Part VII:
As Cora played with her two grandchildren Mary went in search of Anna. She had a plan that hopefully her lady's maid would agree to help her with. If Edith wasn't going to tell her yet then she would help her in secret by using her own maid.
She found Anna in the kitchen and pulled her along with Mrs. Hughes into Mrs. Hughes's office. After insuring the door was securely shut Mary faced the housekeeper and her lady's maid. They both looked at her expectantly. Mary cleared her throat before beginning. "Anna and Mrs. Hughes my sister is having a rough time. She is stressed over Gregson disappearing and is not feeling quite like herself. Anna I know you are my lady's maid and I trust you with my life that is why I want you to now tend as my sister's maid for the time being." Mary held up a delicate hand to stop any arguments. "Your work is always excellent and I also know your true loyalties will always lie with me. So any odd or strange behavior I want reported to me without my sister knowing. I want toast and soft herbal teas at her disposable at any time of the day. I want you to make sure she has some breakfast and report to me if she gets ill. Do you understand?" Mary asked. Anna nodded proud of her lady for doing this for her sister. Maybe times are truly changing, she thought.
Mary then turned to Mrs. Hughes and smiled fondly at the older woman. "You have been here since Edith was a small child. And I know she was one of if not your favorite of us three girls. That's why I need your help. I need you to help Edith with anything. Anything at all. I would also like you to keep a close eye on her at all times. I know you have other duties but tell Carson Lady Mary has you helping her. We all know he couldn't deny me anything." She smirked at the thought of the man who was like an uncle or even a grandfather to her. "Do you both understand?" She asked. Mrs. Hughes chuckled as both servants nodded.
Mary smiled and thanked them both before going to the drawing room for tea time. She sat on the sofa thinking about her plan. She really hoped it worked and didn't come back to bite her.
Part VIII:
Cora and Tom entered the room with George and Sybbie in their arms chuckling about having bypassed Nanny and taking the children down earlier. Mary quickly took her son from her mother before playing with him as she looked towards the doorway periodically. After several long minutes Edith entered. She looked much better than before and even smiled softly as her niece went and gave her a hug before dragging her to sit beside Tom talking the whole way about ponies and wild dragons.
Mary saw Mrs. Hughes just outside the room and nodded to her letting her know she could leave while Edith was with the family. Mrs. Hughes smiled back before leaving the hall.
Mary turned to her sister and smiled as she seemed to be enjoying her Auntie Eddie time as Sybbie called it. She caught Tom's quizzical look and winked conspiratorially to him giggling as he playfully pouted at her. Tom knew something was up but decided to wait and see what unfolded. Hopefully Robert wouldn't be too long in the States. Or Tom would go mad with all these women around. He looked over at his nephew and decided that weekend he would take him on a little trip. Do some uncle nephew bonding. Matthew would've liked that.
The rest of the week went by fairly well. Cora and Mary kept a close eye on Edith as were Anna and Mrs. Hughes. By the time Tom had left with George and nanny in tow for their weekend long outing on Friday Edith was fed up and awfully suspicious of her mother, sister, and servants. Something was up and she was determined to find out what.
(This the fourth chapter for Breakfast Woes. I'm not sure how much longer I'll make it. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to all who have read and reviewed! It means the world to me! Read and Review. Thanks! This takes place in the 4th season. I do not own Downton Abbey no matter how many stars I wish upon. It belongs to Julian Fellows.)