A/N: First Downton fanfiction published! Eeek! Just a small thing, not anything special, spoilers (I suppose) for s2 e8, examining Mary's thoughts! Enjoy!
One war, a war of men and guns, had been won. Another, of hearts and love, had been lost.
As Mary stood next to him, she couldn't help but wonder about what could have been.
It was only now, as she looked onto the grave of Lavina that she realised herself that she still loved him, and probably always had.
No, she had realised before, but up until now, she had never even dared to allow herself to admit it.
Let's be strong Mary
Despite the situation she had to refrained from laughing at the absurdity of his words Be Strong? How could she? She was to marry a man she did not love, or be ruined by a scandal that would probably force her father to disinherit her.
She knew what he was to say next, and a strange sense of calm swept over her, as if her heart had finally realised it was time to let go...
And accept that this is the end
The words still stabbed at her heart as all of the last remaining hope she contained within it drained out of her...
Of course it is, how could it not be.
As she turned to leave, she felt a great sorrow. Even knowing for years that every chance for them had gone, hearing the words from his mouth had made it seem so final, so over.
How could it not be?