A/N: I'm sorry for the delay but I've been really busy at school. A big thank you to each and everyone of you who left me a comment, or followed my story. It is really appreciated!

Still do not own any characters except James. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 3

It had been nine weeks since the day of the storm. Nine long weeks during which autumn at turned itself into winter, coloured leaves into sad, grey November and finally into a thin layer of beautiful white snow. Mary had thought about what happened that day over and over again during those weeks. She couldn't help herself. As soon as she was alone, or even sitting at the dinner table when nobody was paying attention, her mind would always wandered and she would end up thinking about Matthew. She didn't want forget the colour of his eyes or the way his hands had felt on her waist … She had replayed that moment in her head a million times already. And she still wished he had kissed her. How sorry she was that he had not.

How silly she could be! She was not supposed to spend her time thinking about a man living on a cottage doing God knows what. Maybe being a lawyer meant something back in America, but here, he was still a workingman. And he couldn't practice here, could he? The laws were not the same after all. And that's how Mary tried to convince herself, at least twice a day, that this time was the last time she would be thinking about Matthew Hartley.

It was a bit easier for her to do so lately because James was coming back in only a few days for the Christmas holidays. Mary hadn't seen him often in the past weeks. He had spent most of his time doing some business in London. That's what he told them anyway.

She still hadn't talked to anyone about what happened during granny's birthday. She wasn't even sure her mother would believe her. So the chances her father would in fact believe in her story, were very slim. There was nobody else; she couldn't talk about it with her sisters. She knew Sybil would understand but she figured it was better not to bring her baby sister into her problems. And then there was Edith, but she would never talk about such things with her! Let's say that Mary and Edith were not the best of friends.

But the thing is, there was nothing to do. Even if she talked with someone, it wouldn't change her situation. There was no way out. Everybody knew that she was promised to her father's heir. And if some people had the bad luck to forget, there was always someone there to remind them.

To top that, James' threat was still ringing into Mary's mind. The words were as clear as the day they were spoken. And each time she thought about them, an irrepressible feeling of helplessness submerged her.

That morning, they were all sitting down eating their breakfast. Robert was reading his newspaper, like always, and the three girls were eating in silence.

"So your mother informed me that you were all going Christmas shopping today." Robert stated looking over the pages for a brief moment.

"Yes we are!" Exclaimed Sibyl. The Christmas shopping day had always been one of her favourites. "I can't wait to see all the Christmas themes showcases!"

Mary smiled a little at her younger sister enthusiasm. "You'll also have to concentrate on finding the perfect gift for a quite difficult someone."

"You're not talking about me are you?" asked their father.

"Well, Mary's right Papa. You never give us any idea, so it's always a little difficult to shop for you…and granny." Sybil added still smiling at her father.

"The three of you have managed to surprise me every year. I'm sure you can do it again!" Robert smiled a little looking at his daughters. "Just be careful, the three of you."

Matthew had thought about that particular October day a lot. Who was that girl that had knocked on his door? She had been so intriguing. Of course she was Mary to him, but that couldn't be all, could it? There was something about her that made Matthew want to know more. She looked guarded…and sad that day he remembered. Like she was supporting all the weight of the world on her shoulders. But she had not seemed so sad all the time though. She had smiled genuinely at him, and she had even laughed a good amount of time. For some reasons, knowing that he could make her laugh made Matthew a little proud of himself. But how he wished she had told him what was wrong. Maybe he could've helped her after all. Who knows? And maybe, just maybe, he wanted to know more about her because she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

During the past weeks he had found himself riding to the village quite often without any particular reason, except the fact that maybe he would see her there. But so far, Matthew hadn't been very lucky.

That day, he decided to go to the village to buy some Christmas threats. It's not because you were spending the holidays alone that you couldn't try to make it enjoyable!

Matthew was looking at some imported boxes of chocolates when he saw her. She was standing outside the store with two younger women. They seemed to argue about something, but after a few minutes the two girls that he didn't recognise left Mary alone and went in direction of a store on the other side of the street. A few seconds later, the bells hanging at the top of the front door started to ring. Matthew turned his head slowly at the sound. She was there. Only a few meters away from him, and if it was possible, he found her even more beautiful than the last time he had seen her.

What should he do? He desperately wanted to talk to her. But to say what? He needed to think fast. She hadn't noticed him so he decided to watch her from a distance, if only for a moment, until he mustered enough courage.

Mary was looking around. Each year it was the same puzzle. Trying to find a gift for their father, which they decided was Edith and Sybil's job, and finding one for their granny. Granny Violet was always the hardest person to shop for because she already had everything, or all the things she was interested in anyway. She was so preoccupied, trying to find the perfect idea, that she didn't see the blond haired man standing next to her.

"So, Christmas shopping huh?"

Mary turned around quickly, suddenly coming face to face with a smiling Matthew. She was surprised to see him there to say the least.

"Yes" She smiled coming back to her senses. "Granny always gives us some trouble."

"I see. What does she like? I'm sure we can find something," He said sounding excited at the thought of helping her.

Was he like that with everyone? Mary asked herself. Wanting to help all the time. She wasn't complaining though. In fact, she was really happy to see him. Was it possible that she had missed him somehow? No, probably not. That would be silly.

"Well, nothing in particular, that's the problem." Mary replied not looking away from Matthew.

"I'm sure that's impossible, Mary." He chuckled. "There must be something."

His laugh though, she had missed his laugh. Nobody was laughing like that at Downton, or rarely. "It's not impossible for Granny I assure you. "

"What did you bought her last year then?" He inquired. Maybe it would give him some ideas.

"I think it was a silk scarf." She answered, glancing at the window in case her sisters were coming back.

Matthew thought for a moment. "What about a nice pair of winter gloves with a little box of chocolates, so it will be less …boring?"

"Matching gloves …" Mary considered the idea. "That's brilliant Matthew!" She was beaming now. "Why are you so good to me?" She didn't realise what she had said at first, it's like the words had escaped from her lips on their own. She was mad at herself; this was not something she would normally say just like that, out of the blue.

The question definitely took him by surprise. "Well I, …I don't know." He hesitated. "We're friends…and that's what friends do, right?"

She smiled softly at him. "Yes, I, …I guess so." But honestly she didn't know. You're the only one that I have she thought.

He helped her to choose the perfect chocolates. It only took them a few minutes to find what they wanted, a 6 pieces box of dark chocolates, imported from Paris.

"I think Granny will love them." Mary smiled.

"Well, I don't know but you can't blame me if she doesn't!" He smirked.

"Don't worry. I'll take all the blame if it's the case." It was so nice to see him again, to be able to talk and laugh like that. "Thank you for your help Matthew…again." She smiled. "I feel like I owe you something now though, you're always the one getting me out of trouble."

"Absolutely not! You don't need to worry about…."

Mary wasn't paying attention to what he was saying he realized. Her eyes were locked on the window. Was it panic that he could read on her features?

"Mary? Is everything all right?" Matthew asked her sounding concerned.

She could see her sisters coming. What if they could see her talking with Matthew? It would be an impossible situation. First they would ask way too many questions, and second, she couldn't present them to him only by using their first name. One of them would say something and then he would know. He would know who she really is and she didn't want him to. Not yet at least. She was not ready to tell him, to lose …him. He was her friend because she was Mary, only Mary and not Lady Mary Crawley and she wanted it to stay that way.

"It's just, I really should be on my way. I'm sorry Matthew, but I can't stay…"

She was already at the door. Matthew didn't really have the time to process what was happening. Why was she running away suddenly? Did he say something wrong?

Before leaving, she turned to look at him one last time and mouthed "Thank you". And then she was gone.

Matthew watched her joining the two younger women he had seen earlier before exiting the shop at his turn.

Edith and Sybil were showing her what they had bought for their father when she saw him in her peripheral vision. He was walking towards his bicycle, head down.

This can't be good Mary thought to herself a little worried about what he would think of her now.

But what Mary didn't know, and what was even worse, was that James had arrived earlier than expected. And since the girls were not there, that it was such a lovely day and that James was there to accompany him, Robert decided that they should go and do the traditional Christmas tour of the cottages. It was a little ritual that Robert was really fond of. It consisted mostly in visiting the families, making sure everything was all right, and to greet them their best wishes for the holiday season. He started doing those visits the first Christmas after he inherited to title of Earl of Grantham, and he never missed a year.

Since James liked to parade around, he agreed to Robert's suggestion without hesitation. Besides, Mary was not home so he needed something to entertain himself.

So they went, both riding a white horse. They started with the Smith first. They chatted for a little while, about the crops and the kids. The Smith had two boys and one little girl and the three of them were really excited to see the Earl in their house. They knew that when he was visiting, Santa was always coming a few days later.

After the Smith they stopped at the Davies, then the Williams…the Jones and so on. It took them a few hours to do so.

The last cottage on their path was Matthew's. Robert was quite excited to meet this young American man again. He needed to thank him properly for sheltering his daughter a few months ago.

"Who's this Matthew Hartley? I've never heard of him before." Asked James.

"You'll see, he's a nice chap. Did Mary tell you that he helped her a few weeks ago?"

"She did not. Helped her to do what exactly?" He responded is voice a bit harsher than before.

"Oh she went for a ride that day but was caught in a storm and he sheltered her until it was over." Robert told him simply. After all, there was nothing more to it.

"We'll have to thank him then." James said with disdain. He had a feeling he wouldn't like this Matthew Hartley very much.

Matthew had arrived at his place only fifteen minutes prior when he heard a knock at his front door. The last time someone at knocked out of nowhere like that… Mary was standing on the other side. But he tried to push that image away. It couldn't be her this time around surely, not after what happened this afternoon. So he went to open it, a little curious. He was very surprised to see Lord Grantham standing there.

"Matthew my dear chap!" Exclaimed Robert. "We really hope we're not disturbing you."

"Of course not. Please come in Lord Grantham!" Matthew said noticing for the first time the other man standing next to the Earl. The words that came instantly to him to describe the stranger were…stuck-up, snobbish and all the synonyms. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"We just wanted to make sure everything was all right here for you." Robert said still smiling. "I also wanted to present you James Crawley, my heir. He's visiting us for the holidays so I thought I would take him with me. All of this will be his one day after all."

Matthew noticed that James smile had turned into a superior smirk at the Earl's last remark. He decided that, without a doubt, he didn't like this man. He seemed imbued with himself and that was never a good thing in Matthew's book. Se he decided to ignore him and not acknowledge his presence. "Everything's fine with me Sir. I'm getting accustomed to the life here."

"I bet it's a big change for you Matthew." James added. He was not going to let this American ignore him like that.

"It definitely is. But I like the change." Matthew said, without looking at James.

"I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for helping my daughter Mary the other day. It was really kind of you to do so. And I wanted to tell you that we truly appreciate it."

What? Mary. But that was impossible. Could they be talking about the same Mary? Matthew suddenly realized that she never told him her surname. According to both men in front of him, his Mary was also the one and only Mary Crawley, the first daughter of the Earl of Grantham.

He had heard some women gossiping about Lady Mary Crawley when he first arrived in Yorkshire, and some other times after. But the description he'd heard didn't fit at all to his Mary. The woman they were talking about was apparently very pompous... and heartless. Yes, Mary was guarded, that he noticed, but not cold, far from it Matthew thought.

"During the storm?" He needed to be sure somehow, without looking like an idiot who invites woman in his house every single day of the week.

"Yes." Robert responded a bit puzzled. Didn't he remember? "She told us you had been a very good host and we are grateful for it."

It definitely was the same Mary. Now he was sure about it. But why didn't she tell him? He had met her again earlier that day and… why would she lie to him like that?

"It was no problem at all Sir. I wouldn't' have let her froze on the spot."

"I don't believe nobody would have let the future Countess of Grantham stand there in the rain." James added with that superior tone that made Matthew cringe.

"Well, we really should be going now. I'm sure Matthew as lots of things to do." Robert said smiling. trying to dissolve the strange tension between the two younger men. "Thank you once again dear chap, and Happy Holidays."

Once the door was closed and that Matthew found himself alone once again in his house, he started pacing the room quickly. There was a lot of new information to analyse. First, Mary, the woman he had been thinking about for the past weeks, was the daughter of the Earl of Grantham! Why didn't she tell him? Weren't those people supposed to be proud of their rank and place in society? Matthew really didn't know what to think about the whole situation. But then, James words echoed in his mind "the future Countess of Grantham…"

Maybe he didn't know much about the laws in England, but he certainly knew that women couldn't inherit an estate. So if James was the heir…and Mary… They surely were going the get married. Mary and James… But how could she love, or even like a man like that? Matthew couldn't understand. The Mary with whom he had talked and laugh, she couldn't be marrying someone like Lord Grantham's heir.

Later that day, the whole Crawley family was sitting around the big dinner table. The girls have had lots of fun shopping for Christmas presents. At least Edith and Sybil enjoyed it. And Robert was invigorated by his famous tour of the cottages. Everything was going perfectly normally. Until James decided that it was time to tell Mary what he had done that day.

"I had a very interesting encounter at one of the cottages this afternoon." He told her in a low voice so she would be the only one to hear it.

"And who might have picked your interest in such a way?" Mary answered not really interested in what he had to say.

"His name is Matthew Hartley. I believe you know him." He said nonchalantly.

At the mention of Matthew, Mary's heart stopped for a moment. She tried to maintain her mask of indifference, but knowing James, she knew that he didn't start on this subject without a very precise idea in mind.

James was a little disappointed at the lack of reaction from Mary, so he decided to continue. "Your father thanked him for that time when he helped you. I must say that he looked quite surprised. Maybe it's not something they do in America…"

"I'm glad he did." She cut him off. "I'm afraid I didn't thank him properly myself when I left." She said that without letting any particular emotion transpire in her voice, but at the same time, she was trying to cover the uneasy feeling that was rapidly sneaking into her. This was so much worst than when she had ran away from him earlier.

Mary didn't know what to do. There was only one thought repeating itself over and over again in her mind. Matthew knew. Matthew knew. Matthew knew. He looked surprised James had said. Of course he had! Could James suspect something? Probably not, how could he? But Matthew knew! It was the only thing that really mattered in that moment.

How stupid she had been to think that she would be able to pretend like she had done. She needed to see him, to explain herself. She needed to try to make it right. The thought of Matthew hating her was… unbearable. He was her only real friend. The only person who was willing to help her, to talk to her, to listen to her even if she was not Lady Mary Crawley.

After her somewhat detached and simple answer, James had turned his attention on the conversation going on at the other end of the table.

Mary stood up a few minutes later, claimed that she had a terrible headache and then left the dinner table.

She had to see Matthew. She needed to make this right somehow. But right this second; she needed a plan on how to do so.