Hello again!

I have a free day today so Chapter 2 Is coming in hot! I gained some new followers for this story and that is so incredibly exciting, thank you for reading! Just a little info for any of my more factual readers that may be here, for this story I'm going with the idea that the library, often featured in the show, has two doors, one at each end. This is probably incorrect but for the purpose of the plot, I ask you to bear with me! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you did the first and again reviews are very much appreciated!

The Intruders

"Certainly sir" the butler replied, using every ounce of restraint to sound unfazed "If you'll allow me to show you to the library, you can wait there while I fetch his Lordship".

The man sneered and lowered his gun, a standard service revolver, as he stepped inside to follow Carson. His two cronies followed suit equally as smug looking. The leader had a gash across his left cheek and carried two empty sacks, his accomplices with one each stuffed with what could only be assumed stolen goods. Carson took a confident guess at their motive and was honestly somewhat relieved. Robbery meant no need for anyone to be hurt, in fact it was immensely preferable. So with that small assurance he showed the men to the library and left, heart pounding, to fetch Lord Grantham.

The game was just as light-hearted as it had been when he had passed by minutes earlier to answer the door. How suddenly things can change, he thought. And as he entered the drawing-room Carson was greeted by a howl of laughter from His Lordship in response to Lady Edith taking her turn. He cleared his throat and mustering every piece of his decorum to try and sound neutral said plainly:

"My Lord, may I speak with you?"

Robert turned his head with the intent to dismiss him, but he was stopped in his tracks as soon as he caught the butler's eye. No amount of training can suppress human nature and a glint of the truth had prevailed. And that quite alarming aspect of the butler's gaze told him something was very, very wrong. So he brought his wife's hand to his lips and kissed it softly, made his excuses, and joined Carson at the door.

"Well Carson, what is it?" he asked jovially, his attempt to deceive those around him that he suspected something serious. But the act was soon forgotten as Carson's severe whisper reached his ears. He was blunt and to the point.

"My Lord, there are three men in the library. One is carrying a revolver and between them they have four flour sacs, two full, two empty. They have asked for you."

Robert could not hide the unbridled fear he felt sweep across his face. He took a moment to gather himself before plainly answering:

"Very well".

He then followed the butler's lead to the Library. Upon entering, he was met with the sight of three rather tall men wearing dark clothes warming their hands against the fire. At the sound of the door they turned to face him.

"You have asked for me, I am here" Robert said cooly. "What do you want with me?"

The man with the gash on his cheek grinned broadly.

"Good evening m'lord" he mocked "My friends and I will be needing a place to sleep tonight, and we thought this would do just nice".

Robert glared at the man but made no answer.

"You've also got some fine things here, Lord Grantham. I'm sure you won't mind if we...make use of what is so readily available?"

Robert continued his silence as the man walked towards him, picking up the revolver once more.

"Does this door lock?" he inquired suddenly very severe, tipping his head to the door he had entered through.

Robert nodded coldly, adding that there were, in fact, two lockable doors at each end of the library without breaking eye contact with the wretched man.

"All right then" he announced, "I want you to help me fetch your family and bring them in here". When Robert didn't move he raised his gun and pointing it at his head adding "don't make me ask you again".

Smart enough not to try it, Robert turned around and, as calmly as he could, left the room with the intruder at his heels pointing the gun directly to the back of his head. When they reached the drawing-room door the man gestured for Robert to enter. Laughter could still be heard from it, he hesitated. But feeling the cool metal make contact with his skull he quickly moved to open the door. As he entered the only person to look up was Cora. She smiled sweetly at him, before the horror of realisation marred her face. One by one fixation was taken from the game to the scene unfolding. They all stopped what they were doing and silence echoed throughout the room, each puzzled eye turning to a frightened one as they rested on him.

"I need you all to come with me to the library, now" he said sternly. Mary inhaled sharply despite herself as she rose, Edith gulped. Matthew stood in front of Isobel and took her arm. Violet stood gracefully and stared down the intruder as she moved toward and out the door. Robert looked up to see Cora stand and the fire bounced off of the single, terrified tear that rolled down her cheek. The man smirked as each one passed him,

"Good evening ladies, sir" nodding at Matthew.

Sybil, the last to leave, turned a frightened look to her father and he nodded gently trying to give her the most reassuring one he could muster. With the drawing room cleared, he was forcefully made to follow his family to the library.

Upon entering the library they were greeted by a very solemn Carson who had been instructed to fetch them three water jugs and some glasses, which he had placed on the writing desk. The two remaining men grinned smugly at the family. They gathered in a circle as the other and Robert entered.

"You!" pointing his gun at Carson, "in a moment you, me and these fine gentleman, gesturing to his peers, will leave the room and I want you to lock the doors behind us" Carson gave a small nod to acknowledge his understanding. The man went on, "then you are to go downstairs and stay there until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, is that understood? If any of us catch you or anyone else out of this room, you will never see it again".

Carson gave the same small nod as the man turned to face the Crawleys.

"Mr Butler here will let you all out at the same time, do I make myself clear?". He took their silence as a yes. Reveling in their fear for another moment he then bid them a grim goodnight as the group left the room and went upstairs.

Carson followed closely behind, making his way first to the end of the library and locking the door and giving Robert a sorrow-filled look he crossed the room and closed the second heavy oak door and locked it behind him. Edith burst into tears and Sybil rushed to console her. Violet let out and outraged scoff and Isobel had turned to Matthew and began whispering to him. But they were once again reduced to silence as they heard a sharp gasp come from the middle of the room. They all turned their heads to see Cora doubled over.

"Good Lord," said an exasperated Violet. "That's all we need now"

That's the second chapter! I had it up a lot faster than I thought so I should definitely have the third one up by tomorrow. I hope you enjoyed it, thank you for reading and please leave any feedback you would like to give!