"Oh, my God!" Lady Grantham covered her mouth with both hands in shock. "It can't be, Robert, there must be a mistake."
"I am afraid not. Apparently, he choked during lunch at his club." Lord Grantham told his distraught wife as he stared at the note the boy had just delivered.
"How terrible. Where is Rosamund?"
"At home. Mama is with her."
"Is that supposed to be a comfort?"
"Cora." Robert did not think now was the time to attack his mother. "I must go over there. We all must."
"Not the girls. Robert, they won't understand. About death, I mean."
"They were going to have to learn sooner or later, my dear." He pointed out sensibly.
"I know, but I was hoping it would be later."
"Their uncle has just died. I think the time is now."
"They might upset Rosamund further."
"I think she would like to see them. She will need family around her."
-00-
Dear Mr. Carson,
Thank you for writing to me about Mr. Painswick. Do not fret for one second about interrupting my vacation. You were correct to do so. Though I must cut my time with my sister short, I am glad that I will have the opportunity to pay my respects to my former employer.
I find it hard to believe that he is gone. He was a quiet man, but I still cannot believe that no one at the club noticed that he was dead for almost an hour. Mr. Painswick was a gentle man as well as a gentleman. My heart aches for Lady Rosamund. Though some might claim it was a marriage of convenience for her, I was privileged to see them in more relaxed moments. He was truly her best friend. I think that must be rare amongst marriages in this class, according to my limited experience.
I do plan to avail myself of Lady Grantham's generous offer of a room at Grantham House for the duration of my stay. I have no London acquaintances who could offer me accommodations. There is no need to send a carriage. I shall come straight to the service from the train.
Once again, thank you for thinking to inform me. I know you must be very busy as the family deals with this tragic event.
E. Hughes
Carson knew it was wrong to find something to be grateful for in a man's death, but he could not help but feel glad at the prospect of seeing Mrs. Hughes a full two months before anticipated.
The bell for the drawing room rang twice. Carson refolded her letter and answered the summons.
"I know Geoffrey is on duty, Carson, but this is a matter with which only you can help us."
"What is it that you require, My Lord?"
"It's about the young Ladies." Lady Grantham picked up where her husband left off. "And Mr. Painswick's funeral. We need your help looking after the children during the service and in the cemetery."
"Of course, My Lady."
"We'd have Miss Randall handle them alone, but I think the children would prefer if you were there, Carson." Lord Grantham added.
"I was planning to attend regardless, to pay my respects. If you wish for me to sit with the children, then I shall, My Lord."
"Thank you, Carson." Lord Grantham nodded. Sometimes he wondered what they would do without their steady butler. It was not a prospect he liked to consider. Thankfully, it was not likely to be a problem that needed solving for a good long time.
During the drive over to Rosamund's on the day that Marmaduke died, Lady Grantham had tried to explain to the girls what had happened to their uncle. She had been surprised to learn that the girls had already discussed death with Carson. At first, she had been upset. It was not the place of a servant to explain such things to her children, she told herself, but she had to admit that she had not wanted to discuss it with them. And Carson was more than a mere servant.
Her anger dissipated entirely when she realized that the girls had accepted and embraced his explanation. At one point, Sybil had told a sobbing Rosamund, "I miss him too, but you mustn't be sad. Uncle Marmie wouldn't want you to be sad. He isn't sad."
Rosamund had stopped crying to look down at her niece curiously.
"You'll see him again. Think how happy you'll both be then."
Unable to speak, Rosamund pulled Sybil into an almost painful embrace. The innocent faith of a child was exactly the comfort she needed.
-00-
"Mrs. Hughes!" She could see him over the other passengers as she exited the train.
As he approached, she gave him an amused and accusing look, her mouth frowning while her eyes smiled. "I told you not to send a carriage, Mr. Carson."
"I did not send a carriage, Mrs. Hughes, I sent a butler." He flashed a quick, crooked smile. "I'm afraid it's the omnibus for us. I am on my way to the service and I did not want you to have to carry your things all over London. " He took her tiny bag before she could protest.
His mention of the service reminded Elsie of the reason for her visit. Seeing him had initially driven every sad thought from her mind. The black mourning band on his bicep stretched as he offered her his arm.
"Have you seen Lady Rosamund, Mr. Carson?"
"Not yet. The young Ladies say she is doing tolerably."
"Can such young girls truly understand what their poor aunt is going through?"
"They can understand as well as any of us, perhaps better, what it is to lose someone who means the world to you." He said, his voice betraying his doubt. "Their world is so small; their uncle is one of the few people they know. I think they are all feeling it keenly."
"I suppose that is so."
When the open air omnibus that would take them by Highgate Cemetery arrived, Carson helped Mrs. Hughes up and then climbed in beside her. They rode silently at first. Whenever Mrs. Hughes dared look over at him, she caught him looking at her. He would smile awkwardly and then look out towards the street. She wondered if he were trying to drink in her presence the way she was trying to drink in his. Thankfully, even when she was looking away from him, she could smell his aftershave and the polish on his shoes.
Not for the first time, she wondered at the irony of their predicament. Their positions brought them together, but kept them apart. Society would let her take his arm in public, but it did not allow her to tell him how much she missed him.
"I hope your sister was not too upset that you had to cut your stay short." Mr. Carson finally addressed her.
"She understood. After all, I was able to visit her for over a week." Three days into her visit, Elsie had regretted promising to stay two full weeks. She and May were both so strong willed that they could never stay under the same roof for very long without clashing. "To be honest, Mr. Carson, I think I was in danger of overstaying my welcome." Elsie chuckled.
"That doesn't seem likely." Carson commented innocently, but then blushed to hear how it sounded. His embarrassment ended the conversation there.
When they arrived at Highgate, Mr. Carson helped Mrs. Hughes from the bus and offered her his arm again.
"This way. Unfortunately, I'm starting to know my way around Highgate." Carson smiled sadly.
"I'd like to visit Mr. Farrimond's grave if there is time."
"I'm sure that can be arranged, Mrs. Hughes. I believe the young ladies wished to visit it as well."
Elsie could see the family arriving amongst the gathering mourners as she and Mr. Carson approached chapel.
TBC…
AN/ Don't be mad at me for killing Marmaduke. To be fair, it was Mr. Fellowes who killed off Marmaduke, I'm just working it into my story. I wish we knew more about poor Mr. Painswick, but I choose to believe that he was very boring outside of the home, but that Rosamund loved him deeply.