Chapter Two: And it was Your Heart on the Line
The Servants' Hall filled with the usual scrapes and squeaks of the chairs as everyone stood up. Mr. Carson walked into the room, and judging by his wide grin, it seemed that he had good news.
"I know many of you have been concerned about William, so I'm sure that you'll be pleased to hear that he has arrived safely from Leeds," Mr. Carson announced before taking his seat at the head of the table.
Everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief and they took to their seats again. Mrs. Hughes murmured, "Oh, thank goodness!" and Mrs. Patmore cheered. Even Miss O'Brien produced a small smile while Thomas muttered something under his breath that sounded like, " 'Bout damn time."
"William was second footmen at Downton before he went to war. He's a bit of a favorite 'round here," Anna explained to the new maid, a willowy, doe-eyed, blonde girl called Johanna Jackson. Johanna had only been hired the previous day and Daisy already liked her better than Ethel. Not that that was saying much, but Johanna seemed bright and vivacious as well as a great deal more humble than Ethel. Her only drawback was that unlike Ethel, Johanna probably wouldn't leave magazines lying around that Daisy could "borrow." "He and Daisy are going to be married," Anna continued, nodding in Daisy's direction.
Johanna turned to Daisy, looking positively thrilled. "You didn't tell me you were engaged! You must be so happy he's come home."
"I'd be happier if he came home in once piece." And if I didn't have to break his heart.
"Some don't return home at all," Johanna reminded her.
Mrs. Hughes eyes flashed from Daisy to Johanna, always quick to stop trouble before it started. "You can hardly blame the poor dear for being upset. It's been quite a traumatic time for all of us, especially Daisy. "
Johanna considered a moment, and then nodded, offering Daisy an apologetic smile.
"I have already discussed this with Mrs. Patmore. You may go up to see him after one o'clock," Mrs. Hughes told Daisy, "while the soldiers have their luncheon."
"He's in the bedroom up at the end of the South Gallery," Mr. Carson added, his voice very gentle. Daisy had long grown used to the pitying, if slightly patronizing, tone Mr. Carson often used with her. But this was rather different. He sounded less like he was talking to a child and more like he was speaking with someone very old and weary who might collapse at any moment.
"Thank you," she said softly, not meeting his eye as stood up from the table and followed Mrs. Patmore into the kitchen.
For the next couple of hours, Daisy and Mrs. Patmore worked in relative silence. Mrs. Patmore would bark and order and Daisy would say, "Yes, Mrs. Patmore!" then go on to scrub a pan or chop some vegetables. As the clock ticked nearer and nearer to one o'clock, Daisy began to feel faintly hopeful that she might be spared from another lecture. However, as Daisy began to untie her apron, it seemed as though Mrs. Patmore could no longer restrain herself.
"Daisy," she started.
"No," Daisy whimpered. "Please, Mrs. Patmore."
"I'm not going to try to talk you out of it," Mrs. Patmore said resignedly. "I'm just asking you… please be kind to him about it. He's had a rough time of it and it might take a long time before he's back to his old self. That is… if he ever is."
"I'm not doing it to be unkind," Daisy wailed in an undertone. "Don't you understand that? What am I supposed to do? Marry him? Let him waste his life on someone who doesn't love him back? Don't you think he deserves more than that? I certainly do. "
Mrs. Patmore heaved a heavy sigh and turned away from Daisy. "Well, go on and get on with it. Sooner you go the sooner you can come back and wash the dishes."
Daisy left the kitchen, thinking of what she had to do and trying for the umpteenth time to come up with the least painful way to execute it. Once again, she came up with absolutely nothing helpful. Every scenario she could imagine ended with William utterly crushed and their friendship ruined forever. She shuffled along to the South Gallery. She was about halfway there when she spotted a man with graying hair and a mustache walking down the hallway towards her.
He paused when he saw her. She had nearly walked by him before he finally spoke. "Excuse me," he said, his voice warm. "But you wouldn't happen to be Daisy Robinson would you?"
Daisy stopped dead in her tracks and slowly turned to face him. "Yessir, I am."
"I'm Henry Mason. I'm William's father."
"Oh." Not sure how to respond, Daisy held out her hand.
"I daresay I was hoping I might run into you on my way out." Mr. Mason gripped Daisy's hand with both of his own. "I was just seeing him get settled. I am so very glad to finally meet you. You truly are every bit as lovely as William described."
Daisy flushed and looked down at her feet, embarrassed but flattered. "You talk of me as if I'm an English rose."
Mr. Mason squeezed her hand and then released her. "But you are." He smiled. "I won't keep you. I know you must be anxious to see him."
"How is he?"
"He's much, much better than I thought he would be. They're taking first-class care of him. He's in good hands. Now run along. I imagine you haven't been given a much time off to see him. And you mustn't keep him waiting. "
"No," Daisy agreed, trying to keep her voice from breaking. "I mustn't keep him waiting. It- It was nice meeting you, Mr. Mason." She bid William's father farewell, feeling that what she had to do would be that much more difficult now.
AN: Yep, I got rid of Jane. I figured if I'm going to (eventually) make Downton a happier place, I might as well do it thoroughly. :) Big, big thanks to those of you have followed, favorited, or reviewed so far.