Matthew awoke the next morning to a note on his pillow. He picked up the folded piece of paper as he looked around the room. The curtains swayed by the open window, a crumpled cloth sat on the nightstand; and there, on the chair by the door, lay Mary's silk dressing gown. He climbed out of bed and padded over to it, picking it up as he reached the chair. The smooth material fell about his hands as he held it, his mind full of her. He opened the note.

My dearest Matthew, when you get dressed, come to me

under our tree. I will have breakfast for us, I wish to eat out in the

air this morning. Tell no one.

Love, Mary

He hurried to get dressed, putting on pants and a simple linen shirt. Pulling on his waistcoat and jacket; he tucked the note into his breast pocket and slipped from the room, but not before retrieving a small black box from the back of the drawer in which it had been residing, guarded by the little stuffed dog. As he walked down the stairs he could hear people in the dining room and took care to be as quiet as possible as he stole from the house.

He crested the hill and as the old tree – our tree, he thought – came into view, he quickened his pace. Mary sat on a blanket spread before the tree with her back to him. Her hair was pulled back into a simple braid and she was wearing a soft blue dress. Matthew crept up behind her and kissed the top of her head making her jump slightly.

"Matthew!" she exclaimed, looking up in delight, "you frightened me!"
"Terribly sorry my love," he said with a smirk as he sat down next to her. She had laid out a wonderful looking breakfast.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't come," she laughed.

"And why ever would I not?"

"Because you were too busy sleeping!"

This brought back the memory of last night and his face turned serious.

"Thank you Mary. I'm so sorry you had to see that."

"There is nothing to be sorry for. Anyways, I was glad to comfort you and especially glad for another reason to spend the night in your arms."

A small smile flickered across his face as she said this, but it didn't last long.

"I was sure I was rid of that dream. I hadn't had it in weeks," he muttered.

"Will we ever be truly free of the demons that haunt our hearts? I don't believe so, which is why we must make do and learn how to handle them."

"Precisely," Matthew whispered. He turned the full power of his gaze on Mary and took her hands in his own, his strong, deep voice filling the air.

"I only wish to move forward from here, to put the past in the past. I want to secure my happiness, but more importantly, I want to ensure the happiness of, to protect, and to hold forever more the woman I love. Lady Mary Crawley, will you marry me?" His beautiful eyes were shining with the depth of his emotion and his gaze was that of such sincere love that it took Mary's breath away.

"Yes," she whispered. "Yes, yes," her voice gaining in volume, "oh my darling, of course I'll marry you!" she exclaimed as she threw herself into his arms. Matthew laughed out loud, a laugh full of pure, undiluted joy and he pulled himself back, digging in his pocket.

"My dearest Mary," he said presenting the small black box. Mary gasped. Nestled within the red silk lining was a beautiful engagement ring. The glittering center diamond was surrounded by tiny sparkling rubies, delicately set and mounted on a thin gold band. It was perfect, the most glorious piece of jewelry she had ever seen.

"Matthew it's beautiful," she breathed in awe, lightly brushing the jewels with her fingertips.

"May I?" he asked. She held out her left hand with a quivering smile and he carefully removed the ring from its housing. As he slid the ring on to her finger, such an overwhelming rush of love for the man in front of her made Mary feel as if her heart might explode. She placed her hands on the sides of his face, drinking in the look of sheer love. They came together, and their lips met in a kiss of devotion and passion, safe in each other's arms.

When they returned to the house some time later, they almost ran into the drawing room in which everyone was sitting. They paused outside the door and stole a quick kiss before Mary threaded her arm through the crook of Matthew's elbow, making sure her hand was easily visible on his arm. They walked into the room grinning from ear to ear and with such an air of joy that everybody's eyebrows shot up immediately.

"Lord and Lady Grantham, it brings me immense joy to inform you that Lady Mary and I are to be wed." Matthew told them, pride ringing in his voice.

"My baby!" Cora exclaimed as she noticed the ring. She got up to hug Mary as Robert and Mary shook hands.

"What splendid news! Oh my boy! This is wonderful!" Lord Grantham boomed after getting over his initial shock.

"We will have to ask Violet and Cousin Isobel for dinner, we came tell them then," Cora decided. Even Edith was happy for them, hugging Mary and wishing her sincere joy. After an exciting lunch, Matthew and Mary met the inspector with calm confidence, and Matthew held her hand tightly as she recounted her harrowing tale to a complete stranger. He admired her strength and unwavering tone, feeling and enormous swell of pride every time the light caught her ring and made the jewels glint through the delicate cream lace of her gloves.

Dinner was a joyous affair, both older women delighted but unsurprised; especially Violet as she had helped Matthew choose the ring. She had been silently touched when he came and asked for her assistance, she saw it as a peace offering she was only too glad to accept. Looking at it as it rested on her finger now, she was glad he had turned her favor to that one; it really did look very pretty. Everything was as it should be, the estate and Earldom would be passed on to a smart and caring man; her favorite granddaughter would not lose her home, but go on to assume the role that she had been so long denied. Most of all though, she was safe in the arms of a loving man and the affection that emanated between them made her smile in a manner that had lay forgotten since her own husband died.

One chapter left… Please review, it means the world to me! :-))))