Note: FigmentII and Mona Ogg gave me kind feedback saying they thought Cora was out of character. I agreed with them. I thought this as I was writing my last chapter.\, but couldn't figure out how to fix it. I then realised I was missing a chapter from Cora's point of view, that would explain how she ended up where she is in the last chapter. I also went back and edited two of my other chapters that featured Cora. Giving her more characterisation so her reactions would be more reasonable. I didn't change Robert as canonically he is an idiot.
So thank you Mona and Fig for pointing areas I need work on.
A Scandalous Affair Dublin (Cora)
Dear Mama
1st April 1919
Dear Mama,
I hope you and Papa are in good spirits and not missing your daughter's too much. I already miss Downton dreadfully and already long to return to my family. I dream of being home with you all every night.
I have at last moved into our new flat and hired a Mrs Murphy as our housekeeper, who will cook and keep our house for us. Mrs Murphy will also be supervising our laundry services. Granny's advice was very helpful in how to manage a small household.
Branson was unhappy with this arrangement, as he thought for some reason that we would just have a cleaner come in once or twice a week and I would do the rest! I put my foot down and reminded him that Papa was paying for the flat and for our staff. He even suggested that his mother could teach me to cook. I disabused him of that idea.
The flat came semi-furnished, with kitchen furniture, beds and wardrobes, but nothing else. Branson is truly impossible and has insisted that all other furniture should be second-hand and has brought me to house sales around Dublin.
I will admit that the furniture was of good quality and that bidding in the auctions was exciting. But I did feel rather ghoulish going through other people's beloved possessions, especially in those houses where the previous owner had died. It was strange as they would be selling every single item in the house, including linens.
One purchase I was particularly fond of, was a Tiffany glass lamp, it's truly beautiful. I was so excited when I found it at a house auction. I had to pretend disinterest at first and play it casual, I managed to get the lamp for half its actual value. I have it in pride of place in my sitting room now, by the settee, when it is on it casts such a pretty light about the room. It helps to create a warm ambience in our flat. I also found a pretty Victorian fire screen that compliments the fire place in the sitting room.
I find myself with many hours to fill now, I have started sketching again as I used to do when I was a child. I used to fill many a happy hour drawing in Downton. Do you remember Mama when you would allow me to draw you? I have been remembering those happy times as I sit here by myself. To occupy myself I have been sketching my new flat, so my friends and family can imagine me in my new home. To that end I am enclosing sketches of the lamp and fire screen I recently purchased.
One benefit the flat has, is that it over looks a city park, called Saint Stephen's Green. Spring has not yet reached Dublin, so the park is still bare and somewhat muddy. I dare say it will be pretty enough in the summer. A city park can in no way compensate for the loss of Downton's beautiful grounds. But it is the compromise that I have to accept when living in a city.
There are some quaint art galleries close by and I was able to buy some pleasant country scenes to remind me of home. I just used my allowance as Branson was wholly unconcerned about adding the homely touches I would expect.
Luckily Branson is working long hours at the Times, so I have been able to arrange the flat to my liking with the help of Mrs Murphy and one of her strapping nephews, (she has forty-four nieces and nephews). It is still strange to think of myself as a married woman. My conversations with Branson are still stilted, but yet not unfriendly.
Dublin itself is grey; grey buildings, grey skies, grey people and it rains incessantly. Quite horrid. I have had to buy extra shoes and stockings so that I have a dry pair every time I venture forth. The city is saturated in smoke, which can clog the city streets. I mentioned this to Branson, he seemed to take umbrage at the criticism and stated that London was worse as that city was much bigger than Dublin. We argued over it until we retired for the night.
Sometimes the gulf between us seems unsurmountable. This was brought home to me in stark relief when he took me home to visit his mother. Her house only has four tiny rooms! Two upstairs and two downstairs; consisting of a parlour and a kitchen.
The strangest thing is, she has a picture called the Sacred Heart, on the wall over the fireplace. It is an image of Jesus Christ looking out over the room. I felt the picture, as well as Mrs Branson were looking at me disapprovingly. As if I was not good enough for her son. It was most uncomfortable.
Her parlour, had one small settee and two wingback chairs all centred around an open fireplace. The room was extremely warm with all three of us sitting together. She had two little tables with her photos of her children and one of her deceased husband.
I will admit that on her mantle piece she keeps a copy of Branson's book of poetry, for all to see. She is very proud of her son, which is touching. She keeps a scrapbook of everything that her son has ever published. She showed me the book when I visited. I admit, I was surprised to see quite how much Branson had published, it was not a thin book.
I so look forward to returning to Downton and my family. I am hoping I can come home in December. It will be ten months after the scandal by then and I am hoping that the county would have forgotten the circumstances of my marriage. To be in the comfort of my home again, surrounded by friends and family. Sometimes I dream about being with you all again. Perhaps by then Branson and I will at least be friends, instead of the near strangers we are now.
At least I have saved Sybil from this life, though maybe she would have settled in easier than I. She probably would have liked cooking lessons from Mrs Branson.
Please Mama, tell me of all your news of Downton, I long to hear how you are getting on without me. I have yet to make any dents in to the upper echelons of Dublin society. I did write to Lady Sarah Dunsany, as you may recall we came out together. She married Lord Drumgoole some six years back, but she did not reply to my letter.
Keeping all of you in my thoughts. Please write soon of your news of home.
Your loving daughter.
Mary
Cora's Sitting Room
It was late afternoon as Cora read her daughter's letter from Dublin. Cora was sitting in her own sitting room in her home, the magnificent Downton Abbey. The fire roared in the hearth, the flames casting a flickering warmth over the room. Cora sat in a comfortable chair, with a beautiful lamp casting enough light to read her letter on this overcast winter's day in Yorkshire.
Cora put down Mary's letter with a lump in her throat, at her daughters plea for her to write soon. It was clear from her letter that Mary was desperately unhappy. When Mama had suggested the plan, it had sounded the best way to deal with Mary's scandal. It was imperative that Mary's reputation was salvaged.
But with the stark reality before her, Cora was starting to regret supporting the plan for Mary to marry Branson. Maybe she should have more strongly suggested sending Mary to New York, to be with her own mother.
Her own mother was equally as canny as Violet Crawley and had as much sway over New York high society. She surely could have come up with a plan to navigate this scandal? Even if it meant Mary could not come home and married a wealthy New Yorker instead.
At least in New York she could have married a man, if not her social equal exactly, at least wealthy enough to compensate for the difference. She had married Robert after all and look at how well her own marriage had turned out.
But she had been selfish. She had been seduced by the idea of Mary being so close, she could after all reach Mary in a day, if she so desired. Mama had floated the idea, that after a year that Mary could return to England, maybe to Downton itself.
At the wedding, Mary and Branson had looked unexpectedly well together. Though Branson was without social manners of someone in their circle, his conversation had been intelligent enough. He and Mary appeared to reach some accord, and though their interactions looked to be awkward it did seem that he was trying to be considerate of Mary's feelings. He did act appropriately contrite for putting Mary in the position he had.
Cora thought he had meant to put Mary first. To treat her as an Earl's daughter should be treated. But Mary's recounting in her letter of their arguments, upset her. She cannot believe he suggested that Lady Mary should learn how to cook!
She felt quite sick at thinking of her daughter, Lady Mary Crawley sitting in that hovel in Dublin with Mrs Branson. Disapproving of her daughter, it filled her with distress and anger. It was Branson who caused the scandal that ruined her reputation. But his family dares to judge her harshly.
Cora took a delicate handkerchief from her pocket and dried the tears, that she let fall after reading her beloved daughters letter.
Oh why had Robert hired that dreadful man. That snake. Who had somehow wheedled his way in to Sybil's affections and tricked her in to running away with him. Mary had at least got one thing right in her letter, she had saved Sybil from such a life.
At least Sybil was safe now, living with her Aunt Rosamund and attending the preparatory college for young women. Sybil's latest letter was much more optimistic than Mary's, full of making new friends and excitement at all she was learning. That was one part of Mama's plan she didn't regret.
She regretted the day that, that man had stepped foot in her house. Robert was such a generous employer and this is how that man repaid them.
Cora took a steadying breath and tucked her handkerchief back in to her pocket and moved to her writing desk by the window. The dull light was not good enough to write by, so Cora turned on her desk lamp and got comfortable in her chair.
She sorted through her draws for her own personal stationary, with the Grantham family crest embossed on the heavy paper and thought on how she would reply. Holding the pen in her hand she pondered on how to respond to Mary. She must try and offer comfort, support and advice.
She was married now and she could do nothing about that situation, well for a year at least. So it was important that she didn't add to her burdens. She only hoped that Mary's letter contained the full extent of her relationship with Branson. She read such dreadful stories in the press about how violent working class men were, even to their wives.
Cora had the sudden fear clench at her heart. Branson wouldn't strike her would he? Cora felt her own heart race at the thought. He was Irish after all, and they were known to be hot tempered and violent. She then remembered some of the trouble they had in the past with Branson and his socialist ways. Hadn't he put Sybil in danger when he first arrived, when he had taken her to that political rally. Where he got in to fight and poor dear Sybil had been struck unconscious?
Oh, why hadn't they insisted then, that Branson be fired?
Yes, Cora's heart was filled with remorse. The terrible situation Mary now found herself in, in a city she didn't know. Where she had no friend or family she could turn too. Oh what had they done.
Cora desperately swiped at her tears again. A tear had even fallen on to her letter, she blotted it away. Cora composed herself, determined to write a comforting letter to her daughter.
Cora's Letter
6th of April 1919
My Dearest Mary,
Your letter arrived, and I must admit, it filled my heart with both joy and concern. To hear of your new life in Dublin, away from the comforts of Downton, brings a mixture of emotions. While I am glad to know you have settled into your new abode, I cannot help but feel a pang of sadness at the challenges you face.
Firstly, let me assure you that your absence is keenly felt here at Downton. Your presence, with its grace and warmth, is sorely missed by all. Papa and I often find ourselves reminiscing about moments shared with you, longing for your laughter to echo through the halls once more.
I am relieved to hear that Granny's wisdom has provided guidance in managing your household affairs. Employing Mrs. Murphy sounds like a wise decision, and I trust her experience will ensure the smooth running of your new home. It warms my heart to know that you are surrounded by capable hands during this transition at least.
Your description of the flat and the treasures you have acquired, particularly the Tiffany lamp, painted a vivid picture in my mind. I could almost see the soft glow of its light illuminating your sitting room, casting shadows of warmth and comfort. The sketches you enclosed captured the essence of your newfound sanctuary.
However, my dear Mary, it pains me to sense the unease that lingers between you and Branson. Your accounts of his mother's modest abode and her pride in his accomplishments shed light on the vast differences between your worlds. It is my fervent hope that with time and understanding, the chasm between you will narrow, paving the way for a deeper connection.
Your longing for home resonates deeply with me. Downton feels incomplete without your presence, and we eagerly await the day when you return to us. December is still too far away, but I pray that the passage of time will heal the wounds of the past and bring you back to us, where you belong.
As for your attempts to integrate into Dublin society, remember that true connections take time to cultivate. Lady Sarah's lack of response may disappoint you, but do not lose heart. Your grace and charm will undoubtedly open doors to new friendships and opportunities in due course.
Know that you are always in our thoughts, and your absence is felt with each passing day. May you find solace in the memories of home and the anticipation of our reunion.
With all my love,
Your devoted mother,
Cora