More Than Duty Chapter 21
October 6, 1915
Dearest Matthew,
I was so pleased to receive a letter from you already. You may indeed rest assured that I am dreaming of you my darling and wishing you were laying beside me. I suspect that will be the case every night until you return.
I stayed with Aunt Rosamund in London for a few days before returning to Downton and did a little shopping in an attempt to raise my spirits that I must admitted plummeted when I realized just how long it will be until I see you again. I must confess I made a purchase you may find rather silly and which I am certain Granny will think is merely another ridiculous modern contraption. You see I bought a gramophone. I thought having some music in the house would be a nice distraction, but I also must admit that I look forward to dancing to it with you when next you return. Did I ever tell you how much I liked dancing with you at our wedding?
Stay safe my love,
Mary
/
October 19, 1915
My darling Mary,
I must tell you there is nothing here that has the ability to raise my spirits like a letter from you. Every time there is a mail call, I wait in hope that I will hear my name and see your lovely script.
I don't think your purchase silly at all. In fact, you have given me something to look forward to when I return for I very much enjoyed dancing with you that evening - much more than I should have given the circumstances. By then, I had fallen in love with you and was hoping for any excuse to hold you close and dancing was the perfect opportunity. Do not worry what your Granny says about your purchase because your husband heartily approves.
Keep your spirits up my love. I want you to be happy and if there is diversion that pleases you, please take advantage of it. Knowing you are happy will make this time apart more bearable for me.
What other news my darling? How are you and everyone else? Have you seen my mother? She has written to me, but did not mention you.
Your loving but lonely husband,
Matthew
/
October 29, 1915
My dearest,
You needn't worry anymore about having to find an excuse to hold me close for there is no where I would rather be than in your embrace. That does not mean I am not looking forward to dancing with you because I very much am, I just wanted you to know that you do not need the excuse.
I must apologize that I have not seen your mother yet. I have been so oddly tired lately and am at a loss to explain it. Perhaps it is just that I am not sleeping as well when you are not with me. Or maybe it is that the days are colder and shorter. Do not worry though for I have not forgotten my promise though and will be sure to visit your mother this week.
As for everyone else, Sybil has started her nursing training in York and mother has been staying with Edith as her time is nearly here so the house has been rather quiet. Edith has been completely insufferable. She vacillates between complaints about how uncomfortable she is and boasting about the fact that she is able to give Sir Anthony a child so soon into their marriage. She demands such attention that you would think she was the first woman to carry a child.
You must tell me how you are for I worry every day.
My love and prayers are with you,
Mary
/
"The post has arrived my lady," Anna said as she walked into the sitting room to find Mary absent-mindedly staring out the window.
"Is there a letter from his lordship?" Mary said, fairly certain there was by the smile on Anna's face.
"There is my lady," Anna confirmed. "And I brought you some tea to settle your stomach as well."
"Thank you Anna. Has there been any word about Edith yet?"
"No my lady, not since this morning when we heard her time was upon her. If you have changed your mind about going, I can have Branson bring the car around," Anna offered as she handed Mary a cup of tea.
"No I think not. I would just cause her more stress by being there," Mary said, certain her presence during the birthing would not bring Edith any comfort. Although if Edith did manage to produce a boy, she would be most disappointed that Mary was not there to witness her triumph which Mary had no wish to see. "Thank you for bringing the post right away. And for the tea. I am sure it will be just the thing to settle my stomach."
As soon as Anna departed, Mary ripped into the envelope.
November 10, 1915
My Darling Girl,
Mary, please sit down before you continue reading. Please don't be stubborn darling and just do as I have asked. Are you sitting yet? My love, I must tell you that I was injured yesterday, but you mustn't worry yourself. It was not serious, and I am in no danger. No doubt you wish to know more, so I shall tell you. I was on a reconnoissance mission when a couple Germans spotted us. Thankfully, they were not good shots for it took us a moment to take cover. A bullet grazed my side just below my ribs. It has been stitched up, but I fear there be a scar. Don't worry, the scar is not that big and no one but the doctor, my valet, and you need ever see it. I can only hope you do not find it too terrible ugly, but if you do, we can ensure that you need not see it.
Darling, I have only just received your last letter. If you are tired, you truly must rest. My mother can wait for your health is paramount. If this continues, you must promise me to see Clarkson for I cannot rest easily unless I know you are well.
Please try to be kind to Edith. I know she can upset you, but remember darling, she has lived her whole life in your shadow. Surely you can allow her a bit of time in the sun.
Write to me Mary for your letters are a better balm than a medicine could ever be.
All my love,
Matthew
Mary was glad she had heeded Matthew's request and sat down to read the letter. Thank the lord the Germans who had spotted him had been poor shots. How terrible it was to think that a few inches could have meant the difference between a minor wound such as Matthew sustained and a truly life-threatening one! She knew she had to trust his words when he said the wound was not serious, but she would have given almost anything to be able to confirm that fact with her own eyes. The army didn't give medical leaves for minor injuries though so she knew that was impossible. She immediately began her reply.
She was still composing her letter when Carson entered the room.
"What is it Carson?" she asked.
"News of your sister, my lady. She has safely delivered her child," Carson informed her.
"Was it a girl or a boy?" Mary asked.
"A boy my lady. She has called him Robert," Carson said after a moment of hesitation.
"Thank you for letting me know. Please let Mrs. Patmore know there is no need for dinner this evening. I am certain my mother and grandmother will be with Edith and with Sybil in York there is really no need for a formal meal."
"What about you my lady?"
"My stomach has been feeling a bit delicate all day. I don't think it could handle a rich or highly seasoned dinner. You may tell Mrs. Patmore that if I may ring for some soup or something light later, but there is no need for anything more than that.
"Of course," Carson replied before withdrawing from the room as Mary continued her letter.
/
"Mail call!"
At the sound of the familiar call, Matthew hurried out, jostling for a position at the front of the group while trying his best to avoid any contact against his right side which was still a bit sore.
"In a hurry there Crawley?" Ned said with a laugh, amused at how his friend who previous hung to the back of the mail call, was recently so eager to get to the front.
"Some of us have a lady back at home we are eager to hear from," Matthew replied with a grin, not at all ashamed at his eagerness. Before Ned could respond, Matthew's name was called and Ned simply slapped him on the back as he hurried off to read it in private.
November 18, 1915
My darling Matthew,
It pains me to know end that you were injured hundreds of miles away. I wish more than anything that I could be by your side. Not only to assure myself of the truth of your words regarding the seriousness of your injury, but also to show you that no scar could be so fearsome that I would not want to look upon it or you. You are alive and well - that is all that matters. If I were there, I would happily kiss your scar in thanks that it is in a place that did not endanger your life. In fact, I think I shall do so when next I see you. Know that I pray for you and your safety every night, but tonight I shall be giving thanks that this injury was not a serious one. I know you do your best to stay safe, but I implore you to redouble your efforts for I would be devastated if I lost you.
I could go on and on about my care for your safety, but I know you would like a response to your inquiries so I shall endeavor to answer them and provide you what diversion I can.
I had your mother over for tea this past week. She confessed to being surprised at my invitation, but she willingly came. I wish I could tell you that all is well between her and I, but I fear she is still somewhat resentful and I believe also skeptical of my affections. I certainly bear some responsibility for her skepticism as I have never been one who can speak easily about my affections and emotions. It is easier when I am with you in private or in these letters to be more open, but even then it does not come easily. I am only able to accomplish it with you because of the love I have for you. As far as your mother goes, it will take time I think to make her believe my love for you is genuine. But as I am here alone, I seem to have nothing but time so I shall make the effort especially since I know how important it is to you.
You mustn't worry yourself about my health while you are the one truly in danger. It is true I have been tired lately, but I think perhaps the dreariness of the weather here has something to do with it. With so many injured soldiers at the hospital, this minor ailment is nothing to worry Dr. Clarkson with - nor is it something for you to worry about Matthew.
Please do not ask me to be nicer to Edith. I am not at all sure it is something I am capable of. I have only just heard as I was writing this letter that Edith delivered a son today. She had the audacity to name him Robert even though she must have known I would want that name for my son - our son - since it is my son not hers that will be Earl one day and should carry the name of my father, the previous earl. You see, Edith does these things to anger me. It has always been her way, and I am simply not very good a turning the other cheek.
You must tell me how you are doing? Are you in pain? Is there anything at all I can do to make your deployment more bearable? When do you think I might see you again?
With all my love,
Mary
TBC: Hope you enjoyed this chapter and the letters in it. Next up, Mary figures out the reason she has been feeling tired and a bit nauseous. Just the flu or something more? And with Edith having a boy, will Mary begin to feel the pressure to produce an heir? Let me know what you think!