Not sure why this did not show up yesterday. The site has been acting strange so perhaps it's server related. Chapter 4 showed up fine for me, but apparently not for everyone. Hope this works! :)

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Rating: NC-17 for this chapter
Spoilers: all seasons. Set right after Lavinia Swire's death and explores Matthew's and Mary's lives from there on.

Summary: Matthew had indeed gone to London. Left alone at Downton, Mary strolled across the grounds, thinking about what had happened. Getting more and more restless she took to riding, pushing poor Diamond until the horse has foaming at the mouth, his sides wet with sweat. She even went swimming once in their pond, but it did not hold the same appeal without Matthew.

Special thank you to the lovely Tambear for catching missing commas, odd grammar and offering excellent suggestions & advice!

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Chapter 4

Matthew had indeed gone to London. Left alone at Downton, Mary strolled across the grounds, thinking about what had happened. Getting more and more restless she took to riding, pushing poor Diamond until the horse has foaming at the mouth, his sides wet with sweat. She even went swimming once in their pond, but it did not hold the same appeal without Matthew.

Anna noticed the change in Lady Mary and kept a close eye on her. If she had any say she would tell her mistress to send Sir Richard packing and throw herself into Matthew Crawley's arms, proclaiming her undying love for him. Anna snickered to herself at the image of Lady Mary behaving like the heroine in one of Anna's favorite romance stories.

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Matthew returned to her on a warm afternoon in late August. Mary was sitting on their bench when his shadow fell over her. She grinned up at him and wished that she could embrace him right then and there. Naturally she could not do that. They were far too close to the house for that kind of display of intimacy.

"Matthew!"

"Did you miss me?" he asked, grinning widely.

"Of course I did, silly," she said and made a face at him.

"I brought you a present," he said and handed her a small bag.

Mary raised an eyebrow. He laughed and shook his head. "No, not that. This is only for you."

She opened the bag and laughed. Inside were a handful of little sugary sweets that she once had told him that she was very fond of.

"Thank you, that's very kind of you."

"Would you like to go for walk?" he asked.

"Do you have to ask?"

He got up and offered her his arm. They strolled towards the pond.

"Richard called," she said and looked out over the endless green on her right. "He is returning to England in four weeks."

"I see."

"He wants to come here of course."

"I would expect nothing less," he muttered.

"If I break it off with him he will publish the story. I will be ruined, Matthew. My family does not deserve that."

"You must not marry a man you cannot stand in order to protect your family!" he exclaimed upset.

"And why not? People have done it over and over through history. It is what our lot does."

"Please Mary, I beg you."

Mary sighed. "I will think about it. Now, can we please forget about Richard? I much rather hear about your trip to London."

He smiled and tugged her closer. "I have missed you something terrible."

"So have I."

"Have you thought about our encounter?" he asked carefully.

"Of course I have," she said and laughed.

"I cannot believe it was only about a ten days ago," he said, shaking his head.

Mary laughed when she spotted the blanket spread out in their spot. "I see someone has been busy," she teased.

"I did not want to make it too apparent up at the house," Matthew said nervously.

"That was very thoughtful of you, darling," she said and kissed his cheek.

Matthew pulled her close and kissed her. He picked her up and swung her around. She threw her arms around his neck and laughed with joy.

He put her down on the blanket and pulled her down so her head was in his lap. She giggled and took his hand, placing it on her stomach.

"I secured the item we discussed last time," Matthew said and stroked her stomach and brushed his fingers over her breasts.

Mary's breath hitched at the intimate touch. "A French Letter?" she whispered.

"Several actually," he said with a chuckle.

"Oh? How many do you need?" she asked confused.

"You can only use it once," he whispered in a hushed voice as if it was a secret.

"I see. Well, then I am pleased that you were resourceful enough to secure more than one."

"Oh Mary," he said and laughed.

"May I see it?" she asked.

He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small wrapped item. She turned it over and inspected it. He took it from her and opened it. Placing it in her palm he watched her as she fingered the soft material. She giggled when she put it over the tip of her finger. Their eyes met and he shook his head at her silliness.

"It appears that you have figured it out," he said and rolled his eyes.

"It is pretty self explanatory, Matthew darling," she said and handed it back to him.

"So…" he said unsure. "Am I to take it that you are not against discovering this?"

"Matthew," she said softly and touched his cheek. "Would I really be in this position with my head in your lap and your hand on my breast if I did not want to?"

"I would not think so, no," he said and smiled.

Mary sat up. "We do have to be careful," she said seriously. "But, Matthew, I have missed you so much."

He pulled her close and kissed her. Slowly unbuttoning her blouse he eased it off her. She reached for his shirt, pulling off his tie and then making quick work with the buttons. In no time they lay naked next to each other, delighting in the feel of the other's warm body. Matthew ran his hands over her soft skin, familiarizing himself with every curve and muscle. Her little sounds egged him on and he lowered his head, flicking his tongue over an already stiff nipple. Her fingers automatically slid through his hair, holding him against her. He sucked greedily and ran his hand up the inside of her thigh. She whimpered and gasped when his fingers stroked over her damp folds. He looked up at her.

"What would you like, my darling?" he asked her.

Mary blushed and pushed up against his hand. She twirled strands of his hair around her index fingers. He gently took her hands and waited for her to look at him.

"I cannot talk about these things," she mumbled and her face turned red.

"Try," he said and touched her cheek. "I want to know what feels good to you, what you prefer."

Mary swallowed. She licked her lips nervously. "I have enjoyed everything, Matthew."

"That is not what I meant. What would you like?"

She covered her face with her hands. "Matthew," she groaned.

He laughed and removed her hands. He kissed her softly and then nuzzled her neck, making her laugh.

"Did you like when I touched your breasts?" She nodded. "What in particular did you like?"

"Your mouth," she whispered.

He lowered his head and sucked her nipple into his mouth, twirling his tongue around it before letting it slip out of his mouth.

"Like that?"

"Yes!" she gasped.

"That pleases me. I think I am in love with your breasts. Truly I am."

She giggled. "Matthew, you are impossible."

"What else? What was your favorite of my touches, not counting my manhood inside you since that is definitely a mutual pleasure?"

"My favorite?" she asked. He nodded. She ran her fingers over his chest, tracing his muscles. "Your mouth on me," she whispered.

"Where, my darling?" he teased and nibbled on her ear.

"Between my legs." Her voice was barely a whisper.

He caressed her cheek. "Then ask me for it," he encouraged. "Ask me to do it."

"I'm a lady! I do not speak of such things," she objected.

"You are also a woman, a very passionate woman, and as such I want you to know that you can ask for my touch, that you have a right to pleasure."

"Thank you."

"Now, tell me what you want, my darling."

Mary looked into his blue eyes, so kind and honest. There was no teasing twinkle there now, only eagerness. She took a deep breath and spoke softly.

"I want you to kiss me between my legs like you did last time, Matthew. It felt so incredibly good when you licked that special spot there."

"And you shall have it," he said empathically and kissed her fiercely, feeling her words like hot fire through his body.

Mary held her breath as he kissed her thighs. She eagerly pulled her knees up. When she felt his lips and tongue her eyes fluttered shut and she sighed at the delicious feeling. She took his hand and placed it on her breast. Her high-pitched whimper pierced the quiet afternoon when he pulled at the nipple while sucking softly on her clitoris. Mary tossed her head to the side as her back arched in pleasure. Then he slipped a finger inside her, rubbing against the top. Her toes curled, it felt so good.

Matthew could feel how close she was and thought that her bravery deserved a reward. Sucking and licking her, he pushed her towards the edge. She cried out and pulled at his hair as she shook in release. He sat up and watched her catch her breath. Slipping the French Letter onto his manhood he lowered himself and slowly entered her. She moaned and bucked up to accommodate him. He groaned in pleasure as he was surrounded by her soft heat.

"It feels a little different," she whispered.

"Not too bad, I hope," he said, slightly out of breath.

She shook her head and wrapped her legs around him. "Just different."

He eased out of her and then pushed all the way back in. They both moaned as they came together. Unable to hold back any longer Matthew sped up. He moved like a madman above her, but she did not seem to mind, quite the opposite, pulling him closer, scraping her nails against his back. He cried out his release and a few strokes later she clenched around him and gasped as she spent for the second time. Matthew pulled out and rolled onto his back. Mary giggled next to him and he opened his eyes to ask what was so funny when he realized that she was looking at his manhood.

"It looks like a wet silk sock," she said and laughed.

He looked down at his now limp penis and the condom that glistened in the sunlight. He slipped it off and flung it in the grass. He wiped himself clean and sat up.

"How do you feel?" he asked and caressed her thigh.

"Wonderful," she said and smiled at him. "Thirsty. Do you have anything to drink in that basket?"

He grinned and in no time presented her with a chilled glass of wine. He stretched out next to her, leaning on his elbow and watched her as he sipped his wine. When she smiled at him he kissed her, tasting the crisp wine on her tongue.

"I love you, Mary."

"I know, darling," she said and leaned against him. "I know."

To be continued…

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