A./N.: Hello everybody. Here is a much shorter chapter than what you are used from me. It is more of a filler chapte, but I was asked about the motivation behind the forced marriage and the reaction of others to the news. Here is my answer. The next chapter is already planned, I just need to find the time to sit down and write it. (I'm seriously considering buying one of those dictating programm ;) ) So it shouldn't be long between updates. Hope you enjoy it anyway and please drop me a review.

Women Solidarity

As Lord and Lady Grantham exited their drawing room, they came face to face with their three daughters and a large majority of their staff. Lady Sybil stood right next to the doors, fists on hips and an intense glare in her eyes.

"What have you done?" she asked her parents accusatory. Her eyes changed as they darted towards the closed doors, obviously caring and worrying over the traumatized housekeeper. "We heard crying …" Sybil's body seemed to jerk as she had to physically restrain herself not to burst into the room.

Even Edith and Mary looked worried and apprehensive. They might not be as close to Mrs Hughes as their younger sister was, but Mary loved the butler as a second father. Now they obviously wondered what their parents had discussed with the two heads of staff – especially in light of recent events. Mary stepped to her youngest sister's side, drawing a deep breath in preparation of demanding answers or of barging into the drawing room to get them. Before she could do either, Mrs Crawley locked eyes with Lady Grantham and spoke quietly.

"She told you then?" she asked, a profound sadness showing in her voice.

Lady Grantham nodded equally sadly and sighed deeply. "I had hoped she would be spared that … but I have to admit, I was half-expecting it." Isobel looked defeated but also resigned – apparently she had been expecting it, too. A faint gasp could be heard from Anna and, as Isobel and Cora glanced over to her, she slumped against an ashen-faced cook, who swallowed thickly. Only Sybil looked wildly from one woman to the other.

"What has she told you, Mother?" she asked forcefully. "And why was Carson in there with you?"

Isobel gasped and whirled back around towards Robert and Cora. Her gaze said it all; disbelief, anger and exasperation. "You didn't!" she exclaimed. "After all she's been through …"

"To be fair," Robert interjected, "she didn't seem too averse to the idea." The look, Isobel shot him, could have killed a much lesser man than His Lordship and he winced visibly.

"Of course, she wasn't," she hissed. "She loves this man, but to be forced into marriage. Have you given her any choice?"

Lord Grantham had the good grace to blush furiously and avert his eyes, but Cora came to his aide. "We wouldn't have thrown her out, but …"

"You better wouldn't have!" their three daughters cried in unison as they surged forward and swarmed their over-whelmed parents. "We would be lost without Carson and Mrs Hughes." Sybil still wasn't satisfied with the disjointed information she had gotten and added fervently, "How could you ask that of both of them? They have worked here for as long as I can remember. This is highly unfair … and I can't say that it makes any sense to me …"

"Oh, but it does for your parents," Isobel said bitterly. "Propriety and illusion are the only things they care for."

"That is not true," Cora defended her actions hotly. "I know you have a problem with facing reality, but have you thought about all the difficulties Mrs Hughes would face as the mother of a fatherless bastard? No, of course not, but you …"

A blur of black, accompanied by barely audible sobs, rushed past Lady Grantham, nearly knocking her to the side. The gruff voice of a clearly irate butler broke the ensuing silence. "The future Mrs Carson," he emphasized every word clearly and with a steely note to his voice, "is carrying my child, Lady Grantham. I would thank you to remember that. If your wish is for us to remain here, I would hope that this is the end of this discussion." And he followed his betrothed up the stairs to the servant's dormitories.