Hey there reader!

So I had another idea for a story. It's only a short chapter but I promise to make them longer as it goes on. I don't know what made me think of it but I thought it would be another interesting modern twist on Downton, having Matthew stay with the Crawley's without being the future heir. I hope you like it. I will keep updating The Fiancé when I can. Feedback is welcome.

Disclaimer: I don't own any rights, everything goes to Julian and his amazing team.

Happy Reading!

January 2013

''Isn't it horrible Mary? So many houses flooded. I feel so bad for the village. Power's lost in a lot of homes. You won't be able to get back to London this week dear. Road's are closed.'' Cora Crawley and her eldest daughter Mary were standing in their living room watching the plasma screen television as it broadcasted the latest news.

Damn, another week at Downton, Mary thought.

It wasn't as if Mary hated her home, rather the opposite. Her father was the Earl of Grantham and she grew up with her two younger sisters in Downton Abbey, a huge family estate. Mary had moved out to live in London to study business and had missed the place dearly. She had come home for her sister Sybil's 18th birthday for a week while on her break. Unfortunately her boyfriend, Richard, was working in London and couldn't get time off to come with her. She was meant to be going back to see him on Friday but that now wasn't happening with roads closed after an intense storm hammered the UK.

''What a shame, I'll have to call Richard and explain. When's Papa coming back from the village? He will be getting soaked.'' Mary asked her mother as she pulled out her iPhone 5. Cora sat down on the leather couch and picked up her cup of tea off the coffee table.

''Should be here soon. He was just checking the houses to make sure there hasn't been any serious damage. Apparently one house was ruined when a tree fell on it. Do you remember Isobel Crawley? The elder lady who lives on the corner by the minimarket? She had a son your age: Matthew?''

''I probably would if I saw a photo.'' Mary responded sitting next to Cora on the couch, still looking at the images from the news of flooding in Yorkshire.

''Well your father got a phone call saying her house is damaged. But she's on holiday in France. He was going to go and check on it.'' Cora put the cup back on the coffee table.

''That's a good thing. At least she wasn't injured or anything.'' Mary wasn't really paying too much attention to the conversation. ''I'm going to go and get Mrs Patmore to make me some lunch.''

Robert was standing outside Isobel Crawley's house. The front room had been destroyed from a falling oak tree. Curtains were blowing out the window of the room next to it and he couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Half of the house looked ruined from the outside.

''Excuse me, but can I help you?'' A young blonde man stepped around from the side of the house and onto the front lawn.

''Hi, Matthew isn't it? I'm Robert, the Earl.'' Robert walked over to Matthew and shook his hand.

''Oh yes, I haven't seen you for a while! How are you Sir?''

''I'm good. Look, are you staying here tonight?'' Robert gestured towards the house.

''Well I was meant to be. I guess I'll head to the Grantham Arms though. There's no power so I will most likely freeze with this gapping hole. I can't head back to my home in London until they clear the roads.''

''Nonsense Matthew! You are more than welcome to stay with us at Downton Abbey! Your mother is a wonderful member of our village and you grew up here!'' Robert smiled. ''Please do.''

''Umm if you don't mind.'' Matthew hesitated.

''Of course not! Grab your gear and we will get you some lunch. You can ring Isobel from our house to, to notify her about it.'' Robert headed to his car and jumped in the front seat. Matthew ran back into the house and quickly packed a bag. The spare room where he was staying was saturated so he grabbed what was decent and packed it back into his suitcase.

This is going to be interesting. Mother will be so impressed that I'm staying with an Earl.

Matthew quickly headed next door to Ms David's house and quickly told her that he wasn't going to be staying here and to keep an eye out on the house. She happily obligated and Matthew asked if she was going to be alright for the night. She said she had her fire sorted and would be warm enough so Matthew headed back outside and into Robert's black BMW.

''Thank you ever so much for letting me stay Sir.'' Matthew said as he slid into the passenger seat of the car.

''Honestly Matthew we have plenty of room in the house. Thankfully your mother's house was the only one uninhabitable! Most houses in the village are only without power or have a window broken.'' Robert replied while starting the car up and pulling onto the road. The streets on the village were flooded in parts with Robert's 4 wheel drive being able to drive straight threw the water.

After ten minutes of light conversation, the two were pulling up to Downton Abbey. Matthew's expression was one of utter shock. He'd visited as a child but had forgotten the size and impressiveness of the house.

''Your house is amazing. If you can call it a house, more like a mansion. I'd forgotten how big it was.'' Matthew's mouth was open in a gobsmacked look.

''Well it's home for me. And of course my wife, Cora, a few staff and our three daughters: Mary, Edith and Sybil. Do you remember them?'' Robert began to park up right outside the front door.

''Ahh not really sorry. I was at boarding school in Manchester for most of my childhood.''

''Well you are about to meet them now!'' Robert opened the door and got out. Matthew watched him throw his keys at a young man dressed in a suit and thanked him. Then he headed in doors.

''Excuse me sir, but would you like me to take your bags?'' Another man asked Matthew as he opened Matthew's door for him.

''No it's fine. I've got it.'' Matthew smiled. He stepped out onto the gravel of the drive and walked around the car, past the boy standing with the keys and inside.

The front entrance of the house was the biggest room Matthew had seen in his entire life. There was a grand staircase in the right corner and a huge fireplace to the left. Antique looking chairs were scattered through out the room with small tables with vases beside them. It looked like he'd just time travelled back to the late 1800's.

''Matthew, I'd like to introduce you to my wife Cora.'' Robert interrupted Matthew's thoughts. Matthew noticed Robert standing ahead of him with two women next to him.

''It's nice to meet you again, Matthew. I'm sure we've met when you use to spend your breaks here.'' Cora stuck out her hand.

''Thank you ever so much for having me.'' Matthew grinned, shaking her hand.

''And this is my eldest daughter Mary. She's visiting from London.'' Robert introduced her. Matthew looked up to see a gorgeous twenty something year old girl, wearing the prettiest dress he'd ever seen. Their eyes immediately met and Matthew couldn't help but hold a breath in. Her face was perfect, cheeks containing the slightest amount of red and her eyes were a deep brown. Matthew felt like he could stare at her all day.

Wow.

''How do you do?'' Mary smiled.

''Pleasure to meet you Mary.'' Matthew choked out.

''Let's find you a room and get you all settled in. Mary, would you mind showing Matthew where he will be staying? Just one of the rooms close to our bedrooms, no point having him down the other end of the house.''

''Of course Papa. I'll give him a quick tour.'' Mary started to head off to the stairs and Matthew quickly followed behind.

Thanks for reading. Don't forget to let me know what you think and if I should continue the story!

-Marthewshipper xx