Previously: Matthew stood where he was and listened to Mary depart. He heard her stomp down the stairs and slam the door. When his anger subsided he sighed and sat on the bed. He felt his cheek. It stung. He looked around the bedroom. He didn't see the ring conveniently laying on top of anything. He stood up, sighed again, and then got down on his hands and knees to look for it.

Wednesday, August 25, 1920

London

Law Offices of Swire & Co.

Matthew sat at his desk and waited. As he waited he considered Mary's reaction the previous day. It had been so over the top. What part of 'financial drain' did she not understand? She had seen the Estate's books, hadn't she? The solution was obvious. Wasn't it? So why was she so angry?

Matthew also considered the telephone conversation he had had last night. At first he had thought it was Mary calling but to his surprise it was Cousin Violet. And it was not really a conversation. For the most part his contribution consisted of a series of increasingly feeble and desperate 'but...but...but's followed by a sequence of 'yes, ma'am ... no ma'am...yes, ma'am" The gist of her advice, if commandments not quite carved on stone tablets could be called such, was that 'his was not to reason why but to do' nothing to Grantham House, or the rest of the estate without first giving due consideration to Mary's views. And no, it did not matter that it was his money. Remember relationships are for a long time. So bite your tongue.

Matthew would try but it was going to be trying. He sat and waited.

~ DA ~

"Lady Mary Crawley" Matthew's clerk announced.

Mary swept into Matthew's office. Matthew stood. He did not move from behind his desk. The clerk left, closing the door behind him.

Neither spoke. They considered each other. She was dressed in travelling clothes. He had a red mark on his left cheek. She looked haggard as did he. Neither smiled.

After a glacial epoch had passed she told him "Grannie is better, we are on the way to the train station."

He said nothing, just stared at her.

"I would like to...ah...may I have my ring back?" she stammered.

For eight long beats he stared as her then he took the ring out of his vest pocket. She held out her right hand for it but he gestured at her left hand. She took off her glove and held out her left hand. He came out from behind his desk and took her hand. It was cold. He slid the ring onto her finger. He bent down and kissed her hand. He straightened up and let go of her hand. She tugged off her right glove. She reached up and touched the mark on his cheek. When he did not back away but stood there frozen she lifted up her left hand as well and pulled his face down for a kiss. It took awhile but his arms went around her and pulled closer. The second kiss was much deeper than the first.

She pulled back. "I really must be going, we do not want to miss the train."

Still he said nothing. He walked her to the door and opened it for her. Before she left she said "I will write you; I want you to write me back." Her eyes were shiny, like they were wet. Caring not for what the clerks thought he kissed her again.

After she had gone he went back to his desk and sat down. He touched his cheek. It no longer stung.