"I'm going into York with Branson today." Mary said to Anna as she dressed the next morning.

"What for, my lady?" Anna began lacing up her corset.

"Italian driving gloves," Mary turned, surveying herself in the mirror. "Tighter, Anna. What if I run into someone I know? Lord Merton doesn't live that far away." And the expression on Branson's face is sure to be interesting.

"Very well." Anna pulled the strings taut. "I suppose you'll want to wear your blue dress, then?"

"Yes, and my new shoes."

"I'll get them out, my lady."

Mary ended up dressed quite stylishly. She had bought this particular outfit from a French dressmaker in London, and the skirt ended right above her ankles, showing off her little white leather shoes. It was a little excessive for just going to York, but she couldn't resist. After a hurried breakfast (thankfully, Edith hadn't come down yet), she went out front to where Tom was waiting with the car.

"Good morning," Mary smiled at him as he helped her into the driver's seat. "You clean up nicely." His suit was carefully ironed, and though a little old, fit him quite well. He looks a tiny bit dashing, Mary thought to herself.

"Thanks," Tom smiled back, closing her door and letting himself into the seat beside her. "Anna fitted it for me last night, and ironed it this morning."

"Isn't she a darling? I'll have to thank her." That was very thoughtful of her. Mary thought.

"She is." Tom nodded. "Now are you ready?

"I'm just driving until we reach the main road, then you'll take over." She sighed. He didn't mention my dress. Wait, why do I feel so disappointed? It would have been entirely inappropriate if he had.

"You'll do fine." Tom said reassuringly, thinking her sigh was caused by nerves. "Just concentrate."

Mary drove them safely to the crossroads, about a half-hour trip. They didn't see any other cars on the road, and Mary's driving was flawless.

"You're quite proficient already, my lady." Tom commented as Mary pulled over. The car jerked as she applied the brake, and he laughed. "We just have to work on your parking."

"It wasn't that horrible." Mary said as he helped her slide over to the passenger's side. "I just need a bit of practice."

"We can do that later." Tom started the car and pulled into the main road. "For now, just watch how I make turns and behave around other drivers. Sometimes by just paying attention to how someone else does something you can learn more than by doing it yourself."

Mary hmm'd noncommittally. "What made you decide to be a chauffeur?" she asked, curious. "You're intelligent; you could've become a journalist, or done something political in Ireland."

Tom shrugged. "I'm strong, and I've always been good at mechanical things. Besides, my brother owns a car repair shop, and I guess I just sort of got swept up in it." He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "What do you think you'd do, my lady, if you weren't a lady?"

Mary stiffened. "I couldn't imagine life without Downton. To me, that would be the end of the world."

"You really love it here, don't you?"

"Yes," Mary inclined her head, "but it's more than that, too. Downton is my life. I was raised to be its caretaker, and if I had been a boy, it would be mine to maintain and pass on to the next Earl. But…" She sighed, trailing a finger against the car door.

"The laws aren't fair." Tom finished for her with a grumble. She is much more complex than she lets most people see. He suddenly felt grateful for her revelation.

"No, they aren't fair." Mary whispered, then shook herself out of her sulk. "But life isn't fair either, and it still goes on."

"That it does." Tom replied. They sat in silence the rest of the drive.