Part VII - Acts of Defiance - Chapters 21 through 24

Chapter 21

"You look lovely," Tom said the morning Rose's mother, sister and aunts were supposed to arrive. He was doing up his tie in the mirror in their room.

"I look terrible," Rose stated with a slight pout. "I waddle like a duck, and it looks like I'm trying to steal something out of the house under my dress. The baby is all in front. Some women look elegant when they're with child. I look like I swallowed a rather large pumpkin whole."

"You look beautiful to me," Tom replied. "Stop fretting over your mother's arrival. Since we've turned the only spare room into the baby's room, she has no choice but to stay at the Abbey."

"You're right about that," Rose said waddling over to the vanity and taking a seat to brush her hair. "I am glad she won't be staying here. Limited doses are preferable."

"She may have changed her tune, you don't know," Tom encouraged. "It has been quite a while since you've seen her and you've made a great many changes in your life."

"Did your mother change? You hadn't seen her for three years."

"Not one bit," Tom replied with a chuckle. "I have to get going. I'll meet you at the Abbey at two."

"Have a good day, darling," Rose said then gave Tom a quick kiss before he dashed out the door.

Rose headed into the bathroom to take a quick bath. Her back had been aching the last few days and the only thing that seemed to help was a warm bath. Ivy had been seeing to the children's breakfast this last few weeks as Rose had been having a harder time getting up and going in the mornings. While she was taking her bath Rose thought about her mother and her constant criticism. Tom was right she had made a great deal of changes in her life since they had been together. There was no need to take her mother's criticism or accept it. They were living a life both she and Tom enjoyed, she was happy and married to a man she loved. The children were all settling in and well behaved. There was nothing for her mother to disparage and if she did Rose decided she was not going to accept it.

At a quarter to two Rose and the children assembled in the main hall for the trip to the Abbey. Ivy was along as well to care for the children while Rose would be occupied with the visitors.

"You all look very nice," Rose said to the three of them. Sybil was in a crisp white sailor dress and both boys were dressed in their tweed suits with their hair neatly combed. "Have you all practiced your greetings for Grandmamma Susan?"

"Yes, Mummy," Redmond replied. He demonstrated his bow. "It is very nice to meet you, Grandmamma Susan," he said.

"Very good," Rose praised him with a smile and a kiss on the cheek. "You do that just as well as Cousin Robert." Redmond beamed under her praise.

Davin did his bow. "Good afternoon, Grandmamma Susan," he said.

"Lovely," Rose said.

Sybil demonstrated her curtsey and greeting.

Rose gathered the younger two close for a hug as best she could with her stomach in the way.

"I'm so proud of you," she said. "You'll all do very well. Now these relations will most likely be much stiffer and more formal than you're used to. You mustn't let it upset you."

"Yes, Mummy. We'll be good," Sybil said.

Davin was dancing with excitement. "Is Isis going to be there?" he asked.

"Of course, Davin," you can play with her after you greet everyone.

"Yay," he cheered before they piled into the car for the short drive over. Tom had taken the motorbike so Rose would have the car for the afternoon.

Rose waddled into the great hall followed by the children when she stopped suddenly.

"Mummy what are you doing here already?" she said.

Susan turned from where she was speaking with Cora.

"Agatha and Louisa arrived early. There was no sense in delaying the journey. We came on an earlier train," Susan replied. "How are you Rose? You're looking very maternal these days." She stepped forward and gave her daughter a cool kiss on the cheek.

"I'm very well, Mummy," Rose replied. "These are my children, Redmond, Davin and Sybil."

Each of the children did their greeting exactly as they had been rehearsed. They were all watching Susan warily. She hadn't smiled at any of them. Even at their young ages they could feel the disapproval radiating off the woman and it was making them anxious.

"Mummy, may we go up an play with Cousin George," Redmond asked. He was keeping one eye on his new Grandmother.

"Yes, you may," Rose replied. "Ivy, please take the children up."

"The children did very well, Rose," Cora said as they were going upstairs.

"Thank you, Cousin Cora," Rose replied. "I think they are doing quite well, also. The boys are learning everything quite quickly."

"Three children, Rose?" her mother said. "Why did you ever take in another two when you were expecting your own."

"Mummy, the boys are relatives of my husband's as you know. They needed a home and parents and they have found exactly that with us. You could have been more welcoming of my children," Rose replied.

"They are not your children," her mother retorted.

"Yes, actually they are," Rose stated firmly. "Furthermore I expect you to accept them as my children and treat them accordingly."

"Sybil has accepted Rose as her mother and we've accepted the boys as members of the family according to Rose and Tom's wishes," Cora said trying to smooth things over a bit and avoid the fight she could feel brewing.

"Yes, well," Susan sniffed.

"Shall we go into the drawing room, ladies," Cora said. "I'll ring for tea as soon as the others are down."

"That would be lovely, Cousin Cora," Rose said.

"I wish you would have let me send the car for you Rose," Cora said. "I don't like to see you driving this late in your pregnancy."

"I'm fine to drive, Cousin Cora," Rose replied. "It's such a short drive. It was really nothing."

"Rose you can't mean to tell me you're driving a car and in your condition," her mother stated aghast.

"Of course I do, Mummy, why wouldn't I?"

"Women in your condition and your background don't drive," Susan scolded.

"Yes, they do. Cousin Edith drives and I'm driving while expecting with no ill effects. It would follow that other women do as well," Rose stated with a smile not leaving any room for her mother's arguments. Just then the door to the drawing room opened and the other women entered followed by Mary, Lord Grantham and Tom.

"Mummy, this is my husband, Tom Branson," Rose said as soon as Tom had reached her side.

"It's very nice to meet you at last, Lady Flintshire," Tom said. "Rose has told me quite a bit about you."

"Mr. Branson, I'm glad to finally make your acquaintance as well," Susan replied coolly.

"Please call me Tom," he said.

"I introduced Tom to the others in the hall," Robert commented.

While the tea was served and comments exchanged Tom couldn't help but think back to the time he had met his first wife's American grandmother and compare the two experiences. Mrs. Levinson had been open to new ideas and embraced the new, whereas these women seemed to be looking for the least thing to nit pick at Rose for.

"Tell me Rose, whatever have you found to occupy yourself with out here in the country," Annabelle said.

"I keep busy, Annabelle. I'm occupied with the children. My husband and I have an active social life and Tom and I were giving a few dance classes until I got too big last month," Rose said.

"You were doing what? In your condition?" Agatha exclaimed. All of the visiting women had gone silent and were staring at Rose with their mouths open.

"Rose has been fundraising for the local hospital and two of the churches by giving dance lessons, Lady Agatha," Cora defended.

"It's quite popular," Rose added. "We'll start classes up again after harvest season is over."

"You were dancing in public while you were with child?" Susan squeaked out.

"No one stays hidden away in a closet these days while their expecting, Mummy," Rose said.

"I assure you it was quite safe, Lady Flintshire," Tom added.

"Think of your reputation," Louisa said.

"My wife is well known and respected in this area for her generosity and efforts in the community, Lady Louisa," Tom stated.

"Even Reverend Travis has congratulated Rose and Tom on their efforts to provide entertainment and engage young people in a social atmosphere in the village that helps the church and hospital," Mary commented. "I think Rose is to be congratulated on finding something that suites her interests and benefits the community."

"Well, I…" Susan stammered. "I can't argue with that."

"Are you feeling tired?" Tom asked Rose.

"I am a little," Rose answered smiling at him.

"Why don't you go up and have a rest before Mama arrives," Cora said. "Carson, please show Lady Rose to a room."

"I'll come with you and help you with the stairs," Tom said.

"How goes it so far?" Tom asked once there were in one of the bedrooms and he had pulled the covers back for Rose while she kicked off her shoes.

"Rather dreadful," Rose replied. "Mummy was stern and bristling with disapproval when she met the children. She even managed to put Sybil off and that's saying something. She never has the least problem meeting new people."

"Don't let them get to you," Tom said. He moved to rub Rose's lower back once she was lying down. "I'll go down for the afternoon "viewing".

"I'm not letting them annoy me one bit. We're happy, the children are happy and doing well and we are living a good life that suits us both. My mother will just have to accept that," Rose said with determination.

-0-

The next day, Rose's mother and sister arrived at Clairehome House to view the preparations for the baby's arrival. Rose had just finished showing her mother and sister the day nursery and was about to head into the baby's room when there was a commotion downstairs. They could hear the sound of children's laughter coming up the stairs followed by the sound a very annoyed Tom.

"Aren't you going to go see what's going on?" Susan asked her daughter.

"No, whatever it is, Tom will handle it," Rose replied.

The women looked over the room and the lacey layette sets Rose had prepared before they headed back down the stairs. Rose stopped on the landing when she spotted all three children scrubbing the walls with rags. There was a bucket of water set in the middle of the floor. Tom was standing watching them work and a very annoyed looking Mrs. White was standing with her hands on her hips surveying the scene.

All three children turned to look up at their mother, new grandmother and aunt when they heard the women on the stairs. There were dots of mud stuck all over their faces, on the walls and furniture and the floor was covered with muddy smears of paw prints.

"Tom, what's going on?" Rose inquired.

"Redmond here thought it was a good idea to let the dog in after our walk when she had run through a ditch, the other two thought it would be a grand joke to bring her in when she was all muddy. They made the mess, they can clean it up," Tom said with a stern look at the children.

"I don't like cleaning up," Sybil groused.

"Great Aunt Violet wouldn't make us clean up," Redmond complained.

"You just hold your tongue and get back to it," Tom instructed them. "When you're finished here you can go out back and help clean up the dog as well."

Davin wasn't saying anything but he didn't look anymore happy than the other two to be wiping the mud from the walls.

"Mrs. White, some tea for my company and myself, when you have a moment," Rose instructed the housekeeper.

"Very well, milady," the housekeeper said with a curtsey before she turned to go back into the kitchen.

"I'll leave you to see to things, Tom," Rose said as she moved through the mess and into the drawing room, closing the door behind her mother and sister.

"Rose, why is your husband having the children do that? You have two housekeepers at the moment to see to the cleaning. They shouldn't be learning manual labor," Susan scolded.

"Their father is teaching them to take responsibility for their actions," Rose replied calmly. "It won't hurt them to wipe up the mess."

"It still seems rather harsh," Annabelle said.

"It isn't how our class does things," Susan added.

"No Mummy, it's not," Rose said stiffening her spine as much as her rounded stomach would allow." My husband and I are taking a more personal approach than I was raised with. I see to the children's formal training myself. I don't leave it to a governess. They have a nanny but I still spend time with them every day, as does my husband. They receive our love and support as well as the formal training they will need to manage in the upper classes later in life."

"Rose, you had a governess, but I was always there when you needed me," Susan said.

"Were you? I seem to remember things quite differently," Rose replied. "I remember a great deal of harsh treatment at the hands of my governess and you being no where about for long periods of time. I often wondered if you even cared what was happening to me."

"You know your father's work had a demanding social schedule and still does. I thought you were better away from it," Susan replied. "I did what I knew with raising you."

"I was perfectly happy," Annabelle said.

"You had our brother with you," Rose said. "I had no one."

"You seem so bitter, Rose," Susan said. "I've only ever wanted what is best for you."

"What is best for me is to be with my husband and children and be allowed to raise them as we see fit," Rose replied. "I hope you can accept that we have adopted and that I am raising Tom's daughter as my own and treat all my children as part of your family."

"I will make every effort to accept the children," Susan said somewhat taken aback by Rose's take charge attitude she had encountered on this visit so far. "I am concerned though Rose. You've married, taken on the responsibility of three young children and have another on the way in less than a year since your coming out."

"I know it's a lot, Mummy. We do have staff. Tom isn't an ogre. If I need more help, we'll get it. The old housekeeper is marrying in two weeks. Tom started the new one early so we would have more help during the last part of my pregnancy. Mrs. White will come in days until we are in a routine after she marries. Our nanny's husband lives here with her as well and the children adore him. He helps out with them from time to time in the evenings. I do have a great deal of help and support."

Just then the door opened and Tom came into the drawing room, poured himself a cup of tea and took a seat.

"Good afternoon ladies," he said.

"Mummy and Annabelle were just saying they found your treatment of the children rather harsh, darling," Rose commented.

"Not harsh," Tom responded. "They made a mess. They had the responsibility to clean it up. There was no spanking involved, just some inconvenience that will make them think twice about letting the dog in when she is muddy the second time."

"Yes, well, if you think it is best," Susan replied.

"I do," Tom said.

"What arrangements have you made for the birth, Rose? Are you having a home birth with a private doctor?" Annabelle inquired.

Tom's face blanched at the mention. He almost dropped his teacup.

"Annabelle, how could you even suggest such a thing," Rose scolded. "You know the circumstances of Cousin Sybil's death. I'm not taking any chances. I will go to the hospital."

"I was just inquiring," Annabelle said archly.

"My first wife died when there was a slim chance she may have survived in hospital," Tom said through gritted tea. His face had gone red with anger. "Snobbery and thinking money and position knows best took away that chance and left her with none. It took me a long time to forgive those involved in that decision. I will never again risk someone's life when common sense tells me better. Rose will have the baby in hospital where she will have every chance possible for a normal healthy birth."

"I didn't mean any offense," Annabelle replied with shock.

Rose reached over and took Tom's hand.

"I had a check up day before last, darling. Everything was normal," Rose reassured him. "I'll go to the hospital at the first sign anything is happening. We'll both be well and healthy."

"No silly risks," Tom said. He set down his teacup and covered her hand with his other one. His face was dead serious.

"No risks," Rose reassured him with a faint smile. "I'm going to be fine."

"Of course you will," Tom reassured as much for himself as for her. "I should get going. I've got a prospective tenant to show around Westhills Farm. I'll be back by dinner."

"Don't worry. I have a house full of people to look out for me today," Rose said.

Morgana was waiting at the door when Tom opened it and immediately went to plunk herself beside Rose. She rolled over and put her head on Rose's foot.

"That is a very noble looking animal," Susan said in an attempt to dispel some of the earlier tension. "Most families have one or two hunting dogs. Does your husband shoot?"

"Tom does go to the shoots at the Abbey, Mummy, but Morgana isn't a hunting dog," Rose replied. "She's a pet."

"A what?" Susan asked in shock.

"A pet. She won't hunt or work stock. We got her to help the boys settle in and she is a sweet thing. She is always trying to take care of me," Rose said.

"I've never heard of such a thing," Susan said. She looked to Annabelle who only shrugged.

"You do seem to have your own ideas about things," Annabelle commented.

"Thank you, Annabelle. It's nice of you to acknowledge that I do have my own ideas and they suit me quite well," Rose replied.

It was fifteen minutes after Tom left when there was a tap at the door and Ivy came in and curtseyed.

"Begging your pardon, Lady Rose. Master Redmond has gotten himself worked up into a state after his father left and I just can't seem to calm him. I think you should come," Ivy said.

"Very well, I'll be right up," Rose said. She was struggling to get to her feet. Ivy went over and took her arm to help her stand. "Thank you, Ivy."

"He's in his room, Lady Rose. The others are in the day nursery," Ivy said.

Rose nodded and left her mother and sister in the drawing room. Rose had to put a hand under her stomach and hold it as she climbed the stairs. The sides of her stomach had been tender all day and climbing the stairs seemed like more of a chore than it had this morning. "I wish you would come soon before Mummy's tummy is stretched beyond recognition," Rose said to her unborn child. As she got to the head of the stairs she could here crying coming from the boys' room. She went in to see Redmond lying face down on the bed with his stuffed toy Tom had bought him clutched in the crook of his elbow.

"Redmond, what's wrong," Rose said softly as she took a seat on the side of the bed and stroked his hair.

"I'm sorry Mummy, I'm sorry," he sobbed as he threw his arms around her. He couldn't reach all the way around her stomach.

"What are you sorry for, sweetheart?" Rose crooned pulling him as close as she could and stroking his hair.

"Make Daddy come back. I didn't mean to be naughty. Make him come back," the little boy wailed.

"Daddy will be home for dinner. Of course you didn't mean to be naughty. Daddy isn't mad. Daddy had to do some work at one of the farms. He'll be back soon," Rose said.

"He won't. He won't ever come back. He was mad when he left. I saw. He was mad the same as when Da left. He never came back. Daddy won't either," Redmond sobbed against her.

"Daddy was annoyed at something Aunty Annabelle said," Rose said quietly, she laid her cheek on the top of his hair. "He'll come home and be smiling and happy and ready to play a game with you and read you your bedtime story. You'll see. Daddy will come home and all will be well. Your other Daddy, your first one loved you very much. If he hadn't had an accident he would have come home and given you hugs and kisses and all would have been forgiven. Grown ups don't stay mad for long and we always, always forgive those we love."

"I want Daddy," Redmond snuffled.

"Of course you do," Rose said. "For now Mummy will have to do."

"I love you, Mummy," Redmond snuffled. "I won't be naughty anymore."

"I love you too and of course you will try your best to be good. Did you know Mummy used to be very naughty? Grandmamma Susan still loves her."

"You were?" Redmond asked lifting his head quickly.

"Yes, I was. I told fibs and once I took something that didn't belong to me. My Mummy and Daddy were very angry but they forgave me," Rose smiled into his face. "Now lets go wash your face. Then you can come down and sit with Mummy."

Redmond nodded and slid off the bed. Rose was just hanging up the towels after she got his face and hands washed when she suddenly felt dizzy.

"Redmond," she said. "Go down and ask Grandmamma Susan and Aunty Annabelle to come upstairs. Mummy isn't feeling very well. I'm going to go and lay on my bed."

""Yes, Mummy," he said dashing out the door to go retrieve the adults from downstairs.

Rose made it as far as the door to her and Tom's bedroom before the hallway started to spin and the floor was rushing up to meet her.

Chapter 22 – Daddy

Rose opened her eyes slowly to realize her mother and sister were crowded around her with Redmond sitting on the floor holding her hand. Tears were running down his face.

"Don't cry sweetheart, Mummy had a dizzy spell," Rose said slowly. "She's going to be fine."

"Rose, don't move we're going to call the doctor," Susan said.

"I can at least get to the bed, Mummy," Rose said starting to push herself back up then lying back down. "Maybe not quite yet." Annabelle went to get the housekeeper to telephone for the doctor. "Perhaps a cold cloth?" Rose asked her mother.

Susan got up and was back in a moment with a cold cloth to press on the back of Rose's neck.

"Have the pains started?" Susan asked.

"I don't know," Rose replied. "It feels uncomfortable in my back and around the bottom of my stomach."

"I would say things are getting underway," her mother said.

Rose slowly sat up. Then pushed herself up with her mother's help. Annabelle came back just as they had made it to the bed.

"A Dr. Clarkson will be over in a few minutes," Annabelle said.

Rose nodded as she sat on the side of the bed.

"My nightdress is in the top drawer of the bureau," she instructed. "If you would be so kind."

Redmond was hoping from foot to foot looking like he was going to cry again.

"Redmond, you get Morgana and take her to the day nursery so your brother and sister won't be frightened," Rose said. "You have to be the brave one. Mummy will go to the hospital and then pretty soon after that you'll have a new brother or sister." A contraction hit Rose that made her gasp. As soon as it was over she continued, "Give Mummy a kiss then do as your told."

"Yes, Mummy," he said. He kissed her then dashed out of the room.

"He is a very dear little thing," Annabelle said. She closed the bedroom door then went to get Rose's nightdress.

"Very," Rose said before she groaned with the next contraction.

"We had best hurry getting you into bed," Susan said. "The pains are quite close together. Where is the bell?"

"There isn't one," Rose replied with a groan as she helped her sister and mother pull her clothes off the best she could. It was only a minute or two before she was lying down in bed.

"Annabelle, get a towel and call one of the staff. We need a basin of cold water and they had best put some water on to boil," Susan said.

Annabelle went into the hall to find Mrs. White hovering nervously outside the door with a basin of cold water, a washcloth and two towels.

"You had best come in," Annabelle said.

"Yes, milady. Mrs. Blackwell will bring the doctor up as soon as he arrives. We've put water on to heat just in case."

They slid one of the towels under Rose just before her water broke.

"Mummy, I'm frightened," Rose said.

"Nothing to worry about," Susan clucked as she wiped her daughter's face and neck. "It happened just this way with all three of you."

Doctor Clarkson arrived and examined Rose while the three women waited in the hall. He opened the door again a moment later.

"We won't be going to the hospital. She's too far along," he said.

"Isn't that rather fast?" Annabelle questioned.

Just then Rose went into another contraction then promptly got sick to her stomach.

"Everything is progressing normally, Lady Rose," Dr. Clarkson said encouragingly.

Mrs. White had gone to change out the water basin Rose had vomited into.

When Johnny arrived home three hours later he found Ivy and the children in the kitchen having their dinners. He didn't have time to say hello before he heard Rose moaning through a contraction.

"The baby?" he asked.

"Almost here," Ivy said. All three children were quiet and pushing their food around their plates.

"It's nothing new," Johnny assured them all giving them each a small pat on the back or a stroke on the hair. "My Mam did it seven times. I remember all my younger brothers and sisters being born. She made noises just like that with every one. There was a lot of noise and then all of sudden there was another little one and she was back up bossing us all around in no time."

"I want Daddy," Redmond said with a trembling lower lip.

"I want Daddy, too," Sybil said.

"Me, too," Davin added tearfully.

"He should be here anytime now," Ivy said. "Eat up and then we'll go for a little walk. Morgana will need her evening constitutional."

"And I'll come with you," Johnny added. "Just as soon as I get my dinner down."

Johnny ate as quickly as he could. They piled the plates on the sideboard for later, got the children into their coats and were headed down the lane when they saw Tom coming along in the car. Johnny waved at him to stop.

"Daddy," all three children called at once, jumping up and down as soon as they saw the car.

"What's wrong," Tom said as he pulled up and got out of the car. All three children were on him clinging to him the moment he was standing on the side of the lane.

"The baby is almost here, Sir," Ivy replied. "Lady Rose went into labor about three hours ago. There wasn't time to get her to the hospital."

"She's at the house? Is Doctor Clarkson there?" Tom asked starting to panic.

"Doctor Clarkson is there and the word was everything is progressing normally, Sir," Ivy replied.

Tom nodded then turned his attention to his children. He gave each of them a reassuring hug.

"We missed you, Daddy," Sybil said.

"Daddy we won't be naughty anymore," Davin added.

"I won't ever be naughty again," Redmond said almost starting to cry all over again.

"Here now, everyone is naughty sometimes," Tom replied. "Even grown ups do things they should know better. Daddy isn't mad. You go for your walk with Ivy and Johnny and when you get back you might get to meet your new brother or sister. Daddy is going to go check on Mummy."

"You won't leave us again tonight, will you Daddy?" Redmond asked.

"No, I won't leave. I'll be at home tonight and all day tomorrow," Tom replied. "You go for your walk now."

Tom drove the rest of the way home and hurried inside. He was greeted by dead quiet.

"No, no, no," he ground out as he took the stairs three at a time. He burst into the room to see Rose lying on the bed partially covered with a baby wrapped in a towel on her chest. Dr. Clarkson was just wrapping the afterbirth for disposal from between her legs. Annabelle was on the other side of the bed looking at the baby.

"You shouldn't be here, yet," Susan scolded him.

"I don't care," Tom replied as he hurried to Rose's bedside.

"Another boy," Rose said smiling at him tiredly. "Poor Sybil. She's out numbered."

"Your fine? He's fine?" Tom asked.

"Both mother and child are doing well," Dr. Clarkson said. "Just a few more things to do and you can meet your new son."

"Thank God," Tom ground out.

"Why don't you wait outside for a few moments, Mr. Branson, while I finish up?" Dr. Clarkson said.

"Come along Annabelle, let's give the new mother a few moments alone with the doctor and the baby," Susan said gently escorting her son-in-law out into the hall.

"Rose is all right isn't she," Tom asked again as soon as they were in the hall.

"Perfectly healthy, but a bit worn out from the afternoon," Susan replied. She felt more reassured in that moment with the concern her new son-in-law was showing for his wife than she had since she had first heard of Rose's marriage.

"Not a thing to worry about," Annabelle added. "Where is the rest of your household?"

"The nanny has the children out for a walk and I would suspect the housekeepers are in the kitchen making dinner," Tom replied wiping a hand over his face in relief.

"Speaking of dinner, we should ring the Abbey to give them the news and make arrangements for the car later," Annabelle said.

"I'm glad you were both here with Rose," Tom said. "I wouldn't have wanted her to go through this alone."

"Don't you worry about my Rose," Susan said with a smile. She looked the most unbent Tom had seen her so far. "She's made of sterner stuff than one might give her credit for. She's impetuous and fun loving like her father and hard as nails like the women in my family at the same time. Your children will have a good example in their mother."

"Thank you, Lady Flintshire. I'm sure they do," Tom replied before he went back in to see his wife and new son.

-0-

"He's awfully little and all wrinkly," Sybil said with a wrinkled nose later that evening. "What's his name?"

"He doesn't have a name yet," Rose replied smiling at Sybil and holding the baby up a little more so the boys could see him as well.

"I think his name should be Morgan," Sybil said thoughtfully.

"How did you come up with that?" Tom asked. He couldn't stop smiling.

"Like Morgana but for a boy," Sybil said.

"We can't name a baby after a dog, silly," Redmond said in disgust.

"What about you Davin, any ideas," Rose asked.

"Isis," Davin replied promptly which made both Rose and Tom chuckle.

"Dylan," Tom said. "It means flash of lightening in Irish. He was born so quick it seems almost fitting."

"I like that name," Redmond said peering at the baby.

"What do you think, Rose?" Tom asked.

"It's a good name, Tom," Rose said.

Both of the little boys nodded their agreement.

"Dylan sounds like something like villain," Sybil said warily.

"Not that much, Sybil," Rose replied. "I like the name. Dylan Branson meet your brothers and sister."

-0-

"You look like you've been through the wringer," Kieran commented to his brother while they were waiting for Kieran's wedding ceremony to get underway two weeks later. There was a small gathering of people Kieran had met since he moved to Downton and Liz's family and friends seated in the pews.

"Dylan is still on four hour feedings," Tom replied bleary eyed. "Rose is exhausted and the baby has unsettled the boys and Sybil. If I'm not holding the babe, I have one of them on my lap. I can't wait until the baby sleeps through the night and things get into a routine."

"You make being a Da sound like a chore," Kieran said.

"It has it rewards as well," Tom replied. In fact he had never felt so needed in his entire life. Both of the boys were reacting to the time Rose was spending with Dylan by wanting more of his time and Sybil wasn't much better. Rose was trying to spend some time each day with the older three but the demands of breast feeding a baby every three and a half to four hours, bath time and pacing the floor with a new born were taking their toll on her free time. The older three were getting lots of attention from himself, Ivy and Johnny and the extended family but they were missing the time Rose spent with them in the day nursery.

The nighttime feedings were taking their toll on him as well. Rose was so worn out he had taken to getting up in the middle of the night to change Dylan and bring him to his mother to be fed. Rose would barely wake up while the baby suckled, then Tom would burp him and rock him back to sleep, only to get up to do it all over again four hours later. He hadn't gone through it all with Sybil as she'd had a wet nurse and he had been completely unaware of the feeding schedule of a newborn. He didn't know how anyone with a large family and no help did it.

"Nervous?" Tom asked his brother.

"Petrified," Kieran replied. "What if she turns into a nag and wants me to stop drinking beer."

"Less beer won't kill you. She might like a drink now and then herself," Tom said evenly. "Liz is alright. I highly doubt she'll turn into a nag. I don't see why you're so paranoid about the whole thing. I've done it twice and it's worked out well both times."

"What if I get itchy feet and decide to move again?"

"Then you talk it over with your wife and she moves with you. Stop worrying. Think about it. You'll be coming home to a warm bed every night. You probably won't want to move."

"You may be right," Kieran relented. "And if she suddenly decides she doesn't fancy me anymore?"

"Kieran enough. You liked her enough to ask. You're standing here at the alter. It's time to get on with it," Tom said. He could see Liz's mother just coming in to her seat. Rose was sitting in the front pew with Sybil and the two boys with Johnny on the far side of the boys and Ivy beside him. Mrs. Blackwell, the new housekeeper was home with Dylan. If he stayed true to his routine they had another two hours before they needed to be back at the house.

Once Liz was standing at Kieran's side, Kieran finally calmed down and made it through the ceremony. Liz was gazing at Kieran like he was the only man on the face of the planet. From what Tom could see and the way Kieran's attention was riveted on his bride, he doubted his brother was registering one word of the entire ceremony. Tom looked at his family towards the end of the ceremony to see Sybil on Johnny's knee fast asleep. Davin was leaning on Rose with his eyelids half closed. Redmond was yawning and rubbing his eyes and Rose had dozed off as well. He couldn't help but smile and wish he had the same luxury.

Chapter 23 - Swimming

"Honestly Tom," Rose said four months later. "I'm fine, Dylan is fine here with Ivy. His feedings are six hours apart now and he's almost completely weaned. We have lots of time. You promised to teach me to drive the motorbike and take me swimming. I want to go swimming."

"You're sure?" Tom replied. "You aren't going to get sick or anything since you still have Dylan on the breast?"

Rose sighed in exasperation.

"You're clucking is getting to me. I'm fine. The baby is fine. All of the children are healthy. We can be together and I can ride a horse and a motorcycle without any problems. I want to learn to swim, so we can take the children."

"When did you want to go?" Tom hedged. He still wasn't convinced something drastic wasn't going to happen to Rose and she would be taken from him in an instant.

"This afternoon. We'll drop Sybil, Davin and Redmond off for their riding lesson. They'll be fine with the grooms for an hour or so," Rose stopped him before he could protest. "Sybil and Davin have their ponies on a lead nothing is going to happen and that pony Sybil rides belonged to her mother and both her sisters before her. It's so ancient it's a wonder it doesn't drop dead."

"Fine, we'll go swimming," Tom said with a slow smile. "What am I going to do with you?"

"You'll find out later," Rose said with a smile.

They had the children dropped off and were headed for a secluded spot Tom had spotted the previous summer well away from the eyes of the house. Sybil and Davin were getting old enough not to need a nap everyday. It was just after luncheon and it was a beautiful sunny late summer day. Tom parked by the gate to a field then collected a blanket and two towels from the back seat. They followed a faint path through the tall grass dotted with wild flowers waving in the breeze.

"If anyone would have told me two years ago that I would prefer walking through a field in Yorkshire to the party life in London, I would have told them they were crazy," Rose said.

"You still attend plenty of parties," Tom reminded her.

"We do," Rose replied with a smile. "I haven't been bored for a second since we got married. I adore our life."

"I adore you. I'm glad you don't find me boring."

"Not in the least, my love," Rose replied with a huge smile.

They walked through some trees and arrived at the backside of the lake near the main house. There were enough trees and they were far enough away, no one would ever see them.

"Did you buy a bathing costume?" Tom asked.

"I thought I would try swimming first and see if I liked it," Rose replied mischievously. "You told me long ago swimming without clothing had its advantages."

"A rebel to the core," Tom quipped.

"You're just noticing now?" Rose said with a chuckle while she stripped off and dropped her clothes on the blanket Tom had spread on the ground. "Last one in has to change Dylan's nappies all day tomorrow when the nanny is off."

"That will be you," Tom said with a laugh. "You haven't changed a nappy yet."

"Piddle, yes, the other stuff, not likely," Rose said running for the water.

"You can take the girl out of the aristocracy but not the aristocracy out of the girl," Tom laughed once he had his arms around her and they were both waist deep in the water.

"I like swimming already and you haven't taught me a thing," Rose said with her arms around his neck.

"Are we here to swim or other things?" Tom said with a slow grin bringing her close for a long slow kiss.

"Both," Rose replied. "Now show me."

"I love this," Rose said forty minutes later while she was floating on her back. Tom was standing beside her watching her indulgently.

"It's a tad different with a swimming costume," he chuckled.

"Next time," she said rolling on her stomach then standing up. She took hold of his hand and starting pulling him to shore. "Next time we bring a picnic and the children and the nanny, but this time is for us."

"Don't ever stop being carefree, love. It's one of the things I love best about you," Tom said pulling her close once they had reached the blanket.

"I love you because," Rose replied, Tom leaned forward and kissed her, "you're a good father." He kissed her neck. "You're incredibly handsome." He maneuvered her onto the blanket. She could feel the sun landing on her skin in a dappled pattern where it was coming through the leaves that were moving slightly in the breeze. "Good in bed, did I mention that already?" Rose said with a sigh not really paying attention to what she was saying. "My perfect dance partner." Her eyes were closed and he was licking the droplets of milk from her nipples. "Oh," she said as his lips traveled across her breasts. "I love every inch of your skin. The feel of you inside me," she gasped at his ministrations. "I love you, Tom Branson in everyway possible."

"I love you too, my darling," he said before he kissed her again and pushed every other thought out of her consciousness for the next forty-five minutes.

-0-

Tom and Rose arrived at the stables to pick up the three children to be greeted by Sybil and Davin chattering about their ponies. Redmond followed behind at a much slower pace with a blood stained handkerchief pressed to his mouth.

"Redmond, what's the matter," Rose said in shock running to his side. Guilt was threatening to overwhelm her for going off for a good time while her little boy was getting hurt. Tom kneeled down beside him as well.

"Nothing," Redmond replied. "Mr. Lynch said it was supposed to do that. Look." He proudly pulled the handkerchief away from his mouth to display a gap where a front tooth used to be.

"Growing up under our very noses," Tom said getting a grin on his face.

"Does the tooth fairy really come?" Redmond asked.

"Redmond looks like a pumpkin face," Sybil taunted.

"Your turn is coming, Miss. Don't be smart," her father scolded.

"You'll have to put your tooth under your pillow and find out," Rose said with a smile.

"My teeth aren't wiggly," Davin said testing his front teeth.

"Not yet, but one day," Rose said. "What do you think the tooth fairy should bring?"

"A shilling," Redmond said.

"Why a shilling?" Tom asked with a wink at Rose.

"All this blood must be worth a shilling and it's the only coin I know," Redmond said in a matter of fact manner.

"There a kiss will make it stop bleeding," Rose said placing a kiss on his forehead.

"Mummy, the grooms and stable boys will see," Redmond complained. "I'm not a baby anymore."

"How quickly they grow up," Tom said.

"I'll just have to save my public kisses for Daddy," Rose said.

"I like kisses," Davin proclaimed holding his arms up to Rose.

"Of course you do, sweetheart," she said kissing him on the cheek. "Come along now, we need to get home. Dylan will be wanting his dinner soon."

"Can I have a baby when I grow up, Daddy?" Sybil asked.

"Hopefully, that is a long way off and you will need to be all grown up and find a husband first," Tom said. "Into the car with all of you. We don't want to keep your brother waiting."

Tom noticed Sybil turning back to wave at a little boy about Redmond's age who was standing by the corner of the barn. He smiled and waved back while he ran to the fence. "So like her mother," Tom thought as he turned his attention to the drive and headed towards home. "Some things just don't change."

-0-

"I'm not going to college. It's too soon. We are just past our first anniversary and it takes so little to unsettle the boys. They need me home for the next while. I'll go next year," Rose stated firmly. Tom was waiting for Rose while she changed her clothes. She was going to get her first motorcycle driving lesson once she was suitably attired.

"Rose, I don't want you giving up on education or your dreams because of me," Tom said with a sigh. "I want you and the children to have something to fall back on if anything ever happens."

"Cousin Robert wouldn't turn us out. I do receive an allowance from my father and Sybil receives her mother's allowance in trust. It can be used for her care. It isn't a fortune but we wouldn't starve," Rose said. "Besides for all my brother is a bit of a dandy he wouldn't see me destitute either. You're such a worrier. Nothing is going to happen to you anyway, relax, have some fun and stop worrying."

"I can't help worrying," Tom replied.

"You aren't attractive when you're over serious," Rose teased.

"Rose, you have to take this seriously," Tom said feeling rather annoyed. He was pacing around the room.

"Tom, stop. I told you my reasons. I want to spend this winter teaching dance. I thought we'd go down to London for a week or so once the harvest winds down. We can stay at my brother's. He is hardly ever at his house anyway. We could take some dance classes, go out, take the children to the zoo and some of the museums. You need a vacation. You're working too hard. You need to relax."

"I'm trying to make sure you and our family are well provided for," Tom replied not feeling ready to let go of his irritated feelings yet.

"Putting yourself in an early grave from overwork won't benefit anyone," Rose stated. "I've been thinking about having the older three get together with some of their friends once a week for a play time and a bit of a dance lesson. Nothing too elaborate, just some of the simple reels. Redmond isn't quite old enough yet for highland dancing. Afterwards the children could play while the mother's visit."

"I thought you were talking about setting up a highland class for children a while back," Tom commented. He went over to sprawl on the bed while he was waiting for Rose.

"I was. I need to make some inquiries about the dance community and the patterns for each age level. I learned it myself when I was a girl. I used to be quite good. I think they usually start the children at around eight or nine. I'll make inquiries while we are in London. I heard there is an instructor in York, but I doubt they would be forthcoming as I would be their competition."

"You've got it all worked out haven't you?" Tom said finally giving in. Rose was impetuous but she was smart too. When she wanted something she would move heaven and earth to make it happen.

"I do. Today I'm holding you to your promise of teaching me to ride your motorcycle," she said walking over and giving him a quick kiss before she grabbed his hand and drug him out of the room.

"Where is everyone this morning?" Tom inquired.

"Redmond, Davin and Sybil have gone to the Abbey for riding lessons and to play with George. Mary is off to for the weekend, but George is here with his nanny. Dylan is asleep and Ivy will keep an eye on him when he wakes up."

"I thought we'd be needing a new nanny before now," Tom said. "She and Johnny seem to be happy enough living here."

"She told me they decided to wait to have a family so they could save up so she wouldn't have to work when she's pregnant," Rose said. "Really they don't have much for expenses and we provide their lodging and meals. I don't think they are in too great a rush to move on."

"Good," Tom replied. "I always feel better knowing Johnny is somewhere about the house when we are out in the evenings or I'm working late." He went to roll the motorcycle out of the garage then put it on the stand in the middle of the drive. "Lesson one. If you want to drive it, you have to learn how to start it."

"It looks easy," Rose replied. "I've seen you do it often enough."

Tom just grinned at her. Then went over the settings for choke and gears for starting the motorbike up. Rose put her foot on the kickstand and pushed with all her might. It didn't budge.

"Drat that thing," she said in frustration.

Tom showed her how to set the kick-start so it would be easier to push down. Rose tried again. This time she jumped on it hard enough her other foot left the ground. The machine made a coughing sound but didn't start.

"Do it again," Tom said. It took Rose four tries to get the motorcycle started. She was sweating by the time it was warmed up and idling.

"That was a lot harder than it looked," Rose admitted.

"It can be," Tom said with a chuckle.

"I still managed to do it," Rose replied with her eyes dancing in delight.

"You did," Tom said encouragingly. "Now first gear, clutch, brake, gas. Not too much gas when you go to start off. Hold on tight to the handlebars. Take off slowly at first. Pull your foot up as soon as you're moving and don't drop the bike. Almost the same as a car but more responsive."

"Yes, oh great bossy husband," Rose teased him. She took her time and got the machine moving and then promptly stalled it. She swore under her breath then tried the kick-start again. This time the motorcycle started after two tries and with less effort and she let the clutch out even slower. She did a slow drive up the driveway, turned in the lane and came back.

"Not bad," Tom said once she had stopped.

"What do you mean not bad? I'm a natural. You've said so often enough with the car."

"So if anything happens to me, you'll work as a chauffeur?" Tom ribbed her.

"Maybe I just might," Rose replied smiling in delight. "Where is second gear?"

"Feeling adventurous are you?" Tom asked with a matching smile.

"Second gear is not exactly adventurous," Rose said.

They spent the next half hour with Rose driving slowly up and down the lane in front of their house with Tom standing to the side calling directions to her. Rose had been concentrating so hard on keeping the motorcycle traveling in a straight line and not tipping over when she turned she hadn't notice the line up of about twenty people standing by the side of the lane with their mouths open staring at her until she stopped.

"Time to let me drive for a bit," Tom said to her once she had pulled up beside him.

"You'd think they'd be used to us by now," Rose said through gritted teeth. She had her best drawing room smile plastered on her face and wasn't letting it budge. She did a small wave to the people watching, which shocked them out of their stares and sent them on their way.

"If they're talking about us they're leaving someone else alone," Tom replied with a chuckle. He held the handlebars while Rose got off and allowed him to get on the bike. She got on behind him before they roared off down through the backroads for a quick ride.

Tom circled Downton then wound up at his brother's garage on the opposite side of the village. Liz came out from where she was working in the office. Kieran had set up a small car park next door to the garage for selling cars. Once Liz had stopped working for Tom and Rose after her marriage she had started running the office for Kieran and helping to sell the cars. They were often off on trips to pick up cars from Kieran's contacts and Liz was enjoying combining business with pleasure and having the opportunity to travel around the countryside a bit.

"We'll if it isn't the newest motorcyclist in Downton," Kieran teased Rose when they pulled up. "The tongues were wagging the second you pulled onto the lane."

"I sometimes wonder the village gossips don't wear their tongues out," Rose replied with a laugh. She hopped off the back of the motorcycle once Tom had shut it off. Rose had lost her baby weight and other than her bust being slightly larger than it had been before she had a baby she didn't look that much different.

"It's going to take a bit for the chatter to die down this time," Tom commented. "There must have been a crowd of twenty watching Rose drive back and forth at all of about ten miles an hour."

"Just wait until my Great Aunt hears all about it," Rose said with a smirk. "I'll be in for it."

"I'm just glad our mother isn't anywhere about. I'd hear it from her as well," Tom said.

"And when she'd finished with you, she'd start on me," Kieran said with a chuckle.

"How are you Liz?" Rose inquired.

"We're both doing well, thank you," Liz replied with a smile. Once she and Kieran were married and she stopped working for Rose she had started using her first name. "Do the pair of you have time for a cup of tea?"

"A quick one," Tom replied. "It will soon be time to collect the children and run the gauntlet at the big house."

"Sometimes I think the two of you do these things deliberately to stir the pot," Kieran said slapping his brother on the back.

"You just figured that out?" Tom replied with a grin.

Chapter 24 – Who's Right

"I want a girl's day," Sybil said stamping her foot and sticking out her lip. "Daddy took Redmond and Davin with him for fishing. I want to go shopping and out to tea like we did before, Mummy. It's not fair."

It was two days before they were set to go to London to stay at Rose's brother's house. Tom had arranged some time off. He had gone out today to take care of some last minute arrangements and had planned to take Sybil, Redmond and Davin along and then stop for some fishing. The last fishing trip Sybil had curled up her nose at the smell of the fish and been thoroughly bored. She hadn't wanted to go with her father. As the day wore on she was getting more difficult and demanding. Rose was ready to throttle her. To top it off Rose had given Ivy the two days before London off to make up for the lost days off she would have on the trip and Dylan was teething. Mrs. Blackwell had just left for the pharmacists to see what she could find to try and sooth Dylan's inflamed gums and slow down his crying and slight fever.

"Sybil, you could have gone with Daddy," Rose said. She jiggled Dylan around between fussing bouts. He had jammed his wooden teething ring in his mouth for a moment. "We can't go today. Mummy told you we would have a girl's day in London. We are going to London in two sleeps."

"But Mummy I want to do something for girls now," Sybil whined and shuffled her feet.

"Sybil, enough," Rose said in exasperation. "When Mrs. Blackwell gets back and when Dylan goes to sleep, you may have tea with me in the drawing room. Otherwise we are not going out. You had your chance to go with Daddy and your brothers and you said no. Now you have to live with your choice."

Dylan chose that moment to drop his teething ring and try to bite Rose in the shoulder.

"Ouch," Rose exclaimed trying to disengage herself from her son's jaws. "Now be a good girl and go up and play with your dolls."

"I want to go out," Sybil grumbled but turned and climbed the stairs to play on her own in the day nursery.

Rose shook her head. Then went to the kitchen to get a clean tea towel soaked with cold water for Dylan to bite on. Cousin Cora had said more than once that Sybil's mother had been strong-minded when she was a child. Tom's stubborn streak had made itself known more than once since she had known him. It seemed Sybil had had inherited a double dose from her parents. Last week she had taken a notion that she suddenly didn't like green beans. Nothing on heaven or earth would convince her to eat one and she had gone so far as to refuse to eat her vegetable soup since there were green beans floating in it. She had changed her tune when she got hungry after refusing to eat her lunch and had to wait until teatime for something to eat. A few days later she had relented and eaten her soup but had neatly left every green bean in the bottom of the bowl.

Today, Rose could see Sybil's point. She'd had enough of Dylan's crying herself, but there was little she could do about it until his teeth were through and the swelling had gone down. There would be plenty of opportunities for them to have some "girl time" in London when Rose took Sybil for a new outfit and possibly a cake at a teashop. Rose wasn't too partial to fishing either. It was a mystery to her what men saw in the smelly things. The only interest she had in fish was when it was cooked and dressed on her plate at dinner and she was about to bite into it.

It was almost two hours later when Rose finally got Dylan down. She went to the washroom to wash her face and hands and then went to the day nursery to collect Sybil for the promised tea in the drawing room. Rose smiled to herself. Sybil's tea was so full of milk you could hardly call it that, but the little girl was doing quite well learning to hold her cup and sip politely. Rose opened the door only to find the room was empty. She checked Sybil's room to find it vacant as well. She did a quick check of the upstairs rooms on to find them all empty.

Rose headed downstairs to look for Sybil. She wasn't anywhere downstairs. Rose went out and looked in the back garden and around the side of the house. Even Morgana had gone with Tom and the boys on the fishing trip. The garden was completely empty.

"Mrs. Blackwell, have you seen Miss Sybil?" Rose inquired.

"No, milady," I haven't seen her since I returned from the pharmacists. I thought she was upstairs with you," Mrs. Blackwell replied. She was busy preparing vegetables for the meat pie she was making for the evening meal.

"I last saw her before you returned," Rose replied. "Please come and help me make a thorough search of the house and yard. She has to be somewhere about."

"She can't have gone far," Mrs. Blackwell said. "She's probably fallen asleep somewhere."

"I hope you're right," Rose replied. They headed upstairs. There was no sign of Sybil. When they had searched the entire house and hadn't found her they checked the servant's quarters and the attic as well. Sybil was nowhere to be found. Rose was starting to panic. She had to take a deep breath to calm herself. Rose checked the closet and found Sybil's coat hat and gloves were missing. She sent Mrs. Blackwell to search along the lane and check the field behind the house while she telephone Isobel Crawley's and her Aunt Violet's. Sybil didn't usually wander but she and her brothers had walked over on their own a few times although not without permission and both homes were only a few doors away.

Rose was really starting to panic after her second phone call and no sign of Sybil. She immediately called Kieran and Liz's to see if Sybil had taken a notion to walk over there. They hadn't seen her either. Mrs. Blackwell returned with no results either. When Dylan started to cry, Mrs. Blackwell headed for the stairs.

"I'll see to the baby, milady, while you try to find Miss Sybil," Mrs. Blackwell said.

Rose's hands were shaking as she telephoned the local constable. He promised to keep an eye out for Sybil. He assured Rose it was probably nothing. It wasn't uncommon for a little girl of three to wander to the general mercantile in town or the local sweet shop. He'd found more than one missing child there. Rose grabbed her hat and coat the minute she was off the phone and dashed towards the shops in the village. She asked at the shops but not a person remembered seeing Sybil that day. She was a recognizable child as Lord Grantham's granddaughter and everyone in the village knew what she looked like. Rose was in tears by the time she got back to the house. She was worried sick.

"What if she's wandered off and fallen in a well?" Rose thought to herself. "Or what if she's been snatched by vagabonds?" Horrible scenario after horrible scenario was playing over and over in her mind. She got back in the front door, sat down on a chair and burst into tears. Mrs. Blackwell came down and put an arm around her.

"There, there, milady. Miss Sybil will turn up soon enough. The village is a small place and everyone knows her. Someone will spot her and see her home soon enough," Mrs. Blackwell said.

Rose pulled her hanky out and started dabbing her nose and eyes. "You're right, Mrs. Blackwell. She can't have gone too far and everyone in town knows her. Perhaps I'll take the car and drive around a bit. I might spot her."

"I beg your pardon, milady, but you had best wash your face first," Mrs. Blackwell said.

Rose could only nod. She had just washed her face and was getting the car keys when she heard the chugging of what sounded like one of the cars from the Abbey and the slam of a door closing. Rose answered the knock on the door to find her Cousin Robert standing at the door with a very sour looking Sybil by the hand.

"Did you loose something?" Robert Crawley asked.

"Sybil! Where have you been?" Rose exclaimed kneeling down and pulling Sybil into a tight hug. She couldn't hold back the tears. "Mummy has been worried sick."

"I went to visit Mrs. Hughes," Sybil said. Rose was frightening her more than her Grandfather's scolding. "Don't cry Mummy." Sybil put her hands on Rose's cheeks when Rose let go of her a bit.

"The staff assumed you were over to visit and had brought Sybil with you," Robert said. "It took a bit for them to realize something was amiss. When they did, I brought her straight back. I tried to telephone but the line was busy."

"You walked all that way on your own?" Rose asked.

"I know the way, Mummy," Sybil said with a shrug.

"That was very naughty to go out of the house without permission," Rose said sternly. Now the euphoria was wearing off and anger was setting in.

"You were busy. I wanted to go for a visit," Sybil replied.

"Sybil, you've been very, very naughty to sneak out," Rose said in a serious tone. "Take off your coat and hat and go to your room. I'll be up to deal with you in a few minutes."

"I wasn't naughty," Sybil replied not shrinking a bit under Rose's disapproval.

"Go to your room," Rose repeated sternly. Sybil slowly took off her coat and hat. With a sheepish look over her shoulder at Rose she finally climbed the stairs.

"Thank you for bringing her back, Cousin Robert," Rose said wilting a bit once Sybil was out of sight and hearing range. "We only realized she was missing a little while ago. I've had a terrible scare."

"These things happen," Robert said. "We had three daughters. They were forever getting up to something. I gave her a good scolding on the way over."

"Would you like to stay for tea, Cousin Robert?" Rose inquired.

She could hear Tom and the boys coming in through the back door.

"Thank you, but no," Robert replied. "I think I had best leave you to it."

After Lord Grantham had left, Rose told Tom about what had transpired that afternoon.

"It sounds like a spanking is in order," Tom said.

"Tom, no. You know I don't want the children spanked," Rose said.

"I'm not too fond of the idea myself, but we can't have her taking off whenever she takes a mind to. I'll go up and talk to her. I'll only paddle her as a last resort," he said.

"Tom, I feel badly. I have been spending an awful lot of time with Dylan," Rose said.

"He's a baby. It can't be helped," Tom replied. "You still spend a great deal of time with Sybil and the other two. She has to learn she can't have everything her own way and she needs to mind what she's been told. We can't have her taking a mind to go off to God knows where ever in London just because she's bored."

"I don't want you to spank her," Rose repeated as Tom headed up the stairs.

Tom was having a hard time of it himself as he headed to Sybil's room. Discipline was his least favorite part of being a parent but there were times when it couldn't be avoided. It had been just him and Sybil for quite a time and as much as he hated to admit it, she was more than a bit spoiled. She had attention pretty well whenever she liked and she wanted for nothing. His daughter reminded him quite a bit of his brother when they were younger. He knew from being brought up with Kieran if things weren't nipped in the bud, they would just get worse.

He opened the door to her room to find her sitting in the middle of her bed with two of her dolls.

"Sybil, you're mother has told me about your behaviour this afternoon. You've been a very naughty little girl to go out without permission," Tom said.

"I wanted to go out," Sybil replied not looking up from her dolls.

Tom walked over took the two dolls away from her and set them on the dresser.

"You can't always have what you want and it is time you realized that," Tom replied sternly. Sybil was shrinking a bit under her father's gaze but she was still defiant. "You must always listen to what Mummy tells you. She said you were to play in the day nursery. You didn't do that. You made Mummy very upset. She was crying. She even called the constable. Do you want Constable Evans to come and put you in the goal for being naughty?"

"No. I didn't mean to make Mummy cry," Sybil said. "I just wanted to see Mrs. Hughes."

"You have to ask when you want things and accept when you're told no," Tom reiterated.

"Mummy is always with Dylan. She doesn't notice me," Sybil said with a frown.

"That's not true and you know it," Tom said. "Mummy was looking for you to have tea with her and you had run off. Mummy took you out two days ago with just the two of you and she spends lots of time with you and Davin and Redmond. None of that changes the fact that you didn't listen and did something where you could have gotten hurt."

Sybil was squirming under her father's scrutiny.

"Are you going to promise not to do something like this again?" Tom asked her sternly.

"I wasn't naughty Daddy," Sybil said. She was still determined she was right.

"Yes, you were," Tom said. He sat down on the side of the bed. "Come here. I'm going to punish you."

"No, you won't," Sybil replied stubbornly.

Tom reached over picked up the little girl and put her over his knee. Before Sybil knew what had happened her father had landed three good smacks on her rear end through her drawers with his bare hand. She immediately started to cry.

"Now, you can stay in your room until your dinner. When you come down, I expect you to apologize to Mummy," Tom said.

"You're mean Daddy," Sybil tossed out wanting to have the last word.

"No, Daddy isn't mean. He's right and you were naughty," Tom replied. He went into the hall closing the door behind him. That was the hardest thing he'd ever done in his entire life.