"Bertie, did you speak with the game manager?" Mrs. Pelham asked as she entered Bertie's office without knocking
"Yes mother the guns are all ready for whoever needs them and the wagons are organized. No need to worry, besides we still have time they all get here next week not tomorrow."
"I know but we can't afford to fail at this, I hope you understand that." Mrs. Pelham tried to warn as Bertie looked up from his paperwork at her
"I don't see why you're getting all worked up over this, and that newspaper business on top of it, I think it's bit of an overkill."
"Bertie, you must not want to admit it because I know you are intelligent enough to understand that you are at a disadvantage, you were never meant to inherit. Most men have known who they would be since birth and more importantly others have known it as well, all the important people in society don't know you from the milkman and we need to change that. Whether you like it or not."
Bertie let an exasperated sigh out at his mother's speech, nearly the same one he's been hearing since he learned he was to become Marquess
"I know you want me to settle and find a wife and that will happen but-"
"No, I want you to find the right wife. I have no doubt you could take a walk in the village and convince some girl to marry you before you have to turn a corner but you'll need someone up to the task."
"I'm very aware of what you want, but I'm sure whoever I ask to marry me will be up to the task as you say." Bertie said with his infinite patience
"Just make it easy on yourself, with the war there are heaps of young women from good families waiting around for someone just to ask, all we need to do is generate a little interest and you'll have your pick."
"And that's what Lady Strallan supposed to do?" Bertie asked still a bit uncomfortable about someone trying to delve into his life
"Exactly. If she does her job right, but at least that Mr. Gregson is sending us someone who won't be slack jawed the moment she walks in, hopefully."
"You mean because she's the daughter of an Earl?"
"Yes, that's what I mean although the mother is American. Did you know that before you insisted on inviting the whole clan up here?" Mrs. Pelham asked annoyed at the prospect of more guests that didn't seem to be marriage material for her son
"I did, I like Americans I met a few of them during the war, I'm sure Lady Grantham will be a charming guest. And it's only four extra people, I didn't want Lady Strallan to think she would be relegated to the corner scribbling notes." Bertie tried to explain
"Well, let's hope they aren't all melancholy. Their daughter and two sons-in-law in less than a year and a half, what bad luck…hopefully they won't bring any of it with them." Mrs. Pelham tried to joke
"I hope you won't try and make any jokes at their losses while they're here." Bertie said clearly not amused at his mother's attempt at humor
"Of course not. It is strange though, first the daughter, their youngest in childbirth. Then not a year after that the son-in-law who was the heir in a car crash, then a few months later Lady Strallan's husband went in his sleep, a stroke if I remember right. But he was a bit older than her so she couldn't have been surprised." Mrs. Pelham said as Bertie tried to ignore her
"I hope you'll be kinder to our guests when they're actually here." Bertie said under his breath
"And do you know what I heard?"
"I'm sure you'll tell me either way." Bertie countered becoming frustrated at his mother's continued gossip
"She was in London when he passed, doing God knows what. That's why you need to find a young woman who will be committed to you, not running off to London to live some fantasy. So I hope you're taking this seriously, you'll need to put your best foot forward." Mrs. Pelham managed to bring it back to Bertie finding a wife as he got up from his chair and walked around his desk
"Mother, I think the best way to attract a good wife is the promise of a kind mother-in-law so I hope you can amend your behavior to further my cause..." Bertie said to his mother who was a bit shocked at what he just said "…I'm going for a walk, I'll see you at dinner."
AN: I just wanted to clear things up a bit, I got the impression some people were a bit confused with what was going on in the story, I hope this chapter gave you all some idea but just in case
Everything with Mary, Sybil, Matthew, and Tom is canon but with Edith she married Anthony as planned in series 3, we all know Edith is fertile so her and Anthony got pregnant a few months after their wedding so the other major change is that Marigold is like a year or so older than George, and I didn't change her name because I just didn't think it was necessary. And like it said 3 months or so after Matthew's car crash Anthony kicked it and soon after Edith moved back to Downton
Otherwise Michael's wife is healthy and well and they are happily married and both have a good friendship with Edith, and I made Edith and Mary have a better relationship because I've always wanted them to, and I think it would make sense with both of them going through similar situations and finding support and strength in each other. And everything with Bertie is pretty much canon.
That's about it, don't be afraid to message me if you have any more questions! And thank you all so so much for the positive reviews, I know this was a bit of a stretch and I'm really glad people have seemed to have taken to it!