Disclaimer: As much I as I wish I did, I do not own Downton Abbey. I am merely borrowing it…for now ;)

Author's Note: Alright, this one-shot is what I call "a missing moment." It is canon, at least the idea behind it is, yet it was never shown! And what moment is that? Matthew's proposal to Mary in season one! So if you are like me and feel we were gipped, this one-shot is for you. Enjoy!

Mary pulled back, shocked. Had she and Matthew just been kissing? It had been so unexpected. She never even dreamed of something like this happening. Yet, she found that she had enjoyed kissing Matthew more than she had spending the night with Pamuk. Maybe because she loved Matthew; that thought surprised Mary more than the kiss had.

"Mary," said Matthew, quite suddenly taking her hand, "will you marry me?"

This was the biggest shock of all! If anyone had told her this morning that Matthew would propose before the day was out, she was would have laughed and thought it a good joke. This morning she thought she only cared for him as a friend…if she cared for him at all. But what will Sybil getting hurt and Matthew coming to her rescue, seeing the way her sister had looked at him…Mary had felt slightly jealous…no, not "slightly." She had felt jealous. There was no other way to say it.

And then the kiss. It had been heavenly and she suddenly had the urge to do it again, but she had to think. Matthew had just asked her a question, the most important question a man can ever ask a woman and he was waiting for an answer.

Mary knew what she wanted to say. There was no doubt on that score. Right now there was only thing she wanted in the world and that was to say "yes." She wanted more than anything to spend the rest of her life with this man. She could see them walking hand in hand together, having children, and growing old, and….it would be all a lie.

If she were to say yes, she would be marrying him under false pretenses. Matthew knew nothing about what had really happened with Pamuk. To leave him in ignorance and marry him, would be to lie to him. And Mary did not want that.

The only other option would be to tell him…and that terrified her more than anything else. She could imagine the looks of shock, then disappointment, and then finally hatred on his face. No, no, she could not tell him!

But when she looked him, seeing that he was looking back at her, so expectantly, she could not say no either…and she didn't want to.

There was only a third choice between yes and no; and Mary found herself saying it, "I will think about it." She knew this answer didn't solve anything. She was merely postponing the inevitable, but for now she was content to put that day off.

Matthew nodded, as if content to wait for her answer, little dreaming of the struggle that was going through Mary's mind. "Then I await your answer." he said simply.

Author's Note: Yes, I know it isn't as good as Matthew's proposal in the Christmas Special. Seriously, nothing can top that one! But please tell me that it is at least better than Sir Richard's proposal to Mary? Reviews would be greatly appreciated!