By March, Emma is on her maternity leave and is 7 months pregnant, which means Sybil is 4 months pregnant.
She gets a continued update on what is happening at Downton: the many wedding plans, Thomas becoming Lord Grantham's valet, Anna having Mr Bates' mother's house, which was his former wife's residence and the one he had transferred to her before the trial so that it could be rented and the hiring of a new footman, Alfred Nugent. Anna talks of her mission to prove Mr Bates' innocence by going through Vera's journal and making a list of all friends, acquaintances, and tradesmen as Anna wants to question everyone for more information about Vera.
Sybil writes that she and Billy are able to make the wedding but laments at the fact that Emma and Tom are unable to and adds how she has told her sister that she doesn't want to go unless Emma is. It is only a few days before the wedding that Emma receives the money that they need but there's nothing saying who it is from. She shows Tom who wonders that same thing.
"Who would send us the money?"
"I don't know." Emma answers. "Maybe Mrs Crawley or Lady Mary? I doubt it would be Lord Grantham or the Dowager and Lady Grantham as they wouldn't want to go against him."
"Will it be safe for you to travel?"
"I'll be fine. England isn't too far."
—
Emma looks out of the window anxiously as the car drives through the Village. She can't believe that they had sent a car to pick them up from the station. She is full of nerves but what is reassuring her is the fact that Sybil and Billy had arrived that morning.
The car approaches the house and Emma can see the family and some servants waiting to greet them.
"Oh god," Emma mumbles. She feels Tom take her hand and she turns to him.
He smiles at her. "You'll be all right. We'll be all right."
Emma huffs. "You say that now."
Alfred, she assumes, opens the door for them. Tom steps out first and offers a hand to help Emma down, his luggage in the other hand. Emma steps out with a hesitant smile.
"Welcome and congratulations, Emma." Lady Grantham greets.
"Thank you, my Lady."
Sybil steps forward and gives her a hug, well a half hug considering Emma's stomach. "It's good to see you, Emma."
"You too." Emma smiles, grateful to see someone she knows where she stands with. She spots Billy standing awkwardly next to his parents-in-law as Sybil greets Tom.
Lady Grantham steps forward. "The two of you must come inside to sit down."
"Alfred, would you take the luggage for Mr Branson." Lady Mary asks the footman.
"There's tea in the Library." Lady Edith adds. Emma smiles gratefully at the female members of the family for the kind welcome knowing it must be odd for them to have ex-staff staying as guests.
"Thank you." Tom hands his luggage to Alfred.
As they begin to head inside, Emma turns to the servants lined up outside.
"Hello." She greets.
"Welcome back, Mrs Branson." Mrs Hughes replies and Mr Carson gives a kind nod. Emma is relieved to see smiles from Thomas, Mr Barrow, Anna and Gemma.
Emma turns to the three sisters as they enter the Great Hall. "I hate to ask but we were wondering who sent the money?"
"What money?" Lord Grantham suddenly asks, confused. "Someone sent you the money?"
Emma feels awkward being addressed directly by Lord Grantham. "Uh um yes. S-someone sent the money we needed to come but there was nothing saying who it was from."
"What a mystery," Sybil mutters as they all continue to the Library. Emma hopes she'll be able to go downstairs soon to say a proper hello.
—
Emma finds some time just before needing to get ready for dinner to slip downstairs. She hears Mrs Hughes, Mr Carson and Mr Barrow talking in the Servants' Hall.
"I'm sorry, I won't. And that's flat." Thomas retorts.
"Then you'll have to do it, Mr Carson." Mrs Hughes decides. Emma hovers by the door.
Mr Carson sounds indignant as he replies, "I'm not dressing a shipbuilder." Ah, Emma knows what they are talking about. Sybil had already offered her some old dresses that had been left at Downton, and let out to fit her stomach, as it had worked last time and that Gemma will offer assistance if needed as Gemma had taken over Emma's old job of dressing the girls. Thank God she no longer has to wear a corset.
"He is an engineer." Mrs Hughes argues. "Anyway, you don't have to dress him. Just see he's got everything he needs."
"I'm not often as one with Mr Barrow, but... no." Mr Carson counters.
"Then Alfred must do it."
Mr Carson scoffs. "Alfred. He wouldn't know what to do beyond collecting dirty shoes outside the door." Emma knows that Thomas will probably be smirking.
"Well, he'll have to learn." Emma sees Mrs Hughes stepping out of the Hall.
"Mrs Hughes?" She calls.
"Ah, Emma- Mrs Branson." Mrs Hughes stumbles.
"It's fine calling me Emma, I don't mind," Emma says kindly. "Suppose no one's used to it."
"You'd be right." Mrs Hughes chuckles.
"I was wondering where Gemma and Anna are?" Emma asks.
"They'll be in the girls' bedrooms, preparing their clothes." Mrs Hughes tells her.
Emma nods, chuckling to herself. "Right, yes, of course, I'd forgotten about that."
"I best be off." Mrs Hughes says and leaves. Emma steps into the Servants' Hall to see Thomas looking through stiff collars at the table.
"So, Mr Barrow, how are you this evening?" Emma asks cheekily. Thomas looks at her and smirks.
"More comfortable than you, I imagine." He retorts.
Emma huffs. "Tell me about it. The baby likes to put on a circus show all the time!"
Thomas chuckles.
—
Emma gives Gemma and Anna a big squeeze each when she sees them. Emma doesn't have to do much to get ready herself so mostly hovers around the two maids and the daughters though it feels odd not to be doing something to help.
Being in the Drawing room was already awkward but it gets worse once they are in the Dining room.
"Is it an Irish tradition? Or perhaps not considering you are not the only one." The Dowager asks from where she sits in her usual seat, which happens to be on Emma's left tonight. She looks at Billy, who has not changed either.
"What?" Tom asks, confused from his seat between Billy and Lady Edith.
"She means not changing," Robert explains. Tom looks down at his plain clothes.
"Of course not, Granny," Sybil replies, sounding irked as she sits on Emma's right.
"It might have been. You don't change on the first night of a voyage." The Dowager remarks. Lady Mary isn't pleased by the conversation either from the end of the table between Mrs Crawley and Mr Crawley.
"No, my lady," Tom replies. "I don't own a set of tails. Or a dinner jacket either. I wouldn't get any use out of them."
"Well, I hope you own a morning coat since you're here for a wedding." Lord Grantham says shortly.
"No, I'm afraid I don't."
"Me neither." Billy pipes up. Emma feels sorry for him as he has been quite quiet for most of the meal.
"We live a completely different kind of life, my Lord," Emma says.
"So do we, Papa," Sybil adds.
"Obviously."
Mr Carson holds the serving dish at Tom's eye level. "Could you lower it a bit, please, Mr Carson?" Mr Carson obliges.
"You two should buy a Downton wardrobe and leave it here. Then you won't have to pack when you come." Lady Mary suggests.
"What a good idea." Lady Edith agrees. Emma and Sybil share thankful but awkward smiles at their suggestion.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't turn into somebody else just to please you," Tom says.
"More's the pity." The Dowager remarks.
"Oh, now why should you change to please us?" Mrs Crawley says cheerfully from Lord Grantham's left.
"What is the general feeling in Ireland now?" Mr Crawley asks on Lady Grantham's right. Oh no.
"That we're in sight of throwing off the English yoke." Tom comments.
"Do you approve of the new act?" Mrs Crawley asks.
"Would you approve if your country'd been divided by a foreign power? Emma agrees with me." Emma's eyes widen and she shifts uncomfortably as everyone looks at her with varying expressions.
"Well, won't it bring home rule for Southern Ireland nearer?" Mrs Crawley argues. Emma looks helplessly at Sybil.
"Home rule on English terms, presided over by an English king." Tom counters.
"Is keeping the monarchy a problem?" Mr Crawley asks.
"Would it be a problem for you to be ruled by the German Kaiser?" Tom prompts.
Mr Carson snaps a glass stem in his shock. Lord Grantham turns to look. "Carson, are you all right?"
"I've been very clumsy, my lord. I do apologise." Emma closes her eyes in embarrassment and Sybil places a comforting hand on her arm.
Lady Grantham attempts to redirect the conversation to safer topics. "Is it true that Irish gardens have more variety than ours?" The attempt was so obvious that Lord Grantham sighs.
"Oh, yes. Don't you remember Lady Dufferin's ball at Clandeboye? The gardens there were heavenly." Lady Edith adds. No one's fooled by the topic change and Emma sees that Tom looks as uncomfortable as she is.
—
Tom had insisted that he wanted to go downstairs to say hello to the servants on his own while Billy said he wanted to read on his own in the Library. Sybil, Dowager and Lady Grantham and Mrs Crawley play cards while Lord Grantham and Lady Mary get drinks with Emma awkwardly joining them.
"Tomorrow, let's ask some of the other servants to come up and dine with us. It'll make things easier." The Dowager chuckles.
"You must get Billy and Tom to stop calling Granny "milady." And Mama." Lady Mary says to Emma and Sybil. "You as well Emma."
"It's difficult to get out of the habit, my- Mary," Emma replies. Mary gives her a kind smile.
"We need something that doesn't sound too stiff and grand." Mrs Crawley says or is Emma allowed to call her Isobel?
"Lady Grantham, of course. And they can call me Lord Grantham." Yeah, she's going to keep calling him Lord Grantham.
"That doesn't sound stiff or grand at all," Sybil complains.
Mary catches Sybil's look. "One step at a time." She says softly Sybil smiles. Mary walks to Mr Crawley who's on the sofa. "So, what did the lawyer want? I presume he turned up." Lawyer?
"He did... and it's rather complicated. But you were right, it was about Reggie's will." Lavinia Swire's father? Emma knows that he had died a few months ago but didn't know anything about this.
"So, he's left you something?" Mary prompts.
"Never mind that now. Just sit down and tell me about the relations that are coming for the wedding. I want to unscramble them in my head." Mr Crawley, or Matthew, says instead.
—
Emma, Sybil and Mary are the only ones left in the room.
"Somehow none of it seems to matter when we're in Southampton. Class and all that just seems to fade away. I'm Mrs Prior and we get on with our lives like millions of others." Sybil tells them.
Emma nods in agreement. "It is the same for me and Tom, but here, he feels so patronised, and he hates it."
Mary nods in understanding. "But neither of you regret it?"
"No, never," Sybil says decidedly.
"Never," Emma says in the same tone. They all smile.
"They are wonderful, wonderful men," Sybil says. Mary gives Sybil an affectionate touch.
"We just wish you all knew them," Emma adds.
"Darlings, we will know them. We'll know them and value them. I promise." Mary says.
Sybil smiles. "Anyway... I best go upstairs." They rise from the settee.
Emma heaves herself up. "I need to make sure Tom is not too suicidal. Goodnight."
Sybil and Mary kiss goodnight. "Oh, by the way, I don't know if Mama's told you, but the whole Grey family's coming tomorrow night." Mary's mouth twitches.
Sybil exhales in amusement. "Including Larry?" Mary nods with an amused smile. "Crikey." Sybil laughs. Emma smirks. She hadn't really met them the few times they had been at Downton in the first year or two she was here but she had heard a lot about them.
"You'd better warn Billy." Sybil and Emma turn to go. "Oh, and Sybil, if I were you, I wouldn't tell Papa about being Mrs Prior." They chuckle slightly and Sybil agrees with a shake of her head.
—
Tom sits in bed as Emma potters around, getting ready. "But who are the Greys? And why does it matter that they're coming?"
Emma takes off her robe. "The father, Lord Merton, is Mary's godfather, but Larry Grey used to be keen on Sybil when they were young."
"And was she keen on him?"
Emma laughs. "No, I don't think so. I can hardly remember, to be honest. Billy won't have anything to worry about." She gets into bed and Tom puts his arm around her.
"So, what are you saying?" Tom asks, referring to what they were talking about earlier. He strokes her cheek.
"Well, nothing, really. But we could run into Ripon and find some tails. We have the money." Emma replies.
"I won't spend more of that money." Tom denies.
Emma sighs, deciding to let it go. "All right." She takes Tom's hand and he looks at it. "Please don't talk about Ireland all the time or at least don't drag me into it." He looks at her. "I just want to make things easier for you."
"So, you can join the group by pleasing them more? Don't disappoint me, Emma. Not now that we're here." They regard each other for a moment, and then he leans down and they kiss. He kisses her forehead and they cuddle. Emma relaxes in his hold and places a hand on her stomach.
"You're not sad you didn't have all this for our wedding?" Tom asks after a moment.
"Why would I? I had everything I needed." Emma replies. Tom gives her a squeeze.
—
The next morning, Matthew (he insisted) had invited Emma and Billy on a walk around the Village. Emma strongly believes in the keep exercising and not sitting around while pregnant. They are near the Grantham Arms when Emma spots her husband walking towards it.
"A bit early for drowning your sorrows," Matthew calls to him. Tom turns to them and Emma rises an expectant eyebrow at him.
"I thought it might be better if I moved down to the pub," Tom replies, coming to stand next to them.
"You're not serious?" Mathew asks.
Tom shakes his head. "I can't go through too many more dinners like last night."
"So, you're going to leave me with the wolves then?" Billy says, jokingly offended.
Emma does an exaggerated scoff. "Am I not enough?" Billy rolls his eyes at her. Emma enjoys this sibling relationship they've built up between them.
"You don't make it easy for them." Mathew challenges Tom's remark. "You really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?"
Tom chuckles with a shake of his head. "I don't know what gets into me."
Emma links her arm with his. "Yes, you do. You can see them staring and you know they don't want you here. To be honest Billy is in a worse situation than you."
"Exactly, they're my in-laws." Billy retorts.
"Well, don't include me. Or Mary." Mathew says.
"And definitely not Sybil," Billy adds. "Though I do believe Mary wasn't too keen on the idea of a shipbuilder for a brother-in-law."
"Forget that, she's a... pragmatist." Matthew rolls his eyes.
Tom nods. "She could be a tough fighter, too."
"Well, let's hope she's not tested," Mathew replies. "Now, forget this, and walk back. Billy and I are brothers-in-law with high-minded wives, you included Tom. We better stick together." Tom grins as they walk off together.
"Should I feel flattered?" Emma questions as the high-minded wives bit seems to include her as well.
"Of course, my darling," Tom says cheekily and Emma swats him on the arm laughing.
—
The guests arrive in motor cars. Emma lingers with any one of the three sisters. She looks longingly at the cocktails wishing she wasn't pregnant so she could have one but maybe it's a good thing as she doesn't want to be drunk or tipsy and embarrass herself and the Crawleys in front of the guests.
She currently stands with Sybil as Edith is making moon eyes at Sir Anthony and Mary is complaining to Matthew about how his best man is now absent. Emma's eyes flicker worriedly to Billy and Tom, who have been cornered by Larry Grey. She can't imagine what that pompous idiot is saying to undermine them.
"Dinner is served, Your Ladyship." Mr Carson calls. Everyone begins to filter out of the room. Emma watches Billy pick up the drink that he had put down. He takes a sip before pulling a slight face.
"What is it?" She asks him.
"My drink tastes odd for some reason. Didn't before." He replies as they follow everyone.
"Let me try," Tom says and takes a sip. "Only a little bit."
"Well, you finish it then," Billy tells him. Tom downs the rest.
—
Dinner is awkward and Emma is not enjoying it one bit. Tom and Billy have been yelling and bad mouthing everyone ever since they had been served. Emma looks at Sybil, who looks equally upset at this. Emma can't understand it. Billy had only some of his one cocktail and Tom only had one and a half, they honestly can't be this drunk?
"No, I don't agree! And I don't care who knows it!" Tom yells after Lord Merton had made an innocent comment about Ireland from his seat on Mrs Crawley's left. Billy had finished yelling about the suppression of working class rights. Emma puts down her silverware, upset by Tom's behaviour. "Or that the Black and Tans are there to restore order, are they? Well, why don't they just murder the entire population, and then you wouldn't hear a squeak out of any of them?!" Mary also looks tense from Tom's awkward shouting.
"Are you interested in Irish politics, Lord Merton?" Lady Grantham innocently asks the man on her right.
"Well, I was only just saying that I thought—" The man tries to say.
"He's interested in Irish repression!" Tom interrupts. "Like all of you." Emma sees Larry Grey smiling as if trying to hold in his laughter from where he sits on Mary's right at the opposite end of the table and she narrows her eyes at him.
"Look, old chap, of course this stuff matters a great deal to you." Matthew tries to placate Tom from where he sits across from him.
"Yes, it does matter. This stuff." Tom snaps. "It matters a very great deal."
"What's so funny?" Emma hears Mary ask.
"Nothing, I'm just enjoying these vivid displays of character, particularly the Irish one." Larry Grey replies. Sir Anthony then looks at him sharply from his seat between Mary and the Dowager.
Emma wants to sink into a deeper hole and turns to Tom as he sits diagonally from her. "Please, Tom, we don't need to wear everyone out."
"Why? What's the matter? Is he not being polite enough?" Billy snaps from next to him and tosses his napkin on the table.
"Well, wait a minute. This was down to you, wasn't it?" Sir Anthony suddenly says to Larry Grey, who furrows his eyebrows in confusion.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Yes, you do." Sir Anthony argues. "I saw you. You put something in Mr Prior's drink, didn't you? Just before we came in." Everyone looks at Larry Grey.
"That's not true, is it, Larry?" Sybil asks in disbelief. Honestly, what she has gleaned from him, Emma isn't too surprised.
"What a beastly thing to do," Edith adds from next to Billy.
"Oh, come on, Edith. That's not like you. You could always take a joke." The man remarks. Edith stares in surprise.
"A bully's defence." Larry Grey turns to Mary and his smile drops. "Listen, everyone, Mr Grey has given my brother-in-law and one of our guests something to make them appear drunk."
"Could it be drink?" Her grandmother asks.
"No, not drink. Some horrible pill. Sybil, Emma, take them upstairs." Mary orders. Sybil, Emma and Mrs Crawley fuss over helping Tom and Billy.
"Mr Branson and Billy have been the victims of a cruel prank, which I know you will all be kind enough to forget." Her Ladyship announces.
"Forgive, perhaps. Forget, never." The Dowager replies.
"Is this true, Larry?" Lord Merton asks his son.
Larry Grey huffs. "I don't know why you're getting so hot under the collar. One of them is only a grubby little chauffeur chap and the other—" Lord Merton, Matthew, and Lord Grantham all bolt out of their chairs in indignation. Sybil and Emma pause as they are taking out their husbands. Emma watches the scene with wide eyes.
"Be silent this instant, sir!" Larry Grey stares wide-eyed at his father. Lord Merton turns calmly to Tom and Billy, who are slightly hunched over on the serving table with Sybil and Emma's support. "I apologise for my son, Mr Prior, Mr Branson. Unreservedly. I only hope you'll both recover before the wedding." Tom nods and Billy grimaces a smile.
"I hope so, too." Matthew steps over to them. "Since I want Billy to be my best man and Tom to be my groomsman." Matthew claps Tom on the shoulder. Lord Grantham looks at Matthew in surprise as he's about to sit down, and Mr Carson and Mrs Crawley's jaws drop.
The latter shortly recovers. "Bravo! Well said!" Tom and Billy stare at Matthew and Sybil and Emma smile.
"Do you really mean it?" Sybil asks.
Emma stares at Matthew with bright hopefulness in her eyes. "Honestly?"
"I've told Tom and Billy before, if we're mad enough to take on the women of Downton, we have to stick together," Matthew replies.
Mary beams happily. "Oh! Thank you, Matthew. Thank you so much." Matthew smiles and Tom and Billy pat him on the arm as they hunch toward the door.
—
The next morning, Emma, Anna and the Crawley sisters look over Mary's new outfit, a lovely blue suit in said woman's room the next day.
"I'm not sure about the hat. Is it supposed to look crooked?" Edith wonders as they all gather in front of the mirror.
"Don't listen to her. I love it. You're not to change a thing." Sybil dismisses.
"She's right. I think the angled hat works." Emma agrees. She can almost hear her mother going on about it being fashionable. She smiles sadly at the thought of her lost family before shaking her head and focusing on the conversation.
"Anna?" Mary prompts.
"I think you look lovely, milady," Anna says. Mary smiles. There's a knock at the door and they turn around.
"Stop. Wait. Who is it?" Sybil calls. The door stops opening.
"Your long suffering papa." Lord Grantham calls.
"I suppose he can come in," Mary says and her father enters and Mary holds out her hands for his opinion.
"What's this for?" He asks.
"Going away." Mary twists so he can see the back. "How does it look?"
"Expensive." His Lordship remarks. Emma smiles.
"Twice the national debt, I'm afraid." Lord Grantham chuckles. "But I know you don't mind." Mary cringes hopefully/apologetically.
"Can I have one moment alone to give Mary my blessing?" Lord Grantham asks.
"That's lovely. Shoo, everyone." Sybil urges. The other girls leave to leave the two alone.
—
A red motor car arrives at the entrance of Downton. Almost everyone is lined up to greet it. Emma stands nearer the door with Mrs Crawley, Matthew, Tom and Billy, away from Lord and Lady Grantham and their daughters. Emma tries not to laugh when she looks at them. Billy and Tom had returned earlier on from their trip to Mrs Crawley's and Emma finds it really funny that they were forced into morning coats by Mrs Crawley and the Dowager.
The Earl and Countess step forward to welcome the latter's mother. Alfred hands Mrs Levinson out of the motorcar.
"Come war and peace, Downton still stands and the Crawleys are still in it." Mrs Levinson announces. "Cora." She steps forward to hug her daughter.
"Mother, how lovely to see you." The woman greets.
"As long as it is. Robert, aren't you going to kiss me?" Her Ladyship steps back and His Lordship steps forward. Emma smirks at her attitude then grimaces as the baby kicks her insides.
"With the greatest enthusiasm." Her son-in-law gives Mrs Levinson a kiss on the cheek. He looks at the red motorcar. "Tell me, where does this come from?"
"I hired it in Liverpool. Why?" His mother-in-law replies.
"Well, I thought it might be a gift from the U.S. government to help get Britain back on its feet." Mrs Hughes, Mr Carson, and Mrs Levinson chuckle. Mrs Levinson steps up to them.
"Carson and Mrs Hughes, the world has moved on since last we met." She greets.
"And we have moved on with it, my lady." Mr Carson replies.
"Really?" Mrs Levinson chuckles. "It seems so strange to think of the English embracing change. Mrs Hughes, this is my maid, Reed." Reed and Mrs Hughes nod to each other, and Reed takes her place in the servant's line.
Mrs Levinson turns to her grandchildren. "Sybil, tell me all about the arrangements for the birth." Mrs Levinson embraces Sybil lightly and receives a kiss. "We do these things so much better in the States." Mrs Levinson looks at Emma. "You as well." Emma looks at the floor awkwardly when being addressed. Mrs Levinson turns to the next girl. "Edith, still no one special?" Edith smiles with a sigh and a shrug. "Well, never mind. You must take a tip from the modern American girl." Mrs Levinson proceeds to Mary. "Ah, Mary. Dearest Mary." She lightly embraces Mary to receive a kiss. "Now. You tell me all of your wedding plans and I'll see what I can do to improve them."
Mrs Levinson walks into the house. Everyone exchange looks, recovering from the whirlwind American mother-in-law. The Earl and Countess enter the house, the others following in order of rank.
—
They sit in the Library, having tea as Mrs Levinson questions them all.
"Do explain again how exactly you are related to all of us, Mr Crawley." Mrs Levinson asks from the settee she shares with her daughter and eldest granddaughter.
Matthew, who sits with his mother and Sybil, sighs with some amusement. "Rather distantly, I'm afraid. My great, great grandfather was a younger son of the third earl." Mrs Crawley chuckles. On the chairs by the settee that is opposite, Tom places his hand over Emma's affectionately and she smiles back at him.
"My. Hm, I'm going to have to write that down so I can study it." Mrs Levinson replies.
"Look at our page in Burke's. You'll find Matthew there." Lord Grantham adds from his standing position by them all.
"Good," She grumbles, "because I would so like to understand why he gets to inherit my late husband's money." Emma honestly doesn't want to get into all of that again.
Matthew chuckles. "I know, it's funny, isn't it?" His future mother-in-law and wife chuckle.
Mrs Levinson isn't amused. "Not everyone shares your sense of humour."
"But surely it doesn't matter now that they're getting married." Mrs Crawley argues. Mrs Levinson tips her head up in acknowledgement.
"In fact, we'd better turn him out, or it'll be bad luck for tomorrow," Mary says
"Quite right." Her mother agrees. Matthew looks at his watch and stands. The gentlemen stand as Lady Grantham and Mary exit with him.
Mrs Levinson turns to Billy, Emma and Tom as her son-in-law sits next to her. "You three must be the convalescing soldier, the maid and the chauffeur I've heard so much about."
"We are, ma'am," Tom says.
Sybil grips her husband's hand as she gestures to the three of them. "Billy's an engineer, Emma's a nurse and Tom's a journalist now, Grandmama."
Mrs Levinson looks pleased. "Oh, well, well. I've heard of those journeys on my side of the water. It's very pleasant to hear of them happening here." Lord Grantham looks less than pleased, but Billy, Tom, Emma and Sybil smile.
—
Emma comes down for dinner with Edith to find the Dowager staring irritably after Mrs Levinson.
"There you are. I see you've said hello to Grandmama." Edith says once they are standing next to her.
"She is like a homing pigeon." Her grandmother mutters. "She finds our underbelly every time. Dreadful woman." The Dowager Countess walks to the Drawing room. Emma presses her lips together to stop herself from laughing.
—
"No, it wasn't me." Lord Grantham says to Mrs Levinson, who sits on his right in the Dining room. "Someone sent Emma and…Tom the price for the tickets to come over." Emma, from her seat between Sybil and Edith, can see that as Mary sits at the head of the table at the opposite end, looking silent and tense and wonders why.
"Does it matter who it was? It meant we could be at the wedding." Emma says.
"Of course, I wish it had been you, Papa, but I don't mind. I thank them, whoever they are. I'm just glad they are here." Sybil adds.
"Well, I'm glad you're here too, but it wasn't me either, I'm sad to say." Lady Grantham says from where she sits between her youngest and her son-in-law.
"Well, I love a mystery. Who could it be?" Mrs Levinson chuckles.
"My guess is Cousin Isobel. She always likes to stick her oar in." His Lordship grumbles.
Emma tries not to roll her eyes at him. "I'll go and ask her then."
"For heaven's sake, it was me." The Dowager announces. Her son looks up in shock, putting down his spoon. Even Mary is shocked out of her nervous state, and Emma looks up in surprise.
"You?" She gapes.
"But Emma showed me the letter and it wasn't your writing," Sybil argues.
"No. Smithers did it." Her non-American grandmother corrects. "Like all ladies' maids, she lives for intrigue."
"You wanted me and Emma to come here?" Tom asks her from between Billy and Mary.
"Well, Sybil so desperately wanted you both and considering I wanted Sybil and her husband to be here for Mary's wedding, well how could I not?" The Dowager says casually as Mr Carson drops Tom's napkin on him with a grimace, for Tom to put in his lap. Emma frowns at his behaviour.
"Why keep that secret?" Billy asks.
"Silly, wasn't it?" The Dowager chuckles. Emma can still see that Mary is staring at the table, her brows furrowed.
Emma frowns at her but turns back to the conversation. "Well, we are both very touched."
"How democratic. Makes me think maybe I've been mistaken in you." Mrs Levinson says almost teary eyed.
"I am a woman of many parts." The Dowager comments as she takes a sip of her soup. "After all, Branson is a me- I mean, Tom. Ha. You and Emma are practically members of the family now." The corner of Tom's mouth turns up into a smile. "You'll find we Crawleys stick together."
"Not always." Mary suddenly interrupts.
"Mary, what is it?" Her mother asks kindly.
"Oh, nothing. It's just..." Mary can't hold it in. She leaves the table in tears. Billy, Tom and Lord Grantham stand and the Dowager reaches her hand out to Mary's retreating figure.
"Oh, Mary, dear..."
—
"It's nerves. Everyone cries at some point before their wedding." Lady Grantham says after Edith has explained that she had overheard an argument between Mary and Matthew.
"But what was the quarrel about?" Mrs Levinson questions.
"I'm not sure." Edith answers. "I know she accused him of not being on our side."
"Oh, well, I hope she's wrong. That could be rather serious." The Dowager looks aghast.
"Of course, he's on our side." Lord Grantham dismisses. "It's ridiculous. I'll go and see him."
"No, Tom and I will go," Billy argues. Lord Grantham looks at Billy in unpleasant surprise. "I'm his best man, Tom's his groomsman. We should be the ones to go."
"What?" His father-in-law bites out.
"I know what it is to marry into this family." Billy continues. "I'm not comparing myself to Mr Crawley, but he is another kind of outsider."
"Well, I hardly—"
"Well, why not?" Mrs Levinson interrupts. "They're the ones that will lose their jobs if the wedding's cancelled." Lord Grantham, Billy and Tom regard each other for a moment, and then they leave the subject.
—
After dinner, Tom and Billy leave for the Crawley house to talk to Matthew while Emma goes up to Mary's room.
"You do realise that he may never get the money?" Emma asks as Mary cries as Anna brushes her hair after Mary has explained to the two of them what had happened. Matthew had been put on the list of heirs in Lavinia Swire's father's will but there were two before him and there's debate on whether the man before Matthew died before or after Mr Swire as this part decides whether Matthew gets the money or not. After learning that apparently Lord Grantham had lost all his money, Matthew refuses to accept the money to save him if he does get it, which caused the argument. Emma tries to forget about Lord Grantham's stupidity and focuses on the weeping bride as she sits on the bed to rest her feet.
"It's not about the money. It's that he won't save Papa when he could." Mary chokes.
"But he has to be true to himself," Anna argues. Emma nods in agreement.
"Mr Crawley seems like someone that doesn't stray from his morals and beliefs," Emma adds.
"Well, that's the point. He puts himself above the rest of us. Don't you see?" Mary counters, staring pleadingly at the two of them through the mirror.
"What I see is a good man, milady." Mary looks up at Anna in the mirror, listening wholeheartedly. "And they're not like buses. There won't be another one along in ten minutes time." Anna puts the hairbrush down and goes about her business while Mary thinks over what she said.
"Should you not go to bed?" Mary murmurs to Emma after a short while.
Emma shakes her head. "Tom and Billy have gone to speak with Mathew so I probably should stay."
—
Someone knocks at Mary's door as she's sitting on the bed in her nightgown with Emma next to her. She stares at it and Anna goes to it slowly with Emma behind her. Anna opens the door to reveal Matthew at the door, Tom and Billy behind him. Emma shares a smile with her husband while Anna looks back at Mary.
"I just need a word," Matthew says.
Mary stands up at Matthew's voice. "No. Go away. I'm undressed, you can't come in."
"One word. Come to the door." Matthew pleads.
"Please. Just give him this chance." Mary walks toward the door at the sound of Tom's voice.
"I won't look at you." Matthew persuades.
"It'd be unlucky if you did," Anna says warningly.
"Only if we were getting married," Mary says snidely.
"Which we are," Matthew argues. Anna looks at Mary and asks with a tilt of her head. Mary nods that she'll talk with Matthew and Anna and Emma leave with a smile. Matthew looks back to Billy and Tom, who gives him an encouraging smile. Tom, Emma, Billy and Anna disappear to let the two talk.
"Well done Mr Branson." Emma grins as they walk to their room.
"Why thank you, Mrs Branson," Tom replies. They giggle with one another.
—
Tom and Billy head off to collect Matthew and head to the Church in the morning in full morning coat apparel. Emma joins Lady Grantham, Edith and Sybil as Mary gets ready with the help of Anna and Gemma.
Anna finishes up Mary's hair with a laurel tiara, a finishing touch to the woman's hair as she sits at her dressing table. Her dress is still covered by her dressing gown.
"You'd ask, wouldn't you, if there was anything you wanted me to tell you. I mean, I'm sure you know." Her Ladyship says.
"More than you did," Mary replies. Her mother exhales. "And relax. There isn't anything I need to hear now."
"Because when two people love each other, you understand, everything..." Emma raises her eyebrows, waiting for the mother's response. "Is the most terrific fun." Emma and Sybil laugh.
"Careful, Mama, or you'll shock Anna and Gemma," Mary says amused.
"I'm a married woman now, milady," Anna replies.
"I think it's me you need to worry about more," Gemma remarks as she brings in Mary's shoes. The married ladies chuckle.
"I think we should go." Edith declares.
"What about Anna and Gemma? How are you going to get to the Church?" Emma asks.
"They're waiting for me in the wagonette. I'll see you there." Anna steps back.
Mary turns around in her chair. Sybil kneels down in front of her. "I know mine was a wild runaway marriage, darling, and yours is the one everyone wanted, but what's so thrilling is that this is every bit as romantic."
"Thank you. For always being so sweet." They kiss each other on the cheek and Sybil stands back.
Mary stands and Edith faces her. "Love and position in one handsome package. Who could ask for more?" Mary exhales and gives her mother a sidelong look as Edith leaves with Emma and Sybil.
—
Emma walks with Edith and Sybil arm in arm, greeting Lord Grantham as they pass before getting into their car to get to the Church along with Lady Grantham.
In the Church, Emma and Sybil sit next to each other talking before Sybil has to move the row in front of her with her sister and Mother. Emma sees Matthew arrive with Billy and Tom. She watches them talk with Mr Molesley in a back row.
"Handsome are they not?" Sybil says.
"Yes, but they're both extremely uncomfortable." Emma replies and they share a laugh.
Emma hears the crowd's cheers and Sybil quickly moves to her seat. Soon the organ starts and everyone stands. Emma beams as she watches Mary walk down the aisle with her father. She sees Matthew peek around his shoulder and he and Mary share smiles. Lord Grantham leads Mary to the altar and steps back.
And the wedding everyone has been waiting for begins.