Aftermath
Chapter 12
Shockingly enough, Mary didn't cause any problems throughout Patrick's christening, even when Bertie and Edith named Robert and Cora as the baby's godparents. It was an unusual move, traditionally reserved for close friends or relatives of the parents, not the grandparents. Robert had to wonder if it was Edith and Bertie's way of tying Robert and Cora together even more so.
Robert had booked passage to Switzerland first thing that morning and he and Cora would leave the next week. He had also sent for his additional luggage, as well as Cora's clothing that had been left at Downton, and she would need in Switzerland. They would go back to London in the meantime and would stay at Grantham House. Robert had also arranged for Tom to bring their luggage and Sybie to London so that Cora could see her oldest granddaughter.
Everything was perfect through the christening and dinner afterwards. Robert actually thought they might get through without a confrontation, but it was not to be. That night, all the other guests went retired early, leaving him, Cora, Edith, Bertie and Shrimpie in the drawing room with Mary. He and Cora exchanged a look and sat down across from Mary. Edith, Bertie and Shrimpie were on the other side of the large room and Bertie had dismissed the footman.
"Mary; we both love you so very much but there are times we do not like or approve of your behavior towards others. You did not behave appropriately towards your mama. I was wrong in the way I behaved towards her as well and we are working through that. We will be at Grantham House for the next week, and then will go to Switzerland for the month. From there, we might also go to France. I would like to come back to Downton, but I will not risk an estrangement with you. Your mama and I are working through things and if it requires me to move out of Downton, I will." Robert announced. He could see the shock on Mary's face, and was a little surprised to see Cora lean over and grasp Mary's hands in her lap.
"Your father is right; we both love you so much. We know that you hide yourself under a lot of bravado. You have a heart underneath it. I see it with the way you act with George and Caroline. You said somethings that really hurt. My relationship with your father is between him and I. Yes, I am aware that I gave this family a black eye by allowing someone familiarities that they didn't deserve, but that is all that happened and that is all that happened with your father and the maid. You and Matthew were not married long enough, and you and Henry haven't been married long enough to know this, but there are times that you just can't connect. Your father and I went through that a couple years ago. I had gotten busy with the war and then the hospital, and wasn't spending as much time with your father, and he is not always so good at expressing his feelings. We had sorted those things out when Simon Bricker and Jane went to the media. It brought all the frustrations and anxieties out. Your father has a temper and then you made it to where I couldn't come back to Downton, to possibly fix things. It created a perfect storm." Cora explained.
"Most of it was my fault. Even your mama's involvement with Bricker. I was not paying attention to her like I should have been. Didn't value her opinion. She would ask to be a part of things with the estate and I ignored it. Didn't support her work at the hospital. I didn't give her a chance to defend herself either, and hurt her deeply by throwing her out of Downton. I will also remind you, if it were not for your mama, you would have never known a life at Downton. It would have been sold off in the 1890s. Because of her and her ingenuity since, we have kept if for nearly forty more years and I have no doubt, it will remain in the family. Mary, we love you and we want you to remain at Downton, but you must accept that your mama is also going to be there." Robert said.
"May I think about it while your away?" Mary said. Robert and Cora exchanged a look, not expecting that reply. They also noticed her tone of voice. Instead of haughty, it was low and depressed sounding.
"Of course. We will be gone at least a month. That will give you plenty of time. Once we are finished in Switzerland, we will let know what our plans are. I would love to visit the south of France and your mama loves Paris. You don't need me so much at Downton now. I spoke with your granny this morning and she is feeling alright. If anything starts to happen with her, we will rush home. Honestly, she was my only reservation for leaving." Robert explained.
"It sounds like a nice trip. I hope you enjoy yourselves." Mary said.
"Thank you. Just remember, we both love you and we want you in our lives, but things must change. I hope you realize that." Cora told Mary.
"That is what everyone keeps telling me." Mary said.
"Then you should listen. Now, we are both tired. We will see you off in the morning. We'll be in London for a week before we leave for Switzerland. You can reach us at Grantham House." Robert continued.
"Alright." Mary said before getting up and leaving the room. Edith took her place on the couch and smiled at her parents.
"I believe Mary had been doing some soul-searching. She is not as…determined." Edith said.
"Good. We really didn't want the drama of a confrontation." Cora said.
"I think it was what she anticipated. It would have gone far differently." Edith said.
"Mary is reactive. She answers confrontation with anger. Hopefully, she will apologize and move on. That is all I really want." Cora voiced. Robert wrapped an arm around her and kissed her temple.
"I will encourage that. I believe Bertie and I are going to bed. Shrimpie went a few minutes ago, but you are welcome to stay down here." Edith said as they all stood up.
"No, I think we'll go up to. Thank you, darling." Cora said as she gave Edith a kiss. Robert also kissed her cheek and they all parted ways.
"That was very anti-climactic." Robert commented.
"I didn't want a huge showdown. She's still my daughter. Sure, I would have liked her to make amends immediately, but she's stubborn. We have to give her time to make her own mind up. That's what we've done." Cora said.
"And I am looking forward to it." Robert said with a smile. He and Cora were walking back to the bedroom, hand-in-hand. She had moved her meager belongings in that morning, giving up any pretense of having her own room. They needed and wanted to be together. Six months had been too long.