"I'm sorry," Rose said as she stood up at the dinner table.
"What is it Rose?"
"You're looking flushed, are you alright?"
"Your breathing is strained my darling," Atticus said as he stood up.
"I can't... breathe in this corset," Rose said as she gasped and she put a hand to her chest.
"We must take it off."
"Come my lady," Barrow said as he stepped forwards.
"Arh," Rose gasped as she felt hands gently around her. She lent forwards and place her hand onto the table.
"There's no time for that. Unlace her dress," Mr Branson said as he stood up and rushed over. Atticus undid the back of her dress and started at her corset.
"This is most improper," Lord Grantham commented.
"She can hardly breathe."
"She can't breathe," Lady Mary said.
"Improper doesn't come into it when Rose is about to pass out."
"Let me," Branson said and he took over removing Rose's corset.
"A... ah..." Rose gasped, but she couldn't draw any breath.
"Hold on my darling," Atticus said. Together, he and Barrow were holding Rose up.
"Should we fetch the doctor?"
"She will be fine as long as I can remove the corset. These modern corsets are easily done up but are a pain to undo," Branson said as he struggled with it.
"How do you know this Branson?"
"I read the news and it is becoming a common problem."
"Rose!"
"Oh my word."
"Keep her upright!" Branson shouted as Rose passed out and Atticus held her.
"I've got her my Lord."
"Talk to me Rose. I can't hear her breathing."
"I'm on the last fastening," Branson said, and the the whole room held their breath.
"Got it!" Branson shouted and he removed the corset. Atticus and Barrow lay Rose onto her side and they knelt beside her.
"Rose. Talk to me my darling."
"Rose."
"Is she breathing?"
"Not yet my Lord."
"Come on Rose."
"Rose please."
"Ah," Rose gasped. "Arh," She gasped again before she coughed.
"Thank God."
"I'm here Rose. I'm here."
"My chest..." Rose said as she raised her hand to it.
"Does it hurt?"
"No. No I can... I can breathe."
"We've removed your corset."
"Where am I?"
"In the dining room."
"Rose, darling. Are you alright?" Cora asked as she came over.
"Yes. I think so."
"Take her somewhere to rest Atticus."
"I will."
"Be careful with her chest, and keep an eye on her breathing."
"I will."
"Go with them Barrow, look after Lady Rose," Branson told Barrow as Atticus lifted Rose into his arms.
"Of course my Lord."
"Branson, is she alright now?" Lord Grantham asked as half of the table was standing up.
"She is. She needs rest and some time to recover, but she will be alright."
"Thank goodness for that."
"Indeed."
"And thank you for knowing how modern corsets are fastened. Even if I disapprove."
"Anything to help the ladies of the house my Lord."
"Come. Atticus and Barrow are with her, she will be alright. Let us carry on."
"Thank you," Cora said and they continued their dinner.
