Chapter III.

It was a little over a week before Christmas.

Lord Grantham was fidgeting uncomfortably at the breakfast table.

The ancient clock on the mantlepiece chimed. Nine o'clock.

Surely one of the family will be down any minute now.

He took another bite off his buttered toast and put it down again. It had gone cold and chewy.

"Something wrong, Milord?" Carson asked, peeking worriedly over his Lordship's right shoulder at the discarded triangle of bread.

"Not at all, Carson. I'm not hungry this morning. But, I'll have some more tea."

And perhaps a Brandy to calm my nerves, he thought.

"Certainly, Milord."

Before the cup was filled, soft footsteps became audible and Lady Mary appeared through the parlour door, heading straight for the buffet tables.

"Good morning, Papa. Morning, Carson." She threw a quick smile at both men, then took a good portion of eggs and pudding before sitting down to eat.

Through all this, Lord Grantham had nervously patted the left breast pocked of his suit.

He had to tell her, even if she'd shoot the messenger.

"Mary, darling. There's some news I'd been meaning to tell you..."

In that instant, Edith strode in, in an uncharacteristically good mood.

Lord Grantham wasn't sure it was fair on Mary to divulge this news to her with Edith around. It would certainly do nothing to soften the blow. If only Cora came down. He could do with a bit of support.

"What is it, Papa? Is it bad news?" Mary asked, her dark eyebrows creased in concern.

He didn't even know what would be the appropriate answer to that, yes or no?

Suddenly, Edith's smug expression slipped considerably, replaced by concern. "Papa?" He looked from one daughter to the other, their eyes boring into him.

"Alright..." he sighed, crumbling under pressure. "I've just had a telegram from Mr. Napier. He's on his way here for Christmas."

Mary and Edith exchanged a glance.

"Yes, I know, Papa. He wrote to me a while ago, saying so. I thought I told you. And why is this news so discomforting to you?"

Robert Crawley squirmed some more, but it had to be said. "He's bringing some...guests."

Edith laughed at that.

"Heavens, Papa, the war really has put you out of sorts. We can do with a few guests at Downton. It's been a while since we have entertained here." she said, getting excited at the idea of new faces.

New male aquaintances would surely not hurt her prospects.

Mary had become very still. It may have been the look in her father's eye when he said the word 'guests' or some bad premonition, but she suddenly knew exactly who would be spending Christmas at Downton.

"Matthew." she clarified, her voice gone hoarse. She cleared her throat in a bid to compose herself.

"Isn't it? You can tell me, Papa. I know it already."

Lord Grantham was slightly perplexed at his daughter's perceptiveness. He himself had been taken by surprise at this new connection between Mary's fiancé and his heir.

He felt more at ease at her words. The worst seemed over.

"You're right, dear. He's invited Matthew and Miss Swire to come with him."

Edith's eyes slowly lit up with excitement. If Mary was upset, her face did not betray it.

She took a sip of tea and nodded.

"Well...it's a bit short-notice, but we'll manage. When are they to arrive?"

Lord Grantham smiled tentatively with pride. She was bearing it like the strong girl he always knew he had.

"He writes..." he pulled the telegram out of his breastpocket and examined it. "...they will take the train from King's Cross tomorrow morning. That means, they should make it for tea. Oh, and I forgot the good news. Sybil and Rosamund are to join them."

He closed with a genuine smile now, truly happy that his youngest was coming home for the holiday.

"That's wonderful!" Edith exclaimed. Mary smiled, pushed her food away and rose from the table.

"I shall tell Mrs. Hughes right away. Give them time to prepare." She stood very erect, and there was something oddly hurried in her walk.

Robert sighed profoundly. "Edith, what do you think? Will Mary be alright or should I try and cancel the party?"

Edith took her time to answer, looking outside the window at the light snow falling softly onto the window ledge.

This might well be the last time that she had the power to influence her sister's fate, and the first time to do so in a positive way.

"I think...she will be fine. It would be more humiliating for her to cancel it. That would only lead to questions." she determined, feeling that whatever happened this Christmas season would effectively change all their lives forever.

For better or for worse. Let the Christmas games begin...