AN: Again, sorry for the long wait. As happens from time to time I was overcome by doubts concerning my own writing and considered giving up fanfiction completely (it does take up a lot of time) but I like too much :)
Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. Updates for this story should be coming regularly now.
And thank you for all the reviews that have been written for this story and other stories that I wrote, particularly "The Mistress He Loves" !
Kat
Chapter 8
July 1896
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She goes through her mail and almost drops everything she is holding in her hand when she sees a letter sent to her by Lady Rosamund Painswick. It is an invitation to a ball. Addressed to her. She cannot believe it, there must be a mistake. She cannot go. Then a note falls out of the envelope.
"Dear Miss Levinson,
Mr. Painswick and I would be very pleased to meet you again. Lord Downton will attend this ball, Lord and Lady Grantham are engaged elsewhere."
She has to laugh. And on a whim decides to go. The worst that could happen is an embarrassing scene. But she does not have to see those people again so she might as well enjoy herself. And she needs to buy a dress. But as she has a little money put by, she thinks that she can afford one. Clearly not one as nice as the dresses she used to have, a dress that will make her out as poorer than the other people in attendance but one that will not leave her a laughing stock.
She wasn't sure whether the invitation included a room at Painswick House but a day after she had sent her answer to London, Lady Rosamund had personally written her letter, inviting her to stay for two days. She has no idea why Lady Rosamund does this but she accepts it. And mutes the thoughts that tell her exactly why Lady Rosamund is so friendly and welcoming towards her. Because she is a good sister and wants her brother happy. But she cannot think those thoughts. Neither can she think of a different explanation.
.
She is more nervous than she thought she would be and hopes that no one notices it. In fact no one notices her at all, which she does not mind. She does not want to be asked awkward questions. That is until Robert arrives and she turns around the moment he is announced.
Never in all her life has anyone looked at her like that.
"What are you doing here?" he asks as soon as he manages to get to her.
"Your sister invited me."
"Did she?"
.
He asks Cora to dance. She is Rosamund's guests and seems a little forlorn. That is the only reason he asks her. And because he wants to talk to her. And because, but he cannot go that far, he cannot think those thoughts.
"We haven't danced together in years," he says and Cora smiles at him.
"No. But I'd say we are rather good at it."
That is true. They seem to fit together very well.
After the dance they join Rosamund and Maramduke.
"Are any of your candidates here yet, Lord Downton?" Cora asks him and Rosamund starts laughing. He has no clue why.
"No," he says. "I wonder why, though," he says and looks at Rosamund.
"Because the winner is here," his sister says and he has no idea what he is talking about. Although in fact he does but he cannot think about that, he must not think about it. It is unthinkable and would be horrible for both of them. There would too much gossip and his parents would have a fit.
Please let me know what you think!