Author's Note: Part of the reason why that I am writing this story is that I want to explore how Lady Mary would react to a man who doesn't reciprocate her feelings for him. Mary is so used to men falling all over her. I also want to go back to Season One where Edith fell for men who preferred Mary. This time Mary is having a hard time accepting that maybe there is a man who prefer Edith than her.
I also want to note that I am an American, but I do know the spoilers for this season. I will try not to spoil too much for my fellow Americans who doesn't know about the rest of Season 4. Downton Abbey belongs to Carnival Films/ITV.
Chapter Two
Anthony Foyle, Viscount Gillingham arrived at Downton the next morning. He knew he should have stopped by Locksley to meet with the new baronet, but he wanted to see Lady Mary Crawley first. It was the Dowager Duchess who greeted him.
"Come to see Mary or look upon the corpse of Sir Anthony Strallan?" Violet asked as she showed the young man to the drawing room.
"Both,"
"So is Sir Charles Blake," Violet told him the bad news.
"I would have guessed." Tony mumbled. "We served with Sir Anthony Strallan during the war. Quite sad really that his last days should have been one of a recluse."
"He jilted my granddaughter you know."
"That was a major mistake in his part," Tony defended Edith. "Lady Edith would have given him companionship and a purpose."
"It was a major mistake for all those involved, and I regret my hand in it."
"You made him jilt her?" Tony was shocked.
"I didn't want Edith to be a nursemaid for the rest of her life. If I knew the future afterwards, I would have stopped that man from being a fool."
"Yes, he was a fool." Replied a strange voice.
They turned to see a tall, blonde hair man standing in the entranceway watching the conversation unfolded. He wore a dark suit and his hat was on his hand. His expression was hard as he did not like how the conversation was going.
"Oh the prodigal brother had returned." Violet said unfazed by Sir Andrew Strallan's angry look.
His anger immediately subsided as his face brought a smile that only his witty godmother could bring about. He came over to her and kissed her on the cheek.
"How are you doing Lady Grantham?" Andrew asked her.
"Very well," Violet replied. "But if you were a good godson and wrote more often you would have known that."
Well, you weren't a wonderful godmother either." Andrew snapped back. "I haven't seen a Birthday card in over ten years."
"That's because you married that suffragist." Violet excused herself. "And what I heard you two weren't happy for the last years of your marriage."
"No," Andrew shook his head. "But I felt sorrow when she died."
"I was never an attentive godmother to all my godchildren, but now that you are here, I hope you do seek my advice whenever you needed." Violet admitted. "Oh how rude of me, have you met Lord Gillingham, Sir Andrew?"
The two men shook hands.
"I served with your brother during the war." Tony explained his presence. "He never mentioned a brother."
"He never liked me. I was the reminder of his lack of heir, and it didn't help I was the charmer of the family."
"Yes, I remember," Violet chimed in. "Anthony was such a nervous little boy while Andrew was the wild child sneaking into the dining room when we were all eating and put strawberries into ladies' shoes."
"You always have to remind me of that, Lady Violet." Sir Andrew was embarrassed about his childhood antics.
"Edith, I'm so glad you came in here."
Andrew's stomach did a jump when she entered the room. He tried to calm himself as she came closer to sit down across from her grandmother.
"Tony, I'm surprised you here as Sir Charles Blake is with Tom and Mary taking a look at the pigs."
"Well my rival wasted no time," Tony's voice gave an annoyed tone. "Excuse me while I joined them."
After Tony left, Andrew sat down in a chair across from Violet and Edith. Violet gave an amused look as she saw both Andrew and Edith's discomfort in each other's company and by the way Tony walked out of the room.
"So what is the matter of Lord Gillingham? He seemed to be upset that Sir Charles is here." Andrew asked his godmother.
"Have you met Sir Charles?"
"Yes just this morning," Andrew replied. "He was kind enough to drive me here as I forgotten the directions."
"He probably talked nothing but Mary," Edith had a hint of jealousy in her voice making Andrew wondered if there is some sort of animosity between the sisters.
"Yes, he did in fact." Andrew answered.
"You will probably fall under her spell." Edith almost spat that surprised both Andrew and Violet. "Men do you know."
"I don't think Sir Andrew will be under Mary's spell." Violet looked at him. "I think he is under the spell of another lady." She thought to herself. "Heaven help them both when he finds out the truth about the lady."
As to speak of the devil, Lady Mary Crawley waltzed in with her two suitors and another man behind her. Andrew got up as a way of politeness.
"Hello, Granny," Lady Mary said to Violet. "Hello Edith, you should have come to the Drewe farm. The pigs are doing very well."
"I had a headache." Edith thought of an excuse.
Lady Mary shrugged, but her eyes landed on a very handsome gentleman who was standing there waiting to be introduce. He was taller than both Lord Gillingham and Sir Charles and had a lighter coloring than the dark haired men. His eyes were hazel and deep set.
"Mary, this is Sir Andrew Strallan the new master of Locksley." Violet introduced them.
"Yes, I remember you. You left when we were children. "Lady Mary flashed her brightest smile. "We quite forgotten that poor Sir Anthony had a much younger brother."
"It is nice to see you again, Lady Mary Crawley." Andrew simply said trying to think why two men were chasing after her when she looked like death warmed over. "I need to find Lord Grantham as I have a favor to ask him."
"My name is Tom Branson," the third gentleman came forward. "He's out in the garden. I can bring you to him."
"Thank you," Sir Andrew said to the Irishman. "It's nice to see you Lady Edith, Lady Violet."
He left with Tom leaving Mary speechless and the others including Edith amused. Edith wisely said nothing, but Violet couldn't help quip.
"Well there is hope in this world that there is a young man who is not in love with Mary."
Robert, Earl of Grantham was getting dressed for dinner having told a pleased Lady Grantham that there are three single gentlemen for dinner. He had invited Sir Andrew and his sister for dinner despite the fact they were in mourning. The man accepted, and Mrs. Chetwood arrived an hour ago.
"Pardon me for being ignorant, sir," John Bates brushed his employer's coat. "But I did not know that Sir Anthony had a brother."
"No, you probably did not know as Sir Andrew had been out of the country for almost twenty years." Lord Grantham told Bates.
"Yes, but surely it wasn't a secret."
"There was some bad blood between the brothers ever since Sir Andrew was born." Robert let Bates handle the cufflinks. "Their mother died when Andrew was born, and Anthony worshipped his mother. Their father was a rather Spartan man who thought Anthony was too fussy for his taste."
"You can't blame a poor baby on the mother's death. I know Mr. Branson doesn't blame Sybbie for her mother's death."
"That's because Tom and Sir Anthony are two different people. Sir Charles never blamed Andrew for his wife's death. In fact, Sir Charles loved Andrew as they are very much alike, and I think Anthony was jealous of Andrew. Things came naturally to Andrew. When Sir Charles died, Anthony cut off Andrew's allowance."
"That's terrible."
"He had to borrow from his brother-in-law to go through medical school. He graduated and went to India and never came back. He made a large fortune while in India so he paid back his brother-in-law." Robert straighten his coat.
"Does Sir Andrew still practice medicine?" Bates asked.
"Yes, I believe he does as I heard him talk to Lady Grantham about working in missionary clinics in Bombay. I think his fortune comes from wise investments and his late wife's dowry." Robert was now ready to meet his wife.
Cora thanked Baxter when Robert entered the room. She got up after making sure her hair was in the right place.
"Sir Andrew asked me if we can we host a luncheon after Sir Anthony's funeral the day after tomorrow." Cora said to her husband.
"Have you talked to Mrs. Patmore?" Robert asked thinking about the frazzled cook.
"Yes, I did. She was very glad to do it."
"Sir Andrew hasn't changed that much since he left."
"No, but he seems sadder though like he's been through a lot in India." Cora shook her head. "He was such a bold and confident young man. I remember all the girls in the neighborhood clamored to get a dance from him."
"Yes, they did," Robert remembered. "Anthony was jealous even when he himself was married. Andrew was the golden child, the apple of his father's eye."
"I never understood it. Sir Anthony was so congenial, so easy to please, but when you mention his brother, he flies off the handle."
"Andrew was never in any scandal. In fact, he was very much a gentleman." Robert offered his arm. "I don't think we will ever understand."
Cora noticed that Mary was frustrated in getting Sir Andrew to pay any attention to her, but with Edith, Sir Andrew seemed to come alive answering her rather polite questions with more enthusiasm. Mary was bored with her two suitors. Cora knew that much, and she sees another very handsome man to flash her charms to. Instead, Sir Andrew seemed indifferent to Mary. Mary does not like it.
Lord Gillingham sees it too. He didn't know whether to be amused or pity Mary for finding someone who didn't think she was all that fascinating. He should wonder why Sir Andrew isn't falling madly in love with Lady Mary Crawley, but he can't help but envy the man wanting to know his secret.
Apple Charlotte was the dessert probably in honor of his late brother, Andrew ruefully thought as the dessert was presented to him. He never really liked the dessert. He can feel all eyes on him as he tasted the dessert. It was not bad, but Andrew wished it was a chocolate cake.
The gentlemen retired to Lord Grantham's study while the ladies went to the drawing room. Edith said nothing of her sister's rather embarrassing display of affection to a total stranger. Ten years ago she would have jumped at the chance to tell Mary off, but she decided to hold off her laughter.
It was not lost on Cora and Violet though. Mary thought that Andrew would be like most men who come under her line of sight. Instead he gave short answers to her question with his eyes continuing to linger on Edith.
"You think with all the admirers Mary has that she wouldn't want another." Violet said to her daughter-in-law.
"I thought it was amusing that Sir Andrew told about his life in India all the while looking at Edith, and Mary was the one who ask the question." Cora tried to hide her laugh.
"You think that is amusing," Mary hissed.
"Mary, dear, not all men are going to worship you the moment you step into the room." Violet told her. "I think this is good for you to put yourself in Edith's shoes for a moment as she is now stepping into your shoes."
Mary did not want to stand in her rather pathetic sister's shoes though to be honest Edith was becoming less pathetic even before Sir Andrew came back to England. Edith's column was widely received, and she was hailed as one of the best newspaper columnist in England. She was becoming independently wealthy able to buy new clothes and a ladies maid while Mary could barely afford Anna.
Before Mary could start an argument, the gentleman returned. Lady Rose Maclare had the first footman James Kent get down her gramophone for some music.
"Do you want to dance, Lady Mary?" Sir Charles Blake asked Mary.
Mary glanced at Sir Andrew who had headed straight to Edith's side. She accepted the offer much to Tony Gillingham's consternation. Tony, on his part, got Rose to dance with him while Andrew convinced Edith for a turn.
Sir Charles was too short, Mary concluded as they danced the new Charleston. Her only consolation was that neither Edith nor Andrew didn't know the dance, but the other couple found themselves laughing on how bad they were. Tony and Rose seemed to be the best couple on the floor.
"Well, I think Lord Gillingham should discontinue in his pursuit of Mary." Violet whispered. "He makes a better pair with Rose."
Cora only smiled as she watched the couples dance to the new jazz music. She was pleased to see Sir Andrew being attentive to Edith as she was worried about her daughter since she came back from Switzerland. How lucky a nice, very eligible man came into her life!
It was soon time to go home. Sir Andrew and Mrs. Chetwood told Robert and Cora that they had a good time. Lady Edith was about to shake hands with Sir Andrew when he uncharacteristically took it and kissed the back of the hand. Edith felt a sudden blush, but she shook it off as she watched him drive back to Locksley.
"Sir Andrew taken quite a shine to our Edith," Robert told his wife.
"Yes, I'm so worried about her." Cora looked over at her daughter.
Cora saw that her daughter did blush, but Edith was unusually standoffish towards Sir Andrew. Cora was genuinely troubled by Edith's behavior for the past two years. She was so absorbed with Mary and her suitors that she didn't take the time to check on her other daughter.
She noticed Edith rarely spoke to her anymore, and she wasn't eating right. Edith went down to London more often than not to stay with Rosamond. Cora felt a surge of jealousy toward her sister-in-law that Edith was regarding the woman more of her mother than Cora. There was also the fact that Edith has been seen too often on the road towards the Drewe farm.
It was going to change. Mary doesn't need her anymore. She was going to see what Edith is up to. Cora also made up her mind that she was going to encourage Sir Andrew Strallan in his pursuit of Edith. The man was obviously interested, and it might be good for Edith to have a distraction.
