October 1914
No one would have thought it, herself included, that she would be the first Crawley girl to be married. But she stood there in the bedroom she had slept in since she was 12, stealing glances into the mirror on her vanity as if to make sure it was her own reflection she caught dressed in ecru lace and the Dowager's pearls. There were people from the village, London, all over Yorkshire waiting in the Downton village chapel who had come to see the wedding of Lady Edith Crawley, the second daughter of the Earl and Countess of Grantham to Sir Anthony Strallan, Baronet of Loxley.
The staff came outside to see her off, lining up as they did when greeting an honorable guest. Even the kitchen maid had snuck away in order to peak out one of the lower windows to watch Edith get packed into the Renault with her long white train. It was a lovely day in the Yorkshire autumn. No one would have guessed that the war across the Channel, which so many had said would be over by Christmas, was growing in ferocity. It was a wartime wedding, but still a society one. The photographer asked for the Crawley girls to gather together outside the chapel.
"There's the last image of us all as free women," Mary said, with her camera-smile still set on her face. The eldest Crawley girl turned to her sister.
"I know we've fought more often than not, but I wish you all the happiness in the world." Mary said to Edith. Edith raised her eyebrows. Mary quickly adopted her frequently used look of exasperation.
"What? I do." Mary rolled her eyes and kissed Edith quickly on the cheek, Sybil laughing behind them.
1915
Breakfast table at Downton
Carson: M'lady, Lady Strallan has requested to you come to see her.
Mary: My, this is unprecedented. (Classic Mary eyebrow lift)
Mary is shown into the drawing room at Loxley, where she finds Edith alone. Her sister, heavily pregnant, is sitting on a chaise lounge with a large blanket on her lap.
Mary: Well this invitation was a surprise.
Edith knows what she wants to say. She sits straight, which is not exactly comfortable in her condition.
Edith: I want you to look after things when the baby is coming.
Mary: What?
Edith: Someone needs to have a cool head...especially if anything should go wrong, and as much as I love Anthony, he can get a bit overwhelmed.
Mary just stars.
Edith: I just need someone to speak with Dr. Clarkson and be a go-between with Anthony and the family if any decisions need to be made.
Mary is shocked before realizing that she shouldn't be. She understands.
Mary: Alright. You can count on my cool head and cold heart.
One Month Later
While Edith is in labor:
Mary and Sybil are on either side of her. Edith is squeezing their hands; all their knuckles are white.
Edith: I can't believe Mama did this three times! She must be out of her mind!
A few hours later
Edith is holding her son, wrapped up tightly. Mary peers over to look at his face and run a finger over his forehead.
Mary: What women would give for skin this lovely.
Edith and Sybil laugh very softly.
Sybil: How do you feel?
Edith: Wonderful. And like I've been hit by a lorry.
The new mother gives the newborn a kiss on the forehead.
Edith: I'm so glad to meet you Andrew.
