As always, the characters in this story belong to Julian Fellows- however, I have taken some liberty with the staff members at Cavenham Park. Because there was no mention of their names in Series 5, I created they and their personalities for myself :)
Enjoy!
Late August, 1925
"I was thinking…perhaps we can discuss your lady's maid this evening with Mrs. Crane. Mead has given indication that one of the senior housemaids has been taking courses and would be a superior candidate."
Dickie smiled at his fiancée as they strolled through the lush gardens of Cavenham Park. He was proud to show her the estate's pride and joy, knowing she would soon be privy to enjoying it as her own. Isobel looked up at him, a bit of trepidation in her voice as she spoke.
"Yes…I suppose that would be best."
"You seem concerned," he replied, stopping and turning her to face him. "What is it?"
"It's just…well, I'm not quite sure Mrs. Crane is keen on giving up one of her maid's for a widowed nurse from the village," she answered honestly.
Dickie sighed. "I was hoping you had not picked up on her reservations."
"Unfortunately, she is not very opaque." Isobel offered a small smile and gently took his arm once more, leading him towards the center pathway.
"She never has been. Perhaps Elizabeth could be of help. She and Timothy are to be back before dinner," Dickie suggested.
"I do not wish to make things more difficult for the staff, Dickie," Isobel replied, looking away from him to view the vast gardens. She had hoped to enjoy the quiet setting, but the former Lady Merton's memory loomed as of late.
It was all she could do the past two months to be amicable to the stern Housekeeper, Mrs. Crane. Luckily, Cora and Mary had been helping her with most of the wedding details. And Elizabeth had been kind enough to sit in on a few meetings between the Housekeeper and future Lady Merton. But Isobel knew Mrs. Crane had been faithful to the former Lady of the House, going so far as to ask Lord Merton that they not hold the wedding at Cavenham for the sake of his late wife's memory.
Isobel frowned at the thought, knowing Dickie wished to celebrate their happiness as man and wife in his home...their home. While Cora and Robert had generously offered Downton for the occasion, Isobel hadn't felt it right to invade right before the holidays…especially when her only true link to them was buried in the cemetery.
Matthew….She knew he would be happy for her. But the reminder of him always brought with it a touch of grief. As Dickie chattered on about how Elizabeth could surely help turn Mrs. Crane around, she forced her son's memory aside, choosing instead to focus on the beautiful flowers and her fiancée beside her.
"What do you say, then? Shall we meet with Mrs. Crane and Elsa before dinner? I've met Elsa once, and she does seem a delightful girl. I think you will enjoy her company."
Isobel cautiously leaned her head against Dickie's shoulder as they turned the corner to lead back to the main house.
"I'm sure I will," she replied softly.
"Mr. Mead tells us you've taken some courses, Elsa. Is that right?" Elizabeth asked, smiling kindly at the nervous girl standing beside Mrs. Crane.
Elsa nodded, looking back and forth between Elizabeth, Isobel and Dickie in the drawing room of Cavenham Park.
"Yes, milady. I've taken two hairdressing courses, as well as advanced sewing. I've been stitching since I was a young girl but wanted to brush up on my skills."
"How wonderful," Isobel commented, also giving the anxious girl a warm smile. "That shows a great sense of motivation."
"She is still expected to finish all of her household duties before she is allowed to study, ma'am," Mrs. Crane added, not meeting Isobel's eyes. Elizabeth cautioned a glance at Lord Merton and saw his jaw tighten.
"Tell me, Mrs. Crane, how have you found Elsa's work habits? She is a Senior Housemaid?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yeses milady…she has done well in her current position. But I do not think it best…"
"Do not think what best, Mrs. Crane?" Dickie asked, standing from his place beside Isobel and clasping his hands behind his back.
The Housekeeper shifted from one leg to the other under the Baron's harsh glare. "Begging your pardon, milord, but I find that Elsa is most suited to housework. She has never been a lady's maid before and it seems best to have someone with experience in taking on the role."
"And how will she ever gain experience if she is not allowed to practice her craft?" he asked sternly. Elsa looked to Mrs. Crane, her face mixed with emotions. She longed to be a lady's maid but it seemed she had no chance if Mrs. Crane had her way.
"Her time is limited, milord…I do not think we could spare…"
"You do realize," Dickie interrupted, "that I plan on hiring another maid to replace Elsa if she is to take on the position of lady's maid."
"But….we never had an extra hand before," Mrs. Crane responded.
"Times change, Mrs. Crane, and I only want the best for Mrs. Crawley when she becomes Lady of this house," he answered, turning to smile at Isobel before returning his gaze to the flustered Housekeeper. "Is that not what you want as well, Mrs. Crane?"
"Of course milord but…"
She knew she should hold off commenting, but her boldness got the better of her.
"But surely Mrs. Crawley would do better with a more experienced maid who can show her how to act properly as a Baroness."
Elizabeth's eyes widened to the size of saucers as Isobel's smile faded. Dickie sucked in a breath, his fingers unclasping to ball in to fists at his sides. He took three steps forward, standing directly in front of the Housekeeper.
"You dare speak against Mrs. Crawley in such a way! You realize you are dangerously close to unemployment, Mrs. Crane!"
The Housekeeper took a few steps back, never having seen Lord Merton in such a state. Dickie's eyes bore fire and it was all she could do to stand in her place under his reproachful glare. Dickie's mouth opened to berate the woman when he felt a soft touch on his arm.
"I'm sure we can all agree that Mrs. Crane simply wants what is best for the household," Isobel said quietly, keeping her hand on Dickie's arm to calm him. "Perhaps we could give it a trial run. Elsa can come with us on holiday after the wedding, and we can be sure that Mrs. Crane is provided a new maid before we leave. We can reconvene after our return to see how all has fared."
Elizabeth stood quickly, coming to stand beside Isobel in support. "What a lovely idea! Wouldn't you say, Mrs. Crane?"
Her eyes silently told the Housekeeper to be cautious in her words, knowing Lord Merton was one loose comment away from firing the woman. Mrs. Crane caught Elizabeth's indication and nodded.
"Yes, very good ma'am," she replied quietly.
"Elsa, what do you think?" Isobel asked, knowing the poor girl was probably frightened to work anywhere near Lord Merton right now.
"Me? Oh…I…yes, ma'am…thank you for the chance," she squeaked, looking down quickly.
While Elsa knew Lord Merton was her employer, she was sure Mrs. Crane would give her a tongue lashing later for going along with Mrs. Crawley's idea. It took a moment, but Dickie seemed to relax a bit when Isobel smiled up at him, looping her arm through his.
"Then I think that's settled," she said, offering another happy look in the anxious servants' direction. "Mrs. Crane, please do let me know if you should need any help in advertising for a new housemaid. I will be glad to do what I can."
Mrs. Crane nodded, mumbling a thank you to Isobel.
"And now I think we should let you get back to your afternoon. We appreciate your both taking the time out of your busy schedules to come up," Isobel responded sweetly.
Elsa curtsied and scurried out of the room, Mrs. Crane quickly marching out behind her. Once the door closed, Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief.
"Goodness, she is a tough egg to crack."
Isobel chuckled as Elizabeth moved back to the settee but worried that Dickie seemed stuck in place.
"Dickie…" she called softly, lowering her voice so that Elizabeth would not overhear.
He shook his head in shame, whispering, "I am quite embarrassed by Mrs. Crane's words. I will leave her go immediately."
He turned to her, forgetting Elizabeth was in the room, and put both his hands on her arms. "I will not let anyone treat you in such a fashion…especially not in our home."
Her heart leapt at his thoughtfulness and concern for her. They were not even married, and he wished to make his home comfortable for her. Quite unlike an aristocrat, she thought.
"While I do appreciate your thought, I think I can learn to handle Mrs. Crane," she replied with a wink.
"Are you sure?" he asked seriously, searching her eyes for any sign of hesitation. She nodded and reached up to take his left hand. Surprised, he looked down as her fingers wrapped around his large palm.
"I'd hope I'm made of stronger stuff than that," she answered.
Elizabeth suppressed her laughter and looked down, knowing she was not to have heard their quiet conversation. But it gave the young woman hope that one day she and Timothy could behave in such a fashion…if only he would admit his feelings, she thought.
Dickie sighed and turned towards Elizabeth, keeping Isobel's hand in his. "My dear Elizabeth, thank you for your help. We may need to call on you again should Mrs. Crane decide to test Mrs. Crawley's kindness in the future."
Elizabeth looked up proudly and smiled at the couple in front of her. "I would be glad to."