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Why is Sir Percy Blakeney's private valet startled? One-shot; October 1793.

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Frank the valet stopped abruptly in the doorway to Sir Percy Blakeney's private suite. The doorway was the sacrosanct line which no-one else in the household ever crossed. He and Sir Percy alone knew what was in those rooms. Except-

Frank closed his eyes and opened them again, but it still hadn't changed. Well, it had. That was the puzzle. And he couldn't blame it on Drink, either. Sir Percy might not disapprove of the odd glass of brandy among his household staff, given how plentiful the supply was. But given also how they might be summoned at any hour of the day or night, Frank suspected he wasn't the only one in the house who was teetotal unless they knew exactly where their master was and how long he'd be there. Which wasn't at all, at present.

So, not Drink. Neither was he asleep and dreaming. Which left only that this was real. In which case the question was-

"What exactly is this demmed thing in my study?"

His master's drawl asked the exact point Frank had been wondering. Then sudden horror overtook his bewilderment. For if Sir Percy could see it, then it was real. And if it was real, he, Frank, had failed in his duty! For someone – someone else – had been into Sir Percy's rooms! Without Frank knowing! Without Frank stopping them! Long enough to put-

"An armchair, Percy."

What?!

Her Ladyship? In – in – in Sir Percy's private rooms?

"I am familiar with the item of furniture," came Sir Percy's drawl again, in a tone Frank couldn't quite place. Almost as if his master was, well – amused?

"As most of London society believes," her Ladyship returned, with a laugh – again, not quite like the ones Frank was used to hearing.

"But the question is," Sir Percy repeated, "how did it get here, and what is it here for?"

That soft, musical laugh again. "Your wits are slow, Sir Percy. And that is two questions, not one. I moved it in here-"

Her Ladyship! Moving a massive big armchair like that! Frank clapped his hand across his mouth to stifle his gasp of shock. Her Ladyship was so small and dainty! Couldn't she have called – well. Obviously. She couldn't have called one of the footmen.

"-and it is for you, to rest in, for a day or two, mon cherie..."

Rest? But Sir Percy didn't rest – not in an armchair like that-

"You see? It is so big, there is really room for two in it..."

It is a valet's business not to hear certain things. Frank shut his mouth, and very quietly the suite door to match.

Apparently, it was more than the furniture in Sir Percy's rooms which had changed.

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A/N: Yep. Shameless FLUFF. :)