Thank you so much for your kind words in the reviews. You put a big smile on my face, you really do!

Mary could have happily throttled her father when he announced he was selling that beastly painting to pay for the work they needed to do on the cottages.

In her head, she'd decided Tom wouldn't contemplate leaving until they'd found the money, and because they'd looked at the business accounts every which way, she knew that wouldn't be easy. And the longer it took, the longer he would stay. And maybe, just maybe, he'd change his mind and decide not to go after all.

And then Papa went and ruined it all.

Now, Tom had a date for his departure. He and Sybbie would stay for Christmas, but then they'd be off, heading to Liverpool on New Year's Day to catch a liner that would take him across the ocean and out of her life.

The thought of him leaving was like a great, dark, looming beast that she simply couldn't bear to look at, so she didn't. She shut it away in a corner of her mind and concentrated on enjoying his company while she still could. And that, Mary decided, included arranging a business trip for them that would necessitate an overnight stay.

'What?' said Tom when she informed him of her plan one day in the office. 'How are we going to explain that away? We hardly ever need to go anywhere for business. Downton's the biggest employer, buyer and supplier there is around these parts. They all come to us.'

'Well, I have an idea about that. We could say we're going to find out about some new farm machinery or something. You know Papa doesn't care about that sort of thing. As our resident expert on all things mechanical, he'll expect you to take care of something like that.'

'But he won't expect you to give tuppence about farm machinery, so he'll question why you're coming with me.'

'Not when I tell him about my recent decision.'

'What decision?'

'I'm going to take over as the agent when you leave.'

Tom looked at her in surprise, a wide smile spreading slowly across his face. 'Really?'

'Yes. Why? Don't you think I can do it?'

'Of course, you can do it. There's nothing I do that you couldn't do twice as well.'

'I don't believe that's true for a minute. But I do think I have got a good grasp of the business over the last few years.'

'Yes, you have.'

'So, you think it's a good idea, then?'

'Yes, I do. I think it's a splendid idea. In fact, I've been thinking for a while you could do the job. I was going to suggest it to you nearer Christmas.'

'Why were you waiting until then? You could have suggested it anytime.'

Tom looked a bit sheepish. 'Because I know you don't like talking about my leaving. I didn't want to upset you.'

'Yes, well,' said Mary, fiddling with the papers on her desk. 'I have to face it sometime. I know you've been putting feelers out about a new agent, so I thought you should know what I've decided.'

'Do you think Robert will agree?'

'I don't see why not. I've been working alongside you for long enough that he can hardly object to me carrying on without you.' Mary swallowed, pushing past that thought. 'And no-one you bring in could possibly know Downton as well as I do nor love it as much.'

'I'm proud of you, Mary,' Tom said, softly.

Mary blushed, trying to ignore the warm glow his words gave her, and carried on. 'So, you see, if I'm learning the business from you, it's only natural that I should come with you to find out more about the machinery of the future.'

'You do realise we will actually have to go and look at farm machinery, don't you? If we don't come back with solid facts and figures, it will look very suspicious.'

'And this is why you're such a good agent, Tom. You're very thorough. I shall leave that in your capable hands. I wouldn't have the foggiest where to begin. Just remember, wherever we go, it needs to be far enough away that we couldn't reasonably go there and back in a day.'

Tom grinned. 'Don't worry, Mary, I know the mechanical stuff is just the carrot for you to sweeten me up before you use me for your own nefarious purposes.'

Mary pressed her lips together, her eyes twinkling. 'Why, Tom, you say that like you don't love every second of me using you for my own nefarious purposes. And I think we both know that's not true.'

Several days later, Mary and Tom were in the library with the rest of the family taking afternoon tea.

'Oh, Papa, I've been meaning to tell you' she said, casually. 'Tom and I were talking the other day about some of the new farming machinery and how it might be a sound investment for the estate. We thought we should make use of Tom's mechanical knowledge before he goes, so he's set up appointments for us to visit a manufacturer and a few farms already using these machines.'

'Really? How opportune! I was reading an article about a new harvester just the other day. Perhaps I could come with you.'

Out of the corner of her eye, Mary saw Tom shoot her a loaded look. Mary didn't miss a beat. 'Well, of course you'd be very welcome, but it's quite short notice.'

'When's the appointment?'

'The day after tomorrow.'

'Oh, damn, we're in London then, aren't we, Cora?'

Cora looked up from playing tin soldiers with George. 'Yes, we have dinner at the Harringtons that evening. We can't let them down, Robert, not after all the trouble it was to arrange it.'

'No, of course, not.' Robert turned back to Mary. 'What time is the appointment? Perhaps I can join you before we take the train to London.'

'Oh, I'm afraid that won't be possible, Papa. The appointment is in the Lake District.'

'The Lake District?'

'Yes, that's where the manufacturer is based. Would you like us to postpone until you can come along?'

'No, no, not if it's all fixed. I trust you two to ask all the relevant questions. I have to say I'm impressed with how seriously you're taking this agenting business, Mary. And I daresay you'll be looking forward to getting under the bonnet of these machines, won't you, Tom?'

'I am rather,' Tom nodded. 'It's always interesting to see how engines are developing and changing and how we can use them to help the estate be more efficient.'

'Because it's such a journey and we have a full day of appointments planned, we thought we'd drive over tomorrow and stay for a couple of nights,' Mary said, conversationally.

Standing at the tea station, Carson beetled his brows and gave her a stern look. Mary loftily ignored him.

'Capital idea,' her father said. 'It's such a beautiful part of the world too. You should take at least another day to explore it.'

Mary smiled into her teacup while Tom took an innocent bite of his cake.