DISCLAIMER: All characters and locations in this story belong to Julian Fellowes except from my OC Florence Crawley. This story has been created for entertainment purposes only.
AN1: Please pardon any mistakes. I currently do not have a beta for this story.
Episode 1 - Meet the Crawley Family
Florence Crawley had always loved her life. She was the second child of Lord and Lady Grantham of Downton Abbey. She had dark black hair like her mother and her only older sibling Mary. Her skin was pale but not sickly. Her eyes were a unique emerald green that seemed to glow in the sunlight. She resembled her father greatly however her facial features were sharper than her fathers. This combination made her an extremely beautiful young woman, something that was mentioned many times during and after her season.
Florence was very close to her family, especially her father. Florence also got on well with all three of her siblings, which seemed unusual in this family. Mary and Edith have never gotten along. Florence and her youngest sibling, Sybil, were often stuck in the middle. Florence was often the one to temper Mary while Sybil tempered Edith.
Florence was incredibly smart and talented however she had some peculiar 'traits' as Grandma Violet likes to call them. In actual fact, Florence had a very mild form of obsessive neurosis, not that anyone outside of the trusted few were aware of that. Florence has to make her own bed three times in a morning before she goes to breakfast and she has to turn her pillow twice before she can sleep. Her table place must be laid perfectly otherwise she can't eat. Fortunately for Florence, they were the only compulsions she has to deal with on a regular basis. She knew that stressful situations had the potential of creating more. It was how the first three had developed.
When Florence awoke on the 16th April 1912 she had no idea that events that happened the previous night would change her life in ways that she could never imagine. Florence woke naturally and lay leisurely in her bed. Florence heard the sound of a cyclist outside. She stood from the bed and shyly looked out of the window to see the newspaper delivery boy. Florence turned to the bed and already felt the compulsion to make it. She made her bed. She unmade it and remade it before unmaking and remaking it again. Florence then felt able to ring for Anna.
Anna entered the room after a knock on the door. Anna helped Florence into her day clothes, without making any mention of the made-up bed. Anna was one of the few people in the house to be in the know of Florence's compulsion and that was because Anna was the first person to see Florence in the morning and the last person to see her at night. It was while Anna was getting her ready that Anna shared with her the terrible news. The Titanic had sunk. Florence could not believe her ears. The unsinkable was sunk.
Florence thanked Anna before making her way down to breakfast. She met up with both Mary and Edith at the staircase and they walked into the breakfast room together. The three of them immediately surrounded their father as he looked at the newspaper. It was announcing the sinking of the Titanic, the unsinkable ship.
"When Anna told me, I thought she must have dreamt it." Edith commented in shock.
"It's terrible. All of those people." Florence commented sadly as she read the paper over her father's shoulder. Florence had always been the one with the softest heart in the family, only rivalled by Sybil's soft heart.
"Do we know anyone on board?" Mary asked before moving to start collecting her breakfast from the buffet.
"Your mother knows the Astors… at least she knows him. We dined with Lady Rothes last month. There are bound to be others." Robert replied, his eyes not moving from the paper.
"I thought it was supposed to be unsinkable." Edith commented as she also turned to the buffet.
"No boat in unsinkable." Florence replied.
"Every mountain is unclimbable until someone climbs it. So every ship is unsinkable until it sinks." Robert nodded in agreement, finally lifted his eyes from the paper only to find Florence still stood over his shoulder reading. He shook his head in amusement at his daughters predictability. She had always been odd in the sense that she was the most mature while also being the most innocent and childlike. "You can read it after breakfast, Flo dear."
Florence blushed sheepishly and cleared her throat awkwardly. "Sorry Papa."
Florence turned and moved to get her breakfast.
Sybil entered the room and walked straight to Robert carrying a telegram, "Good morning Papa."
"What's that?" Robert asked, looking at the telegram in Sybil's hand. He placed the newspaper down onto the table.
"Just arrived. Telegram." Sybil replied, handing Robert the telegram.
Florence returned to the table and sat down opposite Mary. Sybil sat down next to her while Edith sat next to Mary. Robert opened the telegram and began to read it. However, as he began to read, his face dropped and he gasped. All four of his daughters looked over to him in worry and curiosity. However none of them asked him what was wrong and could only watch as he stood and walked out of the room.
"What was that about?" Edith asked.
"Whatever was in that telegram must have given Papa quite a shock." Florence concluded. "I'm sure he will tell us when it becomes relevant for us to know."
"Oh, Flossie, Papa isn't here for you to impress. We are allowed to be nosy occasionally." Mary commented.
"I've asked you not to call me that." Florence returned, ignoring the second part of Mary's comment. Florence turned her attention to her father's Golden Retriever, Pharaoh who had moved to sit beside her. Florence always liked to spoil Pharaoh and Isis.
Florence spent the majority of the morning browsing books in the library before finally settling on a book to read about medicine. It was recently published and it had been a gift to her from Dr Clarkson. Florence often volunteered to help at the hospital. Her Grandmother and parents would not allow her to help much physically in a nursing capacity but she did go and read to any children, given company to the elderly and help Dr Clarkson research conditions in the medical books.
It was rather a sad day when it was finally revealed to her in the afternoon that James and Patrick Crawley had seemingly perished on the Titanic. She had been tucked away in the library when Robert told Mary. She had a little seat that she often sat on however people tended not see her when she was sat there. The moment Mary left Florence stood from her seat, leaving her book behind. She placed a comforting hand on her Papa's shoulder until he turned to face her. She gently hugged him, smiling slightly when his arms automatically wrapped around her back.
"I'm sorry about Cousins James and Patrick, Papa." Florence said quietly.
"Thank you, Flo dear." Robert replied, rubbing her back gently.
"If there is anything I can do, Papa, you will tell me." Florence demanded gently and comfortingly as she pulled away from the hug.
"Of course. For now, I want you to continue doing exactly what you always do. Have you finished any more paintings?" Robert asked, trying to change the topic of discussion.
"Oh, yes. I found a beautiful view over Downton on my ride a few days ago so naturally I wished to capture it. I shall bring it down later." Florence replied. She wasn't as easily distracted as that but she could tell her father did not wish to talk about James and Patrick any further so she allowed the change in conversation. "I thought I might add it to the collection for the hospitals annual bring and buy sale."
Robert smiled. "Of course. Now, I shall let you get back to your reading. I apologise that Mary and I disturbed you."
"It is not a problem Papa. I'll see you at dinner." Florence replied.
Downton house officially went into mourning the next day. All of the women were dressed in black dresses every day. None of the daughters particularly liked wearing black clothes everyday but all of them understood, well, three of them did. Mary did not seem to like going into mourning at all.
A few weeks after the sinking of the Titanic, on a Sunday, a memorial was held at the church for James and Patrick Crawley. All of the Crawley family attended suitably solemn. There was a large number of villagers and local Lords and Ladies that wished to pay their respects. James and Patrick, Patrick in particular, were rather popular in the village as the next heir to Downton Abbey.
Robert led the walk back to Downton Abbey with his solicitor. The four daughters walked behind him, just out of hearing range to their conversation. Florence was walking with Sybil in the middle of Edith and Mary. Florence and Sybil had their arms hooked together as they walked, their faces solemn. Edith, who was on the other side of Sybil, was sniffling from crying. Edith had genuinely loved Patrick. Mary, on the other hand, was distinctively unimpressed.
"Really, Edith, do you have to put on such an exhibition" Mary chastised.
"Mary!" Florence chastised back while Edith protested, "She's not."
"I was supposed to be engaged to him, for heaven's sake, not you, and I can control myself." Mary argued bluntly.
"Then you should be ashamed." Edith retorted harshly.
As they reached the house, Cora greeted Mr Murray, "Mr, Murray, how lovely to see you. Do come in."
The four daughters paused a few feet away. Both Mary and Florence were keenly listening to what was being said. Florence was sure that Sybil and Edith were also listening but were not quite as obvious about it.
"You're very kind, Lady Grantham, but I must get back to London." Mr Murray said politely.
"But you'll stay for the luncheon" Cora suggested cordially.
"Thank you, but no. I'll eat on the train. In fact, if you'd be so good as to ask for the motor to be brought round?" Mr Murray replied with a question on the end.
Robert turned to Carson, who simply nodded to say that he would ensure that the motor was brought round.
"But didn't you want the afternoon to talk things through?" Cora asked concerned. She wanted Robert and Mr Murray to talk about breaking the entail.
"I think we've said everything we have to say, haven't we, My Lord?" Mr Murray replied, turning the request for him to leave on the decision of Robert.
"For the time being, yes. Thank you Murray. You have given me a good deal to think about" Robert replied, gaining a relieved look from Cora. Cora obviously believed that they had come to an agreement about breaking the entail and how to do that. She would be very disappointed later when she was told that that wasn't the case.
Mr Murray nodded his head and then moved aside. The four daughter then proceeded to walk forward into the house with Cora giving them instructions as they did so. "Mary, try and get everyone into the dining room. Florence, make sure old Lord Minterne sits down."
Edith and Sybil got a free pass on this occasion.
Florence nodded to show that she had understood what her mother had asked of her. Florence did her job diligently as always, while keeping her regular charming smile and conversation. While Florence often preferred the solitary lifestyle, nobody could deny that she was an expert at being a social butterfly. She had a charm about her personality.
That evening before dinner, all of the daughters were gathered in Mary's room. The three youngest were completely ready for dinner. Anna was just doing Mary's hair. Edith was sat on one of the chairs in Mary's room while Sybil and Florence were sat on Mary's bed. The topic of conversation that evening was the new valet Mr Bates that walked with a cane.
"Perhaps she misunderstood." Anna suggested in defence of Mr Bates as she did Mary's hair.
"No, it was quite plain. O'Brien told her Bates can't do the job properly. Why was he taken on?" Mary questioned as she rubbed some moisturiser into her hands and arms.
"Oh, he was Lord Grantham's batman. When he was fighting the Boers." Anna explained.
"I know that, but even so." Mary protested.
"I think its romantic." Sybil added.
"And very kind of Papa." Florence agreed. Mr Bates was a very kind man in Florence's eyes and his limp didn't hinder him half as much as Miss O'Brien was clearly making out. Mr Bates had been very helpful to her when she had been trying to carry her art supplies outside. He happily helped her carry her easel.
"I don't. How can a valet do his work if he's lame?" Mary questioned in disbelief.
"He's not very lame." Anna protested politely as she finished Mary's hair. "There. Anything else before I go down?"
"No. That's it. Thank you." Mary said dismissing Anna, who quickly left.
Mary stood and looked at herself in the mirror before groaning. "Oh, I hate black."
"It's not for long" Sybil protested.
"And its respectful." Florence added.
"Mama says we can go into half mourning next month. And back to colours in September." Sybil said with a smile as she approached Mary to help align the dress properly.
"It still seems a lot for a cousin." Mary protested.
"But not a fiancé." Argued Edith.
Sybil awkwardly returned to sit beside Florence on the bed as the both of them prepare for another argument between their sisters.
"He wasn't really a fiancé." Mary clarified as she sat back down.
"No? I thought that was what you call a man you're going to marry." Edith contested with a hint of disbelief.
"I was only going to marry him if nothing better turned up." Mary said as she started putting in her earrings.
"Mary, what a horrid thing to say." Sybil said with a frown.
"Don't worry. Edith would have taken him, wouldn't you?" Mary said spitefully at Edith.
"Yes. I'd have taken him." Edith replied honestly. "If you'd given me the chance, I'd have taken him like a shot."
Florence and Sybil shared a glance. Florence stood, straightening her dress. "Well, I should finish preparations for dinner."
Sybil jumped to her feet as well, "Yes me too."
Edith didn't say a word but got to her feet and left the room with Sybil and Florence.
Florence gave Edith a sad look as she quickly hurried away towards her room before turning to look at an equally sad Sybil. Florence smiled to Sybil reassuringly and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry too much Sybil. One day they'll get on."
"When that day comes I'll throw a party." Sybil said with a small smile.
Florence smiled and quietly disappeared to her own room.
When it was time for dinner, Florence went downstairs to meet the others. They all headed into the drawing room where they always met for dinner. As they approached the doors they could hear raised voices from within. It was Robert and Violet.
"Yes, I do care." They heard Robert yell as Carson opened the door to the room.
"I hope I don't hear sounds of disagreement." Cora said with a smile as she led the way inside. Cora was followed by Mary, who was followed by Florence, who was followed by Edith and then Sybil brought up the rear.
Violet laughed, "Is that what they call discussion in New York?"
"Well, I'm glad you're fighting. I'm glad somebody's putting up a fight." Mary commented.
"Like you don't fight enough for everybody." Florence commented to Mary, only to receive a harsh glare in return.
"You're not really fighting Granny, are you, Papa?" Sybil asked softly.
"Your grandmother merely wishes to do the right thing. And so do I." Robert said reassuringly.
Carson opened the door and announced that dinner was ready which put an end to the conversation.
A few weeks later, in early September the family were officially out of mourning. They were finally allowed to wear colours. Florence was relieved. Not because she didn't want to take part in the mourning but at least Mary would stop moaning now about having to wear black.
The end of mourning also meant a visit from the Duke of Crowborough, which meant that the four daughters were yet again preparing themselves for a visit. They had gathered in Mary's room.
Sybil was helping Mary get ready by putting a flower in her hair. Mary was stood in her white blouse, grey skirt and purple cardigan in front of the mirror. Sybil was wearing a dark purple dress. Florence was once again sat on Mary's bed while Edith was sat at Mary's dressing table. Florence was wearing an emerald dress that really highlighted the unique colour of her eyes.
"Oh, do stop admiring yourself. He's not marrying you for your looks. That's if he wants to marry you at all." Edith commented. Edith was still wearing half mourning clothes as she was still upset from Patrick's death.
"He will." Mary replied confidently.
"I think you look beautiful" Sybil complimented.
"Thank you, Sybil, darling." Mary replied with a large smile.
The door opened and Cora stepped in and said, "We should go down. They'll be back from the station at any moment.
The four daughters quickly left in the order of youngest to oldest. As Mary passed Cora, Cora plucked the flower out of Mary's hair while saying, "Let's not gild the lily, dear. And Mary, try to look surprised."
The Ladies lined up just inside of the door in age order. It was only when they saw the motor pull up that they walked out to form their line. The staff were lined up on the other side.
"Welcome to Downton." Robert said to the Duke of Crowborough as the pair of them climbed out of the motor.
"Lady Grantham, this is so kind of you." The Duke said as Cora approached. The Duke took Cora's hand.
"Not at all, Duke. We're delighted you could spare the time." Cora replied with a charming smile.
"You know my daughter, Mary, of course." Cora said, waving backwards to where Mary was stood.
"Of course, Lady Mary." The Duke replied.
"And Florence and Edith. But I don't believe you've met my youngest, Sybil." Cora introduced.
"Ah, Lady Sybil." The Duke said stepping forward to take Sybil's hand in greeting.
Sybil also stepped forward so he could take her hand. "How do you do."
"Come on in. You must be worn out." Cora said as she moved to lead them all inside.
"Oh, Lady Grantham, I've a confession to make which I hope won't cause too much bother." The Duke said, pulling them all to a stop. "My man was taken ill just as I was leaving, so I…"
"Oh, well, that won't be a problem, will it, Carson?" Robert asked, looking over to Carson.
"Certainly not. I shall look after His Grace myself." Carson said, puffing his chest proudly.
"Oh, no, I wouldn't dream of being such a nuisance. Surely a footman." The Duke said looking further down the line until he reached Thomas Barrow. "I remember this man. Didn't you serve me when I dined with Lady Grantham in London?"
"I did, Your Grace." Barrow replied.
"Ah, there we are. We shall do very well together won't we…" The Duke said leaving it open to prompt a name from Barrow.
"Thomas, Your Grace." Barrow replied.
"Thomas." The Duke confirmed.
"Good." Cora said, thankful that that problem had been sorted. "I hope you had a pleasant journey."
Everybody began to move in. Sybil and Florence brought up the rear. Florence never liked the squash near the door when so many people were walking through. She just so happened to be looking in the right place and the right time. She saw as Miss O'Brien's leg flicked out and kicked Mr Bates cane sending him falling to the floor.
Both Florence and Robert stepped towards Mr Bates in response.
"Bates? Are you all right?" Robert asked in concern.
"Perfectly, M'lord. I apologize." Bates replied from the floor.
The rest of the family turned to go in but Florence saw the look shared between Bates and Miss O'Brien. Florence locked eyes with Miss O'Brien and glared at her for her behaviour, making sure that Miss O'Brien could clearly tell that Florence had seen what she did.
Florence finally began walking but she was far behind the rest of her family. She saw Carson give her a confused look.
Florence waited by her studio room at the same time that she usually went outside with her easel. She and Mr Bates had gotten into a bit of routine, one that he didn't have to honour but had always done so, but today he didn't show. Florence went looking for him, worried that he had injured himself more seriously than she thought when he had fallen.
Florence went upstairs to the attics to look for him when she couldn't find him downstairs. She caught sight of him as he was reaching the top of the servant staircase. When she reached the last turn in the stairs, Bates was just approaching his door. Though she was surprised when she heard him say, "Can I help you, M'lady?" and it wasn't to her.
"We were just exploring." Mary's voice came.
Florence hesitated where she stood so she could listen in. Florence heard a door open and close.
"Were you looking for Thomas, Your Grace?" Mr Bates asked, informing Florence that the Duke was looking into Thomas' room.
"No. As Lady Mary said, we've just been exploring." The Duke's voice came next.
There was the sound of a door opening.
"Would you care to explore my room, M'lady?" Mr Bates asked.
"Of course not, Bates. I'm sorry to have bothered you. We were just going down." Mary replied.
Florence waited until she could hear the beginning of footsteps walking away to come around the top. She saw Mary walking away with The Duke following behind and Mr Bates entering his room.
"Mr Bates?" Florence called out quietly.
Bates' stuck his head back out of his room and looked to Florence in surprise. "Can I help you M'lady?" Bates then seemed to shake his head, "Of course. It is the time that you paint. I can assist you."
"Actually, I'm not painting today. There's a new medical journal out that I wish to read. I just wanted to see if you were alright. I saw what O'Brien did." Florence said. "Are you okay Bates?"
Bates smiled to the young woman in thanks. "I am fine, thank you M'lady. I am made of tough stuff. I can endure through this."
Florence smiled slightly at the beginning but her smile dropped again when he said 'endure'. "You shouldn't have to 'endure' Mr Bates. Papa, and I, want you to be welcomed here. Papa did not employ you for them to horrid to you. I'll speak to Papa. At very least there should be no repercussion upon you for what happened this morning."
Mr Bates reached out to gently take Florence's hand. He patted the hand with his other one. "I thank you for your kindness, M'lady, but I would rather you did not say anything. As I said, I am made of tough stuff. I can manage."
Florence sighed but relented and nodded. "Very well, Bates. But know that you will always have a friend and support in me should you need it."
"Thank you, M'lady." Bates said with a smile to the kind young woman.
Florence smiled and turned to go back down the stairs when she suddenly turned back around, "Bates, did you see what the Duke and Mary were doing in Thomas' room?"
"I'm afraid not, M'lady. Lady Mary was outside and the door was shut and then the Duke came out. They said that they were exploring." Bates told her.
Florence nodded. "Thank you, Mr Bates."
Florence headed back downstairs to the bedroom floor where she sought out some company from her sisters. The first sister she found was Edith therefore she spent the afternoon with Edith until dinner.
Dinner started as a rather quiet affair but it didn't stay quiet.
"I'm afraid we're rather a female party tonight, Duke. But you know what it's like trying to balance numbers in the country. A single man outranks the Holy Grail." Cora commented with a smile.
"No. I'm terribly flattered to be dining en famille." The Duke responded.
"What were you and Mary doing the attics this afternoon?" Edith questioned.
Florence signed internally and instantly regretting telling Edith about what she had seen in the attic. She knew that Edith would bite back eventually for Mary's attitude towards her recently regarding Patrick's death. Florence had honestly thought it would be sooner but she supposed that there isn't a better time to embarrass someone than when a Duke was sitting at the dining room table.
"I expect Mary was just showing the Duke the house. Weren't you?" Sybil commented, trying to soothe over the approaching argument. Mary gave Sybil a smile but didn't say anything as she took a sip of wine.
"Are you a student of architecture?" Violet asked the Duke.
"Absolutely." The Duke responded.
"Then I do hope you'll come and inspect my little cottage. It was designed by Wren for the first Earl's sister" Violet continued, obviously trying to cover a little foe-par by Mary.
However, Robert wasn't going to let it go that quickly. "The attics?"
"Yes. Mary took the Duke up to the attics." Edith explained.
"Whatever for?" Robert questioned.
"Why was this, dear?" Cora also joined the questioning, also wanting to know the explanation.
"We were just looking around." Mary explained with a cordial smile.
"Looking around?" Edith questioned. "What is there to look at but servants' rooms? What was the real reason?"
Florence frowned reading the tension in Mary's body. This was going to turn into an argument. Violet could obviously tell as well.
"Don't be such a chatterbox, Edith." Violet said, trying to put the matter to rest.
"I think we'll go through." Cora said, suggested that all of the women would head to the drawing room and allow the men to talk business. It was an attempt to separate the Duke from the argument that was forming between the two sisters.
"I still don't understand…" Edith continued, clearly not satisfied with the little reaction that she had gotten.
"Edith." Florence hissed quietly, trying to stave off the outburst that Florence could see building in Mary.
"Will you hold your tongue?" snapped Mary in a loud voice.
Florence sighed. Now Edith was sure to be in a bad mood as Mary had snapped at her. Everyone stood and the women began to filter out.
Things were quiet after that between Mary and Edith. Mostly because they were not talking to one another. Cora, Violet, Sybil and Florence were providing a majority of the conversation until Robert joined them. The Duke was suspiciously absent. Robert made the Duke's excuses for retiring early before joining the women in their discussions.
It wasn't until the next day that Florence discovered that the Duke had clearly not been interested in marriage to Mary for whatever reason. Florence wasn't as naive as people seemed to think. She knew that the Duke had only come to gain the money and if Robert was not fighting the entail then the Duke was no longer interested in marrying Mary. Florence couldn't help but feel sorry for Mary. She knew that Mary did not love the Duke, or even fancy him, but he was a tool for gaining a good fortune and title.
First episode is completed. I will be aiming to write an episode per a week. There will be episodes where Florence does not feature very much. On those occasions there will be double uploads to make up for the smaller chapters.
And good news, we meet Matthew next week! See how Florence reacts to Matthew and how their relationship develops.
I hope you like Florence. Her character will develop and maybe change as we go through the plotlines of the 6 TV seasons of Downton Abbey and the film.
See you next week!