She let out a sigh of relief and then launched into conjecture. "So, you two had an argument because you said something stupid and she blew her top and threw you out. Then you proceeded to drown your sorrows at the Café. Is that the gist of it?"
Tony managed to turn the rest of his body around, pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket and mopped his face with it before using it to blow his nose.
Grimacing at the sight, Mary told him to stay put until she could find someone to assist him in getting back to his cabin.
"It won't take long, she promised, taking a few steps away from the railing. I must hurry as George is expecting me.
His bloodshot eyes lit up at the mention of her son's name and he grabbed hold of her hand, yanking her back
"He could have been my son," he cried out, his voice filled with emotion. "And I would have loved him as if my blood ran through his veins …because he was a part of you."
Mary stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock and her free hand curled at her side so tightly that her nails dug into her palm.
Taking note of the expression on her face, Tony turned his head toward the moon-lit ocean and kept his eyes fixed on it as he continued to purge his soul. "God knows how hard I've fought to keep you out of my head and heart…but when I saw you on that train platform, my battle was lost. Tonight, while Mabel and I were in the throes of passion, I called out your name. That is why she threw me out."
The expression on her face softened as his words sunk in, her anger replaced by sympathy and she said softly, "I'm sorry, Tony. Truly, I am."
At that, he turned back toward her, looked deeply into her eyes and pleaded, "Please don't leave me, Mary. I need you so."
Then he pulled her into his arms.
Though she was taken by surprise, Mary reacted quickly and fought him with renewed vigor, kicking him in the shin and pinching his thigh as hard as she could while demanding that he release her.
She heard the sound of footsteps clanking on the deck, quick and growing louder with each second that passed until they stopped directly behind her.
Matthew's voice boomed in the air like cannon fire. "Let her go, Tony. Now!"
XX
Chapter VII
Like a dead tree hit by lightning, Matthew was set ablaze by the sight of his wife struggling to escape Tony's clutches, the scene before his eyes unleashing a fury in him that had thus far remained buried on the battlefield at Amiens. It was back with a vengeance now, laying waste to his sense of decorum and good-natured demeanor.
He wanted to rip the drunken sod's head off his shoulders.
Yet he remained rooted in place, as it was clear to him that any harm done to Tony could easily extend to Mary in her precarious position. That enraged him further and he huffed and puffed like the fabled wolf when faced with the three pigs' brick house.
His conundrum did not last long, however, as Tony, being just sober enough to recognize his voice and the tenor of it, quickly dropped his hands to his sides and took a step back, leaving himself wide open.
With fists clenched as tight as his jaw and a murderous look in his eyes, Matthew advanced upon his wife's assailant but was stopped dead in his tracks by Mary's response to being man-handled.
"How dare you…," she spat before slapping Tony's face with such force that his head jerked sideways.
He shook it back and forth as the blow brought him out of his stupor, one hand moving quickly to his bruised cheek and the other gripping the railing for support. Then he fixed his eyes on Mary.
"I deserve that and more…my behavior has been unconscionable," Tony said, his speech less slurred than when he first spoke to her.
Mary gave him a contemptuous look before she turned on her heels and quickly bridged the gap between her and her husband, throwing her arms around Matthew and burying her head in the crook of his neck.
He embraced her and asked anxiously, "Darling, are you all right? Did he hurt you?"
Slowly, she raised her head and met his gaze. "I'm fine, Matthew. My hand stings a bit, but that is of my own doing."
He smiled at her, and encircling his fingers around her palm, brought it to his lips and kissed it.
"Better?"
"Much," she replied, her lips curving upward as she gazed lovingly into his eyes.
Matthew turned his attention to Tony then, the rage that drove him mere moments ago losing its intensity thanks to Mary's wallop and her residing safely in his arms. Though he still felt animosity toward the man, he had a tight rein on his emotions.
"Now, what do I do about him? he said, thinking out loud.
"Do whatever you see fit, Matthew," Tony muttered, addressing him for the first time since he was discovered assailing his wife. "I don't expect to walk away from this scot-free…nor do I expect your forgiveness, though I am deeply sorry for my actions. The only thing I ask is that neither you nor Mary breathe a word of this to Mabel. It would break her heart to hear what I've done."
More than you know, Matthew thought, assuming Tony was still in the dark about his wife's pregnancy.
He was about to respond when Mary beat him to the punch for the second time by stating flatly that she would not inform Mabel of his abominable behavior.
"And make no mistake…my silence is for her sake, not yours," she added in a clipped tone.
That took a weight off Matthew's shoulders as he had hoped he would not have to disclose Mabel's condition in order to influence Mary's decision. He could rest easy now, knowing she would not speak a word of the incident to Tony's wife in her delicate condition.
No matter how much he would relish seeing him get his comeuppance, he wouldn't either.
Still, he was in a quandary as to what action he should take in response to the man's transgression.
Matthew lowered his head and pondered the situation at hand until he came up with a solution that he could live with. Then he quietly shared it with Mary to be certain she could, too.
He would make it clear that for Mabel's sake, he, too, would remain silent. However, should Tony even look at Mary the wrong way going forward, all bets were off.
Furthermore, he would have to make a concerted effort to avoid him and his family the rest of the trip and upon returning to England. Any invitations that he or Mary had extended to him or his wife in the last few days were rescinded.
The same would apply to his offer to give Victoria swimming lessons It was now out of the question.
That hurt as he recalled how grateful he was when Tony had offered to help his daughter overcome her fear of the water, and it pained him even more when he envisioned him diving into the pool to save George.
Damn you, Tony. Against my better judgement, I began to trust you…. even thought that we could be friends. You've made that impossible now.
Matthew sighed and raised his head, fixing his gaze on the disheveled man who stood a few feet away, taking in the remorse and anxiety in his bloodshot eyes.
"I don't know whether I should throttle you or pity you," he said.
Then he advised Tony of what he expected of him in the future.
"Victoria's friendship with Gertrude is going to complicate matters somewhat… I won't deny her the pleasure of spending time with your daughter because of your wrongdoing. Perhaps we can work out some arrangement with Mabel that would not include you…but that is for another day. All I need to hear from you now is that you will abide by my wishes."
Meeting his eyes, Tony replied, "I understand what you want, Matthew, and will comply with each of your edicts to the letter." He ran his hand through his hair then, pushing his wavy black locks back from his forehead before he continued. "Though it may be hard for you to believe in lieu of my actions, the truth is that it will pain me to do so as I had hoped…" He paused and swallowed hard before he continued. "Never mind, it doesn't matter what I had hoped now."
Damn you crept into Matthew's mind once again. Damn you and your weakness.
Clenching his teeth, he nodded his head in agreement, unable to find words to express the anger and regret that were making his stomach roil. Then Mary took his arm and put an end to his inner conflict.
"Mabel must be worried about you, Tony, no matter how angry she is. Can you make it back to the cabin on your own steam?"
He nodded his head and said, "Thank you both for your discretion. Your kindness will not be forgotten.
Then he turned and headed off to salvage what he could of his marriage
Matthew and Mary kept their eyes focused on him until he disappeared into the interior of the ship and then turned to each other.
"I know we need to discuss this further before putting the matter to bed, but I left our daughter valiantly fending off sleep until she can wish you 'good night', Mary said.
"And George is likely wondering what is taking you so long. Go on, darling. I don't want him to worry or to break my promise to Victoria.
Mary nodded, then gave him a quick peck on the lips and took off at a fast clip, calling over her shoulder that she would see him at the hospital when he was done tucking Victoria in.
XX
Victoria's eyelids were at half-mast when her father arrived, but she had succeeded in staying awake and flashed him a bright smile once she caught sight of him standing beside her bed.
"I'm glad to see you, Father," she said, her eyes straining to stay open. "I was beginning to worry that something may be wrong with George."
"No, sweetheart, your brother is fine. I just lost track of the time, that's all. I'm sorry I'm so late."
"I forgive you…and so does Mickey," she replied, pulling the stuffed doll out from under the covers and waving it in front of his face.
He took hold of one of its tiny white-gloved hands and said, "Thank you for your patience, Mickey," his playful performance resulting in Victoria bursting into giggles.
The corners of his mouth rose in an instant and remained that way as he reveled in his daughter's laughter.
Once it subsided, he slid the mouse back under the bedcovers , then fulfilled his mission by tucking her in.
"Good night, sweetheart," he said, planting a kiss on her forehead. "I'll see you in the morning."
She yawned and mumbled sleepily, "Good night, Father…and tell George that…tell him I wish him a good night, too."
After promising her that he would, Matthew rose and headed for the door with his smile still firmly in place. Once he reached it, he turned to take one more look at his little girl and saw that she was fast asleep.
Crossing through the threshold into the sitting room, he found that Anna was also having difficulty staying awake. Her eyelids drooped and crochet needle rested in her lap atop of what appeared to be a nearly completed doily.
He gave her as gentle a nudge as possible as he didn't want to frighten her, but she still popped up like a jack-in-the-box with a dazed look on her face and cried out his daughter's name in alarm.
"Victoria is fine…" Matthew assured her. "I just left her sleeping soundly in bed…which is where you should be, Anna. You are clearly exhausted. Go on…Mary will be back from the hospital shortly."
She smiled up at him and rose from the red bergère armchair. "I am quite tired," she replied. "Still, I'll leave the door between our cabins open a crack so that I can hear Victoria should she need me."
Matthew thanked her for vigilance and then he headed back to the hospital, where he would spend the night with George.
He avoided the deck on his way and made a mental note to advise Mary to do the same in order to avoid any further perils. The day had been fraught with them and he wasn't sure if he could handle one more.
The interior route also would get him to the hospital more quickly, which in turn would give Mary ample time to be back in their suite before the passengers who had imbibed too much liquor began roaming the corridors in search of their cabins.
An image of his wife safe and sound in their bed made him smile, but his expression changed once the now familiar scent of antiseptic filled his nostrils, making his face scrunch up with distaste.
As he entered the reception area of the hospital, he found a woman with light brown, wavy hair and green eyes manning the desk that Nurse Thompson had occupied earlier that day.
"Hello, I'm Matthew Crawley and I'm here to spend the night with my son, George, who is being treated by Doctor Stevens."
Rising from her seat, the woman extended her hand and introduced herself as Nurse Crenshaw.
"Doctors Stevens advised me that you would be coming, Mr. Crawley, and we've made arrangements to make you as comfortable as possible while you are here. A cot has been set up next to your son's bed should you desire to use it.
Oh, yes! There is nothing I would like more right now rang out his head, his mind as eager to rest as his body.
He smiled broadly at her and thanked her for being so accommodating. Then he headed for the corridor that led to George and Mary.
Though he was tired to the bone, the sound of his wife's laughter echoing in the hallway rejuvenated him, providing him with a surge of energy as he reached the partitioned space afforded to George.
Pulling the curtain flap open, he found his son in good humor, sitting up in bed and sporting a wide grin as he took in the sight of his mother's glee.
"What am I missing?" he asked before planting a quick kiss on Mary's head and filling the chair next to her.
She opened her mouth to reply, but her response was stifled by her laughter and she motioned to George to answer.
"We've been reminiscing, Father," he said, reaching for the glass of water that lay on the nightstand beside his bed and taking a long gulp before placing it back. Then he grinned and said, "I reminded Mother of how Horus used to gnaw on Grandfather's bed slippers when he was a puppy. No matter how many times he was reprimanded, he continued chewing on them."
"It became a battle of wills between Papa and the dog," Mary interjected, having regained her composure enough to speak. "Horus was quite an adorable little pup and my father hated scolding him, so he eventually threw in the towel, allowing the Labrador to do whatever he wanted with the slippers… And he did," she added with a smile that reached her eyes.
Pleased to see her and George in such high spirits, he grinned and egged Mary on. "Pray, continue. Exactly what liberties did Horus take?"
"He took many, but one particular incident stands out in my mind. That is what had me in stiches when you arrived. Papa wasn't feeling well and George and I thought a visit might cheer him up a bit. We found him sitting in his favorite arm chair reading the London Times with his toes poking through multiple holes in his slippers while the puppy did his best to yank them off his feet. Horus kept yapping at the mangled mules until Papa finally rose from his chair and began chasing him around the room, waving his newspaper at him in an attempt to get him to leave… but he couldn't catch him. It was quite a hilarious scene to behold."
Envisioning the melee his wife and son had walked in on, Matthew began to chuckle. Then seeing George yawn, he looked at his watch and alerted Mary as to how late it was.
She rose quickly, covering her mouth to suppress her own yawn and then gathered her wrap and kissed her first born on his forehead.
"Sleep well, George, and don't eat too much if they bring you a plate in the morning as I've planned a lavish breakfast in your honor."
"No worries, Mother," he replied. "Rest assured, I will be ravenous by the time I get back to the suite."
She smiled, and then seeing Matthew rising from his seat, pressed down on his shoulder, insisting she did not need to be escorted out of the hospital.
"You look as though you are ready to fall flat on your face," she said.
Too tired to disagree, he met Mary's lips in a quick kiss and bid her 'good night'
Once the opening in the curtain flap closed behind her, he turned and looked longingly at the austere bed he would occupy the rest of the evening. Then he removed his jacket and shoes and headed for it.
"Grandfather is a good egg, isn't he Father?" George said, his rhetorical question getting his father's attention. "Though he is strong-willed and can be a bit gruff a times, I have always found him to be a fair man…and he can be quite gentle, too. I've seen that side of him often."
"That he is, George," Matthew replied as he plumped the pillow he had been provided with his hands
There was silence in the room for the next few moments as the two presumptive heirs reflected on the current Earl of Grantham.
Then the next in line's voice boomed throughout the small enclosure. "I wonder just how many pairs of slippers Horus laid to waste before his reign of terror ended?"
At that, the two of them began chuckling, the sound of their merriment filling the room until their fatigue could no longer be ignored, and they settled down to sleep.
It was not meant to be, however, as no sooner had Matthew drifted off, then he was awakened by the sound of a woman shrieking like a banshee, startling him so that he nearly fell off his cot.
"The pain is unbearable! I demand to see a physician," she screamed, the shrill sound of her voice echoing throughout the ward.
Next, he heard Nurse Crenshaw's reply, though he had to strain his ears in order to do so as she nearly whispered it.
"Please, Mrs. Harris, try to calm down. I have called Doctor Stevens and he will be here soon to attend to you."
Now sitting upright, Matthew stretched his neck to see how George was handling the commotion and was surprised to find he was sound asleep. That alarmed him and he padded over to his son's bed to be sure nothing was amiss.
He set his eyes on George's chest first and was happy to find that it was rising and falling in a normal rhythm. Then he focused his attention on the sound of his breathing.
The boy was snoring softly as he did often in his bed at Downton and the sound was music to Matthew's ears as it was another indication that his son suffered no ill effects from his ordeal in the pool.
He returned to his cot with a smile on his face, but it faded quickly upon hearing the ailing woman's whimpers as she was guided to the examination room by Doctor Stevens, who had arrived quickly, as Nurse Crenshaw promised he would.
"I believe you broke your arm when you fell, Mrs. Harris. That spill you took on the steps must have been quite nasty. Now, I'd like you to take in some deep breaths and let them out slowly, counting each one. By the time you've reach 10, we'll have reached the examination room, where I will x-ray your arm and provide you with some medication to relieve your pain."
She did as she was told, and Matthew counted along with her as she inhaled and exhaled her way down the corridor, the sound fading the closer she got to her destination until it was finally extinguished.
Though he felt sympathy for the woman's plight, he let out a sigh of relief when he could no longer hear her cries and settled back down in his narrow bed, closing his eyes the instant he lay flat and drifting quickly off to sleep.
An hour or so later, Doctor Steven's came to examine George, and though both he and his patient did their best not to wake him, Matthew's eyes shot open as he heard his son cough at the physician's request.
He remained quietly in place, though, until he heard the doctor whisper that he found no change and directed George to go back to sleep. Then he offered the physician a mumbled thanks, let out a sigh of relief, and drifted off, once more.
XX
Matthew preferred tea, but after having his sleep interrupted multiple times throughout the night in the hospital, he opted for coffee upon his return to the suite.
"I think the worst place for a person in need of rest is in a hospital, whether it be on land or sea,"he declared, after having drained his second cup of the strong, black brew and placing the cup back in its saucer with a soft clink.
Mary nodded and reached for the carafe. "Would you like another cup, darling? You still appear a bit peaked."
He shook his head and smiled in her direction before assuring her that he was fine.
"More importantly, George is," he added. "Doctor Stevens gave him a clean bill of health. That is all that matters...As for me, I think a hot shower and change of clothes will make a new man out of me."
Mary rose from her seat and moved behind his chair, leaning over and wrapping her arms around him before she placed a kiss on the top of his head. "I'm quite fond of the one I have now," she teased. "But I agree that you will feel much better once you've showered and shaved. Then we can plan our last full day at sea."
Matthew cranked his neck back as far as he could and looked up at her, puckering his lips invitingly.
She chuckled before bending over, placed her hands on the sides of his face and kissed him soundly.
They were still smooching when the sound of someone clearing their throat gave him a jolt and he and Mary broke apart.
"It is wonderful to have you and Master George back," Anna said from the corner of the room.
"Thank you, Anna…for that and your support throughout the entire ordeal," Matthew replied.
She acknowledged his thanks with a tip of her head and then gushed, "I've spent the last ten minutes searching for a game piece that George insists his sister is hiding and I enjoyed every second of it. It was wonderful to hear the two of them bickering again, and I can tell it made JR quite happy, too, as he was still grinning from ear to ear when I left the room…without the missing piece I'm afraid."
"Oh, I'm sure it will turn up, Anna," Mary said with a wry smile. "More than likely in one of Victoria's shoes."
The three of them burst into laughter, the sound drowning out the ongoing squabble in George's room and JR's guffaws.
Then Matthew patted Mary's hand and she released him, her own merriment subsiding as she returned to her seat.
Fueled by caffeine, he rose and headed off in the direction of the wardrobe room, calling over his shoulder that he was up to any plans Mary and Anna made as long as there was time set aside for him to show George the plaque commemorating the Olympic scuttling the German U-boat while transporting troops during the war.
No sooner had he turned the corner, he popped his head back in and added, "Of course, no-one is excluded from joining us. I think JR, especially, might find the plaque and its history interesting."
"I'm sure he would," Anna said.
Appearing pleased, Mary piped in, "Well, that takes care of the boys... I was actually planning on getting a manicure this morning with Anna, if she would oblige me… and I think if we allow Victoria some say in the color of the lacquer, she wouldn't mind tagging along with us."
Anna's eyes widened at that, and although her expression remained quizzical, she nodded her head enthusiastically.
"I have a surprise in store for you, which requires a bit of primping," Mary added. "Just trust me."
Smiling broadly, Anna replied, "I do, and I'm quite intrigued."
"As am I," Matthew said, his eyes focused on the former maid, "However, since I am certain my wife won't reveal whatever she has in store for you until she is good and ready, I'm off."
"Don't be too long, darling," Mary called after him. "The food should be arriving shortly."
XX
Matthew did not have to be called to breakfast as he was alerted that it awaited him by the smell of bacon that wafted beneath the door to his wardrobe room, making his mouth water and hastening his tying of his shoes.
Entering the sitting room with alacrity, he found that Mary had not exaggerated about breakfast being a grand affair. There was scarcely room for the salt and pepper shakers as one steaming tray of food after another lay atop of what he had once thought a large table.
The Crawleys and Bates were seated in what had become their designated chairs when he arrived, eagerly awaiting him to take his place so that they could begin filling their plates. Mathew smiled and urged them to do so as he took his seat. Then his eyes took in the feast before him.
Individual servings of poached and boiled eggs were wedged between large platters of plain and tomato omelette, grilled bacon, ham and sausage. Silver serving dishes filled with jacket potatoes, boiled hominy, rolled oats, baked apples and stewed prunes sat beside a stack of buckwheat cakes. There were scones, too, plus corn bread and Vienna rolls crammed into weaved baskets to be topped with creamy butter or orange marmalade.
Added to the cornucopia of delectable dishes, a large bowl of fresh fruit lay on a side table, since there was no room for it on the main.
"You outdid yourself, darling," Matthew said, placing his napkin in his lap. "There is enough food here to feed a regiment in the army."
Mary thanked him, and positioning her own napkin, said, "I have no doubt that you and George will put a sizeable dent in the heap."
"I will, too, Mother, if given the chance" Victoria said. "My stomach has been grumbling for hours and hours and I would love some of those buckwheat cakes but can't reach them. Would someone please help me."
The platter sat directly in front of JR and he quickly placed a couple of them on his empty plate, jumped out of his seat , and brought it to Victoria, taking hers in return.
"Are two enough to start?" he asked. "I'd be happy to get you more."
Victoria flashed him a sweet smile before thanking him and stating that they would do quite nicely for now before focusing her attention on her food.
Rooted in place, JR nodded and cleared his throat. "Well, I'd be happy to get you anything else you might fancy if I can reach it," he said before turning on his heels and shuffling back to his seat.
Mary and Anna gave each other a knowing look, their mouths twitching as they began to pass around the serving dishes that crammed the table.
Taking notice of the two women's expression as they kept the food moving along, Matthew looked from one to the other and asked, "Am I missing something?"
Mary cleared her throat and replied, "Nothing you need to be concerned about, Matthew…at least not for a few years."
Then she turned to Anna and winked.
He shook his head back and forth in confusion and then put his wife's puzzling comment on the back burner along with whatever surprise she had in store for Anna. Mary certainly can be quite enigmatic at times, he thought before swallowing a forkful of eggs and reaching for his second roll.
XX
"There it is, Father," George cried out, spotting the commemorative plaque about ten feet away from him as they entered the First-Class lounge.
He quickened his pace then and JR matched him step for step as the two of them made their way toward the memorial with Matthew in tow.
"I see it, Son," he replied, doing his best to keep up with the boys, but failing miserably due to his lack of sleep and full stomach.
I never should have eaten that second helping of bacon, he told himself as he brought his hand to his mouth to cover a belch and pushed himself forward.
At that moment, Matthew wanted nothing more than to lay down in one of the lounge chairs on deck and take a nap, preferably with the sun shining, a cool sea breeze washing over him and the sound of the ocean lulling him to sleep.
Unfortunately, that was an impossibility for more than one reason.
The first was that he had promised George that they would seek out the plaque he was edging toward when his son had discovered it existed while researching the Olympic back at Downton. The second was that a thick fog had rolled in, making it impossible for him or anyone else on board to enjoy the deck as they would be enshrouded by a white mist that made it impossible to see more than a few feet in front of you.
Catching up with George and JR, he found his eyes needed a bit of assistance here, too.
"I forgot to take my spectacles with me, Son. Would you mind reading the wording out loud?" he asked.
George complied quickly, reciting the American soldier's tribute verbatim. "'This tablet presented by the 59th Regiment United States Infantry commemorates the sinking of the German submarine U-103 by the Olympic on May 12th, 1918 in latitude 49 degrees 16 minutes north longitude 4 degrees 51 minutes west on the voyage from New York to Southampton with American troops.'"
Hanging next to the plaque was a photograph of the ship that had been nicknamed "Old Reliable" as she had appeared on that fateful day, painted gray with dazzle camouflage and directly beneath it, a historical accounting of what was undoubtedly one of the most exciting activities in the career of the RMS Olympic.
"In the small hours of the morning of May 12, 1918, whilst the Olympic was en route to France with U.S. troops under Captain Hayes' command, a surfaced U-boat was sighted just 1,600 feet ahead. Her gunners immediately opened fire, and she turned, ramming the submarine, which immediately crash dived to 98 feet and turned a parallel course. It was almost immediately when Olympic struck the submarine near the conning tower with her port propeller slicing through the sub's pressure hull.
The U-103 crew blew her ballast tanks, scuttled her and then abandoned the submarine right there. Olympic didn't stop to pick up any survivors, but made her way on to Cherbourg. The USS Davis sighted distress flares and picked up 31 survivors from U-103.
The Olympic made her way to Southampton with at least two dented hull plates and her prow twisted on one side, but it wasn't breached. It was later learned that U-103 was intending to torpedo the ship when she was sighted, but the crew couldn't flood the two torpedo tubes. Captain Hayes was awarded the DSO for his service."
"Quite impressive, isn't it?" Matthew said.
George and JR nodded their heads enthusiastically, their eyes wide as they took in the image of the Olympic in all her glory.
"It is hard to believe we are on the same ship, isn't it, Father?"
Taking in the luxury that surrounded them now, Matthew readily agreed with him.
"Can you imagine how the men on board must have felt ramming into that submarine?" George asked.
Matthew could, but he remained quiet for a long moment in deep thought.
He knew that each and every one of them had wondered if that was the day that they would meet their maker, or worse that they might have to live out the rest of their life maimed or disfigured, perhaps beyond recognition. Adrenaline would have soared through their veins, quickening their heartbeat and heightening their senses as their body readied itself for battle and soon thereafter, the men's mouths would have become dry and palms slick with sweat as anxiety and the feeling of impending doom set in.
Yet he would share none of this knowledge with his or John Bates' son and prayed they would never come to experience what those men had felt firsthand, as he had
"No doubt they felt a myriad of emotions, Son. The uncertainty of what would happen once they rammed the submarine, alone, must have been quite unsettling."
George and JR nodded their heads again as they pondered his response. Then much to Matthew's relief, the topic was dropped as the boys' attention was diverted by the sound of Victoria calling out their names, her excursion to the nail salon apparently over.
Mary and Anna were right behind her, both women smiling broadly at him as they raised their hands with dramatic flair, showcasing red fingernails that were all the rage on both sides of the pond, thanks to Hollywood and London starlets.
"I am assuming that your choosing that particular shade coincides with the surprise you have in store," Matthew said with a sly smile now that he had an inkling as to what his wife was up to.
Her own grin still in place, Mary replied, "Your assumption is correct, and I guess now is as good a time as any to reveal what I have in mind for our last night at sea."
She then went on to say that there would be a dinner dance in the dining saloon later that evening and arrangements had been made for Anna to attend it along with the two of them.
Anna's eyes widened as did her smile for a moment, but then she shook her head. "It is very kind of you to include me in your plans, but I couldn't possibly go. The children need me…and even if they didn't, I don't have a proper dress to wear."
She has a point there, Matthew thought, wishing there was something he could do to solve the problem at hand. Then reminding himself of how pragmatic his wife was, he knew he didn't have to.
The smug look on her face told him he was right.
"I took it upon myself to address any concerns you would have beforehand," Mary began. "Mrs. McInerney has happily agreed to oversee the children while we are gone, knowing that the tip she will receive at the end of our voyage will reflect our appreciation…and as for your attire, when you return to your cabin, you will find a lovely evening dress hanging in your closet. I hid it in Matthew's wardrobe room until it would be needed and had it moved there while we were having our nails taken care of."
The former maid was speechless for a long moment, and then said, "But what about…How did you know my…?"
"Size?" Mary interjected. "Your husband was kind enough to provide me with that information once you had made your decision to travel with us. He also agreed to keep the dress under wraps with the provision that I have a photograph taken of you wearing it, which I readily agreed to."
Clearly touched by Mary's kind gesture and the effort she had expended on her behalf, Anna's eyes welled with tears. "You've been so kind…I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll come with us," Matthew said. "I think the last time you honored me with a dance was at the Servant's Ball that took place the year you left service. If I remember correctly, I didn't step on your feet and you didn't step on mine, so I'm looking forward to taking another turn around the dance floor with you, Anna, if you will oblige me."
At that the younger generation made their feelings known, the two boys urging her to go and have fun while Victoria, visibly excited by the notion, begged her to take her back to the cabin so that she could see her new dress.
A wide grin spread across Anna's face as she nodded in Victoria's direction and took hold of her hand. Then turning her attention back to Mary, she said, "I gladly accept your invitation and thank you for it."
XX
Getting his first glimpse of Anna in her azure blue evening gown, Matthew's jaw dropped, his reaction coinciding with the blaring sound of the foghorn so precisely that the noise appeared to be coming out of his mouth.
The sight led both women in the room to burst into giggles, with Mary doubling over with laughter and Anna covering her mouth with her hand as she fought to regain her composure.
He narrowed his eyes, feigning annoyance at their outburst for as long as he could manage a straight face and then followed suit, laughing so hard that tears formed in his eyes.
"What are the odds of that happening?" Mary said between guffaws.
Catching his breath, Matthew replied "Considering that blasted horn has been going off every three minutes, I'd say they were quite good. Still…"
He returned his attention to Anna, then and said, "Though I have no doubt your appearance will result in many more men's jaws dropping this evening, I am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable."
She assured him that he had not and thanked him for his compliment before running her hands down over her gown, smoothing out the satin fabric and smiling, clearly pleased with Mary's choice. Then she pushed back a stray lock that had escaped her upswept hair, her fingers resting briefly on the pearl, tear-drop earrings that Mary had lent her.
The dress fit her like a glove, showcasing the hour glass figure that she had hidden for years beneath a dowdy maid's uniform while she was in service and the conservative attire she had worn since she left Downton.
Heads will turn when you enter the room, Anna, and I confess I'm looking forward to seeing it," Mary said. Then, looking her over from head to toe, she added, "I have never seen you look more beautiful. I dare say Mr. Bates' may insist you model the gown for his benefit when you get back home."
Matthew had no doubt he would, and imagined the smile that would spread across the man's face at the sight of his beautiful wife.
Anna thanked Mary for her kind words and reciprocated, "You look as lovely as ever."
Her comment jolted Matthew into action as it dawned on him that he hadn't said a word to his wife about her appearance.
"Darling, I couldn't agree more. As always, you take my breath away."
Mary smiled and thanked him before making her way to the vanity table to retrieve her evening gloves and clutch bag.
Then after taking a final look in the mirror, she turned and said, "Shall we get going?"
The foghorn blasted in response, causing the three of them to laugh again before they headed for the door.
XX
Entering the dining saloon with Mary on one arm and Anna, the other, Matthew felt certain he was the envy of every man in the room. He could feel their eyes on him as he and his lovely companions waited for a steward to take them to their table and hear the unspoken lucky bastard that floated in the air.
The room looked quite different than it did the night he and Mary had joined Captain Binks for dinner. A good portion of the dining tables had been removed and the remainder were rearranged to form a rectangular border around the empty space allotted to those who wished to trip the light fantastic.
Scanning the room, Matthew saw the band had been set up in one of the private alcoves that had been emptied of its furnishings. Although it appeared to be a bit of a tight squeeze for the musicians and their equipment, the improvised orchestra pit sufficed, especially since this would be a one night only performance.
Focusing on the band, his eyes were drawn to one of its members, a tall, thin man with bright red hair, who was holding a trumpet in his hands. The brass horn gleamed under the overhead lights and Matthew was so mesmerized by it that he hadn't realized that the steward had arrived until Mary cleared her throat and squeezed his forearm to get his attention.
His head was turned half way in response when the trumpeter raised his instrument to his lips and blew into it. The ensuing sound startled a woman seated nearby so badly that she knocked over her water glass and the contents of the cut crystal spilled rapidly into the lap of the man sitting next to her.
The doused passenger gasped and rose quickly from his seat with his linen napkin in hand. Then he put it to quick use, dabbing furiously at his soaked trousers while doing his best to control his agitation over his predicament.
The hapless woman, eager to redeem herself, took up her napkin and began blotting the man's thigh, causing him to jump back in horror, while the remainder of the passengers at their table hid behind their own linen squares in order to hide their amusement.
Matthew felt his mouth twitch and turned to Mary to see if she found the scene taking place as humorous as he did but she had tastefully averted her eyes away from the ruckus as well as him. Fully composed, she gazed at a centerpiece on a nearby table as though the room was tranquil.
Though when she did meet his eyes, hers were alight with glee.
He didn't dare look at Anna, since he found her sense of humor mirrored his own and knew they would not be able to contain their hilarity if he did.
The steward, too, had been distracted by the commotion and put his duties on hold until the aggrieved passenger finally stormed out of the room, at which point he sighed and got back to the business at hand.
"Your table is ready, Mr. Crawley," he said as though he had just arrived. "Please follow me."
Matthew motioned for Mary and Anna to take the lead behind the stout, young fellow who would show them to their seats. Then they made their way in a neat line in order to fit through the narrow aisles between the tables.
Over 100 feet long and able to seat 500 passengers, space in the saloon was tight tonight due to the large crowd and more limited seating. Matthew scanned the room, knowing that none of the chairs would be filled by the Foyles.
Weaving through the rows at the tail end of the line, he replayed the scene that had taken place earlier confirming as much in his mind.
"I just learned that the Foyles will not be in the dining hall tonight," Mary announced while adjusting his tie. "Mabel telephoned and said that the mere thought of food made her feel nauseous. No mention of Tony's bad behavior, though, so I am assuming her queasy stomach is due to illness. She did get a bit dizzy when she was about to leave the Writing Room yesterday and I suggested that she see a physician."
He had told her then that Mabel followed her advice and revealed what he had accidentally overheard the night before in the hospital. Mary's eyes had grown wide when she learned of the pregnancy and then flashed with anger before she flew into a rage, calling Tony expletives he had never heard her utter before for making advances toward her while his wife carried his child.
He only had had a few seconds to respond that he didn't think Tony knew Mabel was pregnant before Anna knocked on the door, putting an abrupt end to their conversation.
Now, as he took his seat beside Mary, he had to admit that although he sympathized with Mabel's predicament, he was glad that she and her husband were not present tonight, no matter what the reason for their absence.
The last couple of days had put a strain on both him and Mary and he was glad that they, as well as Anna, could enjoy their last night on the Olympic without Tony Foyle to remind them of unpleasant memories, past and present.
As they came close to Captain Binks' table, the commander caught sight of them and rose from his seat, stopping the steward that was leading them in his tracks.
Reaching out his hand, he said, "I am very pleased to see you, again, Mr. Crawley… Lady Mary. Doctor Stevens informed me that your son was discharged from the hospital in perfect health, which I'm sure is quite a relief for you both."
"Immense," Matthew replied, smiling broadly at the Captain while gripping his hand. "We could not be more pleased…and are very grateful to the good doctor and his staff for taking such good care of George."
The Captain returned his smile, clearly happy to hear the hospital staff being praised. Then he let go of Matthew's hand and offered it to Mary.
"Thank you, too, Captain, for your kindness and concern throughout our ordeal," she said.
His smile widened at that, and he bowed his head in Mary's direction before his eyes went to Anna.
Seeing the struggle for recognition in the man's eyes, Matthew rushed in to introduce him to the lovely woman standing beside him and his wife.
"Please allow me to introduce you to our traveling companion and dear friend, Mrs. Anna Bates,"
That led to a minute or so of small pleasantries, which included the commander of the ship insisting that both Lady Mary and Mrs. Bates honor him with a dance after dinner. Then he returned to his seat, prompting the steward to move on.
Though the Crawleys would not be dining with the commander of the ship as they had on their second night at sea, they were greeted by First Officer William Murdoch upon their arrival, who rose from his chair with alacrity and bowed to Mary and Anna before introducing himself.
Much younger than his superior, Matthew could not help but notice that the officer looked quite dashing in his navy double-breasted frock jacket with shiny brass buttons and swirled gold lace on the sleeves, signifying his high rank. The rich, dark color suited his fair complexion and the cut of the jacket complimented his broad shoulders and narrow waist.
Since he and Officer Murdoch stood eye level, he judged him to be roughly 6 feet tall and by the fit of his uniform, he could tell that he had a trim but muscular physique beneath it. That didn't surprise him as the initials RNR listed after his name tag indicated he was in the British Royal Navy Reserve and would have had to keep fit to remain a part of it.
Though he appeared to be in his mid-thirties, Matthew found the man had a boyish charm about him, which was on full display when he smiled. It was now as he introduced him to Mary, his cheeks dimpling and steel gray eyes twinkling with delight as he took her hand.
The expression on Murdoch's face made it clear to Matthew that her beauty was not lost on him, and he ended his quick study by concluding that the man had good taste.
The first mate's appreciation of a fine looking woman reached new heights, however, when he was introduced to Anna.
"And this is Mrs. Anna Bates, Officer Murdoch. She is accompanying Lady Mary and me to Newport and then on to Chicago to the World's Fair."
An awkward silence ensued as the first mate stared at Anna and she began to blush, the color rising in her cheeks until they were bright pink.
Taking note of her discomfort, Mary came to the rescue, blurting out, "Mrs. Bates and her husband own a hotel in Yorkshire."
That jolted him out of his trance, and finding his manners, he acknowledged Mary's declaration with a nod of his head and a smile. Then he began introducing the other passengers that sat at their table, beginning with Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael, an elderly couple who were returning to New York after having spent a month in Scotland visiting their granddaughter and her husband.
It became apparent to Matthew early on that Mr. Carmichael was hard of hearing, his impairment necessitating that he must speak quite loudly in order for the man to hear him.
He shook his hand while nearly shouting, "I am very pleased to meet you," before moving on to his wife, who bowed her head graciously in his direction with a look of gratitude in her eyes and a warm smile.
It also became apparent to Matthew that although Mary's impromptu remark had put an end to the awkward moment between Anna and the first officer, it also laid the groundwork for him to begin conversing with her, and the man quickly built upon that foundation.
"Where is your hotel in Yorkshire, Mrs. Bates? I have spent a good deal of time there and find the landscape quite lovely," he began.
That isn't all he finds quite lovely, Matthew told himself, grasping Mary's hand beneath the cover of the tablecloth and giving it a gentle squeeze. She gave him a covert look of understanding as she brought her hand out from under the table and reached for her wine glass.
He then made the acquaintance of the Baron and Baroness of Northbrook, who appeared unpleased with their seating arrangement until they learned they were sharing the table with the Earl of Grantham's daughter.
Finally, Office Murdoch presented Mrs. Oliver Stiles and her nephew, Malcolm, with the older woman volunteering that she lived in Chicago and looked forward to returning there in time to enjoy the World's Fair before it came to an end.
Introductions complete, Matthew took his seat and reached for his wine glass. As the fine Merlot trickled down his throat, he overheard the first officer gushing that the color of Anna's gown matched the hue of her beautiful eyes and he braced himself for another eventful evening aboard the Olympic.
XX
By 9:00 P.M., many of the passengers in the dining hall were on their feet, swaying to the band's rendition of" For All We Know", a song made popular by jazz artist Isham Jones and his orchestra. Matthew had heard it before and quite enjoyed the musical arrangement. However, it was the lyrics that struck a chord with him now as he suspected this wasn't the first time Officer Murdoch had become smitten with a stranger on their last night at sea.
Seeing the first mate and Anna glide past their table, he noticed that the man was serenading his dance partner while the saxophonist belted out the lyrics,
"For all we know, we may never meet again
Before you go make this moment sweet again
We won't say "Goodnight" until the last minute
I'll hold out my hand and my heart will be in it"
As the instrumental interlude began, Mary lamented "I'd like to honor Mr. Bates' wish by providing him with a photograph of Anna in her new gown, but I doubt he will want one that includes Officer Murdoch in it."
Matthew snorted. "I doubt he would want a photograph of her in Captain Binks' arms either… or one with that widowed American banker who keeps cutting in on all her dance partners…most recently me," he said with a note of indignation in his voice.
"He definitely would not," Mary agreed and then let out a sigh of frustration, "I guess I'll have to wait until the band takes a break to summon the photographer."
A wise move, he though as he followed his wife's line of vision, catching sight of the handsome couple smiling brightly at one another before they were lost behind one of the white pillars that were spread throughout the room.
Seeing Anna appear so carefree, Matthew couldn't help but smile, too. Yet, he knew that if Bates could see her now, it would break his heart, as it would be a reminder of what she had given up in order to share her life with him.
He had never given it much thought before because he knew how devoted Anna was to her husband and she appeared content with her life, but seeing her like this, he could not deny how much she had missed over the years because of her marriage. By her own admission, she had not danced since she left service at Downton, and he did not have to think hard to conclude why she hadn't.
It led to him pondering the life the Bates led and the limitations they were faced with in order to share it.
Due to John Bates' affliction, the couple would never be able to share a dance or walk hand in hand on a wooded trail or sandy beach, and though they could take in the beauty of the ocean side by side, they would never be able to frolic in it together.
Matthew wondered if Bates ever had tried to discourage Anna 's romantic interest in him and that led him to a day long gone by when he had told Mary that if she were not engaged, he would have stayed clear of her.
He was paralyzed from the waist down and had resigned himself to being "the cat who walked by himself" as Rudyard Kipling put it. Though in his case, that cat would have had to crawl.
Unable to walk and impotent, the thought of any woman being saddled with him, especially one he loved, was unthinkable.
Yet it hadn't been to Mary. She had asked him how he would respond to a woman who wanted to be with him no matter his disability and he had made it clear that he would reject them, suspecting that the woman she was referring to was herself.
On more than one occasion, he had pondered what he would have done if Mary had pressed the issue, revealed her true feelings and insisted she could not be happy without him. Loving her as he did, would he have been able to keep her at arm's length if he were convinced her happiness depended on him?
He suspected that Anna had echoed his wife's words and more in order to convince Bates to let down his guard and let her in. The bottom line being his mangled leg didn't matter to her nor did their age difference. She had decided that he would be the only man she would ever love and that was all there was to it.
Just as he had known that he could not be happy with any other woman as long as Mary walked the earth.
"Excuse me, Mr. Crawley," the table steward said, carrying an ornate silver champagne bucket with a magnum of Dom Perignon on ice. "Compliments of Captain Binks, Sir."
Taking in the vintage on the label, Matthew's eyes widened with delight and he turned his head in search of the commander. Finding him eyeing the proceedings from his seat, he smiled broadly at him and tipped his head in thanks before motioning for the steward to serve the sparkling wine.
He obliged him by removing the cage that enclosed the cork and grasping hold of it with one hand, he gripped the base of the bottle with the other. Then pointing the magnum away from any of the passengers, he slowly turned the base until the soft pop of the cork could be heard.
No novice to the task at hand, he then poured about an inch of wine into each glass in order to avoid the foamy overflow, and once the fizzing subsided, filled them just below the rim.
As the last glass was topped, Anna and Officer Murdoch returned to the table with their faces flushed from exertion. Taking notice of the frosted champagne glasses that lined the table, they both smiled as they took their seats.
The first mate's demeanor made it clear to Matthew that the man felt confident that he would not be returning to his cabin alone once the festivities had ended and he thought that might be the case. He had considerable charms and there were many women traveling alone who might succumb to them, especially after imbibing a glass or two of the bubbly.
However, he would stake Downton Abbey that Anna Bates wasn't one of them.
Knowing as much, he gave considerable thought to the toast he would make before he raised his champagne glass in the air. Then his eyes swept the table, landing on Officer Murdoch as he began to speak.
""May you have the hindsight to know where you've been,
The foresight to know where you are going,
And the insight to know when you have gone too far."
It was no accident that he delivered the last line while locking eyes with the first mate, and he could tell the man knew that it wasn't as his face grew red.
Mary made the next toast, smiling broadly at Anna as she raised her glass and said, "To my dear friend and clearly the belle of the ball…May the smile that graced your lips tonight remain long after it ends."
Anna began to protest Mary's declaration, but her objection was cut short by Officer Murdoch who ignoring the last line of the toast, refused to retreat and made it clear that he was in full agreement with Lady Mary's assessment.
Rolling his eyes, Matthew leaned toward his wife and said softly, "Darling, as far as I'm concerned, you are and always will be the bell of the ball."
Mary tipped her glass to him and smiled before taking a sip of champagne, the bubbles rising from the glass tickling her nose.
"I'm sorry but you need to speak up, Mr. Crawley," Mr. Carmichael croaked from across the table. "Did you say someone took a fall?"
Matthew was about to reply, when he heard Anna bemoaning to Mary, "Bell of the ball or not, I cannot wait to return to my cabin to soak my feet. They're killing me."
At that, he stifled a guffaw and said loudly, "No, Mr. Carmichael. No one has taken a fall..." Then turning his attention once more to officer Murdoch, he said, "…but I think someone is about to."
XX
"It was her, wasn't it?" Mary asked her husband," after she had thanked and dismissed Mrs. McInerney for the night. "I could swear that I saw Lady Caroline dancing with that American banker that kept cutting in on you as we were leaving."
Matthew nodded and smiled. "Yes, it was her, batting her eyelashes with renewed vigor at the banker. I caught sight of Lord Hayes, too, and he was grinning from ear to ear."
"Hmmm….I wonder if his jubilance was due to the wealthy widower paying attention to his daughter or his second serving of cherries jubilee having arrived," she quipped, throwing her wrap over the nearest armchair.
Anna, appearing as though she were ready to drop, let out a soft giggle, thanked them both for a lovely evening and headed off to her cabin to tend to her swollen feet.
Matthew's feet ached, too, though not nearly as much as his back did. The band had been excellent and their music so lively, that he couldn't resist spinning Mary around the floor time and time again, as well as Anna when he got the chance.
Now he was paying dearly for his exuberance.
A hot soak in a tub would help, but he couldn't muster enough energy to get to it and fell straight into bed once Mary had helped him undress.
Hearing him wince, she said, "Honestly, darling, whatever possessed you to think you could do a jitterbug and remain unscathed?"
He hesitated a moment, giving his wife's question serious consideration, and then replied, "The second glass of champagne got me out on the floor and the sight of your breasts bouncing up and down in your gown kept me there."
She burst into laughter and gave him a playful swat before asking him if he could turn onto his stomach without assistance so she could massage his back.
It was painful to do so, but he managed it and in a few moments let out a long sigh of relief as she began to work her magic.
Deftly kneading the space between his shoulders, she said, "I know you are exhausted, but am hoping you can stay awake long enough for us to discuss what we are going to do about the Foyles. It was a blessing not having to deal with them tonight, but we will likely run into them tomorrow and need to be on the same page."
"I suppose we'll have to find a way to act as though nothing is amiss until we are clear of them," he replied and paused before adding, "It won't be easy, but we must if Mabel is to be kept in the dark."
Mary was quiet for a long moment while she continued her ministrations. Then she said, "Your point is well taken and I'm in agreement with you. No matter how much I'd like to see Tony squirm, Mabel's well-being, and that of her unborn child, are what is most important."
"Thank you, darling," Matthew muttered into his pillow. "I'd kiss you if it were possible."
She leaned down and planted a peck on the back of his neck and told him he could make up for it in the morning.
"I am looking forward to it," he said.
Then the foghorn blasted for what seemed like the 100th time.
Turning his head toward the window with a grunt, Matthew saw that the white mist was so thick that the glass had become opaque.
"I don't think I've ever seen a fog remain this dense for such a long period of time," he said, the tone of his voice apprehensive.
Mary's massage came to a halt and she rose from the bed and went to the door.
"Darling, don't…you won't be able to see anything. It is like pea soup out there," Matthew cautioned.
"Don't worry, I won't venture away from the door," she replied, opening it slowly and keeping her hand on the frame as she stepped over the threshold.
Stepping onto the deck, Mary looked up and l said, "Oh my…I've never seen anything like this."
Beams of moonlight normally invisible in the clear air were given substance by the fog, creating spectacular rays of incandescent light that shone down over the ocean.
Matthew attempted to swing his legs over the side of the bed to see what all the fuss was about, but his back began to spasm and he let out a wail, the sound effectively putting an end to Mary's enchantment with the lunar display.
Quickly, she climbed into bed beside him and began to apply pressure to his lower back. "I'll work that kink out. Just try to relax, darling," she said softly.
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, feeling his tense muscles begin to unravel beneath his wife's hands. Reveling in Mary's touch, he closed his eyes and sank down into the plush mattress, happily on his way to slumber land
Then the foghorn moaned again, jolting him back into consciousness.
And he moaned along with it.
XX
AN: I would imagine many of you thought I abandoned this story since it has been so long since I posted my last chapter, but I haven't. Unfortunately, since that time, my husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 Myeloma, a blood cancer that forms tumors in your bones. The last month has been a nightmare.
I have longed to escape from the reality of the situation and found my story is a way to do it.
Having said that, though I have no idea what is to come next in real life, I do know where Matthew and Mary are headed and am looking forward to writing my next chapter.
My hope is that you will stay with me, even though the chapters may take a while for me to finish. I have a good deal more in store for Matthew, Mary and many others at Downton Abbey.
Finally, thank you to those who have left a review, you have my heartfelt thanks. Please keep them coming.