Downton isn't mine

Caliber.

Carson straightened his tie as he looked in the mirror. He was barely able to contain his anger and had little time for whatever it was that was going on between Ivy, Daisy and Arthur. He knew the young man wanted to be a cook and he was glad that the lad had ambition but today he had more important issues to deal with.

"Please be careful." Mrs Hughes stated as he stood in the doorway of his private sitting room. "Today I mean."

"I can assure you I have no intention of being otherwise."

"Anna." Mrs Hughes sighed. "She hasn't told her husband about what happened. She tells me Mr Bates knows nothing of her ordeal. She trusted me with her secret. And what do I do? I tell you and Lady Mary."

"You had to tell someone." Carson turned to face her. "And I assure you I will not be telling Lord Gillingham who Green attacked. I would not break your confidence in such a way. But he needs to know that not only did he do what he did to Anna he has done it before. He has left a child without a father in his life and a woman who had to leave her home and family for fear of disgrace." He shook his head sadly. "Lucy is a remarkable young woman who pretends to be a widow so that her son can be spared the stigma of knowing how he was conceived."

"She is a strong young lady." Mrs Hughes sighed. "I can't begin to imagine what she went through. What Anna is going through now."

"No. Indeed." Carson sighed as Mrs Hughes' eyes filled with tears. "Now, none of that. You'll have enough to contend with here with. I mean what with Ivy and Daisy and Mrs Patmore trying to keep them from upsetting themselves over that young man."

"Yes, well you have a point there." She sighed.

"Elsie, please." He touched her arm, forcing her to look up. "Please, just let Thomas cover for me today and look after things here. As you always do."

"And what if his Lordship asks where you are? What if Mr Bates or one of the others?"

"If they do. And no doubt that will be a big if, tell them I had some family business to attend to. Business that couldn't wait."

"Indeed." They turned to see Lady Mary adjusting her arm length gloves. "Now, shall we?"

"MiLady?" Carson raised an eyebrow.

"I am well acquainted with Lord Gillingham. My presence will lend weight to your argument. And I believe he will listen more attentively if I am present." She held his gaze as a slight smile crept across his face.

"If you are sure, I wouldn't want to disrupt your day."

"I can assure you, Mr Carson that I want this man removed from our society as quickly as possible. Infact, if it were my choice the police would be involved and he would be facing the Hanging Judge." Lady Mary raised an eyebrow. "Anyway, I believe Mr Branson can deal with the pig man today."

"I am sure he can." Mrs Hughes smiled. Lady Mary smiled before leading Carson out into the courtyard where her car was waiting.

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"Thank you for seeing us at such short notice." Lady Mary smiled as Lord Gillingham walked towards her. The sunlight streamed through the windows as she watched him. Carson was at her side. "You remember Mr Carson?"

"Of course." He held out his hand to the older man. Carson nodded and shook his hand, unsure if the man in front of him did remember him. "To what do I owe this honor?"

"I need to talk to you." Mary stated.

"All is well, I hope? Your parents? Edith?"

"Are fine. Well, Edith is Edith." Mary shook her head slightly. "And before you ask both children are fine as is Tom. Now, please can we get to the point?"

"I had the feeling this wasn't a social call. I'll have Green organise some tea."

"No, thank you." Carson narrowed his eyes at the mention of his name. "No, My Lord I think it is not the time."

"What has unsettled you both so?"

"Tell me." Mary pulled herself to her full height. "What do you think of your man, Green?"

"He does his job."

"As a person?" Mary asked. "You would say he was of good character? Of sound morals?"

"As a person." Lord Gillingham sighed.

"Please, Tony." Mary watched as Carson fought to keep quiet. "Answer honestly. It has come to our attention that Green is a dangerous man."

"Dangerous? How so?"

"If I may be so bold." Carson stepped forward. "Dangerous as in, if I were to have my way he would be in prison awaiting the hangman's noose to protect all decent people from the depravity of the man. What he has done is evil and should be punished."

"Harsh words." Lord Gillingham frowned. "Can you not tell me what he has done to offend you?"

"No." Mary stated. "I trust you know I will not break a confidence. Only, please believe me when I say this man has caused the most pain and suffering physically and mentally that a man can cause another person. The effects of what he has done in the past and recently continue to be felt." She paused. "I cannot tell you who he has hurt but please believe us when we say he does not deserve your protection."

"My protection?"

"If I may be so bold." Carson started. "I would not employ a man who dared to manipulate the way he does. As Lady Mary says he is far from the caliber of man you would expect to see employed as a valet to someone such as yourself. Or infact that of any man of any caliber. A common robber would be more suitable in my opinion and more trustworthy to have around."

"I see."

"I hope you do see." Mary paused. "I would hate to see you damned by association." She watched as his eyes widened. "You deserve better, as do the ladies of your household. Those above and below stairs." She watched as the colour seemed to drain from Lord Gillingham's face.

"I see." He repeated. "Please, leave it with me." He ushered the pair out of the house as his sister's Lady's Maid Emma approached. "Emma. Please escort Lady Mary and Mr Carson to their vehicle and when you have done that have Green sent to my office."

"Yes M'Lord." Emma bit her lip as it dawned on Lord Gillingham that for the first time his staff seemed to be wary of his valet. He began to wonder if Carson and Mary had a point.

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A/N More soon x