Hearing his wife's voice, Matthew pushed upward with such force that the blonde bombshell laying on top of him rolled off the bed and onto the floor with a loud thump.
"Mary!" he cried out, bolting off the bed as if it were on fire.
"Matthew," she replied in an even tone.
"Jean!" Mr. Cooper bellowed.
"Coop," the actress mewled.
Light flooded the room, and for a brief moment Matthew's eyes didn't focus properly. Then he saw Mr. Cooper standing beside the light switch and Mary a few feet ahead of him, her eyes riveted on the rumpled coverlet on the bed.
Following her line of vision, he cringed and his stomach clenched in a knot as he recalled how enraged he was when he found Mary fighting off Tony Foyle's advances on the deck of the Olympic.
Whether or not his wife felt the same rage now escaped him, as Mary maintained her composure.
"Well now that we've established who is in the room, I'd like to move on to what Mr. Cooper and I witnessed upon entering it," she said.
Matthew raked his fingers through his hair and stammered, "Mary, I can explain…,"
"I have no doubt that you can, dear," she replied, cutting him off. "However, I would like to hear what Miss Harlow has to say, once she is back on her feet."
At that, the actress let out a loud moan, then muttered, "Coop, can you help me up? I can't seem to manage on my own."
The movie producer huffed and spat, "I will, but only to spare Lady Mary and Mr. Crawley further discomfort by removing you from their room as quickly as possible."
He then moved to the side of the bed and bent over the fallen star, taking hold of her outstretched hand and pulling her to her feet.
She looked a fright, her platinum-colored hair shooting out in every direction, red lipstick smeared around her mouth, and numerous strips of linen that had come undone, dangling at her sides.
Cooper's eyes widened as he took in her appearance and he shook his head in consternation before moving to Mary's side.
"Damn, that hurt, the actress said, rubbing her bottom. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm black and blue in the morning."
Mary countered, "I highly doubt it, Miss Harlow. The carpet is thick and from what I can see, you have ample padding of your own to prevent any bruising."
Matthew felt his lips curling upward but did his best to keep from smiling in lieu of the circumstances.
He wasn't out of hot water yet.
"How could you, Jean?" Mr. Cooper cried out. "Lady Mary is Martha's granddaughter… and you told me no more than hour ago that you and Bill were in love."
Bill? He must be referring to William Powell, Matthew thought, grateful that it was the movie producer and not Miss Harlow's paramour that had discovered him and the actress in such a compromising position.
"More to the point, how did you?" Mary said. "I would imagine a clue to finding the treasure led Matthew to our bedroom. That was was what brought me and Mr. Cooper here. However, I am at a loss as to how you managed to maneuver my husband onto the bed."
Matthew knew Mary would not believe him capable of such a betrayal, but hearing her defend him with such passion made his heart swell.
Now if this blasted woman would only tell the truth.
The actress ignored both Mary and Mr. Cooper's questions, pushed her stray locks out of her eyes, and began to fit the dislodged bandages back in their rightful place.
For the first time, Matthew saw a crack in Mary's self-control as her eyes flashed with anger.
"Miss Harlow, I demand that you stop fiddling with that ridiculous costume and answer my question, since I am certain my husband did not willingly play a part in this sordid affair."
At that. the actress's head snapped up and she jutted her chin at Mary. "You're certain, huh? Take it from me, honey, no woman can know for sure that her man will pass up a roll in the hay, especially with a good-looking broad. I say that from personal experience...And when the two-timer gets caught, you can bet your bottom dollar that his wife will blame the floozie he slept with for her woes, even though it takes two to tango."
Mary glared at the starlet and replied, "The only woman my husband tangos with is me, Miss Harlow, which was evidenced by what I witnessed when I walked into this room. Even in the dim light, it was clear that Matthew was fending you off. Are you now going to add insult to injury and lie about what took place here?"
"I saw the same thing, Jean," Cooper said. "Now, tell the truth, damn it!"
The starlet's stance changed then, her body slumping forward and eyes veering from Mary down to the floor.
"It appears the jig is up, as you Americans put it, Miss Harlow. What have you to say now?" Mary demanded.
The actress shuffled her feet back and forth a few moments, then turned to Matthew and muttered under her breath, "I'm sorry."
He just stared at her, not knowing how to respond to her apology as he was unsure if it was sincere or not. Actors did make their living by lying convincingly, after all.
A few moments passed in silence, and then she shrugged her shoulders and turned away from him, setting her eyes on Mary.
"I pushed him from behind onto the bed while he was searching the pillowcase for a clue…then I…I guess you could say I pounced on him. Your husband did nothing wrong. He was a perfect gent the whole time we were together."
Mary nodded her head at the actress, putting the matter to rest. Then she turned to Matthew with a self-satisfied expression on her face and love in her eyes.
He let out a sigh of relief, knowing the worst was over.
Mr. Cooper's expression, on the other hand, turned dark and he proceeded to issue a dire warning to the starlet. "If you utter one word about what happened here tonight, I will go straight to Louie. Your contract with MGM will be cancelled immediately…and I will make sure you're barred from working at Paramount, too. Your career will effectively be over, Jean. Do you understand me?"
She nodded her head and replied, "I am already in hot water with Mr. Mayer, Coop. I know he'll can me if he hears I was involved in another scandal. You don't have to worry about me keeping my mouth shut."
Happy as he was to hear Miss Harlow would remain silent on the matter, Matthew knew they all would have to be on the same page in explaining why he and she did not continue the treasure hunt, and voiced his concern to Mr. Cooper.
"There isn't much time left to it, Mr. Crawley. Jean can stay in my room until it is over and then the four of us go down with the clues we gathered up to this point, admitting defeat. No one will be any the wiser. Then, I will drive her to the inn she is staying at."
"Thank you, Mr. Cooper, Mary said. That will give me husband some time to wash that cheap scent off him."
"Cheap scent! the actress cried out "I'll have you know that a small vial of my perfume costs more than most people earn in a year."
"I don't doubt it does, but you mistake my meaning, Miss Harlow...I wasn't referring to your perfume."
XX
When enough time had passed for the treasure hunt to reach its conclusion, Matthew and Mary returned to the party and were pleased to learn that Anna and William Powell had won.
I still can't believe it," Anna gushed, showing Mary the gold locket that was her prize.
"It is lovely, Anna," Mary said.
Shen then she turned her attention to Mr. Powell and asked him what he was awarded.
The actor reached inside his pocket, pulled out a gilded cigarette case and passed it to her.
Rectangular in shape, it was decorated with a reeded radiating pattern that Mary found unique. She ran her fingers over it and said, "I've never seen a case with this design before. It is exquisite. I have to wonder, however, if it would have been a fit prize if you did not smoke."
"Nearly everyone I know does, Lady Mary, so I think Elsa knew it was a safe bet," Powell replied.
The actor's eyes moved to the crowd then, darting in every direction as if he were searching for someone.
Matthew assumed that someone was Jean Harlow and he was about to excuse himself when the actor confirmed his assumption by asking him if he knew where she had gone off to.
"I was hoping the two of us could spend some time together this evening, but she has been more of a ghost than a mummy," he quipped.
Matthew knew exactly where the actress was, but he couldn't very well respond that Merian Cooper had swept her away to avoid any further bad behavior on her part. Although he hated to do so, he was about to give lying with a straight face his best shot when Mary came to his rescue and replied on his behalf.
"I believe the last time I saw her, she was chatting with Mr. Cooper," she said nonchalantly and returned his cigarette case to him.
Well, that was true, Matthew thought and nodded in agreement, grateful that he did not have to deceive the man who had the misfortune of falling in love with a woman who would betray him so easily.
Mr. Powell thanked him and Mary, told Anna it had been a pleasure, and then set off to solve another mystery.
XX
Harold took the stage and quieted the crowd before calling upon Martha to join him.
"Thank you all for coming to share my mother's 85th birthday with her. Your presence is the cherry on the top of the cake.'
He put his arm around her and pulled her close before he continued. "I have been blessed to have a mother who taught me by example from a very early age to live life to the fullest. I thank her from the bottom of my heart for that… and for always telling it like it is, no matter whose feathers she ruffled.
Harold spoke to her directly then and said, "You have been an inspiration to me and countless others who have been fortunate enough to know you, Mother, and my hope is that you will continue to be one for many years to come. Happy birthday."
At that, Martha pulled her son into an embrace and he kissed her cheek, the loving scene prompting the guests to break out into applause.
Matthew saw Mary's eyes well up and he took her hand as they waited for Martha to respond to Harold's touching remarks, but for what was likely the first time in her life, Martha Levinson was rendered speechless.
On cue the band began to play "Happy Birthday" to the woman of the hour, and the crowd gave the best rendition they could of the old standard, considering the number of participants singing off key.
Then a massive birthday cake was wheeled out on a serving cart onto the terrace and Harold led Martha to it.
The matriarch of the Levinson family found her voice, then, thanked Harold for his endearing words and her guests for coming, especially those who travelled such a great distance. She then made a silent wish before blowing out a substantial amount of the candles.
"While the cake is being cut, please look to the skies over the bay," Harold called out. Mr. Grucci has promised me a spectacular show tonight, and he always delivers."
Matthew had forgotten there would be fireworks. He was tired and had hoped he and Mary could slip out of the party unnoticed after the cake had been served, but when the first rocket shot into the sky and exploded into a circle of sparkling stars, he came alive again.
Spectacular, indeed, he thought as he and Mary joined in the collective "Oohs and Ahhs" that commenced until the remnants of the last rocket had trickled down into the sea.
XX
"Well, I am glad that something good came out of that horrid treasure hunt," Mary said, pulling the offensive coverlet off the bed and throwing it over one of the two chairs in the room. "Anna appears to have had an enjoyable time working alongside Mr. Powell and is delighted with the gold locket she was given."
Matthew sat in the other seat and pulled hard on his remaining boot to remove it, eager to get out of his costume and into the shower.
"Here, darling, let me help you," Mary said, and gave the boot a good tug, freeing it from his foot.
He thanked her and made quick work of removing the rest of his costume. Then he opened one of the windows and flung it out into the night.
Mary's jaw dropped and her eyes went wide. "Have you gone mad?"
Matthew moved to the bed where his robe lay and slipped into it before responding, "After all I have suffered tonight, I could not stop myself from doing what I wanted to do from the moment I laid eyes on that blasted costume."
Mary rolled her eyes but offered no retort.
"Now...I'm going to take a shower in order to wash whatever is left of the 'cheap scent' off me, and then I hope we can both wipe the vision of that viper in our bed from our minds and get some sleep in it. Frankly, I am exhausted."
She came to him then and embraced him. "I know you are, darling, and it is no surprise. You have been through a great deal."
"It has been no walk in the park for you either, Mary," he said, wrapping his arms around her.
"I have had better evenings," she said, stepping out of his embrace and nudging him toward the bathroom.
"Go…take a relaxing hot shower while I tidy up...and when you are done, we will reclaim our bed."
XX
Matthew thought of of his father-in-law when he found Martha Levinson skimming through the Newport Gazette at the breakfast table. It was a ritual that Robert had followed for decades and shared with him since he married Mary. The sight made him long for home, and he was glad that their trip was winding down, even though he looked forward to their final destination, the World's Fair in Chicago.
He could not recall every seeing Mary's American grandmother wearing spectacles before and wondered how she had managed to do without them during her visits to Downton. After giving it some thought, he concluded she must have read in her room, as she did not want to be seen in public with them. That made sense since she had always been, and still was, vain.
The only other person at the table was Harold, which surprised him since Martha had said some of her guests would be staying on after the party...and Miss Maxwell's absence was glaring.
"You two are up early," Martha said, peering over the rim of her spectacles, which now sat on the bridge of her nose. It appears you are the only ones who attended my birthday party that are not sleeping in this morning."
"I would imagine many will have stuffed heads when they finally do wake," Matthew said. "I rarely saw anyone without a cocktail or glass of champagne in their hands last night."
"I have found that if you keep the liquor flowing and serve enough food to keep the guests sober enough to stand on their own, your party will be a huge success," Martha replied with a wink and a smile.
Then she slid her spectacles back up and returned her eyes to the newspaper in her hands.
Harold took up the conversation where his mother had left off by remarking that being an early riser must be a family trait as he and Martha hardly ever slept in.
At that, Mary flashed her uncle a smile and replied that it may well be as she could not think of a day that had woken any later than 7:00.
"Although, I think my involvement in managing the estate might have more bearing on the time I wake than my ancestry." she said.
Harold laughed and replied that he could see how it would, and then reached for a slice of toast from the plate that sat between him and his mother and began buttering it.
"I think after waking the same time each day, it becomes a habit that is hard to break, though it would be nice if I could manage to stay asleep a couple of hours more one day on the weekend," Mary lamented.
Her comment reminded Matthew of the first time he dined with the family at Downton Abbey and a conversation he and Robert had that led to Violet questioning what a weekend was. Now, 22 years later, her granddaughter was lamenting that her internal clock would not allow her to sleep when it arrived.
It reminded him of how much had changed at Downton in the last two decades, and what had not. Robert had eventually come around to accepting the ways of the modern world, but the matriarch of the family still clung to the past, fighting tooth and nail to preserve a world gone by.
"I'm surprised Anna is still sleeping. She is usually up at the crack of dawn. Mary said.
"I'm not," Harold piped in. "After Jean Harlow and Coop went missing, Bill Powell sought her out, having enjoyed her company so much during the treasure hunt. They were dancing quite late into the night. I know, because I cut in on him a few times. Mrs. Bates is quite an attractive woman and an excellent dance partner. Her husband is a lucky man."
Matthew was pondering whether Mr. Bates would be pleased by his wife's popularity during their trip to America when his musings were cut short by Martha crying out, "Ashley Chanler is getting married to a Portuguese princess."
He and Mary turned to one another with the same quizzical expression on their face but it appeared Harold knew exactly who his mother was speaking about.
"So, the blueblood is marrying a royal. That might just clear the stain of his father's ill-conceived marriage to a divorced actress. Well done, Ashley."
Ignoring her son's commentary, Martha read the engagement announcement out loud.
"Ashley Chanler, son of the late William Astor Chanler and Mrs. Beatrice Minerva Chanler announced his engagement to the Princess Maria Antonia de Braganca, daughter of Duke Medaelde Braganaza and Duchess Theresa of Portugal. The couple met in New York City and the marriage is to take place on June 13th in Vienna."
She put the paper aside, then, let out a long sigh, and said, "It is too bad Willie could not hold on long enough to attend his son's wedding. I read he passed away in Paris...I believe it was just this past March. Is that right, Harold?"
"I think so, Mother, but I cannot say for sure as I was quite busy on the West Coast that month. However, I do remember you mentioning it to me….and I'm sorry if I was harsh regarding Willie's marriage to Beatrice but it was quite scandalous. A descendant of Jacob Astor marrying a divorcee' was shocking, no matter her having been courted by William Randolph Hurst …and there were rumors flying about that she was born out of wedlock."
Martha cried out, "Shame on you, Harold. Bea Chanler is a lovely and accomplished woman. Do you know that she sculpted that magnificent frieze in the lobby of the Vanderbilt Hotel? I applaud her for overcoming her roots, marrying the man she loved, and then making a life for herself and her two boys when that marriage failed. In spite of his drinking and reckless ways, I always liked Willie. His passing reminds me that we never know when we will be separated from our loved ones. That is why it is so important that we don't lose touch with them."
Matthew saw Mary nod her head and smile at her grandmother, who in turn reached over and patted her hand, but Harold was unmoved by the exchange, not knowing the significance of it.
"And you are being a hypocrite," Martha spat. "You have….to put it politely… enjoyed the company of many actresses."
Harold patted his mouth with his napkin and then threw it down on the table. "I may have romanced them, but I never asked one to marry me, Mother."
Martha rolled her eyes, then folded the newspaper and put it aside, along with any agitation she may have been feeling.
"Speaking of weddings, how are the arrangements for Tom and Catherine's coming along? I am so pleased that he has found someone to share his life with He is much too young to be alone."
Mary opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by her uncle, who cleared his throat and said that he had changed his mind about attending the wedding and was looking forward to seeing the family again.
Matthew took notice that Martha appeared surprised by her son's change of heart, but Mary didn't. He made a mental note to ask her about that the next time they were alone as he wondered what she knew that he and Martha didn't.
Harold then announced that he had arranged a cruise on "The Anne Darrow" at 12:00, which he thought we, Anna, and the children would find entertaining as there had been multiple whale sightings in the area.
"The ship will leave the dock no later than 12:15, so please be on time…and we will be out for a few hours, so lunch will be served on board. Now, I'm off to find out where Coop disappeared to last night."
Matthew and Mary turned to one another with raised brows and the same look of dread on their faces. Then they got up to fill their plates from the sideboard.
Once they returned to their seats, Martha turned to Matthew and told him she had arranged for him to visit the Touro Synagogue the following morning as Mary had thought he would enjoy it.
"It is the oldest synagogue in the United States, Matthew, built by a famed British architect in 1763 by the name of Peter….Peter… Give me a few seconds… I've heard his name dozens of times but my memory is not what it used to be." Then she called out, "Harrison….Yes, that's it… Peter Harrison…and it is considered his finest work."
She went on to say that she wished he would have been able to tour some of the beautiful mansions, especially the Vanderbilt's Breakers, but they were closed up until they were to be readied for the season.
"Thank you, Martha," Matthew replied as he spread marmalade on a slice of toast. "I would love to see the Synagogue and I think George and JR would, as well, although I am not sure about Victoria."
"Don't worry about her, darling. Grandmama and I have planned a visit to the local salon, where I have been assured of being pampered and primped . Victoria and Anna will be joining us."
Martha then veered the conversation back to Tom and Catherine's wedding.
"So, according to my last letter from Cora, all is going well for the future Mr. & Mrs. Branson, who I learned is the sister of the nurse who treated Matthew at the London Hospital when he had amnesia. Cora praised her to the high heavens, saying she could not be more pleased with Tom's choice and that Catherine's little boy has stolen her heart. She must be a remarkable woman for my daughter to say that, considering she will be replacing Sybil."
Matthew cut in and said that although he knew Tom loved Catherine very much, he felt certain that no woman would ever replace Sybil in his heart.
"Just like no man would ever have replaced Matthew in mine should he have not survived his accident the day George was born. A love like ours, and the one Tom and Sybil shared, is quite rare, I think. That kind of love does not die, even when the one you love leaves this world."
"Yet you must go on with life," Matthew exclaimed. "I watched Tom grieve for Sybil for a very long time. He would mask the pain as best he could around little Sybbie but when we were alone, he let his guard down. It was very hard to watch him suffer the way he did. I would tell him that Sybil would not want to see him mourn forever…that she would want him to move on…meet someone who could make him happy and be a stepmother to Sybbie. The precious child has a wonderful grandmother in Cora, and Mary and Edith dote on her, but she needs a mother. I think that is one of the reasons Tom let Catherine into his heart….Sybbie adores her as well as her future stepbrother, Daniel.
Martha nodded her head and smiled. "I'm sorry I won't get to meet her and her little boy but happy that now Harold will. I will send my gift for the newlyweds with him. Perhaps I'll set up a romantic trip for them."
Matthew's eyes went wide and he exclaimed, "Please keep Tom on the same continent as us, Martha. Downton needs him."
She chuckled, "Don't worry, Matthew. No more trans-Atlantic surprises."
Then the sound of Claire shouting at the dogs to drop something put an end to any further conversation.
"What the devil is going on out there, Matthew said. "It sounds as though Jack and Dempsey are going wild"
As if on cue, the two animals came running into the dining room with Claire in tow.
Stretching his neck for a better view, Matthew saw that the 'something' was the lower half of the costume that he had thrown out the window the previous night. The jodhpurs, now muddy and full of holes, were being fought over by the two puppies, each one having a pant leg in their mouth and pulling with all their might.
Martha rose from her seat and cried out, "Jack…Dempsey…Come!"
The dogs ignored her command and scurried over to the sideboard, where they continued battling for sole ownership of their find.
"Claire, is that someone's costume those mutts have in their mouths? It looks like they've gotten hold of one of the guest's jodhpurs…but how could they have? Martha said.
Matthew knew exactly how they could have as did Mary, who gave him a swift kick under the table.
His "Ouch" was drowned out by the sound of the dogs' barks and Claire's squeals, and as he rubbed his shin, he began to feel guilty for causing her so much trouble.
The maid tried a different tack then and joined in the tug of war, pulling on the top end of the pant in an attempt to free it from Jack and Dempseys' mouths, but the two stopped fighting each other and turned on her, growling fiercely to ward her off.
A minute later, the fabric gave way, leaving Claire with the top end of the pant in her hands and falling backwards, crashing into the sideboard with such force that the plates and serving dishes rattled. The sound spurred the dogs to finally comply with her command, and they fled the room whimpering in unison with their tails between their legs.
She tried valiantly to right herself, but slipped and hit the sideboard again, knocking over two breakfast trays and a pitcher of maple syrup before winding up on the floor with the muddied remains of the jodhpurs in her hands, a shocked expression on her face, and a steady flow of gooey syrup trickling over the rim of the table onto her head.
Matthew, Mary and Martha sat frozen in place gaping at the bedraggled servant. Then he broke himself out of his stupor and rushed to the sideboard to help her.
"Do you think you are able to stand?" he asked, outstretching his hand to her.
Appearing dazed, Claire looked at her employer and said "I'm sorry to disrupt your breakfast, Mrs. Levinson. I'll have this mess cleaned up as quickly as possible," with as much dignity as one could muster while sprawled out on the floor with your skirts hiked up to your thighs, being doused with maple syrup.
XX
"Do we have to leave so soon Father. I like Newport very much and have had so much fun during our stay….and I am going to miss the puppies, terribly," Victoria said as they walked hand in hand along the cliff walk.
He had promised her that they would do so before they left and this would be their last moments spent in Newport as they would be picked up to be driven to the train station soon.
Matthew was both relieved and surprisingly saddened that that was the case - Relieved that some sense of normalcy would return to his days. He missed the life that he and Mary had forged for them and their children, one that did not include lavish parties with movie stars, yacht cruises and daily activities that you were expected to join in, no matter if you wanted to or not. Th
The last five days had been a whirlwind, and not one that he created. Saddened, because like his daughter, he would miss many things about Newport – the bright sun on his face each day, the view from his window and scent of the sea air flowing through it when he woke in the morning , the sight of giant whales cutting through the water and soaring into the sky, dolphins as they communicated with one another, magnificent mansions that lined the shore, wildflowers that swayed in the ocean breeze, and the food…especially the fluffy pancakes.
Most of all, though, he would miss Martha. That was the surprising part.
Matthew had found her to be loud and brash during her visits to Downton, a woman who found joy in kicking over the traces whenever the opportunity presented itself. Her style of dress was as outlandish as the pronouncements she made, often bordering on being vulgar. The innuendo she had injected into her conversations at the dining table at Downton had infuriated Carson so much that he feared the man would have an apoplexy.
However, he saw now that in spite of all the above, she was a woman of substance. She embraced her individuality, stood up for what she believed in, created a life that would make her happy, lived by her morals and standards and inspired others to do the same. Martha also had a big heart. She lavished her family with attention and love as well as the best money could buy and gave to those less fortunate than she by donating her time and money to many charities. She did more than most people he knew to make the world a better place for all people, no matter their status in life.
Most of all, he admired her courage. She faced death with dignity and the determination to make her last days on earth as happy as they possibly could be.
"Father, wasn't Mother supposed to join us? She is awfully late. We will have to turn around soon," his daughter said while bending down to pick a handful of wildflowers.
Mary had planned on making the trek with the entire group, but she was still nowhere in sight, and Anna, George and JR already were nearing the point where they would have to turn back.
"I am sure she is sorry she could not be with us, sweetheart," he replied. "Grandmama Martha wanted to spend some time with her alone before we left, and she has been held up."
She nodded her head and said that made sense as grandmama likely wouldn't see her again for a long time. Then she frowned,
Knowing Victoria, too, would miss Martha, he took one of the flowers from her hands, broke off part of the stem, and placed it in her hair.
"That is true, Victoria. Grandma Martha will miss your mother as well as the rest of us...and we, her…but, we will have many happy memories to call upon when we miss her, won't we?"
Victoria nodded her head, but still appeared sad.
He raised her chin with his free hand, adjusted the flower, and said, "You look like a fairy princess."
She looked up at him and her lips slowly began to curl upwards. Then she called out to Anna and the boys to slow down so they could catch up.
Anna turned and waved at them, then halted the boys from going further.
As he closed the gap between them, the conversation he had overheard while passing Martha's bedroom that morning replayed in his mind as if it were a record on a phonograph.
"How can I thank you, Mary? This was the best birthday I've ever had...the very best."
"It is you that should be thanked, Grandmama, for all you have done to make this past week so marvelous. It has been wonderful for me to get to know you better, which may sound strange since you are my grandmother, but there has always been distance between us…and then there was the Atlantic Ocean," she replied.
The two women chuckled at that.
"I have one last request, Mary, and I hope will do your best to honor it...Treasure the life you've been given, even when it gets hard. . It is a gift ...the greatest gift you will ever receive. I see that clearly now that mine is coming to an end."
Silence followed for a long moment before he heard Mary speak, her voice sounding strangled.
"I promise I will, Grandmama, and I am hoping you will do something for me."
"Of course, I will Mary, if it is within my power."
"Well then...when you get to heaven, please tell Sybil how much she is loved...and missed,"
Martha replied, "What makes you so sure I'm going to heaven?"
"You have a heart of gold," Mary said "I have no doubt that is where you are headed."
"I hope you are right, dear girl...and if am lucky enough to catch the elevator going up, I promise you that I will search every inch of the hallowed grounds to find your sister and give her your message
"Oh, you won't have any trouble finding her, Grandmama. She'll be the beautiful angel waiting for you at the pearly gates."
He heard someone moving to the door then, likely realizing for the first time that it was not completely closed, and he quickly made his way down the hallway.
XX
The sound of George and JR debating the size of the whale they had spotted during the cruise on Harold's yacht drew him back to the presnt, and he smiled at Anna as he released Victoria to join the boys.
"You look lost in thought. Are you quite alright?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm fine, Anna. It is just that I find I will miss Martha Levinson more than I ever thought possible.
She nodded her head. "I know exactly what you mean. She seemed quite different from the woman that I remembered from her visits to Downton. I have grown quite fond of her, myself."
"Father says I look like a fairy princess with this flower in my hair," Victoria exclaimed.
"I think you do, too," JR replied.
Matthew and Anna exchanged a glance and smiled.
He then held out his hand to Victoria, mindful of the horrid dream he had the first day they had arrived in Newport, and said with dramatic flair, "Come with me, fairy princess. We must make haste so that we may bid the lady of the manor a proper goodbye."
She giggled as she intertwined her tiny fingers with his and said, "I think we should say 'goodbye for now' instead of 'goodbye' since we will see Grandmama Martha again …even if it isn't until a long time from now. Won't we, Father?"
Matthew looked up to the heavens as the morning sun's bright rays passed through a cluster of puffy white clouds and turned the sky gold.
"Yes, sweetheart. I believe that we will."
XX
AN: Next stop, Chicago!