#edward townsend

[g-girlshavingfun]

Gallagher Girls Masterlist:

Here is everything I've written, everything I'm currently working on, and the ideas I've got planned for the future if I ever get around to them.

If there's ever anything you want me to try writing, just ask and I'll see what I can put together!

WIPs:

A Sister’s Vigil - 5 times Rachel visited her sister in hospital and 1 time she didn’t. 

Completed:

Abby/Townsend:

Warm tequila - Set about 5 years after the events of UWS, Abby and Townsend explore the Christmas markets in London. (2,121)

Mismatched socks - 6 and a half years after UWS, Abby and Townsend face an early winter morning with the twins (3,491)

Lips against a hipbone - The winter before the events of LYKY, Abby and Townsend are a couple months into an op in Buenos Aires when years of tension finally comes to a head. (3,690)

Silent films - Set in between OSOT and UWS, Townsend and Abby are doing surveillance on the Winters in Rome when they start talking about the past. (3,243)

Doctor’s orders - A year before the events of LYKL, Abby and Townsend’s assignment in Buenos Aires ends in disaster, and they wind up having an argument in her hospital room. (2,668)

Ursa Major - Half a decade before the events of LYKY, Abby and Townsend are completing a mission in Dubai over Christmas with Abe Baxter in tow. (4,527)

Last call - While in Rome between OSOT and UWS, Abby and Townsend celebrate The New Year together in a bar. (2,712)

Catherine/Townsend:

A hotel bar - Shortly before the events of OGSY, Catherine tracks Townsend down for a long overdue catch up. (2,949)

A necklace knotted around a fist - Over 15 years before the events of LYKY, Townsend discovers that Catherine isn’t all she claims to be and tries to confront her about it. (2,710)

Cammie/Zach:

An attic - Zach and Cammie are spending the Christmas after the events of UWS at her Grandparent’s ranch in Nebraska with the rest of her family, and they manage to find a moment of peace away from the adults together. (3,836)

Joe/Rachel:

Bitter coffee - About a month after the events of DJGC, Rachel turns up at Joe’s cabin for a catch up before she plans to fly to London. (2,569)

A brown leather belt - Towards the end of OSOT, Rachel tries to get Joe alone for a chat. (2,457)

A wax-sealed envelope - Only a few weeks before the events of LYKY, Rachel makes one final attempt at convincing Joe to step out of the field and into a teaching role at Gallagher. (2,884)

Matt/Rachel:

Knees pressed into soft carpet - Over a decade and a half before the events of LYKY, Rachel and Matthew get distracted while on an assignment. (1,388)

Saltwater - In her first winter as headmistress of The Gallagher Academy, Rachel takes a moment to remember warmer and happier times. (1,882)

Abby & Cammie:

Rusty nails - After rediscovering her father’s grave in OSOT, Cammie finds her aunt outside and catches her in a rare vulnerable conversation. (3,315) 

Abby & Joe:

White silk - Set during Rachel and Matt’s wedding, a decade and a half before the events of LYKY, Abby and Joe meet properly for the first time. (3,337)

Weathered boxing gloves - Not long after Joe wakes up in OSOT, he goes for a walk around the school grounds at night and comes across Abby in the P&E barn. (3,949)

Abby & Macey:

Bodyguards - Set during DJGC but before the adults learn that Cammie is the target of The Circle, Abby keeps Macey from leaving the Academy one October morning. (3,700)

Abby & Matt:

Overprotective - Nearly two decades before the events of LYKY, Rachel and Matthew discover an intruder in their home when they get back from work. (2,557)

Abby & Rachel:

Red wine - 10 years after their father died, Rachel has exciting news for Abby. (3,135)

A safehouse - While on an assignment in Bahrain, 8 years before the events of LYKY, Rachel and Abby disagree on the group’s next move after one of their cover’s is blown. (3,035)

Catherine & Joe:

Old friends - A decade before the events of LYKY, Catherine needs help with her son and knows just who to go to. (2,364)

Catherine & Zach:

Tall evergreen - After one term at Blackthorn, Zach spends the Christmas 3 years before LYKY trying to get through his mother. (2,130)

Cammie & Matt:

A sous chef - Almost a decade before LYKY, Rachel is feeling under the weather, so Matt and Cammie try to make her feel better (2,399)

Cammie & Rachel:

A gold tooth - 3 years before the start of LYKY, Rachel and Cammie find a quiet escape during Matt’s funeral to have an important chat. (2,600)

Joe & Matt:

Sawdust - Two decades before the events of LYKY, Matt brings Joe to Nebraska on a pre-Christmas get away (2,793)

Joe & Townsend:

Figs - While spending the Christmas after UWS at the Morgan ranch in Nebraska, Joe and Townsend try to clear the air between them. (2,897)

Rachel & Townsend:

Spiral stairs - Set between Cammie and the girls’ graduation and Rachel and Joe’s wedding, Townsend is met by Rachel when he arrives to take Abby out for dinner on her birthday. (4,870)

Townsend & Zach:

A broken teapot - A year and a half after the events of UWS, Zach joins Townsend (and Abby) for Christmas at his parents house back in England. (3,241)

A breakup - 6 years after the events of UWS, Zach goes running to Townsend after a fight with Cammie. (4,196)

Upcoming:

Codenames - Chameleon. Bookworm. Duchess. Peacock. To anyone with less than level 4 clearance level, those four words mean nothing more than what they mean. But to anyone who knows what truly goes on behind the walls of The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, those four words tell the story of the teenagers who banded together to help take down a terrorist organisation before they even graduated high school. These are the stories of how they became known as such.

Red wine - 3 times a Cameron woman let slip that that they were expecting.

It hurts to miss you, but it’s worse to know - Matthew Morgan had two funerals. Joseph Solomon attended them both.

A safe house - Abby is dedicating all of her time and strength to casing the entire continent of Europe for her brother-in-law. Rachel is dedicating all of her heart and soul to bringing what was left of her fractured family back together to grieve as one. These two states cannot peacefully coexist for long. Of course it all comes to a head in Rome.

Overprotective - 4 times a Cameron woman revealed their boy troubles to the someone who loved them dearly. 

Walking away with your kiss on my cheek and a bruise underneath - Abby and Townsend are not perfect. It isn’t love at first sight or a slowly developing affection that binds them to one another. Their relationship is carved from spitting venom and blazing fire, from tearing through one another’s cracks and crevices with vicious words and scathing accusations, from holding one another close in the fallout and vowing never again. Somehow, what holds them together is fighting tooth and nail against one another and basking in the familiar wreckage that this leaves. They wouldn’t have it any other way. Or, the fights that made Abby and Townsend’s relationship what it is.

[batsarethecoolestanimals]

Recently I've found myself wondering about Townsend. Like what was he thinking or how was he feeling?

Looking at the woman he hates, his son's mother. Looking at his son who looks like him but has the eyes of that terrible woman. Looking at his son whom he doesn't even know. Looking at his son who is already an adult. Standing inside the house where that horrible woman should've raised his son but where his son ended up raising himself. Standing inside the house where his son had been afraid and alone while he had been totally ignorant of his son's existence.

[gildengirl]

If Abby and Townsend didn't first get together with the cliche "Shut up." "Make me." then I don't know what to tell you, because they most certainly did.

[bryn-not-brynn]

Hey. Here’s a totally random short. I love Townsend/Abby. Hopefully I got the vibes somewhat close to cannon hah! @gildengirl I hope I do some justice to your fav pairing!

“Please, Edward.” Abby was not the begging type, but the man in front of her stood stoically, gazing out the window at the dark landscape.

“Abigail. You cannot possibly be asking me to do what I think you’re asking of me. I simply cannot risk my reputation on this.” He sighed in frustration. He clearly was still refusing to face her. He hadn’t faced her all day, all week, for that matter. Agent Edward Townsend was a coward.

“I’m not asking you for the sun and the moon. I’m asking you for time. Can you please, at least, give me time?” She tried to step closer, but he edged backwards. For the first time, his eyes flicked to meet hers.

“Abigail, don’t.”

“Don’t what?!?” She couldn’t help herself from snapping at him. She was beyond frayed and tired. “Ready to snap” was a phrase Abby was living her life by this past week. Even Rachel’s plans were falling to pieces under the Circle’s pressure. Blackthorne had not gone to plan. According to Cam, who was plenty banged up, the journal they were looking for had already been in their possession. They hadn’t been betting on Joe. They were about to lose Joe.

“Don’t beg. It isn’t becoming. It’s not you, and I won’t hear it. I have given you time. More time than I should have. I already have MI6 breathing down my neck. What would you have me do? Hmm? You can’t possibly be asking me to trust him.” He sounded so skeptical. She couldn’t really blame him.

She looked out the dark window down at the campus she knew so well. She had never felt less at home here. Something about that made her want to break something. She had to get him to understand.

“If you do this to my family, Townsend, I swear to you I will never forgive you. I will never talk to you. Whatever this is? You and me? Done. I won’t be able to forgive you for this.”

She meant it. She had stood on the sidelines of her sister and nieces’ lives for too many years after Matt’s disappearance. She swore to herself that she’d never let something get in the way of them again, even him. Even if it would kill her inside to let him go.

Rachel had to let go of Matt because of her: Matt, Joe. She refused to let herself relive those moments after the blast all week. Catherine was gone, her goons with her. She, Rachel, and the Baxters were navigating around the blown-up spots of the tomb. Of course, it had to have been Rachel who found Joe. He looked dead. Pale, thin from being on the run, and absolutely covered in ash from the explosion. Abby never wanted to relive her sister’s silent crying, panicking to find a pulse on Joseph Solomon. If it weren’t for Rachel’s being a mess, Abby would have done the same. Joe really looked gone in that moment.

He huffed and rolled his eyes. “So now that you’re upset with me, it’s Townsend? I seem to remember the beginning of this week when you were knocking at my door. Not so formal then, were you?”

Despite herself, she gave a small smile. “You didn’t seem to mind at the time.”

He grumbled. “You weren’t using our connection to manipulate me into letting Joseph Solomon off the hook for literal treason. He’s a double agent. I know that you all like him, but this is my job.”

“We don’t just like him. You don’t understand. He’s one of my best friends. He’s my sister’s only friend; she really relies on him. He’s my niece’s only male role model after Matt. We love him. I love him.”

Townsend recoiled slightly, and Abby knew that she might have to explain that one further. Townsend threw her for an absolute loop when he asked, “What about Solomon’s little shadow? Zachary? Her son just happens to follow this man around, and you don’t all see that as a potential conflict of interest? He very clearly cares for the boy.”

Abby had considered that too when she’d first heard about Joe’s past. After knowing Joe, reading the journals, and talking with Zach, she knew that the only conflict of interest belonged to Zach. Poor kid’s only parent was part of a terrorist organization. “Joe is helping him to see that there’s a life outside of the Circle of Cavan. He’s a good kid. He’s trying to the right thing.”

Townsend heaved a sigh, dragging his hand down his face. “You love him? Do you have a history with him? Is that why you’re asking me to let him die?” He used his hands to emphasize the question.

Abby stepped towards him again. This time, he didn’t back away. She brushed a curl off his forehead. Looked him in the eyes. “I do love him, as a friend. I think… I think my sister might be in love with him. We have no history worth mentioning, I promise. Just friends. I’m not asking you to trust him. I’m asking you to trust me. Do you trust me?”

He leaned forward. His hand caressing the side of her cheek. She melted a little, even though she shouldn’t have. She had a point to prove. She lost her train of thought when he kissed her softly. She looked into his eyes and said as sincerely as she could manage, “I would never ask you to do something I wouldn’t or couldn’t do. I trust him. I trust this. I’m sure that Joe isn’t the circle member you think he is.”

He listened, playing a string frayed off the neck of her sweatshirt. “How are you so confident? Might I ask?”

“Can you keep a secret?” He rolled his eyes and smirked. “No, Abby. I can’t. I’m a secret agent who cannot keep a secret.” She grabbed his hand, dragging him down the halls.

She walked down the hall of history to her sister’s office. She knew that Rachel always kept it locked, which is why Abby had the second key—just this week—so that Abby could help out while Rachel sat with Joe. She opened the door, flipped on the light, and pulled Townsend inside. She sat on the leather couch and pulled Matthew’s journal into her lap. He sat gingerly beside her.

“Is that?” Pointing at the book.

“Yes. You can read it, but I’m begging you to return it to me and not to tell anyone that I showed you this.”

“It’s Matthew’s, yes?”

“Mmhmm.” Was all that she could choke out. “Edward. I won’t beg you to not turn Joe in, I truly think you’ll look at him differently. I am begging you though that you don’t look at me differently?”

Townsend sighed, “If I do see things differently?”

“I”…Abby almost didn’t want to imagine it. “I don’t know. I would have a really hard time. My family is already a mess. They’ve gone through enough. I’ve….. I’ve done enough damage.”

Edwards blue eyes pierced through her soul. “What do you mean?”

“I’m the last person he was supposed to see.”

He started to tell her something, but she refused to hear it. She stood and ushered them out of the office. He went to take her hand, but she wouldn’t let him. She walked away before she could cry.

She found herself in the passageway leading to Joe’s room. She could hear the machines beeping, and as she rounded the corner, she saw her sister on a chair next to Joe. She was wide awake.

“You coming to visit him or me?” She asked quietly. As if it would wake him. Abby would love to get into a screaming match loud enough to wake Joe.

“Ummm. Him.”

“Were you with Agent Townsend earlier? I thought he’d left.” Rachel sounded cool, but Abby knew better. Her sister was holding a bit of a grudge over Joe’s arrest.

“Yes. He’s working on some paperwork for MI6.”

Rachel sighed, looking at Joe. “We are so lucky that this was off the books. He doesn’t strike me as the type to leave anything out if it were. Maybe he won’t have to include anything about Joe? Just looking for the journals?”

Abby sat momentarily stunned. This wasn’t off the books. Not in the least. Why did Rachel think that it was? “It was off the books?”

Rachel looked at her. “That’s what Agent Townsend reported to me. Is that not your understanding? Agent Townsend is certainly smart enough to know that we would hide him if Joe was going to be turned in.”

Abby hated lying to Rachel and very rarely did so, but this felt like the right thing to do. “No, I was under the impression it was off-book, and Edward wouldn’t do that.” She hoped she was correct with the last part. As principled as he was, maybe he would, if he considered it the “right thing”.

Abby would reconsider in the morning. She left Rachel with Joe, told her to get some sleep, and headed to bed herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~

It was early. Too early for Abby to be awake. She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. She needed to talk with Townsend. She dressed and walked to the room he was in. She knocked on the door. Nothing. She knocked again. Nothing. She opened the door and found the room to be empty. He really was a coward. No sight of Matt’s journals. She would physically kill him if he took those to MI6.

She started towards Rachel’s office, ready to come clean when she spotted him. Crouched next to Rachel’s door, ever so carefully sliding Matt’s journals under it.

“I thought I told you that you could return those to me,” her patience all but gone.

He didn’t seem surprised to see her there. He rose slowly and walked towards her. Abby liked to consider herself the time of woman who was hard to surprise, but he seemed to be a frequent exception. He wrapped his big arms around her shoulders in what could only be described as a hug. Agent Edward Townsend was attempting a hug. He pressed his lips to her forehead and told her in a hushed tone, “Abby, I’m sure you won’t believe me, but in my professional and personal opinion, you have no responsibility in Matthew Morgan’s disappearance.” Abby felt the wind leave her. Every thought went quiet as she tried to restrain herself from crying. He clearly didn’t understand the full picture.

She distracted herself by landing on one singular thought: “You were leaving without saying goodbye again. Weren’t you?”

He released her from their hug, picking up his backpack and leaning against the wall under the Cavan’s sword. He gazed at it for so long that she started to wonder if she had spoken the words aloud.

“Edward?”

“I heard you. I wasn’t sure if you’d want to see me.” He was still looking at that stupid sword. “I always thought it was Solomon who killed your brother-in-law. They normally aren’t above that sort of thing.”

Abby felt a cold, hard sense of dread creeping up her spine. “Did you finish your report?”

“Yes. I did.” Were his only words in reply.

“Why did you tell Rachel this was off the books?” Abby had to know.

“To buy as much time as possible, to sort things out. MI6 I can handle. The wrath of your sister? No, thank you.”

Abby ventured, “You did sort things out? Are you going to turn Joe in?”

“No. Joe Solomon clearly enjoys the Circle of Cavan as much as I do. I had genuinely thought that if he were capable of killing Agent Morgan than he was a danger to anyone. Your brother-in-law however convinced me that Joseph Solomon is not a danger to anyone but himself.”

Abby breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness Matt wrote everything down then. Who knew it’d be Joe’s literal get out of jail free card. Thank you for hearing me out…I….Why would I not want to see you then?”

He laughed without much humor. “You know, love, you aren’t one for sticking around after any sense of emotional vulnerability.”

She decided to let the comment slide for the time being, considering it held some truth.

“So you’re leaving then?” she asked.

“Yes. Off to explain how I’m late on a report for the first time in 11 years. They aren’t too pleased with me at the moment.” He looked at his shoes.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want you to be in trouble. I seem to get you into trouble a lot. At least I’m worth it.” She said with a wink.

He smirked at her. “You do. It certainly livens up my jobs…. Admittedly, yes. That’s probably true.”

Maybe he wasn’t as big of a coward as she gave him credit for. He turned without another word, headed down the hall of history. He called over his shoulder, “Do be smart, love.

~~~~~~~~~~

Uhhhh. I feel deep in my soul that Townsend is jaded from Catherine and worried about how convincing Abigail Cameron can be…… maybe that’s part of the reason these two take forever??

[incorrectgallaghergirlsquotes]

How would you imagine a joe-zach-townsend bonding? (Like if the girls pushed them lol)

Joe and Zach seem like the father-son-fishing-trip type so I can see the girls insisting they let Townsend tag along no matter how much the three of them don't want to. Townsend does not seem like camping or fishing type so I'm sure it would be a comical adjustment period for everyone.

I think Townsend's idea of father-son bonding would be going on a good ole fashioned mission together. Which I'm sure would also be a comical adjustment period lol

[dvcte]

I am yet again thinking about how in the Out of Sight Out of Time 2016 Declassified Epilogue Zach and Townsend are on page together, in a conversation.

Because in the next book it means that they both, on the fly and without disscusing it, realised Cammie hadn't seen them in the same room together and pretended they'd never met before.

[superblycaffeinated]

For more Nebraska, Ace, Bombshell and Wise Guy stories (and other Gallagher Girl fics), see my GG Masterlist

summary: The one where Abby finds out Edward's never had Mac and Cheese // Edward Townsend/Abigail Cameron (slight descriptions of some kissing)

691 words

A/N: This was originally requested/posted on my old account // it has been edited slightly since my original writing - I appreciate any new notes left for it! 💙

The words were simple.

A mere blip in the overall conversation. An off-handed comment as they walked the aisles of the market. He doesn’t even recall formulating the sentence in which they were uttered. The admission held no significance to him, but from the look on her face you'd think he  just told her he killed a puppy. 

She clutches the box tightly, so tightly, her knuckles are turning white and the flimsy cardboard is creasing as she whispers, “Say it again.”

He resists rolling his eyes, continuing down the aisle, searching for the next item on their list. 

“Say what, Abigail?”

She doesn’t move to follow him and Edward turns back to look at her, sighing, “You’re going to make this a whole thing, aren’t you?”

Abigail Cameron, in her jeans that fit her just right and a plain white t-shirt cocks her hip defiantly. Her left hand rests on it and he can’t help but look at the ring on her finger with a little pride. An overwhelming amount of love for her washes over him as she raises her eyebrows, waiting. 

Edward Townsend, wearing a sensible pair of slacks and polo, stares at the box in her hands and throws his hands up in exasperation. “I’ve never had macaroni and cheese.”

The words drift through the air until they land on her, an actual pout forming on her lips as she whines, “Ed, that’s so depressing.”

He sighs again, deeply, rubbing his fingers along his temples. She can’t help but look at his left hand too, and the gold band on his finger. An equally overwhelming amount of love for him pouring out of her as he admits, “It’s not like I had some terrible childhood, I’ve just never had it,” he keeps going, hands returning to the cart and walking away, talking to himself, “And honestly, all that cheese cannot be good for you. And artificial stuff like that?”

He’s looking at the various pasta’s on the shelf and she’s shaking her head and then their dance really begins. 

She’s tossing several boxes of Kraft into the cart, tearing his grocery list from his fingers and ripping it into shreds, tiny pieces floating to the ground as he scoffs. 

“Abigail! What do you think you’re-”

It’s a movie kiss, as she grabs his cheeks and presses her lips to his, right there in the middle of the grocery store. It’s not sensible, it’s not safe, and he can’t help but press his hands to her spine and chase her kiss.

Edward Townsend will never stop chasing Abigail Cameron. 

Abby pulls away, lips shining, breathing hard and simply starts to push the cart down the aisle, like she didn’t just kiss him like the world was ending, like they’d never do it again, like she really knew what she was doing - leaving Townsend standing there with his hands in the air, mouth open. 

He watches her walk away, hips swaying to the song he doesn’t know playing above. She looks over her shoulder to find him pressing his fingers to his lips and tosses her hair over her shoulder, pleased with herself. 

“We are going to go up and down these aisles and buy every piece of junk food they can offer us, buddy. Your inexperience with sugar and carbs and all things delicious is unacceptable.”

He grins behind her back, coming up, placing his hands over hers and pulling the cart to a stop, her back hits his chest with an “Oof!”

“Ed, don’t even think about trying to get out of-”

“Guess what?” He whispers in her ear, nose skimming the side of it before pressing a kiss to her neck. 

“Wh-what?” She shivers when he smiles against her skin, eyes blinking wide as her toes curl in her sneakers. 

“I actually really like Oreos.”

Abby melts as he kisses her again, leaving her a little speechless this time. She watches him walk to the end of the aisle with a smile hidden behind her fingers, and he turns to her, walking backwards. He points to the left and cocks his head, “Cookies are this way?”

[cammie-morgan-goode]

How do you think Townsend and Abby confessed their feelings to eo?

You know this is an excellent question. I definitely think that the two of them are pretty spontaneous, meaning they never plan anything.

I think it happened on a mission. I think the two of them had been on this mission for a long while. The tension and stress from the job was getting to the two of them and they were so tired.

I think Abby was having a rough time sleeping, probably having nightmares. I think it happened shortly after Matt went on his mission. I think it happened on accident.

But maybe it happened undercover. Maybe they had to pretend to be a couple and realized that there was just something there... something that was missing... something that they weren't sure the other one was feeling.

I think it just slipped. I think Townsend probably told Abby that she wasn't all that bad or annoying. And I think Abby told Townsend that he didn't have to be so serious all the time, that she much rather him be himself, without the cover.

I think it just clicked between the two of them, outside on a balcony. Maybe it happened in Buenos Aires and that's why it's such a hard topic between them. Maybe Townsend confessed and Abby shut him down. Maybe Abby confessed and Townsend didn't reciprocate her feelings yet.

Maybe it was just right person wrong time. But there has definitely been something between them over the years because there's no way that Abby would be that hurt about the Catherine reveal unless there were feelings involved prior to that.

The two of them are both just so stubborn.

[depressedwetnapkin]

Catherine: I'm twice the man my father was

Townsend: You're not even a man

Catherine: 2 x 0 is still 0

[g-girlshavingfun]

He has good taste and that redeemed him

Remember when we didn’t like Edward Townsend?  Good times

[adhdnursegoat]

HEAR ME OUT

[g-girlshavingfun]

Townsend: Look, let’s just agree to say “I’m sorry” on the count of three.

Townsend: One, two, three-

Abby:

Townsend:

Townsend: See now I’m just disappointed in both of us.

[housekonig]

Beginning| Previous| Next

In the brief span of six years, Lauryn Townsend (29) has carved out an indispensable niche within the Palace and Family “business”. During Vernick’s print media golden era, King Edward V created the Department of Public Engagement—an auxiliary office of the Royal Household tasked with managing the five pivotal newspapers that would ultimately become the Royal Circlet: The Vernick Crier, The Post-Belen, Chandler’s Owl, Harrell World News, and Times Today; the office remained fundamentally untouched until Townsend’s arrival. Young and packing an impressive resume, the youthful and social media savvy Townsend symbolizes the Royal Family’s goal to do what seems obvious: fill their ranks with genuinely qualified courtiers. Yet, her appointment is also reflective of the traditional functions of a system resistant to change and based on pedigree. Townsend, despite her overwhelming qualifications, is, like most courtiers, connected to the Family’s inner circle through blood and marriage. She is the niece of the influential Lord Albert Meere, the long-standing Private Secretary to Her Majesty and her late husband. And as of six (6) months ago, her marriage to Cassian Willkshive l from the influential and aristocratic von Willkshiven family—is the Duke of Henford’s godson—further linking her to the the old guard. Townsend’s tenure has already begun to transform the centuries-old foundations of rank and hierarchy that have long dictated the functioning of the Royal Household. Palace insiders, some well acquainted with the inner workings of the Family, speak of Townsend's unprecedented access to Her Majesty and every member of the Family—an access rivalled only by her uncle. Occupying a role technically well-below a Private Secretary, she has, in practice, become the de facto approver of all matters of public engagement—polling, communications, social media, public events, and more. In effect, Townsend has become the unofficial but undeniable publicist for the Royal Family, a role they’d never admit to needing, that has an undeniable influence on their functioning. The changes Townsend has spearheaded within the Royal Household signals a notable departure from tradition, albeit slow. Her merging of fresh perspective with a respect for tradition and ceremony positions Townsend not just as a pivotal figure in the present narrative of the Royal Family but as a mother of its evolving legacy in the public eye.

An excerpt from Women in Sevice: The Ladies Behind The Queen by Mirabelle Corey

Transcript Below:

LAURYN**: Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, I'm happy to share that our campaign is a success.

LAURYN: Prince Christopher's polling higher than ever, with some calling this the era of "Chrismania," we've–

DR. THORNE: Killed my major tour and press opportunities, and no major media connected to them will cover me, and–

LAURYN: The University press is losing interest in light of buzz dying in fear of public backlash. The numbers recommend we–

DR. THORNE: Do something big to regain momentum. Controversial without controversy, if you will…

LAURYN: strongly revisit Lady Brighton and her role.

DR. THORNE: Go on the last show tonight.

[gildengirl]

Is it just me, or is "imgonnagetyouback" extremely Abby and Townsend coded?

[tedkennedyswife]

''Ted and Joan Kennedy and their three children share Christmas '78 with Ethel and nine of her eleven children''

[incorrectgallaghergirlsquotes]

Do you think Townsend asked permission from Rachel and Cam before marrying Abby?

Not really? I don't really think Townsend is the type and I'm not a big fan of the asking for permission regardless of gender roles. People aren't other people's belongings, the only person you need to ask permission if you want to marry someone is the person you plan on marrying. I'm not saying I think it's bad to do or if you like it, I personally just don't really get it. Like Joe talking to Cammie makes sense because that's her mom and her dad is dead, but someone's sister and her niece? I don't see the point in the gesture.