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Chapter 73

1940s- Downton Abbey

With a quick knock, Mary opened her son's bedroom door. She paused in the doorway, seeing him standing at the tall mirror and adjusting his tie. She smiled. His head turned slightly to face her, while his fingers still worked on the knot.

"Are you excited?" Mary asked, stepping in and closing the door behind her. She went to him, bringing her hands up to the tie, even though she knew nothing about how to do it. She'd offered to hire someone to help George, but he said he could handle it himself. It reminded Mary so much of how Matthew had been. But it was also the 1940s and so much had changed when it came to the way the staff worked.

"I am," George said. "A little nervous."

"Well, it will all go smoothly. I have no doubts." Mary smiled and took a step back, looking at her son all dressed up for tonight's dinner. She thought about how it was more casual than back in the day, but how her son still looked stunning.

"Let's hope so." George picked up his jacket to put on over his button up.

"Do you think you could speak with Anna, convince her it's time for her to retire?" Mary swung the conversation in a different direction. Anna would not listen to her when it came to retirement. She kept insisting that she should wait a while longer. "She'll listen to you, George. With you becoming the next Earl, she'll trust that she can retire."

George moved his eyes from the mirror to Mary before taking in a deep breath. He furrowed his brows.

"Mother, I love you and Aunt Anna, but we have to be careful. Tonight, Amelia and her family are coming for dinner. We have new people we have to keep careful around. What will happen when I marry or when I become Earl and you're off gallivanting with the housekeeper?"

Mary took another step back, hurt.

"Anna has been a mother to you too, George."

"I know that, and I love her dearly. But we cannot risk you both being found out. I understand your love for one another, but, unfortunately, the world does not. One day I will be the Earl. We can't start a scandal now."

"Scandal? You really think…." Mary paused to calm herself. "We've kept this a secret for over twenty years. We would never ruin your future."

"I know that, Mother. But Aunt Anna retiring would change things. How would we explain her still being in this house? How would we explain you and her going off on holidays together? As long as she's the housekeeper here, it at least gives us an excuse."

Mary didn't know how to respond. Hurt filled her, as well as disappointment. It felt as though her dreams for the future were crashing down around her. She turned, unable to say anything else to George right now.

"Mother," he called after her. She put her hand up, telling him not to follow her.

"I'll be on my best behavior tonight, George," she said, not looking at him. "I won't ask anything else of you."

"Mother!" He said again before Mary left the room.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Hi," Anna said as she entered Mary's bedroom in order to help her get ready for tonight's dinner. They'd been up nearly all night the night before, trying to pick out the perfect outfit for Mary to wear at dinner. She knew Mary wanted to make the best impression, for George's sake.

"Hi," Mary answered. She'd already dressed herself. Anna only needed to do Mary's hair. As she got closer to Mary, she saw that Mary seemed deep in thought.

"Mary?"

Quickly, Mary turned to her, nearly knocking Anna over. She grasped at Anna's wrists to hold her steady.

"Oh, I'm sorry, darling. I just… well, I had a thought. What if we moved?"

"What?" Anna breathed.

"The children are grown now. They no longer need us here. George no longer needs me here to help guide the future of Downton. We could move. Not too far, but far enough where it's just us, in our home."

Anna tightened her lips, confused.

"But Downton is your home, Mary. It always has been."

Mary shook her head, turning back around to put in her earrings.

"Maybe it doesn't have to be, not anymore. We've done our duty, making sure George was raised here, preparing him for what the future holds."

Slowly, Anna stepped forward, placing her hand on Mary's shoulder.

"What's happened?"

Mary sharply inhaled.

"We'll have to continue to live in secret, Anna. George doesn't want…." Mary shook her head, wiping below her eye even before any tears had a chance to fall. "It's not the future we planned if we stay here."

"I'm sure George didn't mean…"

"He's worried we'll cause a scandal, Anna. After all this time, after all we've done for him." Mary huffed, now growing angry.

"Perhaps you should take a breath," Anna suggested. Her hand caressed Mary's upper arm. "George does have big shoes to fill. I know you understand the pressures he is under. For a long time, you had your own as the eldest daughter of the Earl."

Mary relaxed slightly.

"I wanted this to be our home," Mary whispered then. "A proper home, with no hiding. I don't see how that can be anymore."

"Our home is with one another," Anna said, touching Mary's cheek. "If you want to leave, I will happily come with you, love. But I don't think you should make the decision quite yet. Downton is a much a part of you as all of us. I don't want you to regret anything."

Mary finally smiled, brushing her fingertips over Anna's brow.

"What would I do without you?" She bent forward, giving Anna a chaste kiss.

"Well, let's not find out," Anna said with a wink.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

There was something about Lord and Lady Pederson that Mary couldn't quite put her finger on. They were both nice and chatty, speaking to her and the family about anything and everything. But as Mary watched them interact with one another, it felt like a farce. Amelia sat near George, smiling up at him every so often. Unlike her parents, Amelia hardly talked. She would speak when spoken to, but otherwise she'd just sit there and listen, taking it all in. She was delightful and sweet, Mary noticed. And George seemed to only have eyes on her the entire night, having to be reminded to join in on the conversation.

When they went into the library for drinks afterwards, George took Amelia outside back to the gardens. Mary watched from the window, pleased to see her son find someone suited just for him. Amelia seemed just as smitten.

"Your son is a lovely chap," Lord Pederson said, drawing Mary's attention back to him.

"Thank you," she said. "Your daughter is lovely as well."

"Do you believe there will be wedding bells in the future?"

"If they want them," Mary answered. "I guess we'll have to wait and see."

"Yes," Lord Pederson agreed, rubbing his beard with his fingers. "I guess we will."

He was summoned back over to speak with her parents by his wife. Mary knew she should go over and entertain the guests as well. That was her job as mother to the future Earl, but she never really felt as though she belonged in that life, not anymore. She dreamed of meeting the parents with Anna, having a simple, but delicious meal. But this was all about appearances, trying to make sure the pair were suited for the world around them.

After they left a while later, Mary followed George around the hallway in an attempt to speak with him. She about reached out to touch him and gain his attention when Thomas stopped in front of them both, giving them a devious smile.

"So that's why you like Lady Amelia," he simply said, his smile growing.

"What are you talking about?" George asked. Mary took a few more steps closer to stand by her son.

"What are you going on about, Barrow?"

His smile faltered slightly.

"You really don't know?" He asked.

"No, we really don't," George sighed.

"You really don't know what he fancies?"

"Could you please stop talking in riddles and just tell us already?" Mary nearly snapped.

"Alright," Thomas said, clearing his throat. "Let's just say that Lord Pederson and his friend are often seen at the same clubs I frequent."

Mary cocked her head to the side, making sure she heard him correctly.

"What?"

"Yes. His wife is perfectly fine with it, from what I've been told. She happily travels the world. From what I've heard, this has been going on since the children were little. They call the friend their uncle."

"You're joking, right?" Mary asked. "This…." She shook her head.

"I don't see how…" George paused. "Honestly?"

"Honestly. I wouldn't lie to you, not about this." He tipped his head before going back down the stairs. Mary turned to her son, seeing shock over his face.

"Do you think Amelia knows?" He asked.

"I don't know," Mary answered. "If not, the poor girl is in for a shock."

"Well, we don't have to tell her."

"No," Mary agreed. "I guess not. I'm going to bed. You and I will speak in the morning."

"Alright." George bent down and kissed Mary's cheek. "Goodnight, Mother."

"Goodnight."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

He met Amelia two days later for a picnic lunch by the pond. No one was looking in, and he was thankful for that. He handed her a sandwich, having decided that he would not bring up any of the speculations about her father. It wasn't for him to know, either way. If she did know, he knew how hard that secret was to keep and even more so how important it was to keep.

"I…. I need to tell you something," Amelia said, her eyes falling to the pond. She tugged on her hands, swallowing hard.

"You can tell me anything."

"You may want nothing to do with me after I do. But…. well, it's important for me that you know, if this is to continue. I don't want there to be any secrets."

Before Amelia could say anything else, George blurted out,

"My Mother and our housekeeper, Anna, are in love."

Amelia looked up at him, blinking harshly. He sat back, surprised by the words coming out of his mouth.

"What?" she breathed.

"Not many people know," he clarified. "And I probably shouldn't have said that. I ask that you keep it to yourself. I understand if you…." Amelia's hand went over his and she gave him a smile.

"My father is that way too," she whispered. "My Uncle Daniel lives with us. He and Father have a wing of the house and my mother has another. It's been like that for as long as I can remember. Mother and Father were an arranged marriage. They did their duty having my brother and me. Ever since they've lived their separate lives in the same house."

"So, your staff knows?"

"Yes, they'd have to, wouldn't they? But they wouldn't say a word. Does your staff not know?"

"No." George shook his head. "My grandparents do not know, either. Very few people know."

"Oh, that must be difficult for them," Amelia said with an understanding sigh. A small chuckle then left her lips as her eyes moved up to meet his. "What are the odds that we'd find one another? You raised by two women, me by two men?"

George had to chuckle in response to that.

"I'd say quite low. Perhaps we should go and place some bets."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

George found his Aunt Anna in her parlor, working hard on some paperwork. She hadn't heard him, so he did a soft knock on the door, not wanting to frighten her. He'd been told about her past and knew that footsteps behind her could cause her to have flashbacks.

"Oh." Anna quickly stood. George shook his head.

"Don't stand on account of me, Aunt Anna," he said. He closed the door, wanting to be sure their conversation was private. "I wanted to apologize."

"Apologize? To me, why?"

"For the conversation I had with Mother earlier this week, I love you, Aunt Anna. I don't want you or Mother to think I don't care about your happiness."

"You don't have to apologize to me, George. You are in a difficult position. Our relationship is unconventional and it could hurt you. We'll happily remain hidden or leave this house, if it's what you need. You, Johnny, and Pippa will always come first to us, always."

"I know," George said. "I think we can make this place a safe place for you and Mother."

"What?"

"Amelia's home is safe for her father and uncle. They have staff they can trust. Now, it can't happen overnight. But between Thomas and her family, I bet we could slowly replace the staff with people who know and who won't tell a soul about you and Mother. You two could live freely within these walls."

"That sounds like a dream," Anna said, not so sure.

"As I said, it will take time. I know Mother wants you to retire, and I want that too for you, but I do think we should wait a while longer. Donk and Granny are still here. We can't risk them knowing."

"No," Anna agreed. "I think you're right."

"But I do want this home to be safe for the both of you. I know how much this home means to Mother. I want her to have what she's always wanted."

Anna gave him a kind smile.

"You've always been a good boy, George." She reached out, touching his cheek. "I've been blessed to be a part of your life."

"And me, a part of yours, Aunt Anna." He then touched her hand before hers dropped from his cheek. "Shall we do a family lunch tomorrow with Amelia? I'd like for her to meet you."

"Yes, I would love that."

Fall 1971

"Where are the boys?" Anna asked George and Amelia, looking around the backyard for two small children. George placed his hand on Anna's, forcing her to look up at him.

"At home," he answered. Anna furrowed her brows.

"Oh."

"They love being here with you," Amelia added, giving Anna a small smile. George looked at his wife gratefully.

"We'll have to play hide n seek next time," Anna said, nodding.

"Sure, darling," Mary told her, touching her cheek. George and Mary met eyes over Anna's head. George let out a low breath, his eyes solemn.

Once lunch was over, George helped to push Anna back into the house. He then helped to lift her into her bed, bringing the covers up and over her.

"You're such a good boy," Anna said. George took her hand, kissing her knuckles.

"I love you," he whispered fervently. His eyes moved over to his mother, who was grabbing a book from one of the shelves.

"I love you," Anna replied. She then sat up slightly, shaking her head. "Where's Mary!?"

"It's alright, darling. I'm here." George went to help his mother make her way over to Anna. She couldn't move as quickly as she used to be able to.

"I love you, too, you know," George said to her. Mary winked.

"I know. Now, go on with Amelia and visit us tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"And I love you both."

George watched as his mother soothed Anna. Finally, Anna settled. George took that cue to leave with his wife to go back to their home. He had decided not to tell his mother and Anna about the offer he'd just received about the Abbey. No, that could wait for another time.

To be continued...