Let's hope that I can get on schedule and write these Christmas special on actual Christmas lol enjoy!! And sorry for any grammar errors!!
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"I'd like to get married in the spring or they summer" Mary told Carlisle as everyone starts to leave the dining Tim after dinner.
"I'm only asking to set a date" he said eagerly. "But what's the hurry?" "Hurry? Glaciers are fast compared to you on this, Mary" I looked towards them.
She rolled her eyes and turned to leave. He grabbed her arm. "I warn you, even my patience has its limits" Matthew clenched his jaw seeing Carlisle's tight grip on her.
Mary jerked her arm out of his grip and stormed out. I followed after her. "Mary..." Matthew called as he followed us out. "Can I help?" He asked sincerely.
"After today, I won't insult you by asking what you mean" "You don't have to marry him, you know" he was right. "You don't have to marry anyone. You'll always have a home here, as long as I'm alive" he smiled to her tenderly.
"Didn't war teach you never to make promises? And anyway, you're wrong. I do have to marry him" "But why? To prove you've broken with me? Surely? We know where we stand. We've no need for gestures"
"If I told you the reason, you would despise me, and that I really couldn't bear" she choked out. "Matthew furrowed his brow, as did I.
"Mary?" Cora called from behind us. "Rosamund wants to play brides until the men come through" "Of course" she walked to the drawing room. I kissed Matthew's cheek, following Mary.
~~~~
Mary, Robert, Matthew, and Mrs. Crawley all stood by the door, dressed and ready to go. "Tell Anna that I wish her and Mr. Bates luck. And that I will be praying" I told Mary, she grabbed my hand.
"Of course" she walked out to the car with everyone else, Matthew gave me a small smile before kissing my cheek and following everyone. I turned to Cora, we stood in the doorway as they drove off.
"I hope they can see he is an I overt man" I said to her as we had our arms linked. "I'm sure everything will work out" she soothed. "Have you got anything plans for today?" She asked as the car disappeared from the drive.
"Lady Violet and Lady Rosamund have invited me for tea" I looked to her. "Why do you ask" she had a little smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, no reason. Just wanted to talk to you about your little admirer, that's all" she winked at me and her smile turned into a smirk. I blushed as she walked back inside.
~~~~
"Did you know Bares well?" Lady Rosamund me. "I do, we met on the train when I first came here. He's always been kind" "What about you, Mama?" She asked her Mother.
"Oh, I saw him once, when I went to talk to Matthew in his bedroom just before dinner" she said as she poured her tea. She chuckled. "That sounds rather risqué"
"Alas, I am beyond impropriety" "There'll be stink in the papers" I chuckled at the two as I sipped my tea. "Well, to be honest, I'm surprised that hasn't been one already. Perhaps Sir Richard had a hand in it. And while we're on the subject of unsuitable spouses..."
"Lord Hepworth is not unsuitable, Mama. You are unjust" I looked between the two. "He's hardly the consumption devoutly to be wished. Did he ask you what I asked him to tell you?"
"I know he has no fortune, if that's what you mean" Rosamund told her mother. "No fortune?" She surprised. "He's lucky not to be playing the violin in Leicester Square" she remarked as she took a sip of her tea.
"He's fond of me, Mama. I'm tired of being alone, and I have money" she told her. "He's a fortune hunter, my dear. A pleasant one, I admit, but a fortune hunter" Lady Rosamund turned her head away from her mother.
"Silly. It's your choice" she told her daughter, making a motion with her hand before setting it in her lap. "So, have you made it?" "Not quite. I'm going to ask Robert to get him back for the Servants' Ball" she had a little smile on the edge of her lips.
"But will that happen after today?" "Well, he can come and stay, whether or not we feel like dancing" she smirked as she sipped her tea. Lady Violet had a rather disgusted look on her face, not believing what just came out of her daughters mouth.
I smirked and shook my head as I chewed on my piece of cake. "So, Lilly, are you going to tell us about the lovely fellow who got you that locket?" Lady Rosamund asked, Lady Violet turned her attention to me.
"I will, in time. But not quite yet" I looked down nervously. "Can you at least tell us what he's like? And if he is handsome?" She smirked, I chuckled nervously.
"Well, he's very handsome. He has Raven black hair, and the most gorgeous pale green eyes. And when he smiles I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be the one to make him smile. And his laugh is so contagious, it's music to my ears. He's very different verses other people"
"How so?" Lady Rosamund asked. "He has trust issues, all because of his father" "He doesn't have a mother?" "No, she died when he was younger. He and I got off on a bad start, but we grew fond of each other. He is kind, sweet, caring, and livid towards me. And I couldn't be more lucky to have gotten to know him" I looked between them. I couldn't help the blush that crept up my neck and onto my cheeks.
"What's his name?" I looked to Lady Rosamund. "Like I said, in time I will tell you" I wish I could tell them, but there was and still is a big commotion about Sybil and Tom. I didn't want someone to tell me that I'm just a child with a crush and doesn't know what love is. Times are changing now, it's 1920, I'll wait until the time come.
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"When will they be back?" Mrs. Patmore asked Mrs. Hughes as her and Mrs. O'Brien returned from York, there they attended Mr. Bates's trial. "I'm not sure. They took Amma to an inn to help her catch her breath" Thomas walked in behind Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. O'Brien.
"How will we ever face her?" Daisy asked. "With kindness, I hope" responded Mrs. Hughes. "When will he be hanged?" One of the hall boys asked. I lightly hit the back of his head, he turned to look at me, I gave him a look.
"There is no talk about that when she gets back either" I corrected him. "Her Ladyship wondered if you could give her an account of the day" said Mr. Carson.
"Of course" Mrs. Hughes stepped forward. "I'd like to say I may have been called for prosecution, but I do believe in Mr. Bates's guilt" "neither do any of us, Mrs. Hughes" I spoke up, she gave a small sad smile as she turned to walk away.
"What about you, Mrs. O'Brien? You're very quiet" popped up Lady Rosamund's handmaiden. "I'm sorry to have been part of it" Mrs. O'Brien choked out sadly as she turned to leave the hall.
She stopped in the doorway as Thomas spoke to her. "There'll be a new Valet here, won't there?" I heard him ask her. "I don't often feel selfless. But when I listen to you, I do" she spat as she walked passed him.
He turns his head sideways as she left, he looked towards me, I shook my head.
~~~~
I stood beside Matthew, arms linked. He held Mr. Swire's Erne in his other arm. I held the umbrella over our heads as Mrs. Crawley stood beside her son holding hers.
After a while o waiting, Mary walked towards us, Matthew cracked a small smile as she walked closer. He broke arms with me and walked to put Mr. Swire's ashes by Lavinia's headstone.
He walked back to me. "You got my note" Mary smiled as she walked to stand beside Mrs. Crawley. Matthew removed his hat as he linked arms with me again.
He looked to Mary. "I'm so glad you're here. I feel, somehow, we were, all of us, part of each other's story for a while" Mary looked to Matthew, then to Lavinia's grave.
"Now that story is at an end" "On what way?" Mrs. Crawley asked Mary. "Well, Matthew doesn't want to live here and I'm moving away soon" Matthew looked to her.
"You mean to Haxby?" "Wherever I go, the time we shared is over. And Lavinia was a part of that. Let's take a moment to remember her" Mary said as we all looked to Lavinia's grave.
"Our Father, which art in Heaven..." Matthew started to pray. I leaned my head on his shoulder.
~~~~
We walked to the pathway that leads out of the cemetery. Mary wished us farewell as she walked the opposite way. Mrs. Crawley, Matthew, and I walked the other way, towards their house which was across the street from the church.
"She's still in love with you, you know" Mrs. Crawley pointed out. Matthew looked to her perplexed. "I don't think so" "Well, I'm sorry, but it's as plain as the nose on your face" I chuckled at her.
"I thought you didn't like her for throwing me over" "That's a different conversation" "Mother, it has to be like this I'm afraid I can't explain why. At least I'm. It going to" we walked to the little gate at the end of the path.
"Something to do with Lavinia?" She asked him. "Maybe" "Well, you see, I think you're wrong. Lavinia wouldn't have wanted this. She was a sweet girl, a kind girl. She wouldn't have wanted you to be unhappy" "You don't understand" he interrupted her as we stopped outside the gate.
"I deserve to be unhappy. So does Mary. Nobody our age deserves that" "And if you are, and you can do something about it and don't, well, the war has taught you nothing" "That's your opinion" "Yes, it is" he looked around and unlinked his arm from mine as he walked away from us.
I stood beside Mrs. Crawley's umbrella with her as we watched Matthew walk to their house. "I know him and Lavinia were good together, but he and Mary are perfect for one another" "I agree" said Mrs. Crawley.
"Lavinia loved Matthew" "Just not as much as Mary does" she nodded her head. She linked arms with me. "Let's got inside and have some hot tea and get out of this retched rain, hmm?" I nodded as we stuck close together under the umbrella and walked across the street.
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"Still at it?" Mrs. Patmore asked as she walked into the Servants' hall, carrying a cup of tea. I had my arm around Daisy's shoulders as Thomas, Mrs. O'Brien, Marge, and Sofia played the Ouija board as Lady Rosamund's handmaiden sewed.
"The secrets of the u overseas are boundless" Thomas said smirking, looking around. "Are they indeed? All right, shove over" Mrs. Patmore butted in between Thomas and Mrs. O'Brien.
"You've changed your tune" remarked Mrs. O'Brien as she moved to the seat beside the one she previously occupied. "Perhaps I have. Now, let's he'll get going" she sat down in the seat.
"Who's out there? Here we go" she started to move the piece around the board. "W" she said as she moved the piece to the letter on the board.
"William? Is that really you, William?" Daisy asked as she moved to stand behind Mrs. Patmore. Thomas gave Mrs. Patmore a confused look as she quickly moved it.
"Yes" she repeated, she looked back to Daisy. "Oh, my Lord! Oh, my God! William, is that you? What do you want?" She asked.
I couldn't help but chuckle silently at Thomas's facial expressions as Mrs. Patmore moved the piece around the board. "Go...to...farm" Thomas raised a brow at her actions, Mrs. O'Brien and I shared amused looks, knowing exactly what she is doing.
"Make. Dad...Happy. Go to farm. Make dad happy. You can't say fairer than that" Mrs. Patmore told Daisy. "Is it usually so specific?" Lady Rosamund's handmaiden asked.
"Not usually, no" answered Mrs. O'Brien. I smirked slightly. "Well, that was enough for me. Whoa, this stuff is thirsty work" she commented as she picked up her tea and walked back to the kitchen, said following. Thomas looked to me and gave me a look, I couldn't help but giggle at him, he smiled.
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Robert and I walked into the Main Hall as Matthew was stood by the door talking with Mr. Carson. "Matthew? You should have come earlier. You could have had dinner" Matthew raised a brow as he walked closer to us.
"Is something the matter?" He asked worried. "My dog has gone missing. I was going to look for her" "We should organize a search party. Ask the menservants to join us. Then we can apply some real method. Don't you agree Carson?" "Yes" he agreed with Matthew. Robert nodded his head as we went to get out coats.
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"Isis! Come here, girl!" Robert called as all of us walked through the woods, flashlights in hand. Mary walked with Matthew as I walked by Thomas.
Thomas came to a stop, looking as if he's seen a ghost. "Thomas? What's the matter with you?" Mr. Carson asked him. "Nothing" he told him, I didn't believe him.
"I'm afraid we'll have to call it a night" Robert yelled to us all. "But remember, there's ten pounds for anyone who finds her tomorrow. For now, thank you all very much" Robert finished and started to walk back towards the house.
"Poor Papa. It's terrible for you" Edith said to her father. "She may return. She may be trapped somewhere. We could still find her" he told his daughter. "Go back to the house and tell Mrs. Patmore to heat up some soup for the searchers" Mrs. Carson told Thomas.
Thomas looked around. "Thomas?" "Yes, Mr. Carson" he said as he ran back to the house, I walked beside Mr. Carson.
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We got back to the house, Mary and Matthew stood outside talking to each other. Matthew turned away from her with a shocked look as he ran his hand over his face.
Robert took off his coat and hung it up. I placed my hand on his shoulder. "She'll turn up, I swear" the slightest smile found its way onto his lips. He placed his hand on mine. "You are always a sweet girl, my dear"
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Mrs. O'Brien passed me as she left the Servants' hall. I walked in to see Thomas leaning against the table, slightly sitting on it, cigarette in hand.
I gave him a slight smile as I approached him.
I laid my hands on his chest, he uncrossed his arms and laid a hand on my waist. "Are you alright?" I asked him as I stood between his legs.
"What do you mean?" He quirks a brow. "You looked like you saw a ghost out in the woods. Just wanted to see if you were alright" he smirked and put out his cigarette.
"I'm fine, love. I can never get over how worried you get over me" he placed his other hand on my waist. "That's what happens when you love someone, you care for them more than anything" he smiled as he pulled me closer.
He brought a hand up to my cheek and brushed his fingers gently against my skin. His eyes scanning over my face. "What are you doing?" I asked curiously.
The corner of his lips turned upwards. "Just looking at you. And how lucky I am to have you" I felt the heat rise up into my cheek. He chuckled softly.
He placed his fingers under my chin and brought my head up to look at him. He smiled down at me in adoration. He looked around before leaning down and crashing his lips into mine.
Cupping my cheek as the other moved from my waist to the small of my back. I brought my hand up to his neck. He pulled away and looked down to my chest, he ran his finger across the silver locket.
He smiled down at me and rested his forehead against mine as he whispered. "I love you, too. My little Bonnie Irish lass"
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I entered the kitchen and was met by the delicious smell of Mrs. Patmore cooking breakfast. I stole a piece of bacon off of the counter, Mrs. Patmore turned around and caught me.
"Oi, you sneaky lamb" I laughed as she shook her head and smiled at me as I left the kitchen. I walked into the Servants' hall, looking around, I didn't see the familiar raven haired boy.
"Where's Thomas?" I asked as I swallowed my food and licked the grease off of my fingers. "He went out this morning, don't know where" I furrowed my brow as I walked upstairs.
I heard barking as I walked into the hall. I saw a white lump of fur run out of the library. "Isis!" I said happily as I bent down and pet her. Rover walked out of the library. "Do you want to go on a walk with us?" He asked as I stood up. "Of course"
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We walked down a path away from the house around the grounds, Isis trotting between Robert and I. We saw a figure walking towards us. Isis barked as she ran to the person.
"Isis? Where have you bloody been, hey?" We got closer to see that is was Thomas. He bent down and smiled as he pet her. His coat and shirt were all dirty and messed up, along with some sort patches on his face. His hair was loose and hanging in his eyes. Where the bloody hell did he go this morning?
Robert and I stood in front of him, he stood up from Isis and held his head high. "What in God's name happened to you?" Robert asked. "I was looking for the dog" "A village child found her yesterday. Somehow, the silly animal got herself shut into one of the keeper's shelters. They took her back and claimed their reward this morning" he explained to Thomas.
"That's good" "Dis you really get yourself into this mess looking for my dog?" Robert asked, gesturing to Thomas with his walking cane.
"I k ow how fond of her you are" "I'm impressed, Thomas. It's good to see there's some decency in the world at a time like this, thank you" Robert said with gratitude lacing his voiced, along with a surprised look at Thomas's actions.
"That's all right, m'lord. The main thing is she's home and healthy" I rolled my eyes playfully, knowing exactly what he's doing. Thomas starts to walk away towards the house.
"I'll see you later, Robert" I kissed his cheek as I caught up with Thomas. I linked my arms with his. I turned my head around to see Robert walking away.
"You're the one who hid her, you sneaky bastard. That's why you went out early this morning, to look for her and bring her back" he scoffed. "I don't know what you're talking about"
"That's why you looked as if you've seen a ghost in the woods last night, you knew we were close to where you his her" he still didn't say anything. "You hid her in the keeper's shelter, didnt you?" He looked down to the ground as we walked. I looked forward, shaking my head. "What am I going to do with you? Mr. Barrow?"
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I came upstairs into the Main Hall. Sir Richard came through the front door, I glared at him as I walked towards the stairs. He reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me back and pressing me into one of the columns.
"You do not want to try my patience, because it will end rather badly on your party he growled at me, his face inches from mine as his grip on my wrists were tight. I could feel the skin bruising under his steel grip.
"What's going on?" The voice belonged to Thomas, he stood to out right, Carlisle looked to him. "None of your damn business" he spat as he looked back to me.
"Let her go" Thomas barked as he took a step forward. "Or what?" He asked Thomas. "Piss off" he turned back to me. Thomas grabbed his arms and ripped them off of me.
"Or you'll have to deal with me" Thomas hissed through clenched teeth. Carlisle snarled at him before letting go of me and stormed up the stairs.
Thomas laid his hand on my shoulder as the other grabbed my hands. "Are you alright?" He asked concerned as he looked over my wrists that were slightly red.
"I'm fine" he looked towards the stairs. "I'm going to kill him" I chuckled, he looked to me. "What's so funny?" Seriousness cloaking his voice and his features.
"I already have a protective Matthew, now I have you too" I leaned up and kissed him.
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Matthew bs I talked, he gestured towards my wrists, I told him everything and how Thomas is my protector now as well. We heard yelling coming from the library. Mary and Carlisle.
Matthew opened the door and entered first, I followed. "Mary, are you quite alright?" Matthew asked her. I walked over to Mary and comforted her, we latched onto each other's arms.
"Oh, here he is. The man who can smile and smile and be a villain is she not to be trusted, even to get rid of new, without your help?" Spoke Sir Richard. "I heard shouting" Matthew said to Mary, she tried to respond.
"Lavinia knew it, You know" our heads jerked to Carlisle. "She knew you never loved her" Matthew looked to him in rage. "Don't say that" "She said it once. It was late and she was tired. You two were locked together in the corner of the room and she said, 'If he could just admit the truth, then all four of us might have a chance"
"You liar" Matthew spat. "I'm not a liar. No, I am many thing, but not that. She regretted it, of course, but she said it" "You bastard!" Matthew raised his hand in a fist and knocked Carlisle onto the couch.
Mary and I jumped back at Matthew's sudden action. Carlisle grabbed Matthew and pulled him to the floor, they knocked over a vase on the table on their way down.
"Stop this at once!" Robert shouted as he walked in on the fist fight. They pulled away as Robert walked to us. "I presume you will be leaving in the morning, Sir Richard. What time should I order your car?" Carlisle stood from the floor, slicking his hair back.
He walked up to Robert. "How smooth you are. What a model of manners and elegance" "Perhaps you should take tips" I hissed as he glared at me from over Roberts shoulder.
"I wonder is you would keep to being so serene when the papers are full of your eldest daughter's exploits" "I'll do my best" what are they talking about? "Oh, what on earth's the matter?" Lady Violet asked, her voice concerned as she went to Mary's side, I moved from Mary's side and went to Matthew's.
"I'm leaving in the morning, Lady Grantham. I doubt we'll meet again" I cupped Matthew's cheek, he had a cut under his eye. He gave me a tender smile, seeing that I cared.
"Do you promise?" I smirked at Lady Violet's comment. Carlisle left the room. Matthew pulled away from my grip and approached Lady Grantham. "I'm sorry about the vase" "Oh, don't be, don't be. It was a wedding present from a frightful aunt. I have hated it for half a century"
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I got a cloth and ran it under the sink in the kitchen. I wet the cloth and laid it on my wrists, hoping the cold would smooth the throbbing. I heard footsteps and looks behind me to see Thomas.
"Are you alright?" He asked as he approached me. "I'm alright" he stood beside me and removed the cloth from my wrists, he ran his thumb over my bruised wrists.
He turned around and opened a drawer and got another cloth. He came back to me and got the other cloth wet and laid it on my wrist. He tied each cold wet cloth around my wrists. He held my hands up to his mouth as he kissed each of my palms. I blushed, he took notice as he smiled against my skin.
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"So, that a the news. It only remains for me to add that we will be holding the Servants' Ball tonight after all" we all cheered at the good news. Mr. Bates had been pardoned. He will serve life imprisonment, but he won't be hanged.
"Tonight? Are you serious?" Thomas asked happy that it's still going through. "Mrs. Hughes thinks we can manage it" Mr. Carson replied as he looked to her.
"I never thought they'd hang an innocent man" cheered Mrs. Patmore. "He wouldn't have been the first" said Lady Rosamund's handmaiden, Miss, Shore.
"Well, it's a relief. It is. I don't mind saying it" spoke Mrs. O'Brien. "But he has to stay in prison?" Mrs. Patmore asked Mr. Carson. "Only until they prove he didn't do it" he replied.
"If you don't mind, we can worry about that later. Right now, we have a great deal of work to do" Mrs. Hughes instructed.
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The Main Hall was full of laughter, and dancing as the orchestra played. "I gather Anna isn't going to America" Lady Violet asked at our table that consisted of her, Mary, and I.
"No. But of course I'm glad for her" Mary said looking forwards. "Uh-oh. Here he comes to claim his prize" Marg said smirking as Thomas walked over to our table.
"Your Ladyship, may I have the honor of this dance?" "Yes, it is a waltz. Far too old for that Sergio fox trot" Thomas helped her out of her seat. "What about black bottom, M'lady?" She laughed. "Just...just keep me upright and we'll try to avoid it" he led her away from the table.
Anna came over to our table. "M'lady, we have a situation that I think needs putting stop too" "Is everything alright?" Mary asked her. "I just need you and Lady Rosamund to follow me" Mary nodded as Anna walked away. Mary gave me a small smile as she left, leaving me alone at the table.
"Care to dance, M'lady?" I looked up to Mr. Carson. "I'd love too"
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Thomas and I danced together as the band played a jazzy tune. We laughed and smiled with one another. The tune soon changed to a waltz.
I looked over my shoulder and smile as I saw Mary and Matthew dancing together. "You look beautiful tonight, love" Thomas's warm breath breathed into my ear.
"You don't look to bad yourself" he chuckled against my ear as he lightly pressed his lips against it.
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Everyone had left or went to bed. I saw Mary stood outside in the freshly fallen snow coming down, leaving little flakes in her hair. I turned to Matthew.
"I see a fair maiden waiting outside alone. I think this is your que" I gave him an encouraging smile as he walked outside and joined her. few moments of them talking, Matthew got done on one knee, they smiled as he kissed her and lifted her into the air and twirled her around. I smiled as I retired up the stairs.
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I'm ALIVE!!!!!! So sorry y'all, like I've said, a lot of crab going on. But anyway, thank you all so much for your patience. I love you all. *liza Koshy* BYYYEEEEE!!!