A/N: thank you all for your lovely comments and warm well-wishes. I truly cherish each and every one. It means a lot to me that you're still reading this story, and care enough to take a moment to tell me, and to offer encouragement. As you can see, it helps! :)

Part of this chapter was already finished. I only needed to add a few scenes and tie it all together. The next chapter will take a bit longer since I honestly haven't started it yet. Once I do, time permitting, I have a feeling that it won't take too long to write. I have the scenes mapped out in my head. The chapter after that will most likely bring everyone together again at Downton.

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Chapter 16 – Discovering a New World

The first snow of the year fell during the second week of December. Mary bundled up as she headed out that morning, glad that she had thought of writing to her mother weeks ago regarding sending her winter clothes from Downton.

The classroom was somewhat chilly when she entered, and after greeting the children she asked one of the boys to put on some more coal. Rubbing her hands together she looked around the room. Noticing two chairs empty, she stopped and frowned.

"Where are Agnes and Sarah?"

"Sarah's sick, m'lady. I'll bring her homework."

"Thank you, Daisy." Silence fell again as no one commented on Agnes' whereabouts. "Does anyone know where Agnes is?" Several children looked down, and a couple squirmed in their seats. "Martin, don't you know Agnes' brother?"

"I do, m'lady." Martin had slipped out of his seat, and was now standing next to his desk, looking down at his feet.

"Is he at school today? Did you walk to school together?"

"I rather not say, m'lady."

Mary's eyebrows shot up. "Why is that? Did something happen to Agnes or her brother?"

"M'lady?" Paddy raised his hand a little hesitantly.

"Yes, Paddy?"

"He doesn't want to say nuthin' bad."

"Now you have me really worried. Will someone please tell me what's going on?"

"Agnes can't come to school, m'lady… because she doesn't have boots."

Mary looked down at the whispered answer from Rosie, who was sitting closest to where Mary was standing.

"But she came to school yesterday." Mary was completely bewildered by the answer.

"It snowed, m'lady." Rosie looked up at Mary, her blue eyes sad. "Agnes' dad doesn't have money to buy her new boots."

"'caus he's always at the pub. That's what me da says," Paddy muttered.

Mary's head was spinning. This was as far from what she had expected as was possible. She slowly returned to her desk and rested a hand on it as she gathered her thoughts.

"Am I getting this right? Agnes' father would rather go to the pub than buying his daughter new boots so she can go to school?"

"Not just Agnes, m'lady," Paddy muttered. "All of 'em."

Mary just stared at him. Of course she knew that these children were working class, but she had no idea that some of them were so poor that they could not afford the basic necessities. Finding her inner strength, she straightened up and faced the class again.

"Listen up everyone. It's less than three weeks till Christmas and about time that you all wrote your letter to Father Christmas."

"What for, m'lady?"

"So he knows what to get you, Martin."

"He knows." The boy slumped in his seat. "Socks and unmentionables."

His muttered comment was met by giggles, nods and groans. Mary sighed and thought for a moment about the wonderful Christmas holidays spent at Downton.

~ O ~

Over dinner that evening, Mary shared her concern with Matthew and Isobel. As expected, Isobel was quick to agree and launched into a long speech about the deplorable conditions of the working class neighborhoods in Manchester.

"We can't change it, mother," Matthew said gently, knowing his mother's passion well.

"I didn't say that you could, but we have a duty to spread awareness and try to help wherever we can."

"Exactly my thought too." Mary smiled at Isobel. "I asked them to write to Father Christmas today."

"Mary." Matthew let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in his seat. "That might have been well and good for you and your sisters. I'm sure you received everything you wished for. There's slim chance that these children will. You're only going to break their hearts all over again, darling."

"That's where you're wrong." Mary grinned and started to explain. "I asked them to write three things that they wish for, one practical thing that they need, such as a coat or a hat, and then list their siblings, their names and ages."

"Then what?" Isobel asked eagerly.

"I'm planning to make a list from their notes and send it to Mama. Each year around this time, every committee she's on engages in some form of activity to help the poor. Sometimes it's food, other times clothes and even toys." Mary smiled a little sadly and looked at the others. "You were right about what you said about me receiving a lot of Christmas gifts when I was little. What you don't know is that every year Mama had each of us pick one gift that we really liked, to give to a child in the village."

"Cora really did that?" Isobel's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes. Grandmama had made her and Uncle Harold do the same when they were children. Mama felt that it would teach us a valuable lesson about the importance of giving."

"What a wonderful thought." Mathew smiled at her and took her hand. "I think we should continue that tradition in our family."

"Matthew?" Isobel's eyes widened. "Are you saying that..?"

Mary gaped and looked at Matthew, then blushed and shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Isobel."

"Oh." Isobel's smile faded and was replaced with a gentler one. "Well, there's no rush. You will have a family sooner than you know it."

Mary's hand trembled a little in Matthew's and he gave it a comforting squeeze.

~ O ~

Pulling out a page from her ledger, Mary started the tedious work of making a list of all the children in her class and their Christmas wishes. Once done she put it aside as she wrote to her mother, explaining the situation and her idea. Letter in hand and the list and the notes in a pile, she went in search for Matthew, asking for his help to double check her list. She could not be too careful with this important quest. If it was anything she worried about, it was disappointing one of the children.

Matthew read the last name and gifts before looking up at Mary. She smiled and nodded.

"That's it. Thank you ever so much, darling."

"So you're sending this off to Cora tomorrow?" Mary nodded in confirmation. "And then what?"

"I suppose I'll have to wait for her response. I know that it will happen. The uncertainly lies with exactly how."

~ O ~

Robert knocked gently on this wife's bedroom door before entering. Cora looked up at him from where she was sitting, enjoying her coffee in bed while reading the morning post.

"Robert, look! It's from Mary." Cora beamed with excitement and her eyes twinkled.

"How nice. Are they doing well?"

"They are." She chuckled and she patted the bed next to her. "You won't believe it, but Mary is working."

"Working?" Robert all but yelled the word. He stared at Cora.

"She's teaching in a local school in Manchester. It's only temporary, but she says that she really enjoys it."

"Our daughter… working… teaching." Robert was in shock, muttering to himself.

"It's not as if she's committed a crime, Robert. Teaching is a respectable profession."

"Not for an earl's daughter!" Robert's jaw clenched and he turned abruptly to face her. "If they needed money they could've asked. I would gladly have given it to them."

"I don't think this is about money, Robert. Mary truly seems to enjoy it."

Robert grumbled and frowned, clearly not pleased with the situation.

"What else does she say?"

"She's asking for my help with a charity project for the school. It's a wonderful idea, so I'll write back to her today that I'll help in any way I can. Perhaps we'll just do it from Downton."

"What exactly is she asking for?"

"Children's clothing, Christmas gifts and some food items for the families."

Robert smiled and nodded as he lost himself in thoughts of the past. As far back as he could remember, Robert had memories of Downton Abbey staff handing out baskets of food to families in need so they could enjoy a feast for Christmas. There usually was an event in the village hosted by the Countess of Grantham with gifts and treats for the children and a dinner prepared by the Downton Abbey kitchen staff.

"Perhaps you should go and visit and bring the gifts?"

Cora gasped and stared at him. "What a wonderful idea! I'd love to."

"Then you can see for yourself if Matthew is exploiting our daughter or if she's telling the truth."

Cora rolled her eyes. "Can you see anyone doing that to Mary? And her allowing it?"

"He's her husband. She would be expected to do as he says, and she knows it."

"Like I do?" she teased.

"You're married to a good man who happens to be wealthy enough for you never to have to worry about money." Robert grinned and leaned closer, nuzzling her neck. "A man who adores you and would never dream of trying to tell you what to do."

Cora laughed and settled in his arms, kissing him firmly. "I've done well, training you, Robert."

Robert huffed and mock glared at her, but when she pressed closer and kissed him long and slow she could feel his mouth turning into a smile.

~ O ~

"Matthew!"

"Yes?"

"Mama is coming to visit." Mary grinned as she held up the letter she had just opened.

"When?"

"In ten days. She wants to personally help me hand out the gifts that she's bringing." She sat down next to Matthew on the sofa. "Please say that she can come."

"Of course she can." Matthew frowned at her. "Why would I prevent your mother from visiting you?"

"It's your house," Mary said softly.

"Our house," he gently corrected her.

Mary smiled and gave him a quick kiss. "Thank you. I'll write back right away." Mary sat down by her desk and pulled out her personal stationery and ink. As if suddenly remembering something she turned and looked at Matthew over her shoulder. "She'll be bringing O'Brien, naturally."

Matthew made a face. He was not overly fond of Cora's surly lady's maid. "Crikey."

~ O ~

Mary clapped her hands to get the class' attention.

"Listen up everyone. I have an announcement to make." Once everyone's attention was on her, she continued. "We're going to have a special visitor next week."

"Who, m'lady?"

Mary just smiled at Eddie, not bothering with correcting him for speaking out of turn.

"The Countess of Grantham will be here."

"Your mum, m'lady?" Daisy whispered, her blue eyes wide in awe.

"That's right, Daisy. My mother will be visiting you and she'll bring gifts from Downton Abbey for your families, jams and preserves and such."

"What fer?"

Mary turned and looked at the brown-haired boy sitting by the window.

"Because, she wants to meet all of you. I've told her about all of you and since she's coming to visit me, she asked if she could come here too."

"But why would she want to come 'ere?" the boy persisted. "Nuthin' special about 'ere, m'lady."

"It's special because of you, Henry, and everyone else in this class."

Henry shrugged, still not convinced.

"Lady Mary? What do we call her?" Daisy piped up.

"Lady Grantham, or my lady."

"Is she very posh, m'lady?"

Mary smiled at Alice's question. Of all the girls in the class, Alice was the one most concerned about her appearance.

"I think she's very beautiful, but she's my mother, so I might not be the best judge," Mary teased. "She's taller than me, and she usually dresses very nicely."

"'Course she does, she's a countess," Eddie muttered.

"Oh, and you should know that she's American."

"She won't understand us, m'lady."

"Oh, come now Eddie," Mary grinned at the sulking boy. "I understand you well enough."

"Suppose."

"Eddie…"

"I suppose you do, m'lady," the boy corrected himself.

"That's more like it." Mary looked around the room again. "Now I know she's only a countess, but it won't hurt you to practice greeting an important guest."

The girls started whispering excitedly and the boys groaned at the prospect of having their hair combed, bowing and exchanging proper greetings for the next half hour.

~ O ~

Matthew buttoned the last button on his pajamas and then hurried to join Mary in the warm bed. Turning towards her, leaning on his elbow, he smiled a little hesitantly at her. She raised an eyebrow in question.

"What is it?"

"We've been invited to a party at Mr. Sloane's a week from Friday."

"All right." Mary frowned, not understanding why Matthew was hesitant to talk about the possibility of visiting the home of one of his coworkers. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Bernard will be there… and his wife."

"I see." Mary rolled her eyes at the thought of the woman. "You know that what happened the other week doesn't bother me."

"So you said." Matthew sighed and made himself a bit more comfortable in the bed. "It still bother me. Quite a lot actually."

"Bertha is just a mean-spirited woman who doesn't deserve us spending any more time thinking about her. I've met plenty of her type before. Spoiled little girls who were never taught proper manners; now grown, but still believing that they should be treated like a princess." She turned slightly towards him. "When realizing that they are stuck in a boring marriage where they are no longer the center of attention, their true nature will shine through when cornered."

"Bernard is a good man," Matthew defended.

"I know he is. Though I doubt that he has much in common with his wife. Marriages, even middleclass ones, are more times than not based on convenience or money. Most married women have little in common with their husbands, and no real purpose in life except producing an heir. My guess, as far as Bernard is concerned, is that their fathers knew each other, perhaps they went to the same school, or worked together. Bertha is not bad looking and I'm sure she can be charming to a man."

"What about us? Do we have a lot in common?"

Mary turned and just stared at Matthew. His softly spoken question had taken her off guard.

"Of course we do!" She cupped his cheek, gently brushing her thumb over his cheekbone. "We've known each other since we were children, darling. If nothing else, our honeymoon should've convinced you that we have quite a lot in common."

Matthew laughed and his face took on a flustered shade. Mary huffed and glared at him.

"Not just that, you silly man."

"Well, that is delightful, and something that I know for sure that you enjoy as much as I do."

"I was referring to our common interest in art and literature, and how we learned to appreciate new things," Mary glared at him when he chuckled. "Art related things, you crude beast."

"Mary! I'm hurt. How can you refer to your husband like that?" Matthew's eyes widened in mock shock.

"Oh, hush you." Mary rolled her eyes, seeing right through his charade. "You're not a very good actor, Matthew."

"Perhaps, but am I a good lover?"

Mary shrieked and laughed when he lunged at her, grabbing her by the waist.

"Matthew!"

He squeezed a little, drawing more giggles out of her.

"Well?"

"The best! Simply the best."

"You don't sound convincing, darling."

Mary gave him a smoldering look and grabbed his lapels, pulling him close until she could kiss him firmly on the lips. Matthew's grip loosened and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her on top of him.

"Make love to me, darling."

A soft moan and a gentle tug on her nightgown was all the answer Mary needed. She shifted so he could pull the garment off her. His pajamas followed before they came together in a tangle of arms and legs. Matthew's hands and lips seemed to be everywhere, setting off little fires on Mary's skin. When he eventually lowered himself over her, she curled her legs around him, pulling him as close as she could, both letting out a quiet gasp at the feeling of once again being joined so intimately.

~ O ~

Sybil opened her little purse and pulled out her list. Slowly reading it over, even though she knew exactly what was on it, she tried to figure out if she had missed something. She let out a huff of annoyance when she came to her father's name.

The heavy sigh from the backseat made Branson glance at his passenger. Lady Sybil did not look as happy and relaxed as she had when the two set off from Downton only moments prior.

"Is something the matter, my lady?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Branson," Sybil's eyes widened at having been overheard muttering. "I didn't mean to distract you. Everything is fine," she said and flashed him a smile.

"Are you warm enough, my lady?"

"Yes thank you."

Sybil leaned back and eyed her list again, chewing on her lip.

"Are you looking forward to Christmas, my lady?"

Sybil looked up in surprise at him keeping up the conversation.

"I am. What about you, Branson? Do you like Christmas?"

"I do, but not as much as I did as a child."

"I agree." She glanced at the offending note in her hand. "Then you didn't have to worry about buying presents for everyone."

Branson chuckled and nodded. "I'm sure that they will love their gifts."

"That's if they actually get any!" Sybil exclaimed in frustration. "I haven't the faintest idea what to buy for Papa."

Branson nodded and made a face. "I suppose his lordship is a challenge to find the perfect gift for."

"Excactly! He has everything he needs, and if he wants something, he buys it." Sybil let out a heavy sigh again.

The two lost themselves in thought for a long moment, until Branson suddenly spoke up.

"My lady?"

"Yes Branson?"

"I have an idea, if you don't mind me helping you."

Sybil's eyes widened in surprise. "No, of course not. What is it?"

"You see, a few weeks back when I was driving his lordship to York he told me…"

Sybil listened eagerly as Branson explained how he had taken Lord Grantham to more than one store trying to find a specific item. In the end they had returned empty handed.

"I just don't know if it would be possible to find it in Ripon," Sybil said softly, not wanting to hurt Branson's feelings after having tried to help her. "If he couldn't find it in York, why would I find it in Ripon?"

"That's just it, my lady," Branson said in a cheerful tone. "I saw it in a window the other day when driving Lady Edith. I haven't had a chance to tell his lordship yet."

"Branson, that's splendid!" Sybil almost bounced on her seat in excitement.

With a last glance at the now smiling Lady Sybil, Branson focused on the road, feeling warm inside at having been able to bring on the pretty young lady's smile.

To be continued…