Thanks for the story alert subscriptions!

Hope you'll enjoy this new chapter!

Chapter 7. Profession of Love

'Matthew… Matthew… Matthew… Please Love, wake up !'

He could hear her voice but it wasn't feeling real but familiar…

'Matthew… oh my darling… I can't live without you… I need you.'

She was crying now. She could not hold her tears anymore.

One tear dropped on Matthew's cheek and he felt it but the sensation was strangely unfamiliar. It was like his mind was separated from his body.

'… Oh Matthew… I love you so much… I should have let it go. Richard is a monster and I don't want him to hurt you. I did not know you would go yourself… It's my fault… I should have told you…'

He could perceive sounds but it made no sense to him. All he could discern was the voice, it was Mary's and it comforted him to know she was by his side.

'Matthew I love you… I wanted to protect you and I failed…'

Her head was now resting on his chest, listening to his heart.

'… Matthew… please… do not leave me… I want to carry your babies, our children…'

As she whispered these words, she suddenly heard his heart quickening. She let out a sigh of relief and squeezed his hand.

'… Can you hear me Love? ... I will be your wife, you are going to be my husband, we will be happy together, have children…'

'M… Mary…'

'Oh my Love!'

She kissed him. She was crying, smiling, kissing him. All was blurry but everything would be alright, she would make sure of it.

Matthew was hurting, his whole body ached. The pain was almost unbearable. But Mary was here, by his side and he would overcome his hurting, for her, for them.

'Cousin Mary, you should probably call it a day. I'll have the Motor brought to pick you up. You should rest my poor girl. He won't be alone.'

'Thank you cousin Isobel but I'm not tired. I would like to stay.'

'Oh Mary, I know you feel guilty…'

Mary's eyes opened wide.

'… I overheard you… and I know you two are engaged, I knew it from the beginning… or at least I suspected it. I am so happy for both of you. But there seems to be an issue. Why do you keep it quiet? It is obvious you two are madly in love with each other and you don't want people to know? I don't understand. My son told me once you were cursed and did not deserve to be happy. Why on earth would he be saying that?'

Mary was speechless. She did not know what to say. She surely would not tell her about Mr. Pamuk but what could she say? She knew cousin Isobel to be quite persistent when her mind was set on something.

'I love Matthew. Whatever happened in the past will stay in the past. I did not let go of it and it hurt Matthew. I cannot forgive myself for that. He is so brave…'

She was crying again, in front of her mother-in-law-to-be. Isobel took Mary in her arms to comfort her.

'He loves you and would do anything to protect you. If the past is what keeps you apart, please let go at once and embrace your future together. You have been through a war, didn't it teach you anything? For God's sake, be happy. You young people always make a drama of silly things.'

That last part was mostly for Isobel's pleasure.

'May I stay with Matthew? Tonight I mean…'

'It is not very wise…'

'You are right. I should go back to the Abbey. They are all eager to know about Matthew's state and I'll fetch them with the latest news. Please keep me informed of Dr Clarkson's visit tomorrow morning, will you?'

'Of course my darling.'

Before leaving Crawley's House, Mary went upstairs, entered Matthew's room (she smiled at the thought that it would soon be their bedroom) and kissed him on his forehead.

'Good night my Love. I'll see you tomorrow.'

He was asleep (the morphine shot had helped him) and dreaming of his Mary.

Next step : recovery for Matthew and what a better way to do so than being officially engaged with his Mary? Let's tell everyone then...

Please keep reviewing! Cheers xx