Mary rested her head on Matthew's shoulder as she tried to catch her breath under a huge shade tree by the lake. She was seated on his lap to buoy her up from the ground. She watched the horses grazing a short distance away from them.
"I can't wait to bring William here," Matthew mused. "I can almost see him running in this field exploring and learning everything he can."
Mary ran her hand down Matthew's chest as she tried to visualize what he just described. "Will you be teaching him how to swim in the lake?"
"I will if you show him how to climb this tree," he continued looking up to the tall tree. "As well as show him how to ride a horse."
"We can do all that together," she replied. "The three of us will have many memories here."
"Only the three of us?" he asked, hinting at a bigger family than that.
Mary smiled and kissed him. "One step at a time my darling. We shouldn't rush into things."
Matthew laughed heartily after hearing that. "I guess it's up to me to speed things up a little."
"I'd like to see you try," she teased. She couldn't help but challenge him because she was curious to see what he had in mind.
Matthew obliged by nibbling at her ear. He would have gone further if she hadn't pulled away.
"I think you've just managed to make me both hungry and untidy," she informed him with a wicked smile. "And I think I have the solution to my hunger." She braced herself against Matthew's shoulders to get up. She heard him groan softly as she went to retrieve their packed lunches.
"Which would you prefer?" he asked after her.
"What do you mean?" she asked with a raised brow as she opened up the packs. "Did Mrs. Patmore make us different lunches?" She compared the wrapped sandwiches, wondering if Mrs. Patmore's fondness for Matthew meant he got a larger portion.
"I meant would you want a boy or a girl for our next child," he clarified.
"I don't think we can choose," she jokingly reminded him. She returned to her place on his lap and handed him a sandwich.
Matthew chuckled and enjoyed watching her blush slightly. "If you could, what would you choose?"
Mary looked at him briefly, noting that he wasn't about to drop the subject. "Just because we have our prince, it doesn't mean papa isn't expecting another grandson from us." She regretted telling him that when she saw him slightly frown.
"That's not an answer to my question," he insisted. "Although I think the pressure is less now that we've done our duty." He repeated her words from the day William was born.
"I would like to have a daughter," she admitted. "It would be lovely to experience that; I'd like to show her pretty things, take her to balls and teach her how to be better than boys." She was pleased to see him cheered by that revelation.
"A storm braver like you," he whispered longingly.
"I'd like her to go further than I could," she said. "Now that Oxford and Cambridge accepts women into their universities, I would like her to aim for a degree like you."
"Maybe by the time she's grown, she can even vote and inherit," he added with a wide grin.
"I look forward to that," she seconded.
...
"What's the matter?" Edmund asked when he saw Cora and Edith in a troubled state.
"We're looking for Mary," Cora replied. "William is not feeling well and we need her."
"He won't stop crying," Edith added. "Only Mary can calm him down when he's in such a state."
"I might know where she and Matthew went; I can go fetch them," Edmund offered.
"Please hurry," Cora accepted his offer to help. "We'll also get Clarkson to come in case something else is making him so agitated."
Edmund didn't need further urging and set off to find the couple.
...
Mary watched as Matthew skipped pebbles across the lake. She walked towards him and without even asking, he offered her a few to throw alongside him. They were equally matched at it that made them get more competitive with each other.
"I suppose our children will have to learn this from you," he teased after her last pebble went further than his.
"It was just a lucky throw," she told him. "I think you'll be a better teacher than I will ever be after seeing you show Tom how to play cricket."
Before he could reply, he noticed a man on horseback headed towards them at full gallop. The last time he saw that, he was told Mary was about to give birth.
"It's Edmund," she said when she turned to look at what he was looking at. "I wonder what he wants."
"Mary," Edmund called out when he got near them. "I'm so glad you I found you. They need you back at the house."
"What's going on?" Mary asked catching Matthew headed for the horses from the corner of her eye.
"William isn't feeling well and he needs you," Edmund explained urgently. He saw Matthew bring the horses over.
Mary quickly mounted and with a nod from Matthew headed home as swiftly as her horse could take her.
...
Matthew entered the hall and met up with Clarkson who was being led by Carson.
"Dr. Clarkson, thank you for coming," Matthew said and nodded towards Carson to indicate that he would take the doctor up to see William. "I hope it wasn't too inconvenient for you."
"Not at all," Clarkson assured him. "Actually I've been waiting for an excuse to come see you. Your mother had told me about your recovery and wanted to see for myself."
"I'm sorry I hadn't come to see you," Matthew apologized. "Mary has insisted I stay close to home."
"I understand," Clarkson said. "I don't blame her since you were gone for quite a while. You had us all worried."
Matthew looked contrite before leading the way upstairs. They arrived to find William cooing in Mary's arms. She was flanked by Cora and Edith who both looked amazed at how easily Mary can calm the boy.
"Dr. Clarkson, thank you for coming," Mary echoed what Matthew had just said earlier. "I think William has a stomach ache. Do you think we've started him on solid food too early?"
"I don't think so," Clarkson replied, reaching for William to examine him. "What did he have today?"
Mary looked at Cora and Edith for an answer.
"I think he had peas," Edith replied. "At least that's what nanny told me."
"Well then, I suppose he isn't ready for that just yet," Clarkson declared. "Let's try the others and see how it goes."
Mary was relieved that it wasn't something worse and Matthew noticed a change in her countenance. Cora and Edith volunteered to escort Clarkson out while they remained with a happier little boy.
"Edith, can you please ask Mrs. Patmore to come up?" Mary requested of her sister. She was glad Edith didn't complain about a trivial errand.
"What a relief," Matthew said when they were alone. "I had no idea he was starting to eat solid food."
"It's just recent when he was reaching for Sybie's lunch," she explained. Before long, she saw Mrs. Patmore at the doorway. "Hello Mrs. Patmore."
"You sent for me milady," Mrs. Patmore said, showing a bit of nervousness.
"Yes, it's about William's food," Mary began.
"Milady, I'm so sorry if it wasn't up to par," Mrs. Patmore said apologetically.
"No, It's not that," Mary quickly assured her. "It's just that we may have to skip peas for now because William isn't ready for it yet." She saw relief wash over their beloved cook.
"I'll make him something else," Patmore suggested. "Will that be all?" She wanted to get back to dinner preparation that was in progress.
"Yes," Mary said. "And Mrs. Patmore, thank you very much for the packed luncheon. Matthew and I truly enjoyed it." She saw Mrs. Patmore smile proudly before taking her leave.
Isobel who had just arrived bumped into Mrs. Patmore before entering the nursery.
"Isobel," Mary greeted her when she saw her mother-in-law.
"I saw Dr. Clarkson downstairs and he said William wasn't feeling well," Isobel said with obvious grandmotherly concern.
"He had a bit of discomfort after eating peas," Mary revealed.
"He must take that from you because I love peas," Matthew joked.
"No you didn't, at least not at his age," Isobel countered. She touched her grandson's head and made a funny face for him.
"What do you mean?" Matthew asked about this revelation.
"You eventually grew out of it but you couldn't handle peas either when you first tried it," Isobel said and took William into her arms when Mary offered.
Mary smiled after learning the similarity between father and son. She reached for Matthew's hand and squeezed it to comfort him. "If you don't mind Isobel, can you watch over William while Matthew and I get changed?" She decided they should get ready for dinner soon.
"Of course I don't mind," Isobel replied happily. "I can't get enough of him as it is."
Matthew smiled and thanked Mary silently for allowing his mother the special time with their son.
...
Mary observed Matthew from her mirror as Anna helped her finish changing for dinner. She knew he was still miffed by Isobel's comment earlier. "Are you still upset about the peas?"
"A little bit," he admitted and looked at Anna who apparently hadn't heard yet. "I wonder what else I've passed on to him."
Anna knew it was a private conversation and didn't stay around after she finished helping Mary. She nodded to Matthew who was seated on the couch on her way out.
"It's not so bad," she said in a comforting tone. "You did grow out of it so he may as well."
"I'm sorry if I implied it was you who made him so," he apologized. He was quite glad she wasn't angry with him for his earlier joke.
"Have you talked with Murray yet?" she asked, changing the subject.
"He's coming to see me day after tomorrow to finalize everything," he said. "I suppose I should tell Robert what I plan with Locksley."
"Good luck with that," she said, turning to head out.
"Aren't you coming with me?" he asked. "I was counting on your support."
"You always have my support and papa knows that," she assured him. "But I think this is something that he won't object to so you can face him all on your own."
Matthew knew she was right but liked having her by his side in times like that. "Where are you off to?"
"I'm going to check on William in case he's still upset with us for the peas," she teased. She touched Matthew's cheek when she saw him pout slightly. "Don't worry, your secret is safe and he won't even remember it."
...
Matthew entered the drawing room and only found Edmund there. He wondered where everyone else was since it was getting close to dinner.
"How is your son?" Edmund inquired.
"He is feeling much better," Matthew replied. "Thank you for coming to find us." He truly appreciated what Edmund had done.
"I'm glad I could be of help. I just hope it's enough for me to stay in Mary's good graces."
"Are you still intent on courting Edith?"
"No, it's not in the cards," Edmund said. "I think it is time to search elsewhere."
"That's why you wanted to go to London," Matthew guessed correctly. "Do you really have to go that far?"
"It would be difficult to come and go as I please as a guest here," Edmund explained.
"I might have a solution to that," Matthew offered as he suddenly had an idea. "You aren't in a rush are you because it might take some time?"
"I'm in no rush unless I've overstayed my welcome," Edmund said hopefully.
"That's up to you," Matthew said before seeing Tom join them. "Tom, can I speak with you?" He motioned for them to go to a corner to speak privately.
...
"Mary won't agree to that," Tom warned in a whisper after they had talked at length. "She'll think that you've given in."
Matthew considered Tom's comment carefully. "I've not given in and I will make sure it will be an iron-clad agreement that he can no longer bother us. It's the only way to draw Blackwell out."
Tom had to agree and decided to help him. "What do you need from me then?"
Matthew noticed that the family had begun to trickle into the room and was glad he chose the farthest corner from the door. "We can discuss it tomorrow."
"What are you two up to?" Violet asked when she noticed the two men still huddled in the corner.
"Nothing," Matthew answered innocently. "We were just planning the next steps for the estate."
"Oh and here I thought you were done with all that," Violet said.
"The only thing constant in life is change," Martha defended him. "It's the only sure way not to be left behind."
"Who's getting left behind?" Robert asked when he and Cora joined the family.
"Apparently anyone who doesn't change," Violet replied.
Robert gave Matthew an inquiring look, sensing that there was some new scheme he was about to learn from his very progressive son-in-law. Before he could ask, the dinner gong sounded and everyone prepared to head to the dining room.
"Saved by the gong," Tom joked when they filed out of the room. He chuckled when he saw Matthew's relieved look.
"Hopefully dinner is enjoyable that he'll put up no resistance to the idea when I present it to him."
"Well, I'll invite Edmund to a game of billiards to give you time alone then," Tom offered.
Matthew stayed behind to wait for Mary and Isobel to come down. It didn't take too long when he heard them laughing as they came down the stairs.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"Don't worry, it's nothing too embarrassing about you," Isobel assured him before walking past him.
"What does that mean?" he asked Mary looking quite perplexed.
"Isobel was telling me some stories about you as a baby," she told him.
"What kind of stories?" he asked with obvious curiosity.
"Don't worry, they were all cute," she assured him. She gently squeezed his arm and was about to walk away when he detained her.
"Are you going to tell me?" he asked, catching her by her waist and drawing her close to him.
"Maybe," she teased. "Let's not keep everyone waiting."
...
"So what did papa say?" Mary asked when they were getting into bed.
"Surprisingly he was all for it," Matthew replied. "And I think I have our very first tenant for it."
"Really?" she said in surprise. "That was pretty quick."
"It wasn't hard because he is currently staying with us but would prefer to be on his own."
"Edmund?" she asked for confirmation. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"I think it is," he said. "I imagine he would want to stay close to friends and familiar surroundings while he searches for his future wife. I would if I were him."
"You're not him," she reminded him firmly. "And I don't see how we can be of help in his quest."
"Perhaps not but it's always good to have family and friends if things don't turn out," he said.
Mary thought back to their first breakup and realized that he must have gone back to the real world and relied on his friends to heal while she relied on her family. She had to agree with him there and was grateful.
"Darling, will it be alright to let him stay at Locksley House?" he asked when he didn't hear anything from her for a while.
Mary raised her head to look at Matthew. "You're such a romantic darling; very well let him stay."
Matthew chuckled which made Mary wonder what was so funny. "You're a romantic, too; you just don't know it because you prefer to be a pragmatist."
"Perhaps you are more a pragmatist than you care to admit since you still think that Edith and Gregson won't work out," she countered.
Matthew studied Mary for a moment before responding. "In that case, show me how to be romantic again." He was quite pleased when she obliged.
...
Days quickly passed by in relative normalcy that before long, Gregson and Duke-Elder were expected at the house. The car was sent to fetch them while the family assembled in the library to meet them.
"Hello doctor," Matthew greeted Duke-Elder when he arrived. "It's good to see you again." He shook the doctor's hand before leading him over to Martha to make introductions.
Right behind him was Gregson who flashed his smile to everyone but to Edith most of all. Edith replied in kind before averting her gaze when Mary called him over as well.
"Granny, this is Edith's editor Mr. Gregson," Mary made the introduction.
"Hello Mrs. Levinson," Gregson greeted. "It is a great pleasure to meet you."
"Have you met Matthew's doctor?" Martha asked. "He was quite instrumental in helping Matthew recover."
"Yes, we were discussing that on the ride here," Gregson revealed. "It's quite amazing and I would like to write about it on my paper."
"If you want the full story, I am planning a presentation when Mr. Crawley is completely recovered," Duke-Elder said. "I'd like to invite you to that."
"I'd be happy to," Gregson accepted.
"Well, I think we should get to it then," Duke-Elder said, indicating he was ready to check Matthew's eyes.
"I promised Dr. Clarkson that he could observe if you don't mind waiting," Matthew said. "He will be here soon."
"And here he is," Robert said. "And look who's come with him."
"I couldn't miss this," Isobel said. "I haven't had the pleasure of meeting the doctor who had helped my son."
"Mother, this is Dr. Duke-Elder," Matthew introduced them. "I hope he brings me good news today."
"We shall see," the doctor said while a small group formed around Matthew anxiously waiting for his diagnosis.
...
"There you are," Mary said when she found Matthew in their sitting room. "Are you hiding?"
"If I was, I'm not doing a pretty good job," he said with a forced smile. "Why, are they looking for me?"
"No, they wanted to give you some space," she said, taking a seat next to him.
"I'm sorry if I disappointed everyone," he noted.
"You didn't disappoint anyone. You've already come so far that we can't possibly rush your recovery. A few more weeks with those glasses on won't hurt anyone."
"I suppose it's not so bad," he said, glad for her effort to cheer him up. "I just expected to be rid of these glasses since you dislike them so much."
"I'm coming around to liking them," she told him. "Besides, it means only I get to see your eyes until they come off."
Author's note: Read on Wikipedia about Oxford/Cambridge opening its degree programs to women (perhaps limited ones) and something about wives being able to inherit - don't know the details but it was a start eh?
wiki/First-wave_feminism