The Manchester Party
AN: The characters do not belong to me. Thank you to my wonderful beta, Granthamfan! xx
Chapter One
"Another party?" Cora rubbed her temples. "Who is the host this time, Robert?"
She did not mean to sound cross, but meeting all of Robert's former admirers was growing thin. Every night, it seemed, was a new challenge of scrutiny by all of the women who could have become Viscountess Downton, but had been passed over for the one they referred to as The American Girl.
Robert took the invitation and read it over. "Good old Peter," he said. "Lord Peter; he was a school chum from Eton. Now he's married to Lady Harriet, and they're installed in one of the greatest country homes near Manchester."
"It's not that I dislike meeting your friends, Robert," Cora said. "I just am tired of all the talk. Surely you've heard it. About you marrying an American and no one thinking I'm up for the task. It's like meeting your mother in a thousand different forms. No one wants to be my friend... They just want to criticize."
To her horror, he was anything but sympathetic. "Are you certain you're not being overly sensitive, Cora? After all, you Americans are more excitable, and maybe you are taking this the wrong way."
He stood up, gave her a peck on the cheek and left the room before she could respond.
Cora felt her heart sink. Was there no one here who could sympathize with her plight of being in a new marriage and a new country without any new friends to speak of? Violet certainly never let up with her own special brand of criticism. Her disapproval of Robert's choice in wives was heard throughout the halls of Downton Abbey every day.
"I suppose I'll have to find something to wear," Cora sighed, walking to her dressing room. It wasn't as if not sharing a bedroom with her husband wasn't bad enough. Robert might as well have written it in flashing letters across the walls that he had married for money, not love.
She rang for her lady's maid, a shy young girl barely older than Cora herself named Miss Harrison, and waited at the vanity.
"Yes, milady?" Harrison came inside without knocking, unintentionally making Cora jump.
Cora stood up and turned in Harrison's direction. "There has been another invitation to another ball in Manchester this Friday. I need to choose something to wear. We'll be staying until Sunday so I'll need clothing for those days, too." Cora stopped short. She longed to tell Harrison that she'd had quite enough of parties, but the strict code of conduct here between staff and employer prevented her from taking the young maid into her confidence. It was a pity, Cora thought, for Harrison had a pleasing personality. If they had met back in Cincinnati, on a level social status, they would have definitely been friends.
Harrison worked quickly, unpacking some of Cora's newest Worth creations from the last time Mrs. Levinson had taken Cora to the Paris fashion house just before her wedding. She held up a bright sapphire gown that matched Cora's eyes. "How about this one, Milady?"
Cora felt herself cheer up a little for the first time since the invitation had arrived. In the whirl of parties and judgment, she had nearly forgotten about the sapphire gown as well as the diamonds that coordinated with it. Wearing the gown made her more confident and self-assured; it would be perfect for the Manchester party.
"That is perfect, Harrison! Please do pack it."
Throughout the morning, they brought Cora's travel ensemble together, thoroughly preparing her for that portion of the party.
As Robert was making his perfunctory visit to her dressing room that night, Cora was still unhappy about his dismissal of her feelings. The way he characterized her every discomfort as trivial unhappy American whining especially grated on her nerves. She was silent and averted her eyes from his gaze as he stood up and put his robe on, ready to leave for his dressing room.
"What is the matter, Cora? You've hardly said a word all night! At dinner you were positively sulky. Mama even noticed it."
Cora tried not to let her aggravation show any further than it already had. Of course Violet had noticed. She picked up on everything supposedly amiss with Cora.
"It's nothing of any importance to you," she said.
Robert frowned. "Is that party in Manchester still bothering you? Don't be silly, dear. You'll have a great time."
If your idea of a good time is being scrutinized by your husband's former admirers who feel they should have become Viscountess Downton, she thought.
"It's nothing," she declared once again.
Robert seemed all too happy to leave the conversation as well as the room. As the door latch closed, Cora knew she was in for a long night.
