Author's Note:

I apologize for the long delay between updates. This has been a difficult year for me and my family. We've lost three very near and dear family members in very close succession. As you can probably imagine, being with friends and family has been my number one priority. I have not been very inspired to write, but will try to get back into writing. Luckily, most of this chapter was already written earlier this year. As I finished it, I started to map out the next few chapters. In fact, chapter 16 is already at 2,000 words. I know where I want to take this storyline, so I will keep going with this story. All I ask is that you're a little patient with me since the updates will most likely not be as frequent/regular as before. Still, if you're reading this, then I thank you for sticking with me and for still being interested in this story.

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Previously:

"I wonder how long this new-found interest will last."

"Certainly not very long."

Mary frowned at the two women's snide comments. She was about to take a step forward when she heard her name mentioned.

"I don't think it right at all that someone like Lady Mary should take work away from decent hard working people who actually need the money."

"I agree. Once the novelty wears off, I'm certain that she will return to her needlepoint and garden parties."

The two burst out laughing again and Mary bristled. Shoulders back and chin up she rounded the corner and faced the two. She instantly recognized one of them as the wife of Matthew's colleague, Bernard.

"If you have something to say to me, I would prefer it if you said it to my face," she said icily. "I've found from experience that only people who have something to hide, speak ill of others behind their back."

"We did no such thing!" The woman glared at Mary, and her face was starting to turn red. "We were merely questioning how someone like you would understand working for a living. I can't imagine that you ever have, or ever would have to work to earn a living."

"You know nothing about me, and I see no reason why I should have to enlighten you on the matter. As for my devotion to my class and my qualifications as a teacher, I cannot see why I would allow you to be the judge of my sincerity and knowledge."

"I beg your pardon!" The woman, whose name Mary could not remember, started to turn red in the face.

"I prefer to be addressed as Lady Mary, or my lady. Any person with manners would've remembered that by now."

"Bertha…" The other woman gently grabbed her friend's arm and tried to pull her away from Mary.

"You're out of line!"

"I'm out of line?" Mary burst out laughing, but her eyes were dangerously dark. "I am not the one who speaks ill of others behind their back. Nor have I failed to be courteous to you, Bertha, even though I don't see any reason why."

"Mary?" Mary turned around at the sound of Matthew's voice. He frowned at her. "Is something the matter?"

"Nothing, darling. Simply a misunderstanding." She turned her back at the two women, taking Matthew's arm. "Did you get me a glass of that lovely punch you promised?"

"I did, but I left it in the other room when you took so long."

"Well, let's hurry back and join the delightful company in the parlor."

Without another glance at the two women, Mary smiled at Matthew as they returned to the party, determined to enjoy her time with him.

And now the continuation…

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Chapter 15 – Life in Manchester

"Once upon a time there was a woodmouse, and her name was Mrs. Tittlemouse. She lived in a bank under a hedge. Such a funny house! There were yards and yards of sandy passages, leading to storerooms and nut cellars and seed cellars, all amongst the roots of the hedge. There was a kitchen, a parlor, a pantry, and a larder. Also, there was Mrs. Tittlemouse's bedroom, where she slept in a little box bed!*"

"Thank you, Alice."

Mary gestured for the girl to take her seat and then looked around the classroom, her eyes landing on Daniel, a quiet little boy with dark hair and clear blue eyes.

"Daniel, will you please continue reading?"

The boy picked up his book and slipped out of his chair. He stood silently next to his desk for a moment, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Daniel?"

"Mmm… Mrs. Tttt… Tittl… Tittlemouse… was a mmm… most te… terrr… terribly tidy pa… part… part…"

A few snickers started in the back of the room as the boy struggled with the word. He turned around, glaring at them.

"Go on, Daniel," Mary encouraged.

"… part…"

"Particular." Mary smiled at him.

"particular little mouse, always swe… swee… "

When the giggling started again, Daniel dropped his book on the floor and ran for the door, ignoring Mary's voice calling him to stop. As the door closed behind the boy, Mary turned to the boys in the back row.

"Edward Jones!"

The boy jumped to his feet at the sound of his full name, staring at Mary.

"Yes, m'lady?"

"Your behavior was despicable. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Eddie just shrugged. "Daniel can't read. Everyone knows that."

"And that justifies ridiculing him?"

Eddie cowered a little as Mary came to stop right in front of him, as if expecting her to strike him.

"It's just for laugh, m'lady. Di'nt mean nuthin' wit it."

"Just for fun?" Mary was outraged. "Well, let's see how much fun you and Paddy find writing 'I will not bully others' a hundred times on the board."

"Me, m'lady?" Paddy squealed.

"Yes, you." Mary stared at the boy who had the decency to look down. "I saw you snickering with Eddie. Or are you perhaps also a coward in that you would put all the blame on Eddie?"

Paddy frowned, having some trouble following Mary's reasoning. Still, he did not appreciate being called a coward in front of the entire class.

"No, m'lady," he muttered.

"Good." She looked at the two boys and rolled her eyes when they just stared at her. "Well, am I to wait all day? Get on with it!"

The two rushed up to the blackboard and picked up a piece of chalk.

"Neatly," Mary warned. She turned to the remaining children, smiling at them. "While I go and fetch Daniel, please take out your crayons and you may draw. Daisy, would you be so kind to hand out drawing papers?"

"Yes, m'lady."

Mary's words were met with some quiet noise as twenty something children gathered their art supplies, all the while eyeing Mary somewhat warily. Mary stopped by the blackboard on her way out of the room. The two boys applied themselves a bit more and she hummed, pleased.

~ O ~

It only took Mary a few minutes to find Daniel. He was sitting in a corner by the stairs, arms around his legs, his face hidden against his knees.

"Daniel?"

He stiffened, but remained silent. Mary hesitated for a moment, before finally gathering her skirt, sitting down next to him.

"What they did was wrong," she said in a gentle voice. "I know you know that, but I suppose that doesn't make it less hurtful."

"I'm stupid, and everyone knows it!"

The muffled outcry from the boy startled Mary and she raised her hand to touch him. Deciding that he was not yet ready to be comforted, she let her hand fall. Daniel was angry, and rightfully so. He needed to vent his frustration before anything else.

"You're not stupid, Daniel." Silence. Mary pressed her lips together, gathering all her comforting strategies. "When I was your age I wanted to know everything at once. I was so mad when I failed, and if anyone laughed, I would yell angry things at the person." She made a face. "Most of the time it was my sister, Edith, who made fun of me. I don't know if you have any brothers and sisters, but I can tell you that little sisters can be quite annoying."

"I know."

Mary smiled at the muttered response. "You just need to practice…"

His head shot up and she could tell that he had been crying. "I can't! The words aren't there."

Mary frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I just see letters, not words."

Sensing that there was something bigger at stake here, Mary just nodded and gently touched his arm. He flinched and turned away from her.

"Do you have chores after school, Daniel?"

"Yes."

"Perhaps you would consider taking your lunch with me a few times per week and we can practice together?"

He eyed her suspiciously. "Why d' ye care?"

"Because you're a bright little boy, Daniel. You do math very well. I'm certain that together we can figure this out. Will you at least try?"

Mary held out her hand to him and he looked at it, then at Mary's face. Seeing only honesty and kindness in her eyes he finally nodded and took her hand.

"Then young man, let's go back in. I think you owe me a drawing."

"A drawing, m'lady?"

"Yes." Mary smiled at his sudden interest. "The others have been drawing while you and I had our little talk. Do you like to draw?"

He nodded. "I do, m'lady."

"Good."

With a gentle hand on his shoulder, Mary ushered the little boy back inside the classroom. Daniel took his seat and to Mary's joy he appeared to be eager to draw.

~ O ~

Mary did not actually get a chance to look at the children's' drawings until after dinner that evening. Sitting across from Matthew in the parlor, she sifted through the stack, now and then chuckling and holding something up for Matthew to admire.

"I believe this is supposed to be me," she said amused.

"Oh dear," Matthew made a face at the not very good rendition of Mary.

"Matthew!" Mary giggled as she stared down at the drawing that currently was on top of the pile. "This one has you in it."

"Me?" As he leaned closer, to see better, his eyes widened at the not very flattering picture. "How old are these children again?"

"Eight, so be careful with your criticism, darling."

"Naturally, but still… they think I'm that fat?"

Mary burst out laughing. "I might have told them about how you enjoy your desserts."

"Mary!"

Mary continued to giggle as she flipped through the remaining drawings. The second from last one made her gasp and then she was completely silent, just staring at the drawing.

"Mary? Are you all right?"

"Daniel," she whispered.

"The boy you told us about over dinner, the one who has trouble reading?"

She nodded, her eyes were brimming with tears as she held up the drawing the boy had made of her. Matthew just stared at it.

"And this little boy thinks that he's stupid," Mary exclaimed. "He's an artist."

Matthew gently took the pencil drawing from Mary and studied it more closely. It was astounding in the attention to detail.

"He even captured the look in your eyes," Matthew whispered. He looked up at Mary. "I want to frame this. Do you think he'd let me?"

"I'm certain of it."

~ O ~

Matthew looked up from the brief he was studying at the knock on his open door. He smiled at the man standing there, waving him in.

"What can I do for you Bernard? I haven't seen you all week. Is everything all right?"

"I've been in court with Mr. Spencer."

Bernard sat down with a heavy sigh and looked down at his hands. Matthew's eyebrows inched up a little noticing how his colleague was nervously wringing his hands.

"Bernard?"

"I'm so terribly sorry, and beyond outraged over what happened at the party last week."

Matthew frowned at the jumble of words that poured out of Bernard's mouth.

"I'm not sure that I understand."

"She didn't tell you?" Bernard's eyes widened in surprise. Then he nodded slowly to himself. "I guess it shouldn't have surprised me."

"Who, Bernard?"

"Your wife. Lady Mary."

Matthew inhaled sharply and he felt his temper rise. "Will you please stop muttering and tell me what's going on?"

~ O ~

About a week after the disastrous reading exercise that had sent Daniel running, Mary decided to conduct an art experiment. It was the last hour of the day when she smiled at her class and called for their attention.

"I truly enjoyed your drawings that you made for me last week," she began. Grinning she lowered her voice a little. "Though as you know, my husband was a little upset that he looked fat in some of them." As expected, her comment was received by giggles. "Besides that, Mr. Crawley was very pleased too." She looked around the room and her eyes fell on a girl sitting by the windows. She held out her hand and smiled at her. "Catherine Kelly, will you please come up here?"

The girl's green eyes widened and she slipped out of her seat. "Me, m'lady?"

"Yes, you Catherine." Eddie snickered in the back row and Mary raised her eyebrow at him. "Did you have something to say, Eddie?"

"Only her mum calls her Catherine, m'lady and only when she's in trouble."

Mary smiled at the girl who was now standing next to her. "Is this true, my dear?" Catherine nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to make you feel bad, m'lady." Catherine looked down at her shoes.

"What would you like me to call you?" Mary gently nudged the girl's chin up.

"Katie, m'lady."

"Katie." Mary chuckled. "Still a very pretty name. Well then, Katie, will you help me?"

"Of course, m'lady."

Mary pulled Katie in front of her and placed her hands on the girl's shoulder. Facing the class she started to explain what she wanted them to do.

"… and Katie will move now and then and when she does, you will start a new drawing of her. It doesn't have to be perfect. Focus more on her arms and legs, how they bend and which way she's looking, than say details of her dress."

Katie stood in front of Mary's desk looking slightly lost. "You just want me to stand here, m'lady?"

"For now, yes."

Walking around the room, inspecting the children's drawings, Mary was remembering how her governess had made her draw her sisters as they played. Granted, she had been thirteen at the time, and these children were only eight, but she would still like to let them try. She now and then offered encouragement, or a friendly suggestion. When she felt it was time to speed up the exercise, she smiled at the little redhead who had everyone's attention.

"Katie? Please pick up the apple on my desk and hold it in your hand with your arm stretched out."

Katie moved and picked up the fruit, holding it out as if offering it to Mary. "Like this, m'lady?"

"Try to the side instead, and turn a little towards the windows please."

Katie followed Mary's instructions and smiled when Mary nodded at her. Pens and crayons scratched against paper as the rest of the class tried to capture Katie's new pose.

"My arm is getting tired, m'lady."

Mary nodded and walked up to Katie, taking the apple from her. Holding Katie's hand she pulled her away from the desk.

"When my sisters and I were little we liked to dance and twirl. Do you like to twirl, Katie?"

Katie giggled and nodded. "Yes, m'lady."

"Good. Attention everyone, try to caption that Katie is moving as I twirl her."

Mary pulled at Katie's hand and the girl followed her lead, moving under Mary's arm as she twirled her. Katie's little feet moved quite gracefully, Mary thought as she smiled down at her. Twirling her a little faster, Katie's dress started to billow out. There were loud groans and a thud in the back of the room which made Mary look up. Paddy had his head down on his desk.

"Paddy, are you all right?"

"How am I supposed to draw 'er if she's moving, m'lady? It's impossible!"

"Stick arms and legs and a dress, Paddy, that's all I'm asking for."

"She looks like she's got measles," Eddie offered cheerfully, grinning at Paddy's drawing.

"Does not!"

"Does too! You made her freckles red, you daft bugger."

Paddy threw a crayon at Eddie who was still snickering.

"Paddy! Eddie! Enough."

The boys instantly straightened up in their seats, looking up at Mary.

"Just try, Paddy. I'm sure your drawing will be nice."

He rolled his eyes and groaned again when Mary pulled Katie closer and then slowly turned her again as they moved as if dancing to a tune only they could hear.

"Thank you, Katie. You've been a wonderful help."

"I enjoyed it, m'lady." Katie grinned at Mary before hurrying back to her seat.

"Alright, let's have a strapping young lad now," Mary said and grinned at them.

Giggles and groans followed and Mary eyed the boys as she was making up her mind. A hand shot up. Paddy.

"Yes, Paddy?"

"Can I do it, m'lady?"

"I don't know," she drawled. "Is Paddy a handsome young lad, ladies?"

More giggles, and Paddy turned beet red. "I just don't want to draw," he muttered.

"Come on up here, Paddy." Mary held out her hand to him. "You're a quite handsome young man, and I'm sure you'll do wonderfully."

Paddy made a face and looked down, his hands in his pockets. Mary gently turned him so he was facing the class.

"You know how this goes. Look at how Paddy stands, how he's holding his arms, what he's wearing and so on."

Mary started to move around again, smiling and nodding. As she approached Daniel, he hid his drawing from her with his arm and shoulder. Even though she was curious, she did not push him to show her. Almost tripping over something on the floor she let out a little yelp.

"I'm sorry, m'lady." Eddie quickly jumped out of his seat and picked up the ball.

"Is it yours?"

"Yes, m'lady."

He offered it to Mary and she inspected the worn rugby ball before handing it back to Eddie.

"Can you throw it to Paddy without hitting anyone or breaking the window?"

"Yes, m'lady."

"Paddy?"

"I'm ready, m'lady."

"Go ahead Eddie." The boy threw the ball and Paddy caught it with ease. Mary clapped her hands and smiled at him. "Well done, boys. Now strike a pose with the ball."

"How?" Paddy frowned, not understanding.

"How would you stand if you were a famous rugby player?"

Paddy grinned and stood straight, his chin up, and left hand on his hip, holding the ball against his right thigh.

"Wonderful! Just like Barney Solomon**." Several pairs of eyes turned to stare at Mary. She chuckled and folded her arms. "You didn't think I knew anything about rugby, did you?"

"Girls usually don't," Eddie muttered and frowned as he tried to draw his friends.

"I'd like you to know that my husband is very keen on rugby."

Paddy grinned at her and straightened up even more, trying to impress. "Can you catch the ball, m'lady?"

"Don't you dare!" Mary shot him a stern look that made Paddy laugh.

Giving them a couple of minutes in silence to finish their drawings Mary finally walked up to Paddy.

"Thank you, Paddy." As the boy returned to his seat, tossing the ball back to his friend, Mary asked everyone to put their drawings on their desks and then get up. "I would like you to walk around and look at each other's drawings. You'll see that some of you focused more on colors, where others focused more on actual posture. There's no right or wrong way. I'm very pleased with all of your efforts. It's very hard to do the first time around. You'll get better at it with practice."

At first the children just moved around silently, but soon they started to whisper and within a couple of minutes everyone was talking vividly. To Mary's delight a large group had gathered around Daniel's desk. Daniel was across the room, looking at someone else's drawings and had not noticed.

"M'lady!"

"Yes, Paddy?"

"Daniel made me look famous!"

Daniel twirled around and his brows knitted together as if prepared to retaliate whatever teasing comment would follow. He hurried over and took the drawing from Paddy.

"Gimme that."

"Daniel?" The boy looked up at Mary as she came to stand next to him. "May I see your drawing?"

"Yes, m'lady." He handed it over and looked down at his shoes.

"This is very good." Mary was amazed at the boy's talent.

"Told ya!" Paddy shoved Daniel's shoulder and the boy glared at him.

"Can you draw me too?"

Mary held her breath as Eddie asked Daniel to draw him.

"Sure."

"May I keep this one?" Mary asked, holding up the drawing of Paddy.

"Yes, m'lady."

"But…" Paddy blurted out. Mary tilted her head and waited for him to continue. "I… never mind."

"Did you want the drawing, Paddy?" He muttered something and stuck his hands in his pockets. "What was that?"

"I said, it's really good and I think me mum would like it, m'lady."

"I'm sure she would. If Daniel agrees, you may give it to her."

Paddy shot Daniel a quick glance. "May I have it?"

"I suppose."

Mary put the drawing down on Daniel's desk and picked up his pencil. "Why don't you sign it with your name, Daniel?"

Daniel took the pencil and wrote his name in the corner before handing the drawing to Paddy.

"Here you go."

"Thanks, Daniel." Paddy patted Daniel on the back, grinning at him.

"Is it my turn now?" Eddie was getting impatient. Daniel sighed and started to draw the boy. Curious, Eddie looked over at the drawing. "Wait!" Daniel looked up, his eyebrows raised in question. "With the ball. Like Paddy."

Mary chuckled as Eddie blushed at stating his request. Ushering the rest of the class back to their seats to finish their drawings she watched how Daniel and Eddie spoke quietly as Daniel instructed Eddie on how he wanted him to stand and hold the ball. Eddie did as Daniel said, without arguing. When the drawing was done, Eddie just stared at it, his mouth open.

"It looks just like me."

Daniel shrugged and started to put his things away. He jumped when Eddie put his hand on his shoulders.

"What?"

"Do you want to play ball later?"

Overhearing the question, Mary looked up and watched the interaction between the two boys. Daniel seemed to be gauging the sincerity of the question.

"Do you like to play?" Paddy asked as he joined the two.

"I do."

"Then come and play."

"Alright."

Mary bit her lip not to laugh in delight. It was a start.

~ O ~

Matthew was deep in thought as he hurried the last steps up to the front door to the house. Bernard's story had troubled him immensely. At the same time he was proud of Mary for handling it the way she had, without running to him for help. Though a tiny part of him wished that she had done just that. He sighed and opened the door, stepping inside and shutting the cold darkness out.

"Good evening, Mr. Crawley, her ladyship and Mrs. Crawley are in the parlor."

"Thank you, Ellen."

Matthew handed the maid his hat and scarf before shrugging out of his heavy coat. Leaning his briefcase against the wall he opted to greet the ladies before heading to his study.

"Matthew!" Isobel beamed at her son as he entered the room. "Ellen just brought up tea if you'd like a cup."

"Thank you, mother, that would be wonderful. It's rather chilly out." He held Mary's gaze as he walked over to her, leaning down and placing a kiss on her cheek. "Bernard came to see me today," he said softly, for her ears only.

"I see." She rested her hands in her lap, waiting for him to go on.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Matthew frowned as he kept his voice down.

"I didn't think it was serious enough that I needed to bother you with it, darling."

"Please, let me be the judge of that, Mary." He reached for her hand and stroked her fingers. "I'm your husband. I want to know what's going on in your life. And I most definitely want to be made aware if someone's been treating you badly."

"Who's been treating Mary badly?" Isobel inquired in a rather sharp voice upon hearing Matthew's last words.

Matthew froze, having completely forgotten that his mother was still in the room. He took the tea cup from her, thanking her.

"It was just a silly incident at a party last week," Mary said quickly, smiling at Isobel. "Nothing to worry about."

Isobel gave Mary a long look and then glanced at Matthew, noticing his clenched jaw. Whatever had happened, Matthew did not consider the incident as insignificant as Mary did. Still, Isobel realized that this was a matter they needed to solve alone. As much as she hated to see the two upset, she knew she had to stay out of it this time. It was extremely hard for her, but she silently nodded before sipping her tea again. Mary gave her a brief, grateful smile. Isobel was yet again reminded of the strength in this young woman. Mary Crawley was a lot more complex than her sheltered upbringing and title suggested.

To be continued…

…

Note:

* From Mrs. Tittlemouse by Beatrix Potter.

** John Charles "Barney" Solomon (1883 – 1952) was a Cornish rugby union player who competed as captain for Great Britain in the 1908 Summer Olympics.