His Lordship was in the study when the butler approached and coughed discreetly.
"Go ahead, Carson” said his Lordship.
"I was reading an article in The Times and came across a word I am not too clear about."
"What word is that?" asked his Lordship.
"Aplomb”, my lord.
"Now that's a difficult one to explain. I would say it is self-assurance or complete composure."
"Thank you, my lord .... but I'm still a little confused."
"Let me give you an example to make it clearer. Do you remember a few months ago the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived to spend a weekend with us?"
"I remember the occasion very well, my lord. It gave the staff and me much pleasure to look after them."
"Also", continued the his Lordship, "do you remember Will plucked a rose for Kate in the rose garden?"
"I was present on that occasion, my lord, ministering to their needs."
"While plucking the rose, a thorn embedded itself in his thumb very deeply."
Carson replied, "I witnessed the incident, my lord, and saw the Duchess herself remove the thorn and bandage his thumb with her own dainty handkerchief."
"That evening his thumb was so painful, Kate had to cut up his venison from our own estate, even though it was extremely tender."
"Yes, my lord, I did observe everything that transpired that evening."
"The next morning while you were pouring coffee for Her Ladyship, Kate enquired of Will in a loud voice, 'Darling, is your prick still throbbing?' And you, Carson, did not spill one drop of coffee!
Now that is aplomb!"
