Downton Abbey: All Is Fair In Love And War

Mr Carson, Leave Him Be

Downton Abbey,
April 1919

Thomas had spared a lot of the last part of the story, he had not mentioned their night at all, but just ended it with them falling asleep and speaking of Christmas. It had been long and the clock was ticking behind them. Mrs Hughes smacked her lips and looked at it.

"So, you were the reason Mr Crawley did not grace us with his presence for the holidays?" Mrs Hughes said, trying not to sound as amused as she was.

"He picked the trenches with me over the comfort of Downton Abbey" Thomas said and stood up, straight in his back, and hiding how overwhelmed he had become by his own words.

"Yes, you are correct Thomas, I suppose it is time to say goodnight" Mrs Hughes said and rose to her feet as well. "It is quite the thrilling story"

Thomas pursed his lips together and followed Mrs Hughes to the door "A story that has now ended, a story only in my memory"

Mrs Hughes opened the door "Before you go, Thomas, regardless of the content of this tale you are telling me, I am glad to see that someone brought the sweet side out of you"

Thomas gave her a small nod and said his goodnight, to retreat to an empty bed — so empty he felt himself begging for another war, another trench, a time before April 1919 came upon them all. He begged to be in France once again.

Mrs Hughes went to retire in her bed, walking through the hallway and towards the stairs she saw Daisy in the corner. "Daisy, heavens, what are you still doing awake?"

Daisy jumped where she stood, holding a pot with no intent of using it. "I could not sleep, Mrs Hughes, there's been too much sorrow in the house"

Mrs Hughes sighed "First war then the Spanish flu, I hope merrier times will come." She said and bid Daisy goodnight.

"Mrs Hughes, is Thomas telling stories from the war?" Daisy asked as Mrs Hughes walked past her.

"What Thomas and I discuss is our business, Daisy" Mrs Hughes answered and disappeared up the stairs. As long as they thought it was nothing but stories from the war everything would be alright. She had no intentions of letting Thomas' secret slip, she might be head housekeeper but she would not spill secrets confined in her — especially by a man who never had confided in anyone. Well, she thought, no one but Mr Crawley.

She did pity Thomas, and mourned the fact that he could not openly love. Whatever the law and God said she never thought love could be punished that badly — at least not if they were not indecent before marriage. Then, of course, she realised that Thomas could never marry. "Oh dear, heavens..." She said to herself and got herself ready for bed, feeling a twitch of guilt about how she could marry but had never done so while someone who had loved, like Thomas, could not.

Morning came and Mrs Hughes awoke the maids, the newest, Maud, groaned from the early hour - like she had done with every wake-up call since she had arrived. Then she awoke Anna for breakfast. By the table they all sat, even Thomas, though his gaze was focused upon the cigarette in his hand. His eyes seemed hollow and the bags below them were dark. Sleep had not found him at all. The bells rang and everyone began preparing for the rising of the Crawleys'.

"Thomas, can I trust you to set up for breakfast while I tend to his Lordship?" Mr Carson said in the typical stern voice.

"Yes, Mr Carson" Thomas' monotone voice echoed in the halls and he rose to do as he was asked.

Mr Carson raised his eyebrow and whispered to Mrs Hughes "Why is there no malice in his tone of voice? This is a change..."

"Sometimes not all changes are good, Mr Carson, not all are good" She said and finished her tea before she, too, rose.