Everything isn't always what it seems...

XX

The library buzzed with quiet conversations, as if being in the space caused everyone to lower their voices to hushed tones of respect. Cora had invited members of her board of directors of Downton Enterprises Ltd. to a business casual get together to meet the mayor of Downton Village, assorted local notables, business associates, and donors of the National Trust and English Heritage. Her managerial staff and employees who would see to the grand opening set for the next morning had also been invited. Waiters strode around with trays of hors d'oeuvres.

Mary scanned the space, trying to locate Matthew in the throng. She had finished with her students, changed the boy's nappies, took a quick shower, and donned the flounced-hem lace dress with coordinated ankle strap sandals before handing off responsibilities to Emily for the rest of the evening. Matthew had stayed at Downton after the final pre-opening board meeting and had said he'd meet her at the party.

Edith was across the room chatting with some of the new tour guides. Sybil was finishing her last rotation at London General Hospital before commencing on her US plans.

The two sister's eyes met. Edith's waved and Mary started to walk towards her. Then she spied Matthew. He was tête-à-tête with a woman she did not know. He laughed and dropped his face close to her ear. She was wearing a muted pink sheath dress and spiky pumps and Mary had no idea who she was.

The woman giggled and pointed to Matthew's tie. He was wearing a chambray blue shirt with a sage coloured lightweight micro twill patterned suit and tie. Mary had bought it for him while attending the Longines Global Tour in Paris earlier that month. The colour had struck her immediately as perfect as it matched his eyes especially in the bright sun when they turned a translucent azure that never failed to take her breath away.

Tonight, once the woman ran her fingernail down his tie, Matthew blushed.

Then it looked like they both pulled out their mobiles to exchange phone numbers.

There was most definitely room for misinterpretation of these actions.

Matthew was making moves on this woman.

And she was more than willing.

Like he had done before.

With her.

So easy to jump to conclusions, be filled with indignant outrage, and confront the two of them with icy shade and bitch face stare.

But that was wrong. Matthew wasn't like that. He'd never flaunt an attraction to another woman in a public space. His love wasn't fleeting. He felt his guilt deeply about his failed marriage. He intended to prove his love to Mary and their children every day.

So what was going on?

Her answer came when Matthew looked up from his phone and saw his wife. His smile broadened as he called her over.

Matthew reached out to her. She took his hand. He drew his arm around her waist and moved closer to her. She literally felt waves of love emanate from her husband.

How could she ever doubt him?

"Darby helped out with wading through the red tape so Cora could open in the summer to take advantage of tourists." Matthew explained. "She's with the National Trust."

"How do you do." Mary reached out and clasped Darby's hand in a friendly gesture.

"What was so funny?" Mary tried to say it nonchalantly, but Matthew caught the edge of her voice and gave Mary a quick sidelong glance. "Darby reminded me this was the tie I purchased when I spilled coffee as we were about to present to the UK Tourist Council and how I insisted upon stopping to buy a new one despite having only five minutes to get back to the boardroom." Matthew's tone wavered between lighthearted and concerned. He truly did not want Mary to ever doubt his fidelity.

"The stain was so tiny I had to have a magnifying glass to even try to see it." Darby riposted merrily.

"It was there!" Matthew insisted, his voice edging into a tongue-in-cheek whine.

"One has but one chance…" Darby started, sounding remarkably like Matthew when he was being pedantic. And they both finished. "To make a good impression."

And they chuckled again at the memory.

"It's true." He cocked his head and gave Mary a goofy grin. "At least I trust you're on my side."

"Of course I am." Mary gave her husband a supportive nod of her head, but passed a knowing look over to Darby as well. Matthew was ever the one to insist upon things done in a fastidious manner.

Matthew noticeably relaxed at her response.

She decided to change the subject. "Mama cannot wait to open the doors tomorrow to the public."

"We're ready to help out. Working in tandem with places like Downton allows us to extend our reach without having to take total responsibility. So it works out well for both parties." Darby took a bite of the canape she had taken from a tray as a server passed.

Matthew pulled out his chirping mobile. Ignoring the text, he clicked on the still open photo gallery. "I was showing Darby the boys birthday picture. How even though they look like absolute angels, secretly they were mischievous fiends in disguise. Turns out she has a little girl with her partner."

Of course, Mary realized. They were sharing pictures of their respective children. She'd never let on for a moment she was even the teensiest jealous.

She had to laugh as well. George and Jeremy had too much excitement and not enough nap by the time they had decided to take family photos and they had to bribe them with dangling toys and funny faces for what seemed like hours to get any decent shots. Mary had hired one of the women from the company that ran her web site to take the photos. Jill had been more than patient and they had managed to capture several adorable images of the boys and then of themselves each holding one of the twins.

Matthew showed Darby the one of all four of them. Smiling under the Lebanon Cedar, Matthew holding George in his arms as he knelt on the grass while Mary sat on a blanket with Jeremy on her lap. Matthew's arm curled around her neck and resting on her shoulder.

Mary said, "That was quite the feat. I can't believe we all managed to look at the camera and smile at the same time. I was secretly tickling Jeremy to keep him looking like a cheeky monkey."

Matthew laughed again and gently squeezed his fingers around Mary's waist. She leaned most happily into his body.

"I've got to round up the others in time for Cora's address to the assembled." Darby made ready to leave. "So if you'll excuse me." And she walked towards other members of the National Trust gathering around the fireplace.

Matthew turned to Mary. "You weren't really worried, my love." His eyes opened wide, making him all the more desirable.

"I did wonder if I would have to study up on my powers of fascination." Mary caressed his back with long strokes of her hand as they walked around the the back corner of the library.

"Come here…" Stiffening with desire, Matthew pulled her into an alcove and took her lips to his own in a lingering, rapturous kiss. His own hands crept around to her rear, his fingers pressing deep, crinkling the silk of her dress.

"Careful you'll make me untidy." Mary taunted, as she came up for breath after Matthew's lips reluctantly left her own. He lifted her slender wrist and kissed her pulse point.

It throbbed against his lips.

"Good." His voice like dark chocolate. Another scorching kiss descended on her lips.

"What if someone sees?" She continued to taunt, to taste, to tease.

A sly smile stole across his face. "Kisses are always sweetest when they are forbidden."

He pulled her closer towards him, his lips touching her hot skin against the nape of her neck. Then crushing his lips against hers. Mary's back arched against him encouraging his hungry kisses, wanting more. A soft moan escaped her lips.

They lost track of time.

A few moments later Mary finally said, "we should get back." She stepped away, her hand brushing some of his unruly curls back across the top of Matthew's head. His face was flushed. His eyes still closed, reluctant to break the spell.

"Mama will wonder what became of us." Mary reminded him. She could hear her mother's opening remarks beginning, thanking everyone for their support of Downton Enterprises.

Matthew recovered sufficiently to blink. He needed a few minutes to remove any visible signs of their arousing make out session. Mary smoothed the creases of her dress and held out her hand. He gave a roguish grin and followed her back into the main library.

They stopped at the table near the window to catch their breath. Matthew handed his wife a glass a champagne as Cora was about to toast to the success of Downton Enterprises.

Eventually they made their way over to Edith.

"You made it back." Edith greeted her brother in law.

"Last night." Matthew replied. He had spent the past fortnight in London catching up on CB Properties business and taking a series of meetings with investors and clients. Two to three times a year he traveled down to the capitol for extended stays. He tried to cluster as many meetings as possible within that time frame. Hand hold clients. Assess business options. Let everyone know that he was still a fully engaged senior partner in the business. And then flee back to York and the freedom to work when and how he wanted.

"And now you're off again?" Edith turned to Mary. "Where to this time? You two make me look like a positive lay about with all your travels."

"Ballindenisk International in Cork." Mary informed the group. "Then the Tour of London at Chelsea."

"And I have to stay here." Matthew said with a tinge of exasperation. "At least for Ireland. I have the last of my community investments opening and I said I'd be on hand for any last-minute cost overruns."

He turned wistfully to Mary. "But maybe London?" His voice entreated, his face making heart eyes at his wife.

"We'll see." Mary replied barely withstanding the urge to jump him right then and there. Instead she said teasingly, "Anna says you're a distraction."

Edith gave an extended eye roll. "Can't understand that at all." She replied drolly.

To prove her point, the two love birds kissed.

"You're just jealous." Mary rejoined in good humour. "Bertie's away and you're pining."

"True." Edith sighed. "He's gone to Scotland on business. But he'll be back in time to find out the sex." And she rubbed her stomach.

"That's the best." The two sisters embraced. "I want a text as soon as you know."

As if on cue, Matthew's mobile chirped again. He glanced at the message. He frowned.

"What is it?" Mary asked. "Anything wrong?"

"No…" Matthew shoved the mobile back in his suit pocket. "Nothing to worry about."

Mary raised a curious eye brow, but said nothing.

Her attention was soon drawn back to her sister. Her mouth was agape.

"Edith?"

Her sister gripped her arm tightly. "Look!"

Mary scanned the library entrance.

She inhaled a sharp breath. Tightly grabbed Matthew's hand.

He knitted his brow but looked over in the same direction as the two sisters to see what held them in thrall.

Cora stood in the library entrance, greeting every guest. Robert was opposite her, shaking hands with each visitor. Not surprising in and of itself as they were officially the Earl and Countess of Grantham. Very few knew Cora lived in a separate wing of Downton.

No that wasn't it. What happened next left the three other family members dumbstruck. Cora deliberately moved across the entrance way and slipped her arm inside of Robert's.

Her father stood just a bit taller as the two exchanged secret smiles.

Mary had a notion her parents were reaching a reconciliation. Small things. Her mother had cancelled a dinner with her and would not say why. Matthew told her he had noticed her parents walking around the estate, their physicality while not close was also relaxed. When Mary asked her mother if she would live outside of Downton when she was done with getting the opening underway, Cora mysteriously refused to answer. Only when Mary frown deeply did her mother relent and put a hand on Mary's face and said gently, "it's too soon to say anything."

So now it was confirmed. Her parents were back together. At least they would not have made such public display knowing the children were present without intentionally showing that they were giving their marriage a second chance.

"Sybil will have hated to miss that." Edith said wryly. "Though she'd be likely to cause a scene stomping over and telling Mama to come to her senses."

"I think she has." Matthew observed.

"Do you approve?" Mary queried her husband, still unsure how she felt about it. "After how Papa behaved?"

Matthew's tender eyes tried to comfort his wife's concern. He spoke from his heart. "I don't think it's up to us to approve or disapprove. They've decided to live their lives together once again." His voice hitched with emotion as he finished, "We should be happy for them."

Mary's eyes swam with unexpected tears and she managed to only just tilted her head in agreement. She moved closer to Matthew, accepting his warm embrace. "Love wins out?"

"If it's real it should." Matthew's lips tickled her cheek. "It always should."

XX

Matthew's mobile chirped again when they arrived back home. Indeed Tom had tried unsuccessfully for the last four hours to get Matthew to respond. Matthew had turned it to mute while they remained at Downton after the party. He didn't want anything to disturb Mary and Edith speaking privately to their mother.

On the drive back to Crawley House Mary asked him what her father had said to him as Cora had taken the girls outside for a long walk around the Monk garden.

"Not much." Matthew admitted. "He said the week they spent in Scotland had been good. They reconnected. He seemed very happy."

"As was Mama." Mary looked for any signs Cora felt coerced into returning to her marriage but found none. "She looked relieved to have made her decision and now she wants to move forward."

"And you?" Matthew twisted his neck to see her while he pulled the SUV into their drive.

"I will do as she wants. As you say it's their life. I want them to be happy."

She leaned over the leather seat to give her husband a kiss.

That's when the mobile chirped.

"Dammit." Matthew muttered. "Tom won't shut up."

"Have you been putting him off all this time?"

Matthew nodded.

"May as well get it over with." Mary said as she opened her side door.

She walked up to the house and got out her key.

"Hello..." She whispered as the air was deliciously quiet. The boys had gone down for Emily she hoped.

"Lady Mary." Emily emerged from the kitchen. "They've been asleep for about two hours. I checked on them several times."

"Thank you Emily. We'll take over. Do you need Matthew to drive you home?"

"No. I have the car tonight. I parked it around the corner."

And with a wave to Matthew who was just entering the house, Emily departed.

Matthew threw himself on the sofa, undoing his tie at the same time.

"What is it?" Mary sat down beside him.

"Tom wants me to return to London tomorrow. He says there's a serious flap on with one of our oldest clients. Threatening to pull all his commercial investments with us because he thinks we're going under as the government collapses and the world descends into chaos." He rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Can't you call?"

"No." Matthew shrugged helplessly. "He doesn't talk business over the phone. He thinks it's rude."

Mary arched a curious eye while slipping off her shoes and snuggling closer on the sofa.

"He's an artist who inherited money. He puts back all his dividends from investments into a young artist endowment he started years ago. I think he lays on the eccentric bit a bit thick just to hide what a canny bugger he really is."

"Sounds like you like him?"

"I do." Matthew pulled Mary onto his lap. "Just not tonight."

They kissed.

"Will you go to London? I've got to be off early in the morning to the Stables to help Jerry load the horses. Mama and Edith could help Emily if you have to stay overnight."

Matthew's nose tickled Mary's neck as his lips brushed against her skin.

"Ireland, right?" Matthew asked.

She grunted assent, gasping as his touch became more intimate.

Just then their lips came together. Tasting. Tickling. Mary's body thrumming as his tongue explored her eager mouth.

Wanting more...

Then George's distinctive wail could be heard followed by a crashing sound.

Both parents flew apart, a bit breathless but needing to run upstairs to see what has happened.

George had thrown out all his blankets and was jumping up and down on the mattress trying to get out of the cot to retrieve them.

Despite being the usual light sleeper, Jeremy was still out like a light.

George was wide awake. They took him downstairs to the other nursery. Once there he squiggled to get out of his mother's arms.

Mary put him on the play mat and moved to fetch a toy. When she turned back George had lifted himself onto his feet and proceeded to wobble towards her.

"Georgie!" Matthew called out as he saw what happened.

Mary's eyes shone with happiness as she witnessed her son moving with determination. He reached her leg and held on to her calf until she lifted him up and smothered him with kisses. "My sweetiekins!"

They all came together for a tight family hug. Matthew was so happy Mary could partake of the joy this time.

Then George started to yawn. It was getting very late.

Matthew said he'd take over until George fell asleep as Mary had to be up early. So ever so reluctantly they gave up on the idea of love making. Mary suppressed a yawn herself as she gave one last kiss to each of her men and made the move back upstairs.

But now that she was alone she had one more thing to do before turning in. She reached for her mobile and clicked on Tom's number.

A wicked smile crossing her face.

XX

"So you got me here." Matthew said, dropping down on one of the downstairs bar stool at Cafe Bruno. It was so loud he could hardly hear himself think. Why were there so many people crammed in the bar when the evening was perfect weather and the Cafe had one of the best views of London from the roof top.

He ached in lovelorn loneliness as this was the Cafe where he had first met Mary. Two years ago. Simply being here without her made him bereft. Adrift.

His head began to pound.

"Let's get this meeting over with." He turned to Tom who didn't seem to be in any hurry. "I thought you said this was an emergency. Where is Connie anyway? This isn't like him to want to talk over dinner at a loud bar."

Tom took a slug of his beer. "Go upstairs."

"He's upstairs?"

"Just get up there." Tom smiled. "And tell her you bought it hook, line, and sinker like she said you would."

Matthew was completely flummoxed. Who was upstairs?

He took the steps two at a time to the landing of the roof top. No one was there. All the tables had candles lit but no one was seated.

The sky was ablaze with colours from the setting sun.

He walked around the corner to the see the table where he had sat doodling in his sketch book the night he met Mary. Unaware that the woman whom he was to meet would change his life.

Mary sat there. In the same form fitting little black dress that slit at her thighs and the spikey Christian Louboutin heels that Matthew had admired even as he kept his eyes averted to maintain a professional distance.

Now he could admire all he wanted.

"What?" He asked, mouth agape in wonder. "I thought you were in Ireland."

Mary pulled him down onto the seat next to hers. "I lied." She had to giggle at the utter astonishment in her husband's eyes. "Tom helped by bugging you with endless texts about that fake crisis. I wanted to surprise you on the anniversary of the day we met." Her eyes listened with happy tears. You've been so good about my traveling. My being away to follow my dreams."

"It's what we agreed to." Matthew answered clasping his wife's hands into his own. "I've simply lived up to my side of our bargain. I want to support you in every way."

Mary wasn't sure she could get through the rest without completely breaking down. "I've come to realize, however, my dreams are incomplete without you. I want you always. Forever. I feel only half myself when away from you. I don't want to feel that way ever again."

Matthew kissed her cheek softly. "Darling. I'll always be on your team."

"How could I possibly ever lose in that case?" Mary's lips met his.

"Did you really buy out this entire roof just for me?" Matthew's eyes danced with happiness. He heard some soft music drifting from another restaurant across the road.

"Of course. I want you all to myself." Her eyes narrowed to slits as she licked her lips slowly with her tongue. Matthew felt the spiked heel slink up his calf towards his inner thigh. "We have all night to do what we want. When we want..." She arched an eyebrow seductively. "And wherever we want..."

Matthew needed no more invitation. He reached over and pulled her towards him, a long kiss merely the appetizer to the evening's sensual meal.

XX

:) they deserve this right? More of the night away and Mary's plans for the future in the next chapter. I haven't as much time now to tell every reviewer personally how much I appreciate their kind words. Thank you for reading, liking, and reviewing this story.