The Downton Princess | A Downton Abbey Fanfiction

Chapter Eighteen

When Darrel awoke, it took her a few moments to remember that she was not at Buckingham Palace. After her row with Prince JF of Spain, she felt that she had to escape. So she requested that Tobias take her to the Birmingham Estate. She could hardly remember getting there; she had been so upset and on the verge of crying. She vaguely remembered Tobias going on about different species of flowers to try to distract her. Darrel also remembered getting into an argument with Allen when she informed her guard that she intended to stay at Birmingham overnight. However, Tobias convinced Allen that she would be safe since there was nobody staying at the house. The rest of the family planned to stay at their London house after the ball.
    Darrel let out a heavy sigh as she sat up in bed. She glanced around the guest room, which was well kept, but rather boring. There were no paintings on the walls or custom wallpaper. The walls were an off-shade of white, and the furniture was rather plain. There was nothing that would be able to identify the bedroom as one belonging to the Dankworth family.
    Darrel almost tripped getting out of bed; she was still in her ballgown. She had not bothered to change the previous evening because she was too upset, she had nothing to wear, and she did not feel like conversing with a maid. However, as she looked down and realized how wrinkled her dress was, and how upset Lily would be when she arrived back at the Palace, she regretted her decision. The Princess stood in front of the mirror and tried to fix her hair, which appeared quite tangled.
    'It's hopeless,' Darrel thought as she put her shoes back on. She hoped that Tobias was correct when he said that no one but them was at Birmingham.

    Darrel left the guest room and looked around. It was clear that she was most likely in the bachelor corridor since she did not recognize the area from when visited Francesca. There was no servant around to tell her where to go, or even Allen, who she knew would have memorized the house's layout. She assumed that she would find Tobias in the family wing, but it felt rude to wander around on her own and did not want any rumours arising if any servant were to find her searching for Tobias' room.
    Darrel was at a loss as to where to go from her guest room when Lady Francesca Dankworth skipped up to her. She wore an old (no doubt originally belonging to one of her brothers) child's sailor outfit. It consisted of white pants, a white blouse and a dark blue naval collar. She also wore a white and blue sailor's cap.
    "Hello, Princess!" Francesca smiled, tipping her hat to the Princess of Wales.
    "Good morning, Lady Francesca," Darrel nodded, grateful for a familiar face.
    "So the rumours are true then? You did spend the night here? I heard some maids talking about it outside of my room, but I assumed they were mad."
    "They are not mad, I did stay at Birmingham overnight."
    "So does mean that you and Tobias engaged?"
    "We are not engaged. I merely required some time away from Buckingham Palace."
    "I see. I wish I could spend some time away from this place," Francesca before adding in a hushed voice, "or at least time away from Montgomery."
    Darrel smiled in response, not quite knowing what to say. She knew that it would be rude if she were to agree with Francesca. After all, Montgomery was her older brother, as well as the heir to the Birmingham Dukedom. However, from what she had seen, as well as the stories from Tobias, she did not think much of the Earl of Nottingham. She found it surprising that Bertie liked him so much. She made a mental note to ask her brother-in-law what Montgomery's good qualities were.
    "Happy birthday, by the way," Francesca added. "It was your birthday yesterday, correct? That was the reason for the ball the others went to?"
    "Yes, it was my birthday," Darrel replied. "And thank you for your birthday wishes."
    "Of course. And I must add, that you look splendid. Is that the dress that you wore last night?"
    "Yes, it is. Although I am afraid I ruined it by not changing last night."
    "Nonsense, you look wonderful."
    "Thank you, you are too kind. And I do love your outfit today. I wish that I had one like it when I was younger."
    "It used to belong to Montgomery," Francesca informed, confirming Darrel's assumption. "Although he will give me quite a lecture when he realizes that you spotted me in it. My family does not mind when I wear my brothers' old outfits as long as nobody important sees me in them. And I dare say that you are one of the most important people in the country."
    "Well, I think you look rather handsome in that outfit," Darrel assured. "It looks far better than those ghastly dresses that girls must wear."
    "I could not agree more!"
    "And my nephew has an outfit quite similar to that. So if it is good enough for the nephew of the Princess of Wales, then it certainly is all right for you to be wearing it."
    Francesca beamed, grateful that for once, someone seemed to be on her side. While she knew that Tobias cared about her, and wanted her to be happy, he normally sided with Montgomery. Especially after he left for London, he let Montgomery do whatever he pleased. Her parents decided to leave Francesca's upbringing to nannies, governesses, and her brothers.
    "Francesca, do you know where Tobias is?" Darrel inquired. "I should get back to Buckingham Palace soon."
    "I am not sure," Francesca shrugged. "The door to his room was open by the time I left. He might be in the dining room having breakfast."
    "Well, would you mind being my guide?"
    "I am honoured, Princess."
    Francesca grinned and skipped off towards the stairs, followed by an amused Darrel. She missed living at Downton partly due to no longer being to see her nieces and nephew. So it was nice to spend some time with Francesca, who reminded her of them, as well as herself when she was a child.