Robert felt his breath constrict in this throat as he gawped at Mr Murray who, by contrast, was sitting calmly opposite him behind his desk. Murray meshed his fingers together and rested his elbows on the edge of his desk as he observed the Earl of Grantham quietly.
Robert was having extreme difficulty trying to recollect himself let alone form a coherent sentence. "Who?" he eventually choked out.
"The person is a member of your extended family but at this stage does not want to be named. The person wishes to convey the information to you personally," Murray concluded. Robert felt his eyes widen in response to this startling revelation and his mouth slackened considerably. A member of his own family had brought about this situation he now found himself in. Robert's mind was in overdrive wondering who it was. Quickly regaining his senses he now felt a sense of urgency to return home.
Robert pulled out his fob watch and inspected it. 11.07 am. In the course of mere minutes it had all changed. The fact was mindboggling to the 6th Earl. He stood up and looked down at Murray as he too, rose from his chair. "I dare say there will be some other matters to attend to but for now I think that is all we need to discuss." Robert walked over to the door and stopped as Murray opened it for him.
"I will be in touch in the coming days detailing how we will proceed. Good day Lord Grantham," Murray said.
"Thank you, good day to you." Robert stepped out of the room and onto the landing as the door shut behind him with a soft click.
As the steam flew past the train window, partly concealing the beautiful landscape beyond, Robert Crawley sat deep in thought. He did not notice the countryside rushing by or the sun attempting to break through the cloud which had been threatening to unleash its contents all morning. Robert only knew that he wanted this train, bound for York, to pick up steam so he could get back to his family, to Cora and relay the news. He knew there was a very tight connecting train to Ripon once he arrived in York or he would be forced to wait for 2 hours. Already feeling anxious, Robert decided that he would make that train to Ripon.
As the train from London to York pulled slowly into the station Robert stood right in front of the carriage door. As soon as the train ground to a halt he yanked the door open, not waiting for the station attendant and started down the platform at a very brisk walk. He could hear the attendant yelling after him about his luggage but he didn't have any and ignored the protests. He rushed up the over bridge, weaving amongst fellow commuters and turned left at the bottom, heading for the ticket booth. Mercifully, there was only one other person being served and he walked straight up to the second till.
"Am I too late for the train to Ripon?" Robert asked.
"No sir but it is due to leave in two minutes." The man raised his eyebrows.
"One ticket please." Robert handed over the fare. "Which platform is it going from?"
"Platform number eight sir."
"Thank you." Robert took the ticket and wheeled around, searching for the signs to the platform and his heart sank as he realised it was right on the far side of the station. Robert's desire to get back home quickly overcame this as the precious seconds ticked by. He took off at a run and scurried back up the over bridge he had just come from before dashing over two more beyond it. He heard a whistle sound and saw his train. The guard was waving his green flag from the caboose carriage to the train driver, indicating that the train was ready for departure. Robert increased his run to an all out sprint and lunged at the caboose, grabbing the pole and jumping onto the moving train.
The guard had not even shut the door as he retreated into the carriage when a man suddenly crashed onto his deck. Robert gripped the handrail, gasping for air as his sides heaved with effort.
"Excuse me sir but only passengers are allowed onto this train!" the guard growled angrily. This man really did have some cheek jumping onto a moving train.
"I am a passenger," Robert replied coolly and produced his ticket. "And that is Lord Grantham to you! I have just come from disembarking the train from London and it was a very tight turnaround."
"My apologies Lord Grantham," the guard responded as his cheeks glowed as red as Robert's. "Please let me escort you to the first class carriage."
Carson stood waiting at the entrance to the grand house called Downton Abbey as Jennings brought the motor to a stop outside the outer doors. The chauffer got out and opened the door for Robert who climbed out and strode towards Carson. "Where is Her Ladyship Carson? I must see her immediately."
"I believe she is in the drawing room My Lord." Carson was overcome with the oddity of the situation. His employers face was totally unreadable. Carson had expected some sort of emotion since he knew the purpose of His Lordship's trip to London and watched as Lord Grantham quickly disappeared inside.
Robert went directly to the drawing room and walked in to find his wife sitting in a chair by the window, reading a book. Cora immediately looked up as she saw Robert hurrying towards her and placed her book on the small table beside her.
"Well, how did it go?" she enquired apprehensively as she rose from her seat.
Robert could bear it no longer and swept her up into his arms, a huge smile appearing as he swung her around in circles. He then found her lips and kissed her with such passion she was left clinging to him totally stunned. "Downton is saved!" Robert's words spilled out like a damn that had burst. Cora stared at him, not daring to hope she had correctly heard him. "Cora our home, the estate, everything is saved. It is all taken care of and that means we stay!" Silent tears of joy began to stream down his face as his eyes locked on hers. The sun suddenly burst through the window, bathing them in warmth. Cora's brown hair was beautifully illuminated with the sun behind her and her eyes shone like sapphires.
"Is it really true?" Her voice shook as her own tears began to flow. She tightened her hold on his shoulders.
"Yes my love, it is true," Robert laughed and kissed her again. He gently lowered Cora to onto her feet and she embraced him.
"I am so happy for you Robert, so overwhelmingly happy. But how did you do it?" She pulled back slightly to look up at him.
Robert gently ran his fingers through her hair. "It was not my doing. It was another member of our family but I haven't got the faintest idea who," Robert spoke softly as his tears waned.
"Didn't Murray tell you?" Cora asked, surprised. Robert placed a kiss on her forehead and drew her close again, wrapping his arms around her.
"No, he said that whoever it is wishes to tell me in person so I shall have to wait for that moment."
"Well perhaps it will come soon," Cora mused. "We should really tell the rest of the family this momentous news! Come let us seek out the others." Robert released her and took hold of her hand as they left their spot by the window and made their way out of the room.
They were all gathered in the library within the hour. Robert and Cora stood in front of the fireplace with Martha, Edith and Sir Anthony sitting on the sofa to the left and Violet and Isobel on the opposite one. Violet glanced over at Sir Anthony and shot Edith a look. Edith read her expression easily. "We were just out for a drive Granny! You don't mind Anthony being here do you Papa?" Edith looked up at her father and bit her lip.
"That is Sir Anthony," Violet grumbled under her breath.
"No not at all." Robert smiled down at Sir Anthony. "Right, I have asked you all here because I have some very important and very joyous news to share with you all." He paused and looked from one anticipating family member to the next. "You all know the estate was in trouble by my hand but now it has been given another life. One member of our family has intervened and saved Downton," Robert looked at them all hopefully. They all exchanged glances and broke into excited talk at the same time.
"Who is responsible?" Isobel nearly shouted over the others who were engaged in excited chatter about the news.
"I don't know," Robert stated honestly. "I was hoping I would find out now!" His voice was clear and strong and it grabbed everyone's attention again. They all looked around at each other. Martha shook her head. Edith swivelled around to face Sir Anthony who shrugged his shoulders. Cora's gaze settled on the Dowager Countess, silently questioning her but Violet returned her stare and also shook her head.
"It wasn't anything to do with me, though I wish it was," she said matter-of-factly.
"Well if it wasn't to do with any of you then who was it?" Robert thought out loud.
"Does it matter? Downton is safe is it not? Surely this would be a good time for a celebratory drink!" Martha stood up and patted her son-in-law's shoulder and moved away to ring the bell. Carson appeared promptly. "Carson please arrange some cocktails for all of us, Downton is saved and we wish to celebrate!" Carson acknowledged the request and expressed his happiness at the news before leaving to find some glasses.
"What? Cocktails at 2 o'clock in the afternoon?" Violet started incredulously.
"That is a wonderful idea mother, just the thing I think," Cora said enthusiastically.
"I agree Cousin Cora. All this excitement has put me in quite the right mood for a good drink." Isobel grinned and glanced over at Edith and Sir Anthony who had their heads close together and were whispering about something.
Two hours later Martha was once again ringing the bell. Upon entering the room Carson was greeted with some very loud laughter as Cora and Isobel sat side by side on the sofa exchanging some very slurred opinions on how to best care for a man. Edith was in stitches and Sir Anthony was trying to encourage deep breathes from her but he soon gave up and handed her back her drink.
"Carson please go and get us some food. We have all been hungry for the whole week so far and since the estate is no longer in a crisis we would like something to go with our drinks before they start affecting us." Carson held his tongue as he looked over Martha's shoulder to see Robert blow into Cora's ear which caused her to yelp in surprise. She swatted his chest and broke into laughter.
"I will see that food is brought at once Mrs Levinson." Carson could not leave the room quick enough. From what he had just seen, not only were the cocktails already affecting them but they were starting to dictate some of their actions too. He could feel a big night coming ahead.
"Mama, Papa, everyone! Sir Anthony and I have something to tell you all." Edith stood up and wobbled slightly as Sir Anthony quickly rose to steady her. He gently took her had in his own and his eyes flickered to Robert. Edith summoned her courage, "Sir Anthony has asked me to marry him and I have accepted him." She could not keep the joy from her face as she looked up at him and then to her family. Cora immediately was on her feet and staggered towards her middle daughter.
"I thought this might happen! Oh my darling daughter I am so happy for you," Cora said as she gave Edith and quick hug.
"Congratulations, this is indeed a happy day for us all." Isobel put in as Violet sat quietly with a soft expression on her face.
"Here here," Martha chimed. Robert was smiling so broadly it was starting to hurt. "A toast to my newly engaged granddaughter!" Martha raised her glass and everyone leaned in with their own glass raised before they drunk to Edith and Anthony.
The Crawley's had all migrated to the parlour to await dinner but no one had bothered to change, mainly due to not being in enough of a balanced state to manage it. Robert was looking forward to a good feast immensely and hoped Mrs Patmore had had enough time to put together something special. Cora sauntered over and sat down on his lap, placing a loving kiss on his lips.
"C-Cora," he stammered, "we are in company!"
"So?" Cora snuggled closer and kissed him again. "We are married my dear, have been for quite some time in case you haven't noticed. I'm sure no one will object to a bit of affection a devoted wife shows to her husband." Her eyes flashed devilishly and her hands worked through his hair, daring him to deny her. Robert looked around her to see Edith sitting very close to Sir Anthony, apparently cooing something as his cheeks burned before he turned and stole a kiss from her. He returned his attention to Cora.
"Oh why not?" he laughed and kissed her unreservedly. A round of applause caused them both to pull apart as Martha and Isobel ceased their clapping.
"Now that is what I like to see, the English letting go of priority and having some terrific fun!" Martha looked down at Robert and Cora and gave them a wink. "And the same goes for you two," she said as she turned her head back over her shoulder to Edith and Anthony who blushed and studied his shoes. "I would just like to say that I have decided I will come back next year for another visit, after Sybil's baby is born. I can see Downton Abbey and her people are receptive to change so I want to come back and see how you are all doing."
"Oh mother this is absolutely wonderful." Cora unfastened herself from Roberts lap and went to her mother's side. "Isn't this fabulous news Mama?" she asked, looking directly at Violet.
"Words are inadequate," Violet slurred. "But another drink wouldn't be…"
A/N This story is nearly at an end, the epilogue is next.