A/N: Just a warning: Sex scene in this chapter. M rating is there for a reason. Will update this and Head or Heart during the week. Thank you for your support and reviews, they really encourage me.

April 1923

The warmth of Spring was a delight for Mary after months and months of cold, snow and showers. She walked across the green hills, smiling in delight as George ran ahead of her trying to catch up with Sybbie.

"Do you think they're eager to see the lambs?" Tom laughed.

"I think Nanny was more excited at the prospect of us taking the children out for the morning, I don't think Charlie is as exhausting to look after." Mary mused.

"Very true." Tom agreed.

They continued walking onwards until they started the steep descent down the hill, watching as George and Sybbie ran fast down it until they landed with a thump on the grass. George was laughing along with his cousin when the adults reached the bottom of the hill, his blue eyes lit up with joy as Mary looked down at her son.

"Come along darling, we won't get to see the sheep if you lie down." Mary instructed, lifting her son back on his feet.

"Mama, where the sheep?" George asked.

"Over there George!" Sybbie said for Mary, pointing across the fields to the farm.

The four continued on, climbing over fences until they decided to stick to the path and came up to the farm. They were greeted by the farmer who led them to the field and pointed the lambs out to the children who squealed happily. George and Sybbie walked over to the lambs, stroking their soft heads gently as Mary and Tom watched.

"Rose tells me that you've met with a Miss Bunting from the village?" Mary questioned curiously.

"She's a nice woman. Our paths have crossed a few times and we've shared a few conversations." Tom answered.

"Might we see Miss Bunting accompanying you to events at the house? Are we going to get to know her?" Mary asked.

"I doubt it. She doesn't approve of your lot." Tom chuckled.

"Something you both have in common." Mary smiled.

"Something I used to believe. I haven't abandoned all my beliefs, but I'm settled. Sybbie is looked after and loved and is in her mother's home. I'm assisting Matthew in modernising the estate, so I feel useful." Tom replied.

"If you like Miss Bunting and if she could make you happy, you don't need to be afraid of upsetting us. We know that Sybil would want you to be happy." Mary sighed.

"I like her, that's true. But we'll see what happens. It's not just me that I have to think about." Tom stated.

"Are you worried you'd be betraying Sybil?"

"Sybil was the best of me, and I miss her every day. But she lives on in our daughter and I know that she would want me to be happy with someone again one day."

Mary smiled. It was strange for her to think of Tom with anyone else. She knew it was selfish to think that way, but she knew that Tom was right. Sybil wouldn't have wanted him to mourn her forever.

"So what are the latest plans for the estate?" Mary asked, changing the subject.

Tom informed her of the latest plans, that they had not long ago brought in some new pigs which they put in the charge of Mr Drewe at Yew Tree Farm. Mary remembered the conversation about Yew Tree Farm, how they were going to take over the farmland themselves as they had done with the other farms but Mr. Drewe had convinced papa to allow him to continue with it, even clearing the debts the man's father had made. Matthew had been against the idea, feeling it was more sufficient if they took over the land themselves, but Robert had put his foot down and decided to give Drewe a chance.

"Matthew is interested in scaling back on outgoing costs now that most of the buildings have been refurbished and renovated. He's looking at cutting back on staffing costs and such." Tom sighed.

"I'm sure he and papa will disagree on that." Mary stated.

"Of course. But as far as I'm aware, Matthew hasn't started looking at it all yet."

"No. He hasn't mentioned anything."

"Have you got any plans for your anniversary?" Tom asked.

Mary shook her head.

It wasn't that they didn't have any plans. If anything, they had their own private plans. Matthew had planned to take her out for dinner in Ripon and then they would exchange gifts in the privacy of their bedroom before they turned in for the night. Mary's gift though would definitely be waiting until they were alone. It was something that Matthew would only be able to see.

"It's only our third anniversary, not a big celebration is needed. A nice dinner just the two of us is ideal." Mary replied.

"I hope you and Matthew have many more happy years together." Tom said with a smile.

"Thank you."

The children laughed as the lambs licked their hands before Mary and Tom thanked the farmer for allowing the visit and they walked back to the house. They could see the house becoming larger and larger the closer they came to it when they saw Nanny pushing the pram with Charlie inside it.

"Hello Nanny." George said happily.

"Hello Master George, Miss Sybbie. Did you enjoy the lambs?" Nanny asked.

"They're funny." Sybbie laughed.

Mary looked over the pram, seeing Charlie look up at her with a wide smile and his blue eyes sparkling.

"Hello darling." Mary greeted.

"Mama!" Charlie babbled.

Mary placed a light kiss to his forehead and left George and Sybbie with Nanny as she and Tom walked back to the house. In her mind, she was already picturing next Spring when Charlie would be old enough to walk with them to the farms to see the new animals and it brought a smile to her face. This time next year, Charlie would be four months off his second birthday and George five months off his third. Even Sybbie would be reaching four years of age. Just the thought of it made Mary fretful over just how time went by so quickly when you had children. Admittedly, her children would still be toddlers this time next year and she still had no desire to add to her little family. But she knew it wouldn't be long before she and Matthew would be thinking about George and Charlie's schooling, which was compulsory for boys and girls from the age of five. Education was a subject that they hadn't discussed yet for the boys. Tom was considering sending Sybbie to the school in the village, but she knew that her father would have a say on the topic of his grandchildren's educations, boy or girl, they would have the best opportunities if Robert had any say on the matter.

Of course, Mary knew that when George and Charlie were old enough that they would go away for school. Perhaps to Eton or Harrow. Matthew had been educated at Radley College from the ages of thirteen to eighteen and then attended Oxford University to study law. Just the thought of sending her boys to boarding school pained her. Could she really spend months at a time away from her children? She supposed she would have no choice in the matter. It was the custom that boys be sent to boarding school for their education and the girls were taught at home by a governess.

"Mary? Are you alright?" Tom asked.

Snapping out of her thoughts, she smiled at her brother-in-law.

"I'm fine. Thank you. I think I'll head upstairs to get ready for luncheon." She replied.

Entering the house, she bade goodbye to Tom and headed up the staircase, trying to push thoughts of education out of her head. She had a few more years before she had to worry about all that after all.

oOo

That evening, Mary and Matthew had bidden everyone goodbye as they climbed into Matthew's car and drove to York to dine at a restaurant that her parents usually favoured if they were dining out. The meal was lovely, the food was well cooked, and the wine was delicious. She and Matthew talked about his day at the office to the time she spent with George and Charlie during the day before moving on to topics of the estate planning and plans of their time together in the months ahead. Matthew told her that he wanted them to take another holiday together, just the two of them and she had agreed. Their time together in Manchester back in February had been divine and she missed having that time alone with her husband.

After the dinner, Matthew paid the bill and they drove back to Downton Abbey, holding hands in the car whenever Matthew didn't need to change gears and was confident enough to only have one hand on the steering wheel. In Mary's mind, her thoughts kept drifting to her anniversary present for her husband and she was hoping that it wouldn't be a mistake. She had ordered it weeks ago when she had headed into Ripon for a new dress and the dressmaker had been a little confused at her order. It wasn't something the old woman usually did but once Mary had quietly explained it was a gift for her husband and blushed like a tomato, the old woman shared a giggle and confirmed that she would indeed make it for her.

They pulled up outside the house, stepping on to the gravel. When they entered the great hall, Carson and Anna helped them out of their coats, hats, and gloves, to which Matthew offered his bare hand to her and Mary took it willingly.

"I'll be up in a moment, Milady." Anna said.

"No need tonight, Anna," Matthew instructed, "Turn in early if you wish or enjoy your evening with Bates. Tell Molesley I don't have any need of him tonight please."

Anna nodded and headed off to the servant's staircase as Matthew led Mary up the stairs and along the gallery until they reached their bedroom, once the door was closed and locked behind them, Matthew rid himself of his tie and crossed the bedroom to his dressing room. Mary frowned until her emerged but a moment later holding a little giftbag.

"Happy Anniversary darling." Matthew said happily.

Mary took the giftbag and opened it up, pulling out a pair of leather gloves.

"Matthew they're perfect, thank you." She gushed.

"It's quite hard to decide on a traditional anniversary gift when the third year of marriage is leather. I did debate on some leather riding boots-"

"Why didn't you get those?"

"Because I had a very vivid fantasy of you wearing them…except you weren't riding Diamond…" Matthew said hotly.

Mary grinned at him, closing the gap between them, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I love the gloves, but I would also have liked the boots too…" she whispered huskily.

"Perhaps I should buy them as a belated anniversary gift." Matthew suggested, his arms circling her waist.

"If you like…I suppose you'll have to tell me about this vivid fantasy about me in these boots…"

"Yes, I do."

Mary leaned in and kissed him hotly, causing a groan to escape his lips as her tongue teased his. His hands were impatient as they reached up to her straps of her dress, trying to slip them down her shoulders until she stopped his hands and broke away from his lips.

"What is it?" Matthew asked hoarsely.

"I want to give you my present now." Mary replied.

"Can it wait?" Matthew asked impatiently, his lips kissing her throat.

Mary shook her head, pulling him with her as she leaned against the wall. She caught his gaze, lifting her dress slowly whilst never breaking eye contact. Matthew groaned, running his hands up her stocking clad legs, until they stopped just above the knee. She grinned as his eyes widened and she continued to lift her dress until he could see it with his eyes. His fingers ran around the leather of her new garters, groaning as he drank the sight of her wearing them.

"Happy Anniversary, darling." She whispered.

Matthew groaned, pulling her knickers down her legs before hoisting her up in his arms. Her back was braced against the wall as he fumbled with his trousers just as she fumbled around in the side drawer before pulling out a condom and tore open the packet. He moaned as she rolled int on to his length before returning her lips to his and kissed him eagerly. She felt his fingers at her opening, teasing her, making her more aroused and ready for him. Matthew thrust inside her quickly, his pace fast and unrelenting as they both gasped in unison. His blue eyes looked down at her legs, wrapped securely around his hips, her dress bunched up around hers as his hands held on to her thighs.

"God, Mary-" Matthew groaned.

His hands held on to her thighs tightly as she moaned in pleasure at the delightful thrusts her husband gave. His fingers stroked the leather garters and then the skin as she cried out his name in ecstasy. Matthew grunted, kissing her roughly as he stopped his thrusts and paused, lifting her dress over her head, and untying the corset strings on her back as her hands rid him of his waistcoat and shirt. Both now completely bared for the other to see, Matthew placed hot kisses along her collarbone and down her chest before sealing his lips over her breast. Mary clutched his shoulders, panting as she felt herself building up to another release.

"Matthew…" she groaned.

He grinned as he moved one of his hands to that little nub and pressed down hard, causing her to yell out in surprise and jolt in his arms. The jolt made Matthew shudder with pleasure, he paused for a moment before he thrust even deeper.

"Yes…" Mary hissed.

He stopped again, moving his hand back to her thighs as he moved her from the wall and walked to the nearest armchair in their bedroom, sitting upon it as he adjusted her position on his lap. Mary grinned as she moved against him, causing him to groan as he looked down at her garters and then moved his gaze up the rest of her body.

"You…you're too skilled…at seducing me…" Matthew grunted, his hands moving to her hips.

Mary sighed happily as he met her thrusts eagerly, both groaning in mutual pleasure at how deep he was inside her. His fingers continued their earlier movements as she bucked her hips and rode him as fast as she could. Matthew placed his lips to her throat, his hands wandering up her back and held her tightly to him as he sucked on her pulse point. Their hips met in a rushed rhythm, over and over and over again until Mary cried out her release. Matthew continued his relentless pace until he groaned her name into the crook of her neck, and she felt him tense and release inside her.

Once their breathing was regulated, Mary kissed her husband sweetly before running a hand through his hair.

"Happy Anniversary, Matthew." She whispered.

"Happy Anniversary my darling wife." Matthew smiled.

Too exhausted to do much else, Mary squealed in surprise as she felt Matthew lift her from the chair and place her on the bed, both pulling the covers over them and falling asleep in each other's arms.