*EDITED*
Elizabeth stood with her twin in Mary's room, the pair putting on their gloves, the finishing touch on their dinner outfits. Elizabeth glanced in the mirror, giving herself a once over. She looked acceptable. That would keep the rest of her family happy.
"Why are you so against him?" Sybil questioned in response to Mary's complaints about Matthew.
It seemed them spending time together at dinner had done nothing to quell her hatred towards the man, instead feeding it. She ranted about him on more than one occasion to Elizabeth who was more than happy to listen. She did understand why she hated him, she just wished she would take a second to evaluate the situation and understand his side as well.
"Aside from the fact he's planning to steal our inheritance?" Mary replied from her place by her vanity.
"Your inheritance," Edith voiced. "It makes no difference to Sybil, Elizabeth and me. We won't inherit, whatever happens."
"He isn't one of us."
"Cousin Freddy's studying for the bar and so is Vivian MacDonald," Elizabeth defended, moving to sit in one of Mary's chairs, Sybil close behind her.
"At Lincoln's Inn. Not sitting at a dirty little desk in Ripon. Besides, his father was a doctor," Mary explained.
"There's nothing wrong with doctors. We all need doctors," Elizabeth argued, rolling her eyes at her sister.
"We all need crossing sweepers and draymen too, it doesn't mean we have to dine with them," Mary retorted.
Elizabeth and Sybil shared a look of amusement at their sister's antics. While it was amusing to see her jump through hopes to justify her dislike for the man, they both wished she'd admit that maybe she was judging far too swiftly.
"Whom don't we have to dine with?" Cora questioned upon walking into the room.
"Mary doesn't care for Cousin Matthew," Edith revealed.
"Sybil, be a dear and fetch my black evening shawl. O'Brien knows which one. And Edith, can you see that the drawing room's ready?" Cora requested. Both exited.
"I'll just go with them," Elizabeth muttered, going to leave the room as she realised Cora wanted to talk to Mary alone. Cora mouthed a 'thank you' to her, to which she replied with a nod.
---
The family each sat around the dining table. Matthew and Isobel had joined them for the evening. Elizabeth was staring at her plate, separating all the different components of her dinner, starting off with her least favourite part, the vegetables.
"Have you been able to explore the village?" Robert asked Isobel.
"Indeed I have and I thought the hospital a great credit to your father's memory," Isobel complimented. "But I'm afraid the good doctor and I did not see eye to eye."
"Oh. You amaze me," Violet commented as if she had been expecting something like that to be announced. She spoke as if she was well aware of Isobel's character and her actions were no surprise.
"He's treating one of your tenants, John Drake, for dropsy but seems reluctant to embrace some of the newer treatments," Isobel explained.
"Oh, how sad," Elizabeth muttered.
"Drake is a good man and far too young to die, but I suppose the doctor knows his business," Robert defended.
"Not as well as Mrs Crawley, apparently," Violet added, a slight scoff to her tone.
Robert spoke up, sensing the building tension in the dining room and wanting to avoid further confrontation and arguments, "By the way, if ever you want to ride, just let Lynch know and he'll sort it out for you."
"Oh, Papa, Cousin Matthew doesn't ride," Mary dismissed.
"I ride," Matthew revealed, yet again shutting down Mary's attempts to be condescending and prove she was above him.
"And do you hunt?"
"No, I don't hunt," Matthew admitted.
"I dare say there's not much opportunity in Manchester," Violet said, laughing slightly.
"Unless you hunt the locals," Elizabeth quipped, her joke falling on deaf ears, only Sybil paying attention and laughing quietly at her humour.
"Are you a hunting family?"
"Families like ours are always hunting families" Mary informed.
Elizabeth watched on with fascination, she hoped it wouldn't end badly but she had to admit it was slightly entertaining to her, the whole ordeal. The back and forth between them could probably last a lifetime but someone would always have to put a stop to it.
"Not always. Billy Skelton won't have them on his land," Robert told.
"But all the Skeltons are mad," Mary argued.
"Do you hunt?"
"Occasionally. I suppose you're more interested in books than country sports," Mary continued.
"I probably am. You'll tell me that's rather unhealthy," Matthew replied.
"Not unhealthy, just unusual, among our kind of people," she insulted.
It took everything in Elizabeth not to roll her eyes at Mary as she knew Violet would scold her for such a thing. She knew that it was unfair that Mary couldn't inherit but that didn't give her the right to treat Matthew as she was, as entertaining as it could be sometimes. Elizabeth watched on silently.
"I've been studying the story of Andromeda. Do you know it?" Mary asked.
"Why?" Matthew inquired, knowing the story would probably lead to her attempting to insult and embarrass him further.
"Her father was King Cepheus, whose country was being ravaged by storms and in the end, he decided the only way to appease the gods was to sacrifice his eldest daughter to a hideous sea monster," Mary began explaining. "So they chained her naked to a rock-"
She was interrupted by Violet's nervous laughter, "really, Mary. We'll all need our smelling salts in a minute."
"But the sea monster didn't get her, did he?" Matthew continued.
"No, just when it seemed he was the only solution to her father's problems, she was rescued."
"By Perseus," Matthew interrupted.
"That's right. Perseus, son of a god. Rather more fitting, wouldn't you say?" Mary told.
"That depends. I'd have to know more about the princess and the sea monster in question," Matthew responded.
He knew she was trying to say he was a sea monster and that she was the princess, but he pretended to be ignorant to the fact. Maybe it was to avoid further argument or to annoy Mary further as she wasn't getting her way in making him feel less than. Either way, Elizabeth silently admired the fact that he was almost Mary's equal in these arguments. He was quick with his responses.
If it wasn't for the fact they disliked each other so much, they would make a perfect couple, Elizabeth thought.
The family continued eating, this time in silence.
---
Sybil and Elizabeth were together again, as usual. It was a twin thing they would always say. They enjoyed one another's company and found that the only person who truly understood them and knew what to say, when to say it and when to leave the other alone was their twin.
They had just come back in from riding when they noticed Mr Bates in the library with a strange man. They stepped in, eyes glancing around to see if there was anyone else there.
"Bates?" Sybil spoke, drawing attention to their presence.
"This gentleman is an acquaintance of Mr Carson, m'lady's," Bates explained, a worried look in his eye.
He was worried that this may reflect badly on him. Anyone could see it and with the fact he had almost been let go, it wasn't a surprise he was.
"What's he doing in here?" Elizabeth questioned, frowning as she eyed the man who had made himself at home.
"He says he has urgent business with his lordship," Bates elaborated.
"Urgent," the man repeated.
"I've sent for Mr Carson to come at once," Bates added.
"Then we'll stay with you," Sybil informed.
"In case explanations are needed," Elizabeth finished, sending Bates a kind smile.
Bates mouthed a 'thank you' to the pair, each of them nodded.
"How long are you expecting me to wait? I'm a very busy man, you know," the man complained.
"If you could just be patient for a little longer, sir," Bates requested.
It was then that Robert returned to the house, entering the library upon hearing the man's voice. He made a noise of recognition as Robert entered the library. Anna was close behind.
"May I ask who this is and precisely what is going on?" Robert demanded.
"Mr Bates, what are you-" Carson began as he entered the library. He paused, noticing who he was in the presence of. "Er, I'm sorry, your lordship. Mr Bates, you may go now."
"Stay where you are. Nobody's going anywhere," Robert ordered. "Do I take it you know this man?"
"Don't try and deny it," the man warned.
"No, I won't deny it. I do know him, my lord, but not what he is doing in the library," Carson answered.
Elizabeth played with the rim of the hat that she held in her hands, not sure what she should be doing in such a situation. She felt as though she was intruding slightly. She stared at the hat, not looking towards the situation.
"I tried to take him downstairs out of sight, Mr Carson," Bates informed.
"Thank you, that was thoughtful," Carson spoke.
"But who is he?" Robert asked.
"Will you tell him, or shall I?" The man questioned.
"His name is Charles Grigg. We worked together at one time," Carson told.
"Oh, I'm a little more than that, aren't I, Charlie?" Charles placed an arm on Carson's shoulder, patting it. "We're like brothers, him and me."
"Charlie?" Elizabeth muttered, never expecting Carson of all people to have such a nickname. There was nothing wrong with it but it wasn't very 'scary butler'.
"We are not like brothers," Carson denied.
Elizabeth placed her hat down.
"We were a double act, on the halls," the man revealed.
"You were on the stage? Carson, is this true?" Robert exclaimed.
"It is, my lord."
Elizabeth became intrigued, more so than she did before.
"The Cheerful Charlies, that's what they called us." Charles did a small tap dance. He handed Robert a flyer. "We did quite well, didn't we?"
"Until you couldn't keep your hands out of the till," Carson retorted.
"Would you like us to go, Mr Carson?" Anna asked.
"No. You know it now. You might as well bear witness to my shame. He turned up in the village with no warning some days ago, on the run, asking for somewhere to hide and, of course, for money."
Robert had handed Sybil the flyer. Both her and Elizabeth read it over as the conversation continued. Elizabeth found it extremely hard to believe. She also found it extremely amusing
"God in heaven," Robert interrupted.
"He is wanted for some petty crime, of which he is, of course, guilty."
"Here, steady on." Charles hit him on the chest with his hat.
"He threatened to expose my past, to make me a laughing stock in this house, and in my vanity and pride, I gave him what he wanted," Carson admitted.
Charles scoffed, "You did not."
"I put him in an empty cottage and fed him from the kitchens. I couldn't buy food in the village- it would raise too many questions. I stole. I'm a thief. She saw it." Carson gestured to Anna.
"I'd never have said anything Mr-" Anna reassured.
"And now my disgrace is complete. My lord, you have my resignation."
"Really, Carson, there's no need to be quite so melodramatic. You're not playing Sidney Carton," Robert responded before turning to Charles. "So why have you come here if he has done everything you asked of him?"
"Because he hasn't," Charles answered. He sat in the armchair behind him. "He wouldn't give me any money."
"If I had, how could I prevent his returning to Downton once it was spent?" Carson voiced.
Robert cleared his throat before speaking.
"My dear Mr Grigg-"
"Oh, it's nice to see someone's got some manners."
"Hold your tongue," Carson scolded.
"I'll tell you what is going to happen. When I have given you twenty pounds, you will leave Downton immediately and we will never set eyes on you again," Robert instructed.
"I'll have to see about that," Charles replied.
"If you return to this area, I will personally ensure your conviction for theft and blackmail," he threatened.
"Just a minute." Charles stood from his chair.
"You will serve from five to 10 years in His Majesty's custody."
"You think you're such a big man, don't you? Just cause you're a lord, you think you can do what you like with me."
"I think it... because it is true," Robert responded, handing him the money.
There was a pause as Charles contemplated taking the money. He snatched it from Robert's hands and began storming out. Before he had exited he stopped and turned towards them again.
"You'll not always be in charge, you know. The day is coming when your lot will have to tow the line just like the rest of us," he shouted.
"Perhaps. But happily, for Carson, that day has not come yet," Robert told, calmly.
Charles left with Bates and Anna behind him to ensure he really did leave.
"I take it my resignation has not been accepted," Mr Carson spoke up.
"My dear fellow, we all have chapters we would rather keep unpublished. To be honest, Carson, I'm rather impressed. Did you really sing and dance in front of an audience?" Robert complimented.
Elizabeth had a small smile on her face as she watched the exchange. She was trying to imagine Carson performing on stage, signing, dancing and having fun. It was so unlike him.
"I did."
"And do you ever miss it?"
"Not in the least, my lord," Carson answered, leaving the library.
Sybil and Elizabeth left soon after.
"I cannot imagine Carson of all people singing and dancing on stage," Elizabeth admitted.
"Neither can I, the whole thing is very strange," Sybil said, stifling her chuckles.
"Still, poor Carson, he must feel as though he's the laughing stock of the house now," Elizabeth added.
"We'll have to treat him especially well for the next few months to reassure him," Sybil voiced.
"'The Cheerful Charlie's'," Elizabeth muttered. "Forget singing and dancing, Carson actually smiling is what gets me," she quipped.
Sybil laughed.
"You are so mean sometimes, Lizzie," Sybil replied through her laughter.
---
The sisters were making their way down to the foyer together, going to the hospital to see Isobel officially become a part of it. Something Violet was less than pleased about
"Why must we all go to the hospital?" Edith complained.
"I'm afraid Papa wants to teach Granny a lesson. Poor Granny. A month ago, these people were strangers, now she must share power with the mother and I must marry the son," Mary answered.
"You won't marry him though, will you?" Edith replied.
"What, marry a sea monster?" Mary joked.
Edith and Mary laughed, with Sybil and Elizabeth behind them. They glanced at each other, laughing slightly at the joke, even though they did not believe Matthew to be such.
"We shouldn't laugh. That's so unkind," Sybil voiced.
"It's not his fault that society treats women as lesser," Elizabeth spoke up. "Still, it's not an ideal situation." She shrugged, knowing her words would not change anything.
Edith then spoke up, "But he must marry someone."
"Edith, what are you thinking?" Mary questioned.
"You know, I don't dislike him as much as you do."
"Perhaps you don't dislike him at all."
"Perhaps I don't," Edith admitted.
"Well, it's nothing to me. I've bigger fish to fry."
"What fish?" Sybil asked.
"You've never mentioned anyone to us," Elizabeth told.
"Are we talking about E.N.?" Edith questioned.
Elizabeth's eyes widened at the idea of a potential husband for Mary. Her head whipped from Edith to Mary.
"How do you know that? Have you been poking around in my things?" Mary interrogated.
"Of course not," Edith defended.
"Come on. Who is he? It's not fair if you both know," Sybil spoke up.
"You won't be any the wiser, but his name is Evelyn Napier," Mary informed.
"The Honourable Evelyn Napier," Edith began, mockingly saluting. "Son and heir to Viscount Branksome."
"Who wants an old sea monster when they can have Perseus?" Mary said, causing the girls to laugh.
They arrived at the hospital, seating themselves at the front. Violet, Isobel and Doctor Clarkson arrived and began walking to their seats on the raised platform. Everyone stood. Once they reached their seats the small audience sat down.
Elizabeth watched Violet as her face remained stone cold.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this happy event, the investiture of our first Chairwoman, Mrs Reginald Crawley, who has graciously agreed to share the duties of our beloved President, the Dowager Countess of Grantham," Doctor Clarkson announced.
Elizabeth held back her smile as she watched her Granny's face fall further (if it were even possible).
"Our little hospital must surely grow and thrive with two such doughty champions united as they are by the strongest ties of all: family and friendship," he finished.
Everyone applauded, including Elizabeth who was delighted for Isobel, even if Violet was less than happy about it.