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

Summary: Matthew is introduced to Mary's pony as the two set out for a day on horseback with Patrick and Edith. Matthew, to Mary's delight is an accomplished rider and the two enjoy themselves tremendously. Later a friendly competition turns serious when someone gets injured, effectively ending their joyous day.

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

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Thank you for reviews and comments. The posting/revising happens faster with feedback (it's a fact!). Love it, love it! Please feel free to drop me a line.

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Chapter 7/9 – Humpty Dumpty had a Great Fall

"Oh for God's sake, be done with it!" Patrick said impatiently to the young stable hand.

Matthew glared at Patrick, knowing that the boy was doing his best. He turned his head when he heard the sound of hooves behind him. Edith was coming towards him with her pony. Behind her he spotted Mary's slender figure leading her horse.

"Master Crawley," a voice said hesitantly next to him. Matthew turned and smiled at the young man standing there holding a horse. "Your horse, Sir."

"Thank you…?" Matthew said in a friendly voice.

"Fred, Sir," the boy said quickly.

"Thank you Fred. Is there anything I should know about the horse?"

"He's a friendly sort, Sir," Fred said and grinned. "Likes 'is ears scratched."

"Very good. I will remember that."

"He likes to run, and he's a good jumper."

"Matthew, hurry up," Mary said and laughed.

He turned and looked up at her. She looked stunning on the horse, he thought.

"Of course," Matthew said and swung himself up in the saddle. He steered his horse so he was next to her.

"This is Cicero," Mary said and patted her pony's neck. "He's a Connemara pony."

Matthew nodded. Cicero was gray with dark mane and tail. He was tall for a pony and just as striking as Mary. The two made a beautiful pair.

Mary turned in the saddle and gestured to Edith. "That's Humpty Dumpty," she said, loud enough for Edith to hear.

"Is not!" Edith cried out. "Her name is Dotty, and you know it."

Mary rolled her eyes. "Dotty potty. Poor thing is too chubby because Edith feeds her too many treats and doesn't ride her enough," she muttered.

Matthew chuckled. "She's in luck today then, getting to go for a ride with all of us."

Mary shrugged. "How good a rider are you, Matthew?"

"Pretty good, I guess," he said and shrugged.

"Do you jump? Hunt?"

"Jump yes, hunt no."

"Cicero is an excellent jumper."

"I can't wait to see you. I'm sure you're really good."

Mary grinned and nudged Cicero forward. Matthew followed. Behind them they could hear Edith chatting away with Patrick. Matthew glanced at them over his shoulder. Patrick looked very handsome in his outfit, which made Matthew feel a little self-conscious about his mismatched riding gear, provided by Patrick and Lord Grantham.

"You know," Mary said and tilted her head. "Come this summer I will start to practice in a sidesaddle. It will be like learning to ride all over again."

"Why?"

"Why a sidesaddle, or why it will be hard?" she teased. He rolled his eyes. "A lady does not ride like this," she explained.

"I see. Sidesaddle sounds awfully difficult."

She nodded. "I wish I didn't have to, but I don't have much of a choice in the matter. I'm sure it will be all right once I know it."

"You'll learn fast. I'm sure of it," he said and smiled at her. "And you will look magnificent on Diamond next year."

Mary laughed and nodded. "Oh how I wish that I would."

"You will," he whispered.

She grinned at him and then nudged Cicero forward. "Race you to the bridge!" she shouted.

Matthew gave his horse some rein and kicked him forward, following her.

.

.

"Don't be a coward, Patrick," Mary said and rolled her eyes. "Your horse is bigger than Cicero; surely you can take that jump."

"Don't do it, Patrick," Edith said softly. "Mary is just being awful as usual."

"No I'm not!" Mary said and turned in the saddle. "I know you can't do it on that hippo of a pony." She looked at Matthew and he gulped at the stubborn look on her face, bracing himself for getting dragged into this argument. "Well then," Mary said as if the matter was closed. "Matthew and I will do it and you two cowardy custards can stay here. What do I care?"

Edith hiccupped and sniffled. Patrick smiled at her and she gave him a shaky little smile back. Mary rolled her eyes at them and then turned Cicero around to get a head start on the jump. Mathew gaped at her when she came racing towards the trees and sailed over the jump. The pony's hooves thundered against the ground and a moment later he could hear her laughter mix in with the sound of it. Her joy was contagious and he nudged his horse into action. Determined to join her, he leaned forward in the saddle as his horse leaped. They cleared the jump perfectly and he joined Mary up ahead.

"You're good," she said to him and her praise warmed him.

"Thank you. I get the feeling that it was not the first time you and Cicero did this."

She grinned and then laughed. "You're right of course," she whispered. "Please don't tell anyone."

He made a silence gesture over his lips and she laughed again. Then any further words were interrupted by the sound of a horse galloping. They turned towards the jump in time to see Patrick sail over it on his horse. He lost his balance when the horse landed and was thrown off. Mary gasped as Patrick cried out as he landed on his left arm.

"Patrick!" Edith screamed and came trotting towards him across the bridge on her pony.

Matthew and Mary were closer and reached him first. Mary caught his horse while Matthew hunched down next to Patrick.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

"Of course I am!" Patrick hissed. "The damn horse threw me."

"You fell," Mary said and rolled her eyes. "The horse did fine."

Edith glared at her and knelt by Patrick's side, taking his unhurt hand. "Does it hurt an awful lot?"

Patrick clenched his jaws and tried to sit up. He cried out in pain as he moved his shoulder. With Matthew's help he managed to stand up. His arm hung in an odd angle, indicating a dislocated shoulder.

"Can you ride?" Matthew asked seriously.

"I will ride," he snapped.

Mary looked around and spotted a large rock a little further up ahead. "If you get up on that rock you should be able to get back on the horse without needing to use your arm," she said sharply as if deciding for him.

"He can't ride! Can't you see that?" Edith cried out. "He's hurt."

Mary grabbed Edith's shoulder and shook her. "He must. He knows it," she hissed. "He's Papa's heir, he cannot walk back after being thrown."

Edith cried and stepped away from Mary. "You're cruel," she whispered.

Mary ignored her sister. She led the horse over to the rock. Matthew and Patrick walked silently next to her. She knew it was wrong, but she was angry with Patrick. He had ruined their perfect day. She knew he could take that jump, but obviously he was not as certain. Holding the horse she watched Matthew assist Patrick back on the horse. Patrick was obviously in pain, but he was trying to be brave. Her regards for him grew a little in that moment.

.

.

They had gone straight back to the house instead of the stables. Patrick was ushered upstairs and the doctor was sent for. Mary received a stern talking to from her mother since she was in quite a state from snow and mud splattering on her riding outfit and even her face. Matthew smiled, thinking that the little smudge of mud on Mary's cheek was actually quite endearing.

Mary was sent upstairs to take a bath. Feeling the need for one too, Matthew made his excuses and followed her upstairs. He was not fast enough and her door was closed by the time he reached it. Suspecting that the maid was in there with Mary he refrained from knocking.

Soaking in the tub, Matthew wondered if Mary was doing the same. His face felt a little warm at the thought of both of them being undressed in the bath at the same time. Having little knowledge of these things, his thoughts did not divulge further on the matter. Impatient to get downstairs to learn about Patrick's injury and possibly take some of the blame away from Mary, Matthew toweled himself dry and pulled on his dressing gown. Not bothering to ring for help, he dressed himself and went downstairs.

.

.

Mary was standing in the middle of the floor in the library, hands clasped in front of her as she listened to her father. Edith the little snitch had told him it was Mary's fault that Patrick was hurt.

"I took the jump just fine, and on a pony," Mary said stubbornly. "Matthew did too. Patrick got scared, that's why he fell. It wasn't the horse's fault."

Lord Grantham knew that she was right, but admitting it would only make things worse. "Mary," he said and sighed. "Why is it that you feel this need to goad Patrick? He is a good lad."

"He's a selfish bore," Mary snapped, and then closed her mouth quickly when she realized her mistake.

"One day he will inherit the estate, so you need to learn to get along with him. Your future depends on it."

"Yes Papa," she said softly.

"I know he is very fond of you. You are still very young, so it is natural that you do not feel the same thing, yet," he said and caressed her cheek. "Perhaps with time."

"I don't want to marry Patrick, Papa."

"Let's not talk about it now, my girl," he said with a gently. "Give me a kiss and promise me to try to be a little nicer towards Patrick, and your sister."

Mary made a face but nodded. She kissed him on the cheek and smiled at him. When he returned the smile she threw her arms around his neck.

"Oh, Papa," she whispered. "I love you very, very much."

"I know, darling. I love you too."

*** L MJC ***

Unlike Humpty Dumpty, Patrick will be fine, in case anyone wondered. Used to being the oldest and the only boy, Patrick does feel a little threatened by Matthew's natural charm. He is trying to establish himself as the alpha male and show Matthew and Mary that he is important. After all he is the heir to Downton Abbey.

Edith has dried her tears after giving Patrick her last sugar mouse, something which awarded her a fond kiss on the cheek from him. The days between Christmas and New Year's are calm and relaxing. Once Patrick recovers, other pastime activities than riding ensue.

BTW, the expression "cowardy custard" is from a movie (where a little girl calls her younger brother this). If you guess which one, you will win a sugar mouse! :)

In Chapter 8 Matthew partakes in the New Year's Day shoot for the first time. Will Mary stand by him? What about the luncheon? Is it as exciting as it seems? As the holidays draw to an end, so does Mary's and Matthew's time together.