Hello everyone, I am back with another chapter and I apologize I didn't publish earlier due to having the cold and on top of that I had a lot of online training courses to complete for work. It is freezing here in Australia and i just got well after bed-rest.
anyways, feel free to comment, vote, and add this story into your libraries.
X!
April 1917. Seven months had passed and Emma missed Sybil. Of course, Sybil has passed her nurse training with flying colours and she was currently aiding wounded soldiers. Emma's relationship with Mary took a downfall, they spent most time apart from each other and Emma still hadn't forgotten about Mary's awful remarks about James and goading that he had moved on. Emma was tempted to do the same thing to her, but she refrained herself stepping into Mary's shoes.
Emma and Edith had passed their driving and Emma found herself bored; she couldn't help but read books again. She spent most of her day in the library, wanting to be useful, she began to read medical books and journals from past psychologists who talked about psychology and traumatic stress disorder.
When Emma wasn't in the library, she decided to visit Grace about twice a week just to check up on her. She wasn't sure what she found in Grace, although she came realise that Grace was something quite different, she was a headstrong character like Mary. Emma went to Bedford where she met Lord Huntington, who spent his days in his library or in the empty gentlemen's club in London. She hadn't met Grace's brother since he was deported to France to fight.
Emma had invited Grace to Downton for luncheon where everyone in the family were in the Dining Room. Emma was listening to Grace talking to Mary when she saw Carson bumped into Violet's chair.
'Are you all right, Carson?'
'Of course. That is, er, perfectly all right, Your Ladyship, thank you.'
Carson went to pour Robert a glass, but he held up his hand.
'Er, no.'
Edith announced, 'Cousin Isobel says James and Matthew's coming home in a fortnight. He's touring England with some general.'
Robert nodded, 'We'll have a dinner when he's here.'
'I was going to ask Richard Carlisle about then. For Saturday to Monday.'
'You be careful, Mary.' Violet said. 'Sir Richard mustn't think you're after him.'
'Isn't that the truth?' said Emma, taking a sip of her dry wine, her eyes on her older sister.
Violet turned to Emma and said, 'The truth is neither here nor there. It's the look of the thing that matters. Ask Rosamund. It'll take the edge off it.'
'Well, that'd be nice,' said Grace, 'Like before the war.'
'How can we manage a great pre-war house party without a single footman?' Cora asked.
Violet stared at Cora and said, 'My dear, Rosamund is not a house party. She's blood.'
'Besides, we could use this gathering a small party,' Emma said, 'something to cheer us up a little.'
'I saw Mrs Drake when I went into the village,' Edith said, 'The wife of John Drake, who has Long Field Farm.'
'Yes. What did she have to say?' Robert asked.
'Apparently their final able-bodied farmhand has been called up. They need a man to drive the tractor.'
'Well, hasn't Drake recovered from his illness?' Robert said with puzzlement, 'I thought he was better.'
'No, he is. He's much, much better. But he doesn't drive. So I told her I could do it.'
Everyone stared at Edith in surprise.
'What?'
'I said I could drive the tractor,' Edith said clearly.
Violet scowled, 'Edith! You are a lady, not Toad of Toad Hall.'
'Well, I'm doing it.' Edith said relentlessly.
Mary and Robert smile at her determination.
'Good for you, Edith!' Emma praised, 'everyone should help out during this dreadful time, even just a little.'
Saturday came after a week, Emma stood outside with Cora, Robert and Mary to welcome Sir Richard Carlisle. Emma learned from Mary that he was a newspaper mogul, Edith even told her that Sir Richard loved publishing scandals and factual gossip to make a tremendous amount of money. Emma was looking forward to seeing her Aunt Rosamund, who was arriving in the same car as Sir Richard.
'Hello,' said Sir Richard to Cora.
'We're so pleased to have you here, Sir Richard.' Cora said, shaking his hand.
Sir Richard wasn't what Emma had expected, he was a little older for her liking for a suitable partner, although to Emma, looks wasn't everything. He had thin blonde hair and steel blue eyes and a strong defined jaw.
'Welcome.'
'Thank you,' Robert and Sir Richard shook hands.
'Hello, Mary, Emma.' Rosamund greeted her nieces with kisses on the cheek.
'Hello, Aunt Rosamund,' the girls greeted, one after the other. Then she went over to greet her brother.
Sir Richard came over.
'You must be Lady Emma. Mary had spoken a lot about you.' Sir Richard said, holding out his hand and Emma shook it.
'I hope whatever she says is nice,' Emma said.
'Of course, what else would I say about my sister?' Mary replied with a smile.
Emma smiled as genuinely as she could and she left Rosamund and Mary alone, heading back to the house.
Everyone arrived, including Sybil, which Emma was delighted about, and were congregated in the Drawing Room. Matthew arrived with Lavinia and Isobel. When his name was announced, Emma gave him a curt nod and smiled a little. She saw James and Grace behind, waiting for their name to be announced. Emma turned away, hoping to keep her emotions in check.
'What do you think Mary sees in him?' Emma asked Aunt Rosamund.
'Besides the money, you mean?'
Sybil gave an exasperated look, 'It must be more than that.'
'For us,' said Rosamund, 'Not necessarily for Mary.'
The three looked over at the group that had been made by the door.
'How are you, my dear?' Rosamund asked Emma.
'I'm well, I'm trying to get over him.'
'Well, that's good. Are there any suitors who have caught your eye?' Aunt Rosamund asked.
Emma nearly rolled her eyes at her Aunt, 'Really, Aunt Rosamund, I said I was trying...not that I have completely got over him. It's harder to get over someone than to fall in love.'
'Because you're still in love with him,' said Sybil softly.
Emma didn't reply, instead she fiddled with her bracelet.
Dinner was announced soon after and everyone moved into the Dining Room. Emma was little annoyed that she was seated in between Mary and James, not that secretly minded sitting next to James, but she was peeved that Grace was also next to James and they were discussing the wedding. It was like rubbing salt on a wound.
'I gather your footman, Thomas, has returned to the village,' Violet said.
'Where did you see him?' Robert asked.
'At the hospital. Seems he's working there.'
'I wonder how he wangled that.'
'Emma, I have something to give you.' James said, startling Emma.
'Oh?' said Emma, feeling a blush rising on her face.
'It has been through a lot,' said James. He handed the silver ring to Emma but she didn't take it.
'No, keep it, until the end of the war, then you can give it back.'
James stared at her then he pocketed the ring, 'It has bought luck for me.'
'I'm glad.' Emma said, smiling a little.
There was yelp across the table and Emma saw Edith shot up from her chair. There was a wet patch on her dress from something that had spilled over her.
'I do apologise, milady,' said Carson, 'Mr. Lang, get a cloth...'
Carson started to groan and his seized up.
'Carson, Carson! What's the matter?' Cora asked with worry, and jumped up from the table.
Everyone else followed, Isobel, Mary, Emma, Sybil went over to help.
'Edith, go with Branson and fetch major Clarkson,' Isobel instruction, 'I'll telephone and explain what's happened.'
'But what about my dress?' Edith whined.
'Oh Edith, get your priorities straight, and do as Cousin Isobel says!' Emma reprimanded.
Edith left the room, along with Cora.
'Sybil will know what to do until the doctor comes,' Mary assured Carson.
Robert loosened Carson's to help him breathe.
'Lady Sybil and I will take him upstairs if Mrs. Hughes will show us the way, please.' Matthew suggested, helping the butler up.
'I can help,' James suggested.
'No, let me,' said Sybil, 'I know what I'm doing.'
'I'm sure that's not necessary, milady.' Carson grumbled.
'It's not milady now, Carson. It's nurse Crawley.'
Matthew and Sybil took Carson out of the room, leaving Robert, Violet, Sir Richard, Mary, Emma, James and Grace behind. They resumed dinner with the maids serving in place of footmen.
A couple of hours later, Emma was quite worried not to hear a word about how Carson was doing so Emma went over to Mary who was about to enter her bedroom.
'Mary!'
Mary turned over to see Emma walking swiftly over to her.
'Yes?'
'Have you heard anything from Carson?'
Mary blinked in surprise and replied, 'No. No I have not.'
Emma sighed with worry.
'Let's go and see how he is doing.' Mary suggested.
Emma nodded and the two sisters went over to the Servant's quarters late at night. Mary knocked on Carson's door and went in, Emma followed.
'May we come in?' Mary asked.
Carson struggled to sit up on his bed.
'How very kind of you, my lady, but do you think you should?'
Emma smiled, 'Don't worry, our reputation will survive, please rest.'
Mary sat on the chair the bed and Emma sat on the edge of the bed.
'I gather it isn't too serious?' Mary asked hopefully.
'Agh, I've been very stupid, my lady.' Carson said, 'I let myself get flustered. I regard that as highly unprofessional. It won't happen again.'
Emma glanced down. Carson was like a father-figure in her life and regarded him highly. He had been there for her since she was born. She remembered going on for walks with him as a girl and playing with him.
'You mustn't be too hard on yourself.'
'I was particularly sorry to spoil things for Sir Richard,' said Carson, 'knowing he was a guest of yours.'
'Don't be. I think he found it all quite exciting.'
'Will we be seeing a lot of him?'
'I don't know,' said Mary, shrugging. 'Maybe.'
Carson pressed on, 'And Captain Crawley. Is he happy with the changes, so to speak? Or even Major Montgomery?'
Emma swallowed, and glanced down at her lap.
'May I give you one piece of advice, my ladies?'
Emma chuckled, 'You don't need to ask, Carson. You're going to tell us anyways.'
'Tell him what's in your heart. If you still love him, let him know. Then even if he's killed - and he may be - you won't be sorry. But if you don't tell him, you could regret it all your life long.'
Emma nodded, then paused.
'And what about Miss Swire?' Mary asked softly.
Carson scoffed, 'Miss Swire. As if any man in his right mind could prefer Miss Swire to you.'
Mary smiled.
'I can't do that to James, Carson' said Emma despondently, 'Earlier, at dinner, I heard him and Grace talking about the wedding. I think he has moved on...'
'My lady, there is a saying,' said Carson to Emma, '"The course of true love never did run smooth." I can't think of how Major Montgomery could choose Lady Huntington over you.'
Emma smiled a little and the door opened.
Mrs. Hughes entered holding a tray.
'Oh, I'm so sorry, my ladies,' Mrs. Hughes said, 'I didn't know you were in here.'
'It's all right, Mrs. Hughes,' Emma reassured, 'We were just leaving.'
'Carson's been boosting our confidence.' Mary said.
'I hope you get well soon, Carson.' Emma said, nodding her head at the butler.
Carson smiled affectionately as Emma and Mary left.
On the next day, Emma went to over to the grounds with Isis and she sees Grace sitting on the bench all alone. Emma whistled for Isis to follow her and she went over to Grace and heard her sobbing.
'Grace? Whatever is the matter?'
Emma sat down next to Grace and saw her eyes were red. 'If you're looking James, he had gone inside.'
Emma shook her head, 'It's not a priority now. Please... tell why are you crying?'
Grace shook her head, 'James is leaving tonight, and he wants to delay the wedding.'
Emma's heart stopped for a moment and she collected her bearings, 'Only to talk with his general, right?'
'He says "It doesn't matter what happens to me,"' said Grace, wiping her tears with a handkerchief, 'How could he say something like that? I love him, and I don't know what would happen if he...'
Emma patted her back gently, 'I know... but he will be fine, he'll be safe.'
Grace looked at Emma in disbelief, 'Don't lie. He's going to war, either way. It's easy to say that nothing bad would happen to him, but we don't know. I want to marry him... I don't care if we even get married in the registry office.'
Emma glanced down at her lap.
'Is there anyone you love?' Grace asked.
Emma glanced up at her and said, 'No.'
Grace chuckled humourlessly, 'I envy you.'
'Why?'
'Because at least you're not hoping for a lover to come back to you from this nightmare.'
Emma looked away, bitting her bottom lip.
A man cleared his throat behind them. Emma and Grace turned around to see James in his uniform. Grace stood up and left.
'Grace?'
Grace didn't respond, she continued walking until she was out of sight. James turned to Emma.
'Did she tell you I was leaving?'
Emma nodded, 'She did. She was upset...and also about the wedding.'
'Ah yes,' said James, 'I am being deployed and I don't know when I would be back, that's if I ever...'
'Please don't,' Emma said, cutting him off. 'I can't bear it when you talking of dying.'
James nodded, 'I just came back from the hospital, if you wanted to see nurse Sybil-'
'Actually, I wanted to see you.'
'Oh? What could I do for you?' James asked.
'I just wanted to say...' Emma started.
'Yes?'
'James?' said Grace.
James turned to see Grace.
'Yes, dear?'
'Would you like to have tea with me? Mrs. Hughes is bringing up a tray.'
'Oh, I would love to, thank you, dear.'
Grace smiled and she walked away.
Emma swallowed her hurt and she blinked.
James turned back to Emma and asked, 'So what did want to say?'
Emma opened her mouth and blurted, 'I wanted to say...I hope you still have my lucky ring.'
'Of course, I do.'
'Oh well,' said Emma hopelessly, 'Good. I hate to think of anything bad happen to you.'
'And vice versa,' he said warmly, 'Your father invited me and Grace to dinner. As my last night in the house.'
'That's was kind of him,' said Emma, her eyes were betraying her emotions. 'I better go, I'm heading to the hospital, it's been a long time since I've been there.'
James nodded, 'I'm sorry you wasted your time with me.'
Emma shook her head, 'Not in the slightest, I needed to get out of the house for a bit.'
Emma left the grounds with Isis and she spent the whole walk beating herself mentally. She hoped Mary would have better luck with Matthew. Why? Why was she still very much and deeply in love with James Montgomery when he had Grace?
After dinner that evening, the men stayed behind whilst the women moved into the Drawing Room where they were served Brandy and tea. The main topic of the conversation was turning Downton into a convalescent home. Of course, Violet was against the idea.
'I think it's a ridiculous idea!'
'Why?' Sybil asked defensively.
'Because this is a house,' Violet snapped, 'not a hospital.'
'But, Granny, a convalescent home is where people rest and recuperate.' Mary explained.
'But if there are relapses? What then?' Violet posed, 'Amputation in the dining room? Resuscitation in the pantry?'
'Oh Granny, you're blowing this out of proportion,' said Emma, 'These men will be treated carefully by nurses and doctors.'
'It would certainly be the most tremendous disturbance. If you knew how chaotic things are as it is.' Cora said to Emma.
'But when there's so much good can be done.' Isobel refuted.
Violet slammed her cane on the floor.
'I forbid it!' Violet proclaimed, 'To have strange men prodding and prying around the house, to say nothing of pocketing the spoons. It's out of the question!'
'I hesitate to remind you, but this is my house now.' Cora snapped at her mother in law, 'Robert's and mine, and we will make the decision.'
Violet looked stunned by Cora's outburst for a moment.
'Oh, I see. So now I'm an outsider...who need not be consulted.'
'Since you put it like that, yes.'
Soon after, the men came in the Drawing Room and Emma went over to James.
'Edith seemed to be high spirits.' He pointed out.
'She found her calling,' said Emma, 'Farm Labouring.'
'Mary seems to be awfully tough on her when she needn't be.' Emma knew he was referring to the interrogation of Mary had dished out at dinner.
'I wish she wasn't. Although don't worry about Edith, she is stronger than she looks.'
'What about you?' James asked, 'Has your bout of good luck arrived?'
Emma exhaled noisily.
'A bout is all I get.'
'Well, I've found someone now, and I want you to do the same.'
Emma smiled sadly, 'I don't think there are many men who would want to marry me.'
'I don't think that's true,' he reassured.
'Tell that to my invisible line of suitors,' she objected.
James looked apologetic, 'I don't mean to be harsh, I apologise.'
'Does she make you happy? Honestly?' Emma asked, wanting to move the discussion away from her non-existent love life.
'She does. She's delightful and gentle, she makes me happy.' James said, glancing at Grace, who was talking with Mary. 'And I want you to be happy with someone.'
Emma narrowed her eyes, 'Hopefully there is someone...'
'I guarantee there is.' James said, 'There is always someone out there for someone.'
The next morning, Emma was helping herself to green tea and sat down and took a piece of toast and placed it on her plate as Carson served breakfast.
'Are you sure you should be doing this, Carson?' said Emma, 'We've managed very well with Mrs Hughes.'
'Quite sure, milady,' he replied, 'And breakfast is not a taxing assignment.'
Robert opened a letter and read aloud.
'Edith, this is a message for you. Mrs Drake writes that they've decided to hire a man, so they won't be needing you anymore.'
Emma saw Edith's stunned look.
'Is that all she says?' Edith asked, flabbergasted.
'Oh, well, she's very grateful...Here we are. She says "She and Drake send their thanks to you for giving up so much of your valuable time." I expect it's rather a relief.'
'Oh, I wouldn't say that. Not entirely.' Edith said forlornly.
'Has Lady Sybil gone already?' Robert asked Carson.
'She had a tray at half past six.'
'She would,' Robert murmured.
'Carson, have they told you we're to be turned into a hospital?'
'A convalescent home.' Mary corrected, 'I'm afraid we've all bullied you into the whole thing. I hope you're not dreading it too much.'
'Not dreading it, exactly, but it's a brave new world we're headed for, no doubt about that. We must try to meet it with as much grace as we can muster.' Robert mused.
Robert continued opening the rest of his letters as Edith was still speechless.