So I would love to quickly clarify some things. I know there has been a lack of Matthew and Sybil but their roles will slowly increase. There have been several questions regarding whether Tom loves Sybil. There hasn't been enough interaction between the two (yet) for him to think of her in a romantic way. As for Matthew and Mary, just as in the series, she resents him a lot at first. Although her feelings (as will be revealed) are getting more confusing (but for everyone actually). I promise more of the plot will be unfolding. Don't expect either Mary or Tom to just forget about Matthew and Sybil.

It had been three days since Mary had faced Branson alone. She had traveled to Ripon the day before but with Sybil and Edith by her side as buffers. She didn't know what to say to him after what had happened. Should she discreetly thank him for pleasuring her? Mary knew how much she had enjoyed it and she didn't like a person having that much power over her. Mary Crawley was always the person that held the upper hand.

Yet, her body had caved more and she was walking out to the car to find Tom Branson and request he find somewhere private for them to go.

Laughter was the first thing she heard as she neared the garage. The laughter, she noted, was distinctly feminine. Mary frowned and self-consciously glanced down at her attire.

Scoffing, she muttered to herself, "He's talking to a girl that lives on a farm at the most." She straightened her back and walked to the front of the garage. "Sybil!"

Sybil Crawley turned her head and smiled widely at her eldest sister. "Hello Mary."

Mary looked from Sybil to Branson and back to Sybil. "Hello darling," she replied after a moment. She quickly asked, "Did you need the car?"

"Oh, no. I was just talking to Tom for a bit." Mary knew she would have to talk to Sybil about calling their chauffeur by his first name.

"Wasn't Mama wanting you to try on the new dress from Ripon?"

"You're right! I have to show her what else I purchased also. You don't think she will be too mad, do you?"

"I think you should make sure Granny isn't there unless you want to give her a heart attack."

Sybil laughed and said, "I still think you should have bought a pair, they looked far better on you since your legs are longer."

Mary stiffened and glanced at Branson. The subject of pantaloons and legs were not to be discussed in front of men, no matter their class.

"Well, hurry along. Mama gets antsy."

Sybil nodded and waved to Branson and then to Mary.

"See you later, darling," said Mary fondly.

She waited till Sybil was out of sight before accusingly turning to Branson.

"What was that about?"

"Excuse me?" he asked.

"Do you just talk to my sisters for long periods of time?"

"I enjoy Lady Sybil's perspective of things. As for Lady Edith, I'm not sure she knows my name. And we both know what I do with you."

Mary was sure he wasn't trying to be vulgar in any way yet she sucked in her breath.

She watched him mess around with the tools on the table and recalled her Papa complaining about an odd noise when the car turned on.

"Is the car fixed?"

"Is that really why you came out here?"

"Are you questioning me?" Mary asked haughtily.

Tom shrugged at her and turned back towards the table.

"I, well, I wanted to ask if we could go out again."

She watched his hands stop hovering and he looked up at her. "Do you really want to?"

Mary would never admit she needed another rendezvous. She simply blinked and replied, "I asked you."

"Okay, well, I 'spose I should find a decent hotel?"

"The hotel should at least be clean. I don't want to go somewhere where someone could recognize me."

"I can find somewhere just outside the city. I'm sure your lot has London homes…"

"Just somewhere somewhat decent where no one will know us. I can always reimburse you."

"I do have money." Mary watched a frown grace his face.

"I just want it to be a deal and so far you're pulling more weight."

"Yes, well ladies are never meant to do work right? That's what Lady Sybil says."

Mary felt her face heat up. "Are you insinuating I'm incapable of doing work? You think you have our system worked out, but you don't." Mary frowned at him and walked out the garage. She was four feet away when she turned back and said, "And stop having conversations with my sister."


It was dinner with Isobel and Matthew. Granny had made a, in Mary's opinion, weak excuse so she would not have to converse with Isobel Crawley. Mary was seated next to the woman and across from her was Sybil. All that was on her mind was that Sybil and Branson were acting cordial, as if they were friends.

Dinner was never a boring affair when Isobel spoke her mind, but without Granny to challenge her every word there was more casual talk.

"I'm going to the hospital more frequently than I ever thought I would…but it's nice," Isobel said with a smile.

Matthew smiled at his mother and Robert restrained from sighing.

When they were finished and the gentleman joined them, Mary found herself squashed between Matthew and her mother.

The two chatted and then Cora stood up saying, "I think I'll visit with Cousin Isobel more. Oh, Edith, join me!" Mary watched as her mother grabbed Edith's elbow and steered her away.

"How are you, Cousin Mary?"

Mary turned to the blonde haired man and faked a smile. "Quite well. How are you? Is Papa filling you in on all the estate affairs?"

"Yes, when I'm not at work."

"Oh yes, how could I forget?"

"I know you don't think highly of that. Nor does Cousin Violet."

"Oh please, Granny does not think highly of a lot of things."

Matthew chuckled and Mary felt her stomach flutter at the sound.

"I'm looking forward to knowing your family more. I've talked with Sybil a lot. She seems to like your chauffeur, Tom Branson very much."

Mary felt her stomach drop.

She paused and smiled tightly. "Is that so?"

"She speaks highly of him."

"Well, I'm sure he is nice enough. We don't often talk to chauffeurs though. I would think you would know that at least, Cousin Matthew."

She watched his cheeks turn pink with embarrassment and frustration.

He opened his mouth to speak when Edith flopped down, ungracefully, beside him.

"I hope Mary isn't boring you to death."

"It's the other way around, actually," said Mary. She didn't bother looking at either of them as she rose to escape the room.

She felt sick and she wasn't sure from what.


Mary enjoyed the breeze as Branson drove them to a hotel he had found. He said he had been there once. She watched him focus on the road, his face expressionless. They had not said much when they greeted each other that morning. The memory of Mary yelling at him was fresh in their minds.

"Thank you for doing this," said Mary as she too stared ahead.

She felt his eyes briefly on her as he replied, "You're welcome."

"I hope things aren't awkward because you've seen me undressed."

He laughed nervously and said, "I didn't think things were awkward. I can assure you though, things would not be awkward because I saw you naked."

Mary didn't know if that was an insult.

They talked the rest of the way there. She talked about Cousin Isobel's silly obsession with the hospital and perhaps even obsessed with Dr. Clarkson. He talked about Irish politics and the need for a change in England.

They arrived at the hotel and although Mary would never stay there, it was nice.

He helped her out of the car and Mary took a moment to appreciate him with just a plain white shirt on.

"I hope this is suitable m'lady."

"Yes of course. Anything is a step up."

Mary headed up the stairs ahead of him. Once the door was closed, she slowly undid her hair and let it fall down her shoulders and back. Mary didn't miss the fact his eyes followed her every move.

Hope you guys liked! Please take a moment to review and ask any questions you have. I know this chapter had no sex (sorry) but I hope you liked it. You can see how their relationships are developing with each other as well as other characters.

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