A Scandalous Affair Chapter 4
In the servants' quarters at Downton Abbey, curiosity and speculation ran rampant as word of the mysterious late-night events upstairs circulated. The household staff, always on the lookout for morsels of gossip, couldn't help but chatter about the unusual occurrence. This was a rare situation where even Miss O'Brien, known for her cunning ways, couldn't extract any useful information from Lady Cora. It was clear to everyone that something serious had transpired.
The presence of the formidable Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, was a sure sign that the situation was dire. The servants knew that when Lady Violet was in the house, it meant trouble of the highest order. The fact that Mrs. Hughes had summoned Anna from her sleep further underscored the gravity of the situation. The three young Crawley sisters were clearly at the centre of this calamity.
As the staff members exchanged furtive glances and hushed whispers downstairs, they were abruptly silenced by the stern voice of Mrs. Hughes. She entered the room, her no-nonsense demeanour clearly conveying her disapproval of idle gossip and prying into the family's affairs.
"Enough of this chatter," she admonished. "You all know better than to speculate about matters that don't concern us. Show some respect for the family's privacy."
Her words were met with reluctant nods from the staff, who knew better than to defy their formidable housekeeper.
In a corner of the room, Thomas Barrow, ever the instigator and seeker of juicy titbits, was practically bursting with curiosity. He had managed to corner young Alfie, the hall boy, in an attempt to extract information. However, all he had gleaned was that Lady Edith had made a late-night call to her father, claiming it was an emergency.
Thomas couldn't fathom what could have prompted Lady Edith, whom he considered dull and unremarkable, to take such drastic action in the middle of the night. He found it preposterous to entertain the notion that the meek woman might be involved in a clandestine affair. The possibilities whirled in his mind as he continued to seek some morsel of information to satisfy his insatiable curiosity.
Miss O'Brien, who usually revelled in such situations, offered no assistance this time. She merely shrugged her shoulders, indicating that even she had been kept in the dark.
Anna, known for her integrity and discretion, was out of the question when it came to divulging secrets, and Mr. Bates was equally unlikely to betray any confidences.
With frustration mounting and the urge to uncover the truth intensifying, Thomas Barrow found himself in an unusual position—completely in the dark, with no means to satisfy his insatiable appetite for scandal and intrigue. For now, the servants would have to content themselves with whispers, speculation, and idle chatter, as the mysteries of the night remained locked away in the upper echelons of the grand house.
Lady Violet, with her customary shrewdness and determination, wasted no time in orchestrating her plan to safeguard the family's reputation and navigate the delicate situation involving Mary and Branson. Her conversations with Robert were never without their challenges, as his stubbornness often clouded his judgment. But when it came to protecting the family's honour, Lady Violet knew she could not afford to indulge her son's impulsiveness.
As soon as Lady Cora had left the room, Violet began issuing her clear and unwavering instructions to Robert, well aware that the future of the Crawley family rested on their ability to manage the unfolding crisis.
"When Murray calls, you must instruct him to have Mary and Branson released from police custody," she urged, her voice carrying an air of urgency.
Robert, stubborn and hot-tempered as always, balked at the thought of aiding Tom Branson. "I will not get that bastard out of gaol, he should rot for what he has done to our family," he declared vehemently.
Violet, ever the voice of reason and practicality, sent her son a quelling look, willing him to see the bigger picture. "Listen carefully, Robert," she insisted, her tone firm. "The family's reputation may depend on what happens next. We must ensure that Branson is under our power until this issue is resolved. You will get Branson here, and we will keep him under lock and key. We cannot let him roam free until we know whether the papers will print a story about Mary."
Robert, chastened by his mother's wisdom, nodded reluctantly, realising the gravity of the situation. "Surely the papers wouldn't dare to print such a slanderous story about an Earl's daughter?" he questioned, his voice tinged with anxiety.
Violet sighed, her patience wearing thin. "Of course, they will, and it won't be slanderous if they have actual evidence of her arrest," she retorted sharply. "That is why we must get a hold of Branson. Or do you want him to go to the papers and say he was with Sybil? And ruin two of your daughters?"
The mere thought of both Mary and Sybil's reputations being tarnished struck a chord with Robert, and he paled at the prospect. He finally saw the wisdom in his mother's counsel and nodded reluctantly.
But Lady Violet knew that there was another, even more critical reason for keeping Tom Branson within their grasp, a reason she would reveal only when absolutely necessary. For now, it was essential to gain Cora's support for their plan, and with Cora's agreement secured, Robert would inevitably follow suit.
Suddenly, the silence of the grand house was pierced by the shrill ringing of the telephone, interrupting their conversation. Carson, the ever-faithful butler, entered the library to inform Lord Grantham that his solicitor, Mr. Murray, was on the line.
Robert followed Carson out of the room, and Lady Violet seized the opportunity to gather her thoughts and craft her persuasive argument to present to Cora. She knew Cora possessed more intelligence and strength than many gave her credit for, and it was crucial to present the solution in a manner that would appeal to Cora's sensibilities as a mother and protector of her daughters.
When Robert returned to the library, he relayed the progress he had made. "Well, Mama, I have instructed Murray to get Mary and Branson released to my custody. He is confident that he can get any charges dropped against Mary and Branson," he reported, a sense of relief evident in his expression. "I am going to have Sprat drive me to Carlisle. I will take Bates with me to help keep Branson under control if need be."
Robert's commitment to ensuring Mary's safety was unquestionable, and Lady Violet silently wished her son Godspeed as he embarked on his journey to Carlisle, fully aware that the future of the Crawley family hung in the balance.
Lady Violet, always a woman of sharp intellect and resourcefulness, had prepared herself well for the task at hand. She sipped her tea with an air of calm confidence as she awaited Lady Cora's return, knowing that their conversation would be crucial in setting their plan in motion.
Cora, upon her return, seemed agitated and inquired about Robert's actions. Violet, ever the bearer of information, reassured her daughter-in-law. "Robert left 10 minutes ago, dear. He spoke to Murray, and he will have them both released to Robert when he arrives at the police station," she explained with an air of authority.
Cora, clearly relieved by this development, expressed concern at the prospect of Tom Branson coming to Downton. She questioned the wisdom of their plan, fearing that it might involve Sybil marrying him, a notion that troubled her deeply.
Violet maintained her calm demeanour and addressed Cora's concerns. "I certainly do mean for Branson to be here, under our control. We may have need of him yet," she stated ominously, making it clear that there was more to the plan than met the eye. Cora looked at her mother-in-law, torn between curiosity and anxiety.
Violet's words reassured Cora that the plan did not involve Sybil marrying Tom Branson, but she still found herself puzzled by the course of action her mother-in-law was suggesting. "How? I won't let her be married to such a man," Cora asserted with determination.
Violet, ever the strategist, offered a more palatable alternative to Cora. "Not at all, dear. Sybil wants something different, so why don't we send her to college or university?" she proposed, her voice carrying the weight of consideration. Cora hesitated but listened intently.
"Think about it," Violet continued persuasively. "We send her to college here or, preferably, America. Even before the war, she was complaining about the lack of opportunities for women, that she was bored. I don't think she loves Branson. I think she loves the idea of being free from this society. And the only way out she can see is to marry a man outside of our society."
Cora, now more open to the idea, still had reservations. "But Mama, college?" she questioned.
Violet smiled knowingly, preparing to unveil the final piece of her argument. "Hear me out," she urged. "We offer her a way out that doesn't involve marriage."
Cora contemplated Violet's words, and Violet seized the opportunity to present her argument persuasively. "Sybil will be at university, one of the few girls there," she explained, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "We both know that Sybil is a beautiful, charming girl, surrounded by gentlemen at university, maybe just back from the war. Imagine how popular she will be! With any luck, she could be engaged before the year's out."
Cora absorbed Violet's reasoning, recognising the opportunities that such a plan could provide for Sybil, as well as the chance to protect her from a hasty marriage to Tom Branson. "Very well," she conceded, her concerns alleviated by the potential benefits. "I will support your plan with Robert."
Cora, still concerned about the situation with Sybil and Branson, turned to Violet and asked, "But how, Mama? How can we persuade Sybil to give up Branson, especially after tonight? She could have caused irreparable harm to Mary's reputation."
Violet leaned back in her chair, her eyes sharpening as she contemplated the question. "My dear, it's a delicate matter, but it can be done. We must first make Sybil realise the gravity of her actions and the consequences they might have for Mary. Then, we present her with an alternative that aligns with her desire for a different life."
Cora nodded, understanding the need to impress upon Sybil the potential consequences of her actions. "Yes, I see. But how can we ensure she doesn't feel trapped or forced into anything?"
Violet offered a reassuring smile. "We must be gentle, dear, and make her see that this alternative is not a punishment but an opportunity. Sybil has always had a strong desire for change, for more opportunities. We'll appeal to that spirit." Cora nodded in understanding.
Violet knew that Cora's agreement was a crucial step in their strategy. "And Mary?" Cora inquired, knowing that Mary's situation would require a different approach.
"I have several ideas," Violet assured her daughter-in-law. "But it all depends on how severe the fallout is. For now, let us rest and await Robert's return. There is no point in worrying about Mary at this stage."
As Cora made arrangements for Violet's accommodations, she spoke with Carson, the ever-attentive butler, ensuring that her instructions regarding Tom Branson's presence in the house were understood. Cora was torn between disappointment in her youngest daughter and concern for her eldest, but she knew that the decisions they were making were necessary to safeguard the family's reputation.
With preparations in motion, Lady Violet and Lady Cora retired to their respective rooms to rest, their minds heavy with the weight of the night's events and the uncertainty that lay ahead. Lady Violet, with a plan set in motion, had positioned herself to guide the family through the turbulent times that lay ahead, confident in her ability to navigate the complexities of their predicament.
Leaving a hall boy in the great hall to await any further instructions, Carson made his way downstairs to give Mrs. Hughes an update on the unfolding situation. Thomas, who had been waiting in the servants' hall, was informed that he could return to his room. Anna and Miss O'Brien were absent, presumably assisting their mistresses upstairs. Carson inquired about Mrs. Hughes's whereabouts and asked Daisy to prepare a pot of tea, which she would take to the housekeeper's room. With the tea ordered, he knocked at Mrs. Hughes's door and entered when she indicated it was safe to do so.
As he settled into a chair, Carson flashed a weary smile at Mrs. Hughes. "I've asked Daisy to bring us some tea," he informed the housekeeper.
They sat together in a comfortable silence, their conversation consisting of light and inconsequential topics. Daisy eventually arrived with the tea, and, in a considerate gesture, she added some of Mrs. Patmore's biscuits to accompany it. After pouring their tea, Mrs. Hughes selected a biscuit and then focused her attention on Carson.
"So, Mr. Carson, what's going on?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Carson, in turn, asked, "What do you know so far?"
Mrs. Hughes summarised the information she had gathered. "That Lady Sybil tried to elope with Branson, and she is locked in her room until further notice. And that Lady Mary and Branson have been arrested," she recounted, her tone reflecting the gravity of the situation.
"Well, that's the short and tall of it," Carson confirmed, his expression tight with anger. "Except it seems that blackguard had taken Lady Sybil to a brothel for God knows what reason, and that after Lady Mary had rescued her, she and Branson got mixed up in a raid," he explained, his frustration evident.
Mrs. Hughes, who had witnessed her fair share of scandals in her years working in grand houses, found herself taken aback by the shocking turn of events. "Surely there has been some mistake. Branson and Lady Mary in a brothel," she mused aloud. The attempted elopement had been bad enough, but this latest revelation was beyond comprehension. While she didn't particularly care for Lady Mary, no young woman deserved such treatment.
"What is going to happen now?" she asked, her concern evident.
"Mr. Murray is going to get both of them out, and Lord Grantham is going to Carlisle to collect them," Carson informed her, his troubled expression revealing the weight of the situation. "Old Lady Grantham has instructed that Branson must be returned to Downton, and that I am to keep him under lock and key until we know what to do," he added, a hint of apprehension in his voice.
Mrs. Hughes frowned, her sense of justice pricking at her conscience. Locking Branson away at Downton, while he had indeed engaged in reckless behaviour, didn't sound entirely legal. Lady Sybil was twenty-one, and although the elopement attempt was reprehensible, it wasn't illegal. She had always liked Branson and believed he was perhaps too friendly with Sybil. Still, she couldn't help but feel that he had been led astray by his emotions.
"I understand the need for caution, Mr. Carson, but we must ensure that everyone's rights and dignity are respected," she remarked, her voice firm yet compassionate. She would keep a watchful eye on the situation and intervene if she sensed anyone crossing ethical boundaries.
"Both Ladies Grantham have retired for a few hours of rest. His lordship isn't expected back until half-past seven in the morning," Carson continued, his gaze fixed on Mrs. Hughes. "So, I recommend that we all try to get a couple more hours of sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a long day."
Mrs. Hughes nodded in agreement, her mind already racing with thoughts of how to navigate the challenging days ahead.