A/N: The latter half of this chapter introduces the S/T and E/A storylines. This is primarily an M/M fic. However, the more I plotted out the future, the more involved S/T and E/A became. So expect to see a lot more of them throughout this story. I really hope that I've done these two ships justice! I would love to hear your feedback!
Tentatively, Mary overturned the tag containing Matthew's preliminary diagnosis from France. Broken leg, broken ribs, and punctured lung it read. The terse and unforgiving words contained no trace of eloquence, not a single embellishment to soften the blow. The tag was clinical and unfeeling. Yet the sheer gravity of those words sent Mary's thoughts reeling down dangerous territory.
Mary's vision clouded over with a poignant sting. She couldn't help but notice the striking parallels to their previous encounter at the garden party last year. This was far from how she had envisioned reconnecting with Matthew. The thoughts of Matthew's utter sense of degradation (both now and before) caused her to shudder. Everything—his hopes and self esteem—was about to come crashing down as it had the day he withdrew his proposal and hastily enlisted in the army. She saw before her a man suffering too keenly to even feel indignant over the gross injustice of warfare. Barely choking back a sob, she experienced overwhelming guilt burn down the length of her spine.
Matthew's incoherent voice interrupted Mary's reverie. Her ears strained to understand. But Matthew's obstructed airways prevented him from clearly expressing himself. Perfectly in tune with his needs, Mary wasted no time and fetched him a glass of fresh water. She raised the glass to his lips, watching him drink greedily while Isobel discussed the prognosis with Dr. Clarkson.
"I hope you're feeling a bit less groggy." Mary surveyed Matthew's drawn appearance.
As Mary looked up, Dr. Clarkson motioned for Mary to come forth. Isobel's face turned haggard. Matthew listened from afar. Dr. Clarkson spoke with as much sensitivity as he could muster. "It seems that lieutenant Crawley has sustained significant damage to his right ribcage and right lung, not to mention his broken leg. If you notice lieutenant Crawley coughing up blood or any strange smelling fluids, please notify me or Isobel. If his condition worsens, we may need to drain his lung. He will require constant attention. Recovery will be particularly painful. I think it would be best if you two alternate nursing shifts to care for him."
Just as she opened her mouth to volunteer the first shift, her mother entered. With her lips pressed in a tight line, Cora silently beckoned her away from Isobel and suggested that she prepare for bed. Mary said her goodbyes to Isobel and Dr. Clarkson, promising to visit Matthew the next morning. In the background, she heard Cora and Isobel arguing fiercely over something she couldn't discern.
Suppressing a groan, Mary understood that the brief sense of calm at Downton could never have lasted. Her mother's power struggles with Isobel splintered throughout the house, and servants constantly received conflicting instructions. Both women consulted with Mary daily. Each revealed their own set of complaints about the other. But at Granny's insistence, it was always Mary who reconciled them—if only for a short while.
Until now, the war effort had successfully diverted Cora from the topic of finding Mary a husband. With men dying by the thousands, Cora was hard pressed to probe out a reasonable selection of eligible bachelors. But with Aunt Rosamund's help, she organized a dinner party at Downton and scouted out six scraps of potential husband material.
As Cora slipped into Mary's bedroom, she reconsidered informing Mary of her plans. Clearly stressed from the day's work, Mary shot her a baleful glare, already sensing her mother's intention of flinging suitors at her. It's just like that time Mama came in to beg me to flirt with Sir Anthony Strallan, practically ordering me to marry whoever sat next to me at dinner reflected Mary. Both Mary and Cora braced themselves.
"I was hoping to catch you alone," began Cora. "I need to brief you on tomorrow's plans," her voice raised ever so slightly on the word "plans." Cora was purposely vague, knowing that her daughter would instantly recoil if she launched any conversation with talk of suitors. Hopefully, Mary would initially assume that she was referring to the schedule for recovering officers at Downton. In apprehension, Cora clasped her hands and gave Mary a classic overly earnest expression.
"Isobel already briefed me on the schedule…the one that you approved of course." Mary raised a delicately sculpted eyebrow. She was not so easily fooled. Mama's reaction only confirmed her suspicions. But Mary made an effort to soften her expression, nodding for Cora to continue.
"Actually," Cora's lips puckered, "we're hosting a dinner party and I've invited Aunt Rosamund and several other…important guests."
"Oh don't tell me. You've invited Sir Anthony Strallan back again," Mary was half joking.
"Actually, he is one of the honored guests…along with five other eligible men. So at least you won't have to pay him exclusive attention."
Mary sighed. "Don't you have more important things to do, such as contribute to the war effort or quarrel some more with Isobel?"
"I know that since running the convalescent home, I've neglected the most crucial point in your future. But I always put my daughter's interests first."
"Who did Aunt Rosamund invite?" Mary dearly hoped that her choices topped Anthony Strallan.
"She has invited a man named Sir Richard Carlisle and his colleague Michael Gregson who is also Edith's editor. Not my first choices either. But the war as forced us to lower our standards."
Deeply offended, Mary bit back a sharp remark. She also refrained from telling Mama that she had already met them in person, and taken an instant dislike to them both. Sir Richard was tolerable. Bit she absolutely couldn't stand Gregson and his sense of entitlement because of his association with Edith.
"And your choices?" Mary pressed further.
"Aside from Anthony Strallan, I've invited our old friend, Tony Foyle. And also Evelyn Napier who will be bringing his friend, Charles Blake."
Matthew roused to the warm, bristling sensation of Mary running a damp towel down his neck. His eyes remained shut. His aching muscles relished the feeling of warmth permeating his skin and diffusing throughout his body. Languidly, he opened his eyes. The sight of Mary cleansing his most intimate areas sliced through the haze of unconsciousness.
He sat up abruptly. A fresh spike of pain pierced his chest, leaving him nearly too winded to speak. Though he seemed less drawn than before, his breathing had worsened considerably. It came in labored, wheezing gasps. A strangled sob wretched itself from deep within Matthew's gut, accompanied by an uncontrollable urge to heave.
Mary snatched the bedpan. She gently rubbed Matthew's back as he emptied out the contents of his stomach. A foul mixture of stomach acid, war food, and blood poured into the pan. The mere taste tempted Matthew to vomit again. The pan felt warm in Mary's hands. Mary cradled his head lovingly and watched his eyelids droop. Subconsciously, Matthew reached for her hand and held onto it like a lifeline. Just as she began dosing off herself, Matthew let out a bitter chuckle.
"What's so funny?" Mary asked.
"It seems like only a short while ago, I turned you down. And now look at me. I'm an impotent cripple stinking of sick. You've got to admit that it's quite funny how our fortunes have reversed."
"All I'll say is that you've survived the war, and that's enough for now. Nothing is permanent."
Mary noticed the copious amounts of blood settling in the pan. The strange liquid reeked of bacteria and decay. Suddenly, she recalled Dr. Clarkson's warning and immediately went to fetch Isobel. Her heart dropped. Her heart fractured at the realization of what Matthew would endure.
The formal dinner party that night stood in sharp contrast to the halls filled with boisterous officers playing cards during the daytime. It contrasted even more sharply with the grim hospital rooms that housed injured men—a fact that Isobel never hesitated to point out to Cora.
"It seems strange doesn't it," Isobel quipped, "that men staying under our roof are fighting for their lives as we speak. But we're hosting this ostentatious affair?"
"Some people are just better at keeping their personal lives separate from the war," Cora bit back. Sitting between Isobel and Mary, she quickly shifted her attention back to Mary. "Anthony Strallan is just itching for an excuse to converse, if only you would allow him an opening," she whispered.
Mary didn't respond. Nice try Mama she thought. There's no reason Sir Anthony should seek me out after last spring. I'm sure I've successfully discouraged him. Why doesn't Mama set her hopes on Edith?
"Mary is very keen on taking a drive through the village again, aren't you Mary?" Cora was determined to get as much traction out of this dinner as she could.
"Perhaps someday…when the war is over of course," Mary answered. As she had hoped, Sir Anthony showed no genuine interest. But his ears twitched when Mary asked "what about you Edith? You're always keen to get out of the house?"
"Oh it's been too long!" Edith seized at the opportunity to gain positive attention. "But of course there are my weekly meetings with my editor, Michael Gregson." she gestured across the table.
"Yes, my newspaper sales have dramatically increased since I began featuring columns written by a member of the aristocracy. I must say, they are quite a hit!" Gregson boasted and subtly leered at Edith. Through his peripheral vision, he noticed Strallan immediately avert his gaze and clench his jaw. Gregson smirked.
"I may have to follow Gregson's lead and find an aristocratic lady for my own newpapers." Sir Richard slyly cut Gregson off.
Seeing Edith again plagued Sir Anthony with self-doubt and unbearable regret. In the last year, she had truly blossomed. Her hair was much improved from her previously frumpy, awkward style. Though she wasn't radical enough to bob her hair like the women in Paris, she embraced the finger wave trends. It did wonders. London had treated her well. Her wardrobe was noticeably more sleek and fashionable. Gone were the plain frocks and colors that clashed with her complexion. Anthony Strallan wilted under Michael Gregson's scrutinizing gaze. He realized what a fool he was to have let her go.
Recently, he had stumbled across one of her columns in The Sketch. It piqued his interest but also reminded him that he was old and she was young. She was just now spreading her wings. Despite Gregson's comment about Edith's aristocratic position boosting his sales, Anthony understood that her merit extended far beyond that. Her writing showed promise.
Anthony Strallan also noted that her relationship with Mary had somewhat improved, as Edith no longer seemed intent on tearing Mary down. She had found her own sphere. Her newfound occupation had given her purpose beyond competing a losing competition with Mary. He also understood that although he always quietly championed Edith, he had never truly fought for her. It hadn't taken very much to discourage him before. But he resolved seek Edith out after dinner so that he could confess to her before Gregson stole his opportunity.
For a few minutes, they all are in silence. This afforded Mary the chance to finally observe all of Mama and Aunt Rosamund's guests. All of them had accepted their invitation. Carefully probing around the dining room, Mary's eyes halted on one particularly unwelcome guest. It was Larry Grey. Mama had not mentioned him in their earlier conversation. However, Mary remembered Papa expressing disapproval of Sybil's desires to become a nurse. Mary overheard him pleading with Cora to find Sybil a husband before she could secure the position.
Larry picked apart at his food almost daintily, eating only the best bits of each dish, Mary noted with distaste. Mama really wasn't kidding when she said that she lowered her standards for us, she lamented. Sybil would sooner marry the chauffeur than that wastrel of a man. Mary saw Sybil seated beside Larry but tactfully engaged in conversation elsewhere.
To Mary's surprise, it wasn't a footman who served the second round of courses, but Branson, the chauffeur. The recent deployment of able-bodied footmen caused an acute shortage of service. Branson mostly avoided eye contact with the guests, clearly unaccustomed to acting as a footman. When he lowered the giant bowl of caviar for Larry Grey to dish out, Larry simply glared.
"You're not doing it right." Larry snapped. "You're not very accommodating for a footman."
Branson's livid expression far outclassed Larry's scowl. His self confidence and impertinence secretly unnerved Larry. "What would someone like you know about being a servant?" Branson's Irish brogue caught everyone's attention. "When you haven't had to work a day in your life?"
Larry merely scoffed. "Oh I still make my own fortune…as a successful businessman. In fact, the war has presented some ripe investment opportunities. I'm investing all of my stock in the new Canadian Railway Fund and encourage you to do so as well, Lord Grantham."
To all three sisters' dismay, Robert took a genuine interest. Mary observed the cogs of his brain working rapidly. She turned to Sybil and asked "is Papa seriously considering business advice from Larry Grey?"
"I sure hope not. I do worry for Papa." Sybil replied. "But I also admire Branson for holding his own against Larry. It's not very often that servants get to stand up for themselves."
Before Branson or Larry could escalate, Isobel clumsily switched topics. "Sybil, I've secured you a full time nursing position at the village hospital. Your training begins tomorrow at eight in the morning."
Lord Grantham's eyes bulged. He immediately forgot about Branson and Larry. Cora visibly lamented her failure to match make Sybil before it was "too late." Robert's fork clanked onto his plate.
"And when did you plan on telling me that you actually applied. Here I thought you were only entertaining some foolish fantasy while all the while, you were going behind my back!" Robert verged on bellowing. Cora lightly grazed her husband's arm, warning him not to continue his tirade. Violet shot him down with a single glare.
"But it's not a foolish fantasy at all!" Sybil's resolution strengthened. "I'm determined to help injured men in need—to feel useful for once! It's doing nothing that's the enemy. Nothing you say will change my mind!"
"For once, I agree with Sybil," the dowager countess piped in. "Mary and Edith have both rallied for the war effort. We must let Sybil have her chance."
"Thank you Granny," Sybil felt relieved. She glanced across the table and accidently locked eyes with Branson. He gleamed at her with pure admiration and pride—just as he had the day Sybil had bravely donned the turquoise harem pants. Bravo milady he mouthed. Now, she could never bring herself to regret speaking out. When his expression softened (almost imperceptibly), a strange warmth pooled deep within her gut and radiated through her chest. She blushed furiously.
Their brief moment didn't go unnoticed by Mary or Edith. Mary raised an eyebrow at Branson. Warily, she shifted her focus to Papa, hoping that he hadn't noticed. Otherwise, she feared another unnecessary scene. I'm sure nothing can come out of it; Mary dismissed the mere notion as impossible. But Branson will be out of a job instantly if Papa ever finds out. Papa must never know.
What had begun as a huge matchmaking endeavor, ended as a showcase of family dynamics at Downton. Mary's suitors faded to the background, and none of them gained the opening to court Mary at all. Cora was disappointed to discover that Tony Foyle was newly engaged and Charles Blake was going on an extended trip abroad as a diplomat. Mary only had eyes for Matthew. She believed that she would never be happy with anybody else as long as he walked the earth. She not only longed to be by his side again, but to also keep Downton in order. Neither Cora nor Isobel were capable of running Downton's convalescent home singlehandedly. Because of her crucial role in mediating the two said leaders, she had inadvertently become the true leader. Her very identity was entwined with Downton and its wellbeing. This gave Mary a renewed sense of purpose. She understood Isobel's constant desire to be useful.
A few minutes before Edith left Downton to accompany Gregson to the train station, Anthony strode towards her, panting and nervous but full of resolve. Last night, he had been too passive, allowing Gregson to monopolize Edith's attention. He refused to allow this last opportunity slip by. Edith noticed that his red scarf and tweet cap were peppered with snowflakes. His pale eyes burned with silent desperation.
"I'm glad to see you looking so well, Lady Edith." He began. "How have these past months been for you? It seems that they have treated you well." His voice cracked.
"They have indeed," Edith smiled. "They've been nothing short of miraculous for me."
"Indeed." Whether out of anxiety or reaction to the cold, Anthony's teeth chattered.
"But I'm so glad to see you again!" Edith replied.
Gently, Sir Anthony cupped Edith's hand and mustered up his courage. "Lady Edith, I need to tell you something I've been meaning to tell you…since last night. I—
"EDITH!" Another voice interrupted, "the chauffeur is freezing and so am I! I must get to the station on time! I have important meetings to attend to today!"
Edith gave Strallan an apologetic glance and signaled that she was leaving. As the car sped into the foggy distance, he lingered behind, desperately hoping that Edith just might gaze back at him.
Please look back at me he rasped. But the blustering winds swallowed his pleas into silence.
A/N: Don't fear Andith shippers! I assure all of you that M/M, S/T, and E/A are all endgame. Also, if you're a huge fan of Gregson, this is your chance to step away. I've taken a few liberties with his character. My opinion of him may or may not change in season 4. But for now, neither he nor Sir Richard are the good guys. Please stay tuned!
Edit: I've gotten a few reviews asking about why suitors attend a dinner party during the war. My reasoning behind this is that the story starts about a year earlier than season 2 canon. So not all of the men have been actively deployed yet. Some are anxious to get engaged before they do. Many of the mentioned suitors will go to war soon. The ones who aren't going to war include Richard, Branson, Gregson, Larry Grey, and Charles Blake.