A/N: When I thought about writing this story, I had not imagined I would get such encouraging reactions from all of you! So, warm hugs to everyone who reviewed/followed/read this.
Ch 4
Mary walked into her apartment, tired. It had been a month of mixed feelings. She still wasn't sure what to make of Matthew. Since their disastrous introduction a month ago, they had actually started to build a rapport to both their surprises. Although she still felt hurt about being passed over, she had to concede that Matthew was good at his job. If not for the circumstances of his presence in the office, she might have even admired him; and it took a great deal for Mary to admire someone.
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Matthew, on the other hand, was over the moon yet confused. He was in cloud nine because barring his initial faux pas, he and Mary had got along like a house on fire. However, he, like everyone else in the office, could not understand why Mary wasn't given the responsibility in the first place. She had some great ideas. After all, the monthly magazine had been her plan and that had already garnered a lot of attention. In the mere three months of its existence, it was bringing in quite a bit of revenue. There was also no doubt that she could handle the pressure and was well acquainted with the demands of the job.
With these questions in mind, Matthew decided to pay Anna a visit the next day.
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Mary entered the apartment and let out a groan on seeing Sybil, dressed to the nines, in the living room. Of course, today was their monthly dinner with Cora and Edith. Though she had never particularly liked these events (not hard to guess, given that Edith was involved), these dinners seemed to have gotten worse since her breakup with Tony two and a half months ago. Those last two dinners had been ghastly, and not just because Edith was present. Mary had been swamped with work and she simply could not sit through three hours of her mother complaining about her relationship status while Edith gloated, and then Cora trying to matchmake with every eligible bachelor in the country. Mary knew, today would not be any different.
Muttering under her breath, she went into her bedroom to change as Sybil looked on with sympathy.
An hour later they were seated at a table at The Cheshire Cat. Mary and Sybil had discovered this place when the latter had first come to the city five years ago. Intrigued by its name, they had gone in and had fallen in love with the quaint little place that served the best food, according to them at least. Edith had predictably turned her nose up at the place, which was all the more reason why Mary chose this place every time it was her turn to choose the venue.
A couple of minutes later, both Edith and Cora walked in. After a few minutes of idle talk and placing their orders, the chatter finally turned to Mary and her personal life.
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Matthew sat at his dining table, quietly listening to his mother. Isobel had arrived two weeks back. Though he would never say it out loud, Matthew was extremely grateful for her presence. He knew as a grown man it struck people odd that he still lived with his mother, but ever since his father had passed away when he was 13, Isobel had brought him up on her own. Thus, the two of them shared a very strong bond.
Right now, however he was pretty annoyed. Isobel had started her tirade about Matthew's personal life.
"Really Matthew, it's high time you stop whining about Lavinia. I know it hurts, but you have to get on with life, son."
"Yes, mother I know. It's just been a month since I've come and I already feel better."
Which had a lot do with a certain woman named Mary Crawley, he thought in his mind.
"That's good. Now you should honestly start making efforts and go out, you know, with, um, you know…" she stuttered.
"Yes, mother. I know perfectly well know what you're trying to say. And, um, I think you'll be pleased to know that I have met someone"
Who hated me a month ago, and now barely tolerates me, he thought, but his mother didn't need to know that.
Seeing his mother's face, he immediately knew something was wrong.
"Mother, what have you done?"
"Well, I didn't know that, so I set you up with someone…"
Matthew rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"Honestly mother, what were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that my boy hasn't been himself for close to a year. And how do you expect me to know what's going on in your life if you don't tell me?"
"All right, sorry mother. Now what do we do about this situation?"
"Well, I think you should go out. Cora will mind terribly if you don't and you will get a new friend."
"Cora, as in, Cora Crawley?"
"Yes. Robert Crawley's wife. She was very interested when I told her you work in Downton. It's her daughter you are going to go out with."
Matthew couldn't believe his ears. He prayed to God it was Mary the date was with and not one of her sisters.
"So, what's her name?" he asked, his voice shaking with a nervous hope.
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"So, Mary have you spoken to Evelyn Napier? I gave you his number, didn't I? After all, you two got along so well…" Cora began.
"When we were 15, mama. That was quite a long time ago. Anyway, no, I didn't talk to him. Frankly, I didn't have the time. It was quite a busy week." Mary snapped.
"I'm sure it was. After all, you had to pass everything over to the new guy. It's funny how papa trusts a virtual unknown over you, isn't it Mary?" Edith practically crowed knowing she had struck a nerve.
Sybil was about to say something but Mary cut her off.
"Yes, Edith it was quite funny. But still it wasn't as funny as you look tonight. Honestly Mama, you should be focussing your match making on Edith. She needs the help. After all, she has fewer advantages as you rightly said."
"Well guess what Mary, I have got a date." Edith announced.
"Oh, and was it all your doing or did you run to mama for help?"
"Girls, that's enough. Mary you should take a lesson from your sister. She has agreed to go out with someone I chose, unlike you."
"Really? So, who is this guy and how do you know him?"
"Well, his mother and I work together in the hospital board. We got talking about our children and then thought it would be nice if Edith and he went on a date. And Mary, you know him too. After all, he works in Downton Chronicles."
"Oh, really? What's his name?" Sybil asked.
"Matthew. Matthew Crawley. Isn't it funny about his surname?"
Cora rattled on for a few more minutes but Mary heard nothing else. That confusing mixture of feelings that usually accompanied any mention of Matthew gave way to one distinct emotion - anger.
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Matthew visibly deflated. He let out a sigh. But then he remembered how close Mary and Sybil had seemed when the latter had come to visit the office for a day and cheered up. At least he would be friends with her sister, who she was surely close with.
If only he knew how wrong he was!
A/N: So, Matthew and Edith have date?! Whaaat?! The date and Mary's reaction coming in the next chapter.
Also, I hope I have been able to portray Matthew and Isobel's bond properly. I love Isobel and there will be more of her and Violet in later chapters.
If you liked this, please review! xo
