Mary was not happy and it showed. She was back to her usual self and making things difficult for everyone else because she wasn't unless in Matthew's presence. She overheard two maids talking about how much they looked up to Cora and how compassionate she was. She became upset and chose to start a rumor. Mary went up to the library for tea, trying to calm herself. Mama helped her contain the Pamuk scandal, could she really drag her name through the mud like that? No, but perhaps it could be done in a less dramatic way.
She went to the library where Papa and Granny were already seated."
"Papa," Edith said, running in. Mama needs to see you right away!"
"Can't she come down here?" Mary asked annoyed.
"It's best if he goes to her room."
"Very well," Robert replied wondering what was wrong.
Cora was staring at the article in shock. Who was spreading such vile rumors like this?
"Cora?" he asked noticing her expression and how pale she looked. "What's wrong?' She shakily handed him the paper she was reading.
Countess of Grantham sleeping around? he read. It stated that the paper received a letter from someone claiming they saw Cora leaving The Ritz with an unknown suitor speaking and touching one another rather intimately months ago which resulted in her recent pregnancy.
"What ghastly paper has printed this nonsense?" He asked angrily, but it only resulted in Cora sobbing harder.
He calmed himself. "Oh my darling, I am sorry," he sad pulling her into a hug. "We will sort this ou, I promise. For now Lets get Henry and bring him down to the library.
YOU ARE READING
The Shake up
FanfictionAlternate Universe where Matthew doesn't die. Takes placeseveral months after George is born and Cora learns something that throws the inheritance into chaos again. Prompt from Twitter
