Chapter 2 – Grantham House

Matthew was received with smiles and warm words of welcome at Grantham House. Sybil squealed and threw herself into his arms. He swung her around just like he had done so many times that first Christmas. It only vaguely occurred to him that Sybil was now the same age Mary had been when they had first met. Sybil smiled up at him with so much adoration. He caressed her cheek and she giggled.

"I've missed you so very much, Matthew," she said and took his hand.

"You have grown up to be quite a little lady," he teased her.

"Matthew," she sighed, rolling her eyes. For a moment, she looked very much like her eldest sister.

Matthew laughed and tugged her close against his side. He looked down at her, and they laughed together. Then something made him look up and there she was. His Mary. She was smiling at them, her eyes filled with joy at seeing him. It made his heart skip a beat, and he took a step towards her in anticipation.

"Mary!" Sybil said excitedly. "Matthew is here."

"I can see that, darling," she said indulgently and caressed Sybil's hair. She leaned down closer. "I danced with him last night."

"You did?" Sybil whispered before glancing up at Matthew.

"She was gracious enough to grant me a dance," Matthew confirmed with a wink.

"He's a bit better now, actually," Mary teased, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "I think he only stepped on my toes twice."

Sybil laughed and covered her mouth. Matthew made a face at Mary, earning an amused chuckle.

"I will never accuse a lady of lying in front of her younger sister, but I could try blaming your inaccuracy on too much champagne."

"As if I ever would," Mary huffed.

"Girls, stop badgering Matthew, and let him come and sit down," Lord Grantham admonished, smiling at the scene of Matthew with his two daughters.

"Come." Sybil took Matthew's hand, pulling him into the drawing room.

They talked for a while as they waited for tea to be served. Matthew felt a little flustered at first when they bombarded him with questions about his life. Realizing that they genuinely wanted to know, he started to relax. He caught Cora looking at him in a very thoughtful way at one point and swallowed nervously. She kept silent, but he knew instinctively that she had not forgotten what she had witnessed that day at Downton. He could only hope that she had begun to forgive him for kissing her daughter.

"I was wondering, Cousin Robert, if you would allow me to take Mary for a walk this afternoon?" he asked, smiling in Robert's direction.

Lord Grantham's eyebrows shot up, and he glanced at Mary. She smiled and looked so hopeful that he almost laughed. He nodded.

"Oh course, my boy."

"Thank you, Papa." Mary jumped to her feet. "I will only be a moment."

Matthew got up and watched her leave. Sybil sat down next to him and started to tell him all the news from Downton. He laughed at the familiar feeling of it, so glad to see her again.

~ O ~

Matthew held his head up high as he proudly walked with Mary on his arm. The day was warm, but not overly so. Mary still carried a pale umbrella to shade her sensitive skin from the sun. He glanced at her now and then, smiling when she caught him looking. He again felt some guilt for his thoughts about her the night before. Pushing it aside when he felt arousal stir inside him, he looked out over the little lake, watching a family of ducks swimming nearby.

"I've missed you," he whispered.

"Oh Matthew. If only you knew how much I've missed you."

"I was so sad to leave without even saying a proper goodbye to you," he confessed, finally able to tell her in person. He looked her in the eyes. "I was also terribly frightened that our actions had led to complicated circumstances for you."

She nodded and looked away. "Do you regret it?"

He gently touched her chin and met her dark eyes. He shook his head. "No, I don't. It was the most incredible experience I've ever had. It still is."

"Thank you," she whispered. She sighed and looked out over the lake. "So many times over these past few years, I've worried that you had changed your mind, thinking me wicked and less than virtuous."

"Oh Mary," he sighed, taking her hands in his. More than anything, he wanted to hold her, but it was not possible in such a public place. "You are the most special and wonderful person I've ever known. The gift you gave me… I will cherish it always. You have a very special place in my heart because of it."

Mary swallowed, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. "I've thought of it, of you," she breathed.

"So have I."

"If we could, would you want me again?" she said so softly he had to lean closer to hear.

Matthew swallowed, flushing hot all over. She looked up at him, and he nodded very slowly. "Without hesitation."

He led her over to a bench under a weeping willow. They sat perhaps a little too close, but neither of them cared what passersby might think. He took her hands again, and she sighed.

"Last night," she spoke softly, "I thought of you."

"Of us?"

She nodded. "I imagined that it was your hand on me and not my own." She looked away, afraid of his reaction.

"God, Mary," he gasped and his hold on her hands tightened. "I wish it had been."

"You really do?"

He took a deep breath. "After seeing you again, holding you… kissing you...I was nearly in pain with the strength of my feelings," he said quickly. "I needed release. Please forgive me... but it was your hand and your lips that I imagined giving it."

Mary blushed and looked down at their clasped hands and how they held on to each other in an almost painful desperation.

"It is dangerous for us to be alone together, Mary," he said seriously. "What I feel for you is so strong I fear that it will tear my soul apart. Seeing you only makes the temptation so much stronger."

"I know," she whispered. "Even at this very moment I want to feel your hands on me."

He trembled and moved a little on the bench, his trousers suddenly feeling much too tight and uncomfortable. As if realizing what was happening to him, Mary smiled a little.

"It is a good thing that we can't," he said, but she could tell that he did not really mean it.

"I want you, Matthew," she sighed. "More than anything in the world."

"God, Mary, I want you too, so very, very much."

"Ask Papa. Patrick has not formally asked him yet, or me for that matter. Everyone expects it, but we've never taken any of the proper steps."

"Do you think he will give his permission?"

"I honestly don't know," she said with a sigh before glancing up at him. "He seemed very impressed with you and your studies."

"l start an apprenticeship in a law firm in Manchester come autumn," he spoke hurriedly, feeling a need to further convince her. "It will earn me a small stipend to start with. That and my inheritance, which I will receive in the spring when I turn twenty-one, should make it possible for me to provide for us."

"If Papa gives his permission, he will give me some money. I also have an inheritance from Grandpapa in America which will become mine when I marry, or when I turn twenty-one."

"Would you want a life as the wife of a middle-class solicitor from Manchester?" he asked, his tone betraying the worry he harbored.

"I want a life as your wife, Matthew," she said assertively. "I love Downton, and I will miss it terribly, but I would miss you more," she added with a sad smile.

"If he gives his permission, perhaps we could marry before Christmas," Matthew said, his smile growing at the prospect.

"Oh, how I wish it could be," she sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder.

Two elderly ladies passing by on the walkway, glared at them and huffed their disapproval at their closeness. Mary chuckled, and Matthew put his arm around her.

~ O ~

Matthew stared at Robert, waiting for him to answer. Lord Grantham's face had turned ashen when Matthew had voiced his request.

"Matthew," Robert sighed, "have you really thought this through?"

"I have."

"You are both so very young." Robert shook his head. "Mary is used to a certain life, one that I cannot see you providing for her."

"She knows that, and she is willing to marry me anyway."

Robert closed his eyes and saw Mary's life, the one he had hoped for her, crumble to dust.

"Would you rather that she marries Patrick, a man she doesn't love, only so that she can continue living the life of a daughter of Downton?" Matthew asked.

Robert turned around and glared at him. Noticing the sad look on Matthew's face, Robert instantly understood that Matthew's words had not been sarcastic, but instead sad, terribly sad.

"No, of course not," Robert said tiredly and ran his hand over his face. "Very well, I will give my permission. I know that you're an honorable man, Matthew. You have a bright future, I am sure of it. Just remember that you are very lucky to have my daughter's love."

"I know, and I am," Matthew said, his eyes filled with so much happiness and love it made Robert chuckle.

"One last thing." Robert gestured for Matthew to have a seat. "There will be some money. I need to discuss it with my lawyer before I make any specific promises."

"That is quite all right, Cousin Robert. I intend to provide for the both of us."

"I know, but I also know that starting out right will make all the difference, my boy. Mary is not the easiest girl to please."

"We became friends that Christmas when you invited Mother and me to Downton, Cousin Robert. But it was really the following summer that we both realized how connected we were. I've tried to forget about her, but it has been absolutely in vain. I would rather die than hurt Mary in any way."

"I do remember," Robert said softly. "I also remember how my daughters thought you their hero, even back then." He grinned at Matthew. "I don't know if Sybil will be more thrilled or jealous."

Matthew laughed and nodded. "I adore her. She will break so many hearts."

Robert chuckled and nodded. "I just hope that she will be my little girl for a while longer."

"I think if you let her, she will always be your little girl, even when she's married and has a family of her own."

"Well said, Matthew," Robert said and nodded. He looked up. "So, shall I send Mary in? Are you ready to ask her properly?"

Matthew nodded. "I am."

Robert held out his hand, and Matthew took it, shaking it firmly. "Mary is marrying a good man. I am happy for you, truly I am. I would be lying if I said that I was not worried about your future, but I know that you're both strong and stubborn. You will make a wonderful life together." He smiled and patted Matthew on the shoulder. "You must promise to come to Downton to visit as often as you can, or I fear that Cora will be very cross with you," he teased. "Especially once you have children."

Matthew blushed furiously, drawing a laugh from Robert. "We will," he said.

~ O ~

Mary's head was spinning. She was engaged to Matthew. It had all happened so fast. She turned and smiled at him as he entered the room. It was late, and the rest of the family had gone to bed. She walked into his open arms and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I am the happiest man in the world," he whispered and kissed the top of her head.

"I can't believe it." She pulled back slightly to look up at him. "We're getting married in September."

Matthew laughed and nodded. He kissed her and sighed when she wrapped her arms around his neck. Picking her up, he swung her around, just so happy that he could.

"I wish you could stay," she said softly, close to his ear.

"I am coming up to Downton in a few weeks for the garden party. I will be staying for a week. If your father allows it, I would like to come for another visit in August."

She nodded. "I'm sure he will."

"Perhaps you will come to my room while I'm there?" he teased.

Mary blushed and nodded. "I think I might be persuaded to, though, I warn you, Mr. Crawley, there's no taking advantage of me until after the wedding."

"I agree," he said, pulling her over to one of the armchairs by the fireplace.

Matthew sat down, and pulled her down on his lap. She rested her hands on his chest and he smiled at her. He ran his hand up and down her side, squeezing her hip before settling on her thigh.

"I cannot wait to feel your skin against me again," he whispered.

"God, Matthew," she gasped as her eyes fluttered closed.

He pulled her down and kissed her hard. "To touch you, to taste you," he whispered in her ear. "To hear your little sounds as you enjoy my touch."

She was trembling in his arms, and he gently pulled her skirt up so he could feel her leg. He stroked over her silky stockings up to where he could touch her uncovered thigh. She bit her lip as he squeezed her soft flesh. He tightened his grip on her and then slipped his hand higher, under her silky undergarments. He gasped when he felt how ready she was. They looked at each other, and she blushed. He stroked very gently and she sighed, her grip on his shoulders tightened, and her head fell back. He pressed his other hand firmly against her back and covered her slender neck with kisses. She whimpered softly when he circled her little spot.

A door closing somewhere in the house startled them, and he pulled his hand away.

"I'm so sorry, Mary," he apologized, his face betraying his mortification with his actions. "I allowed myself to get carried away."

"I wanted it too, Matthew," she said and stroked his cheek.

Matthew nodded. "I should go before your father finds us like this and throws me out," he joked.

Mary chuckled and nestled closer in his arms. "I really don't want you to."

"You know how difficult it would be to resist temptation now," he whispered and kissed her temple.

Mary nodded before easing off his lap. "I will count the days until we meet at Downton."

Matthew laughed and pulled her close once more, kissing her firmly.

~ O ~

Matthew stood for a moment, just watching Mary ascend the stairs. She stopped at the top and turned his way, blowing him a kiss. He chuckled and touched his heart. With a last little wave, she disappeared. He took a deep breath and pulled at his waistcoat before turning to leave. A noise behind him made him start. His eyebrows shot up at the sight of the young man standing there.

"Cousin Patrick!"

"So you did get the girl in the end, Matthew," Patrick said seriously as he stepped out of the shadows, a cognac snifter in hand.

"I suppose I did," Matthew said with a grin.

Patrick grabbed Matthew's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "I'm happy for you. Truly I am. I don't know what Robert said to you earlier, but I cannot imagine that he wasn't at least a little concerned about your future with Mary."

"You're right of course," Matthew said with a sigh.

"Come, have a drink with me."

Matthew nodded and followed Patrick into Lord Grantham's smoking room. Patrick put down his glass and poured Matthew a drink. Reaching for his own, he raised it in a toast.

"To my cousins, Mary and Matthew. May they be happy!"

Matthew grinned and raised his glass. "Thank you."

Patrick sank down in one of the two armchairs by the fireplace, waving for Matthew to take the other. "I really am pleased for you, you know."

"I know," Matthew responded, resting his glass on the armrest. He looked over at Patrick. "I suspect that they are more than a little disappointed that you're not the one marrying Mary."

"Perhaps, but you can make her happier," Patrick said sternly. "Not to mention, I won't have to share a bed with a woman who secretly wishes that I was someone else."

"I'd never thought of that," Matthew said honestly.

"I didn't think so," Patrick said with a hollow laugh. "Mary is not the only one who has been pushed into a marriage of convenience since childhood, you know."

"So, now what?" Matthew took a big sip, needing the strength from the alcohol. "Edith?"

Patrick laughed and shook his head. "I'm afraid not. You see, Mary I could imagine as my wife. Edith on the other hand, no. We are just too close. It would feel like marrying my sister."

Matthew made a face of horror which made Patrick laugh. "Crikey."

"Exactly," Patrick took another sip. "Besides, I think I may have just fallen in love."

"What?" Matthew's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Hush!" Patrick hissed. "You'll wake up the whole family."

"Who is she?"

"Lady Annabelle Napier."

"I don't believe that I know her," Matthew said with a frown.

"She's the daughter of Viscount Branksome."

"Viscount Branksome? That sounds familiar."

"You might have heard of her brother, Evelyn Napier?"

"Yes, that's it!" Matthew nodded as the puzzle pieces fell into place. "Mary has spoken about him a few times."

"He's a good friend of the family. His and Annabelle's mother and Cora are old friends. Evelyn is keen on hunting and riding, so he's been at Downton for both the annual hunt and the New Year's shoot."

"I see. I don't remember him from the Christmas I spent at Downton."

"He wasn't there that Christmas. His mother was ill. Lady Branksome is not a strong woman, you see. The family chose to have a quiet holiday at home that year."

"I hope she is better."

Patrick shrugged. "As I said, she's not a strong woman. She was terribly ill when she was younger and it seems as if it has affected her lungs. Before Annabelle was born, she was on bed rest for months."

"I'm so sorry to hear that." He tilted his head and grinned at Patrick. "So, when will I get to meet this lovely Lady Annabelle?"

"At Downton," Patrick answered with a grin. "I plan on asking her to marry me after the garden party."

"You do?"

"I would do it sooner, but she is abroad. Annabelle and her mother have spent the winter and spring at the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden."

"I've heard of it being an excellent spa and place for recovery after illness," Matthew butted in.

"Exactly. They are returning at the end of the month, just in time for the Downton Garden Party."

"I can't wait to meet her."

Patrick raised his glass. "To both our futures!"

To be continued…