"There must be something we can do," Cora said after Mary had left.
"What did you find out at Moorfields?" Robert asked Rose.
"That he was there and left a while ago," Rose reported.
"Then why hasn't he come home yet?" Edith asked. "I imagine he would want to."
"Do you think it's because they weren't able to help him?" Tomconjectured.
"That's probably it then," Robert said. "He must've gone to see another doctor."
"But I thought that doctor was the best," Violet noted. "I suppose you need a quorum nowadays."
"It's not bad to get a second opinion. What can we do?" Cora asked again. "Maybe we should track him down ourselves."
"I can ask Clarkson for other eye doctors that we can ask. We can go to London for a few days." Robert thought it was better than waiting for Matthew to return on his own for Mary's sake.
"Can I come with you?" Rose volunteered. "I'd like to help."
"Why not, we can use all the help we can get," Cora said, happy they were doing something.
"Should we tell Mary?" Edith asked.
"Let's not tell her until we have something more concrete if not Matthew," Cora replied. "You two wouldn't mind staying will you?" She addressed Tom and Edith.
"We'll keep an eye on Mary," Tom promised, understanding what Cora meant.
"As if she would ever let us," Edith said.
...
"Were you able to find Mr. Crawley in London?" Anna inquired when she brought up a food tray to Mary's room.
"Hewas there but we missed him," Mary said quietly. "I don't understand why he wants to do this alone and I'm beginning to think he doesn't want to come home."
"That's not possible, Mr. Crawley probably just have more things to do before returning."
"What else could he need to do? I'm afraid he has gotten bad news and has chosen to stay away deliberately."
"You must not think that milady," Anna warned gently. "I truly believe he just needs a bit more time."
"He hasn't even called to see how we are," Mary noted sadly. "He didn't even know William was sick."
Anna winced at that statement which Mary noticed immediately.
"What is it?" she prompted when Anna didn't say anything.
"Well, I think he may know about it," Anna started. "You see milady, Molesley called while Master William was sick to see how you were for Mr. Crawley."
"And you didn't tell me," Mary said with a disappointed sigh. "You should have so I could speak with Mr. Crawley."
"I'm sorry milady," Anna apologized.
"Wait, if he knew then why hasn't he returned home?"
"I said he may know or perhaps something is preventing him from doing that," Anna speculated. "I got the impression that Molesley was afraid of telling him any bad news."
Mary wondered but that did explain why Matthew wasn't home yet. "If you're right then maybe he is recuperating after his visit to the hospital."
"Why wouldn't he stay in the hospital? Wouldn't he be better cared for there with nurses around him?"
"Don't make me jealous," Mary warned gently. She thought about the young nurse they met and wondered if she tended to him while he was there.
"You don't need to be," Anna assured her. "I have no doubt that Mr. Crawley has no interest in any nurse no matter how pretty she is."
"No doubt," Mary agreed confidently. "Should Molesley call again, can you please get a message to Mr. Matthew from me; that I would like to speak with him?" She knew that if she could just speak with him, she could convince him to come home.
...
Mary watched as her parents and Rose headed out for their trip to London. She guessed correctly that they were going to look for Matthew and would have joined them if it weren't for the estate project that she intended to see through completion. Tom had asked her if she would like a tour to show her the progress as a diversion.
"You've done a great job Tom," Mary told him. "Thanks for all your hard work."
"I can't take all the credit," Tom replied modestly. "A lot of people were involved in making this happen."
Mary was quite pleased and grateful to all of them. She couldn't wait for planting season to see Matthew's vision for the estate come true.
"Would you mind if we ate at the inn?" Tom suggested. He knew it was time for luncheon and they were at the far end of the estate to make it home on time.
"I don't mind," Mary replied with a smile. "It would be a nice break from the usual."
When they were seated and waiting for their meal, Tom looked around the room trying to think of a topic to chat with Mary about. It was easier when they were discussing plans for the estate but now was not the time for it.
"Sybie's growing up really fast," Mary started for him. "She reminds me so much of my sister."
Tom smiled sweetly at that observation. "I hope I'm able to tell her about Sybil when she is older; how wonderful her mother was."
"We'll all help you with that," she said in support. "I have quite a few stories about her when we were growing up."
"I imagine she would be just like her mother," he noted with a nostalgic smile. "Just as William will be like Matthew." He had already uttered the words before realizing that might have caused Mary to be sad again.
"It's alright," she assured him. "I do miss him terribly but it's nothing compared to your burden." She was quite sympathetic to him.
"Sybie keeps me going and I hope that I'm able to give her a good life as Sybil would have wanted."
Mary knew quite well that sentiment. "I suppose we all want only the best for our children."
Tom smiled in agreement and enjoyed Mary's company as they ate luncheon. He had a new appreciation for his sister-in-law and didn't find her offer to pay for their meal offensive. "I wouldn't want Matthew to think I'm not a gentleman by letting you pay." He insisted on paying and was glad she let him.
...
"What's the matter?" Mary asked when Tom got into the car. She could tell he was upset about something.
"The innkeeper just told me that he may have seen Blackwell in the area," Tom informed her. "He said they turned him away but I have a bad feeling he's still about."
"He wouldn't dare," she stated before they both arrived at the same conclusion.
"Hurry back to Downton," he barked at the driver.
Once they arrived, Mary rushed to the nursery to look for William. When she didn't find him, she ran back downstairs where Tom was organizing some men with Carson.
"William isn't in the nursery," she informed them. "Neither is Sybie."
"Nanny must have taken them out for a walk," he assumed. "I've asked Carson and the men to check in case Blackwell trespassed into the house."
"We will flush him out if he is in here," Carson said confidently, signaling to some to start looking indoors.
"Let's find nanny," Mary suggested. She was out the door before Tom could reply so he and a few men followed her.
Mary saw the nanny pushing a pram back home from a distance and walked towards her quickly. She felt her heart beat faster as she met her halfway.
"Milady, is something the matter?" the nanny asked, seeing Mary's purposeful approach.
"Where is William?" she asked, when she noticed that it was Sybie in the pram.
"I left him in the nursery, milady. He was sleeping so I didn't want to wake him up."
Mary touched her head in frustration as Tom and the men reached them. She turned to Tom with a worried look that spoke more than words.
"We will find him," Tom said and directed the men back to the house to search for his nephew.
...
"What's going on?" Edith asked as she carried her nephew to join the gathered people in the hallway.
"William!" Mary exclaimed with relief. "Have you had him all this time?" She quickly checked on her son before taking him into her arms.
"Yes, I passed by the nursery and heard him crying so I took him to my room. Why, what's the matter?"
"Someone has spotted Blackwell in the village," Mary explained. "We thought the worse when we didn't find William in the nursery."
"Milady, we've searched the house top to bottom and no signs of an intruder," Carson declared. He showed relief when he saw William safely in Mary's arms. "The men are on alert and we won't let any unwelcomed person into the house."
"Thank you Carson," Mary said gratefully. She was still shaken by the presumed threat Blackwell's sighting had brought but relieved her son was safe.
"What in heavens is going on?" Violet asked when she joined the assembled group. She had heard the commotion and seen people go in and out of the house but couldn't make sense of it.
"We think Blackwell is lurking about to cause trouble," Mary told her.
"How could one man be so much trouble?" Violet questioned. "It feels like we're under attack. Should we build a moat?"
"Granny, I don't think it'll come to that," Mary replied. "We just have to be more vigilant." She refused to be terrorized in her own home by one man. After the initial fear, she was resolved to keep her home safe.
Tom and Carson both saw and knew what Mary's words and look meant. They exchange looks and silently agreed to protect their home.
"Should we get the police involved?" Edith asked, concerned for her sister's safety.
"We don't have proof yet that he is actually here," Mary pointed out. "But when we do, I most certainly want him arrested for trespassing if he comes within a hair of Downton."
...
Matthew sat quietly by the window of his room and listened to the sounds of nature outside. He was waiting for Dr. Gonin and Dr. Duke-Elder to arrive and remove the bandages covering his eyes to finally know the result of his operation. He had been willing himself to heal quickly so he can return to his beloved Mary soon. He had missed her and eager to see her again since Molesley had been unsuccessful in getting news from home.
"Are you ready Mr. Crawley?" Dr. Gonin asked him.
"As ready as I can be," he replied, waiting on pins and needles since he woke up. He felt the bandages on his eyes being carefully removed and he slowly blinked when he felt them fall away. His vision slowly became clearer as he blinked and focused.
"Can he see doctor?" Molesley asked nervously behind them.
"I can see," Matthew confirmed, smiling at the three men in front of him. "I most definitely can see."
After a few more tests by Dr. Gonin, the two doctors confirmed that the surgery was a success. Matthew was glad and Molesley was too relieved for words.
"Well Mr. Crawley, I'm very glad this turned out well," Dr. Duke-Elder said.
"Is it night-time?" Matthew asked, wondering why the room was dimly lit.
"Actually we have to control the amount of light your eyes receive while your eyes heal. It will take a few more weeks before you are fully recovered," Dr. Gonin explained.
"In the meantime, you'll need to wear these dark glasses during the day," Dr. Duke-Elder added. "And I would need to check on your eyes regularly until you can take them off."
Matthew nodded his agreement but was more eager for an answer to a solitary question. "When can we start heading home?"
"I'll make the travel arrangements today," Dr. Duke-Elder replied, looking to Dr. Gonin for agreement and getting it.
"That would be wonderful and thank you very much," Matthew said with a wide grin. He shook each doctor's hand in turn in gratitude.
...
Mary was in the library picking out a book when Tom and Edith arrived. She noticed that they were uneasy and decided to find out why.
"What's the matter?" Mary asked when they didn't say a word.
"I was wondering if you won't mind staying indoors for a while," Tom suggested.
"And why would I do that?" She pretty much guessed why and was ready to argue against it.
"I told you she wouldn't agree to it," Edith said, already calling defeat.
"Wouldn't agree to what?" Violet asked as she joined them in the library.
"They want me to hide indoors," Mary informed her.
"We are just looking out for you," Tom explained. "Until we know where Blackwell is and what he's planning, it would be safer if you stayed inside."
"I won't let him or anyone dictate how I live my life," Mary declared. "We can't allow him to havecontrol over us."
"Even so, we need to take precautions and keep you safe," Tom insisted. "I promised your parents and Matthew that I'd look out for you."
"I don't think they meant you should keep me from living my life," Mary argued.
"No one is preventing you from doing that," Violet interjected. "But you don't get to my age by tempting fate and being careless."
"I'm not being careless," Mary defended herself. "I simply want to go about my day as usual."
"Then by all means go about it but take precaution by taking someone with you," Violet suggested.
"Very well, I'll ask Edith, Tom or Anna to come with me when I'm outdoors," she relented.
"There, that wasn't so difficult," Violet announced to the young trio.
...
Matthew touched the photo Molesley has brought along for him. He wondered how soon he would be reunited with Mary as he waited for word on their travel plans. He was quite glad he regained his vision and looked forward to seeing his son again.
"Mr. Crawley, good news," Dr. Duke-Elder declared. "I've made our travel arrangements and you can be home by Valentine's."
"That is good news indeed," he repeated. "Thank you again for all your help."
"It was my pleasure. I'm just glad to have witnessed another successful operation. I can't wait to apply it at Moorfields when I get back."
Matthew knew that the doctor was being modest and left it alone. He saw Molesley from the doorway and told him to get ready for the trip home.
Molesley smiled nervously as he started packing for their trip home. He not only dreaded facing Lady Mary again once they arrive but also worried about how Matthew would react to learning he had kept news from him.
"Molesley, would you like to come with me for a little shopping?" Matthew asked. "I want to get something special for Mary for Valentine's; maybe you can find something, too."
"For Lady Mary?" Molesley asked in confusion. He didn't think that was appropriate.
"That might help you get back into her good graces but I was thinking more along the lines of your own lady."
"I don't have a lady, sir."
"You should find one you know," Matthew encouraged him. "Come along anyway."
...
"Edith, can you come with me to see Dr. Clarkson?" Mary asked late in the afternoon.
"Are you feeling ill?" Edith asked with concern. "Shall I ask for someone to fetch him?"
"No, that's not necessary. But I do want to go see him to ask him a few questions and he may need to refer to his books to give me an educated answer."
"Why can't you just call him on the telephone?"
Mary tried to suppress her annoyance before continuing. "Because I want to see his expression when I ask him the questions."
"You think he'd lie to you?"
"No, but I want to see how serious he thinks it is. If you don't want to, I can ask Anna to come with me."
"I'll come with you," Edith agreed reluctantly. It's not that she didn't want to go but she felt Mary was making the trip unnecessarily and putting herself in danger if indeed Blackwell had ill intentions.
"Thank you Edith, we won't be gone long." Mary clearly understood Edith's hesitation and intended to be careful.