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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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With Eric’s initial thirst for Thomas quenched, his letters strayed from the sultry and became more personal. He asked about Thomas’s family life, his work, and his interests. He sent a novel written by a friend and asked Thomas to read it so they could discuss it in their letters. He also encouraged Thomas to read Lady Edith’s magazine, especially his articles. Articles that transported the average reader to remote parts of the world they would never get to visit beyond the black and white text of the page. Eric’s writing made Thomas long to travel with Eric, even if it was just to set up campsites and make meals for Eric and his travel companions. Any part of that world would be better than bowing and scraping at Downton, Thomas thought.

Miss Baxter asked Thomas about his pen pal, to which he replied, “Not you, too. David nags me enough about it.” But she explained she was glad to see Thomas was building friendships, both with Price in the house, and whoever this mystery person was outside of it.

Price had found a new seat at the servant’s table closer to Anna, who was beginning to view the footman like a younger brother. She noticed the eyes Daisy was often making at him, but he shrugged it off, saying he was too focused on his career at Downton to look for love there. Anna joked, asking if that was a dig at her. Price’s cheeks reddened, which made Anna giggle in the way that always reminded Price of his late mother.

Despite Price’s best attempts to avoid Moore, Moore still managed to find ways to insult or otherwise upset him. Mrs. Hughes invited Price into her sitting room to discuss it, offering him some tea and a tin of biscuits, which he managed to consume the entirety of during their conversation.

“I don’t understand why Mr. Carson puts up with it,” Price admitted to Mrs. Hughes.

“David, if insubordination alone were enough to dismiss a member of staff, Mr. Barrow wouldn’t have lasted through his first night at Downton. The bottom line is that Sean does his work well and keeps his inappropriate behavior downstairs. There have been no dismissible offenses.”

Price sipped the last drop of his tea and played with the top of the biscuit tin. “I’d rather he not get dismissed. I just wish he’d be nicer. We were fast friends before he turned on me.”

Mrs. Hughes refilled Price’s tea cup. “Unfortunately, I don’t see that tiger changing his stripes. On another note, how is your father doing?”

“Not well. Not well at all.” Price put the top back on the empty tin. “I don’t think he’ll see autumn.”

Mrs. Hughes sighed and poured a cup of tea for herself. “I’m very sorry. How is your relationship with him?”

“Complicated, but I don’t blame him for it.”

“Why is that?”

“I was well trained in watchmaking when I was young, and the plan was for me to take over the business. It’s been named ‘Price and Son’ since I was a small boy. Before my brother was even born,” Price laughed. “But then I went off to the war. The first time I came back, I was alright. The second time, I could hardly focus. The last time, I was…” Price considered whether he was ready to open up that part of his life to someone in the house.

“You can tell me, David. Lord knows this house felt the black cloud of war.”

“I came back shell shocked. I got horrible headaches doing such detailed work. I thought that was bad enough, but then my hands started shaking. All the time. No doctor could help. But how could they when it was all in my head?” Price shook his head. “Anyway, my brother was old enough then to start helping, which was at least a blessing for my father.”

Mrs. Hughes shook her head as well. “Poor lad. But how did you go from shell shock to footman?”

“I wasn’t good for much else, so I started reading. All kinds of things. And then visiting museums and libraries to get out of the house. I made friends with a librarian, and she made it her mission to find me gainful employment. Eventually she heard of an opening for a hallboy in a house that was friendly to war veterans. I was there all my time before Downton.”

“Well, I suppose we’re lucky you met that librarian and found your way in service. You fit in well here, David.”

Price looked at his feet.

“I mean it. Men like you are few and far between. That’s why it’s so important to me that you are happy here. Don’t let Sean bring you down. You have a long career here if you want it.”

“Does Mr. Carson feel that way, too?”

“I don’t know if he’d ever admit it, but I’ve never heard him complain about you, and that certainly says something.”

“I’ll continue to keep my distance. A long career here would be my dream.” Price thanked Mrs. Hughes for the tea and her time, and headed for the door.

“One last thing, David.”

“Yes, Mrs. Hughes?” Price asked, his hand on the doorknob.

Mrs. Hughes stood and approached him. “While you’re working on making new friendships, do be careful who you choose. Sean isn’t the only person here who could interfere with your success.”

Price assumed Mrs. Hughes referred to Thomas. “I appreciate your advice. So far, everyone else seems to have my best interests at heart.”

Mrs. Hughes nodded, letting Price excuse himself from her sitting room. Just as soon as Price was out of the door, Thomas came around the corner. He motioned to the door out to the courtyard, and Price followed. Thomas’s cigarette was already lit and hanging from his lip before they were outside.

Once outside and away from other staff, Thomas said quietly, “I’ve decided how we deal with your former friend.”

Price pursed his lips and took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking about that. I don’t want to get him in trouble. I’d be no better than he is.”

Thomas pointed his cigarette at Price. “You think you’ll be the last? A man like that, he’ll play with another heart, and another, acting cock of the walk around here. He’s probably already burning his bridge with Emmie.”

“Ellie.”

“The maid, whatever her name is. He hurt you, David.”

“That doesn’t mean I should get him fired. I can’t go around destroying the lives of everyone who hurts me. And he’s young. He may change, and I’d have ruined his career. Why shouldn’t he have a future?”

Thomas’s eyes were wide. “There are people who act out because they are bullied, and then there are the true bullies. He’s been here long enough where I can tell the difference.”

Price was silent.

“Think about it, was he ever really kind to you? Or, was he using you for what was good for him at the time?”

The truth of Thomas’s question stung. “But still. I don’t want it to be my fault.”

“And it doesn’t have to be. Just promise to stay out of the mix and nothing will be your fault.”

Price nodded reluctantly.

“I need one question answered first, and then I won’t bring the subject up again. How friendly would you say you are with the nanny?”

“Rebecca? Why?”

“You said you don’t want to be involved, so don’t ask. Just answer.”

“We're very friendly.”

Thomas finished his cigarette and adjusted his vest and jacket. “Alright, then. That was all I needed.”

Price felt the weight of Thomas’s request, and wanted to protest, but the thought of Moore out on his ear was too enticing.

**

Price was in the middle of getting ready for bed when his door swung open. He grabbed for his shirt, as he was down to his trousers.

Moore entered and shut the door. “Did I interrupt anything?”

“What are you doing in here?” Price asked, pulling his undershirt hastily over his head. “I take it Ellie’s tired of your nonsense?”

“David, you know I don’t mean half of what I say.” Moore sat at the foot of Price’s bed and kicked off his shoes.

“You meant every word. Put your shoes on and get out.” Price leaned against the wall opposite Moore and crossed his arms.

“I was just getting comfortable.” Moore scooted up Price’s bed and laid his head on the pillow. “Why don’t we kiss and make up?”

“You’re nauseating. Out,” Price ordered, pointing at the door.

Moore propped himself up on his elbows. “What? Is there someone else? Ooh, maybe the ol’ under butler? I bet he’d love to get under *your* bu-.”

“Sean, enough. I won’t ask again.”

Moore rolled onto his side. “I see you talking with him. Maybe you’re not so eager to be with me because you’ve been with him”

“I have not.”

“But you want to.”

Price chewed his lip.

“You don’t deny it.” Moore patted the spot on the bed next to him. “Well, I’m feeling generous. I’ll let you pleasure me and you can close your eyes and pretend I’m him.”

Price walked to the door and opened it. “Get out.”

“David-”

“Get out!”

Moore rolled off the bed, picked up his shoes, and walked slowly to Price. He stood nearly chest to chest, or what would be chest to chest if he wasn’t so much taller. Moore looked down his nose and into Price’s narrowed green eyes. “If you won’t give me what I want, you’d best be careful, because I’m not above taking it.”

Price’s eyes widened, taken aback by Moore’s warning. “Well that’s a new low, even for you.”

“You don’t know me, then,” Moore smirked, and left the other footman standing in the doorway.

Once Price was able to collect his thoughts, he scribbled on a scrap of paper and slid it under Thomas’s door. Thomas was engrossed in Eric’s friend’s novel, and when he finally saw there was a piece of paper on his floor, there was no sign of anyone in the hallway. Thomas held the scrap to his lamp so he could read the hastily-written message.

If you’re going to take action, please do so quickly.

Thomas lit a match and burned the little strip of paper, deciding he would put his plan into action the next day.

**

Thomas returned from errands in the village before luncheon, and took a detour around the grounds in search of the children’s nanny, Rebecca. He found Rebecca with the children by the pond. She sat on a bench laughing with the children while they kicked a ball.

“Good afternoon!” Thomas greeted her, a bag of goods in hand. The woman was about his age, with fine blonde eyelashes over pale blue eyes that had a perpetual smile at the corners.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Barrow. Enjoying the warm weather?”

“I am. May I join you for a moment?”

Rebecca slid over so Thomas could sit. “Might I ask you a question?”

“Of course,” she said, her eyes glancing away from the children briefly to meet Thomas’s.

“You’re quite good friends with David.”

Rebecca brightened. “I am. Lovely young man, isn’t he?”

“Yes, he is. And I’m sure he’s told you of his troubles lately.”

“His poor father. Such a terrible thing.”

“Yes, that, of course. But, has he told you of his trouble with the other footman?”

Rebecca sighed. “Sean. What a cruel soul. Turning on him for no reason, and at such a bad time.”

Thomas put his arm across the back of the bench and leaned toward her. “The thing is, Sean will be here forever unless he slips up on the job. As bad a person as he is, he’s not a bad worker. Which means we have to give Mr. Carson reason to send him out the door.”

Rebecca fixed her eyes on Thomas’s. She didn’t know him well, but knew he had been supportive when Price was down. “I’m not sure what that has to do with me.”

“I am going to ask you a favor, and if you decline, please keep to yourself that I ever asked in the first place. Remember, this is for David.”

“I’m listening.”

“I need you to bring one of the children to Mr. Carson and say that Sean threatened to hit them.”

Rebecca couldn’t stifle her laugh. “I could never do that. And the children wouldn’t go along with it.”

“They’re children. Say you’re playing a game. They’ll play along.”

Seeing Thomas was quite serious, Rebecca became serious as well. “I don’t know if I could go along with this plan, even for David.”

“David is suffering,” Thomas implored her. “And according to a note he left me last night, Sean is getting worse.”

“So one of the children says Sean threatened to hit them. Is that really enough to get someone fired?”

“If there’s one thing Mr. Carson holds dear, it’s the safety of the children in this house.”

“I can’t believe I’m considering this. But David is a special person, and to tell you the truth, I’ve never liked how Sean treats him.”

“So you’ll do it?”

Rebecca rubbed her fingers together and then folded her hands in her lap. “There’s something else. I can’t believe I’m going to say this either.”

“Go on.”

“Master George fell down earlier today, as young children do. He has a bruise. I could… I could say Sean did it.”

Thomas grinned ear to ear, then tried to straighten his face. “Nanny, I know we’ve never talked much, but you may now be my favorite person in the house.”

“It’s not for you,” she shook her head, but her eyes still had their smile. “I get bored sometimes. Now I can help David and enjoy a little drama.”

“My goodness. I see why David is your friend. But don’t tell him the details. He wants to stay out of it.”

Rebecca stood and joined the children. “I better go before I change my mind.”

“And we never spoke today.”

“I never saw you.”

**

The staff began gathering in the hall outside Mr. Carson’s office. There was quite the commotion going on inside.

“Who’s in there?” Molesley whispered to Miss Baxter.

“Sean,” she whispered back.

“What happened?” a house maid asked.

“I saw the nanny go in, too,” Daisy whispered.

“The nanny and Sean?” Mr. Bates asked.

“Not like that,” Anna said. “The nanny had Master George with her.”

“What’s Master George doing with Sean?” Mrs. Patmore asked.

All chattering stopped when Mrs. Hughes came around the corner. “Whatever is going on is none of anyone’s concern. Back to work!”

The staff disbanded like little mice, and Mrs. Hughes let herself into Mr. Carson’s office.

“Please tell me, what's going on in here?”

“Nanny Rebecca, can you please tell Mrs. Hughes what you told me? I don't think I have the stomach to repeat it.”

Rebecca stood with George’s hand in hers. Moore glared at her through red, watery eyes. She took a breath before speaking. “Sean has always been impatient with the children, but today… he hit Master George.”

Mrs. Hughes gasped loudly, and the staff began to assemble once again outside the door. Price jogged down the stairs, oblivious to the activity in Mr. Carson’s office. When he saw the group gathered, he had an inkling who was inside.

“It’s Sean,” Miss Baxter confirmed for him.

Inside the office, Moore protested. “I would never!”

“Why would Nanny Rebecca have any reason to make up such a story? And where did Master George’s bruise come from if not you?”

“I don’t know!” Moore’s voice was high and strained. “I bet it was David!”

“David would never hit a child,” Mr. Carson countered.

“He put her up to this! They’re friends. He wants me out of here, he told her to say all this.”

“Sean hit me,” George told Mr. Carson.

Moore put his hands on his head and paced in a small circle. “This is David’s doing!”

“David knows nothing of this,” Rebecca told Mr. Carson.

“They conspired!”

Mrs. Hughes opened the door, sighed when she saw the staff, and called Price inside. Moore, with messy hair and tearful eyes, pointed at Price. “Confess you put her up to this.”

“I don’t know what ‘this’ is. I don’t know what’s going on,” he said, which was mostly true.

“David, did you ask Nanny Rebecca to report Sean for hitting Master George?”

Price looked at Moore. “You hit Master George?”

Moore crossed the length of the room in three long strides and pushed Price up against the wall with one arm, winding the other up to punch him. Mr. Carson pulled Moore off of Price and stood between the two men.

“Nanny Rebecca, please get Master George upstairs. He’s had enough shock for one day.”

Rebecca shuffled George out the door. Thomas arrived in the hall just as they headed for the stairs. George waved to him and smiled. “Sean hit me,” he told him. The rest of the staff gasped just as Mrs. Hughes had. Thomas and Rebecca exchanged a quick glance as she ascended the staircase.

“He’s not what you think he is,” Moore told Mr. Carson. “He’s not a perfect bloody cherub. He’s a sinful, perverted little beggar. Ask him what he gets up to when the lights are out.”

“That is enough,” Mr. Carson said through his teeth. “David, go out and call a car around. Sean, your things will be packed and you will go off with your last week of pay and enough for a train ticket. I don’t care where you go. Wherever it is, you will not get a reference from this house.”

“Please! I didn’t do it! David is behind this, I know he is.”

“Tell me, why would David go to all of this trouble? Just because you have been rude to him?”

Moore looked at Price while answering Mr. Carson. “Because he’s in love with me, but I put him off.”

Mr. Carson closed his eyes. “I won’t hear another word. David, go as I asked. And ask Mr. Molesley to pack Sean’s belongings. If they’re not ready when the car is here, we can send them later.”

Mrs. Hughes followed David out of the office. “I want you all to go busy yourselves somewhere else,” Mrs. Hughes told the staff. “We will give an announcement at supper.”

There was the matter of seeing Moore out of the house, telling the family, and then finally telling the staff at supper. When the day was over and Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes could sit together, Mr. Carson could not stop a tear from staining his cheek. “I blame myself,” Mr. Carson said. “I allowed that monster to come into this house.”

“Now now, Mr. Carson,” Mrs. Hughes said calmly, putting her hand over his. “I was only just saying how he had done nothing worthy of dismissal. This all came quite out of the blue, at least for me. But he’s gone now, and the children are safe once again. Hasn’t Lady Mary already told you you’re not to blame?”

Mr. Carson wiped his cheek. “Yes, but who knows how she truly feels.”

“I don’t think she’s one to be shy with an opinion.”

Upstairs in the dormitory, Price stopped Thomas as he walked from the bathroom to his bedroom. Thomas’s hair was wet and combed, his face cleanly shaved, and a towel tossed over his shoulder.

“Glad one of us is clean,” Price said. “I feel dirty.”

“You had nothing to do with this, remember?”

“No, I just - I’m embarrassed how glad I am he’s gone.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you. What was your last straw?”

“He threatened me, and I knew he would have made good on his threat,” Price answered. A strand of Thomas’s hair slipped onto his forehead, and Price tucked it back with a careful finger.

Price’s touch flustered Thomas. It took him a moment to form a response. “Well, I’m glad you left me the note. I’d hate it if something had happened to you.”

“I have nothing to worry about now, thanks to you.”

A door opened and Mr. Molesley entered the hallway, a towel over his shoulder as well. “Oh, were you waiting your turn?” he asked Price.

“No, he was just going to bed,” Thomas answered, and brushed past both men to his room.

Thomas locked his door, hung up his towel, and pulled his suitcase out from under the bed. He opened the top and carefully slid the picture of Eric out from between the leather and the fabric lining. He sat on his bed, slipped his hand into his pants, and stared at the picture. But as hard as he focused on Eric, he couldn’t get Price’s touch out of his mind.
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Footman in Training