Disclaimer: Don't own Downton Abbey, if I did there would be a lot more Sybil/Branson screen time and no waiting until next year for more episodes!

My first fanfic, so be nice! Constructive criticism & ideas always welcome so let me know what you think & whether it's worth continuing!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I very much regret to announce...that we are at war with Germany"

A collective gasp swept across the crowd as Lord Grantham announced the news, followed by a period of stunned silence. Branson had known it was only a matter of time before war broke out, but now it was declared it made it real and he was as shocked as everyone else. From his position at the edge of the garden party, with the rest of the servants, he had a good view of the whole crowd. He glanced to the right and his gaze fell upon a group of guests, all mirroring his disbelief. His eyes sought out one person in particular, the one whom he had hugged just mere minutes ago in joy without a care in the world; Lady Sybil.

The first time that he had met her she immediately made an impression. It wasn't merely her beauty, which he could not deny she possessed, that had caught his attention, but her enthusiasm and passion when it came to her beliefs, and a determination to defy her family, and society itself, to follow them. The fact that her outlook was so similar to his made him take notice, and so he did all he could to sustain her interest in politics, such as picking up pamphlets on the vote for her to read.

He took in her profile from where he stood, her countenance had transformed from the happy, spirited girl he knew to a look of shock and sorrow that he would do anything to take away. Sybil suddenly lifted her head and looked over in his direction. Branson's breath caught in his throat as she caught his gaze and held it, a look of concern and worry flitted across her soft features before her eyes returned to her father at the centre of the crowd.

The moment only lasted a second, but it left his heart beating wildly in his chest, and he found Mrs Hughes' words from earlier being echoed back to him; "You'll end up with no job and a broken heart"

Sybil certainly had a profound effect on him, but he had yet to work out what kind of effect it was. Despite this, he couldn't help but agree with Mrs Hughes; he could only see it ending badly for himself.

He sighed and also returned his gaze to Lord Grantham, waiting for him to break the silence.

"I suggest we make the most of this while we can" Grantham stated solemnly, gesturing to the party. He turned in a circle to look at the surrounding crowd, sparing a long glance for each of his daughters before his gaze landed on his wife. He nodded to his guests with a muttering of "please continue" and headed towards her.

His words seemed to break everyone out of a trance and soon low murmurings spread across the crowd as everyone discussed the recent devastating news. The atmosphere had transformed from cheerful to serious and Branson couldn't help but imagine the implications the war would have on him, along with everyone else. He shook his head slightly to clear his mind and looked back towards the guests to see everyone in deep conversation, noticing absently as he did so that Sybil was lost somewhere in the crowd, and, realising he would have little work to do for a while, headed back towards the house.

As Branson left he was unaware of the pair of eyes that followed him with interest as he did so.

Sybil was currently discussing the news with her sisters, but caught sight of the family chauffeur as he moved through the crowd heading back to the house. She thought back to the first time they had spoken. Not the standard 'yes milady, no milady', but actually had a conversation. She had admired his unexpected passion for politics and desire for change as soon as she'd first talked to him as he drove her into town and given her the pamphlets, inspiring her to become more political and take an interest in wider issues. She found that they had similar ideas and beliefs, and Sybil had longed to discuss hers with someone; the right for women to vote and do other things that would elevate them closer to the level of men. Branson, she had discovered, wanted to close the gap that existed between those of the upper and lower classes, and she had to admit to agreeing with him on that subject. From then on Sybil knew she had found a kindred spirit in her chauffeur; he was someone she could be open with, someone who would value her opinions rather than dismiss them as foolhardy.

Yet the announcement of the war, she knew, would change everything.