Shaky start

Dafydd sat at the kitchen table as Carson walked into the room. He immediately got to his feet.

"Sit down. You'll spend enough time on your feet in this house." Carson smiled kindly. "How are you settling in? I dare say Mrs Patmore and Mrs Carson will help you."

"Yes, they've both been very kind."

"Good." He knew his wife would mother the young boy, just as she had Anna, Thomas and the various waifs and strays that had spent time in the Abbey. He knew she thought of them all as family. Just as Beryl Patmore mothered Ivy and Daisy, she mothered the others. He knew his wife would have been an excellent mother. It broke his heart to see she never had the opportunity.

"Sir?"

"Can I ask you something? Please tell me if I'm being impertinent."

"I shall." Carson poured himself a glass of water before sitting down. "Go on."

"My former employer. Did they tell you why I left? Does Mr Barrow know?"

Carson sighed, punching the bridge of his nose.

"You are part of the Downton family now. Your past is just that. I think you'll find that this household is more liberal in many ways than your former employer. We have high standards. Don't be mistaken. But we also understand the world is changing. The good Lord above constantly challenges us and we must rise to those challenges. So to answer your question. Yes, the footman there - a Dilwyn Lloyd called me and informed me of the indiscretion. He witnessed."

"Oh." Dafydd closed his eyes.

"But as I informed him, I saw no way in which that would affect your ability to do the job you were employed to do. Do you?"

"No mr Carson."

"Good."

"Thank you."

"All I ask, is that you do the job you were employed to do in the best of your ability and that you respect this house. Is that clear?"

"Yes." Dafydd smiled as Barrow walked in with Mosley at his side. "I should get on." Carson nodded, aware of the looks between Thomas and the new boy. He sighed heavily, knowing the dynamics of the house were about to get even more complicated. He just hoped his Elsie would help him make sense of the new world he found himself in.

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"I like the sign." Sybil held her father's hand as he walked alongside her. "Its pretty."

"Pretty?" Tom smiled. The child nodded as he lifted her into the car. "I don't think your Aunt Mary would call it that."

"She's po faced!"

"Sybil Branson! Where did you hear that expression?" He tried not to laugh as she shrugged.

"Grandpa."

"Grandpa called Aunt Mary Pofaced? Really?"

"Yes." She nodded. "I heard him and Aunt Edith. He said he wished Aunt Mary would be happy and not be so po faced all the time."

"I see." Tom shook his head. He made a mental note to speak to Robert about how he had to watch his words around the children. But seeing as the man idolised all three grandchildren he had no idea if the man would listen. "Home? Yes?"

"Yes." She frowned. "Daddy?"

"Yes, Sybbie."

Her eyes were suddenly wide, on the brink of tears. Tom frowned, wondering where the fear in her eyes had come from.

"Am I a bad girl? Nanny said I am a mongrel. That I'm not a good girl. That Marigold is a bast."

"That's enough. No; you are a good girl. You are beautiful, funny and very clever. And as for Marigold, she is your cousin and she is very much loved and wanted just like you and George. Ok?" He paused. "Nanny won't ever say those things to you three or about you three again. Are we clear?"

She nodded before wrapping her arms around his neck. He hugged her back. He knew Cora and Edith would be furious but he had to tell them. Times were changing, he didn't even think they needed an old battle axe as a Nanny. School seemed to suit him as a boy and he knew Edith was keen for Marigold to go to school. He frowned, suddenly determined to make things right for his daughter and niece and nephew whatever it took.

Xxxxxxx

A/N please review