Christmas eve had been quiet and uneventful. Matthew for reasons that were unknown to Mary spent most of the day away from Downton. He had been vague as to why, saying only she'd know in due course. She wondered if it was really to get out of participating in the tours she had told him were conducted throughout the day. Robert remained upstairs with all the people milling about in the public areas. Mary and Sybil were on hand to answer questions, point out the famous painting in the dining room, and give a couple of family anecdotes.
One kindly older woman, after Mary told her about hiding from her granny for two days in the stables, said "I don't think you'll be doing any of that any time soon."
Mary looked puzzled. "Because I know better now?" She tried to say in good humour.
"No my dear." She pats her arm. "Because of the little one. Blessings be upon you and your future child."
Mary's cheeks flushed.
Sybil added, "Twins." Then as a jokey aside, "Just like Beyoncé, Mary has to keep up with all the trends you know."
Mary rolled her eyes at her sister's gibe but a smile danced on her lips. It was becoming real. She was growing every day. She could not pull on anything this morning but some leggings. After Christmas she was going to have to do some serious maternity clothes shopping.
Where was Matthew? She remembered his hands on her body this morning. Warm, inviting, tender. They had lingered on her belly. He kissed it. Whispering endearments to the children inside. His sounds vibrated on her skin, a wash of love surrounding her.
They had all spent Christmas Eve among family. Matthew arrived back in the evening, rushed upstairs to shower and change, and met the family for dinner. Edith and Bertie arrived in time as well. Violet had called asking for someone to pick her up as she didn't want to drive at night with the potential for snow so Bertie asked Matthew if he wanted to ride along. Matthew agreed and the two men left in Bertie's BMW X5. The two new sons-in-law found much in common on the drive to the Dower House. Bertie and Matthew shared memories of Rugby school. Both had the exacting English teacher Edwina McCormick and both had striven to earn her approval.
"I wrote two essays for her on the works of TS Eliot." Matthew remembered. "Hoping that if the first didn't work, the second would impress. She tore the second one up right in front of me."
Bertie chuckled. "Did she not even read it?"
"No." Matthew blurted out. "I said, probably with way too much conceit, what did you do that for? She gave me that steely eyed glance only long time teachers of smartass students can perfect and said, 'you handed it to me after the first one.' I retorted 'you didn't even read it.' I was spluttering mad by this point. Coolly Mrs. McCormick replied, 'if you put your best effort into the first essay which is what I expect of you Mr. Crawley, you needn't write another to dazzle me into submission with your academic showmanship. One would suffice if you had the confidence. You lack it. I don't expect this to happen again.'"
His spot on imitation of their teacher's Glaswegian accent made Bertie crack up. "What then?"
"I was summarily dismissed with a flick of her hand. I left positively filled with righteous indignation." Matthew still remembered the clenched fists, the red face, the evil intended glint in his eyes.
"I never got so much as a by your leave by her so you must have been special." He turned to Matthew. "Did you succeed in winning her over?"
Matthew slyly smirked. "I won First Prize in the Memorial competition the following term. She helped put me up for the scholarship to Cauis College."
"Top man." Bertie replied with a chuckle. "Edith had told me you built up your own company. I have a few real estate investments in Northumberland. Mostly in commercial properties in the North East and Germany. Maybe we could talk."
Matthew agreed as they pulled into the driveway of the Dower House. He got out to help Violet inside. The weather was turning bitterly cold.
He greeted her as she presented her cheek for a kiss. "Good evening Violet. Is this your only bag?" Matthew reached down for a small case.
"Yes. Thank you." Bertie stepped over to open the door and help her inside. Matthew placed the bag in the storage area and got in the back seat. "So pleasant to be escorted by two such gentlemen." Violet said. "I do hope there's a warm fire in the library at Downton. The place can be so draughty." And she gave a little tittering laugh. "Such a pile of bricks. But it can be glorious with a fire on Christmas eve."
"I believe Mary had Carson order a roaring one before the last of the employees left when the tours ended." Matthew said. "I'll keep it going for you."
Matthew appreciated Violet's support of him when he first arrived. They got on well.
They had all retired after consuming the traditionally made by Cora currant and nutmeg bourbon and cream sherry spiked egg nog and biscuits. Mary had none, but she told Matthew to drink one in her name. "Or two…" She teased with a saucy wink.
They retired upstairs quickly giggling and chasing each other to dive naked under the sheets, warming each other with their bodies and their love.
The next morning Matthew had never been in a better mood.
Robert had come down for breakfast with the family looking in much better health and humour than Matthew had frankly ever seen him. They had shaken hands and greeted each other. Exchanged some pleasantries. Robert had mentioned a walk around the estate as his doctor told him he needed to take some exercise every day. Matthew informed him as to the turn in the weather by pointing out the window. The snow was falling steadily and was expected to do so all day. Mary had already snickered in glee that Matthew's tiny sport car was already up to its doorframe in snow. They had given up the idea of walking to the church for Christmas morning services, instead Matthew drove Cora, Violet, and Mary in the Land Rover after some estate employees cleared the roads in and out of Downton's main entrance. They had returned just in the nick of time as the snowfall was even more heavy. Isobel had already called saying that her train was delayed and to not expect her now until the next day at the earliest.
Bertie had been busy in the kitchen cooking up a large batch of bacon, eggs, and toast. After laying it all out on the sideboard in the dining room, Edith and Sybil collected the ingredients for the turkey dinner from the larder and began to prepare the midday Christmas meal.
Once Mary, Matthew, and the two countesses returned home, they all retired to the library for the exchange of presents. Robert had been dozing in a chair, his golden retriever Daphne asleep at his feet.
A quiet exchange of presents proceeded.
Robert liked the antique pocket watch Matthew had found in London on Mary's suggestion. He found an 1860s Dent & Co mechanical movement manual winding watch with a porcelain hand painted dial and a silver case. He had sent a picture to Mary via a text and she approved. There had been an old collection of snuff boxes collected by an earlier earl, but Robert preferred these Victorian watches.
Matthew had thoughtfully made a large donation to Sybil's favorite charity WellChild that helps children with serious or exceptional health needs get the care they need at home wherever possible. The card of thanks enclosed in a box alongside a French language Traite d'anatomie topographique textbook from Mary. Matthew had thumbed through it and found it gruesomely fascinating. Perfect Mary responded. Sybil would love it.
And she did. "Philippe-Frederic Blandin was among the first to describe grafting." She explained to Matthew, showing him an illustration. "He called it autoplastie."
"I think Matthew's probably had enough of those graphic plates." Edith noted with a disgusted scrunch of her nose. "Especially on Christmas morning." And she whisked Sybil back to the kitchen to check on the turkey.
Matthew was grateful for Bertie keeping a kind of peace between himself and Robert, engaging the two of them in light conversation instead of the silence that had befallen them again.
He moved to sit beside Mary and picked up a book from the pile of Mary's gifts.
Mary was pleased Matthew was already perusing the latest Ian Rutledge mystery. She had discovered quite by accident Matthew's love of detective fiction. Glancing over at his mobile while at the condo in South Lake Tahoe she noticed it was opened up on a Val McDermid novel describing in chilling terms a murder scene. He had said it oddly helped him relax by engaging his mind in solving the crime, though in all honesty he still preferred an actual physical copy of a book. It was just easier when traveling to load the eBook version into his mobile. So Mary, with the help of a clerk at Waterstone's chose a variety of mysteries for a present. The WWI shellshock detective stories came highly recommended.
He glanced up when she chose the large box with a big bow, the last present to be opened. He started to tap the cover his book with his fingertips.
Mary undid the wrapping, opened the box to find it largely empty except for some packing material.
"Dig around." He suggested with a sly nod. In actuality the idea that seemed so clever the night before, was now racing through his mind as the most screwed up notion guaranteed to make his brand new wife divorce him on the spot. He fretfully bit the side of his mouth.
"Ah…" Mary finally found something. She dug it out. "A key?"
Matthew's eyes darted quickly back and forth.
Immediately Mary knew something was up. "What is this Matthew?" She turned the key in her hand, confused.
"Well uh…" He scratched the side of his face as a delay.
Then both were startled by a cry from the other room. Robert had taken a call and removed himself from the library into the salon. They heard a clatter of something on the floor.
Cora looked up from where she was drinking a cup of tea with Violet.
Mary quickly walked into the outer room. "Papa?"
At the anxiety in her voice, Matthew and Cora made for the salon as well.
Robert leaned against the fireplace masonry. The mobile still on the floor.
"Here Papa." Mary said, scooping it up and handing it to him.
"Thank you my dear." He held out his hand. Mary gave to him, but his shaking made her very scared.
"Are you alright Papa? Maybe you should lie down. You've already had a long morning."
Robert stood up to his full height. "No." His voice growing in strength. He turned to the family gathered around him. He heaved a sigh, speaking "I've run away from things far too long."
He looked at Matthew. "Truths need to be spoken. You've been trying to tell me that for a while now. I … I wasn't ready. I am now."
Matthew bowed his head, understanding. "Has something happened?" He asked cautiously.
Robert gave an almost imperceptible nod, his face pale. He turned to Cora. "Can we all go inside the library. Together as a family. I … I need to tell you some things."
Mary didn't know whether to be relieved that all was to be revealed at last, or fearful as to the changes those revelations would bring. Matthew walked over and clasped her hand.
She looked to Matthew for some sign.
He grazed her knuckles with his fingertips. But he wouldn't meet Mary's eyes.
He too was afraid.
He was suddenly afraid of the fallout of Robert's confessions. He had wanted it for so long, thinking it would clarify things. Make it easier for everyone to move forward. But it could so very, very easily all go wrong. Mary had accepted that he knew more than he told. She never forced him to give up her father's confidences. But he feared that once she knew, she'd feel bitter about his complicity.
Were the fragile early days of their marriage already to be tested?
They walked in together.
He'd find out sooner rather than later.
Cora took the seat next to her husband. Mary and Matthew on the red divan. The others moved chairs around.
Robert could not sit. He started to pace in front of the fire.
"I know you all are aware of certain discrepancies in my finances." He looked to each in turn. "Well as much as I'd like to lay the blame on others. On the CFO of Grantham. On the costs of running such a large house. But I can't. There's more. Much more…"
He continued to pace. "That phone call was from a nurse's aide in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States to tell me that Jane is dead."
Cora's hoarse gasp filled the silent space.
"Mama?" Sybil asked, running over and taking her hand. "What do you mean Papa? Who is Jane?"
"It's all to come out now Sybil. No more secrets. Six years ago your mother and I almost divorced. She…" Robert's eyes closed rather than look at the face of the woman he had so wronged. "She found out I had a brief relationship with a woman who used to work here. I broke it off when I realized I was a vain fool. We made it through." He then looked at Cora. "She's got a heart so full of love and kindness she forgave me my indiscretions. It took some time, but I hope I have made her happy once again."
Cora's eyes, etched in pain of dredging up old wounds, tried not to tear up. "You have, my love."
Robert's voice gagged and heaved with heavy emotion. "And now I have to destroy it again. For I have kept more from you than you know."
Cora looked on steady, awaiting her fate.
In one breath Robert confessed rapidly, "Jane was with child. I didn't even know until a year or so after Peter's birth. She did not tell me. I started to help her out with some money. Then she fell ill. Pancreatic cancer. Peter was attending Cundall Manor School as a day student. She wasn't getting the right treatment. I spent more money to get specialists. They recommended a Cancer Treatment Center in the United States. A few months ago she left for the latest treatments where I paid for all the costs because no insurance would take her. Nothing worked. Peter moved to live with her sister in Wales. I paid for his upkeep and more schooling and care."
He was almost a spent force. The room was as silent as a tomb.
He had to finish. He deserved no sympathy.
"Jane died yesterday afternoon." Robert's voice was frayed. "I kept all of this because she asked me to. She didn't want to disrupt anything. She never asked for me to help her. I did because I thought it was the right thing to do. …" He was rattled. Shot. "And now she's dead. And I … I am ashamed I did not tell you all sooner. You deserved to know the truth. As it went on it was easier I thought to just keep it to myself. Later I kept saying. I'll tell later... Until later became months. And then years."
Robert turned to Matthew. The younger man turning a paler shade of white at the knowledge his involvement was about to come to light. He tightened his grip around his jawline with clenched fingers.
A Christmas to remember indeed.
"When Matthew here presented me with some facts related to misappropriation of funds at Grantham LTD I disclosed to him certain of these secrets."
Mary's eyes glared surreptitiously at her husband. His eyes were beetling fast. What was there to say? It was true. He kept Robert's dirty secrets. But such a discussion with his wife would come later in the privacy of their bedroom. He would tell her he had no choice. It had to be so. And hope she understood.
"I wronged him by entrusting him and then withdrawing support because I felt I had miscalculated. When in reality I was just embarrassed. And afraid. When you showed up here, with Mary. I thought you were playing a game with me. I see now your love for my daughter is true. Can you accept my apology?"
Robert held out his hand to Matthew.
Matthew met his eyes. He expected to see desperation. The need for Robert to have an ally. A maneuver of some kind. Instead he saw a kind of fearful honesty.
He stood up and took the elder man's hand. Their grip was firm. "I'm glad we can all talk freely. Maybe now we can save Downton."
But as he sat next to Mary again, he realized the irony of that statement. He could help save Downton financially. But would there be any family left to live there with Robert?
Would they forgive?
It was not for him to say. It was not his fight.
Mary was unnaturally still beside him. She had hardly moved since her father spoke.
The silence spoke volumes to Matthew. She was as a spark right before it enflamed.
Then when she did it was explosive. "You think that's enough for us, Papa? To just say some words and we'll all just take your hand and accept your apology?" She spat out in fury. "How can we ever trust you again? You betrayed your marriage. You hid our half-brother for how long without allowing us to know a thing? You crippled your business, potentially turning out good employees onto the streets because of these secrets. They've done nothing wrong. And for what? Your bruised ego?" Her words like ice. She scoffed mercilessly and turned away from him.
Cora interjected in a painful hiss. "Mary!"
Robert acted as if struck. His face flinched but did not deny the truth of anything his daughter spoke.
"Mama how can you just sit there and listen to this?" Sybil added fiercely. "Did you know? Really? What he said?"
"I knew…" Cora took a short quiet breath. "I knew about the affair. I did not know anything else." Her answer ending in a hushed whisper.
She stood up, just to have something to do. Her mother in law remained silent. She didn't need to say anything. Her disappointment in her son was engraved deep in the lines of her face.
Robert put his hand on the mantel of the fireplace. The room spun around him. Like the world he had known, out of control and fast disappearing.
"Does the boy know?" Cora spoke finally direct to Robert. "About his mother?"
Robert nodded. "That was his aunt on the phone. The woman he lives with now. She and her husband want to adopt him."
"Well that gets you off the hook." Sybil's dripping sarcasm couldn't be missed.
"I think it best." Robert said with calmer tone than he felt. "I didn't want to disturb his life any more than I had to. He was so young and then when he got a bit older, and I thought maybe it was time to introduce him to you, Jane fell ill. Then the cancer diagnosis. I got caught up in trying to help out and the bills and health care aides and the travel to Atlanta…." He sighed.
"I want to meet him." Sybil declared. "He's our brother. Your heir, right?"
"Yes…" her father said. "The laws were changed years ago to allow illegitimate children the right to inherit the title. The rest of course is a matter of my will."
"If there's anything left…" Mary muttered caustically.
Sybil interjected "You've kept him away long enough. He needs family now."
"Does he even know about you?" Mary asked, trying to stem Sybil's outraged enthusiasm to defend this heretofore unknown sibling. "Or are you just a family friend of his mother's?"
"Yes. Jane did not want him told immediately but despite being young, he knows who I am. I'm not sure he entirely understands of course. He's only five years old. He's a good boy." Robert added, flailing for anything positive to say.
Edith had moved to sit close to Cora. Sybil took the chair on the other side. Edith saying, "I don't think we should make any hasty decisions right now. None of this is the child's fault. We don't want to upend his life. I agree with Papa."
Sybil snorted derisively. "Agree? I'm not even sure I can be in the same room anymore. He lied to us."
"Sybil stop being so dramatic." Cora's words were sharp enough for her daughter to fall silent. "Robert knows what he has done. But nothing can change it now."
"Mama you can't actually defend him?" She spluttered. "He broke his vows to you."
Cora visibly shook, responding coolly. "I know what he's done. I know he's trying to atone. I won't defend his actions, but I won't have him bullied when he's just come out of the hospital himself. I don't want to bring on another attack. Let me handle this the best way I see fit." She pats Sybil's shoulder. "I know you mean well, my dear but it's not your life."
Sybil sat back against the back of the chair, wiped the tears that streamed down her cheeks.
Cora turned to Edith. "I think I smell something from the kitchen? Is it the turkey?"
"Oh God." Edith stood up quickly. "I forgot all about it." Bertie stayed her hand. "I'll see to it if you want to stay."
"Why don't you all go finish preparing the meal." Cora suggested. "I'm going to go upstairs and lie down. I think your father should do the same. Why don't you lay it all out as a buffet later and we can come and go when we want?"
Robert was humbled by his wife's strength. "Let me help you…"
But Cora did not take her husband's offer. She left the room alone walking by herself.
Robert followed behind, silent and stoop shouldered, his step unsteady.
Violet tried to rise, her cane shaking as she stood. Matthew moved to help her. "Thank you. I will retire to my room as well."
"I'll bring you a tray later?" Mary suggested.
"Yes my dear. I must say I'm quite shaken by these revelations. I will leave all this to you younger folks."
Matthew helped her up the stairs where she said she'd be quite fine and go back downstairs.
He did so, only to find Mary wagging a sharp forefinger at him from their bedroom.
Matthew felt he knew what was to come.
And he was right.
He entered the room. Mary was twisting the key from the gift box in her hand. "What is the meaning of this Matthew? I'm too tired for any evasive answers I might warn you."
Matthew knew the truth of that. "It's the key to the front door of Crawley House."
Mary narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her husband's shifty look. "Crawley House? In the village? Why?"
He cleared his throat, "I bought it yesterday." He wondered if there was room in Robert's doghouse for himself, adding lamely he knew "I thought it would be a way to surprise you. It's why I was gone so long yesterday. I had to act quickly."
Mary was now completely of the belief all the Crawley men had gone off their collective rockers. "And I'm supposed to be grateful that you buy yourself a Christmas present and make-believe it's for me. You didn't even ask me if I wanted to live there? You can't think I'd just acquiesce because you're so rich you can buy anything you want. First my father hides secrets and now you. How can I ever trust you again?"
She shut the door to the bathroom, leaving Matthew gob smacked and alone in the bedroom. She was right. How in the hell had he ever thought that was a good idea?
XX
Thanks Lily for dialogue help! You're the best!
Revelations galore…and they're stumbling about the debris. What did you think?