Love your depth. Dialogue is beautifully written.

Loved this - the sincerity of it all on both sides...

Great to see more of this. :)

I like Mary's reflection "the life she'd previously lived." And 'The hours she would spend deliberating dresses, seeking out men that could elevate her and her life, and how she needed to have her hair in a particular way that day.' That's a nice way to her comment in 4 x 3. "Loving Mathew changed me. If I were the same person, it wouldn't be this difficult."
And about how only Mathew could soften her soul. Mathew truly did bring out the best in Mary, and when he died, Mary didn't know how to be that person anymore. There was another comment in 4x 3 that Mary said to Anna. "I don't know what I miss more, Mathew, or the person I was when he was here."

That was a very sweet conversation between Mary and Carson. I love their discussion about grief. At that day in age, grief was definitely ignored, especially in England. But it's also very "Mary" to be so focused on herself, that she doesn't see how much other people have suffered with grief.
But the benefit is now that she has people who understand a bit of her pain.

It's nice that Mary said she supports Chelsie, but also very in character to do it so she wouldn't lose Carson. :)

Carson truly appreciated her support, but he was smart to want to speak to Mrs. Hughes before anyone tells Robert. No woman wants to be told that "plans/decisions have been made about them" without being consulted.

I love your updates! Your descriptions and imagery are so vivid. Personally, I think these two would be able to talk like this. I’m sure Carson would probably never have broached the subject of Mrs. Hughes to Mary, and she probably understood that as well. Thanks so much!

Oh how lovely! I’m glad Anna and Ms. Patmore were able to get the happy news.

I'm glad Mrs. Patmore and Anna found out Mrs. Hughes was all right. More than all right, really. :) :)

Great struggle with Mrs. Hughes, with how "to put into words" what happened. She doesn't want to seem too emotional or girly, but how else do you talk about when you discuss that for the first time?

I am rather surprised Mrs. Hughes wasn't more uncomfortable with discussing "their private business," though. After all, this conversation isn't just about Mrs. Hughes, it's just as much about Carson, and I can't picture him wanting everyone to know about his "private business." But then, Mrs. Patmore and Anna may be closer to Mrs. Hughes, but they are people that Carson trusts as well.

I like the discussion between the three of them about, "what the Family will think," too. On one hand, they'd already accepted the Bates couple, but will they accept Chelsie as well? Subtle reference to the "pet servants" relationship that I mentioned before.

Excellent! You know Anna Ana Beryl had to be nervous going to see Elsie! I’m sure they never would have dreamed her going in the front door with Cora. This is such a great story. Thank you!

This chapter makes me excited for the next. Love this story. I’m all caught up.

I think this was your your best. But I am not sure if you needed to copy what you had written. But I enjoyed rereading it. I loved what you wrote from Elsie’s perspective especially.

I think this was my favorite chapter!

Loved this sweet chapter! Hope Mary does the right thing.

Love!

Yea, he’s alive. I loved the Mary and Anna dialogue.

Well that was a conversation that needed to happen! Beautifully written.

Lovely moment with the bracelet.