December 1920

Mary and Matthew

"How's Tom working out as the new estate agent?"

"Brilliantly. His hands-on experience is priceless. And the farmers accept what he says a lot faster than what Robert or I say."

"It's because they see Tom as one of them."

"Probably. Robert has offered him Jarvis' old cottage but apparently Sybil doesn't want to move in there."

"No. She wants to stay here. She loves her family. She never left to get away from us. She wanted to get away from our kind of life, but never from us. And she's glad she's back. And with Tom managing the estate some of her problems have dissolved into nothingness."

"What do you mean?"

"Sybil was always sure that we, or at least Papa and Granny, would never really accept Tom. But by giving him such as central role to play, we have all accepted him. And you are making it very easy for him to feel accepted."

"I like him very much. He's the first friend I have had ever since moving here. Don't get me wrong, I love you and your parents and sisters. But it's different."

"Of course you like Tom. And I am glad that you do. It makes things so much easier. For Sybil and me as well. My relationship with Sybil has never been as complicated as that with Edith, but you and Tom being friends has changed something between Sybil and me I think. We see eye to eye now and I am very happy about that. Sybil has always been my sister, my favorite sister if I'm honest, but now she is a friend, probably even my best friend, too."

"You are an incredible woman."

"Of course I am. Seriously, why do you think that?"

"Because since our first meeting, you have changed a lot. When I first met you, you were a cold woman who didn't love anyone except for maybe her parents. But even that wasn't obvious. But know you are so different. And you haven't lost yourself along the way. You are still the same person. Just a better version of your old self."

"Papa said something similar once. He said you brought the change out in me."

"I am not sure about that."

"I am. Without you I'd still be the spiteful person I once was. I am still spiteful, but I've got it under control."

"That may be true, but you are so much more than that."

"Kiss me."

Robert and Cora

"I have to thank Matthew again. For suggesting Tom to be the agent of the estate. He does his work very well."

"I think you have to thank your mother. It was her idea in the first place."

"That doesn't mean that I will thank her."

"Robert"

"Not because I don't want to. Because she'd be embarrassed. Telling her that I am thankful for something she has done would mean talking to her about feelings. She hates that."

"Probably."

"Definitely. Has she ever told you that she loves you?"

"No. But your mother isn't one for telling outright lies."

"But it wouldn't be a lie. She loves you as much as she loves Rosamund and me. She'd just never admit to it."

"Robert, please"

"What I say is true. I am sure of it."

"If she'd never admit to it, then how do you know it is true?"

"I just do."

"Regardless of that, I am glad that Tom seems to have found his place. And that you have accepted him."

"I had accepted Sybil's choice of husband before that. I wouldn't have walked her down the aisle if I hadn't. And I am glad that I did walk her down the aisle."

"So am I."