Mary found solace by spending the afternoon with William while Matthew was away. She didn't like not knowing when he would be back but knew in her heart that he was alright.

"Your papa will be home soon," she cooed to her son. She watched the boy smile at her completely oblivious to the danger that she had just been through.

"Milady, it's time for his walk," the nanny told her.

"I'll take him," Mary said not willing to be parted from him for even a moment. "You can take Sybie out." She watched the nanny acknowledge and leave her alone with her son.

"Mary, will you be joining us for tea?" Cora asked when she found her in the nursery.

"I'm afraid I'm not good company at the moment," she gently declined. "And I decided to take William out for a walk around the garden."

Cora decided not to question Mary and let her go.

...

"Matthew, Tom," Rose called out when the car drove by them. She had managed to convince Edith that they should go through the village after delivering Edmund back to Locksley. She appealed to her cousin's curiosity around the reported accident and the possibility of giving the men a ride home.

"Rose, what are you doing here?" Matthew asked, looking in to see who was with her. He was relieved to see it was Edith instead of Mary who he knew was waiting on pins and needles.

"We thought we'd give you a ride home," Edith offered. She was glad when they accepted and joined them in the car.

"Is that the lorry?" Rose asked when they passed it on the way home. She wondered why it hadn't been moved away yet.

"It's wedged in there tightly," Tom said knowing what his curious cousin-in-law was thinking. "They can't move it until tomorrow when the tractor comes."

"That's horrifying," Edith said suddenly realizing what Mary had just been through. "I'm so glad you both got away unscathed."

"How is Mary?" Matthew asked with concern. In his haste to send her home to be safe, he hadn't made sure for himself other than see that she was unharmed when they fell.

"Mary is being Mary," Edith said. "One can't say for sure if she is alright or not."

Matthew was slightly disappointed in Edith because although she grew up with Mary, she hadn't learned to read Mary as he could. He knew Mary always kept up a strong exterior but he had always known she had a gentle side; the one that needed comforting at that moment.

...

"Look William, it's your great-grandmama," Mary said to him as they approached her favorite spot outside.

"How are you my dear?" Martha asked when she sat beside her.

"I'm fine granny," Mary replied with a forced smile.

"Are you?" Martha asked again, eyeing her carefully. "I just heard about your near escape from a runaway lorry."

Mary let out an audible sigh. "I've never been so terrified in my life. One moment everything was fine and the next I was falling on top of Matthew. If he hadn't acted as quickly as he did, William would have become an orphan." Saying the word out loud brought her close to tears again.

"But he did and everything is alright," Martha reminded her, trying to comfort her.

"It won't be alright until Matthew is back home and that man is sent to prison for the rest of his pathetic life." Mary's anger resurfaced and it was fueling her courage.

"I'm sure Matthew will be home soon; he is just making sure that you will be safe from that man. Cora said he was talking with the police so I imagine he is making sure that man is charged with a crime that will keep him in prison."

Mary hadn't considered that in her need to have Matthew beside her. She was glad her grandmother was the voice of reason.

"You truly love him," Martha observed keenly. "Not just because he will inherit the title after Robert."

"Yes I do," Mary admitted with a loving smile. "Even when he exasperates me with his ideals, I still love him."

"I remember when your grandfather used to do that, too," Martha revealed. "I'd be so angry with him but then I'd remember how much I loved him."

"Do you miss grandpapa?"

"Of course I miss him," Martha confirmed. "But I have enough wonderful memories of him to keep me going."

...

Matthew was headed to find Mary as soon as they arrived home when he saw Cora in the hallway. "Cora, how is Mary?"

"She is well considering what she's just been through," she replied. "And you how are you?" She gave Matthew a quick look to assess his well-being.

"I'm fine," he replied quickly. "I suppose I should find Mary and assure her that I am." He deduced from Cora's inspection of him that Mary wasn't convinced when he sent her home.

"I think you should," she agreed. "I think she's upstairs getting ready for dinner." She was glad to see him well and home.

...

Mary was finished preparing for dinner with Anna's help when Matthew arrived. He was surprised when Mary ran into his arms while Anna was still there. He watched Anna quickly retreat out of the room to give them privacy.

"I'm alright darling," he began to assure her. "I hope you're not too upset with me for sending you home with Edmund."

"I'm just glad you're finally home," she admitted. "What took you so long?"

"We waited for the inspector to arrive and determine if it was intentional or an accident," he explained.

"If it was Blackwell, it's certainly intentional," she argued. She couldn't believe he would even consider an alternative.

"Mary, he was too drunk for it to be intentional; he's not even sober yet when we left him."

"He almost killed us and William would have been left an orphan," she said angrily. "Did you even think of that?"

"Of course I did," he replied. "But I want to make sure he is charged the proper crime."

Mary found his need to be fair infuriating especially at that instant. "What will it take for him to be sent to prison for good; actually hurting one of us?"

"Mary, darling," he tried to reason with her to no avail and he knew it.

"In case you've forgotten, you're supposed to do as I say without question," she reminded him. She knew she didn't have the energy to discuss it further and chose to avoid it that way.

...

Matthew hoped that Mary's anger would subside after dinner but judging from her avoidance of his company in the drawing room meant it hadn't. He wondered how he would face her in the bedroom as he changed.

"Oh sir," Molesley said with alarm. "Shouldn't you ask Dr. Clarkson to look at that?"

Matthew turned to look at his back in the mirror and saw a big bruise resulting from his fall. "It looks worse than it is Molesley; nothing to worry about." He didn't think it was worth bothering the good doctor since he felt just fine.

"But sir," Molesley started to protest.

"If it hurts tonight, I'll go see the doctor first thing tomorrow," Matthew assured him. "Now let it be." He watched as Molesley reluctantly left for the night. He took a deep breath before entering the room next door. He was surprised to see that Mary was already settled on her side of their bed. He climbed into his side and tried not to disturb her in case she really was already asleep.

Mary felt Matthew join her in bed but kept her eyes closed to avoid discussing the unpleasant matter that caused their quarrel earlier. Her anger had subsided thanks to Anna's level-headedness but she wasn't ready to let it go yet. She pondered more on what Anna had said about his attempt at making an airtight case to ensure no possible challenge when Blackwell was brought to court. She saw the logic in that but she still had some reservation to work through.

Matthew stared up at the ceiling trying to decide what to do next. He wanted to reach out to her badly knowing that the day's events must have been terrifying for her. He decided to give her a quick kiss before he went to sleep, careful not to disturb her. He settled back on his side and barely closed his eyes when he felt her turn to snuggle beside him. He instinctively wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head.

"I will make it safe again, I promise," he whispered to her.

"I know you will," she whispered back. She ran her fingers over his lips before planting a well-deserved kiss; one that she had been meaning to give him since he saved her from Blackwell. "Now go to sleep."

...

"Well, I must say that this is quite an improvement," Dr. Duke-Elder declared as he took one last look at Matthew's eyes. "I'm very pleased." He turned to let Clarkson confirm his findings.

"Absolutely wonderful recovery Mr. Crawley," Clarkson affirmed.

"Does that mean he can stop wearing those glasses?" Mary asked.

"Yes, Lady Mary," Duke-Elder replied. "His eyes are fully recovered."

Matthew thanked the doctor once again before Mary led both doctors out of their sitting room. He took one last look at the glasses and hid them away in one of the drawers hoping never to need them again.

...

Mary was leading the doctors out when Cora came out of the library eager for news. Mary gracefully said goodbye to both doctors and handed them off to Carson to escort out so she could update the family on Matthew's clean bill of health.

"Dr. Clarkson," Molesley called out to him before he left. "I was wondering if I might have a word." He was trying to catch his breath as he spoke.

"Of course," Clarkson acknowledged and nodded for the car to leave without him. "Is something the matter?"

"Oh, it's not with me sir," Molesley explained. "It's just that Mr. Crawley has this big bruise on his back from his fall yesterday." Before he could elaborate more, Mary came out of the library and saw them speaking together.

"Lady Mary," Clarkson addressed her. "I wondered if I might have a moment."

Mary gave him her attention after she saw Molesley retreat to his usual post.

"What can I do for you?" Mary prompted Clarkson.

"It's come to my attention that Mr. Crawley suffered a fall yesterday," Clarkson began. "I thought perhaps it would be prudent to check on him in case he injured himself."

Mary agreed and led the doctor back to Matthew who was waiting for her.

Matthew was surprised when he saw Dr. Clarkson with Mary when she returned. He looked at her expectantly for an explanation.

"I wondered if I can check on you since I heard about your fall," Clarkson offered.

Mary expected Matthew to decline the offer but was surprised when he looked at her with apprehension. She watched closely as he agreed to let Clarkson examine him and suddenly noted how he winced when he moved to take off his jacket.

"Mary, can you please help me?" Matthew requested. He took off his shirt with her assistance then quickly prevented her from going behind him by holding her hand to keep her in front of him.

Mary pulled her hand free and walked around him. She placed a hand over her mouth to stifle her gasp as Clarkson proceeded to check the severity of his bruise.

"Can you move your arm?" Clarkson asked to determine if it was merely superficial. He was glad when Matthew had full mobility even though he groaned when the bruised parts moved.

"It looks worse than it is," he repeated for Mary's benefit.

"I think you should let the doctor decide that," she gently warned him.

"Although Mr. Crawley isn't a doctor, I must agree with him," Clarkson seconded. "You will be sore for a while but I think you'll be fine."

Mary escorted Clarkson out a second time after he was satisfied with Matthew's condition.

...

Matthew was struggling to put on his shirt when Mary returned. She helped him and moved in front of him to button his shirt.

"You know why I didn't tell you," he began to explain his obvious omission.

"Yes, I do," she confirmed. "Is this your way of apologizing?" She tried to focus on the last button while he nuzzled her neck.

"Is it working?" he asked, instinctively finding her lips for a kiss.

"It's not going to be that easy," she said, pulling away from him. "First you have to suffer by being presented to the family." She suppressed a smile when she saw his disappointed expression.

"What do you mean?"

"They're waiting for you in the library and eager to see you without your glasses," she explained.

Matthew groaned softly because this was one of those times he really wished they were living on their own.

"If you get through this without complaints, I'll consider forgetting your omission," she offered knowing what he was thinking. She picked up his jacket and helped him get into it.

"Shall we?" he asked offering his arm to her.

...

Robert was first to greet Matthew when he and Mary arrived in the library. He was so glad to see his son-in-law free of his glasses and gave him a quick pat on the back which happened to be his tender side.

Matthew suppressed his reaction to the innocent pat and tried hard to muster a smile.

"Come have a seat next to me darling," Mary suggested and positioned herself on the sofa so as to shield him from further pats on the back.

"Does it feel any different seeing things without your glasses?" Martha asked.

"It certainly is good to see clearly again," he replied.

"It is definitely good to see your eyes again," Cora said with a smile.

"It's a good thing your latest brush with a lorry didn't affect your recovery," Martha noted.

"Is there anything we can do to make the roads less dangerous?" Violet asked. "There should be better laws around driving to make it safer."

"And what do you propose mama?" Robert asked.

"Isn't that what lawmakers do?" Violet asked incredulously. "Do I have to think of everything?"

...

"Mother," Matthew greeted her with surprise when he saw her being led into the library by Carson.

"Hello," Isobel greeted back and accepted his kiss. "How are you feeling?"

"Did Clarkson tell you?"

"Tell me what?" she asked, clearly unaware of Clarkson's visit.

"What brings you here?" he asked trying to change the subject.

"Isobel," Mary greeted her when she came up behind him. "I'm glad you could come."

"Well, at least one of you is glad to see me," Isobel joked. "I'm sorry I'm late but I see that the doctor has given you a clean bill of health." She looked Matthew over for an instant.

"You didn't miss much," he said. "He just looked and said I can stop wearing the glasses."

"Well, it's still nice to see you back to your usual self," Isobel said. "Since I'm already here, I might as well say hello to the rest of the family; hopefully they're glad to see me."

"What did you say to her?" Mary whispered to him as they watched her walk towards the interior of the library.

"I thought she heard about my back," he whispered back.

"You should give Clarkson more credit than that," she told him. "He is very discreet."

"Are you two coming to join me?" Isobel prompted the couple when she noticed they were staying back.

Mary gave Matthew's hand a quick squeeze before they followed her.

...

Mary was heading downstairs for dinner when she saw Molesley exit the dressing room carrying Matthew's laundry. She called out to him causing him to drop one of Matthew's shoes.

"Yes milady," he acknowledged as he picked up the runaway shoe.

"I would like to thank you for what you did today," she said.

"What did I do?" he asked.

"For looking out for Mr. Crawley," she clarified and smiled sweetly. She turned to look behind her when she heard footsteps approaching them.

"You're very welcome milady," Molesley said before hurrying off downstairs.

"You made his day milady," Anna said with a smile as she noted an added bounce to his pace.

"I wish I could do more," Mary said. "Can you find out if there's anything I can do for him to show my appreciation for his concern for Mr. Crawley?"

"Leave it to me although I think his loyalty is out of his fondness for you both."

Mary almost believed Anna except she can't imagine Molesley being fond of her. "I think he's more frightened than fond of me."

"You'll be surprised," Anna countered.

...

Mary looked for Robert when Cora went up to retire for the night. She found him on the phone and wondered who he was talking to that late at night. Her curiosity got the better of her and she asked him who it was.

"It was Inspector Stanford and he was giving me an update on the charges against Blackwell," Robert revealed. "But he also said that Blackwell was asking to speak with Matthew."

"What for?" Mary asked seeing no reason for granting his request. "He can't possibly expect us to accommodate him after he tried to kill us."

"I have no idea but Matthew might want to speak with him; to know why he did what he did."

"I think he hopes to convince Matthew that it was an accident and I don't think he should be given that opportunity."

"I don't think Matthew is that gullible," Robert defended him. "Where is he?"

"I'll find and tell him," Mary offered. She saw Robert give her a wary look. "I will." She was glad when he agreed then said goodnight to him before setting off to find her husband.

...

"What is that you're reading?" Mary asked when she found Matthew in the library.

"Nothing in particular," he replied setting down the book. "Where is everybody?" He had taken refuge in the library to await an expected call which apparently wasn't coming.

"Everyone's gone home or upstairs for the night," she informed him. "Are you ready to head upstairs?"

"I suppose so," he said with a hint of disappointment. "I was hoping to hear from the inspector tonight about some progress on the case."

"Actually he did call and spoke with papa," she revealed. She related what she learned from Robert to him. "I'd rather if you didn't go see him." She clearly was not comfortable letting him go.

"Mary, it will be alright, he won't be able to harm us again," he assured her with a kiss. "Now let's go to bed."

"I'll be right there," she said opting to stay behind.

...

Matthew entered the room and found Mary already in bed reading. "What are you reading?" He didn't think it took him long for her to have read much yet.

"It's something about the Trojan War," she said without looking up from her book. "Do you know how Troy fell?"

Matthew climbed into bed and pulled the book out of her hands. "The Greeks built a Trojan Horse to enter the city to win the war. You don't think Blackwell is trying that now are you?"

"I wouldn't put it past him," she said still doubting Blackwell's intentions.

"Mary, you must think I'm easily deceived," he gently complained to her. "I think I'm a better judge of a person if I can see them clearly."

"It's not that darling," she quickly assured him. "But the sooner he's out of our lives, the better."

"I made you a promise and I mean to keep it," he reminded her. "I'll find a way to keep him from coming back into our lives. Unfortunately, I can't just turn him into stone."

Mary giggled at his attempt to lighten the mood. "That would've come in really handy about now."

Matthew chuckled while he thought of a good comeback to that. "Wouldn't that be difficult to explain to the inspector and the magistrate?"

"We can tell them you could possibly be descended from Perseus," she teased.

Matthew laughed heartily this time and knew he couldn't top that even if he tried; he could only watch Mary flash her victorious smile. That was the image Matthew saw last before he closed his eyes to sleep.

Author's note: I'm not sure what the penalties are for reckless driving but interestingly enough, DUI (driving under the influence) wasn't included until 1930. So with theft, destruction of property and reckless driving, I'd say Blackwell will be in prison for a bit not even counting attempted murder of not only an earl's daughter but his heir presumptive. I don't know enough about English law but hopefully it equates to life imprisonment which I'm working towards in the next chapter. Thanks to all who've left reviews ... I appreciate it and enjoy reading them as much as I'm writing this.

wiki/Road_Traffic_Act_1930
wiki/Motor_Car_Act_1903