Articles
Disclaimer: Downton Abbey would be a very different show, believe me, If I were the one in charge. Downton Abbey belongs to Julian Fellowes.
Pairing/ Character(s): Patrick Crawley, Edith Crawley.
Author's Note: This takes place a few years before the start of the show, both Edith and Patrick are in their pre- to early teens. Also, Cora repeats some of the least helpful advice I've ever received in my life.
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Lost in the mystery of Mr. Holmes and the Baskerville moors Edith was utterly oblivious to her surroundings. The servants were used to it, as were her parents – they'd shout if they wanted her attention or simply steer her away from catastrophe if she walked while she read. Patrick watched as his cousin wandered from the library to the drawing room, her nose stuck in a book. If he kept along the wall she wouldn't notice him at all and he'd be able to get the jump on her. Reading was the only time Edith didn't notice him Patrick mused. Mischief was more difficult with her trailing after him with the devotion of a dog, the subtlety of an elephant, and the grace of a goose.
Quietly Patrick began to follow his middle cousin.
Edith turned the page on her mystery. Doyle was truly a gifted author; she could almost feel someone – or something – watching her.
The shout and the body on her back came out of nowhere and Edith couldn't help screaming. The book flew out of her hands and she found herself on the floor with Patrick sitting on her legs laughing manically.
"Patrick!" Edith screeched, her face flushed scarlet. "You scared me!"
"I did indeed!" He crowd, springing to his feet and darting off.
Edith sat up and stared after her cousin. Her book was crumpled, a few pages looked rip. Her place in the narrative most certainly lost.
"Edith, honey, what happened?" Cora asked, the shrieks and thumps drawing her from the drawing room.
"Patrick scared me." And hurt her when they fell, Edith could feel a large purple-black bruising on her left flank. She would be tender sitting for days.
"Oh, honey." Cora cooed, offering her middle child a hand. "Sometimes men tease you as a way to hide how they really feel. Sometimes the meaner they are the more they like you."