"I've finally got a reply from my cousin!" Tom cries as he bursts into their room where Emma is getting ready for dinner.
She puts on a pair of gloves as she turns to him. "The Boston one?"
"Yes." He hands her the letter, and she quickly skims it, skipping past the niceties.
"He wants you to join him in Boston to help him expand into farm machinery?" Emma looks up at him, wide-eyed.
Tom nods eagerly but she can see a level of uncertainty. "Yeah, he seems to think my 'posh English' job means I know all about it."
"Well, don't you?"
"Maybe."
"And you'll be furthering a career." Emma points out. "Being a partner is one step closer to having your own company."
"So, should we? What about your work?" Tom questions.
Emma smiles at him softly. She puts the letter down and walks over, holding his hand. "Boston has hospitals. Plus, it'll be working in a city one rather than a village one."
"It's decided then?"
"Yes, but first, I think I need to find out where Massachusetts is on the map first." Emma quips.
Tom chuckles.
—
Everything seems to be happening now. Rose and Atticus are getting married, and the wedding is fast approaching. In the lead up, Emma finds herself taking part in necessary activities such as Rose showing off possible wedding outfits for the day.
Emma joins Cora, Mary, Violet and Isobel, the older ladies sitting in chairs and Emma and Mary on the side of the bed. Anna is there to help, too.
Rose steps out from the divider with one possibility. "Ta dah!"
They all gasp in approval.
"Oh, that's lovely!" Isobel compliments.
"Give is a spin." Emma suggests. Rose does as she says, showing it off.
"You don't think it's a bit mumsy?" Rose questions.
"No!" They all cry.
"It's very chic." Mary adds.
"Can we see it with the hat?" Violet asks.
Anna hands Rose the matching hat, which Rose puts on. There are more gasps of approval and applause. Isobel claps.
Rose talks to Anna while Anna adjusts the hat in front of the large mirror. "Are you looking forward to London?"
"I am. Mr Bates and I need to inspect our house there, so the timing couldn't be better." Anna replies.
"I'm sorry Susan's missing all this." Cora says to Rose.
Rose scoffs. "She doesn't care about clothes." She takes off the coat she's wearing to look at the dress more closely.
"Will they be there before us?" Emma asks.
"No. They're spending the night in Southampton." Rose answers. "So, we'll all arrive in St James's on the same day."
"And are we to pretend they're a happy couple?" Mary asks pointedly.
"Yes, we jolly well are." Rose replies firmly.
"Why cast a shadow?" Cora argues.
"I quite agree." Rose says.
"I'm sorry it can't be here." Cora says remorsefully.
"I don't think a registry office wedding and a Church blessing would be quite what the county expects." Mary remarks. "And anyway, London makes more sense for Susan and Shrimpie."
"And I want a blessing in a Synagogue," Rose adds, "and where would you find a Synagogue in Ripon?"
"I do admire the way you just take it all in your stride." Isobel compliments.
"I think it would make it easier for Lord Sinderby, if we can manage it."
Emma rolls her eyes. "Doubt Lord Sinderby deserves your concern."
Rose sighs. "Atticus loves him, and I love Atticus."
"Love may not conquer all, but it can conquer quite a lot." Violet quips.
They chuckle. Rose does a happy pirouette.
—
It's now finally time for them all to travel down to London for the wedding. Emma is excited for the whole thing but there's a pit of dread in her stomach. The police had been back again, but this time apparently with information that Mr Green was not a good man. Honestly, Emma could have told them that. However, Mr Bates is now in the clear after a witness came forward though it seems they want to talk to Anna while they are all in London. She feels annoyed they are putting all this effort into solving the murder of an attempted, and now actual, rapist's murder.
Three cars stand ready to take the household to the Station – three cars for the family and a large open car for the servants, some of whom are already seated in it. Mrs Hughes, Miss Baxter and Mr Molesley are fussing with the luggage that has been strapped to one of the cars, with Mary already sitting inside. Then Mrs Hughes gets in next to the driver.
Emma and Tom are joining them but not before saying goodbye to Ivy and Michael as well as Sybbie and George. Edith comes walking out, carrying Marigold on her arm.
"Ah, there she is!" Emma happily greets them. She leans over and gives a kiss to Marigold's head. "And goodbye to you too, my darling."
Marigold shyly smiles as Edith hands her over to Nanny Jean.
"I feel so guilty, leaving Marigold on her own." Edith says as she, Emma, and Tom walk towards the cars, giving last waves.
"Don't worry. She's surrounded by nannies and children." Emma reassures her. If Marigold really is Edith's child as Emma suspects, then Emma understands all too well the worry of leaving your child behind.
"I know." Edith says.
"Think of all the stories she'll be able to tell you once we're back." Tom remarks.
Edith nods with a smile as she goes to join Billy in their car and Emma and Tom join Mary.
The motorcade soon leaves for the Station. A groundskeeper closes the wrought-iron gate at the end of the drive behind them.
—
They arrive at Grantham House. Emma is reluctantly lingering in the Entrance Hall while Robert saunters out to meet the Flintshires. The Earl of Grantham had insisted that Emma should meet them, as in Susan as she's already met Shrimpie, properly. Shrimpie, she doesn't mind seeing, in fact, she's looking forward to it, his soon-to-be ex-wife, however…
Emma's reluctance doesn't go away, in fact, it gets worse when Susan Flintshire enters looking like someone's slapped her in the face. Mrs Hughes is showing Susan in. Cora, Robert and Shrimpie follow. Mr Molesley stands ready at the foot of the stairs.
"You will have Lady Mary's maid Anna to help you, M'lady. His Lordship will have Mr Molesley." Mrs Hughes is saying. "Now I'll show you to your room."
"We're not in one room together?" Susan asks sharply.
"The thing is, we're very squashed." Cora says.
"I'm not sharing a room. I'll go to an hotel." Susan retorts.
Shrimpie looks like he'll die of embarrassment. "Come on..."
"Don't worry, M'lady, we'll manage." Mrs Hughes quickly butts in.
Robert notices Emma lingering nearby and quickly steers the conversation to a new topic. "I, uh, don't believe you have met Emma here, Susan."
Emma greets the Lady Flintshire with a smile that's probably more of a grimace.
"Weren't you the maid?" Susan asks bluntly.
Emma raises an unimpressed eyebrow at that attitude. "I was, now I'm not…"
"It's good to see you again." Shrimpie happily greets. Emma gives him an actual smile.
"If you'd like to come this way?" Mrs Hughes gestures up the stairs. Susan reluctantly follows Mr. Molesley up the stairs. Shrimpie walks up after them. Mrs Hughes turns to Cora, in a private aside. "Maybe Lady Rose could share with Lady Edith?"
"Thank you, Mrs Hughes."
Mrs Hughes follows the guests upstairs.
"I knew she'd be trouble." Robert remarks.
—
That evening, they all begin to gather in the Drawing room as they wait for the arrival of Lord and Lady Sinderby and Atticus.
Thomas holds the door for Cora and Susan as they walk into a Drawing room. Robert, Shrimpie, Isobel, Tom, Billy, Emma, Mary, Edith, and Rose are already there. Robert stands with Isobel and Rose while Mary, Emma, Tom, Billy, Shrimpie and Edith linger in another group nearby.
"Where are the Sinderbys?" Edith asks her mother.
The door opens then, and they all turn to see it's only Violet entering.
"Oh! We thought you might be Lord and Lady Sinderby." Mary greets her grandmother.
Violet chuckles. "'Fraid not."
Thomas closes the door behind her. Edith goes to kiss Violet.
"What are they like?" Shrimpie asks.
"She's very nice and fond of Rose." Mary says.
"He's less convinced." Billy adds.
"Rose is more than a match for him." Emma argues.
"It does make me smile that they should be the ones objecting." Susan remarks from where she sits on the settee. Cora sits down next to her and Rose moves over to the group.
"They have as much right as we do." Shrimpie says pointedly.
"Mummy, Daddy... Can you try to behave like a happy couple?" Rose pleads.
"Wouldn't that be rather dishonest?" Susan asks. Please, that's not the thing you care about.
"Why? You haven't separated yet." Rose argues.
"We separated the moment we walked down the gangway at Southampton."
"It won't kill us to put on a show for a few more days." Shrimpie argues.
Rose sits down next to her mother. "The thing is, I don't want to give Lord Sinderby any ammunition."
The door opens again. Thomas announces the guests. "Lord and Lady Sinderby and Mr Atticus Aldridge."
Everyone rises and moves towards them.
"Do come in. How lovely to see you." Cora says as she moves over to them.
While Cora and Robert greet Atticus' parents, Rose tows Atticus right over to her own parents.
Emma doesn't know what's being said but it doesn't take long for Susan to walk away leaving Atticus following her with his eyes, flabbergasted and Rose making a gesture of her hand as if to say 'oh don't mind her' and smiles. Off to a great start here…
—
As they sit down to eat, it doesn't take long for Emma to realise that Susan Flintshire is no pushover. Robert is seated between Susan and Lady Sinderby. Cora is between Lord Sinderby and Shrimpie. Emma sits at one end with Isobel, Violet, Tom, and Edith while Rose, Atticus, Mary, and Billy sit at the other end.
"What made you choose Yorkshire? Was it a historic reason?" Robert asks Lady Sinderby.
"Not really. I used to go there as a girl, and of course it's beautiful." Lady Sinderby replies.
Then Susan decides to open her mouth, "Do you have any English blood?"
Here we go…
Both Robert and Shrimpie look annoyed at her rudeness.
"It's true, we only date from the 1850s, but Lady Sinderby's family arrived in the reign of King Richard III." Lord Sinderby calmly replies.
Lady Sinderby being able to trace her ancestors way further back than many Christian English families, which makes her just as English or even Englisher than most of the people sitting at this table.
"Really? I always think of you as nomads, drifting around the world."
"Rather silly to generalise a whole group of people." Emma snaps back, irritated.
Violet comes to the rescue, turning to Atticus and asking, "Talking of drifting round, is it true you're starting your honeymoon at the Melfords' in Coningsby?"
"Oh yes. Lady Melford is Mother's cousin." Atticus happily replies.
"Is she? I never knew that." Susan remarks, surprised. Emma almost wants to go 'Ha!' in her face.
Lord Sinderby turns to Rose, who sits next to him. "I gather you wanted a Synagogue blessing?"
"I'd like to respect both sides." Rose says.
"You don't understand our customs. Then again, why should you?"
Great, there's another person at this table Emma wants to throttle.
Rose is saddened by this. "So, it won't be possible?"
"No. He should have told you."
Lady Sinderby cuts in, turning to Cora. "I thought we could have a dinner on Wednesday night, for all of you. So, you could meet some of the relations."
"And show them how lucky they are!" Mary quips. This results in general laughter.
"Have you got many of them staying?" Cora asks.
"We're crammed to the gunwales. Atticus has had to move into the Hornby Hotel." Lady Sinderby remarks.
"I love the Hornby." Mary gasps excitedly.
"It makes sense, and he can have his... What do they call it now?" Lady Sinderby pauses then grins, "His stag party there, without disturbing us."
"Will you be going, Lord Sinderby?" Edith asks.
"Hardly. Stag parties are rather high on Father's disapproval list." Atticus remarks with a laugh.
"Is it a long list, Lord Sinderby, the things you disapprove of?" Violet asks.
"No, as long as I can steer clear of card sharps and undercooked fish and divorce, I think I'm fairly easy." Lord Sinderby replies.
Emma shares a look with Tom at that. Oh, dear.
"Is divorce so terrible these days? Is it worse to stay together and be miserable?" Isobel defends.
"Well, I am clearly old-fashioned, but to me divorce signifies weakness, degradation, scandal, failure."
Shrimpie and Susan are both looking extremely uncomfortable at this point. Emma is actually feeling sorry for Susan as well as for Shrimpie.
Robert decides the conversation should move on to a new topic and turns to Susan. "Are you glad to be in London again?"
"I will be when I get the house back." Susan says in reply to her cousin.
"When do the tenants go?"
"Next week in theory. I need to pull the real pictures out of storage."
"What a palaver!" Tom jokes.
"I know, but think of the relief when I can shut the door at last and be alone in my own home." Susan sighs.
The Sinderbys look surprised. Ah.
"Won't Lord Flintshire be in there with you?" Lord Sinderby questions.
"Of course, he will." Rose says.
"Of course, I will." Shrimpie agrees. "What a funny thing to say, Susan."
"Funny is one word for it." Violet remarks.
"Well, I want you to know that you'll always be welcome at Canningford." Lady Sinderby says.
"How kind." Susan says. "Tell me, do you find it difficult these days to get staff?"
Everyone holds their breath.
"Not very. But then we're Jewish, so we pay well." Lady Sinderby replies breezily.
Well done. Even Violet looks approving.
—
Emma, Mary, Rose, Billy, Tom, and Edith are the only ones left in the Drawing room after the Sinderbys have left and the older generation has gone to bed. Rose, Edith, and Billy sit in the chairs while Mary and Tom join Emma on the settee. They all sit down together with a drink.
"Sinderby's as stiff as a board." Mary remarks as she takes her seat.
"What more can I do?" Rose sighs.
"Keep pushing till he gives in?" Billy quips.
"Oh, you she should take advice from Tom then." Emma turns to her husband with a grin. "Isn't that how you convinced me to marry you?"
Tom rolls his eyes. "Ha ha."
The others chuckle at him.
Edith turns to Emma, Mary, Billy, and Tom. "May I ask, do you four worry about the children when you're away?"
"Why should we?" Mary asks.
"No reason, but I think about Marigold all the time."
"Heavens! What are you going to be like when you have one of your own?" Mary remarks cruelly. Emma sips at her drink awkwardly.
"I intend to leave it all to Nanny." Rose says.
Emma scoffs. "I'm sure you'll be eating your words before you know it."
"I'm suppose I'm used to the way the children live at Downton, but it still seems odd." Billy comments.
Edith looks at Emma and Tom. "Will it be different in America?"
"They aren't going and that's flat." Mary retorts.
"Mary..." Tom begins to say.
"Stop!" Rose quickly interrupts before any more can be said. "This is my wedding and I'm not having it spoiled."
"Quite right." Mary agrees. "I tell you what. Why don't the six of us go for lunch on Wednesday? Even you, Edith. To mark Rose's last days of freedom and the end of an era. Let's go to Rules. My treat."
Edith looks irate at her sisters' comments but replies, "Yes. Why not?"
—
Andy, the temporary footman who has been hired for a week, attends the dinner that next night and Emma's glad to see it went off without a hitch for him.
Emma gives him a warm smile as he offers the tray to her for her to collect her coffee when they're all gathered in the Drawing room afterwards.
"Where's Aunt Violet?" Shrimpie asks as he takes a seat next to his daughter on one of the settees.
"My Aunt Violet has gone up." Susan retorts spitefully. "So has Mrs Crawley."
Emma turns to Shrimpie from her seat next to where he sits on the settee. "I assume I don't have to tell you to ignore her?"
Shrimpie gives her a rueful smile. "No, I've had practise." He turns to Rose. "And Atticus? Where is the lovelorn swain tonight?"
"Don't you remember? He's got his bachelor party." Shrimpie nods and smiles. Rose moves closer to him to speak to him privately, so Emma gets up and moves to the other side of the room to give them privacy.
"Did you get to Bond Street?" Cora asks Robert as Emma sidles up next to Mary and Tom who stand next to Susan's chair. Edith, Billy, and Cora sit on the settee and Robert is on the chair on the other side.
"The chap I need to see was busy, so I'm going tomorrow afternoon." Robert answers.
"Please don't make us late for Lady Sinderby's dinner."
"What are you doing in Bond Street?" Edith questions.
"It's an idea I've had, that's all." Robert dismisses.
"An idea he is clearly not going to share with us." Mary says.
"Which makes it even more irritating." Emma remarks. Robert simply shrugs.
—
Edith, Tom, and Billy are sitting at a table for six for their lunch date when Emma, Rose and Mary walk in.
"Sorry we're late." Emma apologises, she puts the bags down and kisses Tom on the cheek in greeting as she, Mary and Rose take their seats.
"How did you get on?" Billy asks.
"So well!" Rose says. "If I show you, the women here will be too jealous to eat." She puts a little neat parcel on the table.
"Oh." Edith hands Rose a large envelope. "Er, this came for you by messenger. Carson asked me to give it to you."
Rose takes it. "Thank you." She opens it up.
"Who's it from?" Mary questions.
"It's not signed. There's just a note that says, 'Last night'." She has opened the envelope from inside the parcel. It contains the note and a stack of photographs. She gasps, looking speechless. The others sense that something is wrong.
"What is it?" Edith asks.
Mary glances across. "Atticus. Picking up a tart of some kind and letting her into his room."
"What?!" Emma exclaims. She looks over Rose's shoulder.
The one on top shows Atticus, half-undressed, and a bare-shouldered woman standing together in the open door of Atticus' hotel room. The next one shows Atticus and the woman standing closely together in the lift. It is as if he's holding them lovingly. There are more photos, one of the woman entering Atticus' room, another of her leaving it, and Atticus hovering behind her in his open dressing gown in both of them.
"Oh, God!" Rose gasps, sounding close to having a panic attack.
Billy pushes a glass into Rose's hand. "Have some water."
Rose does so as a waiter arrives at their table. "Are you ready to order?"
"May we have a few more moments?" Mary says with a smooth smile and the waiter leaves just as Rose, having barely been able to stifle her cries, starts sobbing. Billy takes the pictures away from her.
"What are you going to do?" Edith asks sympathetically.
"I'm not sure." Rose admits brokenly. "Maybe I'll chuck tonight, but what should I do about the wedding?"
"I'll tell you what you'll do. You'll go and telephone Atticus now. Arrange to see him this afternoon." Tom tells her. "Mary, go with her."
The two women get up, and Billy and Tom rise with them. They sit back down once they have moved off to the telephone.
"This is classic stag party stuff. He looks through the pictures." Billy says with a sigh.
"You mean they got him drunk, set him up, and booked a photographer to maximise his embarrassment?" Edith questions, shocked.
"I'm sure he's regretting it bitterly this morning." Emma remarks.
"But is 'regretting it' enough?" Edith wonders. "It wouldn't be for me."
Tom frowns thoughtfully. "Of course, there is a man who'd rather this marriage didn't take place, and his name's Lord Sinderby."
"Would he do something so grubby?" Billy questions.
"You'd be surprised what people can sink to, to get their own way." Emma remarks. She wouldn't put it totally past him.
Mary returns to their table alone and sits back down. "They're talking now. He'll meet her in St James' Park at three." She quietly tells them.
—
They arrive at the Sinderby's London residence that night for dinner. Rose has pulled Mary, Edith, Tom, Emma, and Billy aside.
"Atticus says it must have been a practical joke." Rose murmurs to them.
"Do you believe him?" Emma questions.
"I don't think it was a joke." Rose admits. "It was either true and he's lying, or someone is trying to stop the wedding. And I'd like to know which."
"Preferably before Friday." Edith adds.
Lady Sinderby comes walking up to them. Behind her in the next room, more guests are talking. "Rose, may I introduce you to my cousin, Sir John Gluck? Come." She takes Rose's arm and leads her away. A woman's voice calls Edith's name from the next room, too.
"Edith, darling!" Someone calls.
"Excuse me." Edith walks off, too.
"We'd better act fast before it all hits the rocks." Tom says to Mary, Emma, and Billy.
"Everything seems to be hitting the rocks at the moment." Mary says glumly.
"That's a bit sad." Billy remarks.
"I mean it." Mary retorts. "Sybil was my ally and she's gone. Now Rose. And Tom and Emma are about to leave and take Michael and Ivy with you. It's too much to bear."
"Mary, we must live our lives." Emma admonishes softly though she's quite touched.
"What? And leave me with Edith? You're leaving Billy as the sole buffer between us. When you read in the paper I'm on trial for murder, it'll be your fault." Mary quips.
They're finally smiling again.
—
Emma, Mary and Shrimpie are talking as they all return from the Sinderbys' diner.
"Hasn't she brushed it off as a malicious trap?" Shrimpie asks.
"Yes, she has, but who would do it? Granny thinks it might be Lord Sinderby." Mary murmurs quietly. "Ought we to challenge him?"
"It'd be dangerous to when we don't have all the facts." Emma warns her. "The payment to the woman or something."
It looks like a lightbulb had lit in Shrimpie's head at that comment.
"Can I give you a nightcap?" Robert calls from the door of the Drawing room. Susan stands there waiting with him, the others having already filled inside.
"Yes, please." Mary replies.
"Why not?" Emma adds.
"Not for me. I'm tired." Shrimpie says. He moves towards the stairs.
"Ah." Robert turns to Susan. "And you?"
"No, but I'll look in to say good night." Susan says, moving into the Drawing room with them.
—
Everyone has settled around the Drawing room, chatting when Robert gets to his feet to make an announcement. "Since we're all here, I've decided what to do about the cottages. I'm going to sell the Della Francesca. I've been to Sotheby's and they're confident we'll get a good price."
They all look at him in surprise.
"Are you sure, Papa? But you've always been so proud of it." Mary intercedes.
"I don't enjoy it as I did." He admits. Emma wonders if it has anything to do with that art historian who kept flirting with Cora. "My Papa always said one should only sell for a purpose, and I agree. The good of the Village can be that purpose."
"I'm pleased. Now we can get on with the work as soon as we're home." Tom says, taking a seat with Emma and Mary. Cora walks up to Robert as he pours himself a drink while Billy, Rose, Violet, and Isobel talk.
"At last, we have a plan." Tom says to Emma. "Start the work in the Village, find the new agent and set off for America."
"But won't all that take months?" Mary points out.
"Why don't we say we'll stay for Christmas, and then go?" Emma suggests.
Mary sighs. "It's a dagger in my heart. I don't know what I'll do without you both."
"Did you ever think you'd say that when I drove you to your fittings with Madame Swann in Ripon?" Tom says with a chuckle.
"Or when I had to get you dressed multiple times a day?" Emma adds.
"What about when you encouraged Sybil to get those evening pyjamas, and Granny almost fainted?" Mary says pointedly.
Emma looks at her in mild surprise. "You know about that?"
"Of course, she told me. And even if she did not, I could see your hands all of it." Mary grins.
Emma shrugs. "What can I say? I have taste."
They share a laugh, then turn serious again.
"We have our memories, us three." Tom says.
Mary turns sombre. "But now you'll take them away with you to Boston."
"And we'll cherish them when we get there." Emma rebuffs.
They share fond smiles.
—
It's Friday now, the day of the wedding. They all gather in Caxton Hall, a public building that is, among other things, the seat of a registry office. In a wood-panelled room on the first floor, the wedding party are assembled, standing and chatting in small groups ahead of the ceremony. Emma is with Mary, Cora, Robert, and Violet.
"I dare say this is a first for you, Granny, to sample the joys of a registry office." Mary remarks to her grandmother.
"Then you'd be quite wrong." Violet retorts. "No, in 1878 I attended the wedding of Lord Rosebery and Hannah Rothschild. It was held in the Board of Guardians, very much the same."
Emma raises her eyebrows. "The irony being the Board of Guardians' original function compared to the richness of the Rothschilds."
"It seems almost sad, in a way." Cora says.
"But in marrying a Rothschild, there are certain compensations." Violet adds.
Isobel joins the group. "Is Lady Flintshire all right?"
Emma looks over to see on the other side of the room, Susan talking agitatedly to some young people who are Rose's older brother (James), sister (Annabelle) and their spouses, shaking her head.
"Cora, would you go and help Susan?" Robert asks. "She seems in rather a queer way."
Cora and Violet move towards her, but Susan speaks up before they can reach her, addressing the room at large. "There is something that you must know, and I feel most uncomfortable not having told you before now." Everybody falls silent and listens. Emma watches in concern.
Cora and Violet reach her. "We don't want any deathbed confessions, Susan. Remember, this is not your day!" Violet reprimands her niece.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Violet. I think it's time. In fact, it's long overdue." Susan replies. Oh no, Emma knows what this is.
"What is?" Lord Sinderby asks from where he stands at the head of the room with Lady Sinderby and Atticus.
Atticus, sensing the impending disaster, begs, "No, please..."
"Shrimpie and I are in the process of getting a divorce." Susan declares. Well, at least she gets straight to the point.
"What?!" Lord Sinderby cries.
Susan turns to the Sinderbys. "I'm afraid it is going to be all over the papers, and as things stand, it must involve you and your family."
Lord Sinderby looks as if he's about to explode. "God, if I..."
Lady Sinderby steps forward and speaks in a calm, friendly tone, "Thank you, Lady Flintshire. Or may I call you Susan? We are forewarned and so now we will be forearmed."
"You can't mean we're just going to—" Lord Sinderby protests loudly.
"Father, please, I beg you..." Atticus tries.
Lady Sinderby turns back to her husband and speaks to him in a fierce undertone so only he and Atticus can hear. She hisses something quickly at him before she exchanges a look with Atticus, then turns back to the rest of the wedding party with a creditable imitation of a smile. Atticus takes his father aside to talk to him in private. Susan looks down.
The guests settle down in the rows of chairs that have been provided for the wedding guests. Tom and Emma sit next to one another.
Tom turns to his wife. "Well, that was something." He remarks amusedly.
Emma huffs a slight laugh. "Wouldn't be a wedding with this family if there wasn't some sort of drama."
Tom smiles before turning solemn. "Won't you miss it?"
Emma contemplates for a moment before shrugging. "Maybe, but I'm also excited about the future. Who knows what'll happen?"
They share a warm smile as an attendant opens the door, and Rose and Shrimpie walk in.
"Please stand." The Registrar instructs.
They all stand. Shrimpie walks Rose to where Atticus stands waiting in front of the Registrar, then puts his daughter's hand into his. Lady Sinderby is beaming. She blows Rose a kiss. Lord Sinderby still disapproves. Shrimpie takes his place next to Susan, but he doesn't even deign to look at her.
—
After the blessing at the Savoy Chapel, the wedding party returns for the reception. Rose is in her proper bridal dress now.
In one part of the room, Emma chats with Edith and Robert. She is surprised to see Tony and Mabel enter the room, going over to talk to Mary and Billy. They all seem to be doing their best to smooth over the lingering awkwardness. Emma isn't sure how well it's working.
"I'm not sure it's what she really wanted, a registry office and the Savoy Chapel." Edith remarks, bringing Emma back to the conversation. "But I do think she'll be very happy."
"I agree. They're well matched." Robert replies.
"When are you going home?" Emma asks her.
"First thing. I can't wait." Edith says eagerly.
"The call of young Marigold." Robert comments. Emma looks at him suspiciously. Does he know?
"You sound as if you don't approve." Edith's smile dims slightly.
"Oh, it's not that..." Robert back peddles. He then spots Mary talking to Tony across the room. "Oh, look. It's Tony and Mary. They make a handsome couple."
"Give it up, Papa. It's a pipe dream." Edith says.
"And it's not like Mary hasn't told you a good while ago that it was over, too." Emma adds.
Emma and Edith share amused smiles at Robert's disgruntled look.
—
The day, apart from a few hiccups, had been going so well but what Emma hadn't expected was to find herself in the Servants' Hall at the end of the day, dressed for bed and watching how Inspector Vyner arrests Anna for Green's murder.
Emma, Mary, Mrs Hughes, Miss Baxter, and Mr Molesley, plus Gemma and George, a hall boy, look on helplessly as one of the two officers the Inspector brought with him handcuffs Anna's wrists.
"This can't be right!" Emma cries.
"I'm afraid so Mrs Branson." Vyner says dismissively. Emma wants to throttle the man.
"I must wait for Mr Bates. I can't go without telling him!" Anna pleads.
"It might be kinder if you let him hear the news from Mrs Hughes, when he can't say anything he'll regret." Vyner replies.
"But this is absurd! I forbid you to take her!" Mary declares.
Vyner shows her a document. "I think you'll find the correct forms have been observed."
Mr Bates walks in, Robert and Mr Carson are behind him. "What is this? What's happening?" The valet questions.
"Don't make trouble, Mr Bates."
"You can't do this!"
"Try to keep calm, Bates." Robert placates. He turns to Vyner. "Can't I stand surety for her?"
"I'm afraid not, sir." Vyner answers. "Mrs Hughes, will you fetch her coat?"
"No! I can't let her go." Mr Bates resists.
"You must. A witness has identified Mrs Bates as being on the pavement near Mr Green just before he fell."
Emma looks at him in disbelief. "That can't be right!"
"I insist on telephoning our lawyer!" Mary declares.
"Telephone all you like, Miss," Vyner replies dismissively. "He'll find Mrs Bates at Gerald Row Police Station. But I suggest you leave it till the morning, for her sake as much as anyone's."
"I will ring him now because she is innocent!" Mary retorts. "And I am not "Miss"! I am Lady Mary Crawley!"
"I don't care if you're the Queen of the Upper Nile." Vyner counters. "I'm going, and she's coming with me. Now!"
The two officers take Anna outside. Mr. Bates moves to go after them, but Robert holds him back.
"Bates!" He puts himself bodily between Mr. Bates and the departing group. Mr Bates masters himself with difficulty.
They all watch Anna walk past the windows through the Yard, tears in everyone's eyes.
—
Two days later they are all back at Downton for the ceremony of the unveiling of the war memorial to take place. The monument stands in the middle of the Village square, decorated with Union Jacks. Lord Grantham, in uniform, as well as another high-ranking officer, stand at attention while Mr Carson – in his role as Chairman of the Memorial Committee – reads out the Ode of Remembrance, a military chaplain next to them and a uniformed guard behind them.
On the other side of the memorial, the people from the Abbey and the Villagers are assembled, among them some firemen in uniform and the vicar with his choir boys in their robes. Everyone sits in groups. Mr Bates, without Anna, sits with Mr Molesley and Thomas; Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore; Daisy and Mr Mason; Billy with Sybbie; Emma and Tom with Michael and Ivy; Violet and Isobel; Dr Clarkson; Denker and Spratt; Mary and George; Cora, Edith, and Marigold. All the men who served in the war or previous wars are wearing their medals. The men have also all taken their hats off.
"They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
Emma has heard this speech so many times over the years that it feels natural for her to echo "We will remember them" with everyone else.
The Union Jacks come down to reveal the inscription with the names of the dead. A soldier plays "The Last Post" on a bugle. Emma feels almost teary as she listens to it. A piece of music that has become so deeply entrenched with loss.
"Stand at ease!" The soldiers relax. "Stand easy."
The crowd comes to life, and people start putting their hats back on and moving away when Robert speaks up, "Before you disperse, I would beg your indulgence for a moment." Everybody stops and listens. "Can I draw your attention to one more gallant chap who volunteered to fight? He wasn't local to Downton and so his name does not appear on the memorial, but his memory is cherished by some here. And so, it seems right to us to mark his passing. Mrs Patmore?"
Surprised, Mrs Patmore rises from her seat and goes to join Robert. They walk down a little way to the wall of the Churchyard, followed by a lot of the Abbey people – Emma, Cora, Mrs Hughes, Mr Bates, Mr Molesley, Miss Baxter, Mr Mason and Daisy, Mr Carson, and Thomas.
Robert reveals a stone plaque on the wall that is inscribed, "Remember here the sacrifice of Pte. Archie Philpotts, Lancashire Fusiliers, died 5th February 1917 aged 19 years." The men take their hats off again as a mark of respect. Oh. Emma feels herself tear up.
Mrs Patmore is moved to tears. "Oh! 'Sacrifice' is right."
"I think that's lovely, Mrs Patmore. I'm so pleased for you." Daisy compliments.
"It's just as it should be." Mr Mason adds.
"I believe so." Robert agrees. He glances across at Mr Carson, who inclines his head in agreement.
"I'd like to see William's name now. If you've a moment, Daisy?" Mr Mason says to Daisy. While Mrs. Patmore wipes her tears away, Mr. Mason and Daisy move off to go to William's grave. Emma departs as well to head back to where Tom waits with the children. She glances over her shoulder one last time to see Mrs Patmore kiss her hand and touches her nephew's name and the part of the inscription that gives his young age.
—
They all make their way back to the Abbey walking back up the drive to the house with Robert and Cora in front then the rest of them following behind.
Emma walks sombrely next to Edith and Tom along with Ivy, Michael and Marigold, her mind drifting back to Anna languishing in the police station an innocent woman.
"I always forget how much I enjoy London." Edith remarks.
"You should go up more often, take an interest in your publishing." Tom encourages. "You should get involved in the running of the business."
"He's right. You're clever and a good writer." Emma agrees. "They're lucky to have you."
"Mary always talks like she's the only one who'll miss the both of you when you go, but you know I will, too." Edith tells them.
Emma smiles warmly at her while Tom says, "And we'll miss you."
—
A/N: Please leave comments on how you're enjoying this story and what you think.