Another Lead

Morning dawned and with it came the arrival of the London Times complete with Malachi Rourke's article on Lady Mary Crawley. Tom and Sybil had come in for breakfast and were literally holding their breath while her father found and read the article first. When he finished it handed the paper to the pair to read it for themselves.

"Its not that bad," said Sybil. "He really made this about a society that gives women no options. "If she had cried out, she would have been just as guilty as if she had invited him in" he says. Its really quite modern."

"Humpf," was all Lord Grantham had to say in reply. "And what do you make of it?" he said turning his eye on Tom who was slowly stirring his tea and not looking up.

"I think its fair, doesn't make excuses but doesn't make Lady Mary into a villainess either."

"Well, it is done now, Papa. You have to live with it and move on. It was Mary's decision in the end."

More than the article was bothering Robert Crawley, times and attitudes were changing. The old ways of the aristocracy were falling around him and he was not sure of his place in the world anymore. The behavior and attitudes that had stood him well and been ingrained into his soul by his parents were out of place in most of the situations he now found himself in. Loyalty to those you employed like Mr. Murray and their loyalty in return seemed to be a thing of the past. The biggest symbol of the change in his life was sitting down the table from him spreading marmalade on a piece of toast.

"Matthew wants me to hire James Lewis to represent Bates. I suppose it was your idea."

"It was Matthew's idea actually. There are still a lot of questions we haven't answered. The situation needs the attention of someone who specializes in the field."

Lord Grantham just gave Tom a level look, which Tom chose to ignore.

"I'm heading up to York today to interview one of the Liberal ministers. Do you want to come along Sybil? We could stop by and visit the Merrifields."

"I think I will."

A short while later, Sybil was arranging for Katie to provide child minding for the day. Anna came into the front entrance where Tom was waiting for Sybil.

"I'm glad I saw you this morning, Anna," Tom said. "I needed to ask you, do you have any idea who the man Vera Bates was involved with was?"

"I have no idea. John only said that she had been unfaithful to him. Do you think its relevant?"

"Right now everything is relevant. Matthew would like John to have a different barrister, who specializes in criminal law. He will be up later to talk to you about it."

"Thank you for getting involved in this."

"Don't thank me. I haven't managed to do anything yet. Only time will tell."

Tom and Sybil stopped by Crawley house on their way to York. Sybil wanted to see her sister and comfort her if she was taking the new article badly.

"Don't worry about me," Mary said. "The first round by Sir Richard was embarrassing in the extreme. At least we've managed to throw something back at him that paints me in a better light and we have the proof we need of Sir Richard's involvement in the Bates affair."

"I never meant to hurt you with all this. I hope you can understand that now," Tom said. He was still nervous as things between him and Mary had returned to being barely civil since their confrontation in the drawing room.

"I'm glad you're both here," said Mary. "I've wanted to tell you both, that I am sorry how I treated Tom at the White Swan and the things I said to try and prevent your marriage. I can see now it was the right thing for Sybil."

Both Sybil and Tom were momentarily stunned by Mary's apology.

"You only wanted the best for me," Sybil finally said. "I'm glad you can finally see what that is."

They chatted with Mary for a few more minutes before they headed to Ripon to see Matthew. They had purchased an Alvis, two-seat car when they realized they would be staying in England for an extended time. They had few expenses living with her parents and they could well afford it. Sybil had done quite well learning to drive, as it was much less complicated than the older Renault and town car that Edith had learned to drive on. For now, the Alvis served their purposes and the baby fit into the passenger seat with Sybil.

Matthew had been glad they stopped by and they told him they would be moving down to London in a week. Matthew would set up an appointment with James Lewis for a few days after they had moved up to allow them time to settle in. On today's trip, Tom would stop by to speak to John Bates about the mystery man Vera had been involved with.

"We should have a meeting with Anna to update her on where we are at. She is starting to hope again. I just don't want her to be disappointed," said Tom before they left the office.

"I will be so glad to be on our own again," said Sybil as they drove. "We will actually be able to invite our own friends over."

"Can you imagine the look on your father's face if Mary and Desmond Collins came to visit at Downton? I can hear it now. Desmond inquiring where the estate gets it's water and what size piping they use."

Sybil was laughing at the image.

"My father would have apoplexy. How about the Merrifields? I'm sure father would get a full lecture on the evils of guns and why all shooting parties should be banned. Our friends are definitely not their type of friends," she said with a slight laugh. "Oh Tom, slow down, you're going to put us in the ditch."

"I had enough years driving like a snail and behaving myself," he said as he took a corner at full speed.

At that rate it wasn't long before they were in York. Sybil waited in the car while Tom went to see John Bates. It wasn't long and he was back.

"I hope Anna has John's personal effects stored somewhere accessible at Downton," he said. "John had a note book in his things. The man's name and address are in it. He seemed to think she took up with him while he was in prison for theft."

"Just be careful. It sounds like it might lead to something or someone perilous."

"Me? I'm always careful."

"You maybe a lot of things my dear husband, but mindful of boundaries tends not to one of them."

"Surely you jest Lady Sybil, I'm still just your lowly chauffeur," he said with a wicked grin as he took off as fast as he could push the car.

No kiddy seats in those days! Of course I chose a car I thought was hot! LOL! I believe it sold for just over 200 pounds when it was new and prices dropped to around 150 pounds when a car was around a year old. If you Google image Alvis cars in you should get see the type of car. If anyone has other info on pricing please let me know. Alvis was one of 2 companies building the first formula ones.