The Life of Viscount Downton [Book 1]

XLIII

"Oh, finally...here they are now"

The Crawleys, along with Lady Bagshaw and Miss Lucy Smith; The Lewis, and The Fellowship all turned their heads as Tom saw Alex and Jo head down the stairs. Alex smiles at Jo, while Jo held onto his arm for support and smiles back sweetly at her

"They do look like a fine pair, don't they?" Rosamund whispers to her younger brother

"That's what I've been telling you" Robert whispers back to her "Which is why I wouldn't be surprised if they will end up together"

As they finally got down to the floors of the grand hall, Jo and Alex then noticed their families and friends all looking at them, making them move away from one another

"S-Sorry to...keep you all waiting" Alex then said "Miss Josephine and I just exchanged gifts before we head down here"

"It's quite alright" Violet then said "I was nice seeing you two go down the stairs like newlyweds"

***

During dinner, Jo and Alex sat in front of one another on opposite sides of the large table. He then caught her looking at him, to which he response with a quick wink before taking another bite of the steak that they were eating

"Miss Lewis, have you decided on where are you going after your final year at the School?" Violet asks Jo, who was a few seats away from her

"I am still awaiting my letter from The King's School in Canterbury, milady" Jo replied, smiling

"The King's School in Canterbury? That's quite a prestigious school" Mary then said

"It is, milady" James then spoke up "But with what we earn, we can all manage her school fees. After all, she is the only one who is studying in our family"

"If we can help in any way possible, just please let us know" Cora then told them "After all, you are all part of our family now"

"Thank you, milady. That is very kind" John said, and smiles politely at them

"How about you, Alex?" the Dowager then looks at her grandson from across the table "Have you and the Fellowship received your letters from Eton?" 

All four boys of the Fellowship then paused in eating for a bit and looked at Alex, who was now nervous and not knowing how to answer

"Boys?" Cora asks "Are you all alright?"

"Y-Yes..." Alex smiles a little "W-We're completely fine"

"Why?" Maud followed up "Are you not going to Eton?"

"N-No...I j-just..." Alex stammered "I..."

"I suppose we can discuss it later" Robert then steps up for him, to which his son nods, and silently thank him

"How does it feel being a teenager now, Alex?" Tom then asks, changing the topic

"It feels...very nice, really" Alex smiles, regaining his composure "Being a teenager, and not a child anymore. A new set of responsibilities"

"But will you still remain a child at heart?" Bertie asks

Alex chuckles softly "Of course, I will"

"We will all remain a child at heart" Richie said "If that keeps as younger, then why not?"

"I suppose that's why Papa is trying to be a child at heart as much as he can" Edith chuckles "Playing with the children as much as possible"

"Ah! No wonder why Papa is losing quite a lot of weight these days" Mary chuckles along "Not that I have a problem about...it's just that he's getting a little slimmer these days"