Downton Abbey 8:39 am
"I am sorry did you just say that you knew Mr. Matthew?"
Charlie Carson rose from his seat; his crisp uniform looked sharp against the morning daylight. He rubbed his temples quite few times ever since he came to interview Mr. Jacoby, who sat there right in front of him with his haunting blue eyes staring at him.
Carson knew he had seen those eyes before but where? He couldn't remember.
The young man who came for his interview quietly sipped his tea and held his head down.
Though the young man had no reference, he was a war veteran; he even showed his fake leg to him.
Just like Mr. Bates when he first came here
Ever since Mr. Matthew has been missing the house was turned upside down .the whole house was in grief , lady Mary's anger filled screams filled the walls of downtown , his lordship 's constant tears did nothing to help in this situation .
Carson felt that a huge load had been on his shoulders now.
The whole house was caught in a storm; they were picking the pieces to slowly build again.
But whenever he picked pieces it all fell down again.
He like Mr. Matthew, had been strong supporter of him, he really thought Mr. Matthew being here the house was brought into life.
All that gone when the news broke.
Mr. Matthew could be missing or worse dead.
He didn't want it to be true.
The servants were constantly whispering something of which he can't control.
And their gardener took retirement which added another stress to Carson.
His heart condition was getting weak now , dr Clarkson told him to rest but how can he when he have so much to do
It seemed to Carson that he was doing a bad job at holding this house together
Now the issue of hiring another gardener tolled on him.
Somehow this young man wasn't convincing him well enough until he produced a letter.
A letter written by Mr. Crawley to lady marries.
Carson rubbed his face with his hands and sat down.
The young man seemed very quiet and kept folding and unfolding his hands.
"How do you know Mr. Crawley?" Carson asked the young man.
The young man faced him, his expression peaceful and calm.
" he and I were in battle fields together sir , Captain Crawley lead us to many brave battles and gained us victory , he was a good captain loyal to his troops and a firm leader " Mr. Jacoby smiled a bit and returned to his calm expression.
"What rank were you?"
"Solider sir, just a solider "
Carson rubbed his face again, is this true? Everyone knew Mr. Crawley was brave and victorious leader in the war, his loyalty was outstanding many generals have praised his leadership qualities.
But the way the young man spoke as it was so familiar, as if he knew captain Crawley
Really well.
But the letter which Carson insists to read first was another proof that this man could be saying is right.
But the request to meet Lady Mary was odd one.
Carson knew lady Mary should know about this, but if Mr. Jacobi goes with this letter a sudden chain reaction could break.
For this letter could bring hope and if that hope is crushed lady Mary would crumble like porcelain doll.
Nothing would support her.
The young man insisted to meet Lady Mary just once as on orders of his former captain.
"If I could just see Lady Mary for one second I can assure you I am telling truth "the young man begged.
"No that would be dangerous "Carson told him off.
"But Mr. Carson it's …
"you must know Mr. Jacobi that lady Mary is not "herself "this moment, since Mr. Crawley's missing the whole house is in grievance, some of them think he is dead, I don't want doubts coming to their heads which leads to nowhere by seeing you and I can't offer you the job" he told him, his expression serious and firm.
The young man's jaw dropped.
For a minute there was a silence but then Mr. Jacoby stood up.
" I am sorry sir , but I beg to differ you , you see captain Crawley did promised me hospitality when I arrive at this house , you may not like me , I may not like you but I can assure I am a hard worker and despite being a cripple I am good at my work , job or no job , I wanted to deliver this letter to lady Mary which she never got , I hear she's quite intelligent she will know what to do with me once she has read this letter " Mr. Jacobi finished , his cheeks blushing and his breath panting.
"Yes well, I won't let you that "Mr. Carson replied
The young man then moved to the door, his hands towards the handle.
"I really wish you had considered it Mr. Carson, please don't think ill of me "
With that the young man rushed towards the stairs, his angry steps made towards upstairs.
Mr. Carson followed, bellowing to come back
The young man never stopped.
Upstairs breakfast room Downton abbey
As Matthew rushed to the room he knew everyone will be in it, he also knew that Mr. Carson and several other servants were after him.
So many rooms, where to hide
He ran like mad men towards the hall, the lobby, and his legs rushing and shaking from all running, he chose to hide in the coat closet when he heard the servants came near.
After that he made a bee line towards the breakfast room.
It wasn't easy with his fake legs; several hall boys grabbed him from the back and mauled him over.
"Ouch, you nasty little things let me go!" he screamed while one of the hall boys pulled at his leg.
"God this house is going rogue"
Tom Branson stood in front of him.
"Let him go please "the hall boys left him and all explaining at once who this man was and how dangerous could he be
Tom only smiled and told them to be off.
He offered his hand to Matthew who in turn was left in crumple of clothes and adjusting his leg.
"You alright?" tom's voice came to him.
Matthew nodded, over the years Matthew and tom shared a very brotherly bond, the two become very good friends over the time.
"My goodness what have they done to you?" he lifted him up and brushed his clothes.
Matthew, who didn't like any brushing, flinched.
"I am fine Mr. Branson "he replied.
Tom's face become shocked.
"How do you know my name?"
Matthew smirked, even the years have passed but tom was still the same person he met so many years ago.
Even marrying Sybil didn't change him
He was bit like him.
"You are very popular Mr. Branson; your marriage was most talked in the area where I used to work "he smirked.
Tom blushed.
Matthew felt regret, it has been over a year since Sybil died leaving tom with their daughter
"I am sorry sir, I should not have spoken out of turn, please forgive me "Matthew casted his eyes down.
Tom was silence for a moment, but he smiled and waved it.
"It is quite alright, are you here to meet someone?" he enquired.
"Actually yes sir, you see I have a letter for Lady Mary Crawley, it's a message from Mr. Matthew "he showed the crumpled letter.
Never had he seen tom Branson shocked.
His eyes flipped out and his expression become stony, his hands trembled; his eyes were on fire he took Matthew by shoulders and pushed him to the wall, which caused Matthew to moan in pain.
"Tell me this is cruel joke you are playing on us you bastard, what have you done with Matthew? Where is he? What do you want from us you sniveling gold digging dog! "His breath was panted; his hold on Matthew grew tighter
Matthew could see the pain and hurt in tom's eyes, clearly he is effecting more than Mary here, tom is his friend of course he has every right to strangle every stranger who claimed that they have seen Matthew for money.
"WELL?" tom's voiced boomed in his eardrums.
Matthew flinched with pain again, the back injury and leg wasn't helping but he had to answer tom
" no….nothing …sir , I don't know where he is , I haven't seen him since war ended , he and I use to be in trenches and we worked as a team , he was my captain and I followed his orders ,I don't want any money , I don't want anything from you or your family , please believe me " he pleaded.
Tom wasn't convinced, his hands put more pressure in his shoulders, Matthew howled at pain.
"I should let Carson and his men at you for you are no better than a filthy liar, I swear to god if I find out you have been hiding Matthew and want to blackmail my family, I can assure you won't live rest of your lives in peace! "Tom snarled his eyes portraying deep hurt and his voice thick with pain.
The guilt was just growing and growing.
"Please believe me sir, I am telling nothing but truth! " Matthew insisted.
At this tom hit him In the wall , Matthew felt a large lump growing in his back of his head, tom was about to throw a punch when they heard ….
"TOM BRANSON STOPS THIS INSTANT!"
Matthew closed his eyes.
Her voice.
His Mary's voice
After so many days he heard it, it felt like a sweet music.
Tom immediately let go of him, and two men broke apart.
There in the stairs, stood lady Mary Crawley followed by Carson and the hall boys.
Dressed in black , Mary looked she aged a hundred years old , her eyes were bloodshot , her skin was pale , she had lost all the color in her face , there seemed drastic weightless and she looked so weak and fragile like a paper doll he used to see in the shops when he was a boy .
So fragile, so pretty, yet so strong.
He resists that smile which he knew would be growing had this situation was different.
Had Matthew been her side and if tom and Matthew get involved in a brawl she would have scolded them both severely.
"Mary ….this man claims he knows Matthew, you know how many men like him came before, they nearly emptied our vaults! please Mary don't do this , we can't be sure if he , really has information on Matthew , that is if he has correct one " tom pleaded
His sister in law ignored him gave a cold hard look at Matthew.
Matthew lost the ability to breathe.
The world seemed to get smaller and smaller when they stare at each other, just like the first time they laid eyes upon each other, the mixed feelings shock, disgust, happiness and now pain.
He truly represented like a goldfish out of water.
It was so heartwarming to see her again he could see her all day and not get tired.
But Mary jerked her head, shaking it if trying to deny something.
Aim here Mary, I am right here
"I believe you have something for me Mr. Jacoby? A letter perhaps? Carson told me "she coldly asked while holding her chin up.
Matthew who stood very still, jerked at her voice
"Y…yes my lady I believe I have "he produced his letter handed to Mary.
Mary took the letter and opened it gracefully.
The contents of letter were:
Dear Percy,
I know our time in war was very long and tough , it was a string between life and death , if you must know you have been very valuable to me during that time , I cherish our time together even though it was dark and broody we did have some fun time , I am in your debt Jacoby since you saved my and many others lives in Somme with your astute knowledge of herbal medicines many soldiers were able to heal faster and better , if you ever need anything , just ask , I will be glad to help you in every way , my home is open for you hence if you come by soon, I long to hear you soon my friend and bring your family too , my family would enjoy meeting you all .
Yours truly,
Captain Matthew Crawley
17 -11-19
As Mary read the letter, Matthew watched her expression; it turned from cold to dark, to painful to tearful.
He was so sorry that he caused so much pain to her, to them.
I am sorry Mary; please forgive me, if I had not written this myself you would never have believed me.
"Well it's certainly Matthew's handwriting but then anyone can forge "Mary spoke after a while.
A hint of tears clouding over her eyes, she was expecting good news not this measly letter.
Matthew gathered Mary has gone so bitter that she won't consider him at all.
" my husband did promise you his help , but truth is he is not here to help you Mr. Jacoby , you see he went missing three weeks and 5 days ago , I have no information where he is , if he is alive or….
Mary seemed to be fainted; he knew Mary could not even bear the thought of him being dead
Carson and tom rushed to her side and pulled a chair for her.
But Mary strong as ever insisted she was fine and despite the fresh wave of tears looming her face she spoke bravely
"my husband promised you his help and if he was here he would have helped you but I don't you, I don't you where you come from, how you met him, I want to work according to Matthew's instructions but truth is this is so confusing, I don't know what to do "she spoke quietly while looking at the ground the tears dropped, making the deep red carpet rich in color.
Matthew's heart broke.
I am not dead Mary, I am here, I am alive here, for you I am alive, or else I would have died a long time ago
"My lady if I may? " Carson interrupted
"Yes?"
"given the behavior this young man showed us this morning we should not hire him, he seems rash and doesn't even come with reference of work but given that Mr. Matthew himself wrote this letter and promised him help and he may be our connection to Mr. Matthew's finding, he may know his friends or comrades who were in war with him and this man could lead us to them, if Mr. Matthew is happening to be among them we can find him in no time "Carson debated
"Wait a minute how you know he even knows Matthew, he hardly knows where he is yet alone help us "tom spoke
Carson seemed irritated.
"I am sorry sir, but I would go ends of the world to find Mr. Matthew and bring him back, I am sure this young man seems genuine enough, but for lady Mary's sake I like to keep the hope that our young lord is alive and safe and will be back home shortly "Carson spoke as he looked at Matthew.
Matthew couldn't believe it.
He knew they would found out so therefore they need to work fast.
" I want to run this with papa , I want to know what he thinks , if he says that Mr. Jacobi stays , he stays , I agree with tom I don't believe he might know Matthew well , but I am ready to take that chance , if Mr. Jacobi does know something vital regarding Matthew I am sure he will come clean but mind you Mr. Jacobi if you by any means exploit my grief in any way you will be sorry , I would not force you but if you by any means give us false information I shall make it see that tom indeed makes your life worse " Mary spoke coldly .
"I, but I really don't know where he is my lady "Matthew said.
Mary made an irritating noise like she has listened to this many times.
"I know you don't, but anything, anything will help, any memory which he spoke of, a location anything unlike Carson and me everyone believes he is dead, and I don't, I might go to hade's underworld and bring him back if just means to be with Matthew for a moment longer "her determined eyes challenging him if trying to him dare wrong her.
"I won't in anyway take advantage of the situation my lady; I would help you in any way I can "his head bowed low as he swore to come clean as soon this is over.
Mary smiled a bit, it might be such a long time for her, and she didn't give much away.
"Good then you are hired "
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