Downton Abbey - The Story of Emma Barrow

Fire (February 1924)

AN: Here comes the next chapter, and hold on tight. It's going to be an emotional rollercoaster: a fire, a farewell, a reconciliation, and a renewed argument. In this chapter, with almost 4000 words, nothing is left out. I'd also like to issue a trigger warning for potential violence and insults. At this point, I want to thank all of my readers! Thank you for reading the story diligently and for commenting.

The Great Hall was bathed in dim light as he caught sight of Lady Grantham. "Your Ladyship," Thomas began, his voice steady. "Might I have a word with you?"

Lady Grantham paused, regarding him with a touch of surprise, mingled with mild impatience.

"I deeply regret having to say this, but I've come to know something for which I feel both responsible and guilty," he said.

Lady Grantham raised her eyebrows slightly. "Does this concern Miss Baxter?" she asked directly. "Because if it's about her criminal past, I am already fully aware of it."

Thomas's expression hardened. "Oh? Milady?" he asked, striving to keep his voice neutral.

Lady Grantham tilted her head slightly, her tone calm but firm. "What I fail to understand is why you brought a convicted criminal into my household, so close to my bedroom, knowing every detail of her past."

Thomas swallowed hard. Her words hit him harder than he had expected, yet he held her gaze. "I... wanted to give her another chance."

Lady Grantham regarded him silently for a moment before replying, "Don't you think that should have been my decision to make in my own home?"

He lowered his head slightly. "Yes, Milady, that's true."

She raised her hand as if to halt him, her words sharper than usual. "Why are you only telling me this now, Barrow? If you intend to use your knowledge of Mrs. Baxter to manipulate this household, I will have to seriously reconsider your future here. Whether you have a future at Downton at all."

Thomas stared at her, his posture stiff, though a flicker of panic glimmered in his eyes. "I just thought... I made a mistake, and you should know."

Lady Grantham studied him with the gaze of a woman who had managed countless intrigues and tensions in her home over the years. "I see," she said at last. "Well, now I do. Good night, Barrow." With that, she turned and left him standing there.

Her tone echoed in his ears. He knew the conversation had not gone as he had hoped. Instead, he had driven a wedge between himself and Lady Grantham, potentially jeopardising his position.

He clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on the floor. He felt cornered, angry at everyone and everything: at Mrs. Baxter for not keeping her end of the bargain, but most of all, at himself for ending up in this situation in the first place.

The grin of the twelve-year-old vanished instantly as her maths teacher appeared in the servants' hall. "What's wrong?" Albert asked quietly. Emma swallowed hard, unable to utter a single word.

"I just wanted to meet you all and put faces to the names I've heard," Miss Bunting said with a smile. "And of course, I'd like to thank you for your service this evening."

"That's simply our job," Carson grumbled. "Now, if you'll excuse us, it's time for supper."

"Yes, of course," she replied. Her gaze travelled around the table before landing on Emma. "Emma, what a surprise to see you here. I didn't know you had to work after school."

Even Thomas, who was standing patiently behind his chair waiting for everyone to sit, was momentarily struck speechless.

"Oh no, Emma doesn't work here," Tom Branson clarified. "She's the daughter of the under-butler, Mr Barrow."