Chapter 15 – A Tempest
Upon returning from the village, Robert Crawley was greeted by Carson. "It's a lovely day out there, Carson." He handed him his coat and hat.
"It would seem so, m'Lord," Carson replied. "Her Ladyship wishes to see you, sir."
Lord Grantham raised his eyebrows. "That would be par for the course. Where can I find her, Carson?" Robert asked.
"I believe she's in her room, sir," the butler replied. "Shall I send up some tea?"
"I will take it in the library in fifteen minutes. Thank you." Robert made his way into the hall and up the staircase. His wife assigned only the most serious of discussions to her bedroom. He assumed that it was about the wedding. It was no secret that she was unhappy about Matthew's and Mary's news of last evening. For himself, Robert could not be more contented. The sooner their union was formalized, the better. He wanted nothing more than to ensure for his eldest daughter the happiness that had eluded her for so long.
When he entered Cora's room, she was sitting in a chair by the window, staring out into the day. "Hello, darling," he said as he approached. She looked at him. There was no question that she was troubled. Her brow was furrowed and her mouth was set in a frown. "What is the matter?" he asked as he sat down across from her.
"It's Mary and Matthew," she told him. "I even hesitate to say it."
"Please, Cora, what is it?" Her anxiety was contagious.
"We were all deceived," she said in hushed tones. "We all thought Matthew had left early last night. But he was here alone with Mary." She returned her gaze to the window. Robert was quiet as he considered her narrative.
"How did you learn this?" he finally asked her.
"O'Brien told me. She watched him leave last night. It was past midnight when he left the house." Cora waited for Robert's response. Hearing nothing, she turned to look at him. Robert sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "If it's true, I have to say I am more relieved than anything else," he said.
"What? Relieved?" Cora was incredulous. "Do you know what you're saying?"
"Think of it, Cora," Robert countered. "Mary and Matthew have suffered every manner of obstacle in their relationship. Naturally I imagined the worst when I saw you. This is actually the least of my concerns."
"Robert, you must not be cavalier about this," his wife cautioned, her voice rising.
"Cora, be sensible. What can we conclude about their conduct? Absolutely nothing," Robert sat back in his chair. "We know Matthew may have been here past midnight. That is all we know."
Cora could no longer restrain her temper. "They sequestered themselves under a veil of secrecy and deceit. That can only mean one thing. And I will not have it. Not while I am mistress of this house." Her tone matched the sharpness of her words.
She got up from her chair. Robert rose and went to meet her. He held her gently by her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Cora, calm yourself. You mustn't read into this. Even if what you say is true, what does it mean? They are young and in love; they will be man and wife soon enough." Cora's face was hardened, her mouth set in a thin straight line. Robert added in a softer tone, "Surely you must remember what it is like to be in love?"
"We were already married," Cora replied, unaffected. "They are not."
Robert could sense that she would not be placated. "What will you do?" he asked her.
Cora said decidedly, "You mean what 'we' will do, Robert. We will send Mary away until the wedding. She can stay with her Aunt Rosamund in London or with her sister in Dublin. It will be her choice."
"And if she refuses?" Robert queried.
"Then I will confront Matthew. He can answer to me, if she will not." Cora stepped around her husband and headed for the door. "Did you arrange for tea, Robert?"
"In the library," he replied. "I will be there shortly." Robert proceeded to his room for a change of clothes. As expected, Thomas was there tending to his wardrobe. Despite Thomas' spotty history with Downton, Robert remained impressed by him. He had a hearty work ethic, was punctual and attentive to detail. Over and above that, Thomas had an entertaining turn of phrase and already, they had developed a good rapport. Although no one could replace Bates, Thomas was as good a stand-in as anyone.
After exchanging polite greetings, Robert sat down to remove his shoes. Looking up at his valet, he asked him directly, "Thomas, did you notice anything unusual last night?"
"In what way do you mean, sir?" Thomas said as he knelt down at the foot of Lord Grantham to assist him.
"You know. Noises late in the night, stirrings, that sort of thing. Anything out of the ordinary," Lord Grantham added.
"Well," Thomas began, "Miss O'Brien was not in bed until the wee hours or so she said. That's not unusual for her though." He selected a shirt for His Lordship and brought it to him.
So her story may have a ring of truth, Robert thought.
"An ancient house like this one cannot be without its squeaks and creaks, sir," Thomas observed.
"Quite right," replied Lord Robert, as he rose to replace his jacket. "I'll be in the library, Thomas."
As he walked down the stairs, Robert mulled over his conversation with Cora. He doubted that her mood had improved. He wondered whether his approach to the situation had been too casual. Yet even after reflection, it was impossible for him to frame it in more serious terms. Matthew was like a son to him. More than that, he was a war hero and a man of integrity from any perspective. Robert recognized that he was partial to him but for very good reason. And now that Matthew was to marry his daughter – whose love for Matthew was undoubted – he could see no harm in a small indulgence prior to the wedding. He regretted Cora's proposed tactics but he considered it very unlikely that he could divert her. He had little choice in the matter.
The tension in the house only increased throughout the morning. By the time Mary joined her parents for luncheon, the air seemed ready to snap. The young lover was oblivious to it. Her face still carried the glow from her morning ride and she greeted them with a warm enthusiasm. She sat down.
"Where's Edith?" Mary inquired blithely.
"She is lunching with your grandmother," Lady Cora replied. "How was your ride?"
"Perfect." Mary smiled at her mother. Lady Cora did not acknowledge her reply, nor did she return her regard. Carson began the lunch service and a relentless quiet settled over the table. Mary turned to the butler. "How are you, Carson?" Lady Mary asked him, smiling. "Very well, m'Lady," he said, returning her courtesy.
Minutes passed in silence. "Well," Mary began, "I hope you're not still disappointed with me, Ma-ma, about our new wedding plans." She stirred her soup as she waited for her mother to answer. Lady Cora looked up at her. "Carson, please leave us," she said to him, her eyes fixed on Mary.
"Certainly, ma'am," said Carson. He left straightaway. Mary turned to her mother expectantly.
"Mary, where were you at midnight last night?" Cora asked her daughter gravely.
Mary was composed. "I was in my room, naturally."
"You must think carefully when you answer my next question, Mary," Cora warned her. "Where was Matthew?"
Mary hesitated. "He was with me," she replied coolly. She looked at her mother intently.
Cora faced her. "And what business would Matthew have with you in your bedroom at midnight?" Her voice was low and restrained.
"We are adults, Ma-ma," Mary answered quietly. "It is no one's business but our own."
"Let me be clear, Mary," Lady Grantham responded with deliberation. "As long as I am your mother and mistress of this house, it is my business."
Mary answered her, "Does it really shock you, Ma-ma, that Matthew and I would be lovers? Why else would we want to marry as soon as it was possible?" She looked at her ring. "There is less shame in that than there should be in marrying for social rank or for money." She raised her eyes and looked at each of her parents in turn.
Robert stepped into the fray. "Mary, you go too far," he admonished her.
She turned to her father. "Do I?" She paused. "Matthew and I love each other. There is nothing impure or immoral about it. Our union is neither tainted by money nor the need for some social advantage. It is love, pure and simple." She looked at her mother and said, "And yes, we have acted on that love. So what of it? He is not a libertine. He is not a profiteer. He is more worthy of the title of gentleman than any that I have ever met in my life." Mary's voice rose with her conviction.
Cora sat back. "So what do you expect, Mary? That we allow Matthew to come and go from your bedroom as he pleases? Your argument is a shallow one." Cora's gaze went from Mary to her husband and back. "You cannot deny that you played a game of deception. You lied to me; you lied to your father. You know very well that you have broken the rules."
Robert leaned forward and spoke. "You are right, Mary, insofar as Matthew is concerned. He is a gentleman." He sat back. "But you cannot expect your mother and me to deny all social convention and allow you to continue."
Lady Cora addressed her daughter firmly and unequivocally. "This must stop. You must either remove yourself to London with your Aunt Rosamond or you can visit Sybil in Dublin. I will settle for nothing less." Her eyes were harshly set and her tone left no room for compromise. "Until the wedding," she uttered with finality.
Mary looked down at her table setting. Her heart had risen to her throat. "I cannot do that," she replied softly.
"You will," Cora affirmed. "If you don't agree, then you leave me no choice. I will ask Matthew to leave."
"He won't," Mary said quietly and she sat back. All at once, she felt exhausted. "Please excuse me." She drew back her chair and left the room.