Author's Note: Last chapter I was so anxious to publish I forgot to add a note. First of all, Magfreak has written something of a similar story but with Tom being the one who has trouble speaking. It's called The Words in His Heart. I really recommend it, another source of inspiration is from the new ABC show the Astronaut Wives Club (which is so good) but involves a character with a similar struggle.
As soon as Cora's maid left their bedroom Robert was at it again. "This is madness, how do they expect to survive?" He was pacing, full of angry energy.
Cora on the other hand was calmly rubbing in her hand cream at her dressing table. "I suppose she means to find work. She's done good work at the hospital here, Clarkson said they are glad to have her."
"Most people won't be as understanding as our own village hospital to take her on."
It was true, Dr. Clarkson and the staff had been happy to have Sybil come and work after her course, which heaven only knows how she got through, but they had known her since birth and with the war on they were in desperate need for help. Strangers may not be as willing to look past Sybil's stutter, but still Cora thought Robert was being a little harsh but before she could reply he continued. "I really don't think nursing in the slums of Dublin will suit her."
Cora rose and removed her dressing gown on the way to the bed. "Then what kind of life do you think Sybil would be suited for?"
He removed his own dressing gown and got in bed next to his wife. "The quiet wife of a Lord."
Cora laughed, "Sybil may be quiet but I doubt that a quiet life is what she wants." With that she turned out the light signaling the end of the discussion.
Down in the village Tom was lying in bed at the Grantham Arms. He was angry but for different reasons than Robert. How could Sybil's own father believe that the only reason Tom would want to be with her is if he was trying to get something out of them? Could Robert really not see the virtues of his own daughter? Was her stutter really enough to put her own father off?
When Tom had first heard her speak he had been surprised, but it hadn't bothered him. She had always been quiet in the car, although her family would make the occasional comment about her views. It was one such off hand comment made by Cora and the fact he was driving Sybil alone the next day that led to their first conversation.
"I couldn't help but overhear yesterday that you support women's rights."
Her response was the first time she had talked in Tom's presence. "I..I d..do." Sybil had later told him that when he looked back after that she had thought he was never going to talk to her again, but then he had continued on and they spoke briefly of women's rights that day and more after that. It was Sybil's actions then, surrounding the election that year, that gave Tom his faith now that if Sybil wanted something, her father would not stop her.
Back at Downton Sybil was just sorting through things on her own dressing table, trying to decide what few things she would take with her when leaving for Ireland. There was a quiet knock just before the door opened with Mary in her dressing gown. "Can I come in?"
Sybil nodded and Mary closed the door behind her, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry about how they all reacted tonight."
Sybil shrugged and gave up her organization to sit on the bed with her sister, like they had many times in the past.
"Are you sure you really love him Sybil? Are you sure you want to do this?"
Sybil hugged her knees below her nodding, she did love him, she did want to do this.
"I hate to ask but I feel like someone needs to, but you don't just love him because he listens to you, do you?"
Sybil was glad her sister had asked, only because she wanted desperately for someone to understand how she felt. "i...it's so mm..mu..ch m..m..more th..tha..n th...that." She shook her head, frustrated at herself for not being able to say the words she wanted to, eloquence came so easily to Tom while her speech frustrated most listeners, including herself. She leaned over to the table next to her bed and grabbed the pen and paper lying there. She wrote quickly in her near perfect handwriting.
We believe in the same things, we believe in each other. I love him for all that he is, all that he stands for.
Mary leaned over, putting her head on Sybil's shoulder in a rare moment of physical closeness. "It will be quiet here without you."
Sybil laughed, shaking her head.
"You know what I mean." Sybil put her arm around Mary, squeezing her into a side hug. If nothing else she would miss her sisters.
Carson was clear in his opposition to the relationship between Tom and Sybil when Tom arrived the next morning to gather the last of his belongings from the estate. Tom understood his position to an extent, Carson was a man of the old ways and always would be, besides as butler he had to agree with Robert, at least publicly, he figured most servants would do the same.
He was almost to the door, leaving Downton forever, when quick footsteps behind him caused Tom to turn. Anna caught up to him quickly and speaking under her breath said, "she won't give in to her father, you needn't worry."
Tom smiled, "I wasn't worried but a little reassurance is always good to hear."
"I doubt I will see you again, but I wish you both luck."
Tom nodded and strode out the door into the bright morning sun, carrying Anna's luck with him.
