Rating: PG-13 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: Breaking it off with Richard Carlisle had turned out to be just as unpleasant as Mary had envisioned. Her ears were still ringing by the time she returned to Grantham House at Eaton Square.
Special thank you to the lovely Tambear for catching missing commas, odd grammar and offering excellent suggestions & advice!
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Chapter 7
Breaking it off with Richard Carlisle had turned out to be just as unpleasant as Mary had envisioned. Her ears were still ringing by the time she returned to Grantham House at Eaton Square. Matthew held out his arms wide to her and she walked into the embrace.
"It is done," she said in a hollow voice.
"Was it dreadful?" he asked and stroked her back to comfort her.
"Worse than you can imagine." She pulled away and looked up at him. "What time is it? Could we still make the last train for Downton? I honestly do not wish to be in London tomorrow if he decides to publish the story."
Matthew nodded and caressed her cheek. "I thought as much, my darling. All our things are packed. Anna is waiting for you upstairs to change for the trip. We can leave as soon as you are ready. I will have some tea sent up for you while you change."
"Oh Matthew, what did I ever do to deserve you?" she said and smiled fondly at him. She pressed her lips against his in a soft kiss. "Thank you so much."
"Always, darling," he said and watched her leave. Shaking himself out of his silent musings about how lovely she looked, he called for Thomas who had come with them for the trip. There were still a few things to take care of before they were ready to leave, including calling Downton to make them aware of their arrival.
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Mary was exhausted by the time the car pulled onto the long driveway leading up to Downton. She rested her head against Matthew's shoulder for a moment, relishing in the warm comfort from his arm around her. As the house came into view she sighed heavily. The lights in the windows made Downton look warm and inviting. It looked like home.
Mr. Carson was waiting for them and helped her out of the car. She smiled at him, thanking him.
"Lord Grantham and her ladyship are in the library."
"Thank you Carson," Matthew said and smiled. "I hope that we did not hold up dinner."
"His lordship felt that with no visitors and Lady Edith over in Ireland visiting Lady Sybil he and her ladyship would be fine to wait for you and Lady Mary. I was to let you know that you do not need to change for dinner."
"That is very considerate of Lord Grantham," Matthew said and handed his coat and hat to Carson. "I still think that Lady Mary would like to freshen up a little bit after the train ride."
"Certainly, Mr. Crawley."
Anna helped Mary with her coat and handed it to Carson who disappeared with them. She smiled at Mary.
"I will be waiting for you upstairs, milady."
"Thank you Anna. I will be up in just a moment."
Matthew gently took Mary's elbow and led her over to the stairs. "How are you feeling? Would you rather that I arranged for a tray to be sent up to your room?"
She shook her head. "Thank you, but I will be fine. I know that Mama and Papa are dying to know how it went with Sir Richard. No, I'll just have Anna tidy me up a bit and then I will be down."
He leaned closer and nuzzled her ear. "You look delightfully disheveled, Lady Mary."
"Matthew!" she hissed. "Someone can see us."
"They already know that you carry my child. Why would a kiss on the cheek upset anyone?"
"You know what I mean, Matthew," she said and gave him a mock glare. He just laughed and caressed her cheek.
"Go on, you mustn't keep Anna waiting."
She nodded and started up the stairs.
Matthew pulled at his waistcoat and adjusted his jacket before heading towards the library. Carson came out just as he was about to open the door.
"Mr. Crawley, your lordship."
"Matthew, my dear boy!" Robert said cheerfully. "We did not expect you back so soon, but it is a delight to have you back."
Matthew smiled and nodded; glad that Robert had changed his tone since last they spoke.
"Matthew, it is so good to see you," Lady Cora said and smiled at him. "How was your trip?"
"You look beautiful as always, Cousin Cora," he said and smiled warmly at her. "The trip was long and frankly, quite draining."
She nodded. "So it is done, then?"
"Yes. I will let Mary share the details since I have only heard them second hand."
"Of course," Cora said and smiled.
They spoke about the estate and the upcoming holiday while waiting for Mary to come down. Robert noticed that Matthew was acting a bit strange, as if he was nervous. He frowned and made a mental note to ask him about it later.
"Sorry for keeping your waiting," Mary said cheerfully as she sailed into the room looking beautiful as ever, not a hair out of place. No one would ever have guessed that she had just spent the last few hours traveling from London.
"Mary, darling," Cora said and kissed her daughter on the cheek.
"Mama, how are you? Papa?"
Cora smiled and nodded. "We are both fine." She looked over Mary's shoulder to Carson standing there. He nodded and Cora turned to Robert. "Shall we go in?"
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Dinner that evening turned out to be the most intimate affair Matthew had ever attended at Downton, with the sole exception of having sandwiches with Mary once, a long time ago. With only the four of them, conversation flowed easily and casually. Mary retold the events that transpired with Richard Carlisle. Only the tightening around Robert's mouth belayed how much Mary's words upset him.
"I am so sorry that you had to go through that," he said with a sigh. "At least he is out of our lives for good now."
"Perhaps," Mary said somberly. "I fear that if he does go ahead and make the story public; our names will be forever tied to each other."
"Let us not dwell on what might happen. If he does indeed go forward, we will not add more fuel to the fire. It will die soon enough. After all it is rather old news."
Mary nodded, hoping that her father was right. She smiled at Matthew when he put his hand on top of hers to comfort her.
Robert frowned at the gesture. To his knowledge Matthew had not yet taken the step that allowed him such liberties with his daughter. Then reminding himself that Mary was indeed carrying Matthew's child he again made a disapproving face.
Cora noticing her husband's reaction to Matthew's caring touch spoke up. "Mary darling, why do we not go in the other room and you can tell me about your visit to the tailor until the men come through?"
"Yes, Mama," Mary said politely and started to get up.
Robert and Matthew shot up as the ladies got up to leave. Once the door closed behind them Robert walked over to the bar and poured himself a cognac.
"What can I get you, Matthew?"
"A cognac would be nice, thank you."
Robert handed him the snifter and held his own in his hand, warming the amber liquid for a moment before taking a sip. It warmed his insides and he made a mental note to ask Carson to order some more of this particular brand.
Matthew felt Robert's eyes on him and he cringed. Before Robert could confront him, he spoke up.
"Please don't ask. I know that I have not behaved at all proper towards Mary," he said and sighed. "However, I plan on rectifying it very soon. Please do not spoil it for her by making me share the details."
Robert laughed and patted Matthew's shoulder. "Very well, dear boy. I have faith in that you will make things right with Mary."
"I will. You have my word."
"Good." Robert sat down and after carefully selecting a cigar from the case, snipped the end and lit it. He sighed and smiled at Matthew. "No matter what I have said and how upset I am over the two of you acting the way you did, I am very pleased that you went with her to London."
"Of course!" Matthew exclaimed. "I would never desert her at a time when she so obviously needs me."
"What was that old tale that you and Mary bickered over all these years ago?"
"Andromeda," Matthew mumbled.
"Yes, exactly! Perseus and the sea monster." Robert tilted his head and blew out some smoke. "Well, my lad, it seems that you are Mary's Perseus after all, even though she thought you a sea monster when she first met you."
Matthew laughed and nodded. "I think perhaps I was a sea monster. I was such a young fool back then."
"We have all made mistakes, Matthew."
Matthew shot Robert a curious look but Lord Grantham was lost in thought, gazing into the dancing flames in the fireplace. Matthew sipped his cognac, enjoying the quiet comfort.
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Mary was exhausted by the time her mother decided to call it a night. The four of them walked towards the stairs. Matthew had asked to stay at Downton due to the late hour and having forgotten to call ahead to Crawley House. His mother was in Manchester visiting an old friend, so the house was empty, save for Mrs. Bird and Mr. Moseley. The thought of going back to the dark and empty Crawley house and wake them up at this hour was very depressing indeed.
Matthew and Mary stood at the top of the stairs for a moment watching Lord and Lady Grantham disappear down the hallway towards their bedrooms. Matthew took Mary's hand and pulled her close.
"Matthew," she hissed. "If Papa sees this he will have your head."
"How are you feeling? You look a little tired," he said, ignoring the threat of death.
"Honestly, I am exhausted," she said with a heavy sigh.
"Come; let me walk you to your room."
Mary linked her arm with his and they walked in silence the short distance towards her bedroom. Stopping outside he kissed her softly on the lips.
"Sleep well, darling. I will see you at breakfast. Perhaps if the weather permits, you will go for a walk with me?"
She smiled and nodded. "I much rather go for a ride, but Mama has advised against it in my condition."
"A walk it is then. We will make sure that Anna bundles you up nicely so you will stay warm."
She laughed and they came together for another kiss.
"You could come to my room later," he mumbled.
"Do not think I don't want to," she said and sighed. "Soon."
He nodded and stood there as her hand slipped out of his and she stepped through the door to her room. When the door clicked shut he turned and headed down the long hallway towards the bachelors' corridor.
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Matthew was getting more and more nervous with each step. The pond finally came into full view and he stopped, holding Mary close as a cold wind swept over them. She shivered as the raw damp air managed to get inside her heavy coat.
"Perhaps this was not such a good idea after all," he said seriously.
"As long as you keep us both warm," she teased.
It was the first time she had referred to the baby as part of her and he just stared at her before a huge grin broke out on his face. He laughed and grabbed her, swinging her around.
"Matthew! Put me down," she shrieked, grabbing his shoulder.
"Oh Mary," he said fondly and gently lowered her feet to the ground. He took her hands. "While you were busy with your tailor, I had my own little errand to take care of," he said a little vaguely.
"Is that so?" she said, her eyebrow arching up in curiosity.
"Yes." He took a deep breath. "I made a visit to our bank. More specifically to the Crawley bank box."
"What state secrets do you keep there, pray tell?" she asked with a teasing grin.
"Only boring ones, I'm afraid. Though I had something important there that I needed to retrieve."
Mary held her breath as he stuck his hand in his pocket and then knelt by her feet. He looked up at her and those intensely blue eyes sought hers.
"Lady Mary Crawley, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Mary laughed and nodded. "Yes!"
He opened his hand and then she finally understood. There in the palm of his hand rested the most beautiful ring she had ever laid eyes on. She gasped and covered her mouth as he pulled off her glove and slipped it onto her finger.
"Oh, Matthew. It is stunning."
"It was my grandmother's. My father gave it to me a long time ago, telling me that it was mine to give to my future wife. I decided six years ago to give it to you. It has always been yours, Mary."
Mary looked at the sapphire and diamond ring. The settings of the stones and the sleek gold made it evident that it was an early Victorian design. The blue stone reminded her of Matthew's eyes when he looked at her with passion.
"Come, my darling. Let us return to the house. I do not wish for you to get sick."
Mary glanced at the pond over her shoulder. "This truly is our special place. Just think that come summer we will come here as a family."
He felt warm inside and pulled her to him. "That is most definitely something to look forward to."
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As expected the whole house rejoiced at the announcement of Lady Mary's engagement to Matthew Crawley. After some careful negotiations they had decided on a small wedding in the village. Since Mary would start to show soon, they could not wait too long. Eventually the wedding date was set to December twenty first. Sybil and her family would arrive from Dublin on the fifteenth and Isobel would be back too, at that point. Lady Rosamund was not expected to arrive until the twenty second, but no one expected it to be hard to make her change her plans.
Matthew sat down and wrote to his closest friends from university and some of his business colleagues inviting them to attend. With the Downton staff the event still turned out to be rather big, he thought.
While the bans were read, Lady Cora, Edith and Mary took off for London where Mary would be fitted for her wedding gown. Mary was excited about the prospect, but at the same time she wished that they could just have been married in quiet, without any pomp and circumstance. Though when Mary saw the tears in her mother's eyes as she watched her in the almost finished wedding gown, Mary knew that this event was not just for her, it was for Downton, for all of them.
To be continued…
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