Thanks for the feedback about Chapter 1. Since then my computer had died, I am now writing on a very small netbook. I have tried to ensure there are no spelling / grammatical errors, if there are, please excuse me.

Chapter 2 – The First Week

Edith

Edith sat quietly in the small library. Sybil was sitting not far away, pretending to read a book, and Edith was conscious of preserving the silence.

Since Sybil had run away, Edith and Mary had launched an unofficial vigil-come-guard over Sybil. At first Edith was worried about Sybil's spirits, which weren't greatly improved, and she still didn't seem to want to talk to anyone.

Edith knew that Mary's vigil was purely to keep Sybil from running out to the garage at the first unguarded opportunity.

Over the past week, Edith had noticed a pattern with Sybil – she had taken to sitting quietly here in the library, wandering around the house, or simply staying in her room. Her parents thought she was still recovering from her 'illness', an opinion that Edith and Mary hadn't promoted but hadn't corrected either. .

Edith heard Sybil sigh, and out of the corner of her eye watched her sit a little straighter and gave her skirt an industrious brush.

"Edith? What are you reading?" Sybil asked.

Edith lifted her head and turned to Sybil. "Oh just one of Pappa's journals. About farming. I still find it all so interesting," Edith said.

"Mmm," Sybil responded absentmindedly.

"Sybil? What is it?" Edith asked, putting the journal aside. "Do you want to talk?"

Sybil smiled wanly. She walked over and sat down next to Edith. "You know, before the war I couldn't ever imagine you saying those words, or me taking you up on the offer," Sybil said.

"But yes. I want to talk," she said. "Tell me honestly. Do you think I was being stupid? To run away, to fall in love, to want a different life? I… I know exactly what I think, and I stand by my decision, but what do you think?" Sybil asked.

Edith paused for a moment. She knew exactly what she thought but she'd never expected to be asked to articulate it. How to tell Sybil? Her twinge of jealousy that Sybil had found someone she loved, who loved her so obviously. Her admiration of Sybil's bravery, and her shame that it took her little sister to stand up to the family – something she herself wouldn't have the courage to do.

"I… I don't think you were being entirely stupid," Edith said. "Just a little stupid," she smiled.

"It really wasn't right of you to run away in the middle of the night. Whatever you decide to do in your life, you owe it to Mamma and Pappa to tell them, not to sneak off and do it.

"Do I think it was stupid of you to fall in love? Well… No," Edith said.

"I'd never admit it to Mary, but I'd like to find someone to share my life with. Probably not such an extreme version of love as yours though – I might look beyond the grounds of Downton for a start!" Edith said with a laugh.

Sybil half smiled, but looked a little hurt.

"In all seriousness," Edith continued. "It's hard for us. We have no real fortune of our own. We're supposed to find a rich titled husband or bust. It does seem a little ridiculous…"

Sybil looked at Edith.

"If there was one thing I'd decided," Sybil said, "It was – and still is – that I don't need this life," Sybil said. "I don't need someone to dress me or cook for me. I can look after myself and I've done it before. In fact, giving up that is the least of my concerns," Sybil said.

Edith leant forward and placed her hand on Sybil's arm.

"Then what are your worries?" Edith asked, giving her an encouraging look and a little rub on the arm.

"Mamma and Pappa. Disappointing them. But mostly… not being able to see any of my family and friends. Not being accepted as a member of this family any more. Not being welcome at Downton," Sybil said, trying to control the waver in her voice.

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"I love Tom. I'm convinced of that. He understands me, and I understand him. I've never been worried about class and fortune. In him I see a man who will love me, surprise me and challenge me for the rest of my life. So I want to spend it with him."

As Sybil said these words, her voice became a little shaky, and she gave a little laugh.

"Look at us, Edith. Bosom buddies. Disclosing our deepest secrets. Who would have though it would ever happen?"

Edith gave her a small smile and stood up.

"I promise, no matter what happens, that you will never be cut off from me. And, although can't speak for Mary and Mamma, I highly doubt they will ever deny you as their flesh and blood. Pappa may hold a grudge – you know how it is, he takes these things so personally."

Sybil nodded her agreement. Edith continued.

"You have to follow your heart. I think when people say the world is changing, that they are right. There is no point spending a life being miserable when women especially, now have the opportunity to make more decisions about their lives.

"If I was in your position, I don't know if I would be brave enough to marry him. But I'm not. And you have always had more courage and conviction than I have. It's up to you to make the decision about your future, and whatever you decide, I will do my best to be there for you."

Edith walked over to the table picked up a book. It was so easy to say all this out loud, but when it came to it, she just wasn't sure she Sybil would ever be able to do what she wanted to do. Sybil was right to be worried and confused. But, she didn't need convincing that Sybil was the best person to decide Sybil's future.

"I'll see you upstairs," Edith said and left the library.

Sybil

Sybil sat on the lounge by the window, deep in thought. In truth, she felt a little numb. As clear as her feelings had been the night she decided to elope with Tom, and the weeks, months and years previous spent trying to think through those feelings thoroughly – she'd never felt that her future was murkier, more opaque, or more out-of-reach than it was now.

Despite her sisters worrying about her mood, everywhere she went she knew her 'guardians' were watching her, making sure she didn't run out to the garage for a clandestine visit with Tom. She knew Mary was determined to change her mind.

Now, she wasn't so sure about Edith.

It had been a week since she eloped. She hadn't seen Tom since she returned. More than anything, she wanted to see him, to steal a quiet moment with him, to kiss him once again like she had before…

But for the first time in her life, she was afraid.

Afraid of her own failure. Afraid that he would be disappointed in her. And afraid of disappointing herself.

She'd given him, and herself, such hope. And that was now dashed. She was so disappointed in herself for failing so easily, and she couldn't imagine what he must think of her. Before they'd finally made plans to leave Downton together last week, she'd resisted his questions for weeks – months even.

Now it felt like they were back at the starting line and right now, she didn't know if she had the energy to go through all that again.

She wanted to see him when she had an answer. She just had to determine what that answer was.

Tom

Tom sat in his cottage, the end of another long day. There had been quite a few comings and goings from the house over the past week. Driving guests as well as the family, and maintaining the two cars, was a big job.

Add to that the fact that he couldn't stop thinking about Sybil, and he was exhausted.

He hadn't seen her since that night last week. It almost physically hurt him to know that she was in the house that he could see from the window of his cottage, and he couldn't see her. Worse yet, he couldn't do anything to change that.

He imagined her sisters keeping vigil over her, and he overheard conversations in the motor about her. Obviously, Lady Mary and Lady Edith spoke guardedly in front of him, or not at all. But he was certain they hadn't mentioned the affair to Lord Grantham or Lady Grantham, or old Lady Grantham for that matter, as they spoke about Sybil quite freely.

It seemed everyone was concerned that she wasn't getting over illness as quickly as they thought she would. So at least he knew that's how they'd explained it.

Tom took Lady Mary's threat seriously. He knew she was not a woman to be trifled with. She wielded a lot of power within the house, being a favourite of both her mother and her father, so he knew she was serious when she said he had a month to sort himself out and leave.

He had started the process of seeking a new position, and he was determined to stop driving. Some of his friends back in Ireland were actively involved in the troubles, but with Sybil on his mind every waking minute, he wasn't so sure he wanted to be reckless when it came to his wellbeing and his life.

His mam was in the habit of posting him copies of the Evening Telegraph every now and then. As he was paging through the paper a couple of days previous, he'd noticed an advertisement seeking junior writers for the publication. He liked the Evening Telegraph, with its nationalist focus and reputation for reporting the news with integrity.

On a whim he'd written a letter and drafted an article to demonstrate his ability – which was rough at best, but the advertisement has said it was a junior position, similar to an apprenticeship, it seemed. He'd sent it off the next morning.

It wasn't until after he'd sent his application in that he really considered whether he could be a journalist. The more he thought about it, the more he did think he'd suit the profession, so he was quite happy that he'd applied. Regardless, it was unlikely that he would hear anything back from the Evening Telegraph for a week or two at the earliest.

He had to start making plans. He needed to talk to Sybil, and he didn't want to wait any longer.

Later that evening after the staff meal, Tom stayed on downstairs rather than returning to the cottage. He actually didn't mind doing this – it amused him to see how everyone interacted, this group of disparate people who were drawn together by the family they served.

As the evening wore on, staff drifted in an out until it was just himself and Anna left downstairs. Mrs Patmore and Mrs Hughes had both entrusted the locking up to Anna.

"Mr Branson," Anna said, rousing Tom from the book he was reading. He looked up.

"I just wanted to say, that I think that it was quite courageous of you and Lady Sybil to do what you did."

Tom was speechless for a split second, and swallowed hard before responding.

"Anna, I'm not quire sure what you're talking about," he said.

"Yes, you do, Mr Branson. I'm talking about last week, and when you Lady Sybil eloped."

"I didn't realise it was such general knowledge," Tom said.

"Oh it isn't," Anna said with a smile. "You probably haven't had much time to think about it, but if you did, you'd wonder how Lady Mary got into Lady Sybil's locked room... And once I knew what happened, I didn't want to be left behind. I was with the young Ladies when they found you at the Inn," she said.

"Oh. I was most definitely unaware of that," Tom said. "And I thank you for your words. Though they make very little difference to me at this moment. While Lady Mary hasn't betrayed me to His Lordship, she has told me to leave here within the month, and I've no other choice but to do it."

"I'm guessing you haven't seen Lady Sybil?" Anna asked.

"No, I haven't. I don't want to force her as I know she must be upset. And her sisters seem to have appointed themselves her personal bodyguards," Tom said.

"Oh, yes, of course they have," Anna said. She gathered the dress she was mending and stood up. "Well, I was going to go upstairs. How much longer were you planning on staying here, Mr Branson? I may have to insist you leave!" she said with a smile.

"Not long, I'm sorry Anna. I just wanted to read this chapter – I've almost finished it. It's so much easier to read under these electric lights than by the lantern in my cottage," Tom said.

"Oh, of course. Well, I'll just take this dress over to the laundry, so you have about five more minutes," Anna said.

"Thank you Anna, I'll likely be gone before you get back," Tom said.

Anna walked down the hallway and outside toward the laundry. When he heard the door click in the hallway, he gathered up his book and left the dining room in the opposite direction.