After Mary closed the door behind Matthew (she had resisted the urge to slam it), she returned to the sitting room and sat shaking on the sofa. How dare he accuse her of upsetting him? Why was it they never managed to be together without one or the other of them ending up unhappy? Allowing Matthew back into her life caused turmoil for them both. For seven years she had worked so hard to get past the pain, to get her life into some sort of order, and now she almost was back where she started. It hadn't occurred to her that Geoff's presence in her life, as minimal as it was currently, concerned Matthew. He had no hold on her, so she was free to see whomever she pleased. Still, if Matthew felt half the pain she had, maybe he would be more understanding of the hurt he caused all those years ago. Perhaps being able to talk things through calmly would lead to closure for them both.


As the train clipped along toward Downton, Matthew sat in his compartment and agonized over his confrontation with Mary. One minute they were in each other's arms; the next minute she was throwing him out of her house. Finally, he grasped the depth of the pain he had inflicted on her all those years ago. How devastated she must have been when he brought Lavinia to Downton, parading her in front of Mary as if to prove his resilience; how grieved she must have felt as she sat in the church during the marriage ceremony, watching him pledge his troth to another.

He remembered looking into her eyes that day and longing for her, knowing there was nothing he could do to assuage their mutual pain.

He remembered the look of hopelessness in her eyes and the ache in his soul as she left for London intending never to return to Downton.

He remembered being in denial about her feelings for him though she had nursed him, supported him, encouraged him, and done everything in her power to help him recover during his convalescence. Even that wasn't enough to convince him of her love.

He had dwelt so long on his own pain that what he had done to her never truly had sunk in—until now. God, he had made a mess of everything! Just when his dream of being with the love of his life finally might have become a reality, he accused her of doing to him the very thing he had done to her.

He had to figure a way to rectify things. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that the two times they had been in each other's arms recently, they really hadn't talked beforehand. They were drawn together instantaneously, the magnetism undeniable. Somehow they had to talk, so that he could let her know he now understood how he made her feel when he chose Lavinia over her. He also wanted her to have the chance express her feelings without his interference. It might not work, but he had to give it a try.

And he had a bad feeling about the Duke, whose interest in Mary was obvious. Matthew noticed how the Duke's eyes darkened when he looked at her, and Matthew sensed that Mary was intrigued by him. He doubted the Duke had sinister motives, but there was something… something disturbing…about the way he spoke so assertively to her. Her going to Northampton scared him because it meant she might be amenable to the Duke's advances. He resolved not to give her up without a fight.


As the day for her trip to Northampton approached, Mary felt both eagerness and trepidation. She was going only for the day to ride the horse the Duke had purchased at her suggestion. She knew he had bought the stallion to entice her to visit, and it had worked. Geoff had asked for her opinion, sending her papers and stud book information that outlined the horse's lineage, and she had been impressed not only with its pedigree but also with its purchase price. None of the fine horses her papa had purchased through the years came close to the price Geoff paid for this one. Judging from the photographs he had sent, Babylon was a magnificent gray Arabian standing an impressive 15.3 hands high. From what Mary had read, he was intelligent and spirited, and she couldn't help seeing a positive resemblance to her beloved Diamond. She was eager to put him through his paces.

The prospect of seeing Geoff again was what made her apprehensive about her visit to Hanford Hall. He seemed to embody the dispositions of two different men. The day he dropped by Painswick House and interrupted her tryst with Matthew, he baffled her, not because he came to her house but because his personality seemed so different from the way he was the day of his apology. Of course, he was surprised to see Matthew there, but still…. His hostility toward Matthew and the way he spoke to her that day mimicked his aggressive behavior in his car after the dinner with the Richardsons, but his demeanor during their private conversations both at Downton and during the dinner party reflected gentility and charm. She didn't know what to make of him and wondered which Geoff would greet her in Northampton.


When Mary and Sarah entered their first-class compartment on the early train for Northampton, they were pleased to see the weather was sunny and unseasonably cool.

"Thank you so much for traveling with me, Sarah. I hope it's an enjoyable day."

"Oh, I'm sure it will be. I'm pleased you asked me to go with you, and I must admit I'm looking forward to seeing Hanford Hall. I've heard so much about it. Evidently, it's a real showplace."

"That's what I've heard, too," replied Mary, "and the grounds are supposed to be magnificent."

"I haven't ridden in quite a while, but I've always loved it. This should be fun. Are you looking forward to seeing Geoff again?"

"I am, actually. He's been quite persistent about my visiting, as you know, so…."

"So, you get to see him in his natural habitat, so to speak." They both laughed. "I must say, I'm happy to see you're finally interested in someone. Frankly, you've been alone long enough. Do you realize how many men you've left in your wake?"

"You sound like my granny."

"Well, she's right. From what you've told me, it's time you considered keeping company with someone, and Geoff is quite a catch. He seems quite besotted with you."

"Maybe, but I certainly don't intend to rush into anything with him. Besides, I like my life as it is. I've had complicated."

"I know, I know. But the great love of your life still has a hold on you, doesn't he?" Sarah said kindly.

Mary paused a moment and then said softly, "Sarah, you need to understand that Matthew, or rather the memory of him, is with me all the time. I don't know why, but I just can't seem to pry him from my brain. I measure every man I meet against him—consciously or unconsciously, I suppose—and no one seems to match up. I was managing well until I had to go back to Downton when Papa died. Seeing Matthew again triggered all sorts of feelings that I thought I had well under control. I will say, though, that Geoff is the first man who intrigues me enough for me to want to pursue getting to know him better. That's why I agreed to this visit."

"Then let's hope he surpasses your expectations."

"Yes, let's."


The evening before Mary left for Northampton, Matthew sat pensively in the library. He dreaded the next day because he was sure Mary would be on her way to Hanford Hall and the Duke. He felt powerless. After their argument in London, he feared she was slipping away because her last letter coolly accepted his written apology and ended with Cordially, your Cousin. He had to do something.


Geoff met Mary and Sarah at the station and greeted them warmly. He already was dressed in his riding breeches, shirt, and jacket, and Mary noted how his distinguished appearance was complemented by the fit of his clothing. As they approached Hanford Hall, Mary and Sarah were impressed by the wide, sculptured lawns and avenues of trees. The stately house itself was palatial, a combination of Tudor and French architecture that reflected peace and elegance.

"Oh, Geoff, what a lovely estate," Mary declared. "No wonder you love it so." Sarah echoed that sentiment.

"Thank you. I'm glad you appreciate its beauty. The third Duke oversaw several renovations to the original house, and it's barely changed since."

They entered the grand hall and walked past lines of servants, noting the extravagant state rooms filled with fine works of art and elegant furniture. Mary had visited many beautiful estates, but Hanford Hall truly was one of the most stunning she had ever seen. As much as she loved the Abbey, it seemed an intimate house compared to the vast elegance of this hall.

Geoff introduced them to Simmons, his butler of many years, who reminded Mary of Carson. He had the same officious nature coupled with a twinkle in his eye he saved for special people or occasions. Mary and Sarah had not traveled with maids, so Geoff directed them to a dour, elderly woman who was standing at the head of the line. "Ladies, this is Mrs. Anders, my head housekeeper, who will see your needs."

"Thank you, Geoff." Mary turned to the woman and smiled. "I hope we're not inconveniencing you too much."

"Not at all, Lady Mary. It's my pleasure to assist you." She turned to Sarah. "And I hope you'll find Edwina a suitable maid. Please follow me, and we'll get you ready for the day."

Mrs. Anders was happy the Duke had seen fit to invite the two ladies to Hanford Hall. He rarely entertained, usually only inviting guests to fulfill business commitments, so the presence of Lady Mary and Lady Sarah brightened what normally would have been a rather ho-hum day. She had observed that the Duke seemed particularly excited about Lady Mary's acceptance of his invitation. For almost two months he had reminded his housekeeper of the upcoming visit, nearly driving her mad with suggestions, worries, and requests to ensure Lady Mary would be suitably impressed with the house. She never had seen him so enthusiastic about a visitor, and after she met Lady Mary, she understood why. In addition to being quite a beautiful woman, Lady Mary seemed to embody the elegance and grace of someone who one day could be the Duchess of Hanford Hall.

She was present for the Duke's birth and had watched him grow into a fine, albeit troubled, man. Life had not been particularly kind to him or his family—his parents and his brother all were gone— and she suspected he had avoided making any kind of commitment because of his family's history. The way he looked at Lady Mary as he squired her into the great hall gladdened Mrs. Ander's heart, and she hoped he finally had found the happiness that had eluded him for so long.

She led Mary and Sarah upstairs to two grand apartments, where their traveling bags had been unpacked and their habits were pressed and ready.

Once Mary was alone with Mrs. Anders, she asked, "Have you been at Hanford Hall long, Mrs. Anders?"

"Yes, milady. I was the late Duchess's lady's maid when she first came to Hanford Hall a little over forty years ago. I came with her when she married the Duke's late father."

"My, you have been here a long time. I'm sure you must feel almost like a member of the family."

"Almost, Milady, but I know my place."

"Oh, but surely the Duke must appreciate your experience and loyalty. May I ask when the Duchess died?"

"Twenty years ago last month, milady." Her face softened. "It was a trying time for the Duke and his sons. She was a wonderful woman."

"I'm sure. Was she ill?"

"In a manner of speaking, milady. She died by her own hand."

"My goodness, how horrible for the family. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to pry." Mary was distressed by the information, feeling as if she ought to stop delving into Geoff's family business. Suicide was something she knew little about, but she felt it was not her place to learn anything other than what Geoff was willing to share with her.

As Mrs. Anders helped Mary into her habit, she continued to talk, her eyes taking on a faraway look. "The whole situation was very sad. She had spells – quite odd, actually, since her father had experienced the same condition."

"Oh, my. What kind of spells?" Mary couldn't help asking. Here was a bit of information that aroused her interest despite her resolution not to snoop.

"Mood changes, angry outbursts, forgetfulness – and…um…other sorts of things. For years she had seen her father suffer from the same ailment. I suppose she couldn't face what was coming, so one day she killed herself in the rose garden." She shook her head sadly. "The Duke had it plowed under the following day." As if she realized she had said too much, she clamped her mouth shut. "Pardon me, milady. I didn't mean to…."

"Think nothing of it, Mrs. Anders. Rest assured I won't speak of this to the Duke." Obviously, Mrs. Anders still was affected by the Duchess's death, thought Mary. How terrible.

"Thank you, milady." Her relief was visible. Of the two brothers, the Duke was her favorite, and she was proud of the man he'd become. Also, she truly was fond of him and certainly didn't want him to think her disloyal. She watched him deal with family tragedy with maturity and grace, but it was obvious the "family ailment" always was in the back of his mind. She knew she was speaking out of turn, but she felt as if she should say one thing further.

"Milady?"

"Yes, Mrs. Anders?"

"The Duke is a very fine man."

"I think so, but it's nice to hear you say it."

"I think he worries about…of course, I'm not sure…but…I feel you ought to…to be aware…"

Geoff seems to have mood changes…and outbursts. Was this something he had inherited from his mother and grandfather? Surely not. As she told Matthew, Geoff simply is intense. That is all. She resolved not to worry too much about what the elderly woman had told her. After all, she only was here for the day.

"Oh, certainly, Mrs. Anders. Thank you."

Once she and Sarah were dressed for riding, they went downstairs and met Geoff outside. He was holding the bridle of one of the most splendid horses Mary ever had seen. She took an apple from one of the grooms and approached the animal slowly. She held out her hand, and he took the apple from her as she stroked his nose and spoke softly to him.

"Oh, Babylon, you're a beauty, aren't you?" She admired his finely-chiseled head and ran her hand along his long, arching neck. He exuded nobility and intelligence. She checked to ensure he was properly tacked and then turned to Geoff and smiled widely.

"He looks up for an adventure. Shall we?" she asked.

"Absolutely." Geoff watched as she mounted Babylon expertly, swinging her right leg over his back and settling into the saddle. It was obvious to Geoff that purchasing the horse to ensure her trip to Northampton was a worthwhile expenditure. He grinned as she walked Babylon slowly around the drive, talking quietly to him and getting accustomed to his movements. Babylon, too, appeared to size up his rider's ability and mood and responded to Mary's tacit commands. Her obvious skill as a horsewoman stirred something in Geoff, and he found himself looking forward to the opportunity when he could hold her in his arms again. As soon as Geoff and Sarah were mounted, the three took off across the countryside, Geoff leading the way on his favorite Arabian stallion and Sarah on a chestnut mare following the other two.

While dressing, Sarah had made up her mind to allow Geoff and Mary some time to be alone. She resolved to ride out with them for awhile and then head back to the house using the excuse of a headache. She knew Mary was interested in Geoff and felt she didn't need to act as a buffer between the two. She knew from observing her for several years that Mary could take care of herself, so she was confident Mary would feel comfortable being alone with Geoff as they rode. They planned to take the late train back to London, so she would have time to explore the house and grounds at her leisure while Mary and Geoff had time together without her being in the way.


Matthew sat on the early-morning train to London still questioning whether what he was doing was smart or foolhardy. No matter. He would meet Mary's train from Northampton that evening, and he was determined they would talk.


Now that all that folderol is over, things definitely will heat up in the next chapters.