The Life of Viscount Downton [Book 1]

LI

The next day, Alex was making his way down the stairs with Cleo, who was barking happily as it runs down along with him

He was ever so excited of the New Year's celebration in three days time, as he can finally announce about his admission to Harrow...and also might see Jo once again after a long while

"Good morning, Mister Barrow!" he said as the butler stood by the stairs to give him the letters that just arrived

"Good morning, milord" Barrow smiles, and slightly bowed his head down before Alex makes his way to the dining hall

As he entered, his two oldest sisters couldn't help but notice the huge grin on his face

"The Little Prince of Downton looks certainly happy today" Mary teased

"Why? Can I not be happy in the mornings?" Alex inquired as he got some food and sat down beside them

"You are always happy," Edith clarified "but not that kind of happy"

"Perhaps there's a letter from Miss Lewis is hidden under those?" Rose teased

Alex chuckles softly "Oh, how I wish..." he said mockingly, and shakes his head

"Who is this...Miss Lewis?" Martha then asks, making the siblings paused in eating their rather delicious breakfast and opening letters

"Miss Lewis is a...friend of mine, Grandmama" Alex replied politely

"A lady friend? My, my..." Martha said, a bit surprised "I do have a lot of catching up with you three, especially you, Alexander"

Alex gulps, and smiles politely instead to hide his fear. He also mentally noted himself to visit Jo later to give her a heads-up

***

He then quickly heads upstairs after, seeing that both of his parents had their breakfast in his mother's bedroom. He quickly knocks on the door, and waited patiently

"Come in!" he heard his mother's voice, making him smile and enter the room

As he entered, he saw his parents smiling happily as they enjoyed their breakfast in bed. His father was also pouring some orange juice for his wife, before pouring another one on a spare glass

"Good morning Mama, Papa" Alex smiles

"Good morning, Darling!" Cora's face lights up at the sight of his son "Are you done with your breakfast?"

"I am. Thank you Mama" Alex smiles "I do also have some letters for both of you, by the way"

As he distributes the letters to them, Robert then handed the other glass of orange juice, making him smile

"How was everything downstairs?" he then asks

"Everything's fine, really" Alex replied "Grandmama was there with us, but not Granny"

"Oh? And I thought your Grandmama will be in her room, too"

"Yes, and she was...eager to meet Miss Josephine"

Both Robert and Cora suddenly stop in eating their breakfast, surprised on what they've just heard

"And how...how did Miss Lewis come up in the conversation earlier?" Robert inquired "Was it from your sisters' teasing again?"

"No, no! It was from Cousin Rose" Alex assured "And it's alright, really. She was just teasing if my letters included one from Miss Josephine, to which I replied...that I wish she did. Jokingly, of course"