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Footman in Training	By : imdirty Category: 1 through F > Downton Abbey Views: 2654 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Downton Abbey and am not making money from this story. And I'm hoping I'm doing this disclaimer thing right :)

Chapter List
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The Crawley family gathered in the library to discuss the events from the day before. Thomas, Molesley, and Price brought in tea and were then excused from the room by Lord Grantham. The family’s faces all looked very downcast, and Price’s relief over Moore’s dismissal was replaced by guilt for the pain the incident caused the family.

“How could someone so vile find employment at Downton? Aren’t references thoroughly checked?” the Dowager Countess asked. She was too exasperated to hold her tea cup without shaking.

Lord Grantham paced about the room. “I cannot deny I am extremely disappointed, but prior employers may not have been forthcoming with information that could cast a shadow on their family.”

“That’s very true,” Lady Grantham interjected from her seat on the sofa. “Who knows what kind of information was shared with Carson.”

Lord Grantham served himself a cup of tea and sat in a high backed chair. “I think we ought to hold off on hiring another man until we’ve all recovered from this nightmare.”

“I quite agree. In the meantime, Spratt can come up to the house if we need a hand,” Lady Grantham said. “The staff downstairs must be so devastated.”

“The staff?” Lady Mary said with disdain. “Poor them indeed. It wasn’t their child he mistreated.”

“We don’t know how he treated anyone downstairs. I highly doubt this is his first offense,” Lady Edith said.

“I would bet money you’re right,” Mr. Branson said. “Living and working alongside such a louse - I’m sure morale could use some lifting after that.”

“I’ll ask Mrs. Hughes to plan an outing for the staff,” Lady Grantham offered. “Nothing extravagant, just something to lighten the mood. While they’re busy, it will give us some private time as a family”

Lady Mary rolled her eyes and set them on the Dowager. “Surely you can’t agree that the staff’s morale is a priority in all of this?”

“I know you are hurting, my dear, but there is no sense taking it out on everyone downstairs. I say let them have their outing. Why not tomorrow night? You can all come to the Dower house for dinner.”

“Can your staff handle all of us for the evening?” Lord Grantham asked.

“They will have to, won’t they?” the Dowager replied.

Thomas let himself in the room and replaced the teapot with a new, full one.

“Barrow, can you please send Mrs. Hughes up?” Lady Grantham asked.

“Certainly, your Ladyship,” he replied. He scanned the rest of the faces in the room as he closed the door behind myself.

“Quite the mood up there,” Thomas said to Price as he set the empty teapot by the kitchen sink.

“And it’s my fault,” Price said, his voice cracking.

Thomas sighed. “Follow me outside, David.”

“I can’t believe I set this off,” Price said, petting the little cat, who had started to come out whenever Price was in the courtyard.

Thomas wiped ash from his sleeve. It was slightly windy, making a smoke break a little challenging. “It was only a matter of time before he did something just as heinous. Really, this was a preventive measure.”

Before Price could respond, the kitchen maid, Ellie, came outside with a bucket of scraps for compost.

“And what do you think of Sean’s sudden departure?” Thomas called to her. Ellie finished emptying the bucket into a wooden compost bin and walked to the two men.

“Can I have one of those?” she asked, nodding at Thomas’s cigarette.

He opened his case and removed one for her, lighting it from his own. “You can try, the wind’s been getting the better of mine.”

Ellie took a long drag and grinned as though she had just finished her favorite pudding. “To answer your question, I couldn’t be happier he’s gone. I’m sorry for the pain he caused the boy, but children recover quickly, don’t they? Saved me from having to report him myself.”

“What’d he do to you?” Thomas asked, turning his head from the wind to take a drag.

Ellie looked from Thomas to Price and back. “I suppose it’s more what he didn’t do, or I wouldn't let him. Foolish little devil, something was going to get him in the end.”

“My exact thoughts, young lady,” Thomas said, relighting Ellie’s cigarette for her.

“What’s going on out here?” Mrs. Patmore called from the door. “I have a luncheon to prepare and I need all hands. And you better wash those hands first, Ellie, I don’t need scraps and cigarettes in my kitchen.”

“Let me help, too, Mrs. Patmore,” Price said, following Ellie inside.

Price looked forward to the chance to help in the kitchen. He loved service at Downton, but doing something with his hands always felt so satisfying. Mrs. Patmore handed him bunches of herbs and onions to chop.

Thomas milled about the kitchen, not nearly as eager to help. A goose was roasting in the oven, and the smell reminded him of holiday dinners as a boy. His mother had been a cook, and a holiday dinner was always fit for an upperclass family, despite the humble flat they lived in. He stood next to Price and watched him chop, then picked and ate a piece of basil from the pile of herbs.

“You could help if you’re going to stand there. It’ll at least keep your hands too busy to graze,” Mrs. Patmore said.

“Quick announcement, everyone,” Mrs. Hughes said as she strode into the kitchen. All hands came to rest. “Lady Grantham is giving us all the night off tomorrow. It so happens there is a musical performance in the village. You’re of course welcome to stay in, but all are invited. We will leave at six sharp.”

All faces were smiling as work resumed. “Oh, I love music,” Daisy said.

“Me, too,” Price added.

“Do ya?” Daisy asked, her eyes going soft.

“Look what you started,” Thomas said to David quietly.

“I haven’t seen the flowers for luncheon,” Mrs. Patmore noticed. “David, can you hand the onions off to Ellie and head down to the gardener?”

“I can chop an onion, y’know,” Thomas said. He took Price’s apron and knife as Price headed off on his mission.

“How would I know when all you do in this kitchen is chitchat or steal a bite?”

Price found the gardener by the greenhouse. Summer flowers were abundant, with bunches of them already gathered for his choosing. “There’s a concert in the village tomorrow night,” Price told the gardener. The gardener, Lee, was about Price’s age, but all his time in the sun made him look older. Price chatted with Lee whenever he was sent to pick up flowers, and Lee was always especially curious what the kitchen staff was up to. It made sense to Price as bringing flowers in the kitchen was about the only interaction Lee would get with inside staff.

“Is the staff going?”

“I think most everyone. Maybe you could all join, too.”

“I would have to ask permission,” Lee said. He was a short man with thinning blonde hair, small brown eyes, and a kind smile. Mrs. Patmore always nudged Daisy when Lee set his smile on her, but Daisy wasn’t one to pick up on a hint.

“Do ask. It would be nice for all of the staff to be in the same place for once.”

“Was it like that at your old employer?”

Price picked up three large bouquets, and Lee added a fourth to the pile in Price’s arms. “Well it was a much more modest home. Two in the stable, two in the garden, six in the house, so we all knew each other better. These smell lovely, by the way.”

“Thank the bees, they’ve been extra busy this summer.”

“I’ll thank the first bee I see,” Price said, turning back toward the house. “Have a good day, hope to see you tomorrow night.”

…..

Everyone was dressed in their best as they gathered in the servant’s hall five minutes before six. Price thought Thomas looked especially sharp in a black suit he’d never seen Thomas wear before.

Daisy smiled at Price and adjusted her hat. “Is it on straight?” she asked him.

Price tipped it slightly, “Now it is.”

Daisy smiled up at him. “Thank you, David.”

Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson arrived in the hall. “We’re just waiting on the outside staff and we’ll all head down together.”

“Outside staff?” Thomas scoffed. “Since when do we go on outings together?”

“Everyone who works here deserves a night off and some music,” Price replied.

“David’s right,” Mrs. Hughes said.

Thomas shook his head at Price. “Yes, good ol’ David, everyone’s chum, from gardner to Grantham.”

“Not a bad reputation to have,” Mr. Carson noted.

There was a knock on the back door. The outside staff had assembled, all dressed in their best as well. The group walked to the village together. The air was much more still than the day before, though there was enough of a breeze to carry the smell of honeysuckle from the fields.

“Enjoy the warm air and the honeysuckle, it will soon be autumn,” Mr. Bates said to Anna.

“But I love autumn. Cool air, the smell of apple, the crunch of fallen leaves,” Anna replied, taking Mr. Bates’s arm.

Price walked alongside the couple. “I usually love autumn, but I’m not looking forward to it this year. I have a feeling I’ll have a funeral to attend with the changing season.”

“Way to bring down the mood,” Thomas said, coming up behind Price.

“David can share his feelings with us any time,” Mr. Bates defended.

“Feelings? Who has time for those?” Thomas said.

Price smiled. “Life would probably be easier if I hadn’t any.”

“Now don’t say that,” Anna said, putting her other arm through Price’s. “It’s what we all love about you.”

“I’ll get a cavity if I’m around this sweetness much longer,” Thomas said, and walked ahead by himself.

Price patted Anna’s arm. “I’m going to walk with the gardener for a few minutes. Hold me a seat if you get there first?”

“Of course we will,” Mr. Bates said.

Price stood by the side of the road and waited for Lee to come by. “Glad you got permission to come,” Price told Lee as they walked.

“Glad you suggested it. So tell me, does Daisy ever speak of me?”

Price pulled a leaf from a bush as they passed and twirled it in his fingers by its stem. “Hmm, I’m not sure. But I’m a man, if she had something to say it’s more likely she’d say it to a woman.”

“You’re right, but maybe you could keep an ear out for me?”

“Sit next to her at the concert.”

Lee chuckled, suddenly bashful. “Oh I could never. They’ll expect us to sit at least a row back, anyway.”

“That’s absurd.”

“It’s just reality.”

“Times are changing. Upstairs is looser with downstairs, inside should be looser with outside. You should start tonight.” Price let the leaf fall from his hand and plucked one from another bush.

“What did these bushes ever do to you?” Lee teased.

“I forgot plants are your people. Is this like if you came into the house and pulled another servant’s hair?”

Lee laughed. “You are an odd duck, David, but I think that’s what I like about you.”

The staff arrived at the concert early, which was Mrs. Hughes’s plan. She wanted to ensure they could all find a spot together, and that they wouldn’t miss a single note. A chamber orchestra warmed up on stage while a group of singers hummed in the corner. The hall itself was constructed floor to ceiling of lacquered, golden maple. Sound carried well, but the hall was used for many other things - balls, socials, fundraisers, meat raffles, the list went on and on. Price read through postings of events to come that were pinned to a cork board by the door.

“I’ve never been here. It’s a lovely venue,” Price said to Miss Baxter.

“I always check to see if something’s happening here on my half day,” Miss Baxter told him.

“And now so shall I.”

As more concert goers filled the hall, the staff found seats together. Price looked at Lee and motioned his head to Daisy. He joined Anna and watched proudly as Lee asked Daisy if he could sit by her.

Anna saw him looking. “Why are you smiling?”

“Oh, nothing at all.”

Price waved Thomas over, as the chair on his other side was still empty. Seating was packed close in anticipation of the large audience. Thomas shuffled past others in the row and sat next to Price. Price’s left thigh touched Anna’s, and to his delight, his right now touched Thomas. He bit his bottom lip to avoid smiling and ran a hand over his hair to make sure it was still in place.

The singers joined the orchestra on stage, followed by the conductor. The crowd took their seats and the room fell quiet.

“We’re like sardines in here,” Thomas whispered.

“Shh, they’re starting,” David whispered back.

The conductor introduced himself and the orchestra, and then walked through the evening’s program. Six pieces would be followed by an intermission, another six pieces, and then refreshments would be served.

Price settled into his seat. He took a deep breath and exhaled as the singers voices rose together, joined then by the instruments. The music reverberated off the wood of the room, and through Price’s chest. As the music swelled, so did his emotions. He felt his guilt over the ordeal with Moore, his heartache over his ailing father, and the seemingly unrequited feelings that were growing for Thomas. He held his breath, hoping it would prevent tears from falling.

Thomas tapped the knuckle of his index finger against Price’s leg. “You alright?” he whispered.

“This damned beautiful music. Stirs all kinds of things up,” Price exhaled.

“That’s why I prefer to have no feelings,” Thomas said, grinning reassuringly.

Price relaxed and folded his hands in his lap. “I’ll try that later. But for now, I’ll let the music move me.”

During intermission, Price found Lee and Daisy. “What do you think of the performance so far?” Price asked.

“Quite moving, I must say,” Lee said. Daisy nodded and smiled at Lee.

“What’s going on with those two?” Anna asked Price when everyone returned to their seats.

“A love connection, I’m hoping,” Price replied with a grin.

“A love connection for whom?” Thomas asked.

Price looked over at Lee and Daisy. Thomas looked in their direction and then back to Price. “I can hardly believe it. You schemed the outside staff coming so you could get Daisy out of your hair and onto him.”

Price crossed his arms and leaned against the back of his chair. “Not true, Mr. Barrow. It was out of the goodness of my heart that I encouraged the outside staff to join us.”

Thomas began to retort, but the conductor raised his baton and Price shushed him again.

Price found the second half even more moving than the first, but was able to contain himself and sat instead in quiet awe. After the concert, Price found his way to the punch. Price brought Anna and Mr. Bates cups of the drink and then went back for one for himself.

“This’d taste better with some spirits in it,” Thomas said, getting his own cup.

“Indeed,” Price agreed. “I wonder where one could get that kind of thing.”

“In general?”

Price nodded.

“Well, there are pubs in the village.”

“I’ve never been. Maybe we could go sometime.”

Thomas paused with his cup raised halfway to his mouth.

“What?”

“You, David,” Thomas said, drinking most of the punch in one gulp.

Price sipped his punch. “Never seen you wear that suit before.”

Thomas looked down at himself. “I don’t have much occasion to wear it these days.”

“You should find occasion.”

Thomas finished his drink, inspecting Price over the rim of the glass. He licked his upper lip and set the cup down on the table behind him. “I suppose you mean when we go out on the town?”

“If you’d like.”

“And you think Mr. Carson will just go on and give us both the night off so you can wet your whistle?”

Price finished his drink and placed his cup next to Thomas’s. “Fine, fine. You’re right. I guess that means we’ll have to stay in. I wonder if anyone could get a drink into the house somehow.”

Thomas laughed openly. “Why don’t you come out and ask me?”

“Mr. Barrow,” Price whispered, looking around. “Could you get a man some bourbon?”

“Only if that man promised to share.”

Lee and Daisy approached Price. “We were about to head back. Care to join us?”

“I told Anna and Mr. Bates I would wait for them. Let’s see if they’re ready to go.”

Price, Lee, and Daisy headed toward where Anna and Mr. Bates were seated. Price turned and called, “Mr. Barrow, you, too. Come with us.”

On the walk back, Anna and Mr. Bates dropped back and watched the other four walk ahead of them.

Anna sighed and looked up at Mr. Bates. “I should hope if we ever have a son, he’d be like David.”

Mr. Bates held Anna’s hand. “If he had a quarter of David’s character, I would be a proud father.”

“I think he purposely set Daisy up with the gardener,” Anna said.

“Why would he do that?”

“She pines for him, but he doesn’t feel the same. Maybe he just wanted her to be happy without breaking her heart.”

Mr. Bates smiled. “Or maybe he just wanted to get her off his back.”

Anna playfully hit Mr. Bates’s arm. “Bite your tongue. He’d never.”

“He has you wrapped around his finger, doesn’t he?”

“I feel like I understand him,” Anna explained. “I lost my father young, he lost his mother. Our lives were harder for it, and we’ve both endured so much. Did I tell you he said I remind him of her?”

“That’s very sweet.”

“It is. He loved her dearly.”

“And I love you dearly,” Mr. Bates said, kissing her hand.

“Hey you back there, come join us!” Price called. He stopped and waited up for them.

“Were your ears burning? We were talking about you,” Anna said.

“Good things, I hope?”

“Always good things,” Mr. Bates said. “I’d be in deep trouble with her if I said otherwise.”

“Please, please,” Thomas protested. “I can’t take any more of that.”

“Even you’ve got a soft spot for David, Mr. Barrow,” Anna said.

“Whoever thought a day like that would come,” Mr. Bates added.

Thomas shook his head. “Enough with the lot of you. Have your toothache, I’ll see you in the morning,” he said, picking up his pace, walking the rest of the way alone.

“You deserve an award if you can crack his shell,” Mr. Bates told Price.

Price chuckled. He was quiet for the rest of the walk, listening to the others talk instead. He inhaled the honeysuckle scent still hanging in the air and followed the slow pace of the others. His thoughts drifted, wondering how much of Thomas’s shell he’d already cracked, and what it would take to make it the rest of the way through.
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Footman in Training