AN: Hello everyone, I do apologise for the delay. Thank you for the lovely reviews, they motivate me no end. Now without further ado...
Tom lay on his side and gently kissed his wife's temple. "Good morning Mrs Branson,"
She contentedly sighed and opened her eyes, a small smile gradually grew to a grin.
"Good morning, husband," kissing him softly and leaning back against his chest. They were to leave on their honeymoon that afternoon and Mary could not wait. The anticipation was coupled with mystery as she still did not know the location of their holiday. Both sank into the plush bed and relished the laziness of the morning, usually it was disturbed by children or work.
Suddenly their peace was disturbed as Anna burst into the room carrying a newspaper.
"M'lady!" Waving the paper and wearing a distressed expression she made her way over to her employer.
"Anna, what is it?! Mary exclaimed. "Is the king dead?"
Tom worriedly sat up, instinctively knowing that it was far more serious than the death of the monarch. He motioned for Anna to take a seat and took the offered paper.
"Christ," he sighed and grew angry. Mary kneeled on the duvet and read the headline over her husband's shoulder.
"Oh my God!" Gasping she unsteadily took the offered paper and began to read aloud.
"Disgraced daughter of Earl marries her sister's husband," she began to angrily read the rest of the article.
"Lady Mary Crawley, eldest daughter of the Earl of Grantham of Downton Abbey, Yorkshire, married former chauffeur Tom Branson in an elaborate ceremony yesterday afternoon. However this is not an ordinary match, the two are in fact connected by a previous marriage, that of her late sister. Mr Branson was the husband of Lady Sybil Branson, née Crawley, who died following complications with childbirth. Lady Mary is no stranger to marrying for convenience, she is the widow of her cousin and heir to Lord Grantham, Matthew Crawley. He was killed in a car crash allowing the lovers to marry,"
Tom's knuckles were white as he gripped the bed clothes as Mary read on with tears in her eyes.
"She also has enjoyed an interesting love life. From allowing a Turkish diplomat into her bed (he subsequently died) to breaking engagements and escaping on trysts with engaged men, Lady Mary has definitely left her share of broken hearts,"
Mary burst into tears and struggled to breathe. Her husband, wearing a pained expression, attempted to soothe her by enveloping her in a comforting embrace. But to no avail, his beloved Mary was inconsolable.
"How did they know all of this? He asked Anna.
"I think you should check the name of the newspaper Sir," she rose to leave the newlyweds alone.
"Daily Post...Daily Post," he whispered. "Mary, who owns the Daily Post,"
Mary laughed bitterly and shook her head, as Tom released her from his embrace.
"Isn't is obvious? Who do we know that owns a newspaper and absolutely loathes me?"
He furrowed his brow but then it dawned on him. "You mean Sir Richard Carlisle?"
She nodded slowly as he got out of the bed.
"I'll kill him, Mary I'll kill him! Where are his offices? He will print a retraction!"
Striding angrily over to the wardrobe he began to drag on a shirt.
"Yes Tom. Kill him and leave me with no one. I have nothing now except you and the children, remember that." She spoke through gritted teeth as tears threatened to spill from her pained eyes.
His shoulders sank as his handsome face softened.
"Mary nobody will mind this. It will all blow over once society gets some more gossip,"
Half dressed he sat on the bed again and wiped the solitary tear that snaked its way down her cheek. Mary closed her eyes and whispered, "It's true though, all of it."
"You told me about Tony, sweetheart," he rose and pulled on his trousers.
"I know, but the Turkish diplomat bit." He dropped his belt as his mouth fell open.
"What?"
"Yes, he was a guest and I was young and stupid, so so stupid. He came into my room and persuaded me to...And then he died, in the night, in my bed,"
"You never said..." He stuttered.
"How could I? It is the most shameful thing that has ever happened to me,"
Nodding he gave her a minuscule smile. "We all have pasts darling, I'll be back before luncheon with a promise of a retraction. Sir Richard will be sorry he messed with the Bransons,"
Kissing her swiftly he left his new bride alone with her sorrow. However, as he left Mary gazed after him with a look of love etched on her face that she had never worn before. She had married a fighter, and she was grateful.