Chapter 1 - "The New Butler and Footman..."

Clara's PoV

'Morning Miss Clara. Breakfast will be on the table in 20 minutes'

'Amy... What have I told you about calling me Miss? I can't stand it. I'll defend you and everyone around my father I promise. No miss Clara. Or lady Clara please' I huffed.

'As you wish mi--' I raised an eyebrow. 'Clara' she said back tracking. 'Your father told me to hurry you. He wants you to meet the new butler and footman' she smiled pulling a dress out.

'I'm not wearing that one. Get the red one out' I chuckled, hoping off the bed. I swear sometimes I was born in the wrong century. The wrong time. I don't feel I belong in 1920. It's so dull.

'But Clara, it's a bit short don't you think?'

'Tough. I'll be having all my dresses shortened in due course anyway, so he might as well get used to it' I said skipping around the room.

I knew Dad was hiring a new butler and footman. The last one had a bit of a run in with Dad when they really should have but their tongue.

I really love it when we get new staff. It means new people for me to talk too. It's not exactly conventional in the sense that a 21 year old woman would talk to the waiting staff, or make friends of the maids - but I'm a only child in a house bigger than most schools, and more rooms than London shops.

Being an only child is one thing, but all relatives have tended to stay away in the last two years. Ever since the passing of my Mother, Dad's been a bit - written off. Not wanting to talk to anyone.

It's only been the last couple off the where he's come back from the world of the dead, and had a run in with the staff.

He's put everyone on edge.

Of course now he's turned all his attention to me.

Now that he's the only one left, he realises that it could be any day he could pop off and being his only child, he doesn't yet have a suitable heir for all his money,

Anyone would think I'm incapable of looking after the house. But he's insistent that I find a suitable husband and start having children as soon as.

Makes me cringe to think of being a mother yet, but at least he's actually talking to me again, instead of being in a cloud of black hidden in his room.

- - -

'It's about time you came downstairs. Clara this is the new butler Rory. He'll be in charge of everything downstairs, and sort things out. Big changes are in the air Clara. Big changes' he chuckled.

'Changes?' I groaned. I hate when he gets plans.

'Yes indeed. I need to decide on what's best to do with some of the extra land we've got knocking around and we've some people moving in with us' he said excitedly.

'People? Really?' I asked.

'I have a friend of mine coming to stay. It's not permeant for him, but he's working in the are. Him and his wife are staying for a while and bringing with them, their two daughters. I'm rather glad of it. Close in age to you. Lilly who is 20 and her younger diary who is a little younger at 9. But I'm sure you'll enjoy the company. The reason for the new butler really. Because they'll be bringing their own staff to stay, a footman and a maid'

'Yay. More people to talk to' I smiled, sitting to eat my fruit as he left the room.

'Water?' Rory asked.

'Yes please' I smiled. 'I'm Clara. What made you want to work for my Father? You must be crazy' I chucked.

'With all do respect Miss Clara. I needed the job'

'Don't we all' I smirked. 'I hate being called miss by the way. Or lady. Just Clara's fine' I smiled as Dad came back, and Rory took his position at the edge of the room.

'This is the footman. This is Mr Smith' Dad said strangely proudly. 'This is my Daughter Clara'

'A pleasure to meet you Miss Clara. Now if you wouldn't mind - I'd like to make myself known downstairs now' he said in a thick voice. He sounded far more common than I had expected.

He had scruffy brown hair, but still looked really nice with that chin.

I looked down and focused on my fruit as he left, as my Dad let me know everything and all his future plans for this house.

- - -

'Miss Clara. What can I do for you today?'

'Hi Rose. I've come to make my soufflé. Did Amy not tell you?' I asked.

'Of course she did. I just completely forgot and didn't expect you so soon. Not a problem. You know where everything is. Just let me know when your ready to oven it' she chuckled, running off to readily prepare dinner.

Apparently Dads new family were coming this evening so would be staying of course for dinner.

I wondered how they would manage down here considering they only cook for two, and now it will be for six?

I dismissed it from my mind either way, and grabbed for the flour, sifting it in the bowl as I usually would, and found the sugar had been moved to the top shelf.

I decided to busy myself with beating in the eggs until someone tall or someone else came in to help me grab the sugar.

'Oh. Mr Smith. Your tall?' I said poking my head into the hall.

'Miss Clara' he said standing from his position shining shoes.

'Got you working hard already?' I giggled.

'This is my job Miss. May I hmm-- sit down?' He asked I stood their for a while.

'Of of course. Actually no. Can you help me? I'm really short and can't reach the sugar. Rose has moved it again' I said rolling my eyes.

He stood up and exited the room, reaching up and handing the sugar to me. 'Will that be all?' He asked.

'Thanks. Yeah. I guess' I nodded. 'Actually wait. What's your name?'

'Mr Smith my Lady' I giggled.

'No one around here calls me that. My names Clara. Just call me that. No Miss, no Lady - of course try to keep it formal around my father but otherwise I don't care' I chuckled.

He took a step back into the doorway, and watched me pour the mixture into the pan.

'Miss. Do you mind my asking? Why exactly are you in the kitchens? A noble lady like yourself isn't seen around these parts often' he asked with a raised eyebrow.

'You've got a lot to learn Mr Smith. I hate being caught out as a lady. You'll see me down here a lot. Being an only child doesn't leave much up to the imagination. So I talk to all the staff. Yourself included. Now what was your name?'

'John' he responded quietly.

'And your what? 25? 26? You must have experience?'

'22 actually Miss. New in the trade. Just learning the ropes really. But I know the rules. Noble Lady's stay upstairs and are waited upon'

'And what if I tell you, that in not noble?' I grinned, but heard John get a sudden whipping.

'Mr Smith. I asked those shows to be shined. Mr Oswald has visitors arriving any moment. He needs shined shoes' Rory yelled.

I could feel John wince at getting told off on his first day.

'It was my fault Mr Williams. I asked for some help' I said defending him.

'Miss Clara? I'm so sorry. I didn't realise we were within your presence. I keep the shouting to a minimum for now' he apologised.

'Not a problems. He was helping me. Don't yell at him. Can you get Rose to call me when my soufflé is ready?' I asked.

'Of course my Lady' Rory responded as I took the shined shoes out of his hand and took them up to my father.