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Tom and Mary braced themselves for their captors. Mr. Stillman, the large and domineering valet of Mr. Fox, stared down at them. However, neither Mary nor Tom showed fear in his presence. Their situation was growing dire, it was time to negotiate.
"It is about time you tended to us," Mary rebuked sourly, "had you not noticed the bleeding man you abducted when you placed us in this filthy hovel?"
Stillman gave an uninterested glance at Thomas Barrow, still unconscious in the dirt.
"Well?" Mary pressed with a raised brow.
A new voice emanated from the staircase, one that made Mary's skin crawl. Her sickly sweet tone was just as irritating as it was at the steps of Downton.
Mrs. Fox ran a hand along Mr. Stillman's collar as she joined him at the base of the stairs.
"Mr. Barrow will be fine. He suffered a small flesh wound in our transport."
"Flesh wound?" Tom growled, "Do you not see the man?"
Indeed, Thomas' current state did not suggest a mere flesh wound.
"To be clear, Tom," Mrs. Fox smiled politely, "Mr. Barrow is just a servant. I doubt Lord Grantham would feel so moved by his death than he would for one of his own," she did not have to say the names for them to decipher that Thomas was the least of Robert's concerns if his immediate family was kidnapped. Tom bristled at the remark and was slightly thankful Thomas was unconscious for it.
Mary knew Mrs. Fox and Mr. Stillman were not the compassionate types. They could care less for Barrow's survival if it did not help them in any way. Though her father may be put at odds between Thomas' life and that of Tom, George, or herself, she was not going to let Barrow perish. Thomas had witnessed the kidnapping occur, witnessed George being taken. He jumped into action at the risk of his own life and was left half dead for his bravery.
Barrow would survive, she would ensure it.
"What do you want?" she narrowed her eyes at Mrs. Fox.
"Oh, Mary, finally asking the correct questions-" she purred.
"Lady Mary," she corrected sternly.
Mrs. Fox steeled slightly. Mary was a formidable foe, unafraid or unabashed to defend herself or her position. Even in their captive situation, her resolve was stronger than ever. She did not forget her place in society.
"Lady Mary," Mrs. Fox continued, "our transaction is simple. Once our demands are met by your father, your freedom is secured."
"And those demands are?" she inquired.
"What else?" she laughed musically, "A high ransom and the deed for Downton Abbey."
"The deed to the estate?" Tom scoffed, "You cannot be serious!"
"Don't be so simple-minded, Tom," Mary said curtly, "if they were not serious, then they would not have taken such elaborate measures to abduct us."
"Listen to your sister-in-law," Mrs. Fox nodded, "and what a beautiful ploy it was, was it not?"
"I could see right through your ruse from the start," Mary hissed, "that wretched letter had complete signs of treachery."
Tom bowed his head regretfully. He had not shared Mary's caution...she tried warning Robert and himself, but they refused to believe her.
"Do we have an accord?" Mrs. Fox asked.
"Not in the slightest," Mary laughed. That incensed Mrs. Fox slightly, but she held her ground, "you truly are daft, aren't you? Should you have done your research correctly, then you would have known that Tom and I are co-contributers to the estate with Lord Grantham. We, as a trio, make decisions for Downton Abbey. Should we all not be present, no final transfer could be made."
Mary's response was solid and firm. Tom was impressed, convinced even! However, he knew this not to be true. It was partially correct that Mary and himself had a definite voice in the estate's management, Robert's vote could solely decide the fate of Downton. Yet, if Mary could successfully convince their captors that their votes equally decided the estate's ownership then they had a leverage for survival and success.
Mr. Stillman stepped forward, but Mary did not recoil, "We are aware that you and Mr. Branson holds a significant standing with Lord Grantham in the estate's management. That is why you both are here now."
"You believe our captivity will somehow influence our decision to sign the estate to you?" Tom gaped, "In fact, it has only solidified my absolute disregard of it."
"Ah, yes," Mrs. Fox smiled, "we assumed you both would feel that way. That is, after all, why we abducted darling little George as well. Isn't that right, Mr. Stillman?"
"Indeed," the burly valet nodded.
Mary pulled at her restraints with the strength of an enraged tigress. Her dark eyes were filled with absolute fury, "If you dare touch him."
"That outcome is entirely up to you, My Lady," Mrs. Fox said devilishly.
"You sick bastards!" Tom shouted, "Threatening to harm an innocent child for a foolish property! You shall burn for this!"
Mr. Stillman's eyes flared at Tom's outburst. His fingers flexed violently. Mrs. Fox caught a whiff of the valet's irritation.
"Perhaps you'd both enjoy time to deliberate on this decision. Alone."
Mr. Stillman moved towards Tom.
"What are you doing?" Mary watched as her brother-in-law tried in vain to distance himself from the incoming man. Stillman grabbed Tom by the shoulders and hoisted him upright, "Get your hands off of me!"
"Tom," Mary tried her best to sound calm, "It will be alright."
Stillman pushed Tom in front of him, grabbing the nape of his neck with a thick paw. His fingers placed pressure on the back of his throat, a subtle warning that any false move would result in his immediate death. Tom begrudgingly obeyed as he allowed the valet to steer him up the stairs of the cellar.
"Stay resolute, Mary!" Tom called to her as he ascended the final steps, "George will be alright, do not let them win!"
Mr. Stillman pushed him along his way and he disappeared. Mary watched his form recede with wide eyes, trying to keep fear from her expression as Mrs. Fox watched closely. She battled the panic within her. The threat on George had opened a new avenue to this predicament, one that she was unsure of how to resolve. Tom, her comfort and backbone, had been taken. Thomas was half dead at her side. No signs of help were incoming.
She would have to do this alone.
Mrs. Fox climbed the steps, "I will return in one hour, Lady Mary. Think about my offer."
"Tell me," Mary's voice was like steel, "Where is Mr. Fox?"
The cunning redhead stopped in her tracks, back still turned. Mary knew Mrs. Fox was the brains and brawn of their organization. Mr. Fox was just the convenient part to play of the husband, too enamored, enthralled, or threatened by Mrs. Fox to deviate from his course. That and the threat of Mr. Stillman kept him at bay. No wonder Mr. Fox had not joined the duo in speaking to their captives. He simply did not have the gusto needed to complete such an intricate, evil plot.
"That is none of your concern," she replied sharply, "and you will forget my husband if you value the life of your son. Is that understood?"
Mary did not know if her threat was meaningful, but she would not chance George's life.
With gritted teeth she responded, "Yes."
Mrs. Fox climbed the rest of the way and opened the cellar door. Mary's eyes followed her the entirety of her journey. She hated the leverage they held against her with George, but she was powerless against it. Now, she would need to infiltrate her captors with a different approach.
That was Mr. Fox.
As Mrs. Fox closed the cellar door behind her, Mary caught a glimpse of Mr. Fox at the top of the staircase. His nervous eyes flickered to the captive Mary down below. She met his gaze with a hard stare.
He gulped once, anxiously turned away, and Mrs. Fox closed the door.
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