My username on archiveofourown is Dilmah25, but I don't update there as frequently.
Hi everyone, I don't want to do any marking, so I am writing the 21st Chapter. Just a wee note about Mary being okay with Matthew kissing Lavinia. In my study of Mary's psychology, I don't think that this is the kind of thing that seems like a betrayal. Firstly, it sort of evens the playing field ( Kemal versus Lavinia), and secondly, I think for Mary betrayals are bigger things like Matthew not supporting the family. And thirdly, Mary is more likely to torture Lavinia than Matthew over it, don't you think?
Thank you for reading and reviewing, you guys are giving me the courage to think of writing my own book of fiction ! So, a fairly light chapter to start with.
Xx
1914 is a watershed moment for Europe, marking the end of a relatively stable continent, and a time of world wars, upheaval, dictatorships and revolution. Our books, our music, our civil rights , our academies will never be the same again. This is the beginning of the modern era, of the reverberations of Joyce, Lawrence, Gide, Picasso, Stravinsky, Diaghilev, Wyndham Lewis, Ezra Pound, of T.S. Eliot. A great levelling of society takes places in the years following the world wars, with many questions being asked of the stuffy rules and sexual repressions of the century before. Can you imagine being a woman when your society is re-awakening like this? There is disenchantment, and then there is this incomprehensible 'brave new world.' Our Crawley sisters are women of this world.
Of course, as we join them in the middle of January, they have no comprehension of the world that is to be. It is tea-time at Downton. If there are multiple universes ( as I very much suspect there are), in each an everyone one of them, then tea-time in the library is, for all Crawleys who are and ever will be, point 0,0,0,0.
Edith and Anthony have come over to take tea and to show Robert their new chocolate Labrador, Angus. Anthony does not feel bound by the family tradition of naming dogs after Egyptian pharaohs. While Isis and Angus confer by Robert's desk, the conversation turns to the rent strike in Leeds. In their predictable fashion, Robert and Anthony are quite worked over by the fact that the strikers have managed to hold the city in protest for almost a week, with no sign of an end.
"Why hasn't it been resolved as yet?," asks Cora.
"Oh the usual sort of thing. I heard that tenants are throwing landlords out of their homes and refusing to disclose their rent books. We need the courts to make a decisive ruling," answered Robert.
"And all over 6 d? it doesn't seem to be that much, surely.", observed Edith.
"Maybe not to you, but it is a lot if you earn only ninety-seven shillings a week, and that's the wage for a brick layer. Ordinary labourers barely make forty – five shillings a week. Besides, I hear that the conditions of some of the houses are deplorable. This strike isn't just about the housing, it's really about the need for decent housing. "said Sybil to her father with earnestness in her voice.
"You seem to be very well informed, Sybil dear, "remarked her Grandmother with a voice of intense curiosity, "How is it that you know so much?"
"I read. Can't a person read?"
"There is such a thing as a person reading too much."
"I don't know. A protest doesn't happen in a vaccum. Isn't that why Papa says that our value is to provide good employment? Some of what we do is to keep the peace.", said Mary.
"You are correct, Mary. As is Sybil. A friend of mine who provides legal advice to the Property Owners Association says that the health of some of the tenants is scandalous.", joined in her fiancé.
"Precisely. Surely we must support the strikers!" exclaimed Sybil
"I wouldn't go so far, Sybil, we must support the courts in finding a fair solution, and work on policies that fix the issues without overturning the institution. The landlords aren't increasing the price in a vacuum either.", replied Matthew.
"Oh, Matthew! You haven't started working for the government yet, you can have an opinion.", said Sybil
"That is my opinion, but I'd rather not enter a debate over it."
"Still,", said Anthony, " Leeds is too close for comfort as far as I am concerned."
"Why, are you mistreating your tenants, Anthony?" asked one of his sisters in law archly. I don't have to tell you which one of them that was.
Mary…", warned Matthew good-humouredly.
Mary only smiled and smirked in Edith's general direction. Edith ignored her and decided to change the conversation.
"I suppose Mary's wedding is costing the earth.", she said to no one in particular.
"Half the National Debt, I'm afraid.", joked Robert.
"I suppose we could always cut down the cost by dropping a couple of names off the guest list.", said Mary looking at her sister in a pointed manner.
Anthony and Matthew looked at each other quickly. While Matthew and Anthony are not destined to be the close friends that Matthew and Tom will be, they have a good understanding and know when an intervention is needed.
" Cora, I don't know if Edith has told you that Mr. Howard is retiring. We are thinking of promoting one of the under gardeners, but Mr. Howard doesn't think anyone of them is up to snuff."
Gardens, like horses, are always reliable topics for the English.
"Oh how disappointing. Would you like me to ask for any reccomendations?" replied Cora.
"Mama that would be very kind."
"Mr. Moseley's father is an excellent gardener. He has the most exquisite roses." That was Isobel.
"He isn't looking for work is he?"
"Mr. Molesley is past working age. I don't think he could take too many disruptions, now that Moseley junior is likely to move to London with Mary and Matthew.", said Cora
"Oh, but what about you Isobel?" asks Edith
"I don't really need a butler. I'm quite happy to manage with a maid and a cook."
The Dowager tittered.
"The problem, though, is that Moseley doesn't seem to be overjoyed at the prospect of London. But Matthew and I really want someone who we know and can trust for our small household."
"Who else is going with you to London?" asked the Dowager
"Anna will be my ladies maid, and we are still seeking a cook who will have some housekeeper duties. It isn't a pressing matter, really, we haven't even found a place to live yet."
"Robert very kindly offered Grantham House, but we rather want our own place. Especially if.."
"You are disinherited." Says Edith bluntly, more to Mary than Matthew.
"Our plan is to stay with Aunt Rosamund till we find something. She was so kind as to offer." Mary smiled, remembering the very uncomfortable half hour she had given her aunt.
"Staffing really is such a challenge. Carson tells me he thinks Thomas is getting quite restless. At least Moseley will go to London uncomplainingly because he has loyalty to you, Matthew.", sighed Robert
Anthony Strallan looked like an idea was forming in his mind. I shall spare you the details of what Mary thought his face looked like at that moment. For the sake of charity.
"Do you suppose Moseley the Younger is a capable gardener? We could offer them both a lovely cottage and Senior could advise and help Edith plan the gardens. You are quite right, Isobel, he has a rare hand with roses. Didn't he win the Grantham Cup this year?"
The Dowager emitted a sound that sounded like a snort.
"Darling what a wonderful idea, you are quite brilliant."
"Well, what about us?"
"Oh, of course. I am sure you could find someone. There must be excellent, trustworthy young men who would quite like a life in London. This way, Moseley is not disrupted."
"And Locksley profits."
"Don't start, Mary. I rather like the idea, if the Moseleys accept it. I'm sure we can rely on Carson to help us out."
Mr. Carson only quivers a brow in the background.
Xx
On her way out, the Dowager took her eldest granddaughter to a side and asked her airily if Sybil had any special friends.
"Oh you know Sybil, Granny, she has so many dreary causes. It's quite likely she met some down- and -out woman at one of her charities.
"Her knowledge seemed very specific. "
Mary only gave her Grandmother a rather bored look. The two ladies stared at each other a while, before the Dowager admitted defeat – for now- and went on her way.
Xx
As Mary was dressing for dinner, she appraised Anna of the conversation at tea- time, only to verbalize her indignation at the cheek of the Strallans. Anna was very reflective throughout the conversation.
"I have to tell you milday that Mr Moseley wasn't very happy about the move to London. If you were moving to the Abbey, I don't think he would have minded."
"So you think it's a good thing? My real worry is that our butler in London would need to be someone who can be intensely loyal to Mr Crawley and myself. There is much work ahead of us."
Anna deliberated.
"Milady, have you ever wondered how Mr. Pamuk came to your bedroom that night?"
"Everyday. Anna do you know something?"
"Thomas, the footman, was assigned to Mr. Pamuk that day. The day after he looked quite fidgety, and he always looks very guilty when your name is mentioned in the servant's hall."
Mary calculated quickly, her fine, brilliant brain sketching out a little plan.
"Do you think you could arrange for Thomas to see me for a few minutes after dinner?"
Anna smiled, glad that she and her mistress were on the same wavelength.
"Certainly, milady."
Xx
Thomas the footman is a schemer. Perhaps not to the extent of that master deceiver Sarah O'Brien. However, our Thomas is a schemer with something of a conscience. With regards to the Incident of the Turk in the Night, he has been nursing a feeling of regret and guilt. Some of the guilt, I must admit, is connected to his worry over being found out, but there is still a sense of contrition, all the same. He is a lot more invested, anyway, in making life difficult for Mr. Bates. Any gossip he sent out regarding Lady Mary was instigated by Miss O'Brien.
Anna is also something of a schemer. She is torn about leaving the Abbey, only because it would leave Mr. Bates to the mercy of Thomas and Miss O'Brien. Anna fights fire with fire. Removing Thomas to a place where she can keep an eye on him, and maybe even appeal to the goodness in him, provides her with some relief. Besides, she is aware that a mind like Thomas' if put to good use, can be of use to Lady Mary. Anna is aware of a universal truth, that people only turn to the underhanded when they are in need of something to excite them, when they have time to curdle and feel bitter, or when their circumstances are oppressive. Bad deeds do not happen in a vacuum.
Thomas is nervous as he accompanies Anna to the Pink Room. Everyone knows that that is now Lady Mary's room, and he senses something of a dressing down. Robert and Cora are benign dictators, but the servants are well aware that Lady Mary is every inch the feudal.
"Ah, Thomas, " she says as they walk in, " thank you for coming to see me."
"Might I inquire as to the nature of the summons, milady?"
"Very good, Thomas, very good. I ask you here with a particular request. As you know, Mr. Crawley and I will be moving to London very shortly, and we would like to offer you the post of butler. Of course, you would also be valet to Mr. Crawley. We can provide you excellent compensation and a life in London. Would you like that?"
"Thank you milady. I would have to think about it." Thomas is eager to be in London, but not desirous to valet Mr. Crawley who's future is very much up in the air.
"Of course, of course. You have been a servant at Downton for a very long time, and you are loyal to the family and always have been."
"I have worked for the family a long time, yes milady." Thomas looks very uncomfortable.
"I understand that you looked after Mr. Pamuk when he was here. I wonder if he asked you to give him any tours of the house?"
Thomas is silent. A pregnant silence.
"I am not angry about that, Thomas. In fact, I am glad to know the truth. Thomas, there are many reasons why I have asked you to join us in London. One of which is to suggest that London present you with a kind of new start. More importantly, I recognise a restlessness in you. Mr. Crawley and I are both ambitious people. He may be the Earl one day, but if he is not, as he is terribly, terribly clever, I feel sure that he will ascend to a high office. As his wife, I can help him by entertaining influential people, and being part of powerful circles. A good butler is essential to that kind of social entertaining. Mr. Crawley will need to be properly dressed and supported in his journey. Won't you come and be a part of that journey? I dare say we shall need a man with his ear to the ground."
"That sounds very tempting milady."
"I am not asking for anything underhanded, Thomas. Just good, old fashioned hard work. The way things used to be. And we need your absolute loyalty. I promise it will be rewarded. "
"How soon would you need me? What would I tell Mr. Carson?"
"I will speak to Mr. Carson. I would hope you would be ready to leave with us after the wedding. You would valet Mr. Crawley on honeymoon and then we would all go to London together. As the butler, I would need your assistance with outfitting our residence and hiring the cook/housekeeper."
"I am happy to accept, Lady Mary."
Xx
That night, in the offices of the housekeeper and the butler, there was much rejoicing.
Mr. Bates and Anna also shared a quiet and happy cup of tea. Their romance had not fully blossomed yet but there was a sense of shared attraction. Mr. Bates noted that his mother lived in London and that he intended to visit her often in the coming year. Anna noted that the Crawleys intended to be at Downton every weekend. They both thought with happiness of the years to come, and Mr. Bates pondered the best course with regards to divorcing his wife.
And so, as Miss Austen says, everything was arranged to the felicity of all.