Tom stood at his mirror straightening his bowtie when there was a soft knock on his door. Instinctively he knew it was Mary.

Opening the dark oak door to reveal her in an exquisite black evening dress.

"Hello," she shyly smiled. "I need to talk to you,"

He went cold as he conjured up one hundred reasons as to why she would retract what she had confessed earlier. It must have read on his face as Mary began to laugh and reassured him that it was nothing sinister.

"Just missed me then?" He grinned leading her into the room.

"Of course," smiling into his kiss. "But I have some news, Granny's home and she wants me to visit her in the morning,"

"And you want to tell her about us,"

Mary tilted her head to the side and nodded.

"Do you think she'll be an ally then?" Looking quizzically at his reflection when he returned to the mirror, cursing his black tie.

"I do, she's always supported me. You still haven't mastered that bowtie yet have you?" She smirked as she sashayed over to him. "Well no matter, I doubt you'll need it on our little trip,"

Tom brought her into a hungry kiss as the dinner gong reverberated throughout the Abbey.


As the main course was being served Tom thought it an appropriate time to announce his and Mary's "business" trip.

"Robert? Has Mary told you about our trip to research sheep?"

Lord Grantham glanced at his eldest daughter and replied, "No she hasn't . Though sheep would make a good addition. Tell me, are you thinking of breeding them?"

"That's what the trip is about Papa. We want to see which breed would be best and whether it will be suitable to incorporate them." Mary cut in.

"How long will you be away?" Cora inquired as Carson filled her wine glass. The elderly butler wore a disapproving expression.

"Tom? How long will the journey to Dublin take?" She asked wearing a slight smile as Tom choked slightly on his drink.

"Dublin? But Tom isn't allowed in Ireland," a shocked Edith interjected.

"Ireland is independent now. All it took was a telephone call. A lovely gentleman told me that any citizen of Ireland is welcome home whenever they like."

Mary's eyes met Tom's across the table, he was smiling widely yet had tears in his eyes.

"Well in that case Mary, I think we'll take at least a week,"

"Robert why did we not think of that? Poor Tom was exiled when he didn't need to be."

The conversation continued thus but the newly formed couple heard not a word. They were too lost in one another.