Outside the library

"...we will follow you in a moment"

Mary promised as Matthew hurried outside, eager to be officially engaged.

Sybil and Mary's arms were liked when Sybil suddenly turned and questioned Mary with a concerned face.

"Did that horrid Mr Pamuk really threaten you with ruin Mary? I'm so sorry, I heard a little of the rumours during my season, I wish I had just asked you because they were all wrong! How horrible for you"

They continued walking after Mary had admired her younger sister's compassion.

"Thank you darling, you couldn't have known. Actually, how did you know there was something I needed to tell Matthew?"

Mary suddenly realised that, while her sister may be more emotionally intuitive than she was, there was no way she could know there was something in particular stopping her from accepting Matthew.

"It was a number of things really, I saw you on the terrace at my ball, I even distracted Papa so he wouldn't see you laughing and kissing! After you kept putting him off, I knew there had to be something serious holding you back, I always knew it wasn't his position, it may have been a small part because it should be yours anyway, but that would never stop you two. And then Anna came to me today and said she was worried that you two might not work it out because Matthew was being stubborn and not listening...and that made me think there was some truth behind the rumours but he wouldn't listen long enough to hear!"

Sybil took a long, deep breath after rapidly explaining everything she had pieced together. She loved watching people's faces when they realised that she was smarter than she looked and not completely oblivious to the world around her.

"My goodness, quite the young detective! Anna, I am so grateful that you went to Sybil, imagine if you hadn't..."

Mary was deeply thankful, especially considering the alternative, her and Matthew might never have made up!

"I was glad to m'lady, I have been so worried ever since we got back from London. I honestly did not mean to eavesdrop, but Lady Sybil insisted and I must admit I was curious"

Anna blushed again, embarrassed that she had disrespected her mistress's privacy.

"I'm not angry, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to resist if placed in that scenario"

Mary smiled and Sybil acknowledged their shared nosiness with a small laugh.

They were just walking out onto the green when they heard Robert calling for everyone's attention and making the shocking announcement.

"...we are at war with Germany"

Mary looked for Matthew instinctively, their eyes met and shared the worry that this could stop them in their tracks.

Mary knew they needed to talk and gestured to their bench with her head, hoping Matthew would understand what she was signalling. Luckily, he did and began to walk over to the bench, she would meet him there.

The bench

"Matthew, what does this mean? I suppose everything could still work...but, will you have to enlist? Papa might want you to"

Mary was a mess of emotions, there was so much hope that everything could be absolutely fine, but also so much worry that he could be killed before they could even announce their engagement officially.

"I'm not sure, I hope I will not have to enlist, but I am sure I will have to fight at some point"

They reflected on it all, overwhelmed by the possibilities, not all of them good, in fact most of them provided some sort of difficulty.

"We cannot know anything until you talk to my father, he might even support us completely"

Mary knew it was optimistic, but logically, her Papa wanted an heir and for them to be married more than he cared about the family looking good, surely!

Their eyes met again, this time complications muddied their blissful love for one another and desire to spend the rest of their lives together, however long that might be...no, they could not think like that. At least until they knew more...

"Kiss me"

Matthew stated, missing her touch already.

Mary was slightly taken aback, but happy to oblige, especially as she saw the fear in his eyes. It was a slow but passionate kiss, Matthew gripped her shoulders and Mary wrapped her arms around his neck, both were seeking comfort in it and found the courage they needed.

"I needed that, I'm ready to talk to him, I promise to fight for us, my darling Mary"

He stood, squeezing her hand before walking towards the library where he knew Robert would be brooding.

The library

"Ah, Matthew! We were interrupted earlier, what did you want to ask?"

Robert was slightly weary from the shock, as well as still recovering from the heartbreak of the loss of their unborn child, but trying to keep up spirits nonetheless.

"It is not an easy question to ask, given the circumstances..."

"I think I understand, as much as it would be terrible to lose you and worry about you constantly, I give you my permission to enlist. I knew this was coming, you are a man of honour and must serve your country, I was the same with the Boers"

Matthew was stunned, and couldn't get a word in to correct him. It seemed this was going to be harder than he expected, he did not want to enlist but this was a trap either way. If he refused, Robert would be angry and possibly force him to enlist, absolutely denying him Mary's hand, but if he agreed, he may be seriously injured or die in battle before getting to marry the love of his life.

He decided to use his newfound courage and come out with it.

"Thank you Robert, but I actually wanted to ask permission to marry your daughter Mary"

His heart was thumping, but it felt good to be honest.

"My dear boy! Of course you have my permission, but I was aware that Mary had not yet decided"

"Ah, well we discussed it more sensibly and I reassured Mary about the reason she had been putting it off. We are now engaged and I thought i should check that you were ok with us marrying as soon as possible"

"As soon as possible? No, I am afraid you will have to wait until this blasted war is won, it shouldn't be too long, I'm sure you understand"

"You will not allow it at all?"

"Matthew, there will be expectations that you do your duty, especially in your position. Not to mention that it would be expected of you and Mary to have a proper, society wedding, a small wedding as soon as possible would attract all sorts of rumours about propriety. It simply isn't possible I'm afraid"

Matthew's face fell, there was no arguing with the tone that Robert had adopted, that was what it was intended for. Matthew could think of only one person he needed advice from at that moment.

Crawley house

"Matthew! And Mary dear! What a pleasant surprise after the day we have had! Sit down, I will ring for some tea and you can tell me whatever it is you are clearly desperate to tell me"

Isobel could read their nervous excitement easily, they had clearly mended things between them, that she was glad of after such shocking news.

"Mother, we have come for you advice. Mary and I have been talking, actually Sybil forced us to, but that is a story for another day! I have been stubborn and wasn't listening to what Mary was trying to tell me, anyway we worked it out and we are engaged!"

"Well, let me say, I am overjoyed for you, although somewhat surprised! Mary, darling I am glad you have decided to make your own decision, I assumed that was what held you back?"

"Yes, well after being pulled in so many directions, we just needed to have a direct conversation, thanks to my dear sister, we were forced to get over our own stubbornness!"

"Mother, we need your advice rather urgently, Robert is determined that I must enlist as soon as possible and wait until after the war to marry, but we don't want to risk never reaching our wedding day, however pessimistic that may be"

"He won't even allow a small wedding! Now there is a man who needs to get over his own stubbornness!"

"Mother, we need help, I do not want to enlist and we cannot wait for after a war of indefinite length!"

"Of course not my darling boy, let me see what I can do...we may have to confront him together"

Isobel processed the information as throughly as possible given the circumstances.

"I am afraid, if I can interrupt, that confronting him will only make him angrier, you can try but his temper may cause him to make any number of hasty decisions with very real consequences."

Mary contributed sincerely, remembering a number of times her father's voice echoed throughout the abbey when one of her or Sybil (Edith was never one to get into screaming matches) had tried to argue against their father.

"I have an idea...it is drastic and I can't say it is a good one in the long run but we can be married very soon indeed!"

Matthew exclaimed, adrenaline fuelled him as he considered the idea.

"What is it?"

Mary replied quickly, Isobel echoing her.

"We...run away to Manchester! We could organise a small wedding for anyone who wants to come and face our troubles at least as a married couple, that is all I really care about"

"I never thought I would say this but, yes I will run away with you Matthew Crawley, do you agree Isobel?"

"Goodness, it is drastic, but I can see you truly care about each other and that this really is all that matters, so yes! Who do you want to tell?"

...

"What? You are kidding! Of course I will come! Please get Branson to drive us, it would be so much fun!"

Sybil was more excited than she could remember ever being in her life, it was so daring!

Leaving

They had gathered Sybil, Isobel, Anna and Tom, all of them ready in the larger motor. They hadn't even come up with excuses apart from that Anna was ill because Tom could get away with it for a while. It was insane but also the best decision they had ever made, Matthew and Mary couldn't stop smiling as they held hands in the tight space they had it the back of the motor, after all they were coming back so how angry could they really get?

All Mary left was a note for her mother, saying where they were planning to stay, but that she could only come if she didn't tell Robert. It felt a little cruel, but this was the only way and she wished that her mother could be there.

Trees rushed past the window and the atmosphere in the car was electric, hearts racing and close friends chatting, feeling sure that whatever came next would be their greatest challenge yet, but also that it was right.