December 31, 1919.
(Interior, the Dower House, tea time.)
"Why does that husband of yours insist on holding the baby every chance he gets?", asked the Dowager with consternation.
Mary, looking askance at the lemon in her tea, shakes her head. "I don't know, Granny. I suppose it's because Reggie has always been a little weaker than George. You know how Matthew is."
"Still, it's very unhealthy. A father who isn't seen as firm will encourage the boy to develop a feeble personality."
"Oh don't be silly Granny."
"Matthew spends far too much time with the children."
"It is the way he was brought up, his parents were very involved. It's not an argument I will win."
"What utter nonsense. Isobel was not raising a future Earl. You are the mother. George and Reggie are the future of Downtown. Their character must be taken in hand."
"Well I assure you that Nanny Porter has the boys firmly in hand. George has improved dramatically. I no longer have reports of eggs thrown at maids."
"Are you spending enough time with your children?"
"Oh Granny, how can you be so contrary? You can't abide Matthew spending time with the children, but I do not spend enough time with them. I see them, for an hour, at tea time."
"But I understand that there are many times when you are not in the house at tea time. What is it that calls my grand daughter away from her house? I hope you aren't indulging in a lover. That sort of thing should be saved for the later years of your marriage."
Mary's eyebrows ascended into the stratosphere.
"To save you from making any more such alarming statements, let me tell you that I am spending my time studying and working with Lord Bryce and his associates. They are taking forward their ideas for a formal peace league, and I have been …doing what is necessary so that I may play a valid part. Please don't tell Matthew or Papa. They will fret and forbid."
"Lord Bryce? He's not a natural peer. Isn't he the fellow who thinks that the Americans should be our friends? Of all the laughable ideas."
"Mama is an American."
"In-laws aren't friends, dear. Marriage is a contract, not a day at the seaside."
"Granny, you make me weary. But I suppose I should tell you that I have joined the Liberal Party and intend, in the near future, to contest as the Member for Ripon."
The Dowager is stunned into something of an hour of silence.
(Interior, Downton Abbey library, post tea time)
"Hello my darlings!", cries Cora gathering up the Strallan children into an embrace, " come, Granny has saved some special things from tea for you. I had to guard them from Georgie as you were so late.". Cora throws a pointed look at the elder Strallans.
"I am sorry Mama, but there were some final proofs for the magazine that had to be finished."
"But it's the New Year, Edith. You shouldn't be working. And you shouldn't let her work."
Anthony smiles sheepishly and goes over to Matthew and Robert who have stayed to greet him.
"Come along, Anthony. I was just telling Matthew that I've opened up some items belonging to the 3rd Earl, and there are some letters I've never seen before. Carson has laid them out in my study, shall we adjourn?"
"Intriguing. I wonder if I might have a cup of tea to fortify me? The drive was blasted cold."
"What about a snifter, eh? Last day of the year and all that. Good man, good man. Carson, three brandies to the study, and send someone to seek out . I believe he and Lady Sybil retired to the conservatory with their tea."
"Certainly, my Lord." Carson commanded the footmen with his imperious eyebrows and butlered off to fetch the brandy.
"Where is Mary?", asked Edith after the gentlemen had retired.
"Granny asked her to tea. No doubt some admonition or other. Oh yes thank you Nanny, and will you take charge of the others as well? Lady Strallan has not brought her Nanny today."
"Nanny asked for a day off."
"On December 31st? How rude."
"She has a family commitment and Anthony insists that we keep the staff happy. Besides, she's a wonder at looking after the children."
"I love that you and Anthony have a big family. You know Mary cannot have any more."
"I dare say that probably suits Mary very well."
"Let's not spend our time speaking of Mary. How are you my dear? You looked very wan at Christmastime."
"Oh, I am just very busy Mama. The magazine is thriving, I have so many ladies who want to write for it, and we just hired two new girls for the illustrations. Allegra Scott wrote to me to say how delightful and distracting she finds it. Her endorsement has sent my subscriptions through the roof."
"Darling that is wonderful. And does it help with Anthony?"
"Yes, yes. He enjoys the quiet life but loves to see me busy."
"I think you are the happiest of my daughters."
(Interior, the conservatory, same time.)
"India?", said Lady Sybil Blake.
"Yes, India. But not for nine months. It can't be a surprise, darling, I have been speaking of my wish to be part of a better British service there. There are so many poor and disenfranchised. It will be a real project for us."
"Darling, my life is here. My work. And, our future." Sybil gestured idly to her belly, as yet not revealing her pregnancy of two months.
"Little Blake will be two months old when we have to leave. Neither would you have to come when I do. You could wait till you felt it was right for both of you. But think, my darling, of how the hospitals there could use a nurse of your training and distinction! My friend says that the hospitals are crowded with the underprivileged."
"And your friend is convinced that I won't be treated like some great Lady nurse and have to take care of the rich woman diseases of the wives of CSOs?"
"Darling I cannot imagine a world in which you would allow yourself to be a lady nurse. I'd sooner imagine your grandmother taking work as a charwoman."
"Well Charles Blake, you certainly know how to convince me. But I ask for one condition."
"I acquiesce even without knowing the condition!"
"Don't be foolish, Charles, hear me out. It is this: that little Blake and I follow you once he or she is an year old. It will also give me time to find the right position for myself in India, and for you to set up house, and hire the right staff."
Charles answered with a sweet, soft kiss. A gentle cough disturbed them.
"Mr. Blake, His Lordship asks that you join him in his study." Carson looks with disapprobation at canoodling in the conservatory, and Charles leaps up, shamefaced like a schoolboy.
After Charles leaves, Sybil stands and paces for a while. She places her hands on her womb and smiles. India. A whole new world.
(interior, the dining room, 11.59 pm.)
"Happy New Year!" cries the Earl of Grantham.
"Happy New Year!", the rest raise their glasses in a toast.
"And a new baby!", announces Charles Blake, grinning madly under the influence of many, many wines.
Cora tears up, and the Dowager and Mary sigh with relief. Only Matthew casts a worried glance at Sybil. He raises his eyebrows at her, but she shakes her head and smiles brilliantly.
Matthew raises his glass. "To Charles, Sybil, and baby Blake!".
