A/N: wow, I'm so overwhelmed by the response of the first chapter! Thank you! I anticipated this to be maybe two or three chapters, maximum, but now I have a feeling it will be a little longer…unfortunately I don't know how often updates will arrive, but do let me know if you're still interested in the story! Xxx
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"Make sure you're there at 7pm sharp. And dress conservatively." Mary's firm instructions continued.
"Conservatively? Does that mean I can't wear my favourite fishnet stockings and fur vest?" Matthew deadpanned as he and Mary crossed the road, hand-in-hand.
"And don't make jokes like that. She won't approve." Mary retorted. The 'she' in question was Violet Crawley, Mary's grandmother. Matthew had heard many stories of this formidable 'Granny', as she was affectionately known within the Crawley family, and had been somewhat dreading the day when he would have to face her. Unfortunately, that day had finally arrived; it was Robert's birthday and he'd invited all his loved ones to dine at the Crawley household. Matthew had attended dinners there countless times, but Violet had never been there- Mary had explained to him that Granny tried to avoid travelling into London as much as possible, preferring instead to remain in her large house in Surrey and get the latest gossip and scandal from the London socialites fed to her by her minions.
Matthew let out a sigh. "It doesn't sound like she'd approve of anything I'd do or say."
Mary looked at him sympathetically as he ran a hand through his hair (a reliable indicator of his stress levels). He'd expressed to her his concerns about fitting in with her family. Robert and Cora had come to see him as part of the family but Matthew still occasionally felt out of place around them. Mary deliberately neglected to mention that her extended family was more formal and less liberal than her parents, in case Matthew grew even more apprehensive.
If she was being honest with herself, part of her was curious to see how this evening would fare. Over the last week or so, thoughts of she and Matthew living together had been at the forefront of her mind; she hadn't mentioned this to Matthew, however. As far as he knew, she was still against the idea, seeing it as too serious for them at that stage in their relationship. But before she could change her stance on cohabitation for good, she felt she needed to expose him to her lifestyle more. He'd done well at the odd family party, but he'd mainly stuck by her side and avoided contact with anybody outside her immediate family or Tom. If he was going to be a more prominent fixture in her life, he'd have to grow accustomed to her family and her background.
"Darling, don't worry so much." She tried to soothe him as they paused in front of the salon at which Mary had a hair appointment.
"It's hard not to worry when you're effectively telling me I can't be myself at all this evening." Matthew argued. It wasn't that he was afraid of Mary's family or of her associates. Rather, he didn't like being in situations where he felt he was being judged or looked down upon, or where he wouldn't be free to be himself. Sincerity was a quality he'd been brought up to value dearly, and he was finding it difficult to marry that with the fact that he wanted to impress Mary's relatives.
"That's not true." Mary slid her hands underneath his jacket and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm just reminding you to be careful with things like punctuality and attire."
"I will, but that's not really what I'm worried about- I'm in control of what time I arrive and what clothes I'm wearing. What I'm not in control of, however, is the conversation around the dinner table." Matthew retorted, in turn wrapping his arms around Mary.
"I'll be there to help if things get difficult." Mary promised, angling her head in the way she did whenever she wanted a kiss. Matthew obliged, bending his head slightly to take her lips in his. "I have to go, I'm already a few minutes late." Mary extricated herself from Matthew's arms. "Call me if you have any questions, otherwise I'll see you at 7pm." She called behind her as she pushed the salon door open.
Matthew merely sighed again as he stood alone on the pavement. He wouldn't have been so worried if Mary hadn't made it seem like such a big deal. Eventually, he decided to make his way home to ready himself for dinner. The first item on his to-do list was to re-read the Wikipedia entry on the Crawley family history.
…
"How am i doing? Matthew nervously whispered to Mary as dinner was announced and the family proceeded to the dining room.
"Well, i think!" Mary murmured back.
"Really?" Matthew was unconvinced. "Your grandmother keeps staring at me with what looks like utter disdain."
"Oh, that's not what that is." Mary clarified. "That's how she looks at everyone the first time she meets them. Dad says that's how she first looked at Aunt Rosamund when she was born!"
Matthew was about to ask what exactly Violet's look of disdain is if her normal look of appraisal is so intimidating, but they'd already reached the dining room. He found himself seated beside Mary's aunt Rosamund (who seemed nice enough so far but he had his suspicions) and diagonally opposite Violet. Mary wasn't too far away but not as close as he would have liked. To make matters worse, Tom had come down with norovirus and was staying at home in bed. Matthew felt distinctly like a small lonely fish in the midst of some hungry killer whales.
"Mother, I'm not sure we'll all be able to travel to Berkshire this weekend." Robert's voice sounded once the general chatter had calmed down.
"Oh god, not Berkshire again." Matthew heard Sybil mutter on his right.
"Why not?" Violet demanded rhetorically. "The Fitzgeralds have been inviting us to their annual shoot for years now and we must maintain our alliances. They're very well connected, you know."
"Yes, we know, but we're all very busy these days and the shoot takes up the entire weekend." Robert explained as patiently as he could.
"Plus, it's a completely objectionable pursuit!" Sybil piped up indignantly.
"Darling, you know they don't shoot real birds." Cora smiled.
"But still-" Sybil persisted.
"Alright, dear, we know you think the way all your ancestors and the former leaders of this country grew up is barbaric, but I'm not asking you to do any actual shooting." Violet spoke over her. "All I ask is your attendance. Matthew?"
Matthew, who'd been quietly eating his soup and enjoying the fact that he'd slipped under the radar, looked up sharply upon hearing his name.
"Yes?" He asked.
"I'm sure you'll be able to spare your weekend for some shooting? This family seems to be teeming with women so it will be useful to have you there."
Matthew took mild offence at being told that his presence was desired solely for utility purposes, but smiled politely. "It's very kind of you to invite me, but-" he began, faltering when he noticed Violet stiffen at the word 'but'.
"Matthew has a cousin over from Holland this weekend." Mary interjected. "So he'll be busy." She looked at Matthew reassuringly, and he gave her a grateful smile back.
"Oh that sounds lovely." Rosamund remarked enthusiastically. "I've always liked Holland."
"Yes and as I recall, you had a particular affinity with Amsterdam." Violet commented with an unmistakeably accusatory tone. Matthew gave Mary a questioning glance when he heard Edith and Sybil sniggering. There was definitely a story there.
"You have such a good memory, mother." Rosamund replied tightly, before turning back to Matthew. "Will this cousin be staying with you long?"
"Actually he's staying with my mother up in the suburbs." Matthew smiled. "So I'll spend the days there but go back to my flat to sleep."
"Why's that?" Violet queried.
"There's not enough space for all of us to spend the night. My mother's house only has one spare bedroom." Matthew replied, sensing that small houses were a concept unfamiliar to Mary's grandmother.
"Gracious, how does she cope, the poor woman?" Violet exclaimed.
"It makes perfect sense." Cora joined in. "Isobel lives alone- she doesn't need a large house, it would be wasteful."
"I suppose that's true." Violet conceded. "I myself downsized my living quarters after William passed." She said, referring to the death of her husband.
"Granny, you live in a country manor with six bedrooms and four bathrooms." Edith pointed out as their soup dishes were cleared away. Matthew's eyes grew wide. He hadn't realised people still lived so lavishly in the twenty-first century.
"I know, but somehow I find a way to manage." Violet replied with self-sympathy, clearly not understanding her meaning. "But really, I'm most curious to discover how your mother gets by." She continued.
"Mother, really." Robert reprimanded gently, casting Matthew an apologetic glance.
"You're always saying that i should try to broaden my horizons, Robert, and that is simply what I am doing." Violet shot back. "So, Matthew, what is the name of your mother's house? I feel like i should pay her a visit and acquaint myself with your way of life."
"Erm...her house doesn't have a name." Matthew frowned slightly. "She lives at number fifty-seven, Gerard Street, if that helps." He offered.
"Fifty-seven?" Violet exclaimed yet again. "Do you mean to tell me there are at least fifty-seven houses on her street?"
"That's usually how terraced houses work, Granny." Mary said drolly. "There's not enough land in England to house people the way you think they should be housed."
"A terraced house? Well, that sounds nice and cosy." Rosamund commented with a smile, although Matthew got the feeling she wouldn't ever want to step foot in such an abode.
"Mmm, indeed." Violet replied with a similar tone. "I take it those sorts of houses have indoor plumbing these days?" She enquired innocently.
"Mother!" Robert warned.
"What's the matter? If you must know, they didn't have flushing lavatories when I was growing up, so I am eager to learn about their modernisation."
"I never took you for one to be interested in modernity." Mary said wryly, earning more sniggers from her sisters and mother as they settled into the main course.
The interest in Matthew's mother's living arrangements quelled, much to Matthew's relief, and Robert actively steered the remaining conversation to neutral topics such as whether it was worth buying a new car, whether it might snow that week, and whether Edith should consider changing her mobile phone contract.
As they rose from their chairs to enter the lounge, Mary tried to walk over to Matthew. He'd done rather well at fielding questions but she wanted to make sure he wasn't insulted by the interrogation. Rosamund swept in, however, linking their arms together and quickly ushering Mary out of the room.
"Mary, you must show me the new piano in the music room. I've been dying to hear you play something!"
"That's interesting, because you always found an excuse to get out of attending our recitals when we were little." Mary remarked with an arched eyebrow. She knew her aunt too well to believe her spurious alibis.
"Alright, fine." Rosamund relented once they were out of earshot in the other room. "What I really want to talk about is that new boyfriend of yours."
"What about him?" Mary asked defensively. It didn't seem like Rosamund wanted to gush about Matthew in the way Mary felt everyone should.
"Are you sure he's a sensible decision?" Rosamund posed the question in what she thought was her caring and concerned tone.
"He's not a 'decision'!" Mary scoffed at her aunt's choice of language. "I fell in love with him!"
"Oh Mary, we all fall in love." Rosamund laughed dismissively. But that doesn't mean we can't use our heads. If you were eighteen or nineteen, or even twenty-one, I'd say have your fun. He is exceedingly handsome and smart and charming, so I can see the attraction. But you're in your mid-twenties now and should be beginning to think about settling down. You can't let your heart overrule that wonderfully shrewd brain of yours."
"What do you mean?" Mary asked, wondering why Rosamund said 'shrewd' as if it was a compliment.
"Can you honestly see yourself marrying him? Living with him, having him come to all the family events?"
"He's been to quite a few of dad's parties. And i get along so well with him, you know. I don't think living with him would be too much of a challenge."
"You get along fine when you're watching DVD's and eating out and going to concerts and…kissing, or whatever it is you do. Actually living with someone is a very different kettle of fish." Rosamund corrected her.
Against Mary's wishes, Aunt Rosamund's words struck a nerve. Since the inception of her relationship with Matthew, she'd been concerned about potential clashes between her family and Matthew. This evening appeared to prove that, in spite of their differences, Matthew and her family could just about get by at dinners and similar events. But what worried Mary was that her family's habits and tastes were echoed by her- and they were so far removed from his.
"So you think Matthew and I should break up." Mary stated, inferring from her aunt's demeanour.
"That's not what I'm saying." Rosamund clarified. "By all means, stay with him for the foreseeable future and get the feelings of young love out of your system. But he's not a long-term prospect; it's just not feasible. I'm surprised your parents haven't brought this up."
"Mum did push back a bit at first. She's accepted him now, though, and so has Dad. They're not narrow-minded." Mary hinted.
"Mary, my dear, I'm not being narrow-minded. It's not that I look down upon him or his family. It's a case of being realistic. Can you honestly see yourself spending the rest of your days in a little terraced house, doing your own housework? You are most certainly your grandmother's granddaughter and we all know how much luxury she requires, even in her old age." Rosamund rolled her eyes.
Mary couldn't really dispute that last statement, but tried to regardless. "I can feel myself changing, since I've been with Matthew. I'm not as superficial as I used to be." She said resolutely.
"Yes, I noticed that you didn't complain about the fact that Matthew used the wrong spoon for his dessert." Rosamund replied sarcastically. "I don't need to remind you of your list of wishes; large houses in the city and country, and a husband who comes with a sizeable fortune and the ability to tie his own bow-tie."
"Aunt Rosamund, I made that list when I was seventeen. I've grown up since then." Mary emphasised, still annoyed that Edith had read her diary and leaked the list to the rest of the family.
"I suspect you'll be the same girl you always were." Rosamund countered. "Those desires are ingrained in you; it's easy to forgo them in the short-term, but don't come crying to me when Matthew insists on staying in three-star hotels when you're holidaying in Tenerife, or wherever people go these days."
Mary could only huff in response. She didn't like what her aunt was telling her- partly because it was borderline insulting, and partly because it was...accurate. Rosamund was holding a mirror up against her and Matthew's relationship, and Mary was afraid that the reflection wasn't as problem-free as she'd thought.
"All I'm saying is you need to be sensible about this and not waste too much of your time with someone who you won't end up marrying. Either that, or stay with Matthew in the hope that your lifelong habits and preferences will change." Rosamund said bluntly. She touched Mary's arm gently before turning to join the rest of the family in the lounge.
Mary stood alone for a moment, mulling over Rosamund's advice.
...
Where were you? Matthew asked urgently when Mary appeared at his side.
"Sorry, I got detained by Aunt Rosamund. Have you been alright?" Mary asked, linking her fingers with his. They hadn't had any contact since that afternoon, and in her confused state she needed his comfort- despite the fact that he was a source of that confusion.
"Not exactly. Sybil immediately ran off to see how Tom is, your Dad got a call from work and your Mum started talking to Edith about some guy she wants to set her up with. So that left me with your grandmother. It seems she has quite strong opinions on the NHS." Matthew alluded to his mother's job as a midwife.
"Sorry, I hope it wasn't too painful." Mary apologised, placing her free hand on his arm.
"Don't worry, it was to be expected." Matthew smiled.
"Feel free to head home, by the way." Mary said, concerned that Matthew was subjecting himself to her family out of politeness. "Don't feel like you have to stay any longer."
"It's fine." Matthew assured her. "I want to spend time with you." He squeezed her hand affectionately.
Mary feigned a sweet smile. She wanted to spend time with him too. But her aunt's doubts were ringing in her ears...
…
A/N: so, Mary's back to questioning the whole 'moving in' idea again. Will Matthew do something to convince her otherwise? Stay tuned! Xx ps this is my first attempt at writing Violet and I quite enjoyed it, but I don't know if it translated on paper…?