The following Monday, Mary entered the bar and crossed the crowded room, weaving through the high tables until she reached the bar and sat on one of the barstools. She smiled as Anna poured her a glass of wine and took her money, placing it in the till before giving her the change.
"You look like you need a few." Anna commented.
"It's been a long weekend." Mary yawned.
"I'll be finishing in ten minutes then I'll join you properly." Anna stated.
Mary nodded and smiled wearily, taking a sip of her drink.
She had driven back to London this morning, having gotten stuck in traffic for most of the journey which added hours to the typical four it usually took without it. She had left her family with more questions about Patrick's death and the police still getting in touch with everyone who attended the party. The cause of her cousin's death was still undetermined but suspicious which could mean several things. Although, the police had not actually confirmed he was murdered.
"How was your weekend?" Anna asked.
"Long. Filled with drama." Mary replied.
"Tony and Matthew?"
Mary rolled her eyes.
"No, why would you think that?"
Anna smirked.
"Because you're conflicted as to whether you actually want to move on or not." Her friend stated.
Mary sighed and rubbed her forehead tiredly. She took another sip of her wine, a little more than she had the previous sip and smiled wearily at her friend.
"I haven't decided. I can't decide." Mary admitted quietly.
"Well, the way I see it is you can either confess to Matthew that you haven't truly moved on as you may have implied a few weeks back or you can agree to a relationship with Tony. But Mary, someone is going to get hurt and I really hope it isn't you." Anna stated.
"And what if it is me?" Mary asked.
Anna gave her a tiny smile and reached across the bar to squeeze her hand.
"If it is you then you know I'll be there to help fix the pieces." Her friend replied.
Mary nodded and took a larger mouthful of her drink as Anna finished her shift. When her best friend joined her for a drink just minutes later, Mary was already ordering herself another glass.
"So, have your parents started planning Patrick's funeral yet?" Anna asked.
Mary shook her head, silently grateful for the change of subject to something other than her conflicted love life.
"No. I imagine the police will be releasing the body in the next few days and they'll start straight away. I know that Patrick will be buried in the family plot where his parents are buried in the Downton graveyard but nothing beyond that has been discussed." Mary replied.
"And the police haven't said anything more?"
Mary shook her head.
"No. Just that they are treating is as suspicious, the coroner will conduct an inquest. I don't know if they mean murder or manslaughter, but they could also treat it as suspicious if Patrick had connections to any criminal activity."
Anna nodded, paying for her drink, and taking a large mouthful.
"I suppose given what we already know about your cousin, it shouldn't come as a complete surprise that his death is being treated as suspicious. And now with the arson in his old bedroom? There is something going on." Her friend mused.
"Whatever is going on…whoever set that fire had a hand in Patrick's death and that person was staying at Downton over the weekend." Mary said quietly.
Anna's eyes widened.
"You don't think-"
"I don't know what to think."
"Mary, you need to be careful." Mary stated.
Anna clutched her hand fearfully, her blue eyes filled with concern.
"I don't want to throw around accusations or speculate…but you need to tread carefully and keep yourself safe." Her friend whispered.
"I will, you don't need to worry." Mary reassured her friend.
With the promise made, the two women took a large mouthful of their drinks in unison before changing the subject yet again to planning a much-needed girls' night out with Gwen and Daisy. Mary knew that she needed a night out with her old university friends, it wasn't often she got to meet up with all her old dorm friends and the distraction could be just what she needed after weeks of stress.
oOo
Matthew exhaled heavily as he slumped down lazily on to the sofa, his eyes closing as he rubbed his forehead; trying to relieve the tension that was building there, causing a headache. Ever since he had been told that his job might be at risk, he had been anxious and stressed. Lavinia, the wonderful woman that she was, tried to take his mind off his worries by planning the wedding. But for Matthew, the last thing he had wanted to do was talk about their wedding, their future, their married life together when he wasn't sure he had the financial means to provide. In the end, he had decided to go for a run. His run had been refreshing, giving him temporary relief from his worries until he got back to the flat just as Lavinia was cooking dinner for the two of them. He had kissed her on the cheek and jumped in the shower, only just now changing into some loungewear as Lavinia moved about the kitchen slowly.
"I talked to daddy, he's going to try and change the partner's minds about you being let go." Lavinia announced.
Matthew sighed; his eyes still closed.
"Darling, I appreciate the gesture. But I don't want to keep my job due to nepotism. Besides, even if I agreed, who would be let go in my place? Would it be James, whose wife has recently birthed their third child? Would it be Emily, who's recently widowed and has two children to support? No. As much as it stings that I'm one of the ones they had to let go, I'd much rather it was me." Matthew stated.
"It's not like you don't have responsibilities. They're serving us with an eviction notice soon because they must sell the flat. Where are we going to live? How are we going to pay for the wedding?" Lavinia asked.
"I don't know. But I'll work something out." Matthew assured her.
"How? I can't afford a place in the city, Matthew, I don't earn enough per year on my salary. I'm only a small person working at GOSH. Our savings will only go so far."
"I have my inheritance to fall back on should the need arise."
"What inheritance?" Lavinia asked.
He opened his eyes and looked over to where she stood, the dinner simmering on the hob. Lavinia stood there with a worried expression on her face, pasta sauce dripping on to her t-shirt as she held the forgotten wooden spoon in her hand, her arms folded across her chest.
"My father left me some money, as did my maternal grandparents when they passed. I used some to pay for university and postgraduate study but the rest I haven't touched. I should be able to afford a house in the outer London area. But I don't necessarily want to touch it unless I must." Matthew stated.
"Your inheritance should be a back up fund for emergencies, really. We could always move in with daddy for a short while to save. It just means that the wedding would have to be a much smaller scale." Lavinia suggested.
Matthew shook his head at her suggestion. He knew that Reggie Swire would happily allow him and Lavinia to live with him for a short time, but it would make him uncomfortable. He would find it awkward to live with the man he used to work for.
"Lavinia, I'll come up with a plan. You needn't worry." Matthew said firmly.
"But-"
"I don't want to live with your father. Tomorrow, I'll start job hunting, hopefully I can find another firm to work for. If not, I'll try something else. I'll ask Mary, she's well connected, she might have heard of something."
"Mary?" Lavinia questioned.
"Yes. Why not?" Matthew asked, confused.
"You know…You would go to her for a job?" Lavinia asked.
Matthew rose from his seat and crossed the room, reaching her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Mary is well connected. She knows people in journalism, in finance, in marketing, in insurance. She has friends in a variety of fields and specialisms. I'm sure she may know of someone whose company or employer is looking for a solicitor to hire." He replied.
Lavinia gave him a small smile, one that he associated with settling and trying to be okay with the situation and he squeezed her gently.
"Then I hope that you'll have some luck." She smiled.
Matthew placed a light kiss to her forehead as the dinner starting sizzling fiercely in the pans.
oOo
Sitting at her and Rosamund's usual table at The Ritz hotel restaurant in Mayfair, Mary stood up and smiled as her aunt greeted her with a smile and a kiss to the cheek as the two women sat down in the restaurant for lunch that Thursday. Rosamund picked up the menu and ordered herself a wine as Mary copied her action.
"I have a little bit of gossip that you might appreciate, my dear." Rosamund said quietly, not looking away from her menu.
"Who is sleeping with who now?" Mary asked, uninterested.
"Not anyone of consequence. No, this little gossip involves someone related to Lavinia Swire."
Mary looked up from her menu and frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Rosamund smirked.
"I was having lunch with the wife of Marmaduke's old friends who told me that Lavinia's uncle, you know he's a junior minister, had a hand in the 2009 Parliamentary expenses scandal."
The 2009 Parliamentary expenses scandal had been a major political scandal involving the misuse of expenses that certain members of Parliament had claimed whilst performing their role. It had caused public outcry due to MPs claiming expenses such as renovating their second homes, avoiding paying income tax and many other ridiculous claims whilst the country was in the middle of a financial crisis. The scandal had caused a significant number of resignations within cabinet and constituencies and during the general election, many MPs lost their seat to a rival party.
"And what of it?" Mary asked.
"Rumour has it…Lavinia had a part in selling the story to the press." Rosamund whispered.
"She wouldn't? She strikes me as the type to avoid drama." Mary said quietly.
"You should tell Matthew…allow him to know that his goody-two-shoes fiancée isn't as innocent as she likes to make out that she is…" Rosamund urged.
"Why would I do that?"
Rosamund rolled her eyes impatiently.
"My dear. It's clear as day that you still love Matthew-"
"That's in the past." Mary interrupted.
"But it doesn't have to be. You could tell him how you feel and get back what you lost. If you hadn't hesitated, you might have-"
"If I recall correctly, it was you who told me that you sensed he was going to propose soon and urged me to think clearly. You told me I was too young for marriage, that I'd be tying myself down before building something for myself."
Rosamund looked at her apologetically.
"I wish I hadn't. I never intended for you to hesitate."
As much as Mary appreciated the apology, what had happened was now in the past. She couldn't change what had happened. But she couldn't stop thinking about the way Matthew had looked at her when she had been dancing with Tony, the look of panic that had flashed across his face when her grandmother had whispered in his ear.
Should she take the risk and tell Matthew that as hard as she was trying, she couldn't get over him? Should she not say anything and just try and move on with Tony and hope that eventually, her feelings for Matthew would fade?
Could she tell Matthew about Rosamund's gossip? Without knowing the full extent of the rumour, if it was true or not?
No.
It would do no good.
She liked Lavinia. Lavinia was sweet, kind and she made Matthew happy.
Even if the rumour was true, she didn't know the extent of it and the circumstances which would have involved Lavinia. As much as she could understand Rosamund's urging for her to tell Matthew what had been heard, she knew it would do no good. Rosamund simply felt guilty for making her question her relationship with Matthew four years ago and wanted to right a wrong. But Mary didn't want to cause any more hurt and heartache.
"Can we talk about something else? Perhaps we could speculate how many emails I'll be answering when I return to work tomorrow?" Mary suggested.
Rosamund nodded reluctantly and they changed the subject to gossip on which of Rosamund's friend's children were having sordid affairs with a friend's husband or former boyfriend. The subject that Mary didn't really take much interest in usually, but she tried to pour more of her focus into it than she normally did; just to try and take her mind off Matthew for once.
oOo
After taking some time off, Mary entered the office that Friday morning and greeted Edna who had already made her a fresh cup of tea. Mary took the mug and walked through to her office, dumping her bag on her desk as she pressed the button to switch on her computer.
"How many emails are there?" Mary grimaced.
"Not as many as you'd think," Edna replied, "Thankfully we put the auto reply on stating we were out of office until today."
"Okay. Can you reply to answer any emails and calls about general questions and close the bookings page until the spring. Papa is closing the house for viewing to the public from today. I'm going to get the Christmas events up and running today." Mary instructed.
"Of course." Edna smiled.
Edna left her office and returned to her desk as Mary sat in her chair, typing in her password, and waited for her desktop to load what she needed. Just as she clicked on the programs that she needed, she heard the front door to the building open and close. She heard voices in the reception and heard Edna asked if whoever had entered had an appointment. Mary rose from her seat and looked around the doorframe, smiling as she met familiar blue eyes.
"Hello." Mary greeted, a smile forming on her face.
He smiled at her in return, as if nervously.
"Hello." Matthew replied softly.
"Come in."
She sat back at her desk and watched as he entered her office, sitting down in one of her armchairs opposite her. His blue eyes looked heavy, as if he could easily fall asleep if he were to lay down. But he didn't just look tired. No. He looked as if he had had a stressful day and it made Mary feel a little sympathetic even though she didn't know the reason why.
"I was hoping to ask for a favour." Matthew said uncertainly.
"Oh?" Mary asked.
Matthew nodded, leaning forward in his seat, his hands joined together.
"I was made redundant from my job this week and I don't know how long it will be until I can find another."
"Oh Matthew, I'm sorry…."
"I was wondering if you would be able to ask some of your…connections…if they are looking for anyone for their legal team…" Matthew said sheepishly.
"Of course. I can make some emails tomorrow if that would help?" Mary offered.
"That would be great. Thank you."
They shared a moment of awkward silence and Mary struggled to determine why it was awkward. It could be that Matthew may have had to pluck up some courage and swallow some pride to come here and ask her for a favour. It could be that he initially thought he wouldn't need any help and he was struggling to get his foot in the door somewhere else so felt he had no choice to ask her.
"While I'm making enquiries for you, I may have a temporary solution for you. Papa is looking for someone to replace Patrick. I could ask him if you want to fill the position. Just until you find something more suitable." Mary suggested.
"Oh…that's nice of you…but what about us?" Matthew asked.
Her stomach fluttered at his question.
"Us?" Mary asked with a smile.
"Yes. Won't it be awkward, working together?"
"I imagine it might take some getting used to, but I need someone that I can trust and who I know is reliable to help me manage the estate's business side."
She watched as Matthew considered her offer, his eyes filled with confusion and worry. It made Mary wonder just what was running through his mind, why would he look at her with confusion?
"I'll have to consider it…I'm not sure how Lavinia would feel…" Matthew muttered.
"Of course," Mary replied, forcing a smile, "Discuss it with Lavinia and let me know."
"I will." Matthew promised.
With that, he said his goodbye and left her office, the door clinging to shut behind him when he left the building.