Chapter 9:

So the last one for tonight. I am rather tired so it could be that there are more spelling and expressional mistakes, i am sorry.

„I hope you don't mind seeing me riding like this", Sybill said as she sat on the horse like a man.

„Not at all. But I would have a question?"

„Please ask what ever you want?"

„Ok to admit three questions: first how did you survive the riots with no one except for Mary heavily injured, second how on earth did you get down this slope and third why would your mother let Edith go with Branson perfectly knowing that you have the better orientation and are more sensible.", Matthew demanded.

„Well Branson saw the riots early enough and already had started turning when the guys with the bottles saw us. Anyway they ran very fast and reached us. When the threw the bottle, Mother protected Edith and me by shielding us with her body. Unfortunately Mary was sitting on the opposite bench. She ducked but she was too slow I assume. Branson was also hit but managed to drive on for a while. When he could not go on because of his injury Edith took over.", Sybill explained.

„EDITH!", Mathew shouted so that it echoed into the night. „Edith can drive?"

„Believe me we were as surprised as you were now. Obviously she took driving lessons at Branson's and tob e honest she did not drive that bad till the deer or rabbit, or whatever it was jumped out in front oft he car. Welln and that's the answer of your second question. She was so shocked that she lost control of the car and we went down that slope. Luckily the car did not turn over."

„Well I have to admit, that you Crawly women are indeed very special", Matthew smiled.

„I will take that as a compliment", Sybill laughed.

„And what about Edith going with Branson… I think they got lost on a shortcut otherwise we should have met them"

„Well..".. Sybill was not sure what to say but decided to tell him the truth. They were alone on the road and he was not likely the kind of guy running to her father at the first place.

„I think my mother perfectly knew that I was the better choice for walking that far and in the dark. However, I think she does not trust me when things coming to Branson."

„Why that?", Matthew looked as if he had truly not the slightest idea

„She has seen me talking to Branson very often I think. Since she is my mother she must have sensed somehow that …well Branson and I are not only chauffeur and employee's daughter. So she thinks we cannot be trusted alone in the dark" Sybill said.

„Oh I understand", Matthew was slightly embarassed. „Does your father know?"

„No of course not. He would kill me. Only mother has this 6th sense when things are coming to her daughters."

„Don't worry he won't hear a thing about this from my mouth!"; Matthew assured her.

„Thank you so much. You know a chauffeur and a Lady would even be worth than a sollicitor and a lady", Sybill grinned

„I guess so", Matthew had to think of the reactions to his job.

After riding a while silently Sybill said: „ I think it is my turn of quesioning now"

„O dear, what would you like to know", he had a slight feeling what the next conversation would be about.

„What about you and Mary? Everybody can see that you still love each other and still you are not engaged to each other."

„Why did I know that you were going to ask this…", Matthew replied.

„Because she is my elder sister and I care about her very much. And that Mr. Crawly was not a response to my question by the way.", she mocked.

„You know that you are like your mother sometimes, all three of you.", Matthew demanded.

„ I will that take as a compliment too and by the way my sisters and I have heard that sometimes, also from father. Well so I am waiting for the answer.", Sybill was not giving in.

„Very well", Matthew started. „You are right, I am still in love with Mary but I have no clue why things are not working between us. I already had that talk with your father today. He cannot understand why Mary is still with Sir Richard."

„You talked with father about this?", now Sybill was really surprised.

„Yes I would have feld more comfortable to confess things to your mother but weh ad quite some time to think and talk while we were looking for you. Believe me your father was not really used to that kind of conversation."

„How should he? With three daughters in the house he is not really used to speaking about personal things with anyone but my mother. She is the one who manages us three in every possible condition we are in. I guess in some situations fathers cannot say the right things and he knows that."

„Well don't take me wrong, but I think sometimes it is not easy of being a father of three beautiful, but determined daughters.", Matthew laughed.

„Yes I agree with you", Sybill agreed.

„Sybill, could I ask you a favor? Also if things between Mary and me will not turn out as everybody wishes. Don't let Mary making the mistake of marrying Sir Richard."

„I do my best. I think everybody in the family is doing his best to prevent that.", she smiled.

They kept silent for pretty much of the rest of the way and if they were talking just of unimportant things. When they came back it was 4'o clock in the morning but there was still light and Carson and Mrs. Hughes were waiting for them.

Unfortunately they were told that Edith and Branson were not back yet and Sybill started worrying. How would here mother take the news? For sure it would be the first thing she asked when Matthew returned to them.

However, Mrs. Hughes told her not to worry about them and took her in to get some food, a shower and some rest.

Matthew quickly drank some coffee and asked for Dr. Clarkson. Unfortunately the doctor had an emergency in the village but had promised to be back in the morning. So Matthew took the carriage and explained to Carson where approximately the car was and that he should send some strong man and horses to pull the car onto the road again, in the morning.

Then he drove off again into the darkness.