"There it is!" Evelyn called out over the wind. His arm stretched forward as the motor car ascended the final hill. "Branksome. Home."
It was beautiful. A large manor house made of contrasting warm bricks and cool grey stone. The outer walls were accented by large beams of wood stretching up to gabled roofs and a multitude of chimneys. The whole house seemed to wrap around a courtyard with the main house and two wings built around it in a sort of half circle.
The rest of the countryside seemed quite drab in comparison, all brown dead oak trees and muddy brown hills, but the house itself burst with life. Dozens of golden and orange maples stood in the courtyard and around the house. Evergreen bushes and holly were at every corner, and dark green ivy climbed the foundation and fences. Branksome seemed warm and inviting, a place of life and light in the late October gloom. It was beautiful, and Edith wanted to do nothing more than to turn and run.
"It's lovely," Rosamund called back to Evelyn.
"Wonderful," Edith muttered, ringing her hands in her skirt.
"Speak up," Rosamund chuffed, sending one of her typical judgemental looks her way. "He can't hear you above the wind."
Edith ignored her and didn't bother to repeat herself. Just because her aunt was right didn't mean Edith had to obey her or like her for pointing it out. Honestly, she didn't remember Rosamund being half as aggravating in the show as in real life.
Rosamund let out a scornful huff before turning back to the man in the front seat, a polite smile and friendly tone hiding her innate personality. "I see it was built in the Tudor style. Is it original to your family?"
"Original. Branksome is nearly as old as the Vicountship itself," Evelyn called back. "The title and some of the land was allotted to a knight ancestor who fought for the crown during the Pilgrimage of Grace. The house was built by his grandson during the reign of Queen Elizabeth about fifty years later."
"Well," Rosamund said. "He must have been quite the man to build such a splendid house."
"How did he get the money?" Edith asked. Rosamund gave her a look of complete displeasure and despair. "I mean, as a landed knight of a small province, he shouldn't have had that much to spare on a manor."
"We don't know truly. The third Viscount is the source of most family lore. Some stories say he funded privateers and shared their profits, others say he earned it fighting in the Netherlands, and a few say he was- Well, ah," Evelyn stuttered for a moment. A red blush overtaking the top of his cheeks. "A few say he was a good… companion to the Queen."
"Oh my," Edith snorted. Rosamund looked even more unimpressed.
"I assume it has been updated since then," Rosamund said.
"Yes," Evelyn nodded. "The inside is more King George the fourth than Good Queen Bess. In the 1820's the two wings were added and the main house was updated. Not much has changed since, except for a few modern necessities Mother insisted on. Napier men aren't much for change."
"Like you?" Edith asked, the bitterness seeping into her tone.
"Yes," Evelyn frowned, looking back at Edith, but she didn't meet his eyes. "I suppose so."
The motor car rolled on. Edith felt the eyes of both her aunt and betrothed. She heard Rosamund's scoff and saw the sadness in Evelyn's posture. The only person in the car who seemed unaffected by the tension was the chauffeur who silently drove them up to the front gates of Branksome.
A host of servants stood at attention. The men bowed stiffly and women curtsied holding their starched aprons as the motor car came to a halt. Before the throng of servants, four people stood apart. The Napier family.
"Chin up," Rosamund whispered as the chauffeur opened her door. "and don't say anything too- Well, too you."
With that, Rosamund stepped from the car, back straight and chin high with confidence and poise. Edith couldn't help but envy her as she held back in the false safety of the car. Here, she was away from the prying eyes and probing questions. Here, she could be herself. Here, she didn't have to pretend to be confident and happy about becoming part of this family.
But that was what she agreed to when she accepted Evelyn's proposal, wasn't it? If she was to be his wife, this house would be her home and his family would be her family. That was what was expected of her. She couldn't back down now. Not when she had so many questions left to answer.
"Edith?" Edith looked up to see Evelyn holding the car door. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Edith said, sitting straighter and attempting a smile. "I'm just… it's rather stressful to meet new people… your family."
Evelyn's face softened, lines of worry dissolving into understanding. "I know, I felt quite the same with your father. But I know you will do brilliantly."
"And if I don't?"
Evelyn didn't answer for a moment. He thoughtfully slid his fingers up and down the edge of the door before admitting. "As nice as their approval would be, I don't need it to marry you."
"Truly?"
"Truly," Evelyn nodded. "Although, I would still rather us try. And that does mean getting out of the car."
"Does it? That is unfortunate. I'm rather comfortable here."
"Please. For me?" Evelyn asked, a hand outstretched to help her from the safe confines of the vehicle.
"See if you really want to be his wife," Sybil's voice rang in Edith's ears. "See if you love him, and, if you do, you will meet his expectations."
"Alright," Edith said, hesitantly taking his hand. "For you."
Evelyn smiled warmly as he helped her out of the motor car. He linked their arms tightly as they walked around the trunk where the footmen had begun unloading their luggage. Immediately, Edith felt the eyes of the staff, Aunt Rosamund, and all four members of the Napier family focus on them.
"It's alright. You will do wonderfully," Evelyn whispered, squeezing her arm gently. "Just… please don't mind- Ah!"
"Evelyn!" A feminine voice called. Edith barely had time to react before a figure threw themself into Evelyn's arms.
"K-katherine," Evelyn gasped, falling back a step at the speed and strength at which the person had embraced him. "I was barely gone a week."
"A week that lasted forever," the figure, a girl, laughed before linking her arm with Evelyn's, making her a parallel of Edith's own position.
The girl was stunning, wild and beautiful like some nymph of Greek mythology. Unlike Mary's chiseled, cold beauty, the girl radiated light and warmth and softness. Her light brown curls flew artfully windswept around an open, heart shaped face. Green doe eyes sparkled in excitement under long lashes and plump pink lips stretched into an amused smile as she pulled Evelyn, and by extension Edith, toward the Napier family.
"Katherine!" A voice barked in displeasure. Edith looked up to see a man remarkably resembling Evelyn. The only differences between them were that the older man's hair was grey and his face was etched in stern lines.
The older Evelyn leaned rather severely on the woman by his side. She was an elegantly dressed older woman with a delicate, doll-like face and silver streaked in her dark locks. She supported her husband with one arm, using the other to playfully bat at his chest.
"Let her be, dear." The woman chuffed. "Katie is just excited to see Evelyn return home. You know how close they are."
"Father, Mother," Evelyn said stiffly, nodding his head in greeting to the couple.
"Son," the older gentleman mirrored.
"So formal you two," the woman sighed with a shake of her head before turning to look at Edith and Rosamund. "Don't mind them. They are always so stuffy. Welcome to our home!"
"Thank you," Edith said through a tight smile.
"You are very kind, Lady Napier, for allowing us into your home," Rosamund said, gazing critically at Edith and the energetic "Katie" who still hung off Evelyn's other arm.
"Why of course. My husband was insistent we invite you," Lady Napier smiled sweetly. "Goodness, you both look so alike! It's hard to tell which is the aunt and which is the niece."
"Mother," Evelyn muttered, red staining his cheekbones. Edith felt her own flush rise at being compared to a woman nearly thirty years her senior.
"Alright, alright, I won't poke fun. But do introduce us properly, dear."
"Edith, these are my parents, Viscount Philip Napier and Viscountess Eleanor Napier. Along with my cousins, Miss Katherine Napier and Mister Henry Napier." Evelyn motioned to the four in order. Lord and Lady Napier nodded and smiled, and Katherine waved gayly at Edith from the other side of Evelyn.
The last member of the family, Henry Napier, was a rather handsome young man. He shared his sisters light brown curls and green eyes, although his were hidden behind glasses. He seemed a number of years younger than Evelyn, but older than Katherine. He only nodded minutely and replied with a reserved, "Charmed."
"And this," Evelyn continued, "is my fiance, Lady Edith Crawley, and her aunt Lady Rosamund Pinswick."
"It's wonderful to meet you all," Edith said.
"Welcome to Branksome, Lady Pinswick, Lady Edith," Lord Napier said solemnly.
"Thank you. I'm glad we have a chance to meet at last."
"Likewise," Katherine replied cheerfully. "Evelyn has spoken so much about you."
"Katie, no need to exaggerate," Lady Napier laughed. "We all know Evelyn doesn't speak "so much" about anything near as interesting. Just politics and newspapers."
"I-I suppose that's why we get on," Edith said, looking back and forth between the two laughing women and an embarrassed Evelyn.
"Yes, that is the one thing he said about you," Lady Napier said, a flicker of something unpleasant on her face before it faded back to a smile. "And of course, I know you, Lady Pinswick. I believe we shared the same debut, did we not?"
"Yes," Rosamund smiled politely. "It would be hard to forget. You were the most popular girl in the room that night. And many more after that."
"You're too kind! You were quite the charmer yourself. You still are if what I hear from London is true."
"Rumors can be quite exaggerated."
"Perhaps." Lady Napier smiled again before motioning for a maid from the silent line of staff. "I'm sure you ladies are exhausted. Fiona will see you both to your rooms to freshen up, and dinner will be served shortly."
"Yes, that would be much appreciated," Rosamund said, as Lord and Lady Napier began leading them all into the house.
Branksome was as beautiful inside as it was out. The main entrance was all white paneled walls with intricate trim, arched doorways, and a multitude of fine paintings. The bold colors of the paintings and expensive rugs stood out beautifully against the white walls and dark wood floor.
Lord and Lady Napier went through one of the arches. Lord Philip leaned heavily on his lady wife the whole way, but his back remained straight and proud. Behind them, Henry walked and Katherine pulled Evelyn along. She barely gave him a chance to send her a worried glance before he disappeared with his family, leaving Edith to follow the maid and her aunt up to their rooms.
As they ascended the grand staircase, a lovely piece with the dark wood steps and a finely carved white railing, Edith noticed the portraits lining the walls. Rather than the nature scenes that consumed the lower hall, the steps themselves were lined with people. Some seemed ancient, some recent, many with matching eyes or a similar nose that Edith recognized from Evelyn's own face.
At the first bend in the staircase Edith stopped in her tracks. Hanging side by side were two matching paintings, same dark frame and bright garden background, but the subject of each painting was different. In one, a younger Katherine sat, the pink of her dress perfectly matching the flush of her cheeks and lips turned in a barely perceptible smile. In the other, Evelyn's young eyes looked back at her.
"Edith," Rosamund called, shaking Edith from her thoughts. She didn't have time to think, not about the introductions or paintings or anything until they were both shown their rooms in the West guest wing and prepared for dinner. And yet, as she slipped on her green gown, a similar color to Katherine's eyes, and pinned her hair up with silver pins, the same color as the streaks in Lady Napier's hair, Edith couldn't help but feel something was deeply amiss with the situation. But perhaps it was just her and her expectations.
Edith sighed, fiddling with the necklaces before her on the vanity. How exactly was a week in Evelyn's home supposed to show her whether or not she was in love with him? Was she expecting him to prove something? Give some sign? Was she expecting some dramatic romantic reveal to match the grandeur of the historical soap opera she was reborn into? What was she looking for?
"Well, as far as first impressions go, it hasn't been a complete failure," Rosamund huffed, startling Edith as she strided into the room as if it was her own. "You certainly couldn't do worse than that girl."
"You mean Katherine?" Edith asked, finally deciding to put on the long pearl necklace.
"Honestly, it's as if Lady Napier didn't bother to teach her manners."
"She was certainly… enthusiastic."
"Childish, you mean," Rosamund huffed, grabbing a pair of white satin gloves from Edith's trunk and putting them on the vanity beside her. "But never mind her. If anything, it's a good thing. You will look a good deal better in comparison."
Edith didn't answer as she fastened two pearl drop earrings in her ears and slipped on the satin evening gloves Rosamund gave her. Somehow she didn't share Rosamund's beliefs. Especially not when the girl was family. "I didn't know you knew Lady Napier, Aunt Rosamund.
"Only so much as everyone knows anyone in London. She was quite the social butterfly when we were younger, always terribly chatty and surrounded by admirers."
"Like Mary?"
Rosamund snorted. "No. People LIKED Lady Eleanor. Man or woman, didn't matter. She had a charm you couldn't resist even if she was a bit too… well, enthusiastic. Like Katherine but with marginally more tact."
"Be kind," Edith rebuked. "She is in her home with family. Of course she isn't acting formally. She hardly seems older than Sybil. I don't even think she has had a debut yet."
"Nor should she until she gets better manners."
"Rosamund."
"Regardless, it's not her manners I'm worried about. It's yours."
"Mine?" Edith asked, looking up from the vanity to meet Rosamund's critical blue eyes. "What have I done?"
"How did he get the money? That's why we get on? Because of newspapers and politics. Really, Edith?"
Edith shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "What's wrong with that?"
"Proper young ladies don't discuss money or politics."
"Well, I do. They were going to find that out eventually."
"Yes, preferably after you show at least a few traits that helped balance it out." Rosamund rolled her eyes. "You're here to get the Viccountess's approval. Whatever else you are can come out AFTER the marriage."
"Just Lady Napier? Not Lord Napier?"
Rosamund snorted. "Everyone knows it's the mother-in-law you should fear. You would think your mother would have taught you that."
Edith didn't bother to respond. She just reached for the final addition to her outfit, a small brown pencil. The moment the fine tip touched the corner of her eye lid, it was snatched away.
"Rosamund!"
"No," Rosamund said forcefully. "We are here for a reason, Edith. To prove you are worthy of being the next Viscountess Napier. To prove you are good enough for their son, their family."
"That might be your reason, but that's not why I'm here."
"Then what is? To have fun? To socialize?"
"To- to-," Edith struggled to put it into words. "To see if we will work."
"What will work? You and Evelyn? You will work if you make it work. That is marriage. Just two people making it work because each has what the other wants, and you know he is what you want."
"I don't."
"What? The honorable, kind gentleman with a grand house, money, and title who loves you isn't what you want?"
"I- Yes, but it isn't that simple."
"Marriage never is. It never will be, but all you can do is decide what you want and, even more crucially, you have to be what he wants. And part of what he wants is for you to get on with his family."
"By being what they want as well?" Edith said bitterly.
"When you are married and settled, you can be something else. That's what it means to be a lady. Now," Rosamund grabbed Edith's hand and pulled her from her seat at the vanity. "Now, chin up, shoulders back. You have a week to put your best foot forward and show them you can be what they want. Get on Lady Napier's good side, and things will be easier."
"Even if that means playing a part?"
"My dear," Rosamund sighed. "To live is to play a part. All the world's a stage, as they say. And for this week your role is to make the best first impression possible, and be a little less you in the process."