Thank you all so much!
Chapter 61
Summer 1971
Tiptoeing down the staircase, Violet stopped at the final step. She then glanced around to make sure that no one was around. Once she was sure she wouldn't run into anyone, she turned around the corner. She made sure to step carefully, not wanting to give herself away. She turned once more and felt hands on her shoulders.
"You're just like your mother." A voice said behind her. Violet turned to find her Uncle George. He had a huge grin on his face. "What are you trying to get into?"
"I'm not trying to get into anything," Violet said. She attempted to sound innocent. Her lips curled up into a sweet smile.
"What's that in your hands?" George lifted a brow. Violet glanced down and then shrugged her shoulders.
"Just a book."
"What type of book?"
"I'm allowed to read whatever I want," Violet stated. She straightened her back.
"Give it to me." George reached out his hand for her to hand it over towards him. She sighed and did as he asked. George flipped through the book. His eyes widened.
"There is no way your mother is alright with you reading this."
Violet attempted to swipe it from her uncle's hands. George held it higher.
"George, must you antagonize my child?" Pippa's voice rang from across the hall.
"Look at what your daughter is trying to read," George said.
He walked past Violet, who huffed, and handed the book to Pippa. Pippa opened the book and flipped through the pages, before she began to chuckle.
"It's just a little bit of medical information."
"Pippa, it talks about surgeries in there. You really want Violet reading about that?"
"Yes. Why not?" Pippa handed the book over to Violet. Violet glanced up at George and smiled triumphantly.
"It doesn't seem appropriate for a young child," George stated.
"It's fine," Pippa replied. "Violet wants to be a doctor."
"I do," Violet agreed.
"Oh," George said.
"It's alright, Uncle George. Mama says you've never been much of a reader. Would you like me to read to you?" Violet grinned. Her uncle sighed and turned his eyes to Pippa.
"She really is a mini you."
"I know," Pippa beamed. "Isn't it great?"
1930s – Downton Abbey
Mary stepped into the library to find Pippa sitting by the window reading a book. A shuddering breath left Mary's lips. Since Pippa was a little girl, Mary and Anna always thought it was a good thing to allow Pippa to read anything and everything she wanted. But now, Mary wasn't so sure. Perhaps they should have been less indulgent and checked the books before allowing Pippa to read them. She was much too young to know what all she knew.
"What are you reading?" Mary asked.
Pippa finished what she was reading, closed the book, and then looked up at Mary.
"A book," Pippa answered.
Mary rolled her eyes.
"I know that. What is the book called?"
Pippa lifted the book to show her the title.
"And what is the story about?"
"It's not a story. It's a medical book. I'm reading about how they remove an appendix."
Mary nearly gagged in her mouth at the thought. But she guessed it could be worse.
"I'm about to get to the chapter about childbirth," Pippa said. "I can't wait to learn about how the baby…" Before Pippa could finish what she was saying, Mary pulled the book from Pippa's hands.
"Mary!"
"I don't think you should be reading this, Pippa," Mary told her. She shook her head. "This is not proper for you to know. You are much too young."
"What?!" Pippa stood from the chair. She attempted to grab the book back from Mary's hands. But Mary held the book tightly to her chest.
"All reading material needs to be approved by me now," Mary said.
"I am twelve. There are girls my age who have babies!"
"Not around here," Mary argued. "You are being raised as a lady, Pippa. Ladies don't know about any of this." She pointed to the book.
Pippa loudly huffed.
"Give the book back to me," Pippa said. "I already know all of this. I know how a man and a woman make a baby. I know how…"
"Don't say anymore," Mary warned. Pippa tightened her lips. "I think, perhaps, I've been too indifferent about your reading. I won't anymore."
"I can get books from this room without you noticing." Pippa placed her hands on her hips stubbornly.
"Not anymore you can't," Mary said, though she wasn't really sure how she would reinforce that. An idea struck her. "I'll have Mr. Barrow go through the books and place the inappropriate books somewhere else."
Pippa's cheeks turned bright red with anger, and her fists clutched at her sides.
"You really are infuriating," Pippa yelled before storming off past Mary.
Mary watched her youngest child stomp away from her and then slowly let out a low breath. She walked over toward the rope that pulled the bell and rung it. She would speak with Mr. Barrow about making the books in the library more appropriate for Pippa.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Pippa made her way outside to get away from Mary and all of her new rules. There had never been any rules about what she read or showed interest in before now. All she could figure was that Mary was upset she figured out the truth about her father, Mr. Green. Pippa rolled her eyes. They couldn't have kept that secret from her forever.
She walked down the pathway towards the Carsons' cottage. Sometimes, when she was in a particularly sour mood, Pippa enjoyed speaking with Carson about life or her plans for the future. She also enjoyed speaking to her mama, but she was afraid Mary might go to speak with her first.
"Ah, Miss Pippa," Carson greeted. He was sitting in front of his cottage, enjoying a cup of tea.
"Are you sitting here all alone?" Pippa asked.
"I like the quiet," he answered. He placed his cup on the small table beside him before pointing to the chair across from his. Pippa sat. "What brings you here?"
Pippa twisted her lips. She couldn't tell him exactly what happened. He adored Mary just about as much as he adored her.
"Mary and I got in a fight," she just said. Carson rose one eyebrow.
"Oh? What about?"
"It doesn't matter," Pippa sighed.
"Well, Lady Mary loves you Miss Pippa," Carson said. "I'm sure whatever it is will be resolved."
"Why do you think she brought me home all those years ago?" Pippa asked. It was a question she thought of often. Her biggest guess was only because she loved her mother as much as she did and would do anything to make her happy.
"Lady Mary and Anna have always been good friends," Carson answered. "A bit too close, if you ask me, for a lady and her maid. But, why wouldn't she have brought you home? She obviously wanted you." At that Pippa scoffed.
"She wanted to please Anna," Pippa said.
"I don't know about that," Carson disagreed. "Bringing you back was dangerous to both Lady Mary and your mother, Miss Pippa."
"How so?"
"Had it been found out who you belonged to, your mother could have been thrown out into the streets for being an unwed mother."
"Still, that's Mary protecting her. I don't see what that has to do with her wanting me."
Carson sighed.
"A lady taking in a ward doesn't make her as desirable to suitors, Miss Pippa. Had Lord or Lady Grantham found out the truth, perhaps they would have…." Carson paused, as he tried to think of what to say.
"Mary never would have been in trouble, Carson. You know that. She's the mother of the future earl." Pippa stood. She brushed of her dress and tried to flatten the wrinkles. "Do you think they would still send my mama away if they found out the truth?" Pippa hadn't even thought about that. Would her granny and Donk send away her mama and would they no longer want her in their home if they knew she belonged to the maid and some dead, horrible man?
"I don't know," Carson honestly answered. "Let's not find out."
Pippa bit down on the inside of her lip.
"Thank you, Carson," she said. Though really, he hadn't helped her sort through any of this that was going on in her head.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Anna gathered Mary's nightgowns and placed them into a basket. She ran her fingers over the lace of one and smiled, her cheeks blushing as she thought of the night before. Then the door to Mary's room opened, and she quickly dropped the gown. Her eyes jerked up. She relaxed when she saw it was only Pippa.
"Ah, Mama," Pippa said with a smile. "I didn't expect you in here."
"Oh? Are you looking for Mary?"
"Yes," Pippa replied. "But really, I'm searching for a book. I had been reading it in here and I can't remember where I put it."
"Book?" Anna asked. Her eyes glanced around the room. "When were you reading a book in here?"
"Um," Pippa paused. "Well, I…." She shook her head. "I meant I was reading it and accidently left it in here, when I stopped by to tell Mary goodnight."
"Oh," Anna smiled. She turned and saw a book on Mary's vanity. "Is that the book?" Anna lifted it and handed it back to Pippa.
"Yes, that's the one. Thank you, Mama." Pippa beamed.
"Of course," Anna answered. She reached over to grab the book and then handed it to Pippa. Pippa took it and held it to her chest.
"You see, it's important I learn all about medical history so when I become a paleontologist, I can understand how the people died," Pippa told her. Anna grimaced.
"That sounds awfully sad."
"Oh no," Pippa said. "It's fascinating. It'll help me understand about the human condition and how people lived in all areas of the world!"
Anna chuckled. "Well, I can't wait for you to tell me all about it."
"I will!" Pippa promised. Anna loved that her daughter wanted to learn all about the world around them. She was curious and strong, well, and strong willed. Anna knew there was nothing that would ever hold her daughter back from anything she wished to do in this world.
"Good. I look forward to it."
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Mary had an extensive talk with Mr. Barrow about what she wanted removed from the library. He had not seemed pleased about any of it, since it would take hours and hours to search through each text. She didn't know why he cared so much. It wasn't as if he would have to be the one to do it. But this would ensure that Pippa did not learn anything else that was much too old for her.
Once that was done, Mary went to her room. She sat down at her vanity and sighed. Her eyes met her own in the mirror. But then she realized that the book she took from Pippa was gone. Her hands touched the spot, as though it may reappear. Then she stood and opened drawers and looked beneath the table.
"Pippa," she said beneath her breath.
Mary rushed out of her room and toward Pippa's. She swung opened the door to find Pippa laying on the bed and reading the book. She tightened her lips and shut the door behind her.
"You aren't supposed to have that," Mary told her angrily. "I told you that you were not allowed."
Pippa sat up and brought the book to her chest. Her eyes grew fiery and passionate.
"I don't have to do what you tell me to do!" Pippa yelled.
"Yes, yes, you do!" Mary yelled back. "You absolutely do!"
"No, I don't!" Pippa replied.
"Give me the book," Mary said. She stepped closer to Pippa and placed her hand out in front of her. Pippa brought it closer to her chest, shaking her head.
"No. Mama said I could read it."
"Oh, so now you've gone behind my back?" Mary asked.
"No," Pippa clearly lied.
"Give the book to me now, Pippa," Mary warned. Her cheeks were flushed.
"No," Pippa stated, yet again.
"Pippa, now!"
"I won't do it! You can't make me!" Pippa tightened her hold.
"Yes, I can! Now, give it to me!"
"No! You can't force me to do anything! You are not my mother! Leave me alone!"
The words pierced Mary's heart as though she had been shot by an arrow. All the passion left her body and she visibly deflated. Something passed through Pippa's eyes that showed maybe she regretted what she said. Mary tightened her lips. But she didn't say another word. Instead, she turned, opened the door and walked out of Pippa's room.
To be continued...
