I love that it adresses his injuries and their respective pasts, because there was not enough of it in the third season. And I love how Mary is very ender and accepting, however painful the memories are and He is embarassed, very in character.

They made love

Such a healing moment for both of them. I loved how you alluded to Mary's emotional scars of the scandal too...

This was a beautiful story. Thanks for writing something that we never got in the show...their first day married.

Beautifully written!

In Downton A there are no better lovers than mary and matthew and you have shown it once again , in your writing.

Oh my word, I adore this!

So much gorgeous detail in the first paragraph, even - Mary embarassed at her nakedness, BLESS HER, their clothes strewn, the brand new wedding ring - oh, too gorgeous.

Awwww and then MATTHEW. See, this is exactly, exactly why they deserve amazing sex and passing reference at the very least in S3. Because of all those things you so beautifully and reverently, almost, mention in the next few passages. His scar, his skin mangled but still beautiful to her, memories of such a horrible, horrible time, things he'd been told and believed he could never do but - now he, more rightly THEY, have - together. Oh, and it's perfect, and that imbues everything of their relationship with so much more... specialness. I don't care if that isn't a word. It just means so, so much more.

Ach, his very worst and now his very best... oh, so much love.

AGH HIS BOTTOM YOU STAR.

Awww and then, they're so TENDER... Oh, and DARLING Matthew is unsure, and worried, and then the smut is SO hot... My dear, you're an absolute genius and this was gorgeous. So gorgeous.

Very lovely and in keeping with the characters. Thank you!

You're right, it would be nice to see that addressed in S3 and you fic, my dear, was a delicious way to do just that. I loved that you put it after they wedding night, Mary's thoughts about what she just shared with Matthew, every move of him cleansing her and giving back herself to her.

And of course I loved that she saw the scar for the first time and all the saddness that it brought back, so much they could've lost. And yet, it's all in the past now, and they're here, together, and they're in love.

Beautiful fic, as always :)

This was so wonderful! I really enjoyed Mary's description of Matthew, ( and of course him suddenly pinning her.) There was a really balance of sentiment and sex. At times I went aww and at others I went oh my. I love your one shots! Well done!

That was lovely.

Awww Loved it! Such a sweet idea to have Mary notice his scar and feel that it only made her love him more and be more grateful for everything that they could share. :)

Egads that was beautiful! I want all this in canon oh yes please! Mary you darling kissing his scared back! And Matthew you darling being worried about the imperfection!
Oh heavens what a rollercoaster! Thank you so much for sharing - just what the doctor ordered!

THIS is an absolutely brilliant piece of writing and words can't express how happy I am that you chose to share it with us. Your prose was magical, delicate, like a lullaby - you painted the morning lights with your words, and I had to hold my breath for fear it would disturb them. The way you referenced to the previous night was sweet, tender and sensual - just like Mary was feeling. And you can imagine how I reacted to the details - Matthew's hair sticking in every direction (THANK YOU FOR THIS. HAIR PORN QUEEN.), Mary's nails on his shoulders and back, her hands on his rear (sweet mother of God) (okay, I need to stop for a moment. You realize what you've done, right? Imagine this: yesterday I had been bombed with pictures of Dan's butt. Naked butt, period drama butt, cricket butt. And then you, gorgeous, brilliant, evil genius write about it...so fondly, and I melt. I seriously melt. Giggling and my heart swells because aw he would look so peaceful, lying there with his ass showing through the covers and Mary TOUCHING IT. I can't. I'm hyperventilating.)

See, what I loved is - you made something sad become beautiful, and romantic, and fun, and that is exactly THE SPIRIT. Because they're happy, and together, therefore "beautiful, romantic and fun" is how they should be right now. That's why this story is so precious to me. I could've cried when Mary touched his scar, gently, reverently, and then feather-kissed it and up...for no real reason, she couldn't have made it better, but she loves ALL of him, all of his scars (which are her scars as well)...and his vulnerability when he was looking into her eyes for an answer. GAH. Everything was perfect about this story. I want to carry it with me in my pocket every day. I'll read it so often I'll know it by heart.

And then, of course, the smut. The fact they were not rushing, not even trying anything more than just...the two of them, joining, gaining this pleasure that felt both new and familiar...sorry, I honestly can't express how much I've loved it. I realize I must sound like an idiot. I'm so glad my stupid connection has let me read it first, and review it now :D

Oh, my dear, that was very sweet and sensual. The recalls of the night before...very well done. And, as usual, you make me feel them so strongly! You have a way of doing that. You really know Matthew and Mary...at least how I see them. Very nice one-shot.