I am having SUCH fun writing this story! I can't wait until I can get to get Thomas and Edith to Ireland on some awesome adventures. - darthsydious
It wasn't until two days later, as Thomas was shining shoes in the scullery when he finally heard from Lady Edith. He wasn't Lord Grantham's valet yet, but it wouldn't hurt to help Carson catch up on a few things. Of all the people he had to fight to get on the good side of again, it was the butler. Thomas rolled his eyes, deciding once and for all he hated irony.
"Thomas?" he glanced up from his work,
"Here." He called out, looking back at his work. He suddenly realized it was Lady Edith and jumped to his feet.
"Oh dear I see you're already quite busy." She said,
"It's alright your Ladyship." He said, glancing at the shoes "I was just helping Mr. Carson."
"I won't keep you then, I'd hate for you to get in trouble." She said, "I've finally had a chance to speak with Lord Grantham, about the trip to Ireland today. I'm sorry if you were expecting an answer sooner." Thomas was again taken aback by her seeming need to make him comfortable. It was almost unsettling, mostly because he was unused to it.
"No, I wasn't." he said honestly. "His Lordship has been preoccupied lately."
"Yes, the wedding and all." Edith said. Eyes distant for a moment, she quickly shook her head, replacing her frown with a smile. "Anyway, to come to the point he's quite in agreement that you'll come with me."
"Am I?" Thomas' surprise was evident. Edith nodded.
"He also asked for you to go and fetch the tickets now. They're waiting at the station. I'll make excuses for you if you wish to go now. Or I could drive into town." Now that was quite unexpected. Thomas knew he would have been discharged for stealing, and he knew Lord Grantham was aware of it. To trust him with any amount of money must have been quite a test of faith for Lord Grantham.
"No, I'll go now." He pulled off his apron, setting it on the bench. Edith took out a fold of bills.
"They will be under his name." she said.
"I'll see to it." He promise, taking the money from her outstretched hands.
"Thomas, have you gotten- Lady Edith!" Mrs. Hughes was quite surprised to see the young woman down in the scullery.
"I'm just here to send Thomas on an errand for Lord Grantham." Edith said.
"Very good your ladyship. I'll see that he's off right away." Mrs. Hughes said.
"Thank you Mrs. Hughes." She said "And thank you Thomas." She smiled over her shoulder as she left. Holding the billfold in his hands, he counted the money. More than enough for a first class coach.
Upstairs, Edith's room
"Is Papa serious?" Mary asked. She stood in the doorway, watching Anna pack Edith's suitcases. "He's sending you to Ireland all by yourself?"
"Thomas is to come with me." Edith said. "Are you sure you won't come along? Sybil will be quite pregnant in a little while."
"I'm afraid I'll have to wait; Matthew and I do have wedding plans to make. Will you be back before July?"
"Oh I should think so. I'll only be away for a month. Why?" Mary shrugged; she came a little further into the room, picking up a linen blouse, smoothing out the cuffs.
"I only wondered if you would be my maid of honour." She handed Anna the blouse "Here, Anna, take this one as well, have Bridget press it."
"Yes your Ladyship." Anna took the hint to leave them alone, quickly exiting the room.
"Me?" Edith asked, and Mary met her gaze.
"Yes you. You are my sister after all." Edith resumed folding things, glancing up at Mary.
"Did Matthew put you up to it?"
"No." Mary said. "But he did want us to be friends again."
"Again?" Edith quirked an eyebrow, and Mary smiled genuinely.
"That's what I told him, but-" she held out her hand to her. "I am willing to let bygones be bygones." Edith looked at her sister's hand, and then took it.
"I quite agree." She said, a little breathlessly. "It seems so foolish now, all those years fighting." Mary nodded.
"Matthew gave me a proper scolding for it." She said, folding a pair of stockings and setting them in the trunk. "Until I had to promise him that we'd make up and be a happy family again."
"Now if only Papa would accept Branson, we would be." Edith said. "Do you think they'll not come back to England some day?"
"They'll stay until you come back with a report on how dangerous it is there, and Papa insists they live in England again." Mary said. "Will Thomas be staying in Ireland for the whole visit?"
"I think so."
"Carson must be giving him quite a speech on how he's to behave." Mary said, finding she pitied the footman. One could pity any of the servants under the wrath of Carson.
"Well, I'll leave you to your packing; Mama wanted me to remind you to visit Granny before you go."
"Whatever for?" Edith asked
"Oh you know Granny. She thinks you're going to your death, this trip to Ireland." Mary said with an amused grin.
"I'll see her this afternoon then. I expect she'll want to talk me out of it."
"No, just to kiss you goodbye." Mary said. "I'll see if Bridget's finished with your blouse. Are you taking her with you?" Edith shook her head.
"No, I didn't think Branson would like me to. Anyway Sybil told me there wasn't even a room for a maid. I'm not even sure they have a cook."
"No room?" Mary asked with a frown "Good heavens are they living in a rabbit hutch?" Edith smiled
"I'm sure not as small as that, but she did say it was small, and I think I can manage on my own." Mary shrugged
"Don't tell Papa."
"Don't tell me what?" he asked, standing in the doorway. Both girls looked with a start, glancing at each other with a look of alarm. Their father had the talent of being terribly quiet when he liked to. Such a skill meant he might be listening when young ladies preferred to keep their talk of young men to each other.
"Nothing Papa." Mary said with a secretive smile. "Nothing very bad."
"But bad enough." He said with a raised eyebrow. His smile was an amused one, and Edith knew he would let it be. "Mary will you excuse us for a moment please?"
"Certainly."
"Matthew is downstairs, he just arrived."
"Thank you." The flush in her cheeks proved this distraction from whatever her father didn't want her to hear would be a pleasant one. Leaving them alone, Robert reached into his pocket, his hand fumbling for something. He suddenly seemed shy and unsure. It was unsettling, seeing her father like that. He was always sure of himself. Everything he did was fraught with purpose and meaning.
"Are you all packed?" he asked.
"I think so." Edith looked over at her open trunk. "I was just deciding what evening things to bring."
"I don't think they'll be having many soirées in Belfast." He said. Edith gave him a look of annoyance but said nothing. His free hand tapped along the edge of her trunk, he looked over the contents, apparently searching for something. Edith followed his gaze, somewhat confused.
"I…suppose your Mama saw you had a few new things."
"Yes. Thank you by the way. I'm glad to have a new travelling suit." He nodded.
"And you have the tickets for tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, Thomas just came back with them. They're in my handbag."
"Good." He nodded. "Ireland is very pretty countryside." He said suddenly. Edith watched him go to the window. "Nicer than England, in some respects." He bounced a little on his heels. "You ought to bring your camera." His eyes drifted over to the Kodak case on her vanity desk. Sir Anthony Strallen had sent her the gift some time ago. It was a brand new model, better than the brownie box camera's she and her sisters had when they were little. This was a bit smaller than her box brownie, quite portable and easy to use. Edith had already shown her prowess at taking pictures. She had an album already half-filled of her unwilling subjects, all attempting some kind of pleasant appearance as she immortalized them on film. One of her favourites was Carson standing stiff as a bored, quite unsure of what he was even doing, Mary beside him, amused by this. The result was a befuddled butler and a blurry image of her sister giggling.
"I'll take the album too." Edith said, "Sybil and Tom will want to see pictures of the family." Robert said nothing to this, even refraining from rolling his eyes. He did promise Cora he would try to accept the former chauffer. Edith turned from carefully setting her camera in her trunk beside her album to see her father pulling something out of his pocket.
"Take this as well…won't you?" he held out a slip of paper. Unfolding it, she saw it was a cheque now. A cheque made out for a good deal of money. "I told them there would be some money…if he is not too proud to accept it." Edith smiled at her father then. She found her heart swell with pride, seeing her usually proud father accepting he had not won the battle, and indeed attempt to make a truce. Reaching up, she pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"I am sure they will be grateful." She held the cheque for a moment. "Are you certain you wouldn't rather send it to them yourself?"
"Yes." He said, and closed his hands over hers. "It will be quite safe with you." He said. He smiled quite tenderly at her then. "Dear Edith." He said with a sigh. "I am glad you aren't going alone." She frowned.
"Is it really so dangerous?" he looked as if he knew something but was loathe to share it.
"Your Mama only read something in her newspaper." He put on a smile for her, the one he always had when he'd say goodbye to Matthew before he'd go to the front. "Thomas assures me he will keep you quite safe." he was quiet a moment.
"I have every faith in him." Edith said. He nodded then.
"Yes. Yes of course." He smiled genuinely then. "I expect Carson will be ringing the dressing gong quite soon now. I'll let you finish packing."
"Thank you Papa."
The Next Morning
Bright and early, Edith was in the drive, Carson fussing with her trunks on the motor. The family gathered around her, albeit sleepy from the early hour. Matthew had asked to accompany her to the station, and Edith felt obliged to say yes. He was to be her brother in-law soon after all. She wondered briefly if Mary would ask to go along, even when she climbed into the car, half-expecting Mary to say "I'll just fetch my coat!". But she didn't. And Edith silently thanked her elder sister for letting her be. For once neither held any malice in their eyes as they said goodbye, and Mary even pressed her cheek, sincerity in her eyes.
"Have a marvelous time." She said, "And do see that Matthew behaves himself, he's not to tell you any stories."
"He's only seeing me to the station." Edith said, leaning out the window.
Carson was on the other side of the car, speaking quietly to Thomas. He handed him the oversized satchel that bore all of Thomas' clothes, two or three uniforms, and a few everyday things.
"On your best behavior, mind." Carson said. "You'll be representing a proper English household."
"Yes Mr. Carson." Thomas had heard this speech before, and he was more than sick of it. But he bit back a retort, deciding there was still a chance to be taken out of the car and some other quiet, well-behaved footman put in his place.
"Do tell us how Sybil is." Cora couldn't help but call over the car starting. "And make certain she's not doing too much."
"I will Mama." Edith put on a smile as she leaned out the window. The car lurched forward. "I promise to write as soon as I arrive!" pulling away, she leaned further out, waving before settling back against the cushions. Matthew smiled at her clearly relieved expression.
"I'd ask if you're nervous, but I can't see the point." He said, his eyes twinkling. "Is it your first time on your own?" and she nodded.
"I'm a little afraid." She admitted.
"Don't let what the papers say frighten you." He shrugged.
"Why? What do the papers say?" she asked, wondering if she should have taken a sneak at her father's morning paper. She had understood politics in Ireland were less than friendly, but she hadn't heard of anything really terrible. Not any worse than the little riots that had once gone on in the village, when Sybil had snuck away only to be stuck in the middle of a brouhaha.
"Nothing really to worry about. The press always drums up some kind of story, twisting people's words."
"How?" she asked. "I mean what sorts of stories are they publishing?" Matthew could see her becoming uneasy. He glanced to the drivers seat, Thomas eyes on Lady Edith in the rearview mirror. Seeing Matthew, he averted his gaze elsewhere, but he had heard already.
"I'm sure it's nothing." Matthew said reassuringly this time. "Just some political parties, not getting their way."
"Oh dear." She murmured. She fidgeted a moment, worrying her new gloves. Seeing this, he took her hand in his, squeezing it comfortingly.
"You mustn't fret." He said, and she looked back at him. "You'll have Thomas to look after you. He'll know what to do if anything get's too rough. Anyway things won't get too heated. These reports always seem more grim than they really are."
"Yes." She murmured. "Anyway it doesn't matter. It's my first trip on my own, and I'm quite determined to enjoy it." Edith had decided. She sat back with a determined look about her and Matthew found himself admiring her perseverance.
Arriving at the station, he saw that all of her things were accounted for a checked before seeing her to the platform.
"I'm afraid I can't see you all the way away." He said, "I'm already needed at the office."
"Then I shan't keep you any longer." Edith said. "Thomas is here to take care of me."
"Indeed." Matthew acknowledged the footman with a nod. "Well then, have a safe trip Edith." He said, and proffering his cheek, she rose up and kissed it quickly.
"Do thank Mary for me." She said, settling back on her heels.
"For what?" he asked, surprised.
"For making you take me to the station." She said with a smile. "I'm sure I'd be quite a bit more nervous than if you hadn't come." He didn't say anything for a moment, a smirk playing across his mouth. Again his eyes twinkled at her.
"I'll tell her." He turned to Thomas then. "I leave her in your capable hands Thomas. Bring her home in one piece won't you?" Thomas bowed from the neck, hands currently holding their satchels. Tipping his hat to Edith, Matthew smiled and departed. Thomas could see Lady Edith's apprehension as she turned to face the open carraige of the train.
"Don't worry your Ladyship." He said. She turned to him. "I'll keep you safe." Edith found herself smiling quite honestly at the footman then.
"I know you will." She said. Holding her head high, she boarded the train, Thomas close behind. Lifting their bags onto the rack above, he waited until she was situated on the seat opposite.
"I'll be along in the coach car." He said. "If you need anything-"
"Didn't Carson explain?" she asked. Thomas was clearly perplexed. "I had thought you had looked at the tickets when you picked them up." She said.
"I'm…not to go wait in the coach car?" Thomas asked.
"No. Papa was rather adamant you ride with me." Edith seemed apologetic then. "I'm afraid you're quite stuck with me." Thomas looked at the first-class carraige.
"Oh." Was all he managed to say. Since she'd already sat, he wondered dumbly what he ought to do now. Could he sit in her prescence then? That seemed a foolish question. Surely Lady Edith did not expect him to stand the entire journey. She was already unpinning her hat, her gloves peeled off and set on the cushion beside her. He made to take them and put them up for her but she stopped him. "You're not a footman on this trip Thomas." Edith said, and he pulled his hand away. "If I needed a maid, I'd have brought Bridget along. Now do sit down, you're making me giddy." He seated himself opposite her, palms sweaty. He didn't understand why he was so on edge. He ought to be thrilled he was riding first class. He supposed he might've, if he had his own coach. Lady Edith didn't seem to mind, but she did slide the window down, peering out to see where the porter was. She sat back down again, divesting herself of her long coat. "I wish we'd leave the station already." She sighed.
"Ladyship is eager to get to Ireland." Thomas attempted to sooth her obvious nerves.
"No, I'd rather not smoke in front of anybody here." She said tartly, and he almost laughed.
"We'll be off soon." He promised. He'd forgotten rather quickly that Lady Edith was different from her sisers. She certainly wasn't Lady Grantham, but she did carry some of the Dowager Countess' stubborn, can-do attitude. She certainly didn't view herself as a weaker sex. To his great amusement, as soon as the doors shut, and the whistle sounded, Lady Edith reached into her satchel overhead, and pulled out not only a package of cigarettes, but a deck of playing cards.
"Do you play?" she asked. He folded the table out for her, glancing up.
"A few games."
"Such as?" the train lurched forward, pitching her back against the seat. Not at all fazed by this, she swayed with the carraige, easily finding her balance as she fished a cigarette out and lit it. The tip glowed, and she let out a puff of smoke, sighing delightedly. Amazed, Thomas could only stare at her a moment.
"We…played a few games in the army. Mostly poker, and gin rummy."
"Well I know gin rummy." She sat down. "You'll have to teach me poker."
"What would we bet?" he blurted out before he could stop himself. She paused now, looking for a place to flick her ashes. He reached up into his satchel for the broken saucer which he'd taken to using in his room for an ashtray. Grateful, she tapped her cigarette before holding it between index and forefinger, dividing the deck.
"I suppose we could always bet money. But that seems as if I'd have an unfair advantage." She paused again.
"No." Thomas said. "Suppose we'll just play for now. No bets for the moment."
"Well that doesn't seem like very much fun." She said, and pursed her lips in thought. She snapped her fingers suddenly, getting to her feet, she reached up above for her satchel.
"I'll get it, what do you need?"
"The red tin." She said and he found it, handing it over to her before setting her bag up again. Emptying the contents onto the table, she began sorting the pile, much to Thomas' amusement, of allsorts, humbugs and saltwater taffy wrapped in wax paper.
"We'll divide these up and play for them." She looked up at him, "Well have you got any better ideas?" he finally couldn't keep in his laughter,
"No I don't Lady Edith." He quickly apologized and sat down. Thomas found himself grinning as he began to deal the cards. Yes indeed. If anybody could make the trip to Ireland, it would be Lady Edith. She was determined to enjoy herself, and Thomas found himself slowly releasing his tight grip on the façade the staff so carefully put up between them and the upstairs. How could he keep up being stiff and formal when Lady Edith was so lively and engaging? Not quite comfortable enough to take off his jacket, he kept it on, deciding not to push his luck just yet. He wasn't quite certain what made him so comfortable around Lady Edith, it certainly wasn't just that she shared cigarettes and insisted he teach her how to play card games usually only men played. They had a good ways to go before they reached the coast so Thomas decided to settle in for a good long game of cards. If that's what Lady Edith wanted, then he'd see she got it.