The Irish Groundskeeper

Transcript

Why, Baroness, I beg your pardon. I didn't see you there. I was just chopping wood for the viscount's visit tomorrow.

Oh, Viscount, is it? I'm terribly sorry. I'm not used to all these titles and terms.

I hope you'll excuse me. It's all very new to me. Yes, I only arrived last week.

You came down to welcome me? Why, you're very kind. I certainly didn't expect you to walk all the way down here to the greenhouses just for me.

I appreciate your welcome. I have a feeling I'm going to really enjoy working here. Mr.

Sutton, the head groundskeeper, has been so kind to me. Am I cold? I'm very sorry, milady.

It's hot work chopping wood. I certainly wouldn't be in just my vest if I knew a beautiful Baroness was coming to greet me. I suspect I'm not making a great first impression.

I promise I'll be properly dressed the next time we meet. I hope I'm not keeping you. I'm sure you've lots of duties to attend to.

You've got better things to do than talk to the assistant groundskeeper. Can I offer you tea? We have a kettle in the gatehouse that I can boil and tea I brought from Dublin that you've never had better.

I'm overstepping, haven't I? I'm very sorry, milady. I don't know myself here and I was worried you're cold in that beautiful lace you're wearing.

I hope you won't think me ill-mannered. I imagine it's so difficult running that house all by yourself. So many people to look after and all while maintaining appearances.

You're not as odd as I expected, milady, if you'll pardon my saying it. I had an idea that you might be uptight or cold but you're nothing of the sort. You came all the way down here just to greet me.

You're nothing like how countesses are in the books. I hope you'll come down here again in the future and we can talk again. I've really enjoyed talking to you and I was worried you would only see me as an Irish boy fresh off the boat but you're so warm-hearted.

I hope you can find some respite here with me. There I am overstepping again. I hope you'll forgive me.

What's that? You will have that cup of tea? Are you sure, milady? I hope I'm not obliging you but if you're sure it wouldn't be improper.

I'll make you the finest cup of tea you've ever had. Will we walk down to the gatehouse together then? Are you sure you've time? All right, let's go.

The gatehouse isn't far at all. Have you been walking long? Every day you walk the grounds.

Why that is a surprise. I imagined you'd be cooped up inside all day. What else do you like to do? You ride horses? And you read? You must keep a full schedule, I must say.

We have horses at home in Ireland but they're quite different to the ones that you have here. And what of the baron? Does he ride or read? He doesn't.

He doesn't leave his room often. Well, you must keep him on his toes, milady. Always out and about.

I'm sure you have some shared interests. What things do you like to read? I like that one too.

The lads at home make fun of me for always having my nose in a book. But there's nothing like being engrossed in a story. Milady, do you mind if I tell you something? The way that your eyes lit up just now as you spoke about books, a sparkle right as you looked at me.

I can tell that you have a lot of passion in you. That you have a good head on your shoulders. We'd love to hear you talk more about books another time, if it's not a bore to you.

What? Oh, is that rain? Oh my god, it's really starting to come down.

We're not far from the gatehouse. I'm sorry, milady. Would you mind if we ran a little? Okay, let's go.

I'm awfully sorry, milady. Please sit down right there. I'm so sorry that you should have to exert yourself in your beautiful clothes.

And look at you, your lace top has been drenched. And look at me, I'm sopping too. Oh, what a pair are we? Oh, this is a fine first encounter with my employer, isn't it? I think I should have some warm towels over here for you.

Just let me go and grab them for you. Oh, please. I can't have you catch a cold on my account.

My god, I'm afraid you're completely so through. Here you go. Milady, are you shivering? Oh god, we've got to get you warm over here by the fire.

Thank god I lit it this morning. That's better, isn't it? Oh, it's no good.

I can hear your teeth chattering. What to do? Oh, um, all right.

I'm very sorry to even suggest this, but do you think you might be more comfortable in one of my shirts? I don't have anything befitting you here, but I have a spare shirt in the corner. Are you sure? I wouldn't suggest it, only I wouldn't want you to get ill.

I'll place the shirt here and go outside while you get changed. What? You need help to get out of your courses? Of course, I didn't even consider that.

But are you sure? I feel I'm going too far. Yeah, if you're absolutely certain, you know, all right.

Let me take your coat and I'll put that here and in your courses. I'm going to loosen the lace, my lady. Is that all right? Breathe in for me.

Fiddly little thing, isn't it? What a fine lady's maid am I, indeed. And this side and put it through there and you're free.

All right, now I'll leave the shirt while you put it on and you need assistance with that too? Of course, of course I'll help. I'll grab the shirt.

Can you put your arms in the air for me? Put your arms through the holes. Good.

Do you mind if I adjust your hair? There you are. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes? A countess disguised as a groundskeeper.

I'm sure you weren't expecting this when you woke up this morning. I know that I wasn't. If I might say, my lady, you look just as beautiful like this.

With your wet hair and my gardening shirt. I forget myself. I'll put the kettle on first and there's some fruit bread in the cupboard here and I'll grab you a plate and thank you for being so understanding, my lady.

I'm sure a lot of other baronesses would be far less so. I'm much obliged to you. What's that? My shirt? Yes, well, I am a bit wet.

What's that? My vest? Well, yes, I am a bit wet.

Get changed? No, no, I couldn't do that. Well, there's no other rooms in here to change in, you see, and only towels and you're wearing my only dry shirt.

Oh, no, no, I can't take it back. It's the very least I can do to give it to you. I'm not too uncomfortable, I promise.

You don't mind me changing out a bit? I couldn't. It's not proper, my lady.

What if someone were to see? Well, I suppose if you're sure you don't mind. You must have burnt your gaze though, my lady.

That's right, turn around, cover your eyes. Okay. All right, you may look now.

I am sorry for this. Is this your first time you've been face to face with a shirtless Irishman? I should certainly hope so.

You are kind to say, my lady. It's heavy work labouring in the garden. You don't get muscles like these from working in an office.

What's that? My trousers? My lady, are you quite well? Well, yes, they are wet, but I'm quite all right.

Unless, unless you want me to take them off. Is that your ploy? To have me in my undergarments in front of you? Baroness Mary, I can't say I expected as seductress as an employer.

Tell you what, I might take off my wet trousers if you demanded, but I helped you undress and I think I will require some assistance as well. Do you think you might be able to help me? Good.

Come here to me. That's right. Undo the buttons.

That's it. Bring the waistband down. Slowly, slowly.

Good. Look at you, so gentle, so delicate. You've got me in my underwear.

Just what you wanted, isn't it? You're right. This is much better.

I'm afraid, however, that you may have a similar predicament.