I've finally got another chapter finished! Hopefully life is calming down a little now, for a few weeks at least, so the next chapter should be ready before too long. I'm sorry I didn't manage to reply to reviews for the last chapter - it doesn't mean I don't appreciate them very much, only that I've been very, very busy!
On Christmas morning, Mary woke up early from what she remembered to have been a pleasant dream, although by the time she was awake enough to think properly, she had forgotten what it had been about. The dream had left her with a warm, contented feeling, and remembering that it was Christmas day, she sighed quietly with happiness.
It was still dark, but she knew somehow that it was the morning. She hoped it was very early, but it wasn't easy to tell in the depths of winter when the sun didn't rise until (or sometimes after) it was time to get up. She didn't want ever to have to move from this position, supported in all the right places by pillows and with the blankets tucked up around her in just the right way so that she was warm but not hot. This level of comfort had become a luxury by this point, almost seven months into her pregnancy, and she didn't want it to end. This was so perfect.
She couldn't remember when she had last felt so at peace. She had had so many things on her mind recently, so many things to worry about. Now, behind the thick curtains around the large, comfortable four poster bed, with her husband sleeping peacefully next to her, everything seemed so much less important.
The past few days had been so lovely. She had enjoyed spending time with Sybil and Emmeline, catching up on what had happened in their lives in the months they had been apart, and Matthew had been doing the same with Tom. The holiday had also allowed Matthew to rest properly for the first time in weeks, and after only a few days, he was looking much healthier and seemed to have far more energy. Which included more energy for making love. She smiled to herself.
Rose had been particularly nice to her recently, feeling awful for her comment about Pamuk when she had been discovered with Eddie Harris. Mary had still been hurt and angered by it, but this morning, she found that she wasn't anymore. While it had been a shock to hear such thoughtless unkindness from her cousin (it had sounded more like a pre-war Edith than Rose), Mary could see now that they had been words spoken in anger with no real spite or malice behind them. She couldn't muster the determination to stay angry with Rose, especially knowing that part of Rose's reason for behaving inappropriately with Eddie came from a desperation to love and to be loved as her cousins were and her parents weren't.
Mary was aware that this feeling of peace wouldn't last. Matthew would go back to work after New Year, and she would have to face the fact that she was going to have a baby in a few short months, a few weeks really, and she had no idea how she was going to manage as a mother. She still hadn't faced society after her scandal had been published, and she knew that she would have to at some point in the not too distant future.
And yet today it was Christmas, and she didn't need to think about any of this now. No, now she could enjoy this blissful warmth and sleepiness.
She gasped as she felt the baby jab her hard in the ribs. So much for comfort and sleepiness. Perhaps that was what had woken her. She stroked a hand across her stomach, no longer feeling uncomfortable with her new shape, but loving the evidence of the baby that was so impossible to ignore. Matthew's adoration and wonder at her new curves and ever-growing bump had slowly infected her, and she had decided that she rather liked being pregnant.
She looked at Matthew. He was still fast asleep, and it seemed a shame to wake him. But it would surely be time to get up soon, and she decided she wanted the company of her husband. She reached for his hand and moved it to rest on her stomach where she could still feel the baby moving. He mumbled something sleepily and moved his hand slightly. She placed her hand on his and pressed it down gently. He turned his head on the pillow to face her, before opening his eyes. He blinked several times, then gave a lazy smile as he felt the movement under his hand.
"Good morning," Mary whispered. "It seems the baby is continuing the children's tradition of waking parents far too early on Christmas morning."
Matthew laughed quietly. "I think, my darling, that it was you who woke me this morning."
"Are you complaining?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Never," he replied. He carefully shifted his legs and rolled over onto his side so he was facing her. Their eyes met, and they moved closer and kissed, smiling into each other's lips.
"Merry Christmas Mary," he whispered when they drew away.
"Merry Christmas, darling. Now, will you tell me what my present is?"
He laughed. "Oh no. You must be patient and wait for that."
"But it's Christmas day. You might as well tell me now," she pleaded.
"I'm not telling you anything. You will see it yourself soon enough." He paused, smiling at her, his eyes sparkling. "However, there is another gift, which I would like to give to you now."
Her eyes widened as she looked at him curiously. He didn't say anything else, but reached out to stroke back her hair and kissed her again.
"This gift," he murmured, "requires you to remove your nightdress."
Mary smiled, understanding instantly the nature of her first gift. She slowly pulled her silky nightdress over her head, exposing her heavily pregnant body.
"You... Are... Truly... Exquisite," Matthew breathed between kisses.
Mary giggled breathlessly and lay back on the soft pillows.
"And now, my darling, you need to close your eyes," he whispered. She obeyed, shivering in anticipation of the pleasure she knew was coming. She waited for what seemed like many minutes, but what was in fact only seconds, before she felt his lips brushing her sensitive breasts. She moaned loudly at the intense and beautiful sensation. And from then on, she lost all ability to think coherently, as she seemed to feel Matthew's hands and lips everywhere. She was on fire, and she was drowning, and she was crying out again and again, and it was glorious. All interest in her mysterious Christmas present disappeared as she decided that whatever it was, it couldn't possibly be better than this.
When Anna came in to open the curtains, Mary and Matthew were dressed in their nightclothes again and were sitting up against the pillows, with the curtains around the bed opened. This perfect neatness and propriety was enough to tell Anna that it was a good job she hadn't come any earlier, and she struggled to hide a smirk.
"You'll get a nice surprise if you look out the window," she said as she drew the curtains of the first window.
Mary and Matthew turned to look, and saw the world outside covered in a light dusting of snow. And, they noticed, there were still delicate flakes falling. Mary beamed in delight and got out of bed to look. Snow on Christmas day was a rare and delightful treat, and the sight filled her with a childish excitement she hadn't felt for so many years.
Matthew was equally delighted for a moment, before a slight frown creased his forehead. What was going to happen with his present for Mary? Was the snow too thick, the roads too icy? This was the first time it had snowed on Christmas day in years, and of course it had to happen this year. Well, there was nothing he could do about it, and really, it was so very beautiful he couldn't possibly be displeased.
"Rose and Sybil are guaranteed to insist on building a snowman, and probably on having a snowball fight too," Mary said with a sigh.
"And you are not to go anywhere near them if they do," Matthew said quickly, looking suddenly alarmed. "We can't have you getting hurt. Or cold."
Mary laughed. "Can you see me taking part in a snowball fight even if I wasn't pregnant?"
Matthew tried to picture it and failed. He smiled and shook his head.
"Well then, you needn't worry," she said. Reassuring Matthew that she and the baby were quite well and were in no danger was becoming a full time occupation. It was endearing that he wanted so much to take care of her, but by this point, it was becoming a little wearing. However, today was Christmas Day, and she made a conscious decision to find it sweet rather than irritating. For today at least.
With Emmeline running around in a state of extreme excitement all day, and Rose not behaving very differently, it turned out to be the liveliest Christmas at Downton since Sybil had been a child. Violet, Isobel, Edith and Anthony had stayed the night on Christmas Eve due to the threat of snow, and with Rosamund there too, the house felt full and cheerful.
Matthew spent the morning alternately excited and nervous about what Mary's reaction to his gift would be. Tom had loved it, and that had been reassuring, but would Mary be pleased? She had seemed enthusiastic about the idea when he had mentioned it to her casually several times in the past few weeks, but had she really been serious about it?
Thankfully, the snow had stopped falling and the light dusting on the ground was melting fast. Sybil and Rose certainly wouldn't be able to build their snowman, but his surprise for Mary wouldn't be ruined by the weather.
He was briefly distracted from his thoughts as they handed out the presents for the servants. He had bought William a couple of books and some sheet music for him to play on the piano, and William's delighted smile when he unwrapped his gifts pleased Matthew greatly. It was only a shame that William didn't have a piano in his cottage. Perhaps that situation could be remedied next Christmas. It would certainly be an extravagant gift, but William had saved his life, and that gift could never be fully repaid. He would discuss it with Mary, he decided. She would object at first, of course, but if he could manage to talk her around, he would know it wasn't a terrible idea.
After the servants had all received their gifts, it was time for the usual buffet luncheon. Mary consciously swallowed a complaint when Matthew insisted that she sit down and have someone else bring her food. Sweet and endearing she reminded herself. When Sybil brought her the plate that Matthew had filled for her, however, she didn't need to remind herself. He had chosen suitably large quantities of her favourite foods and nothing she didn't want, and she smiled at him gratefully before tucking in ravenously.
When the time came to exchange presents within the family, everyone watched with amusement as Emmeline, with a little help from her parents, figured out how to open the wrapping paper. She revealed several dolls, a rocking horse (from Mary) and some picture books. Mary was rather pleased to see that it was the rocking horse that her niece seemed most interested in.
Mary had spent the morning wondering what Matthew's mysterious surprise present was, but when she opened the neatly wrapped packages that were from him, they contained nothing out of the ordinary. There was beautiful and expensive looking jewellery and a bottle of perfume, but while she loved it all, and was very glad that her husband had impeccable taste when it came to jewellery, there was nothing that explained Sybil's mysterious hinting the other day.
She was beginning to dismiss Sybil's comments from her mind, and concentrate on deciding whether to wear her new necklace despite the fact it didn't match her dress, when Matthew took a small box out of his pocket and handed it to her, an excited smile turning up his lips.
She gently shook the box, as if trying to guess what was in it like a child. She slowly untied the ribbon, then rolled it up and set it down on the table carefully, enjoying the way he was watching her eagerly, desperate for her to hurry. She undid the paper equally slowly, then folded it up and placed it next to the ribbon. To her amusement, Matthew looked ready to take the box and open it himself if she didn't hurry, but she continued to do everything slowly. She examined the box carefully. It looked as if it had come from an expensive jewellers. Well, it might be predictable, but she knew that whatever Matthew had picked out, she would love. And it must be something special for him to be excited about it as she could see he was.
She opened the box, expecting to see glittering jewels, and saw instead… a key. She looked at Matthew in confusion.
"What am I supposed to be opening with this key?" she asked. She realised that everyone else was watching her, and knew immediately that they all knew what the gift was, and were enjoying her confusion. She was a little irritated. She hated that everyone knew something she didn't.
Matthew merely smiled in answer to her question, and her frustration increased.
"Matthew, I insist you tell me what is going on. You know I dislike surprises, and only put up with them because you enjoy it so much, but really, this is enough," she said, amused and exasperated in equal measure.
"If you will just be a patient another minute or so, the mystery will be revealed," Matthew said, smirking.
Mary was distracted for moment by the sound of a car arriving at the front of the house. She frowned; they weren't expecting visitors.
"Shall we go and see who's arrived?" Matthew suggested, and Mary knew instantly from his innocent expression that this was somehow connected with her rather mysterious Christmas gift. She nodded, as this was clearly expected of her, and she followed Matthew out of the room and to the front door, the rest of the family following behind. She stopped when Matthew insisted that she put on a coat, before Carson opened the door for them. When they went outside, they saw a small, fast-looking car, and Tom standing next to it, smirking.
"Merry Christmas darling," Matthew said, slightly nervously.
Mary stared. It was certainly a lovely car, designed for elegance as well as utility, and it was exactly what she would have chosen herself had she been buying a car. Was this really her Christmas present?
"This is mine?" she asked Matthew quietly.
"Yes."
"But…" She stared at the small, sporty vehicle. "There's not much space in the back. The chauffeur will have more space than us." She sounded quite horrified.
Tom burst out laughing, but Sybil shot him a stern look and he controlled himself.
"Well, we don't need to sit in the back. There's space in the front for two, or even three, including one very small person," Matthew said, carefully placing a hand on her stomach, still smiling in a way Mary found quite maddening.
"But… we… neither of us can drive," Mary protested.
"Not at the moment, no. But it shouldn't take you too long to learn," Matthew said. When she continued to stare at him in disbelief, he added in a lower voice so that only she could hear, "Edith learnt. Don't tell me you can't." This made her laugh, but she was still uncertain.
"And what if I prefer a chauffeur?" she asked.
"Well, I did ask you whether you would ever consider learning to drive a few weeks ago, and you were not opposed to the idea. In fact you were quite enthusiastic. And you've also mentioned that you dislike sharing your parents' cars."
"I… yes, but that was… theoretical, for the future. I wasn't expecting…" Now she came to think of it, she wasn't certain what she had been expecting when she had expressed a wish to learn to drive. It had seemed so distant a possibility when she had spoken of it with Matthew.
"But Mary, don't you see? We are going to have our own little family in a few months. This is not just a car, this is our independence. Look," Matthew said. He wheeled himself over to the car and opened the passenger door. He positioned his chair carefully, took a deep breath, then, in a movement that looked practised and even relatively easy, got himself onto the car seat. He looked back at Mary with a hopeful smile, and she, her hand over her mouth in surprise and feeling tears pricking her eyes, went over to him and kissed him, ignoring the fact that her family was standing behind watching her; nothing could matter less. She let the tears fall as the full meaning of this gift dawned on her.
It was perfect. She had thought they would never be able to just go out alone, since other cars were too high for Matthew to get into without being lifted, and it was even more awkward with trains. But now, she imagined wonderful, private outings, driving down country lanes in the sun with the roof down on the car and the wind in their hair, and possibly with their child sitting between them, going wherever they wanted, whenever they wanted…
"Oh Matthew," she whispered. "This is… this is wonderful. Thank you darling."
Matthew pulled her down onto his lap and kissed her again, the angle less awkward this time.
They both found themselves laughing as they drew apart a little.
"What do you think shocked Granny the most?" Mary whispered, "The car, the fact that I'm going to learn to drive, or our rather inappropriate kissing?"
"I should think the whole family and household are immune to inappropriate kissing by now," Matthew replied. "We don't have very good self-control, do we? However, I think Robert was more shocked than Cousin Violet by the car and the driving. He knew a few weeks ago of course, as the car will have to be kept in the garage here and be looked after by Stark, and when I told him, he looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. He thinks it a very odd Christmas present, and doesn't seem to understand why it is to be yours, not ours."
Mary thought about that and frowned. "And why is it to be mine? Why didn't you just buy it? We'll be going out in it together, surely."
Matthew reached up and held her cheek gently, stroking her soft skin with his thumb. "Because I think you like the idea of owning your own car. I think you will enjoy being in charge, and being able to use it without asking or thinking about anyone else."
Mary smiled again. "You know me so well," she said. Because he was right, now she thought about it, she was very pleased with the idea of having her own car. If anyone wanted to borrow it, or come with her somewhere in it, it would be her they would have to ask.
They would have kissed again, but as they leaned closer, a pointed cough reminded them that the rest of the family were still present.
Instead, Mary got out of the car and watched as Matthew managed to get back into his chair as easily as he had got out of it. He showed her the cleverly designed frame he had had made that made strapping his chair to the car easy. Then Tom got into the driver's seat and drove Mary up the drive to the road and back again, explaining as he drove about the pedals and the gears and the steering. Mary tried to listen, as she would have to learn these things, but really, she was too lost in her own thoughts to pay much attention.
When they pulled up again in front of the house, only Matthew and Sybil were still waiting for them outside, Matthew now with a blanket over his legs and Sybil wearing a coat against the icy chill in the air.
"Well?" Matthew asked, smiling hopefully at Mary as Tom handed her out of the car.
"I told you, I love it. And you've very cleverly given me an incentive to learn to drive as soon as I possibly can. That is the nicest car I've seen, I think."
"I'm glad," Matthew said warmly. "Now come inside before you catch a chill. The snow's melted, but it's still cold."
Mary, with great effort, succeeded in not rolling her eyes. She was perfectly warm. "I could say the same to you. You needn't have waited."
"I wanted to see your face when you came back. And it was worth it."
They went back into the house, and the rest of the family looked up when they entered the library again.
Seeing the smile on Mary's face, Violet said, "We won't need a chauffeur soon; Tom, Edith and now you. I don't know what this family is coming to."
"I can't drive yet, Granny," Mary said. "And I'm not sure that learning before March is really an option either."
"Quite right," Robert said quickly. "We can't have you speeding about in your condition."
Mary made a show of raising her eyes heavenwards and sighing. She had made no promises to herself that morning about not being irritated by Papa's fussing.
"Mary, will you take me out, when you've learned to drive?" Rose asked excitedly. "That car looks like it can go fast."
"Maybe," Mary answered vaguely, but really, she wanted to tell everyone that the car was hers and Matthew's, and theirs only; like Matthew had said, it was their independence, and she didn't want to share it.
She and Matthew spent several minutes being questioned before they could sit together in a corner of the room that was slightly away from the rest of the family.
"You really do like it then?" Matthew asked.
"What do I have to do to convince you? Of course I love it darling. You've been worrying, haven't you?"
"Just a bit," he admitted. "Not anymore though."
"Good. How long have you been planning this?"
"A few months. You've mentioned quite a few times how much you have wanted independence, and I know how it irritates you when a car isn't available to take you out when you want. So this is it: your independence, and mine, if you'll have me." He shook his head. "It took me a while to be confident enough that you'd actually want to learn to drive, and then it took even longer to find the right car. It had to be elegant and fast, or I know you wouldn't want to drive it, and it had to be low enough for me to be able to get in and out of it."
"That was impressive, by the way," Mary complimented. "It looked like you do that every day, and it can't be easy."
"I've been practising," Matthew said, thinking of the time he had spent in the garage with Tom these past few days, trying to figure out how to reliably be able to get into the car so he wouldn't embarrass himself in front of everyone. Or at least, that was what he had been doing. Tom had been admiring the car enviously and asking detailed questions about it that Matthew didn't know the answers to.
"I wish I could start learning now, but I suppose it really isn't a good idea at the moment. I expect soon, I won't even fit behind the wheel." She thought it was better to say it herself than to wait for Matthew to irritate her by saying it. "I wish I had Tom to teach me though, like Edith had."
"Maybe Edith could teach you," Matthew suggested jokingly.
"Yes, that's a good plan; put me in charge of a powerful motorcar while Edith and I are screaming at each other. No."
"Well, obviously you'll have to have some help from Stark to begin with, but, well, I can help. I mean, I can't drive now, obviously, but I did learn. During the war," Matthew said quietly. He remembered that feeling of being in control of something so powerful so well. Speeding down the roads, the wind blowing his hair all over the place, the world rushing past so fast, the horrors of war for once far from his mind…
"I didn't know," Mary said slowly. It was strange now to hear new things about Matthew, after almost three years of marriage, and she liked it. But the thought of there being yet another activity Matthew could no longer do brought a lump to her throat. He had bought this lovely car for her, but she could tell that he would really have loved to drive it himself.
She squeezed his hand and smiled. "But yes, you teaching me would make it far more enjoyable. I can't wait."
"You might be able to have Tom teach you anyway. If he can be persuaded to leave Ireland."
Mary sighed. "You haven't talked to him yet, have you?"
Matthew looked away guiltily. "I haven't been able to find the right moment. I don't want to risk an argument at Christmas. But I promise I will do it soon."
"Tomorrow, Matthew. They're leaving soon."
"Fine. Tomorrow," Matthew agreed reluctantly. It was going to be a difficult conversation, but Mary was right; he was running out of time, and he had to at least try to persuade Tom to do the sensible thing.
Matthew decided to have his conversation with Tom over a game of chess. It was something they often did together when the Bransons were at Downton, although the game was of secondary importance to the discussions they had while they played. The situation in Ireland was a topic that often came up, and so, theoretically at least, turning the conversation to what Matthew had been told to discuss with Tom shouldn't have been hard.
In reality, however, Matthew found it difficult to start. He didn't want to seem as if he was interfering, although he knew that in reality he was, and he didn't want to argue with Tom when it might be months before he saw him again.
But Sybil was right: Ireland was not safe for the daughter and granddaughter of an English aristocrat. So he had to say something.
When Tom was silent for a minute, carefully deciding on his next move, Matthew knew that it was now or never.
"Mary mentioned that you and Sybil were thinking of leaving Dublin for a while, until everything settles down a bit," he began carefully.
Tom looked up from the board quickly. "Sybil was thinking of it," he said.
"And you? What do you think?"
"I can't leave my country when I am needed to fight for our freedom," Tom said shortly, before deliberately turning his attention back to the game.
Matthew glanced at Tom's determined expression, then looked across the room and out the window. He felt a sudden stab of anger at Sybil and Mary for putting this on him. If he failed, he would feel responsible for anything that happened to Sybil and Emmeline and would never forgive himself. Why they seemed to think he could help was beyond him.
But he had to try. He had been worried about Sybil since she had moved to Ireland when she married Tom, and the situation was not improving. He knew that Mary and Sybil had only asked him to help because they wanted the people hey loved to be safe, and his anger at them vanished. Tom obviously didn't want to have this conversation, but it was a conversation that needed to be had, and he just needed to get on with it.
"I understand why you want to stay for the fight," he said, keeping his voice carefully measured. Tom looked up, and Matthew took a deep breath and continued. "But what about when your wife and child are potential targets, Tom? You know better than I do the anti-English feeling there is in Ireland at the moment." When Tom opened his mouth looking angry, Matthew held up a hand and continued. "I'm not saying your cause isn't just, I'm not saying Ireland doesn't have the right to be angry with the English. God knows, I'm angry enough myself about what's going on that's done in the name the crown and of England's glory. But this isn't about politics, Tom, it's about your family."
"My daughter is Irish. She may have been born here, but she's Irish. She should grow up in her homeland," Tom said stubbornly. He had had this argument with Sybil countless times, and saw no value whatsoever in having it again.
"If that's how you and Sybil feel, I don't disagree with you. But I think some people, people fighting on your side Tom, would not see Emmeline in that way. Her grandfather is an English Earl, her mother is a Lady, she was born in England. Ideally, yes, you should live where you feel at home. But the situation is far from ideal. It's dangerous. Ireland could explode into all-out civil war at any time, and you know it."
"And if it does, I have to be there! I missed the Easter Rising, I missed… everything! I waited here all through the war, and after for a while, for Sybil to be ready to come away with me. I knew there was a fight coming after the Great War, and it's here. I have to be a part of it."
"I know, Tom. I know how you feel about fighting for freedom. I'm sure I'd feel the same if I were in your position. For God's sake, I volunteered to fight in a war which was fought for reasons arguably much less worthy than the fight in Ireland! But Sybil wants what is best for Emmeline, as I'm sure you do." He paused, and looked at Tom gravely, willing him to see the truth in what he was saying. "They could die, Tom, have you thought about that? Your daughter and your wife could be shot, or blown up, or…" He broke off and shook his head. "I've seen war, Tom. You haven't, and I hope you never do, whatever you say about wanting to fight. It's horrendous, worse than any description that can be given. I saw the queues of refugees, I saw the destroyed villages and fields and woods, I saw children no older than Emmeline injured or orphaned. You don't want your daughter growing up in the middle of a war. Not for anything."
Tom looked as if he were about to shout, but then looked down, his posture sagging.
"I love them. I want the best for them. But I love Ireland too. How can I be true to myself and to my beliefs if I leave my home when I'm needed most and come and live in England?"
"It wouldn't be permanent. You can go home when it's safe. You're not giving up on your principles and beliefs by wanting to keep your family safe. Things will settle down. As for Emmeline, you can teach her about Ireland without you needing to live there. Ireland will still be her home. In fact, it's likely she won't even remember the time you will spend here by the time she's older."
Tom continued to look down, his forehead creased into a frown as he thought. He reached out and picked up one of the chess pieces, turning it around and around in his hand without seeming to notice what he was doing. Then, after several minutes, he sighed and looked up.
"You're right. Of course you're right. I'm not happy about it, and I won't be happy until me and my family are living permanently in a free Ireland. But for now, I have to put my family first." He laughed suddenly. "I never had a chance, did I? With Mary and Sybil against me, and now you. Two Crawley sisters and a bloody lawyer. Why do I even bother arguing?"
Matthew reached out and put a hand on Tom's shoulder. "You are doing the right thing. Sybil will be happy. And Emmeline will be safe."
Tom nodded slowly. He couldn't pretend that Matthew's words weren't true.
"And," Matthew added, smiling slightly, "I can't say I'll be sorry to have you around. You and Sybil certainly make life here rather more interesting. Or at least, more unpredictable. And… you're a good friend, Tom."
Tom nodded again, smiling this time. "Maybe it's useless trying to be the same person I used to be. I know what my mates in Dublin would have to say about my being a 'good friend' to the future Earl of Grantham. But thank you. You're a good friend to me too. And I'm going to need you more than ever if I'm going to live here and keep my sanity."
Matthew smiled. "When will you tell Sybil?"
"Tonight. After dinner. We can make plans together, and discuss it with everyone else tomorrow. We leave two days after."
Matthew nodded. "You won't have to live here, you know. Not in the house. There are places nearby you could rent. Robert and Cora will want you here, I'm sure, but just remember England doesn't have to mean Downton."
"I think we'll sort that out some other time. For now… there's a lot to arrange. The flat in Dublin, our jobs, friends, family…" He shook his head. "But we'll sort it out," he said with a new determination that made Matthew smile.
That sat in silence for a minute, before Matthew gestured to the forgotten chess board. "Do you want to finish the game? It was actually going quite well before we got distracted. You're getting better." He smirked. "Maybe you'll beat me properly one day."
"I've beaten you before!" Tom said indignantly.
"Come on! You can't think I was actually trying when that happened? I was letting you win to boost your confidence."
"You were not! And I'm going to thrash you this time!"
They got back to the game, and enjoyed themselves so much, Tom began to wonder if living in Downton really would be such a terrible thing after all.