Disclaimer: I don't own Downton Abbey or any of the characters.
Chapter 1
Cora Crawley, Countess of Downton Abbey, was walking down the streets of London on her way to Hyde Park where she was scheduled to meet her husband. Robert had a meeting about the estate earlier that afternoon, and said he would meet Cora at Hyde Park at 2:30 for a late lunch. It was 2:20 right now, and Cora knew that she would have to take a shortcut to make it on time. She thought about just hailing a taxi, but decided against it. A walk would do her good, and besides Robert could wait a few minutes. Turning off of the main street she was on Cora walked into an empty street. That's weird. She thought. Usually the streets are full of people by now. Cora shrugged and continued down the street. Half way down the street Cora felt the hairs on the back of her neck bristle and she sped up her walking pace. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
"Now what's a pretty little thing like you doin' in a place like this?" A man said stepping out right in front of Cora.
"I am on my way to see my husband, if you'll excuse me." Cora said polite as ever, trying to sidestep the man only to have him follow.
"Wouldn't ya rather spend the afternoon with me? I'm better company than some lord. How 'bout it?" He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"No, thank you. Please get out of my way." Cora said firmly.
"So polite, but all I want is to hear you moan and scream my name." Cora shuddered at his insinuation. Cora turned at ran for it. She only made it a few steps before she was roughly pulled back and slammed against the wall of the alleyway. "Not so nice now, tisk, tisk, I think you need a lesson in manners." He held both of her wrist above her head and was grinning wickedly.
"No, please! Let me go!" Cora shouted.
"Shut up bitch." He slapped her hard. Cora's head hit the wall and she saw stars. He moved in to kiss her so Cora swung her head to the side trying to prevent what seemed to be the inevitable.
"No, please." She whimpered. "Please stop." Not again. She thought. He just grinned.
"I think she told you to stop." I said, pulling the man off of her and slamming him into the opposing wall. I saw the lady collapse to the ground before I returned my attention back to the man. I placed my knife right against his manhood.
"No! Please!" He said.
"My, my what a change of events." I said pressing a little harder against the bulge.
"Stop!" He pleaded again. I pulled my knife away and slammed my knee up in its stead. He bent over in pain, gasping for breath. I put my hands together and brought them up against his chin with all my might. His head snapped back and for a second I thought I'd killed him. The man rolled on his side and tried to stand up but I kicked him in the ribs before he could; grabbing his hair I hauled the man up until he was standing and I whispered right in his ear.
"You are a filthy man and I really should kill you now."
"No." He cried.
"I'm not going to… today. There's a lady present and she shouldn't be subjected to such things. This is your lucky day, but know this: if I ever find you doing something like this again I will hunt you down and have you drawn and quartered. I have eyes and ears all over this city and the world so there is nowhere you can run that I can't find you. Got it?" I asked yanking his head back so I could look into his eyes.
"Yes, please just let me go." He begged. "I'll be good. I swear!"
"Not before I mark you." I grinned and pulled out my knife. Making a small triangle with a line down the middle I marked him on his cheek. I released him and pushed him away. "Get out of here before I change my mind." He took off out of the alleyway at a sprint. "Bastard." I muttered pocketing my knife. I turned my attention to the lady. Crouching down beside her, I lifted her face up to look at me. "Are you alright Miss?" I asked as gently as I could. She was beautiful even with tears running down her cheeks. She had the bluest eyes I'd ever seen and such pale delicate skin.
"I-I'm fine, thank you." I helped her stand and put my arm around her waist for support. She was shaking slightly.
"What's your name?"
"Lady Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham." Her voice didn't shake surprising me.
"A pleasure to meet you my lady." I gave a bow and took a step backwards, this changed things. "Come, let's go get some tea."
"No, I need to go find my husband." Cora said.
"I will take you to a tea shop just around the corner where I know you will be safe and go fetch your husband. With all due respect my lady you need to sit down." She looked as if she would argue, but instead just nodded her head.
"What's your name?" She asked once we'd started walking.
"Iris, my lady." I told her, running my hand through my short black hair smoothing it down.
"Iris, that's a lovely name." She stopped and turned to face me. "Thank you Iris for saving me, I don't even want to think of what would have happened if you hadn't shown up."
"Think nothing of it, Lady Grantham."
"Please, call me Cora. I think we are past the point of formalities, don't you?" She said quietly.
"Whatever you wish my- Cora." She smiled at me. I resumed walking and she quickly followed suit. "Where is your husband Cora?"
"He's in Hyde Park, I was supposed to meet him there at 2:30."
"Very good, I will go fetch him once you're safe."
"There's no need, I am quite fine now." Cora protested.
"I insist. I couldn't leave you alone till I know you are in safe hands." She smirked at me.
"What an honorable thing to do." I tilted my head slightly, smirking back at her.
"Well I am a gentlewoman." She stopped dead in her tracks and gaped at me.
"You're a woman?" I smirked again.
"Quite."
"But you-" She gestured to my appearance. I was rather masculine looking right now. I'd always kept my hair short, much shorter than any 'proper woman', I wore trousers and a shirt. Just like a man. My most 'womanly' quality was bound so my chest did appear flat, but I thought my voice would have given it away. It is not necessarily high, but it was not low like a man's. "You don't-"
"Look like a woman? I know." I raised an eyebrow at her. She blushed and looked at the ground.
"My apologies, I shouldn't have said that."
"It's fine, I would have been surprised if you hadn't actually." I took her hand and tugged her through the crowds of people, pulling her to our destination. "Table for three please." I told the host when we entered the building.
"I thought you said tea?" Cora said, recognizing where we were.
"If you only want tea that's fine." The man came back and escorted us to a table in the back. I held out Cora's chair and once she'd sat I took the seat opposite of her. "Tea to start, please." I told the waiter when he came over. "Cora," I said trying to get her attention. She was just staring at her feet. I reached over and grabbed one of her hands, she looked up then. I could see tears brimming in her beautiful blue eyes. "Cora, you're safe now. I won't let anything happen to you." She swallowed.
"I know, thank you." The waiter came back with our tea. I quickly poured Cora a cup and forced it into her hands.
"Drink, it will help with the shock."
"I'm not in shock." She protested, taking a sip.
"Whatever you say, Lady Grantham." She shot me a look for the use of her title, I only smiled sweetly back at her. "Would you like me to go find your husband now?" She nodded. "Alright, I'll go find him. Hyde Park you said?" She nodded again. "Okay, I'll be back shortly." I stood up to leave only to be stopped by a hand on my wrist.
"Thank you, Iris. Really, I do so appreciate all that you've done for me." I bowed my head in acknowledgment. I stopped the waiter on my way out.
"Send some bread and cheese to my table and anything else she wants." He nodded. "Thank you." I handed him some cash, insuring that Cora would be well taken care of then headed out the door in search of Lord Grantham. Luckily for me, I didn't have to search far. As soon as I'd walked into Hyde Park, I saw a man pacing back and forth looking around for someone. He was handsome, I guess. Not exactly fit, but not fat. Just a little soft around the middle, he had the grace of an earl and a nice face.
"Lord Grantham?" I asked walking up to him. He spun around to face me. As soon as he saw me his face showed confusion but he was polite all the same.
"Yes? What can I do for you."
"I know where Cora is." I said calmly.
"Where?" He took a step forward and invaded my personal space. "I swear to God if you've hurt her." He threatened his hands balling up into fists.
"You misunderstand, I was sent by her to come fetch you. She was… delayed in getting here."
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"She can explain, if you will follow me." I turned around and started walking back to the restaurant.
"Is she hurt?" He sounded quite worried.
"She is fine, or so she says. Just a bit shaken up." He did not look reassured. "Lord Grantham, your wife is fine." He only spared me a glance. I rolled my eyes and sped up the pace. Aristocrats. I thought. We entered the restaurant and as soon as Robert laid eyes on Cora he rushed ahead and pulled her into an embrace, completely oblivious to the people around him.
"Cora." He breathed. "I was so worried when you didn't show. Are you alright?" He asked pulling back and cupping her face.
"I'm fine darling." She said sitting down pulling Robert down into the chair next to her. I took the seat opposite of her and quietly sipped my tea. Pleased to see that Cora had eaten something.
"What happened?" Robert said, still quite obviously agitated.
"I was attacked on my way to see you." Cora said weakly.
"What!?"
"Calm down, Robert. You don't want to make a scene." Cora said eyeing the people that had looked to them after Robert's outburst.
"No, I'm sorry go on." He said much quieter.
"This man stopped me and he tried to… Well he um…"
"He tried to rape her." I interrupted. Robert's face went white as snow.
"Cora." How he could put such sorrow into one word I didn't know. "Cora, oh my darling." He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. "I am so sorry." Cora was valiantly fighting back tears. "You said tried, I presume you stopped him." He said looking up at me.
"Yes, my lord. I did." I said taking another sip of tea.
"My good fellow." He started, but stopped when I started to choke on my tea.
"Do I really look that much like a man?"I said after I'd cleared my airway of tea. He looked at me very confused then he blushed scarlet.
"M-my apologies miss." He stammered. I had to laugh. Both Lord and Lady Grantham had thought I was a man.
"No, need for that Lord Grantham, apparently I play a very convincing man." I laughed again at Robert's very flimsy smile.
"It's okay darling, I made the same mistake." Cora said trying to ease her husband.
"All the same I must thank you. You saved my wife today and for that I will be eternally grateful. Thank you." He said very seriously.
"You're welcome my lord."
"What did you do with the man? If I may ask." Robert said.
"I took care of him, don't worry my lord." Robert seemed satisfied with that.
"Won't you come back with us to Downton? It's the only way I can properly thank you." Cora said. Seeing that I was about to argue, Cora interrupted. "Please, I insist. We can treat you to a wonderful home cooked meal and a day away from the city?" Her eyes were so pleading and I was positive that the smile she wore would make kings do her bidding. I would know what it takes.
"Only if you're sure." I said hesitantly, trying not to sound too eager.
"Please, do." Robert said. "We would be glad to have you."
"Very well." I nodded. Cora clapped her hands together and smiled broadly at me.
"Wonderful, I'll phone ahead so Mrs. Hughes knows to prepare a room. We leave tomorrow on the 8 o'clock train."
"Very good, my lady." Cora sighed.
"What did I say about that." I just smirked at her.
"What is your name?" Robert asked suddenly.
"Oh, how rude of me." I stood up. "I am Iris, at your service my lord." I gave a small bow. Robert also stood and offered his hand.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Iris." His handshake was firm, but his hands very soft. Quite unlike mine. Rough and calloused. "Once again thank you for saving Cora, Iris."
"It was nothing my lord. I couldn't exactly have stood back and done nothing, now could I?"
"I would think not." He responded sitting down again.
"Would you like something to eat while we are here?" I asked.
"That sounds nice." I signaled the waiter and gave him our orders.
"What brings you to London?" Cora asked taking a bite of the bread.
"Business." I responded. It wasn't a complete lie, but not the whole truth either. Robert's face betrayed his confusion. "Lord Grantham?" I asked curious.
"Yes?"
"You seem confused by something?"
"My apologies," Robert absentmindedly scratched his chin. "I just have to keep reminding myself that it is not unusual to see a woman in business these days. My old way of thinking finds that abnormal."
"Indeed." I gave him a tight smile, Cora shifted in her seat uncomfortably but was saved from the awkward silence by the arrival of our food. "This looks very good, thank you." I smiled at the waiter who smiled back.
"Can I get you anything?" He asked.
"No, thank you." Cora and Robert dug into their food with some gusto, still retaining the grace and manners I would expect from an earl and countess, but still.
"Where are you staying?" Cora asked trying to make conversation.
"Oh, just a few blocks away from here." I lied. I couldn't exactly tell them that I was staying at Buckingham Palace and that my business takes place there. No, that would lead to far too many questions. Robert eyed me after my cryptic response. Well, at least he wasn't completely oblivious. "And you? Where are you staying?"
"At the Grantham house, here in London." Cora responded.
"Very nice." I took a bite of my food chewing slowly, thinking. This day had not gone how I had originally thought it would. Lord and Lady Grantham were indeed the two very people I was looking for, but I did not expect to run into them so soon.
"May I ask how you were able to fight off that man?" Cora asked, leaning over slightly. "What I mean is, I haven't met very many women who can do what you did."
"Well, my lady, I am not exactly a high born aristocrat who has had their every need taken care of. No, I have spent the majority of my life fighting to protect myself." Again, not a complete lie. I had indeed spent my entire life fighting, just not for myself. Cora blushed and looked down at her food.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried."
"It's fine, my lady. You were curious, it's only natural." I said putting her at ease with a smile of my own. "Please, feel free to ask any question. If you are allowing me into your home, it's only right that you know some things about me." Robert looked pleased by that.
"Where are your parents?" Cora asked. Of course she would start with the hardest question.
"Well, my father is in a distant country and my mother gave me up at birth. I'm adopted you see." Half-truths were wonderful things. "My father does not travel much, but he has given me free reign to go wherever I please."
"Good heavens, without an escort?" Cora asked shocked.
"I can take care of myself, but no. Without an escort." Cora sat back stunned.
"Where were you adopted from? Are you a native of England?" Robert asked.
"No, sir." I looked at Cora and smiled. "I was adopted from St. Mary's in New York City, America. That's where I was born." What little color was in Cora's cheeks drained away.
"St. Mary's?" Cora said weakly. "How old are you?"
"Seventeen." If possible she got paler. "Are you alright my lady?" I asked.
"Cora?" Robert leaned over to get a better look at his wife obviously worried. "Perhaps we should get going. I'm sure Cora needs a lie down."
"Very well, I will see you both at the train station before 8 o'clock." Cora stood and placed a hand on Robert for balance. She seemed quite shaken up. I only smiled at her. "I'll take care of the bill, Lord Grantham. Just get Lady Grantham home and make sure she is okay." He looked like he would protest. "It's fine, Lord Grantham. Take care of her." He nodded his thanks and they were off. I paid the bill and exited the building. I saw Robert help Cora into a taxi and takeoff. I pulled out my watch and checked the time. It seems I was late for me meeting with the king. I shrugged and started walking towards the palace. My time this afternoon was very well spent. Very well spent indeed.
TBC…
A.N. This is my first try at a Downton fic, I hope you liked it.I don't have a beta so any and all mistakes are my own. Please leave a review to let me know what you think!