During dinner that evening Robert and Cora tried to act as normally as possible. They didn't want to worry anyone else and seeing as no one else knew their secret, it didn't make sense to draw attention to it any more than it already had been; and for Aurelia and Henry's sakes they wanted the dinner to be a success.
'So Doctor Forbes, do you intend to stay a general practitioner now that you are staying in Downton.' The Dowager Countess asked the young man. He had been afraid of meeting her the most.
'Yes Lady Grantham I do. I did once consider specialising, but I find that the work as a GP is so much more rewarding because it is so varied; and with the new advances in technology and in treatments it's an exciting time to be in medicine.' He enthused.
'I think it is marvellous news that you are getting married.' Sybil said brightly and made Aurelia blush a little.
'Yes have you considered any dates yet?' Mary asked.
'Well we're going to wait until after your wedding if that's what you're worried about.' Aurelia said rather sharply and quite the opposite from her usual kind nature, but then again she and Mary were never close.
Whilst they didn't argue and bitch at each other like Mary and Edith, as children Mary used to be very hard on Aurelia and it was something Aurelia never forgot. Therefore, in recent years, even when Mary wasn't being snide or sarcastic, Aurelia could jump to wrong conclusions or jump to the defensive.
'For Heaven's sake Ella, I wasn't asking for that reason. I was just wondering how far ahead you'd thought, that's all.' Mary replied defensively, making Aurelia regret her quickness.
'I see. Well we thought that since Grandmama is coming over for our ball and staying on for your wedding that we should have it as soon after as possible so that she can come to our wedding as well. We were thinking about the following month perhaps, early June at the very latest.' Aurelia explained more warmly and much more her normal tone.
'Well I think that sounds wonderful darling. Don't you agree Robert?' Cora said as she glanced to her husband.
'Yes I think that's lovely.' He said, but his tone sounded tired and unconvincing.
'Perhaps we should retire to the drawing room?' Cora said to her daughters, mother-in-law and Isobel.
The men all stood as the women left for the other room, leaving the men to talk business, shooting, fishing and anything else they wanted to discuss. Aurelia felt bad for the way she spoke to Mary at dinner; she knew she shouldn't have jumped down her throat like that. As they went into the drawing room, where hot tea was already waiting for them, Aurelia took a hold of Mary's hand and pulled her to one side.
'I just wanted to apologise for the way I spoke to you earlier. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that and I'm sorry.' She said quietly and in her usual softer, brighter tone.
'No it is I who should apologise to you Ella. I shouldn't have made it sound like an accusation and I shouldn't be surprised that you get so defensive when I spent so many years having a go.' Mary replied earnestly and in a tone very different from her own.
Aurelia wasn't used to this new Mary, whom was more compassionate for life than ever before, Matthew was doing wonders for her clearly.
'Actually, there's something I've been meaning to ask you and it may come as quite a shock to you.' Mary said quietly, building up the courage to ask her question. 'I want to ask you to be my maid of honour.'
Aurelia was indeed surprised by Mary's question. She couldn't think of a reason why Mary would want her to be her maid of honour, but she was delighted to be asked.
'Well yes of course I will; I'd be delighted!' She exclaimed with quiet excitement. 'But why me?'
'Because, darling sister; you've always stood by me even when I didn't deserve it. You have compassion that others don't and I envy you for it.' Mary replied before casually walking off to join the others.
'What was that all about? She wasn't giving you a hard time was she?' Sybil asked her sister in quiet whispers once Aurelia joined her on the sofa; she hoped that Mary wasn't being insensitive about Henry or the wedding.
'No quite the opposite actually; she's asked me to be her maid of honour.' Aurelia explained and both girls gave each other looks of utter amazement. 'Actually whilst we're on that subject; I'm hoping that you will agree to be mine?'
Sybil looked absolutely thrilled by her sister's question and tried desperately hard to conceal her excitement.
'Oh Aurie of course I want to be your maid of honour; I was beginning to think you'd never ask!' She said and both girls giggled.
'Are you two going to share with the rest of us what it is you are giggling about over there?' The Dowager said with an amused look on her face.
'Oh nothing Granny; we were just talking about the wedding.' Aurelia replied with a smile. 'Do you like him Granny?'
'Well he seems a nice enough young man and I am sure he'll come in very useful if you were in need of a doctor in a hurry.' She replied, which to everyone's ears meant, yes, she did like him; not that she'd ever admit it outright.
As the men re-joined the women, the Dowager and Isobel were ready to head away home. Mr Carson and Alfred arrived with their coats and hats and led them out to the car and Henry and Aurelia stood in the entrance hall chatting.
'I should really be going home as well.' Henry said as everyone said goodnight.
'Yes I'm feeling very tired myself. But I think tonight was a success. I hope you didn't find it uncomfortable at least.' Aurelia replied.
'On the contrary; I think your family are very nice. But even if they weren't nice, I'm marrying you and not them.' He whispered as he gave her a little kiss on her cheek.
'Ha, that's what you think.' Aurelia replied mischievously and then watched as he disappeared into the night.
Everyone retired to bed soon after. They were all exhausted and none of them felt like staying up to talk. Robert and Cora took the moment to talk properly about the letters and about the situation they now faced.
'But how could someone have found out Robert. The only people who know the truth is us and Mrs Hughes and I know she won't have said anything to anyone.' Cora said as she laid in bed.
'I don't know but I intend to get to the bottom of it. Obviously someone thinks that they can intimidate us, but it's not going to work. We'll see what tomorrow's letters bring and then I might send them down to Murray and see what he thinks of them.' Robert replied crabbily.
'Are you certain we'll get more?' Cora asked with concern.
'Yes my dear, I think that is the only certainty we do have right now. Whoever has written these damn letters hasn't asked for anything yet, so I think it is safe to say we've still got that to come.' He said.
'Well whatever we do Robert we have to contain it. Ella cannot find out about this and certainly not from these letters.' Cora said with the kind of protection only a mother could understand.
They both laid in silence for a few minutes and listened to the constant ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece. It felt like hours before either of them spoke again.
'Robert, do you ever question if we did the right thing?' Cora asked with a tone of upset and worry.
'I ask it every day; and every day I look at our beautiful girl and think of the alternative for her and I have no doubt in my mind that we did what was best for her.' Robert replied and kissed his wife goodnight.
Although they didn't say another word to each other that night, neither Cora nor Robert got any sleep. They felt sick with worry for the anticipation of the next letter and with the torment of what to do next, but the receipt of the next letter almost took that decision out of their hands.
Cora had decided to go down to breakfast that morning, which was most out of character for a married woman, but she gave the excuse that she wanted to be up and about early so as to go into the village and see Isobel. However, she actually wanted to be there in the dining room when the post arrived and she was very greatful that when it did it was just her, Robert and Edith sat having breakfast.
She tried to hide her look of concern as Robert read the letter and watched as his face turned white. He then handed the letter to Cora who read and re read the letter several times before gasping out loud.
'Mama what's the matter?' Edith asked as she watched her parents' frightened expressions.
'Nothing you need to worry about.' Cora replied with a feigned smile but her glance to her husband said it all; one of their worst fears had been realised.
This time the letter read:
I think by now you know what I'm getting at Lord Grantham. Therefore, the price for keeping this secret is £10,000. You are to deposit this money into a safety deposit box held in the name of Lady Felsham. For every day that I do not receive this money another one of your associates will receive your story until I eventually go to the papers with your scandal.
A letter has already been sent to one of your acquaintances.
They both hoped that their blackmailer was trying to call their bluff, but they couldn't take that risk. The first thing Robert needed to do was see Murray immediately.
'I'll take the next train down, although I won't get into London until late so there won't be another one home until the morning. I'll stay with Rosamund but I won't take Bates with me, not for just one night.' Robert explained to Cora as he prepared himself to leave.
'Robert you must promise to call me as soon as you have an answer from Murray. And what do you want me to do in the mean time?' Cora asked.
'Try to stay calm my darling, for Ella's sake. Until we know from Murray, there's no telling what we should do for the best, so just sit tight until I call.' Robert said as he clutched his wife's hands in his own.
She watched as he disappeared in the car down the drive and prayed that he could stop this before any damage was done. She walked back inside the house and felt at a loss as to what to do. She wanted to take Aurelia away and protect her and keep her safe and she saw her daughter walking down the stairs, she decided that that was exactly what she was going to do.
'Ella I want you to come to York with me today.' She said, giving Aurelia the impression that it wasn't up for debate.
'Certainly Mama; is there are special reason?' Aurelia asked.
'Well I just wanted to spend some time with you that's all my darling; and I thought that we could start looking at some wedding dresses for you.' Cora replied with the first thing that came into her mind.
'That would be lovely Mama. Can Sybbie come too?' Aurelia asked and she made her mother smile.
'Oh you two, you are inseparable.' She said with a small laugh but it made her heart fill with joy.
As Aurelia went to get Sybil Cora allowed her mind to wander as she remembered the first time she'd held them both in her arms. Sybil had been born first and then Aurelia; but she remembered looking at them both and feeling more pride and love than she ever thought she could manage. With her four daughters, her life was complete and she couldn't have been happier. But now someone was going to ruin everything for them and destroy their daughter's life with one swish of the axe; no matter what she had to do to prevent it, she had to stop that from happening at all costs.
The next thing Cora knew, her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of both Sybil and Aurelia, dressed in their hats and coats, ready to brave the cold February air.