Passage Chapter 5, a downton abbey fanfic

AN: Thanks to all who have been following this journey, especially to those who have been kind enough to leave a review. Please keep them coming.

He suddenly felt quite tired and longed to lie down, weary from the drama that seemed unending.

Apparently, his wife felt the same way since she basically dismissed Tony by pointing to the phone next to the arm chair and stating she would call his wife later regarding the dinner invitation

"Am I to assume we are neighbors, then?" Mary added as an afterthought. "Is your cabin nearby?"

"No, I'm on top of you," Tony replied, his face reddening instantly as he realized his poor choice of words and then adding, "That is to say, my and Mabel's cabin is situated above your and Matthew's suite. Our cabin number is A-36."

Matthew scowled. If ever there was a Freudian slip.

Whether their uninvited guest saw it or not, he finally came to realize he was persona non grata and put an end to their misery by advising Mary that he would relay her message to his wife, thanking them both for their time, and making a swift exit.

"I'm sorry, darling." Mary said, bringing her arm back around, her hand still clutching the knickers. "About this…," she said looking down at the grey silk balled in her palm, "…and his showing up. I was hoping we could avoid the Foyles altogether."

Matthew was surprised to find that he still could smile but it came effortlessly now, all down to Mary.

She loved him and they were on the same page. Nothing else mattered.

He crossed the room in three long strides, pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

CHAPTER 5

Matthew derived great pleasure in kissing Mary and did so whenever an opportune moment was at hand. For a split second, as his lips claimed hers, it occurred to him that this was not one of those moments and an alarm went off in his head. Yet it ceased as soon as he felt his wife's arms wrap around his neck, her action rendering him incapable of logical thought.

Driven by his primal instincts, his palms encircled her bare shoulders and he pulled her closer, reveling in the feel of the exposed skin beneath his hands, soft as the petals of a rose with a scent that smelled as sweet.

Intoxicated by both, he pressed his body into Mary's and deepened their kiss, throwing caution to the wind. Then the sound of someone knocking on the door brought him back to his senses, dampening his ardor as quickly as if a cold bucket of water had been poured over him.

He mustered enough willpower to raise his head and take a step back, breaking their embrace. Then with ragged breath he uttered, "Considering we are in plain sight and one of the children could have come upon us, I suppose I am grateful for the interruption…but if Tony Foyle has returned, there is a good possibility that I will be sleeping in the brig tonight."

Mary broke out into raucous laughter, her flushed cheeks rising and the desire in her eyes replaced by merriment as Matthew's glib comment reached her ears.

"Darling, you must keep a tight reign on your emotions no matter who is on the other side of that door," she demanded. "I refuse to sleep alone on our first night at sea…or any other for that matter."

Matthew chuckled, too, for a moment before following his wife's directive, taking in a long deep breath and exhaling it before smiling at Mary and heading for the door.

Fortunately, he did not find Lord Gillingham standing in the open doorway. Instead, the long-awaited stewardess dressed in standard maid's attire stood before him with a broom, shovel and an apology for taking so long to arrive.

"I'm sorry for the delay Mr. Crawley. The first day at sea can be quite hectic, as you likely have discovered yourself," she said with an Irish brogue and a warm smile.

Matthew returned it, finding the woman standing before him bore a close resemblance in both her attire and physical appearance to one of the maids that had worked at Downton many years earlier.

If memory served, and he was grateful that it did, she left service right about the time the war broke out to become a secretary. Mr. Carson had been utterly confounded as he could not fathom why anyone fortunate enough to work for the Earl of Grantham would seek employment elsewhere.

The servant's name did not immediately pop into his head, but after a few moments, he blurted out, "Gwen," confusing the stewardess, who apparently surmised he was referring to her.

"No, Sir," she corrected him. "My name is Bridget…Bridget McInerney, I have been assigned to your suite and will be working hand in hand with Mr. John Walsh, your steward. He should be arriving any moment to assist with your unpacking and provide you with a layout of the ship as well as other information pertaining to the Olympic that will assist you during your voyage."

Matthew apologized to the White Star employee for the miscommunication, explaining that he had not been referring to her as Gwen, but instead thinking out loud as she reminded him of someone that bore that name. Then he ushered her into the room and properly introduced her to Mary.

Taking note of the broom and shovel in the woman's hands, she questioned if Mrs. McInerney had come to unpack or to clean, adding that the rooms appeared spotless.

"Both, Lady Mary," the stewardess replied. "I'll begin unpacking your baggage as soon as I sweep up the broken glass in the cabin adjoining yours."

"Broken glass?" Matthew queried.

She nodded "Yes, Sir. Truth be told, that is why it took me so long to get here. I was on my way to your suite to unpack when my supervisor stopped me in my tracks and directed me to get a broom and shovel as he received a call from the woman that occupies the adjoining cabin notifying him that a vase had been knocked over and it shattered into pieces."

Matthew and Mary veered their eyes from the stewardess to each other and cried out in unison, "Victoria!"

The employee shook her head back and forth, "No…I believe the woman who reported the breakage stated her name was Anna…a Mrs. Anna Bates. Is that not your servant's name?"

Appearing exasperated, Matthew opened his mouth to reply but then closed it quickly. He then turned from the stewardess to his wife, and sighed, "Darling, would be so kind as to set things straight here. I think it best I that retire to our bedroom to lie down a bit."

When Mary entered the room, she found Matthew resting comfortably on their four-post bed with his legs outstretched and back propped up against its mahogany headboard, buffered by two fluffy white pillows as he perused the layout of the Olympic.

"Please tell me the vase wasn't an imported antique that will wind up costing us as much as this trip," he called out as his wife closed the door behind her."

Mary reached the bed quickly, shed her high-heeled shoes and inched her bottom into the vacant spot on his left, mirroring his position.

Taking in the lovely jacquard wall covering, the Queen Anne pattern held her eye for a moment, before she replied, "Relax, darling. I have been assured that although the vase resembled an Emile Galle, it was a knockoff, mass produced and quite inexpensive. Apparently, the owners of the White Star line were pragmatic when it came to decorating rooms that children would inhabit, knowing mishaps would occur no matter their lineage."

Matthew passed her one of the pillows behind him and chuckled, "Some more than others." Then upon further reflecting on the matter, he concluded, "In fact, it would not surprise me to learn that the children traveling first class are responsible for the majority of broken bric-a-brac on board the ship as they know their parents will have no issue in paying for their damages. Generally speaking, I have found that those born to the aristocracy as well as the nouveau riche haven't an inkling of what anything costs…nor do they care."

"I know you are not referring to Victoria when you say that," Mary replied. "She does care… very much, in fact, when she breaks something. Our daughter is just…just a bit…well somewhat…"

"Clumsy," Matthew suggested.

She frowned and shook her head in disagreement before launching into what she believed was at the root of their daughter's problem.

"I don't think it is that simple, darling," she began. "Although it is true Victoria is not inherently graceful, she is quite agile. If not, she wouldn't be able to ride Ruby as well as she does."

She paused then for a few moments to gather her thoughts before providing Matthew with a theory she had formulated.

"I think the reason she is so uncoordinated may have more to do with how quickly she processes her thoughts than her actions. When she is racing down the steps, for example, I don't think she is cognizant of how fast she is moving. I believe her focus is elsewhere, her mind miles away…perhaps in a meadow playing with Horus or eating ice cream with Sybbie. Does that make any sense to you?"

"It does, actually," Matthew replied, placing the printed layout of the ship down. "You are saying that her problem lies in her focusing on what she will be doing later instead of what she is presently doing."

Mary smiled, "Exactly."

"Well, since she is a very bright girl," Matthew continued. "I think if we share this hypothesis with her, she will be able to see the truth in it and make a concerted effort to change," Matthew offered, clearly pleased to have found a possible solution to an ongoing dilemma.

She nodded and smiled, "It could be a breakthrough for her." Then after a short pause, she added, "However, her racing thoughts were not the reason she knocked over the vase; I mean Victoria wasn't preoccupied thinking of something else when she broke it. She was totally focused on what she was doing."

Matthew shifted his position on the bed, turning his body sideways and propping his head on his elbow, the expression on his face turning quizzical.

Taking note of it, Mary went on to explain that Victoria had knocked into the vase when she attempted to lift a piece of Anna's luggage that nearly weighed as much as she did and fell over backwards.

"The sweet child was attempting to help her," Mary said with pride, her eyes glistening as she added, "Anna told me that Victoria reminds her of Sybil in many ways and I agree with her."

He did, too, and said as much before remarking that it appeared the former maid and their daughter were bonding quickly.

Mary smiled and replied, "They are and I'm glad of it. Anna had hoped to have a daughter one day but gave up trying after her last miscarriage. It was devastating as it came late in her pregnancy…late enough for her to learn that the baby had been a girl and to mourn her by the name that she and Mr. Bates had chosen, which ironically was Hope."

Matthew sighed, "I can imagine how heartbreaking it must have been for both of them."

"It was," she replied. I think even if Dr. Ryder had approved another attempt, the Bates could not emotionally handle it. If it had been me, I certainly couldn't." She paused for a moment and shook her head, "I wonder sometimes why someone as kind and self-sacrificing as Anna has been beset with so much tragedy in her life. When I think of all she has done for me over the years, I wish there was something I could do to ensure clear sailing ahead for her. If anyone is deserving of happiness, she is."

"I'm sure she is grateful for all you have done, darling," Matthew said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"It wasn't much…not really," she said in a whisper.

Matthew raised himself up until they were eye level and countered, "I couldn't disagree with you more, Mary. From what I've seen, you've done a great deal."

Then the solicitor proceeded to make his case.

"You supported her plan to marry Mr. Bates while your mother lay in her bed battling for her life and then provided the newlyweds with a bedroom reserved for Downton's guests so that they could spend their first night together in comfort and splendor."

Mary nodded, "Yes, but…"

He shook his head to cut her off and continued, "You stood by Anna's side when Bates was on trial for the murder of his first wife…and in her darkest hour, when it appeared he would go to the gallows, you readily agreed to take her with you to America so that she would not have to cut all her ties to Downton and could grieve in peace Then when she confided in you that she had been attacked by Mr. Green, Gillingham's valet, you used your influence with him to have the man fired so that Anna would never have to see him again... and when both she and Mr. Bates were alternately arrested for Green's murder, you did all you could to prove their innocence, even when you weren't absolutely certain that Bates was not guilty of the crime."

Mary bit her lip and lowered her eyes as her husband continued to catalogue what she could not deny were good deeds on her part, selfless acts that she had not ever given much thought to before now.

Placing his hand under her chin, Matthew nudged her head up and said softly, "Darling, if not for your bringing her to see Dr. Ryder, JR may never have been born…and in our bed to boot."

Mary chuckled, "Granny was aghast when she heard of it…even after I told her I had the mattress changed."

He laughed, too, remembering the look on Violet's face when she discovered that their bedroom had been turned into a maternity ward for one of the servants, even though she was fond of Anna.

"It made me happy to do those things as she was not just my lady's maid, Matthew. Anna was and is a dear friend."

"I know how much you appreciate her, Mary, and she deserves that appreciation. However, I wish that you could see that you do, too. Your actions do you credit."

She blushed then and gave his hand a gentle squeeze as she replied, "I knew there was another reason why I married you…I mean beside your being devilishly handsome, witty and having excellent prospects."

Matthew cocked his head and implored her to elaborate.

She did, the tone of her voice solemn as she declared, "You always see the best in me, even when I'm at my worst…and then you somehow manage to make me see it, too."

He bent his head and placed a quick peck on Mary's lips before he asked, "How many times must I tell you that my Mary is the true Mary before you believe it?"

Running her hand through his hair as she had countless times since she fell in love with him, Mary smiled, "I do believe it, my darling…but don't ever stop telling me."

"Never," he said, bringing her hand to his lips and kissing it. "You have my word."

Then his stomach let out a loud growl and they both burst into laughter.

Since they had missed the 1:00 o'clock seating for luncheon in the first-class dining saloon and the next wasn't until 2:30, Matthew suggested they explore their other options. Toward that end, they sat at the table in the sitting room and he divvied up the material that the steward had dropped off between himself, Mary and Anna Then the three of them set to work to find an alternative eatery that would suit them.

"The Ala Carte Restaurant is located on this deck and quite close to our suite," Mary announced. Then reading further down the page, she proclaimed, "Apparently it is Charlie Chaplin's favorite place to eat."

"Well, I don't see how that can be topped," Anna jested, playfully poking Victoria in the side, which led to her erupting in giggles.

"Or we can eat at the Veranda Café, which is one deck up," Matthew offered as a possibility. Then he lifted his head from the broadsheet he was reading and turning to George, said, "This is the one with the palm trees, George. It overlooks the Promenade Deck and has walled trellises with climbing plants."

"I'm not so sure about that one," Mary interjected. "It sounds more like a conservatory than a restaurant."

"It sounds like a jungle to me, Mother," Victoria exclaimed. "I think George and JR would find that a perfect place to eat."

The boys nodded in unison and Matthew offered to take them and whoever else cared to venture into the greenery on another day.

"There is another café on this deck, as well," Anna said. "The Café Parisiene…I believe that is where you will find those French waiters you told us about, George."

"No doubt, but French waiters or not, seeing frog's legs and snails served on a plate would ruin my appetite."

JR grimaced, "Mine, too."

"Eww…," Victoria chimed in.

Taking note of the expressions on the children's faces, Matthew chuckled before relaying, "There is also a Grand Restaurant, which is described here as a spacious venue that includes a band stand and cuisine and service that is considered some of the finest on the Atlantic… What do you think Mary? Anna?"

Both women shrugged their shoulders, making it clear they were as undecided as he was as to where they should go.

A long moment of silence ensued until Victoria broke it by waving a sheet of paper in the air and exclaiming, "Look, Father. This is a menu of different foods that you can have sent to your room. I think I would quite like the roast beef and mashed potatoes…and custard pudding is one of my favorite desserts. Is there any reason we can't eat right here?"

Matthew folded the broadsheet in his hand and looked once more to Mary and Anna. Finding the two were nodding their heads and smiling, he turned to Victoria and replied, "No, there isn't, sweetheart. No reason at all."

The food that was delivered to their suite was scrumptious and they all ate heartily, enjoying both their meal and the comfort of dining with family and friends.

One by one the Crawleys and Smiths pushed their empty plates into the center of the table as Victoria finished off her dessert. While the others looked on, she scraped the last bit of custard from the bone china and dropped her spoon into the center of the dish with a clank.

"Mmm…," Victoria said, licking her lips. That was delicious."

She then proceeded to eye the table in search of her napkin and having no luck, ducked her head under it to see if it had fallen on the floor.

Matthew tapped her on the shoulder and once she surfaced, waved the white square in front of her face.

"Is this what you are looking for, sweetheart?"

She flashed him a sweet smile before taking the napkin from his hand and wiping her mouth clean. Then she exclaimed, "I knew it could not have simply vanished…unless, of course, it was part of some magic trick like the one we saw at the County Fair last year."

That led to her brother and JR launching into a conversation about said magic show, each boy touching upon his favorite tricks and then George sharing his theories as to how they were accomplished.

Impressed as he was with his son's deductions, Matthew cut him short, suggesting that he might continue his observations up on deck so that they all could get some fresh air and become better acquainted with the ship.

George, as well as everyone else seated at the table, readily agreed to his proposal and headed off to retrieve whatever they wanted to bring along with them, and five minutes later, they stood in a semi-circle at the base of the Grand Staircase with sunglasses, hats and wide smiles on their faces.

Though the stairs that led to A-Deck were wide enough for them to take side by side, Matthew and Mary took the lead, followed by the children with Anna bringing up the rear.

Standing before a bronze cherub holding an electric torch with Mary on his arm, Matthew looked over his shoulder and exclaimed, "Onward and upward."

"Onward and upward," the children ehcoed.

Then they began their ascent.

One flight up, the exquisitely carved clock located in an alcove on the central landing made them stop in their tracks. The unique timepiece featured two allegorical figures known as Honour and Glory Crowning Time on either side of it, each depicted as angels with Glory wafting a palm frond over Honour's head, while she inscribed on a tablet in her hand.

Matthew gazed at the magnificent carving a moment and vowed to return to it when time permitted to examine it more closely as he wondered if the details were just pleasant carvings or if the entire panel was symbolic.

What is it about time that should be honored and glorified? he asked himself, planting a seed in his head as he led Mary down the vestibule that led to the A-Deck promenade.

Pushing the double doors open, he was momentarily blinded by the bright light that shone into his eyes and quickly donned his sunglasses, as did Mary. With the sun came a rush of sea air as well as a multitude of sounds: heels clanking on the deck, bits and pieces of conversations taking place at the railing and in lounge chairs nearby and the high-pitched sound of children laughing.

Then his eyes feasted on the great Atlantic, the ocean now calm as bath water and blue as a sapphire sparkling in the sun. It stretched out as far as the eye could see until it met the distant horizon, creating an illusion that it ended there. He knew better, of course. Yet fixing his eyes on it, he could understand why there was a time that sailors feared their ship would fall over the precipice.

He found himself in a trance, unable to take his eyes from Poseidon's realm until the sound of Victoria's voice brought him out of his stupor.

"Oh, my," she gushed for the second time that day.

"Oh, my, indeed," Matthew said, breaking with Mary for a second to pull Victoria up into his arms at the railing.

They were joined quickly by Anna and the boys, who stood transfixed by their first encounter with the wide, open sea.

When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean's skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it, Matthew said, quoting one of Herman Melville's lines from "Moby Dick"

Hearing his comment, a young couple who stood holding hands a few feet away turned toward him. The man, a tall, strapping chap with wheat colored hair and green eyes introduced himself as Andrew Peele and the petite brunette at his side as his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Peele.

Once all introductions complete, Mr. Peele shared that he and his wife had been at the rail for the better part of an hour and still were reluctant to return to their cabin.

He fixed his gaze on Matthew then and flashing him a cheeky grin, added, "I think you will understand my meaning when I say that considering we are on our honeymoon, I am surprised that is the case."

"Yes, I do understand…," Matthew smiled. "…both your meaning and why you have found it difficult to leave."

Then both he, his wife and Anna wished the Peeles a long and happy life together, with Mary quipping that she hoped they would have smooth sailing for the rest of their honeymoon.

Still perched in her father's arms, Victoria fixed her eyes on Mary and asked, "What is a honeymoon, Mother?"

Taken aback by her daughter's question, Mary turned to Matthew for assistance. but one look at the expression on his face told her that she was on her own in formulating an answer.

After narrowing her eyes in his direction, she replied as nonchalantly as if she had been asked about the weather that a honeymoon was a period of time that a man and woman shared after their wedding to get to know one another better.

Matthew patted his wife on the back and said softly, "Well done," while Victoria pondered the answer her mother had provided.

Then it was his turn in the hot seat.

"Father, I heard Lady Gillingham say that she and her husband were on a second honeymoon. Does that mean she and Lord Gillingham didn't get to know each other well enough on their first one?"

He blinked, then turned to Mary and found her covering her mouth with her hand in order to stifle her laughter. It was clear to him that she would be no help and he wasn't surprised since he had left her hanging in the wind a few moments earlier.

Just then Anna and hope popped into his head. If she had heard Victoria's question over the boy's chatter about creatures that dwelled in the deep, perhaps she might share her thoughts on the matter, if asked.

But, no.

Anna ignored the sound of him clearing his throat to get her attention, her eyes remaining fixed on the horizon.

Accepting he was on his own, he racked his brain and came up with a response that he felt would be appropriate for someone his daughter's age.

"A man and woman do not take anyone along with them on their honeymoon, sweetheart. They spend that special time alone. Therefore, Lord and Lady Gillingham are the only ones who can answer that question…and it is one no one should ask them as it is entirely their affair. "Then he added, "However, they must believe that getting to know one another better on this trip will benefit their marriage. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to such great expense to take it."

Victoria cocked her head to the side as she processed her father's words and then after a long moment said, with a note of concern in her tiny voice, "Is that the reason we are on this trip? Do you and Mother need it to get to know one another better?"

He let out a long sigh and once more turned to Mary for help; this time, however, she took pity on him and took up the mantle.

"Your father and I don't need another honeymoon in order to get to know one another better. We set aside special time at Downton in order to do that," she said, giving her husband a subtle wink.

That made Victoria smile.

At that, Anna, with a knowing grin on her face, joined them and offered to take the children to the gymnasium.

Mary shook her head, "Thank you for the offer, but Matthew and I are looking forward to seeing it ourselves."

"Yes, let's all get going" he said.

Then, reluctant to leave or not, the Crawleys, Smiths and Peeles left the railing, the small group venturing one flight up to the Boat-Deck to get a tour of the gymnasium and the honeymooners to D-Deck and their cabin to get to know one another better.

Having read that Boat-Deck housed most of the public rooms, it was not surprising to Matthew that it was filled with activity, and as they made their way to the gymnasium, they passed a lively game of shuffleboard and two women playing deck tennis.

Pausing to take in the games, he shared that this deck also housed the squash court, where a professional was on hand in the event a player wanted a lesson or two before agreeing to a match.

There were passengers strolling along the wide deck, too, enjoying the fine weather and sea air as they passed the lovely paned glass windows that lined the promenade, offering a glimpse into the interior of the ship.

Reaching their destination, they were warmly greeted by the steward who would walk them around the facility and explain how the apparatus worked.

The children sped across the white and black diamond floor tiles toward the stationary bicycles where two boys were pedaling furiously in a race, the virtual distance they traveled registered by an arrow on a large wheel that stood before them. A handful of boys and girls stood in a semi-circle around the racers, bouncing in place as they rooted for their favorite, urging them to go faster.

"Those children will no doubt fall asleep early tonight," Anna said, turning to Mary. "Perhaps we can get ours to join in the fun."

She nodded and smiled, "A tempting thought, but I fear once Victoria gets on one of those bicycles, we will have the devil of a time getting her off."

"I would imagine they give each child an allotted amount of time, darling. Otherwise, they would not be able to accommodate them all."

Both she and Anna agreed that made sense before the former lady's maid set off to view the race while Mary followed the steward to the machine that emulated horseback riding. A woman wearing a head cap was sitting sideways atop a leather saddle, her hands clenched around the horn as the contraption bounced up and down at a quick pace

"A fast trot? she said, eyeing the speed and cadence of the machine.

The steward nodded, "As close as possible. However, if you are an experienced rider…"

Mary didn't hear the rest of his sentence as the sound of her daughter cheering on George reached her ears and she turned to her husband.

"Matthew, your vision is better than mine. Can you see if George is competing against JR?"

He took a few steps forward and fixed his gaze on an opening in the crowd to determine who their son's competition was. Finding that the boy on the bicycle next to George was a stranger, he informed Mary and offered her his arm.

The two of them walked slowly beside the steward, Mr. Abercrombie, in the direction of the children's squeals, passing rowing machines, parallel bars, metal weights, Indian clubs, punch bags and medicine balls on their way.

Although Matthew acknowledged each of the steward's descriptions, his attention never veered from the race as he heard his daughter's voice rising to a higher pitch.

"Don't stop, George," she screamed at the top of her lungs. "Keep pedaling. You can win this."

Now close enough to see that the outcome was imminent, Matthew held his breath as he waited to hear it.

A loud chorus of laughter and moans signaled the race was over, the uproar drowning out Mr. Abecrombie.

Mary squeezed his hand, "The tour is over. I'm sure you want to thank the steward."

Matthew apologized, "Of course, please forgive me. I was distracted by the hubbub. Thank you very much for your time."

At that moment, Anna and JR approached them with wide grins on their faces.

Barely able to contain his glee, the boy exclaimed, "George won, Mr. Crawley. He beat out that older chap by a hair."

Suddenly, Matthew felt overcome with emotion, which surprised him considering it was just a bicycle race his son had won.

Then he heard Doctor Willilam Halse Rivers' voice ring out in his head, "It is more than that. It goes to strength of character and George has that in spades. You have good reason to feel the way you do."

Matthew concurred with the physician who once had been his only hope in regaining his memory and felt the corners of his mouth inch up while his chest swelled with pride.

"I feel the same way, darling," Mary said, edging closer to him and resting her head on his shoulder.

He spotted George bent over with his hands on his knees breathing heavily, his face and hair drenched with perspiration. Still, his son reached out his hand to the boy he had just thrashed and praised his effort, reminding him of how close the race had been.

It goes to strength of character and George has that in spades, echoed once more in his mind and his smile widened.

Catching his son's attention, Matthew tipped his hat to him, and as George nodded his head in acknowledgement, the smile on his face crept upward until it reached his eyes and settled there.

The combination of an early rising combined with the exercise and sea air left all but Victoria exhausted by the time they reached their suite and the thought of sitting through a fourteen-course meal was less than desirable.

They decided, therefore, to dine at the Ala Cart restaurant, the Hollywood movie star's favorite, as it would enable them to have a good meal and make an early night of it.

George yawned and excused himself before he and JR headed off to their bedroom in order to change their clothes for dinner while Victoria, who had already donned a new outfit, accepted Anna's kind offer to braid her hair and followed her to her cabin.

Reaching his and Mary's room, Matthew flopped down on the bed and exclaimed, "I'm spent." Then folding his harms over his chest, he chuckled, "I actually would welcome having Mr. Molesley help me dress right now. "

Mary laughed as she rolled down her remaining stocking, "Well, those are words I never though I would hear come out of your mouth."

Barefoot, she rose from her seat at the vanity and wiggled out of her skirt as she urged him to get up and shower before he fell asleep.

Knowing he would do just that, he forced himself into the upright position and stretched his arms over his head toward the coffered ceiling, letting out a long moan. Then he swung his legs off the bed and joined Mary, planting a quick peck on her lips before heading off to what he hoped would be a recuperative shower.

Charlie Chaplin had not exaggerated in his praise for the restaurant. The moment Matthew entered it, the variety of aromas wafting in the air made his mouth water while his eyes feasted on the glamorous ambiance.

Decorated in the Louis XIV style, it had floor to ceiling light walnut paneling with specially mounted ornaments and moldings that gave it a regal look. Candle-style lamps hung in the center of each of the panels and large bay windows gave the room a spacious feel.

Flanked by Anna on his left and Mary, his right with the children in a neat row in front of him, his eyes fell on an empty table near one of the windows with a white card in the center that read Reserved and hoped that would be where they were headed.

"Those lamb chops smell heavenly," Anna said, as a waiter placed a steaming plate with the mutton, a baked potato and what appeared to be glazed carrots before a woman with grey hair piled high on her head.

Matthew took a whiff of the meat and smiled, "I will have no need of a menu as my choice for dinner has just been sealed."

"As has mine," Mary chimed in. "It is roast chicken for me."

Victoria licked her lips and craned her neck back until she was looking up at her mother, "The food won't be served once we are seated as it is at Downton, though, will it"?

Looking down into her daughter's big blue eyes, Mary replied, "No, it won't, sweetheart, though I'm sure you would like it to be as you are no doubt are as hungry as I am." Then seeing Victoria frown, she bent her head down and said softly, "But good things come to those who wait, and if you are on your best behavior while you do, you may have your favorite ice cream with any topping you like for dessert."

That did the trick.

Rising to her full height, Mary turned to Matthew and whispered, "Bribery seemed my best course of action."

He grinned mischievously, "And what will I get if I am on my best behavior while I wait for my mutton?"

Mirroring his smile, Mary whispered in his ear, "You will get to know me better once we are alone."

His wife's response to his question did more to invigorate him that his shower and his face became flushed as he scrambled for a witty retort. However, his thoughts were interrupted by a tall man with a deep voice who came to greet the party of six and escort them to the coveted table near the window.

Dinner had been a delightful experience thanks to the superb food, prompt service, and memories of Downton in days gone by provided by Mary and Anna, who shared some of their fondest moments there.

Matthew was not surprised that most of the remembrances they touched upon took place before the war that would forever change life as they knew it. Yet though over two decades had passed, the two women had no difficulty recalling even minor details and painted vivid scenes for their rapt audience.

The servants' hall was filled with laughter and applause while William played a lively tune on the piano and Thomas taught Daisy a silly dance that entailed his mimicking a large bear hunting its prey. Then Mrs. Patmore came upon the scene, putting an end to the festivities and directing the kitchen maid to get some rest.

The next took place in the drawing room as Robert gaped at his youngest daughter's new outfit, azure blue harem pants and a matching headband, while the rest of the Crawleys looked at her with raised eyebrows.

He chuckled but then grew solemn as he remembered that the headstrong Lady Sybil and sweet William were lost to those who loved them forever.

Two hours later, as he lay in his bed with his eyes closed, he was reminded once more of the soldier who bravely gave his life to save him and the nurse who gave her all to heal those in her charge.

Lost in his thoughts and pain, Matthew didn't realize that Mary had entered the room or that he was groaning until he heard her offer to massage his back.

Opening his eyes, he found her standing beside the bed, looking like a Greek goddess in a cream-colored negligee with black piping and a plunging neckline.

"I'm sorry, darling," he muttered through gritted teeth.

"Nonsense," she countered, placing her hands on his shoulders and guiding him onto his stomach. "You have no reason to apologize." Then, as she began kneading the muscles that surrounded his bruised spine, she said in a saucy tone, "Besides…just think of how much better our getting to know one another will be after we've been denied the opportunity tonight. You know what they say about absence."

He turned his head to the side and getting a bird's eye view of her décolletage as she bent over his body, he groaned again, but for an entirely different reason.

It rained their second day at sea, which was no surprise to Matthew as he had been alerted that it would by a very reliable source.

"You are a modern-day Nostradamus when it comes to predicting the weather, darling," Mary declared as the sound of rain pelted the 50-foot private deck that lay outside their bedroom window.

"A lot of good it does me," he countered as he pondered if he should get out of bed.

Rest had always proved the best remedy when his back ached - that and massage. Thanks to his wife's ministrations, his discomfort had lessened a good deal and he didn't want her good work to go for naught. Then there was the possibility of his feeling seasick once he rose as the ocean was no longer calm.

As if she could read his mind, Mary suggested he make use of the Turkish Baths on F-Deck, stating the hot sauna, salt water bath and professional massage would likely do wonders for his back.

"It may also prevent you from becoming seasick, Matthew, since the baths are housed on a lower deck. I read that when the sea becomes rough, you don't feel the pitch and roll of the ship as much there."

Finding his wife's suggestion to be a good alternative to staring at the ceiling the rest of the morning, he gingerly sat up and using the bedpost for support, rose to his feet.

"That sounds like an excellent idea, Mary. I've been looking forward to having some free time to finish reading Agatha Christie's latest novel. Perhaps I'll learn who committed the murder on the Orient Express while I'm lounging in comfort," he said and smiled.

Mary returned it, and laying her hairbrush down on the vanity, she added, "I also think it would be a good idea for me to cancel our plans with Tony and Mabel this evening since you are indisposed. They likely will be disappointed, but I'm sure under the circumstances, they will understand why we can't have dinner with them and Captain Binks."

"Please, don't, darling," Matthew implored her as he pulled his robe on. "Tony will assume the only reason we aren't going is because of the embarrassing incident that took place yesterday and it will stick in his head, making his getting a glimpse of your knickers much more important than it was."

Her temper flared and she rolled her eyes in his direction before exclaiming that she could care less what Lord Gillingham thought about their canceling their dinner plans or her knickers.

He padded slowly up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, then said calmly, "I know you don't, but I do, and I'm asking you to at least hold off on making that call until I return from the Turkish baths. If I'm still not feeling better, I'll call the Foyles myself and cancel. However, if I do, I would like to put this dinner behind us."

She stared at his reflection in the mirror for a long moment and then reached behind her and placed her right hand over his left before nodding her head in agreement.

By the time Matthew returned to the suite, he was happy to find that the rain had subsided considerably. He was also pleased to report to Mary and Anna, who he found having tea in the sitting room, that his pain had diminished as well.

"I can't recall a time when I've felt more relaxed," he exclaimed. Then, waving "Murder on the Orient Express" over his head, he added, "And I was able to get through five more chapters while I lay on a hammock of sorts in the cooling room. I dare say Agatha Christie has outdone herself. This is her finest work yet."

"I'm glad you are feeling better, Matthew… and that you've returned to me with your appearance unchanged," she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes."

At that, Anna stifled her laugh, and her behavior confused him as much as Mary's comment.

"Whatever do you mean?" he said, his head cocked to the side in confusion.

Mary replied that the stewardess had informed Anna that many passengers frequented the Turkish Baths in order to darken the shade of their skin.

"Did your attendant offer you an Electric bath?" Anna asked.

Matthew didn't think he had and said as much, adding that he would not have accepted the offer had it been made.

"What on earth will they think of next?" he mused out loud. "I can only imagine how an artificial tanning of one's skin is accomplished. It astounds me what some people will do for vanity's sake."

His wife and Anna nodded their heads in agreement before commiserating about the discomfort women had endured for years when obliged to wear corsets in order to present an hour glass figure to the public.

Matthew could relate to the pain and breathless feeling they were describing as he experienced it first hand when his broken ribs were wrapped in the London Hospital after his car accident. However, he kept that information to himself while his wife and former maid laughed over the absurdity of the constrictive contraption, not wanting to dampen their spirits.

Her laugh morphing into a lovely smile, Mary asked, "Would you like to join us, Matthew? As you can see, there is an extra cup and saucer here for you."

"Thank you for thinking of me, darling, but I already have had two cups." Then turning toward the door that led to the bedrooms, he said, "I'm actually just passing through on my way to see what the children are up to."

At that, he heard Victoria squeal through the open doorway, "You've won with the red pawns three times already, George. I want to swap."

Utterly confused by his daughter's outburst, he turned to Mary and Anna for an explanation of what was transpiring.

"Sorry," they responded in unison.

Thinking he was misunderstood, he clarified, "I was wondering if either of you know what Victoria is going on about".

Anna and Mary giggled like schoolgirls before his wife clarified that "Sorry" was the name of the board game the children were playing.

He could not help but find the miscommunication amusing, as well, and laughed as he headed to his son's room to settle the red pawn controversy.

"Matthew, I'm never going to get this bow tie straight if you don't stop fidgeting," Mary said with a note of exasperation in her voice.

Hearing it, he forced himself to stand still long enough for her to work her magic.

"There…that's better," Mary said, pinching the sides of the bow for good measure. Then she took a step back and eyed him from head to toe.

He waited until he was certain she was done with her inspection before asking, "Well…Do I pass muster, darling?"

Mary smiled broadly at him before replying, "With flying colors. No man that I know holds a candle to you in tails, Matthew. I will be the envy of every woman in the dining hall."

The blood rushed to his face, settling on his cheeks as he basked in his wife's praise, and though he thought it exaggerated, he could not deny that there were women besides Mary that found him attractive. A few even had the audacity to proposition him when they were sure she was out of hearing range. Yet, although he was flattered by the attention, he never sought it and quickly forgot it. The only woman's opinion that mattered to him was Mary's.

"That is a very sweet thing to say, darling, and I'm glad to hear you feel that way. However, when we walk into the dining hall, no one will take notice of me as you look stunning."

As the words flowed off his tongue, the reason for his restlessness became apparent. He anticipated Lord Gillinham's eyes would remain fixed on his wife during dinner and did not know how he would react to his ogling Mary as he had done the day before.

Perhaps I'm worrying needlessly, he told himself in an effort to calm his anxiety. After all, his wife will be sitting beside him. Surely Tony wouldn't be foolish enough to show his feelings for Mary with Mabel a few feet away.

That bit of logic soothed his nerves for a few seconds until he examined his wife's appearance as closely as she had done his. The dress she wore was custom made expressly for her by Norman Hartnell, the same designer who created Catherine's wedding gown, and it fit her like a glove.

Thin rounded folds of fabric flowed in rows over her breasts creating a flattering cowl neckline while the remaining material hugged her curves. The style showcased her fine figure and revealed just enough bare skin to make a man want to see more.

The color of the dress complimented her, too, a dark teal that offset her fair skin and dark hair, which Anna had styled to perfection, pulling her long locks back and pinning them into a chignon.

As Mary turned to retrieve her diamond earrings and matching choker from the vanity, his eyes focused on her shapely bottom and he had a vision of Tony Foyle drooling like a baby.

The sound of a bugler playing "Roast beef of Old England", the RMS Olympic's call to dinner, put an end to Matthew's anxious musings and after draping Mary's satin wrap over her shoulders, he and she bid Anna and the children goodnight and headed off to the dining saloon.

Though it was one of the largest rooms on the ship, they had no difficulty in locating the captain's table as Mabel had informed Mary that it was in one of the small recessed bays to the right of the entrance.

Designed to afford the Captain and his guests privacy, the exquisitely decorated alcove gave the passengers the illusion that they were eating in a fine hotel on land instead of a ship in the middle of the ocean.

As he and Mary approached the table, the men quickly rose from their seats and as he expected, their eyes went first to Mary. There were only two others beside Tony, one with grey hair and a ruddy complexion wearing a uniform very similar to those worn in the Royal Navy, who quickly introduced himself as Captain Binks, and coincidentally, the passenger who had caught his attention the day before in the reception area that had sought direction from one of the stewards to the lifts.

"Mr. Crawley, it is my understanding that Lord and Lady Gillingham need no introduction," the Captain said, nodding his head in the Foyle's direction. "However, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Lord Hays and his lovely daughter, Lady Caroline," he smiled.

So, she is his daughter, not his wife, he concluded, as he extended his hand to the man that barely reached Tony Foyle's shoulders with a paunch that strained the buttons of his dinner jacket. Veering his eyes quickly from the bulge, it now became clear why he had opted to take the lift instead of the stairs.

As he shook Lord Hays' hand, he remembered his comment to his young companion and smiled as the gentleman had managed to find a way for his daughter to showcase her new gowns, after all. Taking a quick look at this one, however, he found it left a lot to be desired.

He inwardly sighed then as it was time to address the Foyles, though he graciously shook Tony's hand before bowing his head in Mabel's direction. She looked lovely in the black cocktail dress she wore, accentuated by a pearl necklace and bracelet. Unfortunately, he found her husband, too, appeared quite dapper in tails.

Is it my imagination, or is she staring at me?" he asked himself as Lady Gillingham's gaze remained on his face a long moment, her eyes boring into his.

Mary cleared her throat, "It is a pleasure to see you again, Mabel…Tony."

Apparently not my imagination, then, he told himself upon hearing the edge in his wife's voice that only he would be able to discern.

A few seconds later, Matthew found that Lady Gillingham was not the only woman at the table who was paying him attention as Lord Hays' daughter was batting her eyelashes in his direction during their introduction.

He soon discovered, however, that the young woman's adoration was not limited to him as her eyes veered from him to Tony and back as though she were following a ball in play during a game of tennis.

Lady Caroline's awkward attempt at flirtation continued after the first course of dinner had arrived, making him grateful that Tony had struck up a conversation with Captain Binks as it enabled him to focus his attention on them and politely ignore her.

By the time he had emptied his bowl of Consommé' Olga, Matthew had learned that the commander of the Olympic had apprenticed to sail at the age of 15 and had served forty-five years at sea, thirty-five of them in the service of the White Star line, which he would retire from at the end of the year.

"In that time, I've travelled over a million miles to all quarters of the globe, "Captain Binks said with pride as the table steward cleared away his empty bowl, a portion of which transpired during the Great War when I served as a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy.

That tidbit of information piqued Tony's interest and he urged the captain to elaborate further, which he did without hesitation.

In 1915 he was an officer on the Humber-class monitor, one of three large gunboats that were employed in bombarding German batteries and positions under the command of Rear-Admiral Horace Hood. The ship played a part in the Gallipoli campaign when it was sent to the Dardanelles, the shallow draft monitor being able to get much closer inshore without danger of running aground than a cruiser.

"Crushing loss, that one," Tony spat, knowing how many casualties England suffered after eight months of fighting the Turks. Churchill was skewered for sponsoring the invasion."

He then went on to say that he had served on the Iron Duke, the flagship of the Grand Fleet during the Battle of Jutland a year later in the North Sea under the command of Admiral John Jellico. At that time, Fourteen British and eleven German ships sank and there were nearly 10,000 casualties. Yet though the British had lost more ships and twice as many sailors as the Germans, they had succeeded in containing the German fleet.

"A victory, no matter how the press covered it," Captain Binks exclaimed. "The Germans were not only denied access to England but from that point on, they avoided fleet-to-fleet contact, knowing they had a fight on their hands that they could lose."

Tony nodded in agreement and then raised his glass in a toast to all those who had fought so valiantly for king and country, and before bringing the goblet to his lips, he tipped his head to Matthew and added on land and sea.

Mary must have told him that I served in the infantry; Either her or Robert.

He had expected Lord Gillingham would grate on his nerves during dinner. Yet, as he drained the remainder of wine in his glass, he was surprised to find that he felt a sense of camaraderie with the man. In fact, for the first time since he spotted him in the crowd at the train station, he didn't look at Tony Foyle as a thorn in his side.

At that moment, he was a brother in arms, a man who had risked his life as he had to set the world straight when madness reigned.

No sooner had the group set down their wine glasses than they were refilled by a member of the wait-staff who had been standing nearby, a young man wearing thick eyeglasses, who leaped out of the way as the poached salmon with Mousseline sauce arrived, nearly spilling some of the bottle on Lady Caroline's new gown and causing her to wince with alarm.

Raising a forkful of perfectly seasoned salmon to his mouth, Matthew took notice that Mabel and Mary were getting along well, the two women happily engaged in discussing the fine attributes of Golden Miller, the thoroughbred who had won the Grand National a few month's earlier.

"I learned that his sire produced two Irish Grand National winners," Mabel offered as an additional tidbit of information. "That horse comes from good stock."

His wife wasn't aware of it and said, "You certainly have done your homework. Then she smiled, "I am assuming your research paid off nicely for you."

"Quite nicely," Lady Gillingham exclaimed before taking a sip from her near empty glass.

Lord Hays interjected that he had won a hefty sum by betting on Delaneige to come in second, the horse paying 100/7.

"Do you prefer a long-shot to a sure bet, Mr. Crawley?" reached his ears the moment he placed his fork down.

"I have never given it much thought, Lady Caroline, as I place my trust in my wife's instincts and follow her direction," he replied. Then he added, "However, It has been my experience that in gambling as in life, there is no such thing as a sure bet."

She smiled seductively at him before she countered, "I wouldn't say that. It has been my experience that if you look closely enough, you may find a sure bet is sitting right before your eyes."

He suddenly felt as though his tie was too tight, and hearing Captain Binks clearing his throat, he imagined he felt the same way. However, her comment went unnoticed by her father, who was taking a hefty bite out of his buttered roll.

As she had done all evening, Lady Caroline then fixed her gaze on Tony and she purred, "What about you, Lord Gillingham? Do you share in your wife's appetite for gambling or do you seek your rush of adrenaline elsewhere?"

In the middle of swallowing a gulp of water when he heard her question, Tony began to cough violently and quickly covered his mouth with his napkin.

Captain Binks leapt from his seat, erring on the side of caution should his guest have a piece of food lodged in his throat, and reaching the lord, he began hitting him on the back with considerable gusto.

Taking in the scene, Mary rolled her eyes while Mabel shot daggers at Lady Caroline across the table.

What next? Matthew asked himself. Then he raised his wine glass and drained it.

Tony waved the Captain off and pointed to the water glass, making it clear he had just swallowed the wrong way and the commander returned to his seat with a relieved expression on his face.

Apparently enjoying her ability to discompose the handsome lord, Lady Caroline's smile remained in place as she awaited her answer.

Once he was able to speak, Tony replied flatly that he and Lady Gillingham shared many common interests, including gambling on occasion.

Matthew knew it was coming and feared Mary would cut the ambitious flirt to shreds when it did, but when the woman turned her gaze back on him with her lashes fluttering like a butterfly, Mabel beat her to the punch.

"Is there something in your eye, Lady Caroline? I could not help but notice that you've been blinking excessively since we began dinner."

"I've noticed it, as well," Mary interjected. "Having had experience with such matters over the years, I'm sure Lady Gillingham and I can get to the root of your problem should you care to join us in a more private setting."

Appearing like a child who has been discovered with their hand in the cookie jar, Lady Caroline gulped and shook her head.

He felt the laughter rising in his throat and just managed to stifle it before it reached his lips. Then he took notice that Tony and Captain Binks were also doing their best to squelch their amusement.

A moment later, the three men's resolve to remain composed was tested as Lord Hays turned to his daughter and said, "Caroline, this isn't the first time that this issue with your eyes has come up. I think it is time we set an appointment with a physician to have them examined."

The stream of hot water pelting his back felt wonderful and he lingered in the shower taking stock of the events that transpired that evening.

He began with the introductions as he recalled Mabel Foyle eyeing him as though he were on the menu and contemplated the reason why.

Did she want to make Tony jealous?

Did she hold a grudge toward Mary since she was the reason Tony had once thrown her over?

Did she drink to much wine and it went to her head?

A moment later he sighed as he realized that his conjecture just led to more questions.

Why would Mabel want to make her husband jealous?

Why would she have interceded with Lady Caroline on Mary's behalf if she still held a grudge?

Why would her getting tipsy make him suddenly appear irresistible?

Then there was the matter of his finding a common bond with Tony, one that did not include Mary. He had kept an eye on him throughout dinner, heartfelt toast or not, and noticed he had paid her little attention. In fact, the conversation between them had been brief and most included Mabel.

Although he still believed the lord carried a torch for Mary and would be pleased if it were extinguished, he had to admit that Tony was doing his utmost to squelch his ardor and afford his wife and him the respect they deserved.

That's really all I can ask of him, he concluded.

A vision of Lavinia Swire came to mind and once again he found common ground with Tony as he was reminded that we have no control over who we love.

Matthew made the decision then that although it would be more difficult than dismissing Mabel's behavior at dinner, he would give her husband the benefit of the doubt from that point on.

Grabbing a large, fluffy towel from the marble countertop, he put it to use, and by the time he ran it through his damp mop of hair, he had decided that his best course of action was to take a wait and see approach when it came to the Foyles. No doubt their motives would become clear by the time the ship reached New York.

His head now clear and dry, Matthew addressed a more pressing matter. He had found his wife's jealousy over Mabel and Lady Caroline arousing and looked forward to doing something about that.

Toward that end, he had pleaded with the officer that would be on watch that night to look the other way should a report reach his ears that the lighting on their private deck had gone out, explaining that he and his wife had planned on stargazing before they retired and his plan was to disable the lights for 20 minutes or so in order to get a better view.

Though he had balked at first due to safety concerns, once Matthew promised that he and Mary would stay close to their cabin door and not venture out on the deck, he relented.

"My wife and I are fond of stargazing, too," he said with a knowing wink.

The thought of making love to Mary outside of the confines of four walls and a locked door excited him to no end, and after tying the sash of his robe, he made his way to their bedroom with haste.

He had the presence of mind to bring the towel he had used to dry himself with him as he knew the light bulbs would be hot to the touch and was in the midst of turning the second to last until it was extinguished when his wife popped her head out the door.

"What on earth are you doing," Mary said in a hushed tone, not wanting to bring attention to her husband's mischief. "Have you had too much to drink?"

Matthew smiled in her direction and assured her that he was quite sober before moving on to the last light.

"There…that should do it," he said triumphantly, taking note that now the only light that shone on the deck emanated from the bedroom window.

Then he placed the towel beside the door and beckoned Mary to join him.

"And I need you to close the bedroom light before you do," he whispered.

Hearing her huff, he added, "Please, darling."

They had less than a half hour to star gaze before the lights had to be turned back on and Matthew didn't want to waste any time giving Mary a detailed explanation for his behavior. It would be much better if he could just show her what he was up to.

Hurry, Mary…Hurry.. ran through his head as he waited for her to emerge from the bedroom, his arms folded across his chest and foot tapping on the wood planking with impatience, and he let out an audible sigh of relief when she appeared.

"Now, what is this all about?" she said, leaning back against the closed door.

"Look up and then come to me," he replied, giving her no further clue.

The night sky was magnificent, the constellations that had been hidden from them by the deck lights on full display under the watchful gaze of the moon.

"Oh, Matthew, it is absolutely beautiful."

He raised his eyes upward for a moment and marveled at the glorious sight above his head and then fixed his gaze on another standing before him. She was his Andromeda and he was her Perseus, if she so desired, or the sea monster in question; it didn't matter which; he had come to claim her.

"As are you my darling," he said before pulling her into his arms and unleashing his passion.

Mary responded in kind, her lips parting as he deepened their kiss and hands quickly untying the sash on his robe. He was naked beneath it, having planned their time well, and she gloried in it, roaming her hands over his body until he moaned with pleasure.

He lowered the straps of her negligee, exposing her full breasts to him. Then he fondled each of them before lowering his head and sucking on her pert nipples, made even more by the cool night breeze.

Time was of the essence and though he wanted to spend more of it exploring her body, that would have to come later. Pressing her against the door, he edged her legs apart, took hold of her hips and drove his point home.

Matthew woke with a smile on his face that remained in place until Mary planted a Good Morning kiss on his lips.

"I am happy to see you are awake, sleepy head," she teased. "George and JR are chomping at the bit to go to the pool with you as you promised them before we left for dinner last night. They've been here twice already."

"Is it that late?" he exclaimed, getting out of bed quickly and into his robe. "It isn't like me to oversleep. It must be the sea air," he smiled.

"That and all the exercise you've been getting," Mary replied cheekily.

"No doubt," he concurred with a wicked smile, and drew her toward him to give her what he considered a proper kiss to start the day.

After a long moment, Mary broke their embrace and turned him to face the door.

"Off with you, then," she said, giving him a playful whack on his bottom. "I'm sure the boys will be sending Victoria in any minute."

He had no doubt of it and made quick work of getting dressed. Then at Mary and Anna's insistence, he stopped long enough to have a cup of tea and a bite to eat in the sitting room, having slept through breakfast.

While savoring a glazed scone, he inquired what the two women had planned while he and the children were gone and learned they were off to the Writing Room.

Matthew smiled and said, "I'm sure Mr. Bates will be happy to hear from you Anna as will Robert and Cora welcome a letter from you, darling".

"I know it will set his mind at ease knowing we are all safe and sound," Mary replied. Then she added, "Although he may be a bit envious once he learns of the amenities we've been afforded."

Anna chuckled, "I am purposely leaving out any mention of the Turkish Baths in my letter so that Mr. Bates won't be."

At that moment, the three children, with Victoria in the lead, rushed into the room with pleading looks on their faces, prompting Matthew to pop the last bit of his glazed scone into his mouth and rise from his seat.

"I'm ready to go," he said, eliciting a wide grin on each child's face as he placed his napkin down on the table. "Now, go gather your swimsuits and we'll be off."

The two boys and Victoria raced from the room, each jockeying for the lead, which caused Mary and Anna to wince. Hearing no sounds of breakage coming from the adjoining room, they let out a collective sigh.

Then his wife turned to him with an apprehensive look on her face.

"Don't worry, darling. I will make sure there will be no running in the pool area."

Mary nodded as Victoria burst through the door waving her swimsuit in the air and hollering, "I'm ready, Father. Can we go now?"

Spotting the boys, he nodded his head. Then he gathered his own swim attire, gave Mary a quick peck on the cheek and headed for the door with George, JR and Victoria following him in a straight line as though they were ducklings and he, their mother.

The RMS Olympic was the first ocean liner to have an indoor swimming pool. Her sister ship, the Titanic, the second. Rare as it was, Matthew had found his first glimpse of it across the corridor from the Turkish Baths a bit mind boggling.

Only provided to first-class guests, the white and blue porcelain tiled pool measured thirty feet long and fourteen feet wide and was filled with a mix of heated salt water from a tank and cold water from the sea that was pumped in until the temperature of the water was tepid.

He had learned the day before from one of the Turks at the baths that the diving boards had been removed as some passengers had sustained injuries while using them.

Just as well, he thought, since all he had ever dived into were his studies at school and work once those were completed.

After guiding his three charges to the changing rooms and asking that they stay put outside their door should he not be done changing at the same time they were, he slipped into a vacant cabana and donned his bathing trunks and top.

His clothes neatly folded, he was about to turn the knob of the door when he heard a by now very familiar male voice addressing his son and daughter.

"Hello George…Victoria…It is nice to see you both, again."

"As it is you, Lord Gillingham," his son replied politely.

His daughter, gregarious by nature, greeted him more warmly and quickly invited him to join them in a swim.

"I'm sure Father wouldn't mind," she added cheerfully.

"And who is this young man? Is he a friend of yours, George?"

Matthew cautiously pushed the door open, and emerging with a towel draped over his arm, replied on his son's behalf, "He is the son of the woman traveling with us and a friend to both my children."

He then properly introduced JR to Tony, who flashed the boy a wide smile.

"And to answer your second question…," he said cheerfully," …I wouldn't mind your joining us at all."

At that, Tony beamed at Victoria and graciously accepted her invitation.

Since most passengers took their swim in the early morning hours, the lounge area surrounding the pool was empty, giving the small group their choice of seating.

The two men settled on chaise lounges while the youths draped their towels over an arm chair nearby. Then after promising Matthew that they would adhere to his edicts regarding safety measures, they walked to the edge of the shallow end of the pool and peered into the water.

One loud splash was followed by another as they all jumped in, none of them finding any use for the teak ladder and marble steps that the adults availed themselves of, and in no time, the two boys were racing across the length of the pool with Victoria cheering them on.

The sight made Matthew exceedingly happy and as he sank into the thick chair cushion, he let out a happy sigh.

Following his gaze, Tony said, "George is quite an accomplished swimmer."

"Thanks to Mary," Matthew said with a smile as his son executed a perfect backstroke. "She hired a private instructor to give him lessons when he was just a toddler and continued them until George was proficient."

"That is quite a young age for a child to be taught how to swim," Tony declared. "Is there a specific reason she had him tutored so early on?"

"Quite specific," Matthew replied. "George gave Mary quite a fright during a family outing when he tumbled into the lake on the estate chasing Robert's Labrador. She saw him fall into the water, but being eight months pregnant and ten feet away, she knew she wouldn't get to him in time before he went under. Thankfully her sister Edith was nearby and seeing what had transpired, jumped into the water and pulled him out before any real damage was done."

"Crikey," Tony exclaimed. "Mary must have been beside herself."

Matthew nodded, "She vowed that our son would not be allowed near a body of water again until he learned how to swim, nor would any of our other children."

"I think I would have done the same thing had it been Gertrude," Tony said. Then taking in the sight of Victoria standing alone in the shallow end of the pool, he asked, "Did Victoria also have lessons, Matthew? "I couldn't help but notice that she is reluctant to venture into the deeper water."

"She did and she won't, likely due to her swim instructor pushing her too hard; not the same chap who worked with George as he had moved to France. This fellow came highly recommended by a friend of Robert's, but neither he nor the instructor disclosed that he primarily tutored adults," He paused then and frowned before he continued, "I think that he found Victoria's whining that the water was too cold and her reluctance to swim in water over her head irritating and took her out into deeper water sooner than she was ready in order to hasten the completion of her training. When she tried to stand and didn't feel any bottom, she panicked and sank like a brick, taking in a mouthful of water before the tutor pulled her head above the water."

"What a prat!" Tony cried out.

"Quite," Matthew concurred. "Mary was furious and fired him immediately. However, Victoria was left damaged by the experience."

A contemplative look crept over Tony's face and after a few moments, he smiled and said, "I might be able to help with that, Matthew. Likely, you will not be surprised to learn that in order to serve in the Royal Navy you must first pass a series of rigorous swimming trials, including deep sea rescue. I could easily instruct Victoria, and with Gertrude in the water with us, she might trust me enough to help her lose her fear."

He was about to reply to the suggestion when George and JR interrupted him by asking if he had any coins that they could borrow as they wanted to throw them into the pool and dive for them. Though he didn't, his companion did, and upon retrieving a few bobs and a gold crown from his dressing room, he handed them over to the boys.

Grinning from ear to ear, they decided that they would compete to see who could bring the coins up from the bottom of the pool more quickly and enlisted Victoria as the time keeper, much to her delight.

He and Tony looked on, their gaze fixed on the children as the competition played out. Then upon hearing Victoria squealing that JR won the last dive, Matthew was reminded that he had never addressed Tony's kind offer and he turned to face him to do so.

The conversation that ensued was brief, just long enough for Matthew to relay that although he was grateful for Tony's proposition, he would have to discuss the matter with Mary before accepting it and him to suggest that in the interim he spend some time in the water with Victoria as it could prove useful should his plan come to fruition.

Nodding his head in agreement, Matthew said, "I think that is an excellent idea and I'll do my best to keep the boys busy so that she won't be distracted."

Then all hell broke loose.

"Mr. Crawley…Mr. Crawley…JR cried out frantically from the shallow end of the pool. Come quickly. George dove down for the coins and didn't' come back up and she…she…."

Matthew didn't need the boy to complete his sentence as he saw Victoria pounding him with her fist to break his grip so that she could get to George, her love for her brother overriding her fear.

"Hold onto her, JR, I'm coming," he shouted as he bolted out of his chair.

Tony rose at the same moment he did and matched his stride as they dashed toward the pool.

"Go to your daughter. Let me tend to George", he pleaded.

For a split second, Matthew looked at him as if he were mad. Then logic overrode his emotions. Concluding that a naval veteran trained in rescue at sea was better equipped than he to deal with the situation at hand, he nodded his head in acquiescence and jumped into the shallow water.

"Victoria, stop!" he shouted as if he were ordering his troops on the battlefield, and reaching her, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, much to JR's relief.

Matthew had never spoken to his daughter that way before and the harsh tone of his voice broke through her hysteria. Once he felt her relax, he moved his hands to her shoulders and turned her around to face him, and what he saw made the lump that already was lodged in his throat worsen.

His daughter's lovely face was mottled with red blotches, her eyes swollen and expression so pitiful that he yearned to comfort her by saying that George would be fine. Yet he could not as he wasn't sure he would be.

That thought hit him like a prizefighter's blow to his solar plexus and his stomach lurched along with his heart.

AN: I'm sorry this chapter took so long and is so long. The characters just would not let me go! As to those characters, I'm sure many of you are wondering why I have decided to have Matthew and Tony bond as they did in this chapter, so I'll address that here. I believe that Matthew is the type of person that sees the good in people, just as Anna does. Once he was able to put his jealousy aside, I think that he would have given Tony the benefit of the doubt regarding his character, especially after he saluted him for his service in the Great War. Whether or not Tony will give Matthew reason to regret doing so remains to be seen in future chapters, so follow me if you would like to know.

This chapter is packed with actual descriptions of what one could have expected on a voyage on the RMS Olympic in 1934, including Captain Binks, who served as Captain of the ship for three years in real life.

As for the cliffhanger, if you want to know if George will be fine, you're going to have to read the next chapter. I promise I won't keep you hanging.

I go through stacks of research to make this trip real, so please let me know what you think. A review goes a long way.

Till next time