Here is the third chapter. I'm having rather a nice time writing this :D and I hope my faithful readers who review will enjoy it…

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Episode3 - 1917

Chapter 3

"Dear Miss Swire,

I hope you'll forgive this sudden invitation, only my mother, The Dowager Countess of Grantham is coming to stay at my home in London, and we were hoping you'd join us for tea.

You will find enclosed the address, and my car will be waiting for you at 12 noon to bring you to my home. My mother and I do hope you'll come.

Lady Rosamund Painswick"

The stiffly formal letter was surprisingly intimidating. I still didn't know how long Mary's aunt had been in earshot to hear Sir Richard's and my 'conversation' as he called it, and I didn't know if I wanted to find out.

But, for appearance's sake, I'd have to go and visit. I hadn't had many invitations to tea; I didn't have many friends, and didn't much fit in with today's ladies. It seemed I'd have to brave the scrutiny of Matthew's family, ready or not.

Hidden-Forbidden-Passion

"Good afternoon, Miss Swire," Lady Rosamund greeted me as I was shown into her drawing room. I could feel my eyes widening as I looked around the extravagant furnishings.

"Good afternoon." I smiled politely, and the Dowager Countess turned around in her chair to see me, and, the same as last time, offered nothing as greeting other than a 'hmff'. My smile froze uncertainly on my face and the footman shut the door behind me. As silly as it was, in such a pleasant house, I felt trapped.

"Please, sit down," Lady Rosamund pointed to the couch between the chairs she and The Dowager Countess occupied.

"Thank you." I said as I stepped over to the lounge and sat, somewhat precariously, on the couch.

There was a knock on the door, and the footman reappeared, carrying a tray of tea.

"Thank you, now, that will be all." Lady Rosamund said, but she did not take her eyes off me.

"Tea?" she offered.

"Oh, yes please," I agreed, perhaps it would calm me, I felt as jumpy as a jack-rabbit.

She passed me a cup, and I held it in my lap, waiting for it to cool.

No one said anything for a moment, but Lady Rosamund spoke, looking at me interestedly.

"I'm afraid I haven't seen you since I interrupted your chat with Sir Richard last week. I'm awfully sorry I never had the chance to say goodbye."

"Oh, that's all right." I smiled as brightly as I could, though it would be obvious to anyone I was nervous, and I clung to the saucer in my hand, the china cup rattled against it, the lace of my gloves scratched against the skin of my fingers.

"How do you know Sir Richard?" Lady Rosamund's face was inquisitive, but there was something about her that reminded me of the man of whom she spoke.

"I only know Sir Richard because he is," no… I told myself, I shut my eyes for a second, trying to slow my pounding heart, "or was a friend of my father's…"

"Oh…" Lady Rosamund looked to her mother meaningfully, who looked to me.

"… and of my uncle, Jonathan Swire."

"…the… Liberal minister?" Lady Rosamund smiled.

"That's it, but I'm afraid they've fallen out."

"Oh." she said, apparently saddened by the news.

I tried not to fidget as I looked around at the lavish decorations, "This room is so pretty… has the house always been the Painswick's London home?"

Lady Rosamund began to speak, but The Dowager Countess cut across her importantly, "There's no always about the Painswicks, my dear, they were invented from scratch by my son-in-law's grandfather."

"We bought the house when we were married." Lady Rosamund added.

"You make Mr Painswick sound rather a rough diamond, Lady Grantham." the way she spoke of him, it sounded as if she hadn't liked him at all…

"Marmaduke wasn't a rough diamond, was he, Mama?" Lady Rosamund looked to her mother, seeming to want her opinion.

"No, he was just cut and polished comparatively recently…" Lady Grantham commented, and it seemed that was the end of it.

There was a long silence as her words sunk in and I decided, as a means of self-preservation, that this would be a chance to leave without embarrassment and without having to answer uncomfortable questions.

"Well," I placed my cup of tea on the table next to the lounge, "I'd better be going."

"So soon?" Lady Grantham asked.

"Yes," I said, as hastily as I could, "I have to get back to my father." I stood up, smoothing down my dress.

"Well, then. Goodbye." Lady Rosamund smiled and nodded. Neither of them stood as I walked to the door, and I didn't look back.

When I'd stepped out the front door and walked down the steps, and finally into the car to take me home, I sighed. That was over… for now. I looked out the window, up to the house and saw Lady Rosamund at the window. She did not smile, she did not wave, she only stood there a moment longer and then went away.

I knew I hadn't seen the last of her, or heard the last of that interrupted argument with Sir Richard, and the thought made me close my eyes, dreading what could possibly happen as a result.

Hidden-Forbidden-Passion

This afternoon was rather a full one, Lady Grantham had recently agreed to Downton being used as a convalescent home and all the medical staff and patients had already arrived. I had been phoned by Matthew last night, he had called to invite me to Downton, they were all welcoming a famous general, I forget his name.

The car pulled up on the gravel and stopped, I could see Matthew in the passenger seat. They all stepped out of the car and went over the regimental salutations before conversing politely. Matthew never even looked at me; he came over to speak to Mary. I felt uncomfortably warm, like red hot needles were stabbing my chest.

"Crawley!" barked the General, as if calling one of his dogs to heel. Matthew spoke to Mary a moment more, smiled and left to go inside with the General, Lord Grantham and the other officers and corporals.

Lady Rosamund had been standing nearby, and before she went in, she looked at Mary, her thin smile communicating something. It reminded me of how Sir Richard would look at me after I had stolen the evidence to give him, and he'd smile at me as if we knew something others didn't, and Lady Rosamund's secretive smirk unnerved me. She glanced at me, and turned to go inside.

I had to ask Mary what she knew, what her aunt might have told her. She stood there a moment after Lady Rosamund had gone, staring after her, I couldn't read her expression, and she turned to me, waiting for me to join her and follow them all in.

I walked over to her, and stood by her side, "What's the matter with your aunt?"

Mary's eyes were surprised, and for an instant, betrayed some knowledge. She blinked, then smiled, "We should follow them in, or Mama will say we are unsupportive." she took a step, but I couldn't let her leave without knowing what was going on, particularly when it seemed to be about me, and I could hardly bear being ignorant of it.

I reached out and took her arm; Mary turned back to me, her dark eyes seemed fearful of what I would say. My fingers slid against her skin, and I felt that warmth again, but it wasn't harsh like before. More deep and soft…

I dropped my hand from her arm, "Tell me what it is, please."

Mary lowered her head, "All right…" she murmured, "Do you remember when Aunt Rosamund found you and Richard Carlisle together in the garden?"

Together.I nearly scowled at the word as we walked inside together, and voiced my fear of her finding out, "I knew I'd hear more about that…"

"She thought he was threatening you. And now she's decided that you were behind the Marconi share scandal… in 1912." Mary seemed to be reminding me of it… how could I ever forget?

"The chancellor and other ministers were involved, including your uncle." she was frightfully calm about all this… didn't she think I had done it? Didn't she believe her Aunt's words; did she think me innocent of it all?

"I remember the Marconi scandal." I whispered. Mary stared at me a moment, my words were half a confession, and she shook her head.

"No, let's forget it. It's absurd-"

I had to tell her. Carlisle will have anyway, her Aunt wouldn't leave well enough alone, and I would be ruined and sullied either way, at least I'd have told Mary the truth. For the second time today, I caught her arm, bringing her back to me, trying to make her understand. I needed her to hear me, no one else did…

"But Lady Rosamund is right. I did steal the evidence for Sir Richard to print. I did start the scandal…" my voice was half choked by tears that were threatening to fall, and Mary was silent as she stared at me. She seemed to find her voice after a moment, and spoke confusedly.

"The trouble is… Aunt Rosamund can't understand why you would do such a thing unless you and Sir Richard were-" she caught herself before she finished that sentence, and fell silent. I said it for her.

"Were lovers…" I shook my head, the words no, not, never on my lips, but-

"Mary! You must come here!" Lady Grantham called, and Mary looked away, shocked at this sudden interruption, although we were almost in a room full of people, it seemed as if we were the only ones there.

Mary looked back at me, an expression I never wanted her to look at me with clear on her face. Horror, disgust, maybe even hatred. I had to tell her, had to set the truth in her mind, never had Sir Richard and I been lovers, I had only ever shaken his hand, the mere thought of him and I-

Mary walked away, the full truth still not said, she must think of me as a harlot, a whore, the tears in my eyes blurred my vision as these names plagued my mind. She couldn't possibly want to speak to me again, someone like me. But at that moment when I thought of Sir Richard marrying her, his name now hers, I wanted to cry and cry out. He was the worst kind of man, I knew what he thought of me in those days when he was close with my father and uncle, I could always feel his eyes on me, and now his eyes were set on Mary.

Something resembling crippling sadness and blinding hatred took hold of me and I knew I couldn't let him have her. She deserved more, more than him, more than anyone, and I would do anything, though nothing was in my power, for him to never touch her.

Hidden-Forbidden-Passion

It was time for dinner, now, it was a bit early, but seeing as it was a special occasion, and the General couldn't stay late, we were all going in for dinner now.

Oftentimes at Downton, dinner was a full affair. This one was as full as ever. I was seated next to Doctor- I mean, Major Clarkson, and a Captain who introduced himself as Gerald King, of course, there was 'Captain' to come before that. He was very polite and chatted in a friendly manner to me, but every time I glanced around, just a habit of self-consciousness, whenever I turned back he was looking at me in a way that made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Our conversation was innocent enough, just about when he expected the war would be over and how he intended to spend his free time.

"Not that I have much," he chuckled.

He had just begun to ask me something when Matthew spoke up, addressing everyone.

"Lady Rosamund, Mary, all of you… have been so kind to Lavinia." he smiled.

"Well, naturally," The Dowager Countess said, turning and smiling at me in a friendly way, although there was that motive behind it that made me nervous, "We're all curious to know more of Miss Swire, if she's to reign over Downton as queen."

"Dear me, I hope you haven't unearthed anything too fearful." Matthew remarked, half joking.

"You must ask Mary." the Dowager replied, glancing at her granddaughter.

I looked at my only friend, if she even wanted me as a friend. If you could beg someone with your eyes, I pleaded with my heart and soul for her to never tell… I didn't know whether she thought me innocent or guilty, I didn't know what she thought of me… but I had to tell her. Either that or forfeit any desire to stay at Downton, let alone in Yorkshire.

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Everyone was going out into the hall to mingle and entertain themselves.

"Mary." I stood behind her, and she turned, looking at me, she did not smile, her eyes betrayed nothing as I hoped with everything I had that she would hear my side of the story, "could I please…" my voice faltered, and I took a breath, "could I please talk to you?"

Mary pressed her lips together and nodded. She glanced at the other's retreating backs as they stepped through the doorway. We wouldn't be missed. Mary turned back to me and softly took my hand, "Come with me."

Her fingers gentle around mine, she led me through a different door out of the dining room, she went away from all the fuss into the quiet part of the house, through what must have been a smoking room, through another and another, the labyrinth of beauty ending when we entered a small library, and she let go of my hand, the warmth of hers faded from my skin.

"We were never lovers," I told her as soon as we stepped in the door, "Not ever."

Mary half-closed the door behind her, "You don't have to explain anything. Not to me."

But I had to, I must, I needed-

"But I want to." I walked over to the sofa with her, and turned to sit down, "You see…" we sat, facing each other. I took a deep breath, "My father owed Sir Richard Carlisle a lot of money. Enough to bankrupt him."

Mary continued, as if she knew what I would say, "And Sir Richard offered to waive the debt if you gave him the evidence of the minister's guild."

I nodded, "Papa was terrified. And I knew I could get into my uncle's office and find the proof."

It had been said. Strangely, I didn't feel relieved. Instead my heart felt heavier and I bowed my head, I sniffed, I didn't want to cry again. That was all I could do.

"What is it?" Mary asked me.

"He… threatened to tell you all about it, and now I've told you anyway."

Mary nodded, but still seemed unsure.

"My uncle was guilty. They all were. Sir Richard didn't make it up." I said.

"I believe you…" Mary said. I knew she wasn't lying; there was no dishonesty in her eyes…

"But that's not why I did it."

Mary blinked, looking at me curiously.

"It was entirely to save Papa from ruin."

Mary now understood, I had told her everything. She believed me, and that was more than enough for now…

"So… that mark on your arm…" she whispered.

"Oh. That." I remembered it, and looked down at my arm. Mary placed her hand over the shadow of bruised skin, curling her fingers around my wrist, so softly it didn't hurt, the cool silk of her skin against mine, lining up her fingers with the translucent lavender outline of Richard Carlisle's.

"He did it, didn't he? When he was threatening you in the garden." her voice was low, and I couldn't tell whether it was sadness or something else…

She breathed in, and heard her mother's voice coming closer, turning her head to the door.

When she turned back round, she smiled at me, secretly, kindly, stood and left.

I sat on the couch, twisting my fingers in my lap. She wouldn't betray me, not to anyone, and I sighed, though I didn't know what for.

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When everyone filed outside, the servants, the officers and the Grantham family to farewell the General, I went out with Mary, talking with her.

"You must come by more often. We could go out in the garden, maybe for a ride. We have a lovely mare that would suit you." she seemed to speak something as soon as she thought it, planning out days we could spend together when there was nought else to do…

"I'd love to." was all I could say, and it was absolutely true, she was the only real friend I'd ever had, the only…

Matthew came over to me and took my hand, "If I don't see you again before I have to go back, be safe." he brought my hand up and kissed it and I nearly pulled away from his grasp, from his lips. Not in front of Mary, not-

He turned to leave and got into the car that was idling nearby. After a few moments, it drove off, and everyone stood round…

I stood there, wondering. Would it still be the same life? Of course I would have Mary as a friend, she stood beside me now, but would that be enough of a life? Would it be enough?

TBC

Hidden-Forbidden-Passion

There's Chapter 3 done. :D

I would love reviews, and for readers without a Fanfiction account, I'll say so again and again, go to my tumblr blog and leave an ask, I do allow anons there, there is a link to my blog on my Fanfiction profile :D

Thank you darlings, and I will finish Chapter 4 as soon as I can.

x kissthespider26