Chapter Four – Afterglow
Mrs. Hughes met up with Mr. Carson in the hall outside of the kitchen. "So is it true?" she asked him directly. She appeared stoic as an undertaker. "And I won't be put off, Mr. Carson. The sooner I have it confirmed the better." Dinner preparations were in full swing. Carson ushered Mrs. Hughes to his office and closed the door.
"You refer of course to Lady Mary and Mr. Crawley. Yes, it is true. I'm told that the wedding will be in June but that is all." Carson allowed himself a brief smile. "I don't have to tell you, Mrs. Hughes, that this event will have all the grandeur of a Royal Wedding. It will demand our highest standard of service."
"Well, I don't know about a Royal Wedding but it will be grand, to be sure," said Mrs. Hughes. She sighed and pursed her lips. "Mr. Carson, you needn't contain your glee quite so well. I only hope that Lady Mary aspires to deserve him. And I am happy for Lord and Lady Grantham. It cannot be anything but a huge relief for them both."
Carson could not let the comment go unanswered. "While it is the best possible resolution for the entail, I'm certain that their greater joy resides in the prospects for Lady Mary's happiness. She has loved Mr. Crawley for lo' these many years."
"Well, she sure had a funny way of showing it." Mrs. Hughes smiled. "The romance is not lost on me, Mr. Carson. I just hope that it's finally settled. This household has endured enough heartbreak for one year."
"Certainly, Mrs. Hughes. Now if you'll excuse me, His Lordship has ordered champagne for the evening's festivities. I should tend to that sooner rather than later."
Lady Mary Crawley stood in front of the full-length glass to assess the results of her and Anna's toils. Her black gown shimmered. She trusted that it was the dress that he wanted, for she had more than one dress that matched his request. Mary turned when she spied her mother's reflection in the mirror.
"Yes, Ma-ma?"
"Matthew is here." Lady Cora smiled. "He's asked for you."
Mary's pleasure was not well-concealed. "What do you think, Ma-ma?" Mary stood before her mother for her approval. "Do I look the part?"
Lady Cora let out a contented sigh. "You've never been one to seek my opinion, Mary. Now I know you're in love." She stood beside her daughter, both of them dwelling on the mirror image. "Love has a way of turning a woman into the most beautiful one in the room. Matthew will be hard-pressed to take his eyes off you."
Mary turned, her eyes gleaming like diamonds. "Oh, Ma-ma…I never dreamed I would be as happy as I am now."
"Darling, I assure you, neither did I!" Lady Cora laughed. She handed Mary her gloves and instantly regretted her remark. Her thoughts had turned to the Pamuk affair and then to Sir Richard's dark words. Did Matthew know? And if he did not, would a published newspaper scandal scuttle their happiness? It was a gathering storm. Lady Cora feared the worst and made up her mind to speak to Mary about it. But not now.
"Shall we go down, Ma-ma?" Mary waited for her on the threshold of her bedroom. Lady Cora followed.
Everyone was gathered in the drawing room. The dinner guests included Cousin Isobel, the Dowager Countess, and Lady Rosamund. True to form, the elder Crawleys appeared to have just discovered yet another difference of opinion. Neither one seemed able to look at the other. That was soon to change.
"Good evening, all. Good evening, Granny, Cousin Isobel… Aunt Rosamund, how unexpected!" She greeted her aunt with a kiss. Mary then took her place beside Matthew. It felt natural to do so, as if they had already exchanged their vows.
"Mary, how lovely to see you," said Matthew. "You look well this evening."
"I do so love a ride in the afternoon, Matthew. The fresh air always invigorates me," Mary replied without the least hint of her true meaning. She tilted her head and smiled gaily at him.
"I quite agree," said Matthew. "I can see that I've not placed enough stock in country sports. I shall go riding with you more often in the future, if you'll have me."
The chemistry between them was palpable. Upon Mary's entrance into the room, he could see or hear no one else. Her presence demanded the attention of all of his senses. For Mary's part, she wanted nothing more than to throw her arms about his neck. In fact, she didn't know how much longer she could go on without touching him. It was torturous really but at the same time, quite lovely.
"You and Matthew went out riding together? How was it?" Lady Edith inquired.
"It was exhilarating." Mary answered. "Matthew rides very well. He showed me places I'd never been." Matthew smiled.
"Really, Mary? How could that be? You know this estate better than any one of us, with all the riding you do." Edith countered in surprise.
Lord Robert spared Mary the bother of answering her meddlesome sister. His voice suddenly dominated the room.
"Now that everyone is here, I think it is time for a rather exceptional announcement…an announcement I'd say that has been long in coming." He paused for effect. "Lady Cora and I are so very pleased to tell you all that our beautiful daughter, the Lady Mary Crawley, is to be wed…to Mr. Matthew Crawley."
Cousin Isobel rose quickly from her perch. "Why, Matthew! You said nothing to me! My dear boy, congratulations!" She rushed to embrace her son. She turned to his fiancée. "And Mary, I cannot tell you how pleased I am." She grabbed Mary's hands and kissed her on the cheek.
"Thank you, Mother. Mary and I are very, very happy."
"Well, now, Matthew," the Dowager Countess uttered, "No one could certainly accuse you of acting precipitously. I trust this is not a trend. One only hopes that I shall still be above ground for the birth of your first child." She smiled at him broadly. "But this is happy news all the same."
"Thank you, Cousin Violet. I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge your role in the match." Matthew said discreetly to her as he took her hand. Cousin Violet reddened slightly. "Yes, yes. Thank you, Matthew; we shall speak no more of it." Matthew assisted the noble lady to her feet as dinner had just been announced. The small gathering trailed into the dining room.
Dinner conversation revolved around wedding plans. Lord Robert and his heir smiled helplessly at each other through much of the discourse. They contented themselves with the hearty meal and the fruits of the vine. By the dessert course, both Matthew and his progenitor were the better for the wine. But there was no doubt that the tone of the evening was festive and not a single person remarked upon their slight intoxication. Matthew's left hand slid beneath the table's edge and found its target: the yielding thigh of his consort. Mary started. She looked at him and widened her eyes.
"Mary, I must go to London the day after next."
"Oh? How long will you be gone?"
"For the day only. I had hoped you would accompany me. Will you?"
Mary was pleased. "I'll have to see."
"Is the pleasure of my company not sufficient enticement?" At that moment, Matthew was completely overtaken by all of the charms of her physical beauty, all the more for the wine that he had consumed. He leaned over to her and whispered, "Perhaps I should come by your room tonight to persuade you."
Mary replied coyly. "You can try. Downton Abbey is first and foremost a fortress of protection and sanctuary, Matthew."
"Is that a challenge?"
Mary looked at him gamely. "If you wish."
"Care to make it interesting?" Matthew's arched an eyebrow to her.
Mary laughed. "You have a pitifully short memory, sir. I remind you that you best not bet against me if you want to keep your shirt. You said so yourself."
Matthew was contenting himself with the grapes from a nearby fruit plate. He crunched on them merrily. "Well, you see, Mary, the big difference is that this wager does not involve horses. Secondly, it need not be for cash."
Mary tilted her head. "What shall the prize be then?"
"Well, it would have to be worth my while." Matthew popped another grape into his mouth, chewed and swallowed.
"A kiss then?" she suggested.
"Ah…but I've already had one of those." Matthew grinned at her, his eyes full of mischief.
Mary blushed and stared down at her hands as she toyed with the stem of her wineglass. "Is that no longer worth your while, Matthew?" she asked him. Her voice was soft.
He longed so much to kiss her just then. There was only one right answer. "Of course it is, darling."