Fic - The War Comes to Downton Abbey, Chapter 7
Rating - Teenage
Fandom - Downton Abbey, Mary and Matthew and all the main series 1 characters.
Summary - As the First World War rages on, the lives of those at Downton Abbey will be forever changed. What happens to those left behind at the great estate?
Genre - Romance/Angst
Status - Work in Progress, Chapter 7 of 30?
Word Count - 2, 607 words
Previous Chapters - Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5 and Chapter 6.
NB - I started writing and planning this a while before the series 2 spoilers came out. Therefore, this is already set AU, though it was originally intended as a possible series 2 story arc. I hope you take this into account whilst reading and that, even though it's now proved to be AU, it still feels like a realistic and plausible possibility for the second series of the show.
Chapter 7
Considering the uncanny way the Dowager Countess always seemed to know about important news over at the great house, no one was too surprised when she walked into the entrance of Downton Abbey early that morning. After barging through the front door, too impatient to wait for a footman, Violet marched through the hall and into the saloon. Her sudden appearance and somewhat stern and intimidating countenance struck fear into the hearts of some of the newer nurses. All the servants and hospital staff in the area quickly disappeared off if they could, or tried to make themselves look overwhelmingly busy.
Violet looked around her with a fierce efficiency and was satisfied to see that everyone appeared hard at work and the chaos of the hospital was confined out of sight at present. Too often did she find she had to step around beds full of crying soldiers and blood spattered nurses. It was a far cry from the house she had efficiently run for over thirty years and Violet did not like to be reminded of how much standards had slipped.
As she’d entered the saloon, Mr Carson happened to pass carrying a tray of food and he immediately stopped as he saw her. His back straightened and he nodded his head, “Your Ladyship.”
“Where are they Carson?” Violet asked, her voice sounding much more strained and less regal than usual, though her appearance gave nothing away of the anxiety she felt.
“They are upstairs in the dining room, my Lady,” Mr Carson answered bowing his head, “I will take you to them.”
Violet waved her arms at him to hurry up and Mr Carson quickly headed towards the main stairs, taking care not to spill the kedgeree in his haste. He still wasn’t used to carrying all this food, but ever since the footman and the other male servants had left to fight he’d had no choice. He remembered when he used to think there was nothing worse than a maid serving at a meal, but now it was so commonplace he hardly blinked an eyelid anymore. The war certainly had changed everything at the Abbey and even his ever present need to abide by the rules of etiquette had to be pushed aside in the wake of the inevitable change. It wasn’t easy though and he was certainly less able to adapt than some of the other, younger servants, even Mrs Hughes had taken it all in her stride. He had a good feeling that the Dowager Countess felt the same way about all these changes though and, his butler pride not wanting to cause her Ladyship any delay, he quickly headed up the stairs.
Violet followed quickly behind Carson, her walking stick barely having chance to touch each step as she anxiously hurried up the stairs. She’d heard the news that Matthew had been brought in last night and was hanging about at death’s door, but she had yet to discover his fate this morning. Carson and a few other servants she’d seen would probably know, but if it was bad news, she wanted it to come from her family, not from a servant. She been trying hard not to think of the worst and what affect it would have on Downton the whole way over here and now she was simply in a hurry to find out the news, for good or ill.
“The Dowager Countess my Lord,” Carson said, announcing her arrival as they entered the door of the makeshift dining room. Even under the circumstances, Violet still felt rather put out when she saw her family squashed around such a small table eating. Still, she had better things to worry about and comment on then, so as soon as she entered, and she’d indicated for Robert to sit down again after he’d stood up on her arrival, she asked, “How is he?”
“He has made it though the fever, but he is still very weak,” Cora answered, putting her cup of tea down on the table. She looked at Violet then, curious to see her reaction to the news. She was not surprised that her mother in law had seemed so anxious though, after all, if anyone knew how important the life of Downton’s heir was, it was the Dowager Countess. Heaven knows what she may have thought of the next in line to the earldom.
“Thank heavens!” Violet exclaimed, feeling an almost startling sense of relief and unaware that she had pleased Cora in her obvious joy at the news.
Violet was glad of her walking stick then, to support her as she took in this most wonderful turn of events. As much as she’d been against the upstart heir when he and his busybody mother had first arrived, just like the rest of the family she had grown to accept them both as part of their extended family. She was deeply concerned when she heard the news of poor Matthew and felt the devastating loss it would inflict upon the whole family. She was also incredibly relieved that they would not have to search again for the next heir. Matthew had proven his worth for taking on the responsibilities of Downton, they all silently agreed with that. They really would be lucky if the next, even more distance relative of Robert’s proved anywhere near as capable. So for her own sake, her family’s sake and for the sake of Downton Abbey, she was incredibly pleased that Matthew’s life, for now, was safe.
“He will fully recover though, won’t he?” Sybil asked, slightly nervously. Like the rest of the family, they still remembered Dr Clarkson’s worried face earlier that morning.
“He will be fine,” Robert stated, though his voice sounded more convinced than his expression. He tried again, “Dr Morris said that the worst was the fever and thankfully Matthew is now recovering from that.”
“And his leg?” Violet asked. She’d heard all the gossip regarding Matthew’s leg of course, how Mary had almost been in hysterics at Dr Morris, trying to convince him to save it and how Mrs Crawley had later gone against the doctors’ wishes and taken care of Matthew’s leg herself.
“We don’t know yet, I’m afraid. Dr Clarkson said they would have to keep an eye on it,” Robert answered.
“Is it true though?” Violet asked, wanting confirmation of the rumours she’d heard. “Did Mrs Crawley really go against the doctors’ orders and fix Matthew’s leg herself.”
“I think so yes,” Robert answered.
“Good heavens! Why?” Violet exclaimed. “Why on earth did she do that?”
“Because the doctors were not willing to take the risk and I was not going to condemn my son to being a cripple,” Mrs Crawley answered, suddenly entering the dining room unannounced and surprising them all.
Violet was the most shocked and any lesser female might have blushed at the obvious insult they had given to Mrs Crawley. Violet turned around and a cutting comeback was on the edge of her tongue, but then she saw the poor woman and kept her remark to herself. She’d never seen Mrs Crawley looking so tired before, so dishevelled, and Violet was reminded of just what this poor mother had gone through last night. Not for the first time, Violet admired this strong woman and all that she seemed capable of, not that she’d ever admit it, of course.
Mrs Crawley was standing defiantly, looking Violet directly in the eye and appeared more than prepared for whatever comment Violet would make. When Violet held her tongue though, Mrs Crawley relaxed and remembered the reason for her disturbance.
“I’m sorry for bothering you, Robert, but would it be alright if I took some breakfast for myself and Mary?”
“Yes of course,” Robert answered, “Carson, take some food for Isobel and Mary.”
“Yes my Lord,” Mr Carson answered, as he began filling a tray with some dishes and tea things.
“Has there been any change?” Cora asked.
“I’m afraid not, the fever and his injuries have left him very weak. It will be a few days before he’s fully conscious,” Isobel answered, avoiding Violet’s eye, not wanting to risk any comments from her on Isobel’s efficiency to make the diagnosis.
“How is Mary?” Violet asked, the only comment she was able to make under the circumstances. She directed her question at the whole family, but she was not at all surprised that Mrs Crawley deigned to answer it.
“She’s pleased at the news, of course, but she needs rest herself. I did try to convince her to eat some breakfast, but she insists she is not hungry. Perhaps when she is presented with some food, she will change her mind.”
“Poor Mary, I think she is quite against the thought of leaving Matthew’s side,” Robert said, with a faint hint of a chuckle in his tone. “Perhaps when he wakes, Matthew may find he has a very attentive nurse!”
The family smiled at this, even Violet, though no one who watched her expression would have noticed. In any other circumstances, Violet would be quite put out had her eldest granddaughter taken up the position of a nurse! She had already been through the battle of trying to convince Sybil to not train as one, but Sybil had been quite adamant. As Sybil was the youngest though, Violet had relented with the hope that it would not seem quite as unseemly for a still quite young lady to take up the occupation. Besides, no one outside the family and the servants need know about Sybil and her nursing. For Mary though, her nursing Matthew was quite an exception. He was, after all, the heir to Downton Abbey and a member of their family in most respects. Like both Robert and Cora, Violet was suddenly hopeful that the damage that had been done to Mary’s marriage prospects nearly two years ago, when she had delayed in accepting Matthew, may well take a turn for the better now.
“Well,” Violet said dryly, “I hope Mary knows to make the most of the opportunity.”
“I’m sure Mary is perfectly capable of making the most of any opportunity,” Edith remarked, her hostile voice earning her a few looks from her family.
“What about you, Isobel?” Cora asked gently, ignoring her daughter’s comments. She was growing increasingly worried about the poor Isobel’s appearance and obvious exhaustion. They all knew she was used to working long hours in the hospital, but this was quite a different situation entirely. “Perhaps some food and rest may be of help to you?”
“Thank you, Cora, but if you don’t mind, I’d prefer to stay with Matthew for now,” Isobel answered.
Cora nodded and then tried again, “We’ve had the room next to Matthew’s made up for you, so later, if you are in need of some rest, please do make use of it.”
“Thank you, Cora, that is very kind of you,” Isobel answered, though she wasn’t sure yet whether she would take the family up on this offer. When Matthew had first left for war, only a few weeks after war had even been declared, Cora had kindly invited Isobel to stay. “It won’t be for long, the war will be over and Matthew will be back soon,” Cora had said, trying to convince her to stay. Isobel knew Cora had not liked the thought of her being in the cottage all by herself, left alone with nothing but her worries for her son. Isobel had politely but adamantly refused, explaining that she did not want to trouble the family. The main truth was that Isobel knew she’d never feel properly at home or settled at the grand house. Despite the family’s kindness and cordiality towards her now, she always felt rather out of her depth socially and she knew she’d never quite fit in with these grand people. She would never be able to forget that the only reason herself and her son were even here was due to an unbreakable law. Matthew had more of an excuse, of course, one day he would become one of these grand people himself, but Isobel knew even Matthew would never fully be comfortable in their world. She’d much appreciated the many dinner invitations though and had spent nearly every night in the great house. It was comforting to be with people she could talk to socially and to have somewhere to go to. It was also a great relief when she could go home and get away from all the social pressures of being at the Abbey, even if it was only to an empty house full of worries for her son.
When the hospital had arrived and Isobel had at last found a proper purpose for herself, a way of helping in the war, Cora had again pressed Isobel to stay. “You’re here so much helping at the hospital anyway, why not stay here a while, just until Matthew returns?” Again Isobel had thanked her for the kindness, but politely refused. If anything now, staying in the house was even more uncomfortable and stifling than it was before. How could she sleep in one of the grand rooms whilst there were poor soldiers so injured lying below on makeshift beds? At least when she retired for the night back to Crawley House, she could shut away all the dark thoughts of injured soldiers and the chilling reminders that her son had still been out there, in danger. Besides, Crawley House had become her home now and she had been quite relieved when Matthew had decided to not move back to Manchester when war had been declared. A relief which had only been dampened when he’d announced later his intentions to enlist right away. It had then only been a fortnight before he’d been called down to London and that had been the last she had seen of him, until last night. Now that Matthew was here at Downton Abbey, and she was sure it would be for a long time, maybe she should finally accept Cora’s kind invitation.
She noticed then that Mr Carson had piled a tray full of food and was waiting most patiently for her by the door. She nodded at the family and said again her thanks, before walking out of the dining room, followed by Mr Carson and the tray of food he was holding quite precariously. Isobel was almost tempted to offer help, but she thought that would upset Mr Carson more than it would help, so she kept quiet as she hurried back to Matthew’s room. She was anxious to see if there had been any change, though she knew it was rather an optimistic hope.
Violet waited long enough for Mrs Crawley to be out of earshot before she continued her earlier conversation. “I still do not understand why on earth the doctors would listen to Mrs Crawley and let her take over!”
“But Granny,” Sybil answered, “Cousin Isobel has been working in the hospital over a year now; she’s more than capable of mending a few broken bones. Besides, I think they knew better than to argue with her!”
“Well, I hope if I ever break a bone I do not have to suffer under Mrs Crawley’s care!” Violet huffed, her usual sour expression now firmly back in place, after the earlier anxiety had been quelled.
The rest of the family exchanged amused looks, but no one said anything. Their more jovial spirits and even the Dowager Countess’ remarks were proof that things were certainly looking up for the great family at Downton Abbey.
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