What Could Have Been
Chapter 2
The rays of sun bursting through the windows as Anna opened the curtains were the only things that could have woken Mary from her peaceful slumber. She opened her eyelids slowly to allow herself time to adjust to the influx of light. As she looked around the room she spotted the breakfast tray that dearest Anna had brought her. Mary smiled to herself as she reached over and placed the tray over her knees and poured herself the first cup of tea of the day.
"Good morning Anna" she smiled.
" Did you sleep well Milady?" asked sweet Anna.
"Extremely thank you."
"Good. I'll come back in about half an hour to dress your ladyship." Anna murmured as she slipped out of the room with Mary's used candle and face cloth. Mary finished her breakfast and moved the tray back to the bedside table. She then lay back down against the pillows and stared at the ceiling daydreaming about her life with Matthew that was to come.
Was it all a dream last night? She couldn't remember feeling this happy and at peace in such a long time. All that uncertainty with the entail business just seemed like such a fond distant memory and she felt the better for it.
A little while later after Anna had helped her get dressed Mary was slowly making her way towards the stairs when out of no where Sybil ran into her wrapping her tight in a hug.
" Is it really true?" Sybil asked excitedly. "Tell me tell me tell me."
"Calm down Sybil! Yes it is true now why don't you let me go and we'll go downstairs and have some tea." Mary explained. "Don't worry I will tell you everything like I know you want me to."
"Right. Let's go!" Sybil released Mary only to link arms with her to prevent her from escaping.
They made their way to the staircase. As they rounded the corner to descend the stairs they could hear the sound of a large group of people talking amongst themselves. They both clearly recognised the voices and taking a deep breath Mary began to walk slowly down the stairs knowing what was awaiting her.
"CONGRATULATIONS" the entire staff, her parents and her younger sister Edith shouted loudly as they threw confetti over Mary.
"Thank you so much!" Mary was quite overcome with emotion at this kind gesture. Turning to Sybil raising an eyebrow "Did you have anything to do with this?"
"I don't know what you mean." Sybil answered innocently leading her down the rest of the stairs to meet her public.
Greeted by a sea of congratulations and smiling faces Mary finally started to believe that this was all really happening. Needless to say Edith was the only one not overcome with joy at the news. Then making her way through the crowd she saw the small tea party that had been set up in the main hall for all residents of the house upstairs and down to enjoy.
"This is your engagement party." Cora informed her. "Well your small one anyway you know your grandmother will insist on a society event in the next few weeks when she hears the news."
"Has anyone told her yet?" Mary asked. " You know how Granny hates to get news second hand."
"There's no need I'm already here" A voice said in the doorway leading from the front door to the main hall everyone turned around to see the figure of Violet, the Dowager Countess. They all waited with baited breath to see her reaction to the news.
"And I couldn't be more thrilled for you Mary dear. So where is he?" Violet said as she made her way slowly across the room to give her eldest granddaughter a rare public kiss on the cheek. Then turned to the rest of the people standing in the room for the answer to her question. "Did no one think to invite the groom to his own engagement party? Honestly!"
It was decided that Branson would be sent down to Crawley House to fetch Matthew and Isobel so they could join in the festivities. While they waited for the other guests of honour arrive Mary made her way around the room retelling the story over and over again. Normally that kind of thing would be the most odious thing in the world for her but strangely it was a delight to keep pouring over every detail it made Mary's happiness all the greater to see those closest to hers reaction to the news.
As everyone was beginning to help themselves to tea and fill the tables that had been set up in the great hall the sound of the car arriving could be heard and Mary went to the door to welcome Matthew and Isobel.
"Was this your idea?" Matthew asked getting out of the car placing a kiss on Mary's cheek.
"Strangely not it was all Sybil's doing!" Mary explained as Isobel came around the other side of the car after being helped down by Branson.
"Congratulations Mary my dear" Isobel said pulling Mary into a fierce hug. "I am pleased as punch to have you for a daughter in law"
"Thank you so much Isobel" Mary smiled yet again overcome by happiness. "Shall we go in?"
"Indeed we shall" as he spoke Matthew moved so that he could place himself between the two most important woman in his life. They both took either arm and the three of them made their way into the house together talking excitedly as they went.
As expected as soon as they entered the room the crowd of well-wishers yet again descended. After they had made their way through the crown Mary and Matthew helped themselves to some tea and placed themselves on the furthest table from everyone else.
"Are you excited about the wedding?" Matthew asked as they sat down.
"What do you think?" Mary answered coyly.
"I'm looking forward to all sorts of things." He stated.
"Don't make me blush" she said shocked yet delighted at this forward behaviour. They didn't have time to say anything else before their families invaded their table.
A little while later when everyone was talking amongst themselves a thought suddenly occurred to Mary so she turned to her mother and asked " Mama has anyone told Aunt Rosamund about the engagement yet?"
"Oh my goodness. Rosamund! It completely slipped my mind!" Cora stammered as she remembered Rosamund's previous feelings towards Matthew at other family occasions. "What should we do?"
"Don't panic you can all leave Rosamund to me" Violet asserted. "I can assure you she will not be a problem. I will make sure of it."
Although feeling a little calmer knowing that Violet was going to handle it Mary couldn't help feeling dread at the thought of her next conversation with her aunt. Knowing Rosamund as she did Mary knew this wouldn't be a pleasant experience…
END OF CHAPTER 2