Edith had spent countless nights laying in her achingly familiar peach toned room, staring up at the ceiling for hours, and hoping some solution to all future problems would fall into her lap. The issue with trying to change all the problems of Downton Abbey was that many were singular, personal choices that she could not control. Others were combinations of decisions and history coming together in a disastrous combination. She couldn't truly, single handedly change anything. All she could do was advise, prepare, and attempt to fix whatever consequences came of the resulting actions, changed from the show or not. But should she even try to change anything? If she did change anything, if she even could, would it be for better or worse? And would it even matter?
Edith knew that Cousin James and Patrick were destined to die on the Titanic. It was the premise of the entire show. With them there would be no Matthew, no Lavinia, and certainly no Swire fortune to eventually save Downton. Was it worth giving up entirely and sticking with the plot as closely as she could to ensure her family's legacy and story was protected? No, she didn't believe so. Edith's conscience would never allow her to sacrifice two people she cared for as family to protect a house. So, Edith turned to alternative methods.
Papa had laughed heartily when his little estate keeper told him she wanted to invest. It wasn't the ladylike thing, Mama had pointed out, but Papa saw no harm in her using her own pin money towards her hobby. It was rather frustrating to have her attempts to save Downton from his own poor choices be seen as a hobby, but Edith simply nodded and thanked him for helping her get her own bank account. He had to sign for it after all.
Edith had received twenty pounds a year in pin money since she was sixteen. It was more than a number of the household staff's salaries, and she had managed to purchase only the minimal trinkets and bobbles a young lady needed. This meant she had saved around half of it to deposit into her account. Now, at nineteen, she had around thirty pounds that she chose to invest. Papa, of course, tried to get her to invest her money with him, but she declined and suggested he join her instead.
"I just don't understand your choices," Papa shook his head. "Why Ford? It's American."
"Papa, you know I am half American."
"So you decide to put half your money there?"
"You know I do not love riding like you do. Imagine driving in those automobiles daily instead of by horse."
"Yes, imagine," Papa shuddered. "So, why household appliances? I can hardly see you doing that type of work."
"The inventions alone are interesting enough to invest in. And did you see the plans for other modes of communication than just the telegraph? It's amazing! You really should consider investing in something more like it, Papa."
"I think I know a bit more about this than you, darling. Now, why cigarettes?"
"… They seem interesting, Papa? I'm sure they will be very popular in time."
"If you say so, dear girl."
Of course, no matter how much money she made or saved, it likely would never be enough to save the Abbey on its own. Her only hope was that, through her success, hopefully Papa would be more inclined to listen to her in a few years. But how was she to get Cousin James and Patrick to listen to her?
Edith had to do something, but she could hardly walk up to them and tell them not to go. They hadn't even originally planned to board the ship until a last minute opportunity had arose. How could she get them to listen to her warnings of doom before then? Thankfully, she had already done some groundwork on that front.
Last year in May, 1911, two corresponding events occurred. First, tickets for the Titanic's maiden voyage began to be sold. Second, a Mr. Edward Crow's scathing article warning of the dangers and lacking safety provisions of the Titanic was published in The Times. Futurists scoffed at the cowardly columnist, continuing to argue the ship was unsinkable, while conservatives supported the writer. How those opinions flipped when not even a month later, an article on women's rights once again made Crow the talk of the town.
Since then, Crow had become a staple in conversation as a radical voice that never failed to spark debate over a number of issues from Scottish independence, national insurance, foreign policies, and class divides. But through every new, inflammatory article, the opinion that the Titanic was "a testament to man's own hubris", that its creators were "spitting in the eyes of God by claiming not even He could sink it", and that "the lower class on the lower decks will pay the price" rung out. This created a furious British White Star Line threatening to sue Edward Crow, a concerned and conflicted public, and Edith Crawley feeling at least somewhat satisfied that she had done what she could to warn the wary.
It was also proving to be a rather profitable venture. While Edith's first articles were seen only as sensational pieces, as her popularity increased she was offered a rate of one pound per article and double that if the article appeared on the front page. Meaning she had acquired a good ten pounds over the last couple months with her schedule of two articles a month. All of this money went back into her investments.
Writing was a good thing overall, it helped with one issue, but writing as Crow wasn't a guarantee that Cousin James and Patrick would listen to her. Along with that issue, there was another that concerned Edith about Patrick.
Watching Mary and Patrick together was painful. One always skirting attempts at love and friendship with cold, hostile politeness with the other holding to hope with blind infatuation. Even if Patrick lived, neither would have their happy endings together. It was a collision course more certain than any iceberg.
For the past few weeks, Edith had been trying to find a time to speak to Patrick about Mary, but they were never alone. Everytime Mary would glare and snipe or Mama would hurry her away. It seemed as if no one wanted her to speak with Patrick. The reason why seemed very clear when, one evening in early March, Patrick and Mary came to dinner arm in arm with a glimmering engagement ring on Mary's finger.
"We are engaged," Mary said neutrally as the room burst into frenzied excitement.
"Congratulations," Cousin James laughed, standing up to clasp his son on the back.
"It's about time. Treat her well son," Papa said. "You have been entrusted with one of the best young women in the world."
"I know, Sir," Patrick smiled doopily down at the beautiful woman on his arm. "I will protect and cherish her as long as I live."
"Good man," Papa smiled as Mama came up to hug her daughter, eyes shining with tears of relief and joy.
"Congratulations, Pat, Mary," Sybil said. "I hope you make each other very happy."
"I don't think we could be anything else," Patrick laughed. Mary's returning smile looked more like a grimace before her eyes caught sight of Edith, sitting frozen in her chair.
"And what about you, Edith." Mary said. "Aren't you going to congratulate us? Don't you think we're a good couple?"
"I- Yes. Yes, of course," Edith stammered. "As long as you are both happy, truly happy, you will be… be a perfect couple."
"Now that that's settled," Granny said. "Let us finally go through to dinner."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, Edie," Patrick whispered to her while smiling sadly as they walked to the dining room.
"What do you mean?" Edith asked, confused.
"I wanted a chance to tell you about the engagement in private before it was announced to the family, but Mary insisted."
"But, why would-" Edith wanted to ask more, but in a moment they reached the dining room and Cousin James was pulling out her chair.
"What made you choose now to propose, son?" Cousin James asked as the first course was served. "I thought you would wait for our return from America?"
"America?" Mama said.
"Why the devil are you going out there?" Papa asked.
"It's not much to my tastes either. Apologies, Cousin Cora. But I have some business with a colleague in New York I must attend to in person. Patrick is coming with me." Edith could hardly taste the soup as she mechanically moved the spoon from bowl to mouth.
"Oh, so we can't hold your engagement party yet," Mama said with disappointment.
"Or announce it," Mary added.
"Not until we come back at least," Patrick said. "I just couldn't bare the idea of Mary going through another season without my ring on her finger."
"How sweet of you, Patrick," Mama cooed.
"And inconvenient," Granny stated.
"Oh nonsense," Mama smiled. "This just means we won't take part in the season this year, since we couldn't properly explain Mary's position. It will give me a year of peace to plan for Sybil's coming out."
"Mama," Sybil sighed, already tired of the process before it had even begun in earnest. Edith continued to feel numb even as the footman, a young Thomas, took away the course and another took its place.
"When do you plan to leave?" Mama asked.
"We won't travel to America for a while, but I have things to settle in London first. We plan to leave tomorrow morning on the first train so this will be the last night we will be here," Cousin James said.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"You're not going on the Titanic are you?" Sybil asked.
"Sybil," Mama chided for for interrupting.
"I- I've just been reading the articles by Edward Crow-"
"Poppycock, that man doesn't know what he is saying half the time," Papa said.
"I thought you liked some of his work, Papa," Sybil asked.
"His work is thought provoking, but he's not a man I'd care to have dinner with."
"I quite enjoy his work," Patrick said.
"You would," Mary muttered.
"What about you, Cousin James," Edith suddenly asked. "Do you think Crow's warnings have any merit?"
"I don't know," James sighed. "My first instinct is that he is a fear monger, but his other articles certainly don't lack courage."
"Courage can be stupidity under a nicer name," Granny said.
"Do you read his articles, Granny?" Sybil asked
"Certainly. One needs a good laugh now and again. And kindling," Granny said.
"No more of this talk. James, do you have any plans for your time in New York that aren't business?" Mama asked, and the conversation shifted leaving Edith behind to ponder the non answer. It seems that Crow, while enough to cause questions, wasn't quite enough for Cousin James to avoid the Titanic entirely. As a much younger woman, she didn't have a close enough relationship to speak to him without questions.
Edith looked across the table at Patrick. He was far from the hesitant ten year old boy he had been when they first met. He was now a tall, relatively attractive young man with only his shockingly blue eyes being the same as his childhood self. They had spent hours reading, bantering, growing together throughout their childhoods. Would he listen to her?
When Mama eventually led the ladies into the drawing room, Edith didn't pretend to join in the conversation about Mary's coming engagement party and wedding. Mary certainly didn't seem to be involved in the conversation either, and was more interested in sending verbal barbs about Edith finding a husband too.
Eventually, all conversations stalled into stilted small talk. Mama was looking concerned and pitying as she glanced between Edith and Mary. Poor Sybil looked caught in the middle, and Granny pointedly ignored the thick emotions that hung in the room.
By the time the gentlemen joined them, the room had fallen silent. Taking her moment to do what she needed to and to escape the strange atmosphere, Edith walked up to Patrick. "Patrick, can I speak to you? Alone."
"Edith-" Mama began. The air only became thicker for some reason.
"Cora," Papa stopped her. "Let it be. It needs to happen."
"Sure Edie," Patrick gave her a strained smile. "Let's speak in the library."
The strange atmosphere didn't dissipate when they left the drawing room as everyone silently watched them. Edith felt Mary's fiery glare on the back of her neck as the door closed and the two of them made their way to the library. As soon as the door shut behind them, Edith took a deep breath. She had to warn him now.
"Patrick, I-"
"I know what you are going to say, Edie." Patrick cut her off, going to stand by the fire. "And please, don't say it."
"I don't think you do." And if she told him all of it she doubted he would even believe it.
"Please, I don't want to hurt you."
"Hurt me?" Edith asked as she walked to stand behind Patrick. "You aren't hurting me, Pat. I just want to make sure you don't make a mistake."
"No, I'm not making a mistake. Please, Edie, just accept it. Mary and I are getting married. There is nothing you can do about it. I chose her. It's always been her."
"Patrick, I think we are having two different conversations. You're right. I don't think you and Mary should get married, but that's not-"
"Why?" Patrick spun to look at her "Why don't you think we should marry? If you are going to say that then say all of it. Say why."
"I-," Edith did not know what to say, but if he truly wanted to know then she would tell him. "Because you would both be miserable, Patrick. Because you both deserve to marry someone who loves you completely."
"Like you do, Edith?" Patrick said.
"What?" Edith froze. For a moment the only sound was the crackle of the fireplace and her own pounding heart. Had she misheard? Did he really think that? Had she ever- Was that why everyone-
"Mary told me that you love me. That you want me to marry you instead of her. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry you love me, but I don't. I love Mary. I chose Mary. And nothing you say or do can change my mind."
"You- you think I'm in love with you." Edith said. Patrick nodded and gave her the most pitying look imaginable. It made her sick. "I don't love you like that Patrick."
"It's too late for that now," Patrick rebuked gently, condescendingly.
"Too late? How is it too late!?" Edith all but yelled, voice shaking with rage, hurt and disbelief. "I have never done anything romantic towards you. I haven't shown a hint of interest! You are a brother to me, Patrick! Someone who I thought knew me well. Clearly I was wrong."
"Do you deny that you asked Mary to let you marry me instead?"
"When I was seven and Mary threw a tantrum at the mere thought of marrying you! And my stance has not changed. I offered to try and marry you if that's what everyone demanded because I knew Mary would be miserable, and she is!"
"She is not miserable!" Patrick snapped back.
"Isn't she?" Edith scoffed, stalking towards him with smooth, predatory steps. "How pleased was she to accept your ring? How excited to announce the engagement, plan the wedding? Did she proudly show you off during the season or was it a miserable affair where she tried to dance with every man but you? I was there. I can see it even if you can't. You make each other miserable."
"Mary. Loves. Me." Patrick spit out, trying to tower above Edith but for once her height proved to be a good thing.
"The sad thing is, I think you believe that. I think you're so blinded by what you want that you refuse to see what is in front of you. And I give up", Edith turned and began walking to the door. "Marry her if you want to. She won't tell you no. But when you are miserable with a wife who hates you, you will have no one to blame but each other."
"And it would be different with you?" Patrick scoffed as she reached for the door handle.
"I had thought it would be a partnership between mutual friends. And that is if it even needed to happen. I had some faith that you saw us as family, with or without marriage. Good to know we were both wrong about our assumptions," Edith spat as she flung open the door and stormed out only to see the family gathered in the Saloon.
"Was I wrong?" Edith demanded, looking at Mary. She just turned her head away and did not answer. Edith looked at the rest of them. "Is this what you all feared then? That I would try to talk Patrick out of the ideal marriage? That I would sweep in and scheme my way into taking him for myself?"
"Edith," Cora looked horrified, "this isn't-"
"Tell me," Edith went on angrily. "Was it because I was not interested in the other suitors you threw at me or the fact that I am so homely that I could only get a man through my sister that made you think this."
"Don't talk to your Mother like this," Robert snapped. His face was pale and red all at once as he struggled to say anything else. "We never intended-"
"Forgive me," Edith said, completely insincere, as she turned and walked to the stairway. "I know it is shameful to cause such a scene. I will return to my room immediately."
"Edith!" Patrick cried, leaving the library to join the drama. Oh what a scene they were making for the servants. They probably thought she loved him too, didn't they?
"It's too late for that now, Patrick." Edith said lightly as she continued up the stairs. "And for the record, I didn't ask to talk to you about Mary. I wanted you to make a silly promise not to get on the Titanic. The articles have been getting to me, you see. You don't have to make that promise any longer."
Edith collapsed on her bed in a heap when she at last made it to her room. All anger had drained leaving her numb and empty. She must have stared at the ceiling for an hour before a gentle knock came at her door and a figure dressed in a light blue nightgown slipped in.
"I didn't know, Edie," Bil whispered as she climbed onto her bed. For the first time since she was a small baby, Edith let herself truly cry with her sister's arms around her. At least she still had one piece of family left in this life.