Reality is only an Illusion

The New Heir Arrives

A/n: Wow, I didn't think anyone would read this story as it seems the Downton Abbey area is on the dead side, but I'm happy non the less at the response.

Also, before anyone points out the misspelled words like color and jewelry as so many have done on TikTok. I'm American, and that is how we spell these words here compared to how they may be spelled in places like Canada, UK, Australia, and many other places.

Another thing. I have been doing research on items and clothing in the 1910s for the story, and I try to look for the UK version on the names, but when I keep looking, most really won't give me alternative names from other countries, so I'm sorry if it's called different things where you are from. I don’t know if this will be an issue with some readers, so I want to say this just in case.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 3: The New Heir Arrives

Today was the big day. Matthew Crawley and his mother, Isobel, were arriving, and the day seemed perfect with the sun shining and the cool breeze of spring blowing. It was the perfect day for travel or something to happen or, in this case, both. It has been a few weeks since the whole fiasco with the duke. After the duke left, Robert wrote to Matthew and even met with him in London to discuss the details. Crawley House had been set up for their arrival. It had to be given a thorough clean as no one has inhabited the house since Violet's mother-in-law. Robert even hired a local man a Mr. Joseph Molesley. His father was a local gardener for the Downton Village. To Lilly, his father was the best in the village, and it was a shame that he never won the best bloom in the village.

Lilly took her time getting ready to go riding as she knew Cora would corner Mary to go and check in on the Crawley's to make sure they were settling in alright and invite them to dine with the family. The main reason was so everyone could be introduced properly, and Lilly would have the rest of the day to ride her stallion Thunder. She had never ridden a horse before in her time, but she was riding like a pro after a few lessons from Mary. According to Mary and Edith, she needed to learn to ride correctly as she had always been the weak rider in the family, which wouldn't do as she was approaching the age to participate in hunts.

Lilly had come to find that she loved riding and tried to ride a couple of times a week, if not more. She didn't even mind sitting side saddle as she thought it made her look more elegant. Lilly checked herself in the mirror one last time, making sure her hair was up and out of the way. Her black riding habit was in perfect order just in case she passed by Violet on her way down to the stables. At that moment, Anna walked into the room with Gwen. Gwen was a very pretty young maid with fair skin, beautiful red hair, and sky-blue eyes. Lilly loved how she had freckles dotted across her nose as well as the top of her cheeks. Lilly had wished the maid's day uniforms differed because that stack-color did nothing for her hair and eye combination, which was a shame.

"Here you are, my lady. I had finished sewing the veil after breakfast, so it shouldn't come off for some time to come." Anna stated as she presented Lilly with her fixed riding hat.

"Oh, thank you so much, Anna! I can't believe the veil came off already, and I haven't had it for five months. I'm so grateful that you had time to work some of your magic." Lilly smiled, and she took the hat from Anna, placed it on her head, and adjusted the veil to fall correctly into place.

"Nothing a bit of extra stitching couldn't fix. I know the machines are made to be better, but they could still do a double stitch for an extra bit of Insurance. My lady, you changed your bedding again. Gwen and I were going to do it after you left to go ride Thunder." Anne spoke as she eyed the neat pile of dirty sheets on the floor in front of the bedroom bench and the lovely and neatly made bed.

"I know, but I was here and thought why not. You two work so hard, so I thought I would lighten your load a bit." Lilly said as if it was nothing. To Lilly, it was nothing. It was things she did for herself all the time back in her world. She always thought it would be a dream come true if someone was to wait on her hand and foot, but as soon as it started here, she came to find out it wasn't at all what it was cracked up to be and grew bored of it. So, when she could, she did things herself like make the bed, dust, and even tried to mend her riding hat, but sewing was never her strong suit even when she used a sewing machine.