Downton Abbey:

Guy(s) Night

by Mirwalker

Chapter Thirty-nine: King's Cross Purposes

London could be a very un-pretty city in winter. Colder than its northern country cousins due to Atlantic Ocean currents, it was a great expanse of grey sky, over grey buildings gathering gobs of grey people. Christmas was thus most welcome, as it offered temporary relief in festive wreaths, warm(ing) drinks and the potential for good company.

Half expecting Lady Edith to turn up any moment, Thomas stood under some garish garland in London's King's Cross Station, wishing for a drink, and about to say 'goodbye' to the only member of the party he cared to spend time with. The train ride down had gone too quickly, prying Ian's attention from the passing countryside to talk through final scenarios for the interview, or trying to figure out how he would handle the dual wards of Lady Mary and middle class Matthew. Ian had encouraged him to be nicer to the heir apparent, in general, in case he was the new lord at Downton, and because his mother was being so kind despite their difference in status, if not actual human worth. He didn't want to like the new man, and knew Lady Mary didn't; but he had to be polite in person, at least until he could escape Downton for his own happy ascension with Ian.

That artist approached him, taking advantage of a passing throng to touch his hand inconspicuously. "Lady Mary doesn't seem happy about having to spend the day with Mister Crawley."

"Which means my day will be sheer joy as well..," Thomas confided, before realizing that might sound like a complaint against Ian's better fortune. "I didn't mean…"

"I know," Ian assured, understanding as always. "I'd rather you were with me too. Try to enjoy a day in London, for me, if not for them or yourself?"

"Always for you," Thomas assured with a daringly open look of adoration. Turning and pretending to wipe a spot on the smiling cheek as an excuse to physically emphasise that affection and a reminder, "And you, enjoy some time with Mrs Crawley as you impress her publisher friends. I know they won't be able to resist you either… Just remember what we talked about, don't let them put you on the spot for a decision, and, all else failing, follow Mrs Crawley's lead. I don't think she'll lead you wrong. Speaking of…"

"Are we ready?" Isobel beamed to one half of the pair in particular, as she and Mary approached. "Mr Crawley is arranging for his luggage to be handled; but Ian and I should head on."

Thomas grinned as Ian swallowed and took a deep breath. He pulled off the man's cap, rubbed his hand on the fuzzy head, and returned the hat to a perfect, confident tilt. "Mrs Crawley has generously opened this door for you, Ian. I know you'll sketch and smile them all the way from there. Thank you again," he said to the older woman.

"Not yet," she smiled. "We'll get this young man to Fleet Street, where he'll do all the hard work, and do so splendidly."(1)

Thomas handed Ian his rolled portfolio, as Isobel wished Mary a good day, "We'll see you all back here this afternoon, with good news, I'm sure."

Her cloud of cheerfulness headed for the taxi queue; and beside her, Ian threw a nervous glance over his shoulder as the crowd absorbed them.

Thomas smiled and waved, hoping more pride and confidence showed in his expression, than anxiety for Ian and his' differing days.

"I don't think I've ever seen such genuine affection on you, Thomas," Mary watched him watching.

Putting on his upstairs demeanor more completely, he simply nodded and explained, "Of course, I am proud of and for the family as well, my lady. But, as with all the staff, I'm not to introduce my feelings in front of the family."

"And speaking of, I am sorry for Mister Crawley's imposition on us both," Mary said as she looked about impatiently, her own moment of human connection now over. "It would seem his Lordship made the 'suggestion' at luncheon yesterday, that he accompany us. A surprise indeed."

Thomas' grim look was not entirely put on; but he was also amused that the doting father hadn't given his eldest everything she'd wanted; this twist on the trip was a clear message to that point. And, the Earl did seem to be looking for opportunities to impress, if not impose, the heir apparent on his obstinate oldest.

In fact, Thomas worried that this joint trip did risk her Ladyship actually getting to know the upstart better, and did give him another potential interloper to handle, or at least serve. But the more complicated caravan meant he and Lady Mary wouldn't be alone together for more of her prying questions or strong-armed demands, and that he got to go to London with Ian in the mostly open; and so he'd have to make it work.

"Sorry for that delay," Matthew offered as he hurried over moments later. "As the trip was a bit of surprise for everyone, I also took the opportunity to send word to my colleagues, that I'd be calling after lunch."

Mary smiled coldly, throwing Thomas a side glance at the "surprise" reference.

"And so, Lady Mary, I am at your disposal until at least mid-afternoon. Shall we head out?"

"I need to freshen up after the train," she said instead, before turning and heading deeper into the station. "I'll just be a moment."

"I guess that's a reminder that we act at her pleasure?" Matthew asked the universe, or at least Thomas standing impassively beside him.

Quietly pleased at her asserting that fact, Thomas merely nodded flatly.

"I'm sorry," Matthew demurred, "I shouldn't speak poorly of your mistress, and my cousin. In fact, I think I owe you an apology for my being here at all."

While very true, his broaching the subject, and with regret for it, was as much a surprise to Thomas as was his presence today.

"It became clear on the train this morning how put out Lady Mary really was by my tagging along. And I do understand that I am just another burden for your attention today, away from the structure of Downtown, and when you're rightly preoccupied with your cousin's prospects."

"That's very kind of you to say, sir; I assure you I'm as up to my challenge, as is Ian to his." In that single, smiling statement, he'd acknowledged the apology, politely confirmed and even emphasized the burden, not forgiven it, and stressed his own competence.

"I wish him all the best, of course. Mother is quite taken with him, as a person and a project. Please do let us know if she becomes too much," Matthew half-laughed. Clearing his throat as they stood awkwardly together, he tried a different approach to his intended offer. "Speaking of… I wonder whether… well, if there were any way I might be able to make it all up to you somehow today, by… Perhaps I could relieve you of your escort duties, and return your day in London to you? His Lordship did suggest I come along; and I do know the city somewhat well. There's really no reason you should have to… Uhm."

For a solicitor, he seemed at an awful loss for any words, much less persuasive arguments for his case, Thomas thought. At first he actually didn't understand what Matthew was suggesting; then he was surprised and shocked by it; and then, he also managed not to show his extreme interest at not having to follow the mismatched pair around all day. Still, he couldn't seem too eager to shirk his sacred duty. "I'm sorry, sir, am I to understand that you would like me to leave you and her Ladyship, both unmarried, alone and unchaperoned, in a large city hours from her home?"

Matthew just stared at him, open-mouthed, the blunt distillation of the almost-made request languishing loudly between them. He finally recovered enough to laugh nervously, "Well… When you put it like that… It sounds… You see…"

Thomas relished the awkward recovery attempt, even as he stretched his brain for some way to accept the offer without risking his own good standing with Lady Mary, her parents or, least flexible of the lot, her fairy godbutler.

Before either could try again at some accord, the subject of their negotiation re-appeared with a marked change in her own attitude. Post-loo and with a freshly touched up coif and face, she was almost jovial. "You waited," she seemed surprised, while actually reminding them that they'd been obliged to. Turning to the footman, she explained some of her shift. "Only I've had a splendid thought! Thomas, while I appreciate your willingness to traipse behind today… I know Mrs Crawley invited you down as support for your cousin; and we do wish him well. But, as further reward for your most recent beyond-the-call service to her, Lady Edith and myself, I know we'd all wish you some time to enjoy yourself in London. Perhaps take in some sights, or do some Christmas shopping of your own?" On your own, she clearly meant.

"That's very kind, my lady," Thomas squirmed, sorely tempted by her solving his chaperone obligation herself. "But, I believe I was sent along…"

"To keep an eye on Mr Crawley and me, I know," she cut him off, with a droll boredom at the parental concerns. "However, Mister Crawley is a gentleman, is family, and under enormous pressure to make a good impression on me mostly, given the circumstances. So I know we can count on his utmost probity."

Both men looked flabbergasted at her blunt description and brash maneuver.

Neither could understand fully how she'd decided that, rather than push Matthew away for the trip as everyone expected, she would instead pull him in uncomfortably close. Reports back to her father would show she was nothing but charming and interested—cloyingly so; and Matthew would be forced to endure her most offputting interests, and as well as her presence in his business meetings. If they all wanted her and Matthew to spend some time together, she would provide it in unforgettable spades. And, if Edith got her Manchester adventure without cost, Mary deserved a fun escape of her own; and she'd have it in a bigger, better city.

She took Matthew's arm, and beamed excitedly, "So we'll see to his appointment in Westminster, perhaps dine in Covent Garden, and round out the day with some shopping there, perhaps Harrods –oh, and Piccadilly! He can make sure I'm well taken care, and returned for our train this afternoon. Doesn't that sound marvelous, Matthew?"

Realizing he should have been more careful about what he wished for, Matthew smiled and nodded on cue.

Half the votes in, Mary turned to Thomas' continued and expected professional discomfort at the suggestion he leave them unattended. "You're welcome of course to follow us around all day, pretending to be appropriately interested or uninterested in our conversations, waiting for our capital visit to run its course, if you prefer, and then for us all eventually to meet your cousin and Mrs Crawley. But, please know that you needn't do so, merely for our sake… Right, cousin Matthew?" In truth, really, you mustn't.

Thomas smiled automatically at the offer/order from a member of the family. For having made the same suggestion moments before, and despite his shaky affirmative nod, Matthew suddenly looked quite afraid at the prospect of being the sole member of this renewed whirlwind's entourage. And Lady Mary's intention was clear, whatever her motives. And the independent offers from both were more than he could have hoped for. But, he needed to be sure he had sufficient cover from other interested parties… "That's very kind, your Ladyship. I simply wonder what Mister Carson-"

"You leave Carson to me," Mary interrupted, confident in her ability to handle her mutually favorite staff member. "And, for us all to enjoy our day in London, we'll all have to rely on one another's discretion." Indeed, they'd all face consequences should anything actually untoward occur, whether they were together or separate.

Rather than agree on the record, Thomas simply nodded his acquiescence to both their wishes. I was basically ordered away by them both, he could say as last resort.

"Excellent," Mary nearly squealed with lavish enthusiasm, before pulling Matthew toward the street. "We'll see you all back here this afternoon. I simply can't wait to see these offices. Or is your business with the Courts? How exciting!"

Her cloud of manufactured cheerfulness headed for the taxi queue; and beside her, Matthew threw a nervous glance over his shoulder as the crowd absorbed them.

Thomas smiled and waved, wishing the poor sod good luck or quick endings. Better you than me, chap!

Finding himself unexpectedly alone and unencumbered for the day, Thomas took a moment to breathe in the freedom and consider his big city options. He'd intended to shadow Lady Mary's shopping, keeping an eye out for Christmas purchases he could make quietly and have shipped, or follow up about by post. Before that plan, he'd considering making use of Lady Edith's catalog avalanche; but now he could peruse in person. Beyond a few items he had in mind, the day's complete independence meant he could also drop in on a few addresses he'd pulled from the papers.

Smiling as he strolled out into the metropolitan possibilities, he wished for Ian to have even a fraction of the luck he was having that morning. He hoped they could get used to London and all it offered.

NOTES

1. The historical center of publishing in London, two miles south of King's Cross Station, toward the River Thames. Perhaps best well known as the setting for Sweeney Todd tales.

The muse is with me; so two chapters today! Please enjoy, review and look for more soon...