Aftermath
Chapter 8
Bertie smiled as he witnessed Cora leave Robert's room the next morning and go into her own. She was in her nightgown and robe, and her hair was slightly mussed. Sure, she might have just gone across to ask Robert something or to borrow something, but Bertie knew better. Edith and Bertie's plans were going better than they anticipated.
Edith was helping Nanny get the children ready for the day in the nursery, and Bertie stepped in. After giving Marigold her good morning hug, he knelt next to Edith with a smile.
"I suspect that your mama and papa spent the night together." Bertie said quietly.
"Really? Why?" Edith questioned.
"She was leaving his room this morning and looked like she had just woke." Bertie said.
"I didn't think it would be so easy." Edith said.
"I didn't either, but it isn't for sure. Maybe they were just talking and fell asleep." Bertie remarked.
"Still, it's a step." Edith said. Just then, their butler; Jennings stepped in.
"M'Lady, your sister, Mary just arrived." Jennings announced and Edith immediately sighed.
"Just Mary?" Edith asked.
"Her lady's maid as well, a Miss Baxter? Apparently, her regular maid couldn't come along and she knew you didn't employ a lady's maid." Jennings explained.
"Right, thank you. If you could, get her settled and try to keep her away from Lady Grantham. I don't want you having to pull them apart." Edith said as she stood up and handed Patrick to Nanny. Bertie has gotten Marigold occupied and followed Edith out.
"M'Lady, I…your father had written a note to Miss Baxter a few days ago and asked that if she replied or called, I either summons him to speak with her or get him the letter immediately. He said it was important and not to tell Lady Mary if she arrived. I don't really understand why, but thought it was worth mentioning since Miss Baxter had accompanied Lady Mary." Jennings explained.
"I see and you posted the letter?" Edith asked.
"Immediately." Jennings confirmed.
"Thank you. I had better prepare Mama and Papa. Bertie, could you see about getting Miss Baxter separated so Papa can speak with her if necessary?" Edith asked Bertie.
"Yes, of course. I'll welcome Mary as well." Bertie said as they split ways. Mary being there only spelled trouble, and Bertie felt badly for Cora more than anything. To have one's daughter turn on them so much had to be painful. As far as Bertie knew, Cora had always been supportive of her children. He and Jennings found Mary and Miss Baxter in the main drawing room. "Mary, how nice to see you. Such a surprise. We didn't anticipate you being here for Patrick's christening. You didn't bring the children? Tom, Henry?" Bertie asked.
"No, of course not. They are still ill, and Henry and Tom are busy. I would not miss my dear nephew's christening. As soon as I knew the children were well enough, I decided to come to Brancaster. Where's Edith?" Mary asked after giving him an airy kiss to the cheek.
"Upstairs with the children. She will be down soon. Jennings, could you get Lady Mary settled with some tea? I will just show Miss Baxter to one of the lower floor bedroom suites were Lady Mary would be. Mary, they have servant quarters close by so Miss Baxter will be within knocking distance to you." Bertie explained.
"How nice." Mary said as she followed Jennings. Bertie led Miss Baxter and a hall boy down a corridor. The young hall boy was having difficulty carrying the luggage and finally Bertie grabbed two of the cases to help him.
"She doesn't have you pack lightly does she?" Bertie asked Baxter.
"No, Marquess Hexam. I will admit, I packed a few of Lady Grantham's belongings that got left in with my own, in hopes that Lady Edith…or…anyway, I was hoping Lady Grantham would get them." Baxter mentioned.
"Of course. Did you receive Lord Grantham's note?" Bertie asked.
"I did and when Lady Mary asked me to accompany her when Anna could not, I jumped at the chance. I felt it would be better to have a face-to-face meeting with him." Baxter explained.
"I will arrange it. I know Lord Grantham has been awaiting your response. He and Lady Grantham are trying to work things out, I think." Bertie explained.
"Good. I miss Lady Grantham. She was always very genuine, even when I was less than honest with her. I hope they can work things out." Baxter said.
"That's all of us. I know she will be thrilled to see you." Bertie said.
"I will speak with Lord Grantham whenever he is ready. I know he will be occupied with Lady Mary, though." Baxter commented.
"I will send him your way." Bertie said. He showed her to Lady Mary's room and her own and then left her. Instead of entertaining Mary, he found Edith who was talking to both of her parents upstairs.
"I can leave? Go back to London? I hate missing Patrick's christening, but I really don't want to make things awkward." Cora said. Bertie immediately noticed that Robert had his hand on Cora's shoulder.
"No. I want both my parents at my son's christening. Mary will just have to be civil." Edith said.
"I would like her to be more than civil though." Cora said.
"I know, Mama, but you deserve to be here." Edith said.
"We'll just see how things go. I think I will go and help Nanny with the children. Stay out of the way." Cora said before walking away from them.
"Miss Baxter accompanied Mary. She is more than willing to speak with you, Robert. I'll have her brought to my office." Bertie said before he walked away.
"Papa; what is going to happen?" Edith asked.
"Your mama and I did some talking through the night. We are trying to work things out, but I'm not certain that we can at Downton. We aren't sure what to do." Robert admitted.
"I was going to wait to tell you this, but I think it might ease your mind a bit. I remember you and Mama talking about your trip to Switzerland after you came back from the war. Bertie and Granny have organized a trip back there for you and Mama. You and she always talked about going back and we wanted to give you this. Please, don't be too mad…" Edith said. Robert wrapped an arm around her and smiled down at her.
"Your mama and I loved Switzerland. It was a time of rediscovering ourselves and each other. I think it is a good idea. I am a bit surprised that your granny helped, though." Robert admitted.
"Granny loves you and wanted you to be happy. She felt that you wouldn't ever be happy without Mama. It's the same chateau and even the same cook. Will Mama want to go?" Edith asked as they walked down the hall.
"I believe so. I was going to follow her to America, and I think we both prefer Switzerland. Thank you, my dear. We will wait until Patrick's christening, though. Now; I best go speak with Baxter. I wanted to get her viewpoint on how Mary acted that last night. I believe your mama, but I wanted more than enough confirmation." Robert said.
"Yes, Papa." Edith agreed before giving him a hug. For the first time in months, Robert was smiling, and his steps seemed lighter. Edith could only hope that things were repairing themselves. It was bound to be a very tense few days.