More Than Duty Chapter 12
In the month since Robert's death, the constant feeling of sadness Mary felt slowly ebbed. She knew much of the credit belong to Matthew who did all he could to raise her spirits. She found herself seeking his company more and more often. It was strange how quickly she had come to accept his presence, then to enjoy it, and not to almost depend on it. So she was disappointed when she emerged from their bedroom after breakfast in search of her husband only to be informed that he had left over an hour ago.
After sitting with her mother and sisters for a while, Mary tired of their conversation which Edith kept turning back to Sir Anthony. Excusing herself, Mary returned to her bedroom. Flopping down on her bed, she began flipping idly through a the latest fashion magazine. Shortly laters, she heard the door open from the hallway to Matthew's dressing room. Smiling, she closed the magazine and set it aside. She made herself wait another few moments so she would not seem too eager. Listening at the door, she did not hear any voices and decided that Bates must not have arrived yet to assist Matthew so she opened the door. Her eyes grew wide, and she froze in place when at what she saw when she stepped inside. Matthew was standing in the middle of the room with his shirt unbuttoned as he shrugged it off his shoulders. Hearing her soft gasp, he turned around and saw her staring at him.
"Hello darling," he said, crossing the room to place a kiss on her cheek in greeting. Her heartbeat sped up as he neared her, and her hand, of its own volition came to rest briefly on his chest. For weeks she had been aware of how handsome he was, but there was something about seeing him without his shirt that robbed her of all other thoughts. Feeling warmth rush to her face, she withdrew her hand a took a small step back. Matthew silently observed her reaction, noting that her eyes seemed darker than usual and her breath was a bit uneven.
"Why didn't you ring for Bates to assist you?"
"Because I am perfectly capable of a simple change of clothes."
"Of course you are capable, but you are Earl now. It is unseemly," she said, as she walked to the window to put some space between them.
"And I let my valet dress me each morning and evening even when it makes me feel ridiculous. If I choose to do it myself on occasion, it is no one's business but mine," he said in annoyance as he bent to remove his shoes.
"Where did you go anyway?" Mary asked.
"Anthony asked me to see me."
"What did he want?"
"My permission to take Edith to a concert in York," he replied as he pulled his second shoe off and started to remove his socks.
"I suppose you gave it."
"Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at her question.
"He just took her driving yesterday."
"They seem to enjoy each other's company. Why should that bother you?"
"He is too old for her."
"That is for her to decide - not you. You got to make your choice. Now let her make hers," Matthew said, pulling the second sock off.
Mary's eyes widened further as his hands moved to his belt. He chuckled when he saw the shocked look on her face, but noticed that she was not looking away. Deciding not to push her, he dropped his hands and instead walked to the dresser. "Would you like to go ridding this afternoon?" he asked.
"I can't. I promised Sybil I would go with her to Ripon for her final fitting for her gowns for her Season," Mary said, the regret clear in her voice.
"I cannot believe you will be gone for six weeks," he said. "It will be so odd to be here without you."
"You could come with us."
"You know I cannot. I am need to finish wrapping up my law practice and there is too much here to do," he said regretfully. "You could stay."
"You know I cannot. WIth Mama in mourning, I have to be there for Sybil. I will miss you though," she replied.
"Not as much as I will miss you," he said, stepping toward her and softly kissing her forehead.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Mary daringly whispered just loud enough for him to hear as she lifted her eyes to meet his.
"I am glad to hear it," he said, lowering his mouth to hers as she tilted her face up in anticipation of his kiss. Her hands came to rest against his chest for a second time as his hands came to rest on her waist, pulling her a little closer to him. Pulling back before he lost himself in the kiss, he looked into her eyes that were now almost black with desire. He fought the urge to kiss her again and make their way to the bed that was only a few feet away, but he knew this was not the time or place.
"I am sorry darling, but I really do need to finish changing. So unless you want to watch…"
"I'm going. I need to meet Sybil away. We are supposed to leave soon," she said blushing from the thought that she really did not want to leave. As she left, Matthew smiled, feeling secure in the knowledge that she was coming to desire him in the same way that he desired her.
A week later, Matthew had awakened earlier than Mary and had spent the early part of the morning in the library going over the accounts that he had Murray send him. He was shocked shocked by what he had found and the risk that Downton was being placed in. He quickly folded the documents and headed back to their bedroom to discuss the matter with Mary. He found his wife sitting at the vanity wrapped in her robe, with her hair already done for the day.
"Where is Anna?" he asked, confused as to why she would be half ready with her maid no where to be seen.
"I changed my mind about which outfit I wanted to wear so she had to go press the new one I selected," Mary said with a shrug of her shoulders. Seeing his face in the mirror, she turned to face him and asked what was the matter.
"I asked Murray to send me a full accounting of all our investments, and I am very disturbed by what I discovered," he said.
"Why is that?"
"Nearly all the money has been placed in a single investment."
"Is the stock not doing well?"
"It is doing fine now, but it is a terrible risk."
"But why? Surely Papa and Murray selected a good investment."
"Mary, even investments that look the best can go bad. You have to diversify in order to ensure security."
"I don't understand. Why? If this investment does well, it will be a windfall."
"Yes, but if it does now, we could stand to lose all," he said, searching for a way to explain the need to diversify to her since her father clearly never explained investment to her when inspiration stuck. Stepping closer to her, he brought his hands up to her hair. "You see, investments must be like your hairpins. They are all in different places so if one falls, there is no real damage," he said, plucking on pin free from her hair. "I can pull another, and still no significant damage. Even three, four, five, six," he said as he continued to pluck pins free from her hair. "Eventually, everything comes tumbling down, but it takes many failures before that happens," he said as he hair finally fell loose around her shoulders.
"Now let me show you what a single investment is like," he said, as he took her hand and raised her to her feet. Standing face to face with her, he continued. "A single investment is more like this tie to your robe, a single pull and everything falls away," he said as his hands toyed with the string and then pulled the tie before he could second guess himself. His breath caught in his throat as her robe fell open and his eyes took in the sight of her standing before him in her stockings and undergarments.
He was powerless to fight the desire she aroused in him and he pulled her to him more roughly than he ever had before. She did not object as his mouth met hers in a passionate kiss. Mary's arms came around his neck as his hands ran along her sides and stomach. Unconsciously, they began backing up toward the bed. When Mary's knees felt the bed behind them, they pulled apart and stared at each other, both breathing heavily. Without thinking, Mary sat on the bed and reached out to pull him toward her. Needing no more encouragement than that, Matthew pushed against her shoulders, lowing her lay back against the bed. He kissed her again as he legs moved around his waist and her hands began pulling at his shirt, seeking contact with his skin.
"Oh God Mary," he whispered huskily in her ear as he pushed himself ever closer to her as all rational thought left him.
"I am sorry that took so long, my lady," Anna said as she entered the room before she saw Matthew jump up from the bed while Mary pulled her robe back together. "I am so sorry my lady," Anna said as she turned to leave.
"No, no it is fine. Just give me a moment," Mary said as Anna retreated to the hallway leaving Matthew and Mary staring at each other.
Matthew wasn't sure what to say. He didn't regret what had happened, but he hoped he had not scared her.
Mary was silently berating herself for losing control of herself. If Anna hadn't come in, she surely wouldn't have stopped Matthew. She knew now that she needed to tell him before anything like that happened again, but now was not the right moment to do so. Looking at his face, she could see the confusion and fear there.
"Well, that was an interesting way to start the day," she said, grinning at him to help ease his nerves.
"I am not sure that is the word I would use to describe it," he replied.
"What word would you use?"
"Amazing."
"I like amazing," she agreed.
"I am sorry I ruined your hair."
"Don't be. It was worth it."
"Now my darling, I must leave or else I fear I may lock the door and keep you here all day," he said, wishing silently that she would suggest they do the latter. She didn't though so he simply kissed her cheek and bid her goodbye, remaining her that he had a meeting at his office all afternoon and would likely be home late that evening.
"I will miss you at dinner."
"I know, but my practice is almost wrapped up, so I won't have to miss many more. Besides, Sybil asked for permission to go to some political rally near my office this evening so I will keep an eye on her and ride home with her."
"Are you sure it is good to allow her to go to a rally? They can be dangerous."
"Darling, you must let her make her own decisions. I am sure everything will be just fine. Now kiss me goodbye before I decide to stay," he said, pulling her closer for a more chaste kiss than they had shared earlier. Watching him go, Mary was sure of two things, both of which terrified her - that she was in love with Matthew and that she had to tell him the secret she had so carefully guarded for so long.
TBC
Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I will try to get the next chapter done tomorrow because I will be extremely busy for the first half of next week. Feedback always encourages me to write faster so let me know what you think :)
