AN: The characters do not belong to me. This is my first story, so please bear with me. Feedback is greatly appreciated.

Yorkshire - April 14, 1925

Thirteen years ago the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg off the coast of eastern Canada. Two hours and forty minutes later, the huge ship sank.

That was an odd thought and Jane couldn't really say what made her think about the Titanic in the first place. This dreadful weather, maybe?

The storm raged. Jane battled against the wind and rain as she made her way to the Abbey, pulling her coat tighter around herself. Would they hire her again? In a heartbeat? Why not…? Unless Rob- Lord Grantham had told Lady Grantham… Or anyone else for that matter. Gossip in York had been that his Lordship was out of town- and England in general, anyway. Was that good or bad?
Golly, was she nervous!

All she could do was hope, really. Hope that Lord Grantham had not told anyone about their little fling and that they would hire her once more… because Jane Moorsum was in trouble. Deep. She had sunken so deep that Lord Grantham was the only solution she saw.

Nervous, soaked and chilled to her bones she finally reached the Abbey. Upon her ringing, a young woman opened the door. Judging by the maid's wide eyes, Jane must have looked terrible.

"Oh my. Hello! How can I help?"

"Hello, my name is Mrs. Jane Moorsum and I am here to see Mrs. Hughes."

"Did you—"

"Mildred! You better hurry! Lady Edith just rang again!" This was Mrs. Hughes' unmistakable accent. After this interruption, Mildred offered a quick smile before leaving the door ajar.

"There's a lady at the door for you, Mrs. Hughes."

"A lady?!"

"No, no, I mean—" But the rest of the sentence trailed off as Mildred hurried upstairs.

"Hello," Jane repeated as Mrs. Hughes finally appeared at the door. "It's good to see you again, Mrs. Hughes. May I come in?"

"Jane?! My goodness!" Elsie exclaimed and her eyes lit up. "It is good to see you! What are you doing here? How is your boy? How have you been?"

"B-Before I answer all those questions, may I come in?" Jane asked again, rubbing her wet arms. What a relief it was that Mrs. Hughes seemed happy to see her.

"Oh, where are my manners! Come in from the wet! Let's go to my sitting room and I will round up some tea."

A few minutes later, when the tea was poured and the women were seated, Jane knew the following talk was inevitable.

"That should warm you up a bit. Now, how have you been and what brings you here on such a dreadful night?"

"Thank you!" Jane eagerly wrapped her cold hands around the mug and brought it to her lips to blow the steaming surface. How good this felt! "I actually did not plan on going like a bull at a gate but…" She deeply sighed and lowered her mug, giving Elsie a sad glance with those big, blue eyes. "I am here because I need work, Mrs. Hughes…"

"Well, I must admit this a surprise..." Elsie eyed the younger woman. "But a pleasant one. I was sad to see you go."

Oh, how little did Mrs. Hughes know.

"You were a good worker. I can always use the help but I will have to ask her Ladyship, of course. She has hired a new girl recently, but I will see what I can do."

"Oh," was Jane's first reaction and she failed at hiding her slight disappointment. But that was not a no. Not yet. "I've been trained well, Mrs. Hughes!" The woman nodded and clung to her tea for life. "I am a very good Lady's maid now, but I honestly wouldn't mind going back to being a housemaid either. Not if it means I'll be able to work here… This is my last chance," Jane added mysteriously.

"I'm not sure I am following?" Elsie asked, playing right into Jane's trap.

"I asked around before coming here but no one is currently in the need of a house or Lady's maid. But that's not all…" She prepared he final joker by averting her gaze, dropping it to the mug in her lap.

"Oh?"

"It's my son…," Jane whispered. "He is very, very sick." She swallowed and lifted her eyes to meet Elsie's and what she saw was very satisfying: Mrs. Hughes had bought the lie.

"Oh, no! I'm so very sorry, Jane," The housekeeper said with sympathy, her own eyes filled with sadness.

"And I need the money so they won't stop his treatment." Tears shimmered in those blue eyes, almost breaking Elsie's heart.

"I'll ask her Ladyship now. Wait here."

With quick steps Mrs. Hughes left the room...

and Jane's lips curled into a tiny, satisfied smirk.