Hello lovely readers!

Date night is here so please let me know what you think.

Enjoy xx

The day had arrived. Mary had been looking forward to it all week. Work was incredibly busy with a big event happening on the Saturday night and she was excited to see Matthew, not knowing what to expect.

She did like the distraction of being busy at work as it allowed her to forget about the drama with Richard. Even though she had ended things with him over a month ago, he kept emailing her claiming he wasn't ready to let her go. It was annoying her as she was ready to move on, coming to the realization that her relationship with Richard was nothing more than fulfilling an infatuation with an older man.

Mary was on the early evening train headed to Ripon station where Matthew would meet her. He was still staying at his mothers to help her with the house repairs and commuting to London four days a week to work.

While sitting on the train, her phone began to buzz in front of her.

What movie would you like to see? I see they are shown the sequel to Red. Interested?

Mary smiled, remembering watching the first Red movie when he was first at Downton.

Of course. See you soon. x

Mary wasn't sure about the 'x' but decided it was suitable, not wanting to be too forward. She placed her phone on the table in front of her and opened her laptop up, rereading a final agenda for Saturday. Mary didn't need to attend the event so she planned on spending a long weekend at her parents after meeting up with Matthew.

Lets hope there isn't another storm this visit.

Matthew was visibly nervous. He was standing facing the wardrobe in his old room, having changed into his second outfit after thinking the first was too casual. Isobel walked into the room and smiled, enjoying seeing her son so nervous and excited about a date.

''I haven't seen you like this in a while.'' She teased, Matthew sarcastically grinning back.

''Please, not now mother.'' He grabbed his jacket out of the wardrobe, silently thanking himself for bringing tidy spare clothes for his stay.

''What time are you picking her up?''

''7. That's when her train gets in. I'm not sure when I will be home.'' Matthew grabbed his car keys from the dresser in the room and kissed his mother on the cheek.

''Does Lord Grantham have a curfew for her?'' Isobel laughed and he headed out into the hallway.

As the train began to slow down, Mary's nerves grew. What if tonight didn't go well? What if they weren't suited to each other? She couldn't remember the last time she felt like this when it came to a boy, not since high school at least. She packed her laptop into her designer handbag and shuffled off the seat, grabbing her suitcase from the overhead compartment before heading to the doors.

Matthew was standing on the platform, a small bunch of flowers in hand. He watched as the train approached along the tracks and looked down to check his phone that was in his other hand, something he did when he was nervously waiting.

Mary walked off the train and immediately saw Matthew standing in front of her on the platform. She couldn't help but smile at the sight before her. Matthew was well dressed in a nice jacket and she felt like the most important person in the world with the way he was looking at her. She gently waved and he smiled back as she approached him.

''Hi'' Matthew said as Mary gently kissed him on the cheek. ''These are for you.''

''Thank you, they are lovely.'' Matthew couldn't believe his luck, Mary's smile was contagious and she was even more beautiful than he remembered from the last weekend's party.

''Are you feeling hungry? I have reservations at the restaurant down Key Street.''

''Lead the way.'' Matthew held out his hand with Mary happily taking hold of it.

After a little small talk at their table Matthew and Mary were both enjoying each other's company.

''Are you ready to order?'' Their waiter asked as Mary and Matthew glanced at their menus. The restaurant was lovely and cozy with a quiet atmosphere, perfect for a date.

''I'll have the chicken pasta.'' Mary looked up to Matthew and gave the menu to the waiter.

''I'll have the steak. Medium rare.'' He did the same.

Once the waiter had left Matthew decided to break the small talk and find out more about this girl that had been on his mind constantly since meeting her in the hall at Downton.

''So how is work going? You are part of an event firm right?'' Matthew sipped his beer he had ordered early. Mary smiled.

''Its good, busy but good. How is commuting to London? That must be rather annoying.''

''It is but it's been good for my mother to have me home, I like to check with all the builders to make sure she understands it all.''

''The village is starting to look back to normal when I visited last weekend. It was lovely to see everyone at the ball.''

''It was.'' Matthew smiled, remembering seeing Mary all dressed up.''So since this is our first official date, I thought we could do the cliché question game. You can go first, ask me anything.''

''Oh wow, the choices.'' Mary laughed. ''How about this, what is your favourite food?''

''My mothers pot pie, hands down. Yours?'' Matthew said, raising his right arm.

''Can desserts count?'' Matthew nodded. '' then baked Alaska or crème brulee.''

''Bit posh isn't it?'' Matthew teased, Mary dropping her head in false shame.

''Ok what about your birthday?'' Mary asked.

''March 20th.''

''July 7th.''

''Favourite television show of all time?'' Matthew asked, genuinely interested in what Mary was going to answer.

''Sex and the City.''

''Should I order you a cosmo? I'd have to say Suits.''

''You are a terribly cliché lawyer Matthew Crawley.'' Mary laughed.

''Favourite song?'' Matthew asked.

Mary shook her head. ''I don't have one to be honest.''

''How can you not have a favourite song!''

The waiter interrupted the two with their meal choices.

As they ate and chatted away, Mary came to realize how nice Matthew was. He was genuine and interesting. She had dated so many men in the past who were all about themselves and she was realizing Matthew cared about what she thought of him.

Once the two had finished their meals, Matthew signaled to the waiter for the cheque.

''Before you say anything, this is my treat ok. It's a proper date, not backing out now.'' He teased and placed his card in the envelope.

'' We should probably head off soon, the movie starts in 20 minutes.'' Matthew walked around to Mary's side of the table and pulled her chair out.

''Thank you. Lead the way.'' He took the envelope to the reception and then left.

The two enjoyed the movie and had even held hands during the entire last hour. Matthew learned that Mary had an obsession for gummi lollies and had eaten an entire packet before the opening title had even been displayed.

They had walked around the town for a little while after it had finished, enjoying each other's company and not wanting the night to end.

However, Mary had checked her phone and realized it was past 11:30 and Matthew suggested that they head back.

Matthew couldn't have dreamed of a better date. The conversation had flowed nicely and he had genuinely enjoyed himself.

He pulled up the familiar drive and parked the car outside the front entrance to Downton Abbey.

''I had a wonderful time. How about we make the next one in London then, since you said you were planning on returning next week.'' Mary suggested, delaying the stroll from his car to the front door of Downton as long as possible, not wanting to leave his company. Finally she checked her phones time and got out of the car, realizing how it was now past midnight.

''Of course.'' Matthew stepped out of the car, walking Mary to the entrance and carrying the bags she had brought from the train. The butlers who had first greeted him were now nowhere to be seen. ''Well I had a wonderful time.''

''Me too. Thanks again for the lovely night.'' Mary smilied and felt herself melting into Matthew's stare. She knew what to expect next and her lips tingled for the sensation that was about to come.

He leant forward slowly, not wanting to scare Mary off and gently placed his lips to hers.

Mary stopped breathing, so mesmerized at the feeling with their lips on each other. She would've given anything to have her way with him right there but he pulled apart.

''Good night Mary. I'll text you later.''

And with that he was back in his car and driving off to Isobel's, leaving Mary in a flush.

I hope this was worth the wait. I've lost motivation to keep writing hence the huge delays in updates however I'm working hard to improve so please bare with. I've decided to update my other story soon as well J

xxxx