Henry's car pulls up to the main door at the Abbey, and the family and servants come out to welcome them, including the children.
Cora opens her arms to her daughter, "Welcome home! I trust you enjoyed your time away together?" Mary kisses her mother's cheek, "Of course!" Mary looks at her husband and teases, "It feels like we have been married for ages already!"
Henry just smiles back at Mary, gives Cora a kiss on the cheek, and shakes Robert's hand. Robert is welcoming, "Welcome, Henry!"
Mary picks up George to hug and kiss him, and says, "Georgie-mummy missed you! Did you miss me?"
George, hugs Mary's neck, and says in his lispy way, "Yes! We saw your picture!"
Everyone who hears this titters a little, but they stop when they see that Mary does not look too happy about it. Mary deflects the discomfort, "Let's go inside, shall we?"
Henry directs the footman as to the baggage unloading, and takes the bag from the toy store himself. All proceed inside.
Seeing the bag, Sybbie excitedly asks, "Did you bring presents?" Tom leans down to shush her, but Henry squats down to her eye level and says, "We did think of you children while we happened to be shopping. But we'll have to find out from Nanny if you were good enough to deserve anything."
George says, "We were good! (looking to the Nanny) Weren't we, Nanny?"
Nanny nods, "I'll give them your mum a full report. Come along, it is time for your lunch." With that, the Nanny leads the children away.
Mary says to Henry as much as her family, "I'd like to freshen up from the drive before lunch. After, I'll give Henry a proper walk-through of the house and immediate grounds, and introduce the full staff."
Cora nods, and Robert agrees, "Alright. We'll see you at lunch, then."
Mary and Henry start walking up the stairs together. Henry is grateful for Mary's plans, "Thank you for that-as we arrived I realized how little I know of the place."
In the bedroom, Mary turns around with open arms, "Well, here we are! It is rather more feminine than your flat, I hope you don't mind." Henry puts down the bag and looks around, surveying the room. "It is lovely."
Mary continues to point out the important elements, "Here is the bath, (walking him to the bathroom), and here is your dressing room."
Henry walks into the generously sized men's dressing room and looks around, saying: "Ah, excellent."
Mary acts a little embarrassed for a moment, "I am sorry-we never discussed if you want a valet."
Henry is a little surprised at the offer. Gibson was shared with the other flats in his building, and while his father had a valet, he himself never saw the need. "Hmm, oh, no, that won't be necessary. That is, I should think I would have similar arrangements as Tom."
Mary responds as if she does not mind either way. "As you like." She starts heading to the bathroom, "I am going to wash the road dust off my face, if you don't mind."
Henry is standing in the middle of the room, looking around, and seems distracted. "Not at all…," he says.
At the odd tone in his voice, Mary turns back to him and puts a hand on his arm, "Is something wrong?"
Henry looks at her, shakes off his daze and recovers himself, "Oh, no. Nothing."
Mary begrudgingly accepts his response but says no more and heads into the bathroom. The footmen arrive with their bags, and Henry begins directing them as to which ones go where.
Robert and Bates arrive at the door, which has remained open.
"Henry, Bates has offered to help you unpack if you'd like. I can assure you he is an excellent valet and will make sure things are in appropriate places." It is common for the staff to help visitors unpack, ensuring that garments are pressed or hung as appropriate. But it is quite another thing to unpack for long-term residence.
Henry looks at Bates, "Why, that is very generous of you, Bates. Are you sure you don't mind?" Bates bows slightly, to acknowledge the genuineness of his offer, "Not t'all, sir, Mr. Talbot. I am happy to be of assistance."
Henry appears relieved, "Well, then, yes, I appreciate it. Thank you."
Bates heads into the dressing room and we see him beginning to open a suitcase. Anna enters the bedroom about this time and begins to unpack Mary's things. Robert nods to Henry and turns to leave as Mary comes out of the bathroom.
Seeing the number of people in the rooms, Mary exclaims, "Heavens, we do have a party!" Robert just shakes his head at his daughter's drama and departs. Mary turns to talk to Anna as she is unpacking while Henry goes into the bathroom.
A little while later, the family sits down to lunch. Robert warmly says, "Well, Henry, I bid you welcome. I hope you will be as happy here at Downton as we all have been."
"Thank you."
They all eat silently for a bit, then Tom brings up what everyone has been thinking, "So we saw that you enjoyed your stay in Brighton…" Cora, Edith, Tom, and Robert giggle slightly, while Henry tries to keep his face neutral for Mary's sake. He cannot, really, and carries a hint of a smile. Mary takes a deep breath and looks anything but amused. She says, haughtily: "Indeed, we did. It is a most fashionable holiday destination."
At Mary's choice of words, Edith cannot resist, "Yes, and what fashions!" Everyone bursts out laughing, including Henry, and Mary rolls her eyes but cannot help but crack a smile knowing that it is hopeless.
Mary and Henry are finishing the tour of the house and meeting the staff as teatime arrives. They arrive at the library door, but Henry breaks off and goes upstairs. Cora and Robert are already in the library with tea.
While Mary gets tea, Cora inquires, "I hope Henry is not too overwhelmed."
Mary responds confidently, "I should not think so. He's quite adaptable." She turns to Tom who has come in with Edith. "Has anything interesting occurred about the estate while I have been away?"
Tom gets himself some tea after Edith, and shakes his head as he replies, "Nothing out of the ordinary. The harvests are looking to be good, as expected." Mary nods in acknowledgement.
Edith approaches her sister, "Mary, we had a good laugh at the photograph earlier, but you must know that it was because it is so ... uncharacteristic of you."
Mary rolls her eyes at her sister, "Please, don't rub it in…"
Edith wants to explain further, "It is actually quite a good picture. You both looked so...happy, and like you were truly enjoying yourselves. It was a perfect accompaniment to the article. I only wish our magazine had printed it."
Henry has arrived back in the room carrying the bag from the toy store as Edith says this.
"You see, Mary, did I not say we make a sharp-looking couple?" He gives Mary a peck on the cheek, puts the bag down, and goes to get himself some tea. Edith joins him and Tom by the table.
Robert approaches Mary, saying "Sharp-looking or otherwise, you can imagine what Granny said." "Unfortunately, yes. Let me guess: something about being ashamed of her granddaughter frolicking about in her knickers."
Robert chuckles, "That is about it!"
Mary confides, more quietly to her father, "We suspect we know why the photograph was taken and published. We ran into Richard Carlisle in Brighton."
Robert raises his eyebrows in surprise at this revelation. Mary continues, "It turns out he and Henry are friends."
"Well, what a small world!"
Mary fills her father in with the other news, "There is even more: he's asked Henry to write a column for the paper on cars."
Robert looks scoldingly at his daughter, "Mary-"
Mary interrupts her father, "It's alright, Papa. Henry knows everything now."
Tom and Henry have their heads together in quiet conversation. Tom wants to offer his assistance to the newcomer. After all, he credits himself for helping the relationship along.
"Being new here can be pretty intimidating. Let me know if there is anything you need. For me, it was the change in lifestyle that took some adjustment; from downstairs to upstairs, I mean. That part won't be an issue for you, but the house and grounds are quite large. And it is very different from city life"
Henry is grateful, "Thank you. I saw the maps of the grounds in the office, so will study them when I get the chance. Are there floorplans of the Abbey?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, there are, also in the office. I'll show you where."
"That would be splendid, and help a lot." Henry pauses, but decides to confide in Tom, "I must say that the reality of it did not hit me until we arrived here today. It is silly, so don't tell Mary, but I thought of the little things that will be different, for which I may require your help."
Tom lets out a knowing little laugh, "Ah, don't worry, just let any of the staff know you need a button mended or your shoes polished and they will help straight-away."
"You read my mind."
Tom goes further, "In truth, Carson has got this place running so well that even without a valet you will not need to say anything-someone will notice first it'll be done before you even know it."
Nanny arrives with the children, who come to their respective parents for hugs and kisses. Henry walks over to Mary and George. "Hello, George."
"Hewwo, Mr. Henry."
Mary corrects her son kindly, "Just 'Henry' is fine, George. He's going to be spending a lot of time with us now."
Henry adds, "Yes, George, I'd like us to become friends."
George's eyes light up at the prospect of another playmate, "Like Mr. Bawwow?" Henry is about to reply, but Mary intercedes, "I don't think anyone is as good of a horse for you as Mr. Barrow, George." Henry realizes that Mary has just set expectations with George about the type of play they may have, and looks at her in thanks. Better to take things slowly at first. "Ah, George, you'll have to be a little patient since I may be out of practice for that. But have you noticed how tall I am?" George nods silently. Henry takes George from Mary and lifts him to his shoulders. George is a little afraid, and clasps tightly to Henry's head and face. Mary looks on, pleased that Henry is taking the initiative. Henry asks, "Are you alright, George?"
George replies, his voice shaking but he is being brave, "Yes."
"Well, at the moment you are the highest in the house! I'll wager you don't even need a ladder to get a book off the high shelf." Henry walks with George to a bookshelf and George carefully lets go with one hand, takes a book from the shelf, and hands it down to Mary, who has walked with them. George beams at his own bravery, and Mary smiles.
Henry lauds, "That's a lad!" To Mary, he asks, "What book did he choose?" Mary looks at it and blushes, showing Henry that it is the Kammasutra. Henry smiles and whispers, "George has excellent instincts!" Mary puts the book on a shelf and whispers back, "I hardly think we need it." Henry teases her further, "Memorized it already, have you? You'll have to provide the highlights to me." Mary shushes him coyly, "Honestly!" Henry just smiles and says, to George, "Down you go!" as he reaches up and takes George down from his shoulders.
Mary says to her son, "Georgie, sit down with Sybbie and Marigold so you can see what Mummy and Henry brought home for you."
The children sit side-by-side on the floor while Henry gets the bag from the toy shop. He takes each box out and hands them to Mary, who then hands one to each child. Mary and Henry sit down on one of the sofas to watch the children open their presents. Robert, who at times is like a child himself, exclaims, gleefully, "Why, it feels like Christmas!"
The children open the packages and pull out their race cars, squealing with delight. They excitedly bring them to their respective parents to show, then immediately go over to Henry and Mary to say, "Thank you!" The children go to an open patch of floor and begin playing with the cars. Tom comes over smiling at Henry and Mary. "What appropriate gifts, from Henry if not from Mary. It must have been a moment of weakness for her."
Mary protests, "Oh, hush. I may not love cars like you two do, but it appears I must accept them."
Anna adjusts a headpiece to put the finishing touches on Mary's hair as she sits at her dressing table.
"Thank you, Anna," Mary says, "I missed having your fine touch while we were away."
"You are welcome, m'Lady." Anna turns to leave as Henry is coming out of the dressing room, putting his jacket on. Mary stands and asks, "Are you ready, darling?"
Henry sees Anna about to leave, and says, "Anna, I will tell him myself as well, but as you will see him first: please tell your husband how indebted I am for his helping me unpack."
Anna smiles politely, "I am sure he was pleased to help, especially since I was up here unpacking for Lady Mary at the time. We do not get to work together, usually. But I will tell, him, sir." Anna leaves the room.
Henry walks over to Mary and wraps his arms around her. She automatically reaches up to adjust his tie even though it is not necessary. "This is not your first dinner here-you know no one will bite."
Henry reminds her, "Hmm, at my first dinner here, I was introduced to your grandmother's biting tongue. And at my second, yours."
Mary grins with a little guilt, but shrugs, "Well, it is too late now. You married for better or worse…"
Henry, "I did, without reservation…" Henry kisses Mary gently so as not to mess her lipstick. "I will admit that I had a moment being dazed earlier when we arrived, but it is better with my things here now."
Mary nods, knowingly, "I sensed something was wrong…"
"Oh, nothing is wrong! It's just that, well, being in my flat or on holiday with you was completely different than being here now. This has much more of a...I don't know...permanence to it."
He sees Mary have a questioning look on her face, so he adds, reassuringly, "What I mean is that it utterly delightful to think that I will getting ready for dinner with you like this every day."
Mary relaxes a little, but adds "This is your home now, so if there is anything you'd like to change, please say so."
Henry gets a mischievous look in his eye, "There is one thing…"
Mary, seeing the look and replying in kind, "And what is that?"
Henry bends his head down to kiss her neck. "There will be some days when I will not want you to ring for Anna to help you get ready..."
Mary, enjoying his kisses, "Hmm, alright. But we would not want to be late for dinner…"
Henry continues, "and sometimes you will not need her afterwards to help you undress…"
Mary smiles, "Oh, I see…"
Henry, still kissing her, stroking her back lightly, "...and there may be some days when we may miss dinner entirely."
Mary does not push him away, but says warningly, "Henry…!"
Henry kisses her forehead, then takes her arm as they walk out the bedroom door, "Oh, my ice queen will be cool and calm and lovely as always. But I will so enjoy watching you, knowing otherwise."
"You are incorrigible!"
They stop in to the nursery before going downstairs. Mary sits on the edge of George's bed stroking his forehead while Henry gives small pecks goodnight to Sybbie and Marigold. He walks over to George's bed and leans over to kiss him as well. "Goodnight, George. Sleep well." George, sleepily, says, "Good night. Can I ride on your shoulders tomowwow?"
Henry, smiles down at him, pleased with the question. "I don't see why not-I'll talk about it with your mummy."
Mary leans down and kisses her son, "Goodnight, dear."
Henry and Mary leave the nursery as Edith goes in to say goodnight to Marigold. On their way downstairs, Mary warns Henry, "You might be careful about indulging him too much at first-we don't want to spoil him."
"I am forewarned. I have been around children before, you realize."
"I understand, but with nieces and nephews and godchildren, you get to leave until your next visit. That is not the case with George now."
Henry smiles at her, "I am relieved to know you won't be throwing me out again any time soon." Mary, smiles back at him teasingly, "Not yet…"
As everyone gathers for dinner, Mary goes to talk to Cora and Violet while Henry approaches Robert and Tom, "Thank you, again, Robert, for having Bates unpack for me. I wouldn't have gotten to see as much of the place and meet the staff today if I had to do that myself."
"You are very welcome, Henry. I hope things are in order for you."
"Yes. I may still get lost in the house from time to time at first."
Tom assures him, "Oh, you'll get used to it in no time."
More to make small talk, Robert asks Henry, "I understand from Mary that you may become a journalist soon…?"
Henry defers, "Oh, I wouldn't put it that way. I've been asked to write an automotive column for one of the London papers. I am intrigued by the idea, but haven't put any thought yet into what I would write about."
Tom's curiosity is piqued since writing and cars are two of his interests, "Why that's just great! How did that come about?" Henry begins to relate the story of running into Carlisle in Brighton.
Cora and Mary are sitting with Violet, and Mary decides to confront her grandmother right away, "You may as well say it straight out, Granny: I know you disapprove of the photograph in the newspaper." Violet, in her characteristically critical tone, states, "I most certainly do! Mary, just because you are married again does not mean that you should not be concerned about your reputation!"
Mary says defensively, "You realize we did not know there was a photographer at the beach?" Violet will have none of it, "But you did realize what type of attire you had on, or did NOT have on in this case!"
"Yes, Granny."
"I trust you learned a lesson!?"
Mary decides to tease her grandmother, "Yes, actually, we did. The new styles are much more comfortable than the old for enjoying the surf, and safer without all that fabric. I shall throw the old ones for rags."
Violet looks at her in alarm and scoffs. "Well!"
Cora changes the subject. "I do hope Henry will settle in well, Mary."
"I have every confidence in it, Mama."
Barrow announces that it is time to go in for dinner.
Henry approaches the women and offers his arm to Violet. Violet looks up, still a little miffed at them, but takes his arm anyway.
Henry does not know about the conversation between Mary and Violet. He says, "I am honored, and extremely grateful to you, Lady Violet. I understand that without you I might not be here tonight."
Violet looks up at him and says, "We all play our parts. When I saw the outrageous photograph, I almost regretted it!"
Henry, catching her phrasing, "Almost?"
Violet leans into him, and he bends over to hear her better. She says softly so only he can hear, "Dear boy, how could I be upset for long when the picture evidenced such love and happiness in the face of my granddaughter? It is heartwarming to see again after so long. We shall say no more about it!"
