"Tom." Sybil used his name as a command to follow her as she fled the living room.
Tom Branson stayed but one more second to show he was unafraid of the reaction of the family to the announcment of his and Sybils engagement, then turned to follow his fiancee.
He was surprised to see she had not slowed down when she had left the room but had continued walking and was almost across the entrance hall.
"Sybil! Wait!" She turned and stopped at his voice, to which he took advantage and quickly walked to her side.
"Oh Tom. That was awful, simply awful. How could they be so dissaproving? And father...why father was so against giving us a chance to explain." She took a deep breath, her eyes slightly watering, both from frustration and sadness.
Tom couldn't bear to see her this way and reached out to pull her into a hug. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and she wound hers around his waist, her forehead nudged his chest. "Don't cry. Look, your mother seemed like all she was worried about is that you would be leaving unmarried. I know what you women are like, love a good wedding."
She gave a reluctant giggle into his chest and both her and Tom tightened their grip on eachother. Feeling that humour was the best way to comfort her he continued "And your grandmother didn't collapse did she? No scandel of sudden death as well as the marriage of a beautiful young lady and her Irish chaffeur."
Smiling again Sybil looked up at Tom "They will come round won't they?"
Tom knew she wasn't asking this question specifically to him so simply pressed his forehead to hers as a comforting gesture. Standing there together, they both reflected on the events that had occured just moments before.
All Sybil could think was how hopeless the whole situation seemed. Her father would clearly never accept them and her mother was under his rule. Mary had once again annouced her lack of faith in the matter and Edith had not said a word! Infact, Grandmother was the only one to show even the slightest promise yet she was the one Sybil had feared most. But even as these negative thoughts ran through her mind, she smiled at the realisation that given the choice of still sitting with a happy family or avoiding an angry family in the arms of Tom, she would still choose the latter.
Tom was thinking of Sybils final words; 'But I can promise you one thing, tomorrow morning nothing will have changed'. He was trying to feel concerned for all that had happened but it was what he had expected, so instead he contiued to focus on the words his fiancee had announced to the family. He tried to surpress a grin as he realised their secret was very much the oppossite now and that Sybil still remained here, in his arms.
As a door to the hall opened Tom loosened his unsightly hold on Sybil. The last thing she needed to witness was her father give him a black eye. But he felt Sybil pull him closer and she kissed him. He eagerly kissed her back, though he kept his hands on her waist. He knew she was hoping someone from the family was about to see them and her rebellion made him smile as they kissed. It was not until they heard Anna give a polite 'Excuse me m'lady' that Sybil eased away from him. Still embracing they turned to her voice.
"I'm sorry m'lady but I've been sent to check that you are in bed."
Sybil gave a glance up at Branson "Will I see you tomorrow?"
"I'll try my love, but I don't think you'll find me in the garage" He said with a wink.
With an air of odd hope Sybil kissed him fleetingly goodnight and allowed Anna to escort her to her room as Tom bid her a silent goodnight and left the grand house, unsure of his destination.