Hi everyone, I hope you are all well. I am back with another chapter. I had been feeling sick this morning so I couldn't post the chapter early. However now I am feeling better I was able to work on this chapter. I am happy to say that I have completed writing Season 3. It had taken me ten months – mostly because of writer's block, I'm sad to admit it.
Without anymore rambling, enjoy reading Episode 7 – Decisions.
Feel free to comment, vote and add Emma Crawley season 2 into your libraries!
February 1919. James' temporary blindness had started to lessen; therefore, his vision was getting better, however, James had a letter from America saying that his mother, Charlotte, had passed from a fever. Grace had consoled James in his time of grief and Emma watched from afar as Grace coddled James. Doctor Clarkson stated that he believed that James's vision will continue to improve, as long he kept balance his diet and medication.
The very last of the medical equipment had been taken away. The last of the army officers had left. The furniture had been put back into its place and Downton Abbey was back to normal. Emma recalled saying farewell to Corporal Collins, it was rather sad to know that their friendship in the house had ended.
'I still can't wrap my mind about it, said Corporal Collins, glancing around the house. 'But nevertheless, I will miss you.'
Emma smiled and blushed, 'It's not the end... we can still write to each other?'
'Of course, I really hope we can meet again. There is a lot of wonderful places I would like to take you...'
Emma swallowed and glanced down at ground.
'What's the matter?' he asked kindly.
Emma glanced up at him, 'I-I do like you, Philip, a lot...you were a pain, constantly flirting, however you became a dear friend...any woman would be very lucky to have you, but I do not have romantic feelings-'
Philip took her hand gently and smiled kindly at her, 'You love Major Montgomery.'
Emma nodded in remorse and felt her eyes prickle. 'It's rather immature of me. Falling for a man who doesn't love me back.'
Philip's hand moved to gently caress her cheek, which she realized were face was wet.
'It's not. You're not made out of stone. It's called being human. Although I don't believe he doesn't love you. He may be with another woman, but it doesn't mean he is in love with her, and besides, he would be a fool if he married her and not you. You have a good heart, my lady. The years I have been here, I have seen you grow into a confident, fiercely loyal and passionate young woman.'
Emma felt more tears had poured down her face.
'Don't cry. I am glad to have met you. I'm glad we're friends, I hope?'
'Of course,' said Emma, giving a reassuring smile, 'Maybe in a different life, we would be together.'
'Maybe,' said Philip, 'I know I would never find another woman like you.'
Emma held his hands and said, 'Thank you, Philip. You really are one of the people in my life I hold dear to my heart. I wish you all best in the world, where-ever you will be.'
'As do I. Farewell, Emma.'
Philip adjusted his hat before walking down the hall. He stopped and turned to Emma.
'Just promise me something.'
Emma blinked and said, 'Anything.'
'Tell him how you feel. I can guarantee he loves you back. I know love and I know he still in love with you.'
Emma nodded and Philip gave a nod to her and he walked out of the hall and he got into the car that was waiting outside for him. Emma closed her eyes and listened to the car drive away in the distance, her heart withered as she thought of misleading Philip and she hope she could be forgiven for leading him to love her when she couldn't fall in love back.
It was rather strange to sit back into the drawing room after dinner as it had felt like a lifetime ago, they had done so, it was unnaturally quiet without the chatter and laughter from soldiers. Maybe it was only Emma, as everyone else was acting like it never had happened. She sat silently staring blankly at thought of how much had changed and she knew it was never going to be same ever again.
'I nearly came down in a dinner jacket tonight,' Robert said.
'Really? Why not a dressing gown? Or better still, pajamas?' Violet said, chuckling at her son.
'That's why I didn't.'
'I like the new fashions. Shorter skirts, looser cuts. The old clothes were all very well if one spent the day on a chaise lounge,' Isobel spoke, 'but if one wants to get anything done, the new clothes are much better.'
'I agree, it's a nice change to be a little different,' said Emma, snapping back to reality.
'I'll stick to the chaise lounge.' Violet said defiantly.
'Granny, you don't really want things to go back to the way they were, surely?' Sybil asked.
'Of course I do. And as quickly as possible.'
Sybil turned to Robert and asked, 'What about you, Papa?'
'Before the war, I believed my life had value. I suppose I should like to feel that again.'
Everyone looked at Robert with sympathy. Emma remembered her father was excited to serve again, to find his purpose, only to realize it was false and it would never happen again for him. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Sybil looked put out. Only then she realized that Sybil had found her purpose, but it was gone. Emma wandered what was next in store for her.
'Have you seen the boys' haircuts the women are wearing in Paris?' Mary asked.
'I hope you won't try that.' Matthew replied.
Emma saw there was a fleeting look on Mary's face and Emma broke the tension.
'I like it, although I value my hair being long.'
'So do I.' James said.
Emma glanced at James and he gave her a small smile and she noticed a twinkle in his eyes and Emma blushed, luckily the light from the fire didn't show how red she was.
'I'm not sure how feminine it is.' Lavinia said.
'I'm not sure how feminine I am.' Mary said dryly.
'Very, I'm glad to say.'
'Carson, I keep forgetting to tell Mrs Hughes we've had a letter from Major Bryant's mother. She and her husband are in Yorkshire on Friday and she wants to pay us a visit.' Emma remembered the dark eyed handsome officer who recuperated in Downton during the war.
'Why?' Robert queried.
'The last time they saw him alive it was here, I suppose,' said Emma. 'It might bring them closure.'
'I can understand.' Cora sympathized.
'Will they be staying, my lady?' Carson asked.
'No, but we'll give them luncheon. That way, they can talk about the Major with all of us who knew him.'
'That lets me out, thank heaven.' Violet said, looking relieved.
Emma glanced at her younger sister and saw a frustrated look and asked, 'Sybil, dear, what is the matter?'
'Nothing,' Sybil rebuffed, 'I'm just exhausted.'
Emma's brow furrowed at her sister, deciding not to probe Sybil any further.
Emma, Edith and Sybil walked into the library the next morning, 'Doesn't it feel odd to have the rooms back?'
Emma was a little grateful she wasn't the only one who felt like things were out of place. 'And only us to sit in them. I have been thinking the same thing. I suppose we'll get used to it.'
'I don't want to get used to it.' Sybil said willfully.
'What do you mean?' Edith asked.
'I know what it is to work now. To have a full day, to be tired in a good way. I don't want to start dress fittings and or paying calls or standing behind the guns.'
'But how does one escape all that?' Edith asked Sybil.
'I think I've found a way to escape.'
'Nothing too drastic, I hope.' Emma warned.
'It is drastic. There's no going back once I've done it, but that's what I want. No going back.'
'I don't want to go back either.' Edith stated.
'Neither do I.' Emma said, giving a hopeful look.
'Then don't. You're far nicer than you were before the war, you know,' Sybil said to Edith, then she turned to Emma, 'And you are a stronger and confident than before.'
Emma gave a thankful smile to her little sister.
'Mary! Girls! Cora, come at once!' Robert yelled from the walkway.
Emma left her room at once and she asked in worry, 'What happened?'
'Everyone come at once!'
'What is it? What's happened?' Mary asked.
'Come and see this!'
They rushed into the library, following Robert where Matthew sat in his wheelchair.
'Is it true? Is it true what Lavinia says?' Robert asked excitedly.
Lavinia and James went to Matthew and he took their hand to help himself stand up. Emma was stunned with joy.
'My god!' Emma exclaimed joyfully.
'I can't believe it!'
'It's so wonderful!' Cora said, her mouth wide open in shock.
'It is, but don't tire yourself out,' Sybil added, 'Sit down now and we'll send for Dr Clarkson.'
'She's right. Edith, go with Branson. Ge-get Clarkson, but fetch Mama and Cousin Isobel as well. I don't care what they're doing. Tell them to come now. My dear chap, I cannot begin to tell you what this means to me.'
Edith left the room.
Robert patted Matthew's back.
'Well, it's pretty good news for me, too.'
Robert laughed in relief.
Emma caught James's eyes and he smiled widely at his friend.
Later on in the evening, Doctor Clarkson had arrived and Robert explained the new discovery that Matthew was able to stand and Emma had seen a flicker of surprise from the doctor's expression.
'There is only one possible explanation,' Doctor Clarkson explained, 'It starts with my own mistake. Every indication told me that the spine was transacted, which would have been incurable.'
'But when Sir John Coats came to see Matthew, he agreed with you.' Robert said.
'Well, he didn't, not entirely. He thought that it could conceivably be a case of spinal shock. That is, erm, intense bruising, which was sufficiently severe to impede the leg mechanism.'
'But which would heal.' Mary inquired.
'Why didn't you tell us?' Lavinia asked.
'Because I didn't agree with him, and I didn't want to raise Captain Crawley's hopes to no purpose.'
'I understand. And I don't blame you.' Matthew replied politely.
'You must take it slowly. Rome wasn't built in a day.' Doctor Clarkson advised.
'I know.' Matthew said, nodding.
'And I'm afraid you will carry a bruise on your spine for the rest of your life.'
'But I will have a life.'
'Yes. I think we can say that you will have a normal life, and it won't be long in coming.'
Emma was very happy for Matthew. Good things were coming for Matthew and for James. They both deserved a normal life. Even though Emma wasn't romantically involved with James, he deserved it more.
'My darling boy. My darling boy.'
Isobel got up to kiss him.
'Excuse me, my lord,' Carson interrupted, 'but Mrs Hughes was wondering what she should do about dinner.'
'Er, you'll all stay for dinner, won't you?' Robert asked Doctor Clarkson.
Doctor Clarkson glanced down at himself for a second then back at Robert, 'I'm afraid I'm not dressed.'
Robert brushed his comment off, 'Oh, never mind that. Who cares about that? What about you, Mama?'
'Oh, certainly. All this unbridled joy has given me quite an appetite.'
Everyone went into the dining room where everyone was still having dinner, Emma narrowed her eyes at Grace where she eyed her touching James's shoulder, then down to his arm. Emma felt snakes swarming in her stomach and she felt a little light headed.
'Tell me, how are things progressing at Hacksby?' Violet asked Sir Richard.
Emma glanced down at her plate. She knew that Mary and Sir Richard would move to Hacksby House after they were wedded.
'Quite well. I've put in a condition so the builders are fined for every day they go over.'
'Does that make for a happy atmosphere?' Violet inquired.
'I want it done. They can be happy in their own time.'
'Why the rush?'
'I like everything I own to be finished and ready to sell.'
'You're not thinking of selling Hacksby, surely?'
'Depends. We'll have to see if it suits us to be so close to Downton.'
'I—I want to tell you all something.' Matthew announced, 'As you know, during this - well, I think I can say – horrible time, Lavinia has proved to be the most marvelous person.'
'Here, here.' Robert said, smiling.
'Indeed.'
'I never thought we would marry, for all sorts of reasons, but she wouldn't accept that. And so, now I'm very pleased to say that she's been proved right.'
Matthew and Lavinia held hands at the table.
'Lavinia and I will get married.'
'Oh, my dear fellow.' Robert bellowed.
'Isn't it wonderful?' Isobel said.
Emma glanced back at James and Grace and saw James squinting his eyes, looking a bit confused. Emma turned to Mary and she saw Mary had put up an emotionless expression.
'Just as soon as I'm well enough to walk down the aisle. Dr Clarkson can help us with when.'
'Not long now.' Doctor Clarkson said.
'And she feels we ought to marry here, at Downton, to bury forever the memories of what, I hope, has been the darkest period of my life.'
Robert nodded and said, 'Of course.'
'Are you sure? I know it should be at my home in London, but we've been through so much here.'
'We'd be delighted.'
'Yes, bravo,' said Violet, then she turned to Mary, 'Excellent news. Mary, isn't that excellent news?'
'Just excellent.' Mary lied.
Emma felt more nauseous and she stood up and everyone glanced up at her.
'Excuse me, I just felt a little tired...'
Emma glanced at James's expression then at Violet.
She left the room and headed upstairs and ran to her bedroom and slammed the door shut and burst into tears, Emma thought instantly of letting it all out. She cried out, letting everything come out, her emotions, her thoughts into her hard sobs.
Emma felt sick, there was a sinking feeling of despair and she hated feeling this way. Her heart had dropped and her body felt heavy. She sat down at the edge of her bed and she sobbed.
She didn't know how long she had sobbed until the door opened and she turned to see it was Violet.
'Oh, my dear.'
Emma closed her eyes in shame and grief and she felt the bed sink a little and a warm hand on her shoulder. Emma covered her face as she sobbed.
'Why Granny? why?'
Violet shushed her and she leaned over at Violet's shoulder as she continued to cry and hated crying in front of anyone, she remembered when she was a young girl, she learned to cry when she was alone in her bed, so no one would hear her so she wouldn't give anyone the satisfaction that they got to her.
Emma's sob had started to stop and she wiped her tears and she felt her face was wet and she dabbed her face with her glove.
'Now, my dear, what has happened?' Violet asked.
Emma stood up and she crossed her arms.
'At the table,' Emma exhaled noisily, 'When Matthew announced that he was going to marry Lavinia, I felt sick, not like vile was about to come out of my mouth, it was like a headache, and light headiness. I saw Grace and James and...and...I just felt everything bubbled inside of me. Her betrayal and the fact that I...'
Violet stared at her with empathy, 'You still love him.'
Emma nodded, her head cast down. She couldn't lie about her feelings anymore or even downplay them. She didn't know how Mary could hide her feelings for this long.
'Yes...I still love him...God, I know that my feelings haven't gone away ever since that garden party. Whenever I see him with Grace, I'm jealous that he is with her. When I confronted Grace about her affair and pregnancy, she said she knew about Pamuk and she threatened to expose me if I told James the truth. I-I don't know what to do. I can't leave James in Grace's hands.'
Violet got up and embraced Emma.
'Oh my dear...you were right not to say anything to him.'
Emma leaned out of Violet's arms and asked, 'Why is that?'
'Because it won't be you who will tell him everything, not without that strumpet nearby.' Violet said, her eyes glistening, 'Rest, Emma. Have a good night sleep and everything will be better by the morning.'
The family were joined by Mr and Mrs Bryant the next day for lunch. Their son, Major Charles Bryant, had been killed in the war and the last place they saw him alive was at Downton. It seemed more than fair to let them visit.
'I'm afraid Downton will be a place of pilgrimage for a while.' Mrs Bryant said.
'We're glad to be, if we can help to bring some peace of mind.' Cora said.
'There's no point in wallowing in it. What good does it do?' Mr Bryant retorted.
'Leave me alone!' a woman wailed, echoing into the dining room.
'Ethel!'
A dark red-haired woman rushed into the room, carrying a baby. Emma remembered instantly of Ethel, their former housemaid before she was dismissed. Emma realized why now. Mrs Hughes and Anna followed after Ethel.
'I tried to stop her-' Anna began.
'What on earth?' Robert asked looking flabbergasted.
'Ethel-' Cora remarked, then she looked at Robert and said, 'I know what this is. Mrs Hughes, I don't think it's quite the right-'
'I'm stopping...' Ethel interrupted, 'until I've had my say.'
Ethel turned to Mr and Mrs Bryant.
'This is Charlie, your grandson. He's almost a year old.'
Mr Bryant stood up and threw his napkin on the table.
'What proof have you?' he asked clearly.
Ethel looked stunned and asked, 'What?'
'I say, what proof have you? If my son was the father of this boy, where's your proof? Any letters? Any signed statement?'
'Why would there be any letters? We were in the same house.'
'I think she's telling the truth.' Mrs Hughes started.
'I'm not interested in "think." I want proof that my son acknowledged paternity of this boy. If what you say is true, then he would've known of the boy's existence for months before he...before he was killed.'
'Yes, he knew.'
'So, what did he do about it?'
Emma saw Ethel's eyes glistened with tears as she said, 'Nothing. He did nothing.'
'Thank you. That's the proof I was looking for. If Charles was the father, he would never have shirked his responsibilities. Never.'
'Well, he did!'
'I won't listen to any more slander!' Mr Bryant exclaimed. 'Now, will you please go and take that boy with you, whoever he is! You're upsetting Mrs Bryant!'
Emma glanced uncomfortably at Mr. Bryant.
'Well, I would like-' Mrs Bryant started.
'I said you are upsetting Mrs Bryant!'
Ethel started to cry.
'Lord Grantham, are you going to stand by while this woman holds us to ransom?' Mr Bryant asked.
Robert gave Mr Bryant an irritated look, but stood up. 'This isn't doing much good.'
'Ethel, you better come with me. Come on.' Mrs Hughes said, leading Ethel away from the room. Anna and Mrs Hughes escorted Ethel out with Charlie crying in her arms. Robert and Mr Bryant took their seats.
'She thinks we're a soft touch. They hear of a dead officer with some money behind them and suddenly there's a baby on every corner.' Mr Bryant sneered.
'But if she's telling the truth-' Isobel started.
Mr Bryant interrupted, 'If Charles had fathered that boy, he would've told us. No, I'd say she's done her homework and discovered he was an only child. She thinks we'd be ripe for the plucking.'
The luncheon continues and Mrs Bryant turns to Isobel. Emma felt a wave of sympathy of Ethel and turned to James when she heard a napkin been thrown and she turned to see Mr Bryan stood up. 'Well, I think that's cast rather a shadow over the proceedings, so I don't see any point in prolonging it. Daphne, come on, we're leaving.'
Mrs Bryant followed her husband and left.
Everyone was in the drawing room after that confrontation and Emma sat next to Lavinia, James and Grace were standing near the fireplace, sipping tea. Emma glanced over at James, then her eyes went over to Grace, who was glancing down at her stomach and then James engaged in a conversation with her and she looked back at him.
'He's their only grandchild. There can never be another.' Mary said. Emma thought that Mr Bryant was a horrible man and thank the lord that her father wasn't like him.
'Even if Ethel is telling the truth-' Sir Richard said.
'I believe she is.' Cora interjected.
'Even so, there's no legal reality to it. The child is her bastard and has no claim on them.'
Emma rolled her eyes in annoyance and saw Grace frowned at Sir Richard in an offensive manner.
'Steady on, sir. The ladies have had enough shocks for one day.' Robert admonished.
It was quiet for a second before Sir Richard defended his actions.
'I just don't see the point in pretending something can be done when it can't.'
'What about you, Mrs. Crawley? Can't one of your refugee charities help?' James asked Isobel.
'But she's not a refugee, and we have more claims on our funding than we can possibly meet.'
'The truth is, Ethel's made her choice and now she's stuck with it.' Mary stated dryly.
'That seems a little hard.' Grace said.
'Does it? Aren't all of us stuck with the choices we make?'
Everyone was silent and stared at Mary. Emma glanced down when Mary met her eyes. Emma couldn't deny what Mary said was cold, however it was the truth.
Before dinner, James was getting for dinner with the help from Mr. Bates. James liked Mr. Bates and thought of him as a kind soul and he thought of early events in the drawing room, Grace had said she had wanted to catch up with an old friend in Ripon and she left an hour ago. His eyes were much more improving and now weren't blurry as before. The medication he was taking was working, now that his doses had changed and he could see there were minor blur, he could make out something if it were close. He hoped not to wear spectacles as per request to Doctor Clarkson, he felt it would make his eyesight worse.
There was a knock on the door and Mr. Bates opened it and Violet stepped in and saw James straightening his dinner jacket.
'Oh, Mr. Montgomery, may I come in?' she asked.
James turned and nodded, 'Of course, come in.'
James was about get a spare armchair for the dowager when she shook her head.
'Oh, no dear, I'll sit here.' She said, nodding her head at the bed. 'I don't want us to be disturbed.'
Mr Bates nodded at James and James gave him a thankful smile before he exited the room.
James sat down near the end of the bed.
'I'm sure you know how delighted I am that you are recuperating after all.' Violet said.
James smiled and nodded, 'Thank you, my lady. That means a lot to me.'
'Now, this may come as a shock, but I feel I must say it all the same.'
'Please do tell.' James said.
'Emma is still in very much deeply in love with you.'
'What?' James asked, his eyebrow rose. 'I thought-'
'I was watching her yesterday when Matthew announced his wedding. She looked like...Rapunzel waiting to be freed when she stared at you. I had noticed that she hasn't fallen out of love.'
'But...Emma and I have always-'
'Of course, I suspected long ago that the glow hadn't gone out. But then there was no chance of your recovery, and it seemed best to let her try for happiness where she could.'
'I—I agree, and--and Corporal Collins is-'
'He was a passing fancy, and no longer an interference... the point I am trying to make is, you loved her once, are you sure you can't love her again?'
James flustered, 'My lady, I...please don't think I mind your...speaking to me in this way. I quite respect you highly, but...reflect on this, Grace came back against my wishes, agreed to look after me for the rest of my life, which meant that she would wash me and f--feed me and...do things that only the most dedicated nurse would undertake, and all with no hope of me getting better.'
'Yes. Yes, it's all very commendable, and I give her credit from a point of view.'
'Giving her that credit, do you think it would be right for me to toss her aside because I can see? To dismiss her because I no longer have need of her services?'
'Spoken like a man of honor. And we will not fall out over this.'
'But you don't agree.'
'I would just say one thing. The truth. I know your eyesight is improving, surely you had noticed any changes in Grace?'
'What do you mean?'
'Her body, for instance. I don't mean to drag her into the mud, but she bought it upon herself. She is seeing another man, by the name of Fredrick Whitmore, for more than a year, and she is carrying his child. There is proof of her infidelity and hopes to marry you in order to inherit your wealth and leave you.'
'What! I-I don't believe you. G-Grace would never do that... she loves me. I wanted to marry her, why would she see another man if she were with me?'
Violet gave James sympathetic look. 'I know you love her, but is she in love with you? Her actions says one thing, but her heart? Marriage is a long contract. There's no getting out of it for our kind of people. I mean, you may live forty...fifty years with one of these two women. However, which one would you marry? A nurse? or a woman you loved once?'
Violet grabbed a series of envelopes and handed them to James, he opened the letter and saw a photograph of Grace and a man together in arms. His heart crumbled and he felt a blind wave of betrayal when he saw the photo. Everything had disappeared in his mind and the image was now permanent in his brain. While he was fighting in the war, giving his life in the service whilst Grace...
'By the way, where is Grace?'
'S-she is in Ripon, catching up with an old friend-'
James saw the knowing look on Violet's face and he closed his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows. 'She is with him, isn't she?'
Emma found out that James wasn't at dinner, and neither had Sybil had come down to the Drawing Room. She went over to Edith and asked of Sybil's whereabouts, she replied, 'She's not feeling well. She told Anna that she wouldn't be down for dinner.'
Emma was a little disappointed, although she would check in on Sybil after dinner. She, Mary and Edith went over to Sybil's bedroom and knocked on her door.
'Sybil?'
There was no response. Emma gathered that she was still asleep. Mary went to open the door, but it remained shut. Emma furrowed her eyebrows.
'Sybil, We just wanted to say goodnight.' Mary said.
There was still no response.
Emma knocked on her door, louder this time, but there was still no response. Emma had started to worry. Where was Sybil? Anna had walked past at the moment.
'Is everything alright, milady?' she asked.
'You saw Lady Sybil earlier and she told you she was sick, correct?' Emma asked her.
'Yes. She said she'd ring for dinner but she hasn't. I was coming to check on her now.'
'Did you lock the door when you left?' Mary asked.
'No, milady.'
Emma chewed on her bottom lip and asked, 'Could you get me the key please, Anna?'
Anna nodded and went to get the key. She was back within minutes and opened the door. The room was empty.
'She couldn't have left.' Emma gasped.
A letter stood on the mantelpiece. The envelope read: To my family.
Emma opened the letter and scanned it quickly then she passed the note to Mary.
'Oh, my God. She's eloped. She's on her way to Gretna Green.'
'We need to find and stop her.' Emma said in a grave tone.
Emma, Mary, Edith and Anna rushed down the stairs and into the spare car and Edith drove as fast as she could whilst Emma, Mary and Anna glanced out of the windows, hoping to see a sign of Branson or Sybil.
'They must stop at some point. It won't be open before morning.'
'They won't expect us to be in pursuit until tomorrow, so they'll stay somewhere on the road,' Edith said.
'We hope.' Anna said.
'Everyone, keep an eye out of the motor,' Emma said, peering around for any sign of Sybil.
Emma could heart her heart beating loudly in her chest. She never been so afraid in her life, they had to drive a little longer before Anna spotted the car outside The Swan Inn. Edith pulled up and they ran inside. Mary knocked on the door and opened it without waiting for a reply. Branson was sat in a chair and Sybil laid in bed.
'How did you find us? How did you know?' Branson demanded.
'Never mind that. At least nothing's happened, thank God.' Emma said, putting her hand on her heart.
'What do you mean "nothing's happened"?' Sybil asked.
Branson looked at Sybil, worried and confused about what she was implying.
'I've decided to marry Tom, and you're coming after me won't change that.'
Branson stepped up beside Sybil confidently.
'This isn't the way.' Edith said.
'She's right. Of course, Mama and Papa will hate it-' Mary started.
Branson interrupted snidely, 'Why should they?'
'Oh, pipe down.' Emma retorted at Branson, then she turned to Sybil.
'Sybil, can't you let them get used to the idea? Take your stand and refuse to budge, but allow them time. That way you won't have to break up the family.'
'They would never give permission.' Sybil said stubbornly.
'You don't need permission, you're twenty-one. But you do need their forgiveness if you're not to start your new life under a black shadow.'
'Running away isn't the answer, Sybil.' Emma pleaded, 'It will only make things worse. I understand that you're in love and I support your decision in marrying whoever you love, but you must come back home and face Mama and Papa like an adult, make a stand.'
'Don't listen. She's pretending to be reasonable to get you home again.'
'Even if we are, even if I think this is mad, I know it would be better to do it in broad daylight than to sneak off like a thief in the night.'
Branson sighed, then looked at Sybil as he saw her resolve waning. She looked up at him.
'Go back with them, then. If you think they can make you happier than I will.' Branson said in defeat.
'Am I so weak you believe I could be talked out of giving my heart in five minutes flat?' Sybil asked faintly, 'But Mary and Emma are right. I don't like deceit and our parents don't deserve it. So, I'll go back with them. Believe it or not, I will stay true to you.'
Sybil kissed his cheek. Edith went over to get Sybil's luggage and Sybil took one last teary-eyed look at Branson before leaving the room with Edith.
'I'll return the car in the morning. You're confident you can bring her 'round, aren't you?' Branson asked Mary.
'Fairly. I'll certainly try.' Mary said and then she left the room.
Emma remained with Branson and said, 'I hoped Sybil would've told you that I am more compassionate than Mary. I know that you deeply love Sybil and I hope to God that you stick with her. I hope we get along as friends for Sybil's sake. I expect to see you again tomorrow, Branson... Do you want some money? For the room?'
Branson smiled a little and he stood straight and answered, 'No thank you, my lady. I can pay my own way.'
Emma nodded and closed the door as she walked out of the room.
Once Emma, Mary, Edith, Sybil and Emma arrived back at Downton, Anna went downstairs, and Sybil went straight upstairs with Edith behind her, carrying Sybil's bags. There were raised voices coming from the library and Mary and Emma shared a confused look before heading to the library where they saw James, who was red faced and had a fuming expression, and a pale faced Grace.
'Is everything all right?' Mary asked, looking at Grace with concern.
'Oh yes, everything is fine,' said Grace, giving a watery smile at Mary.
James scoffed and he turned away towards the dark reflection of the window.
'It bloody well isn't fine, none of this is fine!'
Emma and Mary turned to James and he turned to Grace with a dark expression.
'How on earth could you have done this? To Me? I thought we loved each other!' James said coldly.
Emma felt a shiver ran down her spine at this tense atmosphere. She didn't like the cold expression on James, it didn't suit him. She never seen a dark and cold expression on his face and she was instantly afraid of what was transpiring.
'I never lied to you, I stayed true to you, and-'
'LIAR!' Grace bellowed, her eyes cackled with electricity, 'You have been seeing her behind my back, ever since we came to this place you only had eyes for her. YOU NEVER LOVED ME!'
James pulled something out of jacket and held onto the envelope.
'Don't use your actions against me! I didn't sleep around and knock up women-'
'You're pregnant!' Mary gasped and wide eyed at Grace.
Grace pursed her lips, looking at a bookshelf.
The door opened and Robert, Cora, Violet and Carson entered.
'What the devil is going on here? Will someone explain to me what is going on?' Robert said, his eyes now hardened at James.
'Now dear, don't speak, let him speak,' Violet said.
James shook his head and said, 'Grace had been seeing a man behind my back.'
'What?' Robert gasped, then he turned to Grace.
'It's not true, Lord Grantham, I-'
James went over to Robert and handed the envelope. Robert looked confused and he opened the envelope and stumbled back when he held out the photographs, Cora's face paled and Violet didn't react.
'My god...'
Everyone stared at Grace.
'How long has this been going on?' Cora said.
'About two years,' Violet answered.
'What! You knew!' Robert said angrily at his mother.
Violet set her jaw, 'I suspected her and hired an undercover agent to follow her. Long since before their engagement she had been seeing a Fredrick Whitmore. I told him my suspicion of his former fiancee painting the town red.'
'And she's pregnant,' Mary added.
There was a stunned silence and Emma hung her head. She felt ashamed that she didn't tell James earlier. She felt a little bad that Grace had been exposed this badly, but Emma remembered that Grace blackmailed her to secrecy of scandal.
'I want you to leave by morning, and I never want to see you again,' said James, then he turned to Carson, 'Can you see to it that a motor be bought around in the morning, Carson.'
Carson nodded, 'Of course, Mr. Montgomery.'
'James-'
'Don't...' said James, his eyes closed and he breathed, 'I don't have any words left to say to you...'
James walked past Grace, who was standing in tears. Robert placed a comforting arm on James's shoulder and James nodded and disappeared. Emma sighed, and she turned to leave. When she had finally left the tense room, she felt a hand clasped her wrist.
Emma turned to see it was Mary.
'Don't, let him be...just for tonight.'
Emma nodded and said, 'Goodnight, Mary.'
In the morning, Emma was rather lucky to have reached the entry hall where she saw Grace and James and she didn't dare interrupt their final parting. She peaked from the wall, watching as Grace pecked James and sniffled and walked out of the house, dressed fine to the nines.
Emma followed James to the front and watched as Grace got into her motor and Branson gave a curt nod to Emma and drove off. Emma hoped it was the last time they would see Grace Huntington.
'You knew as well,' said James stiffly, still staring at the motor from a distance.
Emma's heart sunk and said held her head up high and said, 'Yes, but I couldn't tell you.'
'Why?' said James, glancing down at her.
Emma breathed and said, 'She knew of the Pamuk scandal, she knew I was involved and threatened me not to tell her secret.'
James sighed, 'Well, since you never did tell me, she can't expose you without proof.'
Emma shrugged, 'Maybe, but that is up to her to expose my family's scandal, but she cannot, not without her scandal coming out too. So, we were at a standstill.'
'At least we have Matthew and Lavinia's wedding to look forward too.'
Emma glanced at James and said, 'I hope you are jesting. You know I don't support their relationship.'
'Because of your sister.'
Emma nodded, watching the motor disappear.
'Mary is my sister; I would support her more than Lavinia.'
Emma turned away and went back into the house with a hole in her heart. She was a tiny bit glad that Grace had left...but now she was in even at a worse position with James. She knew there was no way he would forgive her so easily and quickly. She was sure now he lost his trust in her. She couldn't stop thinking how stupid she was that she didn't realize Grace couldn't reveal the scandal without proof. Emma hung her head and she mentally prayed for James to forgive her someday.
'Emma? Is everything alright?'
Emma turned to see Cora with sympathetic expression.
Emma shook her and said, 'No...nothing is alright.'
Emma rushed upstairs to get away from everyone and she locked the door when she reached her bedroom and she sat at her vanity table and stared at her reflection. She wondered how many times did she had to cry before she could feel happy.
And there we have it... Please let me know what you think of this chapter!
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Until next time <3