Unlikely Bonds: After the Tempest Chapter 3
Day 4 Anna's Information
Amidst the intricacies of the Crawley household, Anna, the head housemaid of Downton Abbey, found herself caught in a delicate web of secrets and uncertainties. She was acutely aware of Mary's and Tom's relationship, a connection that had intrigued her with its innocent nature. Their meetings to study seemed to be shrouded in mystery, and Anna couldn't help but grapple with the truth behind it all.
In her heart, Anna was convinced that Mary's intentions were pure, that the meetings with Tom Branson were indeed focused on studying. Mary had shared her reasons with Anna, confiding that Branson was acting as her tutor to help her gain admission to university. It was an outlandish concept, one that stretched the bounds of tradition and expectation. Despite her faith in Mary, Anna couldn't ignore the potential consequences if she were to reveal this information to Lord or Lady Grantham. Her own position at Downton was at stake, and she was reluctant to jeopardize her livelihood.
In the midst of her internal struggle, Anna saw a glimmer of hope in seeking counsel from the one person she believed could understand the complex dynamics at play: the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Lady Violet. With a sense of determination, Anna undertook her duties as head housemaid, fulfilling her responsibilities under the watchful eye of Mrs. Hughes, the housekeeper.
One particular day, Anna's responsibilities led her to Downton Village, where she took the opportunity to visit the Dower House and speak to Lady Violet. The grandeur of the estate's grounds was a stark contrast to the anxious thoughts that swirled within Anna's mind. She inquired to see the Countess, her apprehension growing with each passing moment.
As Lady Violet's butler, Sprat, ushered Anna into the room, the grandeur of the Dower House surrounded her. Anna's gaze met Lady Violet's, and a sense of unease mixed with anticipation settled in the room. The butler withdrew, leaving the two women in a space where the boundaries of class seemed to blur, if only for a moment.
"Thank you, Sprat," Lady Violet acknowledged the butler's departure before turning her attention to Anna. "Now, go ahead, dear."
Anna's voice quivered slightly as she began to share the knowledge she held. "I didn't know who to talk to about this because I have information about Lady Mary, my lady."
Lady Violet's curiosity was piqued, her gaze focused on Anna with a keen interest. "You have pertinent knowledge of the matter?"
Anna nodded, a mixture of nervousness and determination in her expression. "Yes, my lady. I knew that Branson and Lady Mary were not having an affair."
The Dowager Countess leaned forward, her presence both commanding and understanding. "You have my attention. Explain."
Anna took a deep breath, her voice gaining steadiness as she explained the truth. "I knew that Lady Mary was meeting with Branson, but Lady Mary had told me that she had hired Branson to be her tutor."
"Tutor?" Lady Violet's surprise was evident in her raised eyebrows.
"Yes, my Lady. She told me so. We all knew downstairs that Branson had been to university," Anna clarified.
"Branson the chauffeur had been to university?" Lady Violet's astonishment lingered in the air.
"Yes, my lady. And I told her," Anna confirmed.
"But why did Mary want a tutor?" Lady Violet's inquiry was laced with intrigue.
Anna hesitated for a moment before unveiling the most surprising revelation. "This is the unbelievable part, my lady."
Amusement danced in Lady Violet's eyes. "You mean a chauffeur with a degree is not?"
Anna mustered her courage to reveal the heart of the matter. "Lady Mary wanted to go to university to study, and she had paid Mr. Branson five shillings a week to be her tutor. She said she was planning to go to university in 1914, next year, my lady."
A moment of contemplative silence enveloped the room as Lady Violet processed this unexpected information. "And you believe her?"
Anna's response was resolute. "Yes, my lady. I didn't realize it at the time, but ever since May 1912, I had often seen Lady Mary engrossed in various books. I believe she was studying."
Lady Violet's features softened, her appreciation for Anna's dedication evident. "You've done well to come forward with this information, Anna. Your insights have shed light on a complex situation."
As the conversation drew to a close, Lady Violet's gaze held a glint of intrigue and determination. "Thank you, Anna. This has certainly given me something to think about."
In the grand tapestry of Downton Abbey, Anna's role had transformed from a mere servant to a keeper of secrets, a confidante of truth. With the weight of her knowledge shared, she left the Dower House, carrying with her a sense of hope that the truth she had unveiled might reshape the destiny of those she held dear.
Mary's Secret Goals
The family gathered once again in the drawing room, the air heavy with a mix of uncertainty and conflicting emotions. Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, bearing betrayed her knowledge, and carrying a note of intrigue and concern. "Well, Mama?" Said Lady Cora exasperatedly, the current Countess of Grantham. The room was once again filled with Sybil and Edith, along with cousins Mr. Matthew Crawley and his mother, Mrs. Isabel Crawley.
Lady Violet started to recount the events of the day, relaying her conversation with Anna, the head housemaid. "Young Anna, the head housemaid, came to see me today quite unexpectedly," she said, capturing the family's attention.
Lady Cora's gaze held curiosity as she leaned forward slightly. "What did she have to say, Mama?" she inquired eagerly.
Lady Violet's expression was a mixture of intrigue and amusement as she continued, "Well, apparently she doesn't think Lady Mary and Branson were having an illicit affair. Mary had told her that she had hired Branson as a tutor."
The news sent ripples of surprise through the room, prompting Lady Edith to interject with a touch of scepticism. "A tutor? What on earth would Mary want with a tutor?" Her voice held a hint of irritation, as if this revelation challenged her perception of her sister.
Lady Sybil joined in, voicing her agreement with Edith. "Mary hasn't been the least bit interested in tutors even when we were children," she pointed out.
Undeterred, Lady Violet shared more details of her conversation with Anna, explaining Mary's supposed intention to study and take entrance exams for Leeds University. The family exchanged glances, processing this unexpected twist in Mary's story.
Lord and Lady Grantham exchanged a look of astonishment, the idea of Mary pursuing education and exams clearly surprising them both. Mrs. Isabel Crawley chimed in, her voice a mixture of surprise and curiosity, "Did Mary ever indicate that she had any interest in education?"
Matthew's voice joined the discussion as he shared a new perspective. "She never mentioned university to me, Mother," he began. "Well, she has asked me some very strange questions in the last few months about money and how much people earn, and can you afford to live on £600," he said, reflecting on Mary's inquiries.
"£600? Why £600?" Lady Sybil questioned, her brow furrowing as she attempted to grasp the significance of the amount.
Matthew chuckled softly, explaining the context. "She told me that she read a newspaper article, and the gentleman in there—a professional man—was earning £600." He paused, looking towards Lady Violet as she asked, "And this is what you earn?" she asked, seeking to clarify.
"Indeed not, Cousin Violet," Matthew agreed with a wry smile. "In the beginning, the earnings might be more modest. It takes time to establish oneself in a profession like law or medicine. To begin with you might only earn £250 or £300."
Lady Violet regarded Matthew with a mix of curiosity and mild disbelief. "And this is what you earn? £250 to £300 pounds?"
Matthew chuckled softly at her reaction. "Yes, that's correct. Starting salaries can be quite humble, especially for those entering the field. It's only once you gain experience and build a reputation that your earnings might increase."
Lady Violet's expression shifted to one of thoughtful contemplation. "So, you're saying that after years of education and hard work, professionals like doctors or lawyers might earn as much as £600 per annum?"
Matthew nodded, appreciating her genuine interest in the matter. "Precisely, Cousin Violet. It's a gradual progression. The early years may require some financial restraint, but over time, the expertise you gain can lead to more substantial earnings."
Lady Violet let out a soft sigh, clearly taken aback by the modest figures. "Oh, so little," she remarked, her tone a mix of surprise and sympathy.
Matthew's lips curved into a small smile. "Indeed, times have changed since then. But it's a testament to the dedication and perseverance of professionals to pursue their careers despite the initial financial challenges."
Lady Violet leaned back in her chair, her thoughts clearly deep in contemplation. "It's a different world, isn't it? Such a stark contrast to the extravagant lifestyles we're accustomed to."
"It is, Cousin Violet," Matthew agreed, a note of understanding in his voice. "But I believe it's also a testament to the value placed on knowledge, expertise, and contributing to society in meaningful ways."
Isobel's thoughtful voice joined the conversation, considering Mary's intentions. "Mary must have been trying to gauge how much she could earn as a professional," she suggested.
The discussion continued, each family member sharing their perspective on the surprising turn of events. Lady Sybil's guilt surfaced as she recalled her initial doubts about Mary's innocence, while Edith remained sceptical about her sister's motivations.
"It does sound very strange of Mary," Isobel said, "but I told you I didn't think Branson had any interest in her as a woman."
As the conversation flowed, the family members grappled with the idea of Mary's educational pursuits, her connection with Branson, and the potential impact on her future. Each voice added a layer to the unfolding narrative, revealing the complexity of their relationships and the challenges they faced in understanding Mary's intentions.
Opinions within the family circle were as diverse as their individual personalities. Lady Edith, whose emotions were complex due to her own experiences and insecurities, offered a sceptical view of the unfolding situation. Her voice carried a hint of incredulity as she shared her thoughts. "I, for one, don't believe it for a moment. Can you imagine Mary, our Mary, not being waited on hand and foot, giving up her grand ways to work at some profession? It sounds far too farfetched."
Her scepticism was met with a mixture of understanding and disagreement from her family members. Lady Sybil's thoughtful expression reflected her desire to understand her sister's motivations, while Lady Violet, Countess of Grantham, responded with a touch of amusement. "Well, that's too late now, whether they had interest or not, as your father Robert felt fit to banish the girl in front of half of society."
Despite the differing opinions, there was a shared sentiment of wanting resolution. The family members were united in their concern for Mary's whereabouts and reputation. As the discussion continued, the nuances of their relationships and individual perspectives were laid bare, painting a picture of a family grappling with uncertainty and the complexity of human emotions.
Matthew's efforts to locate Mary and Branson were acknowledged, but the fact that their whereabouts remained unknown added an element of tension to the conversation. Uncertainty hung in the air, mingling with the hopes and doubts of the family members. Amid conjectures and disbelief, there was an underlying yearning for clarity, resolution, and the opportunity to understand the truth behind the situation.
Servants Gossip
In the intimate glow of the servants' hall, the aroma of supper filled the air as the wooden table bore witness to animated conversation among the staff. Daisy, her hands deftly moving plates of food, couldn't help but listen as the familiar faces gathered around the table.
As Thomas leaned back in his chair, his tone dripping with cynicism, he remarked, "Did you hear the latest? Seems Lady Mary and Branson were found all cuddled up on the couch in his little cottage."
A murmur of disbelief and worry rippled through the group. Anna exchanged a meaningful look with William and Gwen, each of them sharing a silent agreement that there was more to the story than met the eye.
"Well, they certainly weren't studying then, were they?" Miss O'Brien quipped, her voice laden with mockery.
Daisy's eyes flickered to Anna, who seemed deep in thought, clearly mulling over the recent events. "Anna, what do you think?" Daisy asked, her voice hushed.
Anna paused, her gaze distant as if she were lost in her own contemplations. "I've been thinking... there might be more to this than we realize. Lady Mary wanting to go to university, for one. It's not something she'd do lightly."
Thomas raised an eyebrow, his disbelief apparent. "University? Lady Mary?"
Gwen leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "That's right. Lady Mary was studying with Branson, getting ready for university exams."
Miss O'Brien smirked, her doubt echoing Thomas's. "Lady Mary, a student?"
Anna nodded, her expression serious. "It's true. Lady Mary told me herself. She wanted to broaden her horizons, to learn more."
The room fell silent for a moment as the implications of this new perspective settled in. Daisy's heart warmed as she saw the open-mindedness in Gwen's eyes and the thoughtful expression on William's face.
Thomas's scepticism lingered, but he seemed intrigued despite himself. "So, what? Branson was just her tutor?"
Anna nodded, adding, "Yes, exactly. Lady Mary was focused on her studies."
Thomas's lips curled into a sly smile. "Well, cuddling on the couch could be considered a very advanced form of studying, I suppose."
Anna shot him a reproachful look, Daisy could see a hint of concern in her eyes. "Thomas, it's not fair to jump to conclusions. We don't know the whole story."
Carson, who had been listening intently, interjected with his usual sternness. "Indeed, we are not here to speculate on the actions of our employers. Our duty is to uphold the standards of Downton Abbey."
As the conversation continued, the diverse opinions of the servants brought to light the complexities of the situation. Despite their varying perspectives, one thing was clear: the staff's loyalty to the Crawley family remained unwavering. Just as the grand estate was built upon tradition and history, so too was the bond among those who served within its walls.
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