Well... I'm REALLY late to the party but I wanted to thank you very much for your work! I just stumble upon this and my heart just melted, it's exactely what I wanted even if I didn't know it. Your writing is extraordinary, as well as your characterisation and plot, they're all perfect! You added many details and unique idiosyncrasies that make the reader really believe in the story, I could picture it just as clearly as if I was watching an episode. And to have all of that in a rare pairring?! Is it Christmas? This is by far the best Richard/Mary story (and one of the best Downton Abbey story in general) ever! So in other words (I'm clearly not as eloquent as you are) many thanks for your work, reading it was the best part of my week.

Thank you for writing this wonderful story! I always thought that Mary and Richard could have had a happy ending. Thanks for giving it to them!

This is a believable AU which shows Richard a bit differently when he comes into Mary's life in a different way.

I've read the entire story in a day. It's beautiful - thank you.

I reviewed before, but for some reason, it won't show up.
Oh well.
Just wanted to say that this fic is a gem: a well written, engrossing Mary/Richard story is hard to find.
Though I did think the drama between them when he left (Ch 16-26) was a bit prolonged, otherwise, this story really made my day.

Oh god, are my eyes deceiving me? A DECENT, well written, in character and engrossing story pairing Richard and Mary that is COMPLETE?
You've made my day.

This story was wonderful. I normally wouldn't be a Richard/Mary shipper (I was more neutral on the subject) but this fic had definitely swayed me to your side. The Mary/Matthew plot lines always sat ill with me, it seemed such a disservice to Mary's character in a way to supposedly fall in love with a man who is at once bland and cold like Matthew. But Richard has character by the pound and I enjoyed reading this take on their relationship. If the plotlines were like this on the show I might actually still watch it. But this was simply marvelous, as have been all your other fics for this fandom. Great stuff. You really captured your characters and the feels of places.

So... first Richard calls her Cinderella when he thought that Lady Rosemount wouldnt let Mary go to the theatre unchaperoned... And now, Mary makes the same analogy (locking in the attic with the birds and mice the fairy godmother) :) :) :)
Mary DOES listen to Sir Richard!

I like that even though Richard is this story's hero, you arent picturing him as perfect and that he was actually late to their meeting :)
And again: great, great last sentence about how Mary and Sir Richard are "two well-matched opponents"!

oh my... I cant believe that I'm starting to read a Mary-Carlisle story 'cause I'm such a Matthew fan... But, obviously, your "Something Worth Having" (which is great, btw) influenced me... And so, here I am: reviewing this story because I just loved-loved-loved this last Richard's sentence about how he hadnt be the one who had brought up the subject of kissing...! :) GREAT! GREAT ending to a great 1st chapter!

I love reading this story and go back sometimes to read some of its chapters again. I also like its sequels; A Lady in Paris and the Last Rose of Summer. I hope you add another sequel, such as Mary and Carlisle relationship during World War I as (this is a great story) I often check to see if you have.

Just wanted to come back and review now that I've finished (and am thoroughly enjoying Something Worth Having, which I'll get around to reviewing someday... :) ) I really love this AU, and I think you've done a convincing job of building Mary and Richard's relationship. They're both "strong and sharp" and whereas in canon this ultimately contributes to them falling apart, here it really strengthens their respect and regard for each other. I love how you've written their banter, and I think you've captured Mary's mix of prickliness and vulnerability, as well as Richard's balance of ambition and devotion to Mary, very well.

Anyway, loved the fic and I would read the hell out of a sequel!

I finally started reading this fic and can't think of enough nice things to say about it. Your writing, characterizations, dialogue - all just beautiful. Can't wait to read the rest!

Awesome and cant wait to start reading the next instalment :)

Oh my God! It's over! Noo! I started reading this when it was probably one of the few Richard/Mary stories out there. I stopped reading for a while to wait until you finished it because I could not bear the thought of having to wait for an update every day. But the wait for me was worth it. I enjoyed this story immensely. You brought a ship to life for so many of us which we all knew would have been amazing had it been given a chance to sail. The way you described Richard and Mary's personalities was so in character and I could definetly see them acting this way. And your dialogue was magnificent and kept me entertained at all times. Though my favorite chapter was when they danced together at the cave the first time. Their love was one of a kind and they did have something better than everyone else around them. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Can't wait Til your next story!