Thanks to Fighting-this-War for beta-reading this.
Rating: K
Warning : Spoiler s02e05
Summary: How did O'Brien came to be the one awaking Robert?
Disclaimer: Downton Abbey and its characters don't belong to me. I make no money from this work of fiction. I only own the plot line. However Dorothea belongs to me.
Midnight telegram
Nights were a bore in Downton Abbey nowadays: no one was sneaking out anymore and there was nothing to occupy a nice phantom. Dorothea was wandering aimlessly in the servant quarter when she suddenly heard some noise. Elated as usual when she was given the chance to find something to observe she ran soundlessly to the origin of the sound. In the men's corridor, Mr Moseley was heavily knocking on a door. He was a weird man whom she didn't see around much and had no business here in the middle of the night: that was a promising start. After a few second the door opened to let Mr Carson out. Dorothea liked the butler especially is low voice and stern look which hided a soft heart.
"What is the meaning of this Mr. Moseley?"
"Mrs. Crawley received telegram. I thought it might be urgent…"
A telegram? That couldn't be good especially an urgent one in the middle of the night. While the men were speaking Mr. Bates had opened his door. Dorothea didn't like him at all: he was always wallowing in self-pity and self-sacrifice was a full time hobby of his.
"Mr. Moseley, Mr Carson? Is there something I might help you with?"
"You need to wake his lordship."
"I couldn't do that."
"It might be a very important matter!"
"No, you don't understand. I can't wake him for he spends the night in her Ladyship's bedroom and I can't go into her Ladyship's bedroom."
"I must confess I hadn't thought about it. I'm afraid we have to wake Mrs. Hughes."
Dorothea followed the three men down the corridor, going through the locked door to watch the women's doors opening. Unsurprisingly the first one was Miss O'Brien: she hadn't been sleeping well wince the war had started. Of course, the housekeeper herself was out a few seconds later unlocking the door quickly.
"We need to give his Lordship a telegram" the butler informed.
"I'll go" The lady's maid offered, ever faithful and dedicated – for the last few years anyway. This earned her a frown from Mrs. Hughes.
"I hardly think it is appropriate."
"He's in my lady's room. I'll go to her."
"Very well then."
Dorothea smiled. She liked the American Lady. When Cora had first arrived the phantom used to spend hours in her room watching over her; wishing that she had been her lady instead of the one she had back in 1832 before she died of Cholera. The one she had wasn't that bad but this one was nice and caring. Dorothea hurried behind Miss O'Brien to watch the waking up. The door creaked a little but it wasn't enough to disturb the sleeping couple.
"My Lady… My Lady… wake up"
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Well the rest is in the show. I might use Dorothea again but for now it is all. Please review!
