This was a difficult letter, I thought long about who could write to whom. I'm not sure I did the Dowager justice, but we have to get to a certain point in the story, so here it is...

Downton, December 4, 1925

Dear Cora,

I really hope you're already planning your departure from New York, because it is of the greatest importance that you'll come home soon. You're needed here, as the young generation is behaving very irrationally.

I don't know what happened between Mary and Tom, but they have been very cool with each other the whole last week. It made for some very uncomfortable dinners after she came back from London.

But to add fuel to the fire, Mary now invited Henry Talbot to the house and is so outrageously flirting with him, that it is embarrassing to watch, even more so, since the man is not responding. Or at least he seems to be responding in good humor, but so very obviously not with the intention to propose.

Meanwhile Tom's mood gets darker and darker. He barely speaks and leaves the room as soon as Mary steps into it, which in return, leaves her in a bad mood, too, but instead of talking to him, she pays even more attention to Henry Talbot!

I tell you right now, if you still have your hopes on Mr. Talbot, you can put that notion right out of your head. The man looks almost frightened and is probably planning his retreat already. I don't know what it is with him and why he is still officially "courting" Mary, but he's definitely not looking for a wife!

Well, yesterday evening, I had seen enough, so I summoned Mary to my house this morning and asked her right out what she thinks she is doing. She played coy of course, pretending not to know what I was talking about, but I didn't let her fool me. I told her, that I know she has fallen in love with Tom Branson and that she should stop this nonsensical behavior. And stop making a fool out of herself over a man she doesn't even want!

She denied it of course. She said thinking she could fall in love with her brother in law was a ridiculous idea and that she and Tom were just friends.

I told her to stop talking nonsense and that I think she and Tom could make a sensible couple for the future of Downton, but that she should be aware that due to his history with this family, Tom would never dare to make the first step. And that it is much more likely, that he is going to run at the other end of the world again, if she continues her foolish behavior with Henry Talbot.

She stopped protesting at that point and went silent. After a while she said: "Well, I could never take the first step myself, so I'm afraid we're in a hopeless position. I will agree though, that bringing Henry Talbot to the house might not have been a wise decision. If I will stop flirting with him, will that satisfy you?"

I told her to make at least some effort to repair her friendship with Tom, too and she said she would try to do so and that is where we are now.

You must come home so we can make a plan how to bring them together. I don't have the tolerance for more of that foolish behavior and it is going on for way too long! I wondered if I should ask Isobel to talk to Tom. She has adopted him in a way, but she is so enamored with the new doctor, so I don't think she is our best option!

I also don't think talking to him myself would do any good, I'm afraid I would scare him away. But you are almost like a mother to him and I know he likes you, so maybe you could do it.

This is why I really need you here now so please hurry your return! I can imagine living with your mother and brother can't be so comfortable after more than two months, so hopefully you're happy to come home anyway.

I hope to see you soon

Violet Dowager Countess of Grantham.