Tom Branson had been at Downton Abbey for several months now and felt settled in his place. He knew all the temperamental characteristics of the car the Granthams owned, and knew all of the roads and short-cuts around the area. He knew where he stood with all of the staff and which ones he liked, and who he needed to keep his eye on. But if Thomas and Miss O'Brien ever chose him to pick on he knew they would end up on the worse side by the end, and he could see that they were both aware of this fact also.

He remembered his first week and that coming to terms with the lonely solitude of his cottage was what he found hardest, so he regularly made his way to the servants' hall to partake of their company. Their schedule was so different from his, but there would usually be someone he could chat to, or at least sit and listen to the bustle of the kitchen staff. Daisy at first seemed wary of him, but he soon learnt to put her at her ease, and he found Mrs Patmore and he shared a similar sense of humour, but one she did not like the others to see due to her position. Still, on the rare occasions when the pair of them were on their own she could crack a corker that would shock and impress even his big brother Billy.

The first member of the family he met other than the Earl himself was Lady Mary. It was the first day he was there and he was duly waiting for her as ordered by the front door. Upon first sight of her imperiously walking towards him he was struck by her beauty, but it had been years since a pretty face had turned his head – he had left that nonsense to his teenage years, wanting to dedicate himself to more important matters now - and his mind contemplated more the fact that the clothes she wore were so lush they could have fed a normal, hard-working family for several months.

"Oh, you're new. I had quite forgotten Taylor had left. What was your name again?"

"Branson, milady."

"Right, Branson. I trust you know the way to my grandmother's house?"

"I do, milady." She nodded curtly indicating the conversation was over and let him help her into the car. As he made his way into the front of the motor he forced himself to feel confident. He had looked over the maps many times since arriving, and the Dower House was not far away. But he had not actually been there and he well knew that theory did not always translate into practise too easily in this world. As this was his first trip with the family he was determined to not be found wanting by this Lady Mary. She did not strike him as too forgiving at any imperfections from the staff.

But the trip proved successful and she ignored him the whole time, which he supposed was almost like praise from such a lady; she would only talk to him if dissatisfied. This job was more than just a job for him, and a well enough paid one to send money home and start to save for building his future. He also saw it as a way to gain an insight into the aristocracy without relying on other people's reports and intended to keep a mental note of all he witnessed. Knowing one's enemy was key and if he could observe how they ticked it would add to his arsenal for when he took part in the socialist movement of the future.

The staff helped him when he casually questioned them, as they seemed to love to gossip, but they each had different perspectives on each family member so he decided to reserve judgement for himself. He took his chances when he could of observing them going about their business, but usually he would only have the opportunity when it was outdoors.

The following day he took Ladies Cora, Edith and Sybil to the fair and Cora permitted him to go off for a bit himself, but he knew she need not say that she expected him to be there whenever they wished to leave, so the unspoken caveat was that he keep his eye on them. Her Ladyship seemed to be pleasant enough; he supposed it was that she was American and not English. But he could see her struggling to reign in the excitement of the darker haired daughter and ensure she behaved as a young lady and not a little girl full of the joy of the fair. He did not yet know which one was Lady Edith and which Lady Sybil, but as he opened the door for the three of them her Ladyship said he would be taking Lady Sybil to Ripon the following day, so he guessed he would find out then. His attention was caught by the mention of women's rights and he smiled to himself wondering whether there was actually conviction there or the superficial interest of a dainty lady trying to sound superficially controversial to add to her interest.

As soon as he dropped off the three ladies he had to return to the Dower House and pick up the elder Lady Grantham. She seemed to not be one to enjoy silence, so spent the time quizzing him about Ireland and talking about the time she had visited there as a young woman. He could tell she was quite a character and rather liked her. She made him feel as if it was ok for him to have conversations with the ladies so resolved to discuss women's rights with the younger lady when he got the opportunity.

The following morning when he came to return a cup and saucer to the servant's dining room he was amused to see Gwen all of a buzz. She was one of the nicest, most talkative servants and very pretty to boot. Not that she interested him in a romantic way, and she picked up on that, relaxing with him when talking but glad to be gaining some experience with talking to a young man. He gathered from talking to her that she would like to marry one day, and the other servants had wasted no time in mentioning to him her desire to leave service and become a secretary. She had blushed, but he had stood up for her despite his newness, surprising all there. She wasn't, however, forthcoming with why she was so excited and just excused herself saying she had to go and see Lady Sybil.

He was nervous about driving into Ripon. There were more cars on the roads around here than there had been in Ireland, and it was a bigger place than any he'd had to navigate so far since arriving here. He believed he would find Ripon well enough, but knowing precisely where the dressmakers was situated was another thing. And where would be the best place to park?

As he waited he resisted the urge to have another look at the map, and he saw the dark haired girl of yesterday come out of the building, and smile at him as he let her up in the car.

"Thank you, Branson." So she remembered his name. She was rather pretty herself, he mused as he hopped off into the front and pulled away from the imposing building. She looked lost in a world of her own, and he had no idea that she was thinking about Gwen's chance to become a secretary, or of how much she missed Taylor. As they trundled along the village he made up his mind to interrupt her thoughts and offered her some leaflets on the vote. Suddenly he had caught her attention.

After they had discussed a little of politics they went politely quiet again. He did not want to be presumptuous enough to start another conversation with her.

"Have you been to Ripon before?"

"I have not, milady."

"Well, if you need directions then do let me know. Mr Taylor sometimes let me sit up front with him. Once he actually let me steer!" He looked back at her remembering this, and when she noticed him she seemed to wish she hadn't said anything.

"Mr Taylor seemed like a nice man."

"Oh, he was. I have known him almost all of my life and he has always been very kind to me. He was very good at being proper around my parents, but let me go a little wild when he drove me alone." Branson just smiled at the image as they approached Ripon and she started to direct him the best way to the dressmaker's. He was glad of her help and that it was she and not the imposing Lady Mary in the back the first time he came here. The roads were a labyrinth and though he was a quick study and felt sure he would make it there himself next time, it did help to have someone direct him this initial time.

He let her out at the shop and said he would wait there.

"Oh, you don't have to. Taylor used to go into that little tea shop over the road and I would meet him in there. They have very nice little cakes, and I cannot say how long I am going to be." She had a rebellious look on her face and he could see she was planning on finding something new and exciting enough to wear, even if it did take all day. He nodded.

"Very well then, I shall meet you in there." She nodded and he took the paper he had stowed in the front of the car under his arm, striding over to the little shop and choosing a seat in the window where he could see the dressmaker's. He saw Lady Sybil enter and be fussed over before disappearing deeper into the shop and he set down to reading the paper, making notes on an article he was planning and sipping a pot of tea.

It was some time before she turned up and called for some tea and a cake from a woman who clearly knew her. The woman quickly brought it up.

"Here you go, Lady Sybil. Is Taylor not with you today?" the young woman asked, eyeing Branson up.

"Taylor has left to run a tea shop. You and your family must have inspired him, Lily. This is our new chauffeur, Mr Branson. Sorry, I do not know your first name."

"Tom."

"Mr Tom Branson, this is Miss Lily Brown." Sybil clearly had taken note of the young woman's interest in him, and Branson was amused at her introducing them with a slight crafty smile on her face and emphasising the Miss in her name.

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Brown. I don't suppose I could trouble you for a piece of that cake? It does look very nice." The two ladies smiled.

"Oh, it is the best cake ever and Lily makes it herself. But if you ever tell Mrs Patmore I said so I shall deny it to the grave." Lily dashed off blushing to get him the biggest piece of the cake left. "Is there anything interesting in the news today?" Lady Sybil asked conversationally as she poured her tea from the pot. He wondered at the intimacy of taking tea with her in a public place, but it seemed people here knew her and that she liked to come for cake with chauffeur, so he took his cue from her.

"Are you asking mainly about women's rights, or everything else?"

"I must admit to being most passionate about advancing the prospects for women, but it is not all I am interested in." As Lily came back over Sybil tried to engage her in their conversation. Branson found her attempts to matchmake amusing.

"Lily, what do you make of the struggle for enhanced freedoms for women?"

"In truth I think it is causing a lot of trouble for nothing. Things will never change, and I am not sure they should. I see nothing wrong in women dedicating their lives to their husbands, cooking him nice food and making his life more genial." She smiled pointedly at Branson, and did not see Sybil's disappointed look beside her. Branson thought she looked as if she had sucked a whole lemon and stifled a smirk. "Besides, we sometimes have political rallies here and they get way out of hand. I just wish people would leave it alone and let us get on with things in peace." She left as someone called for her, casting Branson a final shy smile over her shoulder.

"I do not think Miss Brown will be joining you on your platform."

"It is harder, I believe, for working women to see the possibility that their lot in life could change. They don't have the leisure to hope for it and work towards it as I might. Which is why I am so impressed that Gwen has..." She quickly stopped herself, looking alarmed. She had about to mention her upcoming interview, but Branson assumed that she was mentioning Gwen's aspirations.

"You know about Gwen's plans to become a secretary?"

"Of course, we all know."

"And you support her?"

"It would be rather hypocritical of me to oppose her."

"But I think she would like to know she has your support. It is harder doing these things on your own." She knew he meant well, but she did not like being lectured on something she was already doing but keeping secret, so her manner changed.

"I think we had better be getting back." She put some money down on the table and rose. He was caught off guard and rose with her as he stuffed the last, big piece of cake into his mouth. She was torn between her sudden bad mood and trying not to laugh at him trying to pull off being dignified, but from plenty of practise she managed to maintain a face of haughty indifference and left the tea shop calling a goodbye to Lily.

Branson trotted to catch up.

"I have angered you, I am sorry. I just thought you would like to support women's rights more directly and personally."

"I do not think that what I do is any concern of yours. Besides, this is Miss Dawson's matter and it is not our place to discuss her behind her back." He did not fully agree with her, but he felt shamed by having upset her and so helped her into the car and drove them off. When he dared to look back at her in the rear-view mirror he saw her pouting and looking at the passing scenery, clearly full of thoughts. He could not know that they were wondering whether to let him in on Gwen's secret interview. She did not like the idea of him thinking her selfish and hypocritical, but would not allow herself to blab Gwen's news just for the sake of her pride. She was wondering how to get Gwen to the interview and thought it logical to ask Branson to help. He seemed to support women's rights, and definitely supported the rights of the lower classes, but it was not her secret to tell, and she could not be sure of this new man's discretion. He seemed pretty chatty, and she would not forgive herself if her loose lips cost Gwen her opportunity. She decided she would have to try to find out more about this man, but they were already passing through Downton Village and they had little time left.

"I am sorry I snapped earlier. It must be hard for you, being so far from your family. I do not wish to make you feel more uncomfortable."

"It is fine, my lady. You did not make me feel uncomfortable. And yes, I do miss my family, but they are all good at writing me long letters. And in this position I know I can send them enough money to make a difference in their lives." Sybil simply smiled back. That made up her mind – she would not risk the job of a man who was supporting his family so would keep the matter from him and take Gwen herself in the governess cart. She felt sure that if they were found out she would be able to save Gwen's job – she had been working there so long she could play the loyalty card. But Branson was still new and being tested, she would not put him on such a wrong footing.

"By the way, how was your dress fitting?"

"Oh, very good. It will come on Friday so I will wear it down to dinner then. Haha, I do not think my family will approve." They shared a smile as he pulled up in front of her home and she floated indoors.

Their interactions played on both of their minds for the rest of the afternoon and Sybil wondered, as she asked for her corset to be loosened and her sister made a comment about the slippery slope whether she oughtn't stop taking cake with the chauffeur in Ripon. It was one thing for a little girl to have tea and cake with an ageing man, but quite another for a young lady and a young chauffeur. She would also have to keep an eye on her waistline; in a year she would be presented at court and her overwhelmingly romantic side would demand nothing less than turning lots of men's heads at all the balls.

Branson and Gwen got chatting in the servant's quarters as she was bringing in the laundry from the line.

"Did you get taken for tea and cake?" she asked him as he was walking past. He chuckled.

"How did you know?"

"Taylor used to talk about it all the time. He didn't get to drive Lady Sybil alone much, but you could tell he lived for it. He decided to leave Downton as she was almost grown and he did not want to see her being flung at men as her sisters have been. He went to open a tea shop, I am sure as it made him think of the happiest times he had while here."

"It was good cake." He knew that was not what she had meant. "She says she supports women's rights. I tried to convince her that she should help you out with your ambition."

"You did what?" Gwen's expression became dark in an instant.

"She did know about your desire to become a secretary. And, well, I figured someone in a privileged position such as she is could and should be a marvellous boon to you."

"I wish you hadn't done that. Why is it any of your business? Anyway, Lady Sybil is a great support." She walked back into the kitchen with the full basket of clean sheets. He followed her.

"What's the matter?" Anna asked, sat darning at the table and noticing Gwen's irritation written on her face.

"I was just telling Mr Branson that I would not hear a bad word said against Lady Sybil." Anna looked up at Branson, a little surprised that he would have said a bad word about her.

"Nor will I. She is the kindest employer you could wish for," she smiled benignly.

"Who, Lady Sybil?" Daisy joined in. "Yes, she's the best." Gwen looked pointedly at him and he just shrugged and left them to go and clean out the car. He did not know why he seemed to keep getting these angry responses from these women when he suggested Lady Sybil help Gwen out a little, so decided to just leave them all to it.