Lady Mary Crawley was quite happy to return to her own bedroom after the eventful season in London. Things had been so harried with the return to Yorkshire, she had hardly had a chance to talk with Anna. "How was the seaside, Anna?"

Anna draped Lady Mary's recently vacated evening gown over the end of the bed and looked at her mistress' reflection in the vanity mirror. "It was very enjoyable. It was very generous of Lady Crawley to grant us the day."

"Don't be silly. It was well earned after this demanding season- with my grandmother and Uncle Harold added to the throng…it was quite eventful. You all deserved a month at the seaside."

"It was eventful, but everything turned out well , I take it?"

Lady Mary didn't want to think about her conundrum with Tony Gilliam and Charles Blake at that particular moment so she simply smiled at Anna. "I think so…but back to the sea. It seems an unusual venue for Mr. Carson to choose."

Anna couldn't stop the small smile that formed on her lips. "I think he might have had some inspiration in the form of Mrs. Hughes when it came to that."

"Ah. That makes sense. Still, I somehow can't imagine Carson among the sand and surf. What on earth did he do? I would wager it involved sitting as far from the sea as possible with his nose in his book. Am I right?"

Anna raised her eyebrows. "Not exactly. It was all quite proper."

Lady Mary interrupted her, "Mr. Carson, yes. I can't imagine it being anything but…"

"He spent a great deal of the day with his pants rolled up, wading in the sea."

"What!" Lady Mary's surprise was part gasp, part giggle.

Anna pursed her lips deciding how much to tell Lady Mary. She had painted the picture of Mr. Carson barefoot and headed to sea so she might as well carry on. "He and Mrs. Hughes."

"Wait. Stop. Start again." Lady Mary's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes both waded into the ocean?"

"Holding hands."

Lady Mary's jaw dropped. "Oh my…Mr. Carson…" Both women erupted into giggles.

Anna caught her breath, "Please don't say anything to Mr. Carson, milady. You know how private he is. And, to be perfectly honest, it was Mrs. Hughes who offered her hand to him."

Lady Mary smiled, "The minx."

"Mr. Bates and I had just bought ice cream and when we looked out at the water, there they were. She held out her hand and he took it."

The two women grinned at one another.

"I don't think I have heard anything that has made me happier in quite some time, Anna."

"I know, milady. It was quite lovely."

"So," Lady Mary gave her an imploring look, "has anything more happened?"

"I don't think so. When they left the water, they each sat on their own blanket near Mr. Bates and me, and not far from Mrs. Patmore and Daisy. They spoke to one another and the rest of us as if nothing had happened. "

Lady Mary's shoulders drooped in dismay. "Well that is a shame. Hmmm…. I won't say anything to Carson, Anna. Not to worry."

"Thank you, milady. Is there anything else? "

Lady Mary shook her head, "No. Thank you. But do keep me informed as to our hand holding butler and housekeeper." Anna nodded, smiling and left for the evening

Lady Mary smiled as she thought of Carson standing in the waves with bare feet. Her memory suddenly flashed on an evening in the South of France a few years before. She and Matthew were enjoying cocktails before their dinner in a smart beach front restaurant. They were several days into their honeymoon and their conversation now ebbed and flowed easily after so many days of intimacy.

Matthew picked up his scotch, "Missing home?"

Nursing her champagne cocktail, Mary gave him a puzzled look, " Not particularly. I am having quite a wonderful time in France. I have absolutely no desire to be at Downton right now. Do you?" Her response was playful.

"Certainly not. I just thought you might be missing your sisters…"

"I enjoy Sybil, but Edith…you must be joking."

"Well then, your friend Mr. Carson."

Mary was thoughtful. "I suppose you are right. If I were to miss anyone at Downton, it would be Carson. That says a great deal about my family, don't you think?" She laughed.

Matthew sat up and leaned towards her, "Do you think he and Mrs. Hughes…you know…?"

Mary laughed so loudly the occupants at the table next to her turned and looked. She quickly put a hand over her mouth, her composure regained and leaned towards Matthew. "Do I think they what?"

"You know."

Mary was quite amused by Matthew's inference. "No. No, Matthew. What makes you think they might?"

"Have you never seen the way he looks at her- and how she looks at him? I mean when they don't know they are being observed. They are very much in love. "

"Do you spy on all the staff, or just the butler and housekeeper?"

He smiled at her, "I don't spy. I observe."

She laughed. "How could they be in love, but not be together? They work side by side in the same house, all day every day?"

He gave her a playful look, "That is why I think they must be together in secret."

"No." She was adamant. "When would they?"

"They meet late at night when everyone has gone up. Didn't you know?"

"I did, but I think they share a bit of sherry and talk about the household." Her voice dropped to a whisper, "I find it hard to believe that Mr. Carson is ravaging Mrs.… I can't even finish saying it.." They were both laughing.

Matthew leaned back in his chair, "When we return, just watch them. It isn't anything grand, but you know how people in love look at one another. "

"The way Sybil and Tom look at one another?"

"And the way I look at you." He reached over, took her hand and kissed it.

Lady Mary smiled sadly at the memory. She hadn't remembered to observe Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes when they returned. She had been too caught up in her new life as Mrs. Matthew Crawley. Matthew had been too caught up in loving her that he had stopped observing, as well.

Climbing beneath the covers, she turned her head to the empty pillow on her left and whispered, "I'll start watching, Matthew."