Robert grumbled to himself as he grabbed the lint brush and began to run it along his shoulders. William was supposed to be helping him but after the boy had fumbled one too many times he'd told him to go back to his other duties and he'd handle things himself. He'd briefly considered summoning Carson to have him take over, as it was the butler's fault that he didn't have a permanent valet to see to his needs, but dismissed it. Too much to do as it was.
He simply didn't understand what had happened to the man as it seemed ever since the war had started every hiring choice he had made had been a poor one. He'd gone through several valets that weren't up to snuff. They still only had one footman, as they'd lost the last few to other jobs or the war and been unable to keep anyone one long enough for them to truly learn the job, meaning they were stuck in a cycle of hiring fresh faced boys that left just as they were settling into their duties. The maids they'd brought in were, at best, acceptable. And not even acceptable at Downton standards, to be sure… only acceptable for other people. Guests might not notice the falling quality of life in Downton but Robert did and it could be pinned on the staff. Reactions were far too slow, tasks were handled sloppily, short cuts were taken, and an air of gloom had settled on the estate where once there had been life.
'How hard is it to hire good help?' He thought to himself as he tugged at his jacket again only to grumble when he realized that his shirt had been buttoned improperly, with him having missed one hole and causing the whole thing to be crooked. He nearly ripped the jacket off but forced himself to take a breath before removing it more slowly, not wanting to tear it. Clearly whoever had stored it last had done so improperly as the damn thing had shrunk and now clung to his form, making it rather uncomfortable. It still looked good, as military uniforms could always stand to be tight rather than an oversized messes, but he'd have to see about getting a new one made so he didn't have to live in fear of popping the stitches. 'The war is simply no excuse… Downton remains one of the grandest jewels of England… there must be young men out there who are worthy of working here and dream of serving my family. Carson just isn't looking hard enough. I'm not asking for a strapping young buck; they are off having a jolly good adventure on the Continent! But a young boy, someone ready to move up in the world of service, they would be perfect. Or an older bloke whose battles are being him but can still use his hands and seeks to spend the last few years of his life with an honorable profession. But who does Carson bring here instead?' Robert snorted. 'Useless clods who are all fingers and no thumbs who wouldn't know a brush from their own ass.'
Robert sighed, unbuttoning his shirt as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. His lips were pressed in a firm little line and he could see a bit of redness in his cheeks from his angry thoughts. He knew he should calm down and take his time, that he wasn't expecting the first of their guests to arrive for another hour, but his frustrations still got the better of him and as he began to rebutton his shirt he couldn't help but think of all the problems plaguing Downton. Of the mishandled staff and the poor conditions and just how far the grand house had fallen.
'I will need to take time to discuss this with Carson. I know he does well, better than anyone else I could get. Many estates are having troubles far worse than ours. I heard Greystone lost its butler and underbulter to the war and are left with a valet who should be retired to run things. And the Moorshires had to cancel a dinner because they lacked footmen to serve and their sole valet came down with the flu. Carson has done well keeping things at least moving as they should but that doesn't excuse slipping on the job. And the war is no excuse.' Tucking his shirt in Robert shook his head in remorse. He hated thinking bad about Carson, or any of the staff really, but it was his duty as the Earl of Grantham to look beyond his personal views and instead think solely on what mattered for the estate. Its upkeep and its image. It had to be protected, maintain. It would do no good for any of them if he let it fall. The lives ruined, careers ended, the scandal. No, he had to close his heart off to loyalty save to the loyalty he held to his family name and family home.
'The truth of the matter is,' Robert thought, 'Carson's choices in new hires have been rather questionable for a while now. Branson was a troublemaker from the start. Oh yes, his references were fine enough but how could Carson not know of his political leanings?'
While he would never admit it to a soul Robert had taken to having Carson quietly get Sir Michael's papers so he might see what the man who had come into his home only to betray him by filling his wayward daughters' minds with lies and false promises thought of the world. Robert had been shocked when he had discovered that Edith was writing for the paper and even more so about her views. While never as much of a traditionalist like Mary she hadn't been a radical either. She had respected how the world was and what was required of her and done so with a smile. Pleasant and happy and understanding in her duty. To read her articles though and see her liberal views of the world and the rights of women and her thoughts on the war had been shocking and left him utterly flabbergasted that his daughter could ever type such things. He'd come to believe that she was merely lending her name to the articles out of some misguided love for the newspaperman and that it was Sir Michael himself who was writing the pieces; mama had seen fit to kill that theory dead. She had seen Edith at the paper and told him that her views were her own. Robert did not doubt his mother was telling him the truth as she found it so much more enjoyable to kill with honest words than to use lies that could be uncovered. Had he been right she would have never said a word.
If Edith's part in the paper had been shocking then Branson's had been horror inducing. To see the vile, traitorous words the man wrote and know that once he'd allowed the man to live on his property and to drive him about made Robert feel shame and hatred he didn't know was possible. Every article was a mockery of him and Robert was sure many in his social circle were cackling in delight at his misfortune of being the Earl who had hired the Irish Radical who now made his living betraying the Western World. Branson had been Carson's responsibility and he had utterly failed in ensuring his character was such worthy to be in Downton.
'Is it little surprise he so willingly helped the girls flee?' Robert thought to himself. It still bothered him the Murray had refused to get the police involved. When he'd learned that Branson had taken the girls to the Crawley House and then the train station he'd wanted the man brought up on charges of theft. For him to be thrown in a cell for daring to take from him, for betraying Downton. Bur Murray had shot down his desires, stating that Robert himself had told Branson to drive the girls where they wished to go and he'd never given the order for him to stop. As such Branson had merely done as commanded and he'd sent a telegram to the house reporting where the car was along with his resignation. To have Branson arrested would only make things worse as it would give the girls a platform to air their grivences. Oh, the public would have sided with him, of course, seeing that he was just in his desire to keep traitors from staying within Downton, and the girls would have been embarrassed and brought to heel. But not before they did damage to his social standing and Murray had convinced him that was enough to let Branson off for taking the car.
As for betraying Downton there was nothing the law could do about that.
Which meant the British legal system was sorely flawed.
'But then again they let that coward Matthew be a lawyer so why am I surprised?' Looking over the shoulders and front of his jacket he saw they had become dusty again and he set to work running the brush over the fabric, mimicking how Bates had cleaned his clothes. He'd seen the man do it a thousand times and it seemed like such a simple thing but Robert still found it so very odd to do. 'Bates… now that was probably the last smart hire Carson made. And he didn't even make it! I'm the one that suggested it! If it were up to Carson I'd have stuck with Watson. Offered him whatever he wanted. Humf. That man thought he was far better than he was. Bates was humble but skilled… he knew just what to do and did so quietly and efficiently. He spoke when he needed to and he let me talk when that was what I desired.' Robert anger dropped and with it came sadness. God, how he missed that man. Bates had been perfect at the job, letting Robert feel like he had a true ally in the house that did not see him as the young master or as the old doddering fool that he knew some of the younger staff liked to snicker about. Bates knew who he was, his strength and his character, and had easily slotted himself into Robert's life perfectly. Oh, he couldn't do everything a valet should do, what Carson would have wanted. No acting as a third footman on busy nights or handling luggage but when one was as skilled as Bates that was to be forgiven! The man was just that good.
And then he'd left them. Left Downton. Left Robert.
'Carson should have nipped that right in the bud,' Robert thought darkly as he inspected his jacket one more time, finally satisfied that it was lint free. 'Allowing the staff to get familiar like that… unheard of! Simply unheard of! What next, keep the door to the women's rooms unlocked so that any trumped up Casanova can stroll in? Or maybe allow them to just share rooms together? Why not just allow the staff to kiss each other right in the middle of the servants' hall?' Robert clenched his fist and forced himself to breathe, to not get overly worked up. 'I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps Bates and Anna were rather careful. It could have happened right under his nose. But if I find out another couple has formed downstairs without my permission then Carson and I will discuss his continued work at Downton. If he can not control the staff and get them to understand their place then I will find a butler who will!'
The problem was that Downton had to be stable and it simply wasn't, not anymore. Too many changes, too many people leaving and arriving. There was no way for things to settle, to find level ground. The war had driven the entire world into a swirling cauldron of madness but Downton was supposed to be a refuge from that. A place where one could forget the nightmares of the outside world and remember that there was still stability and peace to be found in corners of the world. The Germans wanted to take that away, to make all of existence function on their schedules. And for a people that prided themselves on precision all Robert saw was anarchy in their methods. English ideals would win the day and prove themselves superior but how could they do that when places like Downton were in turmoil. If the estate could not continue on as it always had it was a victory for the Germans, that much was sure!
Robert ran his hands along the dress jacket and began to make sure all the straps were properly in place. It wouldn't do to look like some slack jawed bumpkin who'd found the coat in the trash and slipped it on just to make himself look important. He was an officer. A Colonel! A…
A…
'A joke,' he thought, bitterness and depression filling his veins as he looked at himself, disgust suddenly flowing through his body. He was exactly what the regiment wanted: a perfect little doll to dress up and showcase to people. A prized dog, no different than Isis, groomed for the delight of the audience and sent to walk about and do some tricks and then given a pat on the head when he was all done.
He looked back at how he had crowed to Cora and felt like an utter fool. He'd been so delighted that the army wanted him back, was ready to march into battle and prove himself… and then the truth had been cruelly revealed to him. Like a man walking through what he thought was a great ballroom only for the curtains to be pulled back and reveal he was in a rotting barn so too had Robert been shown to all to be a naïve dullard. He remembered the heat on his cheeks as he'd been told that his promotion was little more than something to liven up parties. How there would be no victory and valor in his future, merely dinners where he was brought out for entertainment. The mascot tasked with bucking up spirits.
And worst of all they thought they were doing him a favor! A favor! Keeping him away from the front was a gift in their minds. All the men at the club had reacted with horror when he'd told them he was ready to ship out. They'd reassured him, like one would a scared child, that they wouldn't do something so 'cruel'. That he was to remain in England, safe and sound. That they'd never force him to the Continent. They'd done it out of kindness, out of mercy.
How he hated them all in that moment.
Mercy. Kindness. Their belief that they were doing him some grand favor. It was like rotten food upon his tongue. He couldn't even feel justified in his anger and rage because in their hearts they had believed they were doing something wonderful and noble for him. Protecting him. They didn't see that he needed to be out there, had to be on the field, proving Downton's worth. They had merely given him the title without any of the dignity it deserved. Because they wanted to wrap him up like the finest crystal and only bring him out for special events.
'Or it's because of Matthew,' he thought to himself bitterly as he ran his hands along his sides, pushing away any left over wrinkles and creases. 'They know he is a coward and now his acts have stained my good name. If he had gone to serve they would have seen how brave Crawley men were and begged me to lead the charge. Longed for more of our blood to be out there, winning the day! But instead I am stuck in England, a pariah because of that coward.' His face twisted in frustration and he smacked his dresser with his palm. 'I told Mary this would happen… I told her! But did she believe me? Of course not… she always believed that she knew more than the rest of the world. It didn't matter how old she was she always believed she had far greater wisdom that she actually had. Blinded by her own preconceived notions to see the reality of the world. Her arrogance never letting her see what was truly happening; living in a fantasy world of her own making!'
Moving out of his room and down the hall Robert continued to dwell on the slings and arrows that had been cast on him and his reputation. He wondered what other factors might have led to the disrespect he suffered. He pushed aside Matthew, deciding to be magnanimous to the yellow-bellied worm and see if there might be some reason other than his pathetic actions that might have caused Robert's shaming. He quickly ruled out anything he had personally done; he still retained good standing at the club in London and certainly hadn't mocked or insulted anyone of importance. No cutting words that would see a man strike out in revenge against him. Cora could always have sent a letter to someone but that he doubted very much. She had been upset with the thought of him going to the front but he did not image her so cruel as to trick him like this. And mama, as acidic as her tongue could be, would not utter shameful comments to people as she understood that his failure would reflect badly on her.
'Something my children never learned,' he thought with glum annoyance. 'Rosamund is a possibility, as she has been far too loose with her words of late, but she has been blacklisted so greatly I doubt there is anyone of importance in London that even knows her name… or would admit to knowing.' He paused at an intersection of hallways and balled his right hand into a fist. 'But the girls… they must have done something. Perhaps they made jest of the military in a show of solidarity with Matthew. Mocked those brave lads to the wrong person. Or they allowed their tempers and their tongues to say far too much and enraged the wrong person!' He shut his eyes as a thought dawned on him and his stomach fell to his knees. 'Worst still… seeing how they behaved and how they rebelled against me removed all sense that I could effectively command soldiers! Oh, now I know it is that!' He could practically hear the generals mocking the very idea of placing him on the field, for if he couldn't even control his children how could he ever hope to control strong brave lads? How could he gain their respect when they knew he'd failed to command his daughters' loyalty? A man's home is his kingdom… and what kind of king was Robert if he couldn't bring his daughters to heel?
'It is that… them and Matthew. The architects of my failure. Their actions have done just what I have feared and now any hope of Downton being able to rise above their sins is dashed!' Robert began to march forward, lifting his head up and squaring his shoulders. 'NO! I won't give up like they did! I am Robert Crawely and I will prove, starting tonight, that I am not the man they think me to be! I will show that I am worth of this rank and they will all see the error of their ways. That I am not Mary or Edith or Sybil or that traitor Matthew! I will show them all!'
Filled with new determination Robert headed down stairs and stopped in the foyer, waiting with strong posture and dignified grace for the first of the army officials to arrive. Carson was manning the door, looking a solid as ever and for a moment Robert could believe that nothing had changed and his dark thoughts on Carson's abilities had merely been him using the poor man as a punching bag. And the more he thought about it the more he realized that Carson wasn't completely to blame for all that happened. No, once more that could be laid at Matthew and the girls' feet. Who would want to work at a house of scandal such as Downton? Certainly not him, if he were of their station. He'd want to work at an estate where the heir was a brave war hero, not a sniveling coward afraid of getting a little cold and dirty.
'The poor chap,' Robert thought to himself, forcing his face to remain neutral. 'It isn't his fault this happened. And he always favored Mary so seeing her betray us must have struck him hard. But of course he would never say a word against her because it would reflect badly on all of us.' Robert mentally nodded to himself as William brought in the first set of luggage, the generals filing in. 'I will need to have a talk with him, to let him know I don't blame him for any of this. Things must change, of course, but I will make clear it isn't his fault for getting the best from a pile of rubbish.'
Robert warmly greeted the first group and thanked them for coming. He didn't detect any annoyance or incrimination in their words as they thanked him for putting on the event and the money he would be donating. No, they all merely complimented him and Downton, expressing how lovely his home was and how welcomed they had already been made to feel and how wonderful the night would be, a pleasant distraction from London and the War. It made Robert feel much better to know he might have some allies after all.
The second group came, three this time, and the first two were just as much all smiles and warm words. It was the final one, the one who lingered near the door looking anywhere but in Robert's direction that gave him pause. The man wasn't acting ashamed as one might expect from the way he darted his eyes about. No… there was something else there… an anger, as if in his eyes Robert was a foul enemy he refused to give the dignity of attention-
He froze, finally remembering who the man was.
General Allen Lothrop. The man that had given Matthew his coward's way out.
A dark seething filled Robert's stomach.
He remembered what mama had told him. How the girls, after fleeing from Downton like the immature children they were, had sought out General Lothrop for aide. And rather than do the proper thing and bring them back to their father so they might be punished for their insolence and then brought back into the fold, the man had stuck his nose into Robert's business and allowed the girls to live under his roof. He had prolonged their exile, ensured they didn't truly feel the weight of their actions. What did it matter that they had been cut off when that busybody happily paid for all their desires? Rather than know what it was like to be cold and hungry and return to Downton properly chastised and ashamed for what they had done they had been allowed to stay in London. What should have been a few days of suffering that would make them understand how gravely they had sinned and how much they had taken Downton for granted had become two years of smug entitlement, believing they were justified.
General Lothrop had done that. Just as he had allowed Matthew a way to continue his cowardice. Any other man in the army would have heard Matthew's reasons and seen him for the frightful lickspit he was and utterly refused his help. He would have cast him away rather than sully himself with his presence. Lothrop should have grabbed Matthew by the ear the moment he came up with his mad scheme and marched him to the recruiting office and forced him to enlist on the Front. A firm hand… that is what the coward needed. Maybe if the General had been a stronger man he would have prevented all that had happened from occurring. Instead he had coddled the upstart lawyer and allowed him to avoid his duty. He had disgraced his uniform and betrayed his nation!
'And he is the one that is given high honors while I am embarrassed?'
The General finally looked his way when it was clear it was his turn to make a greeting and when Robert saw his eyes something occurred to him. Lothrop was aiding the girls and Matthew. For whatever sick, twisted, traitorous reason he had decided to side with them over King and Country. But just how much did he side with them? Was it merely offering room and board? Or something more? The man had connections… he was high up in the War Office. He could easily dictate directions and those below him would see them done without question… and never revealed his role.
'He did it,' Robert thought, the conclusion striking him like a thunderbolt. 'He's the reason I'm not going to the Front! He told them not to ship me out! He found out what they were planning and altered my marching orders.' The General grimaced slightly but began to approach. 'Or he is the one that decided to promote me to begin with… but always planned for it to be an honorary title. A slap in the face, a grand joke against me.' Robert set his jaw. 'He set me up.'
He wanted to hit him. He wanted to drive his fist into his nose and feel it break against his knuckles. Then he wanted to have Carson toss him out of Downton, bleeding and battered and knowing he was not welcomed.
But Robert didn't give in.
Not just because he knew that a coward like Lothrop would use such actions, no matter how justified, and twist them to have Robert get in trouble with the law. No, he would not strike him because that would lower him to his level. Robert would prove he had far more honor than him and he would humble and shame the man by showing that his breeding trumped any false power Lothrop had wrapped himself in.
"Welcome to Downton, General Lothrop."
"Thank you for having me," the General said, extending his hand. No compliments, no talk of joy and warm wishes to his host. Only the most bare minimum of greetings. He didn't even use Robert's title.
Robert took the man's hand and squeezed as hard as he could. "Of course, unlike the other generals this isn't your first time being here." The General did nothing and Robert applied a bit more pressure to his handshake. "How long as it been? Two years? Quite a long time to not be in a place filled with tradition. I don't know how I'd handle it."
Lothrop smiled slightly… and squeezed back.
Robert felt pain shoot up his arm and heard the bones in his hand creek and crack.
"Yes… filled with tradition and so many new baubles and trinkets." Refusing to let go Lothrop looked about, lips pursed as he stared at each wall, holding his gaze on random pieces that Robert had acquired and decorated the halls with. "And yet despite being filled with some many of those pretty things… it feels all the emptier." He finally released Robert's hand. "But I suppose that happens when one is in your… situation."
Forcing himself not to flap his battered hand about in an attempt to get the circulation flowing once more Robert stood all the taller, looking the army man directly in the eye. "I can see why you would think that. When you don't understand the history and tradition that such things have it is easy to dismiss them. All a matter of education. I would be happy to enlighten you."
The General merely smiled back with eyes as cold as black diamonds. "I'm afraid I won't have the time for a grand tour, Lord Grantham. Thought I would love to learn more about this place… I have heard so much about it in these last two years." He began to walk away, looking up at the ceiling while Robert chewed on that soft insult. "I remember hearing once that grand estates like this represent their masters… that you can tell the character of one by the other. I don't know if that is true though… as I find Downton rather cold and hollow. Well put together, yes, pleasant to look at… but lacking a vitality… a virtue. Soulless." He turned and narrowed his eyes for just a moment.
Robert, refusing to go down that path and allow the man to take more shots at him, turned to another topic. That was the problem with Lothrop waiting to be last; now there was no one pressing him to hurry up and the two could exchange "pleasantries" as much as they wanted. "I hear things have been busy for you. Dealing with all sorts of muck with the war and other parts of your… life." What he was hinting at was clear to both of them as the General's eyes flashed with rage for a moment before he caught himself.
"Yes… though I would more say I am blessed. I opened myself up to new things and I've been rewarded. I've gotten to know good people and count them as friends… as family. Amazing what you can gain when you have an open mind. Luckily for you there is just so much free time in your life now, isn't there? Plenty of time to grow and explore. New hobbies, new connections. Just so much time filling the hours of your day."
Now Robert narrowed his eyes. "I find ways to help. I just became a colonel."
Lothrop didn't take the bait. "Well, I wish I could stay but I should meet with the others."
"Perhaps we'll talk again," Robert stated.
Lothrop didn't even bother to look at him as he walked away.
"I would count on it."
"May you enjoy the hospitality of Downton."
"Oh, I will and I must. I do believe this will become like a second home to me… after all… I am very close to your heir."
And with that he was gone.
~A~O~O~O~F~
Author's Notes: And I'd dare say Round One goes to the General!
Now for Round Two… for the night is young.
But not next chapter. Sorry folks. Next chapter we jump back to London where Mary and Matthew get to have a cozy dinner, discuss their future, and may or may no end up naked by the end.
Onto our plot bunny which is inspired by reviewer ClaireR89. An alternate take on this story, during the Series 3 finale Mary begins to have trouble in childbirth while Matthew has briefly left to retrieve something she asked for (I'm thinking the good luck dog she gave him). Sadly she, like Sybil, suffers complications and passes away giving birth to George. At that very moment Matthew's car is struck by another driver and he too dies.
Fate, deciding that it can't handle such tragedy, decides to step in and send them both back to the day they met. Now, you could just go with this… have Matthew and Mary see each other, instantly confuse everyone when they begin to kiss and hold hands (you could do it at dinner, so they are utterly clueless why everyone is staring at them oddly when they are so comfortable with each other and then utterly SCANDALIZED when they go off to have sex.
But… ClaireR89 came up with a delicious twist. See, Fate made an oopsie. Mary and Matthew went back… but their souls ended up swapping.
Now there are two ways this could happen. The first would be that Matthew is now Robert's heir, having grown up in Downton and thus Patrick was never heir. Mary, meanwhile, is Isobel's daughter and they've moved to Crawley house for… reasons (maybe the death of Patrick made Robert want to bring what family he has left closer. Maybe Isobel and Mary saved Edith when she was in London, the family learned of their connection, and it was decided that they would move to the village). But you have a world where Matthew is the elite and Mary is the middle class girl. How would that change things.
ClaireR89's idea? They swap bodies. Matthew wakes up as Lady Mary Crawley and Mary waked up as Matthew Crawley.
And oh boy the comedy from that. Not only from the two dealing with being each other but also that, again, they remember their previous life. And if you don't think Mary, as Matthew, wouldn't raise some eyebrows with her brash way while Edith and Sybil would be gobsmacked by a kinder Matthew as Mary…
Just a ton of potential.
