February 1925
Even though the fresh air of Spring was upon them, Mary felt nauseous.
It started that morning when Anna was styling her hair for the day. Just a sudden wave for the need to be sick but she brushed it off as needing to eat some breakfast. As she headed downstairs to the dining room, she helped herself to some food and took her usual seat next to Matthew at the table. Edith was sat across from her, with papa at the top of the table.
"There's a letter for you Mary from Rose." Her father stated, handing it over as he tore open his own letter.
Mary opened the letter, smiling at her eyes scanned the letter and recognised her cousin's handwriting.
"Tom writes that they've opened the new saleroom and Sybbie has settled well into her new school. What does Rose have to say for herself?" Robert asked.
"Oh everything's good. New York is heaven and they're taking a house in the Hamptons for the summer. Ah I think she could be pregnant." Mary replied happily.
"Why do you say that?" Robert asked.
"She says: I might be back in August, but it's a bit too early to say." Mary replied.
"As usual, you add two and two and make fifty-three." Edith commented.
Mary rolled her eyes.
"Does everyone have a busy day?" Matthew asked.
"My mother has asked me to look in later." Robert sighed.
"It'll be about the hospital business. Have you told Mama?" Mary questioned.
"To be honest, Granny said not to." Robert grimaced.
"You're mad if you don't. She's a trustee and belongs there." Mary argued.
"Not all the trustees can be at every meeting. And I want to see if there is some way to sort it out before there's any blood spilled." Robert stated.
"The question is who would emerge victorious." Matthew mused.
As they continued to eat their breakfast, Carson cleared his throat and caught Mary's attention.
"What is it?" Mary asked.
"There's a man downstairs, My Lady. Mr. Finch, he wants to see the agent." Carson replied.
Mary looked to her right and smiled at Matthew. Ever since Tom and Sybbie had left for America, the estate had been left without an agent. Back in November, Matthew had suggested that she take over the role from Tom after Christmas when he left and surprisingly, she and her father had agreed. So far, estate matters hadn't been too difficult to handle. Matthew was helping her with the role as much as he could when he didn't have other things to handle. But there were others she had to deal with that didn't take too well to a woman in the role of estate agent.
"I'll see him." She stated.
"I suggested that, but he said that he didn't want to bother you, Mr. Crawley or his lordship, just the agent." Carson replied.
Mary rolled her eyes again. Mr. Finch was rather bothersome at times.
"Wait ten minutes and show him into the library."
"Very good my lady."
"You'll have to manage him. I have some errands to run, and Matthew and I need to discuss the wage bill once I return from your grandmother's." Robert stated.
"I want to be left to manage him. It's my job." Mary replied, sipping her tea.
She noted the look between her father and Carson but resisted rolling her eyes for the third time over breakfast. The topic changed from her role of agent to the upcoming wedding of Carson and Mrs Hughes.
"How are preparations for the wedding coming along?" Robert asked the butler.
"Slowly but surely, my lord. We've settled a date with Mr. Travis and now we need to decide where to hold the reception, what there is of one." Carson replied.
"Well here of course." Mary offered.
She couldn't think of a more fitting place for Carson and Mrs Hughes to hold their reception. They were two members of the household staff that the family were entirely fond of and were ever so grateful for their loyalty and years of service. Mary, in particular, had always been fond of Carson as another father figure. She couldn't remember a time when Carson wasn't putting things in order around the house, nor could she remember a time where he wouldn't console her during her vulnerable moments or give her that uplifting talk of encouragement that she had needed on occasion. To show him her gratitude for doing more than he could possibly know for her, Mary felt obliged to Carson to host his wedding reception.
"Absolutely." Matthew agreed.
"We can decorate the servant's hall and make it look really special." Her father added.
Mary grimaced. The servant's hall? That was her father's suggestion? After Carson had served their family loyally for decades, that was his suggestion?!
"That's kind my lord, as I say we haven't yet made the decision." Carson replied.
"Don't forget poor Mr. Finch." Edith interrupted.
Carson left the room, leaving the family to finish their morning tea.
"Honestly papa! We'll decorate the servant's hall. Surely we can do a little better than that?" Mary chided.
"What do you mean?" Robert asked with a frown.
"As usual Mary feels the need to take over." Edith stated.
"We'll have a proper conversation about it later. Mr. Finch is waiting for me." Mary said dismissively, rising from her seat and exited the dining room.
Mary crossed the great hall and entered the library, smiling in greeting as Mr. Finch turned to greet her.
"I'm sorry I'm a let-down, Mr. Finch." Mary apologised.
"I wouldn't say you're a let-down, milady. I need to discuss the estate's entries this year at the Malton fat stock show. You won't want to be bothered with it." Finch replied.
"I thought all the fat stock shows took place before Christmas." Mary frowned.
"They do, usually. This is an experiment." Finch explained.
"And you've come to discuss it with Mr. Branson?"
"I know that's not possible, my lady, but if you could just tell me who's replaced him."
Mary nodded and smiled.
"Hold on to your hat, Mr. Finch, but I'm afraid I have."
"Mhmm I see."
"I've been working with my husband and Mr. Branson for some years and now I intend to manage myself in partnership with Mr. Crawley and his lordship." Mary said firmly.
"Well it's a changing world." Finch smiled.
"It certainly is." Mary agreed.
Mr. Finch cleared his throat.
"We don't want the show to be a let-down, milady. We're hoping for a decent entry from the Abbey."
"We did well with the pigs in other shows so let me discuss it with our pig man."
"These shows don't have the buzz of a county show, but a decent turnout from the surviving estates means they'll be taken seriously." Finch smiled.
Mary nodded and bade the man goodbye before turning on her heel and leaving the library.
oOo
Mary sat on the sofa, reading the newspaper as she took the final sip of her tea.
"We should finish up; the children will be here in a minute." Robert stated, "Who was that on the telephone, Edith?"
Mary glanced up just as her sister walked hurriedly into the library and went straight to the tea tray. She noted the annoyed look on Edith's face and turned her attention back to her newspaper.
"Mr Skinner in his usual form," Edith huffed, "He hates my ideas for the editorial and interviews. He hates the new photographs we've commissioned." Edith complained.
"It sounds as if he hates running your magazine." Cora frowned.
"He hates me, let's leave it at that. I'll have to go up to London now to deal with him which is a nuisance. But there you are." Edith sighed.
"How did the meeting go, Robert?" Matthew asked.
"Dr. Clarkson wants to win Cora over to mama's team." Robert replied, looking between his wife and Matthew."
"And will he?" Edith questioned.
"I don't believe so." Cora answered.
"I suppose he likes being his own boss, who can blame him?" Edith commented, walking over to the settee, and sitting next to Cora.
"Is that fair? It's always been a huge advantage that we have our own hospital, and Clarkson wants to retain it."
"So, whose side are you on?" Matthew questioned curiously.
"I wish I didn't have to decide." Robert answered with a sigh.
They heard running footsteps in the great hall just as the door opened and three rushing children spilled into the library. Mary smiled, setting her newspaper down on the side table and opened her arms to her boys.
"Ah look who's here." Robert smiled.
"Hello darlings, how was your day?" Mary greeted.
George and Charlie ran into their mother's waiting arms as little Marigold went straight to Edith. Mary pulled them both on to her lap, silently noting how heavier they were now than they were a year ago. In the summer, Charlie would be turning three and George would be turning four a month later. Where had all that time gone?
"I never asked what Mr. Finch wanted this morning." Robert remembered.
Mary looked up at her father, wrapping her arms around her sons.
"Malton is holding a late fat stock show this year." Mary explained.
"That seems rather bothersome." Her father commented.
"Mary thinks it's worth it." Matthew said proudly.
Mary smiled at her husband gratefully. Since he had suggested that she take over from Tom, Matthew fully supported her role and the decisions she made as the agent.
"Two of the pigs are winners, I'll head over and look at them tomorrow." Mary announced.
"Can we come?!" George and Charlie asked in unison.
Mary smiled at her boys, kissing each of their foreheads.
"I don't see why not." Matthew smiled.
"I'll tell nanny." Mary added.
Mary frowned as she met Edith's gaze. She noticed her sister's smile drop on her face and was replaced with a look of worry and concern, the feelings of joy that she had been sharing with Marigold now gone.
"Y-You want to take them to the Drewes' farm?" Edith questioned worriedly.
"You can come with us if you like, but I'm sure Matthew and I can manage three small children." Mary answered flatly.
"B-but is it a good idea? Is it safe?" Edith asked quickly.
Mary rolled her eyes. It annoyed her to no end the way Edith was so protective over a child that wasn't her own.
"Don't be such a ninny. I've said you can with us if you want to. Besides, it will be nice for the Drewes to see Marigold."
"But I have to be in London now."
"I'll go too," Cora suggested, "I'm sure it'll be fine, and we'll all look at the pigs."
But Mary noted the worried look on her sister's face. But why would Edith be opposed to Marigold visiting the Drewes? Surely Edith would want them to still have some connection to the orphaned child? After all, it wasn't their fault that they asked Edith to take the girl in, they couldn't afford to keep her on top of caring for their own three children.
The rest of the evening went by quickly and before Mary knew it, she was readying herself for bed as Anna took hold of her discarded clothes and shoes. Mary sat at her vanity table, taking off her jewellery.
"Is anything the matter?" Mary asked.
"No." Anna replied quietly.
Mary took off her jewellery and smiled in them mirror.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But if you need a listening ear…" Mary said reassuringly.
Anna sighed, looking forlorn.
"It's just…you know Mr. Bates and I have always wanted children…"
"And I'm sure you'll have some."
Anna smiled weakly.
"No. I won't. It seems I can't." her maid said tearfully.
Mary turned around on her stood and looked at her friend sadly.
"Anna, have some faith. I'm sure that you and Bates will conceive eventually." Mary reassured her.
"But that's the point," Anna cried, "I can get pregnant, I-I just can't keep it."
Mary felt a tear drop down her cheek at the evident heartbreak that Anna had been through.
"And how many times has it happened?" she asked delicately.
"Two. Maybe three." Anna replied quietly.
"Oh Anna…"
Anna gave her a sad smile as she gathered up all the clothes that Mary had worn at dinner.
"It's all right, Milady. I'm used to the idea. Some women can't have children, and I'm one of them."
"I-"
"Now, if that will be all?" Anna asked politely.
"Yes. Thank you. Goodnight, Anna." Mary replied.
Anna gave a little nod and smile and left the bedroom, leaving Mary sat at her table wishing that there was something that she could do to help Anna. After all, she had once believed that the possibility of her having a child wasn't ever going to happen. It was only after a conversation with her mother that she had gone to see Dr. Ryder who had diagnosed her problem and corrected it. She had since had George and Charlie and the sudden bouts of nausea that she had been experiencing…
Her hand went to her stomach, imagining if she were pregnant with her third child. She tried to remember her pregnancies with George and Charlie, recalling that she felt more tired than anything, but this time she felt more nauseous than she could ever remember feeling with her sons. But before she could ponder more, her hands moved quickly to her hair as she heard the door to the dressing room click open and Matthew stepped into the room, smiling at her.
"Is everything alright?" Matthew asked.
Mary nodded, pulling the pins from her hair, and watched as her raven locks fell past her shoulders and her hands pulled it all over one shoulder, her fingers twisting it to braid it.
"I'm thinking about getting my hair cut." Mary sighed.
Matthew frowned as he climbed into bed.
"Why?" he questioned.
"Sometimes braiding and managing long hair is a chore." Mary answered.
"But I love your hair. If you cut it, are you planning on one of those shorter cuts you mentioned all that time ago?"
"Perhaps."
"I don't think you should." Matthew added.
"There's bigger things to worry about than how short I cut my hair, Matthew." Mary said sharply.
She finished tying the end of her braid and rose from her vanity, crossing the room and climbed into bed beside her husband.
"What things?" Matthew asked, visibly concerned.
"I can't say." Mary said quietly.
As much as she wished she could speak with her husband about her worries for Anna, she knew that it wasn't her place to discuss another woman's problems. Even if Matthew would have some understanding about the situation. He had once believed that their trouble conceiving had been his fault due to the injury he sustained during the war. Kissing him goodnight, Mary settled back on to her pillows, closing her eyes and drifted off into a restless sleep.
oOo
The next morning, Mary felt the nausea hit her again, but she ignored it. She, Matthew, and her mother headed on a walk to Yew Tree Farm with George, Charlie, and Marigold to visit Mr. Drewe about the fat stock show and the pigs. She often took the boys to see the pigs, George seemed to have an interest in the animals, but Edith's reaction yesterday had been rather peculiar, and it still played on Mary's mind.
As they stepped into the barn, the children rushed to look at the pigs, with Matthew kneeling on the straw floor with them as Mary greeted Mr. Drewe.
"Well they're big enough." Cora commented.
"They're good animals, Milady. They've done well and they'd do well again at Malton. Eh Miss Marigold?" Mr. Drewe smiled.
Mary watched as Mr Drewe patted the little girl on the head, just as Matthew began pointing at the pigs and listened to the boys point out each pig they had named.
"Does Lady Edith know you're here?" Mr. Drewe asked.
"She would have come herself but she's in London," Mary replied, "So you're happy to enter them for the show?"
"Very happy." Mr. Drewe confirmed.
"Where's Mrs Drewe?" Cora asked.
"She's gone into town, but she'll be back soon." Mr. Drewe replied.
"We should probably get home." Cora said encouragingly.
"We're not in a rush, Mama. Besides, won't Mrs Drewe want to see Marigold?" Mary asked.
"Well I-"
"Yes, I would!"
They all turned around as Mary smiled when the farmer's wife entered the barn.
"That's very kind of you, Milady. I'd love to look at her." Mrs Drewe said politely.
Mary took hold of Marigold's hand and led her over to the farmer's wife. Mrs Drewe knelt on the floor, smiling at the little girl sadly. Mary let go of Marigold, watching as Mrs Drewe held on to the little girl's tiny hands as tears filled the woman's eyes.
"Hello. Do you remember me?"
"Of course she remembers you. Don't you darling?" Mary insisted.
She frowned as her mother's facial expression turned to worry at Mrs Drewe and Marigold's encounter.
"It's been so nice, but I think we ought to get them back for their luncheon." Cora said quickly.
Mary noticed the look Mr. Drewe and her mother shared, finding it rather odd as if there was some secret they shared.
"Back to the big house for luncheon." Mrs Drewe sighed unhappily.
There was a brief moment as Mrs Drewe gave Marigold another sad smile and held her hands tightly before Mr. Drewe took a step towards his wife.
"Let her go, Margie." Mr. Drewe instructed.
But Mrs Drewe didn't look at him. Instead she kissed the back of the little girl's hands, and the woman shared a little chuckle with Marigold.
"We musn't hold them up."
Marigold let out a delightful chuckle until Mr. Drewe walked the distance between him and his wife and took Marigold almost forcefully out of his wife's grasp.
"That's it my love, you come with me. Back to your auntie." Mr. Drewe said quickly.
Mary frowned as Mr. Drewe steered the little girl away from his wife and handed Marigold over to her. She took hold of Marigold's hand as Matthew came towards the barn door with George and Charlie.
"Good. Well, I'll send a note to Mr. Finch in the afternoon." Mary said.
"Thank you, Mr. Drewe." Cora said quietly.
Mr. Drewe placed his hand on his cap and gave a slight bow of the head as they all walked out of the barn. Mary looked back as she saw the distraught expression on Mrs Drewe's face and felt sad for the woman. She could only imagine how painful it must be to raise a child that wasn't yours as your own only for said child to be ripped away from you after you had bonded.
"I hope that's the last time anyone calls me 'auntie'." Mary said quietly.
"Mary!" Cora hissed.
They walked off the farm and headed back up the lane that led to the Abbey.
"What? Marigold is hardly my niece. She's not Sybbie. And even Sybbie doesn't call me auntie." Mary replied defensively.
Her mother opened her mouth to respond but quickly closed it again before she decided to walk on ahead with Marigold. Mary frowned, watching as her mother picked up her walking pace as she fell into step beside Matthew.
"Don't you think it a little strange?" Mary asked aloud.
"Find what strange?" Matthew questioned.
"Mr. Drewe and Mama. They were reluctant to allow Mrs Drewe to spend more than a minute or two with Marigold." Mary answered.
"It did seem rather odd. Especially with the way Edith reacted to our plan to take the children to the farm today." Matthew agreed.
"You're not just saying that to get me to drop the subject, are you?"
Matthew smiled but shook his head.
"No darling. Whilst I like that Edith has found some happiness again, that Marigold has given your sister some happiness, something seems to be going on." He replied.
"What do you think we should do about it?"
"Let's just leave it alone."
"Why?" Mary asked.
"Because it isn't out business. If it doesn't involve us or our children, then we should leave it alone." Matthew replied.
"But it does concern our children. George and Charlie share a nanny and a nursery with this orphan."
Matthew chuckled.
"I hardly think Miss Marigold is some undercover spy revealing all the Crawley family secrets." He teased.
Mary rolled her eyes but stopped walking as she felt another bout of nausea hit her. Matthew stopped in his tracks, looking at her concerned as she walked over to a fence and placed her hands on top of it. Mary bent over, closing her eyes and took a deep breath until she felt herself retching and heaving as the vomit escaped her mouth and hit the grass at her feet. She vomited a few more times until Matthew came over to her and rubbed her back, handing her his handkerchief. She thanked him quietly, using it to wipe her mouth before crumpling it up and placing it in her coat pocket.
"Where did that come from? Was it something you ate?" Matthew asked, his voice filled with concern.
"I don't know. I've been feeling nauseous since yesterday." Mary replied.
"If it persists, make an appointment to see Dr. Clarkson." Matthew stated.
"I will darling. But let's get home. I need to rest."
Matthew kissed her cheek and they each held one of their son's hands and walked back to the house.
oOo
That night, Mary readied herself for dinner, allowing Anna to help her into her dress.
"How did the visit go?" Anna asked.
"Rather well. George's interest in pig farming is all the more stronger." Mary replied amusingly.
"And Mr. Drewe's well?"
She sat down at her vanity, picking up a pair of evenings to wear.
"He's so proud of his animals. He believes we'll take another win at Malton."
"Was Mrs Drewe there?"
Anna placed her evening gloves on the vanity as Mary held one of her earrings in her hands. Her thoughts went back to Mrs Drewes' and Marigold's encounter in the barn, and it made her think deeply.
"She was. To be honest, she was quite upset at seeing Marigold again," Mary replied, looping an earring into her left ear, "I thought it would be a nice gesture, but perhaps I was being insensitive."
Anna looped a necklace around Mary's neck and settle it nearly as Mary picked up her other earring.
"When a woman loves a child, it must stay with her." Anna sighed.
"I suppose so," Mary agreed, looking at her maid in the mirror, "That reminds me, what you told me last night…"
"Yes?"
Mary turned on her stool and placed her hands in her lap.
"I want you to let me help."
Anna sighed but smiled gratefully as she lifted Mary's outfit from earlier into her arms.
"That's so nice, Milady, thank you. But there's nothing to be done." Anna stated sadly.
"Well, that's not necessarily true. I think you've forgotten that when I first wed Mr. Crawley, I couldn't get pregnant either." Mary pointed out.
"Yes, but, you see, I can-"
"Please listen, Anna. I went to see Dr. Ryder in Harley Street and he found that I needed a tiny operation. I had it and George and Charlie are the results."
"I don't think there's any point." Anna sighed.
"There's no point in thinking, you don't know. I'll take you up to London and we'll meet Dr. Ryder and listen to what he has to say and then we'll see." Mary stated.
"But what would that cost? I couldn't accept it from you." Anna asked in a surprised tone.
"Don't be silly, you've earned it fair and square. Keeping my secrets. Carrying poor Mr. Pamuk down the gallery in the dead of night. Getting rid of Miss Bevan." Mary said in an amused chuckle.
Anna chuckled slightly and smiled.
"We have had our moments, haven't we, Milady?"
"We certainly have. And this is our next moment. I'll telephone and make an appointment." Mary confirmed, turning back to her mirror and looped her other earring into her ear.
"I do appreciate it," Anna said quietly, "It won't work but that's not the point. Nobody in my whole life has been kinder to me than you have. Except for Mr. Bates."
"Well I'm glad that's settled. Will you tell him?" Mary asked.
Anna shook her head, picking up the hairbrush.
"Not yet. He'd hope too much but later if anything comes of it." Anna replied.
The two sat silently as Anna brushed and styled Mary's hair for the evening. When she was finished, Mary thanked her maid and stood up, pulling on her gloves as Anna picked up her discarded clothes but Mary called her back into the room.
"Anna, I hope you know that you are much more to me than just my lady's maid. I consider you my closest friend." Mary stated quietly.
"I do, Milady. I hope you know that the feeling is mutual." Anna smiled.
Anna left the room and Mary went downstairs for dinner. Again, dinner and the rest of the night passed by quickly. Mary ascended the staircase, bade her parents goodnight as she walked to the nursery to check on the children. She quietly opened the door, smiled at nanny and walked over to the beds where her sons slept side-by-side. She smoothed Charlie's hair out of his face and kissed his forehead before repeating the action to George. As she whispered goodnight to her sons, she turned, and her gaze went to the sleeping girl in a cot against the wall. She walked over and placed her hands on the rail, smiling down at a sleeping Marigold as she studied the little girl. Those brown locks, even the blue of her eyes, the nose…the girl seemed so familiar…
As she looked at the girl, she begun to think about all the strangeness that surrounded Marigold. The way Edith reacted it was almost as if she were the girl's mother.
Mary's eyes widened.
Edith.
Marigold.
This had to be the something more that Matthew was talking about.
And somehow, it all made sense. Edith had spent just under a year in Geneva with Aunt Rosamund. She had been pining the disappearance of Michael Gregson and had been utterly devastated when it was confirmed he had died. Of course, Edith had returned to the continent long before confirmation of the editor's death and had this been why?
Back to your auntie.
Edith had spent a long time visiting the Drewes before she had taken Marigold in as her ward. She had certainly stepped on a few toes during her visits, and she was completely besotted with the child. She had been so fearful of her and Matthew taking Marigold to the farm this morning, only really agreeing if Mama went along…
The only explanation for all the strangeness surrounding Marigold was that she was the illegitimate daughter of her sister and Michael Gregson. Aunt Rosmund must know the truth; she had been the one to suggest the trip to Geneva and invite Edith along. Did Papa and Mama know? She suspected that Mr. and Mrs Drewe knew the truth of the child's parentage, why else would Mr. Drewe refer to her as Marigold's auntie?
Mary took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, jumping slightly as she felt strong arms wrap around her waist.
"Where's nanny?" Matthew whispered.
"Stepped out to get some water." Mary replied quietly.
She felt her husband nod as he looked down at the sleeping girl.
"She's such a sweet thing, isn't she?" Matthew asked softly.
"She is," Mary agreed quietly, "Come. Let's turn in."
Stepping out of his hold, Mary took her husband's hands and bade nanny goodnight as the woman stepped back into the nursery.
oOo
The next morning, Mary arrived at Aunt Rosamund's to discover that she had missed her sister's departure back to Downton Abbey. She knew that she would only be staying tonight but she was quite glad that she didn't have to be around Edith. It wasn't that she wanted to avoid her sister it was more the fact that she was uncertain of what she should do. Should she confront Edith? Should she confront Rosamund about her suspicions?
What she had decided was to focus on Anna for the time being. She and Anna had an appointment with Dr. Ryder after luncheon and she was determined to try and help Anna find a solution to why she had suffered so many miscarriages.
"It's no mystery, Mrs Bates. You suffer from cervical imcompetence. To put it plainly, the neck of the womb is weak. And as the foetus reaches three or four months, it becomes too heavy to be supported."
"So it's no unusual?" Anna asked.
"It's bad luck, but not unusual." Dr. Ryder replied.
"Can you treat it?" Mary questioned.
"Certainly. The procedure is called cervical cerclage. It's been in use for more than twenty years." Dr. Ryder answered.
"Go on." Anna requested.
"I would insert a stitch, quite a large one, in the neck of the womb." Dr. Ryder informed them.
"Is it quite painful?" Anna asked.
"It's quite quick."
"But it works?" Mary wondered.
"I'm afraid I can't make a blanket promises. It works in many cases." Dr. Ryder stated.
"And when would you do it?" Mary asked.
"At about twelve weeks. I'd normally come to your house and perform it there. Then you can rest afterwards without the nuisance of travel." Dr. Ryder replied, looking at Anna.
"I wouldn't go to hospital?"
"Oh no, it's not worth it."
"Well, you've given me a lot to think about, Doctor."
As the three of them rose, Dr. Ryder asked when they would be returning to Yorkshire and stated that he would look forward to hearing from Anna the next time she became pregnant, but Mary wasn't quite ready to go just yet. The thought had been playing on her mind the last few days, she couldn't remember the last time she had her courses and what with the tiredness and sickness, she had to be sure. And as she was already paying for the man's services, she asked Dr. Ryder for a private word and asked Anna to wait outside for her. Once Anna had left the room, Mary turned to Dr. Ryder and smiled.
"I was hoping you could quickly examine me and confirm if I'm pregnant." Mary said quietly.
"Of course, Lady Mary."
oOo
Two days later, the Crawleys headed to Malton for the fat stock show. Mary walked with Matthew, holding on to George and Charlie through the crowds until they walked into a clearing and George and Charlie ran to the pens where the sheep and cows were being shown off. She smiled as George asked the farmers the names of each sheep, as Edith joined her with mama and papa with little Marigold. Mary watched closely her sister's interactions with the girl and smiled sadly. As much as she disliked her sister, she would never wish the pain that Edith had experienced on her. She couldn't imagine what her sister must possibly have gone through to give up a child and experience the death of the man she loved.
She and Matthew moved the children along to the pig pen and greeted Lord Merton as he came over to where they stood.
"Brava. You look very convincing. My goddaughter, the pig breeder." Lord Merton said with a smile.
"It's so good of you to come." Mary replied with a smile.
"One of my tenant's has an entry. I came to support him, so you are a bonus, my dear."
Mary chuckled, she looked around and led Lord Merton away for a private word.
"Mama says you're on her side for the battle of the hospitals." She said quietly.
"Well I believe in the changes, yes." Lord Merton replied.
"Naturally, Granny blames Isobel for drawing you over to the dark side." Mary stated, raising an eyebrow.
Lord Merton and Isobel had been spending a lot of time together lately, more than they usually did and Mary wondered if their enjoyment of each other's company extended beyond friendship.
"Oh no, no, no. I was on the dark side anyway." Lord Merton added quietly.
"Oh. I was rather hoping it might be the first signs of a thaw." Mary said.
The battle of the hospitals was starting to cause a lot of tension in the family. Whilst Isobel believed in the merge with York, Granny wanted to keep things simple and independent from other control. But Mary suspected that Granny resisting the change was more to do with Violet not wanting to lose her power as the president. But with her godfather siding with her mother-in-law on the topic, she had hoped that Isobel might change her mind about Lord Merton's proposal all those months ago. When Dickie's sons had insulted Isobel at the dinner before Tom moved away, she had had to lead Matthew away from the dining room after he threatened to drag Larry outside and deal with him the way gentlemen did. It had been the end of any notion of Isobel and Dickie marrying and instead had managed to get their prior friendship back on track.
The conversation continued until Mr. Drewe caught her attention and she excused herself. She spoke with Mr. Drewe for a few minutes until the judge announced that one of their pigs was the winner of the contest. As Mary walked over to collect the prize ribbon for the pig, Mrs Hughes asked where Marigold had disappeared to.
"Who's got Marigold?" Edith asked in a panicked tone.
"She was here! Just-" Cora started.
Everyone started to look around them, trying to spot the girl.
"No, she's gone!" Edith stated, distraught.
Whilst her father tried to reassure Edith that the girl had merely wandered off and was fine, Edith looked like she had woken up to a nightmare. Edith moved into the crowd, calling Marigold's name as her mother did the same. Matthew joined Mary's side and asked what was going on.
"Marigold's gone missing." Mary said quietly.
Robert lifted George and handed him to Mary who balanced her son on her hip and Charlie was lifted into Matthew's arms as everyone else around them rushed to try and find the missing child.
"Should we help them?" Matthew asked.
As Mary and Matthew scanned the crowds, they saw Edith rushing towards Robert announcing that Mrs Drewe had taken the child back to Yew Tree Farm as Marigold was feeling tired. Mary watched as her father, mother and Edith rushed back to the car with Mr. Drewe and headed out of Malton and towards Yew Tree Farm.
"I guess we're walking back home." Mary sighed.
Matthew smiled sympathetically as they placed their sons back on the ground and held their hands as they started the long walk back to the Abbey.
"I hope that she'll be alright." Matthew commented.
"I'm sure Edith is in more of a state than her." Mary stated.
"I know, she's bonded to the girl as if she were her own." Matthew sighed sadly.
"The girl is her own." Mary whispered.
Matthew stopped in his tracks and his blue eyes were wide.
"W-what did you just say?" he asked quietly.
Mary turned to face her husband and nodded her head stiffly.
"We'll talk about it later when we're alone."
Matthew nodded and they fell into step together. They walked through the lanes, enjoying the blissful sounds of nature as they walked. They stopped at a bus stop shelter, sitting the boys on the small bench to rest their tired feet for a minute or two as Mary leaned against the wall and took some deep breaths as another bout of nausea hit her. As she opened her eyes and felt the sickness calm for a moment, she caught her husband's gaze studying her closely.
"Is something wrong?" Mary asked.
"I've just had a thought…this sudden sickness and tiredness that's been brought on…" Matthew replied, the corner of his lips twitching in an amused smile.
"What?"
"I think you're pregnant…"
Mary noticed the happy smile on his face spread into a grin which she couldn't help but return. He walked over to her, placing his hands over her coat to where they would touch her stomach if she weren't wearing it.
"Oh darling…am I right?" Matthew whispered.
Mary nodded, looking up at him as their foreheads touched.
"About six weeks…I had it confirmed when I was in London…" she whispered back.
"Oh Mary…" Matthew breathed.
His lips touched hers and he kissed her deeply, his hands wrapping around her and held her close. After a few moments, they broke apart and caught their breath, looking over to where Charlie and George sat on the bench.
"Mama…why is Papa kissing you…" George asked curiously.
"Because Papa is very, very happy, Georgie," Matthew replied, smiling widely, "I love your mama very, very much!"
"More than pigs love mud?" George giggled.
"More than pigs love mud." Matthew confirmed.
"I want to play in the mud!" Charlie declared.
Mary laughed as Matthew released her and placed Charlie on his shoulders as Mary took hold of George's hand and they began walking back home once again.