Continuing the week end at Downton : M rated chapter
XX
Briiiiing! Bbbbriiiiinngg!
The mobile went off next to Matthew's ear. He grunted violently and almost threw his arm out to pitch it across the room.
Then he realized it was not his.
"Sorry…" Mary's soft whisper as she reached over his body to turn it off. At some point during the night they had switched sides on her bed. They had stumbled up the stairs the previous night, both too intoxicated by the Louisiana bourbon to do more than shed their clothes off and fall into Mary's bed.
Matthew remembered mumbling that the "French toast will taste better in the morning anyway."
Mary had curled into his body and they slept.
Morning came all too soon.
Matthew reached over to pull her down on top of him after she turned off the phone. He tried not to notice that she also frowned slightly at a message indicator. Instead his hands lingered her on her naked form. He pulled her closer and guided her arm up to his shoulder as his fingers delicately tingled her skin.
They kissed.
She languidly slid herself down his chest and below his waist. And Matthew no longer cared he was awoken at the crack of nothing.
Afterward, Matthew could hardly move. His heart raced from Mary's expert ministrations. He had held it until the sensations threatened to overwhelm and then the release jolted and exhausted him.
Mary lifted her head up and gave him a wickedly pleased smile. Then, with a satisfied grin, had gone to take a shower.
Matthew recovered and stretched with an indolence he hardly believed possible.
And he was still there when she came back. He pulled her down again. She giggled as she lost her balance.
"Why is your alarm set for 5am?" He snuggled against her neck, nuzzling kisses up and down the curves that enticed and seduced.
"I usually get my regimen done before my students arrive." Mary said. "Unless I am distracted…" And she pulled leisurely on his lower lip.
"Regimen?" Matthew cuddled closer. "Students?" He groaned. "Does this mean we really have to get up?"
"I can do my running and cross fit later. You can join me if you're up for it." Another smirky grin. "I usually go full out for a couple hours or so."
Matthew raised a sleepy eye brow. "You think I can't keep it up?" He moved his hand closer to her inner thigh.
"Oh you can keep it up…" Mary winked.
Matthew's lip curved at the edge. "Come here…" and he pulled her once again into his arms to return the favour of earlier.
It was past 8:45 by the time Mary was coherently aware again of time.
"I do have students starting at 9am." Mary tore herself away from him. "I can't let them down." She started to dress.
Matthew gazed up. "Of course not. I wouldn't expect you to. I can find something to do." He pulled his hair back across his head and got out of the bed. He moved into the bathroom and pulled a towel across his waist.
"Like what?" She pulled on her work boots and looked over at him. God he looked delicious.
Matthew sighed, reluctant to let go of this bubble where nothing touched them from the outside world.
But it would. It inevitably would.
"I have to go Manchester. Since I'm so close here, I can get there and back again by later today." He reached for the hot water tap.
"To your mother?" Mary bit her lower lip. She knew that Isobel would most probably hate her on sight.
He nodded miserably. "I have to tell her. I've been avoiding her for three weeks. She knows something is wrong."
Mary's eyes flickered anxiety.
"Not wrong…" Matthew's voice hitched as he tried to reassure her. "Not wrong…I just know she's not going to understand. She is very close to …" He tried again. "…to Lavinia." He leaned against the doorway. "I don't even know what to say to her."
Mary understood all too well. "I know." Matthew had told her several stories about his mother, funny and awkward ones of his growing up. They had been alone together since his father's death. They were very close. He chafed sometimes under her overprotectiveness, but he loved her none the same. It was also a way to talk about family, without mentioning his wife.
Matthew lifted a cautious eyebrow. "Have you told …erm… "
"Have I told Henry I'm in love with another man?" Mary's dull monotone told him everything he needed to know. She shook her head heavily, "Let's talk later. We need to figure a lot of things out." She looked at her mobile again. "Josh's parents have texted they've arrived at the stable."
Matthew let her go after one last kiss. "I'm very glad to be the man you're in love with. I want to be that man for the rest of my life."
She reached and drew her finger down the side of his cheek. "I'll be here when you get back."
XX
After he showered and dressed Matthew walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. He really was starving now and pulled out the baking pan of French toast. The mix had soaked into the bread and it smelled delicious. He popped it into the oven at the recommended setting and set out to make some coffee in the rather daunting looking Jura One Touch off to his right. He and Lavinia always preferred a French press to any of those new machines.
After that effort led to more success than he had dared, Matthew sat down with his steamed coffee and toast. That summer working the coffee shop paid off after all, he surmised. Even though it had been the ninth circle of hell at the time.
For it had been the summer he had fallen in love, or at least he thought so, for at least three months.
Caro…
What a fool he had been.
Was he being a fool again?
The forkful of syrupy French toast hung suspended in front of his face.
No…yes… Yes he was. He was being foolish. Unwise. Imprudent. Impulsive. Probably irresponsible. And most definitely injudicious.
Mary was lovely. Mary was smart and clever. She was witty and beautiful. She pushed all his buttons and opened his world to new possibilities. Mary ripped his sanity to shreds. She sucked the oxygen out of a room whenever she made her presence known.
He was made different by her.
And he didn't care.
Fools in love seldom do.
With a smile, he found a coffee thermos in amongst the many kitchen gadgets and a box. He brought some of the steamed coffee and toast out to Mary's office. He could hear her giving encouraging guidance to her young pupil.
He left a note and turned out of the stable and back to the gravel drive for his car.
Matthew thought about leaving the car at the train station in Downton Village and buying a ticket. The trip to Manchester would be easier by train, and he could walk to his mother's house within minutes.
And give him time to think.
He didn't want to think.
So he decided to drive instead.
He arrived, after a delay because of a crash on the motorway, around noon.
Isobel was home. Matthew could see the Audi he had bought her parked on the street. She had insisted the ten-year-old Peugeot was perfectly fine.
He had rolled his eyes and bought her the new A4.
"Mum?" He unlocked the door and walked in.
"I'm in the kitchen." Her bright tone wafted down the hall. "Want some tea?"
"Yes. Thanks." Matthew checked the living room for the damp spot. "I see you finally had the builders in." A storm had brought down a tree branch down and damaged the roof and interior wall. Isobel had been away visiting friends. Matthew had been house sitting for her when it happened so he had settled with the insurance and retained the plaster restorers after the roofers had fixed the corner, soffits, and the leak in the attic.
Isobel looked out from the kitchen doorframe. "Two days ago. The roofers were here last week."
"Great." He walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Have you decided on the new colour?"
"Not yet. Your interior design friend suggested Antiguan sky blue to give a Caribbean feel." Isobel handed him a cup of steaming Yorkshire Gold.
"And?" He took a sip.
She paused. "I rather like the idea. He was quite a lot of fun, your old flat mate. He suggested a complete redo of the kitchen."
Matthew was simultaneously astonished and completely not surprised. Raj had that effect on everyone. It was why he ran one of the highest profile new design firms in London. He had been after his mother to get new appliances and do up the cabinets after thirty years. When he exhausted all of his options, he called in Raj.
And within a fortnight she was on board.
He laughed to himself. That all turned out for the best.
She had never asked why he so readily agreed to stay in the house and take care of the cat while she visited an ailing friend in Dover. Initially he had thought about hiring a sitter, but instead he had said yes. He was glad he had been there though, during that storm. He would not have wanted her to go through that alone or leave the house empty with the damage.
He stood in the kitchen holding his cup of tea. Then he sat down. Put his cup on the oak table.
And now he had to tell her.
"What are you doing all the way up here…?" Isobel enquired. "I've tried calling but you just text back excuses."
She tried not to sound disapproving, but Matthew could hear it in her voice.
Matthew pulled his fingers through his hair. A nervous habit, Mary would say. Knowing it was true, he stopped.
"I've been avoiding you." He confessed. "I have something to say that I know you won't understand."
She held the cup away from her lips. Waiting.
Mathew's eyes shifted back and forth. Then he looked straight at her. "I've asked Lavinia for a divorce. I am living in a flat near the business for the past three weeks."
It was as she had feared. "Is that why Lavinia said to ask you why you were not at home?"
His head trembled imperceptibly. "Yes."
"Why?" Only a son could hear the disappointment in that one syllable question.
"It's not fair on Lavinia to stay in a marriage where her husband is love with another woman." Said all in one breath.
He waited …
Isobel's eyes narrowed "What?" her tone pierced with confusion. She had no idea. "I assumed it had to do with what went on last year. When you were carousing with your Americans."
Matthew snorted. "They were not my friends, Mother. They were clients. Michael Morton wanted to look at properties in London to expand his clubs He's a big developer of entertainment venues in California and Nevada. I had to go with him."
"To places that had you smelling like a tart's boudoir by the time you managed to drag yourself home." Isobel accused.
"I told you it was necessary to meet him on his own turf. He wanted to see what he was buying." Matthew's exasperation was of long standing. "This has nothing to do with that."
"What does it have to do with then? What do you mean in love with another woman?" Isobel leaned against the kitchen counter.
Matthew steepled his fingers together in front of his face. "I met someone through work. We've known each other about four months. I've helped her start her own business." He pushed his thumbs against his nose. "I fell in love. As soon as she turned around the very first time. I knew."
"Oh Matthew. This is just like when you were at university. With Caro. You were sure you were in love with her. You said she was the right girl. And then that all went pear shaped." Isobel retorted with a frustrated sigh.
Matthew knew she was going to bring that up. He had been besotted with Caro. He had almost asked her to marry him straight out of uni despite having only a glimmer of prospects as a successful lawyer.
She chose an investment banker instead.
He had been crushed. Thought the world had ended. And then he just got on with life. Met Lavinia. Married. Settled down. Put all that behind him. Made a success. Said that would never happen to him again.
Had he settled for second best? No, his inner voice screamed. Lavinia was worth more than that. She did not deserve what he was putting her through.
But neither could he go back. Mary filled his body, his soul. She was everything to him now.
"This is different." He insisted. "I was wrong. I wasn't really in love. Just young and stupid."
"And Lavinia?" Isobel's eyes bored into his. "You should at least mention love when talking about your wife." Her eyes welled with unspent tears.
"I do love her." Matthew's insistence rang hollow though to his mother. He knew it. He knew he was making a botch of it all. His emotions were all over the place. He had to pull it together.
"Then why not try to work it out? Some passing fling will blow away like a wisp on the wind. You've made a commitment. I can't make it out at all."
"You don't have to Mother." Matthew snapped. "It's my life. Our marriage. I'm doing what I believe is best."
"You don't know yourself. You've only known this other woman you said for a few weeks, months at most? How can you say you're willing to throw over the past four years? This is just not like you to act so rashly." Isobel struggled to take all this in.
"I've wronged Lavinia. I won't do it anymore. She deserves to find her own happiness." His voice threatened to crack at that admission.
"And I've never heard anything more self-serving." Isobel pushed back.
Matthew's voice came back. "Be that as it may, it's the truth." His mouth tightened.
Isobel rounded on him. "And now you've found it? Happiness?"
Matthew's clenched jaw slackened. "Yes. Yes I have."
"It seems all very irresponsible, but it seems you've made up your mind." Isobel's admission tinged with sarcasm.
"I have. It's done. Lavinia has accepted it. We've been in contact through our legal representation and this week we sit down for settlement." Matthew sat forward at the table. He looked his mother in her eyes once again.
She saw that he was calm. His eyes were honest. "I grow more in love with Mary every moment I'm around her. I know it's sudden and I've hurt Lavinia. But it wasn't going to stop. It wasn't going to go away. This is real, Mother. I made the decision to be honest. Lavinia knows me well enough to realize that."
So it was all done. Isobel conceded to the truth of that reality.
But Matthew had one last thing to ask. "Will you do something for me? Would you look in on Lavinia? She doesn't want to talk to me, and I completely understand."
Isobel consented with an affirmative nod.
"Thank you." Matthew was relieved to have at least started this conversation with his mother. It would take some more time for her to finally accept his decision.
But he was not off the hook yet. "What is her name? You've not said." Isobel was ready for the next round.
Matthew cleared his throat. She probably wasn't going to like this either. "Mary. Lady Mary Crawley."
Isobel tilted her head back and her eyes opened wide. "The Grantham family?"
Their names had so often been mixed up for the aristocratic ones, it had become a bit of a joke amongst them. Reggie Crawley would fake a Monty Python-like aristocratic tone and ask one for tea with the Queen.
Matthew admitted it. "Yes from Downton Abbey. While she used to be in real estate with her father, Mary now runs her own business from there. She teaches horse riding while she trains for competition herself."
"And this is the business you help set up?"
"I did. She wants to get back into Olympic training."
Isobel's tone was unmistakable. "And they could not afford to do so on their own finances? How the mighty have fallen."
Matthew rolled his eyes. They were ever on about how useless the aristocracy was in this new 21st century Britain. "I know what we say, but yes. They're in financial difficulties."
They locked eyes again.
Matthew knew what she was thinking. "And no. Mary is not after my money. She insisted we enter the partnership on Downton Stables as equals."
"You are sure about this?" Isobel finally sat down next to him.
He gave a lop sided grin. "I am. I really am. I'd like you to meet her very soon. But not, I think until after the divorce settlement. Probably in a couple of months. Give you some time."
Isobel conceded that would be acceptable. She returned Matthew's half smile, though her mouth was tense.
It was enough for now.
Matthew then changed the subject.
They spent a few more minutes discussing her kitchen renovation plans and Matthew took her to lunch at Fazenda Rodizio, a Brazilian steakhouse located inside Spinningfields.
He then dropped her back at her house, and returned by the motorway to Downton.
Back to Mary.
XX
Mary had finished up with Joshua. He was a good rider, had a good seat. But no confidence. His parents were perfectionists who critiqued his every move even when Mary tried encouraging praise. She had encountered such types all her life. One of her previous coaches was like that.
She did not want to be such a teacher. She wanted to be firm but patient. That was the way to build assurance as a rider.
Mary munched on the French toast Matthew had brought in the insulated container. The coffee was delicious. It was so thoughtful of him to make her a breakfast on the go.
This had to be a dream.
Matthew was everything she had ever looked for in a lover. In a friend. In a person.
He just had to have flaws! Mary laughed to herself. Of course there was the big one. The married one. But who was she to say that? Matthew had been open and honest with his wife. He even had that going for him.
She had not told Henry anything. He still thought Matthew was just a consultant out to make a splash with her family. Well that could not be more wrong. Her father practically hated him on sight.
That may have been a strike against him, except that it seemed to Mary it had nothing to do with Matthew per se, but more what happened between the two men at that rather strained dinner of a month ago.
Well she'd know soon enough all his flaws. He'd probably disappoint in one way or another. But for now, she accepted that she was living in a dream. One she did not want to escape.
Real life was a bitch. It would come back to bite soon enough.
Her next student was arriving so she tucked the last piece of toast in her mouth and moved to get ready. Only two more after and then she and Jerry had some work in the tack room. She glanced at her watch-11am. Wonder how long Matthew would be?
Mary left the office to see if Claire had saddled up Mr. Banks. Maggie was to arrive in a few minutes and she wanted the horse warmed up and ready.
Oh she loved this time of day. In between the students, she could breathe. Take it all in. Realize that it was working. Out in the sun. Her muscles ached sometimes from the exertions of lessons, training, and brushing up after. But it was a good tired. Not the kind she experienced in London. Soulless and useless.
Mary shaded her eyes and caught sight of Maggie walking down the lane from the train station. "It was such a lovely day I decided to walk."
"Don't blame you. If you stow your stuff in the office, we'll get started. I thought we could ride some cross country today."
"Someone's had a good night's sleep then!" Maggie laughed.
Oh how little she knew…Mary's mouth danced into a mischievous smile as she remembered the utter lack of sleep she almost got. Matthew had ruined any and all of her regimen. She seldom drank anymore, yet she slugged down hard Louisiana liquor as it if was water. She never consumed large amounts of sugar, yet the French toast was drowned in syrup. She tried to get a good night sleep so as to be wide awake for the next day's work, yet they dragged themselves upstairs well after 2am last night and made love twice the next morning.
He was going to be the death of her.
And she couldn't wait for more.
XX
Matthew pulled into the space behind Downton once again. He made good time back from Manchester. It was only now going on 3:30pm. Mary must be done by now? He thought, checking his watch.
But no she wasn't. She could still be seen cooling out one of the other horses in the stable yard. She waved.
Matthew waved back. He walked into the kitchen to get a water out of the refrigerator and then returned outside.
He called out, "I'll be in the office, looking over the accounts. Getting myself up to speed. Do you mind?"
She shook her head. "Of course not. Look at the emails I sent for the passwords." She waved and continued working.
Matthew walked inside and pulled up the chair in front of the lap top. She had sent him all kinds of information regarding boarding fees, operational standards, the health and safety regs, risk management and liability, insurance, and tack equipment. He had attempted to absorb it all. She eventually wanted to start a program for special needs children and adults and an equine wellness facility.
They were all big dreams. In addition to her own competitive requirements. Jellybean needed special attention. She would eventually need her own private coach. Mary informed him over dinner months ago now that "if I ever want to reach Olympic level again, I have to train full out in a year or two. I'm fine with getting started slow and building the business first, but not forever. You can go a long time in this sport, I know people in their forties or fifties still in competition but I'd like for it not to take that long."
And they had both laughed. "2020?" Matthew had asked. "or 2024?"
Mary could only curve her eyebrows up in speculation. "Have to see how good I am by then. It's daunting for sure. Tokyo in 2020 might be achievable. But if Paris has them in 2024 that would be just as nice."
"And romantic…" Matthew had added, and then had stumbled as he realized his faux pas. He had no right to say that then.
But he could now. As he slogged through the numbers of bales of hay the horses went through in a week, he thought of Mary. He could hear her and Jerry in the tack room next door, storing the gear and discussing next week's appointments.
Mary walked in.
He looked up from the computer. "The numbers all looked good."
"We have to update the list. We've got four horses stabled now with two more contracted." Mary walked over to stand behind him.
He entered the data change.
"Eight students? Is that correct?"
"Yes. I thought one might have to drop out. But I decided to pay her fees for the next few months." She pointed out the girl in the excel list.
Matthew looked askance at her. "If you want to be competitive you can't do that. You have to be hard at the beginning especially if you want to make profit."
"Like you? Kill or be killed?" Mary blurted out.
He raised his eyes. "You know as well as I that in our business we have to be like that. Others will swoop in like vultures if we're weak."
Mary declared clearly, "and that's why I've gotten out. I want to run things my way."
Matthew squinted with a touch of disapproval, but said nothing. "What about the others? Are they all paid up?"
"You haven't even asked if I found a way to do both." Mary uttered under her breath.
Matthew responded cheekily, "I may need glasses, but my hearing is excellent. Do you have a plan?"
Mary gave a slow grin of satisfaction. "We need some kind of waiver for some students." She leaned down over his shoulder. "If we get a grant I could enroll more students at lower costs."
"And more work for you, meaning possibly another hire as well." He reminded her.
"I'm going to have to do that anyway. I don't think I can keep up all the teaching and do my own work." Mary pointed out. "I have another competition in a fortnight."
"I see." Matthew said. "What about Claire?" Matthew asked as he scrolled through some of the spread sheets on cost estimates.
"She's young and only part time. She's really just learning the business. I need someone I can rely on to be here when I can't. When I'm at a competition." She moved her finger over his on the cursor to show him how much she was paying each employee. "See we can afford it. I can make some adjustments elsewhere."
"Right." He scratched his head. I'm going to have to go over these in greater detail before we make any final decision." He turned his seat towards her. "Are you done for the day?"
"I am." She responded, knowing his thoughts were the same as hers. "Jerry's just gone. We're all alone again."
"Well in that case…" Matthew swung her down into his lap. "I'm calling time on business. It's our time once again."
He reached for her lips. She opened her mouth to him.
"How did it go with your mother?" Mary queried tentatively.
Matthew sat back in the chair. He moved his arm so that Mary fit into his shoulder. They stayed quiet a few minutes.
"It will take her some time." He finally said.
"We'll give her as much time as it takes." Mary knew this would be hard. She would have to be patient and give Isobel space. "I know her approval is very important to you."
Matthew squeezed his arms around Mary's waist. "She's just had a shock. I think she'll come around." He once again changed the subject. "What should we do for dinner? We could find something in the larder I suppose?"
"I need a shower and a change of clothes. Let's go…" And she got up slowly, seductively moving her fingertip along his chin. "We'll decide later."
"Whatever you command…" He answered equally flirtatiously.
They made their way quickly upstairs. This time they made it to her bed.
Mary's groan of pleasure ripped from her mouth as soon as his eager hands undressed her. Matthew unbuttoned her shirt and undid the belt to her riding breeches. He could get much mad satisfaction just feeling the form fitting material give way to his touch. She had already kicked off her boots. As soon as her bra came off, he pushed his face up against the space in between her breasts and slowly began squeeze her nipples erect. Mary shucked his jeans off and just feeling the length of his shaft, groaned again and put him inside her. Her mind spun helpless with desire as he took her and thrust hard.
Mary arched her face to meet his. Their lips met in a crashing, burning kiss. His forearms came down on either side taking his weight off of her. Their tongues entangled in rhythmic love making. Matthew opened his eyes to find Mary's pupils dilated and open wide as well.
They stared hard as his thrusting grew more and more possessive. Her body jerked and shuddered beneath him. She gave a ragged, helpless cry into his mouth, "Matthew, keep going…." And then she pierced the air with a delicious scream of pleasure as the point of no return claimed her and sensations of bliss filled her body.
Matthew was hot and sweaty. Her body engulfed and overwhelmed him with its slickness and heat. His arousal was deep inside. Her nails dug into his shoulders as he thrust harder and she came with the abandon he sought to evoke. His own climax over came him. Shattering and cascading, he pushed himself to the brink and then he shook as the peak insanely exploded and he lost all sense of control.
He fell beside her. "God help me, I could do that all day."
Mary smirked slyly. "That would be tiring indeed."
"But nice..." He sat up beside her, stroking the curvature of her waist.
"Oh...very nice." She gave him a slow kiss, her tongue lingering inside.
They caught their breath and Mary made ready to finally take that shower. "Coming?" She asked, rising off the bed and moving towards the bathroom.
"Absolutely." Matthew declared, following her inviting backside into the shower.
XX
Matthew yawned rather indelicately. He tried to stifle it but couldn't.
"Tired?" Mary grinned, taking another sip of her water. One night of drunken revelry was all she was to give herself.
"A bit." He conceded. "We were up with the birds this morning." He joked back, taking a sip of mineral water. "Back to the regimen?"
"Tomorrow we run." Mary was firm about returning to her schedule. "I have to be fighting fit for the York Cup."
"I know." He said, idly running his fingers atop her hand. "I'll be ready."
He pushed the last bit of pasta into his mouth. "Shall we get back.?" He pulled back his seat and rose to help her up. They had already paid the bill.
They had walked to a local restaurant in Downton Village and proceeded to return hand in hand back to the Abbey.
His lips grazed her knuckles as the evening turned dark and the half moon rose in the clear night sky. She leaned closer to his body.
One more night gone in their week end alone. They had only tomorrow morning before the world broke in and they returned to real life.
Mary undid the alarm and they walked inside. Up the stairs and to bed after some ablutions in the bathroom. Mary groaned delightfully as she pulled the light duvet around her. "I am ready for a good night's sleep." She reached out to him. "Come here."
Matthew gazed lovingly at her. His pupils dark, rimmed in cerulean blue. Then wordlessly he pulled back the covers and joined her.
They slept deeply.
But right before dawn, just as the first flickers of light met the horizon, Matthew awoke. He yawned, tossed side to side trying not to disturb Mary's slumber.
Finally he got up and and padded towards the bathroom. He put on his boxer briefs and jogger bottoms.
He settled into the window seat, noting the angle of light striking the bed was just perfect. He grabbed the drawing book out of his case. He had bought a new blank one at a shop while waiting for Mary on Friday.
Mary was asleep on her side, the duvet had fallen leaving only a sheet half covering her naked form. Her eyes closed, an arm placed alongside her, the other on the pillow. Matthew could see the sheet clinging to her body, shaping it almost into a work of sculpture.
A work of delicate beauty.
He lifted his pencil and began to sketch.
XX
So the cold light of day starts tomorrow...
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