I am so grateful for everyone's continued reviews/comments! They mean a lot, and keep me motivated to continue writing for you . Enjoy chapter 3!
Robert did not think he had ever seen Cora move so quickly. She was across the room in a split second. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the wardrobe, shutting the doors just as the bedroom door opened.
"Are you sure they were in here?" Frank asked. The wardrobe was open a crack, and Cora peered through.
"That's what Mark and Joan just said. Look!" Robert heard movement. "Their nightgowns. The other clothes laid out are gone."
"They must have put them on. Are you SURE you are not overreacting?"
"No, Frank, I'm not overreacting. Everyone is accounted for except for those two. Joan said they were re-enactors, but they gave no name, and no one knows who they are."
"Well then we should just spread out and search for them," Frank suggested. "No need to get so upset. I doubt they're criminals."
Cora gasped slightly and leaned back, her head brushing against Robert's chest. Robert noticed Frank's movement towards the wardrobe and held his breath as well.
"Frank, now what?" The woman whined.
"Nothing. I thought I saw something. Look can we get out of here please? This room gives me the creeps."
"You are such a baby," the woman sighed. "Just because some Turkish dude died in here a hundred years ago…." Their voices faded as the woman shut the door behind her.
Robert continued to stand stock still, his heart hammering in his chest. "That was a close one," he breathed out. He moved to get out but Cora stopped him.
"They may come back. Let's wait a few moments," she whispered.
Robert sighed audibly and shifted his weight. "My leg is falling asleep."
"Robert stop being such a child," Cora scolded, in a low whisper.
Robert exhaled loudly and looked up at the ceiling, waiting. Cora shifted her weight and turned to face him, her nose almost touching his chest. "Robert."
"Yes?" He looked down. Her face was inches from his and she had a quizzical look on her face.
"How do we get out of this house?" She asked quietly. Robert was suddenly very aware of their close proximity and felt his whole body growing warm. He closed his eyes briefly. Her perfume still lingered on her skin and wafted up to him. It reminded him of how long they had not been together (since Sybil's death), how desperately he wanted her (every second of every day), and he feared losing control of himself. He had to get out of there.
"I'm not sure," he responded, his voice sounding rather choked despite his attempts to sound normal.
"What's the matter?" She whispered.
"I can't breathe in here. Your perfume…" he started. She turned around quickly and, throwing caution to the wind, slammed the doors open interrupting him. He jumped and then squinted at the light streaming in.
"Better?" She looked hurt and annoyed and Robert, confused, opened his mouth to respond and then decided against it. He had no idea what he had said that upset her but figured he had better not make it any worse.
"Yes, thank you. I think that we should try to exit out the back by the kitchen. We would be able to steal some food."
"Robert!" Cora exclaimed, looking horrified. "We will pay for our food like respectable…"
"I apologize, my dear. I appeared to have left my money in my other nightshirt," Robert retorted.
Cora rolled her eyes and turned around. She stooped over and picked up a backpack. "What is this?"
Robert threw his hands in the air. "I don't know!"
Cora opened the zipper, stuffed in the jeans, and flowered shirt. She picked up Mark's shirt and jeans and threw them in too. She zipped it back up and then stared at it for a moment.
"You're not seriously taking those clothes with you," Robert's face was one of disgust.
"I apologize, I left my money in my other nightgown," Cora mocked. "Now come on let's get out of here before someone sees us."
DA
"Mr. Bates, what on earth is going on?" Carson asked as he followed the limping man up the servant's steps with Mrs. Hughes and the Crawley family in tow.
"I think it would be better if you just observed for yourself, Mr. Carson," Mr. Bates added. Their pace up the steps increased as Bates seemed to throw caution to the wind and move quicker, despite the pain of his leg.
"What if I commanded you to…?"
"Oh, Mr. Carson would you lay off the man" Mrs. Hughes cut in. "He…"
"I am with Carson," Mary huffed and puffed, clearly worried and annoyed. "I wish he would just tell us what the matter is. I can't bear to think the worst."
Carson glanced back and noticed Mrs. Hughes shut her mouth and glare into space. He wished that she did not dislike Lady Mary so. It would mean so much to him if the two of them could get along.
"Here we are." Bates stopped at the entrance to Lord and Lady Grantham's bedroom. They all stepped inside and looked around for a moment before turning back to Bates.
"I don't see anything the matter," Matthew piped up. "Everything appears to be…"
"Mama's vanity," Edith spoke suddenly and pointed to the other side of the room. A large open space, where Cora's vanity usually sat, was now empty.
Mary walked over and stood there for a second before turning to the rest of the household. "We've been robbed."
"No. There's been no robbery." Bates spoke up. "Her Ladyship's jewelry is still here. Only jewelry left on the vanity is missing."
"I don't understand," Branson looked at his family. "Who would steal just a vanity?"
"I don't think anyone's stolen it," Mrs. Hughes cut in.
"An entire vanity doesn't just disappear, Mrs. Hughes. There must be an explanation," Mary cut in.
"Has anyone thought to check in town?" Bates piped up. "Perhaps they took it with them."
Everyone turned to stare at Bates as if he had three heads, except for Matthew.
"That is a plausible explanation" Matthew chimed in. Everyone then turned to stare at him. "We can't rule out any possibilities."
"I can drive into Downton village and ask around," Branson added.
"I shall go with him," Edith chirped.
"Matthew and I can go into Ripon I suppose. They couldn't have gotten far, all of the cars are still in the garage," Mary finished.
"I still don't see how two people and a vanity could vanish with no means of transportation," Mrs. Hughes said, her hands folded in front of her. "The whole thing is very bizarre."
"I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this," Matthew walked over and placed a reassuring hand on her arm. "Come now. Let's get this all worked out."
Everyone turned to leave except for Mrs. Hughes who continued to stand and face the window. Carson stopped, turned back around and walked into the master bedroom.
"Is everything alright, Mrs. Hughes?" Carson asked, concerned.
"I've worked here for nearly thirty years and I can count on my hand the number of times I've thanked Lord and Lady Grantham for what they've done for me," she spoke with her back to Carson. Carson, well aware to what she was referring opened his mouth and closed it again, unsure of how to continue.
He took another unsteady step towards her. He reached his hand out and rested it on her shoulder. "They will be alright, Mrs. Hughes. I know it."
She turned to face him and he could not help noticing how the sun streaming through the windows made her hair glisten. They stood there for a few moments, Carson's hand still resting on her shoulder, she looking down at the floor.
She looked up at him, then and her face confused him. She was looking at him strangely. It made his stomach do somersaults.
"Mr. Carson," she started. "There is something…"
"Mr. Carson! Mrs. Hughes!" Anna popped up around the corner. "Lady Mary wants you two to apprise the servants of the situation immediately. They told us to search the house and document any other objects that may be missing."
"Of course," Mrs. Hughes said and Carson quickly removed his hand from her shoulder, clasping his hands behind his back.
Anna nodded quickly and turned and ran out as quickly as she'd come. Carson silently followed Mrs. Hughes out and back down the servant's pantry, the moment broken.
DA
"Can't you just stuff it all into the bag?" Robert whispered harshly. Cora had a loaf of bread and a block of cheese in her hands, staring around.
"And get the clothes dirty?" She hissed.
He grabbed the bag, opened the other compartment of the backpack, took the food from her, and shoved it in. Cora turned back around to the kitchen's refrigerator and grabbed a head of lettuce and some carrots before picking up a "Turkey Hill" package. She looked up at Robert, making a face. "THIS is meat?"
Robert's face also registered disgust and he shook his head. Cora picked up 2 bottles of water and sighed. "What is….is this sanitary?"
Robert shrugged again and Cora put them in. He zipped the bag back up and threw it over his shoulder.
"Found them!" Robert and Cora whirled around to see Frank standing at the entrance to the kitchen grinning triumphantly. The woman appeared a moment later, out of breath from running down the steps.
"Alright, you two, start explaining," Frank crossed his arms across his chest.
"We owe you no explanation," Robert replied standing up straighter.
"Well perhaps you would rather owe an explanation to the police?" The woman pulled out a small object and started pushing keys. She put it to her ear. "Yes, can I have the police station, please?"
Robert snuck a glance at the side door. It was unlocked. He took Cora's hand and gripped it. She squeezed back. The woman closed the phone and smiled. "Perhaps the police will be interested in hearing about your theft."
Robert gripped Cora's hand tighter.
"Keep a watch on them, Frank." The woman turned around and left walking back up the steps and towards the main entrance.
Frank crossed his arms smugly. Suddenly, Robert turned and bolted for the side door, dragging Cora along. He turned the doorknob and threw it open.
"HEY!" He heard Frank yell after him. Ignoring the man, he continued to run for the trees, Cora struggling to keep up behind him in her dress.
"Hurry up!" Robert cried.
"Maybe if I wasn't wearing this dress…" Cora cried between breaths. They stopped and leaned against a few trees.
"Great. Now the police are after us," Cora said.
"I would have loved…to explain to them….how we are from the year 1920…" Robert gasped for air. He was getting too old for this.
"Darling it will take us hours to get into town on foot," Cora added. She glanced back at the house warily. "And we better get out of here. There will be people looking for us."
"If we cut through the woods they will never find us. Come on." He took her hand and started traipsing through the undergrowth.
DA
"Mr. Carson, this is all very strange," Anna piped up. She had just exited the library, a list in her hand.
"Are there any items missing?"
"That's the strange thing." She walked over and stood next to him, holding the list out for him to see. "There are a few books missing. A few of the photographs are also gone, and I can't find her Ladyship's tea set that she keeps on display."
Carson frowned and took the list, looking down at it himself.
"His Lordship's books are all accounted for and his pocket watch is still sitting on his desk," Anna threw her hands up. "Who would go through and pick what to steal so intricately?"
Carson handed her the list. "Thank you, Anna. Go check on Daisy and Mrs. Patmore in the kitchen. We will figure this out." Carson gave her what he thought to be a reassuring smile, but he knew Anna could see right through him.
"Mr. Carson." Carson turned around and noticed Mrs. Hughes walking up to him. He found his mind wandering. Her hair still seemed to glow although there was no sunlight coming through the window. He blinked and shook his head.
"I've just come from the parlour. Alfred and Jimmy said that the entire china set is missing but the Dowager Countess' is still there."
Carson put his hand up to his temples and massaged them. "Anna's just told me that there are select items missing the in library as well."
Mrs. Hughes glanced around quickly and whispered, "Mr. Carson, I'm frightened."
Carson looked down at her, and noticed her eyes staring into his own. He hated that look. All through cancer scare, it was there. It made him feel helpless. It made him want to grab her and hold her, tell her everything would be okay, that he was there, he would always be there. And that he would help her. Protect her.
But he could do no such thing. Because he didn't know that everything would be okay. He didn't even understand what was going on. "Mrs. Hughes, I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation. As Mr. Crawley stipulated."
Mrs. Hughes nodded quickly and sighed. She looked up at Carson and smiled briefly. "We must be strong for the rest of the servants."
"That's the spirit," Carson smiled at her in return and rested his hand on her arm. He heard her take a small short breath inwards, almost a gasp. She stared down at his hand, and then looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. Just searching. Carson was afraid to move his arm; for fear she would look away. Her dark blue eyes entranced him. He wanted to lean in closer, to…
"Mr. Carson, Mrs. Hughes," Branson came walking in through the front door, his hat in hand, and Edith running in behind him. "There is no sign of Lord and Lady Grantham in Downton village. No one has seen them."
"None of the shops have had any inquiries on a vanity either," Edith spoke quickly, her cheeks flushed. Carson knew her well enough to know that she was holding back tears and it made him feel even worse.
"It's nearing dinner time and it will be dark soon," Branson spoke up. "Perhaps we should send a search party into the woods. What if they went on a ride and were hurt…"
"All of the horses are in their stalls, Mary and I checked this morning," Edith's voice was growing shrill.
"Lady Mary is still not back from Ripon. Let's wait and see, perhaps they are there" Mrs. Hughes said, calmly. Edith nodded, contritely, and followed Branson into the parlour. She turned to Carson and exchanged a glance.
"You don't think they are in Ripon either, do you?" Carson responded. Mrs. Hughes shook her head, turned, and headed back down towards the kitchen. Carson followed, their pace quickening when they heard raised voices.
"But I'm telling you, Mrs. Patmore it was just here!" Daisy, upset, looked on the verge of tears. Mrs. Patmore stood next to her and Anna on the other side.
"What is going on in here?" Mrs. Hughes asked.
"Tell them, Daisy." Mrs. Patmore stepped back and crossed her arms.
"I was writing down everything that was missing as you said," Daisy spoke quietly. "And then Mrs. Patmore came in and told me that one of the pots is missing." Mrs. Hughes uncrossed her arms and opened her mouth to speak but Daisy interrupted her.
"But it was there, Mrs. Hughes! It was just there five minutes ago," Daisy had started to cry now, and tears streamed down her face as she spoke. "I swear I didn't do nothing with it."
"Daisy, it's alright." Anna walked over and gave the girl a hug. She looked up at Carson and Mrs. Hughes. "Everyone is scared. Has Lady Mary returned yet?"
"Not yet," Carson replied. "Just try to stay calm." He beckoned Mrs. Hughes and retreated up the steps.
"Perhaps this is someone's idea of a practical joke."
"No." Mrs. Hughes shook her head. "Who could be stealing right under the noses of everyone unless it was a member of the staff?"
Carson stopped. "Do you think that it's one of the maids or footmen?" He hissed.
"It can't be!" Mrs. Hughes exclaimed. "It doesn't account for Lord and Lady Grantham's whereabouts!"
"MR. CARSON?!" They heard Lady Mary's urgent call. They tore up the steps and ran into the entryway where Mary and Matthew stood, Matthew wringing his hat in his hands.
"They aren't in Ripon. And no one's heard anything about a vanity." Mary looked ready to cry now too. "Where could they be?!"
"The only place we haven't searched is the woods," Matthew stated. "Perhaps if we put together a search party…"
"At night?!" Mary shrieked. Matthew hugged her and she buried her face in his neck. Carson looked over at Mrs. Hughes. That fearful look was back in her eyes.
Just then they heard an ear-splitting scream from upstairs. They all rushed up the main steps and into Lord and Lady Grantham's bedroom where O'Brien stood, swaying on the spot. Her hands were covering her face.
"O'Brien!" Mrs. Hughes rushed over and grabbed the woman's arms. "What happened! What happened?!"
O'Brien's face was white. She shook her head quickly, opened and closed her mouth, and tried to speak. Just then, Alfred and Thomas appeared in the doorway. Alfred ran over and took hold of his aunt. "Aunt Sarah, what is it?"
O'Brien lifted a finger and pointed to the corner of the room. They all turned and stared before looking back over at O'Brien.
Carson had never seen O'Brien so upset. "I don't see anything, Ms. O'Brien. Do you think…"
"Mama's wardrobe," Mary spoke quietly.
"What?" Thomas asked.
"Mama's wardrobe is gone," Mary replied, closing her eyes and trying to stay calm.
"I…then…disappeared…saw," O'Brien managed to choke out.
"What, what Aunt Sarah? You can tell us," Alfred spoke again.
O'Brien, gaining back some of her color, took a step away from her nephew and pointed to the corner again. "Her Ladyship's wardrobe! It disappeared before my very eyes!"
