Lady Edith's bedroom, Downton Abbey, December 1913

Edith looked at herself in a wedding gown and had to pinch herself to be sure she wasn't dreaming.

She was getting married!

In few short moments she was going to ride a carriage to the church with her father, through a beautifully decorated village full of cheering crowds. Sir Anthony would be waiting for her in the church with the Archbishop. Then the reception in outlandishly dressed up Great Hall and they would be off to Loxley for their wedding night – she blushed so much at the very thought! - and then they would depart on their honeymoon. Two weeks in Rome, then Florence, then Venice! Edith believed she couldn't be happier.

Anna placed Grantham wedding tiara on her head.

"The wedding tiara is so much prettier than that fender I have to wear for the opening of Parliament," noted Cora with a smile.

"You should wear this one, then," answered Edith, admiring it on her hair.

"No. Your father wouldn't like it. And I think it's nice that we keep it for all the Crawley brides."

"You will be next, Sybil," Edith grinned at her younger sister.

"Will I? What about Aunt Rosamund?"

Cora looked unsure for a moment.

"She hasn't said anything about it yet. And anyway, she did wear it during her first wedding," she shrugged and turned to her middle daughter, so dazzling in her wedding finery. Always a bit plain when compared to her sister, today she seemed to rival Mary in her glowing beauty. Happiness became her.

"You look beautiful," she told her and cherished Edith's beaming smile in response.

"You really do!" said Sybil sincerely, embracing her delicately as to not crush the dress. "I hope you will be very happy!"

"Thank you, darling!" said Edith, truly touched.

Mary approached her next, with a cautious look.

"Edith, I know we haven't always got along, and I doubt things change much in the future, but today I wish you all the luck in the world. I hope your husband will make you as happy as you hope for."

"Thank you," answered Edith, surprised by Mary's evident sincerity. They kissed briefly and she was left with her mother.

"Oh, my darling, sweet girl," said Cora effusively, taking her hands. "You've always been my sweetest girl and you will remain so, even with a household and family of your own. I wish you best of luck today and am so proud of what beautiful bride you make."

Edith had to blink her eyes to stop herself from tearing up. She felt as if she could burst from happiness.

St. Michael and All Angels Church, Downton Village, December 1913

Mary let out a breath she had not realised she was holding when Sir Anthony made his vows to Edith this time.

Whatever the state of the relationship between them, she would not want to witness her sister humiliated like that ever again. Her conscience prickled her again, reminding her that if she hadn't interfered in Sir Anthony's proposal during that horrid garden party, he would have married Edith back then too.

But then she remembered why she had done it and her heart hardened. Without Edith's letter to the Turkish embassy she might have had more courage to confess to Matthew before the war. She would definitely have escaped being tangled with Richard. Bates would have never been blackmailed into abandoning Anna and Downton. Not to mention a small matter of herself avoiding the humiliation of whispers, derision and lack of invitations in London.

Maybe she had done a horrible thing to Edith (no maybe about that, really), but Edith had done her best to ruin Mary's life.

Oh, what was the point of dwelling on all that now. Mary shook her thoughts off and turned to smile at her impossibly handsome husband sitting by her in his dashing morning coat. She was much too happy to contemplate her feud with Edith further. Especially since for the first time ever she was looking forward to celebrating Christmas without her.

Master bedroom, Eryholme, Christmas morning 1913

Mary opened her eyes, blinking slowly to get rid of the remnants of sleep.

Her cheek was resting comfortably on the naked chest of her husband. She could feel his warm skin, the slight movements when he breathed and the steady beat of his heart. She snuggled to him a bit more and dragged the blankets higher against the slight chill of the bedroom. Judging from the temperature and the darkness outside she must have woken up before Martha came to make the fire.

It was rare that she woke up before Matthew. He was the early bird in their relationship, waking up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed while she was barely able to form a coherent thought before her first cup of tea. Whenever it happened though, like today, she indulged herself in just savouring the moment of quiet joy of just being close to him like that. His calm breath, his heartbeat, his skin. His face, so handsome and relaxed in sleep. His tousled blond hair, so soft and silky when she threaded it between her fingers. The feel of his slim, strong body, naked after the previous night's lovemaking, against hers.

She saw the door opening quietly and Martha creeping in with the coal basket, careful not to wake the master and her ladyship and keeping her eyes firmly averted from the bed or the clothes strewn around it. Mary stifled her amusement at the thought what kinds of tales must be shared about them downstairs. At least she could trust Anna to be discreet, which was a blessing considering what kinds of information she was privy to about her mistress and master.

The fire was crinkling merrily and warming the bedroom wonderfully soon after Martha's departure. Mary felt her husband beginning to stir.

"Merry Christmas, Matthew," she whispered to him, basking again in the knowledge that it was the best Christmas she ever had, even though the day barely began.

Breakfast room, Eryholme, Christmas Day, 1913

"I heard Aunt Rosamund plans to rent Painswick House after she marries," said Mary hesitatingly.

"Good decision," said Matthew distractedly over his newspaper. "She could hardly get a better return on any investment she could make with the money from selling it."

"Maybe we could rent it?"

Matthew's head shot up.

"We?"

"You did say that it could be nice to have our own place in London instead of opening Grantham House."

"Yes, but do we need a mansion in Belgravia?" asked Matthew incredulously.

"It's really a comfortable house, much more practical than Grantham House, you know," said Mary defensively. "What would you have in mind then?"

"Something smaller," said Matthew wryly. "Maybe a terrace in West Kensington or near Reggie and Lavinia in Regent's Park if something was available?"

"I guess it would not be too dismal," sighed Mary, trying to curb her annoyance. "But Belgravia is nicer and more befitting future Earl and Countess."

Matthew sighed as well. He did expect this battle to take place, but he rather hoped to have it on some different occasion than Christmas morning.

"And how many servants would it require to keep up?"

"Not so many," claimed Mary defensively. "We could bring Mrs Gruntler with us for any longer trip, as well as Molesley, Anna and one of the maids. So we would need just a housekeeper and a maid to keep the house ready and in good condition for our visits."

Matthew sighed again and rubbed his temples. A house in London would be convenient, but Painswick House was hardly his idea of cosy and comfortable.

Then again, Mary was starting from the sprawling monstrosity which was Grantham House... Painswick House was more streamlined and practical in comparison.

"Would you also expect to redecorate it?" he asked with sudden suspicion.

"Only if we could afford it and if Aunt Rosamund agreed, of course," Mary assured him quickly. "It would hardly be a priority, it's very well appointed. I do admit that my taste and Aunt Rosamund's do vary though..."

Matthew rolled his eyes.

"We can talk with Aunt Rosamund," he acquiesced reluctantly. "If the terms she demands are within our budget, we can consider it further. I would also like to see more of the house before we commit to anything. And maybe visit some other houses for rent as well, if you're amenable to it? Who knows, maybe I could manage to convince you that not every address in London beyond Belgravia or Mayfair is so middle class it's practically slums."

He finished his speech in a teasing tone, so Mary wisely decided against taking offence and just rolled her own eyes slightly and changed the topic. After all, she could see she was close to winning.

"Do you want to exchange our presents here or at Downton with the others?" she asked. They were expected there at luncheon and dinner, after they handed our Christmas gifts to their own servants.

Matthew looked at her in a way that made her shiver.

"Here, definitely," he answered firmly. "And maybe we should do it in a more private room."

Mary nodded, feeling herself blush. Her first Christmas Day as a married woman this time around was more than fulfilling her expectations so far.

Dining Room, Eryholme, Boxing Day 1913

Mary eyed the room critically and breathed a discreet sigh of relief. Everything looked as splendid as it was supposed to.

It was the first formal dinner for her family she and Matthew organised as a married couple. They spent the first few weeks after their honeymoon settling in their new home and then most of December at Grantham House in London, with Matthew attending to business and Mary her first winter season as a married woman, so Boxing Day has been scheduled as their first grand occasion to shine and show off. The round table in the dining room had been extended to fit nine people comfortably and set beautifully with sparkling crystals, their wedding dining set, silver cutlery and hothouse flowers. Molesley was serving and so far keeping his nerves admirably in check, with Anna quietly in the back in charge of wines. The whole house was magnificently decorated for Christmas and the company full of joy and good cheer, with one notable exception.

Mary sighed. She was quite glad that Edith and Sir Anthony were presently in Italy enjoying their honeymoon, but unfortunately Aunt Rosamund and Richard decided to spend Christmas at Downton ahead of their wedding in January and thus could not be excluded from the invitation to dinner at Eryholme. Having Richard present at her first event as a married woman was not something Mary envisioned and his intrusion vexed her to no end.

She had no idea what prompted the drastic changes in his life – she was very sure it was nothing to do with her own travel to the past – but she was never one to dwell on whys when she had the present to contend with. And the present challenge was to remain a gracious hostess and not let Sir Richard Carlisle ruin her enjoyment of the occasion.

"Your cook has outdone herself, my dear. Everything was delicious," complimented her Isobel graciously.

"I must quite agree with Cousin Isobel," smiled Robert. "It was quite a feast."

Mary smiled at them in gratitude.

"Shall we go through?" she asked, standing up. She was thrilled to be a proper hostess in her own house. Why had she ever fought with Matthew to stay at Downton where she would have always remained in Mama's shadow?

The ladies came through to the creamy white drawing room with a sparkling Christmas tree among the tall French windows, which made Sybil exclaim in awe.

"It's so beautiful here, Mary! You must be very happy with your home."

"I quite am," admitted Mary softly, enjoying the fond smiles on her female relatives faces. It was wonderful to be happy and to know that all of them were so happy for her and Matthew.

"It's a pity Edith isn't here. You must invite her as soon as she is back from Italy," said Sybil, sitting on one of the flowery sofas.

"I expect she will want to settle at Loxley first," said Mary, supressing a wince. She knew she would have to invite Edith, but quite frankly she wasn't missing her very much.

She noticed Cora sending her a warning look.

"All the same, I think Sybil is right. It will be nice to give Edith and Sir Anthony a week or two to settle, and maybe even wait for the first invitation for us to visit Loxley, but afterwards you really should have them here."

This time Mary did scowl and roll her eyes. Seriously, she knew the proper etiquette!

"I will, Mama. There is no need to lecture me, you know."

The look Cora sent her was rather doubtful, but she graciously changed the topic.

xxx

Meanwhile, Matthew, Robert and Richard did their best to enjoy the port and cigars together, resigned to the fact of many similar occasions ahead of them.

"Are you going back to London in January?" asked Robert, lighting his cigar.

"Yes," answered Matthew, lighting his own. "With the Parliament in session we all need to be present. I expect to be rather busy for some weeks, we have plenty of meetings scheduled and more we wish to arrange."

"And what is that deal you are so busily working on?" asked Sir Richard. He rather expected he knew, and it still annoyed him to no end that it would end up earning Crawley a fortune, even though he was planning to invest in the enterprise himself. Knowledge of the future was very useful aspect of time travel when it came to investments.

"It's hardly a secret at this point, considering the matter is subjected to debate in Parliament," answered Matthew calmly. "We are representing Anglo-Persian Oil Company in the hope of establishing them as the main supplier of oil for the British Navy."

"It would be good to have a British supplier in case of a war instead of relying on the Dutch," noted Robert approvingly. "I hope it goes through."

"It will be rather profitable for you if it does, won't it?" asked Sir Richard, making it somehow sound as if that was in some way underhanded. Matthew grinded his teeth against instant surge of irritation.

"I hope it will be, yes. As much as I enjoy my work, I am not doing it for satisfaction alone."

He thought back to Mary's surprising proposal of renting her aunt's house. The suitability of it for their London residence aside, he suddenly was tempted to get it just to show Carlisle that he could afford a mansion in one of the best neighbourhoods if he wanted to. Which was silly and completely unlike him. That man was just bringing up his worst side somehow.

Maybe it was just because Carlisle was obviously coveting his wife and had attempted to blackmail her once upon a time. That would justify an impulse to punch him in the face, wouldn't it?

Downton Abbey, New Year's Eve, 1913

They were waiting to celebrate New Year of 1914 and all Mary could feel was dread.

She again felt as if she was living with the constant presence of an unforgiving countdown in her head.

It started already with Christmas. She looked at the festive decorations and thought this is the last Christmas celebration before the war. Then they were planning further winter festivities and she was reminded that they will be the last for years as well – they did not organise neither New Year shoot nor Servants' Ball during the war, finding it inappropriate. She squeezed Matthew's hand and noticed him sending her concerned glances, but the best she could give him was a wane smile, which she knew was not going to appease his worry but there was hardly anything she could say to explain her mood.

With firm resolution she steeled herself and tried to block any thoughts of oncoming carnage. They still had seven months. Seven months to enjoy their marriage, their new home, maybe to make a baby. There were good things coming as well – Sybil's debut, glittering London parties, summer gaieties of the kind impossible to recreate after the war. She thought she had to talk Matthew into travelling to the Continent again in the spring, to experience it before the devastation of war.

When the clock struck midnight, she kissed Matthew with way too much abandon for a family gathering, blaming it blithely on overindulgence of champagne and focusing with all her might on present happiness. They still had seven months.

Downton Village, January 6th, 1914

Richard and Rosamund were riding a carriage from the church to Downton Abbey for the reception. He looked at the gathered cheering crowds, the white bunting, the flashes of the cameras of numerous reporters eager for a picture of high society wedding to gush over in their newspapers (many of them his own, but by no means only) and he felt immense satisfaction. That was the exact reason he insisted on holding the wedding in Downton, not in London. It was sending a clear message that he was joining a wholly different level of society now and he was fully determined to become a fixed part of it, however reluctantly accepted.

"The villagers are sure getting a show. Third wedding in the Earl's family in three months!" he heard his bride saying as they were waving at the onlookers.

"Repetition hasn't decreased their enthusiasm," Richard answered dryly.

He did enjoy his wedding. Maybe not the wedding itself so much as what it signified for his place in the world. If only he could stop himself from imagining his bride hair and eyes to be chocolate brown.

But he couldn't escape the thought that it should have been Mary he was marrying today.

Great Hall, Downton Abbey, January 6th, 1914

"Are you going for a honeymoon?" asked Lady Russell curiously. Around them the reception was going with all the bustle of music, numerous conversations and munching on even more numerous delicacies.

"Of course," answered Sir Richard smoothly, "We are departing to Paris tomorrow and then Berlin and Vienna."

"How romantic," commented Lady Flintshire, in a tone which implied a heavy disapproval. Rosamund had no business having a honeymoon considering it was her second marriage and she was hardly a blushing virgin – or a grieving widow if the gossip which reached Susan was to be believed. And knowing her dear cousin Rosamund, she did believe it.

"We like to think so," answered Rosamund with a cutting smile. Trust dear Susan to try to cast gloom on any happy occasion.

"And where are you going to live? In Painswick House?"

Richard bristled slightly at the implication that of course any house he could have would be inferior to Lady Rosamund's. His new wife put a calming hand on his arm, letting him know she would handle it.

"Oh no. Richard has a marvellous house on Upper Grosvenor Street. It was built in 1732, but he renovated it extensively in 1908. He got Ralph Nott as the architect and the results are spectacular, I must say."

"Mayfair is the greatest location possible, to be sure," noted Lady Russell politely.

"What are you going to do with Painswick House then?" enquired Lady Shackleton.

"I will rent it out," answered Rosamund. "Neither Richard or I are lacking in money and I dare say the house is a good asset, likely to appreciate in value, so I don't see a reason to sell it in haste. Actually, Mary approached me about possibly renting it for herself and Matthew."

"She did?" Richard's eyebrows raised up in surprise. "You didn't mention it to me before."

"She only talked with me last night. She said that Matthew is spending more and more time in London on business and they would prefer to have their own place instead of staying at Grantham House. We will have to discuss the details after we come back from honeymoon, but I would prefer to rent it to family rather than some strangers, so if we agree on terms, I do not see why not. Maybe they also would keep some of the servants I am not taking with me."

The servants were a subject of contentious negotiations between them. Rosamund insisted on comfort of being surrounded by familiar faces of servants she trusted and who were familiar with her habits and preferences. The problem was, Richard wished for the same. In the end they agreed on combined list of servants from both households and gave notice to those who didn't make it, but it was a headache they were both happy was behind them.

"Matthew can afford a house in Eaton Square and a permanent staff there?" asked Susan with astonishment. "My, being a solicitor must pay better than I would expect."

Richard gritted his teeth.

"Mary does say he is doing quite well for himself," said Rosamund pointedly. She could think that Mary could have done better than a lawyer, whatever he was due to inherit one day, but here they were talking with strangers. It was unacceptable to put family down and honestly, Susan should have known better than that. "He opened a branch of his law firm in Darlington, to better serve their customers in the north, but he and his partners are making quite a big splash in government and industrial circles in London from what I hear."

"I really like what Mary did with the house at Eryholme," said Lady Russell conciliatorily. "It's so charming and modern now! I barely recognised the interiors from what I remember from past visits when the Rowlands were renting the place."

"Oh, it is lovely, isn't it, Richard?" agreed Rosamund with only slightly faked enthusiasm. After all her niece and her brother's heir prosperity and success reflected well on their whole family. "We have been dining there on Boxing Day."

"It is indeed a lovely house," Richard managed to say, albeit with great effort. "However I expect that we will search for a bigger one in time."

"You intend to purchase a house in the country?" asked Lady Flintshire with interest.

"We do," answered Richard, glad to steer the conversation away from the many successes and virtues of bloody Matthew Crawley. "There is no hurry, but we do intend to find a proper estate to make our own. One does seem necessary nowadays to entertain in proper style outside of London winter and summer seasons."

"Quite ambitious of you," drawled Lady Flintshire condescendingly and Richard felt a surge of unfortunately familiar rage coursing through his veins. The insufferable and unearned arrogance of those people! He comforted himself with knowledge that in few short years it would be obvious to everybody with half a brain that his lot was the one on the upswing and theirs on their fast way down. For now though it was an unpleasant necessity to make nice and wiggle his way into their circles, abhorrent as he found them.

"Rightly so," said his new wife, staring her cousin down. "I have every conviction that my husband is going to realise any ambition of his he may have. Isn't that right, darling?"

He looked at her green eyes. However much he might wish that it was her niece he had married today, he knew that she would make an amazing partner for him.

"Absolutely, my dear."

The Great Hall, Downton Abbey, January 12th, 1914

Anna looked with amusement at Edna and Ethel's wide eyes when they entered the great hall of Downton Abbey for the first time – and not as servants but as guests. The whole household of Eryholme was invited to the Servants' Ball at the big house. There was much rejoicing in the mostly young servant hall of the heir's house when the invitation was received.

Anna was very happy herself to be included despite her following Lady Mary after her wedding – she had many joyful memories of Servants' Balls from her years at the big house – but today she was searching for one face in particular. She knew that Mr Bates won't be dancing with his leg as it was, but she was still so looking forward to seeing him and talking with him. She enjoyed her work at Eryholme and made friends with the staff there, but she missed people from the Abbey and Mr Bates most of all.

There he was, standing a bit aside as usual, and his eyes did light up in a friendly smile when he spotted her.

"Good evening, Mr Bates!" she said brightly, feeling an answering smile growing on her own face.

"Good evening, Anna," he greeted her back in that wonderful warm tone of his – one which conveyed that it really was a good evening for him and that it was all better for her presence. "Will you introduce me to your new friends?"

She gladly did it, if only for him to understand her grumblings and jokes about them later. Oh, she was so glad at the perspective of spending the next two days in his company again!

Great Hall, Downton Abbey, January 12th, 1914

Matthew dutifully danced the first waltz with Miss O'Brien. She really wasn't a bad dancer and was perfectly gracious in her behaviour to him, but somehow he could not get over instinctive dislike of her. He danced the next one with Anna with much greater pleasure. Then came Gwen, who was going to start working in his new Darlington office from February (he cowered under Mrs Hughes' glare when she noticed them together – apparently she still didn't forgive him for luring away her second most experienced housemaid), and then Mrs Patmore, Edna, Ethel and Mother. By the time he finally could ask his own wife to dance, it was nearly midnight.

She was standing by the window, looking outside at the starry sky. There was no snow this year, but the night was still very beautiful – and Mary even more so. He still could hardly believe sometimes that this amazing woman was his wife. That he was allowed to look at her, to kiss her, to touch her as much as he liked.

Although perhaps not in the crowded ballroom, he chided himself.

She looked up at him with a smile and he could have sworn she literally took his breath away for a moment.

"What about it?" he asked, offering her his hand. When she graciously accepted and put her hand in his, Matthew thought again that he surely must be the luckiest chap in the world.