Everyone has gone a flutter ever since Edith's sudden flee from Downton the day before. Even Rosamund is coming up from London to see what she can do to help. It all seems strange since Tony Gillingham, Charles Blake and Mabel Lane Fox are all staying as guests and Atticus, his parents and Lord Merton are coming for dinner this evening. No one knows anything except the fact that she seems to have gone to London.
Emma is happy that work pulls her away from it all for most of the day yet she knows she'll have to face it all at dinner.
Emma's suspicions about the little girl that lives with the Drewes at Yew Tree Farm Edith has been so fascinated are heightened when Tom tells her how Mrs Drewe had suddenly turned up at Downton asking for an audience with Cora.
—
Emma comes walking downstairs, dressed for dinner with Mary that evening and is surprised to find Mrs Hughes waiting for them in a corner of the Hall.
"Ma'am? M'Lady?" The housekeeper calls to them. "I'm sorry to bother you."
Mary and Emma halt and turn to talk to her. It's funny to hear Mrs Hughes address her like this but Emma knows she's simply being proper in front of a member of the family that employs her.
Emma gives her a warm smile. "You're never a bother Mrs Hughes. What can we do for you?"
"It may have slipped your mind, but do you both remember I gave you a train ticket when we came to London for Lady Rose's ball?" Mrs Hughes questions. "It was a return ticket that I found in the pocket of Mr Bates' overcoat."
Mary and Emma share a look. "Of course, we remember." The former replies.
"I don't suppose you put it anywhere for safekeeping?"
Emma frowns in confusion. "Why?"
"Because we were wrong." Mrs Hughes explains. "Far from proving that Mr Bates went to London on the day Mr Green died, it proved he didn't. He bought the ticket in York but changed his mind and that's why it was never given in."
Emma's heart drops to her stomach. "It wasn't proof of his guilt but his innocence?"
"That's about the size of it."
"I'm afraid I burnt it, Mrs Hughes." Mary admits guiltily.
"That's right. She told me so." Emma adds. She feels sorry for Mary. She had done what she thought was the right thing.
There's movement by the front door, and the Sinderbys enter with Atticus, with Mr Molesley leading the way.
Just then Rose comes downstairs, too. "Atticus!" She calls excitedly then comes skipping down the stairs to greet the guests.
Mary and Emma exchange a last look with Mrs Hughes, but they have no choice but to leave the matter unresolved and join Rose. They walk towards the guests, too.
"Hello." Rose greets Atticus, who beams back at her. She turns to his parents. "Lord and Lady Sinderby, hello."
"Rose." Lady Sinderby says with a smile.
As always, she's the one with the social graces while her husband looks grumpier than when he did at the races, at least then it wasn't obvious but now he looks as if he disapproves of absolutely everything and everyone.
Rose turns to Mary and Emma as they come up beside her. "Oh, you know Emma Branson and my cousin."
"Of course! We were in awe of your courage yesterday and it'll lovely getting to know you better too, Mrs Branson." Lady Sinderby says warmly.
Emma plasters on a fake smile to cover up the dread she's currently feeling. "Likewise."
Mary too plasters on a smile. "Well, courage or foolhardiness. Come and see Mama and Papa." Mary leads Atticus' parents towards the Drawing room with Emma trailing just behind, happy to have the chance to drop the fake smile now none of the guests are looking at her though she sees Thomas casting a concerned look in her direction. Rose and Atticus bring up the rear, wrapped up in their own world.
—
The large dinner party is assembled – Robert, Violet, Tom, Rosamund, Emma, Isobel, Lord Merton, Mary, Lord Sinderby, Cora, Charles, Rose, Atticus, Billy, Mabel, Tony, and Lady Sinderby.
Emma smiles softly when she glances across to where Rose and Atticus are laughing together. At least something is going right tonight.
Rosamund, sitting in between Tom and Emma begins quizzing them about their plans for the future. "Have you decided at last whether you are leaving?"
Tom lets out a slight chuckle. "'At last' is the right phrase," he says, glancing at Emma before turning back to Rosamund, "but we want to make sure we are doing the right thing."
Emma remembers how worried and concerned he was when he first approached her with the idea of writing to his cousin, from America.
"The worry is disrupting Ivy and Michael's lives and regretting it." She speaks.
"You know they all want you to stay?" Rosamund points out.
"That only makes it more difficult." Tom says.
Emma agrees but she wonders if this might be their chance to find themselves again. A new life. A step towards their and their children's futures.
She is startled when Isobel, sitting on the other side of her, claps her hands to get everyone's attention. Everyone looks at her surprised.
"I have a little announcement." She announces with a smile.
Lord Merton leans towards her. "Are you sure?" He whispers.
"I am."
Is this what Emma thinks it is?!
Isobel turns to the table at large, "You might like to know that Lord Merton and I have decided that we should get married."
People all around the table gasp and laugh excitedly. Some say comments of congratulations.
"Well, this calls for a toast." Robert rises and takes his glass. "I give you Mrs Crawley. Or should I say, the future Lady Merton?"
All rise and raise their glasses. "The future Lady Merton!"
Isobel accepts the toast with a smile. "Naturally, it was the last thing I ever thought would happen."
Everyone chuckles.
"I forced her into it." Lord Merton quips.
"He wooed me into it, and I'm terribly pleased he did." Isobel says.
Everyone takes their seats once more. Another something is going right tonight.
—
The dinner party are having their after-dinner coffee in the Drawing room, attended by Mr Carson and Mr Molesley. The men have already joined the ladies.
Emma is sitting at one end of the settee, talking to Mary and Charles, who sit on the chairs nearby when she overhears Cora talking with Lord Merton on the same settee.
"I'm sorry if I seem distracted, but I'm truly so happy for you both." Cora says.
"I thought I'd give a dinner, so she can meet my sons." Lord Merton says.
Mary joins the conversation, "Well, she has met Larry before."
Lord Merton lets out an awkward little laugh. "Let's hope she's forgotten."
"Why don't we do it here? We could invite Granny and everyone." Mary suggests. "You are my godfather and Isobel is the grandmother of my child."
Emma's face scrunches up in distaste. "Are you sure that's wise?" She worriedly glances over to the other side of the room where Billy and Tom sit and chat with Isobel. "You do remember how Larry treated Tom and Billy?"
"Oh, but it has been years since then." Mary dismisses. "Please let's. It seems only right, Mama."
"Of course. If you'd like." Cora says to Lord Merton.
"Oh, that would be very kind. A signing of the bond between our families." Lord Merton remarks warmly. Let's hope so…
It's not long before the Sinderbys move towards the door, saying their goodbyes.
"They're so easy in each other's company. Anyone can see it." Emma turns to see Charles nodding towards Mabel and Tony, looking like they're thoroughly enjoying each other's company, at the card table, from where he sits next to Mary and Emma.
"But he won't let me go." Mary complains.
Emma lets out a snort. "As if you'd let him go easily. I'm not part of whatever this plan is to get him off you, but I can see that you refuse to make it clear that you want him to."
"She's right." Charles agrees. "Just as he's moving off, you tug his strings." His voice turns firm. "Send a clear message and he'll go. I promise."
"What is that message?" Mary asks.
"We'll think of something."
—
Cora and Rosamund leave the next day to go to Gregson's, now Edith's, magazine office in London in a new attempt to find Edith.
Robert is at the writing desk with Tom when Emma and Mary enter through the Small Library. Emma has the evening shift today.
"Did they get away?" Robert asks when he spots them.
"Just about. The train was late, thank heaven." Mary replies. She hands them some business papers. They still are looking at the plans for the renovation work on the cottages.
Emma leans over and kisses her husband on the cheek.
"And it isn't going to be Tony?" Robert asks. Oh, Robert…
"I don't think so."
"Nor Charles."
Emma laughs. "He decided that before she did."
"Well, well." Robert rises from his chair. "I don't suppose your ancient father's opinion on these matters carries much weight."
"'Fraid not."
Emma remembers something. "Oh, Mary, you said you wanted to visit your grandmother." She gives Mary a pointed look, a reminder of what they discussed earlier.
"Yes. We should go."
Emma and Mary leave. Emma kisses her husband as they depart.
—
Mary and Emma are paying their call on Violet. Spratt is serving them tea as they sit around the table in the Drawing room.
"How are you, Spratt? Well, I hope." Mary says to the butler.
"Everyone has their troubles, M'lady." Spratt comments sounding irate.
"Oh, dear." Emma comments.
"Spratt has been helping to train my new maid, Denker." Violet explains.
"I'd say she takes after the dachshund, M'Lady, Ma'am." Spratt retorts. Seems all the drama's happening here.
"In what way?" Mary asks.
"She's quite untrainable."
"Spratt." Violet's tone matches the one a mother would use on their child.
"Will there be anything else, Your Ladyship?" There isn't. He bows and leaves.
Emma raises an eyebrow at Violet, trying to hide how much she wants to laugh at the whole situation. "You sure this Denker is worth it?"
The look she receives from Violet tells her she's not hiding it well.
Mary bypasses this and says, "Oh, you must put dinner on Friday into your diary. That's when Dickie Merton's coming with his sons."
"Yes. I wonder if it is a good idea." She rises and walks over to her desk.
"Thank you! Someone seeing sense!" Emma exclaims.
"Well, Isobel has got to meet them some time." Mary argues. "And Larry won't make trouble for Billy again. Not with Sybil dead, which means Tom will be left alone too."
"Let us hope." Violet retorts, her back now to them as she sits at the desk.
Mary and Emma share a look and the former turns in her chair to face Violet. "Granny, we know why you're finding this difficult."
"Do you?" Violet asks, trying to sound surprised. Emma doesn't think she's very successful.
"Yes, but you mustn't give in to it."
"What? Give in to what?"
"Isobel has always been your protégée." Mary explains. "She looks up to you, and you have kept her from harm in return."
"Have I?" Violet's unbothered and confused façade isn't holding up.
"Yes. So of course, it's difficult that she is to take her place among the leaders of the county."
"Why? Why is it difficult?" Violet asks, not looking at them but instead focusing a bit too intently on whatever she's writing about.
"You needn't pretend. Your positions have changed - you, the widow in the Dower House, Isobel a great lady presiding over a great house. But you simply have to be bigger than that."
"Is that what you think of me? That I care about her change of rank?" Violet looks almost hurt.
Emma sighs. "Well, you haven't been acting very pleased, have you?"
"No. But that is not the reason."
"Then what is?" Mary asks.
"Well, if you must know... I have got used to having a companion. A friend. You know, someone to talk things over with." Violet admits softly.
"Well, you'll still have us." Mary tries to reassure her.
"You have your own lives. And so, you should. But Isobel and I had a lot in common. And... I shall miss her."
Emma knows she's being more honest than she ever has. Emma herself feels almost tearful after the Dowager's speech. She hadn't realised that perhaps Violet's struggles might not be as superficial as they first thought.
"Granny, you're quite dewy-eyed. I never think of you as sentimental." Mary remarks in an almost joking way.
Violet chuckles. "Nor am I. You've made me regret my confidence." She gestures at the table. "Do have some cake. And for your information... I don't think Isobel has ever looked up to me."
Mary and Emma share a doubtful look.
—
Emma and Tom decide to take Ivy and Michael on a walk, to spend time with them and bring up the idea of moving across the Atlantic.
They reach a bridge and begin playing Pooh sticks. Tom and Ivy hold their own while Emma and Michael share one.
"Now, we drop the sticks in together when I say. Ready? Go!" Tom cries.
They drop their sticks. Tom picks Ivy up and carries her to lean over the railing on the other side. Michael squeals happily as Emma mimics a plane as she carries him over to the other side.
"Where are they?" Emma questions excitedly. "There it is."
"It's me! It's me!" Ivy points widely at her stick.
"Me! My stick!" Michael yells excitedly.
"Yes. Now make a wish." Tom tells them.
Ivy and Michael both squeeze their eyes shut and make a wish. Emma smiles softly at her children. Tom runs his head over her hair, then leans on the railing next to her. The two of them share a look, Emma gives a nod and Tom takes a breath, turning to their daughter.
"Darling, you know Aunt Edith has gone to London?" Tom asks tentatively.
"Yes."
"Only, we were thinking... We wonder, what if we were to leave here and to go and live in a place far away across the sea? What would you say?" Emma asks.
"Why?"
"Well, because... it might be better for us to start a new life there." Tom explains.
"Why?" She's picking at the moss on the railing.
"Because... Because I hope to God, we're doing the right thing." A bell chimes in the distance. "That's the stable clock. We'd better get back." He lifts Ivy and the rabbit into his arms, and Emma and Michael follow them as they all walk away.
Mary tells Emma that evening that she's going to London this afternoon as part of the plan to get Tony off her back and will stay for the night. Emma is mildly jealous that she's going to a cinema. It's been so long for Emma that she sort of misses it.
—
Emma comes home from work that Friday evening to hear the worst news imaginable. Isis has cancer and it won't be long now. Robert hadn't wanted her to be put down by the vet and had taken her back to Downton where she could pass peacefully.
Emma is happy to see Edith has returned but is very curious to hear that now she'll be adopting the child she's been so fond of from the farm. Apparently, the Drewes could no longer afford to look after their friend's child, so Edith offered to adopt the girl herself. What matters though is Edith is seeming the happiest she's been in a while.
"So, what do you think, about the child Edith wants to adopt?" Tom asks her as he sits on a chair in their room, already dressed for dinner while Emma is just doing her hair in the mirror before they go down.
Emma pauses for a moment before trying to continue as if unbothered. "Marigold? What do you mean?" She doesn't turn around, hoping not to give away her thoughts. Tom of all people wouldn't judge but she'd hate to spread rumours about whether they are true or not.
"I don't know, it's strange the whole thing. Do you think something else is going on?" He questions.
Emma turns away from the mirror and shrugs. "Whether there is or isn't something, it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, this will make Edith happy and give the child a good home and opportunities. We should now that better than anyone."
Tom sighs and gets up. "You're right. Do we really have to go to this dinner?"
Emma smiles sympathetically at him. "Trust me, I hate it as much as you do but we can't do anything, and we need to be there for Isobel."
Tom strides over to her and wraps his arms around her. "Why do you always say the right thing." He smirks down at her.
Emma returns it and shrugs. "Because I'm always right."
"Mmm. I suppose once this is over, we could spend some alone time together to celebrate getting through the trauma we're about to experience." Tom remarks darkly.
Emma smirks. "Maybe."
He leans down and gives her a deep kiss.
—
Emma, Tom, and Billy give Larry, as well as his younger brother Tim, a wide birth during the time in the Drawing room before dinner and thankfully the two brothers kept away from them but once it was time for dinner, they couldn't really avoid them for much longer.
Atticus has joined them, sitting next to Rose. Tom and Emma sit at the same end of the table. Billy thankfully isn't sitting next to either brother as well. Tim sits next to Isobel at the other end while Larry is across from her.
Violet leans across Emma and Tom to talk to Rose, "Rose, have you written to your mother about Mr Aldridge?"
Rose grimaces. Emma doesn't blame her from what she's heard about Rose's mother. "I have now."
"And will she approve?"
It seems a rather rude thing to ask in Atticus' presence if they're not even officially engaged yet, but Atticus takes it with good grace.
"Don't be disappointing, Aunt Violet, please." Rose rebuffs.
"I promise you; we know difference in religion is a big thing." Atticus adds.
"Quite right." Larry butts in. Oh, no. "How would you bring up any children, for example?"
"Children? When did this happen?" Robert quips in an attempt to break the tension. Everyone laughs. Emma only grimaces, knowing Larry likely isn't done.
"I'm talking hypothetically." Larry retorts. "The fact is, most marriages that fail founder for precisely this kind of reason. An irreconcilable difference."
"Or maybe they just don't get on." Mary counters.
"No, I'd agree with Larry. It's usually more than that." Tim argues.
"It might be different beliefs, or different nationalities or a huge age gap. It the end, they cannot see eye-to-eye." Larry continues.
The others are exchanging disquieted looks, knowing where exactly this will be going.
"I don't see what you're getting at." Lord Merton says, but he does cast a pointed look at his son.
"You mean to marry Mrs Crawley. Well, she seems very nice, and I wish you both every happiness." Larry says, smiling at Isobel.
"Thank you." Isobel says.
But then Larry's smile turns nasty. "But that doesn't prevent me from seeing the wide disparity in class and background may prove your undoing."
Robert looks astonished at his remark. "What did you say?"
"Only that Mrs Crawley, a decent middle class woman with neither birth nor fortune, is expecting to fill our mother's shoes as one of the leaders of the county. Is she capable of it? Or will her inevitable failure prove a source of misery to them both?"
Isobel listens in silence, thunderstruck by so much rudeness.
"You know Mrs Crawley's late son was my heir?" Robert says angrily.
"What does that prove? Everyone has distant cousins who are fairly odd." Larry replies dismissively.
Mary looks ready to murder Larry and honestly, Emma isn't feeling too far behind.
Lord Merton takes it upon himself to end this horrible scene. "How dare you. Will you go, Larry? I had to make excuses for your rudeness the last time you sat at this table. It is tiring to think I should be called upon to do so again." He says to Larry, in an admirably calm tone.
Larry looks unperturbed by his father's words. "I know the choice of in-laws is eccentric in this family. You already boast an engineer and a chauffeur and soon you can claim a Jew, but even so—"
Emma feels a rush of wind when Tom jumps up from his chair, making the plates rattle. "Why don't you just get out, you bastard!"
"And suddenly we've slipped into a foreign tongue." Violet remarks, but nobody protests or takes Larry's side.
Larry gets up as well. "Well, if that is how you feel?"
"I do not endorse Tom's language, but that is certainly how we all feel." Robert replies forcefully.
"Then, Lady Grantham, goodbye." Larry says to Cora before looking out at the rest of them disdainfully. "And thank you for a delightful evening." Mr Molesley holds open the door as he walks out, leaving a terrible silence behind him. Isobel is close to tears, and so is Lord Merton.
Tom takes his seat and Emma immediately reaches out and squeezes his hand. He smiles at her thankfully.
—
Dinner wraps up soon after that with the guests leaving early. Honestly, Emma doesn't blame them, particularly Isobel.
"You're not angry with me, are you?" Tom asks Emma when they're back in their room.
Emma looks at her husband, confused. "Why would I be angry? You told that twat to shove it and I couldn't be more prouder."
He grins. "Well, then." Tom gathers her up in her arms and gives her a deep kiss. They hold the embrace for a few moments before Tom pulls back, a thoughtful look on his face.
"What?"
"I can't help but feel sorry for Isobel, the way those bastards humiliated her." Tom says. Emma smiles softly at him, once again he reminds her of how empathetic he is.
She reaches up and strokes his forehead until the frown lines ease. "She'll get past it, we all will. We just have to be there for her."
Tom nods. "You right."
He kisses her again and they tumble onto the bed.
—
That night, Isis sadly passes away.