A/N: This was a writing challenge set over on the Highclere forum. My task was to write a Gwen/Matthew flirtiness type story. So….here it is! :D

A Little Bit of Nothing.

"Songbird"

Matthew Crawley rested his head against the back of the great sofa that adorned the grand library of Downton Abbey, and sighed. This whole business was a complete mess and Matthew couldn't help but feel a small amount of guilt at how his arrival seemed to be upsetting everything and everyone.

It wasn't what he wanted – he was a middle-class solicitor trying to make his own way, his own mark on the world. He had no room in his life for an earldom.

It wasn't what his mother wanted – she saw the whole thing as ludicrous, the whole idea that an unknown cousin should leave everything to a man he barely knew.

It certainly wasn't what she wanted – she made it clear, crystal clear, that he was repugnant to her, that he was a sea-monster in middle-class clothing.

He did not belong and he couldn't help but agree with her on that.

The only person who believed in him was Lord Grantham. A man he barely knew and yet trusted him enough to not fight the entail. But no matter how much he may trust him, he would not let him change him -he must stay true to himself.

He remained seated; gazing up at the ornately sculpted ceiling, admiring the rose detail and elegant designs…he turned his head slightly and gazed at the rows of portraits depicting ancestors and former earls. Years of pride and honour, staring down at him, mocking him for the imposter he was.

The sound of the door clicking open didn't disturb him at first; it was only when he heard the soft melodic tones of a female voice singing softly to herself that he turned his head to see who had entered.

It was one of the maids (he was ashamed to admit he had no idea which one it was) and she had clearly not seen he was in the room. She moved towards the bookcase and began to dust at the shelves, all the time singing in a soft, yet slightly enchanting tone.

He remained as still as he dared, listening and admiring her sweet voice. She couldn't be very old and as he watched her he was sure he'd seen her about the house before. Her red, silky hair seemed to glow in the low light of the library as she lifted down one book and carefully dusted the cover.

As the song reached the end, Matthew was overcome with the urge to join in, the young maid's hauntingly beautiful voice, lulling him into a dream-like state and against all his better judgements he sang out in a deep tenor tone, "You know you made me love you…."

The young maid leapt around, dropping the book in her hands in fright. Her pale face flushed in shock and embarrassment at seeing Mr Crawley sitting in the library.

"Beggin' yer pardon, sir," she gasped, bobbing a little curtsey.

Matthew got to his feet quickly and winced slightly at the panicked look on the young woman's face. Since he had been named as heir to Downton, he couldn't walk anywhere without someone curtseying or doffing their cap in fright. He rather longed for those simpler days of Manchester, where nobody cared who you were.

He held up a hand to try and steady the girl's nerves, "No, no, it was my fault. I shouldn't have scared you like that."

The young woman dropped her eyes to the floor and remained still and demure, just like she had been trained to do.

"You didn't scare me."

Matthew smiled lightly and moved cautiously towards the bookcase. The young maid remained rooted to the spot, her eyes cast down and from the red flush spreading across her neck she was obviously hoping he would leave her be. Matthew bent down to retrieve the book; he could almost hear the collective hiss of disapproval from the watching ancestors, but be damned with them!

"You have a lovely singing voice…..?" his own voice trailed away, encouraging the girl to tell him her name.

"Gwen, sir."

"….Gwen. I don't think I've ever heard such a lovely voice as yours before and that is a beautiful song you were singing."

Gwen's eyes flickered up to his for the briefest of moments, "Thank you, sir. It's my favourite."

"It's one of mine too," he smiled, trying hard to catch her eye once more. There was something quite enrapturing about this young woman with her flame red hair and shy demeanour. When she looked up at him again, he noticed how her eyes seemed to sparkle and there was real depth to her look. And he couldn't deny that the flush of pink across her milky white cheeks, really was endearing.

"I ought ter put tha' back," Gwen said, her voice low and tentative. She nodded towards the book he was holding and he suddenly realised he had been gazing at her.

Shaking himself from the reverie he gave a soft, "Oh," and handed it to her with a smile. She managed to return it, her eyes flicking rapidly between him and the book, the colour rising further in her cheeks.

She turned awkwardly and replaced it on the shelf, all the time he watched her and for a brief, mad moment he wondered if he should ask her to sing again. But, as he battled internally with such thoughts, Gwen turned around again and offered him another embarrassed smile.

"I'm sorry fer disturbin' yer," she murmured, bobbed another curtsey and began to retreat from the room.

"You do not disturb me. Far from it." Matthew answered and before he could say anything more, Gwen scuttled as fast as she could from the room.

Matthew sighed to himself and began to walk back towards the sofa, the song Gwen had been singing still lingering in his mind. She was a pretty thing, no denying that, and she so unlike any other woman he had met but then again, she was a maid and he her potential future employer. She'd hardly be arguing with him over Greek mythology like some women he knew.

Settling onto the sofa, he pushed away any thoughts of heirs and entails and for a few moments (until Lord Grantham returned) he amused himself with a song.

xXx

As the door clicked shut behind her, Gwen exhaled in relief. She'd had no idea that Mr Crawley was in the library or else she'd never have dreamed of going in there and she'd certainly not have been singing!

She let her head fall backwards and she groaned inwardly with embarrassment, of all the things she could have been doing, she had to be singing! She never sang…well not often. She'd occasionally sing softly when she was alone but those times in such a house were rare and she'd never been one to exhibit herself.

Her mum always said she had a sweet tone, that when she applied herself she could sing very well indeed, but Gwen had never believed her, mum's were meant to say that even if it weren't true.

As Gwen's feet began to move her thoughts moved towards her encounter with the heir, Mr Crawley. She'd never really thought much about him before, she'd observed him on the rare occasions she had been allowed to be in his presence, such as the night he was first introduced.

She had to admit he seemed nice, she couldn't imagine Lord Grantham speaking to her like Mr Crawley just had. And he'd paid her a compliment. No man had ever done that before.

Walking down the servant's staircase, she let her mind wander and for a few brief moments she thought of nothing but Mr Crawley, his blonde hair and those deep, deep blue eyes…..

A/N: The song Gwen was singing is called "You made me love you (But I didn't want to do it)" by James Monaco and Joseph McCarthy, a popular song in 1913. I also intended this to be a one-shot but I think there are a few chapters in this, so I think I'll indulge myself!

And…just be thankful I'm not writing Anna/Robert or Gwen/Branson! Well…this time anyway….. :D