A/N: A disturbance in the force that is prevented me from posting this yesterday. I am not aware of the proper etiquette in such a circumstance. Do I owe you a second chapter today or does one suffice?

September 3, 1918

Downton Abbey

Mary did not come down to walk with Matthew and Sybil to the hospital that morning.

It was Matthew's day with Edith. He had expressed an interest in touring around the local farms and Edith was going to drive him.

Edith was wearing a very becoming green summer dress. Matthew told her how beautiful she looked. She blushed, she was not used to such a compliment from a man.

When they were on the road to Downton Matthew said "The other day your father introduced me to a farmer who seemed to be quite modern in his thinking. He has just acquired a new threshing machine and he invited us to come look at it. His name is Sir Anthony..."

"Strallan"

"You know him?"

"Yes"

"Do you know where he lives?"

"Yes"

"Drive on"

Edith stopped the car at the side of the road. "I would rather not see Sir Anthony"

Matthew appraised her. "Fine, drop me off at the entrance to his farm . I'm sure I can catch a ride back with someone."

"But it is my day with you."

"Well then you had better come with me"

Edith sighed. "Fine" The car jerked as she started down the road towards Strallan Farm.

When they drove into the yard Sir Anthony happened to be there to greet them.

"Captain Crawley! Glad you could come ..." Sir Anthony noticed who his driver was "Lady Edith ..."

Sir Antony took his hat off with his left hand, his right arm was in a black sling. Edith reached out but did not quite touch it.

"What ... what happened?" she asked.

"Took a bullet at Loos. Shattered the arm. Army booted me. Damaged goods you know" Sir Anthony extended his left arm to her, not quite touching her. "And you. How are you? Have you had a good war?"

They stood looking at each other. Not moving. Not saying anything.

"Excuse me? Threshing machine?" Matthew asked.

Sir Anthony waved his hat in a westerly direction.

Matthew had an enjoyable morning watching how the threshing machine worked. He could see that this was the way to farm Western Canada, it was too big to farm by hand, it would have to be done by machine. The threshing crew shared their lunch with him. Afterwards he wandered around until he found a hammock slung between two trees in Sir Anthony's orchard.

"Matthew...Matthew wake up"

Matthew opened his eyes. Edith was peering down at him.

"We never would have found you if you had not been snoring so loudly. Sir Anthony has invited us to dinner"

"High tea really" Sir Anthony put in.

"What time is it?" Matthew asked.

"Almost six"

"I didn't bring my formal duds"

Sir Antony waved his hand "That is quite all right, we shall dine en famille"

When they got back to the house Matthew asked to use the telephone. The operator put him though to Downton Abbey. "Carson. Crawley here. Lady Edith and I will be dining out tonight, Please convey our regrets. Good bye." He hung up before Carson could ask any questions.

If you conceded the field of conversation to Sir Anthony he could be quite interesting. That field of course being agriculture. It did not hurt that half of his audience was interested in the presentation and the other half interested in the presenter. But eventually even the topics of crop rotation and cover crops and the latest advances in anhydrous ammonia were exhausted.

Matthew started to make those small comments that a guest makes preparatory to taking his leave. Sir Anthony scrambled, albeit in a dignified way, to forestall their departure.

"My wife, Mabel, and I used to play duets. She would play the piano and I would play the violin. Alas she is gone and I can no longer play the violin. Lady Edith I understand you play the piano. A lonely man beseeches you. Please play for me."

Edith blushed. She looked at Matthew. He gave her a nod of encouragement. She and Sir Anthony went to the piano and Matthew settled himself in a comfortable wing chair...

Matthew opened his eyes. Edith was playing the piano and Sir Anthony was singing to her.

'I have been ready at your hand,
To grant whatever you would crave,
I have both wagered life and land,
Your love and good-will for to have

'Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my lady greensleeves.'

Time to end Act Two Matthew thought. He stood up, yawned and stretched. They both looked at him.

"Sir Anthony I apologize. I have been a terrible guest, falling asleep during your concert. I hope I did not miss much?"

"No, no" they both shook their heads.

"In any event the hour is late. We must hurry back to Downton lest Edith turn into a char maid and I into a common house rat. Now if you will excuse me – Edith I will see you at the car"

They did not talk on the way back. Matthew was happy to let Edith concentrate on her night driving and Edith seemed happy to do so.

Carson met them at the main door.

"Carson we are sorry to keep you up late"

"Quite all right my Lady"

"Are my parents still up?"

"No, they have retired for the night"

"Thank you Carson. Good night"

"Good night milady, Captain Crawley"

Edith and Matthew turned towards the staircase. They saw Mary standing on the first landing.

Matthew thought Edith was going to say something to Mary but instead she turned to him. She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you for everything" she whispered in his ear and she kissed him again. Then she walked up the stairs and as she passed Mary she smiled at her, but Edith did not say anything to her older sister. Mary frowned.

Matthew walked up the stairs. He stopped beside Mary. "How was Patricia tonight?"

"She missed you"

"I will make it up to her tomorrow."

"You had better"

"Come let me walk you to your door."

She took his arm and they walked up the stairs together.

At Mary's door Matthew said "Get some sleep. I will tell you all about it on our walk to the hospital."

She thought he could have kissed her goodnight but he did not. She watched him walk down the hall and go around the corner.