On the drive back to Downton, Mary and Henry continue the discussions of the day before.
Mary realizes that she knows little of Henry's past, yet he is obviously an experienced lover. She asks, "Is there be any reason I should be aware of your prior love affairs?"
Henry looks over at her, and answers carefully, "A gentleman never tells...what sordid details do you think you need to know?"
Mary prods, "Well, do I know any of the women? I mean, will we be at a party and suddenly need to leave?"
Henry starts to laugh, "No, nothing like that. My dalliances were casual affairs, for mutual pleasure, nothing more. London is different than the country."
This response riles Mary's sense of injustice, "It is entirely unfair that a bachelor can have liaisons without fear of societal reprisal, yet a woman cannot."
Henry does not want to have this turn into an argument, but he does not think it necessary to divulge anything about his previous lovers. "I agree for the most part, but that's not entirely true; there can be repercussions, in particular if a child results. Just look at Lord Sinderby."
Mary acknowledges his guess, "So you surmised that, too."
Henry gives her a knowing smirk. He continues, "At least you were careful about the possibility of conception, even if you were not about witnesses. But really, I do not hold your past against you, nor you mine. Isn't that what matters most?"
"I suppose."
Henry sees that she is not satisfied, "Look, I understand that you felt I needed to know because we will interact with these gentlemen, and you do not want me to find out through another blackmail attempt. But my experience has been different."
Mary is almost ready to give up, "So you have never had your heart taken before me?"
Henry's face shows hesitation, "I never said that…"
Mary jumps on his admission, "Well! We have a while to drive yet. I have bared myself to you, and I must admit I feel quite unburdened in a way. Now it is your turn. Tell me about that if nothing else."
Henry sees that he has no choice, "Alright, if it will appease you... although there is not much to tell. I mentioned I was in the Tank Corps during the war."
Mary nods, "Yes-where you developed your taste for racing vehicles…"
Henry smiles, actually pleased that she remembered his story of how they used to amuse themselves by racing to see who could get the tanks where they needed to be fastest. "Yes. Our unit had commandeered lodging in a chateaux and its nearby village. While many inhabitants of the area left, some remained, including the niece of a local priest. She helped with all sorts of things for the troops, but mostly just having her smile at the men was enough to inspire. I think all of us fell in love with her." Henry's expression seems far away briefly before he continues.
"Because I was an officer and know French, I had an advantage-I was one of the few who interacted with her regularly for the units' requests. At the end of our time there, I asked if she would reply if I were to write to her. She very politely said that she would not-the distance and cultural differences would make any future together unrealistic. I never saw nor heard from her again." Henry looks thoughtful.
"And that is it-you didn't seduce her or she you?" Mary seems a little deflated at the lack of raciness.
"Come now, we may have joked about my making a pass, but have I ever been anything but proper with you? Give me a little credit for knowing when a woman is special." He winks at Mary. Mary saw his expression as he told the story, so decides to tease him a little, "You still carry a torch for her?"
Henry knows that she is not serious, but says, reassuringly, with affection, "You know better." Mary smiles confidently.
