Thank you for your lovely reviews and interest in this story. I love hearing from you. It's great to know that you're still with me on this journey, despite not being able to post as often as I initially intended. Life and illness has prevented it, I'm afraid. Hopefully it will be possible to get a new chapter posted every week to ten days, but no promises. Encouragement and revews certainly help in the writing process! :)

For those of you who have asked about my other stories "the Rightful Heir" and "When in Rome" I'd like to offer a bit of an update…

The Rightful Heir – the next chapter is done and will be reviewed sometimes soon. Keep your eyes open for an update soon.

When in Rome – I wrote the final chapter, and sent it off to be proofed. Then I changed my mind and now I'm revising it. There will be a very M-rated epilogue-ish chapter to this story (train + Lady Charlotte + flustered Matthew + and…) That's all I'm saying! LOL

Anyway, enough with the gabbing. Here's chapter 10. We're still in Paris, but our honeymooners and their trusted travel companions, Anna & Thomas, are about to say farewell to Paris for the second part of their honeymoon.

Get your tea/champagne ready and get comfortable – here we go!

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Chapter 10: Farewell to Paris

Their Paris stay passed quickly for Mary and Matthew. They delighted in decadent late mornings, filled with new discoveries that were usually followed by breakfast in their room. Anna and Thomas would then ensure that they were both presentable again to the outside world. Having discovered the charm of the French cafes, Matthew eagerly talked Mary into trying a new one for their midday meal each day. Delighting in the anonymity that those establishments offered, Mary was quick to agree.

Once they eventually returned to the hotel, usually late in the afternoon, Anna and Thomas would again be there to get them ready for their evening engagements.

"I must say that I look forward to escaping Paris for the countryside," Matthew admitted one morning towards the end of their stay.

"And why is that, darling?"

Mary stretched, reminding Matthew of a happy cat, and rolled over on her stomach, grinning up at him.

"We've been so busy here, having events almost every night. I look forward to it being just you and me, without any obligations. That's all."

"Mmm."

Mary inched closer and pulled the sheet down lower, exposing his body more. She placed a series of kisses across his stomach, flicking her tongue in his navel.

"Mary!" Matthew chuckled and jumped as her touch tickled.

"Oh, hush," she muttered, her lips still ghosting over him.

"You know, in the old days, the French would engage in amour en plein air." He wiggled his eyebrows teasingly at her.

"Matthew Crawley, are you telling me that the real reason you want to escape Paris is so you can engage in indecent behavior with me behind some bushes?"

Matthew laughed at her shocked exclamation and pulled her up so she was resting on top of him. Pressing a kiss to her lips, he held her close.

"No, my darling, I was thinking more along the lines of against an old oak tree, or in the soft grass next to a little stream."

"As if I would ever…"

Mary shrieked as he grabbed her and rolled her over. It did not take him long to have her on the edge.

"So you would never let me do this to you, with only the birds and the sky as our witnesses?"

"Matthew, please…"

One last stroke of his tongue had her trembling and she arched up against him, curling her legs around his body as they came together.

~ O ~

Yvette linked her arm with Anna's as they stepped outside Mme Balfour's. With a wide smile on her face, she tugged at Anna's arm.

"Come."

"Where are we going?" Anna frowned as Yvette steered her towards the nearest Metro station.

"We are going to buy hats!"

Anna giggled and shook her head. "I can't afford a new hat. I told you already."

"Mais oui!" Yvette leaned closer, lowering her voice. "I know a place."

"Alright…"

Anna felt Yvette's giddiness rub off, and she almost skipped next to her as the two hurried towards the train. At first, the Parisian Metro had scared Anna half to death, but with Yvette's guidance and assertiveness, she was now quite comfortable with the trains and certainly appreciated the time it saved her moving around the city.

As they, a little while later, stepped out on a busy street, Anna eagerly looked around. She could tell that they were in a garment district. Almost every other window showcased dresses or hats, fancy lace, or various accessories. She stopped and gaped at a window that held only various types of gloves. Yvette tugged at her arm, chuckling at the look of amazement on Anna's face.

"We can come back if you want to get some gloves too."

"Oh, I couldn't really." Anna shot her friend a quick smile. "But it's fun to look."

Turning the corner onto a quiet side street, Yvette pushed open the door to a small shop. Anna looked around, and her eyes widened in awe at the displays.

"Yvette," she whispered. "I can't afford this."

Yvette made a sweeping gesture around the small room. "All of this has been discarded by some spoiled woman or another."

Anna frowned. "I don't understand."

"Yvette!"

"Salut, Marie-Claire."

Anna smiled as the two exchanged kisses on the cheeks in greeting. The conversation that followed was fired off in such fast French that Anna gave up on trying to understand it. When Yvette smiled at her a moment later, and she stepped closer.

"Anna, this is my dear friend, Marie-Claire. Her mother owns this store."

"Enchante, Mademoiselle."

"Very nice to meet you." Anna made an apologetic face. "Your shop is lovely, but I fear that Yvette has misled you, if she thinks that I can afford to buy anything."

Ignoring Anna's protest, Marie-Claire grabbed her by the wrist and pulled Anna over to the hat display. "Yvette says you'd like a new hat. Perhaps this one would be to your liking?"

"Yes, but…" Anna started to stutter her protest as her hat was removed and the suggested one placed on her head.

"C'est magnifique!" Yvette clapped her hands and laughed cheerfully.

Marie-Claire placed her hands on Anna's shoulders, meeting her eyes in the mirror. She smiled warmly at her. "Whatever you think it costs, it will be much less."

Anna nodded a little hesitantly. She turned her head, admiring the hat. It really was lovely.

"She'll take it."

"Yvette!" Anna's eyes widened in shock. "I don't even know how much it costs."

Marie-Claire told her, and Anna's eyes widened again. It was only a fraction of what she had guessed.

"How is that possible?" she whispered.

Marie-Claire carefully lifted the hat off Anna's head before beckoning for her to follow her. While gently placing the hat in a plain hatbox, she told Anna how her mother knew most of the well-known designers in Paris.

"She visits their showrooms several times per week. Whenever a lady discards something, Maman offers them a deal and usually they accept. This hat, for example." She gently placed her hand on top of the box. "I don't know for sure, but it probably cost Maman a third of what you paid me."

Anna's head was swimming with this incredible information. She looked up, grinning cheekily. "What else do you have that you think I might like?"

Yvette burst out laughing, holding on to Anna's shoulder, her eyes twinkling happily.

"Oh, Anna, you're a delight. Come let us be very naughty."

~ O ~

"Alors, now that we have sorted out your needs, cherie, let's see what we can find that will please your mistress."

Anna just nodded, still stunned at her recent purchases. She blushed as she pondered her argument with Yvette over one particular item.

"I still can't believe you made me buy a garter," she muttered. "I'll never use it, and even if I did, no one will ever see it."

"Never say never, Anna." Yvette winked at her. "It will be your very own naughty memory of Paris. Oui?"

~ O ~

Sybil made a little skip as the garage came into view. Noticing Branson coming out of the building she instantly straightened up. She was a young lady now, not a little girl, and young ladies did not skip.

As if sensing that he was no longer alone, Branson turned in her direction. He wiped his hands on a rag before running his fingers through his hair. His eyes instinctively searched for hers as Sybil came to a stop a few feet in front of him.

"Lady Sybil, it's a pleasure."

"Good morning, Branson." She smiled and leaned forward a little, peeking inside the garage. "Did I interrupt you?"

"Not at all, my lady. Can I do something for you?" He grabbed the rag again, cleaning his hands a bit more.

"Mama wants the motor this afternoon," she said quickly. Realizing that it sounded a little harsh, she smiled tentatively. "That is, we would like to go to Ripon after luncheon."

"Certainly, my lady. I will have the motor brought up right away."

"Oh, we're not leaving for a while yet." Sybil blushed and twisted a little nervously. "Did you finish the book yet?"

"Book?" He frowned, not following her.

"War of the Worlds?"

He chuckled and nodded. "Yes, thank you, I did."

"Good for you." She blushed prettily as she smiled at him. "I'm glad that Papa is not keeping you so busy that you don't have time for yourself."

"Oh no, my lady." Branson laughed and shook his head. "In fact, my lady, the busier he keeps me, the more opportunities I have to read."

"Oh?" Sybil frowned in confusion.

"While I'm waiting for his lordship, I have a chance to read in the car."

Sybil laughed and nodded. "Of course! How silly of me."

"Not at all, my lady. You couldn't have known."

"I know you work for my father, Branson, but you sound so free." Sybil let out a heavy sigh. "It's as if your soul is free."

"I suppose it is, my lady." He scuffed his shoe a little; suddenly nervous at how Sybil's demeanor had softened. She was standing very close now, and he could smell the faint flowery scent she was wearing.

"You know," she looked up at him, her eyes clear and very serious, "I know that women will have the vote soon, and some day women will truly be free."

"I agree." Tom shoved his hands in his pockets as his fingers started to itch to touch her. "I come from a family with strong women, and I respect them just as much as my brothers and uncles. I think it absolutely ridiculous to think that a woman is less than a man."

Sybil just stared at him. No one had ever spoken like that to her, as if she mattered, as if she was truly an adult. Taking a step closer she gently placed her hand on his arm.

"You truly are a rebel, Branson," she whispered. "Thank you."

"For what, my lady?" He stood absolutely still, trying not to think of her warm, glove-clad hand on his arm.

"For speaking to me like an equal."

"Always, my lady." He grinned a little cheekily. "Though you're certainly above me, Lady Sybil."

"Never!" She almost spat the word, and her hand on his arm tightened its grip a little. "I don't want you to ever speak like that again. I don't think of you like that."

"My apologies, my lady. It was just a joke, and a silly one at that."

"It wasn't funny, because there is truth in it," she said in a soft, sad voice. "Even if I don't think like that, others do." She looked up at him, her eyes filled with the fire from before. "Some day that will change too."

"Lady Sybil, you must be careful," he drawled. "You're starting to sound like a rebel."

Sybil giggled and removed her hand from his arm. "Branson!"

He watched her walk back to the house, turning once to wave back at him. He raised his hand to return the gesture. Once she disappeared out of sight, he ducked back inside the garage, determined to have the car spotless for when he picked up the Crawley ladies a few hours from now.

~ O ~

Mary was in an unusually good mood the next morning. She listened intently as Anna happily told her about the progress she had made in her course. The week of studying at Mme Balfour's had taught her so many things, and she appeared very eager to show Mary.

"How about when we leave for Versailles in two days, you can practice what you've learned? I shall look forward to something new each evening."

"Honestly, milady?" Anna's eyes were wide with excitement. "I'm sure you'll like it. I've worked really hard, and Mme Balfour says that I have talent."

"Of course you do! I could've told you that." Mary laughed and turned to face Anna. "I'm sure O'Brien will turn green with envy once she hears about it."

To Mary's surprise, Anna did not seem to find her comment funny.

"I don't want to cause any trouble, milady," she said in a hushed voice.

"Of course not. That's not what I meant. Perhaps that Mama will have you teach O'Brien."

"I'm not sure that would be right, milady. I'm not a lady's maid, not really. Miss O'Brien might take offence."

Mary made a face and rolled her eyes. She had never been enamored of her mother's maid, finding the woman unpleasant to say the least. Still, as much as she disliked O'Brien, Mary had to admit that the woman was absolutely loyal to her mother. And was that, perhaps, not the most important skill for a lady's maid to have?

"So today is your last class then?"

"Yes, milady. Some really fancy stuff."

Mary grinned at Anna's clear excitement. "I can't wait to hear about it."

"I'll tell you tonight. Promise." She smiled fondly at Mary. "Thank you ever so much, milady. It's been such a joy to be there. I've even made a few friends."

"I'm glad." Mary smiled. "Tell you what, you know that Mr. Crawley and I are not going out tonight, but dining here at the hotel. Why don't you ask your new friends if they would like to go out and celebrate?"

"Milady, are you certain?"

"Absolutely. I have every confidence in that my husband can help me out of my clothes before bed."

"Milady!" Anna's hand flew to her mouth as she let out a little giggle.

"Really, Anna? After all, we are on our honeymoon," Mary drawled, smiling teasingly at the maid.

"Of course, milady."

"Let's keep it between us, shall we? No need to let Mr. Crawley know that we're giggling like schoolgirls about him."

"Certainly, milady."

A knock on the door announced said Mr. Crawley's arrival, and Mary got up as Anna rushed to open the door.

"Hello, Anna. Is Lady Mary ready?"

"There you are, darling. I thought you might have forgotten about me and run off to do Paris on your own with some cancan girl for company."

"Certainly not!" Matthew rolled his eyes at her. "Paris will look dull indeed, without you by my side, cancan girl or not."

"I'm pleased to hear it. Shall we then?"

She took his offered arm, and the two left the room, talking in hushed voices and laughing together. Anna smiled as she watched them go before closing the room to tend to Mary's things. She had another hour before she had to leave, so she decided that getting a head start on the packing would not hurt.

~ O ~

Mary held on to her hat as she stopped on the second landing of the Eifel Tower, turning to face Matthew.

"Isn't this just marvelous, darling?"

"It certainly is," he gasped out as he tried to catch his breath. "I still think that we should've taken the lift and not the stairs."

Mary huffed and rolled her eyes. "Where's your sense of adventure, Matthew? This is so much more exciting."

"Your father will have a fit if he ever learns that I dragged you up the stairs instead of offering you a ride suitable for a lady."

"Well, it was my idea, so I suppose I'll have to save you."

With those parting words she set off again, Matthew sighing behind her, gazing up at the looming tower. There were an awful lot of steps left.

~ O ~

After a lovely dinner with lots of wine and laughter, several of the young women seconded Yvette's suggestion to go dancing. Anna was a little apprehensive as she was whisked off with the group of laughing French women.

The place was smoky and the music lively. Anna looked around in awe at the colorful clientele. Couples were dancing quite wildly on the dance floor and here and there waiters maneuvered the floor with drinks.

"What would you like?"

Anna turned at Yvette's question. "Just some lemonade, I think."

Yvette made a face. "You need to live a little, Anna. Have some wine."

Anna giggled nervously and nodded. "I suppose. It's my last night in Paris."

Yvette sighed, and her face fell. "I'll be sad to see you go. You've become a dear friend."

"I know." Anna smiled sadly. "Perhaps I'll be back some day."

"And maybe I'll visit England!" Yvette laughed, and Anna grinned in return.

The wine arrived, and glasses were poured. Their loud toasting and laughter drew some attention from a group of young men by the bar. A couple of them sauntered over and struck up a conversation. It appeared that Yvette knew a few of them, and, soon, they had joined their little party.

Anna smiled sweetly at the young man sitting next to her. He was very handsome, his dark eyes twinkling teasingly as he smiled at her. Her cheeks flushed a little at the undisguised admiration.

"Mademoiselle Smith, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Thank you, Monsieur."

"Please mademoiselle, call me Gerard."

Anna's cheeks turned deeper pink. "Oh, I couldn't."

He leaned closer, winking at her. "I'm sure it's not very hard to pronounce my name. Please give it a try."

"Gerard," she whispered.

He laughed and raised his glass to her. "I like how you say my name, Mademoiselle Anna."

"Thank you."

"How do you know Yvette?"

"We attended a course together." Anna sipped her wine, feeling a bit flushed at how close Gerard was sitting.

"You're also a lady's maid?"

She nodded. "I am."

He grinned and eyed her face and hair. "No wonder that you look so lovely."

Anna giggled as he twirled a loose strand of her hair around his finger. "Gerard, you're not behaving at all properly."

"This is Paris! No one cares about English propriety," he exclaimed, throwing his arms out wide.

Anna laughed, covering her mouth with her hand as Gerard continued to talk and gesture as he spoke about the gaiety of Paris. Their eyes met, and he held her gaze as he fell silent. Anna finally looked away, her face feeling warm again. She jumped when he took her hand, stroking her fingers.

"Would you like to dance, Anna?"

She nodded and silently followed him through the throng of people. He held her closer than anyone ever had before. It was exhilarating and frightening at the same time. Anna took comfort in the assertiveness he showed as he swept her around the floor. Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment when he brushed his cheek against hers.

The tune was followed by a slightly wilder one. Anna laughed and her cheeks turned pink as Gerard taught her this new, savage dance. Her natural gift for music and dancing made it easy for her to pick up on the steps and moves. The two danced and laughed together until Anna was so out of breath she had to lean against Gerard as she gasped for air. He chuckled and tugged her closer to his side.

"You're a lovely companion, Anna."

"Thank you. That was so much fun!" She beamed up at him.

Gerard laughed and leaned down to place a firm kiss on her lips. "The pleasure was all mine, I can assure you."

"Gerard!" Anna's eyes widened at the boldness of kissing her like that.

He just laughed and took her hand, pulling her along as they returned to the table. They sat down, a little closer than before. Gerard put his arm around Anna's shoulders and held her tightly against him. She blushed at the gesture and quickly reached for her glass when she caught Yvette winking at her.

~ O ~

"Anna?" Yvette leaned across Sylvie to grasp Anna's hand. Anna leaned closer to hear her better. "Gerard is nice, oui?"

Anna nodded and giggled, her cheeks flushing. "He's very forward."

"He's French, Anna," Yvette said and rolled her eyes. She glanced at the young man sitting next to Anna and lowered her voice a little. "I think he likes you."

Anna blushed and looked down. "I'm not as worldly as you, Yvette. I can't…"

Yvette gently squeezed Anna's hand. "Of course not. A kiss or two would not hurt you though, ne ces't pas?"

Anna bit her lip and nodded. "I suppose not."

"Live a little, Anna."

Anna laughed at Yvette's parting words and turned to Gerard again. He tugged her closer and nuzzled her cheek. She giggled and pushed at his chest. He whispered little nonsense in her ear and pulled her closer.

~ O ~

Gerard walked Anna back to the hotel through quiet, dark streets. She had been a little nervous at walking off alone with a man she had just met, but Yvette had assured her that Gerard could be trusted. Anna was so deep in thought that she almost stumbled when Gerard suddenly stopped.

"What is it?"

"Look." He smiled and gestured to their left.

Anna gasped at the view that had opened up as they cleared the building. The entire city was lit up in front of them, the Eifel Tower standing majestically in the center.

"Oh my God!" Her hand flew to her mouth in awe. "It's beautiful."

"Paris is a beautiful city, Anna. Just like a beautiful woman, she should be admired."

Anna looked up at him, yet again marveling at his soft brown eyes. He tugged her closer and she rested her hands on his chest.

"Gerard," she whispered, feeling a little flushed at the closeness.

"I want to make love to you until the sun comes up over Paris, Anna." He ran his thumb over her cheek as he leaned closer. "But somehow I don't see that happening."

Anna's eyes fluttered shut as he kissed her. Her head was spinning, and her stomach did little flips when his tongue stroked over her lips. She let out a soft whimper and he held her tighter.

When they eventually separated, she rested her forehead against his shoulder.

"I'm not that kind of girl, Gerard," she whispered. "I can't…"

"I know, ma chère." He gently touched her lips, shaking his head. "No need to explain." He grinned and kissed her again. "Please don't hold it against me that I desire you."

Feeling bold, Anna reached up and ran her fingers through his hair, tugging him down until she could kiss him. He picked her up and swung her around as they laughed together.

~ O ~

The morning of their departure for Versailles found the Crawley suite in a frenzy of activity. Thomas muttered a curse under his breath as a clumsy bellboy almost dropped one of the Crawleys' trunks.

"Attention!"

The boy just grinned and hurried to catch up to his friend.

"I wonder if we will see the Duke of Crowborough at Versailles," Mary mused as she met Matthew's eyes in the mirror. She touched her hair again to make sure that it was perfect. "He did say, that night at the embassy, that he would be staying at the Trianon Palace."

"I suppose." Matthew responded absentmindedly. Sighing in frustration as his outfit was bothering him more than usual; he turned to his travel valet. "Thomas, can you do something about this jacket for me? It's starting to drive me mad."

Thomas rushed over and pulled at the shoulders of Matthew's jacket, then walked around him to straighten the sleeves and the shirt.

"Better, Mr. Crawley?"

"Yes, thank you."

"We might even get an invitation to dine with him one evening." Mary turned in front of the mirror.

"I can't see why you make such big deal out of the man," Matthew muttered, not entirely certain that he liked how Mary seemed to be drawn to the duke. "I found him quite full of himself and tremendously rude."

"Because he's a duke, Matthew!" She laughed and turned away from the mirror, finally pleased with her appearance. "His friendship might prove itself useful in the future."

Matthew just nodded and quickly stepped out of the way as the two bellboys came through with the large trunk holding Mary's dresses. Thomas again reprimanded them, to which Matthew just shook his head in amusement, since the two did not seem to be bothered the slightest bit by Thomas' annoyance.

"If it's all right with you, Mr. Crawley, I'll go downstairs to make sure that those two noodles don't forget loading something."

"Yes, thank you, Thomas. That's an excellent idea. Lady Mary and I will be down in just a moment."

~ O ~

After a last kiss in the sanctuary of their Parisian room, Matthew escorted Mary downstairs to the car that would be taking them to Versailles. Anna and Thomas were patiently waiting right outside the hotel entrance, having supervised the packing of all their belongings.

"Are we all set, Thomas?"

"Yes, Mr. Crawley. Everything is in order."

"Wonderful!"

Matthew helped Mary into the car, and then Anna. Thomas closed the door behind him as Matthew joined the two women before sliding in next to the driver. Matthew nodded to Anna, and she gently tapped on the glass, signaling for the driver to take off.

Mary smiled at the maid as the car pulled out into the busy midday Paris traffic. Settling in for the drive, she leaned back, watching the fascinating sights pass by, her hand held safely in Matthew's.

To be Continued…