Oops I did it again...posted two chapters in one night :) Go back if you didn't read Ch. 24 yet.

Chapter 25:

September, 1812

"Oh how dreadful I look—I am so looking forward to wearing some colour" said Lady Mary, looking at herself in the mirror. "I think I will go to the seamstress tomorrow to get some new gowns for the season. Do you want to come with me?" she asked Jane, who was sitting in the room, knitting.

"No, I do not think I am up for the trip, my dear" she said, rubbing her stomach affectionately.

"You do not even look like you are expecting" teased Lady Mary, raising an eyebrow, "Yet you sound like it is difficult to even walk"

"I am quite nauseous so I would prefer to stay put for the time being but I thank you for including me in your plans"

"Where is mama?" asked Lady Mary, "Perhaps she will like to go with me"

"I am afraid she has gone to visit Laura and persuade her to join us for supper tomorrow night"

"Laura does not like coming to Downton House" said Lady Mary frowning, she never got along with Laura and she was not keen to start now, "When are your sisters coming to town?"

"Lizzy will arrive tomorrow and Kitty will arrive the day after. I hope you do not mind that Kitty will be joining our party"

"Not at all" said Lady Mary, "She has potential" she added, teasing her sister.

"Yes, she does" said Jane smiling. They had corresponded these last few months and Jane could see the growth of Kitty. Jane was looking forward to hosting her for the season, perhaps she will have two sisters married this season, for Mary was determined.

"What have a I missed?" asked Matthew, entering the room and kissing his wife's hand.

"Oh nothing, we are speaking of lace and ribbons" said Lady Mary dramatically.

"That sounds fascinating!" teased Matthew, "Pray, when do I get some ribbons and lace?"

"Would you like to come to the seamstress with me tomorrow?"

"My darling Mary, I am afraid I have a very important matter to see to tomorrow exactly at that time"

"I have not said at what time I shall be going"

"Either way, my appointment will be at the time of yours" he said, laughing with her. "We have received an invitation, your first ball of the season Mary. Are you up for attending, my dear?" he asked his wife, whom he looked at with such love and appreciation. Knowing that she was caring his child made her even more beautiful in his eyes.

"It is not till a week after tomorrow, I believe I will be feeling better. Mama insists that this shall pass soon, it is not an ailment during the entire nine months" responded Jane, feeling nauseous again.

"I am glad to hear it" said Matthew, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Pray, do you mind not cuddling your wife infront of me? The two of you still act as if you just got married. Will you ever tire of each other? When will you be throwing doors and having screaming matches?" asked Lady Mary, rolling her eyes at them. "It is so fastidious being the third. I need to find a husband this season" she declared, looking again at the mirror confidently.

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Lord Grantham kept hovering over his wife like a hawk. He had no interest in dancing with any young ladies and did not want to leave Jane alone for he knew that the ton were very eager to meet the new Countess of Grantham. They had had a few months of respite due to their family being in mourning and not being able to attend gatherings nor accept visitors. But now that they were in London for the season, they had more invitations than days available. Jane kindly reminded him that this season was important for Mary and that was the reason they accepted invitations. And it was one of those invitations that led them to one of the most sought out balls of the season.

"Will you not ask me to dance, brother?" teased Lady Mary, walking towards them with a drink in her hand.

"I loath dancing" he answered, not bothering to look at her. He was staring straight ahead.

"But my card is not full and it will be embarrassing to have to sit for one dance. Do you not want gentleman to admire me while I am dancing?" she asked, battling her eye lashes.

"No, I cannot say that I do" he answered, looking uncomfortable.

"Dance with her" said Jane, giving him a warm smile, "I shall be very comfortable here. Lizzy and Fitzwilliam should be here any moment with Kitty." Jane saw him hesitating, "Do you think I do not know how to handle myself with the ton?"

Matthew raised an eyebrow—of course not, he seemed to imply.

"Alright" he muttered reluctantly, reaching for his sister's hand, "One dance, even if that means you will have to sit for the others"

"Thank you, Matthew" said Lady Mary beaming. They walked off to join the couples in the dance floor, Jane watching them from a comfortable seat.

"Lady Grantham" said a voice in greeting, she turned her neck and saw Mr. Bingley, for the first time since he had come to call on her in the Gardiner's house. "May I join you?"

"Mr. Bingley, of course" she said. He sat down in a chair in front of her, masking whatever emotions he may be feeling very well. "How is your family?"

"They are well, I thank you. Caroline has recently become engaged, you may have seen it in the papers"

"Yes, I did, congratulations. I wish them happiness" said Jane.

"How is your family? I trust they are in good health" he said, still speaking very formally and looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Mr. Bingley" said Jane, not being able to keep up this small talk without expressing her gratitude, "I am a very selfish creature; and, for the sake of giving relief to my own feelings, care not how much I may be wounding yours. I can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my poor sister. Ever since I have known it, I have been most anxious to acknowledge to you how gratefully I feel it"

"If you will thank me," he replied, "let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you."

Lady Grantham colored for she did not how to respond. She was too much embarrassed to say a word.

"Mr. Bingley, I..."

"Worry not Lady Grantham" said Mr. Bingley, his eyes full of sorrow, "I am quite happy for you. Lord Grantham is an excellent man"

"Yes, he is, Mr. Bingley and so are you" she said, smiling at him, "I apologize that the last time that we spoke I may been a bit harsh. I am sorry we parted on such terms."

"There is nothing you said that I did not deserve, but I am trying to become a better man and I hope to be worthy of someone of your caliber one day"

"I am sure you will be, Mr. Bingley"

"And my, you are a Countess now, I could have never given you that" he added in a lighter tone.

"If you knew me, you would know that I did not want that"

"Of course, I know" he said, hesitating before continuing, "I wish you and your husband many happiness and I hope that when we meet in the future it will be with mutual respect on both sides"

"We are already on those terms Mr. Bingley and my husband and I are very grateful for your assistance" said Jane, smiling at him. After this tet-a-tet they were joined by his Lordship himself, who eyed them curiously from the dance floor but did not want to look interested for the sake of preventing gossip. He hated being in the ton, he had to analyze every step. He truly missed being a simple tradesman.

"Lord Grantham" said Mr. Bingley, standing up to greet him.

"Mr. Bingley" he responded, nodding his head, "This is my sister, Lady Mary Crawley"

"Lady Mary" said Mr. Bingley, bowing. "If your card is not already full, could I have the next dance?"

"I would be honored, Mr. Bingley" she said, allowing him to lead her to dance floor.

Lord Grantham sat next to his wife, reached for hand and kissed her knuckles.

"I love you" he whispered, making her blush. She remembered the first time they met and she raised her hand to her lips to hide her chuckle.

"May I asked what you find so humorous?"

"I was remembering when we first met—you asked me then a similar question"

"It seems you did have intentions after all" teased Matthew. Jane gave him a sideways smile, revealing a dimple on one side.

"You are quite the catch, my dear, and I am very thankful your sister invited both of us to supper" said Jane, her eyes watery.

"Were you not laughing and now you are crying? Should I be concerned?"

"Oh no, my dear, I hear this is quite normal" teased Jane, now happy again. "I love you Matthew and I would you choose you again a thousand times yes"

"Good because I would never let you go, Jane" responded Matthew, reaching for his wife's hand again and kissing her knuckles. They both sat there smiling, watching the couples dance. Matthew found himself surprisingly content to sit her next to his wife, enjoying her company amidst the ton.

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I could not help myself, the end was so clear in my head that I just had to write it and publish it tonight-I don't think you are complaining ;)

So this was Jane's second chance so it made sense to me that the last chapter was all Jane and it had similarities to the first chapter. It was Jane & Bingley and then Jane & Bingley. The conversation between jane and bingley was heartbreaking because I think it is normal when you meet someone you loved and you have moved on to still feel something and to still be moved and I think Jane is but she is also happy with Matthew and I don't think there is a contradiction here. What did you think of that convo?

We did not see Lydia, kitty, lizzie etc because I wanted to wrap this up neatly. I am thinking of doing a sequel, I don't know whose "second chance" it should be, but I def want to explore Kitty's growth, I think she has so much maturing and potential, as well as Lydia, who is really in a difficult situation but I think it would be fun to express her growth, Bingley, and Lady Mary and of course some outburts, I mean some appearances by Caroline lol

thank you for joining me for the ride and I hope you will join me for the continuation!