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Originally Posted by Doodlebug  I have another question. I take it Mathew and Mary were an item at one time before Mathew's relationship/engagement with Ms. Lavinia Swyer. What happened to that relationship between Mathew and Mary? I realize they are cousins but that seems to be okay. |
I think they are distant cousins, and they knew each other as children. When he returns to Downton as the heir in waiting, he and Mary are taken with each other. I don't recall exactly, but I think Mary puts him off because she wants to marry someone of a higher social station, or someone more "exciting" than a country lawyer.
Mary also felt pressured by her father to be with Mathew, since he would inherit the estate, and she could not as a female.
I'm sure someone else can explain better.