I know I know I'm sorry it's been ages since I last updated... Will try to be more conistant! Anyway, enjoy and review!
This 'change of tactics' was very obvious to Mary. They kept hinting at Matthew and trying to trick her into saying things, even if those certain details are true. Yes, she did love Matthew, but she wasn't exactly going to shout it from the rooftops, she wouldn't ever tell Matthew, for they had no chance anyway. Throughout the week however more business talks required Matthew to be over the house, apparently something about a train investment, she wasn't sure. Matthew was over the house every day for the next week, which gave her and Matthew some time to chat to each other. They enjoyed walking, even if it was getting bitterly cold, it was somehow easier to talk that way, no awkward conversations sat opposite each other. Walking together became a daily habit of theirs; she never took his arm or spoke of them though. They talked about literature, America and their beliefs, and usually a debate would ensue, causing a very interesting discussion.
It was the day before Edith's wedding so that day when Matthew came round, she had to politely decline a secret walk with him (secret to ensure Edith and Sybil didn't pry) as she needed to help with the wedding preparations. Matthew had to admit to himself that he was disappointed they weren't going on their walk, he enjoyed them very much. But it was only for one day, and Mary would soon be the only Crawley sister left in the hou- no, she might go back to America. As he made his way down the drive he wondered to himself whether she would stay, he truly hoped she would, but he couldn't be so sure.
"Wake up darling, today's the day!" Edith woke to her sister shaking her out of her slumber. Yes, she realised, it was the day she would get married. Something in the house was actually about her. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, seeing the other people in the room. Her mother was stood near the back of the room, while Anna stood next to her, holding a tray of breakfast.
"Hello Sybil" Edith murmured, patting her sisters arm and sliding her legs out of the bed. She stood up and Sybil kissed her cheek, then walking over to her mother and doing the same. She then went over to Anna and smiled, "Anna? I thought breakfast in bed was just for married women?"
"Well, close enough" she replied, handing her the tray, which Edith took over to her bed, sitting down with it.
"It looks lovely Anna, thank you. And I'm not sure whether I'll take up that ritual of breakfast in bed when I'm married, I rather like being at the breakfast table" Edith spoke, looking at Anna.
"Well Edith when you're married some mornings you can feel very tired for a number of reasons..." Sybil smirked.
"Sybil" her mother shot back at her daughter, though she couldn't hide a faint smile as she understood what she was getting at, "Anyway, where's Mary? She said she would be here"
"Probably sleeping" Edith replied, her older sister was never a morning person.
"Actually Lady Edith, I believe she is finding something for you, something from America" Anna cut in, beaming.
Edith grinned, she had forgotten about that. She wondered what it could be, but she guessed she would soon find out. Knowing Mary, it was probably very nice. As much as she hated to admit it, her sister did have a keen eye for fashion.
"Anyway. Eat now Edith, you need to start getting ready soon" Cora said, "Eat well my darling", and with that, everybody exited the room leaving Edith to eat.
Cora stood back and looked at her daughter beaming at herself in the mirror, she really did look happy. Finally she had a life coming, with a man she loved and respected (and was the appropriate age, she might add). Mary and Sybil stood with her, Anna fixing the veil onto Edith's head.
She wore an elegant ivory full length dress which was slightly gathered on one side. It had a short trail, the dress just short enough so her feet were visible. She wore the Crawley tiara, diamond encrusted leaves covering the band. Edith held a small bouquet of flowers. But most importantly she wore a smile, a smile full of happiness and anticipation.
"There we go milady" Anna said smoothing her veil down before stepping back to let Edith admire herself.
"Not quite" Mary spoke, stepping closer to Edith and reaching into her small clutch bag. She pulled out a long string of pearls and hung them carefully around her sisters neck. The long loop of pearls drooped down to her stomach, "I hope you like them, everybody is wearing them in America, I just saw this one and thought it would be marvellous for a wedding"
Edith grabbed hold of Mary's hands and leant forward to kiss her cheek, "Thank you so much Mary, I'm so glad you're here" she turned back to the mirror to admire her newly acquired piece of jewellery. Now she was ready.
The wedding was very nicely done. A theme of white and blue throughout, appropriate hymns, lovely music, and of course a happily married couple at the end of it. Mary was so glad it had gone well for her, it was something she hadn't necessarily expected for her sister in life. Evelyn had always been a trusted friend of Mary's, she knew he would take care of her. They were now on their way back to Downton for the reception. Evelyn and Edith had gone ahead in a different car and the rest of them were taking the cars. Mary had been put in a car with her father and Violet for the short journey. Thank god it was short Robert was thinking, sometimes he just didn't know what to do when his mother started on about something.
As the car approached the house down the drive, no other cars but one had arrived. Edith and Evelyn were probably waiting for them. Carson was already stood outside to greet the impending guests, he must have left early to get there before everyone! Mary jumped out of the car first without assistance, leaving the door open for her fellow passengers. She rushed forward towards the door, briefly greeting Carson. She sped through to the hall where she stopped in her tracks. Edith and Evelyn were stealing a kiss just around the corner. Mary stayed silent, smiling at the pair, giving them a few moments longer to indulge themselves before she made her presence known by coughing slightly. They broke apart at the sound.
"Oh Mary! We weren't expecting you back just yet! We-" Edith gushed, panic in her voice, her cheeks flushed. She held a firm grip of Evelyn's hand, who was laughing to himself.
"Were just doing what normal couples do Edith. Now, make yourself presentable, the others are coming in" Mary raised her eyebrows at Edith, who's hair was slightly askew. Her husband helped her to fix her hair, before stealing one more quick kiss.
Close behind Mary, Robert and Violet entered, the latter making her way over to her newly married granddaughter, squeezing her hands, "Oh my dear I'm so happy for you. I did doubt for a while you would ever marry, but here you are with a respectable man on your arm" Edith did look slightly hurt at part of the comment but Evelyn just squeezed her shoulder, "and I'm glad I have a beautiful woman on mine". This made Edith smile even more than before, as they made their brief excuses to go and greet other guests.
"Classic Violet" Mary heard a familiar voice behind her, to see it was Matthew. How long had he been there? Mary only chuckled at the comment, smiling back at him. Wordlessly they began to walk around with each other, Matthew fetching himself and Mary a glass of wine from a nearby tray. The guests had all arrived now, the great hall bustling with life. The pair, after talking to a few guests, went to sit at a sofa, just big enough for both of them. They sat in peace drinking their drinks for a while, making light small talk, until an unfamiliar women approached them. She looked amused, staring at Mary for a moment.
"Can I help you?" Matthew inquired, standing up.
"My my, I thought they were lying. But they were right. I can't believe Lady Mary is at this kind of event!" the woman replied, laughing, she did not look familiar.
"What?" Mary spoke, sounding baffled.
"Well... I thought a more..foreign affair would be more of your style"
"Get out!" Matthew yelled in the woman's face, pointing at the door. The room went quiet.
"Fine, I'll leave you to your slut" the woman commented again, a more common accent seeping through.
"Out at once!" Robert shouted, marching over to the woman, standing next to Matthew.
Mary was in tears at this point. She got up and fled the hall, handing her glass to Matthew and dashing up the stairs. The mysterious woman cackled then made her leave. Robert calmly told everyone to resume, giving a worried look to Matthew. Matthew ran his hand over his face, sighing.
"Go to her" he suddenly heard Cora whisper in his ear. He nodded.
When the party seemed to be forming some normalness once more, Matthew slipped up the stairs unseen. God, where was her room? He dashed down several hallways until he was met with Thomas.
"Ah. Mr Crawley. Looking for Lady Mary's room?" Thomas asked.
"Yes, actually, could you show me?" Matthew swallowed, he hoped he wouldn't spread any gossip.
Thomas led Matthew down a few lines of doors until he stopped. He indicated the one on the right, stepping back to leave him alone. He tentatively stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Mary? Are you there?" he called through the wooden barrier between them. No answer. He called out again, saying it was Matthew, though she most definitely knew his voice anyway.
"Go away Matthew" he heard a teary voice from the other side of the door.
"I'm afraid that's not an option" he tried to sound reassuring, chuckling slightly, he paused, "Can I come in?"
"No. It's terribly improper. Anyway, I'm in a state and I should hate to tarnish your honour by being in the same room with a woman like me" she responded.
Mary's eyes widened when she heard a shuffling against the other side of the door. It then stopped.
"What-what are you doing out there?"
"Sitting down, it may take a while to lure you out" she could hear the smile in his voice. Matthew then heard a similar shuffling and a small thud. They were back to back with a door between them. Now they could talk.
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