Title: Lady Catherine and the new Viscount

by: RobertsCountess

rated: T

Disclaimers: all characters etc. are property of Julian Fellows, Masterpiece and NBC universal

Motes: This is my first foray into Downton.

**Welcome to Downton**

Catherine looked a herself in the mirror. Everyone said she looked like her mother did when she was young, but she didn't believe it. Her Mother was quite beautiful and while their hair and eye color were the same, even the porcelain look of their skin, she just couldn't see her beauty. It didn't help that her oldest sister kept telling her that Papa only wanted a boy and he didn't care for her, he preferred the new heir over all his daughters. Catherine refused to believe that but it still hurt which was why she didn't join her family for tea after lessons with her governess.

Cora frowned as she poured her tea, looking at her daughters. "Have any of you seen Catherine this afternoon?" She asked, adjusting her position as her back began to hurt. only 3 months pregnant and she was already feeling the weight of it all..

"I think Mary upset her again," Edith said. Mary gave her a sharp look

Cora sighed. "I wish you would be nicer to her, Mary."

"Right," Edith said. "It's no picnic being the younger sister of Mary Crawley. The only one she seems to like is Sybil. Who knows what Catherine and I have done to our precious elder sister to deserve such treatment?"

Cora entered Catherine's room to find her lying on the bed, sobbing. Se rushed to her and sat beside her. "My darling, what's the matter?" she asked.

"Papa doesn't like me because I'm not a boy and the same goes for you! Right?"

Cora frowned. "That couldn't be further from the truth, Catherine. Your father and I love you very much."

"You still wish I'd been a boy, though! You love Matthew more than any of us! You have a son!"

Cora brushed the hair from Catherine's face. "Please don't listen to Mary's bitterness, sweetheart. We love all of you for who you are and would never replace you," she said, kissing her cheek. "Now dry your eyes and come down for some tea and relax."

Robert sat down at his desk, nodding a thanks to William as he set a cup of tea in front of him. Sybil and Mary were quietly chatting and Edith was reading when Cora entered looking upset and he could tell she was in one of her angry moods by the red cheeks and the look in her eyes. He took a breath. "Dearest one, whatever is the matter?" he asked.

Cora crossed her srms and glared at Mary He tried not to chuckle because she looked adorable pregnant and angry. "It seems your eldest daughter has been saying untrue things to Catherine and upsetting her! How could you tell her that your father and I don't love her because she's not a boy?"

""Mary? " Robert growled.

Before he could say anything the door opened and Catherine entered. Cora saw the smile on her face and she felt a bit better. Catherine had also learned how not to show how upset she is and she hated that for her youngest.

++++++
Catherine pored herself a cup of tea, then sat next to Cora. No one said a word until Carson entered. "Telephone call for you, Milord."

Robert stood, Ruffling Catherine's hair as he passed.

"Yes? Of course, if you're certain. I must speak to my family first, General. I will contact you tomorrow. Yes, Sir."

"Thank you, "O'Brien , that will be all," she said when Robert entered. He walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her and resting his hands on her belly. it was almost two months since they found out they were expecting another bundle of joy and now this news he received from General Haig. Cora will not appreciate this sudden call to duty especially this time. He didn't like it either but orders were orders.

He placed a kiss on her neck, glancing up at her in the mirror. "What is it, Robert? You've been quiet since the phone call. Is something the matter?"

Robert sighed and nodded. "You won't be happy. It was General Haig."

Cora turned sharply to face him. "What does he want?" She asked, tears filling her eyes.

He pulled her to her feet, hugging her close. "I'm sorry but they want me to go to France."

"Oh Robert. When must you go?"

"I go to Ripon in the morning to get my specific location and orders , then I'll take the first train Saturday morning."

Cora felt dizzy. That was two days. Her husband was leaving in two days. He wouldn't be there for what could be the most difficult pregnancy of her life. Would she survive it? would he? only time would tell.

Cora slowly followed Robert out of her room. She stopped to speak to Carson about having people over Friday evening before Robert was set to go.

The butler saw her bottom lip tremble as she spoke. She took a deep breath. "I am sorry."

"No need to apologize, Milady."

By the time she joined everyone in the drawing room, Robert had told them. Catherine launched herself into his arms.

Dinner was quiet at first. Cora stared at her food suddenly feeling too nauseous to eat the food she was craving when she made the menu up with Mrs., Patmore. She glanced up at Robert who was speaking to Mary. She wasn't sure what as she lost track of all conversation. It was a good thing it was just the family for dinner because she couldn't think of a single topic to discuss. Cora jumped a mile out of her seat when someone slammed their utensils on the table. "Granny!" Edith said, clutching her chest. "Whatever was that for?"

Cora looked around as Violet answered. "Let us go through," the Dowager said, clearly irritated by her daughter in law spacing out.

Cora sat by the fire feeling chilled. She looked up at Robert who was speaking to Catherine. Her daughter was trying so hard to be brave and if a 12 year old could, so could she! Cora jumped when she felt a hand on here knee. She opened her eyes to see Robert. "Why don't you go to bed, my darling?" he suggested. "Mama is gone and you look exhausted."

"Sorry, "She replied. " I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"There is no need for an apology. Lets go to bed." As soon as she headed up, he turned to face his daughters.

"I know this isn't ideal, but I'm asking you to help your Mama while I'm gone. please help to lighten her load. Can you all do that for me? "Of course we can , Papa," Catherine said, tears in her eyes. she thought it was a beautiful admission of love.

Mary just shook her head. "It's not ideal. Why you asked to go even though you knew Mama was pregnant and she needs you, perhaps more than the Queen does, is beyond me."

"Mary," Edith said, "Don't be rude."

Robert sighed. "Well, I suppose she's not wrong, Edith, but I sent the request before I found out she was pregnant." Although I should have mentioned it to her when she told me but I was too chicken."

By the time Robert entered his dressing room, Bates was there. "Good evening, milord," he said.

He nodded. "Bates. I don't suppose I could ask a favor of you. Make certain my family is well while I'm gone?"

"Certainly, Milord."

Robert nodded his thanks then went into Cora's Room.

He found her at the vanity, removing the pins from her hair. "Cora," he began, I am sorry, but I did not send the letter after you told me about the baby. It was before. Who told you that I did?"

She frowned. "Mama."

"I wan t you to do me a favor while I'm gone. Several, but this is number one. "Do not let her walk all over you. This is our house now, not hers. If you don't want to throw a party, don't. If you don't want her to invite certain guests, tell her! I know you used to prefer avoiding confrontation, but you, my darling, are in charge. Not mama!" He knelt in front f her, caressing her belly. "And you little one. Let your mama get rest and don't make her sick. I will see you when I get home."

Cora giggled at him , running her hand through his hair. Robert gave her belly a kiss then stood to plant one on her lips. He took her hand and helped her into bed.

Cora needed to get out of the house after Robert left for Ripon so Rosamund suggested a walk. She agreed because she wanted to visit the Farley family. There oldest fell off a horse and broke his leg and Cora wanted to bring him a gift. Rosamund smiled at this even though Mama thought this was a silly gesture. It showed the village their Countess' Compassionate heart. It's what she loved about her sister in law. With Cora pregnant she was very attentive in taking care of the children within the village.

Robert headed to the general's office to report. He was a bit worried about where he'd be sent and starting to think requesting active duty hadn't been a good idea. The look on Cora and Catherine's faces nearly had him about to defy orders and hide in Downton's cellar until the war was over but he couldn't make himself do that either. He checked in with the secretary and sat down to wait.

"Colonel Crawley," the secretary said, "You may go in now, Sir."

Atfer the greeting Robert sat nervously across the general. He had a speech all prepared to convince the general that he made a mistake in judgement because of Cora's condition, but he lost the nerve as the general spoke of the young men who needed relief and needed the guiding hands of more seasoned soldiers to defeat the enemy.

"Colonel, it seems after much consideration, we have concluded that your specific talent will be of use in Verdun. You will leave on the first train tomorrow. You will get a more detailed instructions once you're on the train. "Good luck and Godspeed."

Cora was writing to her mother when Robert entered the library. She was so focused she didn't know he was there until he placed a kiss atop her head. "You're back," she said with a smile.

"Yes, and shouldn't you be getting changed? Carson rang the dressing gong after he let me in?"

"Goodness! Is it that late already? I was just writing to my Mother. I hate to worry her so I have to come up with light hearted things to tell her since I refuse to let her come over while the war is over. I would never forgive myself her a U-boat sank her ship," she said, crying. "I hope I can see her soon, Robert. I miss her. I always thought she'd be with me when I was pregnant but she hasn't been for any of them and this is possibly my last time and I just want her by my side." He pulled he into an embrace, trying to sooth her. He knew having his mother in the room wouldn't be the same as having her own mother. He foolishly learned that when Cora had Mary and he suggested that to a woman already having labor pains. he was surprised she didn't break his hand with how hard she squeezed it then she kicked him out because "He did that to her".

Once she had calmed herself, they headed up to change.

"Catherine, I heard something that does not please me." She looked at violet, eyebrow raised. "Oh? What is that , Granny?" Clearly knowing what she was going to say. "A young girl your age should not be disappearing behind trees with boys!"

Robert entered, followed by Cora. "What was that?" He asked, not sounding pleased. "Catherine?"

Her face turned bright red at the stern look Robert was giving her. She looked at him, innocently "It's not what you're thinking Papa! I was just playing tag with Lady Anna and Viscount Hillary. Hiding is part of the game!" Cora noticed the slight blush on Catherine's face when she mentioned the young Viscount. "We can talk about that later, my dear," She said, glaring at Mama. She didn't want to discourage her daughters from making sensible matches or falling in love. She wanted their happiness as much as she wanted her own and Violet Crawley would not prevent that!

Soon more family and Acquaintances joined them in the drawing room. Catherine wouldn't normally be joining them but considering that this was Robert's last dinner at home for awhile, an exception was made.

Dinner was a lively affair as tales were told by Robert's old Army buddies. Cora wasn't too keen on Catherine hearing these stories and for once, Violet agreed with her. She led the ladies into the library as they left the men to talk. "Mama,"

"Yes, Catherine?" Cora asked.

"May I speak to you alone?"

I mustn't be too long, my darling." she replied, glancing at the drawing room door.

The girl took a breath. "Viscount Hillary wants to ask his parents to talk to you and Papa about…"

"About?"

"Us."

"Us? As in you and I?" Cora asked teasing her.

"Mama!" She said, when Cora laughed.

"Darling, of course we'll speak to them but nothing will be set in stone until after your season."

"But will there be one? The war is bound to change things isn't it?"

Cora gave her a hug. "I suppose we'll have to wait and see, my dearest one," she replied, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Now I better get in and you should go to sleep if you want to see Papa off in the morning."

Cora earned a withering look from Violet when she came in. She walked over to Robert, accepting a cup of tea from William. '"Is everything alright darling? " he asked. "Yes, Catherine wanted to speak with me about Viscount Hillary."

"Ah, I thought there was more to their games this afternoon." I already spoke to Lord Hillary and he would like to arrange a future for them. I accepted mostly because I'm not sure if we'll be bringing Catherine out once the war is over."

"That's what she was worried about," Cora answered, but I wish we could get Mary settled first but she refused Matthew so maybe this Sir Richard she mentioned could be the one?"

Robert wasn't too certain nor was he keen on such a newspaper man as a son in law.