Chapter Ten
Matthew saw Mary clenched her teeth as she glared at Tom, who smiled benignly.
"What in the bloody hell are you doing here?" she asked angrily, turning away from Matthew. He tightened his arms around her in case she lunged at Tom.
"Sybil invited me," Tom said, but paused thoughtfully. "Well, she told me I should come. Well, she said it would be more fun if I was here, too. Well-"
"If you say 'well' one more time, Branson, I swear I'm going to shove my shoe down your throat," Mary said, struggling in Matthew's arms.
"That sounds uncomfortable," Tom replied with a laugh. "As charming as always I see, Mary."
"Knock it off, Tom. It's been a tough morning," Matthew said. He brushed his lips against Mary's hair, hoping to calm her down. But Tom laughed and Mary nearly got away from Matthew.
"Oh, yeah, Sybil might have texted me something earlier today," Tom replied with a grin. He met Matthew's eyes and raised his eyebrows suggestively.
"Shove off," Mary burst out, but at least she didn't leap on top of Tom and murder him. Matthew almost found her reaction funny, but he knew she was still angry about her father, and maybe even Matthew's, argument with her.
"Don't be such an arse, Tom," Matthew said, rubbing his hand against Mary's shoulder. "It's cold. We should go in."
"Yes, let's," Tom replied brightly. Matthew secretly hoped Robert would blow his top, although he knew he was being selfish. He just wanted the attention to be off his recent behavior.
They headed for the house, causing Tom to make comment after comment on the massive size of the place and basically every aspect of the house Matthew was too afraid to bring up a few days ago after Mary had shouted at him. And now she looked as though she was going to murder Tom.
"God, it's bloody huge!" Tom said with enthusiasm as they walked into the entrance hall. Sybil and Edith were still seat on the staircase, both looking over when they came inside.
"Tom?" Sybil said in surprise, getting to her feet. She smiled wide before launching herself into his arms. Tom laughed, spinning her in a circle. Matthew glanced at Mary who glared at the scene before her.
Tom set Sybil back on her feet, but then gave her a swift kiss on the lips. Matthew raised his eyebrows in surprise, instinctively throwing his arms around Mary as she started to move forward.
"What the hell?" she shouted, struggling to break free from Matthew's hold. Tom pulled away from Sybil, both looking taken aback by her sister's outburst. Sybil blushed uncomfortably.
"You've only seen each other, like, twice ever," Mary fumed. "You can't kiss her!"
"Mary, I know I should have told you," Sybil said gently. "But I thought you might react like this."
"Like what?" Mary asked, forcing herself to relax in Matthew's arms.
"Like a raving lunatic," Tom retorted. Matthew felt Mary's entire body tense again, as though she wanted to break from Matthew's grasp and beat Tom to death. Matthew figured she'd probably do it with her shoe.
"Tom, please," Sybil said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. Apparently Sybil's influence was much easier for him to listen to than anyone else's because Tom smiled apologetically at her as she turned back to Mary. "I really like Tom." At this he beamed proudly, but Mary only released a heavy sigh. "Although I didn't ask him to come today," Sybil finished, looking at Tom with exasperated affection.
"Ah, well, I thought it'd be fun to surprise you," Tom replied playfully. Matthew heard Mary grind her teeth as she glared at Tom, but he released her from his arms and simply took her hand in his.
"Do Mama and Papa know?" Edith asked conversationally. She didn't look surprised by Tom's arrival or their kiss, which gave Matthew the suspicion that Sybil had told Edith rather than Mary. Matthew glanced at her and she frowned at him as though she had realized the same thing.
"Do we know what?" Cora asked as she entered the hall, Robert looking stern as he followed behind her. "What do we have here?"
"Mama, you remember me telling you about Tom? Matthew's roommate at uni," Sybil explained, letting Tom's hand fall from hers.
"Yes," Cora said slowly, her eyes flicking to her husband. "I didn't know we would be blessed with two visitors in less than a week."
Matthew saw Sybil search for some explanation as to Tom's arrival. She blushed and looked at Tom who looked rather petrified.
"I invited him," Matthew blurted out before he could stop himself. The group turned to stare at him with surprise. Robert looked as though he wanted to strangle Matthew with his bare hands.
"You what?" Cora asked. She was surprised, but didn't look as angry as her husband. Mary gave Matthew's hand a hard squeeze, as though telling him to shut up.
"I, uh, thought it might be fun," he murmured, his hand aching from Mary's iron grip. "I'm sorry, I should have spoken with you both."
"Well, no matter," Cora said, quickly regaining her composure. "It's lovely to finally meet you, Tom-"
"Branson," Tom finished, relief flooding his face as he shook Cora's outstretched hand.
"Well, I suppose there are some preparations that need to be made for another room. Perhaps the one beside Matthew's. Um, Robert, would you come with me, dear? I'd very much like your help," she said, motioning for her husband to accompany her.
"But I-"
Cora raised her eyebrows, prompting Robert to press his lips together glumly before following her out of the room.
"Thanks, mate," Tom said to Matthew.
"That's okay," Matthew said. "They already hate me anyway."
"True," Tom replied with a laugh. "Actually, I wanted to ask you about that. How was-?"
"Branson, I swear I will kill you and bury your body in the garden if you say one more word," Mary said.
"Come on, Tom, I'll give you a tour," Sybil said, taking his hand again. "Edith, do you want to come?"
Edith shrugged, walking with Tom and Sybil as they head upstairs first, leaving Matthew alone with Mary.
"I'm going to kill him," Mary said, her eyes staring up at the ceiling above her as though contemplating the most satisfying way to murder Tom. "I don't know why you took the fall for him. He shouldn't have just shown up. That's not the way things are done."
Matthew raised his eyebrows. "I don't think we exactly followed convention last night," he replied, intending to sound playful, but Mary glared at him. "Is there literally nothing I can do without making you angry?" he questioned.
"Apparently," she said quietly. "I hate today."
Matthew looked down, feeling the sharp jab of her words. "I'm sorry," he muttered flippantly.
Mary pinched the bridge of her nose. "God, you know that's not what I meant," she said, sighing in exasperation. "Everything seems so golden one minute, then turns to ashes the next." She paused and he glanced up at her.
He sighed, stepping up to her. "I don't want to quarrel with you," Matthew said softly. He reached out, brushing his thumb against her flushed cheek. "I really am sorry for everything that's gone wrong today. I know most of it's been my fault."
"I suppose I didn't have to let you into my room," she said, a dubious expression on her face as she laced her fingers together at the back of his neck, her thumbs brushing against his hair.
Matthew laughed, causing Mary to smile. Finally, he thought to himself. "That wouldn't have been nearly as much fun," he replied, resting his hands around her waist.
"Oh, I agree," she replied, pressing her hips against his. "I hope you're brave enough to defy Papa tonight."
"If he doesn't send me home," Matthew reminded her. Mary rolled her eyes, tilting her head to one side as she considered him.
"He wouldn't dare do that now. Who else is going to keep Tom away from Sybil?"
"I'm not doing a very good job of it," he replied with a laugh. "You're a horrible distraction."
"Edith's keeping an eye on them," Mary said. Her voice was practically a purr as she leaned towards him. "Which means we don't have to worry about it right now."
She maintained a few centimeters of space between their lips for a few moments, causing Matthew's heart to thrash painfully against his ribs in anticipation. She was so sultry without even trying. All she had to do was lower her voice and his heart accelerated.
"You're actually the worst person I've ever met," Matthew whispered as Mary ran her fingers gently through his hair, causing a shiver to shoot down his spine. She chuckled, shifting closer to him. Even her laugh is sexy, he thought.
"I love you, too," she replied, her breath warm against his lips. Her eyes were intense, filling him with excitement and longing.
"Well then," he murmured, swiftly closing the space between their lips.
He kissed her hard, nearly forgetting they stood in the saloon and weren't shut away in Mary's room. His hands moved over her body, resting in the most inappropriate of places, although Mary's hands were no more proper.
"We can't do this here," Matthew said with a laugh, pulling away as Mary's cool fingers found their way under his shirt again.
"Ugh, come on," she said, grabbing his hand and tugging him towards the staircase.
"Mary, could you help me with something?" Cora asked as she reappeared. Matthew felt his face go scarlet.
"Mama, I-" Mary began, but Cora cut her off.
"Please," she insisted, although Matthew could tell her words were not a suggestion. Mary sighed and Matthew let go of her hand.
"I'll go find the others," he said, hoping he sounded pleasant and not as frustrated as he felt. Or go take a cold shower, he added silently. He watched Mary leave with her mother, his gut contracting. Yep. Cold shower.
"Mama, was that necessary?" Mary asked. They were in the linen closet by the kitchens, looking for sheets for Tom's bed. "We were just-"
"I could tell what you were doing, thank you," Cora replied curtly. "I'm not blind, Mary."
She didn't respond, silently taking the pile of bedding her mother handed to her.
"And you should know better than to provoke your father. His rules are there for a reason."
"To treat me like a child," Mary said glumly.
"You are acting a bit like one," Cora told her. "And I think it would be best if Matthew stayed in his room from now on. Your father thinks that will be best."
"For whom?" Mary asked.
"For all of our bloody sanity," she replied immediately. "For once in your life, will you please just listen? Your father is going to drive me crazy with all of his worrying over you and your sisters. Did Matthew really invite Tom here? Because I find that very unlikely."
Mary rolled her eyes. "He thought it would be safer to take the fall for Tom's idiocy rather than incite more rage in Papa."
Cora stifled a laugh. "Well, Matthew certainly is thoughtful. And despite today, I like him very much."
Mary pressed her lips together at her mother's words. "He's an idiot," she scoffed, but couldn't keep herself from smiling.
"He made quite an eloquent declaration of love for you at the end of breakfast," Cora said as Mary followed her to the back stairs.
"Oh, God," Mary said, blushing.
"Do you love Matthew?" Cora questioned as they ascended to the first floor. She glanced at Mary as they walked, waiting for her to respond.
"Yes," Mary said. Cora smiled, reaching over to cover Mary's hand.
"Oh, my dear," she said warmly.
"Mama, please," Mary insisted, drawing her hand away from Cora's. "But does this mean your request for Matthew to keep to his room is a suggestion?"
Cora laughed, shaking her head at her daughter. "Absolutely not. He is to stay in his room, and that is final. Please, keep your Papa from being so maddening."
"It was worth a shot," Mary said as they entered one of the spare bedrooms in the bachelors' corridor.
Mary laid in bed, her mind restless as she thought of Matthew. It was after one in the morning and she couldn't sleep at all.
Two nights had passed since Tom's arrival at Downton and Robert's demand that Matthew stay in his own room each night. And much to Mary's dismay, he'd followed her father's orders and hadn't come into her room since. Not that she hadn't tried to coax him in. But someone always seemed to show up at the most inopportune time, usually in the form of Sybil or Tom who claimed to be looking for them in order to play some game or go for a walk into the village.
Mary sat up and looked toward her bedroom door. She smiled to herself as she climbed out of the sheets, pulling on her robe as quickly as possible. Her father had explicitly stated that Matthew was to remain in his room. But he said nothing about Mary doing the same. She knew it was implied, but she didn't care. She was too starved for Matthew to care anymore.
She opened the door and poked her head into the corridor, listening for any sign of movement from the rooms around her. Hearing nothing, Mary slipped silently from her room and padded barefoot down to the end of the hall to the bachelors' corridor. Outside Matthew's door, she knocked lightly and waited for a response. She didn't hear anything, so she let herself into his room, hoping he wouldn't be startled by her appearance.
After making sure it was locked behind her, Mary turned, her eyes falling on the sleeping Matthew. He was shirtless, sprawled out in the middle of the double bed. His back was to her as he snored lightly, his arms at awkward angles beneath his pillow.
"Matthew," Mary whispered after watching him for a moment.
She approached the bed, reaching out her hand to brush it against his arm. He grunted at her touch but didn't wake. Mary walked to the other side of the bed, perching herself on the empty side of the mattress.
"Matthew," she repeated, raising her voice slightly. Matthew started, blinking his eyes as he struggled to open them.
"What time is it?" he groaned, stretching his arms after extracting them from under his head.
"About one thirty," Mary informed him, dropping her robe on the floor. Matthew propped himself up on his elbow, rubbing the sleep from his eyes with his other hand.
"Are you trying to get me killed?" he asked.
"I've missed you," Mary whined, trailing her finger down his chest. He smiled, covering his mouth to stifle a yawn.
"So have I," Matthew replied, his blue eyes sparkling in the dim moonlight peeking through the curtains. "But your father said-"
"Papa said you had to sleep in your room. He didn't say I had to," she informed him smartly as she relaxed at his side.
"Oh, God, I'm going to die, aren't I?" he asked with a laugh.
"Don't tempt me," she replied brusquely. "Now stop talking and kiss me before I get cross."
Matthew grinned, pulling her close as his lips found hers. Mary pressed her body against his as her hands trailed down Matthew's chest, enjoying the softness of his skin beneath her fingertips.
"I really was asleep," he murmured as she kissed his jaw.
"You're awake now," she replied, brushing her toes against his calf. "So let's make the most of it." She pressed her lips against his chest as she shifted her body so her hips rested against his.
"I'm beginning to think you're only after one thing," Matthew said, brushing his fingers through her hair.
"How perceptive of you," she quipped, leaning down to kiss him again. Matthew caressed her neck before moving down to the hem of her t-shirt, his fingers moving against her skin.
Mary rolled onto her side, squinting at the sunlight pouring through the window. Beside her, Matthew was snoring again, his arm resting on top of the duvet across her body. Her movement caused him to grunt in his sleep, but he didn't wake up. From the amount of light in the room, Mary guessed it was after seven thirty already.
"Matthew," she whispered, pushing his hair back from his forehead. "Darling, wake up," she said, raising her voice a little as she gave his shoulder a gentle shake.
He groaned, his eyes still shut as he spoke. "Why?" he mumbled tiredly.
"I have to go back to my room," she explained. "It's almost time for breakfast."
"Okay, bye," Matthew replied before pressing his face into the pillow.
Mary opened her mouth in indignation, grabbing her own pillow and hitting him in the head with it. Matthew opened his eyes, surprise on his face.
"The hell?" he said, pulling away from her.
"Don't be such an arse, darling," Mary replied gently, bending forward to press her lips softly against his.
Matthew rolled his eyes. "Why do you keep interrupting my sleep?" he questioned, laying his head back on his pillow. "It's one of my favorite activities."
Mary laughed, running her fingers through his hair again. "Do you like it better than me?" she asked playfully as her lips lingered near his.
"That's hardly a fair question. Both are lovely for different reasons," he replied cheekily. Mary kissed him again, wrapping her leg around his as she pulled his body against hers.
"Now what do you think?" she asked.
"You play dirty," he said, his fingers grazing her arm. Mary chuckled, but started when someone knocked hurriedly on the door.
"Matthew? You awake?" Tom's voice came through the door.
"Dammit," Mary muttered, rolling away from Matthew to retrieve her pajamas from the floor.
"What is it?" Matthew called to Tom, masking his voice as though he'd just woken up.
"Sybil texted me to tell you to get your arse up," Tom replied. "Why's the door locked?"
"So you can't burst in here when I'm sleeping," Matthew said, getting to his feet. He pulled on his shorts as Mary dressed herself quickly.
"Do you want me to go wake Mary?" Tom asked. Mary met Matthew's eyes which were wide with horror.
"No, I'll do it. Leave her alone. She'll definitely murder you if you try to wake her up," Matthew said through the door.
"Right you are," Tom replied. "Never poke a sleeping dragon. Let me know when the beast is awake."
Both listened as Tom shuffled back down the hall. They heard his door shut before Mary spoke.
"I'm going to kill him," Mary said. Matthew stifled a laugh, walking over to wrap his arms around her. She rested her chin against his chest.
"He's not supposed to know you were in here, remember?" he said gently, rubbing her back.
"He's still an arse," she muttered, her resolve to kill Tom melting as Matthew held her.
"Of course he is," Matthew replied tenderly.
"I suppose I should leave," Mary said with a sigh.
"Unless you want to be caught in here."
"I'd rather not have another shouting match with Papa," she agreed, slipping from Matthew's embrace. "I'll see you at breakfast," she said as she headed for the door.
"For the record," Matthew said, causing her to stop and look at him. An impish half smile was on his face. "You are better than sleep."
Mary laughed quietly, feeling her cheeks grow warm. "I'm glad," she replied primly, slipping into the hallway, Matthew's warm laughter following her into the hall.
Thanks for reading! Downton quotes are in italics, as always. I'll try to update as soon as I can. Please review!