Previously:

Downton Abbey, England, August 1914

Matthew held back the retort that came to mind. "Of course," he said, seizing the opportunity. "When you think the time is right, we should announce the changes we've agreed to so that the tenants and storeowners and servants all understand what role we are each to play going forward."

"We can talk about it later, if you still want to," Robert said dismissively.

"We will, Papa," Mary said firmly. "After the Garden Party, as you agreed, there will be changes around here."

Robert looked at both of them. Silence filled the space between them. He nodded curtly and stalked from the room.

Mary looked at Matthew with concern. He smiled and took her hand.

"It will take some getting used to," Matthew said. "But he'll come around. Let's enjoy the Garden Party before this world changes into something different."

Chapter 30:

Downton Abbey, England, August 1914

Matthew came into the bedroom. He tossed his hat on to the bed and sat down on a chair as his wife looked over her reflection in the full length mirror.

"That's fine," Mary declared. "Go and help Lady Edith."

"Yes, Milady," Anna nodded, turning and heading for the door. "Sir," she bowed quickly before leaving their wing of the house.

Matthew leaned his head to one side and smirked as he admired his wife's figure. Her dress was light and made for summer, and did not require a corset. The design was quite modern – white and blue horizontal stripes with a lace collar to match the lace gloves covering her hands. He smiled further as he noticed she played with a long necklace of pearls.

"What do you think?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at him slyly.

"I believe I will need to see all of you to make a proper appraisal," he raised his eyebrow as he rose from the chair and crossed the room.

Mary rolled her eyes and smirked as she turned slowly, showing him all sides of her outfit.

"You look beautiful," Matthew smiled. "I particularly love the necklace you're wearing."

"Do you?" Mary smirked, looking down at her jewellery. "It was a very generous gift."

"Oh? From anyone in particular?" he asked idly.

"Yes," Mary nodded. "From my husband."

"Ah, I see," Matthew smiled. He placed his hands on her waist and pulled her against him.

"So are you wearing the necklace because you truly like it, or are you simply being charitable to your poor husband?" he asked.

"First of all, I don't do anything unless I want to," she teased. She reached her hand up and ran it along his cheek tenderly. "And second, my husband is far from poor."

"Well he must not be poor to afford such a beautiful necklace," Matthew joked. "Although perhaps he spent all of his fortune on this bauble and now he's fallen into the middle class?"

"I think he's doing quite well, actually," Mary smirked. "If you must know, he makes a shockingly large amount of money as a lawyer, and he has somehow managed his investments remarkably well."

"A lawyer, you say?" Matthew asked with feigned surprise. "I never knew lawyers made money. I thought that they only toiled for the rich and powerful, never to hold any of either for themselves."

"Not an uncommon assumption," Mary shot back. "However it seems that getting by on his wits has been quite lucrative for my husband."

"I'm glad to hear that," Matthew replied. He leaned forward and kissed her softly. "He would have to be doing quite well to be able to afford a place like this."

"You'd be surprised," Mary rolled her eyes. "Just because it looks grand doesn't mean it's worth as much as you'd think."

"Darling," Matthew scolded her lightly, their playful fantasy vanishing as reality returned. "There's no need to be bitter about it. What's done is done, remember? We've played nice with your father as we promised and now we can move forward and make some changes to secure our future."

Mary stepped back from him and turned back to the mirror.

"I know," she said quietly. "I just feel as though something else is set to go wrong. I don't know why. We have a signed agreement, so there's no reason to be concerned. I suppose I just don't trust Papa the way that I used to."

"Whether we trust him or not, we have to work with him on this," Matthew smiled, leaning against the bed post and crossing his arms. "Besides, isn't it even a little bit exciting for you? You wanted to be a Countess, and I dare say you'll have more to do than ever in the coming months."

"I never said I was eager to work," Mary smirked, raising her eyebrow. "And if I am to put out such an effort, I would like to believe that it will be worth it, rather than be wasted on some foolishness that we don't know about."

"We'll never know unless we try," Matthew smiled. "I am shocked at this change in your mood. You were the one talking me out of being irrational just a few weeks ago."

"That's because I am the more rational one," Mary turned, smirking back at him. "But that doesn't mean I have to be oblivious, or that I can't be careful."

Matthew nodded.

"Now, about your day suit," she said, walking towards him and appraising his clothes.

"You don't like it?" Matthew frowned, straightening his posture.

Mary looked over the cream coloured suit. It wasn't quite as bright as Cricket whites, but was not nearly as dark as his beige suit that he sometimes wore to work.

"You don't like it," Matthew sighed in resignation. "I'm sorry, darling. I'll ring for Bates and pick something else out."

He turned towards his dressing room, a feeling of disappointment settling in his stomach. Matthew wasn't particularly vain, or concerned about how others in Society viewed him or his fashion sense. However, this was no ordinary Garden Party. Robert would be announcing their new arrangement, and he wanted to look the part of Joint-Master, at least for Mary's sake. He had spent longer than usual picking out his suit, and had chosen a tie to match the colour of Mary's dress. He was rather proud of himself when he left his dressing room, but clearly he had gotten it wrong.

"Matthew," her hand reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him and turning him around towards her. "I never said that I didn't like your suit."

Matthew frowned at her. "Does that mean that you like it?" he asked nervously.

"You look very handsome," Mary smiled, raising her eyebrow and placing her hands on his chest. "In fact, I am debating whether to show you just how much I like this suit, and how much I appreciate your effort in putting it together."

"Mary," he gasped as his eyes widened at her implied meaning. "You'll make me untidy," he said mockingly, the smirk she knew so well coming to his lips.

Mary rolled her eyes. "Good," she said pointedly, throwing his often repeated comment back at him.

"Now that I consider it," Matthew drawled, his hands falling to her hips and pulling her closer. "I think we would make quite the sight arriving to Cousin Cora's Garden Party scandalously late."

"Oh, you would enjoy that, wouldn't you?" Mary shook her head. "Strutting across the grounds with me on your arm and allowing all manner of gossip and rumour to circulate about what exactly we were doing to make us so late?"

"Never," Matthew said with false indignation. "I'd be sure to give quite specific details. We can't have anyone making false assumptions about what we get up to in our wing of the house."

"Matthew!" Mary slapped his chest. "Come, let's go down. The sooner we arrive, the sooner Papa can make his announcement and we can celebrate."

Matthew stepped back and allowed her to leave the bedroom first. He followed close behind, sighing as he looked forward to stepping out into the sun that would shine on a new era for all of them.

Downton Abbey, England, February 1914

"Upon further inspection," Matthew gasped. "You were right, darling. This sofa is quite…" he swallowed. "Sturdy."

Mary laughed against his chest, smoothing her hair away from her face. "I'm glad that you approve," she smiled, her eyes closed and her hand running along his stomach.

Matthew struggled to catch his breath. Their legs tangled around each other and he pulled the quilt a bit higher over them as Mary shivered slightly. "We may need to have the cushions cleaned," he thought aloud.

Mary laughed and slapped his chest. "Don't be vulgar. It's nothing of consequence. Servants are trained to do their jobs, not to ask questions."

Matthew laughed, running his hand along her bare back.

"What about the rest of the furniture?" Mary continued, moving against him and kissing his lips.

"It's all very lovely, darling," Matthew whispered, his body tensing as her hand moved across his abdomen and lower still.

"I'm glad that you approve. You certainly spent your time inspecting the place now that it's fully decorated," she said.

"Well it is my sitting room as well," Matthew said, his blood racing as Mary's hand continued lower down his body. "It's only fair that I have a say in what the room looks like and test out the furniture."

"Mmm," Mary smiled. "About these tests of yours. What did you think of the settee?"

"It was very…comfortable," Matthew sighed.

"And the table?" she continued, kissing the side of his face.

"Excellent workmanship," he breathed. "It can hold quite a lot of…weight."

"And the rugs?" she teased.

"They're quite soft," Matthew answered.

"I'm glad to hear the room meets with your approval," she smiled, licking his neck, then kissing his shoulder. "Now that we've properly broken in this room, as you call it, perhaps we should move to another one?"

"Mary," Matthew sighed, his hands finding her hips as she brought her weight over top of him.

"Then again, I think we need to try the sofa again, darling," she said. "I'm not entirely convinced of how sturdy it is."

"As you wish, Mary," Matthew groaned before sensation made further speech impossible.

"Have you ever considered not working?" Mary asked as she tied the sash of her dressing gown.

"Not working?" Matthew questioned. "In what way?"

"Well now that we're married, I wonder if continuing with your law practice is absolutely necessary," she said, going over and sitting at her vanity.

"Because you think since I'm the heir to the Grantham Estate, there's no need for me to work," Matthew smirked, looking over at her from the bed.

"Well, is there?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "I'm sure you could fill your days learning about the Estate and helping Papa. It will all be yours one day, you know. You need to pull your weight, is all I'm saying."

"Robert has hardly asked for me to be around more often, and you know he doesn't want my help," Matthew said.

"Yes, but with all these strange occurrences lately – the men here to appraise the art, and Papa being so secretive, not dealing with tenants, I wonder if your time is better spent here trying to understand what's going on," Mary said.

"I'm a lawyer, not a spy," Matthew smiled. "I still need something to occupy my time during the day. Regardless of what your family may think, Mary, I do enjoy being a lawyer, you realize."

"Of course you do," Mary rolled her eyes. "I just thought you would enjoy being here as well."

"Darling," Matthew asked with a puzzled expression. "Is the fact that I'm not around all day troubling you?"

"No, certainly not," Mary said indignantly. "I simply think your time is better spent here, is all."

Matthew rose from the bed and walked over to her vanity. Mary was busying herself with organizing her cosmetics. She sighed when he put his hands on her shoulders.

"Mary, you know that I would love to spend all of my time here with you if I could," he said kindly.

"You're going to be the Earl of Grantham, Matthew," Mary huffed, growing more frustrated with herself for this line of conversation. Mary Crawley did not miss anyone. "I don't see why you need to work, but if you want to, then by all means, continue."

"Wouldn't you grow sick of me constantly being around?" Matthew asked jokingly. "I thought the key to a happy marriage was to stay out of each others' way? It's a miracle that you allow me to share the same bed."

Mary glared at him in the reflection of the mirror. The massaging of his hands on her shoulders did nothing to reduce the tension in her muscles.

"We've already spent enough time apart, don't you think?" she said coldly. "Or did the prospect of never seeing each other again not affect you as much as you originally let on? I thought those times that we parted and said goodbye to each other forever were terrifying for you. It seems that you are easily comforted by a stack of dusty law books and endless reams of papers."

She frowned and looked away. She hated what he could do to her, what he had turned her into. She rose quickly from the vanity, breaking his grip on her shoulders. She needed to end this conversation, get away from the thoughts that had entered her mind before she did something stupid like cry in front of him.

"Mary," he said softly.

His arms circled her waist from behind and he pulled her back into his embrace. She struggled in his grasp, taking hold of his wrists across her front.

"Let go of me!" she snarled.

He kissed her neck lightly, then pulled her dressing gown away slightly so he could kiss her shoulder.

"You're always so pensive after we make love," he smiled, kissing her warm skin again.

"Let me go, Matthew!" she repeated. "Don't you have to get ready for work?"

He chuckled against the nape of her neck, then delighted in her shiver as he moved her braid to the side and kissed her there.

"You're the most important person in the world to me," he whispered, hugging her to his chest. "I would never prefer a stack of law books to you, Mary. But I do need to work. I know that it may seem useless and unnecessary to you, but being a lawyer is part of who I am. Not only that, these issues that are coming up with the Estate and whatever your father is up to, I need my connections and my firm's resources to figure it all out. I'm not going to the office to get away from you, darling."

Mary stopped struggling. She sighed and leaned back against him.

"I know, I know," she said quietly. "I just sometimes wish that we had the freedom to come and go as we pleased, like we had in France. During the day, there's plenty to do, and Mama is constantly giving me tasks to carry out, hoping to train me to be Countess one day. But I had all of that before we were married. I thought that things would be different."

"What is truly bothering you?" he asked, kissing her shoulder. "It can't be the Estate, or even your parents, and I don't think I've seen you fight with Edith in at least two days. Tell me, please."

Mary took a deep breath. "I feel as though I traded one waiting room for another. Before we married, before you came to Downton, I was holding on to see who my future husband would be – his pedigree, his connections, his family, his fortune – and where I would fit in to all of that. Now that we're married and I'm here, at my home, living the life I thought I had lost any hope of having, I find that I'm floating once more. I don't have a household to manage. I don't have events to plan. I don't even have a charity that I'm in charge of. I'm just…here…Matthew. I would never trade being your wife for anything in the world, but sometimes I envy you. You have someplace to go every morning, people who rely on you. I'm just…here."

"Mary Crawley, I had no idea you were so ambitious," Matthew smiled, kissing her cheek. "You know, I believe I could use another secretary."

"Oh, be serious, Matthew!" Mary rolled her eyes. Still, she stayed in his embrace.

"All right, all right," Matthew smiled. "Darling, we all need to make adjustments to our new lives, because things have changed, whether you feel it or not. Look around you, darling. This wing, this place, these rooms, they are all yours. You decorated them. You may think it a small thing, but it's not. And you're wrong, you know? I rely on you. I rely on you a great deal."

"I know," Mary nodded. She looked down at their hands covering her waist.

"Mary, I dare say that the day may soon come where you have more to do than you want. We still don't know what's going on with your father. It may be nothing. But, if it's more than that, I won't be able to deal with it alone. I'll need you. I always need you, darling."

"I would hope it doesn't take a disaster for me to prove useful," Mary sighed.

"It should not, no," Matthew laughed. "Now, speaking of being useful, did you not say that you are taking Sybil to London next week?"

"Yes," she nodded, rubbing her hands over his arms. "I have to take her to finish her dresses and attend to some small details for her Season."

"Why don't I accompany you?" he offered. "I'll take off from work, or work out of Alex's office a few hours a day. We can go to the Gallery, visit some of our old meeting places? That is an important use of your time isn't it? To show your lost husband around the City?"

"Not with Sybil there all the time, surely?" Mary smiled, turning her head and cupping his cheek.

"Definitely not with her there all the time," he smiled. "We'll need to arrange for some private time." He kissed her softly.

"Matthew!" she hissed as he undid the sash of her dressing gown. "You'll be late for work!"

"They won't miss me," he whispered, pulling her dressing gown off of her shoulders.

Downton Abbey, England, August 1914

They walked out across the field towards the white tents set up for the Garden Party. Guests had already arrived and were milling about. The footmen were serving drinks and hors d'oeuvres from silver trays. The sun shone overhead and a slight breeze kept the temperature pleasant even out of the shade of the tents.

When Matthew had experienced his first Garden Party last year, it was an eye opening experience. He had grown used to the grandeur of such events, but as he and Mary were newly engaged, they were still a source of curiosity, even for those who had been to their engagement party in London. He quickly realized that in addition to sharing drinks and gossip, and being seen, the favourite pastime of the aristocracy in attendance was to peruse him from all angles like a freshly caught fish. Now, a year later, he expected similar treatment.

Mary squeezed her husband's arm as they arrived and took drinks from Barrow. She knew Matthew was slightly less nervous this year than last, but he was still hardly a veteran of these things. For her part, Mary was quite comfortable. She looked forward to the Garden Party each year. Her only real concern was how her Mama would fare, but Cora was circulating around and playing the role of hostess as well as she normally did, and so Mary smiled as she sipped her drink and enjoyed the weather.

"Lady Mary, Matthew," Alex nodded as he approached.

"Alex," Matthew smiled, shaking his friend's hand.

"You are a man of honour, Alex," Mary teased, leaning forward and accepting his kiss to her cheeks. "You said you would come, and here you are. I am impressed."

"You don't need to make it seem so unexpected," Alex smirked ruefully.

"Perhaps if you would actually make more appearances and accept more invitations, then a rare visit from you would not seem so momentous an occasion," Mary smiled back.

"Don't look at me, Alex," Matthew laughed as his friend glanced at him pleadingly. "I have to agree with Mary. If not for work, I don't know if we would see you at all."

"You both know I wouldn't miss the event of the Summer," Alex said pointedly. "I understand that the Earl of Grantham is going to make an important announcement."

"Don't assume anything," Matthew huffed, exchanging a knowing glance with Mary. "I half expect Robert to say he'll put it off for a few more days because he doesn't want to disrupt Cora's party."

"In fairness, it can't be easy to make an announcement that is essentially an admission of one's own shortcomings," Alex reasoned.

"I hardly think it a large sacrifice to state that your daughter and heir are taking on more responsibilities. He can make it seem that it was all his idea and accept all the accolades, I don't care," Matthew said plainly.

"Well, let's give him some time," Mary said. "You can't expect him to say it right from the off."

"Fine," Matthew smiled.

"Now, why don't you take Alex around a bit? I need to go check on Mama and make sure she's managing," Mary said, patting her husband's arm.

Matthew and Alex wandered off and Mary went in search of Cora.

"Sir Anthony," Mary smiled, nodding to the older man as he came into the tent. He took off his hat and nodded to her in greeting.

"Lady Mary, it's a very lovely day, isn't it? The perfect weather for such a lovely party."

"We are very lucky that it all worked out, yes," Mary said politely.

"Is your husband about?" Anthony asked.

"Yes, he's circulating around with Alexander Lewis, a colleague of his," Mary said.

"Yes, Mr. Lewis," Anthony nodded. "I've heard of him. He's done business for some colleagues of mine. Well, always nice to see you, Lady Mary. I'll go and give my regards to your parents."

"Thank you for coming, Sir Anthony. I know that Edith is looking forward to seeing you."

"She is?" Anthony blinked. "That is, I meant to say, that's very kind. I am always grateful for Lady Edith's company."

"I perhaps shouldn't say this, but Edith does enjoy your company as well, Sir Anthony. Whenever she comes back from a drive with you, she regales us with details on your car and the different travels you've taken," Mary smiled.

"Well, that is quite generous of her," Anthony said, a blush creeping across his neck. "I'm sure she has had far more thrilling excursions."

"I wouldn't assume so, Sir Anthony," Mary said pleasantly. "She's around here I'm sure, and I expect she will be glad to see you."

"Thank you, Lady Mary," Anthony nodded, then departed.

Mary sipped her champagne and shook her head as Sir Anthony walked purposefully over to talk to her parents. The idea of Strallan and Edith was quite comical to her of course, and she often rolled her eyes at Edith's stories of driving around the countryside with the old man. But Mary had found her happiness, and while Edith could still be quite annoying, Mary did not begrudge her a chance at happiness of her own, even if it did involve Strallan.

"Was that Sir Anthony who just arrived?" Matthew asked, coming up beside her and touching her hip lightly.

"Yes," Mary nodded, smiling at her husband. "He's off to greet Mama and Papa, then go sweep Edith off her feet."

"You mean you didn't put him off?" Matthew teased. "I didn't think you would be supportive of having Strallan for a brother-in-law."

"What concern is it of mine?" Mary shrugged her shoulders. "If Edith wants to spend her life with the man, she can be my guest. Besides, Locksley is a fair distance away. With any luck, Edith will only be coming home for dinner on weekends."

Matthew laughed as Mary gave him a raised eyebrow and a knowing smirk.

Private Villa, La Bocca Beach, Cannes, France, October 1913

"I thought I was the one who became lost in thought and came up with strange questions after making love?" Mary teased, stroking his bare back.

"I'm not lost in thought," Matthew said. "I'm merely wondering what would have happened."

"If we hadn't been reunited? Isn't it obvious?" Mary smiled. "You would have settled down with a nice quiet girl from Manchester, and I would have been married off to some old nobleman."

"Why do you always assume that I would marry a nice quiet girl? Are you saying I'm boring?" he teased.

"Are you saying I'm not nice, or are you saying I'm not quiet?" Mary shot back.

"Well, as far as being quiet is concerned," Matthew flashed her a wicked smile.

"Stop it!" Mary laughed, slapping his back. "Not another word about such bawdy subjects from you, Matthew, unless you don't wish to hear me again anytime soon."

Matthew chuckled. "Could you have forgotten me, though? Even if you were married to someone else?"

"Would you have forgotten me?" Mary asked in reply.

"What do you think?" Matthew smirked. "Never."

Mary blushed. She leaned over and kissed his shoulder, resting her head on the pillow next to him.

"But we both knew it was impossible," she continued. "I wouldn't want you to be unhappy, constantly thinking about me."

"I don't know how impossible it was, to be honest. Or, at least, I refused to believe it was impossible," he said.

"What are you saying?" Mary frowned. "We said goodbye. We agreed that it was the end."

"I know," Matthew said. "But when I went back to Manchester, I found myself thinking of ways to somehow…"

"Yes?" Mary asked.

Matthew sighed. "Ways to somehow meet your father so I could try and get in his good graces."

"Matthew!" Mary said incredulously. "Are you saying that meeting in the summer, when you and your Mother just happened to run into Papa in London, that wasn't as random as we thought?"

"I may have arranged for it to happen," Matthew said, quirking his eyebrow. "When I didn't see any announcement of your engagement in the papers in the months after we parted, I secretly held out hope that I still had a chance."

"But what would you have done? We didn't know that you were the heir back then," Mary said.

"I don't know," Matthew laughed. "I had a bizarre strategy to become Robert's lawyer and hopefully by endearing myself to him, to be introduced to the family at some point."

"Then what?" Mary chuckled. "Instead of asking him to pay your bill, you would suggest that he allow you to marry his eldest daughter instead?"

"I never said it was a good plan," Matthew rolled his eyes. "I just wanted to see you again, somehow. That was all that mattered. The rest we could figure it out as we went along."

"Really," Mary teased. "So you would have used Papa to get close to me, then seduce me into carrying on an affair with you until Papa liked you enough to let you marry me?"

"Something like that," Matthew said. "You must admit it is very close to what actually ended up happening."

"The somewhat crucial missing part being you becoming the heir to Papa. My parents would never agree to me marrying a man without a title, Matthew," Mary said.

"Well, I was hoping to get around that by showing them that I could give you the life you are accustomed to," he replied.

"On a lawyer's salary?" Mary laughed. "And how long did you expect that would take?"

"Not as long as you seem to think," Matthew laughed.

"Well, I must admit that after we parted for the last time, I thought of you. I thought of you quite often," Mary said, kissing him softly. "I knew it was impossible, and I knew it was no good to even contemplate it, but sometimes I would look out my bedroom window to the drive below and imagine you arriving at Downton to spirit me away."

"Ah," Matthew declared. "So I am not the only hopeless romantic among us?"

"I'm not hopeless," Mary retorted with a raised eyebrow. "Besides, I did not think that you would ever leave Manchester to come find me."

"That's nonsense," Matthew huffed. "Of course I would. I already did!"

"That's different," Mary rolled her eyes. "Papa called you away because you're his heir."

"You cannot possibly believe that was the reason that I left Manchester!" Matthew said in disbelief.

"Are you saying you would have uprooted your entire life to try and be with me even if you weren't the heir? Where would you live? Where would you work?" she asked.

"I don't know, I would have figured something out," Matthew said confidently. "If I thought there was a chance we could be together, I wouldn't have worried about those details."

"Such a gallant knight, Matthew," Mary smiled. "Riding to my rescue without a thought for your own welfare."

"And what kind of knight do you think me now?" Matthew smiled, moving and leaning over her.

"The very best kind," Mary smiled. She reached up and pulled him down for a deep kiss.

Downton Abbey, England, August 1914

"Have you seen Robert?" Matthew asked, looking around the grounds.

"Not for some time. I think Sybil said he went back inside the house for a phone call or telegram or something," Mary said.

"Why the concern, Matthew?" Alex teased. "Are you afraid that some guests may leave before he makes his announcement?"

"No," Matthew said defensively. "Although it would be good if he actually did make the announcement at some point."

"I don't know why you care," Mary said. "It isn't important that Mama's friends from London know about the change in management. All that matters is that the tenants understand."

"I think it's important that he tell his friends about it," Matthew said. "We won't just be reorganizing farms, darling. For our plans to truly work, we need to get into the details. We need to know what Robert does with the family money, and that's mainly to do with business in London, not here. The more people who know he isn't supposed to act unilaterally, the better."

"If you think that Papa will willingly admit that he is giving up his authority, you're delusional," Mary rolled her eyes. "At most he'll say that he's delegating more responsibility to us and make it seem as though he's being benevolent."

"Well, the Earl is back, so we'll see what he chooses to do," Alex noted.

They turned and watched Robert come back to the party. He glanced over and made eye contact with Mary and Matthew. He frowned slightly, his features tight. He then looked away and walked forward to the centre of the event area.

"My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen. Can I ask for silence?" Robert said loudly.

Matthew frowned. Why did Robert look so agitated?

Mary stared at her Papa curiously.

Conversations ceased.

All eyes turned to the Earl of Grantham.

"Because I very much regret to announce," Robert glanced about with a serious expression.

"That we are at War with Germany."

The Royal Normal College and Academy for the Blind, Upper Norwood, London, England, March 1911

"Mr. Crawley," a student said timidly.

Matthew turned and smiled at the young girl with her hand raised.

"Yes," he said kindly, coming over to her desk. He sat down in the empty desk next to hers. "Emma, isn't it? How can I help you?"

"You'll think this is silly, but I had a question, about the new teacher," she said, biting her lower lip.

"About Lady Mary? What about her, exactly?" Matthew asked, his eyes darting across the room to where Lady Mary was leading her students in a lesson, smiling at them as she spoke.

"Would you mind…describing her to me?" Emma asked shyly.

"Describe her?" Matthew frowned, looking back at his student.

"Yes," Emma nodded. "I know it's strange but when she introduced herself this morning and I heard her voice, she sounded so…sophisticated…like a Princess. And I wanted to know what she looked like."

"That's not strange at all," Matthew said reassuringly.

"So you'll help me, then?" Emma asked expectantly.

Matthew glanced about to make sure they were not overheard or observed. It would be terribly embarrassing for him to try and explain himself should someone listen to his description.

"Lady Mary is…tall…" he began, frowning at his choice of words. "That is, she's tall compared to most women that I know. Her hair is a dark brown, like the colour of chestnuts almost."

Emma nodded and smirked, urging him to continue.

"She's quite well dressed you know, if you are interested in that sort of thing," he continued, thankful that Emma could not see him blush. "She's wearing a light blue jacket over her blouse, and a long navy blue skirt. She has a matching hat as well, but she's taken that off while she's in the classroom."

"Is she pretty, Mr. Crawley?" Emma asked.

"Pardon?" Matthew's eyes widened.

"Is Lady Mary pretty?" Emma repeated.

"Well," Matthew hesitated, looking over at Lady Mary once more. "I'm sure some people would think she is pretty, yes."

"What about you?" Emma asked.

"Excuse me?" Matthew looked at her in alarm.

"You're the only one I know who's seen Lady Mary," Emma explained. "Do you think she's pretty?"

"Well I," Matthew began. He took a deep breath and looked over at Lady Mary again. She was laughing, her head tilted back and her gloved hand covering her chest. Her eyes were bright, her pink lips curled in a wide grin. She was so vibrant, so obviously good with the students, and so confident and sophisticated.

Mary stopped laughing and looked across the room suddenly. She caught the blue eyes of the other teacher, Matthew Crawley his name was, and she found herself no longer laughing. No, she was seemingly rooted to the spot, frozen as his blue eyes entranced her in a spell that she did not seem to want to resist.

Realizing he was staring straight at Lady Mary, Matthew nodded quickly and looked away.

"Yes," he said to Emma quietly. "Yes, Emma, I think Lady Mary is very pretty. Very pretty indeed."

"Lady Mary?" a voice called.

Mary tore her eyes away from Matthew and looked at her group of students. She swallowed and composed herself. What was she doing looking at Matthew? She had a lesson to teach.

"Right, well perhaps the best way for me to get caught up with all of you is to understand just how far along you are. I know which songs we're practising for today. Now, if you could help me a bit. Have you been assigned your parts?" she asked.

"Yes, Lady Mary," a boy nodded.

"Very good. Mr. Crawley must have accomplished quite a lot with you in such a short time," she smiled.

"Mr. Crawley is wonderful!" a girl gushed. She then stammered. "I mean to say, he's a very good teacher, but I'm sure you'll be even better, Lady Mary."

Mary smiled. "It's all right. This isn't a competition between me and Mr. Crawley. We both want all of you to do your best."

"Vivian has a crush on Mr. Crawley," another girl said plainly.

"I do not!" Vivian shot back. She was clearly uncomfortable.

"Now, now," Mary spoke up. "There's no need for any of that. Why don't you all get your song books out and we'll begin shortly."

As the students reached for their books, with the music notes all written in Braille, Mary walked over to Vivian's desk and lightly touched her shoulder.

"Vivian," she whispered. "Are you all right?"

"Yes," Vivian nodded quickly. "I'm sorry, Lady Mary. I didn't mean anything by what I said."

"That's all right," Mary chuckled. "I can understand. Mr. Crawley is quite handsome."

Vivian's mouth opened in shock. "Do you really think so?" she asked quietly.

Mary looked over at Matthew. He was standing in front of his students, singing to them. The sound did not carry to their part of the classroom as he was keeping his voice down to not distract her. His fingers lightly traced the air as he moved from note to note. Mary noticed the cut of his suit and how well he wore it. Most men tended to have their clothes hang on them awkwardly, even those with the best tailors. Matthew's clothes held his physique comfortably.

Mary blinked. Matthew's physique? Why was she thinking about his body? Oh Lord, his body? Her eyes widened.

"He's handsome, yes," Mary said, turning back to Vivian. "And I'm sure he's a very good teacher if all of you like him so much."

"Well, you heard him sing when you came in, didn't you, Lady Mary?" Vivian smiled. "His voice is quite…dreamy isn't it?"

Mary blushed. How could she forget that voice? She had been thinking of nothing but that voice for the past two hours.

"Yes," she nodded. "Mr. Crawley is handsome and has a very lovely voice."

fin

Author's Note:

There's nothing that compares to the first story one ever publishes, and to see it come to an end brings up all kinds of emotions. Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed, favourited and voted for Flirting With Convention. I never set out to reach so many people, or to receive recognition or awards, so it has been quite incredible to get so much out of this saga that started with a simple premise – What if Mary and Matthew met earlier than in 1912? I am grateful to all of you for giving this story a chance, whether you read one word or the entire tale from beginning to end. You have given me the most precious of gifts – your time – and I am always mindful that while some may love my writing and some may not, it is a compliment in and of itself that each of you takes the time to read.

A special thanks to those readers, and you know who you are, who have been so faithful to this story. It has been a pleasure to interact with all of you, to read your reviews and to look forward to your responses to each chapter. You kept me motivated. You inspired me to publish my other stories. Your reviews and comments, both positive and negative, have made me a better writer. I am constantly flattered by how much you enjoyed this story, and how it became a regular event in your lives.

Continued thanks, as always, go to patsan, Willa Dedalus, and Lala Kate for all that you do for me, each of you in your own unique way. Writing is an intensely individual and personal experience for me, and it has been surprising and supremely gratifying to have each of you be part of my process.

For those of you brave and kind enough to make it this far, I hope you'll continue to follow along in the sequel to Flirting With Convention, which will be published shortly. It certainly doesn't feel right to leave things off at this point, does it? It only makes sense to continue the saga in another story, this time set in Series 2. I hope that story will keep your interest, and be worthy of your time.