Lord Grantham sat down at the breakfast table. Tom was already sitting down, quietly nibbling away at his breakfast. Mary and Edith weren't down yet and Cora was probably going to have hers in their room. Carson stood at the back of the room observing everything. Tom continued to scrape his food around his plate.
"Are you alright Tom? You've been staring at that plate for a few minutes now. I'm sure the dog will eat it if you won't." Grantham smiled, seeing Tom a little nervous.
"Oh no nothing. Just thinking that's all." Tom shook his head giving his usual cheeky smile.
Before Grantham could question him anymore, Edith entered the room holding a letter close to her chest. Grantham stood up as Edith sat down with her plate. She seemed a bit far away however. Mary then also entered looking a little worse for wear but Grantham doubted anyone was going to bring that up!
"What are you so happy about?!" Mary soon saw the smile on her sister's face.
"I've got a letter from Michael. He's coming up to Yorkshire soon and wanted to know if he could stay over." Edith said, trying to hide her excitement.
"I don't know why he should come up here. Doesn't he have enough to do in London?" Mary continued to sound annoyed.
"Mary!" Tom hissed trying to calm the room.
"I'm sure we'll have enough room for him. Of course he can come." Grantham ignored Mary and gave Edith the answer she wanted.
Edith smiled even more brightly. Mary looked even more annoyed and Tom was still scraping his food around. He then stopped and clattered his knife and fork on the table.
"Tom, what on earth is the matter?" Mary jumped at the sound which deafened the room.
"I didn't mean to scare you. I just wondered if we could have a gathering with everyone." Tom mentioned hoping he would be listened to.
"Everyone?" Grantham enquired further.
"Well, if Michael is coming, why not Isabel and Lord Merton? I'm sure they would like to come over." Tom shrugged.
Grantham shuffled in his seat at the idea. Edith looked intrigued however, so Tom continued.
"Well Mary, you could invite Anthony or Charles. Rose could possibly come as well." Tom suggested much to Mary's disgust.
"I don't know if they're free." Mary sipped her tea.
"Well there isn't any harm in asking, is there?" Tom was a bit surprised at her response.
"I think it's a good idea. It will be nice to see everyone won't it be papa?" Edith tried to sway her father.
Grantham looked to Mary for some sort of support in this matter. Tom and Edith seemed set on having this happen and he couldn't find something that might stop it. Mary could soon see this in his eyes.
"Just think of how busy the house will be and soon after everything." Mary still was against the idea.
"Mary, come on!" Edith moaned.
"Alright. Alright. It can happen but only if we have yes's. If one person says yes then it's cancelled." Grantham told the excited Tom and Edith.
"Thank you." Tom smiled and nodded at Edith.
Carson kept a smile to himself. At least it would keep the staff busy and he was sure Tom was up to something else. He could just tell.
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After breakfast, Carson headed down to the servants quarters. Mary had tried to stop him to try and get his side but he had gotten away from her before she could. He soon found Mrs Hugehes walking along the corridors making sure all of the servants were working and not sitting around.
"What are you so excited about? I haven't seen you this happy since Master George was born." Mrs Hughes stopped him.
"The house is going to have a party. They are inviting everyone from here to London." Carson put his hands together.
"And you're excited about it?"
"Of course I am. It's just what the house needs." Carson carried on walking to tell everyone.
Mrs Hughes stared after him. She shook her head and joined him in telling everyone. What a few nights that was going to be!
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Mary paced her room. She had called Anna up to her room and try to get someone on her side. It's not that she didn't want to see Anthony or Charles! It's just a party that just seemed such a big ask. Anna would understand.
"You called M'dy." Anna spoke softly from the doorway.
"Yes, come in and shut the door. I don't want anyone else to hear this." Mary waved, putting a hand to her forehead.
Anna shut the door and quickly went to Mary's side.
"What's wrong? Do you need Dr Clarson?" Anna asked worried about Mary.
"No it's not that. I suppose you haven't heard about the party yet?" Mary sighed as she sat down.
"Not recently."
"Well Edith and Tom are planning one and by the looks of it, I'm the only one against the idea." Mary threw up her arms in frustration.
"I think it sounds fun. I'm sure Mr Branson will make the party fun." Anna smiled seeing the good side of it.
Mary turned in her seat to face Anna. She didn't look very happy about Anna's remark. Anna quickly shook her head which made Mary a bit more happy.
"Just hope it's over and done with as soon as possible. I don't want lots of people sharing my house for a long time!" Mary continued to find things to grumble about.
"Yes M'lady." Anna muttered.
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"A house party?!" Barrow exclaimed as Carson told the staff what was going on.
"Yes. It seems like we might have a few house guests over the next few days so I want you to be ready for them." Carson ignored Barrow outburst.
"That'll be exciting." Molsley spoke up but no one listened to him.
"How many guests are we expecting? Just so I can get any food ready for the guests." Mrs Patmore was writing down everything that Carson was saying.
"Well there's Mr Gregson and Mrs Crawley. Mr Gillingham and Mr Blake are also being asked to join them. I'm sure Miss Rose will be coming along too." Carson counted out on his fingers.
"That's not many! I thought you said it was going to be a big party!" Mrs Hughes butted in.
"Well they're all asking people as we speak. I don't really know how many people are coming." Carson sounded the most unsure that Mrs Hughes had ever heard!
Carson was then called away and left the staff to discuss amongst themselves. Most of them went away discussing everything. Barrow sat down near the stove to warm up. Jimmy was soon to join him with Albert only a few meters away.
"I think this might be the biggest party I've dealt with!" Albert broke the silence between them.
"You try going to Scotland every Christmas! That certainly puts this to shame." Barrow scoffed.
"Will we be going this year? You know after…" Jimmy nodded his head away from them.
"I doubt it." Barrow lit his cigarette.
"If Mr Carson saw you do that, you'd be out of your ear." Albert is always the tell tale.
"Well lucky he's not here then." Barrow was getting annoyed with Albert.
Albert could see he wasn't wanted so left Jimmy and Barrow to it. He was sure someone could find him a job to do for now.
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Isabel was reading the paper when her doorbell rang. She put her paper down gently and went to answer it. When she answered it, Dr Clarkson was on the other side.
"Dr Clarkson." Isabel gave a half hearted smile.
"Hello Isabel. May I come in." Dr Clarkson was quick to take off his hat to look a bit more welcoming.
Isabel nodded and opened the door more so he could come in. He was holding something in his hand which intrigued Isabel more and more.
"Now what is it that you wanted to see me about? I'm guessing that piece of paper might be for me." Isabel sat down with Dr Clarkson.
"You're right. Here, it's from the Grantham house." Dr Clarkson passed it to her.
Isabel thanked him and opened the note.
"They're having a party. Well a few dinners over a few nights." Dr Clarkson explained more.
"Okay. Are you going?" Isabel asked, shaking a little.
"I haven't decided yet. I just wondered if you might come with me. I didn't want to go on my own."
"I don't know. I feel a bit out of place in that house." Isabel shrugged making her feelings known.
Dr Clarkson outstretched his hand for her to hold. She soon did this and looked him in the eye. He could see right through her.
"I know you feel like that but I think this is a very good opportunity. Plus we won't be the only ones there." Dr Clarkson was making it feel a bit more appealing.
"Alright then. I'm sure it'll be more fun than it sounds." Isabel gave in.
Dr Clarkson patted Isabel's hand. It might be one of the first times she's left the house since Matthew's death but at least she was having a go.
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Grantham came into the bedroom where Cora had just finished her breakfast. She was still a bit taken aback since Miss O'Brien left but she seemed to be managing. She heard from one of the staff about the party.
"I couldn't say no could I?" Grantham started seeing the disapproving look from his wife.
"Well you could have said you'd think about it at least." Cora was still disapproving.
"I want Tom to feel at home. If I say no to all of the ideas he has then he'll leave with Sybbie." Grantham mentioned knowing this might persuade her.
"How many people are coming? Have we had any yes's yet?" Cora changed the subject.
"Michael Gregson is coming. Mr Blake and Mr Gillingham are in town so have said yes. Dr Clarkson is seeing Isabel today and my mother is yet to answer." Grantham smiled knowing what answer she would probably give.
Cora shuffled in her bed when Gregson was mentioned. She was still a bit unsure about him. Edith might like him but it didn't mean Cora would let her guard down that easily. Grantham felt a bit more trusting.
"Gregson also said he might be bringing up a friend with him. Someone he works with in London apparently. Nice chap but I'll leave that until we meet." Grantham told Cora.
"As long as he doesn't bring the whole office up here."
"Bertie said he might be joining us. The girls will be pleased."
Cora smiled more when Bertie was mentioned but it quickly left when Grantham saw it.
"Well make sure you know what you're doing. We don't want the whole thing to go wrong." Cora finished the conversation.
Grantham nodded thinking everything over. As long as all the guests got along then it should be fine. True knowing Downton there is always something that went wrong!