"What and you don't think I couldn't have that old booby if I wanted to you see Edith I rather like men that isn't the same age as papa so you're welcome to him" spat Mary before finishing with 'I would rather a much grander estate and title anyway " before turning on her heal and joining Sybil her mother glared at her. But Mary didn't soften there was no way She could even pretend to like the man Edith could have the old man for all Mary cared.
Not long after the men joined them, as soon as Matthew walked in Mary was at his side "I do hope you where serious about showing me the cottages if you're free tomorrow morning I would enjoy a walk to see them" asked Mary with that Matthews face lit up!
"I would like that very much Mary, should I come up after breakfast?" he asked quite taken back by her sudden interest in him. Not that Matthew minded he was beginning to enjoy her company at every given chance.
"Perfect I look forward to it " beamed Mary with one of the first Genuine smile Matthew had seen aimed at him. Mary turned to hear Edith laughing with sir Anthony Strallen "I'm rather lost at what they could be laughing at I would say he's dull as old paint " whispered Mathew into Mary ear causing her to burst out laughing rather load that most eyes fell on them but Mary didn't care, they spent the rest of the evening by themselves talking in the corner of the room.
"Matthew I do believe we out stayed our welcome" said his mother pulling them out of the trance they were in together. Matthew look up to see that almost everyone including Edith and Anthony had either retired for the night or gone home
"Gosh is that the time!" said Mary as she looked at the clock and stood up knowing her mother would not be happy with her for not once talking to Sir Anthony.
"Goodnight Mary I will see you tomorrow " he said before quickly leaving with his mother. In the car ride home Matthew was sure he was the happiest he had been for a long time and quite sure he was now falling helplessly in love with Mary
"Did you enjoy you're evening with Mary you where both looked like you were enjoying each other's company." Said Isobel trying not to seem to obvious.
"I did rather Mother, were going for a walk tomorrow I'm going to show her the work I've been doing on the cottages."
"Matthew are you sure that won't bore her?" asked Isobel
"No in fact she asked me to show her the work." he Paused before saying "she truly cares she acts as if she doesn't but she loves Downton".
Isobel just nodded giving him her knowing look before smirking. Matthew simply huffed.
The next morning he was down for breakfast far earlier than normal when his Mother joined him she gave him that knowing smile, before either could say anything Mosley came in with Isobel's breakfast once they were alone she broke the silence
"You're up early, I can't believe anything other than the servants are moving at this time in the big house" she said before taking a sip of her coffee.
" Mosley said they normal have breakfast layout for between 8-9 its only just 8 now so I will leave in 15 minutes as it will take awhile to walk up" said Matthew the fact he checked his watch 4 Times was not lost on Isobel she smiled at Matthew before last night she would of found herself worried about his heart being broken, but Marys behaviour last night definitely showed her she cared for her son.
"Matthew remember she's lady Mary Crawley she's been told all her life not to express her true feelings or speak openly" cautioned Isobel not wanting him to think she doesn't feel the same.
"Don't worry Mother I believe I'm beginning to workout the cold Lady Mary." said Matthew before taking a bite of his toast and looking at his newspaper
Mary was also up far earlier than she would after a dinner party looking forward to spending the morning with Matthew he seemed to have a growing talent for making her truly laugh and smile, she rang for Anna wanting to get down for breakfast as soon as possible just in case Matthew came early.
Once ready she made her way downstairs meeting Robert on the stairs
"Good Morning my darling daughter i say I'm quite surprised to see you so up and about so early" said Robert as the began down the stairs
"I'm meeting Mathew this morning we're walking so he can show me the work on the cottages you two have been doing" said Mary she saw out the Corner of her eye the surprise on her fathers face
"How nice it looks a lovely morning for a walk" said Robert with a smile all he wanted was for Mary to Marry Matthew and stay at Downton.
"Good Morning cousin Matthew you're here early" said Sybil as her and Edith made there way down the stairs
"Me and cousin Mary are going to look at the cottages this morning, i want to show her the work done" said Matthew
"I doubt that she's even out of bed" huffed Edith
"No I'm right here thank you i was just putting my hat on" said Mary as she came down the stairs behind her sisters with that Edith huffed and walked slightly faster into the dining room as Sybil said her goodbyes to Mathew.
"It's certainly a beautiful day" said Mary as they began walking across the lawn Mathew hummed in agreement
"It is but the company is far more beautiful" said Matthew to anyone watching you could see the love in his eyes as he looked at her
"You're quite the flatter Matthew Crawley" smiled Mary as Matthew smiled at her the same smile that was beginning to make her weak in the knees
The conversation flowed easy and it didn't take them long to reach the cottages.
"Oh Matthew they look lovely, when me and Edith did ride together we would come this way and they looked terrible and so run down" said Mary as the approached the row of cottages
"Well there a far cry from then the big house but I believe there be Comfortable a couple are set to move in next week" said Matthew before continuing on about what he had done and costs "sorry i must be boring you so terribly" said Mathew realising he was probably going into far more detail then Mary wanted to hear
"I don't mind truly, it good to see that you beginning to love the estate and will look after once you're earl, i was never quite sure how good cousin Patrick would be he never seemed to grow up and take anything seriously never like me much thinking about it" rambled Mary before looking up her eyes meeting Matthews before she knew it his lips were on hers it was unlike any other kiss she had before. Once they broke apart Matthew next words were far from what she expected.
"Marry me Mary we could build a perfect life together working on the estate you teaching me how to be a worthy earl of all this, i know I'm not good enough for you being a doctors son but i would love and care for you" He said taking her hands into his.
"Oh Mathew know that i would accept you in a heat beat but I'm not good enough for you" she said tears treating to fall as she thought of Pamuk dead on top of her. Mathew laughed at her words
"Mary you're a lord's daughter how could you don't be good enough for me?" he asked in confusion "Im also falling more and more in love with you"
"Please Mathew if i told you would despise me and that i couldn't bare, i care for you to much to see you at the house looking at me with disgust"
"Mary i just said i love you I'm sure whatever it is i would never be able to despise you or ever look at you with disgust" with that Mary broke down in tears Mathew instantly wrapped his arms around her in a desperate attempt to stop her tears
"Please just tell me I promise whatever it is i wont ever repeat it or despise you" he asked
Once her tears had stopped and they had walked to a small seat both seating far to close for it to be proper Mary told her story once she finished Matthew got up taking a few steps alway from the seat.
"Was it love because if it was .."
"How could it be I didn't know him it was lust Mathew he came into my room god knows how he found it told me if I made a noise i would be ruined for him just being there and then he was on top of me then he was dead" she said her hands shaking
"Then you Mary have nothing to be ashamed of in my opinion he forced himself on you he was in the wrong not you"
"But he didn't Mathew i let him touch me I didn't fight him i let him ruin me"
"Mary he manipulated you forced you into believing you were already ruined he came to you, not the other way round. If he wasn't already dead i think i would do it myself" Mathew said in angry before turning to her, "Mary this changes nothing for me i still love you and still want you to be my wife i want to protect you from men like him although you're already far stronger than i my darling" he said as he took his seat again and her hands "so will you Lady Mary Crawley do me the honour of becoming my wife" Mary was taken back that even after hearing her ruin he still wanted her tears began again but this time they were happy totally joy tears
"Oh Matthew if you're sure that despite everything you still want me then of course I would accept!" She said with that being said she was in Matthews arms as he spun her around.