A Matthew & Mary AU. Circa November 1930. The childish pranks of Master Peter Crawley innocently lead to a chain of events that Matthew and Mary never saw coming, threatening the stability of what they hold most dear.
My first multi-chapter story! This is a little more angst-ridden then my other fanfic, but I wanted a challenge.
Out of Hand
At the age of eight, Master Peter Crawley was notorious at Downton Abbey, to all residents, upstairs and down, as being a bit of a handful. Matthew always wondered if it was because he was their middle child. He was the one that challenged them, rebelled against them, and loved nothing more to poke fun at everyone and everything. George was the introspective, studious one. Little Margaret was the charming apple of her father's eye. But Peter was different. Mary nicknamed him her "little rapscallion". And although the tow-headed lad with the mischievous, piercing blue eyes, was the spitting image of his father, Mary swore his stubborn personality, quick wit and rebellious nature was all her.
"He's very much like I was, Matthew." said Mary for the umpteenth time, when she and Matthew were once again having a bedtime discussion about his latest antics – publicly making faces behind the back of the visiting Lady Carnarvon. "Perhaps I wasn't quite the jokester that Peter is. And my target was usually Edith. I certainly wouldn't have dared mock an adult…but there is no changing his basic nature. Just like my parents couldn't change me."
Matthew paced back and forth across their bedroom floor. He was at his wit's end. "I just wish he wasn't so bold, Mary. I honestly worry that he doesn't care what anyone thinks of his behaviour. How can you control a child like that? How is he going to learn to be respectable?"
"He did need to hear the scolding you gave him. But you must never make him think you favour George and Margaret over him."
Matthew gave her an incredulous look. "I love all our children, Mary."
"Yes, I know you do. But you never scold George or Margaret."
"Are you actually accusing me of being unfair? I never scold George or Margaret because they rarely do anything bad!"
Mary winced. She hated that they always argued about Peter. Although she agreed that the boy's behaviour could easily get out of hand, she had a soft spot for him. Perhaps it was because she carried a slight resentment for having long ago been labeled "the bad one".
"Matthew, you don't understand him because it's not within you to break rules. You went to law school, for goodness sake!"
Matthew stopped his pacing and took a deep breath. "You may have a point."
He turned and looked at Mary, She looked as though she was on the verge of tears. Matthew inwardly scolded himself. He should have known better than to upset his wife when she was so heavily pregnant. She already was physically exhausted and emotionally miserable. He instantly felt a pang of enormous guilt.
"I'm sorry, Mary. It's just been a long evening. I shouldn't have argued. I'm sorry."
"It's all right." She said, looking down.
"No. It's not," He made his way back to their bed, crawling under the covers beside her. "But I would rather hear you forgive me, than hear what I deserve for upsetting a pregnant woman."
Mary turned and faced him, sighing when she saw those pale blue eyes of his staring at her. "You're just lucky you're cute when you're angry."
Matthew smiled. He knew that when Mary joked with him, that he was forgiven. He added lightly, "And you can't say I don't have a rebellious streak. Remember, I am the middle-class sea monster who dared to challenge your family's traditions."
Mary grinned. "I suppose you do know how to misbehave on occasion."
"You know that more than anyone, darling." Matthew said with an arched brow.
He leaned in, stroked her cheek and gave her a lingering peck on the lips.
He then rested against the headboard, sighed and thought for a moment.
"You know, part of me cannot blame Peter too much for his apparent distaste for Lady Agnes. She is truly one of the most vile gossips I've ever met."
"Well…he WAS able to physically express what we were all feeling." said Mary, sarcastically.
Matthew and Mary both burst into giggles at that last thought.
He reached across and rubbed Mary's very large round belly affectionately. "And what challenges do you think number four will bring?"
"Oh, there is no predicting a Crawley child. Each one has their very own distinct personality. I wouldn't even hazard to guess."