Since their return from hospital, both Mary and Tom had done their best to not be alone together. Neither of them wished to have an awkward conversation so they both avoided it as best they could. It was nearly a week before the two of them were caught alone together.
They were together in the drawing room with the children. Robert, Cora, Edith, and Bertie excused themselves to dress for dinner just as Nanny came to collect the children.
"Mr. Talbot is here," Carson announced. Mary and Tom looked at each other.
Mary was very surprised to hear that name. "Show him in," she answered automatically.
Tom looked at her in confusion. "Would you like me to leave?" he asked.
"Why should you?" she answered evenly. Tom put his hands behind his back and waited.
Henry came in with a strange look in his eyes. "Hello, Henry," she said warmly.
"Lady Mary," he said coldly. Mary looked at him in confusion. "I am surprised that you're receiving me with Mr. Branson – but then, maybe I shouldn't be surprised."
"Whatever does that mean?" Tom asked.
"You tell me!" Henry Talbot insisted.
Tom turned towards Mary. "Do you have any idea what he's talking about?" he asked.
"No," she answered, turning back towards Henry. "I have no clue."
"Oh please, Mary," Henry growled, "at least grant me the courtesy of speaking to me in private. After what went on, I think I am owed that much at least!"
"I think I better go," Tom started to leave but Mary caught his arm.
"Wait," she said to Tom. "I honestly don't know what Mr. Talbot is talking about, but I think I would appreciate a witness."
Tom looked very uncomfortable.
"Either he goes, or I do," Henry insisted.
Mary and Tom exchanged stunned glances. "Fine then," Mary called Henry's bluff. "Go."
That threw Henry off-balance. He stared at her in amazement. "What did you just say?"
"You said that either Tom goes or you go. I told you to go." Both Tom and Henry stared at her. "Enough of this nonsense," she turned around and left the room without excusing herself. Tom stared after her silently, but Henry followed her.
"Mary Crawley, you owe me an explanation at the very least!"
"An explanation?" she repeated. "For what? For not wishing to associate myself with a man who nearly ran my son over?" she turned on her heel.
"No – you owe me an explanation for what I saw at the hospital that night!"
Mary stared at him in confusion. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she said. Tom silently followed them into the hallway and watched in concern.
"I came to the hospital," Henry revealed. "I felt pretty guilty for what happened. I wanted to check on the boy and make sure you were alright. And what did I find? You and your brother-in-law" he spat the term, glaring at Tom, "practically licking each other's teeth!"
"That's a damned lie!" Tom insisted.
Mary stared at him silently.
"I saw what I saw," Henry stated firmly. The two of you were kissing. Pretty intensely. I was so livid I just left the hospital. It took me this long to come here and demand an explanation. And now you're just going to deny that it happened?"
"Yes we're going to deny it! That bloody well never happened, and you should be ashamed of yourself for driving all the way up here just to hurl accusations at the two of us after what you nearly did!" Tom answered.
Mary didn't speak. She was too amazed.
Henry looked at her. "Are you going to deny it too?" he asked.
"It was an awful day," she said, shaking her head. "We were all out of our minds with worry. I don't know what you think you saw, but I tell you honestly that I just want you to leave, Henry. After all that's happened, I just have no wish to associate myself with you any further." She finished her speech with a little sympathy in her voice, but still turned around and walked into the library without another word.
Henry watched her go, and then without so much as even looking at Tom, he left the house. Tom stared after both of them in wonder. After a moment's pause he followed Mary back into the library. Neither of them could meet each other's eyes.
"That was damned awkward," Tom said, getting himself a drink.
It was pretty early for hard liquor, but Mary ignored the indiscretion. "I don't know where he got it from," she insisted, rubbing her hands up and down her shoulders nervously.
"Don't you?" he answered, throwing back the whiskey.
"Tom…." she began, but had no idea how to finish the thought.
"Mary," he smiled at her – you and I were both there. We both know it happened. And apparently we had a witness," he nodded towards the door.
"I had thought it was a dream," she said honestly.
"That was no dream," he answered, coming towards her. "We were both there, and it happened." He sat down next to her.
"Tom," she placed a hand on his shoulder, "I do remember it. But I was half-asleep!"
"Well, half of you may have been asleep, but the half I was with was wide awake," he said with a wicked grin.
"Don't be vulgar," she stood up.
"You're angry," he surmised.
"Of course I'm angry!" she spun around. "I'm angry and I'm confused and I'm upset and I just don't know why this keeps happening!"
"Mary," Tom half-smiled, "try to calm down."
"I'm going to dress for dinner," she said, leaving the room. Tom watched her go with a mixture of frustration and amusement.