The Downton Princess | A Downton Abbey Fanfiction

Chapter Six

A little later that day, Darrel was in her childhood bedroom. One of the oddest parts about returning to Downton Abbey was being in her bedroom. While it was not as spacious, luxurious or as comfortable as her well-decorated room at Buckingham Palace, she felt more at home here. Despite living at the palace for over four years, she still sometimes felt as if she were a guest, and her bedroom was a hotel room. She never felt as if it was truly hers. Unlike at her bedroom at Downton where everything in it had been handpicked and decorated according to her style.
Darrel was pulled out of her thoughts by the door opening and Anna entering the room.
"Your Highness," Anna curtsied.
"Please do not use such formalities with me," Darrel replied. "I lived here since I was a little girl, and I have known you all my life. There is no reason that you should change how you address me."
"It does seem disrespectful."
"Not at all. It is the same with how my family and close friends continue to call me Darrel as opposed to Elizabeth."
Anna nodded and began to lay out a dinner dress for the princess.
"I am surprised that Mary allowed you to assist me," Darrel smirked, as she let her hair down so that Anna could redo it. "She was never very good at sharing when we were younger."
Anna laughed, "Well, Miss Baxter is going to help the Marchioness of Hexham when she arrives tomorrow, so I am to assist you during your stay."
"Well, I suppose that Mary would rather share you with me than with Edith."
Anna nodded in agreement, trying to hide her laugh from Darrel's comment.
"So, what have I missed?" Darrel inquired, as Anna began to work on her hair. "I am afraid that I have been away for too long."
"Well, not much happens here," the lady's maid responded. "You have not missed too much here. Although, I think that the Crawleys fear that they have missed quite a bit in your life."
"I suppose they have...although I hope to get them up to date while I am here. And I intend to get them to know Lord Dankworth better."
"Yes, I read about him the papers. He seems like a nice gentleman."
"Yes, he is."
Anna nodded and busied herself with Darrel's hair.
"Has there been a lot of talk downstairs?" Darrel asked. "About Lord Dankworth courting me?"
"None of it was unkind," Anna assured.
"But there has been talk?"
"It was quite a shock when you and Mr Carlos ended your engagement. We all liked him, and we thought that the two of you were very good together. So it was a bit of a surprise to hear about your new suitor."
"I know, I still cannot believe that it was released to the press so early. We did not plan to let the public know so soon. And I intended on telling the family first."
"Did anyone know apart from Their Majesties and the others at the Palace?" Anna wondered.
"I told Edith; but only because Bertie knows the Dankworths. I did not want to tell anyone before I was ready to answer all their questions; which I fear that I will have to tonight. I heard that Papa invited Granny," Darrel sighed.
"Well...good luck, m'lady."
"Thank you, Anna. I am sure that I will need it."

When Darrel finished getting ready, she went down to the drawing room where Tobias was in the midst of a conversation with Tom.
"Good evening, Darrel," Tobias nodded.
"Hello," Darrel replied, then turned to Tom. "You are down earlier than usual."
Tom shrugged, "I thought you would appreciate backup for when old Lady Grantham arrives."
"Thank you, I do. I expect that she will have even more questions than usual."
Tom chuckled then turned to Tobias, "Has Darrel had a chance to warn you yet? Her grandmother can be quite the interrogator when she wants to be."
Before Tobias had a chance to answer, the door opened and Robert, Cora, Mary and Henry entered. Robert openly avoided Lord Dankworth and went to take a seat on the other side of the room. Cora went after him while the other two joined the group.
"Did you know that Granny is coming?" Mary smirked. "I wish you luck, dear sister."
"Thank you," Darrel replied sarcastically, "I can always rely on you for support."
"I will always support you, and tease you."
Darrel rolled her eyes.