AN: Okay, here is the 17th chapter! Yay!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Downton Abbey!
"Hello Matthew." Lavinia smiled at him as genuinely as she could. "Richard Carlisle?" He asked in confusion. "Yes, hello Captain Crawley." He sneered. "Matthew, I understand that this isn't the best time, with Edith's wedding party going on, but I wish to talk to you…privately." Lavinia requested. "Of course." Matthew nodded. "I was hoping to speak to Lady Mary." Richard said. "You'll have much more trouble getting to her, she's with her sisters." Matthew said with a hint of a smile. "Yes, I see. Thank you." Carlisle said absently as he began scanning the crowd.
"Matthew, may I take you to the sitting area please?" Lavinia asked. Matthew hesitated and then nodded. She took his chair, and quickly wheeled him to the sitting room, and sat primly on the edge of a plush arm chair. "I don't mean to sound rude, Lavinia, but why have you come?" Matthew asked, his brow wrinkling in confusion. "I…I heard that you were injured and I thought that you might…" Lavinia found herself unable to finish. "Thought I might what?" Matthew asked.
"it's been around five months since the last time that I saw you, and no engagement has been announced in the papers, and I thought" "You thought that I'd changed my mind about marrying Mary." Matthew finished. Lavinia's face turned pink with embarrassment. "Yes, I'm afraid I did." Lavinia clasped her hands tightly. "Actually Lavinia, Mary and I have been married for about five months now." Matthew admitted reluctantly. "You- you married her right after came to speak to me?" Lavinia gasped. Matthew nodded.
"I thought that you didn't want to marry during war time, that it was 'improper to celebrate while other's suffer!' What happened to that sentiment Matthew Crawley!?" Lavinia said angrily. "Lavinia, I did feel that way, but I became convinced otherwise." Matthew's face burned with shame. "Matthew, I'm honestly very hurt. And confused, but I still love you, can you honestly tell me you don't love me anymore?" Lavinia asked. "Lavinia, you're a wonderful girl," "Don't finish. I understand." Lavinia stood to go, as the door opened wide.
"Matthew, something terrible- Oh my, Lavinia, I wasn't aware that you were here!" Mary gasped in surprise. Lavinia didn't say anything as she noticed Mary's bulging stomach. "I wasn't aware that you were expecting!" Lavinia observed coldly. "Oh, yes I am. I'm sorry I interrupted. I'll come back in a moment." Mary quickly slipped out of the room. "You were unfaithful." Lavinia accused coldly. "Pardon me?" Matthew sputtered in surprise.
"You couldn't have been married more than a few days, and she appears to be rather far along. How long did this happen for?" Lavinia asked angrily. "Lavinia, I was never unfaithful! Mary and I were together only five days including the day of our marriage. She is only five months along, and not a day more." Matthew insisted. Lavinia nodded, and brushed away her tears. "I apologize for even saying anything." Lavinia sobbed. "I'll be leaving now, I'm sorry I even came. Please, forgive me. I wish you and Mary only the best! I do hope you become well again." Lavinia quickly left the room and was quickly replaced by Mary.
"Matthew, is everything alright?" She asked. "Yes, quite alright. I recall you said something terrible happened. Is everything alright?" Matthew asked as he pulled his bride onto his lap. "No. Richard Carlisle sought me out, and pulled me aside. Vera Bates, Mr. Bate's wife, came to him and sold him the story of the incident with Pamuk. I've no idea how she got the knowledge, or why she'd want to sell it to him, but I know he has the story. He came to tell me he wouldn't publish if I rethought our engagement, but when he saw me, he called me a whore. He told me I deserved to be ruined. Oh Matthew, what will we do?" Mary asked as a sob escaped her throat.
"We will do nothing. When he publishes, we will stay together, and we will neither deny nor confirm the rumors. We will love each other as we always have, and we shall raise our beautiful children." Matthew gently kissed her throat as she cried into his shoulder. "Matthew, you always know exactly what to say to me! I don't deserve you, not when I've been a whore!" Mary sobbed. "You will never call yourself a whore, ever again. And that's an order." Matthew insisted. "Ordering your wife now, Captain Crawley?" Mary asked in surprise.
"If that's what it takes." Matthew admitted with a smiled. "I feel quite ready to retire." Mary sighed, suddenly exhausted. "That sounds like a wonderful idea." Matthew smiled as his wife wheeled him towards their bedroom. "I love you, Mr. Crawley." Mary smiled as they entered the room. "And I love you, Mrs. Crawley." And there lips met in a clash of sweet passion.
AN: two chapters in one day, to make up for the long wait on updates!