It was not long before I was summoned to the drawing room, and I knew why. I sat amongst the others, late at night with the fire crackling, just as dinner had been finished, and Robert, letter in hand, stood with Mr Murray, who had been driven by motorcar.

"Murray," Robert turned to him, "No, I'd better."

Murray nodded, stepped back a trifle, and the Dowager, wide-eyed, eyed them both.

"What? What is it?"

Robert took a sigh.

"We thought it best to investigate the matter of the entail - "

Cora and Violet glanced at one another, and Robert as swiftly continued.

"It appears that in certain mentions of the word male, there is, in faded print, the word 'fe'... "

I remained still, as everyone must swing their gazes towards me with inquiry, and then Robert spoke the rest.

"We appear no longer to need search for my second cousin," Robert smiled, even a little. "Mary, upon my death, you will inherit the money, the estate and the title of Countess of Grantham, and your son will be Earl - or your daughter - "

A great rise took up, even as English preserve took hold. I saw only Edith's face darken, and then I should've knew.

"The Duke of Crowborough has written," Robert glanced at me, and Edith, her face purpling, lapsed into sullen silence. "As do many others… "

I folded my hands in my lap.

"And the running of the estate, Papa?"

Robert was a trifle condescending.

"There's no need for that now, Mary."

I glanced to Cora and saw admiration and good nature, and in Violet, a pride in certainty rise up in her. Sybil was all her mother's good nature, and Edith I could not glance at. Robert, however disappointed that he did not have a son, could still call rise in his expression of good relief. And in Carson, a boon brighter than all.