A/N Thank you all so much for the alerts and reviews! I am very touched by the response to this story so far. I was very surprised that a fan fiction like this hasn't really been attempted before, but I am very glad to get the chance to write it! I would love to have more feedback, so please take a moment to review! I hope you enjoy the second chapter!

Chapter Two

Matthew didn't know how far he had carried Mary, or how he had even managed it before the house came into view. He had to get her somewhere safe. What on earth had brought this on? He had never seen her, or anyone else for that matter so distressed. What could be troubling her so? Was it 'The Great Matter'? At least he could feel that she was breathing, though she was still out cold. He hoped that she wasn't ill. But truly what could have been so bad that she could have worked herself up in such a state? Was everyone alright up at the house? When he reached the front door he opened it without ringing the bell and Lord Grantham came out of the study to see Matthew taking Mary inside. There was immediate concern on his face.

"Good Lord, what's happened?" The Earl exclaimed at the sight of his oldest daughter. Cora heard her husband's exclamation and sprung into action.

"Let's take her upstairs to her room. Can you manage?" She said to Matthew. He nodded waiting for Cora to lead the way. In the several months since he came to Downton he wasn't sure where the family rooms were exactly. He followed Cora up the stairs and then followed her right down the corridor and then left to a door squarely in the centre. Cora opened the door to the bedroom and Matthew gently placed Mary on the bed as Cora rang the bell. "What happened?"

"I hardly know." He said still stunned. "I came upon her, and we were speaking, she was … distressed. Then suddenly she fainted. Luckily I caught her, although her horse is still tied to a tree down by the bridge." Matthew purposely left out the part of Mary crying. He didn't want to upset the family any more than what they already would be.

"Blasted corsets." Cora said under her breath but remembering that Matthew was still in the room. "I can't thank you enough for carrying her home." Anna came into the room and gasped. "Oh good Anna. Please help me undress Lady Mary. She needs all the breathing space she can get!" She noticed that Matthew was still standing there somewhat stunned. "Matthew would you mind going downstairs and explaining to his lordship about what happened? I'm sure he'll be most anxious."

Matthew stood there for a moment but finally snapped out of his trance "Of course. I shall try to be as helpful as I can." With that Matthew left the room.

Cora and Anna gave a look to each other as if thinking the same thought at the same time. Perhaps they weren't rid of the late Mr. Pamuk after all.

A few hours later, Mary awoke in her bed. She had no recollection how she had gotten there. Only a faint … She recalled going riding and then having to stop because of herself. She remembered Cousin Matthew coming upon her in her distressed state and trying to help her and then … darkness. She must have fainted. Only how had she gotten back? Matthew. It must have been. Had he carried her all that way? She must have been a mile from the house when he encountered her. What had he been doing there anyway? Mary's thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of her mother.

"Oh, thank goodness you're awake darling! We were all quite worried." Cora came over to the bed to sit down. "You've been out for a few hours. What happened dear?"

"I'm perfectly alright Mama." Mary tried to be as convincing as she could. She never could fool her Mother.

"Doctor Clarkson has come and gone again. He diagnosed your ailment as a 'Feminine fashion casualty'."

Mary thanked god that Clarkson was rather dim. "Quite right, I'm sure that's it." She avoided her Mother's gaze.

"You're still looking very pale." Cora stated.

"I'm a lady, I'm supposed to be pale." Mary responded.

"I've noticed you haven't been eating as much." Cora persisted. She wasn't going to be put off by her daughter's flippant remarks.

"I'm trying to slim down for the upcoming season." Mary's excuses were feeble, and she knew it.

"Please dear, let's not pretend any longer." Cora began to shift uncomfortably but finally asked. "Tell me, is there a chance you might be pregnant?" Mary's eyes met her mothers and she looked away. Cora's heart sank. Mary's silence confirmed her suspicions.

Mary let the tears come down again, this time in silence. Cora observed her daughter's misery. She was disappointed in what her eldest had done and the scandal it might well bring down on the family. But to see her darling child crying so miserably… in spite of her anger at the situation, Cora took Mary in her arms, curling up beside her on the bed as she often had when Mary was young. She held her through the tears and stroked her dark brown hair tenderly, attempting to soothe the tears. Eventually they calmed enough for Mary to speak again. Mary shifted in her mother's arms and turned to her.

"What am I to do Mama?" Despite the very grown up problem she was facing there was something very reminiscent of her childhood in asking her mother what to do while she held her.

"I suppose you'll have to go away for a while until you have the child." It was a solution.

"And then what will happen?"

"You will give birth to the child, and we will help to find a good home for it. Then you'll come home and live as before." Mary looked at her mother with a hurt expression. Cora continued. "I suppose you could keep it, but it would mean never coming back to Downton. We would help you of course, but your life would be very different." Cora knew that Mary's life was going to be different no matter what she chose. Having a child would change her forever. Even if the child wasn't physically in her life, it would always be there in the back of her mind. Cora knew there could be another option. "Or you could find a man who would marry you as you are. With a little money, we could even perhaps entice a gentleman or someone wanting to move up the social ladder to take you. Perhaps even Matthew …" Mary shook her head furiously.

"No, I couldn't." She couldn't stand thought of forcing someone else to bear her shame.

"I thought you and Matthew were friendlier now."

"Friendlier, perhaps. He's hardly offered for me." Mary was trying to work it through her head but came to the same conclusion as before. "And anyway I couldn't."

"It wouldn't be the first time that a woman married because she had to. He may not be the father," Cora considered carefully. "But there is certainly something between you both."

"Whatever we had or didn't doesn't matter anymore. I won't deceive him into a marriage with a harlot carrying another man's child. He's too good for that."

"He's been waiting for hours to see how you are. He cares for you Mary." Mary shook her head at the impossibility of it all.

"I'd have to tell him everything. What man in his right mind would take me? Let alone... It's easier for everyone if I go away. Then he," Mary caught herself. "No one ever has to know." Cora could see that she was tired and talking wasn't getting them anywhere.

"You've had a difficult day. Rest. You have some big decisions to make shortly." She kissed Mary on the cheek, and smoothed her hair. "I'll have some supper sent up."

"I'm not hungry-"

"It's not for you." Cora paused before continuing. "Nothing will ever be about just you again dearest." This phrase seemed to strike Mary hard. Cora turned about to leave the room but was stopped by her daughters voice.

"Please, delay telling Papa for as long as you can. I know it won't be long, but I should like to make my decision before he hits the roof." Cora nodded to Mary as she left the room. Her mother knew now. At least that part was over. She supposed that she was right. Her life would no longer be her own. How very grown up she felt. What about her father? No doubt he would be angry and then disappointed with her but surely he'd come round. Wouldn't he? And her sisters, would they tell them? Surely they would figure it out if she didn't come back. Wouldn't Edith be pleased to have her out of the way. Then she could go on more church visits with Cousin Matthew. She couldn't think of that now. She had to consider her options now, however limited they might be.

Matthew was alone in the great hall pacing back and forth. Robert had offered to keep him company after the dressing gong rang but Matthew wouldn't hear of it. And so, he was alone with his thoughts. He knew it hadn't been appropriate to offer such comfort to a woman who wasn't his betrothed, however distressed Mary might have been, but he didn't care. She had needed someone, even if she hadn't realised it. When he approached the noises he heard from the road, he would never have guessed that the great sobbing mess he found could ever be Mary. She was the most fearless person he knew, well apart from his Mother, and Cousin Violet. If Mary was that earnestly in distress, she must really be in some sort of serious trouble. What kind of trouble could she possibly be in? He saw Cora coming down the stairs and he approached her.

"How is she?" He spoke a little too eagerly.

"She's awake now, but very tired. Dr. Clarkson says she'll be alright." Cora's heart almost broke for Mary as she noted Matthew's concerned demeanor. The dear boy clearly loved her. He'd been pining after her since before the hunt. What a mess everything had become.

"I'm very glad that she's alright. She gave me quite a scare when she fainted." Scare was an understatement for Matthew. His heart had sunk when he saw her drop.

"I shudder to think of what might have happened if you weren't there. You're quite my hero." Matthew tried to brush off her statement with a wave of his hand, but she continued. "It's perfectly true. Now it must be rather late. Would you care for some supper?"

"Thank you Cousin Cora, but I'm afraid I must be getting back home. I was in the middle of working when I needed a distraction."

"Well you've certainly had that. You and your mother must come up for supper in a day or two when Mary is feeling a little better, so that she can thank you."

"I certainly don't need to be thanked, but I should like to come up for dinner, if for nothing but to see how Mary is." Cora moved towards the cord to ring for Carson, but Mathew stopped her.

"No need. I'll see myself out."

"I'll send word about dinner then. Good Night Matthew."

"Good Night."

There it is! If you have a moment, please review. I love feedback!