Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. It was written purely for entertainment purposes.
A/N: This is my very first fanfiction. Reviews are very welcome! Constructive criticism is also welcome, but please don't 'flame' me.
Of Love and Boldness
The morning is bright and sunny, and Branson is enjoying soaking it all up. He is working on the car this morning. While doing this, the last person he expects to see is Lady Sybil, coming towards him. Well, that's not strictly true. She's been here before, but still.
"Good-morning, Branson. I thought I might find you here."
She is bathed in sunlight when Branson first looks at her. He notices a few hairs have strayed out of place. Perhaps she has dressed in a hurry. It doesn't matter, he thinks. It only adds to her beauty.
"Good-morning, m' lady. Was there anything you wanted me for?" He hopes that there is something she wants him for. He hopes even more that she just came to visit him.
"Not as such, no. Perhaps I'd better not take up any of your time." She looks rather abashed and looks at the ground.
"Your time is my time, m' lady." He hopes that doesn't sound too romantic, and yet at the same time, he almost hopes that it does.
She laughs. It's a beautiful sound, he thinks. It makes his heart flutter. "But Branson, we both know that's not really true. Your time is your own. I shouldn't make unnecessary claims on it."
"At your service, m' lady." With one swoop of his hand, he takes his cap off and bows to her.
She starts giggling hysterically. "Well, that's very kind," she manages, once she's caught her breath, "and very dutiful too. So, I will take it that I am allowed to take up a little of your time and I'll do so." She takes a deep breath. "Something's been troubling me, Branson. The truth is I just wanted some company, I suppose." As she says this, she blushes and bites her lips, then looks up at him through her lashes.
She looks so impossibly pretty to him, in that moment, that he almost forgets thatshe probably wants an answer.
"You can always rely on me to give you company when you want it, m' lady." He smiles at her, and doesn't really care very much how romantic that might sound. "You wouldn't..." He hesitates for a moment. "...want to tell me what is troubling you?"
"It's not easy.." She trails off. When she looks up at him, her eyes are wet. She blinks. "Branson, could I ask you something rather…personal? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
"Of course, m' lady."
"Branson, if you loved someone, and you weren't sure if that person loved you back, what would you do?"
His heart leaps in his chest and he's sure that it is beating faster. "I think I would tell that person, whether I thought they would return my feelings or not, m' lady," he answers fervently.
"You must have a lot of courage. I'm quite sure I could never do that."
"If I might be so bold, I think you could, m' lady. Love makes you bold." He bites his tongue. Surely he's said too much. He's never felt their differences in station so keenly with Lady Sybil, but even she will have boundaries in her mind that she will not cross, even for love.
"Thank you, Branson. You've helped a great deal. But I'm afraid I think Mama will be waiting for me. I'd best not waste her time or yours." With those words, and a final smile, she begins to make her way back to the house.
As he watches her walk away, he realises these boundaries may be harder to break than he ever imagined. Impossible, perhaps.
