Previously:
Downton Abbey, Yorkshire, England, October 1924
"You must promise not to laugh," she warned him.
"I promise," he nodded, curious as to what she was hiding behind her back.
"I…ordered something…for us…" she said, her voice shaking as she brought her hand out from behind her back.
"Mary! What?!" he blurted out, his eyes going wide as he saw what she was holding.
"Ellen told me how to…erm…order one," she said. "It's apparently entirely hygenic and safe to use."
"But how? Where? What?" he sputtered.
"I should hope it would be obvious how we would use it," she groaned, her pulse racing. "Since you can hold it, you can use it when we…erm…are together."
"How did you even get it in the house?" he cringed, unable to look away from the shocking object.
"I ordered it through the post and Anna picked it up this morning," she explained.
"Anna!" he repeated. "She knows that you…have…this?"
"Well, I had to tell her!" she shook her head. "Otherwise she might have opened the box!"
"God," he rolled his eyes. "No, you're right. That would have been a far greater shock."
"She can be trusted with this," she nodded. "She was aghast at the entire experience, to be honest. She probably wishes she didn't know about it."
"So…you talked about this with one of your friends, had it ordered to the Village, and took Anna into your confidence," he stated.
"I did," she nodded. "And if it doesn't…work…or if we don't like it, then I'll have it thrown away somehow. But, I thought we should try it. I expect it might feel quite…nice, and for you as well, since you would get to…watch."
"Crikey," he muttered. "I don't know what to say."
"Oh, let's just forget it," she said quickly. "It was stupid of me."
"Mary," he said warmly, reaching out and taking it from her hand. "I'll admit that it's quite shocking. I can't imagine most husbands would take it very well to knowing their wives needed such a device."
She smiled in embarrassment.
"However," he smiled. "Given our unique situation, this could be just the thing, and I must admit that, upon reflection, I think I might enjoy using this on you."
Mary swallowed, her heart fluttering.
"Why don't we start off slow, and see where things lead?" he smirked, leaning towards her.
Mary kept her eyes on his, reaching down and lifting her nightgown, she pulled it up and over her head, dropping it to the floor. She settled back down against the pillows, her eyes clouded as she watched him move over her, his hands sweeping warm waves down her body before he slid her knickers down her legs and off, baring her to him fully.
"Matthew," she breathed, closing her eyes and turning her cheek into the soft pillow to stifle her moan. Heat pooled at her centre and she felt her arousal rising rapidly as he did exactly what he knew she liked.
Her hips shifted back and forth under his ministrations. She opened her eyes and watched him, barely believing that this was her spreading her legs for him, behaving so wantonly, desperate for his touch.
"Are you ready?" he rasped, and she grabbed hold of the blankets, trying to anchor herself as she watched him bring the object forward. She held her breath as he ran it along her stomach. It felt warm against her skin somehow, probably the result of something he did. As he ran it down and slid it across her core, she bucked and cried out.
"Yes," she moaned as he touched her sensitive flesh with it. Her eyes went up to find his, then back down to watch what he was doing to her. They eventually found the right pace and rhythm and she had to cover her mouth with her hand as she groaned loudly. She finally let go, still barely able to believe this was happening, that it was Matthew ravishing her this way.
She closed her eyes and groaned again, allowing the pleasure to wash over her.
We Are Right Together
Village Church Cemetery, Downton Village, Yorkshire, England, May 1925
"I don't have to tell you why I'm here. Either you know everything or you're not hearing me now," she said.
Matthew frowned, watching her from a distance as she stared at the gravestone. Her voice was loud and clear to his ears, as though he were standing beside her.
"The truth is I love him," she shrugged, as though at a loss to explain it. "I believe we are right together. But, I so very much want to feel that you are happy for me, as I'd be happy for you, my darling. Remember how ever much I love him, I will always love you."
Matthew looked on as the woman kissed her fingers and pressed them to the gravestone. She stepped back and took a deep breath, staring at the ground for several moments, before finally turning and smiling bravely at the tall man waiting for her. Linking her arm with his, she wiped a tear from her eye and walked with the man down the path and away from the cemetery.
Matthew watched them go, his eyes wandering across the cemetery to his own gravestone in the distance.
"Matthew, I need you," Mary's voice sounded in his mind. He looked in the direction of Downton Abbey and disappeared.
Downton Abbey, Yorkshire, England, May 1925
He found her in the library. She was pacing back and forth, and thankfully she was alone. When he appeared, she smiled and came to him. He looked around the room, then looked her up and down, checking to see if she was hurt or not.
"Darling," she greeted him, nodding as she came to his side. "Thank God."
"What is it?" he asked, looking at her more closely. "Mary? Are you all right?"
"Yes, of course I am," she said bravely. "It's just that I needed to talk to you about something that's come up."
"What is it? Is it something to do with George?" he asked with concern.
"No, our son is fine. This doesn't concern him," she said.
"All right," he nodded in relief. "Go on, you can tell me."
Mary opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated and rubbed her hands together, looking down at the floor. She finally met his worried gaze once again, her voice quiet as she spoke.
"You see, the thing is that Granny had a visit from Lady Shackleton earlier today," she said.
"The woman who ended up employing Molesley," he said.
"Yes, the same," she confirmed. "It turns out that her nephew is Henry Talbot."
"Ah," he said, frowning slightly. "Small world."
"It is," she said, smiling wanly. "Well, apparently Lady Shackleton passed along an invitation from him. He's looking at a car and would like us to come along."
"Us?" he repeated.
"Well, me, actually," she admitted. "But when Papa raised it, Tom was rather enthusiastic about the opportunity."
"I see," he said slowly.
"Mr. Talbot is a race car driver, it seems," she continued. "Tom's rather eager to go and have a look at this…automobile…of his, and have a chat about it."
"I see," he repeated.
"Well, I don't particularly want to go, but Tom feels that it might be a good chance for him to discuss his repair shop business with Henry. He thinks that Henry might have some connections in the industry that could help, and perhaps assist with promoting the business and such," she said carefully.
"That does make sense," he conceded, his voice even. "So what's the problem?"
"I…" she began, swallowing nervously. "I would guess that the reason that Henry has extended an invitation is because he wishes to spend time with me, because he has intentions towards me."
"That would be a very sound guess," he nodded. "I would bet money on it, in fact, if I had any, and was capable of gambling."
"Yes," she smiled. "Normally I would decline, of course, but Tom is just so eager about it, you see, and I don't have a particularly valid excuse to avoid it. I did say that I wasn't particularly interested, but Tom was rather insistent. I think he finds the idea of meeting a race car driver rather exciting."
"Well, if you can spare the time, I don't see any harm in it, though I expect you'll be quite bored," he said.
"You…you aren't against it?" she asked, looking at him curiously. "Because I will decline if you tell me to, Matthew. I don't need to see Henry ever again. Tom will just have to find someone else to help him."
"Darling, it's all right," he said. "I'm not surprised that other men are interested in you. You're a beautiful, intelligent, eligible woman, and this is a way for you to help Tom with his large project. I know that you can handle yourself, so certainly do not refuse on my account."
"Well, you would come along, of course," she stated.
"If you wish me to be there, I shall," he said plainly.
"Of course I wish for you to be there," she replied. "If I'm to endure a tedious time at some dusty race track, I'll be glad for your company."
"Very well," he smiled. "Then we shall face Mr. Talbot together. I just hope he isn't too far gone already. I should hate to see you break yet another heart."
"If it happens, then it happens," she said lightly, her confidence returned. "I'm afraid he's in a quite hopeless position. I'm already spoken for."
He laughed and ran his hand along her arm. "Were you truly concerned about my reaction to all this?" he asked.
"Obviously I was!" she exclaimed, arching her eyebrow at him. "You're my husband, Matthew. I have no need, nor interest in invitations from another man."
"I'm very glad to hear you say that," he replied smugly. "Very glad, indeed."
"As glad as you were last night when we made love?" she teased. "Because you sounded quite glad, and quite loud as well."
"You're one to talk," his blush matching hers. "I don't think I've ever heard such scandalous expletives from a woman before. You would have made some of the most battle-hardened drill sergeants I had blush the way you were going on."
"And you enjoyed every second of it," she said huskily, boldly meeting his stare, even as her cheeks warmed even more. "You enjoy making me come undone."
"I'm afraid you've got me there," he admitted, leaning over and kissing her cheek. "It seems that I just can't get enough of you."
"Well, that sounds like a challenge," she smiled. "Come on, let's go up and check in on George, and afterwards you can try and convince me to retire until the gong sounds."
"Now that sounds like a delightful afternoon," he said, walking beside her as she made her way to the Great Hall and over to the stairs.
"Where were you just now?" she asked as they went upstairs towards the nursery. "I didn't see you around the house."
"Oh, I was just out in the Village," he said. "It's a lovely day and I was just taking a little stroll."
"Ah," she said. "Did you see anything of note?"
"No, not really," he answered, not looking at her. "Nothing that caught my attention."
Brooklands Motor Circuit, Surrey, England, June 1925
"He does know how to handle a car, doesn't he?" Tom gushed, pointing as Henry and Charlie Rogers drove past the tent where he and Mary were standing. "The speed they're going at is tremendous, and yet he seems entirely in control."
"If you say so," Mary sighed. "I can't tell."
"Come now, even you should be able to see that he's driving quite fast," he said.
"All right, then yes, I can tell, but I don't care. It's not as though it's a useful skill," she shrugged.
"Not to you, maybe," he laughed. "You know a lot of people think race car drivers are modern day heroes, champions aboard metal thoroughbreds."
"That's rather poetic," she said wryly. "It seems you have a bit of a crush."
"Hardly," he scoffed. "Besides, I think we know who Henry favours."
"Well he's going to be let down, then," she huffed. "I only agreed to come along so you could make your pitch about the garage. I don't intend to see Mr. Talbot ever again after today."
"Why are you so against the idea of him?" he asked. "He's tall, quite attractive, even I can see that."
"What makes you think I'm even looking for a man, let alone an attractive one?" she asked.
"Nothing, I just thought that after you turned down your last batch of suitors that you wouldn't be against considering another one," he replied.
"Even if I was, Henry Talbot would not make the list," she retorted. "We're not well matched. That's obvious."
"Why?" he frowned. "Because he's not some toff with a title and a pile of money?"
"No, that's not the reason at all," she said, shaking her head.
"Good, because that would be quite disappointing," he said. "I would hope being married to Matthew taught you to measure a man by more than just his prospects and bank account."
"It did, indeed," she smirked. "Which is why I already know that Henry Talbot pales in comparison."
"I don't know how practical it is to compare every new suitor who comes along against Matthew," he said. "That's setting a rather high bar, isn't it?"
"It certainly is," she agreed. "And that's the point. I know what it is to be truly in love, and I won't settle for anything less, no matter how dreamy you think a man's car may be."
Henry and Charlie passed the finish line, the checkered flag waving to mark the end of their trial. Mary and Tom waited patiently for the cars to come around again. Henry and Charlie parked their cars and came out, speaking briefly with the mechanics before coming over to see their guests.
"That was quite exciting to watch," Tom gushed, smiling at Henry.
"I'm glad you thought so," Henry replied jovially. "Next time you can come around for a turn if you like."
"I hope you're not just teasing me," Tom said, his eyes wide with hope.
Mary glanced over at Matthew and shared a knowing smirk.
"Of course not," Henry nodded. "I'm always glad to meet another kindred soul interested in the automobile."
"Tom certainly is that," Mary interjected. "The two of you have a great deal in common."
"And what about you?" Henry asked, stepping over to her as he removed his leather gloves. "Were you excited watching me work?"
"Tom thought it was quite exciting," she joked, looking at Henry pointedly. "You certainly impressed him."
"Will it take something more daring to move you, then?" Henry asked, looking at her intently.
"I don't believe I'm looking to be moved," she stated. "You've won Tom's admiration to the point that he's thinking of sharing a business proposal with you. That's why we're here."
"Is that so, Tom?" Henry smiled, looking over at him.
"It is," Tom nodded sheepishly. "I'm thinking of starting up a repair shop in Yorkshire. There's more and more autos and lorries coming through the area and I think it might be a good time for it."
"That sounds like a very good idea," Henry said eagerly. "I would enjoy hearing more about it."
"You would?" Tom said in surprise. "Well, that's great!"
Mary smiled and shook her head.
"Why don't we all go to the pub nearby?" Henry suggested. "We can have a pint and talk things over."
"Not me," Charlie said. "I've got to get going."
"All right then," Henry nodded to him, then turned to Mary. "Well, shall we, my Lady?"
"Very well," she nodded. "I suppose that you and Tom need a chaperone."
They settled in at the pub, and Henry and Tom quickly got into a lively discussion. Henry told him about how he got into racing cars. Tom mentioned his past as a chauffeur and his affinity for repairing the numerous motors used by the Crawley family. Mary barely paid attention, sipping her drink and letting them carry on. Henry would look over at her from time to time and smile, or try and bring her into the conversation, but she gave him only one word answers and kept her expression neutral.
Watching Henry and Tom talk gave her the chance to truly look at Henry. She had observed him during their time at Brancaster already, but he seemed more at ease here, less reserved and more himself. As Tom noted, he was quite tall, with rather unusual green-hazel eyes and high cheekbones. He was thin and lanky, and a bit rough around the edges, but seemed a pleasant fellow. After only seeing him in black tie and a travelling suit, it was interesting to see him now, dressed a bit more casually and more in his element.
"I am rather surprised to see you so comfortable in a pub," Henry joked, looking over at her as he sipped his beer. "I imagined you're not very familiar with them."
"My family owns one in Downton Village – the Grantham Arms," she replied, arching her eyebrow at him. "Papa only frequents it once or twice a year, but my husband was a regular there. We would usually stop in for a drink whenever we took a walk through the Village."
"I didn't know that," Tom frowned. "You never invited us to come along."
"We liked going by ourselves," she said, smiling at the memory. "It was one of the many things we did just for the two of us."
"Well, you'll have to take me there," Henry said, smiling at her. "We can go and have a drink after Tom shows me where he plans to open his repair shop."
She blinked in surprise.
"That sounds perfect," Tom said, grinning at the suggestion. "I can show you the site and you can see whether it makes sense for traffic and so on."
"We can make a day of it," Henry said. "Take a car for a spin around the area and see what you can expect in terms of numbers."
"That would help a lot," Tom said, nodding his head. "I'm sure that you can stay at the house, if you like."
"Well now, Tom," she interjected. "I imagine that Lady Shackleton would be rather insulted if Henry came to Yorkshire and didn't stay with her."
"That's true," Henry acknowledged. "But perhaps you'll consider having me over for dinner, then?"
She blinked.
"I can't see why we wouldn't," Tom said cheerfully.
She smiled politely at Henry and sipped her drink.
"Go easy on Tom," Matthew said, sitting down in the first class train car next to Mary. "He just can't help himself, is all."
"Suggesting we would allow Mr. Talbot to stay with us? It's preposterous!" she snapped. "He's been with us for years but sometimes he shows he hasn't quite adjusted to our ways."
"We're all probably better off for it, on the whole," he smiled. "Don't worry, darling. Henry Talbot is just a bewitched soul with a crush on you. He's harmless."
"I'm not scared of Henry Talbot," she huffed. "I just don't want to be stuck having to host him. Tom can spend as much time with him as he likes, but there's no need for me to be involved."
"That's true, but it would be rude to not spend some time with him if he does end up coming all the way to Downton for a visit. Cora will expect it of you," he noted.
"Be that as it may, I won't be bullied into spending time with any man," she replied. "Look at what happened when they tried to push me at you."
"I hope you aren't predicting the direction in which your relationship with Mr. Talbot is headed," he teased.
"I'm not," she said, smiling as she leaned towards him. "I'm resisting his advances. I've already submitted to yours."
He laughed and kissed her.
"What an absolutely wonderful day!" Tom exclaimed as he came into the car and sat down opposite Mary.
She shared a look with Matthew, then composed herself as the train moved away from King's Cross.
"I'm glad for you, Tom," she said. "I wish you and Henry many years of happiness together."
"Don't joke," Tom smirked. "I noticed you looking at him at the pub. You're interested."
"I most certainly am not!" she laughed. "If he can help you with your business, and proves to be a friend to you, then wonderful. He and I have no future together, none at all."
"Just keep an open mind," Tom shook his head. "I think you're ready to see what life and love have to offer, and you shouldn't be so quick to disregard him."
"In case you didn't notice, I am living my life," she said pointedly. "I don't need another man to make my life fulfilling, Tom. I have no objection if you feel you're ready to look for someone new, and I encourage it. But I have no interest, and I'll thank you not to try and push for it."
"Are you sure you've thought it through, though?" Tom asked cautiously. "I don't mean to annoy you, but it wouldn't be shocking if you were afraid. I know I was for years."
"I'm not afraid," she said firmly. "Besides, what is there to be afraid of?"
"Of being hurt," Tom said. "Of allowing yourself to love again and being disappointed. You have to take a chance if you're going to love again, Mary. That's what love and life are all about."
"If you truly feel that way, then I'm pleased for you," she said patiently. "As for me, I'm not afraid of being hurt again. Far from it."
"So you're saying that if the right man did come along, a man you could love, you would give him a fair shot?" Tom asked.
Matthew watched the exchange carefully.
"I won't let anyone make a pass just for the sake of it," she said. "And I won't go actively searching for my second husband just to meet someone else's expectations. I'm not interested in Henry Talbot, and as my brother, if you love me, you'll respect my decision."
Tom nodded and averted his eyes. "Yes, of course," he said quietly.
"Good," she said. "Now, let's forget about Mr. Talbot for a moment and why don't you tell me what you need next to get your repair shop moving along?"
Downton Abbey, Yorkshire, England, July 1925
"What's his name again?" Mary asked, looking up from her seat on the sofa across at her sister sitting on the settee. "I'm sorry, I can't recall."
"Bertie Pelham," Edith said, smiling at the mention of his name. "You'll find him rather ordinary, but he's quite nice. He is rather interested in my work, actually. He keeps asking me about it and even helped me through a bit of a crisis."
"Men will appear interested in all manner of things to get to what they truly want," Mary smiled. "But, all the same, it is rather nice to have a suitor's interest."
"It is," Edith said. "I had almost forgotten just how nice, actually."
"Well, you should invite him up, then," Mary said. "I'm sure that Mama and Granny would love to interrogate him in greater detail. Besides, if you're to have any future with him, then you'll need to see how he handles being on your territory for once."
"I was thinking of it," Edith admitted. "I know he's rather eager, actually. It's just that I'm afraid that it may lead to some rather awkward conversation."
"About what?" Mary asked.
"Marigold," Edith said nervously.
"You haven't told him yet?" Mary exclaimed, frowning in disbelief.
"We've only ever spent time together at Brancaster and in London," Edith explained. "The subject hasn't come up."
"It's more likely that you haven't brought it up," Mary scoffed. "Come now, Edith. If he's to have any role in your life, he needs to know about your daughter. What are you afraid of?"
"Besides the fact that I had a child out of wedlock while I was the mistress of a married man? Nothing at all," Edith retorted.
"Your story is complicated, I admit," Mary said. "But it's your story nonetheless, and if Bertie Pelham wants to be part of your future, he'll just have to accept that."
"I know you're right," Edith shook her head. "It was just a bit of fun to be carefree for a while."
"That I can understand," Mary said kindly. "However you owe it to yourself, and to him, to be responsible now."
"I suppose I'm also afraid of the grilling that you're going to give him," Edith said.
"I won't go easy on him, that's true," Mary confirmed. "And I don't believe any of us should be. He might be your husband one day, Edith. He doesn't need to like us, but he needs to be able to bear us, at least."
Edith smiled and nodded.
"Good, then set it up with Mama," Mary said. "I'm sure we can have some neighbours over so it doesn't appear as though he's being put on the stand to fend by himself."
"Why don't you invite Henry Talbot to come up?" Edith smiled. "He'll be a familiar face to Bertie."
"You'll have to ask Tom," Mary rolled her eyes. "He's the one who's infatuated with Mr. Talbot."
"And who is Mr. Talbot infatuated with?" Edith asked pointedly.
"The thing about infatuation is that it always burns out and fades away," Mary replied. "It did for Charles, and Evelyn, and Tony, and it will for him as well."
"It will if you don't encourage him at all," Edith noted. "If you don't give him any reason to be resilient."
"I don't intend to," Mary said drily. "I'm not being difficult to present him with a challenge, Edith. I truly have no interest in him."
"All right, if you say so," Edith nodded. "You know where I stand on the matter. I don't agree that you need a man in your life."
"Precisely," Mary said, nodding in agreement.
"I don't know how to explain it, really, but I know that you're happy. You're nicer when you're happy, and you just seem to…make more of an effort. Your hair, your clothes, everything. You look happy. I thought it was because of George at first, but I think it's more than that, though I can't quite place it," Edith noted.
"I am happy," Mary smiled. "I'm quite satisfied with my life at the moment. Working with Tom as agents for the Estate, raising George, spending time with Isobel, it's all quite fulfilling."
"You still miss Matthew though, don't you?" Edith asked.
"Constantly," Mary said. "I know it's so unlike me, but I think about him all the time."
"He loved you," Edith said. "He wanted you to be happy. I think he would be quite pleased with how your life has turned out, and I know he would be open to you finding someone else as well, as long as it was what you wanted."
"Well, he's partly to blame for the fact that I'm currently unattached," Mary smiled. "Tom says I shouldn't compare anyone new to Matthew, but why shouldn't I? I didn't settle when I married him, and I won't start now."
Edith laughed.
"Is Papa asleep?" Mary asked as Matthew came to bed.
"At last, yes," he nodded. "I think you should convince your Mama to force him to stay in bed for at least the next two days. He thinks he's fine, but he's not recovered yet."
"Thank God you noticed he was having difficulties. It gave us time to call Clarkson," she shook her head. "I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if you hadn't. Clarkson said that a burst ulcer would have had Papa bleeding all over the place. It would have been terrifying."
"You'll need to take on more of the responsibilities, I'm afraid. You and Tom," he said. "It isn't as though Estate matters are bleak, far from it, but Robert seems to be having a much harder time dealing with the stress of everything. We need him to turn his mind to his own health and focus on nothing else, at least for a little while."
"I agree," she said heavily. "I've been wanting him to take a break for some time. It's actually easier for Tom and me if he's not so involved, to be honest. I'll make sure that Mama and Carson keep him under control."
"And how is your beloved Carson adjusting to married life?" he said.
"I don't know. I haven't asked," she shrugged. "I hope they're happy though."
"There's always an adjustment at first, even for two people who have spent so much time together. Working side-by-side is one thing. Living together as husband and wife is quite another," he said.
"Very true," she agreed, looking at him. "I think they have ample incentive to make it work, though. They've waited so long to be together, they shouldn't waste any more time on petty arguments or anything else."
"No, they should value the time they have," he said. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course," she said.
"If all of this," he said, pointing back and forth between the two of them. "Hadn't happened. If you had buried me and that was the end of us, would you have told me before you married again?"
"Absolutely I would have," she frowned. "Why do you ask?"
"A few months ago I saw a woman in the cemetery," he explained. "She was asking her late husband to be happy for her, told him that she would always love him no matter that she was about to marry again. I found the whole scene rather sad, and yet beautiful at the same time."
"And you wondered if I would come and ask for your forgiveness, or if I would just get on with things and not bother telling you?" she asked quietly.
"I guess I just don't know what you would do, or even what I would want you to do in that situation. I know we aren't very religious, and we never really talked about the subject," he said.
"No, of course we didn't," she said. "When you plan on spending the rest of your life with someone, you don't discuss what will happen after you lose them."
"No, you don't," he nodded.
"It would be very unlike me, to go to your grave and tell you about my second marriage," she theorized. "However I think I would have. Even if I believed you couldn't hear me, I would still want to, just in case you were watching and knew what was going on. Does that please you?"
"Yes, yes it does," he admitted. "I've never wanted to hold you back, but I imagine I would be quite happy, from the fact that you thought enough of me to tell me, and to know you were moving on and would be happy."
"Well, there's no need to speculate about that now," she smiled. "You're stuck with me for all eternity, Mr. Crawley."
He smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Matthew?" she asked.
"Hmm?" he replied, still smiling at her.
"What if, after the War, we ended up marrying other people?" she asked. "What would have become of us, do you think? What if we became available later in life? Would you have made another attempt?"
"Would I have proposed to you again if we were as old as Carson and Mrs. Hughes, do you mean?" he asked, watching her closely.
"Yes," she said. "If I was old and grey, still wandering these halls like a spectre in the night, would you have let me be, or would you still love me enough to try to be with me?"
"I suppose that depends on whether you would have me?" he noted.
"Would it?" she smiled. "So I would have had to make the first move, then?"
"Well, it's only fair, darling," he joked. "I proposed to you once, so it would have been your turn the second time around."
"Is that so?" she chuckled. "So your ego would have demanded retribution first?"
"If you were unattached, and I was unattached, no matter what our ages," he said, leaning closer to her, his presence warming her as she lay on her side facing him. "I would have come to you, and told you that I was yours, only yours, and that if you would have me, then and there, or years later, I would wait for you. I would then leave it up to you to give me an answer."
"And if you told me that, even when I was elderly and weak," she replied. "Then I would tell you yes, a thousand times yes, that I would have you gladly, no matter how much time we had left, we would spent it together, as we ought to have from the beginning."
"That's rather sentimental of you, Lady Mary," he grinned, kissing her cheek, then moving down to her neck. "You've become rather emotional as of late."
"Only where you're concerned, darling," she replied, turning on to her back as he moved down her body. "Only for you."