Making Sacrifices
Chapter 1: Late one night
A/N: Revised year because of conflicting dates, thanks to Leonie1988 for pointing it out!
"When you are willing to compromised and make sacrifices for someone, that's where you feel true love." -Unknown
It was January 2, 1892 and Lady Rosamund Crawley was feeling freer than ever. The air was crisp, the year new, and if Rosamund had to be cramped up in the alley for ten more minutes she felt that she would burst into a million pieces.
Besides the normal cabin fever of being trapped at Downton, Rosamund had to deal with the extra pain of watching her stupid brother Robert, his new American wife Cora (who Rosamund surprisingly felt was the only sane person present), and their sickeningly adorable one year old, Mary.
"… been out for four seasons already, it is high time that we find your dear sister a rich husband to settle down with, for I do not know how much longer she can stay at Downton," her mother spoke quietly, assuming that only Robert could hear her.
"Mother, that is quite blunt of you," Robert corrected, only to earn a scolding from his mother.
With a loud sigh, Violet continued, "Well it is the truth," she affirmed. "We must find her someone to settle down with before it is too late."
Suddenly, Rosamund felt a tap on her shoulder, interrupting her from her eavesdropping.
"I'm going into London tomorrow to meet a friend of mine who will help to set Robert and I up with somewhere to live. I'll be staying with some of Robert's family for a few weeks. Would you like to accompany me?" Cora asked, smiling at her sister in law.
Rosamund was ready to politely refuse when a voice in the back of her mind told her she should go. "I would love to, thank you Cora. It will be nice to get out of the house for a bit, I should think."
Cora smiled. "I'm leaving on the seven thirty train, so we must leave Downton before then."
"Understood," Rosamund affirmed.
It was the next morning, and Rosamund was as giddy as ever to arrive in London. She could hardly contain her excitement as her knees bounced, causing the train car seats to shake.
"What has you so excited?" Cora inquired, smiling at her sister in law.
Rosamund smiled. "Nothing, I am simply glad to be out of the house. I feel as though I have been cooped up in there for far too long."
"What will you do in London?" Cora asked.
Rosamund shrugged. "I am unsure. I suppose I will do whatever I like, seeing as my time is my own."
Cora smiled at the though. "Do stay out of trouble," she said, feeling the train slow to a halt.
"Don't you worry, I can take care of myself," Rosamund replied.
On their way into town, Rosamund saw a flyer for a dance at a local pub, and she decided that while everyone else was out doing their business, she just had to go.
After getting situated into some horrid second cousin's house, Rosamund decided that she could no longer sit idly by.
"Cora?" she called, wandering the hallway to Cora's room. "I've arranged to meet a friend for tea, would you mind if I went?"
Cora smiled. "Of course! Do you need a car?"
"Yes, thank you," Rosamund responded, trying to keep a cool exterior, when in reality, she was bursting with excitement.
She asked the driver of her car to keep her destination a secret from her family, and with a smile he agreed.
When she arrived, she slipped into the ladies room and changed her clothes, wearing a much cheaper outfit so as not to give her identity away.
"What would mother say?" she whispered to herself, beginning to question her decision. "Mother would scold me for hours," she said, answering her own question. With a shrug, she slipped out of the stall, ready to party.
After about an hour of dancing and having fun, the bell on the door of the pub rang, and a man in a dark coat slipped in. He had blonde hair slicked back and the most beautiful blue eyes Rosamund had ever seen.
He scanned the room slowly, stopping at Rosamund. He took his hat off, staring in awe at the red head.
Laying his hat and coat on the rack, he came by and took her hand, proceeding to dance with Rosamund.
After a moment of being flabbergasted, she spoke, "Hello."
He smiled at her, showing off his pearly white teeth "Hello," he responded, voice deep and rich.
Maybe she had had too much to drink, or maybe the hot perfumey air of the pub was getting to her head, but she suddenly felt weak and dizzy, almost starstruck by the attractive gentleman who held onto her waist so tightly.
Rosamund and the handsome stranger danced across the floor for hours, turning heads wherever they stepped. Finally, the bartender yelled in a thick Irish accent, "Party's over ladies and gents', now get out of m' pub!"
With loud groans and dragging footsteps, the pub slowly cleared and the man escorted Rosamund to the door.
"It was lovely dancing with you," she croaked breathlessly.
He smiled. "The night doesn't have to end just yet," he whispered in her ear, leaning down to kiss her.
Her eyes widened, never having been kissed before. When the man didn't stop kissing her, she thought of pushing him off, but in the back of her mind, a voice whispered, What's the harm in having some fun?
Rosamund closed her eyes, kissing back harder. The stranger moaned quietly, pressing her against the wall.
When they came up for air, the man said, "I have a room upstairs if you'd like to accompany me."
Rosamund froze.
"Of course," he said, "only if you want to."
Rosamund closed her eyes again. He's such a gentleman! she thought to herself, and what's the harm? I can tell Cora that the driver's car malfunctioned and I spent the night at my friend's house.
"I'd like that," she whispered, and he took her hand, leading her into his room.
As they walked up the stairs, Rosamund awkwardly said, "I don't even know your name."
He smiled. "John Smith. And yours?"
Rosamund's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't thought he'd ask for her name. "Rosamund… Levanson," she said quickly, spitting out her American sister's maiden name. He probably won't recognize it, she thought to herself.
He stopped at the top of the stairs, kissing her hand, "A beautiful name to go with a beautiful woman."
She blushed, not having felt this way about anyone before.
Quickly, the man opened the door to his 'room,' pulling Rosamund inside. He kissed her again and she reciprocated passionately. He began to unbutton the buttons holding her floral blouse together and she unzipped his slacks, not willing to let him know of her lack of experience.
As his pants hit the floor, John Smith reached out and closed the door of his apartment.