Chapter Four

AN: the characters do not belong to me. Thanks as ever to my wonderful beta, Granthamfan! You're one in a million! xx

1925

Cora laid her pen down next to the pad of paper upon which she had just completed her story. Of course, to protect it from prying eyes and her husband's ego, she'd already changed the names from Robert and Cora to George and Annabelle.

Standing up to stretch, Cora walked over to the same window through which she had peered on the night of the infamous Christmas ball of 1889. Just like that night, the snow was falling quickly and making piles of crystalline white over the grounds of Downton Abbey.

Edith walked into the library, catching her mother rather unaware as she was engrossed in the scene outside the window.

"Did you get your story done, Mama?" Edith gestured toward the pad of paper on the desk.

"Yes," Cora beamed with pride, "I did. I find it quite amusing and hope your readers will, too. Would you like to be the first one to read it?" She grinned as she recalled the bizarre events of the true story contained within the notepad.

"Of course. I love your stories," Edith enthused as she sat down at the desk.

Cora watched for Edith's reaction as she read the story of the envious woman at the house party. She laughed at the most incredible parts, such as when Millicent had been caught in Robert's - George's - room.

"Mama, you write the best stories," Edith said, grinning as she placed the pad back on the desk. "Wherever do you get your ideas?"

Cora grinned mischievously. "Oh, just from experience, I suppose. I've met a lot of people and seen a lot of things that could spark a story in anyone's imagination. Haven't you, darling?"

"I suppose," Edith agreed. "But the way you make the characters feel so genuine. I feel as if I've met George and Annabelle." She stopped and gave her mother a knowing look. "I haven't, have I? Met George and Annabelle?"

"No, don't be silly! They're fictional!" Cora blushed a little too deeply as she protested a little too much.

"I don't know what made you decide to write with me this past summer," Edith said, "but I'm certainly glad you did. If it's all right with you, I'll take this with me tomorrow and it will delight anyone who reads the Christmas issue." She paused. "Papa never reads these, does he? I think he'd find them fascinating."

"No, I've never seen your gather reading a women's magazine," Cora said with a giggle. "But thank you for the vote of confidence." Why would he read it? He's lived it!

Cora felt so incredibly blessed as she continued to watch the snow fall once Edith left to spend some time with Marigold in the nursery. She'd arrived at Downton a stranger but now knew all its tales. All of them, that is, except the stories still waiting to unfold. Undoubtedly they, too, would become wonderful inspiration for future writing projects. One day, everyone would read about the way of life at Downton Abbey and bask in the privilege of being able to share some of its comfort, even if only through words on a page. It was why Cora had become fascinated with writing; a beloved, precious thing that she would carry on for the rest of her life. The world needed her stories.

The End