Chapter Twelve

When the time came for Matthew's Leaver's Ball, Sybil couldn't find it in herself to make an effort to get herself ready. Anna had come from Downton to help her get ready, but neither of them could move from the lounge, where they were sat drinking tea.

"Thank you for teaching me how to clean and cook, Anna. At least I won't know completely nothing when I start my Nurses Training." Sybil said grateful. When Anna shifted uncomfortably, she added, "We're friends. We can sit together and have tea. And do call me Sybil."

"Yes, Lady - Sybil." She answered, making the two girls giggle.

"Anna, how are things with you and Mr Bates?" Anna's face lit up. "A great deal, by the looks of it. Do tell."

"Well, he has filed for divorce as she has been unfaithful to him and because a husband only needs adultry to file for divorce, they should be divorced soon. That means we can be married and with the money we will make from selling the house his deceased Mother had left him, we're going to open a pub with rooms to let. Where we can have children with us." She said, smiling. Sybil took her hand.

"That is excellent. You sound so adamant." She told her. "You look so happy, I do hope this happens for you."

"Oh it will. I am adamant." She said. "But, as you said we're friends. How are you, Milady? Sorry, Sybil. How're you about Matthew going back to London, then France tomorrow?" Sybil's face fell and she found herself bursting into tears.

"Oh Anna, I am terrified. This last week has been perfect, I really don't want it to end but I know that if he leaves he may not come back. What if I discover I'm pregnant Anna? What then? A child without a father? All alone while pregnant, just when I need him the most?" Sybil answered.

"Oh, Sybil he will return. But if that isn't to be you will have the lovely memories of him and you wouldn't even be alone, not ever. You have your family, friends, the servants at Downton all adore you and you have me, I shall be your best friend." Anna told her kindly.

Just then, the front door opened and Matthew came into the living room, his face falling when he saw them.

"Sybil, what..?" He began but Anna stood and interrupted him.

"Sir, she's upset. I'll go and get myself ready while you look after her and then I'll get her ready." Matthew smiled at Anna gratefully and - as she left throuh the door, heading for the stairs - she saw Sybil sob as Matthew put his arms around her.

. x.

When Anna left, Sybil repeated everything to Matthew that she had confessed to Anna.

"But you seem to not care. You just talk about it as though you're going on Holiday." Sybil said.

"Do you think I want to go? I was trying to keep a brave face, for you." Matthew asked. "I would much rather stay here and be perfectly safe, but I signed up trying to get over your sister. Not for one miniscule second did I ever think I would fall for you. I will try everything to come home but I won't promise you I WILL come back."

"So long as you try, you can't do any more than that." She told him. "I should probably get ready for this ball." She kissed his cheek and stood.

"Yes, so must I." He told her.

"Matthew. You are, over Mary aren't you?" She asked.

"Of course I am. What makes you ask that?" He asked.

"I.. nothing. It doesn't matter." She told him, but Matthew didn't quite believe her.

. x .

When Sybil was safe in her bedroom, alone she made her way to the far wall, opened the bottom drawer of her dressing table and re-opened the blue envelope, taking out the letter that was the catalyst for her feeling the way she had been.

My darling Sybil,
We may not have seen eye to eye lately, but I do want what is best for you but are you sure that Matthew is? Are you sure that he is not completely over me? He does seem to have fallen out of love with me and into love with you rather quickly.

My point is, you should have waited until the War was over. If you get pregnant, you'll be alone.

I shall see you soon,

You loving sister, Mary.

Tears threatened again and just as Anna came in, she put the letter back in the drawer not noticing the letter was still hanging out of the top of the drawer.

"Are you ready to dress. Sybil?" Anna asked. She was wearing a beautiful blue dress Sybil had given her and her hair was in a complicated twist.

"Yes I am. You look beautiful, Anna." Sybil told her.

"Thank you, Sybil. As will you when we get yourself ready." Anna said.

. x .

Anna - although she protested greatly - was allowed to ride in the back of the car with them. Just the car was about to set off, Sybil remembered that she had left her gloves upstairs.

"I'll run and get you them." Matthew said.

In their bedroom, he picked her gloves up from the top of the dressing table and just as he was about to leave, he noticed the piece of white hanging out of the top of the drawer. He wouldn't normally pry, but Sybil's reaction today had made him curious. He opened the drawer, took out the letter and read.

When he had finished, he put the letter back in the drawer and made his way downstairs. Mary wasn't going to get away with hurting his wife. Who - although Mary may think otherwise - he loved more than anything and would do anything for.

Yes, Mary was certainly going to pay for what she had done and said.

. x .