Richard Carlisle stood at the corner of the lounge, observing through the window. Matthews arm was linked around Mary's as they walked across the lawn. Mary's shoulders shook as she laughed at something Matthew had said. Jealousy crept over him as they couple sat at a small swing, saying in the evening breeze.

He turned his head back to the dimly lit room, facing O'brian.

'This would mean extra work, but also extra pay-could you do this for me? I pay well.'

O'Brian paused to look out the window

'He's living here now so I don't need to make myself suspicious by leaving Downton?'

'That is correct.'

'I will do it.'

Mary's arm fell over Matthews as they walked across the lawn-purely for formalities sake.

Matthew paused and looked down at his leg. 'Dratted thing!'

'What is it?' Mary turned to face Matthew

'Oh my leg. It keeps going numb for no reason at all.'

'Let it heal. I'm sure it will come right soon enough,' she smiled

'Oh look-here's our old swing!' Mary stood by and old wrought swing, nestled in the cover of two tall tree's. 'I though the gardeners took at away long ago.' Mary faced Matthew again 'Will you join me?'

Matthew paused, his eyes sparkling. He put his nose up and said 'Do you always have to go back and play as you were a child?' He dropped his haughty poise 'I might break it.'

'Don't be silly.' Mary sat down, and Matthew-after cautiously testing his weight sat down on the iron swing.

It swung gently in the breeze, swaying the couple.

Matthew turned to Mary. 'I thought I'd better save you at dinner.'

'Yes. Thank you-I don't know what would have happened otherwise. Plus I enjoyed the walk.'

'You don't need to marry him Mary.'

'I do. You don't understand Matthew...if I send him away he'll go kicking and screaming-he'll try and ruin this family. He'll try and ruin me.'

'What could he possibly do to ruin you?'

'Matthew..you don't understand-something, something happened a long time ago and..'

'Mary, whatever he does-he can't ruin you. He's lower class-not in a disrespectful way of course-but he can't spread gossip about a powerful family.'

'He can-people believe what they want to hear-plus it's true, it's not street gossip. He can do whatever he wants.' Mary sobbed

Matthew lat his arm fall across her shoulders, I'll always be hear for you and your family

'You don't see. Your family too he'll ruin you just as much as me-he's already jealous of you.'

'Jealous! What on earth has to to be jealous of me?' Matthew smiled 'Oh lets stop it. Look at the beautiful sunset.'

Mary's head tilted towards the dimming sun, the light catching on her sharp features.

'Matthew?' Mary turned to him 'Would you...'

'Would I what?' he asked softly

'I...are you..?'

'Am I ever going to marry?'

Mary blushed-an unusual display of emotion.

'I might, depending on who it is you have in mind.' Matthew looked into deeply into her eyes 'You don't have to marry him.'

'I do.'

'Why?'

Mary breathed deeply 'You would dispise me so.'

'Mary.' Matthew looked directly into her violet eyes. 'Understand this. I coulnd never, never dispise you.'

'You would.'

'Mary. Look at me- I will never ever as long as I live dispise or hate you, I love you to mu...' he stopped abruptly

'Matthew, you wouldn't say that if you knew. Not if I told you.'

'Try me. Tell me.'

It was dark by the time Mary had finished. Matthew sat beside her in silence. Neither had spoken in a long time.

'Do you understand now?' Mary asked breaking the dark silence

Matthew stammered a few words and lapsed back into silence.

Mary stood and took his hands and looked into his eyes. After a few minutes she whispered

'You do dispise me.'