Sorry for taking so long to update. I had exams and I just could not find the time! As always please let me know what you think:)
Lord Grantham requested a private meeting with Matthew before Lady Cora and Lady Mary came down for breakfast. Matthew had brought his finest clothes for the visit knowing he would have to impress the family as much as possible. He put on a tie and jacket to look nice, but was also trying not to over do it.
Matthew was told to meet Lord Grantham in the library, but if it weren't for the butler Carson standing outside the door he never would have found it. Before entering he cleared his throat and took a deep breath. He was not sure exactly what Lord Grantham wanted to discuss in particular, but he figured it could not be good if it could not be discussed in front of Mary.
As he entered he saw Lord Grantham sitting at a wooden desk in the corner. When he heard Matthew approach he stood up to greet him and asked him to have a seat in one of the chairs.
"Mr. Crawley, I wanted to speak with you in private before any further conversation is to take place this afternoon. I think that there is a way that we can come to an understanding to resolve this matter."
"Yes sir, and what is that?"
"I want you to leave the picture. I want you to forget about my daughter and most definitely the child. I have always wanted what was best for my daughter and I believe that by you leaving I can attempt to fix matters as much as I can. Now, I will be generous," Lord Grantham reached into his jacket pocket and removed a cheque book.
Matthew was confused. Did Lord Grantham think that he could pay Matthew to leave Mary and his child? Mary had warned him about what her family was like, but he had never expected this. "Lord Grantham please, I will not accept your money as a payoff."
"Mr. Crawley I am sure there is a price that we can agree to. A degree at Cambridge, and maybe even a masters afterwards? That will not be cheap, and as far as I know you do not come from a wealthy family."
"Lord Grantham, you may be correct in assuming that I was not born into wealth. But I love your daughter and all that I care about is making her and our child happy."
"Then do this for her. Mary was raised a certain way and she will expect to be taken care of a certain way. Plus, when this news cannot be contained anymore it will be her name covered in the papers for getting pregnant out of wedlock, by the son of a middle class doctor."
"Sir, I mean no disrespect, but there is no amount of money that you could offer me to leave your daughter. I think I know your daughter a bit better than you think. I do not think she is as high maintenance as you think she is. I have seen a true kindness in her, and I do not think she would approve of you setting her up with another aristocrat just to save her reputation."
"Since you are unable to really think about what is best for Mary at the moment I will give you some time to consider my offer before our next conversation with Mary and Cora. I really do hope you think about it though. You could be doing Mary and yourself a huge favour."
"I honestly do not think any amount of time will sway of my decision, but I would like to see Mary before we all meet later." Matthew turned away from Lord Grantham about to head back upstairs to his room when Lord Grantham make one last remark, "Oh and Mr. Crawley I would appreciate it if you kept this between the two of us."
With that Matthew left knowing he to make a decision. He knew that he was not going to accept any offer, but he had to decide if he was going to tell Mary about her father's proposal.