Previously:
Painswick House, Eaton Square, London, England, December 1912
Her hands framed his face as she looked at him adoringly. "And believe me when I say, Matthew, a part of me would not care in the slightest."
Matthew grinned and breathed deeply as she rose from the settee and adjusted her dress, ensuring her hair was still intact.
"I'll see you outside," she said with one last smile before leaving the parlour quietly.
"Naughty minx," Matthew said, staring at the door she had just disappeared through. He took several minutes to calm himself before he was ready to return to the party. Looking around the darkened room, he remembered the last time he was in this very parlour, sitting in the same position. He grinned widely and laughed.
He eventually returned to the ballroom. Mary was speaking to Sybil. Matthew gave them a wide berth and went to the bar.
"Club soda with lime," Alex announced, handing him a drink. "And lots of ice."
Matthew huffed, giving him a false frown as he accepted the drink.
"It really is a wonderful party, isn't it?" Alex mused.
"Without question. I cannot remember a better one," Matthew replied, watching Mary across the room over the rim of his glass.
Chapter 5:
Downton Abbey, England, December 1912
Mary came down the stairs wearing a fitted blue dress. Matthew had not seen this one before and he smiled as he saw the long black gloves she chose to match her outfit. She gave him a knowing glance before following Cora through to the drawing room for drinks before dinner.
They spent more time together during their days in London, but their relationship in front of her family was still cordial and nothing more. Mary still kept herself composed and aloof, more tolerant of his presence rather than friendly. For Matthew's part, he was more pleasant towards her, but he took time to speak with Edith and Sybil as well, to make it seem as though he were paying the three sisters relatively even attention. Although Mary cringed as Edith's gaze toward Matthew became all the more lovestruck by the week, she was inwardly pleased at how easily he got along with her family. She found it amusing to see him laughing with Sybil or speaking knowledgeably with her father about some issue with the Estate. He could even keep up with Granny for a time.
"I must say I am impressed with Matthew," Cora admitted. "He's been here for a few months and he's handled it all quite well."
"He's fit in far more smoothly than you did at the beginning," Violet agreed. Cora rolled her eyes and did not bother responding. "His Mother, however," Violet continued. "Well, we shouldn't be too greedy."
"Where is Isobel?" Robert asked. "I thought she would be joining us as well."
"I told you already, darling," Cora said. "Isobel went to London this weekend. Her late husband's sister is spending the weekend with her in the City."
"Well what of Matthew's weekend plans then?"
"He'll fend for himself at Crawley House, I suppose," Violet replied.
Robert frowned. "Surely there's no need for that."
"Matthew," Robert called, walking over to his heir. "Cora told me that Cousin Isobel is in London for the weekend."
"Yes, that's right. She's meeting my aunt in the City."
"Well that leaves Crawley House rather empty then, doesn't it?" Robert inquired.
"There's still Molesley, Ellen, and Mrs. Bird, Cousin Robert," he replied. Mary smirked when she heard this. Matthew was the only heir to an Earldom that she knew who was perfectly at ease spending a weekend with no one around but the servants. She could picture him sitting at the dining table with his sleeves rolled up, playing cards with the lot of them as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"As pleasant as their company must be, Matthew," Robert said graciously. "Why don't you stay here with us for the weekend? I'll have one of the footmen fetch some of your things and you can stay in the Bachelor's Wing. Thomas can attend to you."
"That's very kind, Cousin Robert, but it's not…" Matthew caught Mary giving him a raised eyebrow out of the corner of his eye and he coughed suddenly. "Thank you, Cousin Robert. Yes, it's a wonderful opportunity to spend more time with all of you."
"Think nothing of it, my boy," the Earl replied. "You can walk out with me tomorrow. We can visit some of the cottages if the weather holds." He turned at the sound of the dinner gong and they all moved towards the dining room.
"Did you hear that, Mary? Cousin Matthew is staying here for the weekend. I hope that isn't too much of an inconvenience for you," Sybil whispered to her sister.
"I suppose I'll have to make do," Mary replied. "You know that my weekends are rather full, Sybil. And it's a large house. Besides, Cousin Matthew won't be leaving us any time soon. I'll have to get used to him being around."
Sybil looked at her older sister curiously.
"Don't worry," Edith added smugly. "I can keep him company if necessary."
"As enticing as that sounds, I'm sure Cousin Matthew would prefer conversation that is above the level he could get from Molesley," Mary answered without even looking in Edith's direction.
Sybil raised her glove to her mouth to stop herself from laughing. Edith glared at Mary as they took their seats at the dinner table.
The ladies went through after dinner and Mary found herself sitting alone on the sofa by the time that her Papa and Matthew came in. Matthew began to move to sit with her, but he stopped himself and took a nearby chair instead. She looked over at him briefly, thanking him with her eyes for continuing to play his part.
"Is that a new gown?" Matthew asked carefully, taking a drink from Thomas. "It's just that I don't think I've ever seen you wear it before."
Mary paused before replying, trying to maintain the delicate balance between showing him courtesy and holding back the warm banter they always shared in private. "It is new, actually. I had it made weeks ago but only had the chance to wear it tonight for the first time." Mary took a drink of sherry, looking at Matthew as she thought of how to phrase her next comment just right.
"When I had the dress made, I imagined matching them with these gloves," she smirked. "They were a gift that I received in London during the last Winter Season and I adore them. They look quite nice, don't they?"
Matthew sipped his drink and looked at her knowingly. Her face was calm but her eyes were teasing. "They are lovely," he replied, and they shared a slight smile as they each looked away.
"We've received a letter from Viscount Branksome," Robert announced to everyone.
"Holiday wishes?" Edith asked.
"Yes, but he's also informed me that his son, Evelyn, will be joining us at Downton for the Hunt in March."
Mary looked up upon hearing this news. Evelyn was coming to Downton? She did not miss the fact that Matthew's eyes seemed to dart from his glass of brandy to her Papa at the mention of Evelyn's name.
"Why, how splendid," Cora commented. "Mary, perhaps we should invite Mr. Napier to stay with us here at the house?"
Mary swallowed. Matthew's lip twitched momentarily and she could almost see the anger boiling inside of him.
"That's really not necessary, Mama," she said, trying to keep her tone even. "Surely Evelyn is planning on staying in the Village with the other men who come in for the Hunt."
"Actually, Viscount Branksome did mention that Evelyn has made his own arrangements," Robert revealed. "He's hosting a foreign diplomat as part of the Albanian independence negotiations, so they'll both be staying in the Village."
"Nonsense!" Cora replied. "A stay at a proper English country house may help with his efforts. I'll write to Beatrice and invite Evelyn and his guest to stay with us."
"Lady Branksome passed away, Mama," Sybil informed her. "Over a year ago."
"Oh dear," Cora replied. "Well, Robert you can write to Viscount Branksome then and extend our invitation."
"Why don't you have Mary write to Evelyn?" Edith suggested, looking pleased with herself as she took a sip of sherry.
"That's a very good idea," Cora agreed. "The two of you get along very well, don't you Mary? And it has been a while since you've spoken to Evelyn, hasn't it? He wasn't at Rosamund's party this year."
"Oh, I'm sure it can't have been too long," Edith answered, almost giggling now.
"It has been a while, actually," Mary replied, her voice rich with venom. She frowned at Edith before turning back to Cora. "Mama, if you wish to invite Mr. Napier and his guest, Papa can write to Viscount Branksome. It is not my place to extend invitations to family friends when it should come from either of you."
As Cora contemplated her daughter's answer, Robert interjected. "What about you, Matthew? It's a few months away yet but the Hunt is a rather exciting tradition here. You should consider joining in."
"Yes," Matthew answered with a forced smile. "I shall certainly take it under consideration. It sounds like it could be a very eventful day indeed."
Matthew drank his brandy and stared into the fireplace. Mary could see his eyes were dark. She sipped her sherry as her parents moved the conversation to another topic. Matthew did not look at her or speak to her for the rest of the evening. She could do nothing to get his attention as they retired separately and went off to their different wings of the house.
Matthew grunted as he turned in bed once again. He had dismissed Barrow somewhat curtly when the footman had come to help him get ready for bed. Mumbling an apology about having a headache, Matthew changed alone and petulantly ducked under the bedcovers. Now, over two hours after he retired, he stared up at the ornate ceiling, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.
All of the giddy anticipation he felt when Robert invited him to stay at the Big House for the weekend dissipated upon hearing of Evelyn Napier's pending arrival. Of course it wasn't Mary's fault that Evelyn was coming to Downton. It was not as if Mary had invited him. But, on the other hand, if Mary was not so adamant that they not reveal their true feelings for each other, Cora would not have been nearly as enthusiastic to invite Evelyn to stay over. Matthew thought about having to watch Mary ride out with Evelyn for the Hunt, having to bite his tongue while the Viscount's son flirted with Mary over dinner, and he felt nauseous. Thoughts of Evelyn speaking to Mary inevitably brought Matthew's mind back to November 1911 in London and how they looked so well matched standing next to each other at Aunt Rosamund's Winter Season party.
"Crikey, what a mess," he sighed. Before dinner, Matthew was downright exuberant, strategizing over how to steal some moments alone with Mary this weekend. Now he was melancholy, almost wanting to not spend the weekend at Downton Abbey at all.
He frowned as he heard what was unmistakably the sound of his door being opened, then quietly closed. In the darkness, he could not see to the doorway. He could easily, however, make out the sound of light footsteps as someone approached his bed. He sat up and was about to throw off the bedcovers when he smelled vanilla and rosewater, felt a warm hand cover his mouth and soft lips kiss his cheek.
"Shh," Mary whispered. "We have to be quiet."
Her lips moved across his neck and ear before finding his mouth. He stiffened, trying to pull away from her, but she refused to be deterred. She pressed her lips against his, her tongue forcing its way into his mouth and he yielded, groaning softly as he tasted her.
Matthew eventually pushed her away, gently but firmly. "You won't get off that easily, if that's what you think," he hissed.
Mary sighed. "For God's sake, Matthew! It isn't as if I invited Evelyn here! You heard Papa yourself! What right do I have to deny a friend of the family coming to pay us a visit, for the Hunt no less?"
"Oh, I'm sure he would very much welcome your invitation, Lady Mary," Matthew said ruefully. "Do not act as though you don't know what Mr. Napier's intentions are. He could attend any number of events across England if he so chose. Coming to Downton is rather convenient, isn't it?"
"I have no control over what his intentions are!" she fired back at him. "I have not encouraged him in any way, and I assure you that I will not do so now or in the months to come, if you have so little faith in my commitment to you!"
"When was the last time you wrote to him?" Matthew demanded, his gaze penetrating even in the darkness.
"How did you-?"
"I am well aware that he wrote to you prior to Patrick's death, and I would suspect that after a reasonable period, he would resume doing so. Answer me. When was the last time you wrote to the Viscount's son?"
"The last time I wrote to him was in July, months before you arrived at Downton," she answered indignantly. "Months before Papa told us the exact name of his third cousin once removed who would become his heir. Months before I knew I would ever see you again. And while we're on the subject, my reply was entirely neutral and proper. I did not encourage him at all. Though I should think it would be obvious, I haven't written to him since. Any other questions, Lord Inquisitor?"
"Your Mama is going to expect you to host him, you know? You'll have to ride out with him for the Hunt; sit next to him at dinner. She'll practically order you to throw yourself at him," Matthew grumbled, keeping his voice to a whisper with great effort.
"And I will do no such thing," Mary declared in a low voice. "I'll be civil to him, and nothing more. You yourself are well aware of how impolite I can be if the need arises."
His anger simmered as she kissed his neck again. "I'm still cross with you," he said, not altogether convincingly. "This all could be avoided if we were engaged, and we would be if not for your insistence on maintaining this ruse."
"Yes, it's entirely my fault," Mary whispered between kisses, her hands roaming his chest and shoulders. "I deserve to be punished," she said seductively as he became aware of how close her body was pressed to his, the bedcovers the only thing separating them.
"I'm serious, Mary!" Matthew complained, though he did nothing to stop her attentions.
"Just a bit longer, Matthew. They've noticed that we're getting along better now, and soon we can be openly friendly with each other. You can even flirt with me in front of the family if you like," Mary smiled as she felt his body tense at her suggestion.
"I'll discourage Evelyn and we'll be engaged soon after. All will be well, darling. I promise."
She kissed his lips and he finally returned her touch, moving his hands to her hips and pulling her towards him. She felt warm to him through her thin dressing gown and he hummed against her skin as his lips moved below her ear and to the curve of her shoulder.
"Now," she said, pushing him back against the pillows and kissing his neck once more. "Do you want me to leave your bed, or do you want me to show you how appreciative I am for your patience and understanding?"
"I may not be able to show my usual level of restraint," Matthew gasped as his hands travelled along her sides before coming back down and resting across her hips.
Mary raised her head and smiled at him. "Don't worry, darling. Just lie back and let me take care of you, this time."
Brown's Hotel, Mayfair, London, England, December 1911
"You have the most curious look on your face," Mary smiled.
"Well I'm sorry, but it still seems odd to see you in my bed," Matthew replied with a lazy smile.
"It's not as if this is the first time, Matthew," Mary teased. "You find it odd? I think it rather nice, actually."
"As nice as nice can be. Particularly since I did not think I would have the privilege again." He leaned forward and they kissed softly before they lay back down, his head on the soft pillow and hers on the quilt covering his chest.
"Matthew?"
"Yes?" he responded, his eyes still closed.
"Do you think any less of me? For coming to you here, and being in your bed?"
Matthew's eyes shot open and he looked at her. Mary bit her bottom lip. Matthew leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly.
"Absolutely not, darling! How could you think that?" Matthew blinked, his eyes wide with sudden fear. "Do you regret it?"
"No! No, not at all. I didn't regret being with you last summer and I don't regret being here with you now. It's just that, well, it isn't the proper way of doing things."
"In fairness, Mary, we haven't actually done much of anything. Nothing truly scandalous that would endanger your reputation, surely."
"Easy for you to say; you're a man," Mary rolled her eyes and sat up, wrapping the quilt around her knees. "If we were caught, the scandal wouldn't affect you nearly as much."
"Perhaps that's true," Matthew acknowledged, sitting up and bringing his arm around her shoulders. "But a few stolen kisses are hardly anything to make a fuss over. Not to say I have not enjoyed them…immensely." He kissed her cheek lightly.
"I'm in bed in a hotel room with a man who isn't my husband, Matthew," Mary said gruffly. "I can assure you that my parents would not give me credit for our still being partially clothed, or the precise distinctions of what we have and haven't done."
"Well it isn't as if I've stolen your virtue!" Matthew complained, before softening his tone. "I didn't mean that I expected you to…I just wanted to see you, to hold you without having to look over my shoulder, that's all. I'm sorry that I've made you angry."
Mary smiled at him. "I know that, Matthew. My life makes me angry. Not you."
Mary cupped his cheek, bringing him closer as her tongue stroked just inside his upper lip. She shivered as his fingers caressed the bare skin of her back above her corset. She moaned softly as their kiss intensified. She leaned into him, his bare chest against her back, smiling against his lips as the movement brought a groan out of him.
"I could do it, you know," she said quietly as he held her. "I could leave the Estate to Cousin James and Patrick and leave all of my so-called friends here in London behind. It would be liberating in a way – not having to live by all these outdated rules and conventions, not having to measure my worth by my husband's title."
"Lady Mary Crawley of Manchester," Matthew chuckled. "Oh, my darling. You could never leave Downton. Even though I've never been there, when I hear you talk about it, and see the look in your eyes, I know how much you love it there. It's your home."
"I'd have to leave eventually, so why not now?" Mary replied stubbornly. "I'd have to give up Downton to go live with Patrick, or if not him, with whichever potential husband Mama ordered me to sit next to at dinner."
"I'll need to arrange for a dinner invitation, then," Matthew said, smiling into her hair.
"I'd love to see you try," Mary laughed.
Matthew pulled back and took her face in his hands.
"Tomorrow is another day, remember?" he said soothingly. "And today?"
"Today we're together," Mary nodded.
"So for right now, my darling, let me take care of you," Matthew smiled.
Matthew massaged her shoulders, kissing her neck as his hands rubbed insistently against her pale skin. Mary sighed in pleasure, enjoying his touch and patient attention. She wished that time could stand still and they could live in their quiet sanctuary for a while longer.
Eventually she kissed his cheek and sighed as she got up from the bed.
"We should be heading back. The work day will be over soon and there will be more people in the street that could spot us."
"They could spot you. No one knows who I am," Matthew teased. Mary shot him a sharp look and a raised eyebrow.
Matthew nodded seriously and got up. He fetched her blouse, skirt, overcoat and shoes. He kissed her bare shoulders and arms as he helped her into each garment.
"You would make an exceptional lady's maid," Mary joked as she turned and kissed him once she was fully dressed.
Matthew shook his head at her. He put his shirt and suit jacket back on and went to fetch his coat from the closet. Pulling the coat off the hanger, Matthew noticed a familiar bag sitting on the shelf. He smiled as he retrieved it.
"I almost forgot," he beamed as he turned to Mary. "I know it's not Christmas just yet, but you know I'm not very patient when it comes to these things." He handed the bag to her.
Mary's eyes lit up as she reached into the bag and pulled out a small leather bound book. "Oh, Matthew! Thank you. It's perfect!"
"Happy Christmas, Mary. You seemed to enjoy hearing me read to you last summer, so I thought it would be nice if you had some of the stories yourself."
Mary opened the book and flipped through the pages. "It won't be nearly the same without hearing your voice. This is beautiful, Matthew. Does it include the story of Andromeda?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"I think I've marked the exact page for you, in fact," Matthew answered, smiling as he recalled when he first read that particular story to her.
Mary stepped towards him and kissed him soundly. She smiled at the blissful expression on his face when she pulled back. "This is so thoughtful of you, darling. Thank you."
Matthew checked the hallway before he escorted her down the side stairway and out the old entrance of the former St. George's Hotel. They quickly blended in with the crowd and made their way back to Grantham House. Their conversation was limited, as it often was when he walked her home. Each step brought them closer to parting, and closer to the end of Mary's stay in London. Maintaining a pleasant mood was difficult under the circumstances.
"Goodbye, Matthew. Thank you for a lovely day."
"Until tomorrow?" he asked hopefully.
"Until next time," Mary nodded.
He watched her walk down the street and disappear into Grantham House.
Downton Abbey, England, January 1913
"Here you are, Matthew. For courage."
Matthew smirked as he took the glass of whiskey from Robert. He raised the glass in thanks and took a sip.
"Is there anyone in particular that I should dance with?" he asked.
"Well, convention is that Cora opens it with Carson, then I join in with Mrs. Hughes. You should follow after me, and I suppose that leaves O'Brien as your partner."
Matthew quirked his eyebrows. "How interesting," he mustered. Robert smiled.
"You should probably try to dance with some of the others as well. It'll help the servants to warm to you when they see how comfortable you are around them. You can't just stand in the corner, I'm afraid."
"Certainly. A Servants' Ball is a rather admirable tradition."
"We all do enjoy it, I must say. In any event, you won't be pushed upon O'Brien, Anna and Mrs. Patmore for the entire evening. I'm sure Edith will save you a dance."
Matthew felt the liquor burn his throat as he swallowed rather quickly. "Yes," he stammered. "That would be kind of her. Sybil was nice enough to tell me she would partner me as well at some point."
"She's getting older by the minute, it seems," Robert said fondly. "Oh, and don't feel obligated to dance with Mary. There's no need for both of you to be uncomfortable for the sake of maintaining appearances. She won't be put out if you only dance with Edith and Sybil."
Matthew coughed. "Thank you for that, Cousin Robert. I'll just see how the night plays out."
The door to the study opened and Sybil popped her head in.
"Papa! Cousin Matthew! They're ready to start."
Robert smiled at Matthew and they finished their drinks and followed Sybil to the ballroom where the Servants' Ball was waiting to begin.
Cora walked off the dance floor and sat down next to the Dowager Countess. She had danced the last four songs and welcomed a break and a glass of sherry.
"It is a lovely tradition, isn't it?" Violet stated.
"It is," Cora agreed. "It's nice to let the servants have an evening for themselves."
"Not the entire evening, of course," Violet huffed. "Smithers needs to be home before I retire. I haven't closed up my own home for the evening since…well, Smithers needs to be home, is all."
"I'm pleased to see Matthew taking an active role tonight. Some of the servants seem to be rather taken by him."
"Not only the servants," Violet smiled. "And what about our dear Mary? Has anything changed since London?"
"She's at least being civil with him now," Cora commented. "But she's as stubborn as always. I don't see why Matthew would wait for her, unfortunately. I noticed he was gathering attention during the Winter Season."
"Of course. Society knows who he is now, and more importantly, who he is to become. At least who he may become. Time will tell. Still, if they're a lost cause, then we should turn our attention elsewhere. Sybil's Season is next year and it won't do if both of her older sisters aren't settled beforehand."
Cora looked on thoughtfully at Mary dancing with Carson. Matthew was across the room dancing with Anna. The distance between them seemed much larger still.
"Thank you, Carson," Mary smiled sweetly as the butler escorted her off the dance floor.
"The pleasure was mine, my Lady. Thank you for maintaining our annual tradition."
"Of course, Carson. You know that it's the highlight of my evening."
The butler bowed and walked away, leaving Mary alone with her thoughts. She usually enjoyed the Servants' Ball, but tonight she found herself feeling annoyed more than anything. The evening had started well enough. She laughed with her sisters watching Matthew dance with O'Brien at the beginning. While Edith and Sybil thought Mary was laughing at Matthew out of spite, she in fact found his predicament, and his willingness to sacrifice himself for tradition's sake, rather cute and endearing.
With each dance however, Mary grew more perturbed, despite herself. Matthew danced with Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Patmore, Daisy, Anna, Edith and Sybil and even her Granny. If she was thinking rationally, Mary would admit that it would have looked strange for Matthew to dance with her. That was not what was expected of them given their public relationship. However, Mary was not prepared to be rational. Watching her beloved dancing with everyone except her was infuriating.
"Mary?"
"Yes, Sybil?" she answered, keeping her irritation under control.
"It's been a fun evening, hasn't it? Matthew is a very good dancer."
Sybil's enthusiasm only raised Mary's annoyance. "I wouldn't know. I've never danced with him," she lied, with more bitterness in her voice than she intended. "I always enjoy the Ball. It's nice to see the servants having fun."
"Sybil!" Cora called. "Come tell your Granny about the dresses we looked at in London."
"Lovely. I can't think of anything I'd rather do," Sybil muttered sarcastically. "Excuse me, Mary."
Mary smiled as her youngest sister walked across the room to where Violet was sitting. Sybil's debut was next year, but their Mama was already making grand plans for it.
Thinking of the Season reminded Mary of Matthew. Thinking of Matthew reminded her that he had not asked her to dance and her mood darkened again. Well, she certainly was not going to ask him to dance. She would never do that. Even if they were engaged and everyone knew about their relationship, Mary Crawley did not ask a man to dance. If Matthew wasn't smart enough to realize that she still wanted to dance with him, even though she made it seem like she didn't want to dance with him, then that was clearly a failing on his part.
She gasped slightly as she felt a hand on her arm. She frowned at this uninvited contact and she turned to confront her adversary, only to come face-to-face with a smiling Matthew.
"Cousin Mary," he nodded, motioning to the dance floor. "What about it?"
Mary initially wanted to pull her arm away, but seeing his handsome face, his immaculate suit and his confident gaze stilled her.
"Are you sure, Cousin Matthew?" she said coldly. "You seem to have a rather full dance card this evening. And we aren't expected to dance together, since we aren't friends. Aren't you afraid that some will think I'm pitying you?"
"I'll chance it," Matthew replied, lowering his voice as his gaze grew slightly more improper. "As long as I get a dance with you, I couldn't care less what other people think or say. Or do you not recall how it feels when we dance together?"
Mary's icy shield cracked. Of course she remembered how it felt to dance with him. She remembered vividly.
"If you put it that way, why not?" Mary smirked at him.
They stepped on to the dance floor and Matthew maintained a respectable distance as they began to waltz.
"You didn't think I would ask you to dance, did you?" he whispered.
"Well, I…" Mary shook her head. "No, I assumed you would keep your distance."
"Robert told me that it wasn't necessary for me to dance with you. No need to maintain appearances, he said."
"Classic Papa. He was probably deathly afraid I would cause a scene and refuse you. So why did you ask me to dance then?"
Matthew smiled at her, his voice becoming low and smooth. God, he must know how much she loved that tone of voice, Mary thought. "Because I don't care about appearances, Mary. I don't care if this goes against our supposedly brilliant plan of slowly warming to each other. I don't care what anyone else is thinking when they see you here in my arms. Up until last September, I thought I had lost you forever. I love you and when presented with the opportunity to dance with you without having to do it in secret, I shall take full advantage."
Mary's hand squeezed his as they moved about the floor. "Why, Matthew," she answered with a smile. "That is precisely the kind of assertiveness that a woman could learn to appreciate."
"Well don't get too used to it, Cousin Mary," Matthew said teasingly. "Come tomorrow, we go back to wearing our masks and the Great Matter shall continue."
"Then that still leaves us the rest of tonight, doesn't it?" Mary replied, smiling as she noticed Matthew swallow at her meaning. "What you must learn about life at Downton is that all manner of things can take place behind closed doors."
The song ended and Matthew was forced to step back from her. He escorted her off the dance floor, but stole a moment to whisper to her.
"Should I dare to get my hopes up that you may come to me later after everyone has retired?" he asked quietly.
"You're being quite forward, Cousin Matthew," Mary whispered back.
"I am," Matthew said, and his tone of voice nearly caused Mary's knees to buckle. "Come to me tonight. Please." The last word was more of a plea than a confident command.
Mary smiled in triumph and spoke quickly without looking at him.
"I suppose you'll just have to see."
She walked away from him and rejoined Sybil and Edith. She felt his eyes on her back and she shivered in delight as she planned their late night rendezvous in her mind.
"See, Mary?" Sybil gushed. "Even you have to admit that Cousin Matthew is a wonderful dancer."
"He's fine, Sybil," Mary replied indifferently, turning around and smiling inwardly as she saw Matthew standing stiffly next to her Papa, his one hand fidgeting with his coat.
"Nothing special," she smirked.