Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: none since the story takes place in 1906

Summary: After meeting Matthew Crawley, Lady Mary has trouble sleeping. A boy had kissed her on the cheek and he liked talking to her. Trying to figure out what all of this means, Mary goes to find the only person she knows who can cure her insomnia.

Note: I assume that Mary, Edith and Sybil are all addressed as Lady since they are all daughters of an Earl. As far as I know, only very close siblings and those who grew up together (such as Patrick, and perhaps now also Matthew) would call each other only by the first name. If anyone has more specific information on this, or if I am terribly wrong, please feel free to share.

Special thank you to the lovely Tambear for catching missing commas, odd grammar and offering excellent suggestions advice!

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Also thank you so much for your comments and encouragements to continue! I'm glad to hear that you love little Sybil. I know i do :)

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Chapter 2/9 – A Sweet Encounter

Mary lay awake in her bed staring at the canopy above her, tracing the pattern in the fabric. She touched her cheek where Matthew had kissed her and blushed as she remembered the warm tingling feeling of his soft lips. Except for her parents and grandmother, no one had ever kissed her before. She rolled over on her side and sighed, hugging the pillow closer. She tried to envision Matthew next to her. What would it be like to be married to someone like Matthew? She found it surprisingly easy to imagine Matthew next to her, the two of them having breakfast together in the morning, her kissing him good night. She blushed and giggled at the naughty thought of kissing Matthew. Then her thoughts went to Patrick and her brow furrowed. She had never thought of Patrick like that, and doing so now felt so terribly wrong.

With an exasperated sigh Mary tossed back the covers and got up. She grabbed her thick winter dressing gown and tied it securely around herself before slipping out of her room, running on silent feet towards the servants' stairways.

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Mr. Carson looked up as there was a soft noise by the door to his office. Lady Mary was standing there chewing on her lip.

"Lady Mary!" he said and got up, walking over to her. "What are you doing up?"

"I couldn't sleep Carson," she said softly. She shifted her weight from foot to foot and he glanced down.

"Dear God child, you're barefoot! You will catch your death and I will burn in hell for letting it happen," he said and gave her a stern look.

Mary giggled and covered her mouth with her hand. She let Carson lead her over to his chair and she sat down eagerly watching him. She giggled again when he grabbed her foot, sliding a clean black sock onto it, then doing the same to her other foot. She wiggled her toes inside and grinned at him.

"They're too big."

"I would imagine that they would be since they are mine," he said and winked at her. "Now, come with me Lady Mary. I know just the thing to cure a young lady from sleeplessness."

Mary obediently followed him to the kitchen. She leaned against the big table, sticking her finger in the sugar canister when he was not looking. She yelped when someone touched her shoulder.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"Matthew!" she exclaimed and gaped at him.

It was Matthew. He was in his pajamas and a dark blue dressing gown. His hair was a little mussed indicating that he had at least been in bed at some point tonight.

"Master Matthew," Carson said and stared the young man down. "What brings you down here at this hour?"

"I couldn't sleep," Matthew confessed and made a face. "Back home our cook, Mrs. Bird, doesn't mind if I make myself some hot chocolate."

"Well, you are in luck, Master Matthew," Carson said with a teasing smile. "It just happens that I am making some for Lady Mary here."

"How lucky indeed," Matthew said and smiled at Mary. "Perhaps it would not be too much of a bother for you to make a little more?"

"Certainly not," Carson said and added more milk and cocoa to the pan.

When Carson turned his back to them, Mary stuck her finger in the sugar canister again. Matthew laughed when she stuck her finger in her mouth and she made a face at him to be quiet. Carson turned and looked at them and Mary smiled sweetly at him. He huffed and returned to stirring the hot chocolate.

"Be quiet," Mary whispered close to Matthew's ear.

Matthew nodded and winked at her as he too stuck his finger in the sugar canister. Mary grinned at him and dipped her finger in it again. She gasped when he hooked his finger around hers. He winked and then stuck his finger in his mouth. Mary slowly licked the sugar off her finger wondering why her stomach was suddenly fluttering.

"Here we are," Carson said and grabbed the two large cups of steaming cocoa. "Off you go. Lady Mary you lead the way."

Mary grabbed Matthew's sleeve and the little trio made their way to the servants' dining hall. Mary sat down and eagerly reached for the cup Carson handed her. She dangled her feet in excitement as she blew on the hot beverage.

"Lady Mary," Carson said and gave her a look. "A lady does not blow on her hot chocolate when in the presence of a gentleman."

"I see no gentleman," Mary said smugly. "Only a boy in his pajamas."

Matthew laughed and shoved her leg under the table. Mary gasped when his bare foot touched her leg under her nightgown. He instantly removed his foot and smirked at her.

"Master Matthew is most definitely a gentleman," Carson corrected her and handed her a silver spoon. "Now stir your chocolate and it will cool faster."

"Yes Carson," she said and sighed.

Matthew chuckled and she made a face at him. Carson looked at the two and gave them a stern look.

"Can I trust that the two of you will behave?"

"Of course Carson," Mary said and smiled sweetly at him.

"I will be right next door, so no shenanigans," he said and held up a warning finger.

"I will make sure that Lady Mary behaves," Matthew said.

"You what?" Mary said indignantly.

"I'm the oldest," he pointed out.

"I'm a lady," she said and tilted her chin up.

"And as such you know how to treat a guest," Carson said and gave her a look.

Mary nodded and stirred her hot chocolate. Matthew picked up his cup and sipped it carefully.

"Mr. Carson, this is very good," he said and smiled at the butler. "Thank you ever so much."

"You're most welcome, Master Matthew."

With one last warning look aimed at the two youngsters, Carson left the room. Mary turned to Matthew and made a face. He just laughed at her. She picked up her cup and took a sip, her eyelashes fluttering from the steam. Matthew just stared at her. She put her cup down and looked at him, an eyebrow raised at the look on his face.

Matthew really looked at Mary for the first time and noticed how very pretty she was. Her eyes were the softest brown and her pale cheeks drew his attention to her pink lips. Then he laughed.

"What is it?" she huffed.

"Cousin Mary, you have a mustache!" he said and laughed even harder.

Mary glared at him and quickly wiped her face with her napkin. "And you are a common ruffian," she said icily. "It is not polite to point out a lady's shortcomings."

"You did not exactly look like a lady a moment ago," he pointed out.

"Perhaps I did it to amuse you," she said and picked up her cup again.

"Then I am delighted," he said softly. "And rest assured Mary, you were still very, very pretty, even with a chocolate mustache."

Mary blushed and looked down. "Oh Matthew," she whispered. She looked up at him, her dark eyes serious. "No boy has ever called me pretty before."

"That is a crime," he said and touched her hand. "Because you really are. Very pretty."

"I don't think it is appropriate for you to say such things to me, sitting here in our nightclothes. Alone."

Matthew smiled and took her hand, caressing her slender fingers. "I've never really known a girl before. It seems like most girls don't know how to talk to boys. They just giggle and blush and when you ask them a question they don't know how to answer." He looked up at her. "You're different Mary. I really like that."

"I am stubborn and talk too much," she said and looked away. "Papa does not find it amusing at all, neither does Patrick."

"Well I do!" Matthew said with emphasis. "I think you're very smart and I know that you will break many hearts. Of that I am certain."

Mary smiled and looked at him. "You're very kind, Matthew. I take it back, you really are a gentleman."

"See! I knew you would notice eventually," he teased her.

"Are you and your mother staying for the hunt?" Mary asked after a moment.

"We are," Matthew said and sighed.

Mary frowned and tilted her head. "What is so bad about that? Don't you like it here?"

"Oh I do!" he said quickly and looked up at her. "I like it very much actually. It's just that I've never hunted before. I have only done practice target shooting with clay pigeons."

"Are you any good?" Mary asked gently.

"Not really," he said and absentmindedly stirred his hot chocolate.

"Then the birds have nothing to worry about."

Matthew laughed and looked up. He smiled fondly at her. "Thank you for making me feel better about it."

"Of course," she said and picked up her cup again.

"Will you walk with me?" he said quickly and his cheeks colored a little.

"Me?" she squeaked. "I'm not allowed to take part in the hunt."

"Oh," he said and made a face. "I wish you could." He looked at her. "You seem very grownup to me. Are you sure you're not allowed?"

Mary blushed and shook her head. "Last year I wasn't. Perhaps Papa will let me this year. I'm fourteen now, almost fifteen."

"Please ask him. Say that you will," he pleaded with her. "It will be so much more bearable if you will be there."

Mary gaped at him. "You really mean that?"

"Of course I do. You wouldn't laugh at me, would you?"

She shook her head. "Of course not. I make no promises not to tease you a little, but I would not be truly mean to you."

He chuckled and nodded. His blue eyes twinkled as he looked straight at her. "As long as you promise to lie about my skill, or lack thereof."

"I will talk endlessly about your amazing talent," she promised and batted her eyelashes, clasping her hands in front of her chest with a silly little smile on her lips.

Matthew burst out laughing. She bit her lip and then started laughing too. Carson shook his head as he entered the room.

"What did I miss?" he muttered. The two looked at him and then at each other, laughing even harder. "Well, at least you're not fighting and screaming at each other," he said with a sigh. "Definitely an improvement. Now, Lady Mary it is very late and you really should try to get some sleep."

"Yes Carson," Mary said and got up. She was surprised to realize that she actually felt a little tired.

Mary stopped in front of Carson and looked up at him. She hooked her finger, indicating for him to lean down. When he did she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him hard. He returned the hug and then straightened up. She was still holding on to him, laughing as she was hanging around his neck. Carson made a face at her as he held her close, and she laughed harder, kissing his cheek.

"Lady Mary," he huffed.

"I love you Carson," she said very softly.

Matthew leaned against the wall watching the two. It was very clear to him that this was a reoccurring little game of theirs. It amused him how natural and relaxed Mary was with Carson, so different from how she had been at the reception earlier in the evening. Matthew pushed off from the wall as Carson let Mary down, getting another kiss on the cheek as a reward. He chuckled and Mary turned and smiled at him.

"Do I get one too?" he teased.

"Have you done something to earn it?" she quipped.

Matthew laughed and looked up at Carson, noting the butler's amused little smile. He looked at Mary again.

"Not yet I suppose. What if I would walk you back to your room, ensuring your safety?"

"That would be a very chivalrous thing to do," Carson agreed. "A true gentleman would make sure that his lady gets home safely."

"Are you my lady tonight, Cousin Mary?" Matthew asked with a teasing smile.

Mary blushed and nodded. "We did have a nice conversation over some delicious hot chocolate, so I guess I am."

"Then Lady Mary, please allow me to escort you to your room," Matthew said and offered her his arm.

Mary carefully took his arm and smiled at him. She waved at Carson.

"Good night Carson and thank you so much for the hot chocolate."

"Sleep well, Lady Mary. You too Master Matthew," Carson said and watched them leave together.

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Mary and Matthew walked in comfortable silence next to each other. When they reached Mary's bedroom she stopped and looked up at him. Matthew smiled at her.

"Safe and sound at your doorstep," he whispered.

"Thank you Matthew," she said softly. Standing on her tippy toes, her hands resting lightly on his lapels, she kissed his cheek.

Matthew put his hands on her waist, steadying her and she gasped. He smiled at her and then kissed her cheek.

"Until tomorrow. Perhaps you will dream of me," he said with a wide smile.

"Perhaps," she said and took a step back, opening her door.

Matthew bowed his head. "Good night, Mary."

Mary waved one last time before closing her door with a faint click. Matthew stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled down the hallway towards his own room. He grinned and tried to suppress the urge to run and laugh with joy.

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To be continued in Chapter 3 where Mary and Sybil spend time with Matthew, enjoying a snowy day at Downton. Diamond makes an appearance, and Matthew surprises Mary.

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So what did you think? Did Mary act as a good little hostess? Does Carson make the best cup of hot chocolate in Yorkshire? In England? Dare we tell Mrs. Patmore? Is Matthew acting like a young gentleman, or is he just "a boy in pajamas" like Mary said? Do you think that the eldest and youngest Crawley sister have found a special place in Matthew's heart yet? Does it feel like growing up at Downton is as magical as it sounds? Please let me know. It is very interesting to write a "younger version" of characters that we all know so well. The challenge lies in keeping them in character, yet making them childlike. I hope I've succeeded. In any case, I am really enjoying this journey! I hope you are too.