Chapter Four

Isobel Crawley really didn't want her only son to go off to War, but she knew that it was something he wanted to do. She had thought he was doing it to get away from Mary at first, but now - after he had come back from Downton a happier man - she began to revise that thought. He was doing it for his Country and the people in it.

It had been two months since that day and Matthew was much happier. He spent most of his free time with Lady Sybil and - according to Cora - she was much happier too.

Isobel and Matthew were currently on their way to the Leavers Ball Lord and Lady Grantham were holding for Matthew. She was nervous, as he was leaving tomorrow.

"Are you okay, Mother?" He asked.

"Yes, dear I'm fine. I just feel slightly nervous at the thought of you leaving tomorrow. But let's not talk about that now. We're here and we want to look somewhat happy as we arrive." She told him.

"Yes mother." He replied. They stepped out of the carriage and made their way up the steps, where they were greeted by Carson.

"Good Evening, Mr Matthew and Mrs Crawley." He said.

"Thank you, Carson." Matthew said politely.

Matthew knew they would have gone all out for the Ball, but he was still satring in wonder when William offered him a glass of champagne.

"I didn't think that you would be working tonight, William." Isobel stated. "What with you leaving for France tomorrow."

"Yes, Milady. I didn't want to be doing nothing. Mr Carson said I could have the night off but I need to keep occupied." He answered.

"We should get a carriage to the station together tomorrow, William as we're leaving together." Matthwe said. "Is that okay?"

"That would be great, Sir." William nodded and went tback on his rounds.

Matthew began searching the room when Cora came up beside him.

"Sybil is over there, dear." She told him, laughing. He instantly made his way over to the cake stand.

"Waiting until nobody is looking so you can steal a cake?" He asked. Sybil gasped in mock horror.

"Why me? I am a lady. I wouldn't do such a thing." Matthew raised his eyebrows at her so she added. "Okay. You caught me." He laughed.

"Well I'll watch out while you get one. But get me one too. The pretty pink one." He told her out of the corner of his mouth.

Sybil and Matthew began shoveling the cake into their mouths quickly hoping nobody would see them but Lord and Lady Grantham chose that moment to give their speech.

Matthew and Sybil looked at each other in horror as they tried to eat the cake even quicker. Luckily, though the double oak doors opened and Mary entered along with a young, dandy looking man.

"That must be Charles Diggins." Matthew whispered in Sybil's ear, making her laugh.

"Well, I have to say I'm glad they arrived. Mama and Papa wouldn't have been happy to see us with out mouths full of cake, would they?" She told him cheekily.

"It might have made this party a little bit more exciting. Nobody seems to be talking at all." He answered.

"Well, we are." She told him. "Come along. We shall get champagne. We will need it if we are going to get through the night with those two." She pulled him by the hand to William, who was shocked at them downing two glasses of champagne - each.

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One hour later, Lord and Lady Grantham managed to give their speeches. By this point, Matthew and Sybil for slightly worse for wear and giggling in a corner.

"I do hope the don't ask me to go stand with them. I'm not sure I'll make it in a straight line." He told her.

"Just think about a straight line. That may help." She slurred. Matthew laughed loud. Then Lord Grantham called him up.

"Now I would like Matthew Crawly to come stand beside me as he is going to France to fight this dreadful War, alongside our second footman, William and countless other men." Matthew managed to make it there without stumbling but it was clear he had had a drink.

He didn't have to say anything, just stand and watch while the party goers applauded him.

When he sat back down, Lord Grantham said he had another announcement to make. He didn't look too pleased, however.

"I would like to announce the engagement of my Daughter, Mary and Sir Charles Diggins." Cora didn't look to pleased either. Nor did Violet or Isobel.

"Oh, he's Sir Diggins." Matthew whispered, winking at Sybil.

"Apparently so." She added. While everyone applauded, Mary looked smug.

"Yes, I would like to say how happy I am that I have agreed to marry the right man." She told her audience. "Now I shall be very happy."

All of the Crawleys and Violet looked at Matthew to see his reaction. He couldn't bear it. He stood and abruptly left the room. Sybil stood and followed him.

"Ignore her, she's just mean and selfish and trying to hurt you." Sybil said. "Don't let her win."

"How can I ignore her. She's all but saying I could never have made her happy because I 'wasn't the right man.' Have you any idea how that makes me feel?" He said. She was startled to see she had tears in his eyes.

"No. Branson left because he was too much of a coward to follow his heart. That wasn't real love. But I know you love Mary with your whole heart and it will get better. In time. Just try forget about her and focus on what you will be doing from tomorrow. Fighting this horrible War." She told him. He said down on the sofa in the Library and looked at her.

"I loved her." He said.

"You don't anymore?" She asked. He shook his head. "Then why this reaction?"

"It just isn't nice when someone makes out you could never have made them happy." He said sadly, tears falling down his cheeks. "Will I ever make anyone happy?"

Sybil wiped the tears away clumsily with her thumb.

"Yes of course. You just need to go for someone worthy of that happiness and worthy of your love." She told him, nodding her head in satisfaction.

"I wonder how long I will have to wait for that to happen." He said, taking hold of her hand.

"Maybe sooner than you think and maybe with somebody you never expected." She answered.

Matthwe reached up and stroked her face. He had never realised how beautiful she was until now. She wasn't the girl she had been when he had first arrived at Downton. She was a woman.

"Sybil, I.." He began but was interrupted by Carson coming into the room to them dinner was about to be served. "Let's talk later."

Matthew didn't let go of her hand until they reached the dining room doors.

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