As Mary walked back to downton she thought about how much fun she had with Matthew.
"It was so nice of him to take me to the Ivy." she thought. " He could have just as easily had Mrs. Bird cook a dinner. If I do end up marrying him like Papa wants I think it might be for love and not Papa's want of money to ensure the estate." She came out of her thoughts as she heard the clip clop of a horse's hooves.
" Matthew!" she exclaimed. " What on earth are you doing out here?" Mary questioned as she stopped in her tracks.
" The same thing as you are. Going up to the house." Matthew smiled. " May I offer you a ride?" He questioned.
" Yes, thank you." she replied. "May I ask why you are going to the house?" she questioned.
" Your father asked me to dinner." said Matthew.
" What about your mother?" questioned Mary.
" She and Doctor Clarkson are going out to dinner tonight. I think they are sweet on each other." he said. " I believe I am sweet on you." He added mentally.
" Oh how nice!" exclaimed Mary.
" Well we have arrived we best go in before your Papa sends Sisi out to find us. chuckled Matthew.
"Yes we should." smiled Mary.
So they went into the house to have their lovely dinner, after having a lovely lunch.
Later after dinner...
" Matthew, the reason I have asked you to come here tonight is to see if the child is a boy and I pass before he is of age to be the new Earl,I would like you to become the acting Earl until he is of age, if you would accept."said Robert.
" Robert, I would be very honored exclaimed an astonished Matthew. You have no health issues do you, Robert?" asked a now concerned Matthew."
" No, nothing like that, my boy. I just wanted to get that settled." said an amused Robert.
" I am glad we are alone, because I would like to discuss something with you." said Matthew.
" What is it, my boy?" questioned Robert.
" Well, I would like to court Mary, but only if you approve. replied Matthew hastily.
" Why of course you can court Mary, my dear boy! We had better go join the others." said a very happy and amused Robert.
Matthew smiled broadly as they left for the drawing room. He thought of all the memories he would hopefully make with Mary, and their family in this beautiful house.
In the drawing room...
" There are telegrams for Your Ladyship, and Lady Edith." announced Carson
" Thank you, Carson." said Edith as she opened the telegrams.
" Who is it from, Edith?" Questioned Cora.
" Mine is from Michael Gregson." said Edith as she handed her mother the other telegram.
Edith smiled as she intently read her telegram from Michael.
" He has asked me to lunch on Tuesday!" exclaimed a very excited Edith.
" How very lovely. Mine Is from Grandmama. Said Cora.
" Does she say why she left so abruptly?" questioned Sybil.
" Yes, Sybil, she said she had some very important business to attend to in America." said Cora.
" That's right. She told Me she was leaving. It slipped my mind " said Mary.
" Oh, did she say what very important business she had to attend to?" questioned Cora.
" She had a dress fitting." Mary replied plainly
" A dress fitting." repeated Cora." Mother hates dresses. I wonder if Harold is finally marrying Anna Thornton." Cora thought aloud as Robert, Matthew, and Sisi entered the room.
When Matthew was leaving...
" Mary, I would like to ask you something." said Matthew.
" What would you like to ask me?" said Mary.
" Would you possibly consider courting me.
" Consider it? Matthew, of course I will court you!" said a now very happy Mary.
He pulled her into a quick embrace, smiled at her, and left for the Crawley House.
Author's Note:
Well, I hope you all liked this chapter. I would thank everyone who viewed, reviewed, followed and favorited my story it is very appreciated!
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Downton Abbey. I wish I did! I hope to see you all in the next chapter. :-)