AN: I've put up a poll on my profile for who you want Edith, Sybil, and Matthew to end up with! Pretty pretty please vote? It'll help me out a lot!
-x-
They ended up seated across from each other in a little family-run tea shop, nibbling on finger sandwiches and tea cakes. The other customers took no notice of them; the setting was quietly middle-class and peaceful.
"Thank you for accompanying me, Branson. I would have hated to eat by myself after a run in with that man." Mary smiled at him over her teacup.
"Not at all, my lady." Tom glanced around the dainty shop. "I must say that I've never been anywhere quite like this before."
"Nor have I." Mary replied. "It's a bit small, but it's cozy. I quite like it."
"Where do you usually eat when you're out with family, then?" Tom asked.
Mary gestured vaguely. "Oh, just slightly more elegant cafes, I suppose. It's not proper to eat dinner at restaurants, although certain tea shops are appropriate."
His gaze turned curious. "Your people sure do have a lot of rules."
"Yes," Mary said, "I suppose we do. But I grew up with them."
"Do you ever get tired of it all?"
"Do you ever get tired of your life?" Mary shot back then sighed. "That was harsh. Yes, I get tired." She trailed her finger around the edge of her saucer. "Though it's better than the alternative of losing one's place in society."
Tom nodded, face softening in understanding. "I may dislike how the English think of the Irish, but I'd rather be Irish than anything else."
"Exactly," Mary grimaced. "I don't think I could be happy in any other position, so I put up with the unpleasantness." Gracious this conversation is getting personal. "I suppose we'd better start heading home." She gestured at the waitress and paid, and the pair headed silently back to their parking spot. "Shall I drive halfway again?"
"Sounds good to me," Tom helped her into the car. "You can try out your new gloves. Just let me get us out of York."
"Very well." Mary sat back and began unwrapping her package, mentally preparing herself for her turn on the road that was steadily getting busier.