Mary and Matthew
"The light through these windows is quite extraordinary."
"Yes, it is," Matthew breathed watching the way the light fell over Mary's upturned face. He marveled at how her face was even more breathtaking bathed in light and shadow. His eyes followed the rays of sunshine as it sparkled in her eyes, down her slight nose, and farther along the gentle slope of her neck. The sight before him was more beautiful than any he had ever seen.
"Are you even listening to me?" Mary had turned to catch him staring at her. She smiled at him flushing becomingly. Matthew felt his heart soar.
"Of course," he beamed at her eliciting a small giggle. "You were saying that a Mr. Smith donated this window in memory of his beloved wife."
"That's not what I said at all," Mary pouted playfully. "I'm not sure why I even bothered to accompany you. Edith would have made the better partner."
Matthew walked across the church aisle to look down into her eyes. "No, I prefer your company to Edith's, much as I adore your sister."
Mary rolled her eyes and flounced away back to the doorway. "There's no need to lie, Cousin Matthew. We all know Edith is atrocious."
"That's rather unkind," Matthew said catching up to her just inside the church steps. He reached for her hand to turn her towards him. "I've never thought you unkind."
Mary looked up at him disbelievingly. "Then you must not know me very well."
"On the contrary," Matthew whispered lost in Mary's dark eyes. Slowly he leaned towards her feeling his heart beat erratically in his chest and placed a lingering kiss to her lips. When he opened his eyes she was smiling blissfully up at him. "If I thought you would accept, I'd ask you to marry me."
Instantly Mary's smile was gone and she was pulling back from him. "I think it's time we returned home, Cousin Matthew. We mustn't be late for the Flower Show this afternoon."
Mary left him standing in the church wondering where he had gone wrong.
Edith
Edith sat seething at her dressing table. Mary had gone too far this time and Edith had had enough.
Edith had been happy enough to go to the village flower show with her family and watch Granny win yet another award that she hadn't deserved. Although she had been just as surprised as everyone else when Granny had given the Best Bloom Award to Mr. Molesley. She was still floating on the high of the dinner with Sir Anthony Strallan the previous evening. Sir Anthony had been most solicitous of her and she had genuinely enjoyed his company. So much so that Edith had ignored how closely Mary and Cousin Matthew were becoming. Edith realized now that Cousin Matthew had never really been interested in her and any hurt she might have felt had be assuaged by Sir Anthony's attention.
But Mary had never been one let something go.
Before the awards ceremony Mary had cornered Edith to taunt her with Mary and Matthew's church outing. Edith had offered to take Cousin Matthew to see some of the local churches since he had mentioned an interest in the local architecture. He had hesitated to accept until Mary offered to go as well. The two became so absorbed in one another that they forgot Edith was still standing with them. She had merely rolled her eyes at their pathetic attempts at flirting and left them to it. She knew when she was better off to leave well enough alone.
"You seemed to dominate Sir Anthony's time last night," Mary had sneered at her younger sister. "Careful, or he'll think you too desperate."
"I could say the same of you and Cousin Matthew." Edith scoffed. Mary's eyes had narrowed.
"What would you know of anything? With that hat and those clothes it's no wonder Sir Anthony's the only man who would want you." Mary smiled faintly at the flare of anger crossing Edith's face. "Cousin Matthew even mentioned as much on our outing."
Edith had almost given way to her anger at Mary's words when her Granny had called for attention to start the giving of awards. She had instead glared at Mary and Cousin Matthew. She left the village hall early so she wouldn't have to witness anymore of their flirtatious behavior.
Now Edith sat staring at her reflection going over all the wrongs Mary had done to her. The sisters had never gotten along and it had only gotten worse as they grew older and smarter. Edith was sick of always coming in second place. Now though, she had something on Mary that would make sure that never happened again. In fact, Mary would be lucky to escape with only her reputation in shatters.
Edith moved to her small writing desk and pulled out a pen and paper. She had a letter to write to a certain Turkish Ambassador about Mr. Kemal Pamuk. The ambassador had a right to know how his fellow countryman had died, and Edith had the story of what had happened. Mr. Pamuk had died in the bed of a Countess's bastard daughter.
Edith felt a momentary pang of regret for what this would do to her Mama, but then she remembered Mary's smug face from earlier. Mary had always acted as if Downton Abbey was hers by rights, but Edith knew the truth now. She had overheard her parents talking about it when Carson had gone missing. Mary was Carson's daughter. Edith was the rightful firstborn. Edith should be the next Countess of Grantham, not her bastard half sister.
She signed her name and sealed the envelope. She would put it in the postbox in the great hall for Carson to mail tomorrow morning.
Cora and Robert
"Mary and Matthew seemed to be close this afternoon," Cora said glancing surreptitiously at Robert as he settled into bed beside her. Neither had mentioned Mary courting the future Earl since Mary had learned of Carson. As much as Robert had said that he still thinks of Mary as his daughter, Cora couldn't help but worry that with all the recent unpleasantness he might resend his acceptance of the match.
"They did," Robert said leaning back against the headboard and turning to smile at his wife. "I'm rather pleased. I think they will make each other happy."
Cora looked at him in surprise. "Do you really think so?"
"Of course," Robert said furrowing his brow, "why wouldn't I?"
"It's just," Cora began hesitatingly, "what with all that business with Carson I wasn't sure you'd be happy that Mary and Matthew seem to be getting closer."
Robert sighed grumpily and rolled over on his side. "I don't want to talk about Carson. Mary is my daughter and I am happy that she is happy. Can we leave it at that?"
"Of course, darling," Cora said leaning over to place a kiss to Robert's cheek. She turned out her light and settled beside her husband throwing her arm over his shoulder to hold him close.