Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Season 1 & 2 trough the Christmas Special

Disclaimer: Any names off characters you recognize from Downton Abbey are not mine. All original characters do however belong to me. Fanfiction is in my opinion the ultimate form of flattery to a screenwriter :)

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Special thank you to the lovely Tambear for catching missing commas, odd grammar and offering excellent suggestions & advice!

Also, thank you so much for the lovely reviews and for favoriting/following this story.

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The Rightful Heir

Chapter 25 – The Ever Charming Mr. Gilbert

Mary jumped at the sound of the sharp rap on her door.

"Come in."

Matthew entered and closed the door behind him. Silence hung heavy in the room for a long moment as he just stood there looking at her. Mary, holding the paper in a tight grip, refused to look up.

"Mary?"

Her head snapped up and her chin jutted out defiantly. "It's not true, Matthew. You of all people must know that."

He hurried over to her and sat down on the bed, taking her hands. "Of course I do, darling. They are just grasping for something that sells. I think that William looks enough like me to prevent any serious investigations into who his father is."

"Of course," she said with a tired sigh. "I only wish that they would leave William out of it."

"He's too young to really understand any of it," Matthew assured her.

"You're right of course," she said quickly and flashed him a smile. "Jack and I were never lovers, Matthew. I've told you that before, and it is as true now as it was then. William is your son."

He caressed her cheek and kissed her softly. "I know. Darling, we will face whatever they throw at us together, as a family. They have no proof."

"Papa says it's best to do nothing," she said with another heavy sigh.

Mary rested her forehead against his shoulder taking comfort in his gentle fingers sliding through her hair.

"Robert plans on contacting Murray, just in case, but we're not doing anything public at the moment."

~ O ~

Charles Carson was fuming. The initial excitement of reading about Lady Mary's wedding had turned to horror and shock as the questioning of whom was the father of her child flashed across his eyes.

"Anyone with eyes can tell that the boy is a Crawley," he muttered to himself as he absentmindedly walked down the hall towards the servants' dining hall.

"What's that, Mr. Carson?"

"Oh, Mrs. Hughes. I beg your pardon. I was preoccupied."

She chuckled and squeezed his arm. "Clearly. I suppose you've read the morning paper then?"

He huffed and nodded. She sighed and met his eyes.

"It's outrageous," he said gruffly. "The nerve."

"Let it rest. There's nothing you can do."

The ever loyal butler made a face and continued down the hall towards the servants' hall.

"I say it's John Gilbert," one of the maids said in a hushed whisper.

"Of course not!" the other one objected. "He looks just like Mr. Crawley."

"What's going on?" Carson boomed, his face red. "It surely cannot be that you are gossiping about his lordship's eldest daughter and heir?"

The two maids blanched as they stood staring at the butler.

"We were only having a laugh, Mr. Carson."

"At Lady Mary's expense?" he said loudly.

Mrs. Hughes rushed in at the sound of the butler's raised voice. Noticing the pulsing vein on his head and the clenched jaw, she knew that he was beyond angry.

"I believe break is over," she said sternly. "The beds are not going to make themselves." She made a shooing gesture. "Go on."

"Yes, Mrs. Hughes."

The two maids hurried out of the room, glad to escape the menace looking butler.

"Mr. Carson, please do try to calm down," she said gently. "Come; let's have a cup of tea."

"I won't stand for gossiping about the family, Mrs. Hughes," he huffed.

"Of course not. I highly doubt that they will ever again. Not after the scare you just gave them."

~ O ~

William was playing with his favorite car in front of the fireplace in the small library. He had built a little village with various objects he had found in the room. A thin book made a town square, another two standing on end with a third placed on top made a tunnel. He had carefully carried a small vase with flowers over to add to his little landscape. After careful consideration he had decided not to chance it with the little figurines. They would have looked grand as people, but he knew that Grammy would be sad, should he break any of them. Instead he stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out two little soldiers. Placing them close to a picture frame that was his moving picture theater William laughed at his creation.

Ivy entered the library and looked around. No one seemed to be there so she pulled her bucket and cleaning tools inside. She stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of William.

"Master William, I didn't see you there."

"Hello, Ivy," he said and smiled at her.

"Would you mind if I clean in here?"

He shook his head. Glancing at his little village the boy chewed on his lip.

"I borrowed some of the things," he almost whispered.

"That's quite all right, Master William."

He grinned at her and returned to his game.

"There's a new moving picture opening," he explained to Ivy. "I'm taking the people there to see it."

She glanced down at him watching him stop his toy car in front of the large picture frame of a young Lady Grantham.

"Who's in it?"

"I don't know," he said and shrugged. "Someone famous."

"Mr. Gilbert perhaps?"

"I guess. He's nice."

"You know him?" Ivy's arm froze in the air as she was dusting, and she stared at the boy.

"Of course I do," he said and laughed. "He's a friend of Mama's."

"He's ever so handsome," Ivy said with a dreamy look on her face.

William wrinkled his nose. "I suppose, if you're a girl."

"I am a girl, Master William," Ivy said and laughed.

He nodded and giggled. "Mr. Gilbert taught me to swim."

"Did he? How very nice of him. He must be at your house often then."

"Sometimes," William said and shrugged. He parked his car to the side and got up.

"I guess he must be a close friend of Lady Mary's, for her to trust him with something that important, I mean."

"I think they've been friends for a long time," William said and frowned. He looked up at Ivy, his clear blue eyes innocent. "I've always known him."

~ O ~

Mary tapped her fingers against the book in her hands as she hurried towards the library. She was due at Crawley House in an hour. The morning news had upset her and made her lose her focus, and now she was behind in her schedule. She smiled at the sound of her son's voice, only to gasp when she realized that he was speaking about John Gilbert.

Lady Mary entered the library looking around to see who William was talking to. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the maid. Ivy's eyes widened and she took a step back at the look on Mary's face.

"Good morning, milady."

Mary nodded. "Did I just overhear you questioning my son about my personal life?"

Ivy shook her head. "No, milady. We were just talking."

"About my relationship with Mr. Gilbert?"

"Mama, please don't be cross with Ivy," William said and touched Mary's hand.

She smiled at her son and stroked his soft cheek. "I will just have a word with her. Don't you worry. Do you want to come with me to Crawley House this morning?"

"Can I?" he asked excitedly.

She nodded. "Hurry upstairs and tell Sophie to dress you for a walk."

He grinned and turned to leave, only to remember his little village. He sighed and returned to the setup.

"It's all right, Master William," Ivy said quickly. "I'll put everything back."

"Thank you, Ivy," he said and smiled at her. Grabbing his toy car, William rushed out of the room.

"Ivy," Mary said sternly. "I will make this very clear to you. My son is never to be questioned about my personal affairs."

"Yes, milady."

"I know that some of my acquaintances in America hold high appeal, but that does not give you the right to pry information out of an innocent child."

"No, milady."

"I am not going to explain myself to you, because there is no need to," Mary said sternly. "However, if I hear that you've told anyone of my personal life I will personally see to that you are released from your employment here, without a reference."

"Please, milady," Ivy whispered, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. "I meant no harm. I was only curious about Mr. Gilbert. He's ever so handsome and he seems almost not to be a real person. I wasn't prying into your ladyship's private matters. I only wanted to know a bit more about 'im!"

Mary sighed and rolled her eyes. "Very well. I will let it be – this time. Just make sure it doesn't happen again."

"No, milady. Thank you ever so much, milady."

Mary nodded again and put the book down on the desk, scribbling something in the journal before leaving the now shaking maid behind.

~ O ~

Isobel put down the morning paper and made a face. She could not believe the audacity of the journalist to question her grandson's parentage. With a determined huff she got up and walked over to the fireplace. She gently removed the latest addition to the framed portraits residing on the mantle, a close-up of William. Bringing the photograph over to the sofa she reached for the two old photo albums still sitting on the coffee table.

Isobel flipped through first one, and then the other, looking for one picture in particular. She let out a happy victorious cheer when she found it. With gentle fingers she pried it loose. She held it up, side-by-side with the picture of William. Since the two photographs were in black and white, the similarities were more noticeable.

"Well that should surely settle the matter," she huffed.

~ O ~

Mary tugged on her gloves and smiled at her son as he came running down the stairs.

"Are you ready for our walk, darling?"

"I am!"

William ran straight to her and she put her arms around him, smiling down at him. The sound of the door opening behind her made Mary turn her head and her eyebrows arched in surprise at the sight of Isobel.

"Isobel! What a nice surprise. I didn't know that we were expecting you this morning."

"Hello Mary. William," Isobel said and smiled. "You weren't, but I hoped to catch you. It will only take a moment."

Mary nodded. She cupped William's face. "Why don't you go outside and play in the snow for a moment while I speak with Grammy Isobel?"

"All right."

"Isobel, what a nice surprise."

Lord Grantham's voice reached them as he and Zeus came down the stairs. The dog made a beeline for William when the boy called his name.

"Poppy, can Zeus come outside with me?"

"Of course," Lord Grantham said and patted the boy's shoulder.

"Zeus, come!"

The three adults smiled at the sight of the little boy running towards the doors with the large black dog in tow.

"Isobel has something she wanted to discuss with me," Mary explained.

"With both of you actually, now that you're here Cousin Robert."

"Very well, let's go in the library then."

Mary unbuttoned her coat and removed her gloves as she followed her father.

~ O ~

"I'm sure that you've read that dreadful article in the Times," Isobel started.

"We have," Lord Grantham said sternly.

"I don't know what you've planned to do, if anything, but I thought that this might help."

Mary held out her hand for the envelope. She opened it and pulled out the two photographs inside. She smiled at the familiar face on the top one. It was the picture of William she had given Isobel only the other week. Moving it, she gasped at the sight of the other picture.

"That's Matthew, but I'm sure you knew that," Isobel said with a teasing smile.

Mary turned the picture over. In the top left corner was a name and date in Isobel's neat handwriting.

"Matthew Crawley, age five."

Lord Grantham leaned over Mary's shoulder to look at the two pictures. His eyes widened and he gently took the picture of Matthew from her.

"Dear God!"

"So you see, there's no doubt in my mind that Matthew is William's father. Not that there ever was. I think that even an imbecile would be able to see the likeness in those two pictures."

Lord Grantham nodded. Had he not known better, he would have assumed that he was looking at a picture of his grandson, granted a much more fair-haired version, but still. Five year old Matthew Crawley and William Crawley could have been twins.

"Papa," Mary said as she suddenly had an idea. "What if I were to contact Diana Woollcott? Perhaps we could ask her to write something about the family? Officially publicize the family tree with pictures or something of that kind."

"Perhaps you're right," he said and handed the picture back to her. "Isobel, this is wonderful. I cannot thank you enough."

"You don't have to. William is my grandson, and I refuse to have some stranger question that fact."

~ O ~

As she chased her son in the garden at Crawley House, laughing at his attempt to not get caught, Mary's mood improved by the minute. William, blissfully unaware of what was going on around him, basked in having his mother's attention on this beautiful, sunny winter day.

Mary realized, as her son made a snowball and managed to hit her in the stomach with it, that she had neglected him in the last couple of days. She chased after him, watching his little legs struggle in the snow, his breath a white cloud as he laughed when she caught him.

"I got you, you little rascal," she cheered and swung him around.

"Mama!"

She put him down and kissed his cheek. "I think you need to give me a kiss for hitting me with the snowball," she teased.

William giggled and hugged her, pressing his lips against her cold cheek. "I love you, Mama."

"I love you to, my darling."

As she stood, Mary realized that they were standing under one of the large trees in the yard. She looked up, spotting a sturdy branch above her head. She smiled as a thought came to her.

"Mama, can we go inside now? You promised that I could have some hot chocolate."

"I know I did. How about we hurry back to Downton and Daisy can make you some?"

He nodded eagerly and took her offered hand. They walked around the house towards the gate. Mary almost fell when William suddenly stopped.

"What is it, darling?"

"What's that?"

She looked in the direction he was pointing and a smile spread on her face.

"That would be a sled. We used to have one when I was little. It was so much fun to race down the hill over by the pond."

"Whose is it?"

"I don't know, darling."

"Lady Mary!"

Mary turned at the sound of her name. "Mrs. Bird."

"I didn't know you would be comin' this mornin' or I would've done me shoppin' later. Are you coming inside?"

Mary shook her head. "We're heading back to Downton."

"Is this yours, Mrs. Bird?" William asked, pointing at the sleigh.

"Oh no, Master William!" she said and laughed. "Mr. Moseley found it in the attic the other day. He was going to bring it up to the big house for you. Put a new rope on it 'n everything. See?"

"For me? Honest?"

Mary smiled at her son's clear excitement. William let go of her hand and ran over to investigate the new toy.

"Please thank Mr. Moseley," Mary said and smiled at the cook.

"I certainly will, milady."

"Can we bring it?" William asked eagerly.

"Of course, darling. I'll even pull you."

William's eyes widened at the thought. He grabbed the sled from where it was leaning against the side of the house and put it down in the snow. Mary chuckled as he almost fell over trying to maneuver large wooden sled. It was almost as big as William.

"Here you go, Mama."

Mary took the rope from him and he sat down, grabbing the other rope. She showed him how to put his little feet on the side bars so they would not drag in the snow. With a last farewell to Mrs. Bird the two set off towards Downton.

~ O ~

Mary and William were met by a smiling Alfred once they returned to Downton. Mary's cheeks were pink from the exercise of pulling her son on the sled. William jumped off at the sight of the footman and started to tell Alfred all about the sled and how great it was, the words tumbling out of his mouth so fast Mary had to slow him down.

"Run upstairs to the nursery, darling," Mary said and gave William a gentle push in the back. "You need to change into dry clothes, or you'll get sick."

"But I haven't told Alfred about the sled yet."

"You can do that while you have your hot chocolate with me in the drawing room. Now do as I said. Hurry up."

William made a face, but did as he was told.

"Perhaps if Mr. Carson will allow it, I can show Master William the hill over by the school? That's where all the village children go sledding, milady."

"I'm sure that William would love that," Mary said and smiled at the young footman. "Just make sure that it does not interfere with your job. Sophie can certainly take him sledding, if you can't."

"Of course, milady," he said quickly. "It's just that I think I'd really like to."

Mary's smile grew at the sight of the slightly flustered footman. "Do you enjoy sledding, Alfred?"

"I do, milady. Though I'm a bit too big for it now. It's hard to find a sled that fits me."

She laughed and nodded. "I can see that. Perhaps one of the bigger ones? My sisters and I used to have one when we were little, it fit all three of us and our cousin Patrick."

"That's a great idea, milady."

"You have my permission, Alfred. Just make sure to speak with Mr. Carson and inform Sophie too."

"I will, milady." He coughed a little nervously. "Perhaps Miss Sophie would like to join us?"

"That might be a good idea," Mary agreed.

"I will ask her then," he said quickly.

Mary nodded and handed him her coat. "Will you please have some hot chocolate brought up for my son, and some tea for me? I'll be in the drawing room."

"Right away, milady."

Mary smiled and continued towards the drawing room, pondering the footman's behavior. Could it be that Alfred was sweet on Sophie? She had been under the impression that he and Daisy were, perhaps not sweethearts, but headed in that direction. Perhaps she had been wrong? Vowing herself to watch her son's young nanny closely, Mary entered the drawing room and headed for the fireplace.

~ O ~

The family was all gathered in the drawing room when Carson crossed the great hallway to announce that dinner was served. The ringing phone made him stop in his tracks and he turned to answer it.

"Downton Abbey, Carson the butler speaking."

"Good morning… well, good evening I guess," a laughing voice said in a distinct American accent on the other end.

"Yes it is," Carson said seriously. "To whom do I have the honor of speaking?"

"I'm sorry." More laughter on the other end, which made Carson huff, a little impatient now. "Mr. Gilbert. I am trying to reach Mary."

"Would that be Lady Mary Crawley, Sir?" Carson said icily, not at all pleased with some stranger calling Lady Mary by her Christian name.

"Yes of course. I do apologize. Is Lady Mary available?"

"The family is about to go in to dinner, but I will see if she is available to take your call."

"Please let her know that I'm calling from Los Angeles. I'm afraid that it is a bit urgent."

"Just a moment, sir."

Carson put the phone down and hurried towards the drawing room.

"Dinner is served, my lord," he announced before turning to Mary. "Lady Mary, there is a phone call for you. A Mr. Gilbert."

"Jack?" Mary put her drink down and got up. "Please excuse me."

Matthew frowned as she all but ran from the room. He looked at Cora and she nodded. Following his wife, Matthew left the room.

~ O ~

Matthew watched her as she spoke fast in a hushed voice. He knew that he should not feel jealous, but he could not help it.

"I know, Jack. It's a dreadful story." She fell silent and listened to him. "Diana?"

Matthew stepped closer, making sure that she could see him. She smiled and waved him over.

"Please have her give me a ring. Yes of course. No. No." She let out a heavy sigh. "I know, darling. Don't worry about it."

Matthew's eyebrows shot up at hearing his wife calling another man darling. His mouth tightened and he took a deep breath.

"As a matter of fact he's standing right here," she said and laughed. She nodded again at something that was said on the other end. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

Mary held out the telephone to Matthew. "Jack would like to talk to you."

He took the phone from her and spoke into it. "Hello?"

"Mr. Crawley, I am so pleased to finally get a chance to congratulate you," John Gilbert said cheerfully on the other end.

"Thank you."

"Mary is a wonderful person. I am so glad to see her happy. She has spoken about you quite often over the years; I almost feel as if I know you."

Matthew chuckled. The man's cheery nature was contagious and he felt warm inside knowing that Mary had told her friends about him.

"Your name has been mentioned here too, Mr. Gilbert."

"In a good way I hope."

"Of course." Matthew said quickly as the tone on the phone changed to a more somber one.

"I am so very sorry about this latest gossip. Over here we get used to it, but I'm sure that it has upset Mary. Please know that there is absolutely no truth in it. Not one ounce. I once thought that there might be something between us, but that was a long time ago. After listening to Mary speak about you, I've come to understand just how deeply and devotedly she loves you. There will never be room for anyone else in her heart but you, Mr. Crawley."

Matthew was stunned. "Thank you for saying so," he said in a gentle voice. "I truly appreciate it. You must forgive me for my lack of words. Us English are not used to speaking so frankly about our feelings, or hearing someone else talking about it for that matter."

"I understand," Gilbert said with an amused chuckle. "I have shocked Mary on more than one occasion. I'm afraid that she's been mad at me more than once."

"I look forward to hearing those stories sometime," Matthew said and laughed. "I don't know if Mary told you, but we're planning a crossing sometime in March or April."

"She didn't! That's wonderful news."

"I'll give you Mary back," Matthew said and smiled at his wife who was gesturing wildly for him to hand over the phone. "She seems eager to speak to you."

"Thank you. Congratulations again."

Matthew handed the phone to Mary who shot him a stern look.

"What is this about stories to share, Jack?"

Matthew could hear the laugher through the phone from where he was standing.

"Oh Mary. I've missed you. You forgot to tell me that you and your husband were coming here."

"I didn't forget," she huffed.

"Mary, Mary, Mary," Jack tsked on the other end.

"You are a rascal, Jack," she muttered.

"But a charming one!"

She rolled her eyes. "If you say so. Now please allow us to go and join the family for dinner before it gets cold and they start to worry that something is really wrong. Have Diana give me a ring soon. We're moving at the end of the month, and I honestly want this dealt with as soon as possible."

"I promise."

"Goodbye, Jack. Thank you for calling."

"Bye."

Mary hung up and took Matthew's offered hand. She stepped closer and kissed him.

"There's only you," she whispered. "There has only ever been you."

To be Continued…