A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who has loved this story so far! I am really honored about people becoming interested in this and wanted to thank you all so, so much.
This chapter will hold some sad details (which I made as historically accurate to how the period was).
Some of you did ask about Korean history, and why George couldn't go back, so it will be answered in this chapter.
railey: Thank you so, so much for your love and support! I hope I could answer your question sufficiently enough with this chapter!
2: In the show, there was a scene where Matthew supposedly met Robert before the whole plot, so I took that as a reference and added George into it as well. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but I didn't want George hanging in the background. Thank you for your love and support, and please continue to support this story!
eyeon: I hope I answered as many questions I could. There will be more references to Lilly's past in the future chapters, so please wait and see! Thank you so much for your support!
And everyone, please remember that I only own my OCs George and Lilly and Maria. I don't own anything else, that rightfully belongs to PBS and creators of Downton Abbey.
Chapter 2: Getting to Know Each Other
With their arrivals, the Crawleys were quickly adjusting to the life of their new home. George had found a separate job nearby as a lawyer in a different place from Matthew, not wanting to inconvenience his older brother. Meanwhile, Lilly managed their lives from the Crawley house, making sure that everything was set and Maria was getting used to everything as well.
Molesley quickly found that he rather liked Master George's wife and lady's maid, as they were both used to a certain lifestyle that fit with the lavish life of Downton. But one thing he had been uncomfortable about was Matthew. Because Matthew, despite being the heir to Downton, wanted to do everything by himself. This left Molesley to look after George, who apologized to the butler/valet about the whole mess with his brother and that he would try to convince Matthew about it.
Days passed and the Crawley family got adjusted to the move, and Isobel noticed that Lilly, if not staying at home sewing something, did not do much, and decided to ask her questions.
One afternoon, they were the only two left in the homes and she asked during their tea time,
"What do you like to do in your free time?"
Lilly drank the tea and set her cup down as she responded with, "I prefer to read and sew things, but I'm not sure about other activities."
Isobel found that despite everything, Lilly still found her interactions awkward with her, and when she had asked about it to George, he had said that her culture was told to treat the elders with utmost respect, and that since Isobel was her mother-in-law, it was hard, even more so to call her by her name since that was not a thing younger people did in their culture.
Upon hearing the response, Isobel decided that she would try to get to know Lilly better, so she said,
"If you would like, would you terribly mind joining me in visiting the hospital today?"
Lilly paused for a moment, a curious look in her eyes as she asked, "The hospital? Wouldn't I be intruding?"
Isobel smiled at that comment and said, "I'm sure we can figure something out."
Lilly nodded and responded, "I would love to."
Despite everything, Lilly recognized her mother-in-law's efforts to make her comfortable and her determination to make Lilly not the gossip of the town, so she couldn't find a reason to say no. And after all, what harm could a single visit to the hospital do if it entertained her mother-in-law?
Isobel smiled and said, "Glad to hear. Let's get ready to go then."
Lilly looked up in surprise and asked, "Now?"
She glanced at the clock, noticing that it was, indeed probably the only time that would be good enough to go and visit, so she stood up to get ready. Molesley walked in and Isobel turned to ask,
"Molesley, we will be heading to meet Dr. Clarkson for a bit. Would you clean this up for us?"
Molesley nodded to acknowledge this request and he looked towards Lilly, who smiled and said, "Could you call for Maria as well? I need her to help me change."
"Very well, my lady." He said, as he walked towards the kitchen, where Maria was having a conversation with the cook about potential errands.
Lilly changed into a navy-blue skirt and coat appropriate to wear, and had her hair done for going outside. She had sky blue shirt underneath the coat to make it bland, along with a matching navy-blue hat. Once she was done, she waited by the door for Isobel, who arrived about two minutes later. Isobel led her to the hospital. Throughout their walk, people looked over to Lilly in surprise, but both women ignored it.
Once they arrived, they were led to Dr. Clarkson, who came out to greet them. He smiled at both of them, having heard of the Asian woman that George Crawley had married. He introduced himself and led them throughout the hospital, as he said,
"It's kind of you to take an interest."
Lilly followed the two older people as her mother-in-law said, "I'm afraid it's a case of the war horse in the drought. You know my late husband was a doctor."
Dr. Clarkson nodded as he said, "I do. I'm familiar with Dr. Crawley's work on the symptoms of infection in children."
Isobel added, "Ah. Even I studied nursing during the South African war."
That surprised Dr. Clarkson as he commented with slight shock, "Really?"
Lilly watched a nurse escort a weeping woman out of a ward, and Dr. Clarkson sighed as he said,
"Very distressing. A young farmer, John Drake, a tenant of Lord Grantham's, came in today. It's dropsy, I'm afraid."
Lilly peered around his shoulder to see the man with swollen legs and a pale face. She felt pity for the man as her mother-in-law asked the doctor,
"May I see him?"
The Doctor glanced at Lilly, who looked curious as well at her mother-in-law's request and nodded to the older woman as he said,
"Yes. By all means."
With that, Isobel walked around the screen to get a closer look at the man and asked gently,
"Is the dropsy of the liver or the heart?"
Dr. Clarkson regretfully said, "Everything points to the heart."
Lilly stood by patiently as she stepped back a little, not wanting to see a man in pain much longer. It reminded her too much of the past and the reason why she was here. She heard the Doctor say to the patient,
"All right, Mr. Drake, you're in safe hands now."
Isobel asked him, "What will happen to his wife?"
Lilly watched the man eye her warily, and she nodded, assuring him that it would not be too much for her to listen to. He hesitated before stating,
"She may try to keep the farm on. Lord Grantham is not a harsh landlord, but her children are young."
Isobel looked sympathetic at that as she asked, "What can I do to help?"
Dr. Clarkson looked at both women in surprise, and Lilly smiled at that, she had a passionate woman as her mother-in-law, that was one thing she guessed that she had shared with the woman.
Seeing both Dr. Clarkson's surprise and Lilly's amusement, Isobel said,
"If I'm to live in this village, I must have an occupation. Please, let me be useful."
Dr. Clarkson hesitated to respond, before Lilly said, "Dr. Clarkson, I think you will find that it would be more beneficial for you to let her help. Otherwise, I think my mother-in-law would find some way to do it herself, which I would support completely."
The poor Doctor sighed and said, "Very well. Come in tomorrow, and we can discuss this properly."
Isobel smugly nodded and thanked him with, "Thank you Dr. Clarkson. I will see you tomorrow."
With that, she walked out of the hospital with Lilly in tow, who could only hold back a chuckle that bubbled up at how passionate the woman was. Later on, they were at the house and Lilly had been sewing a handkerchief again, a beautiful set of flowers red peony flowers on white silk. It was almost finished when the Countess and Dowager Countess visited. She quickly put down her embroidery and she asked Molesley for tea and cakes. He quickly nodded and stepped down to get those items, as the ladies seated themselves comfortably as Lilly sat next to Isobel.
Cora glanced at her embroidery and asked, "What's that?"
Lilly gently flipped her embroidery over and showed Cora her work as she answered,
"It's a handkerchief I was making for Isobel, as a gift."
Cousin Violet then curiously looked at her work before smiling and said, "Dear, you have a great talent with embroidery. Would it be too much to ask for one for me as well?"
Isobel glanced over at Violet with surprise, whilst Lilly blushed at the compliment before nodding. Then Molesley arrived with the tea, and started to hand them out to everyone. Cora noticed how Lilly looked a little awkward with their visit and asked,
"How are you adjusting Lilly? It must have been quite difficult trip to come to England."
Lilly thanked Molesley before responding with,
"It was quite the travel for sure. But George helped me along the way. It was a rather difficult trip for me since they had trouble believing I was George's wife and the paperwork, but luckily, George's boss helped us get through."
Cora frowned and asked, "Why? Surely they should have believed you."
Lilly sighed as she hesitated before gently saying,
"I… my country is now under Japanese control. You could call it colonialism… but, for George and I, it was a rather urgent affair or us to move out. Being from the strongest family in the country other than the royals puts a rather large target on your back."
Cora and Violet glanced at each other warily, noticing how Lilly's voice laced with hidden grief. Isobel took note of it and decided to ask George about it later, when Matthew walked into the room. Isobel decided that it was a nice distraction from the dark topic and said,
"Ah, there you are, dear. I was hoping you'd be home in time."
That was when George rushed in as well, stating,
"I had to practically drag brother over here, mama. Ah, how are you dear?"
With that, he patted Lilly's shoulder gently, as she responded, "Good. Please, sit down, I can tell you ran back here."
Violet looked at the couple with a warm look, happy that they were so in love when Matthew interrupted with confusion,
"In time for what?"
Isobel spoke up with, "Lilly and I've been paid the compliment of a visit."
That was when Matthew and George blushed, not having noticed their guests, and both said, "Hello."
Cora warmheartedly greeted them with, "Good afternoon, Cousin Matthew, Cousin George."
Violet added in a slight terse, but kind, "Afternoon."
George sat down and Molesley quietly asked him, "A cup of tea sir?"
George nodded and Molesley served him, which the two guests noticed. They noticed how George acted more self-consciously around the servants, as if reminding himself that he had servants to do things for him now. Cora then decided to start a conversation, trying to hide the real talk that they had with,
"We were just saying how charming this room is now."
Violet looked around as she added,
"Mmm… it always seemed rather dark when my mother-in-law lived here. But then she made everything rather dark."
With that, she chuckled at her own memories, causing Lilly to smile a little. Molesley then offered Matthew a tray of tea cakes when Matthew rejected it with,
"No, thank you."
George resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his brother while Lilly and every other woman in the room worriedly glanced at poor Molesley as he shakily asked Matthew,
"Cup…. Cup of tea, sir?"
Matthew, oblivious to everyone else's shock, blatantly stated, "It's alright. I'll help myself."
Lilly glanced at her husband with slight disbelief, and George shook his head, stating that he would talk with his brother after, when Violet quickly tried to fix the situation with,
"So, Molesley, how do you find being home again? Your father must be glad you're back."
Molesley tensely smiled as he answered her with, "He is, your Ladyship."
Matthew took one of the teacakes from the tray Molesley was holding and Lilly winced along with everyone else while Isobel sighed, causing Violet to interject with,
"Might I give you this cup?"
Molesley immediately reacted with, "Ma'am" and helped her with it. With that, Violet awkwardly stood up and said,
"I'm afraid we must be going."
Lilly and Isobel stood with Cora, as Violet thanked them and Cora asked them both,
"You'll think about it?"
Isobel and Lilly nodded, causing George to whisper to her ear after they left, "Think about what?"
Lilly smiled knowing and whispered back to him, "Something regarding Matthew. And now, my dear husband, you are going to have to get out of that suit, and then talk with your dear brother."
George sighed and said, "Can't we just have a moment alone?"
Lilly blushed as she looked around, seeing that Isobel had gone into the living room to scold her eldest son. She then gave George a peck on the cheek as she whispered back to him,
"No. Not now. And anyway, I have a feeling… We should tell your mother at least… the truth about why we came back in such a hurry. I don't feel good about not telling her."
George's smile immediately dropped at that as he said, "She doesn't need that information. Lilly, I don't want her to know about…"
Lilly saw the stress come to George's features and Lilly teared up at the slight reminder of the difficult time that both of them endured as she said,
"It's not right to hide it from them. Especially your family."
George sighed and said, "Let's… let's wait on that. I don't want to just spring it on them tonight. We also need to talk about what we will say to them if we do. If they knew everything, I feel as if mother, though understanding, would try to do something drastic to help you."
Lilly sighed, knowing his worry as she nodded and said, "Then we will wait."
George hugged her gently before saying,
"I will go wash up."
Lilly nodded and watched him go upstairs to go change. With that, the day passed without too many incidents, but when night came, Lilly was in her nightgown and her hair in a loose braid. She lied down in the bed, as George sat down next to her, before saying,
"I… I don't want to tell them about your time in prison."
Lilly sighed and said, "That I can agree with. But what about...?"
George paused, knowing about what she was asking and said, "We should tell her about him."
Lilly went over to him, needing his comfort as she whispered,
"I… I love you, you know that?"
George wrapped his arms around her as he kissed her forehead and said, "I love you too. And know this, I will do everything I can to protect you. Whatever it takes."
Lilly hugged him tightly as she sobbed out, "I miss them. I… I feel so guilty. So guilty about everything that took place, guilty for dragging you into my mess…"
George gently lifted her chin so she looked up at him as he looked at her with determination as he said,
"Never feel guilty about that. You are a survivor. And we came to England to lead a peaceful life. Please, say that you are happy that we are here. I want you to be happy."
He wiped tears off of her face as Lilly said, "I am grateful and happy. I am learning to be happier, but George, you are the one to make me happy. I can live through this as long as you are by my side, always."
George felt his heart tug in love for the woman by his side as he kissed her on the lips gently. It was a small and gentle kiss, and afterwards, he said to his wife in broken Korean,
"I believe in the same, my love."
Lilly smiled at him sadly as she kissed him once more, before they both retired to bed, deciding it was better to sleep.
~~ ….. ~~
The next day, George had a day off, and decided to keep his wife company, leaving his mother to do what she wanted alone for the day. He contentedly read his book while Lilly was embroidering again, trying to finish the handkerchief that she was doing. After a few hours, Molesley came in to serve them tea. He personally liked the husband and wife, and George was a much better person to be a valet for.
What he couldn't do for Matthew, he could do for George. Normally, he would have done the job for both sons, but it still gave him something to do. Master George was a generous man, and he liked the conversations both of them shared, as the young man was a cheerful and lovely fellow that liked to, despite Molesley's protests, brought him a gift from time to time, stating every time,
"Take it as a bribe for being my valet and having to deal with my irresponsible older brother. Sometimes, I wonder how I am the younger one. But I guess I have to thank my wife for this."
Molesley was helping them out, when he noticed that Lilly's eyes brighten and she excitedly cut a piece of threat and bring out the final product.
Lilly then noticed him curiously glance at what she was doing and chuckled as she asked him,
"What do you think, Molesley? Do you think my mother-in-law would like this?"
Molesley saw the finished work and gasped at how life-like the embroidered flowers were and nodded as he said,
"I think she would love it, my lady."
Lilly nodded gratefully as Molesley saw that her cup was empty. Lilly noticed where he was looking and asked him,
"Maybe one more cup of that jasmine tea, Molesley?"
The butler nodded and helped her out. George had watched this interaction as he closed his book and said,
"Congratulations on finishing the first of many embroideries. Are you sure you were that lively noble lady running around everywhere?"
Lilly glared at him playfully as she said, "Oh George, you would be surprised at what tricks I have up my sleeves."
George laughed at that and said, "Be careful, poor Molesley will have a heart attack if you say anymore."
Indeed, Molesley had blushed at the comment Lilly had made, and the woman raised an eyebrow which quickly made him clear his throat awkwardly before running about to find something else to do.
This made the couple laugh as they enjoyed their time together.
Later that evening, Lilly and George prepared to go to Downton for dinner, having been invited alongside Matthew and Isobel. George had already finished changing with Molesley's help and was waiting for his older brother, when he heard poor Molesley ask,
"May I…?"
Matthew's voice was heard across the door as he said, "I can manage. Now, where have I put my cufflinks?"
And with that, the conversation went downhill, and George heard Matthew say,
"I know I'm a disappointment to you, Molesley, but it's no good. I'll never get used to being dressed like a doll like my brother has."
Molesley stumbled, clearly not sure how to respond without sounding completely offended as he replied,
"I'm only trying to help, sir."
Matthew looked slightly ashamed at that, but continued to say,
"Of course. And if I've offended you, I apologize. But surely, you have better things to do."
George knocked and asked, "You decent yet, Matthew?"
Matthew sighed as he said, "Come in!"
Molesley watched George step in and look at the butler with an apologetic glance as he said,
"Matthew, stop terrorizing Molesley, it's his job."
Matthew sighed as he started to put his own tailcoat on and say,
"Well, it seems a very silly occupation for a grown man."
George looked at him with disbelief and Molesley froze at that statement. George immediately stepped in by saying, "Mr. Molesley, I'm sorry for my brother's ignorant comment. But if it helps you, I'll pay you myself for your services to be my valet."
Mr. Molesley swallowed as he quietly said, "Thank you Master George."
George nodded to Molesley, indicating that he could leave the room, and Molesley rushed out. When the door clicked, signaling that it had closed, George sighed heavily as he said to his brother,
"Matthew, as much as I understand where this attitude is coming from, can't you at least entertain him? He is getting paid for this, you know?"
Matthew looked at his younger brother, who looked irritated with this situation, and said,
"I don't want to conform to their standards, George. You were worse off than I was, what changed?"
George responded with, "My wife. I changed for my wife. Especially because she was the one who taught me that these people are earning their livelihood with this job, like we did ours. He is a good valet you know, just let him do his money's worth. He clearly is a hard worker."
Matthew shook his head and said,
"Look, regardless, he is helping you, and I don't need that. Let's go, we're going to be late."
Lilly and Isobel were waiting downstairs, and George walked up to his wife, subtly shaking his head. Lilly glanced worriedly at Matthew, before sighing and following them to the car that was waiting for them.
By the time they arrived and were seated in the dining room, food was being served. Lilly was placed next to Sybil this time, who excitedly asked her various questions such as 'what is life like in Korea' and 'what can women do in the country'. Lilly tried her best to answer without revealing the darker parts of what she experienced when Robert decided to start a collective conversation by asking Isobel,
"Have you been able to explore the village?"
Isobel nodded as she answered, "Indeed, I have. And I thought the hospital a great credit to your father's memory. But I'm afraid the good doctor and I did not see eye to eye."
Everyone looked at Isobel with interest, but Violet was the one to say something as she chuckled out,
"Oh, you amaze me."
Isobel looked warily at the other woman as she said defensively,
"He is treating one of your tenants, John Drake, for dropsy, but seems reluctant to embrace some of the newer treatments."
Robert knew where this was going, as he tried to mediate the situation with,
"Drake is a good man, and far too young to die, but I suppose the doctor knows his business."
But his efforts were in vain, when his mother sarcastically added,
"Not as well as Mrs. Crawley, apparently."
Lilly and George, along with Matthew saw Isobel's impatience grow on her features, and Robert once again stepped in by looking at both George and Matthew with,
"By the way, if you two ever want to ride, just let Lynch know and he'll sort it out for you."
Mary tauntingly commented, "Oh, Papa, Cousin Matthew doesn't ride."
George shared a glance with his wife, who glanced at Matthew before shaking her head slightly to not comment as Matthew said defensively,
"I ride."
Mary did not back down as she then questioned him with, "And do you hunt?"
Matthew deflated a little at that and admitted, "No, I don't hunt."
Violet tried to salvage the situation with, "I daresay there's not much opportunity in Manchester."
Lilly internally winced at the awkward chuckle and Matthew's question
"Are you a hunting family?"
Mary smiled, which looked almost evil to Lilly's eyes as she smugly answered,
"Families like ours are always hunting families."
Robert glanced at Cora before interjecting with,
"Not always. Billy Skelton won't have them on his land."
Everybody except Matthew realized the insult and winced. That was when Matthew gathered his courage and asked her,
"Do you hunt?"
Mary smiled smugly at him and said, "Occasionally. I suppose you're more interested in books than country sport."
Matthew bitterly smiled at her as he said, "I probably am. The sporty one always was George. You'll tell me that's rather unhealthy."
Mary looked around to see the scolding looks of her parents and withered a little as she said,
"Not unhealthy. Just unusual… among our kind of people."
Lilly froze a little at the snob-like tone that she still maintained and George winced at the subtle insult towards his family. Isobel glanced towards Violet, Cora, and Robert, who decently looked embarrassed for Mary's attitude.
As dinner continued, the awkward air that was surrounding them only continued to grow as Mary continued to attack Matthew by asking,
"I've been studying the story of Andromeda, do you know it?"
Matthew looked up hesitantly and asked, "Why?"
George wanted to glare at Mary, but was holding back the hostility he was feeling as Mary said,
"Her father was King Cepheus, whose country was being ravaged by storms, and in the end, he decided the only way to appease the gods was to sacrifice his eldest daughter to a hideous sea monster. So, they chained her naked to a rock…"
Lilly tensed at the story, not sure she was liking where the discussion seemed to be going as Violet awkwardly commented,
"Really? Mary, we'll all need our smelling salts in a minute."
Matthew irritably responded with, "But the sea monster didn't get her, did he?"
Edith and Sybil glanced at George and Lilly, who were trying their best to hide their grimaces while Mary said,
"No. Just when it seemed he was the only solution to her father's problems, she was rescued."
Matthew answered with, "By Perseus."
Mary slightly hesitated before responding with, "That's right. Perseus, son of a god. Rather more fitting, wouldn't you say?"
Matthew responded bitterly, "That depends. I'd have to know more about the princess and the sea monster in question."
The people at the table quieted at that, not sure how to recover the dinner due to Mary's haughty behavior.
Once the dinner was over, they tried to talk about other things, and it wasn't reparable and eventually the Crawley family decided to depart early. Violet caught up to them, especially Matthew as she apologized in Mary's stead,
"I'm sorry Mary was rather sharp this evening."
Matthew chuckled as he answered her, "I doubt Cousin Mary and I are destined to be close friends."
Violet hummed at that as Matthew continued with,
"I don't blame her. Her father's home and her fortune are to be passed to me. It's very harsh."
This caused Violet to frown as she asked gently,
"What would you say if the entail was set aside in Mary's favour?"
Matthew understood where she was coming from and admitted, "I should try to accept it with as good a grace as I could muster."
Violet seemed to have settled her liking for the younger man as she asked, "Would you?"
And that was when she spotted her chauffeur, and went towards her motorcar, leaving Matthew to ponder more deeply about the conversation he had just shared with the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
As the night closed and the Crawleys arrived at their home, George stopped his mother and Matthew and said,
"Before you both go up to bed, there's something Lilly and I need to tell you."
Both Matthew and Isobel looked at each other before Isobel asked,
"Can this wait until tomorrow morning?"
George hesitated, but Lilly squeezed his hand as she responded,
"I'm afraid not. It's about why we came here in such a hurry."
Matthew raised an eyebrow at his younger brother as he then realized an underlying seriousness in George's eyes and sighed as he said,
"I should go ask Molesley for some tea. I have a feeling we are going to need it."
George nodded and everyone but Matthew went to the living room. Once everyone settled down, and Molesley was excused for the night, and Maria was brought up due to the sensitivity of the information going to be shared, Isobel and Matthew realized the solemn mood of the couple.
Isobel tried to brighten the mood a little bit as she finally asked lightheartedly, "Well, what would you like to share with us?"
George bit his lip and finally sighed as he said, "Mother… Matthew, Lilly and I, though we were given permission to come back, we more or less fled from the country."
Both mother and brother tensed at that revelation, before Matthew cautiously asked, "What?! Even so, what happened?"
Lilly took in a shaky breath and George grasped her hand to comfort her as she said,
"It's my fault really. We told you that I came from the most powerful and richest noble family. That was true, but despite all that, my family no longer technically is. Yes, I got the inheritance and would still be rich enough to buy the country itself, but we lost the power… and much more."
George tensed and tried to hide his grief, but it did not go unnoticed by Isobel, who was listening more in-depth as she asked in a shocked tone,
"What?"
George tried to soften the blow with, "The country, as you know from my former letters, was a battlefield of England, America, France, Russia, and Japan trying to take over, but eventually, the right to colonialism was handed over to Japan."
Matthew nodded and said, "Yes, we know that. But what happened?"
George continued for his wife by saying,
"Basically, I omitted the fact that Japan has become brutal. I haven't seen anything like it. Those who went against their rule were ripped from their homes, imprisoned, and some sold to what could be akin to slavery. We believed that Lilly and her family would not be involved, but when her grandfather, the head of the family, refused to bow down to the Japanese power, it… it didn't end well. Especially when Japan accused her family of providing money for those fighting against Japanese colonialism."
Isobel and Matthew tensed, as they looked at Lilly. She struggled to come up with words, but eventually said,
"At that point, George and I had already married, and… my grandfather had decided to provide me with all the inheritance, asking George to bring me to England. Already, we had prepared to leave, making me a citizen under England. And because of the marriage, it was easier to make it that way, along with…"
Lilly could not finish the sentence and George did it for her as he admitted with grief,
"Mama… we had a son."
Isobel gasped at that, not knowing what to say and Matthew tensed. The fact that she had a grandson that she did not know about was shocking to Isobel, but the lack of a baby's presence signified something greater based on the story as she asked sadly,
"What? What happened?"
Lilly stuttered a little as she tried to regain her composure and said,
"The soldiers came in and destroyed our home, claiming that we had to empty the place for the benefit of a railroad to Russia. My grandfather died, and during his funeral, they came back and started to slaughter everyone and arrest those they suspected of helping the independence movement. I was there to support my mother, looking after our son… when they had barged in. That was when… that was when we lost Adam."
Isobel's heart broke and Matthew could not help but make a fist in rage at the thought of such mindless assault, when George said,
"When I heard what was happening, I rushed to her home, but it was in ruins, and… when I found Lilly… it was bad. Luckily, she had all her money and Maria, who had came to me for help. I hid them both at the English delegation before both of us rushed over here."
Isobel saw both George and Lilly give them haunted looks that she had seen countless times from parents who had lost their child. She had never imagined that her second son would have that same expression on his face, and rushed over to her son, giving him a hug as she muttered,
"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
Lilly saw the interaction and broke out in tears, as she couldn't help herself, causing George to hug her immediately as he said,
"Maria, would you help Lady Lilly upstairs? She needs to rest."
Lilly would normally have protested, but she merely nodded that night, needing Maria to help her through with this. As the Crawleys watched the two Asian women walk away, Matthew whispered,
"I never thought… I'm so sorry."
George sighed, tears threatening to spill out as he admitted,
"I'm sorry mama… but, there is one story that I haven't told you or Matthew yet. I couldn't tell it in front of Lilly, and I ask both of you to never mention it to anyone."
Isobel and Matthew both nodded, swallowing thickly in dread, as George told the story.
"When I got to the house, Lilly wasn't there. By that time, she had been one of the few surviving members of the family that had been arrested."
Both elder Crawleys tensed at that news, as George said, "I managed to get her out with the help of my boss and the paperwork suggesting she was an English citizen, but by the time she was released, she had been tortured for information that she did not have. I cannot tell you any more of the story, but please, look out for her. She has been frail since she was released."
Isobel nodded as she shakily said, "We promise. And George, this does not change how much we love you both. Rather, it makes it that much stronger, knowing that both of you survived."
George tiredly nodded, and excused himself to go to his wife, needing to see her. That left Isobel and Matthew to contemplate what they had told them. Matthew stiffly stood, emotions being in turmoil as he wished his mother good night. Isobel looked out the window, as her heart broke for her younger son and his wife, not believing that the poor girl had lost all of her family and her son on top of it all in such a short time, being forced to move to a different country to live.
She felt the bitterness settle in, and decided that she would help Lilly and George have a happy life here as much as she could.
~~ ….. ~~
The next day, Lilly was invited to Downton for the day with George, as it was the weekend, and they were at the library in the afternoon, having heard of Isobel's endeavors. As they had tea, Cousin Robert said,
"You don't have to worry. She may be president, but I'm the patron, so you're quite safe with me."
Matthew got some refreshments as George helped his wife, as the older Crawley brother asked,
"My mother was right, then? The man's life was saved?"
Dr. Clarkson shifted a little, as he said, "Well, I—I like to think that we were both right, but I'm not sure Lady Grantham will be so easily convinced."
Robert chuckled as he said,
"Then we must strengthen the argument. Cousin Isobel wants something to do. Very well. Let's make her chairman of the board. She'd like that, wouldn't she?"
Matthew chuckled and George just snickered as they both said, "Certainly she would."
Robert smiled at both brothers as he said, "Then my mother will have to listen to her."
Lilly glanced at the poor doctor, who fidgeted uncomfortably and said, "I wish you the best of luck, Dr. Clarkson."
Robert saw how the doctor looked like he had something to say, and asked him,
"What were you going to say?"
Clarkson sighed and chuckled as he said, "At the risk of being impertinent… on your own head be it."
Everyone chuckled and Lilly felt a bit more comfortable around Cousin Robert. Not wanting to overstay their welcome, George and Lilly left before dinner, and Matthew remained back as he talked with Robert.
And a few days later, the event of naming Isobel chairwoman came to be, and Lilly, George, and Matthew were all in the audience, smiling at how proud Isobel looked to be there as Dr. Clarkson said,
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this happy event: the investiture of our first chairwoman, Mrs. Reginald Crawley, who has graciously agreed to share the duties of our beloved president, the Dowager Countess of Grantham."
Violet shifted a little, tensely smiling at the applause, as Dr. Clarkson continued with,
"Our little hospital must surely grow and thrive with two such doughty champions united as they are by the strongest ties of all, family… and friendship."
Lilly clapped lightly, amused at the way both women glanced awkwardly at each other and George's chuckling at how ironic the whole situation was. And in the back of her mind, Lilly couldn't help but be curious as to how their friendship will indeed, develop.
