Last time:

"It's a fine morning," Matthew observed as they stepped out of the car at the hospital entrance. "Perhaps, if I'm not too worn out, we can spend some time in the garden when we return to the house."

"That would be lovely," Mary answered absently, relieved to see that Matthew was in a world of his own this morning. He hadn't noted her preoccupation. She looped her arm casually through his as they made their way inside.

"I'll see you in an hour," he breathed against her ear as her hand slipped from his arm, and he followed the nurse out of the waiting room and down the hallway to the room where his therapy would take place.

Mary watched, her fingers clutching anxiously at the handle of her purse, as he disappeared around the corner. Rather than making herself comfortable in one of the provided chairs for the next hour, she turned and made her way down the opposite hallway towards another ward of the hospital. She had an appointment of her own to keep.

Chapter 4

The next morning, Mary and Matthew broke their fast together at the small table before the fireplace in their grand bedroom. Mary was unusually quiet, Matthew noticed as he buttered his toast. She seemed preoccupied - had been, actually, since after his therapy the previous day, now that he thought about it. He'd been tired and irritable as always and had failed to notice. But, looking back, he recalled the way she silently sat by his side as they'd spent a few quiet minutes on the stone bench in the garden before going in. He'd slept through dinner, and, when she'd joined him in bed, she'd only wished him goodnight before turning over, thought he could tell by her breathing that it was some time before she slept.

Again, he sighed to think of how different things were now, and they were technically still newlyweds, even if one counted the months before his recovery. Even when he was unable to love her fully, she'd always gone straight into his arms for passionate kisses and caresses. But now...He looked down at the napkin in his lap and bit back another sigh. The passion was already fading from their marriage, and it was entirely his fault. He wasn't trying hard enough. Mary deserved more.

A knock on the door broke the silence of the room.

"Enter," Mary called. The doors opened, revealing the butler.

"Telephone for you, Lady Mary."

"Thank you, Phillips. I'll be right there." Mary's voice wavered a little as she stood gracefully, but quickly, placing her napkin in her seat before walking with deliberately measured step from the room.

Several minute later, she returned, her expression unreadable. Matthew studied her curiously, noting the studied calmness with which she carried herself. Something was clearly on her mind. He wondered if it was the same situation that occupied his thoughts, and his heart fluttered nervously in his chest.

"Who was that?" he asked tentatively, putting down his fork as his appetite suddenly deserted him.

"That? Oh...just the hospital. I took care of it. You needn't worry," Mary answered hastily, clearly having hoped that he wouldn't ask. She gave him a little forced smile he knew was only an attempt to placate him - to stop him asking any more questions. Acceding to her silent request, he only nodded and rose, pausing to place a soft kiss on her hair before limping to the bell pull to summon Moseley.

The next few days proved even more challenging for Matthew as his doctor had, after praising his progress, changed his therapy regimen to a more rigorous one, leaving him even more tired and sore at the end of each session than before. After the second more difficult session, he'd been proud to demonstrate some of his progress for Mary one evening as she'd slipped into bed beside him. Though her response had been warm and obviously pleased, he could tell her attention wasn't fully engaged, and he couldn't help but feel irrationally jealous of...whatever it was that had his wife so distracted. As she'd brushed her lips all too briefly over his, he'd thought he would get up and turn a summersault if it might earn him her full attention. She had been so distant for the past few days, and it worried him. Not to mention, he'd begun to feel lonely for her, even as she rested by his side.

The feeling was much the same when riding next to her in the back seat of the car after his therapy session the next morning. She was quiet, pensive, with a little wrinkle appearing now and then between her dark brows. He leaned heavily on her arm as they made their way around the side of the house to the servants' door where there was only one step, rather than five daunting ones, for him to contend with. Phillips greeted them with his usual somber mien, and Matthew handed his stick to Mary while he allowed the butler to help him out of his coat.

"Lady Mary, sir, a visitor arrived while you were out. She's waiting in the parlor," Phillips explained cooly. Mary's eyes immediately lit up at the news.

"Thank you, Phillips," she dismissed the butler before taking Matthew's arm, gently propelling him forward.

Matthew groaned as his back pinched with every step and his thighs burned. "Darling, do you think you could make my excuses to our guest? I'm really not up for a visit just now."

"Trust me, Matthew, you'll want to at least greet this visitor before heading off to bed," Mary answered enigmatically as she steered him towards the parlor. Matthew went without further complaint, and was soon rewarded with a bright smile from his own dear mother once they'd reached their destination.

"Mother, what a surprise!" he exclaimed as he accepted a warm kiss on the cheek.

"A welcome one, I hope," Isobel responded, her eyes roaming appraisingly over her son's half-stooped posture. "Mary telephoned yesterday inviting me to come for a visit. I saw no reason to delay, so I caught the early train this morning."

Matthew only smiled at Isobel, though the pleasant expression was soon replaced by a pained grimace as his aching back again reasserted itself. At the insistence of both his wife and his mother, though he was hardly of a mind to argue, Matthew consented to going straight to bed with the assurance that his mother would still be there when he was up for a visit.

After seeing Matthew delivered safely into Moseley's dedicated care, Mary returned to the parlor and ordered tea for herself and her mother-in-law. Once alone with delicate china cups cradled in their hands, the two women were able to speak freely.

"So," Isobel began, "how are you feeling today, my dear?"

"Alright," Mary answered, drawing in a deep breath. "A little nervous, perhaps."

"Well that's only natural," the older woman spoke comfortingly, smiling gently at Mary as she sipped her tea. "I take it you still haven't told Matthew."

Mary shook her head. "I don't know how to. He's been so exhausted and stressed lately, I just..."

"I understand," Isobel cut in, seeing Mary struggle to find the words. "I'm honored that you confided in me, my dear. Have you spoken with your own mother yet?"

"Not yet," Mary answered. "I wanted to confide in another woman, but I'm not ready to speak of it with anyone else just now. Besides, I knew your visit would brighten Matthew's days. I dare say he needs it."

With that, the conversation shifted to focus on Matthew and his progress and away from the matter that had occupied Mary's mind for the past few days.

Late that evening, Matthew rallied himself enough to join his wife and mother for dinner. Afterwards, he joined them briefly in the drawing room as Isobel filled them in on the latest news from home.

"Isobel, I hope you don't mind, but my Aunt Rosamund has invited Matthew and I dinner tomorrow evening," Mary spoke as the night drew to a close. "I'm sure you'd be welcome as well."

Isobel's pleasant thanks was cut short by Matthew's irritated groan. "The dinner!" he grumbled. "I'd forgotten all about it. Must I go? Perhaps the two of you..."

"Darling, surely you can bear up for this one evening," Mary interrupted him. "You've been here for a full month and have yet to accept any of Aunt Rosamund's invitations. I'm afraid she's beginning to feel snubbed."

"Well, can't she understand why?" Matthew shot back, though he'd already accepted his inevitable defeat. He was too tired to argue with Mary, especially if his mother should take her side.

The next evening found Matthew wearily allowing Moseley to help him into his formal dinner attire, which had hung untouched in the wardrobe since their arrival in London. He leaned heavily back in his chair as his shoes were tied, wondering where he was going to find the energy to rise. Just as Moseley finished with the second shoe, Mary emerged from behind the screens, dismissing the surprised valet with her signature regal elegance that never failed to bring a fond smile to Matthew's face. She was absolutely stunning in a gown of gauzy scarlet silk that draped in elegant layers around her trim figure, floating softly about her shapely legs as she walked towards him.

"You look lovely, darling. Is this new?" he asked, reaching out to catch the smooth fabric of her skirt between his fingertips.

"Do you like it?" Mary responded, stepping even closer to frame his face between her gloved hands.

"It suits you beautifully," Matthew answered, his hands landing on the gentle curve of her hips, tugging her towards him. Mary smiled down at him before gracefully seating herself on his knee. Her weight on his sore muscles was painful, but Matthew held her in an iron grip, refusing to allow her to leave his embrace. He needed it too desperately.

Her fingertips moved unnecessarily over his combed hair, making sure each strand was in place. The soft, caring touch reminded Matthew of the time he'd insisted he comb his own hair, having grown weary of her hovering about him as if he were a child in need of constant care and supervision. He chuckled softly at his own foolishness, the past few days having made him hungry for any small nugget of her attention when it had once been bestowed so freely.

"What?" Mary asked, noting his retreat into his thoughts.

"Nothing," he answered wistfully before pulling her close, his hand cupping the back of her neck as he brought her mouth down to his.

Mary gasped against his lips, feeling the desperation behind his kiss. His other hand moved over her thigh, bunching the delicate fabric of her skirt under his questing fingers. After indulging for one final moment, she pulled away, stifling a laugh at his deprived expression, like a child denied a treat.

"Later darling," she purred, lightly kissing the pout from his lips. "We'll be late, and you're making me untidy."

She shot him a chastening look as she brushed his hands away before rising, smoothing her skirt and patting her hair. Matthew watched as she inspected her reflection in the full-length mirror, his eyes drinking in the bared skin of her back framed so enticingly by the low drape of the fabric cascading from her creamy shoulders. Later, she'd said. No matter how beautiful and tempting she was, Matthew knew it was unlikely, that he would have to disappoint her. It seemed he could do little else these days.

With a groan, he reached for his stick and stood.

"Don't move," he rasped as Mary started to turn. She watched his slow progress in the glass as he moved with painstaking care to stand just behind her. His warm fingertips came to rest on her upper back, making her shiver at the deliciously sensual touch.

"Will there be other gentlemen at this dinner?" he asked cheekily, meeting Mary's amused gaze in the mirror.

"Probably," Mary answered. "Aunt Rosamund always seems to have at least one single gentleman loitering about her house. She keeps a ready supply of cigars, you know, but she doesn't smoke."

Matthew chuckled at the implication and bent his head to place a soft kiss on the side of her neck.

"You're so beautiful tonight, I fear I shall have to beat them off with my stick."

Mary rolled her eyes at his comment, earning another chuckle, before moving out of his reach to collect her handbag.

A/N: Next time, dinner at Aunt Rosamund's brings an unexpected encounter, and Mary's secret is finally shared.

I want to give a huge thank-you to Willa Dedalus for all the help and unwavering support, as well as to all who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are amazing, and your support means more than you know. :)