Chapter 9

Matthew was treated by a sight that instantly made him smile. His wife was sitting up in the hospital bed cooing over their son. She looked up to smile at him as a walked through the door.

"Hello, darling," greeted Mary. "I was wondering when I would be seeing you."

Matthew gave her a kiss and patted Michael on the head.

"I have much to tell you, my dear," stated Matthew.

"Oh? Is this about the girl?"

"Indeed. It is quite a curious story." And so Matthew launched into his tale about everything Elizabeth had said and everything that had transpired since he had last seen his wife. By the end, Mary was scowling.

"Edith is being foolish, trusting this girl so quickly." Quickly into the start of her husband's story, Mary had become annoyed by her younger sister. While she and Edith had never gotten along very well, Mary certainly didn't want Edith to get hurt. As time had passed, Mary had grown up and though she didn't particularly like her sister, she still wanted her to find some happiness. This girl was a threat and seemed a disaster waiting to happen. "It will be best to get rid of her as soon as possible. What will people say? We can't possibly tell them the truth, especially since I doubt that is the truth!"

"My dear, we can't turn her out in the cold even if she is here to try to start trouble. Then what will people truly say? We must let her stay at Downton no matter what her intentions are. She has nowhere to go. If anyone asks, we will just say she is a cousin from America, simple as that."

"How do we know she has nowhere to go? She believes she's from the future! Clearly she should be institutionalized."

"Darling, calm down, else George might go into a fit."

Mary took a deep breath and looked at Matthew. "Why does it sound to me like you are starting to believe all of this nonsense?"

"Perhaps, I am or perhaps I am too nice for my own good," he joked as he pushed a piece of hair from her face.

Mary rolled her eyes at him, an action which Matthew clearly saw. "Don't roll your eyes at me. You haven't even met Elizabeth. Perhaps you will change your mind? Or at least, understand why Edith feels attached to this girl."

"Attached?" she said incredulously. "She's only known her for two days!"

"My love, I promise you, no harm will come to you are any of our family even if this girl turns out to be a threat. Now stop worrying. We shall wait and see what happens. Now I am sorry to say I must leave you."

"When did Doctor Clarkson say I could come home?"

"He said that you should be fine tomorrow. In the morning, he will come in to make sure everything is in working order and then I can take you and our son home."

He kissed his wife and son goodbye and gathered his things before heading out the door.

Mary felt relieved. She was growing bored of the white walls of the hospital and lying in bed all day. However the relief quickly turned to worry as she thought of what awaited her back at Downton. Though she would never admit it, Mary was jealous. This was supposed to be her time with her son, a time when all the family would coo and her life would be perfect. Clearly, that would not be the case.