Thanks so much to Peachdreamsandperseus for writing to me on some of technical legal jargon.

Family Pride

Christmas 1921 was less than a week away. The Crawley family would be celebrating the yuletide season in London this year. The Dowager Countess had arrived and would be staying with Lady Rosamund. Matthew and Lady Mary had accompanied the Dowager Countess to London. Lady Edith and Sir Anthony would be present for Christmas and New Years. A large tree arrived from the estate and Crawley House was a hive of activity as everyone prepared for the season.

Katie had married and Tom and Sybil had asked the wedding party to the house for a wedding luncheon much to the horror of Lord and Lady Grantham. Sybil had argued with her father over the luncheon but in the end he relented when Sybil reminded him that she and Tom were still responsible for some of the household expenses and ran the house without assistance when her parents were not in residence.

There was time for one more witness to be called for the defense and then court would be recessed until the New Year. Mr. Lewis had met with Matthew and Lord Grantham and indicated he would push for as long a recess as possible to avoid resentment on the part of the jury if their holiday was interrupted with court proceedings.

"This may be the season of brotherly love," James Lewis said. "But it also brings out the most selfish side of people. The best tactic is to delay the proceedings until as late as possible in January."

"How do you think Bates' testimony was received?" asked Lord Grantham.

"As long as I can continue to reinforce it with witnesses and substantiating evidence it will go a long way in proving his innocence. I have warned you before Lord Grantham. No case is ever fool proof. We can only work towards and hope for the best outcome possible."

"Yes, quite," said Lord Grantham.

"What do you make of it all?" he asked Matthew when they were alone.

"The man is rather full of himself," said Matthew. "I don't think John Bates could have a better defense though. He is right. There are no guarantees in a murder trial."

Matthew had been thinking over his own career situation this last while. He would not inherit from Lord Grantham for some years as his father-in-law was not that old and in excellent health. Matthew had been content to poke away at law pushing papers from here to there. If he wanted to make something more of his career he needed to work at getting bigger clients and making a name for himself. James Lewis may have been born into a family with a prestigious law firm, but it was the man himself who had the reputation as one of the best defense barristers in the country. Every time he was in London Matthew was confronted with Tom Branson who had gone from chauffeur to a respected political correspondent. The man had more requests for speaking engagements than he could fill. Being content to poke along was getting him nowhere, he needed to build his career and the only way to do that was through hard work.

In the last few days of court before the Christmas recess, James Lewis called Sir Richard Carlisle as a witness for the defense. The family did not wish to confront the man who had caused them misery, but at the same time did not want to show any weakness. The Dowager Countess herself accompanied Anna Bates to court, with her son seated on the other side of Anna. There was absolutely no way the Dowager Countess would allow her family to be intimidated.

"Sir Richard, did you have an exclusive contract with Vera Bates for her story concerning Lady Mary Crawley and a Turkish diplomat?" Mr. Lewis began.

"Yes, I did," said Sir Richard. This morning Sir Richard looked every bit the businessman and had his usual air of boredom with the lives of those he thought beneath him.

"Why did you enter into the agreement?"

"I was engaged to Lady Mary at the time and I wanted to protect her."

"Did you also want to protect your own reputation?" Mr. Lewis asked quickly after the last answer was given. He was not about to let Sir Richard come out of this matter looking like a hero.

"Yes, part of it," said Sir Richard. "I have worked hard to get where I am. Why shouldn't I enjoy the benefits?"

"Sir Richard, did you argue with Mr. John Bates at the train station in Ripon before you boarded the London train the morning of Vera Bates death."

"We had a difference of opinion."

"Please answer the question with yes or no, Sir Richard."

"Yes, we had an argument."

"What was the nature of your argument?"

"Mr. Bates told me he thought his wife Vera Bates would take her story to another paper despite our contract. I felt he should better be able to control his wife."

"At any time did Mr. Bates move to strike you?" Mr. Lewis looked directly at Sir Richard with his most impenetrable stare.

"No, he did not."

"Did you strike him?"

"Yes. I lost my temper. He fell to the ground. The chauffeur helped him back up."

"Did you take any action with regards to Vera Bates once you were back in London?"

"I sent a representative from my office around to remind her of our contract and let her know I would press charges if she broke our agreement."

"When did your representative return?"

"Around four o'clock or so," said Sir Richard.

"Did the representative relay the details of their visit?"

"The man reminded her of her contractual obligations and left."

"Did your employee make any other remarks regarding Vera Bates or her condition?"

"He said she was a Harpie."

Later that evening the Crawley's gathered for a formal dinner that included the Dowager Countess and Lady Rosamund. Court had been adjourned until mid January and for now life at the house revolved around the Yuletide and the coming festivities. Sybil brought up the topic of having a party over the holidays that included some of her friends from the nursing college.

"Sybil, you can't just invite people to Crawley House willy-nilly," her Grandmother complained. "Who are these people? They certainly aren't polite society. It just isn't done."

"Granny they are perfectly nice girls who live too far away from home to return for the holidays. Besides it would be nice to have a party with some of our younger friends. We could have a pot-luck and maybe dancing."

"A what?" the dowager countess said looking mystified.

"What is this pot-luck?" her father asked.

Lady Cora just sat with her mouth open, not able to utter a sound.

"Its when everyone brings something to eat. Tom and I could supply the cocktails. They are all the rage now and we could have dancing if we moved the furniture in the drawing room," said Sybil. Her family were really her guests now, since she ran the house and it was time she and Tom were free to entertain their own friends. "Mary and Matthew could invite some of their friends too. I am sure there are some single men Tom knows from the Press Club who would like to come who can't return home over the holidays either."

Tom was not saying a word. He knew Sybil wanted this party but he would let her deal with her family this time.

"You know Granny I am considered quite notorious in polite society," Mary raised her hand when Matthew went to say something. "Sybil's life has changed as well. It's a shame to have this huge house and waste it. I think we should have a party and Sybil should be free to arrange it as she pleases. It could be fun."

"The next thing you know, you will be inviting the servants to come and dance with your guests," said the Dowager Countess with a look of disgust.

"I wouldn't go that far," said Mary.

Lady Cora had finally recovered enough to squeak out. "How many guests were you thinking of dear."