Lady Edith Crawley, second daughter of the Earl of Grantham, couldn't believe her luck. Three new gowns! Mama had inspected their wardrobes and although both Mary and Sybil needed a new thing or two; a bonnet or a spencer, Mama had decided that none of Edith's evening dresses were suitable. Her green and gold silk was out of style, her orange was too childish and her white muslin sprigged with flowers had a slight tear in it. The muslin could be fixed, but it still wasn't formal enough.
And so, on the fine Spring morning when the Ladies set off for Ripon, Edith was for once the only person who was not feeling discontent. Mary resented having to walk and the fact Edith was getting more new things than herself, and Sybil had been hoping to go for a ride in the carriage (with Branson, the coachmen) instead of being stuck in a dress shop, being fitted for her new pelisse.
"I don't see why we couldn't have the dressmaker come to us," Mary sneered, too grand to actually consider visiting a shop for herself.
Cora sighed. She had been planning for this visit for months. Bedrooms had to be made up, menus arranged and entertainments planned. "The walk will do us good," she answered simply. In truth, Cora was relieved to be out of the house and getting some fresh air.
"And I don't understand why Edith is getting the new gowns. Not when the reason for the visit is to make a match between myself and Cousin Matthew," Mary added candidly.
This was true. Ever since the death of the previous heir, Cousin Patrick, Mary had been obliged to allow herself to be courted by Cousin Matthew, regardless of the fact they had both taken an instant disliking of each other. However, Cousin Matthew had been away for some time. He had had been studying Law at Cambridge before departing for France for a few months. He was returning to Downton with a large party of friends and Mary's family had hoped that the two of them would find each other more sufferable on re-acquaintance.
"You had a new gown two weeks ago," Cora pointed out, "And the rest of your clothes are entirely suitable. Edith doesn't have a thing fit to be seen in. Besides," she added, "Cousin Matthew is bringing a party of Cambridge friends with him, many of whom would be entirely suitable for Edith,
"Two engagements in one visit," Sybil laughed, "Very economical,"
Mary leant to speak in Sybil's ear, "It would be if it were you, Darling, but new gowns for Edith would be nothing but a waste of money. Edith is lucky Papa can afford the added expense. Otherwise he would have to be practical and spend the money only on someone who it is worth dressing!"
Edith would have dearly loved to give Mary a cutting retort, but she could not think of one. No doubt she would wake up in the middle of the night with a genius response, only to be too late.
She was saved from having to say something when they reached the Milliner's. Sybil and Mary went to inspect bonnets whilst Cora and Edith were shown different fabrics and trimmings. To Edith's pleasure, Cora avoided the usual pastel shades that she preferred and instead focussed on the richer colours that were more to Edith's liking. Finally, a deep blue satin, a bright rose pink cotton and pale gold silk were settled on.
They then departed to the Dressmaker's for the gowns to be fitted. Madame Swann advised them on trimmings and cuts before obsequiously bowing them out the door, assuring them the gowns would be ready in a week.
Upon reaching Downton, Cora was received with distressing news. Having dispensed with her spencer and bonnet and settled into the Drawing room, she opened a letter and gave a slight gasp of despair.
"What is the matter Mama?" Mary asked absentmindedly, picking at her embroidery without interest.
"Oh, Cousin Matthew has written, asking if he could bring another guest. He has just lost his Cousin and is feeling rather dispirited," Cora read on, "I suppose we shall have to receive him,"
"I don't see why," Mary sneered, "How awfully presumptuous. Just tell Cousin Matthew he may not come,"
"He is a Marquess with a great fortune and a large estate in Northumberland," Cora added.
Mary paused.
"Well I suppose we shall have to receive him,"
DA
The bedrooms had been made up, clothes delivered and the guests would soon be arriving. Along with Cousin Matthew and Cousin Isobel, notable guests included The Honourable Evelyn Napier, Lord Gillingham and his fiance the Honourable Mabel Lane Fox, her friend Miss Lavinia Swire, Mr Charles Blake esquire (heir to but not son of a wealthy Baronet) and of course, the Right Honourable Herbert (Bertie) Pelham, Marquess of Hexham.
"I daresay," Violet mused a she watched the carriages arrive, "We certainly have our choice of Gentlemen for the girls,"
Robert smiled. "If our hopes for Cousin Matthew and Mary do not play out, then a Marquess would certainly be a respectable consolation,"
Mary scanned the carriages, wondering which one held the Marquess. She had decided to permit Lord Hexham to court her seriously. His ascension to the title had made up for his rather low birth and his wealth exceeded that even of her father's. Furthermore, by all accounts he had grown up at Brancaster as his Cousin's playmate, and so managed to acquire some truly decent manners. Unlike Cousin Matthew who had spent his childhood as the son of a middle class Doctor. And so, Lord Hexham was a far superior match than Cousin Matthew.
'I will give Matthew to Sybil,' Mary thought, 'Downton may remain in the family. Of course Edith may certainly not be permitted to marry him. She is most decidedly not Countess material,'
She peered curiously at each guest as they disembarked. The ladies were both dressed with extreme fashion and elegance, although Miss Lane Fox rather more flamboyantly than Miss Swire.
Lord Hexham, Mary found to her dismay, lacked the dashing good looks she had hoped for. That said, he was not ill favoured. He had a very honest, open face. His eyes were kind and he had a most genial smile. Indeed, Lord Hexham's entire manner was most amiable. His clothes were of a good fabric and a fine cut, telling of his high rank and fortune. However, he had a diffidence about him that made Mary think he would be very easy to control. Indeed, Mary thought him a very suitable match indeed.