A/N: My apologies for posting the same chapter twice. Thanks to Sara for pointing this out. This is the correct Chapter 24. It is the penultimate chapter.

December 31, 1918

Downton Abbey

"I still do not understand what he has which I don't" Sir Richard was watching the newlyweds dance.

"You mean besides youth, virility and good looks?" Rosamund smiled at him "Plus he's brave, charming and little children love him. And he's a cowboy to boot. Hard to beat that with money and power."

"But I cannot help but think that he cheated in some way. I was being the proper gentleman waiting for her to end her mourning and he came along and ended it for her. He got an unfair head start. Then he went and married her before he was repatriated to Canada."

"All's fair, Richard, all's fair"

The dance ended and Matthew sat Mary down. He then went and sat beside Violet.

"You are looking quite pleased with yourself my general"

"I love it when a plan comes together"

"And quite a plan it was although it was quite hard on Cousin Robert"

They both looked across the room at Robert. He was sitting beside Cora. He still had a greyish tinge.

"He had to look into the abyss before he would come around."

"You didn't just have him look into the abyss; you dangled him by his heels into it"

"It had to be done to preserve the family." She changed the subject, she did not want to dwell on the gamble she had taken. "It is a good thing that Mary and the girls are going to Canada before she starts to show"

Matthew had a speech all prepared defending his and Mary's decision to move to Canada and he was winding up to deliver it when the import of Violet's last word hit him. All he could do was stare at her.

She nodded at him. She reached over and patted him on his knee. "When I told you to show a little passion that is not quite what I meant. Although it got the job done. You need not worry I do not think anyone else knows, although I think Cora might suspect"

Matthew stood up. "Excuse me"

Mary was talking to Sybil and Tom.

"Do you mind if I steal Mary away for this next dance?"

Matthew lead Mary onto the dance floor for the next waltz.

"I was just speaking to your grandmother"

"Yes?" Mary could see Grannie grinning at them.

"She said it was good I was taking you to Canada so soon"

"Oh?"

"Before you started to show"

Mary could feel herself starting to blush "I ... I was going to..."

"When?" Matthew's voice had a sharp edge to it.

"Ah .. tonight I was going to show you, it is showing a little, if you know what to look for" she tensed waiting for a blast.

It did not come. Instead Matthew pulled her closer to him. He whispered in her ear. "I love you so much. Now let's go upstairs, I want to see"

"But.."

"No buts" and he lead her off the dance floor, through the door and up the stairs. By the time they reached the hall leading to her bedroom they were almost running.