The Presentations of Lady Mary and Lady Edith
Disclaimer: I don't own Downton Abbey.
I'm almost done with "The Queen is Dead," so I thought I would start posting this. It's something I've been thinking about since January, but I wanted to work on other things first.
This is going to be a bit different from the stories I've written in the last couple of years, as it will change POV several times. I hope it still flows together; feel free to tell me if it doesn't.
And XXXXXXXXXXX is POV change.
OOOOOOOOOO is time change.
"... And you wish for the silk fabric for your presentation gown as well as your debutante gown, Lady Mary?" the clerk asked.
Mary nodded politely as she stepped away from the fabric selections in the dress shop. "Yes, please. And lace on the sleeves would be appropriate, too. Especially for the future Countess of Grantham." She held her head high as she spoke, just like Granny always did. Like a proper lady should.
Mama smiled far too brightly, her teeth showing from one ear to the other ear. "That sounds wonderful, Mary." Her American blood made Mama act emotional, but Mary wished she wouldn't do it so often in public.
Edith still examined the dress fabrics, but Mary turned her attention to more important things. Her hair bows. Large bows, medium bows, white bows, silver bows, and golden bows. Mary studied them carefully, trying to decide which one would suit her best. It needed to appear beautiful, elegant, and most importantly, befitting of her station.
Once again, Mary wished she could go dress shopping with Granny. Mama still didn't understand English fashions, and Edith didn't understand anything. Was the large bow best, or did it look a bit gaudy? Should the bow be silk as well, or was satin better?
"That will look beautiful, Edith," Mama said far too loudly, and Mary sighed, wishing her mother wasn't so… American again. After all, it was only Edith.
Mary held large, golden bow in one hand and the medium, silver bow in the other hand. She pictured Granny, standing next to her, examining the bows as well. Which one would she pick? "A proper lady must be elegant, but never gaudy. Never behave unseemly, Mary," Granny's voice echoed in Mary's head.
She held up the medium silver bow with a nod.
Then there were the gloves, Mary thought as she inspected several different styles. Silk. Fine lace. The cotton was not an option, she thought immediately passing it by. It was far too common; Granny would never wear cotton gloves.
Mary finally selected a pair of silk ivory – colored for her presentation and a pair of royal blue for her debutante gown. Also, of silk. She was certain Granny would love them.
Turning around, she saw Edith was still examining dress fabrics with Mama. Mary resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
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"… Honestly, Edith, why did you choose satin fabrics?" Mary said, shaking her head as they rode home on the governess carriage. "Silk shines, so it gains more attention. And your hair bow is all wrong, too."
Edith pouted, as she always did when Mary explained why her sister was wrong. "I just think satin will be better, especially with the lace I chose to cover the skirt. And the gold suits me, with my hair color." No doubt Edith would regret her choice soon enough, although she tried to defend herself now.
Mary shook her head, careful not to damage her hair arrangement. "I suppose it will be appropriate for you. After all, I am the one who will be Countess of Grantham one day, and I will shine in my silk ivory presentation gown and blue debutante gown. I just hope you can find an appropriate match."
Edith pouted even more.
Mama only sighed and shook her head a bit.
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They arrived home in time for tea, and although Papa had a meeting of some sort, their butler Carson was there to greet all three of them. With a smile, he said he was certain the dresses they chose would be perfect. But there was an extra twinkle in his eyes when he spoke to Mary, so she knew his compliment was truly meant for her. He was a darling man.
Edith pouted again, of course.
When they entered the library, their younger sister Sybil, immediately stood and almost ran to them. The Downton Library was larger than some of the other estate's, with its wall – to wall books, a red settee, a few chairs, and Papa's desk. But it certainly wasn't meant for running, with the large glass windows, and porcelain ornaments that decorated it. Mary didn't wish anything or anyone to damage this library, even her sister.
She prepared to gently lecture Sybil of her mistake. Her still unpinned hair bounced in an unladylike way as she finally stopped. "Did you find everything you need for your presentation and coming out? I cannot wait to see what you look like in them." Her bright smile was contagious.
Despite herself, Mary smiled back at Sybil, especially as she looked into her youngest sister's sparkling blue eyes. Their governess had often lectured Sybil for showing too much excitement, especially as she grew older. It was probably true, but this was her baby sister, and Mary simply couldn't dismiss her behavior as she could Edith's. Those blue would stare into Mary's brown ones, and she couldn't deny the happiness that swelled inside.
Besides, Sybil was only fifteen. Even though she now wore long dresses and ate dinner with the family, she had a few years left of unpinned hair before she would need to behave like a real lady. "I did find everything I needed, and they are fit for the future Countess of Grantham," Mary said as she sat down on the red settee.
"I suppose I have everything, although I don't know if it truly matters for me," Edith said with a sigh, as she sat on the settee, as far away from Mary as possible.
"I think you will look beautiful," Sybil said in the same excited voice. "I am certain you found something that will make your hair stand out against everyone. You know, I sometimes I wish I had your strawberry blonde hair; it's so distinct." Somehow, her youngest sister could even sound thrilled for Edith.
There was a silence as all of them sipped tea. Mary was careful to do so carefully, so not to spill any or even get a drop of tea on her face.
Suddenly Sybil sighed, loudly. "I know it's selfish, but I wish I were being presented this year as well. The three of us could ride to Buckingham Palace in beautiful white dresses…" She was much too emotional to be presented now, Mary thought as she nibbled on a scone.
Naturally, Mama didn't help at all, crossing the room to stand next to Sybil and then wrapping her arm around her shoulder. "You will receive your chance in a few years, darling. Just be patient. And when you do, think of how many people you'll have to help. Your granny, myself, Aunt Rosamund, and both your sisters."
Before she could stop herself, Mary pictured herself helping Sybil prepare for her presentation, and a smile spread across her face.
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Cora's smile brightened that night as her husband Robert entered her room and met her eyes with a warm glow. "Hello, darling," she said, as he removed his dressing gown. She took a moment to admire his bare chest peeking out of his pajamas.
"Hello, Cora," he sighed a little as he placed the dressing gown on the same chair he always did. "I still cannot believe Mary and Edith are old enough to be presented." He shook his head slowly, and she knew he was wondering when their little girls had grown into real ladies.
"I know," she said as he climbed into his side of the bed. "I keep remembering Mary, looking at me proudly with her little brown eyes when she announced she had learned to read. How old was she, then? Not even five! And Edith cried that she hadn't mastered reading yet."
"What about the day Mary was born?" Robert asked, almost sadly as he stared into her eyes. "You were so afraid I would be upset she wasn't the heir we thought she was. But I took one look at her and immediately loved her. How could I not, when she looked exactly like you?... Can that truly be twenty years ago?"
"Somehow, it is," Cora said, knowing her eyes mirrored his almost – sadness. Subconsciously, she reached for his arm, feeling his strength. "Sybil mentioned she almost wished she were being presented this year as well. I couldn't tell her how horrified I was at the idea of my last baby becoming a true lady. And it's only a few years away, Robert. Sybil will pin her hair up, curtsy to the king, and dance at balls, and marry some gentleman."
Cora could feel tears forming in her eyes at the thought of all her children growing up and marrying gentlemen. They wouldn't need her anymore.
"Don't worry about Sybil right now, Cora," Robert said tenderly wiping her eyes and then kissing both of them. He was so sweet, especially when she became overly emotional for her English husband. "Remember, hers is still a few years away."
"Anyway, I enjoyed Mary and Edith telling me about their coming out gowns," Robert said, obviously turning to an easier topic. He chuckled a little. "Even if I didn't understand a word they said this evening."
Cora giggled too, enjoying the lighter moment. It was nice to see her husband laugh again; Robert had been rather grumpy in the last few months since the power in the House of Lords had been limited.
Her mind flashed back to dinner, when Mary had explained in vivid detail to her father everything about the gowns she'd ordered. And how Edith had attempted to describe her lovely bow in the drawing room. But poor Robert was out of his depth with women's clothing, especially as his oldest daughters tried to compete over whose was better.
"Sometimes I wonder if we've made a mistake, presenting them in the same year. Their competitiveness is worse than ever now," Cora said. Mary had made some rather unpleasant comments to Edith in the carriage, and then they spent most of the evening competing for their father's attention.
Robert sighed as he moved his body closer to her. "Perhaps, but we cannot wait any longer to present Mary or Edith. They were all set to be presented last year, but then the Season was cancelled when Edward VII became ill and died. Besides, this is really for Edith; Mary already has a nice match organized for her. Edith is so self – conscious and never seems interested in any of the young men who visit. She is the one who will need our assistance. I hope a lot of eligible gentleman will attend Edith's coming out ball."
"Yes," Cora said wishing Edith would try to flirt a bit with some of the men that came her way. Quiet women were often admired, but ladies that showed no interest were not. "And I hope she'll receive plenty of invites, too." Cora's hand moved again, needing to feel his arms, which he wrapped firmly around her.
Of course, sometimes the invites depended more on the mothers than the debutante. Cora's mind flashed back to her own season as an American heiress. Cora wouldn't have been invited to half the balls she'd attended if it wasn't for Mother's persistence. And Robert's Mama still constantly informed her Cora she didn't know enough about English society. "I just hope I can be enough help for Edith." She sighed, her eyes looking down at her own chest.
"You already are, darling," Robert said, forcing her to look into his deep blue eyes while he stroked her cheek with his knuckles. "You have helped her pick out a fine presentation gown, form what I understand, and if you are half the countess you are to me you will be more than enough for Edith."
"Oh, Robert," Cora said, her heart melting between his touch and his words. She kissed him.
"Do you truly think Mary's match with Patrick is for the best?" she asked as she finally withdrew. It was a secret fear she'd had for the past year. In many ways, it was the ideal arrangement, considering Mary loved Downton as much as Robert and never wished to leave. And the way Mary crowed about being the Countess of Grantham one day, she certainly approved. Still, sometimes the romantic in Cora wondered if she shouldn't have something more.
Robert's deep blue eyes stared into hers as he squeezed her body. "I do. She's always been fond of Patrick. And remember, we didn't force her into it; she has already agreed."
"That is because you can't force Mary to do anything," Cora said, giggling into his ear. "She's definitely a Crawley."
"Is that so?" Robert chuckled, his breath making her feel warm and tingly. "But your mother is even more stubborn. I cannot believe that telegram we got from her this morning, that she will come to the presentation. No, "may I?' or "please." She didn't even wait for an invitation!"
"That's mother," Cora said with a sigh. Robert was correct; her mother was just as stubborn as the Crawley's, but she lacked proper manners. And she was such a drama queen; it would be difficult to handle preparing for Mary and Edith's presentation and hosting Mother at the same time. "But Mary and Edith are her grandchildren, too, remember, and it's been several years since she's seen them. She deserves to see this milestone as much as anyone."
"I suppose," Robert grumbled a bit. Cora waited for his frown to disappear before she kissed him again. And again.
And Cora remembered the real reason she'd agreed to Mary's match. Her oldest daughter may look like Cora, but her personality was more like Robert's. And that meant the friendship she had with her cousin was more than enough to cause Mary to fall in love with him eventually.
Just like Robert had, when he'd married a woman he considered a friend.
Suddenly her husband began peppering her face, her neck, and especially behind her ears with wonderful warm kisses, and Cora forgot everything else.
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"You better have everything, Simpson," Martha Levinison said to her maid as the prepared to board the Aquitania. Martha had several things that were absolute necessities for traveling, and she refused to leave without them.
"I do, ma'am," her servant replied, carrying a large travel case in both of her hands and a second smaller one.
Martha studied the woman carefully. "Did you pack both red evening gowns?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"And the green one?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"What about the hat covered with ostrich feathers?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"And the special make – up case?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"And the case of homemade candy from New York?"
"Yes, ma'am,"
"Well, you'd better not be lying to me," Martha studied the woman again as she approached the boat. "Especially about that last one. It's been several years since I've seen my granddaughters, and I must bring them one of the best parts of New York for Easter."
Martha smiled to herself as she pictured the three of them tasting her special candy. They would probably gush over it, saying it was the best in the world. Certainly, better than anything snobbish "Granny Violet" would give them. Martha wished she could see her granddaughters more often. Cora used to bring the girls to America when they were younger, but ever since Robert had become earl, they'd stayed in England year after year. She supposed he'd become as stuck – up as his mother since she'd last seen him.
And Martha found it easier to stay away as well. But she refused to miss Mary or Edith's presentations. Violet would simply have to deal. So would Robert. In fact, Martha told Cora her oldest granddaughters would have to be presented the same year, so she could see both of their big events. And this year, the king of England better not die and ruin everything.
"Now you will take those cases directly to my state room, Simpson," Martha said as they finally boarded the ship. "I wish see the view from the deck." It was a lovely scene, with the ship's deck so far above the water. She could see the sparkling ocean in the distance, and the people waving on the New York City Dock. Best of all, there were many other passengers looking around, too. They would certainly notice her in her bright floral print dress and hat covered with sun flowers.
Martha Levinison loved being noticed. In her opinion, it was the best part of being a wealthy widow. She could do what she wanted, say what she wanted, and wear what she wanted.
"And Simpson?" she said sharply to her maid. "There better not be any funny business when you unload my things."
"Of course not, Ma'am."
Martha walked around the deck, wiggling slightly. Most of the other passengers focused on waving and shouting to New Yorkers on the dock, but some glanced her way. Her bright orange blouse which glistened in the sunlight and her spring hat covered with large sunflowers certainly helped as well. Most of all, her striking red hair would always cause people to look.
Grinning, Martha waved to everyone that peeked at her ensemble. She loved to shake things up.
She was certain she could convince Cora to shake things up a bit in England, as well. Her daughter's letters implied Cora was happy and still claimed Robert loved her, but Martha took that with a grain of salt. Her daughter was incredibly naïve and tended to see what she wanted to see. The reality is that Cora and Robert had been married for over twenty years now, and Martha knew few men who loved the same woman for that long. As soon as Martha arrived, she would show Cora how fun it could be to be the wife of a wealthy, prominent man, even if he didn't love you anymore.
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"So, tell me about the gowns you have ordered," Violet said to Mary and Edith as the three of them enjoyed afternoon tea at the Dower House. She smiled a little as her oldest granddaughters sipped their tea like proper English ladies. She truly did love them so much.
And since Cora was spending this afternoon in Rippon choosing her own new gowns, so it was the perfect chance for Violet to discuss their presentation without the American influence. The gowns they'd chosen when they'd been preparing for their presentation last year had been a bit disappointing; certainly, both Mary and Edith chose better now that they would definitely be presented?
"I think you'll be pleased with everything I've chosen, Granny," Mary said in a confident manner that made Violet even prouder of her. "I chose silk material for both my presentation and my debutante gowns, so I will receive plenty of attention. The royal blue gown will suit me perfectly as my debutante. And I was certain to choose a bow that was elegant, but not gaudy."
Violet nodded, feeling extremely pleased. Mary had not listened to her American mother at all. But then her granddaughter said something so rude, she ruined everything. "I don't think you will be happy with anything Edith selected, Granny. But then she never makes good decisions. She just doesn't think." Mary sipped her tea, looking like a proper lady while sounding suspiciously more like her American grandmama.
"Mary!" Violet said sharply, giving her oldest granddaughter one of her scariest looks, with her eyes narrowed and her cheeks all bony. "You are never to speak that way about your sister again; such rude behavior is unseemly for an English lady, especially about your own blood."
To Violet's delight, Mary looked sufficiently chastened, as her eyes no longer shined. She quietly bit into a tea cake.
"Now, Edith, what did you select for your presentation and coming out?" Violet said, turning her attention to her blonde granddaughter.
"I decided on satin fabrics because I thought it went better with the lace I wanted," Edith said slowly. "Do you think that was a good idea?"
Violet nodded, although she couldn't be certain without seeing the dresses. She should have gone to Rippon with them yesterday, especially for Edith's sake. After all, it was Edith who needed to find a match.
"And I thought a deep pink, almost red gown would suit me for my coming out. Mama said it looked particularly nice with my hair," Edith said nervously.
Violet sipped her tea without responding. Such colors did suit her second granddaughter, with her strawberry – blonde hair, but Cora's endorsement didn't comfort Violet. Nor did Edith's apparent uncertainty about her choice.
"And I believe the gold bow I selected for my presentation goes perfectly with my hair as well," Edith said, her eyes pleading for acceptance.
Violet sighed. "That should suit you well," she admitted. "But do pay attention to some of the men at your coming out ball, Edith. You won't find a proper match otherwise, and there will be plenty of eligible peers there.
And Mary," Violet finally focused on her other granddaughter again. She was extremely proud of Mary for accepting Cousin Patrick, rather than moaning about love as some might. Mary had apparently understood how unsafe it was to wait for love, and it could be even worse to marry for it, as the person then possessed the power to break your heart. A broken heart was not something Violet wished on anyone, especially her oldest granddaughter. Most of the happily married couples in England were not, nor had they ever been, in love. And peers in particular were known for seeking companionship outside of marriage. Friendship marriages, like that of Mary and Cousin Patrick, were safer.
"I know we've already arranged a match for you, but nothing is set in stone. If a marquess or even a duke approaches you, do flirt with them a little."
Mary's eyes brightened in excitement at the prospect of catching a marquess or a duke.
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OOOOOOOOOO
Edith had felt sick the way Mary crowed at the possiblity of being a marchioness or even a duchess for the rest of the day. As if any man could surpass Cousin Patrick, no matter what his station. Just the thought of her cousin always caused Edith's heart to skip a beat.
But Cousin Patrick was engaged to Mary, and there was nothing Edith could do about it. It wasn't fair that Mary got everything, from the best man in the world, to most of their parents and even Granny's attention, just because she was the oldest. And Mary only wished to wed Patrick to become the next Countess of Grantham. She didn't care about his wonderful smile or his deep voice that always made Edith's heart melt.
Still, if Mary did catch a gentleman with a higher title, Cousin Patrick would be available. Edith sighed a little as their head housemaid, Anna, finished unpinning her hair. "Do you think… if Mary finds someone else during the Season… that Cousin Patrick would marry me?" she asked softly.
"I think that's very possible, milady," Anna said sweetly as she began brushing Edith's hair.
Edith's heart skipped several beats at that thought. Her mind drifted to her coming out ball, when Cousin Patrick would certainly look gorgeous, dressed in his best tails. Would he find her deep pink dress appealing, or should Edith have picked the green fabric, after all?
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As Edith finally climbed into bed, she sighed.
She was being ridiculous. Cousin Patrick would never choose her. Mostly likely he would pass her by at the ball, his eyes scanning for more interesting ladies. And he certainly would never propose to Edith.
Staring at the top of her canopy bed, she shook her head against her pillow. Her family didn't even care for her the way they should. Mama and Papa always favored Mary, and this presentation was a perfect example of that. They didn't even think to give Edith her own presentation and coming out, bur rather "added her on" to Mary's, like the after thought she was. Then there was the way Mama and Papa ignored Mary's nasty comments towards Edith. And Granny obviously thought only Mary could catch a marquess or a duke.
Why would a man as wonderful as Cousin Patrick ever pay attention to Edith, when no one ever did?
I'm not certain whether I'll be updating this once a month, or every other week. But it will always be on Saturdays.