Lady Downton
Cora almost floated all the way home, even though she still boarded a ship with Mother and Poppa. She was engaged to the perfect man. This time next year, she will be Lady Downton. Better yet, she would live the rest of her life with Robert.
OOOOOOOOO
Returning to New York City felt surprisingly uninteresting. Although London had scared her, she'd grown fond of it and a part of her wished to stay there. Especially with her Robert. Even the sight of Lady Liberty wasn't that exciting now that she'd seen Big Ben.
And the Levinson townhouse was in the exact same spot on Fifth Avenue and was decorated in the same manner. What was surprising was that Jenny wasn't there to wait on them. Instead, there was a Negro girl named Amy who removed their coats and offered them tea.
"Yes of course," said Mother, sounding just as surprised as Cora that they had a new maid. "I hope you know how to carry the tea tray," she said sharply, shaking her head. Cora wished Mother would be nicer to their servants. Lord Downton never spoke sharply to the servants at his family townhouse. She beamed again, thinking of how perfectly sweet her fiancé was.
"Hello, Harold," Mother said, turning to her son with a smile she rarely bestowed on him. "I hope you didn't cause too much trouble while we were away."
Harold shrugged. "You'll have to talk to Poppa about that," he said as if he were hoping whatever he'd done this time wouldn't be a problem anymore. When would her brother ever grow up? Why couldn't he be more gentlemanly, like Lord Downton?
"Believe me, I will, young man," Mother said, shaking her head with her deadly glare. "But now I need to make certain Nancy has brought all of our belonging's home as she was supposed to." With that mother followed the temporary maid they'd hired for the trip to London upstairs.
Poppa shook his head and disappeared into his study, as if he were aching to return to work after his very brief vacation.
"So, what did you do this time, Harold?" Cora said as they made their way into the drawing room to wait for their tea.
Harold shrugged, his face no longer characteristically gleeful about his exploits. In fact, if Cora didn't know better, she'd say he looked almost regretful? Surely not. Finally, her brother sighed. "I'm sure you've noticed we have a new maid."
"Of course." She supposed it wasn't unusual to hire a new maid, as Jane and Emma said their families went through servants all the time. But she'd grown used to Jenny. And Cora certainly hadn't expected a Negro servant, although she'd heard more people were hiring them over Irish girls these days.
"Well, Jenny left because of me," Harold sighed again, staring at the floor. "I always thought Mother's warnings about touching her were unnecessary, but we got carried away and…well she can't work in her condition any longer."
Cora nodded, trying to understand what her brother was saying, but no one from Mother to Miss Maple would speak to her about such things. "I've learned my lesson, though." Harold said, sitting down on the bay window seat, as if everything he said made perfect sense. "I'm not going to…touch any more servants. Too many consequences, even though Poppa gave her a severance pay." The tone in his voice was different, and his face almost resembled a man's rather than the foolish brother he'd always been. Perhaps Harold's experience this past spring had matured him as much as Cora's experience with Frank.
She hoped so.
Cora also wondered if Poppa's decision to hire a Negro girl had more to do with finding someone less attractive to Harold than money or availability. "I'm glad you've learned a valuable lesson from the experience, I suppose," she said finally, uncertain what else to say. She also sat on the other side of the window seat.
"Yes, but as I've told Mother, I'd rather put this behind me," Harold said firmly. "What happened in London?"
Cora grinned. "I'm engaged." She removed her blue silk glove to show him her sparkling diamond ring. To a wonderful man called Lord Downton…I mean Robert. He said to call him Robert."
Harold examined her finger, which displayed the most beautiful diamonds she'd ever seen, set on a gold band. "Very nice. Are you certain he needs your dowery if he can afford a ring like that?"
Cora wished he wouldn't bring up her dowery; it made Robert's proposal sound less romantic. But she said, "I can think of no one better to give my dowery than him; you should hear him talk about his estate. He cares about everyone who lives there, from family to tenants, to servants. And this ring was from his family's private jewelry collection. I think he said it was his grandmother's."
"Whatever you say." Harold said as Amy appeared in the doorway, carrying a tea tray. "I just hope he's better than Samson."
"He is," Cora said with certainty. Her mind drifted back to Robert's tall form, strong arms, and kind manner. She missed him already.
OOOOOOOOOO
That night, Cora wrote to her fiancé, still missing him.
Dear Robert,
I hope it pleases you that both my parents and I have arrived back in New York safely. Everything is as we left it, except we have a new maid. Mother is uncertain about her, but she appears to perform her duties well, as far as I can see. I think she'll do fine.
I hope everything is well with you, although no doubt you will be pleased to be back at Downton Abbey. I look forward to seeing it next year; your descriptions make it sound heavenly, and I loved hearing you speak of it.
The fact is, I miss you even though we only parted a couple of weeks ago. I so look forward to seeing you again, and even more to becoming Lady Downton.
Sincerely,
Cora
OOOOOOOOOO
"…. So, your name is going to be Lady Downton once you're married?" Emma said several days later as she sipped her tea next to Cora on the blue sofa.
Cora loved how Emma's voice sounded even more bubbly than usual. Her friend clearly knew that this engagement was the best thing that had ever happened to Cora. "Oh yes," she said, beaming. "And you should see Lord Downton. Not only is he so tall and handsome, but he's so sweet and honorable. All the things that Frank dismissed as "unimportant" are fundamental to him." Cora still got a tingly feeling every time she spoke of her fiancé, and she loved it.
"I don't know," Jane said shaking her head, sitting across the room at the bay window. "Titles, living in England, it all sounds a bit too…posh for me. Too confining."
Cora sighed. She'd been hoping Jane had outgrown her rebellious stage. She didn't like the way Harold looked at Jane as she spoke, either. Her brother claimed he'd learned his lesson about taking advantage of servants, but would he do the same to her friend? "I think we should all be thinking of marriage soon. We are growing too old to be 'playing around' with different suitors."
Jane shook her head. "Perhaps, but I'm not going for that fancy type of man. None of the men my family think is right appeal to me." Harold moved from the blue armchair to the bay window where Jane sat. Worse yet, Jane grinned at him.
Cora tried to hide her worries by sipping her tea. "Have you found a suitor yet, Emma?" she said after a few moments. "I hope you'll find one as wonderful as Lord Downton."
Emma smiled. "I'm still looking, but certainly I will find one soon. But returning to your engagement, I was surprised when you said you would be married in England. I've heard most of the ladies who marry titles wed here in New York." She set her tea back in its saucer, a puzzled expression on her face.
Cora grinned, glad to return to her favorite topic, her wedding to Lord Downton. Robert. "Yes, they usually do, but from what I understand Mother had some difficulty securing a church when I was engaged to Frank. It seemed none of the ministers wanted to officiate for a Levinson. Now she insists we hold the wedding in England."
She sipped her tea. "You should have seen Mother go against Lord Downton's mother on that," she said with a giggle. Mother and Lady Grantham were clearly equally stubborn. Cora had thought that conversation would last forever. At least now, she could look back on that time with a laugh.
Emma nodded without saying anything.
"But I hope you will come to my wedding, Emma," Cora said. She dreamed of having Emma stand with her, and dear Mr. Jonhson sitting with her parents and Harold. Certainly, that could still happen, even if she were married in England? "I know it will take more careful planning, but you should like to see England, right? And my wedding is set for February 16 of next year, so that will give you plenty of time." Her mind drifted forward to her wedding with everyone she cared about there as she stood next to her groom. Her mind could see his kind face and perfect eyes already.
Cora couldn't wait to see him again. Would he answer her letter soon? Would Harold let go of Jane's hand? Her mind swirled with different concerns as she finished her tea.
OOOOOOOOOO
September 20, 1888
Dear Robert,
I was rather disappointed you didn't answer my letter. I don't think it's unreasonable for an engaged couple to correspond. Was my letter offensive to you?
Meanwhile, I think our new maid is competent at her job, but Mother always has something to complain about her. I'm glad you don't appear to be as harsh with your servants as Mother is with ours, and I look forward to overseeing all of our servants together soon enough.
My brother, Harold, is paying particular attention to my friend Jane, and both of our families are very encouraging of the match. I hear Jane's uncle has already spoken to Mother about possible wedding plans between our families. Unfortunately, Harold hates it when either family discusses such long-term plans. I don't like to think ill of my family, but I fear my brother is setting my friend up for false expectations.
Jane won't listen to me, of course.
I hope you are all right, Robert. I do worry, since I haven't heard from you since I left London. Take care of yourself until I return to you.
Sincerely,
Cora (future Lady Downton)
December 1, 1888
Dear Robert,
I continue to hope there is nothing wrong with you, or between us. I do hope you will write soon.
We just received our first snow of the season here in New York City yesterday. Has it snowed at Downton yet? I bet it's lovely in the countryside. Did I tell you about the huge blizzard we had last spring, just before Mother and I sailed for England? Even, the railroad and the telegraph lines were down for a few days, the snow was so deep.
I loved it, because it meant Poppa stayed at home with us for a few days. I shall miss my family when I move to England, but overall, I think it will be worth it if I can spend my life with you.
Mother has also finally received an invitation to the exclusive Astors' New Year's Party, something she has longed to attend since our family moved to New York. She and I assume that is because I am now engaged to you, so our engagement benefits both her and me. I'm so glad to see Mother happy with my decision to marry you. She's already making plans for the gowns new gowns she and I will wear.
I hope your New Year's goes well. Next year, we shall celebrate it together.
Sincerely,
Cora (future Lady Downton)
OOOOOOOOOO
New Year's came and there were still no letters from Lord Downton, or Robert, as she preferred to call him.
Cora tried not to let that affect her so much, especially as she and Mother put on their new gowns. Mother wore red silk, while Cora wore blue satin, knowing she would never wear red again. Mother proudly introduced Cora to everyone at the Astors' party as the "future Lady Downton", and Cora nodded pleasantly, but privately, she wished she could be certain that title would be hers.
Worse than that, she worried about her Robert. Had something terrible happened? Would she ever see him again? Why wouldn't he respond to her letters?
OOOOOOOOOOO
A week after New Years, Cora finally received the letter she'd been waiting for six months. Tearing open the letter, she eagerly read, despite Mother's voice in the background that she had been unladylike and should have at least used a letter opener.
Dear Cora,
I must apologize for not responding to any of your correspondence, as I know it extremely rude not to reply to someone who has taken the time to write, especially from a lady such as yourself. But Mama has apparently been hiding your letters, with the hope that we would still cancel our engagement.
When I found this out, I told her that I had already promised to marry you, and I could never dream of breaking such a promise. I am afraid Mama is going to be difficult after we marry, and I hope you are prepared for that.
I hope you and your mother enjoy the New Year's Party at the Astors. At Downton, we will host a shoot on New Year's Day, which is one of my favorite activities. Next year, I hope you will stand with me when I shoot the pheasant.
I will see you in February and I do hope we can have a good life together.
Sincerely,
Robert (Lord Downton)
Cora sighed with relief that nothing had happened to her Robert and felt guilty that she'd even considered he was purposely ignoring her letters. Of course, the man she'd met and fell in love with wouldn't do such a thing.
Her mind drifted from her family's sitting room to Robert's London townhouse, where she'd last seen him. He was incredibly handsome: tall, with strong arms and wavy hair, but that was nothing compared to how kind and honorable he was. He would make the perfect husband.
She couldn't wait for February, although he was correct that his mother was clearly going to be difficult. But certainly Robert would help with her, especially as he was clearly looking forward to their wedding just as much as she was.
OOOOOOOOO
Cora beamed with delight on her wedding day as she prepared to walk down the aisle of the Downton Village Church. Even Papa, who'd never set foot inside a church, stood right next to her, prepared to give her away in his tuxedo.
Meanwhile, Cora's dress was a beautiful white gown, as apparently it was unseemly for English brides not to wear white. But Cora loved the dress, anyway, as it was covered in lace and tiny pearls, although the large hoop skirt was more uncomfortable than she'd expected. She also had the honor of wearing the headdress that all Lady Downton's had worn in the past, and she valued it as much as her engagement ring, because they were symbols of her union with Robert.
The organ began chiming but Papa stood still. Cora sighed and pulled his arm a little, especially as she saw Robert standing tall and strong at the end of the aisle. Finally, Papa walked forward next to her, although he appeared to move stiffly. Meanwhile. the church was overflowing with guests, most who were clearly friends of Robert and his parents, whom she didn't recognize, but Cora spotted some familiar ones.
She couldn't see her, but knew Emma walked behind her and Papa, carrying Cora's long dress train. She it was wonderful that her best friend could attend her wedding.
Mother stood about halfway up the aisle, and Cora felt her heart swell once again that this match gave both her mother and she wished. Harlod stood next to her, although Cora didn't look him in the eyes, as she was still sore at him for ending things with her friend Jane. Dear Mr. Johnson, who Mama and Papa had arranged specially to attend her wedding, stood behind them, and winked at Cora.
Cora winked back before setting her sights ahead again, melting at how handsome Robert appeared, especially as they grew closer. The organ still chimed but, Cora could barely hear it, as she was so focused on her Robert's face.
Eventually, Robert took her lacy silk arm as they approached the minister. He made Cora tingle all over. She was going to be married to this wonderful, perfect man. She would be his Lady Downton.
I've thought about writing a sequel to this story about Cobert's first year of marriage. (And how Cora gets over her aversion to red dresses, LOL.) But the reality is, even though "Not Exactly a Year" is written all from Robert's POV, I've written a lot of those scenes already in that other fic, and it doesn't sound interesting to me to write them again.