Thanks to Gretchie for correcting my grammar and misspelling!

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CHAPTER IV

An Angel In The Danger

"I have to go to London for a couple of days. Can you look after Cora?" Robert asked Mary.

"I'd prefer to call it babysitting." She whispered it to herself, but Robert overheard it anyway. "But why are you going to London?"

"A friend of mine invited me to dinner. I'll bring Edith with me. She is always so fascinated with London." He replied.

"You're going because of mama, aren't you?" Mary questioned and Robert just looked away, avoiding her eyes. She continued. "It's really that bad, huh?"

"Unfortunately, I think it is." He sighed.

"Can you tell me what happened? Maybe I can try to fix it." She offered her help, but she was mostly curious. "It's getting stranger and stranger. You two don't sleep in the same room anymore, don't eat at the same time, avoid each other in the house, she is constantly alone in her bedroom..." Mary wanted to continue, but Robert cut her off

"I kissed another woman!" The words slipped from his mouth so fast that Mary couldn't prepare herself. She couldn't believe what she heard. My father? Kissed another...? No, it's impossible!

"You. Are. Kidding. Me!" She murmured. "You must be kidding me!" She couldn't accept the fact that he really did.

"I'm not very proud of it." He just hoped his daughter wouldn't judge him.

"I didn't see that coming!" Mary was extremely surprised. "I understand why Mama is in such a state now." She carefully studied her father's face.

"We're leaving tomorrow morning. Early in the morning." Robert was ashamed, but he couldn't change the past. "I'm going to tell Edith." He stood up and began to exit Mary's room.

"Papa!" Mary said loudly.

"Yes?" He instantly turned around to face her.

"If you had a chance..." She took a deep breath wondering what he would answer. "Would you sleep with that woman?"

"If I had a chance... I think I would." He pulled the handle and went out.

Mary sat down on her bed in shock. She certainly didn't want and didn't expect that answer.

The next morning, Robert and Edith were headed to London. Edith was very excited (she didn't know the real reason they were going there), but she wasn't complaining. They checked into the hotel and went sightseeing around the city. Robert wanted to clear his mind and give Cora some space, and to spend some quality time with his daughter. Edith clearly enjoyed it.

Cora woke up and immediately decided that she would take a bath, wear her favorite hairstyle, and ring for O'Brien to come and help her dress. I'm done with mourning, She told herself and went in the washroom to freshen up. When she came out, O'Brien was standing in her bedroom holding a classy dress for her ladyship.

"Are you pleased with this one, my lady?" O'Brien showed her the dress.

"It's stunning!" Cora exclaimed.

Cora entered the dining room. She found Violet, Mary, and Sybil there. She approached the table and took a seat opposite Mary.

"Good morning, Mama." Sybil and Mary welcomed her.

"Morning, my dearests." She simply replied.

"You're feeling better?" Sybil wore that worried face again.

"Thank God, I am." Cora looked at her youngest daughter and stroked her soft hair.

"I didn't know you were sick." Mary said, looking at the newspapers.

"I wasn't sick, just tired. Anyways, where's your sister? I hope she's not sleeping again." Cora asked looking at two empty seats across the table.

"I'll go and check." Sybil offered, but Mary stopped her.

"She's not in the room." Mary answered.

"Then where is she?" Cora asked.

"You don't know?" Mary noticed that she caught attention of all three women in the room.

"Know what?" Violet added.

"Edith and Papa went to...London. I thought they said goodbye to you" Mary answered and put down the newspapers. "They went today, early in the morning."

"But why?" Sybil asked, curious. "Something happened?"

"He just said a friend invited him to come and he wanted to bring Edith with him. I see no point in that, but that's all I know." Mary took a sip of her orange juice and looked at their faces. Every one of them was surprised. They didn't expect this answer.

"When will they come back?" Cora questioned Mary.

"Papa said in a few days."

"That's very weird, if you ask me." Violet added, looking at Cora's facial expression. Cora was confused.

What on earth are they doing in London? Is he seeing someone? What friend? I'm pretty sure I know all of his friends there! And why Edith? Cora's mind was racing like crazy.

"I'm surprised he did not tell you." Violet looked at Cora, giving her more pressure.

"Well, why should he? It's not any of my business." She looked at her plate, but she still felt the six pairs of eyes that were looking straight at her.

After breakfast Sybil asked to talk to Mary privately. They met in the hallway.

"Sybil? What's so important?" Mary raised her eyebrows and looked at her sister.

"What's been happening these past few days? Everyone is acting weird. Especially Mama and Papa." Sybil muttered. "If Mama keeps this up, we're all going to end up orphaned." Sybil made a face.

Mary added a nervous chuckle. "Parents arguing; it happens in the best of the families." She said in her very particular British accent. "Don't worry. Now go and take Granny home. You know she'll complain if no one accompanies her. She always wants company."

"I hope you're right!" Sybil nodded and disappeared, but neither noticed that someone was eavesdropping.

"Mama, Granny went home." Mary entered the library, taking off her gloves. "I swear, she's becoming more and more demanding each day." She exhaled loudly.

"Finally, you noticed." Cora smiled, sitting on the couch.

"It's a beautiful day! I'm going to take a walk around Downton. Would you like to join me?" Mary approached the table on the other side of the room, poised to write a letter.

"Hmm... Well, why not?" Cora exclaimed and stood up. "I'm just going to take something. I'll be..." Cora felt dizzy and lightheaded all of the sudden. She laid her hand upon her forehead feeling an imminent headache about to strike her.

A headache? It's impossible!

She hurried to speak. "I'll be back in a min..." Another wave of nausea overtook her. It was stronger than before.

Sybil was right!

Cora closed her eyes trying to find relief, but it was impossible. Her sense of balance seemed to be failing as well. For a second she felt the floor swaying beneath her feet.

Hurriedly, she left the library, performing awkward steps to avoid losing her balance.

"Mama?" Mary noticed something was wrong with her mother and immediately followed her.

Her vision suddenly went blurry as she rushed upstairs. She stopped and put her hand on the wall, trying hard to regain her senses.

"Mama! Please don't scare me. Are you alright?" Mary was right behind her.

Cora tried to turn around to look at Mary, but suddenly, all went black. Cora fainted, and Mary reached out to catch her before she got hurt. Thank God Mary caught her mother's head and prevented it from hitting the floor.

"Mama! Mama! Oh my God!" Mary screamed, having no idea what to do. She was the only person on that floor and she didn't want to leave her mother alone. "What am I going to do? What am I going to do?!" Mary searched around looking for someone, still holding Cora's head. "Mr. Carson! O'Brien! Mrs. Hughes! Anna! Anyone!" She screamed, her voice echoing all around the house.

"My lady!" She heard a voice behind her. She turned around.

"Mrs. Hughes! Thank God you're here! Please call for Doctor Clarkson! Now!"

Without another word Mrs. Hughes hurried downstairs, searching for help.

Don't you love a little drama?

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