Matthew and Mary arrived for breakfast to hear a lively discussion between Robert and Tom.
"Can't you postpone your tour?" Robert said. "It's not like things will change in just one day."
"I don't mind driving," Tom offered.
"What's the matter?" Mary asked when she sat down next to Matthew.
"I need the car to visit a dear friend," Robert said. "He's only in Yorkshire for today. Your mama and I haven't seen him since our wedding."
"And he can't come visit us papa?" Mary asked the obvious question.
"I'm afraid he is staying with friends of his and wouldn't impose on them to take their car to come here."
"Why is he here for only one day?" Edith wondered.
"I don't know," Robert replied. "And your mama and I won't miss seeing him." He made it very clear that it was not up for debate.
"And I keep saying that I can take the other car to take us out for the tour," Tom insisted.
"You're no longer the chauffeur," Robert reminded him.
"I would drive if I could see," Matthew offered, trying to show Robert that it was not as big a deal as he was making it. "Robert, if we delay, it's one more day wasted from making the estate self-sufficient before next spring."
Robert still found it unsettling but agreed finally.
...
"Mary, do I still have to go now that you're going?" Edith asked after breakfast.
"I suppose we don't both have to chaperone Rose," Mary replied as they walked into the foyer. "But you can still come if you like."
"Actually, I wanted to join papa and mama," she revealed.
"Edith, are you coming?" Cora prompted her as she prepared to leave. "Enjoy your day, Mary." She quickly kissed Mary before heading out to join Robert in the car.
Edith quickly followed Cora out. Mary decided to walk out to see them off.
"Mary, isn't this exciting?" Rose said as she joined her outside as they waited for Tom to bring the car around.
"Hello Rose," Matthew greeted as he joined them. "Are you ready for a trip around the estate?"
"Yes, I can't wait."
"Milady," Anna greeted as she joined them.
"I've asked Anna to join us," Mary announced to Matthew's surprise.
"Here they come," Rose announced happily and went to meet the car. She immediately saw Arthur sitting beside Tom. Anna followed behind her.
"Why have you asked Anna to join us?" Matthew inquired as he slowly followed Mary to the car.
"To keep the numbers even," she explained.
"I thought it was because you didn't want a strand of hair out of place," he teased.
"That, too," she joked back.
...
The estate tour turned out to be rather pleasant to Mary's surprise. Arthur and Matthew discussed the development they were planning and Rose pretty much behaved lady-like throughout the ride.
"Do you remember the buildings we restored Mary?" Matthew asked her when they were close to them. "Can you please point them out to Arthur?"
"Certainly," Mary replied and dutifully pointed them out while Matthew explained their significance to the estate.
"We're here," Tom announced when they arrived at their last stop. "It's a little muddy so the ladies might want to stay in the car."
"Nonsense," Arthur said looking out the window to the ground below. "There's only a small patch and that can easily be covered." In gentlemanly fashion that would make Sir Walter Raleigh proud, he placed his jacket over it and offered his hand to help Rose out of the car.
"I think I'll stay here," Mary said when Arthur offered his hand to her.
"I'll stay here with Mary," Matthew said and informed Tom that he can take charge of this last stop.
Arthur bowed and moved away from the car to join Tom who had gotten out of the driver's seat.
"You don't want to ruin your shoes?" he teased softly.
"I'm worn out," she made up the excuse. "Besides, I don't mind ruining my shoes because you'll just have to buy me new ones."
Matthew chuckled. He had to admit that he was also worn out.
"It looks like a lot of changes," she noted after counting the number of stops they made. "I wonder how papa will handle the change in landscape."
"Do you think it's too much too soon?"
"I think it's about time," she replied honestly. "If papa complains, I suppose we'll just gently remind him that this is all for William and the future."
"And what do you think of our future?" he inquired casually.
"I think it's coming along nicely," she admitted. "Of course papa and granny won't admit it but I think they're quite glad you are doing all this."
"And what about you?" Clearly he was more interested in her opinion of his work.
"Do you really need to know? I'm biased you know since I am on your team."
"Where's Anna?" he asked, throwing Mary off a bit.
"She's with Rose keeping her out of trouble. Why?"
"I just wanted to make sure I can do this," he said, reaching out to touch her face and pull her in for a kiss.
"What was that for?" she asked, not really needing a reason for him to kiss her.
"Can't I just kiss you for no reason?" he said with a smile.
...
Upon their return to Downton, Matthew felt his head throb with pain. It was bad enough that he slightly swooned but Mary was there to steady him.
"Matthew, what's the matter?" she asked with obvious concern.
"My head is hurting terribly," he admitted.
"Carson, can you please have someone fetch Dr. Clarkson?"
"It's not necessary," he insisted. "I just need to rest. Now please, help me get to our room."
Mary wanted to overrule him but decided to not argue in front of Carson. She guided him easily up the stairs and into their room.
"How long has your head been hurting?" she asked when he was seated on their bed.
"It only started a moment ago," he replied.
"Shall I ring for Molesley?"
"Why?" he asked, slightly confused why he would need his valet.
"So you can change," she said plainly. "It's obvious you're not up to going down for dinner."
"I can take care of myself," he insisted, starting to take off his jacket. "Although I may need your help to get my pajamas."
Before Mary could head to the dressing room to fetch it for him, Anna knocked on the door.
"Can you please bring William here?" she requested. "Are mama and papa back yet?"
"No milady," Anna replied. "But they rang and said they'll be back by dinner."
"Can you also please ask Mrs. Patmore to prepare a small dinner for us here? I think Matthew and I will not be going down."
Anna quickly acknowledged and set off to work.
"Why do you want William here?"
"So I can nurse him while I watch over you because unlike him my darling, you don't tell me what you need."
...
Mary watched Matthew as he slept off his headache. She ran her fingers down the side of his face closest to her which caused him to stir.
"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"What time is it?" he asked, coming out of the haze much improved.
"It's almost dinner time. Are you feeling much better?"
"Yes, much better," he revealed. "What is William doing now?"
"He's back in the nursery," she replied. "You fell asleep quicker than he did."
"I found your singing quite soothing," he admitted. "I think you can tame any monster with a voice like that." He was stifling a laugh as he teased her.
"Goodness, you think me as good as that?"
"I most certainly do," he said.
"What do you think caused your head to hurt?" she asked, revisiting his earlier condition.
"I don't know but it has passed. I wouldn't worry so much about it."
"You will tell me if it happens again won't you?" Mary sounded worried not knowing what the cause was or what it could mean to his recovery.
"Perhaps it was because I'm worried," he revealed. "I actually need your help with Cousin Violet and Cora."
"Granny and mama?" she wondered. "Heavens, what are you up to my darling?"
"I'm afraid all the construction around the estate near the Dower House might be too much for her so I was wondering if you would invite Cousin Violet to come stay with us until its all completed," he began to explain. "But I don't want Cora to feel imposed upon by all this."
"So you want me to make it acceptable to them? And what about Isobel, won't she have to come stay with us as well?"
"Crikey, I'm hoping mother will welcome the changes and its accompanying noise because I don't think having all three of them together for a prolonged period will ever work even in a big house."
Mary chuckled thinking of the many times they have had to play peacemakers between their respective mothers not to mention her grandmother and Isobel.
"I know it's a lot to ask," he apologized. "Maybe you can sing them a lullaby to soothe them."
"If only that would work; I'm afraid my singing works only on you and William."
Matthew joined in her laughter then.
...
Mary was preparing to visit Violet when she saw the tell-tale sign of a headache on Matthew's face as he sat on their bed.
"Is your head hurting again?' she asked for confirmation as she turned to look directly at him. "Anna, please send someone to fetch Dr. Clarkson." She didn't wait for him to reply when she instructed Anna.
"Mary, it'll pass," he tried to assure her so she didn't have to worry. He really tried to hide it from her but it was too much to bear.
"I won't hear arguments from you," she warned him sternly. "Especially if you still want my help with granny." She counted on Matthew needing her help to stop his objections.
Both Mary and Matthew were surprised when Dr. Clarkson arrived so quickly; being ushered into their sitting room by Anna.
"I was coming to check on Master Crawley," Dr. Clarkson explained when he saw the surprise on their faces. "You've forgotten?"
"Yes, we have," Matthew admitted for both of them.
"Anna, can you please fetch William?" Mary requested. "Dr. Clarkson, since you're already here, would you mind checking on Matthew? His head has been hurting the past few days. Could it mean something?"
"None that I can tell," he replied after carefully examining Matthew. "But I am concerned that the swelling in your eyes haven't subsided. I'll have to consult with Dr. Duke-Elder about this."
"How soon can you do that?" Mary asked, trying not to sound anxious.
"As soon as I return to my office." Before he could continue, Anna had returned with William for his regular check-up.
"Thank you for taking time to come and look on William," Matthew said gratefully.
"Well, it's always a pleasure to see him," Dr. Clarkson admitted. "He is quite a healthy baby boy." He meant it, too.
"It's all because of Mary," Matthew said proudly. "Did you know that she does almost everything for him?"
"I've heard," the doctor confirmed. "Well done Lady Mary."
...
Mary escorted Dr. Clarkson out while Anna took William back to the nursery. She wanted to have a private word with him.
"Dr. Clarkson, is there anything else that can be done to help Matthew in his recovery?"
"At this time, I think we can only wait for his body to heal on its own," he said, feeling slightly helpless to be helpful to them. "But please let me know if his head hurts more often; it might turn out to be significant."
"Of course," she agreed. "I'm just concerned by its sudden occurrence and how it affects his eyesight."
"I'll let you know as soon as I've consulted with Dr. Duke-Elder. As of now, you've done a wonderful job taking care of both your husband and your son."
"Please don't let word get out," she said, graciously receiving his praise with a smile. "I wouldn't want to compete in your profession." She saw him smile at her joke then watched him leave in the waiting car.
"Lady Mary," Arthur called out to her as she began to walk back to the sitting room.
"Yes, what is it?" she replied. She was surprised that Arthur was still in the house since Tom had left long ago.
"Was that the doctor I just saw leaving?" he asked. "Is someone ill?"
"Why would you think someone is ill?" she said icily. "He was here to check on my son's health."
"Ah, nothing but the best for the heir of Grantham," he teased. He quickly regretted it when he saw Mary unmoved by this.
"Why aren't you with Tom working on the changes to the estate?" she asked, eager to dismiss him.
"I forgot these," he explained, showing her a pair of work gloves. "I can't help without them."
"Well, now that you have them, shouldn't you hurry off to help the men with their work?"
Arthur quickly tipped his hat and headed out.
...
"Mary?" Matthew inquired when he heard the door open and then footsteps coming into the room.
"Yes, my darling, it's me," she confirmed for him.
"What did Dr. Clarkson have to say?" He correctly guessed that she wanted to speak privately with the doctor when she offered to walk him out.
"He'll know more after he consults with Dr. Duke-Elder but he does want to know if your head hurts more often. So, you must promise to tell me if it happens again."
"Shall I wail like William?" he joked.
"William doesn't wail, he cries," she corrected him. "And I doubt you can wail loud enough for me to hear from granny's."
"So you're off to visit Cousin Violet," he noted.
"Would you like to come with me?" she asked. "Or am I sent to battle alone?" She continued to banter playfully with him.
"I think of you as my best diplomat sent to broker peace," he said with an admiring smile.
"I expect to be rewarded when I return victorious then," she said and kissed him on his cheek. "Now come on, I'll help you get upstairs so you can rest."
"I don't need to rest," he complained. "I can perhaps stay in the library with Rose or Edith."
"They're not here," she informed him. "Edith and Rose went to London. Hopefully Rose is behaving herself."
"I'm sure she will," he assured her. "What am I to do upstairs while you're away then?"
"You can think of how you'll reward me when I come home," she suggested as she guided him up the stairs.