"Here you are," Matthew said when he found Mary in the nursery. "I had thought you'd gone to the stables to get a head start of managing the stud farm."
"I am excited about the project but not enough to miss out on kissing William good night," she replied. "The horses will manage without me tonight."
Matthew chuckled and gently swung the polo mallet like a pendulum where he stood. "He's probably dreaming of the next toy he'll be getting from Rose."
"She does dote on him," she agreed. "So, I see papa has passed down his cherished polo mallet to you."
"And Tom," he revealed. "It's up to us now to keep Downton's reputation intact."
"Starting with your polo match with Edmund," she reminded him before noticing Tom by the doorway. "Ah, Tom, Sybie's been waiting for you; I'm afraid she refuses to sleep until you give her a kiss goodnight."
Tom smiled and picked up his daughter. "I hope you won't be disappointed if I play badly at the polo match."
"You'll still be part of the family," she assured him with a smile. "Although papa might ask you to practice more to be ready for the next match."
"Next match?" Tom asked in confusion turning from her to Matthew.
"I'm afraid win or lose, we are now the designated polo players of the family," Matthew explained and gave Tom a quick pat on the back before following Mary out of the room.
.
Mary came down the stairs to a frenzied atmosphere as everyone at Downton tried to make sure the polo match and charity event went smoothly. She met her mother at the bottom of the stairs.
"Heavens, he is indeed a splitting image of Matthew," Cora noted as she took her grandson from Mary.
"Except he has my hair," Mary reminded her jokingly.
"You know what I mean," Cora said with a mother's gentle warning look to not contradict her.
"Where's Matthew?" Mary asked wondering where he was.
"He's on the phone," Cora said. "I'll take William out to introduce him to our guests while you check on Matthew."
.
"I'd be most grateful if you can help me with that," Matthew said on his end of the phone conversation. "I haven't made arrangements here but will soon for its arrival." He had his back to the door so he didn't notice Mary approach.
Mary lightly touched his back to let him know she was there. She waited while he finished his call before speaking. "What was that about?"
"It's nothing my darling," he tried to dismiss quickly.
"You're beginning to sound like papa," she warned gently not wanting to be dismissed so easily.
"It's a trivial matter," he assured her. "I would tell you if it was of importance to us or the family."
"Very well, I think it's time you set any other matter aside and focus on the polo match," she said allowing him his little secret for now.
Matthew smiled and offered his arm to her so they could walk out together.
.
"Mary, there you are," Cora called out to her. "Come and have your photo taken." True to her word, she had managed to wrangle Gregson and his photographer into taking a few family photos.
"So you're trying to win mama over," Mary said knowingly to Gregson.
"It doesn't hurt," Gregson confirmed. "And I look forward to having a photo of our elusive Miss Wallace soon as well." He was clearly intent on wining her support as well.
After some shots, Matthew walked over to the photographer to discuss his camera. He seemed very interested in it.
"Matthew seems to want to become a photographer," Gregson noted.
"He had taken quite a few pleasant ones before," Mary agreed. "I think I already know what I'm getting him for Christmas."
"Then perhaps he'd like to work for me," he joked. "I am always looking for publish worthy pictures."
"As a hobby perhaps," she agreed. "Otherwise, he's much too busy or too expensive for you to hire."
They both laughed when Edith approached.
"What's so funny?" Edith wondered. She was glad they were getting along but also worried that it was too easy.
"It's not about you," Mary said trying to ease her sister's concern. She moved towards Evelyn who just arrived to speak with him leaving Edith with Gregson.
.
"I didn't imagine there would be so many people," Evelyn noted. "You certainly draw out a crowd." He couldn't help but tease her a little.
"Perhaps they came just to see you," Mary teased back. "Shall I have Carson prepare for swooning ladies?"
"Maybe that could be said more for Julian or Edmund," he countered. "Where is he by the way? He hasn't forgotten has he?" He looked around for Edmund.
"Edmund wouldn't dare miss this opportunity," she noted knowing it was his idea to begin with. Although she wondered if Miss Wallace may be the reason for his absence.
"Did I hear my name?" Edmund asked from behind them. After quick introductions between Evelyn and Eliza, the conversation turned to the polo match.
"A picture for the social pages?" the photographer suggested to the quartet. Immediately Eliza excused herself wanting to get some refreshments so only the trio were available for the photo shot.
"She's quite shy," Evelyn noted.
"She is," Edmund agreed. "I quite like that about her."
"We haven't seen or heard much from you lately," Mary pointed out. "Have you been practicing or were you trying to convince Miss Wallace to attend?"
Edmund knew he had it coming. "Actually I told her it was a last minute replacement and so she came to support me. As for where I've been, I've been spending my time in London recently with Eliza."
"Has she become a social butterfly now?" she asked.
"Not quite, there are less interested parties in London than here," Edmund joked. "Ahh, there's Matthew; I need to discuss something with him." He walked away from them to see Matthew.
"So she is Edmund's lady? I can't seem to recall where I saw her before," Evelyn said.
"You've seen her before? Oh Evelyn, please do remember where because we can't seem to find any information about who she is."
"I will try my best," he promised seeing how important it was to her. "It'll come to me in a while."
Mary noticed the photographer surreptitiously taking a picture of Eliza and hoped that between Gregson and Evelyn, they would soon discover what secret the mysterious woman held.
.
Robert threw in the ball to start the polo match and watched as the horses and players milled around the ball. Eventually the ball was hit onto the field and a player began to race to his goal. He recognized Tom as the rider and smiled.
Tom could see a fast approaching opponent from his right peripheral vision so he looked for someone to pass the ball to. That's when he saw Evelyn to his left and swung an offside belly shot to redirect the ball to his left. He saw his opponent overtake him and chase after Evelyn instead.
"Well done," Matthew shouted as he passed him.
Tom caught up with his teammates to offer help as they tried to keep the ball headed towards their goal.
The game stopped when the attempted goal rolled out of bounds. Matthew gave his team a quick pep talk before the game restarted.
While Edmund's team charged towards their goal, Julian managed to hook the mallet of the player who possessed the ball allowing Evelyn to take possession of it. Tom and Matthew protected his flank as he raced to score a goal. The team raised their mallets to celebrate.
.
By the half time, Matthew's team was leading by a goal. With the pause, the gathered joined in the tradition of divot stomping.
"Papa is quite impressed with you," Mary told Tom. "Don't tell him I told you."
Tom was pleased and agreed to keep it between them. He bent down when Sybie ran up to him to give him a hug.
Mary received William from the nanny before handing him over to Matthew who had just joined them.
"Edith and Rose seem to be having fun," Matthew noted as he watched them stomp divots enthusiastically.
"That's because they are trying to impress Gregson and Julian," she replied watching them do it side-by-side.
"Perhaps William wants to join in on the fun," he suggested as the little boy started to kick his feet out underneath him.
Mary smiled as they got involved as a family.
.
Once again it was down to a tie-breaker and Tom stared at the goal post he had to hit the ball through. He couldn't believe they would foul him at the last minute until he realized Edmund's team thought he couldn't make the shot. With an encouraging nod from his teammates, he started his approach and struck the ball and prayed it would go through. He turned his pony around and saw his teammates ride towards him.
"Wonderful shot," Matthew shouted and gave him a quick pat when he was close to him.
Tom turned and looked at the ball that ended up through the goal. He couldn't believe it but was glad they won.
"I couldn't have done it better myself," Julian said joining in the celebration.
"Well done," Evelyn added. "They've underestimated you haven't they?"
"Congratulations," Edmund said riding up to them to congratulate them. He rode alongside Matthew as they exited the field. "So, have you decided what you want for winning the wager?"
"As a matter of fact I have," Matthew said. "I would need you to accept and store something at Locksley until such time that I can bring it here."
"I'm intrigued, what is it?"
"It's an AC that I ordered before my accident," Matthew explained. "I'm afraid Mary might not yet be ready for me to get behind the wheel so I would need to stow it away for now."
"I'll gladly help you with that," Edmund offered. "I just wished you could help me with Eliza."
"I thought things were going well with you," Matthew said considering that she came to the match.
Edmund admitted they were spending more time together but he felt at a loss as to how to move further in their relationship.
Matthew tried to counsel him as best he could until they reached the horse groomsmen.
.
The charity event was such a success that Robert was quite pleased when he read the news on Gregson's paper, the only time he had read it since meeting him. He was beginning to see why Cora was following that paper.
"I didn't know you read that," Edith teased him when she arrived for breakfast.
"I'll read any paper that speaks about Downton or our family," he explained. "I want to make sure that the report is accurate."
"And is it?" she continued and shared a smile with her brothers-in-law.
Robert hesitated before agreeing Gregson had done a good job.
"I'll be sure to let him know," she said with a wider smile.
.
Mary had to read the missive over again hoping that she had misread it. She was with Gregson and Evelyn who had joined forces since the polo match to help her solve the mystery of Miss Wallace. It was sent by Gregson's contact in America.
"Are you alright?" Gregson asked seeing her slight distress.
"Your instincts about her were right," Evelyn said. "It's unfortunate you had to find out like this."
"And you're absolutely sure?" she asked the two men. She felt sorry that her suspicion proved true and worse even. They were dealing with a thief and a fugitive.
"That is perhaps why she is very careful not to be photographed," Gregson noted. "The news article explains her crimes and how she vanished."
"Only to reinvent herself here," Mary said. "But she must know that Edmund would eventually take her back to America and she would be arrested."
"A calculated gamble," Evelyn pointed out. "I didn't even recognize her now that she's wearing finer clothes and seeming like a true lady."
"Edmund would be heartbroken," she said knowing how involved he already was with Wallace.
"Would you like me to tell him?" Evelyn offered.
"I can also be an impartial bearer of bad news," Gregson suggested.
Mary thanked both men but knew it was up to her for stirring the hornet's nest.
.
"I can't believe you did that," Edmund said in a raised voice. "Why are you intent in sabotaging my relationship with her?"
"Edmund, I'm trying to protect you from making the biggest mistake of your life," Mary argued. She couldn't believe he was being unwavering in his support of Wallace. "You're blinded by what you think is love for her."
"I am in love with her," he admitted. "And I won't let you accuse her without proof."
"These are proofs," she insisted showing him the newspaper clipping and note from America.
"How can I know for sure that this wasn't printed by your publisher friend?"
"And how can you think that I would go to such lengths to hurt you?"
"Because you don't want anyone to be as happy as you," he accused her.
"Mary, are you alright?" Matthew asked rushing in with Carson right behind him. "I heard shouting."
Mary tried to assure him she was fine and tried to downplay Edmund's bad behavior.
"You may be Mary's friend but this is her home and you have no right to raise your voice at her," Matthew warned. He was clearly angry and demanded Edmund to apologize or leave that instant. He watched as the other man leave without apologizing.
Carson blocked Edmund's path wanting him to apologize to Mary instead of leaving. He had to step aside when Matthew asked him to.
"He's not welcome in this house until he apologizes," Matthew told Carson. He saw Carson agree and made sure Edmund left Downton.
"Matthew please," Mary tried to calm him down. "He was just hurt by the news I gave him."
"It still doesn't justify his behavior," he said firmly. "I will never allow anyone to hurt you especially in your home."
Mary was touched by his resolve but hoped he would calm down soon because he looked very worked up. She tried to distract him by suggesting that they take the horses riding. She was glad when he agreed to join her.
.
Because of the rift between him and Edmund, Matthew decided to have his new AC delivered to him at Downton. He just had to tell Mary before it arrived and hoped for the best. He returned home and found Mary at her usual spot in the afternoon.
"Hello," she greeted him setting her book down. "You're home early today."
"Tom insisted that he could manage on his own," he explained. "And I needed to discuss something with you."
"Alright, what is it about?"
"In a few days I'll be receiving a new AC car that I ordered months ago," he began carefully studying her reaction to the news. He held his breath as he waited for response.
"Can't you send it back or perhaps sell it to someone else?" she asked trying not to panic.
"My darling, I very much want to keep it," he revealed.
"Have you forgotten how dangerous it can be?" she reminded him showing her opposition to him keeping it. "Why do you need another car?"
"Mary, I was driving too fast and being careless," he admitted his fault for his accident. "I've learned my lesson and it won't happen again."
"Can you guarantee your safety? Why can't you be content being driven around by a chauffeur?"
"It's not the same, you know I prefer doing things myself," he reasoned. "And you enjoyed the excitement and privacy it afforded us."
"And do you know how frightened I was when they brought you into the hospital after your accident?" she asked angrily. "If you truly love me, you'll spare me of that. You also have to consider William; he needs you." She was beyond upset and stormed away from him.
.
Tom had just returned and saw the tail end of their argument. He pretty much knew that was how she would take the news when Matthew told him. "It didn't go so well did it?"
"Apparently she is opposed to me getting another car to drive myself," Matthew confirmed.
"I can't blame her," Tom said sympathetically. "Can you?"
"I know it was difficult for her but I can't live in fear of another car accident."
.
Mary stormed into the library trying to find a way to calm herself. She was visibly upset and knew it would alarm the others if they saw her in such a state.
"What's wrong?" Edith asked from behind her.
"What could possibly be wrong?" Mary told a lie to dismiss her sister's curiosity.
"I think I know you well enough to know when something is wrong."
"Oh alright, it's Matthew. He's decided he wants another car."
"It's about time don't you think?" Edith asked showing her approval of it.
"In case you've forgotten, it was the car he was driving that almost killed him."
.
"Perhaps you should remind her how much fun it was to drive your own car?" Tom suggested.
"And how am I supposed to do that when she refuses to let me have one again?" Matthew wasn't sure she could be persuaded to let him drive another car given her earlier protest.
"That could be a problem," Tom agreed.
.
"Anything has a potential for danger," Edith pointed out. "Riding a horse has as much the danger as driving a car."
"I can't believe you would compare those two." Mary couldn't see how it was even relevant.
"Are they so different? I mean if you fell off a horse, you could seriously hurt yourself. And would that stop you from getting back right on?"
.
"Perhaps you can keep it in the garage until Mary comes around," Tom suggested. "It probably won't take too long."
"Or it could take forever," Matthew said knowing how resolute Mary could be. "It would just be a shame if I can't ever drive again. It was so much fun."
"Why not start with the family car? At least that will slowly show her you're more careful on the road." He knew it couldn't go as fast as Matthew typically drove but it was a start.
"Mary will not allow that," Matthew pointed out. "She'll be more upset that I'm driving like a chauffeur."
.
"You must admit that you quite enjoyed it when he drove," Edith said trying to make her concede it. "I know I loved the times I'm allowed to drive."
"And you're not afraid even after what happened to Matthew?"
"It makes me a little cautious but no, I still would want to drive a car if given the chance. You should try it; it's quite liberating."
Mary considered what Edith was suggesting to her and had to admit silently that she was right.
.
Matthew found Mary in their room preparing for dinner. He wasn't sure if she had calmed down so he didn't bring up the subject of the car and just sat at his usual spot when he waited for her.
Anna could feel the tension between the couple and tried to come up with an ice breaker to get them talking again. But before she could speak, she heard Mary start.
"When are you expecting the car to arrive?" Mary asked him.
"Day after tomorrow," Matthew replied tentatively optimistic. "It's the newest model that they have."
"And were you planning to drive it as soon as it arrived?"
"Perhaps Tom can drive it from the station home," he supposed knowing she might not agree to let him to drive it himself.
"Do you think I should let Mr. Crawley enjoy his new car?" Mary asked addressing Anna.
"Only if Mr. Crawley is careful," Anna opined.
"Does this mean I can?" Matthew was on his feet not wanting to lose the opportunity.
"You may but on two conditions," Mary said signaling Anna to leave them for a private conversation. She waited for Anna to close the door before continuing. "You must promise to be more careful when you drive."
"I promise," he agreed to her first condition. "And the second condition?"
"I think it's time I learned to drive myself," she said. "Will you teach me?"
"Are you sure?" he asked wondering why her sudden interest.
"Edith tells me it's not so hard and quite exciting," she explained. "Besides, if I'm going to worry about you driving, it's only fair that you do when I'm driving."
Matthew had to admit if only to himself that she was right. "It would be my pleasure to teach you to drive. I'm so glad you're letting me drive again. You'll see how much fun it is."
"Well, I hope papa and granny sees it that way," she teased him and walked past him to the door.
"Do you think they'd object?" he asked with concern. He had been so worried about her approval that he hadn't considered theirs.
"Well, if it came to a vote, I think you'll win," she assured him. "I don't know how granny will vote but I think Edith, Tom, Isobel and mama will support you."
Matthew was relieved to hear that. "And you, right?" He was glad when she replied with a smile.
.
"Why the sudden need to learn to drive?" Robert asked Mary. "If we needed more drivers, we can certainly hire them."
Mary was surprised that he was more concerned about her learning to drive than Matthew picking it up again. "I think it's about time."
"I agree," Cora seconded. "Why should Matthew and Tom be the only ones able to operate a car?"
"But we have chauffeurs for that," he insisted.
"Papa, there will be times when I need to go somewhere and there might not be a chauffeur available," Mary reasoned. "Should I wait while everyone finishes their trips?"
"I agree with Mary," Isobel supported her. "Why should she wait especially if she has urgent business?"
"What do you think mama?" he turned to her for her opinion.
Everyone waited with bated breath for her to speak because she had been silent so far.
"There may come a time when it could prove useful," she said. "I don't see the harm in preparing Mary for it."
Robert was surprised and thought he could count on her to stem the tide. Instead he found himself the lone holdout. "I suppose Rose would like to learn as well?"
"Can I?" Rose chimed in glad she no longer had to learn in secret. "Oh please, may I?"
Robert grudgingly agreed.
"Perhaps you girls can teach Robert after your lessons," Cora teased and got the expected reaction from him.
.
"Can I come with you?" Rose asked when Matthew and Mary prepared to go pick up the car.
"Of course," Mary agreed. "But don't expect Matthew to start teaching you in it just yet."
"That's only because I don't want a scratch on it," he teased. "Besides, I've promised Mary I'd teach her first."
"It's alright, Tom has agreed to teach me again when he has some free time," Rose said getting into the family car with them. "Perhaps we can see who learns quicker."
"Is that a challenge?" Mary asked glad for the motivation.
"Rose, it's not a competition," he gently warned.
Rose realized he was right so she quickly changed the subject. "I just hope that I'm able to drive soon so I can surprise Julian on his next visit. Do you know if he knows how to drive?"
"I'm not sure," he said. "If he did, would you like him to teach you?" He couldn't help but tease his younger cousin.
"Heavens no," Rose said feeling herself blush. "I'd be too nervous to learn."
Mary and Matthew exchanged looks of disbelief but both decided not to comment.
"Is that the car?" Rose said excitedly when she spotted it. "Oh please let me ride home with you."
.
Alfred was going about his business when he saw Edmund arrive at Downton. He wondered why he had come especially after he had been given specific instructions to turn him away. He walked quickly to block his path into the house.
"I'd like to speak with Mary," Edmund explained. "Please let her know I'm here and that it's urgent."
"I'm sorry sir but Mr. Carson had told me that you're not welcome here," Alfred explained using his towering height to seem more formidable.
"Alfred, is something the matter?" Robert asked when he approached them after his afternoon walk.
.
"Isn't that the car Edmund drives around in?" Rose asked when she saw it from the driveway.
Both Mary and Matthew also recognized the car and wondered what possessed him to return to Downton. Mary was slightly anxious when she saw Matthew clench his jaw.
Matthew drove up to the house and Alfred quickly walked up to open the door for Mary and Rose to descend from the car.
"I tried my best to send him away," Alfred stammered an explanation to Matthew. "But Lord Grantham decided to let him in."
"It's alright Alfred, we'll sort it all out," Matthew assured him. He entered the foyer with Mary and Rose and found Robert, Carson and Edmund already there.
"Before you throw me out, please hear me out," Edmund began before Matthew or Mary could speak. "I've come in peace; actually I've come to apologize to both of you if you'd let me."
Mary turned to Matthew to see if he was willing to let him.
.
"I'm so glad we're friends again," Edmund said gladly as he walked alongside Mary and Matthew in the garden.
"Just remember that I won't tolerate bad behavior from you again," Matthew reminded him.
"I shall be on my very best behavior here onward," Edmund promised.
"Mr. Crawley," James addressed him when he caught up with them. "You have a telephone call at the house."
"I won't be long but if Edmund misbehaves while I'm away, let me know and I'll punch him when I return," Matthew said jokingly. Because he had his head turned, Edmund didn't see the smile he shared with his wife.
Mary saw the worried look on Edmund's face after Matthew walked away.
"I never took him for a violent man," he said.
"He isn't," she assured him. "But when it comes to family, he is a fierce protector of any member of it. He once punched a man to defend Sybil."
"I imagine he had done more for you," he guessed correctly. "Then I shall consider myself lucky not to have been on the receiving end of his fist."
Mary chuckled and started to walk again. "So what has changed since your last visit?" She was curious as to what made him return.
"I am truly sorry for not believing in you," he said sadly. "I chose to be blind and I didn't notice anything was amiss until Evelyn pointed out what it was."
Mary waited for him to reveal what finally revealed Eliza's true nature to him.
"She wore one of the bracelets that was reported stolen to the polo match," he told her. "It was one of a kind so there was no denying it."
"Where is she now?" she asked hoping he'd say that she was in police custody.
"When the police went to arrest her, she had vanished," he said. "They only found the stolen items in her London room. Evelyn, Gregson and I are trying to help the police catch up to her."
"Did you think she came back here?" she asked suddenly concerned.
"I didn't think she could but it was better to be sure," he said. "I checked on Locksley House to be sure she hadn't cleared it out because she certainly needs a new source of funds."
"Should we be concerned?" She didn't like the idea of a desperate fugitive running around the area.
"Please don't be worried, the police are working hard to find her," he assured her. "We think she might try to leave the country and try elsewhere to hide."
.
Mary waved goodbye as Edmund drove away. She was glad that things were back to normal again and prayed that Eliza wouldn't dare come to Downton to cause trouble.
"Didn't he want to stay for dinner?" Matthew asked when he saw Edmund already at a distance.
"He's much too busy trying to track down Miss Wallace with the police," she explained his hasty departure.
"So you were right about her then?" he concluded.
"My instincts have never failed me before," she said confidently.
"You were wrong about me," he teased her.
"Was I?" she challenged him before walking back into the house. "We should get ready for dinner."
Matthew was deep in thought that he didn't follow her immediately.
"Darling, are you coming?" she prompted him.
"Of course," he agreed and offered his arm to her. "I wouldn't want to prove your instincts wrong."