Just in reply to one of the reviews on whether or not the British aristocracy granted interviews. One of the documentaries put out by Prince Edward talks about how the royals would invite members of the press to dinners. The Duke and Duchess of York in the time period this is set in were more reserved but his brother was really out there and had all sorts of people in his home including press and big time scandalmongers. The story is set pre-abdication and well before the Charles and Di mess. So they wouldn't give an interview today, but then it was a different story.

I'm making this story up so like all fiction, it could be, it could not be, who knows just makes for a good story.

Setting the Record Straight

Lady Mary Crawley sat as still as a statue bracing herself for the arrival of the reporter to whom she would give her exclusive interview. There had been a great many tears behind closed doors, but once she had settled down and really thought about what Tom had said she could see his point. He was thinking this through not as a member of the aristocracy, but as someone who thought her side of things mattered. Still it wasn't going to be easy.

Her father Lord Grantham sat opposite her with his back straight. Their family pride was at stake. If this went badly she would never forgive her brother-in-law and Matthew, well Matthew was entirely too trusting.

Tom had suggested contacting a reporter he knew from Ireland, who followed tabloid news and wrote a society column as well as business reports. Tom had pointed out the man was outside of Sir Richard's control and was known for unbiased reporting. The chance to meet the real Lady Mary Crawley and tell her story would be just too tempting an opportunity to pass up. The man would be on the first ferry, Tom had predicted.

Malachi Rourke stepped off the train in Ripon. He looked along the platform for Tom Branson. He couldn't believe it when Tom had contacted him about an exclusive interview with Lady Mary Crawley, lover of the Turkish diplomat. The request for a copy of the exclusive contract was a little unusual, but Tom was working on something and Malachi knew better than to ask what it was. For this interview he would have gotten a signed photograph of the Prince of Wales' latest conquest if he had to.

Tom and another blonde man were standing beside a car near the train platform. The blonde man was a little taller and broader than Tom, but had the soft look of someone who spent his days in an office.

"Malachi, glad you could make it," Tom said in greeting.

"Are you joking? I wouldn't miss an opportunity like this."

"I'd like you to meet my brother-in-law, Matthew Crawley," Tom said. "Lady Mary Crawley's husband."

"How do you do?" suddenly Malachi did a double take. "Your what?"

"Lady Mary Crawley is my sister-in-law."

"Holy Mother protect us! You don't beat all. So Sybil is…"

"Yes, my wife is an aristocrat. Not something I want spread around in Ireland."

"I can understand why. Still this is a shock."

Matthew had remained silent until now.

"Tom has assured us that you will provide an unbiased report," he said with a solemn expression.

"I will do my best. I report the facts not fiction."

"That is all we can ask," said Matthew. "Did you bring the copy of the exclusive contract with Vera Bates?"

"Yes, here it is."

Malachi pulled a large envelope out of his brief case and handed it to Matthew. Matthew quickly scanned the contents and nodded to Tom.

"Matthew and our father-in-law, Lord Grantham, will be in attendance while you interview Lady Mary. This isn't easy for her. Please respect that. "

Tom told Malachi what hotel he had booked for him in Ripon and let him know he and Sybil would be by later that evening to catch up on the happenings in Dublin. Matthew and Malachi headed off in the car for the interview, while Tom headed for the war room to log the final piece of evidence they needed for a mistrial and to spend some time contemplating what their next step should be.

"We finally have a decent piece of news for Anna and John," he thought to himself. "I hope this interview goes well, or my wife's family will never forgive me."

Mary braced herself when she heard the front door of Crawley house open. Matthew came into the drawing room accompanied by a small statured, man in his late thirty's with strawberry blonde hair. Despite his rumpled appearance from the trip, he had a piercing gaze and a look that was all business on his face.

"Lord Grantham, Lady Mary Crawley," Matthew said in introduction. "This is Malachi Rourke from Dublin."

"How do you do?" said Mary. "Please be seated."

"Rourke," Lord Grantham only nodded and did not offer to shake hands Malachi noted.

"Thank you Lady Mary and thank you very much for granting me this interview."

"I only hope that we do not mutually regret it," Mary said. She was in best aristocratic form and was using every weapon in her arsenal of drawing room training to protect herself. "Too bad I didn't have enough sense to keep myself out of this mess all those years ago," she thought to herself. "What's done is done, I have to get on with this."

Malachi pulled a notebook and pen from his case.

"If you don't understand any of my questions or are too uncomfortable to answer, please let me know."

"I am uncomfortable with this entire interview, but I will do my best to answer your questions truthfully."

"Fair enough, let's get started then."

"How did you meet Kamal Pamuk?"

Mary told the story of the hunt and Evelyn Napier bringing Mr. Pamuk unannounced as an additional guest.

"You had never met the man before?"

"Now see here," said Lord Grantham. "I don't like the direction these questions are going."

"It is a simple question, Lord Grantham without intended malice. A yes or no answer will suffice."

"No, I had never met him before," said Mary.

"Did he make any inappropriate advances to you previously during the day's activities or in the evening?"

"Yes, he did and he was rebuffed."

"I see. That is a significant item omitted in previous reports."

Matthew, Lord Grantham and Mary all looked at each other with raised eyebrows while Malachi took notes.

"How did the gentleman in question know which room was yours if you didn't give him directions."

"He must have asked one of the staff, as he did not receive directions or an invitation from me."

"You're quite sure of this?"

"Mr. Rourke I have agreed to this interview with the understanding that I would tell you the truth, please don't question that."

"Of course, Lady Mary, my apologies. What did you think when he came to your room?"

"I was terrified."

"Did you call out?"

"No, I did not."

"Why?"

Mary was startled. No one had ever asked her why before. Everyone had been ready to judge her for the worst of intentions. This odd man with an Irish accent was asking her for the truth and what she had thought. It was a little unsettling in her experience where people judged you only on the image you presented and not on your motivations.

"In my experience even the hint of a man in an unmarried woman's bedchamber would have brought scandal down upon the house. With a houseful of guests I wanted to protect my family's good name."

"Did you ask him to leave?"

"Yes I did?"

"Did he make any motion to leave your room?"

"No, he took off his robe and jumped on the bed and died."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said he died."

"Any idea why?"

Mary continued to answer questions for another ten minutes or so. When Malachi Rourke had finished the interview he rose to leave. Lord Grantham and Matthew had stayed dead still during the entire ordeal. Matthew realized he had been holding his breath for almost the entire time.

"Thank you again for your time, Lady Mary, Lord Grantham. It's been a pleasure."

"My driver will see you to your hotel," Lord Grantham said.

"Thank you very much."

With that Malachi Rourke took his leave.

"Branson does associate with some odd characters," Lord Grantham remarked.

"Are you alright, Mary?" Matthew asked.

"Yes, fine. It went better than I expected."

"Let's hope so," said Matthew.