I don't own Downton. Please comment and enjoy.
The grounds at Downton Abbey buzzed merrily with the coming of spring. Everyone worked hard to get the place ready for the spring festival that was going to be held on the estate. Everyone was in a merry mood, until the door bell rang.
"William get the door!" Barked the housekeeper, Mrs. Hughes. William bit his lip as he walked over towards the door and opened it. Nobody was there. "Who's there?"
"Nobody." William said slowly closing that's when he saw something move on the ground next to the door. He bent down and pulled on the piece of fabric and went pale.
"William, what in God's name are you doing?" Mrs. Hughes stopped and stared down as William bent down to gently pick up the bundle and walked inside while Mrs. Hughes closed the door behind him.
Large tuffs of brown hair poked out of the fabric followed by the soft peach color of baby's smooth face. "What in gods name is this?" William asked his face twisted in confusion.
"It's a baby." Mrs. Hughes said her eyes growing big and soft as she moved the blanket to get a better look of the infant.
"I know it's a baby." William said with a glare. "What is a baby doing here at Downton?" He watched as Mrs. Hughes reached inside and pulled out a small piece of parchment with scribbles on the soft surface in rough ink hand writing.
"To whom it may concern," Mrs. Hughes read before quickly reading the rest her mouth slowly opening up in shock and disbelief. "This can't be."
"What, what's wrong?" William asked still holding the child struggling to keep it from falling, since it started to twist in his grasp.
"This letter claims this child is Earl Grantham's son." Mrs. Hughes said her hand shaking the parchment.
"What is going on in here?" Mr. Carson boomed as he stalked inside the room and saw Mrs. Hughes staring at a piece of parchment her face white as a sheet. William turned to look at Carson with confusion. "Why have you stopped working? We have a lot of things to do before the festival this upcoming weekend."
"Charlie," Mrs. Hughes said softly grabbing the baby from William's hands. "What are we to do with this child?"
"Whose child does this belong to?" Mr. Carson inquired taking a step towards the small bundle and peered inside.
"Robert," Mrs. Hughes said softly. Mr. Carson's mouth dropped unsure what to say, that was until the baby started to cry, loud sharp shrieks and he took a step back his face growing dark with authority. "William finish with the preparations for the festival, Daisy!" A young girl with dark brown hair came stumbling into the staff dining room brushing her hands on her apron. "Go fetch the doctor, and hurry." Daisy looked confused and Mr. Carson's eyes narrowed darkly. "Now." Daisy nodded as she stumbled outside the backdoor and disappeared. "Mrs. Hughes, see if you can calm this child down."
"I'll see what I can do." Mrs. Hughes said walking out of the room gently bouncing the baby as she made soft hushing noises.
