¤Nine¤

Four days later
Downstairs, Downton Abbey

Elsie smiled. The date was set. Charlie was to marry her on the 8th day of May 1925. About two months away. Everything from the guests to the menu to the entertainment was planned and ready. Except the dress. She needed a white dress. Anna offered to go with her and they made plans to go dress shopping that Saturday.

Meanwhile Daisy was lonely. There was no one around to talk to. She missed Ivy. Thomas was brooding in a corner as usual but had seemed to perk up today, which was strange seeing as Mr Talbot visiting again meant that Thomas had extra work. Daisy sometimes wondered what it was like to dress the people upstairs. For them to know you so well. She also wondered what they talked about, if Anna ever carried gossip around, from upstairs or downstairs.

Mr Moseley grinned at Phyllis Baxter as she passed. She smiled back and sat beside him. They laughed and chatted and went about their duties. Mrs Patmore rolled the pastry. "Come along now Daisy! We have to finish preparing luncheon!" She exclaimed. Daisy sighed, such was the life of an under cook.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Mr Greggson's Newspaper

Edith twirled the fountain pen between her fingers and frowned. She sat in Michael's chair and inhaled his scent. She sighed and turned back to the typewriter. She tapped a few keys and leaned back in her chair. It was ready. It still felt odd to be at that side of the desk, editing a paper. It seemed quite beyond her.

She put down her pen and stood. Smoothing her skirt her thoughts began to wander. She was thinking about Downton, when the secretary knocked on the door. "The new journalist has arrived M'am. Mr David Thompson." Edith was snapped out of her reverie. "Send him in".

Mr David Thompson was beautiful. Edith almost blinked when she saw him. His hair was practically golden, cut in the modern fashion, and his startling green eyes twinkled. He was tanned and muscular and quite young. He smiled to reveal heartwarming dimples and pearly white teeth. Edith had to turn away quickly before she blushed.

Using all the self control she possesed, she sat down and invited Mr Thompson to do the same. "Hi, you must be Miss Crawley. Or Lady Crawley - excuse my ignorance, I'm not very familiar with English etiquette." He said awkwardly in a thick American drawl. His voice made her heart flutter.

"Miss Crawley is perfectly alright Mr Thompson." She smiled. He was constantly looking at her. She glanced down at the page in front of her, be could not remember what she was supposed to be doing. He had mesmerised her. "You have such a beautiful cultured accent. I wish I didn't sound so annoyingly American, I sound like I've never been outside of the states." He sighed, still gazing at her.

She was perfect. All awkward British pauses, soft kind smiles, big bright eyes and blonde tresses. She was a Lady. A real member of the aristocracy. She would never be interested in an American journalist who barely had enough money to reach England. She deserved better than him, she deserved a handsome prince.

"I think you have a lovely accent Mr Thompson. And I am not totally ignorant of America, my mother is from New York." Edith replied. "I never said that you were." He said quickly. "You didn't have to say it. Anyway, you will be -"

"I didn't offend you did I?" He asked nervously. Edith suddenly soured. She hated being interupted. Mary always cut her sentences and conversations and sometimes even words, short, and Edith loathed her for it.

"No you didn't, not until you interupted me. And being American is not an excuse for rudeness." There was silence. "I like to think of myself as strict but fair, Mr Thompson and will not tolerate any misbehaviour of any form. I do not care if you think that it makes this company seem like a school, because this newspaper is a machine and like any machine it only takes one faulty part to destroy it. All reports are to be handed in on time and tardiness is no acceptable in any circumstance. Do you have any questions?"

Again silence. "Good. Miss Porter the secretary will show you to your desk and your first report will be assigned within the hour. Good day Mr Thompson." Edith finished and preteded to be busy typing. He left. When she was sure that he was at his desk, she relaxed slightly. She did like him, and maybe it was because of that, that she snapped at him.

David Thompson sat at his desk. He smiled. She definitely had a crush on him.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Upstairs, Downton Abbey

Lady Cora sipped her tea slowly. She tried to think of a solution to her predicament. Nothing came to mind. Robert sat and read at the other side of the room. Mary was in the gardens with Mr Talbot. Silence reigned. Then Carson appeared at the door. "A telephone call m'lady".

Cora rose from her seat. Robert rose his eyebrows. "Who could it be from?" He asked. Cora rolled her eyes. "Well why don't I answer it and find out?" Robert moved in his seat. "You don't have to be sarcastic about it" he muttered. Cora sighed.

She spoke into the telephone, holding the reciever to her ear.

"Hello?"

"My dear Cora, it's me, Simon"

"Simon! Why are you calling?"

"Can one not casually ring ones lover?"

"Not when their lover is already married and has to whisper!"

"I suppose so. I really called to inform you thst I am coming for dinner. Tonight."

"What! You can't come! We have guests and -"

"I am still coming."

"Robert will kill you!"

"I can fight him off"

"Then he'll kill me."

"Not when he knows you're pregnant."

"Well, he won't know. And you are not coming."

"There is naught that you can do, I am about to get back on the train now."

"Please don't do this Simon!"

"Must dash, I shall see you very soon".

"Simon, no!"

The line went dead. A storm was brewing, but it had nothing to do with the weather.


Oooh! So, thanks for reading!! Over 700 reads people!!!???!!!!!!!

Please comment your opinions!! What do you think of Mr Thompson? The first character I created. Edith deserves love!

Smiles,
{SaskatFishcakes } xxx

CAST
Lady Grantham ~ Elizabeth McGovern
Mr Bricker ~ Richard E Grant
Lord Grantham ~ Hugh Bonneville
Charlie Carson ~ Jim Carter
Elsie Hughes ~ Phyllis Logan
Thomas Barrow ~ Rob James-Collier
Miss Baxter ~ Raquel Cassidy
Mr Moseley ~ Kevin Doyle
Mr Bates ~ Brendan Coyle
Anna Bates ~ Joanne Froggatt
Lady Mary ~ Michelle Dockery
Denker ~ Sue Johnston
Spratt ~ Jeremy Swift
Lady Edith ~ Laura Carmichael
Henry Talbot ~ Matthew Goode
Daisy Mason ~ Sophie McSherra
Mrs Patmore ~ Leslie Nicol

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top