More Than Duty Chapter 8

Mary silently berated herself as sat at her vanity as Anna styled her hair for dinner. What had she been thinking kissing Matthew as she had? She had never intended to, but in that moment she was not thinking. A soft knock at her door interrupted her thoughts. Looking up, she saw Sybil pushing her door open. She offered her sister a smile and beckoned her to come in.

"You look lovely," Sybil commented.

"You look lovely as well. Thank Heaven you aren't wearing those pants again - we wouldn't want Papa to have a relapse," Mary said.

"I will wear them again, but since it is his birthday, I thought better of it," Sybil said with a grin.

"You are braver than I am."

"Someday a woman wearing pants will be so commonplace that no one will comment on it," Sybil said with conviction.

"I doubt that will occur in our lifetime," Mary replied as she checked Anna's handiwork in the mirror. "Thank you Anna. That will be all," she said, dismissing her to go help Edith finish getting ready.

As soon as Anna had closed the door behind her, Sybil sat next to Mary and grinned at her.

"What?" Mary asked in confusion.

"I saw you and Matthew together earlier today."

"We are often together," Mary said, hoping that her nonchalant attitude would end the subject.

"I saw him kiss you," Sybil said, not willing to drop the subject.

"Honestly Sybil, isn't spying more Edith's domaine?"

"I wasn't spying. I just walked out to get some fresh air. I hadn't walked very far down the path and there you were. And as I said, I saw him kiss you."

"This is not a proper conversation, especially for someone who hasn't even had her season yet" Mary scolded.

"My season starts in a few months. And anyway, kissing someone you are not even engaged to is hardly proper either," Sybil pointed out.

"We are engaged."

"But you weren't then. I saw him kneel down afterward."

"Fine, it was right before we became engaged so it can't be all that improper. Why are you bringing this up?"

"Oh Mary, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It is just that I have never been kissed, and I wondered what it is like."

"It was…" Mary trailed off looking for the proper word to describe it the kiss "nice."

"Nice? That is all?"

"Nice can be very nice," Mary replied. "Besides, there can be kisses that aren't so nice," Mary added, remembering kisses that she had not wanted.

"DId you have one of those?"

"I didn't say I was talking about me, but Sybil when your season comes, you must be careful. You must be sure not to send any signals to a man that you might be willing to allow some liberties or they may try to take much more than you are offering."

"But you allowed Matthew to take a liberty this afternoon."

"Not much of one, and truth be told, he didn't take any liberties. I was the one who kissed him, but only after he had already proposed days ago. Besides, we know and trust him, but the men you meet during your season will be unknown to us. You have a sweet and trusting nature. I wouldn't want one of them to take advantage of you."

"You were the one that kissed Matthew?" Sybil asked in disbelief.

"Goodness Sybil is that all you heard?"

"No, I heard the rest and I know all that, but Mary you kissed Matthew?"

"Yes, I don't know why I did, but I did. Why are you so fascinated by that?"

"Because I didn't think you had it in you. I am impressed."

"Don't be. I shouldn't have, and he will probably think less of me because of it."

"I am sure that is not true. Even I can see the way he looks at you."

"You won't tell anyone, will you?"

"Of course not. You are my sister," Sybil said, reaching out and squeezing Mary's hand. "Besides, I am proud of your bravery. Women should be more bold."

"Don't let Granny or Papa hear you speak like that. Next thing we know, you will be picketing and demanding the vote," Mary joked.

"Maybe I will," Sybil said with a grin as the two headed out the door to join the rest of the family for dinner. On the way down, Mary obtained Sybil's word not to divulge the engagement either as the announcement would be made at dinner.

It had been arranged that the women would wait in the drawing room while Matthew and Carson assisted Lord Grantham on the long walk from his room to the dinning room and settled him in his seat. As they waited, Mary made small talk with her mother and aunt while silently thanking her lucky stars that it was Sybil who observed her and Matthew that afternoon rather than Edith.

"Would you care to go though now?" Matthew asked as he appeared in the doorway.

Matthew offered Mary his arm on the walk to the dinning room. She slowed her step causing them to fall behind the others. He raised his eyebrows at her action but said nothing. Once Mary decided that the distance between them and the rest of the group was sufficient that whispers would not be overheard she leaned in to whisper to him. "I must apologize for my behavior this afternoon."

Matthew was thoroughly confused by her apology. "Do you think I was offended?"

"Not offend, but perhaps put off by my forwardness."

At that he laughed and squeezed her hand. "Darling, you have my full permission to be forward with me whenever you please."

She flushed at his words. "I would not expect it to happen again soon."

"Perhaps not, but a man can always hope," he said as they entered the dinning room.

She saw a look of joy and hope pass over her father's face when he saw her enter on Matthew's arm. Well, they intended to tell them all tonight anyway so she thought they might as well get it over with. She tilted her head up toward Matthew and whispered "You might as well tell them."

"It is not polite to whisper in company," Granny said.

"My apology, Mary was simply reminding me that we have some news which might be of interest to you," Matthew said, his face lit up by a bright smile. Mary could see the joy on all the faces around the table except Edith's.

"News you say?" Lord Grantham prompted.

"An announcement might be the better way to phrase it," Matthew amended.

"Well then by all means, let's hear this announcement," Robert said, not even trying to hide his happiness.

"This afternoon, Mary agreed to do me the honor of becoming my wife," Matthew said, beaming at Mary. Within seconds, they were surrounded by family members offering their good wishes. Mary's arm slipped from his as she was embraced by her mother. He walked toward Robert who was chair bound and offered his hand. Robert firmly grasped his hand and shook it. "Thank you my boy."

"I think it is I who should thank you," Matthew said, his eyes fixed on Mary as she embraced her youngest sister. The love-struck look on Matthew's face made Robert laughed as slapped Matthew on the back and congratulated him on the engagement.

TBC