Downton Abbey was bustling with noise and movement and work even before the first light crested over the treetops. Horses and dogs arrived before their masters, and servants, both of the house and sent ahead by guests, prepared for a grand hunt. Dogs barked and bayed, horses and their tack were tended to, and rooms were stripped and made afresh. Ms. Patmore worked feverishly on enough treats to feed an army, and that didn't even account for the grand luncheon and dinner to come.
Even upstairs, the house buzzed with life. Father had woken with the sun and was basking in the chaos of a hunt, greeting every dog and laughing with every stable hand and kennel master. Most of the ladies of the house were slower to awake, but even more determined to make a good show of the day. Even Sybil, still not out and thus not able to participate in today's events, was eager to help her sisters start this bustling day off on a good foot.
Naturally, Edith was the first to be ready as Cora continued to fuss over Mary. Dressed in a dark hunting jacket and forest green cravat, Edith felt quite out of her element. But here she stood, trying not to look too frightened as she hesitantly stroked her bay gelding and greeted every arriving Lord, praying at once that Matthew would arrive soon and also that he would never come. She truly hated riding.
"Edith!" A voice called out.
"Matthew," Edith grimaced, turning to look at the blond as he emerged from the crowd.
"Well don't look too pleased to see me," Matthew nervously chuckled, looking as insecure as she felt. His eyes darted back and forth, looking around at all the gathered nobles like they were the hounds and he the fox. Some of the nobles seemed to share similar views. They were eyeing him up from their gathered circles, searching for any weakness in Grantham's new heir. At least Matthew looked quite dapper in his red hunting coat. An upper class heir in appearance if not in truth.
"I am glad to see you," Edith tried to sooth him, focusing on his nerves over her own helped. "I almost thought you had run off."
"Well, shockingly, I didn't own a hunting jacket before this week so I had to wait for it to be fitted. Nearly thought I got out of this, but Molesley is unfortunately quite industrious when motivated."
"Well, now that you're here, I can begin introducing you to some people."
"Wonderful," Matthew said, not at all pleased. "Will I get to meet this new suitor of Mary's?"
"And how do you know about that?"
"In our invitation to dinner, your mother mentioned a Turkish gentleman and a Lord's "charming son". It doesn't take much thought to figure that out."
"No, subtly is not Mother or Mary's strong suit," Edith sighed. "Evelyn Napier is his name. He nor his friend are here yet, but they will be. They are the only ones staying the night. The rest will leave after luncheon."
"So only a morning dealing with all," Matthew waved towards the chaos around them, "this?"
"Trust me," Edith said, "it will seem longer than you think. Now let me introduce you to Lord Grisby first. He is a kind man, but take my advice, do not mention his horse. She's his pride and joy, and he won't let you leave without extolling all her virtues if you give him the chance."
"I'll keep that in mind," Matthew nodded, bowing slightly and motioning her forward. "Lead the way, m'lady."
The next hour was spent mingling between circles of lords, making pleasant small talk and subtly encouraging Matthew where she could. He was truly doing marvelously for his first time. He was still himself, honest, bold, quick to state his opinions whether they were the general public's or not, but he balanced it out with a grace Edith hadn't seen from him before. He took her cues in stride, was quick to pick up on how to mirror the greetings and compliments given him, and actively avoided putting his foot too far down his throat. Most of the gentlemen seemed to like him. Aman who hunted couldn't be all bad even if he was middle class after all. Any social blunder he made, Edith was quick to cajole over, and soon Father joined them as well and proudly began introducing Matthew to his friends as the new heir to Downton.
With Matthew's foot well in the door and Father taking charge, Edith fell back to clamber upon her gelding. She was not nearly as graceful as Mary who had at last joined them and was perched upon her dark mare with the grace of a queen. She had been watching Matthew with feigned disinterest for a while, but now her eyes were looking about for her newest conquest, Evelyn Napier. Poor man, soon to be overlooked for his own guest, but he wasn't her problem. This was Mary's circus after all. She doubted she would become involved until dinner. That was the hope at least, a hope soon dashed.
"Lady Mary?" A deep voice said. Edith turned sharply in her saddle to see a young gentleman riding up beside her. He had a strong jaw, kind eyes, and a full head of neat, dark hair. He tipped his hat at her gaze, and for just a moment Edith forgot every word she ever knew. Evelyn Napier was more handsome than she imagined. And to think, this was the one Mary ignored.
"Mr. Napier, good morning," Edith found herself saying. "I'm afraid you have the wrong sister. I am the younger, Lady Edith Crawley."
"Lady Edith, I apologize for my mistake. I was told only one beautiful lady would be joining us during the hunt," Mr. Napier said abashedly. "I don't believe we have been formally introduced. I can't recall seeing you in London before."
"I don't attend as many London functions as my sister," Edith said. Nor am I invited to, she added in her mind. "Mary is the social one, and I am the wallflower who prefers country life. We likely haven't run in the same circles before now."
"I would hardly call you a wallflower. I would have remembered you if we had met properly, so we must change that. Evelyn Napier, at your service," the man said, reaching out to gently take her hand in greeting. "I look forward to getting to know you during our stay, Lady Edith."
"As do I, Mr. Napier." Edith smiled as she pulled back her gloved hand.
"Mr. Napier," Mary called, riding up beside them on her mare. To him, she gave an inviting smile. To her, she cast a look of suspicion. "I was beginning to give up on you. We're moving off. But I see you have met my dear little sister."
"Yes, an introduction long overdue," Napier nodded, tipping his cap to Mary. "It is good to see you again, Lady Mary. We were fools not to accept your mother's invitation and send the horses down early. As it is, my groom only got here an hour or two ago, and my mount's as jumpy as a deb at her first ball."
"It's good that you got here in time," Edith smiled halfheartedly, looking around for Matthew or some other excuse to leave the two suitors alone. Ideally, before Pamuk became involved as well.
"What about Pamuk?" Mary asked. "I gather if he takes a tumble, you will be endangering world peace."
"Don't worry about Kemal. He knows what he's doing on a horse," Napier said.
"Well, I must-" Edith began making her excuses to leave, seeing Matthew mounting his horse through the crowd, only for Mary to cut in.
"Where is he?"
"Fussing, I suspect." Napier's eyes flickered between the sisters with an expression Edith couldn't read. "He's rather a dandy."
"Well, I can see him now," joked Mary lightly. "A funny little foreigner with a wide, toothy grin and hair reeking with pomade."
"Mary," Edith snapped, becoming involved in the conversation dispite herself. "Continue to speak like that and it will be you endangering world peace. I'm sure our guest is nothing of the sort."
"We shall see," Mary huffed.
"That we will," Napier nodded behind them. "Here he is now."
Edith and Mary turned as one to see the young man confidently riding towards them. Beautiful, bold, and holding a sort of exotic charm unknown to the English gentry of the era. He was unusual and desirable, and he clearly knew it too.
"Lady Mary Crawley, I presume?" He spoke smoothly and eloquently with only a hint of his rich, Turkish accent. He lifted his hat from his head in greeting, showing off his head of thick dark curls. Certainly no funny foreigner that Mary spoke so glibly off.
"You presume right," Mary breathed. Her eyes grew wide with interest and surprise. Edith's own narrowed in suspicion and distaste. This was the scum determined to ruin her sister, and she could not let him win.
"Sorry to be so disheveled. We've been on a train since dawn, and we had to change in a shed," Pamuk said.
"You don't look disheveled to me," Mary flirted, looking up and down at the Turk.
"Kemal," Napier said. "You have met Lady Mary, but this is her sister, Lady Edith Crawley."
"Ah, Lady Edith. A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Pamuk glanced at her with a dazzling smile before returning to look at Mary. Clearly, thankfully, dismissing her.
"Welcome to Downton, Mr. Pamuk," Edith said, not bothering to correct her facial expression as he wasn't looking at her anyway. "I do hope you enjoy our hunt and our home."
"Oh," Pamuk smiled at Mary. "I am sure I will find it a wonderful experience." Mary returned his smile happily, but Napier seemed far from pleased as he looked at the little group.
Suddenly, a horn rang out loud and clear. The dogs began to bark and bay anew, and Edith held tight to her horse to keep him in line. The hunt was about to begin.
Immediately, Mary brightened and turned her horse to ride ahead. She avoided the servant who had been following behind her until now. "Lynch, you don't have to stay with me."
"But his Lordship asked me to," Lynch argued.
"It's a waste of your day," Mary called, looking at her two suitors. "Help Mr. Napier's men get their things back to the house."
"His Lordship said-" Lynch protested but Mary was already riding off.
"We'll make it our business to keep her from harm," Pamuk assured. "I promise." And with that he chased after the brunette.
"Will you be alright?" Napier asked her, hesitating before joining the chase for Mary.
"Don't worry about me," Edith said, watching as Pamuk chased after Mary in the distance. "Take care of her, that's all I ask."
"Don't worry," Napier nodded resolutely, turning his horse to chase after his suitor and friend. "I'll look after her."
"Good," Edith nodded, watching as the three and a couple of the most fervent hunters took the lead. After the rest of the huntsmen began their pursuit, leaving Edith as one of the last to look longingly back at Downton's warm halls. In a moment, Matthew rode up to her on his chestnut mount.
"Shall we get this over with?" He said over the fading cries of the dogs and shouts of the men.
"If we must," Edith sighed. "Let's go hunt that poor fox."