Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who or Torchwood.
Summary: Torchwood is gone, Pete's world is dead and Rose is the Bad Wolf who just happens to send her team and the remaining members of her family to the year 1911 in Farringham where Rose inherits the Tyler Mansion. Oh and did I mention Romana and Susan, two time ladies are part of her team. Watch as Rose establishes the legendary Torchwood 4, deals with being a 'Goddess', homeless time ladies, babies, ex boyfriends and suitors all the while trying to find a way to get to the year 2007 and back to the Doctor all without having the help of a fully functioning TARDIS.
In the two years that Rose Tyler now Lowell had been in Farringham, the number of staff working for Torchwood 4 had grown from four to twelve. All of them disguised as regular household staff and each of them having had an alien encounter. Torchwood 4 had easily become the most efficient and advanced Torchwood of the period surpassing even Torchwood 1. Of course it had become so due to the presence of the brilliant people who had started up Torchwood 4; aka Rose, Romana, Susan, Jake, Mickey, Lisa, Owen and Tosh.
Tosh's cover story was that she had been under Romana's family's care since their trip to Japan where Mr. Lowell's business partner, Mr. Sato, had died. The staff composed of Victor Moore a man on the weapons team and also the resident gardener and his wife Alyssa Moore the woman in charge of tracking alien activity and is the cook. The next was James Sutherland, a man in his late thirties who was employed as a butler and as a field agent.
Then there was Marie Price a young pretty governess and tutor in her early twenties was employed as a governess and tutor for Angelica and Tony as well as being employed as an intelligence officer. Andrew Mason was a young man who had been working as a butler alongside Marie Price. He had been employed as Jake's personal butler and as a field agent who went on missions or 'errands' for Jake.
Samantha Nixon, a middle aged woman who is employed as a maid and as another field agent for Torchwood 4. Another woman employed is Trinity Hawthorn, a woman in her early forties who works as part of the intelligence team as well as being a maid. The next is Noel Walker a man in his early thirties who worked as a butler and as a field agent. Then of course there was Mickey, Lisa, Tosh and Owen. Only Owen and Tosh though, slept in the second floor, the rest slept in the third floor.
The Lowell family was now known around Farringham as a very generous family, lending money to those who needed it, donating to the school, sponsoring children but they were most known for the parties that they threw on occasion. Everyone was always invited and it can be assured that there was always dancing and good food. Susan who had regenerated back into a sixteen year old girl's body had her fair share of suitors as did Romana who was still in her second regeneration. Rose had quite a number of admirers as well but they were kept at bay by her obvious longing for her 'late husband'. Owen was still oblivious to his feelings for Tosh and kept flirting with the women, although more discreet and less obvious.
Angelica was now four years old while Tony was five; both of them were hyperactive little tots who found trouble everywhere but everyone adored them as well. Romana had taken up a job as a language teacher in the school to pass the time, Jake and Rose managed the family fortune and the publishing company the late Tyler elder started as well as investing in companies that they knew would become successful. After all, they needed every penny they could get so they could keep that Torchwood going. Susan spent her time in the village or going to social events in nearby towns looking for anything that was alien related; with her was Lisa who went as her chaperone and as her personal maid. Mickey was the head of the staff.
On April the 2nd 1913, Mickey Smith can be found walking into the village having just finished his duties in the mansion. Not that he had much to do really. He had just passed the school when three women exited the school premises. One of them, a red headed woman in her thirties, was obviously a part of the teaching staff of the school, the other two were maids. One was a woman named Jenny who Mickey knew well as a maid who had been working for the school for years, the other was a young pretty dark skinned woman who reminded him of Adeola from Torchwood One. Both the red head and the dark skinned maid were obviously new because he didn't know them.
Jenny led the two on the way to the village and turned her head and spotted Mickey.
"Oh! Mr. Smith!" Jenny exclaimed. She knew that the Lowell's paid better than the school and that the staff was treated with respect and as part of the family so the household staff at the school addressed them with respect.
"Morning Jenny. Ladies." Mickey said nodding to them "On your way to the village?" Mickey asked politely, his accent gone and transformed into that of a proper gentleman it was something that he had picked up after living in the Mansion in the parallel universe for so long, Rose and Jackie had lost their accent as well. Having it replaced with that found in someone well educated and had lived in high society.
"Yes Mr. Smith. I'm on my way to show Ms. Noble and Martha around the village." Jenny said indicating to the two women with her.
"It's Michael, Jenny." Mickey said before he turned to the two women.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Michael Smith, I work at Tyler Mansion." He said at the two women. Who instantly knew he was a butler.
"I'm Donna Noble, I'm the new librarian at the school and this is Martha Jones, she came with me and my brother as a maid for the school." Donna said.
"Well I hope you find Farringham pleasant Miss Noble, Miss Jones." He said pausing for a bit before continuing "might I escort you ladies to the village?" he asked politely.
"Yes, thank you." Martha said after sharing a look with Donna. The foursome took off into the village with Mickey giving them a tour. They had reached the Red Robin, the pub that Mickey and the others had eaten at when they first got there.
"MICKEY!" Two high pitched childish voices screamed as the sound of two sets of little feet could be heard coming closer. Mickey and the others turned to the source of the sound to find a little girl with wavy curly hair and brown eyes and a little boy with strawberry blonde hair and hazel eyes running towards Mickey, within a few moments Mickey was knocked to the ground as the two children tackled him.
"Miss Angelica, Master Anthony who are you with?" Mickey said breathlessly at the two.
"Uncle Jake!" The two cried happily as a young blonde man appeared chuckling and clutching three brown packages.
"Master Simmonds I take it this was your idea." Mickey said as the two children got off of him and Jake helped Mickey up. Jenny watched them amused as Martha and Donna looked confused.
"Yes, sorry. Just couldn't refuse." Jake replied laughing.
"Master Simmonds, this is Miss Donna Noble, the new librarian at the school and Miss Martha Jones, the new maid at the school." Mickey said introducing them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you two, I'm Jacob Simmonds. This is my brother Anthony Tyler and my niece Angelica Lowell." Jake said.
"Your brother? But you don't share the same last name." Donna said confused.
"I'm his half-brother. Our sister, Rose Lowell, is the owner of Tyler Mansion. My sister-in-law Romana works as the language teacher at the school and my other niece Susan Foreman is out riding." Jake explained.
"Oh" was all Donna could say.
"Might I enquire as to what you were doing here Michael?" Jake asked changing the subject.
"I was just out for a stroll when I ran into these ladies and had decided to give them a tour Sir." Mickey replied.
"Well if you're done I would like to invite Miss Noble to the Mansion. Introduce her to Rose, she might like the company. I daresay, having just Romana and Joan keeping her company isn't that good for her." Jake replied, wanting to do anything to keep Rose's mind away from the Doctor. She had been broody lately and he didn't know how to cope.
With that the group took off with Angelica and Tony clutching Mickey's hand as he talked with Martha. Donna and Jenny talked every once in awhile as they headed for the school to drop Martha and Jenny off. When they were approaching the school they heard the whine of a horse and turned to see a beautiful chestnut colored stallion approaching. Perched on top was a beautiful young woman who looked to be about seventeen. She had long auburn colored hair and hazel eyes; she also had a thin frame with just the right amount of curves. She was wearing a light blue and gold embroidered riding outfit. Her hair was tied back into a bun to show off her pretty face.
"Hello Uncle Jacob." The girl said politely stopping by them.
"Hello Susan. This is Miss Donna Noble and Miss Martha Jones. They're new around here." Jake said introducing them. Susan gave a quick hello and a smile.
"I see you have found a new companion for aunty." Susan said with a playful smile while Martha and Donna shared a look at the word companion.
"Oh come now, you make it sound like your aunt is so old Miss Foreman." Mickey said.
"I daresay I wouldn't repeat that to her if I were you. You know she might just take that as an idea to help her isolate herself." Jake said as they reached the school and bade Jenny and Martha good bye. Mickey taking Martha's hand and kissing it while the others looked on in amusement as Martha flushed and stuttered out a goodbye.
The group then took off into the path leading to the mansion. When Donna saw the mansion she gasped at the sight.
"Oh this is beautiful!" She exclaimed as she took in the lush flowers, the beautiful mansion and the welcoming feel of it all.
The household staff bustled around doing their daily routines. Noel approached them and took the horse as soon as Susan was off. When they entered the house Donna felt her eyes grow bigger at the sight of the grand interior. Trinity took their coats as Marie took the children to get them washed up. James approached Jake and took the packages.
"Where's Rose?" Jake asked James.
"She's in her suite sir." James replied before giving a curt bow and leaving.
"Come along Donna, I'll show you to my sister." Jake said as he led her and Susan to the second floor. Mickey had gone up to the fourth floor to check on something.
Jake stopped at the very last room in the hall. It had beautifully carved double doors with golden colored door handles. Jake knocked twice and listened as Rose allowed them to enter.
"Rosie, I want you to meet Miss Donna Noble." Jake said cheerfully as Rose looked up from the book she had been reading on the window seat.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Rose said striding towards them. She greeted Jake and Susan with a kiss before sending them off and ushering Donna in. Donna felt her jaw drop at the extravagance of the suite.
"I'm Rose Lowell." Rose said as she led Donna towards one of the couches in the sitting area. Donna turned to the beautiful young woman who led her with such a dignified grace that high born ladies seem to exude.
Once Donna was seated she looked around for any sign that there was a husband in the picture and found none. She bit her lip. It was taboo at the time for a woman to have a child unwed.
"Miss Noble" Rose started cutting Donna from her thoughts.
"Donna. Please call me Donna." Donna cut in as Rose smiled. Donna had to admit that she was even more beautiful when she was smiling.
"Donna, I'm sorry if my brother had forced you here. You needn't have come. I'm alright. He's just worried about me." Rose said as Donna shook her head.
"No, it's alright. I wanted to meet you. If I might ask, why was he so worried?" Donna asked as a knock was heard and Rose answered automatically with an 'enter'.
Samantha entered with a tray of tea and biscuits and set them at the table in front of them.
"Thank you Samantha." Rose said warmly as the maid smiled and curtsied before exiting the room.
"My brother's worried because he seems to think that I'm locking myself up in this mansion. Despite the fact that I do go out on occasion. But I suppose he has cause to be worried. Despite the advances of the men from the village, I find that I hadn't been able to look at any man since my husband…" Rose said trailing of at the end as she took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry." Donna said sincerely but awkwardly.
"No. It's ok. It was a long time ago." Rose said. Rose then decided to steer the conversation away from the current topic.
"So tell me about yourself Donna Noble." Rose said as she leaned forward.
"Well… Um… I grew up in Nottingham. My parents are Sylvia Verity Noble and Sydney Noble. My mother was a nurse and my dad was a watchmaker. I have a brother who's also just started working at the school as a history professor. His name's Jonathan Noble. He's skinnier than a rat and can give you a paper cut." Donna said before she realized what she had said and blushed as she mentally scolded herself because proper ladies in this time didn't say such things.
"Oh I like you Donna Noble!" Rose exclaimed before she started laughing. Her hair which was let down flowing as a breeze from the open window entered the room and Donna was stunned at how ethereal she seemed. She had a calming and peaceful aura about her that was shrouded in innocence but there was also something there, pain and loneliness and a darkness that said that she had seen things, horrible things and a wisdom to her that was something like the Doctor. She briefly considered matching the Doctor or Jonathan Noble with Rose before shaking her head. It would only end in pain and the Doctor might not really recover from losing another Rose. And Rose... well... She's already lost one husband, she didn't need to lose another.
Rose assessed the woman in front of her. There was just something about her that seemed to call to her. But she shook those thoughts out of her head. The past two years the Bad Wolf had been showing itself more and more. Recently it had reacted to Romana, Susan and Angelica. It bathed them in a glowing golden light before disappearing. Romana had told her later on that the time lord essences that the three time ladies possessed was for some reason being masked by the Bad Wolf. This in turn made Rose feel a bit weaker as if it was draining her strength. She had even gotten sick on occasion due to the use of her powers and nothing Owen and Tosh prescribed seemed to work. Romana had explained that it was because her body was still adjusting, she had then gone on to explain that the Bad Wolf might have sensed something that was dangerous to the time ladies and had thus hidden them.
AN: A mansion can't function with just two staff members that's why the staff is so much bigger here. Since Donna and the Doctor were mistaken for siblings once I decided to make that their cover. I also decided that Donna would be friends with Rose and would have mixed feelings about the match making the two of them at the start. Romana works at the school so the Torchwood team visit regularly.
Also, thanks to all those who reviewed and put this story on alert. I'm sorry if the chapter is too short for your liking.