Author's Note: This story is set during Season 3, between episodes 2 and 3 U.K. numbering, episode 1 and 2 U.S. numbering. In Dublin, in other words.
Disclaimer: I'm not even a custodian, my dears, let alone an owner. These characters and their settings are the work of others. I hope I do not offend with my homage.
Tom stopped by his mother's to chat for a few minutes, as he often did when he happened to pass her house.
"I'm glad you're here, Tom," she greeted him. "I've had a letter from the Dowager Countess of Grantham."
He gave his mother an odd look. "What does she say?"
"She says that Lady Edith is getting married to Sir Anthony Strallan," Tom's mother noted his smile, "at the end of the month. She's sent money for the packet, because she says you've already demonstrated that you're too sensible to allow pride to keep the whole family from assembling for such joyous occasions."
Tom let it pass, then said, "Last time she sent it to Sybil and me. Does she say why she's sent it to you?"
"She does." Tom's mother watched him attentively, curious to see his reaction. She looked at the letter. "'Please tell Tom he needs to bring evening clothes.' She's sent money for that as well," his mother added as an aside, then resumed quoting the letter, "'Of course, you're his mother, so doubtless know the most effective way to handle him,'" said mother snorted in amusement, "'but I have found it is best to address him in the form of a command, rather than expressing yourself in such a way that he thinks refusal might be an option.
"'Tell him he doesn't need to get a tailcoat; if he appears in a dinner jacket, he will still be suitably underdressed, yet the guests will be relieved of the urge to consult him about their insurance policies.'" She folded the letter, and looked at her son.
She expected at the very least a diatribe on the highhandedness of the aristocracy, followed by the number of normal garments which could be obtained for the price of evening clothes, if not how long a family of six could be fed and housed for that price. Certainly, these thoughts crossed his mind, she could see it by his changing expressions.
When Tom finally spoke though, all he said was, "Does she say where I'm to go for them?"
His mother grinned. "Now, Tom, the lady allows you some choice. She's sent a list of three tailors, and says you can go to any of them you choose."