A/N: I'm rewriting this story... I hope everyone enjoys this version!
--
1890
Patrick bursts into the drawing room, holding a letter aloft triumphantly.
Cora, Robert, Rosamund and Violet are in the middle of tea when Patrick enters. Cora and Rosamund are on one sofa discussing last night's ball, Robert and Violet are discussing the engagement announcements in today's newspaper.
"I've just received a letter from Lord Warrington!" Patrick announces.
Violet's face lights up.
Rosamund rolls her eyes.
Robert crosses his arms in lazy interest.
Cora frowns in confusion.
Patrick pauses in the middle of the room to read a section of the letter aloud:
I am to return on the next boat, I hope to be with you within the month. I'm looking forward to seeing you once again and honouring our arrangement, finally. My mother will be holding a ball to welcome me back to London and I'd be grateful if you'd attend. We can iron out any crinkles in the agreement then.
Violet stands up in excitement. "Well, that sounds promising."
Patrick, Violet and Robert look at Rosamund, who takes a sip of her tea nonchalantly.
"I'm sorry, who is Lord Warrington?" Cora inquires, picking up on the conflicting moods in the room.
"The Marquess of Warrington," Violet answers, in a sharp tone that suggests Cora should have learnt this. "He has been in France for a number of years and it's understood that he will marry Rosamund when he returns from his travels."
Cora looks at Rosamund in surprise at this revelation.
It is Rosamund's first season in London this year, and she's spent it dancing and promenading with a wide variety of gentlemen, as if she truly intended to find a husband here in London.
Rosamund's expression gives nothing away. She is a master of the air of composure that young ladies are supposed to strive for.
"The arrangement was made before our fortune was secured," Rosamund says suddenly. "Can't I choose a husband whom I like? A husband I actually know?"
Patrick crosses his arms. "Robert didn't like or know his wife!" Cora blushes a dark shade of pink and looks down at her tea in embarrassment. "And he still did the honourable thing for this family to save us from ruin."
Robert interjects after noticing Cora's unease over the turn of conversation. "You'll get to know Warrington before you marry him, Rosamund. I always found him an agreeable man when we were in university together. He's clever, I think you'll get on with him very well."
"The arrangement between the families is well known," Violet continues Patrick's line of argument. "To end the arrangement would suggest a defect in you and ruin your prospects. He's a perfect match for you." Violet glances at Cora as she finishes her speech. "I'll be overjoyed to see one of my children so well married."
Cora remains silent but she bites her lip in discomfort.
Robert clears his throat, also uncomfortable.
Rosamund opens her mouth but shuts it again, her brow furrowed in irritation.
Patrick and Violet are unbothered by everyone's unease. They begin discussing plans for the upcoming weeks to prepare for Warrington's arrival.
Rosamund ignores the chatter.
She's only met Warrington once. He spent a week with Robert in Downton one summer to break up the journey from their university to Scotland.
She didn't pay him any attention at the time so she can barely remember what he looked like. The arrangement wasn't made by their respective fathers until a few months later, and as a fourteen year old, Rosamund had had no interest in one of her brother's friends.
As loath as she is to admit it, she's scared about meeting him officially. There's so much expectation placed upon one meeting.
———
An invitation to the ball previously mentioned by Lord Warrington arrives in due time, a few days after whispers make their way around town that Lord Warrington has returned from his travels in France. The invitation is accompanied by a personal note to Violet, expressing Lady Warrington's personal regards and asking the family to meet her for tea the day before the ball.
Violet goes straight into preparations.
Rosamund is whisked to the modiste for endless fittings and a number of new dresses are commissioned for her. Rosamund doesn't complain, the dresses are fashionable, flattering and pretty.
Over the following days, Violet drills in the etiquette Rosamund has already mastered. Violet makes constant critiques of Rosamund's actions and speech.
"Your mother is just anxious for all to be well," Patrick tells Rosamund, after a particularly gruelling dinner. "She doesn't mean any harm. And she's only helping you with her advice. Nobody suffers from help, my dear."
Patrick and Robert bow out of the tea party, meaning it is only Violet, Cora and Rosamund who travel to Warrington House to meet Lord Warrington and his mother.
Although Cora has spent the week hearing all the details of the Warrington family, and now knows more about them than anyone could be expected to know, Violet reaffirms the key details on the carriage journey.
"Their London home is Warrington House, where we are now headed. This is the first time it's been opened since 1865, so it will be interesting to see the condition of the rooms. It has always had a grand reputation for beauty, as have all of the properties owned by Lord Warrington. His mother spent the last four years in Scotland while he travelled. They have an impressive family seat in Scotland, Dayton Castle. It's not the largest of their properties but it has always been the home of the Marquess. Lord Warrington also holds the Earldom of Dayton and the Earldom of Winstone, so this is an extremely respectable family indeed.
"Lady Warrington is a dear friend of mine, although I have seen her but once since she absconded to Scotland. Her husband was an avid traveller, like Lord Grantham, so we would occasionally meet in different locations. She brings excellent connections to the family, her brother is the Duke of Aynor…"
Rosamund spends the journey watching the streets pass by.
She has an uncomfortable knot in her stomach as they approach Warrington House. The distance between the two houses is very short and the journey is over within a few minutes.
Rosamund is the last to leave the carriage. She takes one final gulp of air before she takes the footman's proffered hand and pastes a smile onto her face.
Violet nods approvingly at her.
Cora gives Rosamund an encouraging smile.
———
Rosamund takes in as much of the house as she can without staring. She will be mistress of it one day, if her parents get their way.
It's as beautiful as it was made out to be. The years of sitting empty have had little effect on the timeless grandeur of the decor and the ambience of the house.
"My dear Lady Grantham!" A voice interrupts Rosamund's approbation of the house.
The dowager Lady Warrington is a petite, blonde woman. She was the diamond of her season - with her beauty, countenance and extensive dowry - and she hasn't lost her charm. She remained thin after the birth of her only child, Lord Warrington, and her figure is rarely rivalled. Her bright blonde hair has begun to fade into white but it's becoming on her. Her eyes have remained bright and they're lit up with excitement as she crosses the room to greet them.
"Lady Warrington!" Violet answers, kissing her friend warmly. "It's so lovely to see you."
"Likewise, Violet, it's been too long since I was last in London," Lady Warrington admits.
Lady Warrington's gaze drifts over Cora and falls to Rosamund.
Violet notices and gives the relevant introductions. She introduces Cora first. "I'm afraid Patrick and Robert could not make it but this is Robert's wife, Viscountess Downton."
Cora bows her head politely.
"And I don't believe you've met my daughter? Lady Rosamund Crawley."
Lady Warrington takes one of Rosamund's hands in her own. "Of course! How beautiful you are, Lady Rosamund. The best of both of your parents!"
Rosamund laughs, feeling comfortable in the dowager's presence. "It's lovely to meet you, my lady."
Their greetings are interrupted by the arrival of a man. He appears flustered as the butler rushes over to take his coat.
"Henry!" Lady Warrington exclaims. There's a hint of reproach in her tone but the scolding is overridden by a tone of affection. "Your sense of time is atrocious."
The man meets Rosamund's eyes and gives her a playful smile.
Even if Lady Warrington hadn't addressed him by name, Rosamund would have known this man was Lord Warrington. He's strikingly alike his mother. He has her thick blonde hair, although his is a lot shorter, and he has the same brightness in his green eyes. The only established difference in their facial features is their nose; his nose is hooked and her nose is straight.
He's not unattractive. Especially not when he's smiling like he is now.
She can't help but smile back.
Lady Warrington looks back to her guests. "Lady Grantham, Lady Downton, Lady Rosamund, allow me to introduce my son, Lord Warrington. And allow me to apologise for his tardiness. Henry, this is Lady Grantham, her daughter-in-law, Lady Downton, and her daughter, Lady Rosamund."
Lord Warrington nods politely. "Good morning, ladies. I do apologise for being unpunctual - I forgot how many acquaintances one meets on a simple walk in London!"
Rosamund raises her eyebrows. "A benefit or burden?"
Lord Warrington laughs. "It depends on the acquaintance."
A/N: I decided to rewrite this story - I hate the way I wrote it but I like where I was going with it, so I'm rewriting these chapters and then I will continue from where I left off. I'll make a few changes as I go, hopefully you'll enjoy this story.