Aftermath

The first three days after the collapse were busy ones for Sybil. Tom was at work almost full time and Sybil had to make many of the decisions around the house herself. Marjory had stopped over the next morning to speak to Sybil as she did not regularly work on Saturday. The sister's savings were indeed wiped out and their landlord was demanding the rent for November or they were to be out by the end of the day. Luckily Marjory's sister Rose still had a job. Sybil offered them the use of the housekeeper's quarters and Marjory gratefully accepted.

"I'm afraid Rose will have to contribute financially to the household every month," Sybil said. "We still aren't sure of the state of our own finances and as my husband works in politics his job could easily be in jeopardy as well."

They worked out the finances and Sybil offered to meet Marjory with the car later in the day at the flat to bring back a load of the sister's things. The boys had been invited to help put up decorations for the Halloween party that afternoon and grudgingly took Merilee with them. Sybil quickly made a tour of other two banks to find that one of them had closed their doors. Luckily it had been the bank with the least of their funds and the rest of their savings were safe for now.

Sybil swung by Marjory's flat and met her sister. The women had their bags packed with the items they wanted to keep and were waiting for a used furniture dealer. Once the car was loaded Sybil assured them she would park the car in the garage and they could move their things into the house when they arrived later on. Rose thanked Sybil profusely and assured her she would be only too happy to contribute her help to the cooking and laundry at the house as well as the arrangements her sister had made.

By the time Sybil had gotten the children into their costumes and to the Halloween party she was ready for some fun as well and found herself enjoying the games and activities along with the children, as she had never been to a Halloween celebration before.

On Sunday afternoon Sybil's mother telephoned to tell her Lord Grantham had a slight stroke. Sybil was not to worry. He was resting and the Doctor had been.

"Mama, I wish there was something I could do," Sybil said. "I can't leave the children and I have another two weeks on my course. I can't possibly come up."

"The doctor said he should avoid worry," Lady Cora replied. "There is something you can do. Find Mary and get her to contact us. Your father has been terribly worried about her. I know it's a lot to ask, but if he knew something it would set his mind at ease."

"I'll take care of it Mama," Sybil told her. "Give Papa my love. I can't promise but I'll try to get up for a few days after my course."

After Sybil hung up the phone she headed downstairs to speak to Marjory and her sister to see if they could keep an eye on the children for a few hours while she went out.

"Normally, I wouldn't ask on a Sunday, but I've had some urgent family business come up," Sybil told them. "My husband very seldom works Sundays."

"It's no problem at all, Mrs. Branson," Rose told her. "Goodness knows enough of us have family troubles at the moment. We'll get the dinner ready while you're out and I'll bake some scones and bread for the morning as well."

"Thank you, Rose," Sybil said with a smile.

Sybil didn't want to disturb Tom at work, as he had been completely exhausted both nights when he had gotten back. She decided to pay a few calls to some of the more gossip filled members of the aristocracy and she what she could learn about her sisters whereabouts through them. She got out one of her best dresses and got ready. She took the car as it would make any stops she needed to make faster.

Her first stop was at Cousin Susan's, the Marchioness of Flintshire. Her grandmother had always said her niece was the best-informed woman in all London. Her cousin did know a great deal of the goings on at court and in parliament.

"Father's had a slight stroke," Sybil told her. "Mother has asked me to let Mary know and I didn't want to tell Mama I had accidentally misplaced the address for where Mary was staying. I was hoping you knew, Cousin Susan."

"I do believe she is staying with Lord and Lady Maxwell. At least she was last week. One never knows with all this turbulence these days. I'll give you their London address."

Sybil continued to visit with Cousin Susan for another forty minutes before she was able to take her leave and head over to the Maxwell's.

Lady Maxwell was in and kindly informed her that Lady Mary was now staying with one of "Eddie's" friends.

"Please stay to tea, my husband will be back in a few minutes and he would know exactly. I can never tell one of those women from the other," Lady Maxwell said.

"I can't remember meeting you before Lady Sybil," she continued once the tea was served. "I do remember Lord Grantham having three daughters though."

"I was only in London for my first season before the War broke out," Sybil replied. "I got married before the end of the War and we moved to Dublin for a time right away. There wasn't much time for socializing."

"You live in London now, though?"

"Yes, my husband is in politics and our social calendar is taken up with engagements concerning his occupation."

"I understand completely. Lord Maxwell works at the palace for the King. We're always at court. There are few in our circle that can afford to be idle these days. Here's my husband now, I'm sure he'll know exactly where Lady Mary is."

"She's over with Freddie and William Dudley-Ward," Lord Maxwell proclaimed. "They were all talking of heading up to Balmoral next week, but with this dreadful crisis going on I believe it's been postponed."

"Would you happen to have the address?" Sybil inquired. "My father has been taken ill and my mother is quite desperate to reach my sister."

"Yes, of course," Lord Maxwell replied. He went to his desk and returned with the address. "Now I must take my leave, Ladies. The King is giving a number of speeches tomorrow morning and I must go over them to make sure everything is in order."

"Thank you, ever so much Lord Maxwell."

"Give your father my regards, Lady Sybil."

Sybil was off again with the next address. She decided to return home and send a note round to Mary with a cab rather than attempt to navigate the winding Mayfair streets on her own where Mary was staying. Sybil's face was starting to ache from all the smiling she had done that afternoon. She was quite happy to postpone the inevitable confrontation with her sister for another hour or two at least.

Two hours later a chauffeur driven limousine pulled up at the door of Sybil's home. Her sister stepped up to the door and rang. Riordan opened the door.

"Hello, Aunt Mary. Mum said you might be by tonight. How are you?"

"I'm fine thank you Riordan," Mary replied softening a bit with her nephew. The boy was always so formal and unlike his father in her opinion it made her chuckle. In fact Riordan was very like his father in his love for learning but that fact was completely lost on Mary. Sybil came to join them and invited her sister into the library, which they used as their sitting room.

"Your note said urgent," Mary said right away once they were seated. "What is this urgent business you needed me for?"

"Papa had a stroke this morning," Sybil replied.

Mary gasped. Her hands flew to her cheeks.

"How bad is it?" Mary inquired.

"Mama says it was mild," Sybil replied. "He's had too much worry and it's putting strain on his heart. He's worried about you."

"I've been working on rebuilding our family fortune," Mary informed her haughtily.

"And how has that worked out," Sybil replied quietly.

"Not well. I've lost everything. I don't even have the train fare back to Downton. I'm living on the charity of others."

"Honestly Mary, open your eyes. The family fortune and the lavish lifestyle are a thing of the past. No one cares about it anymore. I certainly don't care, Edith doesn't either and our parents have accepted the loss."

"It's easy for you to say. You never did care for propriety."

"Maybe I did more than you know and still do. I'm not the one who is making myself notorious in society and parted from my husband."

"You married the chauffeur!"

"I married the press secretary to the current Prime Minister," Sybil informed her. "I'm sure that would more than satisfy Granny if she were still alive. Stop avoiding the topic. You need to go home."

"I can't. I've made a mess of things as usual."

"They're our parents. Papa needs you right now more than ever. Can't you see your way clear of the selfish world you've made for yourself and take the time to go and see him?"

"If you insist."

"I do insist and I insist you go tonight. I'll drive you to the train myself."

"I couldn't possibly. My things."

"I can't believe you would stay anywhere there wasn't help capable of packing your belongings for you and having them sent over," Sybil replied. She was not about to give her sister an inch to wheedle out of going to see their father.

"And at the other end?" Mary arched an eyebrow at her with a smirk.

"I'll call Edith and have her meet you."

"I see you have this all worked out."

"If you don't go up and make amends with them yourself, I'll go up in two weeks and tell them exactly what you've been up to these last few months. Cousin Susan was quite informative."

Mary paled at her threat.

"What would you have me do about Matthew?"

"That is your own affair. If I were you I would get on my knees and beg him to take you back, but I'm not you."

"Very well then," Mary said with a sniff. "I'll go first thing in the morning."

"No, you'll go tonight," Sybil informed her. "Until your attitude towards my husband has a radical improvement you are not welcome to stay here and I am not driving you back to Mayfair under any circumstances. You can use the telephone in the hall to arrange to have your things sent over."

Mary glared at Sybil but did as she had instructed.

"Now," Sybil said sweetly, "Would you care to join the children and I for dinner or would you prefer to wait here?"