Chapter One

Sybil Crawley didn't know why the announcement of War had shocked her so much. She knew that after the asassination of the Austrian Archduke, a War was bound to happen. But that didn't mean she wasn't terrified; terrified of what would happen, what would become of everyone, which of the men around her now would go off to fight, which of those brave men would die.

She shuddered at the thought. She knew footman Thomas had signed up for the Medical Corps and William would probably have to enlist. Her father was too old and Bates too injured, although they would both want to do their bit. Her gaze turned to Branson. She smiled as she thought of them holding hands, but her smile faded. Would he want to fight? She certainly hoped not.

For the next thirty minutes, everyone was in a state of panic. The warm day was suddenly so cold and the mood sombre. Besides her Mother's recent miscarriage, everyone was in a happy mood. They always were at the time of the garden party.

At three-thirty in the afternoon, everyone decided it was time to leave. In the end just herself, her sisters, her parents, her Grandmother, the Crawleys and the servents were left.

"Oh, this it truly awful. Just think what is going to happen to the world." Violet said, quietly.

"I know. All those young men, fighting. We all know this is going to be bad." Isobel stated.

"I just hope it is over relatively quickly." Sybil said.

"Oh, please Sybil. Because of this war, the gap between the classes may not be so big. You should be relatively grateful." Edith sneered.

"Edith, apologise at once. What an awful thing to say." Cora said.

"No, don't worry Mama. Edith maybe right. Though, I hope for her sake she is. I mean, it'll be poor people who are made to fight before the Aristocracy. They will lose their lives, but will be brave me. Snooty people like you Edith will become very unpopular if they look down their large noses at brave people" Sybil retorted. Edith went a brilliant shade of magenta and everyone else smirked. Mary outright laughed.

"Now, girls. Please get along. These are grave times we have ahead of us." Robert chided.

"Yes, Papa. Now if you don't mind I'm going for a walk. I have become rather hot." Sybil said. As she walked past Matthew, he grinned at her. She felt herself give a radiant smile back and felt herself blush. What on earth was that?

After the announcement of War, Branson had made his way to the garage as he wouldn't yet be needed. This was a good thing. He needed to think.

He was Irish. Would he be allowed to fight in the English Army? And if not, would people still hate him? He didn't want to fight, but no matter what Country he came from he would fight if he had to.

He wasn't afraid of dying. He believed in fate and if fate chose for him to die, then so be it. He wasn't keen on making his mark in the world as a War Hero. He wanted to be the man who closed the gap between the classes.

That way, he could be with Lady Sybil.

He really had to stop thinking like that or he was going to get himself into some serious trouble. He knew she was out of his league, but they had so much in common and despite him being a mere Chauffeur, he knew she felt something for him. He just was too afraid to ask her.

He was broken out of his reverie by a knock at the door. He opened it as was shocked to see Sybil stood there, all flustered.

"Do you mind if I come in? My family are driving me crazy." She told him quickly. He nodded and let her in. She made her way to his bed and sat down.

"Are you okay?" Branson asked.

"I suppose so. I'm just shocked, I guess. It's confusing. Everyone is already discussing deaths and fighting. This War was only announce around one hour ago." She spluttered. "It may be over quickly."

"Or it may not. People are just accepting what will happen, Milady." Branson told her honestly. She nodded.

"I guess you are right, Branson." She told him. Then she had a sudden thought. "What did you suppose?" Branson turned red.

"What, Milady?" He asked.

"When we held hands, you said I don't suppose? but Mrs Hughes interrupted and I had to go to Mama. So what did you suppose?" She asked again.

"I was going to asked if you wanted to for a walk." He answered simply. "There was something I needed to say."

"What did you want to say?" Branson shook his head.

"I can't tell you. It would cause a whole lot of trouble if I did." He told her.

"Please. You know I won't say anything to anybody. You can trust me, Tom." She said, taking his hand again.

Whether it was hearing her say his first name for the first time, or the feel of her hand in his, he told her what it was he had wanted to say to her before they were rudely interrupted.

"I think I love you." He told her. Sybil's heart fell.

"Please don't say things like that, it isn't fair." She told him, standing up from the bed to face him.

"So you don't feel the same way?" He said, in a voice that sounded so final.

"Yes, I think I do. But we can't be together and you know that. If we were from another time, maybe. But we are worlds apart and it wouldn't be fair to either of us." She said hurriedly. Tom stood and put his hand on her shoulders.

She went to say something else, but he simply silenced her by kissing her.

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Hope you enjoyed. Please review. Next chapter up very shortly.

xx