deeply shadowed from insufficient sleep.
"Aren't you a sight!" greeted Novello.
"I'm afraid you're not seeing me at my best, Mr Novello." Thomas held up a tie for Novella's inspection. "I thought this tie would do nicely, sir."
"I trust your excellent taste, Barrow. Now tell me what's wrong."
"Sir?"
"Something's kept you up all night. I hope it wasn't our misunderstanding yesterday."
"I don't know what you mean, sir." Barrow slipped the tie around Novello's neck.
"I mean you look like hell. I'm disappointed, Barrow. I thought we were friends. Friends confide in each other, don't they?"
"It's only that I was shocked to hear what the Duke said about me, sir. I can't help but wonder what else he has said and to how many people."
"So it's the Duke of Crowbladder who's the problem."
Thomas smiled. "Crowborough, sir."
"That's better, Barrow. I feel much happier when you smile. You have a lovely smile, you know. That buzzard isn't worth a night's sleep, Barrow. He mentioned you only because I said I was headed for Downton. How often do you suppose he encounters someone on his way here?"
"I don't know, Mr Novello. These cuff links, sir?"
Novello nodded and held out his arms. "The friend who brought Crowbungler to the party told me that the Duke married for money and made a poor job of it. He married an American heiress who wanted his title, only to find her miserly, coarse, humourless, and healthy as a horse. No doubt, she will outlive him."
"I wondered if he had ever married."
"I tell you what, Barrow, whenever I see anyone who was privy to the Duke's conversation that night, I'll set them straight. It makes no difference to me. I have sufficient conquests of which to boast. I'll tell them that I was my most alluring self, but Thomas Barrow, a man of infinite charm and integrity, had no interest either in me or in a common dalliance. I'd be telling them the truth, wouldn't I? And if I ever have the misfortune to encounter the Duke of Crowbugger again, I'll be certain to set him straight in front of as large an audience as possible. You have my word on it."
"I'd be most grateful, Mr Novello."
"You've extracted quite a few promises from me, Barrow. This must be what marriage is like."
Thomas laughed. Thomas wasn't in the habit of laughing while serving, but he knew that Novello not only tolerated it but appreciated it. "If it wouldn't be an imposition, Mr Novello ..."
"What, Barrow? Come out with it."
"If you have no objection, sir, would you also point out that I'm no longer a footman but the butler."
"Not only the butler, Barrow, but the right-hand man of the Earl of Grantham."
"If you feel compelled to say it in that way, sir."
"The truth is the truth."
"You may want boots today, Mr Novello, if you'll be getting out of the car. It's a muddy day." Novello nodded and sat so Thomas could pull on the boots. "Mr Novello, do you still intend to carry out our plan today?"
"I'm looking forward to it."
"And you know who he is?"
"Yes, the fellow with the cane. I spotted him yesterday. He's very ..."
"Masculine, sir?"
Novello laughed. "I was going to say mysterious." Novello became serious. "You're fond of this fellow?"
"He and his wife are my friends, and I'm godfather to their son. I'm fond of all of them, sir."
"But you're more than fond of him, aren't you, Barrow?" Thomas froze. Novello took hold of his arm. "Don't panic, Barrow. I won't say a word."
"Does it show?"
"Only to me. He's not one of us, is he?"
"No, sir."
"That won't change, you know. It's possible for a man his age to be like us and not have discovered it, but it's not likely. And if the bud isn't there waiting to blossom, and it probably isn't, then it's useless to try to plant the seed, Barrow. Take if from me."
"I know, sir."
"Is his marriage a happy one?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then you wouldn't want to come between them, anyway, would you?"
"Oh no, Mr Novello, I could never do that. That would be a terrible thing." Thomas held Novello's coat open.
Novello slipped into the coat. They stood in silence for a moment. "Well, Barrow, if I'm to carry out our little game this afternoon ..."
"If you please, sir, it's not a game. I beg you not to make a joke of it."
"Of course not, Barrow. I understand. But we won't be able to say a proper goodbye this afternoon, or it will be ruined."
"Yes, sir."
"Let's say our goodbyes now."
"Certainly, Mr Novello."
"I expect you to look me up when you're in London. I know you're shy of the clubs, and you're right. They're a risky business. But there's always a private party, and I want to show you off and dance a proper tango with you. And I mean dance and that's all, I promise ... another promise!"
"I look forward to it, Mr Novello."
"And you'll call me Ivor when we're on the town, and I'll call you Thomas, right?"
"If you prefer it, sir."
"Yes, I prefer it. I've had my fill of sir and Mr Novello. Now then, I have something for you." Novello retrieved a small gift box from his suitcase and handed it to Thomas. "I made a phone call and had it dispatched here yesterday after our little to do. Open it in the privacy of your room Barrow."
"Thank you, sir. You're very generous."
"Barrow, you're not destined to live out your life as a butler. It's 1926. Open your eyes and look around. There's something better for you out there." Thomas was silent. Novello had no idea how difficult it had been to become a butler. "Sorry, Barrow, I didn't mean to lecture you. Now, let's do as they do on the continent." Novello took Thomas by the shoulders and kissed him affectionately on each cheek. "Goodbye, Barrow."
"Goodbye, Mr Novello."
Thomas Barrow's Room
After his morning meeting with Lord Grantham, Thomas ran up the stairs to his room and closed the door. He pulled Novello's gift from his pocket and impatiently pulled off the wrapping and opened the box. Inside was a bottle of Le Tabac Blond. Thomas read the attached note.
To wear in London.
Your devoted servant,
Ivor
Thomas opened the bottle and sniffed. He eagerly tipped the scent onto his finger and touched his finger to his wrist. He rubbed his wrists together as he had seen Novello do. He put away the bottle and card in his top drawer where he kept the notes from Anna and the thank you card from Carson for the bottle of wine. Carson had written that the wine was an excellent choice and that he took pride in Thomas' impressive progress.
Thomas imagined himself dancing the tango with Novello in London surrounded by admiring men. He brought his wrist to his nose to see how the scent was developing. He sniffed and sniffed again. It was intoxicating.
Thomas strode to the bathroom, removed his coat, and washed his wrists until he was certain that no trace of the perfume remained. He ran down the stairs and returned to his duties, relieved that no one mentioned an unusual scent.
After luncheon
The Entrance Hall
The car was ready, and Bates stood in the entrance hall ready to help Lord Grantham with his coat. He had already assisted Lady Grantham. The couple were taking the train to London with Novello to satisfy Lady Rosamund Painswick. Lady Painswick had been asking for months that they accompany her to see No, No, Nanette at the Palace Theatre, and she would be put off no longer, no matter what Lord Grantham's excuses. The show's run would not last forever.
Lady Mary, Henry, and Tom were bidding farewell to Novello, whom Thomas was assisting.
Bates had yet to get a good look at Novello and wanted to see the man who found Thomas to be lacking. As he opened Lord Grantham's coat, he glanced sideways to watch Novello. He could see that Novello had the kind of good looks that excited women. Perhaps he was even as attractive as Thomas. He observed that Novello barely noticed Thomas as he slipped into the coat Thomas held.
Bates draped a scarf around Lord Grantham's neck and handed him his hat. "Thank you, Bates." Lord Grantham walked toward the door with Lady Grantham, where they turned back and waited for Novello.
Novello accepted his hat from Thomas with a small nod and started for the door. Bates waited, thinking he could get a better but discreet look at Novello as he passed. Novello stopped short in front of Bates. To Bates' surprise, Novello turned to him and stepped closer. "Who's this?"
Bates felt his cheeks redden. "John Bates, sir. I'm His Lordship's valet."
"Valet! You mean, I could have had your services yesterday?"
Bates didn't know how to answer. If his cheeks were red before, now his entire face was crimson.
"No matter, Bates. Ring me up if you're ever in London." He slipped his card into Bates' pocket, gave him a sly wink, and walked out the door, nodding to Lord and Lady Grantham as he passed.
Lord Grantham was beside himself. "What kind of display was that? I apologize for our guest, Bates. I don't know how I'm expected to sit next to him all the way to London."
Lady Grantham pulled on her gloves. "He's an actor, darling. He doesn't know any better. Rosamund isn't going to accept another excuse, Robert. We're going, and that's that. We've put up with worse." Lady Grantham calmly walked through the door, and Lord Grantham stormed after her.
Lady Mary was confused. Henry gave her a quizzical look, but Tom was no help. He was supremely unaware that anything unusual had occurred. Lady Mary walked to Bates, who stood in a state of bewilderment. "It seems you've made a conquest, Bates."
"Yes, milady. I mean, no milady!"
Lady Mary and the others went about their business, leaving Bates alone in the entrance hall. "What was that?" he demanded of the empty hall.
When the servants sat down to their own midday meal, Bates asked Thomas if he had heard what Novello said to him. "I heard," Thomas responded. "Why are you surprised? I told you that good looks aren't enough for him. He wants intelligence too. I suppose he saw both in you." Bates studied Thomas to see if he was joking, but Thomas seemed more concerned with eating than with teasing.
That night as Anna carried Timothy to the cottage, she noticed that Bates all but skipped up the path in spite of his cane. How curious. He's a new man.
