Matthew listened intently as Mary read him the news from the paper. She certainly made the news sound more interesting and enjoyed hearing her opinion on things when she thought it necessary to add them.

"Lady Mary," Anna addressed her when she entered the sitting room. "They're getting ready for Lady Rose's arrival."

"I'll be right there," Mary acknowledged as she folded the paper and placed it on the table beside her.

"Is that today?" Matthew asked. "I hadn't realized."

"Time flies," she said and kissed him on his forehead.

"Should I come out with you?"

"If you like," she replied, not skipping a beat. "But don't be offended if she reacts badly to your temporary blindness. She hasn't been told about it." She made sure to emphasize the transitory nature of his condition.

"I'll be fine; I think she's quite fond of me that she will be nice about it."

"Actually, I think she has a crush on you especially after you rescued her from that man."

"Why do you always think that?" he teased, getting up from his seat to join the family outside to welcome their new ward.

"Because it's true," she explained. "I know these things."

"Really?" he said with amusement. "Careful my darling, you might find that a career in match-making is for you."

"Heavens, I hope not," she stated. "You know how pragmatic I can be about that. They can't all be as lucky as I am."

Matthew chuckled. He silently agreed with her but thought he was the luckier one.

…

As to be expected, the bubbly Rose was quite unperturbed by Matthew's condition. She was equally excited to meet William and cradle him in her arms.

"He is absolutely lovely," Rose gushed as she looked at the baby. "He has your eyes Cousin Matthew and your hair Cousin Mary. What a lovely combination."

William yawned in response to all the attention from the newcomer.

"What does he do all day?" Rose wondered.

"I'm afraid he is much too young for anything other than sleep and eat all day," Mary revealed.

"Don't forget that he needs a lot of changing as well," Matthew reminded her.

And as if to prove him right, William got Rose wet.

"It's alright," she said in sporting fashion. "I need a bath anyway."

…

"Mr. Crawley, a man is waiting for you at the library," Mr. Carson informed him while he was having tea with Mary.

"Who is it?" he asked.

"He said his name is Mr. Blackwell."

"Are you expecting him?" Mary asked, setting down her tea cup.

"Yes, I've forgotten all about it," he confirmed, touching his forehead as if to remind him of other details about the man. "Tom and I contracted his services months ago to help improve the estate farming. Mr. Carson, can you please find Tom for me?"

"Mr. Branson has gone out to check on the farms," Mr. Carson informed him. "I'll ask one of the men to fetch him."

"No, no, it's not necessary. Mary, would you be so kind as to take his place?" He heard the distinct sound of disapproval from Mr. Carson. "You'll just need to show him the estate map and point out some details to him for me." He added to appease Mr. Carson.

"Certainly," Mary agreed and nodded to Mr. Carson.

…

"Mr. Blackwell," Matthew greeted when he entered the room. "I'm afraid you'll have to shake my hand as I have recently lost my eyesight." He stuck out his hand waiting for the man to shake his.

"It's temporary," Mary added, wanting to remind him of that every chance she got.

"This is my wife, Lady Mary," he introduced her to their visitor. "If you don't mind, I'd like her to be present for the meeting."

"I'd be honored," Mr. Blackwell responded and extended his hand to her. "It would be a pleasure to have such a beautiful lady in the room." He added as he held Mary's hand. He had intended to kiss her hand but she pulled it away when she realized his intention.

"So, shall we get to it then, Mr. Blackwell?" Matthew asked.

"Arthur, please," he offered amicably.

With ease, Mary was able to help Matthew with his meeting with Mr. Blackwell. She was quite impressed at how easily he expressed his plans for the estate and took input from the other man.

"I would like you to meet my brother-in-law and our estate manager Tom," Matthew said after they had come to an agreement. "Where are you staying?"

"I'm not sure," Arthur replied. "Perhaps you can point me in the right direction."

"Perhaps you can stay here in one of our guest rooms," Matthew offered. "Will that be alright Mary?"

"If you like, I can ask Mrs. Hughes to have a room made up for Mr. Blackwell."

"Then it's settled then, you're staying with us during your employment with us."

…

"What do you think of Arthur?" Matthew asked while he waited for Mary to get into bed for the night.

"What do you mean?" she wondered, pulling the covers down as she got into bed.

"I mean, is he agreeable enough for you? I realize that I hadn't consulted with you first before inviting him to stay with us. I hope you don't mind."

"Well, I would have appreciated a forewarning," she scolded him gently. "And you may need to appease Mrs. Hughes for this sudden change."

"I just thought it would be a sensible arrangement," he defended himself. "It would save me the trip of looking for him in the village when I need to discuss things with him."

"How did you meet him?" she inquired.

"I found his firm when I was looking for an agricultural engineer, and they sent him. I think he's been successful with other estates so I think he can help us further modernize Downton."

"How long will he be working for you?"

"I'm not quite sure," he said, realizing the imposition of having him at Downton. "I hope not for long because Tom will ultimately be the one overseeing the changes."

"Good, I don't think papa would take too kindly to having a stranger at the dinner table for too long."

"How bad is it?" Now he was worried that he had overdone his hospitality.

"Well, he seems to be educated and well-mannered," she began. "But I think he should be named Blackbeard instead."

Matthew laughed softly. "And why is that, does he look like a pirate?"

"No, but he has a mustache," she explained by describing his features. "I suppose it does make him look like a pirate."

Matthew was in full rolling laughter now.

"What?" she asked innocently. "Did I say something funny?"

"And I suppose you've met a pirate before?" he said, trying to stop laughing.

"I have not!" she declared incredulously which made Matthew laugh even harder. "I've read or seen them in books."

Mary loved hearing Matthew's laughter and was a little disappointed when it subsided.

"Rose seems to be charmed by him," she noted.

"Uh-oh, don't tell me you're going to play match-maker after all," he warned.

"He's much too old for her," she stated bluntly.

"Oh my darling," he said, turning to her. "You can't tell Rose what to do any more than I can tell you what to do."

"We'll see," she said, taking on the challenge.

…

Although Tom was around to help Matthew discuss the estate with Arthur, Mary had to attend as chaperone since Rose had insisted on joining them to be near Arthur.

"Isn't he just handsome?" Rose whispered as the men once again pored over the estate map to identify where they can best build irrigation and farm buildings.

"Rose, you should contain yourself," Mary warned. "You're acting like you're about to throw yourself at him." She glanced at Arthur and saw him smiling at her. She turned to see Rose waving to him.

"Oh, Mary, would it be possible if we join them on a tour of the estate tomorrow? Arthur said Tom was taking him to see the location for the construction."

Mary was surprised that Rose knew about the tour much less spoke with Arthur.

"Please say yes," Rose pleaded with her.

"You were supposed to have tea with granny," she reminded Rose. "I don't think she'd like to be put off."

"Oh please, Arthur would only be here for a short time."

…

Mary had just finished nursing and stepped out of the nursery when she saw Arthur walking towards her in the hallway.

"Are you lost?" she inquired, trying to keep her voice even although she was annoyed he was invading their private area. "The guest rooms are the other way."

"Actually, if I might have a word with you Lady Mary," he said, smiling charmingly.

"Can't it wait until tomorrow?" she asked, unable to mask her annoyance any longer.

"I was wondering if you will be joining us during our tour tomorrow?" he asked.

"I doubt it," she replied, eager to dismiss him. She had already asked Edith to chaperone for Rose to be free to spend the day with Matthew and William.

"It would mean so much to me," he insisted, stepping closer to her. "I think you feel the same way I do."

"I don't know what you mean," she said, suddenly alarmed by his presence. She switched to her cool exterior to dissuade him from proceeding.

"I must admit that I'm very attracted to you," he admitted, closing the gap between them and leaned in to kiss her.

"Need I remind you I'm a married woman," Mary said, easily side-stepping him.

"You can't possibly be happy with him," he noted. "He's blind."

"If you think that diminishes my happiness with him, you're quite mistaken," she said angrily. "In fact, you don't know me at all to make such a claim."

"But," he tried to recover his goodwill with Mary but was prevented to say any more when Anna arrived.

"I suggest you return to your room now," Mary said imperiously. She and Anna watched the man retreat from the private residences.

…

"I think you should tell Mr. Crawley about what he did," Anna said as she helped Mary change into her sleeping gown.

"I'm not sure how," she said, knowing Anna was right but debating on how to reveal to Matthew how Arthur had just behaved. "I'm afraid in his current condition he will get upset and unable to recover. He's been doing so well."

"I believe he knows how much you love him and will do what is necessary to defend you," Anna said sensibly.

"I don't think it's come to that," she admitted. "And I'm afraid he might think this is the Pamuk affair all over again."

"I don't think he would," Anna assured her. "But I do know he'd be hurt if you say nothing."

"I could just avoid Mr. Blackwell," she suggested. "Surely he won't be here for much longer."

"You shouldn't have to avoid that man in your own house. And if you say nothing, he may think that you are welcoming his advances."

Mary considered what Anna had said and found wisdom in her counsel.

…

"I'm quite impressed with Arthur," Matthew said. "I don't think we could have accomplished so much without his help."

"How much longer will he be staying at Downton?" Mary asked while she lay beside Matthew.

"Why? Is something the matter?" he wondered with slight concern.

"I just think he's been here long enough, don't you?" she lied. She had decided that she wouldn't tell Matthew after hearing his glowing review of the man. She just hoped that Arthur would be gone before it got really uncomfortable for her.

"You don't like him because of Rose?" he asked innocently. "I'm sure it's just a passing fancy for her. See how quickly she's forgotten Mr. Margadale."

"I suppose," she tried to agree with him to mask her true concern.

"He's been quite helpful," Matthew noted. "I think he will go places."

"Hopefully he'll leave Downton sooner than later," she said sarcastically.

"You're being judgmental again," he warned gently.

"I think I know him better than you do," she replied.

"Well, he'll soon be done," he said. "And life will be back to normal. I just hope you won't find it dull."

"Certainly not! There's always something new to do with you."

Matthew chuckled. He was well aware that between him and William, Mary was quite busy not to mention having tea with Violet and his mother.

"Besides, I'm quite used to you," she revealed. "And I rather like having you around."

"That's good to know," he said in a suddenly serious tone. "I was beginning to think you're getting tired of me."

"What?" she asked in surprise. "Why would you think that?"

"Because it's been a while since you've let me hold you in my arms," he said then paused. "Naked."

"But I thought you didn't want to," she said slowly, trying to think of a time she might have given him the impression she wasn't receptive to him. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I didn't want to rush you," he admitted, suddenly realizing that they had been miscommunicating regarding the matter. "I'm afraid my darling we are victims of our own good intentions. Isn't it ludicrous?"

Mary started to giggle as she came to the same conclusion. Her giggle was infectious that Matthew started to laugh and he in turn made her laugh.

"Well, now that we're clear on where we stand my darling," Mary started when their laughter subsided. "I think it's time you kiss me and hold me in your arms naked."

"As you wish." Matthew eagerly obliged with tenderness and love.

…

"Good morning milady," Anna greeted her when she arrived to help Mary change for breakfast. "I hope you slept well."

"Very well indeed," Mary said happily, not even trying to conceal how happy she was.

"Molesley said that Mr. Matthew was quite happy this morning," Anna said in a teasing manner.

"I'm glad," Mary said, watching Anna from her mirror. She had seen Matthew when he woke up and knew exactly what Molesley saw and perhaps even more.

"Shall I tell Mrs. Hughes that our guest would be leaving soon?" Anna inquired. Since witnessing what Arthur had done, she had little respect for the man.

"I hadn't told him," Mary whispered, looking like a child caught red-handed with a cookie stolen from the cookie jar. "But he will be gone soon, his work here is almost finished."

"I hope he has learned to stay away then." Anna was slightly disappointed that Mary had opted not to tell Matthew. But she felt it wasn't her place to judge Mary's choice.

"Can I just ask a favor?" Mary said as she stood up to check her appearance in the full-length mirror. "Can you make sure that he doesn't wander into this area again?"

They both heard the tap at the door and Anna went to open it. But before she could, it opened to reveal Matthew entering in haste.

"Mary, darling," Matthew greeted her. "Are you ready?"

"What's the hurry?" she inquired. "Breakfast isn't ready yet is it?"

"Actually, Arthur had convinced me that it would be good for me to join the tour today," he revealed.

"Did he? I suppose a breath of fresh air would be nice."

"Will you come with me?" he asked. "You can tell me all about the construction sites since I can't see them for myself."

Mary hesitated.

"Please Mary," he continued. "I'm sure Tom will but you do it much better."

With that plea, Mary could no more deny her husband her company than he of hers.