Author's Note: Here is my contribution to Mary and Matthew BrOTP Day. It's a canon AU twist on particular scenes from Series 3, Episode 8. Originally, I intended some of these scenes to be part of Flirting With Convention, but they ended up not fitting into the timeline for that story. I hope this story showcases in a small way the support system of family and friends that Mary and Matthew were a part of, and how there were, shockingly, these lovely moments amidst all the angst and drama of canon where the sun was shining, good company and good conversation were in great supply, and life was indeed golden.
Special thanks to patsan for co-opting this event for our use, creating the event calendar, and for continued friendship. Thanks to Lala Kate and Willa Dedalus for motivation, and thanks to all of my readers for your continued support. Normal service will resume on my other stories in due course.
Village Confectionary, Downton Village, Yorkshire, England, August 1920
"Good afternoon, Mr. Crawley! Mr. Branson!" the woman said cheerfully, coming to the counter. "How may I help you both today?"
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Smythe," Matthew nodded. "I'll take a box of the chocolate cream squares, please. Tom, what would you like?"
"The dark chocolate, please," Tom said.
"Will you both need these wrapped up?" Mrs. Smythe asked.
"Yes, thank you," Matthew nodded.
Mrs. Smythe smiled and went about filling their orders.
"Chocolate and flowers seems rather boring of you," Tom teased. "Doesn't show any imagination."
"I'm sure that Mary will enjoy both. I've gotten her favourite," Matthew said defensively. "Besides, she's only been gone for a week."
"Has it felt like a week?" Tom asked.
Matthew looked at him knowingly. "No. It's felt much longer."
Tom nodded in understanding.
"What does Sybil think of our plans?" Matthew asked. "We'll need her onboard when we talk to Robert. The more who have confidence in what we're trying to do, the better chance we have of convincing him."
"She had a lot of questions, and I didn't have the answers to all of them," Tom said. "I think she gets it, but keeping her attention is a challenge these days. She's with our daughter more often than Nanny I think."
"Well, keep at it," Matthew smiled. "She's married to the Agent of the Estate now. She needs to be aware of these things."
Tom snorted at Matthew's joke. They both paid Mrs. Smythe for their wrapped boxes of candy and walked out of the shop, holding the gifts for their wives carefully as they went.
Downton Abbey, England, August 1920
Lady Mary Crawley sat on the chair, her hands resting on her lap. She would idly fiddle with her long necklace, then stop and stare blankly at the carpet. Her Mama, Papa and her sister Edith were carrying on a conversation but Mary was barely paying attention. Something about the upcoming cricket match between the House and the Village.
"One of the gardeners told Anna their team is terrific shape," Edith said, looking pointedly at Papa.
"It's so unfair the outside staff play for the Village," Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, sighed, shaking his head before returning to his writing.
"I don't think it's the gardeners you have to worry about," his wife, Cora, smirked. "Ever since Alex started playing for the Village, they always win."
"Not always," Robert shrugged, rising from his chair and walking over to her. "Usually, but not always. We won four years ago."
"Alex was at War then, Papa," Edith chuckled. "He didn't play."
"Well, neither did Matthew and a few of the others, so I don't think that should take away from our victory," Robert retorted.
Mary heard her husband's name being mentioned, as well as that of his good friend, but she still did not stir and join the conversation. Her mind was too jumbled and her nerves were too frayed to be bothered to talk about sports.
"Mary, you look as if you're in a trance," Robert said, looking over at his eldest daughter for the first time. "What were you doing in London? It's worn you out."
Mary blinked in surprise. She swallowed and turned her head to her Papa, trying to keep her voice even and normal.
"Maybe," Mary answered carefully. "I'll try and rest tomorrow."
Robert had already turned back towards his desk, and Mary was thankful he did not press her further. At the mention of her trip to London, she felt even more nervous. She turned and caught the sympathetic glance of her Mama. She could hear one of those American idioms that Cora was so fond of ringing in her ears as if her Mama had said it aloud.
'You are being tested, and being tested only makes you stronger.'
Mary nodded slightly and looked away. Truthfully, she and Matthew had passed enough tests to last several lifetimes. She would rather not face yet another one less than a year into their marriage.
Mary stared at her reflection in the mirror of her vanity. She knew that all marks of her operation were covered by several layers of clothing, but she felt as if they were still visible somehow, as though her eyes betrayed her, or her secret was written across her face. She blinked and tried to cool her expression, to remove the trepidation and anxiety that she was feeling. She looked no different than she did before she went to London. She could easily deflect any questions about her trip that may come up over dinner, and no one would be the wiser.
No one except Matthew, that is.
She sighed and shook her head. She didn't quite know how, but he had learned how to read her and now she may as well be an open book for him to peruse at his leisure. He would never be suspicious or interrogate her if he thought something was amiss. He was too kind for that. No, his methods were far more ruthless and effective. A concerned glance. An innocent question. A light kiss to her neck as he asked her if everything was all right. God, why had she decided to do this without telling him? Not only had she denied herself his support and comfort, but she wouldn't be able to keep this from him for long.
Mary took a deep breath and refocused on the necklace and earrings she had picked out to match her dress. All she had to do was keep him at bay for a few more weeks. Once she had her follow up appointment and Dr. Ryder confirmed everything was all right, she could tell him everything, or not tell him anything and hopefully have such good news for him that it would make him forget any previous change in her behaviour. She swallowed and lifted her chin, looking at herself with fresh resolve. She would make it up to him, she decided conclusively. As many times as necessary in fact. He was still a man after all. There were ways to make him forgive her deception.
She jumped slightly at the light knock on her door. She swallowed again. Best to face Matthew now and get on with it.
"Mary?" Cora called as she opened the door and stepped into her daughter's bedroom.
"Oh, Mama," Mary breathed in relief. "I thought you were Matthew."
"No, he's still getting dressed for dinner, I expect," Cora said, coming over and taking a seat next to Mary. "I take it everything went well?"
"Dr. Ryder thinks so," Mary nodded. "He said that I'm to see him again in three weeks' time to confirm that all is well. He was quite optimistic about the outcome."
"That's wonderful, dear," Cora smiled. "But you're still worried…about Matthew?"
"I am," Mary nodded. "You know that I can't…well…Dr. Ryder said that I'm still recovering from the operation, and that it would be best to not…exert myself…before my next appointment."
"I expected as much," Cora nodded. "So you'll just have to keep Matthew at arm's length, is all."
"How am I supposed to do that?" Mary frowned, a blush coming to her cheeks as she realized what she was actually discussing with her mother. "I've been away for days. He'll want to…I'm sure that he's missed me."
Cora smirked in understanding. "Waiting a few weeks won't trouble him too much. It isn't very long at all."
Mary rolled her eyes and looked back at the jewellery sitting on her vanity. She refused to discuss with her Mama that yes, it most certainly would trouble Matthew if they did not make love for the next three weeks. Mary blushed as she counted in her mind the number of times they normally made love in a given three-week period. She did not have nearly enough excuses to last one week, let alone three.
"I just hope the operation worked," Mary sighed, turning back to her Mama. It was one thing to put off Matthew for three weeks if she had good news for him by the end of it, but if the operation didn't fix their…problem…then she would be even worse off than she was before.
"You couldn't be in better hands than Dr. Ryder's, truly," Cora said kindly.
"I hope to God you're right," Mary said.
"Anna's worried you're getting late," a voice called across the room.
Mary shook at the sudden interruption.
"Heavens, you made me jump," she said, trying to make her voice sound light. She smiled at Cora, thanking her with her eyes as her Mama rose and left the room.
Mary busied herself with her earrings as Matthew came over and sat down on the window seat. Anna came into the room and Mary was grateful for her presence, giving her an excuse to look away from her husband's gaze.
"What were you talking about?" Matthew asked lightly.
"Nothing. Women's stuff," Mary said smoothly. She glanced at him briefly, then went back to looking at the mirror and putting on her earrings. She pursed her lips, searching for anything else to talk about to distract him.
"Your ears must have been burning earlier," she said to Matthew as Anna placed a barrette in Mary's hair. "Papa was discussing the cricket match."
"The Village thrashed us last year," Matthew smiled ruefully. "I suppose I'll have to play."
"You suppose right," Mary agreed. "It's because of last year that he's absolutely determined to win this time; to say nothing for the fact that he's still angry with you for not convincing Alex to play for the House team."
"I asked Alex to switch over and play for us last year and he said no, and he was entirely justified," Matthew huffed. "Our office is in Ripon and he has clients in the Village. He doesn't work for your Papa, so why should he play for him?"
"Papa would likely agree if Alex wasn't so good," Mary smiled, pleased with the segue out of the previous topic of conversation.
"He does tend to sway the balance decidedly in their favour," Matthew laughed.
Mary finished with one earring and dealt with the other as Anna adjusted the necklace.
"Bates must count himself lucky to be out of it," Matthew joked, looking at Anna.
"I think he'd like to be walking normally, sir, even if playing cricket was the price he had to pay," Anna replied, catching her Mistress' conspiratorial smirk in the mirror's reflection.
Matthew frowned and shook his head. "Of course he would. I'm so sorry, that was stupid of me," he chided himself.
"It's quite all right, sir. I was only joking," Anna said, smiling at Mary.
Matthew sighed in relief, then shook his head at his wife and her lady's maid.
"Anna, I thought that once Mary and I returned from our honeymoon, I would no longer fall victim to both of you and your schemes," Matthew teased.
"Why, darling, didn't you know?" Mary asked lightly. "We went easy on you in France."
Anna laughed as she finished with her Mistress' jewellery.
"That will be all, Anna. Thank you," Mary nodded, rising from her chair.
"Yes, Milady. Sir," Anna curtsied before leaving the room.
Mary turned away from him and walked over to the door.
"We best get going. Edith and Sybil are probably already downstairs," Mary called.
She gasped slightly as she felt his hands on her hips, his warm breath against her neck.
"It's not fair to play with me, you know," Matthew whispered, kissing the sensitive flesh just below her ear.
"I don't know what you're referring to," Mary said, her voice wavering as his hands slid across her waist.
"You're well aware," Matthew drawled. "I've been without you for days, then you and Anna and your joking. It's cruel, darling."
"Matthew, please, we need to go down," Mary said, covering his hands with hers to stop him from touching her further. She was feeling quite heated herself, but she could not allow him to pursue this any further.
"Very well," Matthew said, kissing her lightly, then stepping back. "We'll continue this later."
He stepped past her and opened the door, holding it open for her to go through. She gave him a polite smile and walked past, trying not to think of what she would possibly do to dissuade him after dinner.
Mary lay in bed, playing with her braid. She glanced over at the door leading to Matthew's dressing room and swallowed nervously. He would soon arrive and what was she to do then? He wouldn't simply lie down and go to sleep. They never went straight to sleep.
It wasn't as though Mary was looking forward to three weeks of defending against his advances either. She may have had an operation on one part of her body, but her heart and mind were very much still intact, and they, like the rest of her, had missed her husband. It wasn't only a matter of making love to him. That was always very enjoyable, but it was his touch, his embrace, his warmth that she loved most. After years of having to hold back her affection for Matthew, everything was now permitted between them and they never hesitated to take full advantage. Running her fingers across his shoulder when she approached him, or holding his hand as they sat in church, or walking through the Village arm-in-arm – these simple daily gestures thrilled her, and she thought it quite unfair to revel in his closeness and turn around and deny him anything further when he'd done nothing wrong.
The door opened and Matthew came into the bedroom. Mary gave him a normal smile, but she felt a shiver run through her at the sight of him. He was wearing the robe she'd bought him for Valentine's Day, and he had a playful smirk on his lips. Between that and the warm stare of his blue eyes, Mary was finding the thought of abstinence to be quite abhorrent.
"I'm glad that we're finally alone," Matthew smiled as he came to bed. "I need to tell you all about the plan I came up with while you were away."
Mary blinked in surprise. She was perhaps never more relieved to be discussing estate management in the bedroom.
Matthew mentioned the lands of Simpson and Tucker and how advantageous it would be if they could be bought out and her family farm those lands for themselves. Mary could see the benefit, having discussed the idea with Matthew before. She had to smile though when Matthew said the upcoming cricket match was perfectly timed for his purposes.
"Why?" she said in disbelief as he turned his back to her. "Because you think if you get a few runs and catch someone out, Papa will accept all of this gladly?"
She had looked back down at her braid as she spoke, and when she looked back up, she swallowed slightly. Matthew had removed his robe and was now standing before her in just his pyjamas. His pyjamas that he never buttoned up fully. His pyjamas that displayed a rather enticing view of his neck and chest. His pyjamas that seemed to hug his bottom and legs in a rather fetching manner…
Mary thought fleetingly that putting Matthew off was perhaps not going to be her biggest problem. In a few moments, he might have to fight her off of him.
"I think the cricket will show him that it doesn't mean we can't still keep up with the old traditions," Matthew nodded pointedly, looking rather smug with himself.
Mary looked up and caught his stare. God, he was gorgeous. And he was all hers. Keep him at arm's length? The very idea was mad.
"And I am to help persuade him?" she asked playfully, arching her eyebrow at her husband.
"Of course," Matthew said thickly, a smirk coming to his lips as he eyed her with clear intentions. "You're on my team now."
Mary sank back against the pillow as he came to bed, his eyes on her and his lips curled in a knowing smile. She never imagined being leered at so openly would feel so good. She reached up and cupped his face with her hands and pulled him down to her. The warmth and weight of his body felt so familiar and safe, as though she was finally truly home now that they were together in their bed.
She kissed him, savouring his taste, his scent, swiping her tongue into his mouth mischievously. He smiled against her and kissed her back, their lips playing together with the easy knowledge of lovers.
She exhaled sharply as she felt him shift his hips against hers, his obvious arousal reminding her of her deplorable task.
"You can kiss me, but that's it," she murmured, pushing back on him gently and looking into his eyes.
"Why?" Matthew asked with incredulity. "Haven't you missed me?"
"Desperately!" she replied, silently pleading that he would understand. "But, London seems to have tired me out."
She ran her fingers through his hair, hoping her touch would soothe the pain of her rebuke. She could see the disappointment in his eyes and as he leaned down to kiss her once more, she held on to him once again, trying to show him that this wasn't rejection at all, but rather just a postponement. But how could she expect him to understand that?
Matthew pulled away and returned to his side of the bed. He reached over and turned out the light on his nightstand.
Mary turned off the light on her nightstand as well and pulled the covers up to her chest. She glanced over at Matthew in the dark and saw only the shape of his back.
Mary paced back and forth, her slippers sliding across the carpet as she went. The past three weeks had been torture. She'd bought herself a week by telling Matthew that her monthly had arrived, though that did not entirely deter him. She managed another week thanks to his growing stress over the Estate and the looming talk they had to have with Papa. He was spending so much time with Tom going over plans and possible strategies that by the time she and Matthew retired, he would usually kiss her, then go to sleep. While this helped her cause, she knew it was only delaying the inevitable, and this past week had proven how right she was.
Coming up with different ways to tell him that she was too tired to make love was actually making her tired. It was such a lame excuse to begin with, as though she could ever be too tired for him! Worse still, it was glaringly obvious that he didn't accept it at all, but he was far too gallant to argue with her. He would ask her if she was feeling all right, or whether he was pushing her too much to recruit her Mama and sisters to their side. He even offered to give her a massage, which of course was out of the question as they both knew where that would lead.
The past few nights had been the worst. His kisses were perfunctory, almost as though he was doing a duty rather than wanting to kiss her, before he turned away and went straight to sleep. Mary rolled her eyes at the foolishness of her youth, when she thought that smart couples slept in separate rooms to maintain propriety. Separate rooms? If her appointment with Dr. Ryder in two days' time went well, she was going to lock him in this very bedroom and not allow him to leave until they made up for these last three weeks and then some.
All of which led her to tonight. He would be going to London tomorrow and she would secretly be doing the same the day after. She debated ending her moratorium tonight. If everything was fine with her after the operation, and Dr. Ryder assured her it most likely would be, then what was the harm in making love to Matthew a few days before she would officially be told that she could?
She shook her head at the idea, as attractive as it was. There was too much at stake for her to take any risks now. If she received the news she hoped for, then she and Matthew would be able to have children, and that was surely worth sacrificing a few nights of passion, wasn't it? No, she had to remain strong for just a little while longer.
She glanced at her reflection in the full length mirror. She had instructed Anna to leave her hair down tonight. She turned her head and looked at her long dark tresses falling down her back. Just a few days. Just a few days more and she could have him again.
After three horrible weeks, she decided it was time she got creative.
She got into bed and arranged the blankets across her waist. Even though her nightgown was decidedly bland compared to some of the more lacy garments Matthew had purchased for her, she still felt slightly exposed. But this was what she wanted. She wanted him to look, even if he couldn't touch her.
Matthew came into the bedroom and smiled at her politely. He took off his robe and came to bed. Sitting a respectable distance away from her, he took out a book from his nightstand.
"I thought I could read to you tonight," he said, glancing at her hopefully. "I've been so busy lately that I've forgotten how much I enjoyed it."
Mary swallowed. "I…I'm sorry. I don't feel in the mood for reading."
"Ah," Matthew said, bravely trying to hide his disappointment. He placed the book back on his nightstand and turned out the light. He turned and kissed her quickly.
"Good night, Mary," he said quietly before he lay down and pulled the blankets to his chin.
Mary suppressed her own sigh of disappointment. That had not gone at all the way she planned. She turned out the light on her nightstand and lay down.
"Matthew?" she asked after several moments.
"Yes?" he answered, turning over to face her.
"You'll be in London for several days," she stated.
"Yes, but I'm hoping my business there will go…smoothly," he said.
"Will you miss me?" she asked softly.
"Very much," he said carefully. "I…I always miss you, Mary."
"Well, darling, I know you've had a lot on your mind lately with the Estate and Papa and everything else, but if we're going to be apart for a few days, then I'd like our last moments together to be more than just a simple kiss," she whispered.
"You…you do?" Matthew asked, leaning towards her a bit.
"Yes," Mary nodded. "I know we've both had a rather long day, but why don't you lie back and let me make…you feel better…"
Matthew blinked in surprise. "Well, you don't need to do everything, Mary. I could…"
"Shh," she said, touching a finger to Matthew's lips. "Just lay back, Matthew."
He turned on to his back and watched her in the darkness, seeing her move towards him. She kissed him lightly, her hand moving down his front.
"No touching, darling," Mary said, kissing his cheek. "Let your wife attend to you."
Matthew groaned as she unbuttoned his shirt, her hand moving across his chest and down his stomach. He groaned louder as she reached below his pyjamas and took hold of him. She kissed his neck, then his shoulder, then his chest, easing her way down his body. His hand reached for her and she slapped it away. Though a part of her regretted that this was all she could give him tonight, she was also thrilled that she could still affect him so, that she still held such power over him.
"Mary," Matthew sighed, raising his hips at her bidding as she pulled his pyjamas down his legs. She kissed his thigh, her hand stroking him in the dark, his breathing becoming decidedly louder.
"A hint of what awaits you upon your return, darling," she said sultrily before moving upon him with her mouth and fingers.
Later, after what gloriously seemed like an eternity of his wife's ministrations, Matthew could do nothing else but fall asleep with Mary resting in his arms.
Stamford Bridge, Fulham, London, England, September 1920
"How was your appointment with Dr. Ryder?" Alex asked as they watched the action out on to the football pitch.
"He agreed with you," Matthew said, grunting as Manchester United missed a chance at the Chelsea goal. "He doesn't think there's anything wrong with me."
"I hope that you're going to pay me what you're paying him for the same diagnosis," Alex said.
"I can't afford either of you," Matthew grumbled. "But you'll be pleased to know that my mind has been put at ease as a result of my visit, although not for the reason you think."
"That sounds mysterious," Alex frowned, looking away from the match and glancing at Matthew.
"I don't really want to get into it, but I ran into Mary at Dr. Ryder's office, actually," Matthew smiled.
"Really?" Alex exclaimed in surprise. "That must have been rather awkward."
"It wasn't as awkward as the conversation that followed, I assure you," Matthew nodded. "But I am pleased to report that all is well once more, with me, with Mary, and with us together."
"I'm overjoyed," Alex smiled. "And imagine that – talking to your wife about your fears and concerns actually ended up helping. If only you had a friend to give you that sort of advice earlier, it would have spared you both from coming to London."
"Touché," Matthew rolled his eyes. "I should know better than to not follow your advice given all we've been through together."
"You were much more obedient when you had to follow my orders," Alex agreed. "Now that we're civilians once again, you've returned to your annoyingly stubborn ways."
Matthew laughed, then raised his arms and cheered as United scored.
Windmill Farm, Yorkshire, England, September 1920
"I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
Matthew frowned at Tom's question. "The bad news first," he said.
"Why would you want to hear the bad news first?" Tom asked.
"Never end a conversation on a sour note if you can avoid it," Matthew shrugged. "If the blow from the bad news comes first, then hopefully the good news is the last thing I'll remember."
"All right," Tom shook his head. "The bad news is that I have to play in the cricket match."
Matthew smiled. "If that's the bad news, then the good news must be quite good."
"It may be," Tom nodded. "I spoke to Lord Grantham after you left this morning and he agreed to give your plan some thought."
"He did?" Matthew asked in shock. "How ever did you manage that?"
"I pointed out to him that each of us had something to contribute, and that there was some benefit in all of us pulling in the same direction," Tom said.
"That's rather eloquent," Matthew nodded.
"It was Sybil's idea, not mine," Tom laughed. "After Robert blew up yesterday, she told me that we needed to give him something so that it didn't seem as though he was losing on everything."
"Mary said much the same thing, although I doubt with the same kindness," Matthew said. "I was hoping by asking him to come out with me today, I could show him how the plan worked and he could see for himself how it makes sense. It seems you've been able to succeed where I did not. Well done, Tom."
"What are brothers-in-law for?" Tom smiled. "Don't be thanking me yet. You're the one who's going to have to teach me how to play so as I don't go embarrassing myself."
"Gladly," Matthew laughed, clapping Tom on the shoulder. "In fact, I know just the thing to get you squared away."
Downton Abbey, Yorkshire, England, September 1920
Mary and Edith walked down the path leading from the house, following Sybil's gleeful step. They both still had no idea what was so urgent that they had to be summoned, and to go outside no less.
"You'll both just die when you see!" Sybil called over her shoulder, almost running ahead of them.
"Sybil, darling, please don't run. It's hardly ladylike behaviour," Mary scolded her.
"Really, Mary, running is probably the least of her sins," Edith laughed.
Mary glanced at Edith, then shook her head and smiled in acknowledgment.
They walked around the house and over to a field, finally coming at last upon the source of Sybil's mirth. Matthew and Tom were standing several metres apart, a makeshift fence put up behind Tom, and a rudimentary cricket pitch scratched out in the grass. Tom was standing awkwardly in front of the wickets, swinging a cricket bat back and forth. He wore his day suit without the jacket and tie and with his shirt sleeves rolled up. He had pads tied around his legs, and still wore his dress shoes. Though Mary, Edith and Sybil were hardly avid fans of the sport, even they recognized how ridiculous Tom looked missing the proper flannels and shoes.
Matthew was bowling. He also had removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. Mary smiled at the sight of him. As bowlers did not wear pads, Matthew looked quite casual and relaxed. The muscles in his arm flexed rather delightfully as he raised the ball above his head and instructed Tom to prepare himself to swing.
Matthew bowled the ball lightly towards his brother-in-law. Tom took a giant heave and missed the ball completely, almost losing his balance in the process as the wickets fell behind him. The three Crawley sisters all placed their hands on their mouths to stifle their laughter. The two men were so engrossed in their practice that they did not notice they now had an audience. Mary and Edith exchanged glances.
"Elbow up," Matthew called out.
"You won't make a gentleman of me, you know," Tom said, picking up the ball and tossing it back to Matthew. "You can teach me to fish, to hunt and to shoot, but I'll still be an Irish Mick in my heart."
Mary and Edith rolled their eyes playfully at Sybil. Sybil blushed and smiled back at her sisters, completely smug at her husband's comment.
"So I should hope," Matthew smiled.
Mary shook her head and smiled as her husband wound up to bowl once again. Must he get along with everyone? He would ruin her reputation of being cold and careful, if he hadn't done so already.
Matthew threw the ball a bit more gently and Tom was able to drive the ball a fair distance away.
"There!" Matthew smiled. "You're getting the hang of it!"
Sybil cheered and applauded, surprising both men.
"How long have you been standing there?" Tom asked, slightly put out.
"We just arrived! Oh, darling that was very well done!" Sybil went over and congratulated him as Matthew walked back over with the ball. He caught Mary's eye and waved to her. Resting her chin on her gloved hand, Mary waved her fingers at him.
"Isn't he just dreamy, though?" Edith whispered.
Mary blushed, unable to glare at her sister with any seriousness.
They watched as Tom gave it a few more tries, improving slightly with Matthew's advice. After several minutes, Matthew looked back up towards the house and smiled.
"Ah, you're in luck, Tom. Your teacher has arrived," Matthew said, gesturing behind them.
They all turned and noticed Alex walking over to them leisurely. In one hand he carried a large leather bag, and with his other a picnic basket.
"Alex!" Edith waved.
"Lady Edith, Lady Mary, Lady Sybil," Alex greeted them. "I hope you don't mind my coming over unannounced. When I couldn't find any of you at the house, Anna told me where Matthew was, and I took the liberty of asking for some fruit and sandwiches to be prepared for us."
"A brilliant idea, Alex," Mary smiled, leaning towards him and exchanging cheek kisses.
Sybil greeted him with a hug and took the picnic basket. He passed a folded parasol to Edith as Sybil and Mary spread a blanket across the grass before taking out the serving plates and food.
"You're all going to sit there? Watching?" Tom asked, his face aghast at the thought.
"Oh, buck up, darling," Sybil replied. "We're all going to be watching the match in any event, so you may as well get used to playing in front of an audience."
Matthew and Mary exchanged smiles as Tom grudgingly resumed his batting stance.
Alex dropped his bag on to the ground and took out his own bat. Swinging it back and forth casually, he stretched his neck and torso as he watched Tom take his swings. Eventually, he walked over to stand across from Tom, resting his bat across his shoulders.
"Go ahead, Tom. Let's see how you're doing," Alex encouraged him.
"You may want to stand somewhere safer," Tom suggested.
Alex glanced around. "No, I think I'll be perfectly fine here," he replied, looking over at Matthew, who could barely hold back his laughter.
Tom took several more swings, missing twice, and never coming close to hitting Alex with either the bat or the ball. Alex told him to square his shoulders a bit more and not bend at the waist as much. He barely made contact on the next ball before making solid contact three times more. Sybil clapped rather eagerly after each contact.
"See, Tom? You're getting the hang of it," Sybil cheered.
Mary swallowed her cheese then took a sip of wine. She looked over at them with a smile.
"What do you think, Alex? Are you shaking in fear at the prospect of facing my husband and brother-in-law in this year's match?" Mary teased.
Alex looked back at her and smirked.
"Mary, please," Matthew shook his head with a wry smile. "Do not get him riled up, for all of our sakes."
"I think I will take a swing or two actually," Alex said nonchalantly. "Watch my legs, Tom. Balance and transfer of weight is the secret to having a good swing."
Tom stepped behind the fence and Alex took his place at the bat. Matthew rolled his eyes before holding the ball above his head.
"Anytime you're ready, Matthew," Alex called. "Go on and show your wife and family just what I have to be afraid of."
Matthew took several steps forward and bowled the ball far more strongly than he had been doing with Tom. The ball skipped off the ground and spun away from Alex as it approached the wickets.
Alex focused his eyes as the ball left Matthew's hand. He shifted his hips slightly and released his hands as his arms swung through and his body turned into the swing. The bat whipped forward in a violent arc, finishing behind his shoulder. The crack of contact sounded like a pistol shot and the ball sailed high off into the distance, disappearing among a grove of trees on the far side of the field.
Matthew watched the flight of the ball, then turned to his friend. "You're going to go fetch that one."
Alex took his position once more and took a few practice swings, waiting for Matthew to grab another ball from his bag and bowl again.
Matthew bowled several more balls, and Alex connected on all of them. Rather than swing for sixes, he kept them within the field this time, hitting a few this way and that along the ground. To make sure he wasn't showing off too much, he paused to give Tom some further tips before swinging again.
"Last one, Matthew. I think we should take a rest before the ladies finish all of the food," Alex joked.
He proceeded to launch Matthew's last ball far off into the distance, bringing the bat forward in front of him after he finished his motion. Watching the ball sail away, he twirled the bat in his hands, then walked over to Matthew.
"Show off," Matthew grunted, shaking Alex's hand.
The three men joined the ladies on the blanket, Matthew sitting next to Mary and Tom sitting behind Sybil. Alex sat a respectful distance apart from Edith and accepted a plate from her. The ladies passed out grapes, strawberries, cheese and cucumber sandwiches. Matthew uncorked the wine and poured each of them a glass.
"I told you not to tease him. If he singlehandedly wins the match for the Village, I will tell your father it was all your doing," Matthew said, kissing Mary on the cheek.
"Wherever did you learn to play cricket, Alex?" Edith asked.
"Alex was quite proficient back in school," Matthew replied. "He has an infuriating knack for picking things up very quickly and making the rest of us feel like utter clods."
"I played a bit in university," Alex replied. "Matthew actually taught me how to bowl."
"That was before I knew he would become so good at the game. Had I known, I would have refused to show him, if only to spare myself the embarrassment of my student far outpacing his teacher," Matthew complained.
They laughed as the sun shone down upon them.
"See, Tom? Everyone needs to start somewhere," Sybil said, cupping her husband's cheek.
"I actually do feel like I have an inkling of what I'm doing now. Maybe it won't turn out so bad," Tom smiled at her.
"Just don't be too casual about it," Matthew warned. "Robert can be rather competitive in these matches."
"A competitive streak in the Crawley family? Surely you must be joking," Alex replied, drawing laughter from all of them.
They finished their meal just in time for a loud bark to draw their attention. Isis came bounding down towards them, running straight to Tom's waiting arms. He laughed as the dog licked his face several times before she moved on to Sybil.
"Isis! Stop that!" Robert's stern voice called out as he reached them. His dog circled back and stood at his feet, wagging her tail affectionately.
"Lord Grantham," Alex said, rising to his feet as Matthew and Tom did as well. "A pleasure to see you. Thank you for having me."
"You're always welcome here, Alex, you know that," Robert replied. "Now, how goes the practice, Matthew?"
"Tom is coming along very well, actually, Robert," Matthew nodded.
"You can expect good things from him, Papa," Mary said.
Sybil frowned at her. "Now, let's not go putting too much pressure on him. It's his first match after all," she said.
"Perhaps we'll benefit from some beginner's luck, then," Robert nodded. "Well, carry on. Alex, we'll see you at dinner."
"Actually, I…" Alex sputtered before sighing as the Earl of Grantham had already moved on.
"You can't turn us down now, Alex," Mary smiled.
"It would be rather rude of you to reject an invitation from the Earl himself," Matthew added.
"I'll remember those barbs precisely when I'm at the bat," Alex said pointedly.
"Let's head back. I'll have Mrs. Hughes find someone to attend to you, Alex," Edith said.
"Thank you," Alex nodded, rising to his feet then helping her stand up.
"Don't be long," Sybil said, squeezing Tom's hand. "We have a little while before the dressing gong sounds and I want to show you what your daughter has learned to do."
"You look rather casual," Mary smiled, leaning up and kissing Matthew's cheek. "Matthew Crawley, Joint Master of Downton Abbey, enjoying a warm autumn day at his country seat?"
"With his lovely and formidable wife at his side," Matthew said, arching his eyebrow at her.
"Don't you be long either," Mary said quietly. "We also have some time before the dressing gong sounds and I have something to show you as well."
"Hopefully not in the nursery?" Matthew said shakily, his collar suddenly feeling rather tight.
"Definitely not," Mary said. She turned and joined her sisters as they walked back to Downton Abbey.
"I'll tell you, if anyone would have said that one day I'd be married to the Earl of Grantham's daughter and acting as the Estate Agent, I'd have never believed him. But, if anyone told me that I'd be playing cricket then I would know they had lost their mind," Tom shook his head.
"I think it's rather safe to say that fate has intervened in our lives quite strangely," Matthew laughed. "I was born in Manchester, and fully expected to live and die there as well. I still find it rather impossible to believe that my third cousin, once removed, has changed my life so profoundly."
"You both are far removed from the men you were, and even from the men you thought you'd be," Alex nodded. "But neither one of you can stop me from giving the House team another thrashing, I'm afraid."
Tom and Matthew both laughed.
"Well, let's keep at it a little while longer," Alex said, motioning for Tom to take his position at bat.
"Why not?" Matthew said, tossing the ball in the air. "A fine afternoon among friends. Who could say fairer than that?"
fin