"Why would I want to go back to London, my dear?" The Dowager asked incredulously. "I've only just escaped." It was after dinner and the ladies had dismissed Mr. Kent, telling him they would ring for him when he was needed. Tom had not dined at home tonight. It was no secret where he was dining, nor with whom.
"Mama wants to throw another, smaller event for Rose. She wants it to be a large family dinner." Mary could hardly admit that this event and her Grandmama's presence in London were designed to put more pressure on Thomas. The extra work and Lady Violet's scrutiny was sure to keep him even more preoccupied, which kept him too busy to scheme. Mary hoped it would buy the family precious time. "Rose's ball was such a success, I think Mama wants to keep the momentum and give our debutant one more stage on which to shine before the spotlight of the Season fades."
"You cannot tell me that Rose does not have her pick of suitors." Isobel pointed out sensibly.
"Of course she does, it's only that she does not pick very wisely."
"Why don't you give her one of your fellows?" Violet said primly.
"If only it were that easy." Mary took her grandmother's jibe in stride. Hadn't she been on the receiving end of that wit since she could walk?
"Are Edith and I invited, or is only Lady Violet you will be requiring." Mrs. Crawley asked amiably. She had made plans with Lord Merton for next Tuesday and wondered if she would have to change them.
"Of course, you are both welcome, Isobel, but Grandmama is the matriarch of the family, so her presence is more essential. No offense meant."
"None taken." Edith mumbled.
A dreary silence grew over the room. Mary spoke of the first thing that came to her mind. "I was speaking to Mr. Drew this afternoon on my rounds with Tom. Apparently, he's been saddled with some orphan girl from the continent. It's a tragic story, both parents dead and the child not even a year old." Mary's tone did not convey her true interest in the child. The parents had reportedly died in a car accident. Mary had felt an immediate connection to the story and the child.
Edith had bristled at the use of the word saddled. "He did mention it to me the other day. He came to the house looking for Tom."
"They are bringing the child all the way from Switzerland in the next week or two." Mary as good as ignored Edith's comment. "I was impressed that Mr. Drew has acquaintances on the continent."
The Dowager raised her eyebrows at this new information. "Switzerland, you say?" She gave Edith a sharp look, but there was something unbelievably interesting happening in the bottom of Edith's glass so she could not be spared to look up.
"Have you seen anything of Lord Merton since you've been returned to Yorkshire, Isobel?" Mary asked quickly, trying yet a new topic as this one seemed not to have sparked the conversation she had hoped.
Isobel blushed and shrugged noncommittally. The ladies sat in awkward silence for a few more minutes until Lady Violet began to nod off and Mary rang for Kent to call the car around.
"And I thought London was becoming tediously dull." Mary commented to Anna as she arrived in her room.
"Perhaps you missed the attentions of a certain someone?" Anna prodded.
"If only it were a certain someone rather than certain someones." Mary sighed. Carson makes it seem so easy, she thought. To him, there has only ever been Mrs. Hughes. She was beyond his reach and so he had remained silent. Now that they had an understanding, he wore his heart on his sleeve as plainly as he wore a smile on his face. The thought reminded her of something she had forgotten.
"Before I dress for bed tonight, Anna, would you please ask Mrs. Hughes to join us?"
Anna hurried to fetch the housekeeper as Mary languidly removed her jewelry. Shortly, Anna returned with Mrs. Hughes.
"Anna and I shall be returning to London first thing tomorrow, Mrs. Hughes. In all our nefarious planning this morning, you and I neglected the most important plans."
Elsie knew what was most important to her, but did not want to presume. "And what would that be, My Lady?"
"Why, Carson and your nuptials, of course. I can't believe you seem to have forgotten." Mary chastised the housekeeper with a gentle sarcasm. There really was something very charming about Lady Mary, Elsie conceded. She thought she saw a hint of the Dowager's sense of humor, but she also saw the influence of a certain gentle butler.
"I must have been too busy inventorying napkins and it quite slipped my mind." Elsie teased back.
Mary found herself oddly proud that Mrs. Hughes and she could share a moment of silliness amidst all the other pressures weighing on them. At first, Mary had been afraid that Carson's devotion to Mrs. Hughes would take him away from her, but now she understood. Carson had always been devoted to Mrs. Hughes as he had always been devoted to Mary. The only thing that would change was, perhaps now Mary and Mrs. Hughes could find a way to respect and support each other. They had certainly made an excellent start towards that new relationship.
"Well, Carson does not have the distraction of linens and it is very much on his mind. He and I spoke of it this morning. He is most anxious. He requested that I arrange for a special license, but I want to be sure you were agreed."
"The Banns is too public and too slow for our liking, My Lady. If you could help me secure a license, we would both be most grateful."
"He wants Lord Grantham to be informed as well."
"Mr. Carson and I did not discuss that. I am not sure that is wise." Mrs. Hughes said, diplomatically.
"I am quite sure that it is unwise. If you tell my father, you are telling my mother also. Though she is capable of keeping a secret, she will not understand why something so joyous must be kept silent. I would expect most of London to know of your marriage in short order."
"Which does not suit our plans." Elsie noted. "Did Mr. Carson say why he wanted to tell Lord Grantham?"
"No. I think Carson feels guilty deceiving him, but there is no avoiding that if you are to be married soon. I also think a part of him wants the family's approval. My blessing alone is not exactly a guarantee of that."
Mrs. Hughes looked very concerned by this information, but Mary hurried to put her at ease. "Carson made it very clear that the family's disapproval would not alter his plans to marry, but I still think he would be glad to have another voice of support."
"And we agree that we cannot tell Lord Grantham?"
"Yes, but I have another idea."
TBC…
AN/ Just a short one today. MUCH longer one tomorrow.
