Aftermath
Chapter 4
Mary had never had the respect for her mother. It was like she and Cora had never connected, or if they had, it was so buried. Mary had just always been closer to her father, especially since she had began running the estate. They fought and argued, but they were closer. To Mary, Cora's only purpose had been the person who threw together good dinner parties, but the servants did most of the work anyways.
Cora was a pretty ornament. There were times that Mary could not understand why her father had married Cora. It had been a marriage of convenience, to save Downton. Mary felt it was a shame that somewhere along the line, Robert had fallen so deeply in love with Cora. Now, it jeopardized everything. Sure, she loved Henry and she had loved Matthew, but that was different. Her love didn't make her stupid.
No one agreed with Mary. Even Robert told her that she needed to treat her mother with more respect. So, feeling she needed an advocate, she visited the Dower House. Surely, Violet agreed.
"So, you heard that Papa went to Brancaster for Patrick's christening?" Mary said as she sipped her tea. Violet was ailing, but she was a fighter.
"I have. I wish I could have made it." Violet said.
"I'm sure that Edith invited Mama. You wouldn't want to be there." Mary said with a frustrated laugh.
"Wouldn't I? I don't have the aversion you have to your mama." Violet said.
"Why not? She cheated on Papa." Mary questioned.
"That has been proven as a lie. That Bricker fellow has admitted that he only did it for the media." Violet said.
"Well, she allowed him familiarity." Mary remarked.
"True, but after so many years; it is easy for a marriage to just become comfortable." Violet argued.
"You never liked Mama!" Mary said angrily.
"Initially, no; but I grew to respect her. Something you never did. I respected the love she gave to my only son. How she stood up for herself." Violet said.
"She's broken Papa." Mary argued back.
"And we've broken her by treating her like this. I hope your parents can work something out. I want to die knowing my son is happy and I think the only way he can be happy is to be with your mama. I just hope Edith and Bertie can convince them to go to Switzerland." Violet said.
"What?" Mary asked.
"You don't remember this, but when your father came home from the war, he was a broken man. They spent six weeks in Switzerland, at a chalet. Just them. I think it reset things for them. I helped your mama organize the trip back then, so I gave Bertie the information. He was able to rent them the same chalet, with the same cook for four weeks. It will make or break them." Violet said.
"Why in heavens did you do that?" Mary asked.
"Because I love my son and I love seeing him happy. He is not happy without your mother. Leave them alone. If they work things out, try to learn to respect your mother." Violet answered.
"She is so ornamental. In many ways, she is a drain to Downton." Mary said.
"If it wasn't for your mama, you would have never known a life at Downton. She saved it by marrying your papa. That first year was very unhappy for her, and I am ashamed to say, I didn't help her as I should have. She has fulfilled her role and made it her own. People love coming to Downton. Not because of you or your papa, but because of the welcome they received from your mama." Violet stated.
"I don't agree with you." Mary said as she stood up to leave.
"Whether you agree or not is a moot point. I just hope that your parents can work through this." Violet said. She waved her hand, indicating it was time for Mary to leave. Mary was smart enough to comply, all the while fuming on the way back to Downton. Maybe should go to Brancaster to derail things?