This is so lovely and just barely within the realm of believability. I like the idea that Mary decided to make her move at pretty much the same time that Matthew probably decided to make his, and I love the two letters, and all the psychoanalysis leading up to it. You have a good grasp on these two characters. :-D Thanks for mentioning this story in a comment on OrangeShipper's tumblr feed: it's how I found my way here. :)

I am rereading my favorite M/M stories in the light of what happened in S3, and I so want to thank you for beautifully capturing the complexity, strength, and passion of M/M's love. It was the perfect combination of script and actors with such chemistry that made M/M so memorable on the screen, and your fanfic adds perfectly to the image of M/M that I hold in my heart.

I started reading this, and then backed up and actually read the whole thing out loud, just to slow down and spend more time with your gorgeous words and imagery. Mary's love and dignity, the reason her father sees through her... ahh, I could pretty much just mention everything happening in this fic as something I love, so I'll just say wonderful. And thank you.

I'm not very good with taking the time to review but I had to say that this was the sweetest, heart tugging story Ive read. I love it. Very well done.

Absolutely loved the line "If she's not to have her heart, at least she has her dignity." Mary's voice is in your soul. Well done, once again.

This was such a sweet story. I loved it.

Thank you for sharing this special story about Mary and Matthew. I loved the way you delved into their characters that I could really picture them and feel their emotions!I kept sighing and giving myself silly smiles after reading and rereading it(and I've read it several times already!)And I'm still going to reread it!

lovely! Thanks for writing.

umm desperately trying not to cry at work here. I've read this before when you first posted it on tumblr, but wanted to re-read. This is just beautiful. I'm sorry I am too overcome to find any other words.

Matthew's reply a the end is just perfect. Thanks for the great read!

This makes my heart happy. :)

My very first review! Such a lovely story. I love your analysis. You are spot on regarding Mary's reflection. I love the concept of timing it right before the servants ball. On the precipice, both of them feel it. She finally tells hom how she feels and he in tandem proposes. I love that the letter is waiting for him after the Ball. And his response-perfection. Read this am before work and it kept me warm all day. Well done! Would love to read a similiar reflection on Matthew's part.

This is so great. Really, genuinely great.

Absolutely beautiful. Well done. Please write more.

Found this through tumblr and I love it to pieces. Really really excellent work. It felt so true to the characters and to the story.