AN: Hi everyone! I hope you have enjoyed "Unconventional" thus far 😘 thank you for reading and I would adore some feedback. Drop a review if you have time. Xx (btw who thinks this should move into 'm' territory?)

A nervous Tom waited in the drawing room for Mary to join them. The usual chatter was of no interest to him as his hand moved to the pocket of his evening jacket to make sure it was still there. Violet eyed him conspiratorially and gave him a small, excited smile. Her face was made youthful with joy for it was her ring in his pocket. That morning after rushing through his meeting with Robert he had decided he was in need of an ally. He thought long and hard and after much deliberation settled on the Dowager Countess.

His success in Downton was all down to her as she had suggested his current position and that he and Mary join forces. The Dower house's butler let him into the parlour as the elderly countess welcomed him. He got straight down to business, laying out all of his feelings and hopes for his life with Mary, barely stopping for breath. There was a silence before Violet smiled a smile that reminded him instantly of Mary. The only surprised person in that room was Tom as Violet had clapped her wrinkled hands and said "finally! You two are rather blind when it comes to matters of the heart aren't you,"

Tom was struck dumb before breaking into his signature 'Tom' grin, the grin that extended to his joyful, mischievous eyes.

"Well I'm surprised, but I'm just over the moon," forgetting who he was with he slouched against the chair and was surprised once more.

"You have to propose with this, Mary has always loved it," she twisted her beautifully ornate ring with its large diamond set amongst several smaller ones on a sparkling silver band. To Tom it was beautiful but not ostentatious, surprisingly for an Edwardian like Violet!

She rose from her chair by the fire and placed it in his strong hand.

"Are you sure? It's yours, I can buy one you know."

Violet closed his fingers around her constant companion for the last fifty years.

"Yes, now hurry back to your sweetheart. And propose before dinner, I want to see her face," she winked at him as he rose and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I know it must be hard to lose two granddaughters to an Irish chauffeur."

He was halfway out the door as she called, "Well we can't do anything about your nationality Tom, but I haven't thought of you as the chauffeur for over half a decade."

Again he grinned and promised to propose that evening.

But where was Mary? Had she run off somewhere? What would he do without her? His panic was replaced with elation as Carson opened the cream door and Mary entered, divine in an emerald green evening gown, which was much shorter that he was used to. Not that he was complaining! He smiled at she joined him and took a sherry from Barrow.

She signalled for him to listen in for a secret, "Do you like my little nod to Ireland darling?" Raising a perfectly arched eyebrow as he replied:

"I love it sweetheart,"

She grinned and took a sip, teasing him all the while as her tongue darted around the rim of the glass.

"Sweetheart, are you ready for your surprise?"

She stopped teasing and set her glass down on the side table.

"Yes!" Her excitement was palpable as the other turned to see what had caused it.

"Well, I suppose we'll sink or swim together sweetheart," he took her small gloved hand in his as she stood up. Slowly, keeping staring into her chocolate brown eyes all the while, he got down on one knee as Cora gasped.

"Mary, sweetheart, my darling Mary." He took the box, in which the precious ring sat, out of his pocket and asked: "Will you marry me?"

He smiled as tears sprang to her eyes when he opened the velvet box. "Yes Tom, yes Of course! Of course I'll marry you sweetheart!"

Mary pulled him to his feet and kissed him, in the middle of the drawing room, in front of her entire family. She pulled off her glove as he placed the ring on her finger. Through her happy tears she recognised the diamonds she had lusted after as a girl. "Granny? You knew? This is yours!"

Violet dabbed her eyes as she beamed, "I did and no Mary it's yours now. It brought me many years of happiness and I know it will do the same for you."

Robert scowled in the corner. This was achingly familiar. Would all of his daughters fall for this man?! "Well I'm glad someone knew!" He turned, ready to attack but stopped when he saw the look of pure happiness on his daughters face. That look erased all of his anger and he moved to clap Tom on the back. "Just ask permission the next tim Tom!" He laughed as the couple looked shocked.

Tom took his fiancée's hand in his and kissed it.

"I'm sorry Robert, this is the last time,"

Mary kissed her father's cheek and looked over to her mother. Who looked melancholy but still intensely happy.

"Mama, another wedding to plan, we must get started right away!"

Cora rushed to kiss the young couple and started asking about where and when the wedding could be.

"Sybbie must be the flower girl!" Edith rose and took Mary's hand, squeezing it and then returned to her seat.

An action such as this would seem odd to anyone on the outside, but Mary knew, her sister was happy for her.

Carson signalled that dinner was served as they moved to the dining room. The family were all abuzz, weighing up summer and spring for a wedding. Mary took her new fiancée's arm as he led her into dinner, both wondered how they could possibly keep their hands to themselves for three courses.

It didn't help that they were seated beside one another.

Tom had to excuse himself and rush to the bathroom before the starters had even been cleared.

Mary grinned at how passionate he was, excited for the night to come.