I ADORE this.

The way everyone is transposed so perfectly ten years on is just magnificent, the weight of the years is felt but every character is still so perfectly portrayed yet matured. My absolute favourite bit was Violet - everything she said - but particularly the bit about Isobel and her walking, ha! I love Emily and Peter, especially Emily and her first reaction to Matthew. I'm looking forward to Richard coming to Downton, as he surely will, and how his dynamic with everyone else plays out.

This fic is really unique and I love the way you're exploring the potential future after series two. I was very excited to see the alert and this second part lived up to my expectations and much more! Well done!

love it love it love it! Richard Carlisle is wonderful, I think the premise and setup is ingenious and beautifully laid out, I only wish we could see a little more of their life together before everything goes to pieces. I can't wait to see what comes next!

Loving it! Looking forward to seeing what happens at Downton!

Hehehehheheheheheh! Love this Idea *laughs maniacally* UPDATE, DO YOU HEAR ME? UPDATE!

Very well written, looking forward to more!

Fantastic story, I love your idea! Please update soon

Gah! I love this! A different take on things and I enjoyed seeing a different side to Richard. Very enjoyable reading, extemely well written and I am intrigued to see where it will go. I love the children, they are adorable and funny. I thought your dialogue was particularly excellent. Well done!

I do so hope this story goes places, because this first chapter is an absolute darling. Mary's children are delightful, and I do hope Captain Peter doesn't bring up any too-terrible memories for Captain Matthew, when the two of them do meet. I also really, really like the idea that while Mary might be an ice queen to the rest of the world, she has a good relationship to her children. I'll be really pleased to see what Grandma and Grandpa Grantham make of them. Will you also be including the sisters? Sybil will be off in Ireland and who knows what's become of Ethel, but including them could be very fun indeed.

Just as an aside, one of the things I love as a reader is when authors get little tiny historical details just right. Good choice to namedrop the Rockefellers, but it is spelled thusly (I think you have it with an A). The 'creme de la creme' of New York society was personified (at least in the late 19th century) by Mrs. Astor's 400, the 400 people that (legend says) would fit in her ballroom on 5th Avenue. England had Debrett's Peerage and Burke's Peerage - New York had the 400. Maybe you could make something out of that later in the story.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed your first chapter, and I'm anxious to read more!

Loving Mary as a mother (yet still in character) - and the kids - so cute!

Oooooooooooooooh! Nice twist on their marriage!

I think that it's a fantastic start and very believable. Please continue! I love that Richard is not the cut out villian here. He is not so portrayed in the series and he does not deserve it.

Thank you!

Totally loving the premise for this story, I'm very interested to see where you take it. Mary's children are adorable, especially Captain Peter and his bear of equal rank: so cute. Can't wait for Matthew (and Carson) to make an appearance, please don't leave it too long to update.

loved this story. Will be looking forward to the rest.

Well done

What an amazing beginning- I'm really looking forward to this. I love the idea of Mary blossoming as a mother and Peter (Rabbit, how cute!) is delightful. It's really interesting that Matthew is the last button pressed in their disagreements- it says so much about their relationship. Thanks for sharing.