Richard had stayed true to his word and had whisked Mary away as soon as the wedding was over and Matthew was not happy. It had been six months since the wedding and he hadn't seen Mary at all. He'd visited Downton a lot of the time and it was quite clear that Lord Grantham's health was quickly deteriorating, worrying Matthew immensely. He had been reading the morning paper when he had received a telegram from Lady Grantham, asking him to urgently come to Downton and this caused him to worry further. As soon as he arrived, Carson escorted him to Lord Grantham's room. Cora was sitting beside her husband who was looking very pale and rundown whilst lying in his bed.

'Matthew Crawley, my lord,' Carson announced and Matthew entered.

'Matthew my boy, come here.' Robert said weakly, 'I think it is clear to everyone that I am dying.'

'Sir, you mustn't think that way, you will be right as rain in no time at all,' Matthew chuckled unconvincingly but he soon stopped when he realised what Robert said was true. Suddenly the door flew open and Mary ran in, her cream dress flowing behind her. She looked much thinner and more covered up than he remembered.

'Papa!' she sobbed, not even noticing Matthew in the room and she fell to his bedside.

'Mary my dear,' Robert said softly, stroking her hair, 'I was not expecting you until later.'

'I could not wait for Sir Richard to finish his work so I came alone, if my husband feels like it he will join us but I care not for what he does,' Mary spat before giving her father a gentle gaze, 'but that doesn't matter, you must concentrate on getting yourself well again.' She kissed his hand and held it to her cheek.

'Mary my child, I am dying and you as well as everyone else must accept it. I have known for some time now and that is why I have called Matthew.' Robert said directing his gaze at his heir. Mary had a look of confusion on her face before slowly following his gaze and looking straight into Matthew's bright blue eyes.

'Matthew,' she breathed and she stood up and walked over to him. She embraced him, clinging onto him tightly, 'I've missed you so much,' she whispered in his ear before pulling away and smiling at him, 'Cousin Matthew, it has been a while since we last saw each other.'

'Indeed Cousin Mary, I just wish we weren't meeting in such dreadful circumstances.' Matthew sighed and Mary nodded. Robert shook his head weakly, wondering why Mary and Matthew had cancelled their engagement all those years ago when they were so perfect for each other. Robert closed his eyes and felt himself slipping away into unconsciousness.

'Robert?' Cora whispered, touching his shoulders before shaking him.

'What is it Cora? I am tired.'

'I thought…'

'I know what you thought my dear… Matthew, my time upon this world is almost over and you my boy will become the Earl of Grantham. I know you will do a good job, take care of the family my boy, my son,' Robert whispered, his eyes still shut and Mary bent her head, tears rolling down her face and Matthew held her close.

'I promise Sir.' Matthew said gently and he looked at Cora who was crying and holding her husband's hand. Matthew held Mary close and as soon enough, Cora let out a wail of despair as Robert's hand went limp in her own and he exhaled his last breath. Mary turned towards Matthew and sobbed into his chest, whilst Matthew realised that he was now the 9th Earl of Grantham and Downton Abbey, the estate, everything was his. Mary sniffed and pulled away from Matthew and wiped her tears.

'I should write to Sybil and Edith and tell them to come. Sybil… Sybil is expecting her first child soon and Edith has enrolled at university, so I expect this will hit them both very hard.' Mary whispered.

'Mary, your mother needs you right now, I will write to Sybil and Edith.' Matthew said softly and Mary nodded, walking over to her mother. Sighing, he turned around and walked out to see Carson standing there with his head bowed.

'He's at peace now Carson,' Matthew said, putting a hand on Carson's shoulder.

'Lord Grantham was a great man my Lord, there is no doubt that you will follow in his footsteps.' Carson stated and Matthew gulped, he would have to get used to being addressed as my Lord and he would have to move onto the estate. Walking down the hallway, he stopped when he saw Violet sitting in her son's library staring out at the grounds.

'I did not think I would outlive my own child.' She said, sensing Matthew's presence. Matthew entered the library and sat opposite her, looking at her pained face and guessed that she had heard already. News obviously travelled faster than he'd expected at Downton.

'Your son was a great man cousin Violet and I will do everything in my power to make sure he is remembered. He was loved by everyone who knew him and he has left some big shoes for me to fill. I will make sure that you are well cared for Cousin Violet. You, Cousin Cora and Cousin Edith shall continue living here, nothing will change, only the fact that my room will become permanent I suppose.' Matthew ran a hand through his hair and Violet smiled weakly at him.

'You are a good man Matthew Crawley, a good man.' Violet stood up, 'I'd best go and comfort Cora, I wouldn't want her to do anything rash… if she went I would have no one to vex and that would be quite unfair.'

Matthew chuckled to himself softly and was left alone in the library, the aching silence taking over. This was his library now and he owned the entire estate and for some reason he had never felt so alone. He had no wife to share it with; it seemed all the women he loved had left him. Matthew sighed and closed his eyes before falling into a deep sleep.

He woke a few hours later and the house had a gloomy atmosphere. A note from Violet had been left on the desk stating that she and Cora had gone to London and that Roberts body had been moved to the morgue, the funeral scheduled for next week. Sighing, Matthew got up and rang for Carson and as soon as he arrived, Matthew asked him to sit down.

'What can I do for you my Lord?' Carson asked him, unaccustomed to sitting down, especially in the presence of the aristocracy.

'Carson, I want you and every one of the servants to take two weeks off, to show your respects to my predecessor and so that we may feel refreshed for the New Year, though I must request that you are all present for Robert's funeral next week.' Matthew said and Carson looked at him in shock.

'But my lord, the house…'

'Will be fine, I can take care of myself Carson, and I really do insist.' Matthew enforced and Carson nodded.

'Very well Sir. Did you hear that Her Ladyship and the Dowager Countess have gone to London to the spa? I was to inform you again if you had not.'

'Yes, I am aware and they will be back next week.' Matthew smiled.

'Should I call for Sir Richard to pick up Lady Mary?' Carson asked and Matthew blinked, quite forgetting that Mary was still at Downton.

'No, I shall deal with that Carson, just inform Lady Mary that I will be in the drawing room this evening and after that you are all to take holidays and I shall see you in the new year. Visit your families, travel the countryside, you are free until the New Year and you will still be paid, do not worry.' Matthew smiled and Carson mustered a sad smile.

'Very well my Lord.' And with that he departed.

The house had been very quiet since all of downstairs had left and Matthew sat in the drawing room, wondering whether or not Mary would join him. Sure enough the door soon opened and Mary entered, it being evident that she had been crying all day.

'Mary...' Matthew opened his arms and Mary embraced him.

'I miss him Matthew, I miss him so much.'

'I know Mary, but it was his time.' Matthew whispered, rubbing her back softly in circular motions and Mary sighed.

'I've missed you too, so so much Matthew,' Mary whispered, pulling away to look at him.

'As have I,' Matthew said, finding his voice was now much quieter and he found himself getting lost in her eyes, 'so how has married life been?' he asked, guiding her to the sofa and sitting beside her, keeping her hands in his.

'Oh Matthew, it's horrible, I hate my marriage with Richard.' Mary shook her head, a tear escaping. Matthew gently turned her head back to face him.

'Mary my darling, you look much thinner than I remember and far more covered. It is warm outside, why dress as if it is winter?'

Mary bit her lip and met his gaze, 'Richard wants his me to be thin. London businessmen think it's wonderful to have thin wives… the thinner the better. So whilst I starve, Richard goes and pleasures himself with his mistress. If I don't do what he says…' Mary paused and looked away before starting to undo the top bit of her dress, 'If I don't do what he says, he beats me.'

Matthew was shocked and watched in horror as she pulled the top half of her dress off to reveal purple and blue skin, some bit were fading, others were fresh. He reached out gingerly and gently stroked her skin and saw her wince slightly, 'Oh Mary,' he whispered and she looked at him, 'you can't go back to him.'

'How can I not? He is my husband Matthew, he would come looking for me.' Mary sighed and Matthew rubbed his temple.

'Then request you stay here for a few weeks to be with your mother and if he has a mistress tell him that she can replace you until you return.'

'Matthew, she replaced me the morning after my wedding night. I feel more of the mistress than the wife.' Mary sobbed and Matthew looked at her in horror.

'You mean…'

'Yes! She lives with us, she dines with us, she sleeps beside him, the whole of household knows about it, I wouldn't be surprised if the whole of London knew about it or if she was with his child! There are three of us in this marriage!' Mary burst out and Matthew felt pure rage towards Richard. He had taken Mary away from him, married her, then tossed her aside. 'Just love me Matthew! Please!'

'I will always love you Mary,' Matthew said, his anger being replaced with affection and he bent down and kissed her shoulder before making her way up to kissing her neck. Mary closed her eyes and stretched her neck further so he could continue kissing her, 'I love you so much.' He muttered before moving his lips to capture hers. Mary had almost forgotten how it felt to be loved and she felt him lift her hand to place it on his shoulder whilst his other hand cupped her face, all the while kissing her. Suddenly she pulled away from him, stood up and held back a sob by covering her mouth.

'Matthew, we mustn't do this. I am married, albeit to a uncaring, cold husband, but I am still married and if Richard found out, he would ruin you, he would divorce me… our whole family will be disgraced.'

'Then let him find out, if that is what it will take for me to be with you.' Matthew said, standing up to face her.

'I can't Matthew.'

'I will get you out of this marriage Mary,' Matthew vowed and Mary shrugged.

'You can't! You forget that I am a woman, I cannot divorce him on the grounds of adultery alone! I need another reason to divorce him!'

'Which you have Mary! You may divorce him upon the grounds of adultery and cruelty!' Matthew exclaimed, 'You say that people know about his infidelities with this mistress, it is impossible for you not to win this case!'

'Matthew, it is not illegal for a man to take a mistress and if people know, then it is not really adultery is it?'

'Mary! You are a well-educated woman! You know it is adulterous! Your husband is having extra marital affairs with this woman. I will get you a good lawyer Mary, I promise.' Matthew said kissing her once again and she melted into his arms.

'Ok' was her answer.

RXR please :3 glad to know that having an interest in women's suffrage actually came in handy xD