✔️ shadows of desire | downton abbey

chapter 37

New Year's Eve, 1919

Mary POV

The grand drawing room was alive with music, laughter, and the occasional clink of champagne glasses as the Crawley family and their guests welcomed the dawn of a new decade. The scent of pine and lingering candle wax mixed with the faint trace of brandy spilled on a nearby table, creating an atmosphere of indulgence and merriment. It should have been perfect. It would have been, had Eden not been here, gliding across the floor as though she belonged.

I watched her from the corner of the room, her hand lightly clasped in Matthew's as they danced together. His face was illuminated with a smile that I hadn't seen since before the war, warm and unguarded. Eden laughed at something he said, her eyes sparkling as she moved with a grace that annoyed me more than it should.

"Don't you think they make a fine pair?" Sybil's voice broke through my thoughts. She stood beside me, her expression soft as she gazed at them.

I shrugged, keeping my tone neutral. "I suppose. Though, if I'm honest, I wish she'd stayed wherever she'd gone in the first place."

Sybil turned to me, her eyes narrowing slightly. "That's a horrible thing to say, even for you."

"What am I supposed to say?" I snapped, lowering my voice to a whisper. "She's taken everything from me, Sybil. Everything. I will be left with nothing."

Sybil crossed her arms, her tone growing sharper. "Eden is such a lovely woman. She deserves to be happy for once in her life. If you plan to ruin that, I will make sure you regret it."

I raised an eyebrow, a bitter laugh escaping me. "Are you threatening me now?"

Sybil simply shrugged, her attention drifting back to the crowd. "That's for you to interpret," she said lightly before walking away, leaving me standing alone.

I didn't have time to stew over her words before Edith sidled up beside me, her voice as grating as ever. "Is everything alright with darling Sybil?"

Rolling my eyes, I turned to her with a sigh. "I believe it's the influence of a certain chauffeur. She's grown bold."

Edith smirked, but it quickly faded when her gaze followed mine to Eden and Matthew. "You're still upset about them, aren't you?"

"Upset?" I said, scoffing. "Upset doesn't even begin to describe it. I don't like Eden particularly, and she'll never be one of us-no matter how high she marries." My voice dripped with venom as I continued, "Is she some sort of charity case for Matthew? Does he pity her so much that he's willing to marry her?"

Edith's expression shifted, her usual meekness replaced by something more resolute. "I like Eden," she said quietly. "She's normal. And, whether you like it or not, she'll be a part of this family soon. She'll bring something new to it, something good. Despite her upbringing, she'll be valuable to us."

My lip curled in disdain. "Goodness, have you all gone soft? Eden is a mere servant, Edith. She always will be. She can put on all the silk dresses she wants, but she'll never be one of us."

Edith turned to face me fully, her eyes blazing in a way that took me by surprise. "This is low, even for you, Mary," she said sharply. "Papa has no say in Matthew's choice. It's his alone. And do you know why he chose Eden? Because he's loved her for five years. This is their happy ending, and all you can do is sulk and gossip like a child. You're cruel, Mary. And I hope, for Mr. Talbot's sake, that he sees that before it's too late."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me standing there with nothing but my bubbling anger and the faint scent of Edith's rosewater perfume.