April 1914
After almost 10 years in the Crawley's employ, Sarah O'Brien thought that nothing in the world could ever shock her about Lord and Lady Grantham. In the beginning, she had thought it strange that the two shared a bed and that His Lordship was always affectionate and loving towards his wife. They were an unusual couple in her eyes and nothing could shock Sarah O'Brien now. Or so she thought until that morning in early April.
The morning began as it always did. She got up, dressed, and went downstairs until the bell rang for her to bring up Her Ladyship's breakfast. So she left the Servant's Hall via to the kitchen to fetch it. She went up the stairs, knowing that His Lordship would have left his wife's bedroom by now. She knocked on the door and entered as she always did, nearly dropping the breakfast at the sight before her. Everything was normal about this morning, until she had walked into the bedroom. His Lordship had not left the bedroom yet. And instead, he had stayed and obviously was trying to scar her for eternity. He was on top of Her Ladyship, naked. The two were moving and making sounds. It was obvious that they were making love for there was no room for misinterpretation.
O'Brien was so shocked,she could not move a single muscle! She was glued to the spot, the breakfast tray nearly falling from her fingers. Her Ladyship rolled the two of them over, putting her on top. His Lordship grabbed her hips, assisting her in her movements. Her Ladyship let out a low moan, the couple very obviously oblivious to the maid standing in the room, until the tray hit the floor. The clatter made both Lord and Lady Grantham sharply turn their heads to see O'Brien standing there, frozen. Her Ladyship screamed, rolling off her husband and grabbing at the bed covers to cover the two of them. She didn't want anyone else seeing her husband naked, unless it was Bates. She didn't like him all that much, but more than she had liked Mr. Watson. Bates was loyal and Cora was alright with him seeing Robert in various states of undress. "O'Brien, why are you standing there?" His Lordship asked, holding the covers up to his neck. O'Brien moved her mouth, as if to speak, but no words, no sound, left her mouth. "Get out," His Lordship barked.
"But, Robert, the mess! I'm not cleaning it up," Her Ladyship groaned.
"Of course you're not! We'll ring for her and she can come clear it up," he said firmly, putting his arm around her. "I'd never make you clean up a mess." She turned her head and kissed him softly.
O'Brien left the room still feeling a bit stunned at what she'd seen. She shook her head as she heard a loud squeal come from the bedroom. This has been the worst morning of my life, she thought. I dropped the tray because of their actions, and I have to clean it up. Typical of His Lordship to not be able to take the blame for his actions. I hate that man so much that I want him to lose everything good in his life.
O'Brien sat in the Servant's Hall until almost quarter to eleven until Her Ladyship rang for her. She sighed and asked Anna to help her clean up the mess. She agreed and the two made their way up to the bedroom, knocking, and waiting to be called before entering. His Lordship was still in bed with his wife. Anna and O'Brien cleaned up the mess before Her Ladyship asked O'Brien to bring up tea for two. O'Brien nodded and left the room.
About four months later, the house found out that Her Ladyship was pregnant once again. And Sarah O'Brien was not shocked in the slightest.
Author's Note: So, this event here, is sort of coinciding with the event of Cora and Robert's baby being conceived. Cora would have been very into Robert, and I can actually picture, in my mind, Cora distracting Robert for some terrific fun, even after she has rung for O'Brien. This fic is practically the only time I have ever felt bad for O'Brien. I have literally no sympathy for that woman. She's not like Thomas; he's misunderstood because of who he is, O'Brien is EVIL. Next chapter: Lang (the shell-shocked valet from series 2)