Disclaimer: Credit where it's due. I don't owe Downton Abbey or the characters, other than Magdaline Matthews and the story being told.
I – Train Station
Tom and Mary had managed to convince the Earl of going alone to London to do a follow up regarding the estate status. Unfortunately, they did not foresee Lady Mady getting a cold and being unable to tag along. Fortunately however, Cora had managed to engage her husband into several tasks leaving Tom free to go alone and handle the estate as he should, not having the Earl breathing on his neck and second guessing every move Matthew and him had thought of during the last year. He was glad to have Mary on his side, not only for her own sake but for Downton's. It was much like having a part of his friend back.
It had been a very productive day in London and though he wasn't much eager to spend time with Lady Painswick it had already been arranged. All and all, she wasn't remotely as bad as the rest of his in laws and their dinner was a quiet one. His thoughts throughout the night and the following morning at the train station kept going back to Edna and how much of a fool he had been. He wasn't even sure as to why he had gone through it, other than some attraction to the life he once had. But he didn't have that life anymore, he wasn't a journalist, he wasn't married to a young, beautiful and fiery woman... He was a widower with a young little girl to raise and a estate to run. And he was content, that was his life.
It wasn't until a small voice called him from the seat by his side at the train that he realized he was crying, "Pardon me?" he voiced looking at the young woman as he cleared his throat. She smiled sadly at him, that look he knew all too well by now, that pity mixed with curiosity that had done nothing but make his Irish blood boil since Sybil's death.
He then noticed that the young woman was offering him a handkerchief, "Thought you may need it. For that - cold I'm sure you are having" she added with a hint of playfulness and a familiarity that threw him off course. Unconsciously he chuckled, "I'm fine but thank you milady", he spoke with a small nod and his eyes moved absentmindedly towards the window again. The young woman sat still for the rest of the journey, not uttering another word to him and rushed off the train greeting the fellow passengers with a small curtsy.
As he watched her rush out he realized he had probably been rude to a complete stranger that was only trying to cheer him up. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head and reached for his small suitcase sighing deeply. He had to stop thinking of his mistake with Edna and focus on his daughter and give her and little George the best future possible. That's what was all about, wasn't it? Make the children have a good future.
Michael Gregson had a good plan. He was going to divorce his Lizzy and marry his dear Edith, even if he had to walk away from his life as it was right now. He was sure that he'd succeed in his endeavors, after all, the lawyer was rather hopeful and his German citizenship was well on its way. He longed for the days where he could have Edith in his arms and see her walk down the aisle and see her lovely curls on their children's hair. But it would take time, the divorce alone could unfortunately take over a year and he wanted nothing more than to break the news to Edith, but it seemed that by phone would be terribly cold. No, he needed someone to be there for her, to hold her hand and support her through the difficult months ahead... Maggie, of course his dear Magdaline would do.
As his closest friend and secretary, she was to take care of his business while he was away, and well, this was one of those. Besides, Edith and Maggie had struck a fast friendship he was most certainly happy for. Having not a moment to lose, he wrote two letters, one for his love and the other for his emissary. Magdaline would find the right way to break the news to her and he was certain that she'd be able to support his Edith until he was once again by her side.
When Maggie received the letter, she was less than pleased. She had foolishly hoped for some power of attorney that would justify both Edith and herself within his affairs since their current control was rather minimum. She had to fight day in day out for their rightful place at The Sketch as well as for Michael's interests and it was harder by the minute. Maybe she should've stayed clear from the journalism business and opted to stay as a nurse after the war. But no, she had to follow Michael and Lizzy, didn't she?
So now she was with her little bag and her finest dress heading to Downton to see a young woman she cared for and crash all her hopes of a quick wedding. Silly Michael for giving Edith hope. Silly silly Michael. She tried calming her mind seeing the other travelers and trying to guess who they were or what was their business by the way they behaved and dressed. It was a peculiar exercise but it had taught her many things. It was like picking on tails when playing poker. Not that she had ever played poker, but she could pick anyone's bluff in a second.
For instance, the young man on the seat by her side: his clenched jaw and lost sight meant worry but the way his thumb reached for his wedding ring... scandal. Upon further inspection, Magdaline found the man rather puzzling: he was wearing tailored clothes, surely a business man of some kind but something about his posture indicated he somewhat repelled them. And his unpolished Irish accent when he gave his ticket... why would a low class Irish man would be dressed like that in this context? Money marriage gone sour perhaps?
Then the man unclenched his jaw and his absent eyes started watering, his fingers locked and soon enough, tears. A grown man crying at a train, and he didn't even seem to notice he was crying. That in itself was heartbreaking. She couldn't help scowling at the couple that was sitting across from her for making faces at him instead of asking him if he was alright. Upper class pest, the lot of them. Reaching for her handkerchief, she spoke softly "Sir, are you alright?". It was a silly question and it wasn't a proper gesture coming from a young woman but people needed to understand this was a new world. At least the dreadful couple was now focused on her lack of composure and not his. With a small smile she offered him the hankie again and couldn't help the little smile in the corner of her mouth at the sound of his chuckle. Even with his refusal, she felt a bit better for him and rushed out the train the moment they reached the station. There was no need to continue feeling those inquisitive eyes on her.
According to the clerk at the Post Office, the Abbey wasn't far from town, but it could take her at least an hour to get there by foot, not to mention it seemed it was about to rain any minute now. "Don't you know of someone that could go that way? Maybe groceries delivery and the like?", she asked not looking forward to the long walk wearing her nice pair of shoes that will surely be ruined by the time she reached the fancy place. The attending lady blatantly ignored her when someone walked in behind her, smiling forcedly and handing over a handful of letters, "Thank you", the voice said with a similar tone of disdain and when she turned to see who it belonged to, Maggie realized it was the handkerchief man. Feeling her cheeks blush she looked down and did a small curtsy with her head, starting to walk away from the place. "Miss wait", the man called upon her and she had no option but to stop, "I'm sorry to have startled you. I- I couldn't help but overhear you were heading to the Manor?" he inquired and she wondered whether he was expecting her to explain herself or offering her a ride, "Yes?" she added feeling the blush subdue somewhat.
Taking a deep breath, the man held onto the hat in his hand and attempted a small smile, "I'm heading that way and I wondered if you needed the ride. I do have a car, we should be there in no time", shaking his head a little, he offered his hand, "Tom Branson at your service". She took his hand and introduced herself, the blush crawling to her cheeks once again when the obnoxious couple went by them. Foolish social standards that made her feel bad for being a good sport. If she was a man no one would mind. "So what brings you to Downton Miss Matthews? If I may ask", the man questioned politely, his eyes fixed on the road. "A friend. I'm Michael Gregson's secretary and I'm visiting Ed- Lady Edith". The man smiled and looked at her for a moment, "You can call her Edith, I won't tell on ye. It's good she has a friend, she's been... sad lately".
Maggie asked about Edith and the house and made a bit of small talk, avoiding the questions that were burning in her head. Why was he crying. What was an Irish man doing in Yorkshire. Who was he married to. What was it with the clothes. And the fancy car. And the Post Office's clerk frown at the sight of him. She had to quiet the inner reporter and smile and nod, play the quiet secretary part, figure out what Michael was truly marrying into. She owed him that much. Mr. Branson had a pleasant disposition and he seemed to be quite fond of Edith, having little to no opinion about Michael. "Michael's a wonderful man. Hopefully he'll return soon enough and he'll be able to be happy with Edith. I think she's an incredible woman. And a very good writer as well". Maggie sighed through a small smile as she said that last word and he parked in front of the Manor, just as a soft drizzle started falling.
The building itself was astonishing and she had to remind herself not to drop her jaw. "It's odd that Mr. Carson isn't here. He's the Butler and he's always at the door making everyone feel uncomfortable upon first arrival", he joked as he showed her inside but stood on cold at the sight of his mother in law holding his sobbing daughter soaked in blood. Edith was walking towards her mother from the other side of the room saying something about a Dr. Clarkson when she spotted her friend, "Oh thank God", she mouthed as she asked her to come along, "Mama, this is my friend Miss Matthews, she can help Sybil", she rushed out as Maggie stood next to Tom who was now holding the little girl, "Sybil... That is a lovely name you have young lady", she said softly as she brushed off some blood out of the little girl's face with her handkerchief, making her stop her sobbing for a moment.