AN: Sorry for the late update. I didn't know where to go after the events of the previous chapter but I hope that I've done the right thing. As always, thanks for reading and review if you feel you want to...no pressure.
Doctor Clarkson walked out of Mary's room and met an anxious Tom sitting on the carpeted floor of the ancient hallway. His head was in is hands and the doctor immediately felt that he had to reassure this man who had felt so much pain. It would be good to give him good news for once.
"Mr Branson?" He called quietly. Tom jumped up from the floor with a worried,even sickly look on his face.
"How is she? Will they be alright?"
"Lady Mary and the baby are perfectly healthy, she's sleeping now. She'll not be able to travel for the remainder of the pregnancy though, especially on a train,"
The younger man breathed a sigh of relief but had a puzzled look on his face.
"But why did she feel so much pain? Surely it must have meant something,"
Clarkson nodded, understanding Tom's need to know.
"It wasn't a miscarriage. However the journey seemed to have triggered some slight contractions. Don't worry they're harmless. I've heard there's a new word for them, something hicks," he paused searching for the word.
"Never Mind," Tom didn't care for medical mumbo jumbo. He just wanted to be assured that his darling Mary would not have the same fate as his love, Sybil.
"It's not going to cause further problems is it?"
"As long as she stays away from trains it won't. Now, I've other patients. I can see myself out."
Tom shook his hand gratefully and turned to walk quietly into Mary's bedroom.
She lay on her side, fast asleep. Not wanting to disturb her, Tom sat on an armchair in the corner. He looked around the olive green room and then back to his fiancée. She wanted a new room when they began their lives together. The memory of Matthew would be "tainted" she said. He understood that she didn't want to begin a new life under the shadow of another. Robert had kindly agreed to a suite of rooms on the west side of the house and the couple had been eagerly finding wallpaper and paint samples. They wanted it to be completely theirs.
He stood when she stirred and went to her side.
"Tom? Tom?" She called.
"Sshh sweetheart, I'm here." Tom comforted, sitting on the bed and taking her hand.
A single tear slid down her cheek and she apologised to him.
"What? Why are you sorry?" He rubbed her knuckles comfortingly.
"For scaring you, it must have brought back some terrible memories,"
"Mary, don't think like that. All that matters is that you're both fine,"
She nodded tearfully. "I want to move up the wedding darling. I want to do it next week,"
He furrowed his brow and asked: "Why? It's only another month,"
She smiled, suddenly back to her old self.
"But I don't want to wait any longer to be your wife,"
He grinned and placed a light kiss on he smiling lips.
"Anyway, I have my outfit, well it's en-route. Now we just have to tell the guests,"
"We may have to tell them one more thing. But don't worry, I'll sort it with Cora,"
He kissed her again and suspiciously left the room, leaving Mary to her sleep.
Anna walked into the room carrying a large box. She sat it down on the bed as Mary sat up excitedly.
"Is it them? Oh thank goodness!"
It was the eve of their wedding and all of the ladies had been worried that Mary's dresses would not have arrived from Paris.
"I know m'lady. It's such a relief," he dutiful maid agreed, gingerly removing the black lid.
Mary hopped from the bed and took over. She pulled back the light crêpe lining of the box as her two dresses dazzled before her. Gently removing the pale blue flowing dress from the box. She gasped as it met her eyes.
"Monsieur Lanvin! He really is a genius. Look Anna,"
She held it to her frame as its material flowed like a pale river to her calves.
"Oh m'lady, it is beautiful! How is the suit?"
"Yes, let's check. I wanted a black dress by Chanel, but thought better of it. I was in black far too long,"
The cream Chanel suit was exquisite, it suited Mary perfectly with its black belt and floral detail in a slightly paler cream.
"It's lovely, m'lady. But Mr Branson asked me something the other morning..."
The ladies maid trailed off as Mary sat the suit on the bed.
"Yes, what is it?" She enquired suspiciously.
"He wondered whether you had just had something suitable for a registry office made. It seems he has other ideas which would suit this dress perfectly m'lady,"
Mary raised an eyebrow and nodded.
"Did he say what this idea was Anna?"
She shook her head, not wanting to ruin the surprise.
"I suppose a surprise is rather exciting. What do you suppose it is? I'm guessing it isn't a registry office..."
"I couldn't say m'lady.." Taking the dress and hiding a grin, Anna left the room to press the beautiful garment.