Early January 1916 - Just after chapter 2.
It was one of those blissful winter days early in the new year. The sun was breaking through the haziness and frost on the ground was beginning to melt in the afternoon air. The family and the whole of Downton had waved goodbye to Thomas after lunch before him and Branson set off in the car towards the station. Sybil noticed the car returning a bit later but mama had cornered her and forced her to try on some new frocks before she had the chance to go outside. When her mother and Anna were finally finished with the ribbons and the lace and the pins sending sharp shocks into her skin, she grabbed her bonnet and almost jogged out the front entrance. Once out there she decided to take a turn about the building. She wandered past the library and peered in. Papa was beginning to turn red at the sight of her two sisters squabbling over a book they both wanted to read; Pride and Prejudice she believed. She let out a soft giggle as she carried on walking round. It wasn't until she came round the other side that she set her sights on a large oak standing majestically in the lawn. She gazed happily as a sense of nostalgia swept over her. That tree was her favourite growing up. The tree she would climb right up to the very top, even when Mrs Hughes warned her not to and begged her to come down. She would let her eyes stretch further than she could ever see on the ground, right over to the nearby villages. She would watch Taylor run out of his cottage in a hurry and over to the garage as he looked gloomily at his fob watch. She was almost too lost in her memories to notice the sound of leftover autumn leaves rustle behind her. Instantly, she turned her whole body only to see a familiar person turn around and start to walk away.
"Branson!" She called out, running over to him. Standing a few feet in front.
"Milady! I didn't realise you'd be here." He sounded almost apologetic.
"I came out for a walk to clear my head. I-it's not easy being treated like a human pin cushion whilst being suffocated!" She joked nervously. A confused expression arose on his face. "Mama and Anna have just been helping me try on some new dresses."
"Oh! Well, you look_"A lump began to form in his throat, "beautiful milady." He said earnestly as his eyes met hers.
"I'm not wearing one now Branson!" She grinned.
"Oh, well, I'm sure you do in your fine new frocks. I don't mean that you don't look beautiful now milady, because you do and_"
"Ssh!" Completely out of sheer impulse, she pressed her index finger against his lips. "You're rambling!" She smiled as she moved herself a bit closer to him, putting less strain on her arm. His lips rose into a gentle smirk and she relished the contact. The feel of his soft lips against her fingers. She soon realised just what she had done, he was a chauffeur after all! He probably thought her stupid at her rash decision. But by the way he was smiling underneath the contact, he wasn't thinking that. Even so, she quickly let her finger drop from his face and turned around to face the oak again.
"I'm sorry milady I_"
"No no, it's my fault completely I shouldn't have been so rash and_" She began walking forwards again, towards the oak and away from him, but he was too quick for her and out of the same impulse that had controlled her only a few moments ago, he reached out and grabbed her arm, forcing her to look back at him and stare deep into his eyes.
"Really milady, I'm sorry. I am your servant after all." He spoke softly with an apologetic glint in his eyes.
"Yes Tom, you are." Her voice broke and her heart broke in an instant. The truth hit her like a train as she replied to his apology with a similar look and she began walking away. He knew he couldn't stop her. He knew he couldn't rescue the conversation. Too much had been said already. He wandered why she'd called him by his first name, he didn't even know she knew his first name! He dismissed the whole thing; she was probably being polite after all. What was he thinking? How could a lady have any remote feelings for a chauffeur? He'd already mused over this great matter too many times and he only wished things could go back the way they were. When his feelings for her were little more than an admiration, a strong admiration and a fascination in her breathtaking beauty. With the conversation over and his heart broken once more, he headed back to his cottage. All he needed now was solitude.
Thanks for the nice reviews! Don't want to shound pushy or anything, but if you like this then please read my other stories!
Thanks again!
Jo x
