Chapter 8: The Mermaids
While initially enjoying the attentions of his family, Robert quickly grew weary of the noise. He was surrounded by chattering women, aged six to sixty, though to be fair, Mama dosen't chatter so much as pronounce.
He had spent too long in the quiet company of men. There had been some raucous nights of cards and drinking, but, for the most part, Robert and his fellow officers took their responsibilities to their men very seriously. They were somber men making serious decisions.
Lord Grantham did not miss the smells of gunpowder and leather, but the hot house flowers and French perfumes of London assaulted his senses and made his head ache. He thought a return to Downton would calm his nerves. He longed to walk through his sleeping garden surrounded by the smells of earth and approaching snow. With a bit of quiet to retreat to, he thought he could better handle the girl's exuberance and constant attention.
Of course, Robert was glad to see Cora and had wasted no time in showing her how much he had missed her. Without the slightest hint of embarrassment, Lord Grantham had dismissed Carson from his valet duties on his first night back, as he had often done when he and Cora were newly married. But even the long awaited feel of his wife's body felt foreign in this strange bed that was not theirs.
Lord Grantham expressed his wish to leave London and return to Downton as soon as possible to Cora his first morning at Painswick Place.
"But we must stay through the 27th. Rosamund has promised the girls a treat. If her stories are to be believed, she has cajoled, threatened or bribed half of London to secure a box for opening night." Cora reminded him. "I know you want to be home, but this is so important to Rosamund and to the girls. We'll be home on Sunday. The house isn't going anywhere." She didn't understand that England wasn't home and London wasn't home; Downton was Home. Robert didn't want to hurt her feelings by insinuating that being with his family wasn't enough of a home coming, so he accepted his fate and began counting the days until the 28th.
The girls continued to be an absolute mystery to Robert. They'd sent him pictures and written him letters, but he was not prepared for the differences he found. Though only ten, Lady Mary was almost as tall as her mother and carried herself with a haughty pride that reminded him of Rosamund. Lady Edith had also shot up in height, but what he noticed most was her keen looks and quick wit. Though she'll never be as pretty as her mother or her sisters, Robert thought sadly. Left to themselves, Edith and Mary would tear each other apart with razor sharp words or claws. This was a new development. He remembered two sweet girls playing at dolls together or, better yet, dressing their baby sister in the nurse maid's clothes.
Even his baby girl was a young lady now; sitting properly at the meals she was allowed to attend and waiting her turn to speak in the drawing room before dinner. He was comforted to see that it did not come naturally to her yet. On his second evening back, she had practically bounced off her chair waiting to join the conversation. She looked fit to burst by the time she was finally given the floor. Lady Violet had turned to the fidgeting girl and asked, "Have you something to add, young lady?"
"Yes!" She had practically screamed. The rest tumbled out in an almost indecipherable jumble. "Yes! I just wanted to say…that I agreed with Mama, about Mary's new dress. The pattern looked different in the store and then when we went to pick it up, the color was wrong. They switched the fabrics and then we saw Gemma Richards at the ball in Thirsk and she was wearing the dress that Mary had ordered, in the fabric we had paid for, but the dress Mary ended up with was much nicer. Though Gemma looked very well also."
Rosamund had laughed at this. "Oh, child, you must learn to breathe when you gossip. And you must learn to be more critical of others, or no one will ever find what you say interesting. Cora, whatever are you teaching these children?"
"Don't tell her such things, Rosamund." Cora had scolded, not entirely sure if Rosamund was joking or not. Why did people without children always enjoy trying to corrupt other people's children? "Thank you, dear, for agreeing with me and I am proud that you found something kind to say about poor Gemma. Her family isn't doing very well, just now. I hear the father has lost a great deal of money on horses. I did not even know he liked the horses."
"Haven't you met his wife?" Violet chimed in. Edith clapped with delight at this bon mot.
"Mama!" Cora looked at Robert for help, but he was not paying attention any longer. He sat by the fire, next to Rosamund's husband. At least fifteen years Rosamund's senior, Marmaduke Painswick was hands down the dullest man Cora had ever known. She supposed he must have some hidden qualities, because Rosamund truly did love him, which baffled her family no end.
He was certainly a brilliant banker, and he was definitely filthy rich, but neither of these traits made him fascinating. Cora had been raised to believe that money could make a person infinitely more interesting. In her opinion, there was not enough money in England to redeem Marmaduke. This was perhaps the only thing on which Cora and Violet agreed one hundred percent.
Robert was watching the door, as if willing dinner to be called. Then he eyed the window, absently wondering exactly how far above the street they were. Before he could try his daring escape, dinner was announced and a new torture began.
Painswick Place had not seen such an active Christmas in years. Rosamund and Marmaduke usually headed to Yorkshire to spend the holiday with the family at Downton. Rosamund was proud and happy to play hostess this year. The downstairs staff were less enthusiastic, but were glad to hear they would have their luncheon off to celebrate. Many of the staff had family in London, so it was sure to be a small and subdued gathering downstairs.
Carson was missing Downton more than usual. When in London for the season, Grantham House was a home away from home. Painwick Place was just away from home. It did not help that Carson was having difficulty adjusting to being called Mr. Grantham. When he had been Robert's valet, he had been called Mr. Crawley. When he was the 4th Earl's valet, they did not travel anywhere. For this reason, he failed to answer the first few times Anders had addressed him. Now, the entire staff at Painswick Place was convinced that Mr. Grantham was hard of hearing or slow or both. Everyone insisted on speaking to him in a loud, pedantic manor that would have tried the patience of Job.
It did not help matters that there was very little for him to do. Each morning, he dressed His Lordship, saw that the previous day's clothes were gathered from Her Ladyship's room and laundered and then laid out the dinner clothes. After this Carson had relatively little to do but wait for the dressing gong, which was always accompanied by Mr. Anders yelling helpfully, "THE DRESSING GONG HAS SOUNDED MR. GRANTHAM!"
For perhaps the first time in his life, Mr. Carson was bored. God, he was so bored. The only servants he knew at Painswick Place were Miss O'Brien and Miss Randall and he was hard pressed to name which one made him more uncomfortable. On Christmas Eve, Carson had suggested to His Lordship that perhaps Roger could come and play valet while Carson returned to Downton to ready the house for his return.
"There really is so much work to do, My Lord. I would be of more use at Downton, though London is so exciting this time of year." Carson tried to sound as though he would be making a sacrifice to leave London behind, but master and servant were too much alike for Lord Grantham to be fooled.
"Nice try, Carson. But, if I am stuck in this awful place rather than spending Christmas in my own beloved home, I must insist that you stay as well. I don't even know this Roger fellow."
"He had been promoted to second footman just before you left."
"Oh, the oily one?"
"That would be him." Carson confirmed, resigning himself to four more days in London. "I hope at least the young ladies will enjoy the play."
"What is so special about this play, Carson. Rosamund had to move heaven and earth for a box."
"I can't explain why it's so popular before it's even opened, My Lord, but, having read it, it certainly should be a unique theatrical experience."
"What is it called… 'The Boy Who Refused to Grow Any Bigger'?" Carson laughed dutifully. Though not a very good joke, it was, at least a joke, which gave Carson hope.
"Peter Pan: The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up."
"And how does he accomplish that?"
"According to the author's earlier work, Peter flew out of his nursery window when he was a boy to spend a night playing with the fairies in Kensington Park. He decided to stay."
"So is he a fairy?"
"Again, according to the author, he is not a human or a fairy. I believe he says Peter is 'Betwixt and Between'."
"Betwixt and Between? That's exactly how I feel, Carson."
"That's to be expected, My Lord. Especially until you are truly home at Downton."
"I used to enjoy London."
"And you will again, My Lord. But not yet. And maybe not for some time."
"Thank you, Carson. I am truly sorry to keep you from Downton at Christmas, but…" Having you here is like having a bit of Downton in London. "Well, I'm just grateful that you are here."
"Will there be anything else, My Lord?"
"No. That is, yes. I have not had time to do any shopping and, while I know no one is expecting anything from me, I'd like to surprise Lady Grantham at the least. I've been told everything she's bought for the girls and they don't need anything more. But, I should like to have something nice for Lady Grantham." Robert removed his wallet from the dressing table.
"You did such a fine job with all the birthday presents while I was away, perhaps you could help me one more time?"
"Certainly, My Lord. Had you something particular in mind?"
"I'd like to get her jewelry, but she prefers to choose her own, so that will have to wait. I can hardly surprise her with something she's picked out. What would you recommend?"
"I've often observed that a woman can never have too many hats, shoes or gloves."
Robert almost laughed aloud to think of Carson trying to choose a hat for Cora. He pictured the somber and imposing Carson in the milliner's shop with a helpful attendant trying each one on and strutting around for him. Or, better yet, placing each hat on Carson's head and turning him to look into the mirror "Oh, that one is lovely with your complexion, sir"
"Gloves, I think, Carson. Some long, silk gloves, I think." Lord Grantham handed him a ten pound note and, as an afterthought, handed him one more. "That last ten is for you, Carson. Do what you like with it. Buy yourself a new hat or some new gloves as a Christmas gift from me or whatever you like. I know nothing will repay everything I owe you for how you've cared for my family; not just in these past two years. You do so much that cannot possibly fall under the duties of a butler, and I want you to know that Lady Grantham, the girls and I appreciate it."
"Thank you, My Lord."
"And take the whole day to shop. We are not changing for dinner tonight. Mama will not be pleased, but it is Christmas Eve." Robert reasoned. "Just leave Her Ladyship's gift in my dressing room during dinner."
"Yes, My Lord. Good day, My Lord."
A very unhappy Charles Carson shrugged into his coat and grabbed his hat before ascending from the servant's level to street level. He had been sentenced to an afternoon of shopping, in London, on Christmas Eve. Then a happy thought hit him. Perhaps he would buy something for Mrs. Hughes! Buoyed by the new mission, Carson squared his shoulders and set off briskly towards Knightsbridge. Might as well go into the belly of the beast. He knew at least he could find something at Harrods if he did not find something in one of the little shops he would pass on his way there.
TBC...
A/N Thanks for sticking with me through the time warp;) As always, comments and reviews are more precious than gold to me, but I have a specific question this time. What should he buy Mrs. Hughes? I have an idea, but I'd like to know your ideas. He doesn't have to buy the first thing he sees, after all...or maybe he should go try on those hats;)