Thank you all so much for your continued support. 44 chapters. Wow. I cannot believe you are all still sticking around with me. It really means a lot.
Enjoy!
Chapter 44
Spring 1971
"Ah, a letter from Maggie Talbot," Mary said, showing the envelope to Anna. Anna turned her gaze from the window. She had been watching the birds that had finally come back now that the earth around them was starting to warm. Anna enjoyed putting out bird seed and watching them from a distance.
"What does it say?" Anna questioned, walking over toward Mary. Mary opened it and quickly read through it. Her eyesight immediately blurred from the tears. Henry's death was hitting her more than she had expected. But he had been her first friend once she started her life with Anna and he had accepted them for who they were. He had been the one to help provide them with ways to spend time together. He really had been so important to their family.
"She wants us to visit," Mary answered. She liked Maggie. Well, at first, she hadn't been sure about this American wanting to take Henry away from them. However, she ended up adoring Maggie. She was bright, but also quick to put someone in their place.
"Oh," Anna murmured.
"Yes, oh. I will have to ring her and tell her that we cannot make the journey overseas."
"But you could invite her here. She's younger."
"Darling, only by about ten years."
"Exactly," Anna chuckled. "We could do a lot more ten years ago."
Mary sighed. It was the truth. In fact, only six years ago they had traveled to America and spent a month with Henry and Maggie. The two had married later in life and so they never had any children, so they had always spoiled Anna and Mary's children and grandchildren rotten.
"Ask her to come," Anna stated, taking the letter gently from Mary's hands. Her eyes glanced over the written words. "It would be nice to see her one last time."
The finality of Anna's words struck Mary. So many last times had happened and were happening now. There was no fear of death for Mary. She had led a very happy and fulfilled life. But there was still that crushing fear of leaving Anna behind.
"Yes," Mary agreed. "I'll ring her and see if she can come and visit us soon."
1920s Downton Abbey
Mary prepared her plate for breakfast, as her thoughts were with Anna and their morning. She had woken up early to find Anna sitting at the vanity pulling up her hair. She sat up and just watched her. When Anna turned to look at her, Mary could feel her heart start to race. It didn't matter how long this had been going on; Mary was always in awe of her.
"Well, this is very nice," her Papa said, breaking her from her thoughts.
"What is?" Edith asked.
"Mary's beau, Henry Talbot, has invited us all to watch him drive at Brooklands next week." Mary turned, her brow rising. Mary's beau. It all sounded so official. She wondered if she shouldn't speak up and say that Henry was not her beau, but she stopped herself. What did it hurt if they believed it?
"He's just sucking up," Edith commented, earning a sharp glare from Mary.
"Mama won't ever let you go," Mary stated, deciding not to respond to Edith's remark.
"I don't see why not," her father answered. Mary's eyes went to the end of the table where Tom was sitting. She could see just how thrilled he was at the prospect. And at this moment, Mary wished Sybil was here. Tom came in on the mornings when he and Mary would be working. Sybil rarely came along, but it would be nice to have her here while this was all discussed.
"Because you're still convalescing," Mary reminded him.
"I only want to watch the race, not drive in it," her papa defended himself.
Edith also tried to discourage their father, but she was thrown off when Tom informed her there was a chance that Bertie was coming along. Mary glanced at her sister. She wondered just how serious things were between Edith and Bertie. Did he know about Marigold? Would he accept her? Mary narrowed in her eyes. Were these things she should ask her sister? Had they passed that threshold in their distant relationship?
"What about you, Mary?"
"I think I've talked myself into it," Mary said, sipping her tea. "Although I'm sure I'll be sorry." Her words held much weight that no one in this room could completely understand. Again, she wished for Sybil's presence. In some ways, Mary was looking forward to the event. Anna was coming along, which meant that her new friend and Anna could meet. But there was the sordid affair of race car driving, which Mary was not a fan. She did not know why anyone would risk their lives for a short thrill. Her body shook with the thought of it.
"Yes," Edith stated, looking at Mary. "I could see why you might think that way."
Mary quirked up her lips. "Well, you know what they say. Just keep moving forward, right?"
Mary did not miss how her father and Tom glanced at one another. They really were all in on it, weren't they? It was rather irritating. She was a grown woman and a mother. Why was it so important for them to have her marry again? She nearly huffed, but she kept her thoughts composed.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
"You'll have to take the train. There won't be any room in the cars," Mary stated, turning to face Anna from her vanity. Her lips curled downwards. "I would much rather ride with you, but I fear it would be suspicious."
"It would," Anna agreed. Her hand came up to tuck the hair behind Mary's ear.
"Perhaps, I could…"
"It will be nice, really," Anna said with a wink. "The children will be staying here, so I'll get to ride by myself. I could read or nap," Anna laughed. Mary stood then, bringing her hands to rest on Anna's hips.
"I'm jealous. I'll likely be sharing a car with Edith." Her eyes rolled.
"I thought you two were getting along better," Anna commented.
"Well, for us, you mean," Mary added. Anna stepped closer to Mary, her lips curling to one side.
"Are you sure you're up to this? You don't have to go."
"I know, but I think I should. Henry is my…." Mary paused. It was such a strange word she thought. Friend.
"Friend," Anna answered for her.
"Yes. And this is a part of him. I should get used to it."
"You should." Mary realized that Anna's fingers were brushing along her neckline and so Mary's eyes closed.
"But until then, I'd like to relearn you," Mary whispered. She felt Anna's nose against hers.
"Yes, I'd like that too."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Before the race, Henry had asked Mary to bring Anna down to see the car. It seemed a bit risky, Mary thought, but she determined that she could say Anna had a love for cars. It wasn't true, but who would know?
The two of them made their way over to where Henry was standing by his car. He was dressed in his racing outfit. Mary guessed it was for protecting his clothes beneath it. Perhaps, one day, she would ask him.
"Ah, this must be Anna," Henry brightly greeted. Mary smiled, her eyes on Anna.
"Hello, Mr. Talbot," Anna reached out her hand for a handshake. Henry reached across.
"Please, call me Henry."
"My whole family is here to see you race," Mary told him. "I fear they are certain that we will one day marry."
Henry chuckled, shaking his head. "You don't want a lavender marriage."
"Lavender marriage?" Anna questioned, her head tilting to the side. "That is a term I don't know."
"Well, it's not a real marriage, you see. It's when someone like you or Mary marries someone to protect them to keep up the ruse. The other person is in on it too. All very much on the up and up," Henry winked. "I'd be willing to do it, of course, but I don't think that's what you want."
"No," Mary quickly answered. "It's not." Her smile grew.
"How long have you been racing cars?" Anna's question had Henry right in the palm of her hands. He grinned and began talking about a mile per minute. Anna listened intently, taking it all in. Mary was glad. Now she could ask Anna if she forgot. Anna was always better at remembering these sort of details.
"That all sounds fascinating," Anna told him. "Perhaps you could take me on a ride one day?"
"Anna!" Mary gasped.
"Slower, of course," Anna broke in, her cheeks reddening.
"Of course," Henry agreed, his lips curled upwards. "I'd like to take you both, if you'd allow it. But I would go just fast enough to let you feel the thrill, but not nearly as fast as we'll be going today."
Mary pursed her lips. "We'll see."
"I ought to head back," Anna said then. "I don't want this to look too suspicious."
Anna told Henry her goodbyes and then turned to go back to assist with the others.
"You are totally enamored by her," Henry stated.
"Hum?" Mary replied, her brows rising slightly.
"It's so easy to tell when you look at her. I'm happy for you, truly."
Mary could only smile. "I'm happy for me, too."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Everything had seemed so perfect and then Anna heard the sickening sound of screeching tires and a crash. Her thoughts immediately went to Mary, but she wasn't near her. Why wasn't she near her? Even though rationally she knew, she was so upset that she wasn't by Mary. What if it was Henry? What if…?
Anna shook away her thoughts. Right now, she just needed to find Mary. Anna was easily able to rush through everyone. She saw Mary ahead by several paces and just continued to follow them. The closer they got, the stronger the smell of smoke hit her nostrils. Her eyes watered, but she pressed herself forward. She needed to get to Mary.
When they finally reached where the crash was, they saw Henry. Anna let out a breath. Henry was alright.
"It's another driver," Henry shook his head. Charlie was behind him, looking just as defeated. "A young one. It was his first race."
Mary was shaking. Anna wanted to touch her arm, let her know she was there. But she just stood behind her, hoping she knew. She could see how Mary was looking at the crashed car, horror over her features. Anna knew that Mary was having a flashback to that horrible, horrible day when she lost Matthew.
"Why don't we walk over to the side?" Anna quietly suggested, very aware that Edith was near them.
Mary slowly nodded. "Alright."
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With the house full, it was much more difficult for Anna to sneak around and stay with Mary in the evenings. At Downton, it was different. They had their schedules. They knew the house.
Understandably, Mary was still shaken up that evening. As Anna got her dressed for bed, Mary barely spoke. Anna wanted to draw her into her arms and stroke her hair, but Anna knew that anyone could walk in at any time.
Just as she thought that, the door did open. Anna paused brushing Mary's hair and looked up. It was Cora.
"Henry is here, Mary," she said. Mary tensed.
"I'm already dressed for bed," Mary kept her eyes on her hands. "Tell him to go away."
"Mary…."
"I can tell him," Anna offered.
"Yes," Mary now glanced up to meet her mother's eyes through the mirror. "I'll have Anna go down and speak with him. Thank you, Mama."
Once Cora had left the room, Mary heavily sighed.
"Tell him to stay away."
Anna didn't respond. She placed the brush on the vanity and made her way out of the room. She found Henry right outside. He held a hat within his hands, anxiously turning it around and around.
"How are you?" Anna carefully asked. She didn't know how well Henry had known the young man who had died this afternoon. But she gathered it didn't matter. Seeing death first hand was still painful, especially if it could have been you.
"I…I'm alright," he barely got out, giving himself away. "His name was Sam. Good kid. Maybe I encouraged him too much…."
"Of course you encouraged him," Anna gently replied. "That's how it's supposed to be when you love something. You couldn't have known…."
"But he was so young." His thumb pressed against his eyelid and he blinked harshly.
"Life is unfair, Henry," Anna said. "Mary and I both know that."
"How is Mary?"
"Mary is rather shaken up," Anna honestly informed him. "She doesn't want to see you right now. She actually sent me down to send you away and to tell you to stay away, but I know Mary. She just needs some time."
"I could stop racing." Anna gave him a soft smile.
"No, you shouldn't do that. It's your passion. Mary wouldn't want you to give that up. You do need to give Mary time, though. You two are such good friends. I'd hate to see that disappear."
That was when Henry's lips curled up slightly. "I hope you'll be my friend too."
"Of course."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Even though it was tricky, Anna managed to sneak to Mary's bedroom once everyone was asleep. She quietly turned the knob and tiptoed in to find Mary sitting right at the edge of the bed. The lights were still on and when Mary saw Anna was there, she stood.
"You should sit," Anna told her. Mary shook her head. Anna walked over toward her, placing her hand on her cheek.
"I just keep thinking about Matthew…" Her brows were furrowed, as her eyes clouded over in memories.
"Oh my love," Anna breathed. She gathered Mary's hands within her own and had her sit back down, sitting beside her.
"Why would Henry enjoy such a stupid and pointless thing?"
"It is what he loves," Anna just replied, rubbing Mary's back. "Many might say the same about us."
Mary's eyes met Anna.
"It's not the same. We aren't racing around some track which could easily lead to a sudden, wasteful death."
"No. But we take risks every day, Mary. Risks that could have us separated. Have us put in asylums."
"But we're in love," Mary strongly stated. "It's just a silly little race for Henry! I won't be his friend anymore. I can't…." Her head shook.
"This is hard, because of what happened to Matthew," Anna carefully said. "But a friend like Henry is precious. You can't be afraid of caring about someone because you might lose them. You haven't been afraid of loving me."
Mary didn't respond. However, she did allow Anna to lead her back toward the pillows and gather her into her arms, as tears spilled from her eyes.
"I love you," Anna whispered into her ear. "It's alright to be scared, just don't let it ruin who you are."
To be continued...
Part 3 is wrapping up. Just a couple or so more chapters to go and we'll be in Part 4 and the 1930s. ;)
