Aftermath
Chapter 9
Robert was thankful that Bertie gave him use of his home office to speak with Baxter. Of all Cora's lady's maids; he preferred Baxter. She was discreet. A good lady's maid was privy to their mistress's most intimate needs and a lot of times, also the master's more intimate desires. Baxter was no different and Robert had never concerned himself if the downstairs staff knew his personal business while Baxter was Cora's lady maid. He trusted her implicitly. More than he had with O'Brien or any of the other maids that Cora had had through the years.
Cora was good to her Lady's maids. Kind and patient. She allowed them her old clothing and discussed the latest books and needlework with them. She was particularly bonded to Baxter, despite Baxter's peculiar past. Robert had Baxter sit down across from him and allowed her to get into exactly was said the night that he had sent Cora away.
"Lady Grantham was upset. I was trying to pack, and she kept…getting distracted by little mementos. I suppose that is normal. I think she was hoping you would reconsider and ask her to stay. Anyways; Lady Mary came in with Anna to assist me. She insisted we not pack any of Lady Grantham's jewelry or pictures. Only basic clothes too. Initially, Anna and I believed it was on your order, but then Lady Mary made Lady Grantham take her wedding band and engagement ring off and become quite angry when Lady Grantham had difficulty removing them. Her fingers were swollen. Anna was able to remove them with soap and water. Honestly, M'Lord; it was horrible." Baxter said.
"Miss Baxter, I need an honest and unbiased account of what has happened. I trust Cora but Mary is not always truthful, and Cora is a mother. She will feel a desire to protect Mary despite everything. I love my daughter too, but I need honesty." Robert encouraged her. He was making notes as Baxter spoke, mostly because he didn't want to forget anything.
"Anna put a picture of your younger daughter in one of the trunks. Lady Mary become very agitated and pulled it out. She told Lady Grantham that she didn't deserve to have any contact with any of them and didn't deserve to have anything to remember Lady Sybil by. This of course upset Lady Grantham. More than anything, Lady Grantham was upset by not having that photograph or her wedding rings. She voiced losing a connection to you and Lady Sybil. Lady Mary was very vicious, telling her that she was never to be allowed back at Downton, or around you. I don't take Lady Mary's side, but I think in some ways she was trying to protect you. I could tell that it really bothered Lady Grantham. She was crying a lot. She had stopped packing and was just sitting on the bed crying. Lady Mary even teased her about that. Anna and I both felt horribly for Lady Grantham." Baxter continued.
"Can I ask why you stayed on? After I sent Lady Grantham away." Robert asked.
"I hoped you would see reason. We all…all the downstairs staff hoped you would. We miss Lady G. Lady Mary has not learned…she knows how to run an estate but running a house like Downton is different. M'lord, what will happen, if I can ask?" Baxter asked.
"I understand how you mean, and Cora always excelled in running the house and managing the staff. I don't really know. Cora and I have been doing a lot of talking. She is very hurt by Lady Mary. My mother, Edith and Bertie have arranged a trip to Switzerland for Cora and I. Cora doesn't know yet. We went there after the Boar War. Kind of a reconnect. I think it might do us both some good to get away from Downton and even London. We've not done that since before the war. I've not spoken with Cora yet about it." Robert explained. He had decided to use Cora's first name, just to put Baxter at ease.
"I'm sure she would love that. She spoke of that trip frequently. She said she always wished she could go back in the spring." Baxter said brightly.
"She might have that chance. Baxter, can I assume you'll be discreet about this? If things go as I hope, Cora will be back at Downton after our trip to Switzerland and you will be her lady's maid again." Robert asked.
"Of course, M'Lord. I would love nothing more." Baxter said as she stood up and left the room.
Robert sat back in the chair, trying to formulate a plan. The next day was Patrick's christening and more than anything, he didn't want to upset the happy event. Edith, Bertie, Marigold and Patrick didn't deserve that, and Mary could be very vicious, as Baxter had said. Robert had always suspected that Mary had outed Marigold's parentage to Bertie out of jealousy towards Edith. She had caused a lot of unnecessary tears and pain in the process. Thankfully, Edith and Bertie had been able to repair things with or without Mary's help. The damage was still done, and it showed Mary's true character to Robert. He had always defended her before, but he had even been a bit disenchanted. Even then, Cora had defended Mary, even if she was less than thrilled with her behavior towards Edith. Typical Cora. Robert just had to figure out what to do next.