- Mary Crawley: "Who are you?"
- Rita Bevan: "Rita Bevan. Don't you know me, Lady Mary? 'Cause I know you."
- — Mary Crawley and Rita Bevan[src]
Rita Bevan tried to blackmail Lady Mary about her secret romance that she spent with Lord Gillingham.
Quick Answers
What was the secret that Rita Bevan tried to blackmail Lady Mary with?
The secret Rita Bevan used in an attempt to blackmail Lady Mary involved a clandestine romance with Lord Gillingham. Bevan, previously a chambermaid at the Grand Hotel in Liverpool, had purloined documents revealing this affair. She threatened to expose this to the press unless paid off. Lady Mary resisted the blackmail, leading to her father, Robert Crawley, paying Bevan £50 to ensure her silence.
Provided by: Fandom
What was Rita Bevan's motive for blackmailing Lady Mary?
Former chambermaid Rita Bevan tried to blackmail Lady Mary using documents she stole from the Grand Hotel, Liverpool. These documents contained information about Mary's secret romance with Lord Gillingham. Bevan demanded £1000 from Mary to keep the secret from the newspapers. When Mary refused, Bevan revealed the secret to Mary's father, Robert Crawley, who paid Bevan £50 for her silence.
Provided by: Fandom
How did Rita Bevan find out about Lady Mary's secret romance?
Rita Bevan, previously employed as a chambermaid at Liverpool's Grand Hotel, uncovered Lady Mary's clandestine affair with Lord Gillingham. She obtained documents revealing their relationship and attempted to use this knowledge for blackmail.
Provided by: Fandom
Biography[]
Background[]
Bevan worked at the Grand Hotel Liverpool as a chambermaid and stole some documents regarding Mary Crawley and Lord Gillingham. The documents presumably contained the information that Mary and Lord Gillingham had adjoined rooms during their stay.
Series 6[]
Bevan arrives at Downton Abbey when Robert is holding a fox hunt. She follows Mary around, and after the hunt is done, Mary approaches her. Bevan reveals her knowledge about Mary and Gillingham's secret romance, and wants 1000 pounds as return for her silence. Mary refuses and tells Bevan to leave, but the latter says that she will be back.
Bevan, pretending to be a housemaid in employ of Violet Crawley, walks into Mary's bedrooms, and restates her threats. Mary refuses once more and has her lady's maid Anna Bates drag Bevan out of the house.
During her third visit, Mary is not present as she traveled to Thirsk. She instead speaks to Robert Crawley, Mary's father. Bevan tells Robert about Mary and Gillingham's romance. Robert threatens to have her thrown into prison if she does not sign a confession to blackmail and take 50 pounds instead of 1000. He also warns Bevan that if anything about Mary and Tony is published, or if she ever shows up again, he will release the confession and have her arrested. Bevan, having no other option, leaves.Appearances[]
| Appearances and Mentions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 6 | Episode 1 Appears |
Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Christmas Special |