Chapter 3
A/N Thanks for all your great reviews!
It had been a total whirlwind of activity, Mary leaned back in her pillow as she thought about the last twenty-four hours. The impossible had happened; there was no explanation, but it was true; Matthew had returned to her. Seven years of misery were wiped away in a single encounter. After her sobbing had subsided, Mary had looked into her Matthew's eye and knew it was him. The softness there, the longing there, it was her Matthew. Matthew seemed hesitant, and she could not blame him. She knew he would need a lot of time. While he might have memories of their rings, his proposal, thirty-five years of his life were missing. There was so much to be worked out. She would have to give him time, and she would have to figure out the rest of the mess.
Then Mary had called to Tom who already had the family gathered outside the Library doors at the French villa. Mama and Papa and Tom and Edith and Bertie all stared in amazement. Of course, Bertie had never met Matthew, but he had heard so much about him and had seen many photos and portraits of him. Mary had announced that she was convinced that this stranger was in fact Matthew. Matthew did not recognize the family, but he felt a warmth and familiarity that settled him.
After shaking his hand and listening to Matthew's story, Papa had run to call Murray to find out what they could do to confirm Matthew's identity. Matthew stayed for dinner, conversing with all the family and answering their questions the best he could. Mary had remained quiet, just staring in wonder at him. Papa had invited Matthew to stay at the villa, but Matthew had thought it better he return to his hotel and process all that had happened. Mary had walked him out as a car waited for him. She had asked the rest of the family to hang back. Matthew took her hands in his own and had told her that he did not know what the future would hold, but he was so glad he had found her and that she seemed to be the key to the mystery of his life.
Mary was a little concerned that he was saying goodbye, that he would not return. But when he had seen the concern in her eyes, he quickly had reassured her, telling her that he would return tomorrow and that if she felt comfortable, she was welcome to visit him at his hotel. He had touched her cheek so gently. He looked like he wanted to kiss her, and Mary so hoped that he would, but perhaps it was too soon for him. So, she did not push it.
Now as she leaned back on her pillow, she could not wait to see him again, she could not wait for him to see George again. She would of course have to prepare George, and she needed to call Isobel. There was so much to be done.
A-A-A-A-A-
At breakfast, Robert informed the family that Murray had determined that they could check Matthew's fingerprints against his army records and confirm what they already knew, that this man who called himself Dwight Enys was in fact Matthew Crawley. Everyone still seemed to be very excited about the turn of events. But Cora seemed to be eyeing Mary with concern as was Tom. After the meal was finished, Tom told Lucy he needed some time with Mary and pulled Mary into the Library to further discuss the turn of events.
"Are you ok?"
Mary smiled at him.
"Ok, I'm the best I have ever been. I think last night might have been the happiest night of my life, happier that when Matthew proposed, happier than when we married. I am more ok that I have been since Matthew was taken from us."
Tom took a deep breath, he had to broach this.
"Have you thought about Henry?"
Mary looked at him, she knew what he was asking.
"What about him?"
Tom rolled his eyes.
"He has been your husband for the last several years and the father of your daughter. Where does this leave him? Are you conflicted? I'm worried about you and him."
Mary looked at Tom, stern eyes.
"Tom, are you not thrilled that Matthew is in fact alive and with us? I thought you two were friends. Or is Henry just so much more to you?"
"Mary you know I'm thrilled for Matthew to be with us. But this is complicated. Even though I know it could never happen, because Sybil died in front of us, if Sybil came back, as much as I love and miss her, it would make for quite the complication."
Mary rolled her eyes.
"That is because, you love Lucy as well. Tom have you not noticed that Henry travels a lot; have you not noticed that our marriage is more than wanting. I think Henry will be happy not to be married to me. Because since Matthew is alive, he is still my husband, and I'm fairly certain that I'm not legally married to Henry. I am concerned for Caroline, because this will put her legitimacy in question. But I'm certain that when Matthew meets her, he would be glad to claim her as him own."
"So, you have this all thought threw, all figured out already."
"I would not say that. I just know one thing. I love Matthew like no other, in all the years I thought he was dead that has not changed. I felt better standing at his grave, than living with Henry. Our relationship has been cordial at best. I'm sorry, I never should have married him. He would have made a very sexy fling, but he was never husband material. I made a mistake; I have known that for years."
Tom winced. He had not realized how bad things were between his best friend and his sister in law. He felt guilty now. He had pushed Mary toward Henry; he was responsible for her unhappiness. Henry kept saying that he needed to travel for business. Tom knew this was not really true. He should have seen in it.
"I'm sorry, I guess I have been very blind. I had no idea. Maybe I did, but I did not recognize it."
"Tom, I never said you are to blame. But really, I feel with Matthew's return, things could not have turned out better. What I really need to work out, is how to tell Isobel, how to prepare my son. I need to know how Matthew really feels; if he is ready to return to us. He has some small memories of me, but clearly, he is lost. This must be so overwhelming for him."
Just then the butler interrupted.
"Mr. Enys"
Matthew walked into the library, his face shining with a smile as he met Mary's eyes. Tom greeted him.
"Still Mr. Enys?"
Matthew smiled.
"I think we need to find a way to confirm my identity before I take back my name and my life."
Mary smiled.
"Papa has already started on that. Murray, our lawyer, says you need to get fingerprinted and it can be compared to your army record and we can confirm it that way."
Matthew took a deep breath. He had suspected that he had served in the great war with the scar he had on his back, but he had never tried to confirm it. Maybe if he had done that, he would have found his family, and his identity long ago.
"That would be wonderful. I think it best we do that as soon as we return to England."
Mary smiled. She was glad he was eager.
"When do you expect to return to Cornwall?"
"I'm scheduled to be here for two more weeks. This was supposed to just be a break from my work duties, but as it turns out, it's been the best days of the life I remember."
Mary gasped. She was so happy he felt the same.
"We are also supposed to be here for another two weeks, searching out a mystery that Granny has given us. I know you don't remember her, but I think it would be great if you joined us anyway. Even if you don't stay here, we could still spend time together."
Matthew smiled.
"I would love that."
A-A-A-A-A-
The family had decided not to call Isobel and tell her the news until they were surer. Matthew continued to come to the villa each day and spend time with Mary and the family. He discovered that he knew how to play tennis when Tom and Bertie had challenged him to a game. Of course, Mary knew this already, but she stood back and allowed him his own discoveries. In the week that had past, Mary rarely found herself alone with Matthew. She knew her family was hovering close by. But she felt she needed an opportunity get him to explore their relationship on a more personal level and see if they could evoke any memories. Of course, she wanted him to remember her and their life together, but she also just wanted to be with him.
One day the family headed out on a day trip to Monaco and Mary decided to stay back at the villa so she and Matthew could have some time alone together. After a nice tea together, where they just continued to become re-acquainted. Mary suggested that they swim in the pool. Matthew had been prepared for this suggestion and they both went to change and met out in the beautiful sun on the chaises just at the pool edge. Mary's face brightened with a huge smile when she saw Matthew in his swim trunks with a robe tied around him. The only other time she had seen him dressed like that was when they had honeymooned here in the south of France. Blissful memories flooded her brain and she could not bring her face to a more neutral expression.
"Your smile is so lovely!"
Mary started to blush under his gaze which was now settled on her swim costume, which he could see as her robe hung open.
"You could come closer if you want. I won't bite. I have noticed in general that you seem reticent to spend time alone with me. I understand you don't really remember, but I was hoping we could get to know each other anew."
Matthew's smile dimmed a bit. He so desperately wanted to get to know Mary better in every way possible. He had small flashes of memory; her hair draped around him; proposing in the snow; putting the rings on her fingers. But in the week, he had spent with the family not much more. He was also concerned with the complications he was going to bring into her life. He knew she had married again. He could not blame her; he had been dead and buried. But did she want a life with him, when she already had a settled life with a husband and another child with that husband.
"I'm not afraid. And your right my memories are limited. I just don't want to intrude on your life. I was so excited to discover who I was, who I am, that I did not consider what I would be doing to your life. You have a husband and another child with him. I don't want to ruin that for you."
Mary gave a rueful smile. She was wondering when he would bring that up. She knew it had to be discussed. It was time to be clear on the matter.
"Henry is a nice man, and given I thought you were gone forever, I thought we could be happy together. I even went to your grave to ask for your forgiveness before I accepted him. But while I am immensely grateful for my daughter Caroline, our marriage is not a love story. We have drifted apart; he spends a lot of time travelling for his car business and when he is home we don't live as man and wife. Well maybe the way many aristocrats do, but certainly not the way we had lived as man and wife."
Matthew gave a concerned look.
"I'm sorry for you. But does it make me a bad man that what you are telling me pleases me immensely."
Mary smiled; traces of her Matthew were continuing to emerge.
"And what about you? It's been seven years since you started a new life. Do you have a hidden wife and family? I already know you are irresistible, I'm sure many a woman would lay themselves at your feet for whatever you wanted."
She had said the last line with a wink, and it was making Matthew weak in the knees. They were having quite a serious conversation, but Matthew could not take his eyes off her. She was so alluring, it stirred things in him that he did not knew were there. There had been women, he was a man after all. But no one who made him feel the way he the way he did right then?
Matthew took several steps toward her and placed a hand on her cheek.
"There is no wife, no children. It may be hard for you to believe, but women don't really like to be with a man without a past. I tried for a while to pretend that I was someone, but I'm not good at faking it and they always saw through it. And I think I was haunted by you. I always knew there was someone out there, but I did not know who, how or where."
Mary looked deeply into those blue eyes.
"You never could tell a lie with a straight face. You also could never really hide your emotions. You became quite the aristocrat, but you never lost your roots. One of the many reasons I love you."
Mary realized she had let that slip. She had not said it in the past tense, but in the current tense. She hoped it would not alarm him.
Matthew stared into her eyes and then pulled her head closer to him and proceeded to kiss her lightly on the lips. Mary could not resist him and increased the kiss. An incessant pull existed between them, and it could not be denied. Mary brought up her hands, so they rested around his neck and Matthew pulled her closer to him at her waist. The lack of proper clothing made this quite improper, but neither seemed to care, as the tempo of the kiss increased and Matthew deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue in Mary's open waiting mouth. After a few minutes, they broke to catch their breath and Matthew saw that Mary had tears in her eyes.
"Have I done something wrong?"
Mary smiled. Matthew always worried about her.
"Hardly, I'm afraid I'm just overwhelmed with an emotion called happiness. You always broke down my hard exterior, and I'm so glad you still do."
Matthew quirked an eyebrow and took off his robe exposing him in just his swim costume.
"Take off your robe darling."
Mary looked at him suspiciously but did as he asked as he continued to devour her with his eyes. Mary remembered the look in his eyes well. She was not quite sure what he intended, they were quite outside, and they could not do that. As she contemplated what was in his mind, he took her hand and pulled her toward the pool and promptly they both fell into it. Mary scrambled to emerge back to the surface where she met a wet Matthew with a gleam in his eyes. When had she seen that mischievous look before? And then she realized, it had been on their honeymoon when he had pulled her into the ocean. Mary again was filled with happiness and a bit of mischief of her own.
"Come, lets race"
Mary took off and Matthew swam quickly to catch up to her. He caught up to her and pulled her into his arms. Nose to nose, he kissed her again as he relished the feeling of being under the sun, in the water with this wonderful woman in his arms. He could not imagine how he could not remember her clearly. But he knew he wanted to make new memories with her. He was sure they would eventually work out all the mess and complications. For now, he just wanted to relish in it, and from the feel of her, he was sure she felt the same.
"Mary! What a surprise, I see that while the cat has been away, the mouse is certainly playing."
Mary broke away from Matthew's embrace and looked out to the pool deck to see Henry Talbot.
TBC
A/N – Thank you so much for the great reaction this story has garnered. Thank you for the follows, the favorites and for your kind reviews. I think one or two more chapters on this one. Let me know if you have any specific plot points you would like included. I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter. Please leave a review and let me know.
