His Lordship was in 
the study at Downton Abbey when the butler approached and and coughed 
discreetly.
"May I ask you a question my Lord?"
"Go ahead Carson " said his Lordship.
"I am doing the crossword in The 
Times and I have found a word I am not too clear on"
"What word is 
that?"  said 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 myself much pleasure to 
look after them."
" Also", continued the Earl of Grantham, " 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 the prick on his thumb was so sore, Kate had 
to cut up his venison from our own estate even though it was extremely 
tender."
"Yes my Lord, I did see everything that transpired that 
evening."
"The next morning while you were pouring coffee for Her Ladyship, 
Kate enquired of Will with a loud voice,"  "Darling does your prick still 
throb?"
"You, Carson, did not spill one drop of coffee! Now, that is 
aplomb!"