"Anything of interest, Papa?" Sybil asked as she entered the dining room and began to fix her plate for breakfast. Robert was seated in his usual spot, going over the newspaper. Outside a light late November snow had begun to fall; nothing to be concerned with but enough to already get one in the festive spirit.
"Nothing of much interest," Robert said, turning the page. "The normal concerns on the continent." He could tell that Sybil wanted to know more but in his opinion she was far too young to worry about such things. Even ensuring he picked up only the more proper papers, and avoided the scandal rags, there was no telling what one might find and he didn't want or need his youngest hearing about the vileness of the world. He knew one day she would learn but he wanted to keep her his little girl for just a bit more.
Edith, who'd entered as Sybil asked the question, glanced over his shoulder. "Albania is interested in independence?"
"It appears so," Robert said. "Will take a while, to be sure. These things always do, despite how quickly people want them wrapped up." He gave the paper one final glance but other than an article about some newspaper owner named Gregson being knighted and the reporting of Robert Scott's diary and body being found in the Antarctic there was little of note. He sighed and set the paper aside. "The Americans had their Thanksgiving holiday yesterday and that always seems to cause news to dry up from their side of the pond."
"I've always found that holiday so odd," Edith said. "Christmas and New Years make sense but Thanksgiving... having it in the middle of the week and always changing days? Seems needlessly confusing."
"Better than their Independence Day," Sybil said with a grin. "With Thanksgiving we don't have to hear Granny ranting about 'Those foolish rebels showing no sense of grace'."
Robert shook his head, a smile on his face. "She takes it as a personal offense. Doesn't like it that they rub it in our faces that they broke away from us."
"Maybe Mama could have fireworks next year," Edith said.
"Please don't even jest about that," Robert moaned. "Your grandmamma gets even a hint of that and she'll be decked out in a red coat and passing out muskets."
The girls laughed and even Carson couldn't help but smile at that.
"Where is Mary?" Robert asked.
"Here, Papa," his eldest said, breezing through the door. "Terribly sorry, I had to take care of some things."
"What things?" Sybil asked.
"Nothing of any concern," Mary said.
"Nothing of concern?" Edith asked. "is that what we are calling Mr. Napier now?"
"Mr. Napier?" Robert asked.
Mary sniffed, shooting a cool stare towards Edith even as she addressed Robert. "The Hon. Evelyn Napier, the son and heir of Viscount Branksome. We met him at the Doncaster races."
"Ah yes," Robert said. "The charming fellow. Bet on the white bay, if I remember correctly." Honestly Robert had no recollection of the man, let alone what horse he'd wagered on. Robert hadn't even wanted to go but he knew Cora had had her heart set on it and he didn't want to disappoint her by bowing out. It might have been fine if Matthew had gone, as then at least he'd have had another man around, but he'd already made plans to talk with Jarvis to learn more of the estate and simply couldn't break his commitment. Robert had thought such a meeting would have been far more interesting than mingling about waiting for hours for only a few minutes of excitement but knew that the girls and Cora would never accept such an excuse.
He hadn't realized until Matthew had come into their lives just how outnumbered he was when it came to the women in his life and having at least one more man around made life a touch less lonely. He loved his family, all of them, but there were simply things one couldn't do with a wife or daughters or (Heaven forbid) their mother. In the past he'd gotten by on their dinner parties but now with Matthew in the village he had at least chances twice a week to simply enjoy the company of members of his own gender.
"Mary has been writing to him," Edith supplied. "It's like something out of Victorian novel, really."
"You would know, as that is your only chance at romance," Mary snapped back.
"Girls," Robert warned, his two oldest going silent while Sybil merely smiled and focused on her meal. "So, what are your plans for this morning?"
Sybil spoke up first, as Mary and Edith were both still stewing. "I was thinking of remaining inside today. This weather makes it feel like it was made for curling up by a window with a good book. Cousin Isobel suggested a few to me the other day and I'd like to give them a read."
"Oh, should we be frightened of what rebellious novel she will put in your hand?" Mary teased.
Sybil laughed. "Nothing of the sort. It seems her late husband was an avid reader of fiction from around the world and she had his collection brought with them. I thought I'd give 'The Time Machine' a try."
"I've heard of that one," Robert said. "A rather strange tale though… someone traveling forward and backwards through time… it sounds positively impossible."
"Well, that is why it's called fiction," Sybil said.
"True enough, I suppose. So long as it doesn't put any thoughts in your head about traveling through time yourself."
His youngest merely smiled at him and said, "And what makes you think I haven't already? Maybe I'm not the Sybil you knew but a Sybil from 10 years in the future, here to change Downton's fate and ensure we all live better lives."
Robert rolled his eyes. "Well, if that is the case go back 6 months and stop your mother from reading that Stoker man's work. She was frightened to sleep alone for a month after Lady Tromwell suggested it."
"Well, I for one plan to get some fresh air before we are snowed in completely," Edith said. "Matthew is off and mentioned that you weren't going to walk with him today, Papa, so I thought I would stop by and see if he wanted some help picking out some Christmas gifts for everyone. Perhaps drive into Rippon."
Robert nodded. He personally planned to look at some papers Murray had left him and then go over some plans with Carson and Cora for the dinner they were planning for after the Christmas holiday; Lord Merton and his sons would be visiting and Cora was interested in making a match between one of Richard's sons and their daughters.
'Good luck with that,' he thought, mentally rolling his eyes. 'Larry is a weasely little prat and Tim is hardly better. Mary would mock us for suggesting it, Edith would sulk, and Sybil would probably smack them till they fled.' Of course he couldn't say that to Cora so he'd let her make her plans and just hope they didn't blow up too badly. Perhaps it was just him being a worrying father but every time Cora or Mama got it in their head to set up Edith or Sybil it always seemed to end badly. 'And now Mary has been included… now all my nightmares have come to pass.'
"Mhmm," Mary said, looking anywhere BUT at Edith.
"What?" Edith asked.
"Nothing."
"Not nothing. If it weren't nothing you wouldn't have made a sound."
"You're overreacting," Mary said… before her lips twitched ever so slightly into a smile.
Edith glowered. "You obviously wish to make fun of me yet again so why not? Can't be miserable yourself you have to make everyone else feel the same way."
Robert knew he should open his mouth and tell the two to stop. He also knew that after that retort from Edith there was no way Mary would let go without firing back.
"I merely think you are being a bit too… desperate."
'I hate being right all the time,' Robert thought.
"And what is that suppose to mean?"
"I think you do," Mary said, taking a sip of water. "If you don't-"
"Oh, would you two just bloody spit it out! We're all sick of you dragging these stupid games on! Other people have lives you know and the entire universe doesn't center around you two and your constant bickering!" Sybil snapped.
Everyone slowly turned and stared at the young woman in shock.
Thomas, who'd entered moments earlier to bring some tarts Mrs. Patmore had forgotten to send up, muttered, "Glad someone finally said it."
Even as Carson hissed at the footman Robert made a note to tell the butler to go easy on him. Maybe even give the young man the day off for having the courage to say what he himself was thinking.
Mary opened and closed her mouth a bit before finally saying, "I merely feel that… in your attempt to win the heart of Cousin Matthew… you might wish to be less… obvious." It was clearly that Mary had intended her comment to be much more biting but the wind had gone out of her sails after Sybil had broken all the tension with her demand. Robert knew he shouldn't have found humor in it but it was rather interesting to watch his daughters try to continue on with their normal sniping when they'd been thrown for such a loop.
"I.. don't know what you mean," Edith said, glancing at Robert still, as if waiting for him to do something instead of just sitting there after Sybil's outburst. "This will be Matthew's first Christmas at Downton and I imagine he'll want some help selecting gifts for everyone. And you know I like to shop early…"
"Yes, but this is your fifth time seeing him this month."
"I am merely friendly."
"Is that what they are calling it now?"
"And what does that-"
Sybil cleared her throat.
Mary and Edith's mouths shut.
Robert bit down a laugh. 'If Mama were here she'd have a fit that I allowed Sybil to do that… but if she can keep the girls in line more power to her!' He paused, pursing his lips. 'Of course, it is just as likely that she'd have privately applauded Sybil and declared her heir apparent.'
Finally Mary spoke. "It doesn't matter to me if you decide to try and court him-" All could tell there was an insult she wanted to say but a sharp look from Sybil kept it at bay and Robert had the urge to give his youngest a raise in her spending allowance, "-I only suggest you be more subtle. We don't want to scare him off."
"You have a funny way of showing it," Edith said and, before Sybil could voice a reproach, added quickly, "you treat Matthew so poorly it's a wonder he wants to see any of us at all."
"We ride together," Mary commented.
"And when you do you bark orders at him and treat him more like a servant than as your cousin. You refuse to call him anything but 'Cousin Matthew' and you still glare daggers at him whenever you think none of us are watching."
Mary shook her head. "You are allowing your jealousy to see things that aren't there. Next you'll claim Cousin Matthew and I are secretly engaging ourselves carnally when we claim to ride."
"Mary!" Robert exclaimed, horrified at how those words had slipped so casually from her lips.
She waved him off. "I would never do that, Papa, that's the point. Just Edith being silly."
"I will have no more talk about anyone doing anything… carnally… to Matthew at this table. Or this house." He grabbed his paper, ignoring the fact he'd already read it. "Or country."
He ignored Sybil as she snickered, which only caused Edith to join in, followed shortly by Mary.
He hated being outnumbered.
~A~O~O~O~F~
"You really can't blame them," Isobel said, leaning forward in her chair, staring at Violet. "I mean, it is a rather important day for them."
"Oh, I'm sure it is," Violet said, clutching her walking cane, lips pressed together in a tight pucker. "I merely question the wisdom in it. There is already All Hallow's Eve and Yule… why have another holiday so soon?"
Isobal smiled her little polite smile that she thought made people believe she was being supportive but clearly told the world 'I think you are being foolish and I'm too poor of a liar to hide how I feel about that'. Violet hated that smile, as it always seemed to be a prelude to a comment that mocked tradition. "They do seem to try and force as many holidays as they can. I heard the other day that they have a holiday to remember all those that died during their civil war."
"Which just shows how foolish they truly are," Violet huffed. "When we remember the sacrifice of our brave lads we do so privately… we don't make it some grand show. Of course that is just the nature of Americans, to make things bigger than they need to do." A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "It stems from having so little history. Like a man who just came into money throwing it about."
"I don't know if I agree with that," Isobel said and Violet fought every urge she had to roll her eyes; Mrs. Crawley had a bad habit of disagreeing with every view she could find. Violet sometimes considered saying something she knew the other woman heartily agreed with, just to see if the woman would flip alliances all for the sake of being contradictory. "But I do prefer that we don't have a 'Thanksgiving' or whatever we would call in. I much rather prefer having a month of peace before the bustle of Christmas comes upon us."
"Too right, too right," Violet said; she'd also found that if one let Isobel make a statement first then she wouldn't fight you when you agreed upon it. 'Of course it is so rare for her to say anything I can agree with whole heartedly. Still, small miracles.' She rang the bell on the end table, signaling for Spratt to bring in the mid-morning tea, before turning her attention once more on Isobel. "Has Cora explained to you how we do things at Downton when it comes to the holiday, seeing as you will be joining us?" There had been some question of the Village Crawleys would be the joining the main family at the Abbey but Matthew had made it clear he wanted to be part of the celebration and tradition/
"I believe so but let's refresh, just so I'm sure I have everything right." Violet nodded, glad that at the very least the woman was smart enough to want to confirm things."On Christmas Eve the family attends service. Then, on Christmas Day after breakfast, the family gathers and gives presents to each of the staff."
Violet nodded. "Usually clothing, with frocks for the ladies and a shirt for the men or perhaps a hat if Robert is feeling particularly adventurous. For the higher members of the staff they will get a second, more personal gift, or receive a larger single present instead. Mary and the girls tend to give that maid Anna something special as well, since she basically functions as the lady's maid for all three of them."
"Do Matthew and I need to attend that portion?" Isobel asked. "We can if we must but I was hoping to do the same with our own house staff."
Violet waved her off. "Go right ahead. I haven't participated in that little ritual at Downton for ages, not since Lord Grantham died and Robert became Earl. I prefer to hold my own ceremony as well here." She paused, narrowing her eyes slightly as she considered Isobel. "And… what do you have planned to give your staff?" She had a sudden fear that Isobel, being as radical as she was, would hand out the Communist Manifesto as gifts and ring in the New Year trying to tear down the government.
"Matthew and I decided I would handle Mrs. Byrd and the maid and he'll handle Moseley. I'm thinking of getting Mrs. Byrd a picture frame that she might hang in her room. It's just so natural to want to get her something for the kitchen, her being our cook and all, but that would feel like it was more of a gift for myself than for her; something to allow her to make me a meal rather than a present. What do you think?"
"Oh? I mean yes, of course," Violet said, mentally making a note to see if she could cancel to order she'd put in for a new set of knives for her own cook's gift.
Isobel, pleased, continued on. "After that the servants have their meal and we are, in Cousin Cora's words, left to 'fend for ourselves' for a few hours." Isobel grinned. "Sounds rather adventurous."
"Indeed," Violet said. "That you will need to attend. The family likes to exchange gifts during the luncheon and it will allow you to give your own staff the rest of the day off."
"Any rules when it comes to gifts for each other?" Isobel asked.
"We try not to get too extravagant." Isobel made a face and the Dowager raised an eyebrow. "You find that hard to believe?"
"Yes, I do," Isobel said. "I'd have thought you'd be given each other ponies and priceless works of art."
"Those are saved for the holidays concerning oppressing the masses," Violet said, her lips pressed into a fine line only to smile and Isobel chuckled at that. "We prefer to keep it more… personable."
"Well, I for one am delighted at that," Isobel said. "I've always found the smaller gifts that have the deeper connection to be the best of all."
"Of course you do," Violet muttered; while she agreed completely she found the way Isobel said it to be terribly middle class. 'I have half a mind to give her a pony just to see how she reacts,' Violet thought with a mental smile before another thought popped into her head. 'Knowing her she'd probably raise a fuss about the horse not having the same rights as us and demand it be given representation in Parliament.'
If Isobel realized she'd been insulted she didn't show it. Instead she continued on with the coming events. "Then we have Christmas supper with the family before retiring to the drawing room to play charades."
"Not charades… The Game," Violet insisted. "Robert's father hated it when people called it that, as he thought the name sounded silly and Robert insists that we continue with the tradition."
"Still, I rather can't wait to join in," Isobel said. "It sounds like a fun time."
"You haven't seen Mary play," Violet said. "The girl has treated The Game as the fiercest of competitions since she was five years old."
"She is that way about many things, from what I've seen," Isobel said as Spratt finally arrived with the tea.
"I sense there is more to that statement than might first appear," Violet said, accepting a cup from Spratt.
Isobel let out a little huff. "Please don't think me forward-"
'Too late for that,' Violet thought.
"-and I know that she is your granddaughter but it hasn't escaped me how she seems to always be in competition with Matthew. Thank you Spratt." Isobel took her own cup and saucer before continuing. "Every conversation makes me feel as if I'm watching a session of Parliament where the course of our country is to be determined with only a few phrases." Isobel held up a hand. "I understand why she feels as she does about Matthew; I would be upset too if in her shoes. But she has taken hold of her grudge like a pit bull and refuses to let go."
"Yes, that is rather apt," Violet admitted. She mentally debated just how much to reveal to Isobel, who seemed to be waffling between 'person she disagreed with but at least could hold a conversation' and 'the enemy at the door who will destroy Downton with her radical ideas'. The former won out and Violet said, "Cora suggested early on that Mary might put away her anger and see if there might be a spark of romance between her and Matthew… but I think you can guess how well that went over."
"Very easily, I'm afraid," Isobel said.
"I suppose there is always Edith. The girl is smitten with Matthew… then again she was smitten with Patrick when he was with Mary. The poor thing has a habit of latching onto whoever the family pushes Mary's way, as if she wants to be the better Mary, as it were."
Isobel shook her head. "She's in for a world of heartbreak. I can tell that Matthew doesn't see her that way."
"A pity," Violet said. "While it would have caused problems with Mary I wouldn't have minded if Edith and Matthew got together. Robert and Cora forget about her far too often and I fear with this chaos Mary keeps creating that all the time they would have spent on Edith will go to Mary and leave her with nothing."
"If I couldn't see clearly that nothing will come of it I'd hope for Sybil and Matthew myself," Isobel said.
"Why do you say that? And why do you believe there is so little hope? She is a bit younger than I'd hope but girls have married men twice as old during their first Season."
Spratt brought over a tray of biscuits and Isobel selected one. "You know they've been seeing each other quite a bit, Sybil and Matthew. She was the first to take Matthew up on his offer to have tea and since then the two of them have met at least once a week. Having tea, going on walks, so on. I see much of myself in Sybil and would have been happy if the two of them would have gotten together. But it simply isn't to be."
"And you are sure it can't become more?" Violet asked. She'd never considered Sybil and Matthew but she wasn't against the idea. It would be rather radical but then again she'd seen odder things. It wasn't. out of line for a man twice Sybil's age to go for a young woman's hand. She tried to visualize the two of them as Earl and Countess and found it easy enough. It would be a strong match and if they were already forming a friendship…
Isobel's next words ruined that dream, however. "Because I've seen them together and the two act more like brother and sister than a young couple feeling each other out during the first stages of a romance. Sybil sees in Matthew someone she can finally confide in who won't dismiss her outright because all they see is little Sybil Crawley, the baby of the family. And Matthew sees her as the younger sibling he always wished he had. If you can't tell Matthew has a bit of a hero complex and likes having someone he can protect. It's why he remained living with me after his father passed. Sybil fills that role perfectly. The two of them enjoy talking with each other and at times, when someone else joins in and says something it… triggers something. They don't laugh out loud but they share a look. I'm sure when you first see it you'll be struck by how to reminds you of how Sybil is with her sisters, when there is a joke only they know and all the rest of us are merely sources of amusement. That is what the two of them are like."
"A pity," Violet said with a sigh. But in her mind gears moved and thoughts were considered and examined. 'Perhaps something can be done to nudge Matthew and Sybil together. Mary is a loss cause and I do agree that Edith and him, despite how hard she tries, will never fit. But Sybil? That is a possibility… and perhaps our best option.' Violet smiled as she moved on to a new topic, though her mind was left to process the new problem that had been given to her. She raised an eyebrow when she saw Isobel giving her a confused smile. "What is it? Have I become the subject of a joke?"
"No no… just an odd thing popped into my head when I thought of Matthew and Mary being together. It will never happen, of course, she'd never allow it, but it made me remember something that happened a few months ago." She handed her empty tea cup to Spratt. "Matthew had a terrible nightmare back in the spring. He cried out so loud it startled me awake and he was half delirious when I came upon him. He thought he was wed to a woman named Mary and kept demanding to know where she and their son George was. Still can't figure out where he got that name." Isobel chuckled. "Odd, isn't it?"
"Yes," Violet said, licking her lips, an old memory of Mary, when she'd been a little girl, proudly showing her a baby doll that she'd gotten. She'd wanted a name for him and Violet had suggested Mary name him after Violet's own father, Mary's great grandfather. The little girl had agreed…
…and named the baby doll George.
~A~O~O~O~F~
"I think that I'll need to take more walks if I continue visiting you," Edith said as she and Matthew made their way down the village's main street. As was customary on the last Friday of November, before December truly came upon them, the village had set up a winter market, so that those that lived there and people from the neighboring areas could come and browse their goods, place orders for Christmas treats and presents, and sample what Downton Village had to offer. A light snow had fallen the night before, giving everything a magical feeling and all about Edith and Matthew were people selling a wide assortment of seasonal goods. Several bakers had set up tables with sweets, Mr. Groves had a book out describing in great detail what hens, geese, and ducks he'd have available for those looking to put a bird on their holiday table, and Mrs. Austin had brought out all the knitting and quilting she'd done over the year for those wanting a special cap or perhaps a blanket. Edith felt like she'd fallen into a story book and the illusion was only aided by the gallant blond gentlemen at her side.
"What do you mean? We're walking now, aren't we?" Matthew asked, stopping to look over a spread of donuts that had been placed in glass-covered containers at the stand in front of one of the baker's shops. Selecting two plain cake ones he fished out a few coins and passed them over then accepting the treats, one for himself and one for her. She'd given up trying to convince him to let her pay, as he only would claim that he wanted to repay her for helping him.
"Yes but for every bit I might take off during this walk I put on twice as much because you keep buying us treats." Of course that didn't stop her from accepting the donut and happily taking a bite of it, her need to be lady-like and her desire to tear into it like Pharaoh devoured a bit of meat warring within her. "So far you've had us try that fudge of Mrs. Bryant-"
"Which you enjoyed," Matthew pointed out.
"And then the peppermint sticks that the Bonnville family made-"
"You had three."
"To settle my stomach after you got us pieces of that carrot cake that Mrs. Mason brought!" Edith complained though she could feel herself smiling even as she did so. It was Mary's talent to be able to pretend to be angry even when she was quite pleased; Edith could never manage it. She always gave away the game, let the world know exactly what she was feeling. And at the moment, despite her annoyance at overindulging, she felt giddy and light.
"It was good cake," Matthew said, making that his sole argument.
Edith's shoulders slumped in defeat. "It truly was." The two of them continued on, munching on their donuts. "How is it you seem to know who has the best food in the village?"
"What do you mean?"
"We pass by some stalls without even bothering to look and at others you know just what you want, even if you can't see it!"
"I spend time in the village," Matthew said easily. "Unlike you and the rest of your family I'm not trapped in the Abbey, unable to truly just go off and have an adventure because of what society says is right and proper. And because I was once like them and still am like them in many ways they don't feel the need to act differently."
"You mean that people lie to me when I visit their stalls or go to their places of work?"
"Not so much lie as put their best foot forward." He held out his hand, forestalling her protest that she didn't want them to act that way, that she wanted them to not feel the need to lie to her. "Don't get me wrong, that is a very good thing."
"I don't see how," Edith complained. "I get enough of people putting on a mask at home. If it isn't all the guests who put on grand shows and 'play the game' as Granny calls it then it's the servants feeling like they can't be honest with me and that they must be like actors in some play where every line is rehearsed and to deviant is death." Edith shook her head in frustration over that; unlike everyone else in the house it seemed as if none of the servants would ever trust her to truly be themselves around her. She knew, despite Anna supposedly aiding all three of them, that the maid was firmly Mary's and always would be. Edith knew that no matter who married first Anna would become a lady's maid for Mary and Mary alone. Sybil seemed to bring out the inner light in all that saw her though recently Edith had caught her talking with the other maid, Gwen, and she wondered if her sister was preparing for when Mary took Anna with her. Of course Sybil could talk to anyone and get them to offer a warm smile or a thoughtful word; she'd even managed to warm up Thomas, who for all he tried was much like Edith and unable to truly hide his emotions and thoughts. Her father had Bates who had started as a friend and Carson (who divided his loyalty between her father and Mary) while her mother had O'Brien though for the life of her Edith couldn't understand why her mother liked the company of the dower woman.
'But for me there is no one. They all see me as 'Lady Edith', Mary's younger sister or Sybil's older sister… never as just Edith or 'Edith, the one I can talk to'.' She mentally sighed. 'And now it seems the people in the village are doing the same thing.'
"I know it might seem that way but believe me when I say there are things the lower classes say and do that… well…"
"Well what?" Edith asked. "I know they can be vulgar."
"And how do you know that?" Matthew teased.
"I just do," Edith said primly. "I know they are like that so I don't see why you think it is a good thing they hide that from me."
"Mostly because while I think you can handle it I'd rather you not for a bit more," Matthew finally said. "Think of me like a big brother trying to protect his sister from the harsh world."
'But I don't want to think of you as my brother,' Edith thought. 'For if I did they would lock me away for the other thoughts I've had concerning you.'
She didn't say that, of course. Rather, she asked him, "I thought we were gathering gift ideas, not overindulging ourselves."
"Helpful then that doing one allows us to do the other," Matthew said. Edith raised an eyebrow at that and after a few moments Matthew finally relented. "I already have ordered several items for the family, but I was inspired by how your family gives gifts to the servants: something practical and something personal for those close to you. I have decided to do something a touch different, to make my own spin upon it." They turned a corner and nodded to Mr. Travis as he walked by. "I've thought hard about what to get each of you as your main present and think I've done quite well. It can be hard to shop for all of you, when you can simply purchase what you desire and what you can't I'd never be able to afford, but I managed. Sybil was a big help there." Edith felt a slight flash of jealousy at that but tapped it down; Sybil had made it clear early on she didn't have any feelings for Matthew other than the ones that came from being family. "But for the second gifts I want to give a…" he waved his hand about, "…taste of Downton. A sweet or a treat that one might not have or know could be found in their own village. Except your father; I have something very special in mind for him to show that I have accepted Downton as my new home."
"That sounds lovely!" Edith said, truly liking the idea. It just screamed 'Matthew' and she couldn't see anyone else coming up with an idea like that. "And I will be happy to help pick out some things that I'm sure Mama will enjoy." She waited a moment before adding, "And if you have any second thoughts about the other gifts you may see me as well. No need to trouble Sybil."
Matthew nodded and motioned for her to follow him. "Let's sit down, shall we?"
That was the last thing Edith wanted to do.
He hadn't realized he'd done it but Matthew had gotten the same gleam in his eye so many men did when they asked her for a private word. And every time they did what followed was the same: Have had a lovely time, you are pleasant, we aren't a good fit, you'll find someone else. Of all the things in the world that could happen the one she prayed didn't would be Matthew uttering those words. And yet despite how much she wanted to fight his suggestion she only nodded and allowed him to lead her over to a bench, his gloved hand sweeping away the snow so the two could more easily sit.
With how her mood was she'd rather have sat in a muddy puddle.
"I want to thank you for coming with me today," Matthew said with a smile. "I've enjoyed your company-"
"Please don't," Edith said, cutting him off. When he stared at her she let forth a barking laugh. "I know what you are going to say. 'It has been lovely, Edith, but I feel that you want something I can not provide. I simply do not see you that way but I do so ever hope we can be friends'." She shut her eyes so he wouldn't see the tears gathering. "Of anything you could say to me I beg you… don't say that."
He was silent for far too long.
"Would it help… if I were allowed to explain why?" he finally asked.
"I don't need to hear it because I already know it. I'm not beautiful enough, I'm not interesting enough, I bore you to tears or make you feel awkward when around me-"
Matthew grabbed her hands and held them tight. "Don't ever think that about yourself. Never." She was utterly startled by how fiercely he gave that command.
And yet…
"How can't I when the evidence is clear?" She opened her eyes, her vision blurring for a moment as she stared at his handsome face, wishing against all that he would just smile and say that he loved her.
"And I disagree," Matthew said. "And this isn't what you think. I am not rejecting you for such petty reasons… in fact I hardly think 'reject' would be the right word. More that I see we aren't a good fit… and the blame for that lies on me."
She wanted to grab him by the lapels and shake him hard, screaming 'We could fit perfectly if you just gave us a chance! If you let yourself love me!' But even in her emotional state she knew that wasn't proper and thus she said, "It is rather clichéd for a man to claim it is his fault to break things off with a woman. I thought you better than that."
"But in this case it is true," Matthew said. "The truth of the matter is that you deserve more than I can ever provide."
Edith snorted at that. "If you are going to insult me by claiming I should be of a higher standing then I will leave now." She found herself hating him in that moment… or rather hating how he was so pathetic in trying to spare her feelings and not seeing how he did just the opposite. It would have been better if he had just do it clean, kept it simple, but lying to her like this-
"That's not what I was going to say," Matthew said, refusing to let go of her hands.
"Then what were you going to say?" she huffed.
"I am trapped by Downton. I know that I should be grateful, and I am, by this gift I've been given but the fact of the matter is that I am trapped. My life is now laid out for me and for the woman that becomes my wife her life will be preordained as well. Managing the estate, have a few children, and grow old and fat as the world passes by." He shook his head. "There are a few things I can do, to force Downton to plod towards the current age, but that won't be much. I will be stuck in this world and my life will be determined by it."
"I… don't understand," Edith said, her anger turning to bewilderment at his odd comments.
"I see in you the making of a truly modern woman," Matthew said, his smile growing all the more bright. "The world is changing and in a few years that which was thought to be madness will be the norm and I believe that you will be at the forefront."
"You're confusing me for Sybil," Edith said.
"I don't think so," Matthew said. He released her hands but where with anyone else it would have felt like a heartbreaking gesture Edith found with Matthew it was decidedly not. "Please understand that I've grown to care for Sybil very deeply. I see her as a little sister. But that doesn't mean I am blind to her flaws and her greatest is one that so many revolutionaries suffer from."
"And that is?"
"Control. She becomes so passionate about a cause that she does not see that she turns more people off than she brings to her side. She is always fighting, like a boxer waiting for the bell to ring, and that simply doesn't do with some people." Matthew paused. "Mary has the opposite problem."
Edith's hatred of everything circling back to Mary warred with her desire to hear Matthew speak of her faults. The latter won out.
"Mary has incredible focus but it is always turned inward, towards herself. Whenever something new arises, some political upheaval or social cause, her first question is 'Does it affect me?' followed by 'must it affect me?'. And if it doesn't matter to her or won't affect her greatly then it is brushed off. Please don't misunderstand… I believe Mary does have a heart and she cares more than she lets on but she's allowed so many walls to form up that it is hard to pierce her. Pity what does though, and pity her because I believe it will shatter her, good or bad.
"You are a fusing of their best aspects. You care for others but don't let it consume you. You can talk of a topic and not alienate those around you or only focus on your own selfish desires. If Mary is a mirror that only reflects what is shown to it and Sybil is a war hammer forever laying waste to what is placed before it, you… you are a thin blade, able to move swiftly and easily, cutting through all that stands in your way."
Edith smiled at that. "No one has ever spoken about me like that before."
"That is because they don't understand you. You're ahead of the curve, Edith, and right now that is painful but soon enough the world will catch up and suddenly you, who was seen as so strange and different, will be the norm and the rest of them will be the outsiders." He paused, looking off towards the village. "That is why it can never work between us. You deserve a modern man who can stand beside you. Someone who earned his place in the brave new future that races towards us; not one who only holds his place due to birth. I see you not with a lord or an earl but some grand master of business, who has made his fortune and can now look down at estates like Downton from his higher perch and spit on their heads." Edith laughed at that, the mere image of her Papa being spat upon by some railroad master tickling her. And yet she sensed the wisdom and truth in Matthew's words. She'd have never considered such an option for herself before but now that Matthew had set it out so plainly it was like her eyes had been opened for the first time and she could see the sun and the stars. She could see herself not destined to merely run her husband's estate but to bring to a marriage her own strength and power and together create something all the brighter. It was well and good to be part of a dynasty… but what if she were to be the creator one of? "In another life I could have been that man… and I think then we'd have been a grand fit. But now I am happy to be your champion and help you as a brother would… if you will have me be such."
"Of course I will," Edith said, Matthew standing and offering her his hand. "I will need your help when I bring my paper-owning husband to Papa." Matthew got an odd look on his face and Edith frowned. "What is it?"
"Paper owning? What makes you say that?"
"I… I don't know. It just popped into my head. Why?"
Matthew shook his own head, as if banishing whatever thought had startled him. "It doesn't matter. Now come on, we have more stalls to visit."
"My stomach hates you, brother dear," Edith said, linking her arm in his as he led her back to the village.
~A~O~O~O~F~
Author's Notes: So I know that in the fanfiction community there is some debate about when events in the show occurred. I've seen some people place the Fox Hunt before New Years, after New Years, so on. I think the thing people miss though is that the first season actually covers a TON of time. Series 1 takes place over 2 years, starting April 1912 all the way to August 5th, 1914. I've seen too many writers condense the events of the show down into little less than a year when they go MUCH longer than that.
As such, I am going by the Downton Wiki timeline that places the Fox Hunt after New Years and into the spring of 1913. Thus allowing me to focus on things we didn't see in the show. That said, there was always something that tickled me wrong about Downton's second season when we saw the New Year's party/Servant's Ball.. Matthew clearly has no idea how it works which makes no sense: I know Robert mentioned that they didn't have one during the war but that wouldn't explain not having the 1912 or the 1913 New Years parties. Saying that they didn't do the first one because of Patrick makes no sense as they were out of mourning at that point but lets say they didn't do the 1912 party… why not 1913?
My only conclusion is that Matthew as still stuck in his "I'm a prat" phase and didn't allow himself to be invited. But even then that doesn't add up. Episode 5 and 6 represent the time jump, as far as I can tell: 5 takes place in the summer of 1913 (as this would fit there being a hay wagon for Bates to ride in and the flower show) and then the 6th episode takes place nearly a year later. No way would Matthew remain that much of an ass for two years that he wouldn't come to Downton for a New Year's party/ Servant's Ball. It feels like a case of the writers forgetting their own timeline, in my opinion. Thus, we get mention of the Servant's Ball/Christmas party here.
It is very interesting to try and find novels for the characters to read in this series. Luckily it seems like many of the classic works were made in the 1890s, so I can pull from them.
Not too much else I want to address so let's move right into the plot bunny!
This one is based on something from this very story. When Mary was a little girl and Edith was just a baby Cora receives a note from America, learning that her uncle left her, of all things, a cattle ranch in the American West. Seems that he had made his fortune in oil left not only the entire business but the ranch as well to Cora, but only if she came for a visit after his death to sign the paperwork. Robert, learning that the ranch and company is actually worth more than Downton, decides they will visit and the family packs up and heads across the pond.
After a month or so of traveling the family arrives at the ranch and its mansion-like estate house. Originally the plan was for them to stay only for a few weeks then head back to New York and Downton but Robert begins to find reasons for them to stay longer. Finally Cora confronts him and Robert reveals that ever since he became Earl he has been utterly stressed. But… he's found himself loving the ranch. It is peaceful, quiet… and he doesn't have to constantly put on an act of being the Lord everyone wants him to be. He likes feeding the horses and talking with the ranch hands. He likes not having freezing winters and stuffy dinners with boring old men. He… likes this life. And Cora admits that she likes it as well.
And thus a decision is made: the Crawleys will remain in America and James named the new Earl because Robert gives up the title. Of course Violet is enraged but Robert refuses to listen, resulting in a falling out. But it matters not and the Crawleys settle into their new life.
Then, in 1912, James and Patrick die on the Titanic, coming over to visit Robert and family at the ranch. Violet learns that Matthew is the heir but doesn't tell him, instead claiming she is hiring him to go get Robert to come back to England.
Thus we get a Downton Abbey where Matthew travels to the American West to meet a decidedly different Crawley family. One where Mary, Edith, and Sybil have grown up to be decidedly American (with only Mary retaining her English accent while her sisters have a Texas drawl thanks to all their friends and the farm hands talking that way) and don't play the games English ladies do. I see Matthew arriving at the ranch only for Mary, wearing pants of all things(!) racing up on her horse Diamond, performing some tricks before coming to a stop and welcoming him to the ranch before Sybil asks "What'cha doin' here, city slicker?"
How much of the original staff came with them is up to you. Especially because in this new wild world their lives could be altered. For example, Carson and Mrs. Hughes came with them and this new reality saw them realizing their affection sooner and they now run the hotel/saloon that Matthew stays at in the town that has grown up around the ranch. Anna showed skill with the horses and Robert, deciding to really shock his mother (as he now would have a rebellious streak, fully deciding to be a cowboy America) made her in charge of all the animals on the ranch and when Bates arrives to be Robert's new valet she is a fast talkin' woman who plays poker with the boys and will tell someone she thinks they look nice. Maybe even Thomas gets a romantic interest in the form of the post master who lives in town. It would be up to whoever picked up the story.
