A/N: Okay so for the purpose of this story I've changed a few things. Tom Branson never worked at Downton. While Anthony did fight in the War and hurt his arm after a long period of time convalescing he was able to get feeling back into his arm. After Lavinia's death Matthew moved back to Manchester and the girls have not seen him in seven months. Robert found out about Pamuk earlier than he did in a show. With Robert fighting her corner and Sir Richard growing on her nerves more and more Mary ended it with him a week before this story begins.
"What do you think?"
Sybil looked up to find her sister Edith in a lovely orange gown.
"Very stylish," Rose said glancing over before returning to the hats in front of her.
"Oh Edith you look radiated!" Sybil exclaimed. The gown was just made for Edith.
Mary looking over and nodded her approval. "It's better than that other gown you tried on earlier."
Sybil rolled her eyes but smiled before glancing at the blouses in front of her.
When their Aunt Rosamund had invited the three sisters to come for a visit they had known the reason behind her offer. Cousin Rose. The girl was too much of a handful for their aunt and the girls agreed hoping to enjoy sometime in London before the Season began for the first time since the War. But so far Rose had been rather good, in fact in her opinion she had been rather fun.
Sybil had enjoyed her company so far, Rose while a bit misguided had been wonderful. While she knew Rose was hiding something she couldn't blame the girl. After all she was hiding something as well.
"Sybil darling why don't you try this on?"
She looked at the gown that Mary was holding and frowned. "Where would I wear it?"
Mary rolled her eyes, "You could wear it to the Opera tonight."
Sybil smiled despite herself. "I suppose." Each of the girls were choosing one thing for all of them to do together. Edith had picked shopping on Bond Street and Mary a night at the Opera. She had to admit she was rather looking forward to it. She grinned, she couldn't wait until tomorrow when they when shopping on Portobello Road.
Taking the gown from Mary Sybil told the shop girl that she needed not any assistant. Slipping on the gown in a matter of minutes. Sybil came out to a sight she was not prepared for.
"Edith are you all right?"
Edith looked up surprised and a bit flustered. She shook her head and smiled weakly. "I'm fine Sybil really."
"You don't look it," Rose said as she moved to Edith's side.
"It's really nothing," Edith said as she placed the object in hand back on the table.
Rose, however, ignored her and picked up the object. "Is this what's wrong? What is this brooch supposed to be of anyways?"
Realization dawned as Sybil looked at it. It was-
"A tractor," Mary said, her tone softening. The three Crawley sisters grew silent. "Edith why don't we look for a necklace to go with your gown?"
Edith smiled and nodded following Mary to the other side of the shop.
Rose frowned she didn't understand. How could a brooch of a tractor cause so much trouble? "Am I missing something?"
Sybil bit her lip. Should she tell Rose? Wrestling her conscious for a moment she decided a little history wouldn't hurt anyone. "Before the War Edith was courted by a gentlemen, Sir Anthony. He had a keen interest in agriculture and the new machinery been made. They were rather perfect for each other."
"What happened?"
Sybil sighed, "I don't really know. Edith doesn't like to talk about it. We all thought he would propose at the Garden Party but he suddenly left and then the War started."
Rose frowned, where had she heard that name before? "What was his name?"
"Sir Anthony. He's one of our neighbor's but we haven't seen him since before the War." Sybil said as moved to look at a few skirts.
Rose frowned. Where had she heard that name before? Suddenly it clicked and a few things made much more sense. Rose smiled as a plan hacked in her head.