Rating: PG-13 (this chapter)
Spoilers: Season 1 & 2 trough the Christmas Special
Disclaimer: Any names off characters you recognize from Downton Abbey are not mine. All original characters do however belong to me. Fanfiction is in my opinion the ultimate form of flattery to a screenwriter :)
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Special thank you to the lovely Tambear for catching missing commas, odd grammar and offering excellent suggestions & advice!
Also, thank you so much for the lovely reviews and for favoriting/following this story.
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The Rightful Heir
Chapter 14 – The Other Grammy
Isobel Crawley smiled at the young footman holding the door for her. She had just returned from Manchester. Having spent a few weeks in the city visiting friends and Christmas shopping, she was delighted to be back at the quiet Downton.
"Thank you, Alfred."
"Welcome back, Mrs. Crawley."
Isobel let him take her coat and entered into the grand hallway. She was just about to ask the footman where her son was when she heard footsteps on the stairs. Her eyebrows shot up when she spotted the little boy with a red toy car in his hand. He stopped and looked at her.
"Hello."
"Hello," she said and smiled at him.
"Mrs. Crawley," Carson exclaimed, surprised, as he came out of the library. "I was not aware that we were expecting you, or I would have been here to greet you."
"That's all right, Carson," she said and smiled at him. "Is Lady Grantham in the drawing room?"
"Grammy is in the library," William said.
"Grammy?" Isobel said and her eyes widened.
William nodded and smiled at her. "Papa wanted me to call her Cranny, but she didn't like it."
Carson pressed his lips together not to laugh. "Mrs. Crawley, this is William Crawley, Lady Mary's son."
"Oh!" Isobel smiled at William. "Very nice to meet you, William. I'm Isobel Crawley, Matthew's mother."
William gaped. "You are?"
She nodded. "You do know Matthew, don't you?"
William nodded in confirmation.
"Master William, perhaps it would be best that I escort Mrs. Crawley to the library? It's not polite to make a lady stand in the hallway."
"Yes, Carson," William said timidly. "May I come too?"
Carson smiled and nodded. "Of course, Master William."
Isobel silently followed the butler and William, her head buzzing with questions.
"Mrs. Crawley, your lordship, and Master William."
Matthew shot up and stared at the door. "Mother?"
"Yes," she said curtly. "It seems there have been a few changes here since I left two weeks ago."
"Hello Isobel," Mary said and smiled at Matthew's mother.
"Mary, it's very nice to see you again," Isobel said with a smile. "You look well."
William had walked over to Mary and leaned against her legs, looking up at Isobel. Isobel smiled at him.
"Thank you, I am," Mary said with a smile.
"We were not expecting you until tomorrow," Matthew said a bit bewildered.
Matthew had hoped to sit his mother down at Crawley House and explain everything. Now it seemed Isobel would have to take it all in at once.
"You're my other Grammy!" William said cheerfully when he put two and two together.
"I am?" Isobel exclaimed. She looked at Matthew. "Matthew?"
"Cora, I think we should leave Matthew and Mary to have some time alone with Isobel," Robert said and held out his hand to his wife.
"Of course." She looked at her grandson. "William, dear, why don't you come with us?"
William looked at Mary. She nodded and gave him a gentle nudge. "It's all right, darling. You go with Poppy and Grammy."
William nodded and ran over to Robert and Cora. Robert picked him up and tossed him in the air, making the boy squeal with laughter. Isobel just stared at them, speechless for once. When the three disappeared, she turned to Matthew.
"Matthew?"
"Mother, please have a seat."
Isobel sank down on the sofa across from them. Matthew sat down next to Mary and took her hand. Isobel's eyes widened a little at the intimate gesture.
"I asked Matthew not to tell you over the phone," Mary said gently. "I wanted us to tell you in person. This was not…"
Isobel held up her hand. "Mary, please. As much as I appreciate the thought, I wish that you had not decided to withhold this from me and make me the last to know."
Mary sighed and nodded. She sat silently next to Matthew and he could feel her withdraw, hurt at his mother's words.
"Mother, please just listen, and try to have an open mind."
Isobel sat stiffly across from them, listening to Matthew and Mary tell her everything. Once they fell silent she just looked at them for a long moment.
"And you're all right with this, Matthew?" she asked sharply.
"Isobel…"
"Mary, please," Isobel snapped.
"Mother," Matthew said sharply. "What happened is between Mary and me, not you. I have forgiven her for not telling me, and I hope that you will too. We are to be married in a couple of weeks. She will be your daughter-in-law, so please consider that before you say anything else."
Isobel's mouth tightened and her eyes darted between the two. Eventually she nodded. "Fine."
"William is a sweet boy," Matthew said and smiled at his mother. "However you feel about the two of us, please do not take it out on our son."
"Of course not! Matthew, you know I would never do that. I only ask that I be formally introduced to my grandson." She suddenly burst out laughing. "This certainly explain Cousin Robert's generous offer of giving me the Carriage House."
Matthew nodded. "Yes. I will be moving back to Crawley House."
"I thought as much. And you Mary?"
"William and I will be staying here for now."
"Crawley House needs some modifications," Matthew explained.
"I see."
"Isobel, I know that this is a lot," Mary said tentatively. "Just know that I love Matthew, and I want us to be a family."
"I know you do, Mary," Isobel said with a sigh. She looked at the two for a long moment before she got up. "This is a lot to digest at once. I think I will leave now."
He nodded and the two watched her stalk out the room. Mary looked at Matthew and sighed. He sat down again and held her.
"It will be all right, Mary," he whispered and kissed the top of her head. "Just give her a little time."
~ O ~
Mary stopped in the doorway to the nursery. "Where's my son?"
"Lord Grantham took Master William down to the stable, my lady."
"Oh," she said and let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Sophie."
Mary walked downstairs, asking Thomas to fetch her coat. Once dressed to face the cold outdoors, Mary set off in a brisk pace.
The stables soon came into view and Mary entered the warm space, instantly comforted by the familiar scents and sounds. She could tell that the straw had just been changed and she spotted one of the stable lads further down with a wheelbarrow filled with hay. He stopped and pulled off his hat when he spotted her.
"Good afternoon, milady," he said quickly. "Do you wish for me to get Diamond ready for you?"
She smiled and shook her head. "No thank you, Fred. I'm not going riding today." She looked around, listening for any sound of William. "Have you seen my son?"
"Yes, milady. Master William is with the new colt."
Mary chuckled. "Of course, how silly of me not to realize. Thank you Fred."
"You're welcome, milady." He watched her continue down the row of boxed.
Mary stopped by the box peeking through the gap. She could hear William's voice from inside. She clapped her hand over her mouth when she realized that he was reading a story to the little horse.
William was on his back with his head on the colt's chest. He was holding a storybook, reading and showing the pictures to the horse. Mary pressed her lips together not to laugh.
"See how they are all playing together?" the boy said to the horse.
Clearly the colt had more interest in the actual book, than the story itself. He nibbled on the corner of it. William giggled and pulled it away.
"You can't eat it!"
"Hello, darling," Mary said softly and entered the box.
"Mama! I'm reading him a goodnight story."
"I heard. You're doing a very good job."
William made a face. "I can't really read, you know."
"But you were telling him a wonderful story anyway."
"I guess." William pushed the soft little muzzle away again when the horse tried to get another taste of the book. "I think he's hungry. He's trying to eat my book."
Mary laughed and stuck her hand in her pocket, pulling out an apple. "Perhaps he'd like this?"
William nodded. Mary handed him the small apple and he gave it to the horse. The mare came over, snorting and nuzzling Mary's shoulder.
"Yes, you may have a treat too," she cooed to the horse and held up her hand with another apple in it.
The mare eagerly took the treat and then nudged Mary for more. William giggled as Mary tried to get away from the horse that was now going after her hat.
~ O ~
Lord Grantham paced back and forth in the library, deep in thought. Cora put down her book and rolled her eyes at him.
"Robert, you've been tearing up the rug for the better part of the last half hour. Will you please tell me what has you so bothered?"
He stopped and turned in her direction. "William."
"William?" she exclaimed and frowned.
"Questions about his legitimate claim to the title might arise."
"Oh," Cora had not thought about that. "But he's Mary's son. Since she's your heir, his claim should not be questioned. You just have to look at him to know that he's her son."
"True, true," Robert said and sat down across from her. "But what happens should they have another boy? One born within the boundaries of marriage?"
"I see," she said slowly. "Could something be done to ensure William's legitimacy?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Robert said and rested his head in his hands. "I've spoken to Murray, and he's looking into it. I just feel that I should be able to do more."
Cora thought about it for a long moment. "I will talk to my mother. Perhaps there's an answer in America."
He looked up, clearly surprised at her idea. "I had not thought of that. That's an excellent idea, Cora."
"Thank you, dearest."
~ O ~
Mary smiled at Matthew as he entered her bedroom. They moved closer and he placed a soft kiss on her lips.
"Carson said you wanted to see me," he teased. "It sounded terribly formal."
"Well…" Mary sighed and stepped over to her desk. "I wanted to show you this."
Matthew took the large envelope from her. On the outside was written William Reginald Crawley in Mary's handwriting. He looked up at her.
"His middle name is Reginald?"
Mary nodded. "In case anyone would question who his father was, I wanted to make it clear by giving him your father's name," she explained. Looking out the window, as if not certain about his reaction, she added more softly. "I also hoped that you would want it."
Matthew stepped closer and wrapped his arm around her waist. "I'm honored." He kissed her shoulder. "Thank you."
Mary nodded and turned around. "Open it."
Matthew carefully opened the flap and reached inside. He gently placed the documents on top of the envelope, and started to read. The first one was unfamiliar to him, but it only took him a moment to understand what it was.
"William's birth certificate?"
"Yes."
Matthew skimmed through the details. When he came to the entry for Father his eyes widened and he looked up at her. "Father… Matthew Crawley."
Mary nodded. "He has always been yours, Matthew."
"Thank you. I wish I could've been there with you."
"I know," she whispered, again facing away from him.
"His birthday is the first of March ?"
"It is."
"He will be five years old," Matthew mumbled to himself. "Perhaps we can make it extra special?"
"He'd like that."
Matthew flipped through the remaining documents. His eyes widened again when he came across Mary's will. He looked up at her, but she was still facing the window. He skimmed through the familiar legal language, nodding now and then. When he spotted his own name he slowed down.
"And to Matthew Crawley, my son William Reginald Crawley's biological father, I award full custody, should William Reginald Crawley still be a minor at the time of my death," he read out loud. "Mary," he gasped.
"I had to, Matthew. What if something had happened to me in America? William would've been all alone."
"Of course," he said quickly. "I just assumed that you would've wanted your mother, or one of your sisters to raise him."
"How could they possibly do a better job than his father? Wouldn't my sisters always love their own children just a little bit more?" Mary asked as she turned around, looking him challenging in the eyes.
"I'm sure they would do a fine job raising William, but they couldn't possibly love him as much as I do," he said with a gentle smile.
Mary chuckled and nodded. Matthew continued reading and his eyebrows shot up when he came to the financial section of her will.
"Mary, this is a lot of money."
Mary shrugged. "Granny gave me some before I left, and Grandmama gave me another sum of money once I arrived in America. She also transferred the money my Grandpapa left for me, so I had a sizeable amount in my bank account right from the start. I invested most of it, which turned out to be a wise idea. Grandmama's financial advisor is a brilliant man." She looked up at him. "Once I bought the house in California, my investments had paid off enough that I could live comfortably without having to depend on my family. Still, knowing how uncertain the future can be, and how things can change in an instant, I set aside some money for William."
"You've indeed done well, Mary," Matthew said, impressed.
"I want to keep my house in California, Matthew," she said suddenly. "Perhaps we can spend a few months there every year?"
"That sounds lovely," he agreed. "I've heard that you have a swimming pool."
She laughed and nodded. "I do."
"Mary, I think that we should put all of this in a safe place. Perhaps in the bank, or at least in your father's safety box."
"I agree. I just wanted you to see it all first."
"Thank you for that, darling."
~ O ~
Cora sat by her vanity, gathering her thoughts. She had dismissed O'Brien mere minutes prior. Noise from the room next door alerted her to that Robert would be joining her shortly. She took a deep breath and faced him as he entered the room.
"Hello, Robert."
"Darling?" he chuckled. He gently touched her shoulder. "Is everything alright?" It was unusual for him to find her out of bed at this hour. She would normally be tucked in and perhaps reading when he came to join her.
"I spoke to my mother," she started.
"Oh?"
"I know that you don't like me to use the telephone since it is so expensive, but I just had to speak to her about Mary."
"I see." Robert straightened up and met his wife's eyes. "And what did Martha have to say?"
"There are ways, Robert… to acquire paperwork, even if they don't exist."
He frowned. "I'm afraid I do not quite follow you."
"What if she could obtain documentation that proves that Mary married Matthew in America five years ago?"
"What?" he exclaimed.
"All I'm saying, Robert, is that it is possible."
"But it would be false! It would be…"
"Robert!" she snapped. "Do you wish for your grandson to be legitimate without a doubt, or not?"
"You know I do!" he snapped. "But what you're suggesting is against the law."
"Perhaps, but they are getting married now, and they have acted as if they were married all along. We could say that they got married in secret, but later had a falling out, and separated. Clearly the marriage was consummated."
Robert sat down with a thump. "Dear God, Cora, you really have given this some thought."
"Of course I have! It's Mary's happiness we're considering, and that of your grandson. Nothing could be more dear to my heart at the moment."
He sighed and looked at her. "Let's talk to them tomorrow."
"I'm not sure how Matthew will feel about it," she said softly. "He is after all a lawyer, and a very stubborn man on top of it."
"True, but he might be willing to bend the rules a little, in order to protect his son."
~ O ~
Matthew knocked on the door to the drawing room at Crawley House. Isobel looked up and smiled when she spotted him.
"Matthew."
"Hello Mother."
"Are you alone?" she asked with a frown.
"I am. I thought we needed to talk. I'm sure you have questions."
She nodded. "Shall I ring for tea?"
He shook his head. "I already asked Moseley to bring some up."
"Thank you."
"Mother," he said and took a seat across from her. "I truly do love Mary with all my heart. I always have, and I always will."
"I know that you do," she said and smiled at him. "It's not you that I'm worried about."
"Please don't be too harsh on Mary," he said softly. "She did what she felt was best for William at the time." He stopped when Moseley arrived with the tea.
Once settled with their tea and scones, Matthew continued.
"She was not sure that she would return. That's why she never told me." He took a sip as his throat suddenly felt dry. "She had been hurt so much here, and Downton held so many painful memories. It's hard to blame her that she wanted to make a new life elsewhere."
"That's it, isn't it?" Isobel snapped. "What she wants. Always what Lady Mary wants."
"Mother!" Matthew exclaimed. "That was uncalled for."
"I'm sorry, Matthew," she said and defiantly held his gaze. "It's just that I've seen how she has hurt you in the past. You left too, remember? That was not easy for any of us. I know it took Cousin Robert months to get used to, and I still haven't."
"Oh mother," he whispered. "I'm so sorry, but you must understand that I had to."
"I do, but you also must understand that you're my son, my only child. That's why I am so upset with Mary, for hiding your son from you."
"I have forgiven her; perhaps you can find it in your heart to do the same?"
"Perhaps."
"I'd like you to get to know William," he said, steering the conversation away from Mary.
"Of course I want to," she said and smiled. "That boy might look like Mary, but Matthew, he's just like you when you were little."
"Really?"
Isobel nodded. "Curious, kind, affectionate and just happy. I can't wait to get to know him."
"Perhaps I'll bring him here tomorrow?"
~ O ~
Upon his return to Downton, Matthew spoke briefly to Carson, explaining that he would be returning to Crawley House now that his mother was back.
"I will see to that your things are packed and moved to Crawley House, Mr. Crawley."
"Thank you, Carson."
"Matthew, you're back! Good." Lord Grantham smiled at his heir, spotting him across the grand hallway. "May I have a moment?"
"Of course."
Matthew followed Robert into the library and the two sat down by the fire. Robert held Matthew's gaze for a moment before he started to relay the information Cora had shared with him the night before. Once he finished he fell silent, waiting for Matthew to say something.
Matthew ran his hand over his face.
"God, Robert," he said, somewhat in shock. "I'm sure that you can understand that as a lawyer I find this information somewhat troubling."
"I do," Robert said with a heavy sigh. "As do I. The fact still remains; it is the best thing to do for your son."
Matthew nodded. He met Robert's serious blue eyes. "You know that I would've married Mary back then, had I known." He looked away and closed his eyes. "So many times after she left I cursed my fear of rejection, the true reason that kept me from asking her then. I had the chance, but I lost the courage. She seemed so determined to leave." Hearing Robert sigh, Matthew looked up and met the earl's sad blue eyes. "I'm not blaming Mary. Absolutely not. I'm merely trying to explain to you why things happened, the way they did."
"I know, Matthew," Robert said in a gentle voice. He got up and patted Matthew's shoulder as he passed him. "Please speak to Mary and then we'll talk again."
Matthew nodded. He sat for a long moment by the fireplace in the library contemplating Lord Grantham's words.
~ O ~
Mary just stared at him. Her long silence started to make Matthew nervous. Trying to be patient, he waited for her to say something.
"This is serious, Matthew."
"I know. You must know, Mary, that had I known, I would've asked you to marry me back then."
She nodded. "The question is if I would've accepted."
He just stared at her. "But surely…"
"Matthew," she said sharply. "I would never want you to feel obligated to marry me. If the only reason for marrying me was to make the child legitimate, I would've said no."
Matthew jumped up and started pacing. "Sometimes I don't understand you at all," he snapped. "Be glad that I don't wish to argue with you about the past. It cannot be changed, so there's no point." He stopped in front of her. "I love you, Mary, and I love our son. Please let's do what is right for him."
"By breaking the law? What kind of example are we setting by doing that?"
Matthew threw his hands in the air and left. Mary closed her eyes and leaned back against the sofa.
~ O ~
William skipped happily next to Matthew as the two headed over to Crawley House. Not a snow pile was safe from William's little feet and by the time they reached the village, his trousers were somewhat covered in snow and his boots quite sodden.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Crawley, Master William."
"Hello Moseley."
"Mrs. Crawley is in the drawing room, sir."
Matthew handed his hat and coat to Moseley before helping William with his coat. Moseley smiled at the boy as he took his little coat and hat. Noticing how wet William's mittens were he teasingly raised an eyebrow at him. William giggled and stepped closer.
"Snow is so much fun, don't you agree, Moseley?"
"I suppose, Master William, however it does turn into water when it melts."
"I know," the boy sighed.
"I will ask Mrs. Byrd to put them close to the stove. Don't you worry; your mittens will be dry in no time."
"Thank you," William said cheerfully and ran after Matthew.
"Mother," Matthew said gently, announcing their arrival.
"Matthew, William, do come in," she said cheerfully and smiled at them.
William held Matthew's hand as he looked seriously at Isobel. She smiled warmly at him. Matthew sat down next to Isobel on the sofa with William between them. The boy was quiet, looking at his boots. Isobel followed his line of sight and her eyebrows shot up at the condition of his boots.
"Goodness William, your boots are sopping wet."
He nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Nonsense," she said and chuckled. "Little boys are supposed to play outside and get muddy and wet."
"My Niñera says that I shouldn't really."
Isobel gestured for him to move his leg and he watched silently as she unlaced his boot, pulling it and the sock off his little foot. He wiggled his toes and giggled when she took his foot in her hands, rubbing some warmth into it.
"Well, I'm your grandmother, and I say that you must," she said with a smile.
She removed his other boot and continued rubbing his feet until they felt warm.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"I've done that to Matthew many times."
Matthew chuckled and William looked up at him. "Did you get in trouble when you were little, Papa?"
"Well, I suppose I did now and then," he said and made a face.
Isobel reached across and picked up the large photo album sitting on the table. She smiled at William as she opened it.
"I thought you might want to see some pictures of your father when he was little."
William nodded and scooted closer. He looked intently at each picture, listening carefully to Isobel telling stories about Matthew as a boy.
"Did Papa have a kitty?"
Isobel chuckled as William pointed to a photograph of Matthew, asleep, with a cat curled up next to him.
"We did have a cat when he was little. She loved Matthew."
"Poppy has dogs," William said and smiled at her. "and horses."
"I know."
"Some day when I'm big I'll have a dog too," he stated firmly.
Matthew laughed and ruffled his hair. "Perhaps we'll get a dog before then?"
"Honestly?" William's eyes were big as saucers.
"We'll see," Matthew said noncommittal. "No matter what, it's a decision your mother needs to be part of making."
Isobel flipped the page to reveal a large photograph of Matthew sitting on a man's shoulders. He looked to be about five or six years old. It was summer and he was wearing shorts and boots, his left knee dark where he had scraped it when falling earlier in the day. Matthew was smiling and waving to the camera.
"Who's that?" William asked and pointed at the man.
"That's my husband, Dr. Reginald Crawley, your grandfather."
William looked up at her and smiled. "My name is Reginald too."
"It is?" she said with an amused chuckle. "I thought your name was William."
"I have two names," he said and sighed, giving her a look that reminded her so much of Matthew.
"Mary decided on Reginald as William's middle name," Matthew explained.
Isobel inhaled sharply. "I see." Sensing the boy's eyes on her, she smiled at him. "Well, you could not have been named after any finer men than my Reginald and William Mason."
~ O ~
When William went down to the kitchen with Moseley to get a freshly baked cookie from Mrs. Bird, Matthew picked up the large envelope that he had brought with him. He handed it to Isobel and watched her face as she read the name on the outside. Her eyes widened as she recognized it.
"It's true then? Mary really did this?"
"She did," he confirmed. "hoping that I would approve."
"And do you?" she teased.
"Of course I do!" He rolled his eyes at her when he noticed her teasing smile. "Why wouldn't I approve of her giving my son my father's name?"
"It was very thoughtful of her."
"Mother, Mary has changed. Please give her a chance, and do try to have an open mind."
Isobel nodded and opened the envelope, sifting through the documents Matthew had seen for the first time only the day before.
To be Continued…
~ O ~ O ~ O ~
In future chapters more family members and friends will make an appearance. I can't confirm (or deny) that you might learn about what happened to Mr. Bates, and why Anna is no longer at Downton. There might, or might not be an American and/or Irish invasion. Perhaps a major/minor character will die. Lastly, none of the Dowager Countess' precious vases will be safe this Holiday Season!