Chapter 7:

"So what do you think so far Dafydd?"

"It's going well my Lady. Everything seems to be going to plan and on time." It had been almost three months since his Lordship had asked him to oversee the cottages but this was the first time Lady Mary had come with Branson and him to see the progress. It had also been the first time he had really spoken to Lady Mary since the Library.

"Shall we head back home now?"

"Yes but I need to stop at Yew Tree first." Dafydd's ears pricked up once Branson said this.

"Yew Tree ... That's Mr Drewe's farm."

"Thats right, have you met him?"

"Not exactly I think I passed there that day I was lost. Someone must have mentioned when I was trying to explain where I was." He was sure not to mention Lady Edith.

"You should have gone to the house . Mr Drewe is very nice he would have been happy to help you back."

"Well ... I didn't want to intrude my Lady." It only took them a few minutes to get to the farm. When they pulled up Mr Drewe was quick to come out to greet them. He was smiling until he saw Dafydd getting out of the car. Drewe was quickly followed by a woman Dafydd assumed was his wife who was carrying a familiar child, Marigold. Mary and Branson began to speak to the Drewe's but Dafydd stayed back slightly so that he could look at the child. To his eye she was no more than a year old. Even though her hair was short he could see that it was very fair. There was something familiar about her face that he could not quite put his finger on.

"Are you alright?" This high pitched voice startled Dafydd and broke his concentration. When he looked up he saw all four adults steering at him.

"Oh yes thank you Mrs..."

"Mrs Drewe."

"Thank you Mrs Drewe. I was just thinking how beautiful your little girl is."

"Yes Mrs Drewe, but I must say I wasn't aware that you and Mr Drewe were expecting another child."

"We weren't my Lady but Tim was named her guardian after her poor thing lost her parents." Lady Mary and Branson gasped in shock and empathy and immediately began fussing the infant. However, Dafydd looked to Mr Drewe. Drewe's eyes were fixed on Dafydd with a look of horror. It hit Dafydd like a ton of bricks why he was doing this. Lady Edith'a secret, why she wanted to help the child. Why Marigold looked so familiar. She was Edith's daughter. He nodded at Mr Drewe and he knew that Dafydd had realised the link. Drewe slightly nodded back and both men remained silent and knew neither would ever say a word on the subject to anyone. Branson would now break Dafydd's concentration.

"I am sorry Mrs Drewe we should be heading back to the abbey it's getting late. We only came to see if you had everything you needed."

"Thank you for coming." The woman smiled and the girl shirked.

"Are you coming Dafydd." He nodded once more and turned to join Lady Mary and Mr Branson. Are some time Branson spoke to him.

"What's wrong you've been quite since the Drewe's?"

"Oh sorry I'm just a bit tired Mr Branson." After this he was allowed to remain quite until they reached Downton. Branson stopped the car in front of the house to let Lady Mary out.

"I'll take the car around, I see you inside." They pulled up and they very quickly realised how quite everything was. Barely anyone was around which was odd it was almost time for dinner, the house should be in full flow by now. They both made their way up stairs wondering where they were. They found most of the servants congregated huddling at the entrance of the library. Mr Barrow was the only one to answer.

"You better go see." Branson stepped forward. "No I mean Dafydd." Branson looked him in as much confusion as he was in. He passed through the crowd with Tom close behind him. As he made it into the library he saw Bates and Anna. Then Mrs Hughes and Carson who all turned to him. He continued to step forward. His Lordship, Mary and Edith. Then Mrs Crawley and the Dowager sat on one of the sofa's with their backs to him. There was then only the Countess and Lady Rose who were turning to face him.

"Dafydd don't worry." Rose stepped to the side. Sat there on the second sofa four children. He completely forgot himself, ran and knelt before them. He stroked their heads and pushed their from their faces. Slightly dirty and pale they sat there smiling. The smallest was the first to speak.

"Hello teddy bear." A surge of happiness and worry spread through him.

"My Lillabeth." He looked on his brothers and sisters in complete shock. "What are you doing here?" Again it was Lillabeth to answer.

"Nanna died." For first time since he saw them he heard something else, whimpering behind them. His eldest sibling Anna now spoke.

"It was a week ago, we didn't know how to tell you in time. So we went to the funeral then used the last lot of money sent for the train. The landlord said we couldn't have the house without you."

"I'm sorry I wasn't with you." He rapped his arms around them and pulled them close to him.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but there are a few thing we need to sort out for at least." Dafydd turned around and realised that it was his Lordship who was speaking and jumped to his feet.

"I'm so sorry for this my Lord." He nudged his siblings to stand.

"Don't be silly. It is rather late so I don't think there is any other choice. Mrs Huges will make up beds in the servants quarters for our guest and see they have something to eat before bed."

"Of course my Lord."

"Thank you my Lord, thank you."

"Yes well I think we should leave it there for tonight we can make more permanent plans in the morning."

"Thank you my Lord." The four new comers said this in unison and showed their finest bows and curtsies. Dafydd then pushed them towards the door and nodded his head to his Lordship. As he walked pass Rose her smile was warm and unchanged. If only it could be.