Note: So these are pretty much drabbles that I wrote over on my tumblr account (link on my profile) based off people's prompts and I thought it would be fun to continue that over here. So if you want to send in prompts you can PM me, review them or tumblr them too me. I will be posting on here in groups of ten to make things easy. So enjoy!
Prompt: Isobel and Dr. Clarkson share an umbrella.
"Thank you ever so much for walking me home," Isobel Crawley said to her companion on a cloudy Wednesday afternoon.
"Of course," Dr. Richard Clarkson replied. Isobel brightened at the man's enthusiasm. "I must talk to Lady Grantham anyways." Isobel's spirits dropped slightly at this, she wasn't sure why but she had assumed Richard had simply wanted to walk her home.
It seemed as if the world was adding insult to injury as Isobel felt a single raindrop fall onto her head (of course today was the day she chose not to wear a hat). And suddenly it was pouring rain. "Darn!" She declared looking up at the newly formed storm clouds. "And I went and forgot my umbrella."
"You're welcome to share mine," Richard said opening his plain black umbrella and moving in closer to Isobel.
"That would be lovely," Isobel declared. "And Cousin Mary claims chivalry is dead. With men like you, Dr. Clarkson, chivalry will never be dead."
"You're too kind, Mrs. Crawley," Richard said but he certainly didn't complain when Isobel looped her arm in his and moved in even closer.
Prompt: Mrs. Hughes talks to Alfred about Mr. Carson
"Don't let Mr. Carson get you down." Alfred heard a kind voice say behind him. He turned and there stood the housekeeper Mrs. Hughes with a slight smile on her face. "He's tough on everybody, and with the lack of footmen he wants his only one to be in tip-top shape."
"Of course, Mrs. Hughes," Alfred didn't know what to say. He had never had a proper talk with the housekeeper and to have to talk about somebody as intimidating as Mr. Carson.
"He may be harsh but it's for the best. You have potential, I see that and so does Mr. Carson and so he'll push you."
Alfred nodded and swallowed awkwardly, "Thank you, Mrs. Hughes."
"Of course, Alfred, now don't hesitate to talk to me if you have a problem," Mrs. Hughes turned on her heel and went to check on the laundry.
"Mrs. Hughes!" Alfred called out shocking not only Mrs. Hughes but himself.
"Yes, Alfred?"
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
"You remind me of someone; a footman from my past." Mrs. Hughes confided smilingly fondly as she reminisced all the way to the laundry room.
Prompt: Carson buys Mrs. Hughes a gift for taking care of him when he was sick
Elsie Hughes closed the door behind her as she entered Carson's office finally getting a moment of peace in what seemed to be a haven.
"Ah, Mrs. Hughes, I wanted to speak to you," Carson admitted, he looked slightly sheepish. Elsie supressed a smile at the odd sight of the butler looking almost embarrassed.
"How might I help you?"
"I wanted to thank you," Carson began stiffly. He reached into a drawer of his desk clearly searching for someone. "You took care of me when I was ill and so I got you these." Carson revealed a half dozen roses in his hand.
"Oh, Mr. Carson," Elsie gushed breathless. "There gorgeous."
"Yes, well, you deserve them. Now, I must get the wine started for dinner." Carson said ushering her out of the room before she saw the blush creep onto his face.
Prompt: Isobel and Matthew remember Reginald.
"How are you doing Mother?" Matthew asks walking into the drawing room. Molesley takes his coat despite the fact Matthew is perfectly able to do it himself.
"I'm fine dear," Isobel replies though there is a certain tenseness to her voice.
Matthew sighed, "It's alright to be sad Mother. It's a hard day for me too."
"Whatever are you talking about, Matthew."
"You know very well what I am talking about, Mother!" Matthew said temper starting to get the best of him since his mother refused to acknowledge the importance of this day.
Isobel looks at her son, "Matthew, I am aware what day it is. Did you ever assume I don't want to discuss it?"
Matthew looks shocked at the fact his mother actually snapped at him. "Sorry Mother, it's just I miss him, I wanted…closure I guess."
"I understand," Isobel says. "I miss him too."
"Could you, maybe, tell me the story of how you met?" Matthew feels a little shy about asking this kind of question, but, somehow, he still had not heard the story.
"Alright," Isobel says sitting up a little straighter. "Well, before your father was a doctor he worked as a clerk at my fathers office. He filed papers and made appointments, those kind of things. Well, one day, I went to drop off Father's lunch because he forgot it. When I walked into the office your father was the first person I see. He smiles at me and I do my best to not blush as your father was a very handsome man. My father comes out of his office. 'Ah, Isobel' he said before introducing me and Reginald. Now I barely said to words but apparently that was enough for your father as when Father got home he told me that Reginald wished to accompany me to the local fair.
"That evening Reginald came to pick me up, he bought me a sweet and won me a stuffed bear that night. From that moment on I knew I was smitten. He courted me for about a year before he proposed, I, of course said yes with out a doubt and one year later we were blessed with a beautiful baby."
Matthew smiled, "That's lovely Mother."
"I like to think so," Isobel said. She felt flustered thinking of Reggie like that. "Well I must be going, I want to take a walk."
Matthew walked as his mother scurried out the door. He was just happy to know a little more about his father.
Prompt: William learning to play servants quarters piano.
William Mason was taught by his father to play the piano at a very young age. As far as he could remember his house always had that old piano and when he was 5 he heard his father play for the first time.
"Papa, can I play too?" He had asked wide-eyed and innocent. His father smiled and over the next few years William slowly started to master the basics.
He was 12 when he first played in public, the village he lived was putting on a show, there was a prize offered too. William entered on a whim. And, even though he didn't win he had great fun.
From then on, whenever William got a spare moment he would put on shows for his mum, dad, friends, neighbors or whoever was willing to listen. He once put a show on for his dog.
When William was 17 he got the job at Downton, he had worked before on farms and at a public house once before but never at a place as big and intimidating as Downton Abbey.
On his first night there, after dinner, he decided to look around the downstairs area. And there it was. A magnificent piano. Much nicer then the one back home.
Without thinking William sat down and ran his hand across the smooth keys, they were cold on his hands but in the best possible way. He fingered the middle C key for a moment and then, finally, struck it. The sound rang through the room but he doubted any one heard it with all the hustle and bustle.
The piano felt odd to him, not like his trusty one back home. He started to play a simple song, one of the first he learned but it felt off. William shrugged it off and went back to the dining hall for a cup of tea and maybe a chat with Anna.
It was two weeks before William went back to the piano, he had a few hours between meals and the Crawleys didn't feel they needed him. He sat down and played the same song he had played the last time.
William still couldn't shake the feeling that the song sounded off, he played it through once more.
"Why can't I get it right," He muttered.
From that point on William came back each day, sometimes before breakfast other times he would skip supper to play. He was determined to sound like he used to.
One day, months after he had started doing this he heard someone say, "You're quite good, you know."
He turned around, it was the new kitchen maid, Daisy was her name. She was watching him an adorable blush creeping on her face.
"Why thank you, Daisy," William said knowing he had finally gotten it right.
Prompt: Elsie and Charles retire together
Dear Anna,
Sorry it's took so long for me to get in touch. Who knew retirement could be so enjoyable. Charles and I have been very busy we used some of the money I had saved to travel to Paris. It was beautiful, we stayed in a lovely hotel and went sight-seeing, ate lovely food and just had a nice time.
How are things at Downton? Do you enjoy being housekeeper? Is O'Brien giving you much trouble? How is Mr. Bates? Does he like being butler? An odd change I'm sure. How are the new staff members? And the old ones?
I miss you all and I will write more. Charles sends his love.
Love always,
Elsie Carson.
Prompt: Matthew/Cake
When Matthew Crawley was two years old his love affair with cake began. His father was having tea in the drawing room, Mother was there too but she had excused herself for a moment, Matthew had innocently wandered in after his nap. That was when Matthew saw the tray of cakes.
His father clearly saw him eyeing up the cakes, "Would you like one, son?" Matthew nodded eyes wide with anticipation for this new delight.
His father handed his one, it was off-white with a white icing. Hesitantly Matthew licked the icing which was heavenly, feeling encouraged he stuffed half the cake directly into his mouth. His father smiled as his son munched happily on the delightful treat.
"Just don't tell your mother I gave that to you." Matthew nodded hoping his cooperation would get him more of this new treat.
As far as Isobel was concerned Matthew had his first cake when he was four, what she didn't know he had been eating the cakes for 2 years now. She was having tea and he had come in to see what was going on outside of his bedroom.
"Matthew," She said in a cheery voice. "Would you like to try some cake?"
Matthew's face brightened immediately, he was about to say he loved cake but quickly remembered Mother couldn't know he had had cake before.
His mother handed him one and he devoured it in mere seconds chewing with a content smile on his face.
When Matthew was 10 a girl from his grade school brought him a cake. That was the first time Matthew felt he was in love. Who wouldn't love a girl who brought them cake?
Matthew quickly got caught in his first relationship. It wasn't as if he did much more then hold her hand sometimes but she brought him cakes at least twice a week so he never complained.
She moved onto Robert Davies two months later. Matthew doesn't mind. Mrs. Bird's cakes are better.
When his father dies Matthew almost stops eating cake altogether. The cakes were something special about his father. The way he would share them with Matthew. His mother explains that he should continue to value the things his father shared with him so Matthew starts eating cake once more, it is never quite the same as when his father would sneak them to him but he has missed the dessert.
When he moves to Downton cakes are what get Matthew through the days. That little bit of relief after a particularly bad spat with Mary or a social faux-pas.
Not to mention Mrs. Patmore made amazing cake.
His wedding with Mary is incredible, the vows, the kiss, their first dance but Matthew's favorite part (besides the fact that he married Mary) was the wedding cake. It was a four tier vanilla cake that was incredibly elegant and one of the best things Matthew has ever eaten.
He makes the mistake of telling this to Mary. That was not a good idea.
When Matthew's son is two years old he gives him his first piece of cake. Watching his son's eyes light up he is filled with a sense of pride.
He celebrates by having more cake.
Prompt: Elsie/Carson through the eyes of Anna, Thomas, Mrs. Patmore and Violet.
Mrs. Patmore
Beryl Patmore has always prided herself on her keen powers of observations when it came to romance and romantic intentions, she knew William liked Daisy, she predicted Mr. Bates and she cracked Thomas' little secret. But when it came to Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson she couldn't get it. Were they friends? Or more? The closeness of their relationship baffled her. But she was determined to find out.
Anna
Anna tried not to get involved in other people's love life, it wasn't really her buisness now was it? But she admits she is desperately curious about what is going on between Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson. She doesn't get involved of course, that could risk her job, but, when she's doing her sewing or reading a book during break she tries to watch the pair out of the corner of her eye. She was curious is all.
Thomas
Thomas could care less whether Carson and Hughes were an item. It would just mean they had a motive behind defending each other and siding together in arguments. It didn't affect him so why should he care? Plus, they're old they'll croak soon enough.
Violet
It was obvious the housekeeper and the butler were in love with each other. Violet had known from the moment Mrs. Hughes was hired. She didn't know whether they knew but that didn't really concern her. Maybe if she got bored she'd do something about it…
Prompt: Mrs. Patmore finally gets the store cupboard key.
This was it; this was the moment. Mrs. Hughes had gone to London for the week and left her with the key to the store cupboard. She could gather her own ingredients without anyone getting in her bloody way. Finally!
Mrs. Patmore had been in a great mood all day, she hadn't snapped at Daisy once, how could she on a wonderful day like this? She even let Alfred linger in the kitchen to flirt with Ivy. (In her good mood she was oblivious to Daisy fuming in the corner the entire time).
She hadn't gotten the chance to use the key yet as she had the materials for the Downstairs helping of oatmeal all ready to go as per usual. She was positively reeling with anticipation, fortunately the clock struck 6 and it was time to start prepping for the Upstairs breakfast.
"I'm off to get the food for the breakfast," She told Daisy and Ivy.
"I can get it Mrs. Patmore," Ivy volunteered.
Daisy quickly cut in, "No, I could get it. I don't mind."
"Absolutely not," Mrs. Patmore said surprising the girls with the serverity in her tone. "I will get it." She walked over to the store cupboard with a bounce her step that confused Carson who happened to be walking by.
"Good morning, Mrs. Patmore," He said.
"'Mornin' Mr. Carson," She replied brightly.
Here we go she thought to herself flat out ignoring one of the scullery maids who tried to greet her. She reached into her apron pocket and retrieved the key. A rusting, gold-painted little thing, nothing special in anyone else's eyes but something utterly brilliant in his.
There she was at the store cupboard, all she had to do was put the key in and turn, she took a deep breath, her entire body filled with anticipation and longing. And she did it, she opened the store cupboard.
Nothing. She felt nothing. There was nothing special about this, no satisfaction, no pride, absolutely nothing.
I wonder if why that is? Mrs. Patmore pondered to herself. Is it simply not as good as I thought? Or is it because Elsie and I finally get along?
Prompt: Edith/Elsie moment
Elsie Hughes would never admit it but Edith had always been her favorite Crawley sister. She always tried to refrain from picking favorites when it came to anything, even berating Mr. Carson for showing such bias towards Mary, but she always felt a connection to Edith.
It had all started when Edith was about to have her first coming out, Elsie had to fill in as ladies maid because one of the maids was struck ill and nothing could go wrong.
Lady Edith had been nervous all day, and as Elsie fixed her hair she suddenly asked, "Do you think it will go well, Mrs. Hughes?" Edith had never been as confident as Mary, she was filled with self doubt on most days but on a day as important to her and her family as this she was reeling.
"I'm sure you will do very well, milady," Mrs. Hughes answered.
"Yes, well you're obligated to say that," Edith retorted. "I'm sure Mary would disagree."
"Lady Mary would be wrong then," Mrs. Hughes said without thinking. "I don't mean to misspeak of course, but you look lovely milady."
Edith smiled at the comment, "Why thank you, Mrs. Hughes."
That was the day Elsie really picked a favorite, Edith was so kind to her unlike Lady Mary but not just to prove she was nice unlike Lady Sybil.
Elsie still remembers Edith declaring her coming out had been 'an absolute disaster'. However, as she watches the beautiful young woman walk down the isle she thinks she will be just fine.
Note: So that was round one! Feel free to submit some prompts as I only have seven of the necessary ten drabbles for the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed!