Revelations

After another day at the shore, they take the late morning train back to London, in a well-appointed first class coach. Being mid-week, it is not overly full of other passengers. A porter offers them newspapers and periodicals, and they select a couple to read to pass the time. Henry notes an article on the front page of one, "Oh, look, there is an article about ocean holidays at Brighton." Mary glances over but continues to read the one she selected. Henry continues, "Here, Turner is quoted. That is not a surprise. Ah-apparently performances at the pier continue beyond September."

Mary smirks a little, "That is a not-too-subtle way to encourage hotel guests after the summer. I cannot blame them for trying."

Henry turns the page to continue the article, and on the inside page is a rather large photograph of people at the shore, with the hotel in the background. Mary and Henry are prominently in the picture in their beach attire. The caption identifies them as "Newlyweds Henry and Mary Talbot enjoy the ocean at Brighton". Henry warns his wife, "Um, dear…"

Mary glances over to see what is wrong, and her face exhibits her surprise, "Heavens! Did you know about this?"

Henry snorts, "Certainly not! I didn't even see a photographer!"

Mary is still in shock. "The Turners were not aware of the photograph, I am sure of it. Mrs. Turner would have mentioned it."

They look at each other and both say at the same time: "Carlisle!" Henry laughs, while Mary is fuming. "He did say our marriage announcement would make the papers now that he was aware of it!" Henry contemplates the picture, " We do make a rather attractive pair, don't we?"

Mary is not in the mood to be mollified. "Oh, there's your cavalier attitude again!"

Henry attempts to deflect it with an almost fatalistic tone, "Well there's nothing to be done about it now." Mary wants to fume, but knows Henry is right.

Henry remembers his conversation at the concert, "Speaking of Carlisle, did I mention he asked me to do a column for his paper, on automobiles and racing? I'll need to call his office to make the arrangements."

Mary is clearly still bothered by the photo while Henry remains amused, and this announcement of continued interaction with Carlisle is even more upsetting. "I will be honest that I am not sure how I feel about you working for him." She looks at the photo again. "It is just like him to do something like this-if it sells papers."

Henry puts his paper down and looks at Mary, surprised at the angry tone in her voice, "You said he was a perfect gentleman!"

Mary decides she needs to tell Henry to whole story. "Of course the other day I had to say that, because in some ways, he was. But, … there is more to it. Here, now is as good a time as any for me to explain. I do not like the idea that Carlisle knows things about me that my husband does not."

Mary begins to tell Henry about the Pamuk scandal, Richard's role in keeping it hushed, the fight at Downton, and their split.

Meanwhile, at the Abbey, Robert is reading the same newspaper in the library while the children play nearby. Robert looks over at George, asking, "Your mummy will be home tomorrow, George. Are you looking forward to it?"

George appears happy, "Yes!"

Robert decides to reinforce the change that will be occurring, "Mr. Talbot will be with her. She explained that he will be living with us now that they are married."

George nods and gives his approval, "That's okay, he is nice."

Sybbie decides to add her observations, "They kiss a lot."

Robert looks over at Sybbie and chuckles, saying, "That is because they love each other." He is turning the page as he is saying this, folding the paper over so he only sees one side. He does not see the photo yet. Sybbie looks up at Robert as he does so, and suddenly she points at the paper, "There is Aunt Mary with Uncle Henry!" Robert looks uncertain, but turns the paper over to see what has gotten Sybbie's attention. He raises his eyebrows upon seeing the photograph of the couple on the beach. George gets up to see, too, smiling at seeing his mother's photograph. Robert shakes his head in a bemused way, saying, "So it is, Sybbie, so it is…"

Mary and Henry are spending another night at his London flat. Henry is directing his manservant in some packing, while Mary sits nearby, trying to be out-of-the-way but present if needed. To both of them, Henry says, "I am going to leave a few things here for the times we are in London." Mary shares a little surprise, "Will you keep the flat? We could always stay with Aunt Rosamund, or at Grantham house if it is not let out."

Henry looks over at her and answers ambiguously, "I may consider selling it; the market is certainly good. But pardon my wanting to hold on to a little bit of my bachelorhood for a while." Smiling mischievously at Mary, he adds, "You wouldn't want me to feel 'trapped', would you?"

Mary returns his look, "Touche. I suppose I deserve some of my words to be thrown back at me every now and then. Speaking of being here in London, I believe I distracted you the other night as you were talking about driving practice. When will you need to return?"

Henry does not have an answer for her, or himself for that matter. "Good question...I told Clarke that I will be getting settled into marriage at least through August. There are only a few more races this year, and I'll miss a couple. We'll have to see."

Henry addresses Gibson, pointing in turn to two sets of baggage, "These we will take with us tomorrow, and those can be shipped."

Gibson acknowledges, "Very good, sir," and leaves the room.

Mary rises to embrace Henry, saying almost apologetically, "It's been a lovely few days. I hope you don't mind such a short honeymoon."

Henry returns her affection with a small peck, saying, "It's alright... I know you miss George. Besides, as long as I am with you, it doesn't matter where we are."

Mary is a little surprised by this declaration, and teases him about it, "I believe you are even more sentimental than I thought!"

Henry counters, "If so, that would be your influence."

"Mine! No one would say that I am overly sentimental."

"No one would have said it about me before, either." They kiss, but are interrupted by Gibson saying that tea is ready in the main room.

As they get their tea, Henry decides to take advantage of Mary's good mood, and pursue the topic from the train. "I would like to do the newspaper column-I hope you don't mind terribly. It will give me another outlet while I sort out how to handle racing without Charlie. I know that Carlisle can be a sharp businessman, but in spite of your misgivings, he is not evil. Even in your own dealings, it sounds like he was not spiteful."

Mary says resignedly, "I suppose that is true." In her mind, she considers that some would indeed think Richard evil, but he never did disclose her secret. She sips her tea before she continues, "I don't detest the man-I was going to marry him after all."

Henry snickers almost merrily, "Ah, what a tangle that must have been! Carlisle engaged to you, jealous of your love for Matthew, who was engaged to Miss Swire!"

Mary shows mock offence at Henry's amusement, but agrees, "It was all rather messy. I see that you are not too bothered by that scandalous episode."

Henry is still chuckling as he thinks about her story. But he reassures Mary, "That was so long ago that it would be foolish to think it would have any bearing on us."

Mary seems to be considering something for a moment. Finally, she decides that now is as good a time as any to divulge more. "Shall I tell you about my other, more recent indiscretion now, or wait for another uncomfortable social situation for it to come up?"

Henry looks surprised, "'Other'?"

"Yes. I don't think Carlisle knows about it; just my family, and well, a couple of others."

Henry looks at her askance, teasing, "Now who is being cavalier?"

Mary presses, "Would you like to know or not?"

Henry replies, with a smile on his face, "I wouldn't have expected country life to be more exciting than being a racing driver. By all means, tell me, my little vixen." He sits back, a little smugly. Mary gives him a warning look, and begins, "It took me a while after Matthew died to even think about another man …" She begins to tell him about her fling with Gillingham and the subsequent blackmail attempt because of it.