The simulation list popped up, and I chose 'Downton Abbey', with the thumbnail of the estate and its sprawling grounds. Several characters came up in a list, each with their own recognisable thumbnail, and I selected Lady Mary Crawley.
A slider appeared, defaulting to season 1 episode 1, and it could even go prior to that. On the next screen, a box for comments. I entered:
'The entail, upon further reflection when James and Patrick Crawley die in the sinking of the Titanic, is found to have the prefix 'fe' in faded letters before the word 'male'. The legal court later affirm that the estate, money and title go to the eldest female of Robert's children'.
A bright flash of white followed the confirmation, and then a thudding, dreamless sleep.
I lay in the rich canopied bed, staring up at the ceiling. I could feel the nightgown on me, the dark brown hair plaited to one side, and the soft steady breathing with which I rose, and turned to part the curtain at the window to see a young boy cycling up the driveway to the estate.
I glanced up out the window, at the sprawling green lands and the gate beyond, and turned to see all the richness and decor of the bedroom, and then to the cord.
"Lady Mary," I said, in exactly her voice. "I am Lady Mary Crawley."
I pulled the heavy cord by my bedside. Soon, Anna came and brushed my hair and dressed me, and I could only look in the mirror and then at the jewelry-things on the dresser.
"Are you alright, Lady Mary?"
I could see Anna's kind, smiling face and then soon I was out into the hallway, after giving dispatches as polite as could be, and the rich corridor overlooking the foyer had draperies and tapestries, and then I was descending the stairs, the railing as full and rich as anything, and Edith beside me.
"Good morning, Edith," I said, rather stiffly though I meant it not.
"I do hope you're in a better mood this morning," came Edith's reply, and I looked after her as she went into the dining room, and there I followed her to find Robert.
"The most terrible news," said Robert, seeing on our faces an expression unlike his, and Edith's eyes widened, and I bowed my head, to take breakfast from the buffet and join him at the table.
"I feel as if I am dreaming," Edith was glassy-eyed, in her own reverie as Carson pushed in her chair.
I took a bite, chewing slowly, and glanced out to the sprawling lawn, and as quickly, our plates were empty and then we were about our day. I sat on the bench seat under a tree, breathing in the air, the fresh breeze wafting, the branches overhead moving, and then a shadow as Cora sat beside me.
"I must tell you, dear… "
I sat with the news, and Cora watched me.
"Well, no one knew of the engagement outside the family."
Cora's hand gripped mine, and hers a reassuring smile as I stared blankly.
