The Downton Princess | A Downton Abbey Fanfiction

Chapter Five

As the car drove up towards Downton Abbey, Darrel glanced out the window and let out a heavy sigh. The staff organized their "reception committee" as Matthew Crawley once called it. She had not expected her parents to view Lord Dankworth's arrival at Downton as formal. She wanted it to be as casual as possible, to make everyone feel at ease. Lord and Lady Grantham never organized such a production when she was courting Sebastian, and he had been the Prince of Spain at one point.
"Well, Lord and Lady Grantham certainly know how to greet people," Tobias chuckled, sensing how tense Darrel was, and wanted to diffuse the situation.
"You must think that my family is rather formal," Darrel replied. "But I assure you that they are not usually like this."
"Do not worry, Your...Darrel. I usually have to put up with Their Majesties. They are formal. I am sure that the Crawleys will be fine."
"Thank you."
"It is not a problem, I meant it."
Darrel smiled at him then turned to glance back out of the window.

Once the car parked in front of the house, the driver assisted the couple to climb out. All the servants either bowed or curtsied to Tobias, making Darrel feel uncomfortable. However, she was determined to get her family to believe that her and Tobias' relationship was real and that they were comfortable around each other.
"Hello, Papa," Darrel smiled, going over to hug her father.
"Hello, my darling," Robert replied. "It is good to have you home."
"Thank you. Hello, Mama."
"Welcome back, Darrel," Cora nodded, wrapping her daughter into her arms.
Darrel turned towards Mary, Tom, and Henry.
"I am surprised that you have kept silent for this long," Darrel smirked, addressing her eldest sister.
"As am I," Mary shrugged. "But Mama told me to behave."
"I cannot believe that you obeyed her orders for a change."
"Anyway, I suppose it is good to see you."
Darrel hugged her sister, gave her brothers-in-law friendly smiles, then took a step back so that she stood next to Tobias. In an attempt to make their courtship seem real, she slipped her arm through his.
"Mama, Papa, this is Lord Tobias Dankworth," Darrel introduced.
"Lord and Lady Grantham," Tobias nodded. "It is very nice to meet you. Thank you for allowing me to stay at Downton."
"Well, we did not have much choice in the matter," Robert replied, then headed into the house.
Darrel let out a heavy sigh, not expecting Lord Grantham to react so poorly so quickly. Thomas Barrow dismissed the servants, and they began to head to the servants' entrance, apart from those who helped to unload the cases.
"Lord Dankworth, please do not pay attention to his Lordship's behaviour," Cora announced. "We are pleased to have you here, and I look forward to getting to know you better."
"It is already in the past, Lady Grantham," Tobias assured.
"It's just...we were all rather shocked when we read about your relationship in the papers, and I just think that Robert needs a bit more time to wrap his head around it."
"I understand."
"We were planning on telling you all before the press caught wind of it," Darrel assured. "However, it appears that a certain Mr Jones has it in for me, and will take any opportunity he can to cause an inconvenience to the Royal Family."
"Why is that?" Tom inquired.
"Well, Mr Turner used to be a journalist at Mr Jones' paper. And Mr Jones sacked him because Mr Turner refused to do anything unethical for his writing. However, Mr Turner had been loyal to me, so I aided him in starting his own paper. Mr Jones is furious because he never expected Mr Turner to do so well."
"I hardly see how that is your fault," Henry commented. "You were only trying to help someone who showed you loyalty."
"I suppose that journalism is complicated," Darrel replied with a shrug.
Henry nodded and then the group fell silent, nobody knowing what to say. The family did not know Lord Dankworth as much as they had known Sebastian, and had no idea what would be an appropriate conversation.
"When do Edith and Bertie arrive?" Darrel inquired.
"Tomorrow," Tom replied.
Darrel nodded, glad that they would be arriving soon. Bertie had known the Dankworth family for many years, so she hoped that he would aid in bridging the gap between Tobias and the Crawleys. And the young couple had visited Brancaster Castle not too long ago, so Edith knew her new suitor as well.
"Well, if you'll excuse me, I better go check on Lord Grantham," Cora announced, nodding to her guest, then leaving.
"I am going to help Tobias settle in," Darrel informed, then lead Lord Dankworth inside.
The remaining three peered after the young couple as they headed inside.
"I do not like him at all," Mary declared.
"You just met him," Henry reminded. "Give him a chance."
"A chance to what? Get more boring? He hardly speaks, and he gave no value to the conversation when he did."
"This is his first time coming to Downton, I am sure that he finds us rather overwhelming," Tom pointed out. "For Darrel's sake, you should get to know him a bit better before declaring that you dislike him."
"Fine," Mary groaned, rolling her eyes then heading into the house.