The next morning Edith and Bertie were the first ones down for breakfast. They were enjoying having the room to themselves, quietly talking until Mary appeared.
"Good morning, everyone," she said calmly.
"Good morning," Bertie stood up.
"We weren't expecting your presence this morning," Edith stated.
"Oh, one does get tired of breakfast in bed every day," she rolled her eyes in a manner that was clearly meant to annoy Edith.
Edith sighed to herself but decided to ignore the subtle barb at her spinsterhood. For his part, Bertie hadn't seemed to notice, which Edith gave silent thanks for.
"Well we're delighted to have you join us," Bertie said as he sat back down. Edith smiled at his chivalry.
"Likewise," Mary said as she took her seat. "Is it just the three of us? Has no one else come down yet?"
"Not as yet," Edith said, buttering a scone and watching her sister carefully.
"Ah," Mary looked towards the door worriedly. Edith noticed her sister's nervousness, and wondered to herself if something had passed the night before that had made her sister so agitated this morning.
"Good morning, everyone!" a loud voice erupted from the doorway. Mary nearly dropped her teacup in surprise, just as her father entered the room. Both Bertie and Edith noticed.
"Morning, Papa," Edith answered.
"Good morning, Lord Grantham," Bertie nodded.
"Edith, Lord Hexham," he nodded. "Mary, this is a surprise," he smiled.
Mary smiled. "I slept very little," Mary tried to explain, "so when I awoke early I decided to come down and join the family for breakfast." She felt silly trying to justify her appearance at the breakfast table, but the honest truth was that she couldn't bear to spend one more minute in that room. She had tossed and turned all night, replaying her conversation with Tom over and over... she just had to be up and out as soon as she could manage.
"Lovely to have you, my dear," her father said as he turned to serve himself breakfast.
Edith turned to Bertie and whispered to him, "She hasn't once joined us for breakfast since she married."
"Shhh," Bertie lightly scolded.
"Good morning everyone," Tom appeared a moment later with a very cheerful demeanor. Everyone returned his greeting with typical smiles and nods, but Edith kept her eyes glued on Mary. Mary seemed torn between wanting to meet Tom's eyes and look away. She was obviously uncomfortable as she picked up the newspaper.
Tom took a seat next to Mary. "Good morning," he said to her.
"Morning," she returned, trying to pretend to study the newspaper.
"Did you sleep well?" he pressed.
"Not very," she said, turning the page. There was an awkward silence before she remembered her manners. "And you?" she asked halfheartedly.
"I slept marvelously," he said with a cheeky grin. "I dreamt all night. I almost didn't want to get up this morning because I had such a lovely rest."
Mary folded the paper. "How marvelous for you."
Tom ignored her coldness and picked up a scone. "What are everyone's plans for the day?" he addressed the table.
"Well, I'm afraid I'm leaving on the 10 o'clock," Bertie said.
"Oh, that is a shame," Tom said. "But you'll be back again soon?"
"I hope so," he smiled at Edith. The look was unmistakable. Mary almost choked on her tea in annoyance.
"What's going on?" Edith asked, as Mary coughed.
"Nothing," Mary insisted. "Nothing to trouble you with. I think I just took a sip too fast."
Tom smiled to himself at the stupid explanation.
"I see," Edith said slowly, clearly not buying it.
"Edith…" Bertie warned her.
Mary stood up. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll head over to the office early."
"Why not wait a few minutes?" Edith asked. "Then Tom can walk with you."
"Edith," her father said her name sharply. Edith turned towards him feeling embarrassed and chastised. Bertie had warned her not to say anything, and here she was, unable to stop herself.
"I really would rather not wait, if you don't mind. Excuse me," Mary nodded and left the room.
Edith watched her go with an expression of amazement and frustration. If what Bertie had said was true then why was Mary so clearly avoiding Tom? And to add to her puzzlement, Tom sat back after she left in comfortable silence, sipping his coffee and listening to Bertie and her father talk about hunting. He looked as though nothing in the world could upset him. What in the world had happened?