Chapter 10

Wherein questions are answered

The next morning Isobel smiled at Matthew. He looked good, well maybe a little thin, but lean not gaunt. He was bronzed, wind burnt and his hair was bleached blonder than normal. He must have spent a lot of time out in the desert sun. Best of all his eyes had a sparkle in them which she had not seen in a long long time. Her Matthew was back, although she did not think he would be her Matthew for much longer.

"You have a letter from the Great House" and she handed him an envelope.

"Oh? I didn't think that they were at home" Matthew opened the envelope. Inside there was a single sheet of paper. It did not take him long to read the note. He smiled and handed it to his mother.

She read the note: 'Lady Mary Crawley would be pleased to receive Mr. Matthew Crawley at 11:00 this morning.' It was not signed.

She cast a critical eye at her son. "You better wear your navy blue suit with that pretty blue paisley tie which matches your eyes. I suppose it's too late for you to get a haircut. Oh well we'll have to work with what we have."

Matthew up and kissed his mother on the cheek "Don't get too hopeful. There's many a slip twixt cup and lip".

-0-

Mrs. Hughes answered the door. She nodded her head. "You are looking fine today Mr. Crawley"

"Why thank you Mrs. Hughes" Matthew was puzzled, she had never paid him a compliment before.

"Lady Mary is in the Library. Please follow me"

Matthew followed her to the Library. Mrs. Hughes opened the door and announced him. "Mr. Crawley"

Matthew walked into the Library. Behind him he heard the door close. Mary had been looking out the window. She turned to face him. They were about ten feet apart.

"Cousin Matthew, I am so pleased you could come"

Matthew thought her tone stilted. He decided to play along "Lady Mary, I appreciate receiving your invitation"

There was long interval when they each looked anywhere except at each other.

"How are your parents? Your sisters?"

"They are well"

A long pause took place while they both pondered the well being of her family.

"I understand that you have just returned from a long journey to the Holy Land. You must tell me about it someday"

"I would like to. Someday."

There was another long pause while they both fidgeted.

"I was surprised to receive your invitation. I understood that you were in London"

"I was but I had unfinished business here to which I had to attend"

There was another pause, although this time not as long.

"Lady Mary, I would like to apologize for my ..."

She held up her hand. "In the circumstances it was understandable, please think no more of it. And

please call me Mary""

He nodded his thanks. "Mary I have a proposition for you"

She laughed "I always thought the word was 'proposal' but perhaps the law has its own peculiar terminology"

"Please hear me out"

Mary made a motion of buttoning her lips.

Matthew sighed, she was not making this easy.

"In the past we have both said things and done things that given a second chance we would not say or do. We cannot change the past but it appears that the fates have conspired to give us a second chance to start over. My proposition is this: let us absolve each other and start afresh" He looked at her.

Start afresh she thought. Leave all her baggage behind. It sounds so... and then it struck her. "You know!"

The sad, hurt look he gave her was confirmation enough.

"How did ... Who told you?"

"I ... I had a drink with Sir Richard shortly before he died"

"What did he tell you?"

"Enough. We cannot change the past. It is what it is. I will say no more about it" he gave her a stubborn look. "You have heard my proposition"

So those are his terms she thought. Seal the past away. There would be no wailing and tearing of hair and rending of garments. No grand opera finale. Just stiff lipped upper class reserve. The middle class solicitor has come a long way.

"Before I answer your proposition I have some questions"

"And they are?"

"Just so I understand your proposition is it that the next time I meet you I will be meeting a slightly priggish solicitor from Manchester..."

"And I will be meeting a slightly supercilious lady from Downton Abbey"

They smiled at each other.

"I have two more questions"

He motioned at her to ask away.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?"

"Yes"

"Do you believe in long engagements?"

"No"

"Very well I accept your proposition Mr. Crawley. Now leave the room and then come back in"

He was going to object but decided that there would be no harm in humouring her. He went to the door and as he opened it he thought he heard feet scurrying away.

He went into the hall, closed the door behind him, waited ten beats, took a deep breath and reentered the Library. Mary was standing there facing him but with her eyes closed. He walked slowly up to her and took her hands. He pulled her to him and he embraced her. She still had her eyes closed. He bent down and kissed her. He moved his head back and looked in her face. She opened her eyes and smiled a great beautiful smile the likes of which he had not seen in a long long time.

"I love you"

"I love you too"

And they kissed again, as they had never kissed before, but as they would kiss many times evermore.