Matthew stared out across the lawn in the shadow of Downton Abbey, thinking of what the future holds – and of course, his recent conversation a few days ago with Lady Mary. He admits to himself that he does not want to leave, but to see her everyday would slowly eat at him. He loves her; of course he does, but he isn't sure who she is anymore. He hopes one day they can maybe talk once again, and maybe something happen, but Evelyn Napier is after her now. His blood boils at the thought of her with someone else, but there is nothing he can do. All is left for him in his immediate future is to go off and fight in the Great War, and he's soon marching off down the lane to the nearest recruiting office.
Mary meanwhile has been studying Matthew out of her window. She had heard he visited Papa to talk (presumably) about the war, and she hadn't dared to walk downstairs – it would be too 'awkward' between the two now. They hadn't in fact spoken since the garden party, when her heart had broken into a million pieces when he informed her he was to leave Downton.
"How stupid I've been!" Mary says to herself, "Why didn't I tell him that I love him?"
It's true – Lady Mary is in love with Matthew. But it's all too late now, he'll surely be going off to war, leaving her never knowing her true feelings, all because she listened to her Aunt instead of her heart. Mary slumped back down on her bed, and cried as she had been every day since the garden party. She cried because of the war, because of Matthew, because of everything. She cried and cried until she had no tears left to cry.
It had been a week since Matthew had decided to enlist, and today he was off to training camp. He had already bided farewell to his distraught mother, and reassured her that he would return in one piece, before walking up to the big house. Branson was to give him a lift to the station, and when he arrived there, Lord Grantham insisted on having a drink with him. He gladly accepted, knowing he wouldn't be at the house for a long time, and Lord Grantham sent his best wishes. He acquired after the servants, and found Thomas and William had already gone off to war, and some of the maids had decided to enrol as nurses. Sybil had also decided to enrol as a nurse – much against his lordship's wishes- and was to leave soon to train. All too soon, the time came for Matthew to depart. He shook hands with Lord Grantham, who wished him luck and slipped away from the library. He had just stepped out of the front door when he was halted by his name being called.
"Matthew! Wait!"
He spun round to see Mary walking briskly towards him. His eyes widened in shock, and stammered out a reply. Why on earth did Mary want to talk to him?
"Lady Mary" he nodded curtly, as an awkward silence filled the air.
Eventually Mary spoke, bravely looking into his bright blue eyes.
"Papa said you were going off to war," she said, scared of what may happen to him. This was the reason she want to speak to him.
"Yes I am," Matthew replied, puzzled. "Why do you want to talk to me Mary?" He said, harshly and he regretted it immediately.
He looked into Mary's eyes, expecting to see hatred but instead, he saw vulnerability and sadness. He wasn't aware how upset she was after the garden party, and it gave him a glimmer of hope…
Mary thought she was about to cry again as she looked at Matthew, her vision becoming a little blurry before she slowly replied. She had to say what she needed to say, she had to.
"I don't want you to go Matthew…"
"-Mary I have to go my duty!" Matthew replied quickly, interrupting her, "Besides, we aren't even on the best of terms, so why don't you want me to go? You confuse me!" He shot back at her, his breathing heavy after the impact he used in the words.
"BECAUSE I WAS STUPID!" Mary shouted. She knew it wasn't ladylike but right now, she does not care. She didn't care that Branson was watching and she didn't care that her father was now appearing at the doorway with her mother and Sybil to see what was happening. She was focused on the handsome man standing in front of her, who wore a look of upmost surprise on his face.
"W..What?" Matthew managed to stammer back, taken aback by what Mary had just said. She breathed heavily, before continuing.
"I was stupid Matthew, to let you go before. I don't want you to go because I can't face what may happen to you out there, and I was a fool to not accept you! I was a fool to ruin everything between us, and I may confuse you but I now know what I want!" She all but shouted, her emotions running higher as ever, on the verge of spilling all of the angry tears she was holding back.
Matthew was stunned. He had longed for this moment, but his heart broke at the timing – he was just about to head off to war and here was Mary, admitting she was wrong and a fool. He slowly walked towards her, his own deep blue eyes threatening to spill tears. He gently put his hand on Mary's cheek, caressing smoothly, taking her beautiful features. He tipped her chin up so he could look her in the eye.
"Oh dear Mary…" he sighed, "I'll be back, if you'll be here for me."
Mary grabbed the hand on her cheek and kissed it gently, before whispering her reply.
"I'll always be waiting for you Matthew. Always," as more tears crept down her cheeks. Matthew moved hastily wipe them away, before he became aware of the time. He had to say those words he had wanted to say for months, now was the time.
"My darling Mary, I love you," and with that he leant slowly towards her bright lips. They brushed lips slowly, before passion crept in and Mary's arms somehow wound their way around his neck and Matthew's around her waist. They didn't care who saw – they were announcing their love for each other, and they both knew it would be a long time before they saw each other again. They eventually broke apart, resting their foreheads against one other's, before Branson spoke up.
"Erm sir? It's time to go," Branson nervously said, before walking away to the waiting car. Matthew nodded and turned back to Mary. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face and took her hands, kissing them both.
"I'll write and I will come back Mary. You can't get rid of me now," He said, with a shy smile on his face. Mary briefly narrowed her eyes in humour, before smiling sadly.
"I'll be waiting Matthew." He kissed her forehead, before slowly turning to the car and clambering in. He turned to face Mary once he was seated, who was ready to wave goodbye. Her father had his arm around her, comforting her. He waved back, smiling sadly before Branson drove away. By the end of the day, he was on the train heading off to war and all of the time he thought of Mary. He would come back, and he would be coming home to Mary.
Mary smiled at Matthew as he was driven away from the house, and as she caught the last glimpse of him she would get in a while, she started to cry once more. But this time, they were tears of joy – they were finally reunited. Even though he was off to war for however long, she knew he would return. She knew he would be coming home.
