Jack took his cap off and knocked at the door. The house still put him in awe. He was so nervous, more than his previous visit and he nearly turned around and went back down the path. However, he stopped and took a deep breath. He had to do this.

Pansy peered through the kitchen window. She immediately recognized Jack and rushed to answer the door, deliberately forgetting what she had been told. Edward the footman was closer to the door and got there first. Mrs Hunter looked up.

"Pansy, get back to those pots now, you stupid girl"

Pansy hopped from one foot to the other, her plaits bouncing. She was torn between trying to get a glimpse of the blonde boy and going back to the pots.

"Owww," she yelled as Mrs Hunter pulled her by the ear back to the butler sink, which was piled with pots and pans.

"I told you. Now get on with it"

Reluctantly, she began scrubbing, glancing furtively at the door.

The door opened before him, Jack stood politely and asked the young man for Trudy.

"I have a package for Miss Rose" he explained.

"I'll take it, thank you" the tall dark haired man offered his hand.

"No thank you Sir." Jack declined. "It is very important. Miss Rose asked that I give it to Trudy only"

"Very well, come and wait here. I will be a minute" the footman opened the door a little wider and gestured for Jack to enter.

"What name shall I give to Trudy?" he inquired.

"Dawson, sir"

Jack entered the small hallway that led to the enormous kitchen. The hall was scrubbed clean and seemed to be used for the servants out door shoes. Jack stood at the entrance to the kitchen. To the left a young girl with ginger plaits grinned at him from the sink. He recognized her as the girl who had opened the door before. The kitchen was so big! Light seemed to bounce back at him from gleaming copper pans hanging from the ceiling. A lovely aroma of cooking seemed to surround him. A small plump woman in an apron was stirring pots on the stove. Although the windows were open it was hot from the cooking. Jack felt hot and uncomfortable. He wiped his brow.

"Warm, ain't it?" he grinned at the cook.

She smiled back, charmed by the young man.

"Sure is. Sit down, fancy a cold drink?"

Pansy was agog. Mrs Hunter had never been so nice to her.

The cook went out of the room and came back with lemonade, a chunk of ice in it.

"There you go."

Jack sat at the scrubbed wooden table that seemed to fill the whole centre of the room. Well, he told himself, you are here, in Rose's house! I wonder if she ever comes down here? Nope, I can't see that happening.

Another voice in his head reminded him that he was sitting at Hockley's table and drinking his lemonade. He sat nervously.

"Nice family to work for?" he asked the cook.

Mrs Hunter wiped her hands on her apron.

"Yes, lad, can't complain." She scowled at Pansy who had stopped scrubbing.

"Get on with that, girl" she shouted.

"So what do you do then?" she addressed Jack

"Oh, I'm just an artist" he said modestly.

"Ah, then that's why you have something for Miss Rose then. Very fond of art Miss Rose is. Has lots of lovely pictures. Some aren't to my taste like, but she loves 'em."

Trudy sat in a back room examining the hems of some of Rose's gowns. Being a ladies maid with no lady to look after had left Trudy with a lot of spare time. She decided to use it productively and go over Rose's gowns for signs of wear and tear. She looked up when Edward came in.

"Trudy, there's a young man called Dawson here to see you. Say's he's got a parcel for Miss Rose."

Lovejoy was also in the room, brushing some of Cal's hats and outdoor coats. He worked in silence, too arrogant to speak to Trudy. She like wise did not speak to Lovejoy. She did not particularly care for him. His ears pricked up at the mention of Dawson. He silently followed Trudy and Edward out of the room, like a shadow.

Jack stood up as Trudy entered the room.

"Hello Miss Trudy" he greeted her politely. "I have a parcel for Miss Rose. May I speak to you" he looked round "in private."

Trudy led him back to the hallway.

"These are the drawings she ordered." Jack said passing the parcel to Trudy. He nervously looked at his boots, then back to Trudy. "How is Miss Rose? I haven't seen her for a while."

It was Trudy's turn to be nervous. She couldn't tell Jack the truth, that her mistress had been locked in her room for days. She imagined Jack storming up the ornate wooden staircase, demanding Rose to be released.

"She is fine Mr Dawson. I sure she will be delighted to receive these".

Jack was disappointed. He had almost hoped Trudy would have revealed more.

"Ok. Just tell her, tell her" he faltered thinking of something to say. "Just tell her I hope to see her soon."

"I will and I shall take these to her now." Trudy lied. She looked at Jack, paused, then changed her mind.

"Mr Dawson, I am sure you know Miss Rose values your friendship despite, well despite things. Please be there for her if she needs a friend." Trudy looked him earnestly hoping her eyes said more.

"I will, thanks Trudy, bye." Jack started to go his heart feeling lighter. Then remembered his manners. "Oh, please thank the cook for the drink". He pulled his cap back on and with a smile, walked away.

Trudy looked at the rolled up parcel then walked back into the kitchen almost colliding with Lovejoy. She looked up startled at his presence. She thought he was in the valet room. She didn't know he had been standing behind the door, listening to their conversation. She glared at him but he did not move out of her way.

"What do you have there?" Lovejoy indicated the parcel.

"Some drawings for Miss Rose. Nothing for you Mr Lovejoy." Trudy held onto the parcel.

"You will not be allowed to give it to Miss Rose."

"Well Mr Lovejoy, I shall put them safe until I can" Trudy pushed past Lovejoy and left the kitchen. Pansy watched wide-eyed. Mrs Hunter continued to stir the pots. It was best to keep out of Mr Lovejoy's way.