Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham. The title sounded fine, to be sure, and the young Earl was every bit as proud of it as any family duty and honor would require him to be. But it had not been long after the death of his esteemed father that Robert had begun to feel the weight that had landed on his shoulders with everything he had inherited and, to some extent, failed to inherit. He had the title and he had the magnificent estate with a full, well trained staff. What he did not have was the money to keep running the house in a way the world had become accustomed to – in short, in a way that was suitable and expected of an Earl.
With careful economy and by letting go of some of the staff, it would perhaps have been possible to remain in possession of the house at least for some years, but what then? Robert had no wish to be remembered as the Earl of Grantham who let down the family estate.
No, whatever the personal costs, he would have to secure the continuity of his estate, and the way in which to secure it now seemed quite clear to him. All he needed was to marry an heiress.
Robert knew the notion was unromantic, but he knew equally well that he could not afford romance. The best he could hope for was to find a woman of fortune who would not be completely lacking in personal charm. Being reasonably handsome and well aware of the attention his mere title would bring, Robert felt fairly confident he would be able to bring about a match that suited himself well enough. The rest, he hoped, would come with time.
Once his mind was settled on the course of action that was necessary, Robert disclosed his plans to Sir Henry, who was one of the young Earl's closest friends. Much like Robert, Sir Henry had inherited his title early in life, but unlike Robert, his title had come with a considerable fortune, making it easy for him to enjoy the benefits of his situation without much restraint.
"A wife, really?" said Sir Henry with some doubt in his voice as the two young men sat down for port at their preferred gentlemen's club in London. "Already?" Sir Henry himself had no intention of marrying or settling down in the foreseeable future.
"I'm afraid I must," said Robert, staring at his drink. "Downton needs a mistress."
"A wealthy mistress?" Sir Henry prompted.
"As wealthy as can be if I am to keep the estate running as it should," Robert replied with a sigh.
"And do you have anyone in mind?"
"I was hoping you could help me there." Robert blushed slightly. "You know I don't come to London as much as you do, and I am not as well aware of the ins and outs of who is the most eligible."
"Well, there is always the Honourable Miss Winton," Sir Henry offered. "She is plain but she does have both money and family."
Robert sighed. He already knew Miss Winton – a proud, disagreeable woman with money and connections but absolutely nothing else to recommend her with. It was well known that the reason she remained unmarried was that no one of her own rank would have her, and her father would never allow her to marry beneath herself.
Seeing Robert's expression, Sir Henry chuckled.
"So not quite that desperate yet?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I should hope I shall never be that desperate," Robert groaned, downing his drink.
"Miss Eastbridge then?"
"Are you even trying?" Robert gave Sir Henry an exasperated look. Miss Eastbridge and the Honorable Miss Winton could have been separated at birth. "I was rather hoping you could help me avoid precisely the ones you have just mentioned."
Sir Henry laughed heartily. "I was just trying to ascertain how far you were willing to go," he replied merrily.
"Not quite that far, thank you," said Robert grumpily. "Not unless I absolutely must."
Eventually Sir Henry grew more serious, seeing that his friend was in earnest.
"If you really are determined," he finally said. "Then the best advice I can give you is to look across the pond to America."
"America?" Robert repeated. "I don't think I am in a position to leave everything and…"
"No, no, I meant figuratively," Sir Henry cut in, grinning. "You need not go further than the finest circles of London to find an abundance of American heiresses come in Britain to find suitable husbands with handsome titles. Some of them are very pretty and all are remarkably wealthy."
Robert still looked at his friend with suspicion.
"But Americans," he said. "Surely…"
"They are people just like we are," said Sir Henry lightly. "If I was inclined to marry I might as well choose one of them."
"Really now?"
"Absolutely," Sir Henry nodded. "You must come with me to Lady Cotworth's party tomorrow night if you want to make your move. I am told that at least the Strausses and Levinsons will be there."
"Strausses and Levinsons?"
"Mr and Mrs Strauss have been in town all winter with their daughter Elizabeth and I have been told that a Mrs Levinson has only recently arrived with her daughter Cora after spending the winter in Paris. I hardly need to tell you that both girls stand to inherit a considerable fortune."
"Be as it may, I'm not quite sure if…" Robert began hesitantly. The thought of marrying a foreigner had not even occurred to him before. At the very least, he was certain his mother would never approve.
"Oh for heaven's sake old chap," Sir Henry cried. "At least come and be introduced. You will not be required to make a marriage proposal on the spot if neither of the girls pleases you."
"I suppose you are right," Robert sighed, pouring himself another drink. "I suppose you are right."
"So I will see you tomorrow at Lady Cotworth's?"
"Yes," said Robert, his mind made up. "I will see you there."