Matthew was walking down the hallway when he heard Cora call him. He stopped to wait for her to reach him.
"Hello Matthew," she said when she was next to him. "Where are you going?"
"I was going to see William in the nursery," he informed her. "I'm afraid I don't get as much time with him as Mary does."
"Well at this stage babies need their mothers more," she explained. "But soon enough, William will be spending more time with you that Mary might feel left out."
"I doubt Mary would allow that," he said knowingly.
Cora laughed and knew Matthew would be correct seeing how Mary had become quite a hands-on mother than she had expected.
"Hello," Tom greeted them when he joined them.
"Where are you headed?" Matthew asked.
"I wanted to see Sybil before I went out for the day," he replied.
"It seems like we're all headed to the nursery," Cora noted with a smile. "I wonder if anyone else is planning on going and how crowded it will be."
"We may have to consider finding a bigger room if Matthew and Mary have more children," Tom teased.
"Not you, too," Matthew said with mock hurt. "I don't want to rush Mary so don't mention it to her."
"I'm sure Mary knows when she's ready to have another baby," Cora said, knowing her daughter well.
The trio reached the nursery and both men picked up their respective child as Cora looked on.
...
Mary had just turned on the gramophone to play a soft tune when Matthew approached her.
"Why aren't you playing something more modern?" he asked.
"Two reasons, because the children won't be able to take their nap and granny might hear it," she explained. "She hasn't quite learned to appreciate the newer music."
"Are you sure the children will hear it? It is a big house," he wondered.
"On a quiet afternoon, I suppose it can carry through the whole house."
"Would you like to dance?" he asked, extending his arms for her to move into. He was pleased when he felt her arms link with his.
"It's been a while since we danced," she said as they took a few steps before they bumped into a hall table. "Perhaps you should let me lead."
Matthew stopped moving and decided it was a bad idea after all.
"What's the matter?" she asked, noticing he had stopped dancing.
"I was hoping to be able to dance around the room without any help but apparently I miscalculated my abilities."
"I don't understand why does it matter if I lead?"
"I can't possibly ask them to lead me during the Servants' Ball," he explained.
"I'm sure they won't mind," she assured him. "Or maybe you can sit it out this year; no one will be offended if you do so."
"What's the point of attending a ball if I'm just going to be sitting through it?" he complained. "And I know you love balls."
"What if you only dance with me," she suggested. "Will that be good enough? I can guide you subtly and I'm sure everyone else won't mind that."
Matthew knew it wasn't the point of the ball but had to concede that it was a good enough compromise.
"Shall we give it a try?" she offered to continue their dance with her leading.
"I'm in your capable hands," he replied, willing to give it another try.
...
"Are you absolutely sure you don't want to join the shooting party?" Matthew asked as they prepared to join the family at New Year's Eve.
"Please Matthew, let it go," Mary said. "Or are you planning to start the New Year quarrelling with me?"
"Of course not," he replied. "You can't fault me for trying." He decided that there was no changing her mind and was finally ready to drop it.
Mary smiled and did appreciate his persistence; it was both his annoying and endearing quality.
"So, how do I look?" he asked. "I'm afraid I've become reliant on Molesley to be dressed properly."
"Handsome as usual," she teased. She was quite impressed that he had managed without Molesley's help except his clothes being prepared beforehand.
Matthew smiled and extended his arm for her to take as they headed downstairs.
...
As a concession to Matthew, Mary agreed to join the shooting party for lunch. They joined Cora when she went to meet up with the party.
"Thank you for letting me join the shooting party," Arthur said when they finished lunch and Matthew was waiting for Mary. "I truly enjoyed the break from work."
"I'm glad you did," Matthew said. "I heard you did quite well. Have you done this before?"
"I must confess that my father was a gamekeeper. He would take me shooting when I was a boy. I hope you won't tell people about my humble beginnings."
"Your secret is safe with me," Matthew assured him. "Although I don't think it should be kept secret."
"I want to go places and in my experience, that bit of information doesn't open doors."
"When you are done here, I will give you a good reference and that could help," Matthew offered.
"That would be great," Arthur said happily. "I will surely miss this place when everything is done."
"I'm glad you're fond of this place, it is hard not to."
"I heard from the men that Lady Mary quite likes to go hunting," Arthur said, changing the subject. "I'm surprised she didn't join us today."
"She tells me motherhood has spoiled her for that," Matthew reasoned. "She prefers to spend time with our son these days."
"I think Lady Mary deserves a break from it all," Arthur noted. "If you don't mind me saying, she deserves to see the world beyond Downton while she's young. You only live once after all."
Matthew remained silent as he pondered what Arthur had just said. He had to admit there was truth in it.
"The men are leaving," Arthur announced. "I think I should join them. Would you like me to escort you somewhere?"
"No, I'll wait for Mary here," Matthew replied and stayed where she would find him when she was ready.
...
"Did you enjoy the shoot?" Mary asked Rose when they had a moment alone.
"I absolutely enjoyed it," Rose said happily. "Arthur was quite good."
Mary wasn't really interested in Arthur but decided to listen quietly so as not to dampen Rose's enjoyment.
"Mary, would it be alright if I invite Arthur to the Servants' Ball?"
"Rose, I know you're quite fond of him but I think you should take the time to get to know the man he is before you decide to include him in family events."
"How can I get to know him when I rarely see him nowadays? He's always so busy with work."
"He is much older than you and not one of us," Mary reasoned, hoping to dissuade Rose from pursuing the man.
"Does that really matter? I want to be able to find a man who loves me as much as Cousin Matthew loves you."
Mary was quite flattered that she thought so. "Not everyone is like Matthew," she said cautiously. She turned to look at Matthew who was standing outside waiting for her and smiled.
"Can I please invite him?" Rose repeated, hoping Mary would agree.
"Alright but promise me you will be careful," she agreed finally. "Just because he seems nice doesn't mean he is."
"Thank you Mary," Rose said happily. "And I will be careful."
Mary was quite pleased to learn that Rose was actually listening after all.
...
"Are you ready to head home?" Mary asked, touching Matthew's arm gently.
"Yes, I'm ready," he replied. "Mary, I have a question and I want you to be honest with me."
"What is it?"
"Are you happy? I mean really happy?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" she began then saw him frown. "I truly am you have to believe me. I have you and William to thank for that." She hoped those words would convince him.
Matthew relaxed a bit but still worried that she wasn't being completely honest with him.
"Why do you think I'm unhappy?" she asked, trying to understand where he was getting that impression.
"I heard that the men were wondering why you didn't join the shooting party," he said.
"Matthew, if you continue to question my motives, I will be unhappy," she warned.
"I just wish that I could see your face and the happiness reflected on it," he mused.
"Until then, you will have to take my word for it," she told him, taking his hands to press against her smiling face.
...
"You look lovely milady," Anna noted as Mary prepared for the Servants' Ball.
Mary smiled graciously. She was looking forward to the ball because she knew she would be dancing with Matthew all night. She wasn't even going to let Arthur's presence bother her.
"Will Mr. Crawley be dancing tonight?" Anna asked.
"All night with me," Mary replied with a widening smile. "I hope he can keep up."
"Keep up with what?" Matthew asked when he joined them, looking every bit ready for the night's festivities.
"Dancing my darling," she informed him. "Are you up for it?"
"I've been looking forward to it," he said with a bright smile. "Will you be dancing as well Anna?"
"We'll see," Anna said starting to head out the door.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to see," Matthew noted.
Anna froze in her tracks and turned around ready to apologize. "I'm so sorry, sir," she stammered and held her breath.
"I was just joking," Matthew said with a smile.
"Matthew, you mustn't scare Anna like that," Mary cautioned, realizing the same time Anna did that he was in a playful mood.
"I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist," he said, trying to stifle his laughter.
Mary watched Anna relax and quickly exited the room.
"You're in a good mood tonight," Mary noted when they were alone.
"Yes, and I owe it all to you for making me a happy man," he revealed, knowing she knew what he meant. "I know it hasn't been easy dealing with my moods lately especially when I'm glum."
"I think you are allowed to have some bad days," she said, clearly understanding. "To be honest, there have been more happy ones so far."
"And I'd like to give you more starting perhaps with tonight's ball," he offered.
"That sounds like a wonderful plan," she agreed and led him down.
...
Matthew and Mary danced gracefully to everyone's delight. As to be expected, no one begrudged him for solely dancing with her.
"Would you like to take a rest?" she asked after they've been at it for a while.
"I wouldn't mind having a drink," he replied. "But you must promise that we'll be dancing before long."
Mary guided him to a chair before walking over to get a drink for them.
"Hello Lady Mary," Arthur greeted her. "You look beautiful tonight; actually as always. I wondered if I may have a dance with you this evening."
"I'm afraid not," she said dismissively.
"Must you dance with him all night?" he pried, insinuating she did it out of a sense of duty.
"I like dancing with Matthew," she insisted. "And I wouldn't want to dance with anyone else." She turned away from him to end their conversation which she found distasteful. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to confront him only to find Bates approaching her.
"Is something the matter milady?" he asked, sensing her alarm. He turned to look at Arthur who had downed another glass of liquor since Mary's departure.
"Nothing I can't handle," Mary assured him with a sweet smile.
Bates nodded his agreement before turning the corner to get a view of Anna who was dancing with Carson.
...
"Hello mama," Mary greeted her when they entered the library to escape the crowd.
"Did you have fun?" Cora asked the pair.
"I think I danced my shoes full of holes," Matthew joked. He heard Mary chuckle beside him.
"Well, it was a worthy sacrifice if you enjoyed the ball," Cora said happily. "You two barely sat down to rest."
"You're not worn out are you?" Mary asked, suddenly concerned that he may have overdone it to please her.
"No," he assured her, pulling her hand to his lips for a quick kiss.
"Have you seen Rose?" Cora asked, suddenly noting that she hasn't seen the young lady.
"I haven't," Mary noted, also wondering when the last time she saw her cousin. "I'll go find her. Would you like to come with me?" She touched Matthew's arm to let him know she was talking to him.
"I'll stay here for a while," he replied.
Mary headed out to find her young cousin upstairs.
...
"Rose," Mary called out when she knocked on the door. "It's me Mary." She listened for any response and heard a faint sobbing inside. She opened the door to enter the room.
"Oh hello," Rose said, wiping away tears from her face.
"What's the matter?" Mary asked, concerned for her and ready to comfort her.
"I was hoping that Arthur was the one but he told me tonight that he isn't in love with me," she revealed, holding back tears.
"He isn't worthy of you," Mary said angrily. "Certainly not someone you should shed a tear for." She was relieved when Rose stopped crying.
"I just want someone who will say he loves me and I can say it back to," Rose said. "Is that too much to ask?"
"No it isn't and you will find someone who will value you," Mary assured her, placing an arm around Rose's shoulders.
"You were right," Rose said quietly. "He seemed nice but wasn't."
Mary was glad she was proven right but chose to be silent to ease Rose's pain.
...
"Where is everyone?" Tom asked when he found Matthew all alone in the library.
"Robert and Cora went up to go to bed," Matthew replied. "And Mary went to look for Rose."
"She looked very happy," Tom informed him. "You should take her dancing more often."
"That's a good idea but I'm afraid unless we can take William with us, Mary will refuse to go."
"Well, I suppose you'll just have to figure out a way to convince her to go. Or maybe you can bring the dance to her."
"I guess we'll get more use out of that gramophone then." Matthew was already thinking up ways to bring it up with Mary.
"Do you want me to take you upstairs?"
"I think I will wait for Mary to come back for me."
"Are you sure? I can have Anna find her to let her know where you are."