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Chapter 7

I packed as quickly as I could so I could make the afternoon train. I threw several changes of clothing into my bag and called it good. I didn't plan on staying long. Actually I had an idea forming. The king has never seen my blue eyes before, and if I dressed in a different outfit… it just might work. I grabbed my bag and rushed down to the servant's hall. I needed to tell Mr. Carson that I would be gone today and that I wouldn't be back until something tomorrow. And I needed the car. As soon as I stepped into the hall they all stood up. I was interrupting their lunch it seems.

"What can I help you with my lady?" Mr. Carson asked.

"I need the car or a horse. I have to go to London and I wanted to let you know that I wouldn't be back until tomorrow afternoon."

"Very good my lady." He gestured to the chauffeur and he took off out of the room. "Anything else my lady?" Every time Carson referred to me as 'my lady' it looked like he was swallowing nails.

"You don't have to call me my lady Carson, we both know what I am." He raised an eyebrow.

"And what would that be my lady?"

"The bastard born child of your raped countess." Several members of the staff gasped. "I'm not deserving of that title, it's degrading to the real ladies of the house if they should share their title with me. I"ll not have it."

"Very well, what shall we call you then?" Carson asked.

"Iris." Carson looked horrified at the thought of addressing me by my 'christian' name. "Or ma'am if you must."

"That will do ma'am. Travel safely." I inclined my head.

"I apologize for interrupting your lunch, I will endeavor not to do so again. Good day." I turned and walked out of the room and headed for the car. Cora was waiting for me by the car and I smiled at her. "What's this? Here to see me off?"

"Of course, I wanted to say goodbye." Cora walked over and pulled me in for a hug. "Be safe, my darling." She pulled back and stroked my cheek once before turning and entering the house.

"Goodbye mother." I called softly before getting in the car. "The train station please." The driver nodded and we were off.

~Downton Abbey~

The train ride was uneventful, so in other words I was bored out of my mind. I had wanted to spend the day with Cora, answering all of her question. I'm sure Robert would have a few as well, but no. I had to go to London to meet with the king. I was more than a little upset, however, I had come up with a plan to end this. Well that's what I hoped. Once I arrived in London I decided to do some shopping. I wanted to get Cora something, but I had no idea what to get her. For my plan to work it needed to be dark so I had several hours to kill. I first hailed a taxi to take me to the smallish building I had in London. It wasn't like any of the great houses, but it was by no means small. I paid the driver and walked up the marble steps to the front door. The door was rather grand and I thought it a waste of wood. I rung the bell, I didn't have the key on me at the moment so I needed someone to come open the door. I kept a small number of staff on to maintain the house, should I need to come here. I would have prefered to stay here all the time, but George like to keep me close by.

"My lady, what a surprise." The butler said opening the door.

"Hello, Will. I'll be staying the night, but I'll be off and gone for the majority of the day."

"Very good, my lady." I handed William my bag and instructed it to be taken up to my room.

"If some packages get sent here, just place them up in my room and I'll deal with them once I get back." He nodded. "See you later Will." I waved my hand and set off. I was really tempted to take a horse, but you don't often see people on horses in downtown London. What should I get Cora? A dress? Jewelry? What on earth does someone get a Countess who has everything? Honestly, I had no idea. I walked down the streets gazing in the windows to see what was offered. Nothing grabbed my attention. I was on my way home after a fruitless day of shopping. I'd found some things for myself that I'd needed, but I still hadn't found anything for Cora. The sun was just beginning to set, a beautiful sunset in London. I quickened my pace and arrived at my house in several minutes. I opened the door, brushing off Will's attempts to inquire about my day, and went right up to my room. I set down the bags that I'd carried with me and walked over to my dresser. It seemed like a normal dresser to most people, but when you pressed certain latches the back would open revealing my work clothes. I grabbed my old suit and quickly put it on. To spruce it up a bit, I removed several things from my new one and put them on. I pulled the mask up and over my face until only my eyes were visible. Placing a few daggers in their spot I glanced in the mirror. I looked nothing like I usually did. Perfect. If everything went according to plan I would be free of this life by the morning.

~Downton Abbey~

The sun had set and the streets were illuminated by the soft glow of the lamps. It was a beautiful evening, not too hot or not too cold. I crept along the rooftops headed for Buckingham palace, I had a meeting with the king. I'd snuck into the palace countless times with ease, tonight was no different. The king's bedroom was on the third floor and I managed to maneuver my way over to his window. Today was Friday and I knew that the queen would not be in with the king. George often had meetings that would keep him late into the night. I unlocked the window and crept inside. It was nine o'clock now and the king would be here in an hour. I took my hiding spot and waited. Exactly one hour later the king stormed in. "I do not want to be bothered tonight! Make sure it happens." The king growled at the guards. He stomped into his bathroom grumbling about being 'stood up'. I could only assume that he was referring to me. I smiled at the king's annoyance. I was so ready to be rid of him. It took the king twenty minutes to get ready for bed and as soon as his valet was dismissed he climbed into bed. He read for ten minutes before turning his lamp off and settling down for the night. When his breathing had evened out I crept out from my hiding spot. He really needed better security… oh wait. I was his better security. Oh well. I pulled a dagger from its sheath and walked over to his bed. He was sound asleep; what a rude awakening he would have. As quietly as I could I climbed on the bed until I was straddling him and placed my hand over his mouth and my dagger at his throat. His eyes shot open and his scream was muffled by my hand. Making my voice as low as I could I growled out.

"Now, now, Georgy don't make too much noise or my hand might just slip." He quieted down immediately. "Much better." I cooed. "Now, you have in your employment a women I would very much like dead. Iris." The king's eyes got wide. "I want her out of England by tomorrow, or I will bring in my own army of people like me and Iris, and the streets of London will run red with noble blood. You'll have to get rid of her somehow. Send her to S. America or something, I want her gone. I would kill her myself, but that would cause more problems. Do you understand?" He nodded. "Good. Incase you were thinking of telling Iris about this, I wouldn't. I'll find out and the outcome would be very bad for you." I slowly removed my hand from his mouth but pressed a little harder on his neck with my dagger, daring him to scream.

"W-who are you?" He asked.

"Let's put it this way, I am the only person alive that Iris and her father fear. Iris is in my way and I want her gone."

"Why don't you just kill her yourself." I sighed, we'd already gone over this.

"Because then her father would come seeking revenge and kill my men. You would have a war in your country, him versus me. This way she's gone, and it looks completely normal. I will be watching to make sure you do as you're told king. Night night." I pulled out a sleeping powder and waved it under his nose. As soon as he was out I crept out of the palace and into the night.

~Downton Abbey~

Dark eyed once again I walked into the king's sitting room. "I apologise about my delay, I was detained on my way back."

"It's fine, actually there has been a change of plans."

"Really?" I asked taking a seat opposite of him.

"Yes, I want you to go to South America and take a look at our influence and colonies over there."

"Really? What about the Germans?"

"Never mind that, I've purchased the ticket and you should be gone by evening. Gather your things."

"Very well." I stood to leave. "I'll send reports when I can."

"Good, now go." I bowed slightly before leaving. When I was out of the door I smiled, it had worked and I was free of him and this forever. I planned to send him a few reports before sending a letter telling him that I'd died of some illness. Then I would be free to spend the remainder of my days with Cora and Downton. Up in my room my what little I still had here had been packed and placed in a trunk. When I entered the room the maids scurried out. I smiled at them as they left. One stopped and spoke.

"Your things will be taken down to the docks shortly, have a nice trip." She said politely before leaving. I gathered the few things that I'd hidden around the room and placed them in the trunk. Just as I was finishing a few of the footmen came and grabbed all of my things and took them down to the car. Once it was all loaded the butler came out to see me off. He handed me the ticket for South America and bid me farewell. The driver took me to the docks and unloaded my luggage.

"You may go." I said briskly. He nodded and left. I wandered around for several minutes before I found someone to sell my ticket to. I returned to my luggage and hailed a taxi. I had him take me to the train station and I was soon bound for York. As the train came around the last bend, allowing me to see Downton's train station, I finally allowed myself a sigh of relief. I'd done it. I had escaped from a life of lies and death and now I could live it in peace. I saw Cora standing on the platform waiting for me. I smiled, she was so kind. As soon as my foot touched the platform I was engulfed in a fierce hug. "Hello, Cora."

"Hello, my darling. How was your trip?"

"Wonderful." Mr. Carson and a person from the train station loaded my luggage onto the car, as Cora and I climbed in.

"You were able to finish your business?"

"Yes. Actually I have something to tell you." Cora looked worried.

"What?"

"I quit my job, I no longer have ties to anyone or anything except you… if you'll have me." I said the last part sheepishly.

"You quit your job? For me?" Cora said breathlessly.

"Yes, I can be a full time daughter now." I chuckled.

"Oh Iris!" Cora threw her arms around me and hugged me.

"You're pleased?" Cora pulled back and cupped my face.

"Happier than you will ever know. My family is complete now that you're here and I look forward to spending my life with you as a part of my family."

"Me too." Cora kissed my forehead and placed a comforting hand around my waist.

"Let's go home."

Home. That was something I could definitely get used to.

The End