"Are you sure?" Emma asks Rose as the two convene in the Drawing room, knowing no one will be in there at the moment.
"I thought you of all people would like the idea!" Rose huffs.
Emma rolls her eyes. "I do like the idea and I'd say bollocks to the lot of them, but are you sure about it? You know how the family are. They're not always as open as you think."
Rose had dragged Emma further into her plans for Robert's birthday. It's soon clear that Rose plans on using the band that Mr Ross was a part of as the surprise. Emma hadn't realised that there had been contact between the two and worries about the mistreatment the singer will receive from the family because of their unconscious racism.
"But isn't this a part of the inclusivity you always talk of?" Rose argues.
Emma sighs and rubs her head. "Yes… and I suppose everyone will enjoy it. It's not like they'll want to make a scene if they don't."
Rose grins. "Exactly. I'll contact Mr Ross and organise it."
"Remember, we need to inform Cora about this, well, sort of tell her."
Rose nods eagerly.
Emma squints her eyes at Rose suspiciously. "There isn't another reason why you are so eager to do this?"
Rose's eyes widen and she shakes her head a bit too quickly. "No! I just think it'll be a nice surprise for Cousin Robert."
"Hmm. Mary tells me that Mr Napier and his boss Mr Blake are coming next week, they'll be here for Robert's party." Emma warns.
Rose shrugs with a grin. "More the merrier!"
"I think they may be more interested in the pigs and Mary in Mr Napier's case." Emma remarks with a grin.
Rose nods. "Yes, Tamworth's. We had them at Duneagle. Daddy swears by them."
"It's a new thing for us." Emma says. "Tom's been a bit restless with waiting for their arrival. We haven't done much with pigs before."
"Not disrupting anything else?" Rose remarks with a grin.
Emma lets out a fake scandalised gasp before creasing over with laughter.
—
Tom tells Emma a couple of days later that Harold, Cora's brother, has apparently come into difficulty in his business. Emma is curious as to why Harold has written to Robert of all people about it though.
Emma and Rose knock on the door and open it to find Cora in an armchair, reading a book.
"Cousin Cora?" Rose greets her as she closes the door behind them.
"I think you can call me Cora now." The Countess says with a smile.
Emma huffs out a slight laugh. "She wouldn't dare with Robert."
"She must dare with me." Cora remarks. "How can I help?"
Rose and Emma sit down opposite her.
"I... we wanted to tell you that we've settled the surprise. For his birthday." Rose tells her.
"Since you won't tell me what it is, I don't know what to say." Cora comments. "But I'm assuming everything is alright if Emma is involved so, good?"
Emma feels a rush of warmth from how much Cora seems to trust her.
"Well, if you're alright with it. Is it okay if we let Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson know since they'll be the ones that has to deal with it?" Emma asks. "It's only on the day. And it's only till after dinner."
It's at that moment that Baxter walks in, taking away the breakfast tray. Emma watches her as she walks past. She wonders what the lady's maid's history is with Thomas. The woman seems nice enough but Emma hasn't really had the chance to get to know her.
"I suppose so."
—
Emma and Rose soon find themselves in Mrs Hughes' Sitting room.
"A band?!" Mrs Hughes exclaims in surprise.
Rose and Emma look at each other in alarm at how loud Mrs Hughes is being.
"Shh! No one must know." Rose whispers. She closes the door furtively.
"We'll get the carpets rolled up and everything arranged during dinner. So that when His Lordship walks out of the Dining room, there it is." Emma eagerly explains.
"And we're to hide them until then?" Mrs Hughes questions.
Rose lets out an exasperated huff. "Oh, 'hide' them? You just have to keep them with you. His lordship won't come down here, will he?"
"He doesn't. Downstairs is a foreign land to him." Emma remarks. This lifts a slight smile onto Mrs Hughes' face.
"So, I have to find them food and beds. How many are there?" Mrs Hughes asks, slightly disgruntled.
"Six, I think. But I'll check." Rose replies
"And Her Ladyship knows about it?"
Emma presses her lips together, highlighting her discomfort. "Well, um, she doesn't know it's a band, but she does know there's a surprise that your helping us with. We just want it to be a surprise for her too."
"Very well. I'll see what I can do." Mrs Hughes tells them though Emma can see she's not entirely convinced.
"Thank you." Rose says gratefully.
They walk out together, and Mrs Hughes sees them up the stairs.
—
Emma walks into the Outer Hall to find Edith by the telephone, trying to hold back tears.
Emma walks up to her in alarm. "Edith. What happened? What's the matter?"
"Michael's vanished into thin air. Nobody's heard from him, no one can reach him." Edith replies shakily.
This was what Emma was afraid of. She can't think that now and mustn't worry Edith until they are sure something has happened. "I'm sure it's just a failure of communication. If anything had happened, we'd've heard."
"Maybe." Edith says unsurely. "I just wish to God he'd pick up the telephone."
"He will. Come on." She holds her hand out to Edith. "We must ought to do the important ritual of getting changed for dinner." She remarks sarcastically.
Edith smiles slightly at the comment as they walk towards the stairs, hand in hand.
—
They all assemble in the Drawing room after dinner with the exclusion of Robert attended by Mr Carson and Alfred.
Robert enters.
"You're back." Cora says from the settee she sits on with Rose and Emma. Tom, Mary, Edith and Billy sit scattered about on the other chairs. "I thought you must've missed the last train."
"No. But I only just caught it." Her husband replies as he walks into the room.
"Do you want some dinner?"
"I ate in the restaurant car." He leans down to kiss his wife.
"You weren't very long in London." Edith comments. Emma is happy to see she's perked up a little though she won't be okay until they know what's happened to Michael.
"There wasn't much to do. Just sign some papers for a trust that Billy Sheffield set up for his son." Robert explains as he takes place in front of the fireplace
"What will that entail?" Billy queries.
"Mainly telling the boy to drink less and be nicer to his mother."
"We learned at dinner that Alfred's leaving. He's got a place on the Ritz cookery course after all." Cora tells him.
"He'll be a bit behind but he can catch up." Emma adds.
"Ah?"
"I'm sorry to cut and run, m'lord." Alfred apologises.
"Don't worry about that. We're proud of you." Cora says sincerely.
"You must return one day as a famous chef." Mary remarks.
"Now you're back, m'lord, there's something I wanted to say." Alfred declares. "I've been well treated in this house, and I want you all to know that I'm very grateful."
"Thank you, Alfred." Cora says.
"Mr Carson has been a kind—" Alfred swallows, overcome with emotion, "—and wonderful teacher."
Emma feels genuinely touched and she can see everyone else is overcome by Alfred's words.
"Much more and we shall all burst into tears." Robert comments.
"I'm sorry, m'lord. Come along, Alfred. Let's get back to work." Mr Carson instructs but he is very touched, too. They start clearing away the drinks.
Robert addresses them, "How's my birthday dinner coming on?"
Rose and Emma share an alarmed look before the former says, "How do you know about the dinner?"
"The Coldhursts rang yesterday and said they'd love to come." Robert explains as he takes his drink that Mr Carson offers.
"Weren't we all sworn to secrecy?" Billy questions.
Emma huffs. "Some people just can't keep a secret."
"I don't mind." Robert reassures them. "It won't spoil it if it's not a surprise. Not for me."
"There may still be a surprise." Rose tells him.
"So, I should hope!"
—
The next day, Emma makes her goodbyes to Alfred. The boy had been nice as far as she could gather from brief interactions but most of her knowledge of him comes from Gemma who's been whinging on about the square between Alfred, Ivy, Daisy and Jimmy. Emma is glad that she isn't downstairs anymore and hadn't have to experience it. Maybe Alfred going will sort things.
Emma also hears from Anna that she and Mr Bates are going out on a date to the Netherby Hotel, which Emma is happy to hear.
That evening, they all, minus Cora, who's also at the Netherby Hotel, but for a committee meeting, come walking out from dinner. Emma notices Mr Carson approaching Edith with an envelope on his salver. She pauses as the others walk ahead.
"I do apologise, m'lady. But this came in the evening post and it appears to have been overlooked." Mr Carson tells her
"Not to worry." Edith reassures him as she quickly slits it open and reads the letter. Mr Carson moves on.
Emma watches as Edith's face morphs into panic and shock. Emma swears she sees her eyes welling up.
"Edith, what's the matter? Is it Michael?" Emma questions, startling Edith who hurriedly looks up and attempts to school her features.
"No. Not at all. Just more dead leads." Edith folds up the letter and quickly walks past her.
Emma frowns. "If you're sure…"
Edith pauses. "I am. We mustn't keep the others waiting." She quickly enters the Drawing room before Emma can say anymore.
—
Emma finally gets a chance to talk to Edith on her own when she finds her alone by the fire on the pouffe in the Library, crying. Emma immediately comes to her side and sits down next to her.
"Edith? Hey, what's the matter?" Emma questions, gripping her hand and looking at her earnestly.
Edith sniffles. "It's nothing."
"We both know that's not the case." Emma says. "Was it the letter? It was about Michael, wasn't it?"
"In a way."
"Perhaps you should get your father involved? Send someone over there?" Emma suggests. It hurts to see Edith so upset.
Edith shakes her head. "No. His office has already done that. There's a detective in Munich now, working with the German police."
Munich… A significant place that changed the Nazi party's tactics. Emma knows Hitler hasn't led the 1923 coup yet but that doesn't mean he's not lurking. Emma hopes his brown shirts have nothing to do with this.
"Then you just have to be patient." Emma says instead.
"I want to know what's happened. If he's... trapped somewhere, or falsely imprisoned. Or even dead." Her voice catches on the last word. Emma looks at her alarmed. "I mean it. If the worst's happened, I want to know. It's just so impossible to plan in this... fog."
Emma gently squeezes her hand. "Well, I'm sure he's not dead." She hopes anyway. The fact that it's been some months since he was last heard from, but she can't share her doubts
Edith sees right through her. "No, you aren't. Because none of us can be."
—
Mr Napier and Mr Blake soon arrive and are being greeted by Cora, Emma and Mary in the Great Hall.
"It's so kind of you all to have us." Mr Napier says, turning pointedly to his boss. "Isn't it, Charles?"
"It is." Mr Blake replies. Emma can't help but feel that he'd rather be somewhere else.
"We're anxious to do our bit." Mary says pleasantly.
"What do you mean by that?" Mr Blake questions. Oh, dear.
"Well, you're here to advise the landowners on how to get through this crisis, aren't you? To save the estates that need saving." Mary replies. Emma is now feeling a bit uncomfortable.
"I'm afraid Evelyn may have given you the wrong impression." Emma is not liking what seems to be a judgemental attitude behind the mask of Mr Charles Blake.
"In what way?" Mary questions.
"The government is aware that up and down the country, great estates are being sold in large numbers." Mr Blake explains.
"Precisely."
"North Yorkshire has a lot of these estates, big and small. And many are in difficulty. We will have every variety of problem to study." Mr Blake continues.
"And you're here to help."
"Not quite. We're here to analyse the situation and ask whether our society is shifting fundamentally. Will it affect food production, and so on?" Mr Blake finishes.
Emma admits that he does have a point but it'll make an enemy out of Mary. She decides to cut into what is clearly brewing to be a sparing match. "So, it's not about how the owners feel, but the food supply?" She asks.
"If that's how you want to put it..." Mr Blake replies.
"I'm afraid that owners will not enjoy that, may see it as mean-spirited," Emma warns. Out of the corner of her eye, Emma sees Edith and Rose walk up to them and greet Mr Napier, who seems quite relieved about it.
"Mr Lloyd George is more concerned with feeding the population than rescuing the aristocracy. That doesn't seem mean-spirited to me." Mr Blake quips.
Emma can't help but feel a bit annoyed herself with his blasé attitude.
Mr Napier is quick to butt in, "I'm afraid you may find us disappointing guests, if you want us to stay up till two in the morning being witty."
"Don't worry. I don't expect Mr Blake to be witty." Mary snarks.
Mr Blake gives her a look that says 'challenge accepted'.
Robert arrives and shakes hands with Mr Blake before moving to Mr Napier. "How long will you be with us?"
"Until the job is done and we can write a report. If you'll have us." Mr Blake replies.
"You must be sure to get rid of us when we become a nuisance." Mr Napier adds.
"The gong is rung at seven, and we meet in the drawing room at eight." Cora tells them. "You know it's Robert's birthday?"
"So, you must try to be witty tonight, Mr Blake. After that, we'll lower our expectations." Mary quips.
By the look on his face, Mr Blake has definitely accepted the challenge. Emma can't help but think this is moderately similar to how Mary and Matthew's relationship began.
"The girls will show you up." Cora says.
—
Emma and Rose enter the Servants' Hall to see that they are having their tea, served by Ivy and Daisy and Emma is pleasantly surprised to see Mr Molesley as they walk to the doorway. Everyone gets to their feet as they enter. Emma still finds it very strange when they do that.
"Lady Rose, Mrs Branson! Can I help?" Mr Carson questions.
"Oh, please, don't let us disturb you. But Lady Rose and I wanted to make a speech. Mrs Hughes may have told you—" Emma begins to say. She consciously decides to keep the titles and be formal about those upstairs so as not to throw Mr Carson's nose further out of joint than they will be doing anyway.
"I haven't yet." The housekeeper interrupts. Emma is amused by the disgruntled look on Mr Carson's face.
"Well, we should tell them now," Emma says. She tries not to show her anxiousness and nerves as she turns to address the rest of the servants. "As a treat for His Lordship, a London band is coming to play after dinner."
"A London band? That's the berries." Jimmy comments.
"From a nightclub called The Lotus." Rose adds.
"A nightclub? Really?" Daisy asks excitedly.
"But it must be a complete surprise." Emma warns them. "No one knows anything. And they mustn't. That is, Her Ladyship knows that something's going to happen, but even she doesn't know what."
"And you think she'll be pleased?" Mr Carson asks doubtfully.
"She'll be thrilled." Rose insists.
"We'll look after your secret." Jimmy promises. Emma is thankful for it but she still doesn't know how she really feels about the footman.
"So, until then, if you can just make them comfortable. I know musicians are outside your daily round." Rose adds.
"Don't worry about that, m'lady. We can take it in our stride. We may be Yorkshiremen, but we do know a little of life in the city." Mr Carson says with a smile. Emma internally winces, she somehow doubts that a bit.
A male voice can be heard. It's Jack Ross, the band's singer. "Hello? Uh... is anyone there?" He comes walking confidently into the Servants' Hall. "I think this is where we're supposed to be."
Mr Carson is so struck by his appearance that he knocks over his teacup. There's a shocked silence. Emma frowns at disappointment to see even Mrs Hughes and Thomas are being a bit funny about it.
Rose, determined to save the situation, smiles at Jack. "Welcome to Downton." She and Jack shake hands.
—
Emma and Tom walk to the Nursery before dinner so that they can feed the children along with Billy and Mary. Emma knows they're already there before her, but as she reaches the door, she hears Isobel's voice and what she says gives her pause and she turns to Tom to shush him.
"When I got engaged, I was so in love with Reginald I felt sick. I was sick with love. Literally." She laughs a little. "It seems so odd to think about it now. It really does."
"It was the same for me." Billy murmurs. "As if I'd gone mad, or been hypnotised, or something. For days. Weeks. All I could think about was her."
"And me. I was standing outside in the snow, and I didn't have a coat. But I wasn't cold, because all I kept thinking was, he's going to propose, he's going to propose!" Mary reminisces.
Emma and Tom turn to each other and smile softly, thinking of their own engagement. Emma has happy memories but she always can't help but feel guilty about how she had left him hanging for so long.
"Well. Aren't we the lucky ones?" Isobel remarks.
Emma can't help but feel guilty that, unlike Isobel, Mary and Billy, she still has Tom, and that she has what they have lost.
She decides she and Tom have heard enough. The three in there turn to them as Emma says, "Isobel, are you here to join us in the chaos of feeding time?"
"I thought I might." Isobel says with a smile.
The door opens, and the nannies come in with George and Michael in their arms and leading Ivy and Sybbie by their hands.
"Oh! Look who's here!"
"Hello!" Isobel greets them.
"Come here, Sybbie." Billy gathers up his daughter.
"Daddy!" Ivy squeals as Tom picks her up while Emma scoops Michael into her arms.
—
A large dinner party has been assembled for Robert's birthday with Mr Carson, Thomas, Jimmy and Mr Molesley attending them, the latter being a pleasant surprise. While Emma usually hates them, the guests are seemingly alright so far. Thankfully she's at the end of the table with Mary, Edith, Rose and a couple of gentlemen while Tom is next to Mr Napier and Cora and Billy are sitting with Isobel. What's worrying is that Mary is sitting next to Charles Blake.
"But I can't help feeling sorry for the poor pigs." Mary says.
"Do you eat bacon?" Mr Blake asks.
"Yes."
"Sausages?"
There's a layer of irritation underlining Mary's features. "Yes."
"Then you are a sentimentalist who cannot face the truth." Mr Blake remarks.
Mary rolls her eyes at him. "I'm not often called sentimental."
Emma huffs a quiet laugh and quickly takes a sip of her wine to hide her amusement. Her smile dims when she sees the unhappy look on Mr Napier's face. Seems to have realised that he has, yet again, brought a man to this house whom Mary infinitely prefers to him.
"Carson," Emma hears Robert call to the butler, who's assisting with clearing away the plates, "you don't mind if we go on calling Molesley Molesley, do you?"
"Of course not, m'lord." He clearly does, but he doesn't say a word.
"I'm catching the ladies' eye." Cora says after a short while. Everyone rises to give the ladies the chance to withdraw.
Rose and Emma share a look of alarm and the former quickly stands, protesting, "Oh, no!"
"Rose?" Cora questions in surprise.
"No. We're not splitting tonight. We're all going out together!" Rose then darts out of the room.
"What on earth is she talking about?" Edith wonders.
The dinner party are still on their feet, clueless while Emma waits amusedly.
Rose comes rushing back in as the music starts up. "Happy birthday, Cousin Robert!"
Robert laughs. "I say!"
—
The dinner party enter the Hall to find a band has been set up and the carpet has been rolled up. Rose is pulling Robert out into the Hall by his hand. Jack Ross is singing 'I'm just wild about Harry'. Robert is willing enough at first, but he stops dead when he sees it's a black singer. His family and guests come walking out after him, looking on uncertainly. Rose, however, has already found another dance partner.
"Who is this singer? And how did he get here? Isn't it rather odd?" Edith questions causing Emma to frown.
Robert snaps out of his stupor. "No, I think it's fun." He and Cora start to dance, too.
"Don't be disappointing, Edith." Emma warns. She moves on to dance with Billy as Isobel has snatched Tom away – they're absolutely enjoying themselves. More and more couples join the dance floor.
Emma and Billy soon begin discussing her and Tom's plans to move to America.
"Maybe I should follow what you and Tom are doing, making a new start elsewhere." Billy remarks.
"You don't think you will make a life here? That you have one?" Emma questions.
Billy gives her a pointed look. "Don't you?"
Emma shrugs, fair point. "Maybe. But I know Tom doesn't feel like he's one of them and I want him to be happy."
"That's what I always wanted for Sybil. That's gone now." Billy murmurs sadly.
Emma gives him a sympathetic look. "Perhaps not forever. You might find someone one day."
"Would there be another earl's daughter who'd be keen to take me on, do you think?" Tom remarks doubtfully.
"Well, I don't know. It would depend on her." Emma admits.
"No. She wouldn't." Billy corrects. "There aren't many as free as my Sybil."
"Well, I agree with that." Emma concedes. "Maybe Tom can introduce you to one of his cousins?"
"Not sure an Irish working girl will make everyone comfy." Billy remarks and Emma chuckles at that.
The song soon ends, and everyone claps.
—
Emma is dancing with Tom now. The band are playing a slower instrumental number now.
"Isobel said something interesting earlier." Tom remarks as they brush past Mr Napier and Violet dancing.
Emma looks up at her husband questioningly. "Oh?"
"How this, the band, shows how things can happen at Downton that no one imagined even a few years ago."
"She's got a point, I suppose." Emma ponders for a moment. "There's so much development here that was definitely not the case when I first came here."
"Yes. She says we should listen to that before giving up being here entirely." Tom adds.
"Do you think we should?" Emma questions as they move around Mary and Robert.
Tom lets out a quiet hum before replying, "Maybe, for now."