Florence sat on the bench under the beech tree, shuddering at the memory of helping Mary last night. Mary had wanted Mama to help but Anna convinced her to get her instead. Florence was relieved Mama wasn't forced into carrying a dead body down the hall especially with her being pregnant. Although Mary chose to wake her anyway. Mama seemed horrified about what happened and how the three of them carried poor Mr. Pamuk back to his room. She looked up when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "hello, Mama. Are you alright? You seem very pale."
"I could say the same of you, my darling."
"Oh, mama, I didn't sleep well at all and I saw Matthew earlier today. Mary told him I wanted nothing to do with him in case You had a boy. He was so upset and I think it hurts more that he believed Mary."
"I will talk to her now if hat's ok with you."
Florence nodded. I was going to go back to meet Matthew after I cooled down. I'm going to meet him for tea and I'll be back before the dressing gong."
Cora gave her a kiss and turned to head back inside.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Molesley," Florence said with a smile
He nodded then led her to the drawing room where Matthew was, having left work early to meet her. "Lady Florence," Molesley announced.
Matthew stood, stepping closer to Florence as the butler left. He took her hands. "My darling, Florence. I truly hop you can forgive my behavior from this morning. I should have listened to you and I want to say that I don't really believe what Mary said. I'll see you tomorrow at dinner, if you have forgiven me."
"Oh Yes, Matthew I have. I still can't believe my own sister would do such a thing. She's always seemed to have resented me and I never knew why." He pulled her into a hug, kissing her tenderly. "I, love you, Florence."
"And I love you, dearest Matthew."