Author's Note:Hey guys! Thanks for the reviews, so sorry I couldn't update sooner but as you can probably tell this chapter is quite long. So this chapter is mainly about Siobhan as you can guess from the title. And we're peeling back another layer in the story.

So enjoy and tell me what you think! x


Previously on Fall of the House of Grantham:

An old penknife of Edward's reappears with a dark secret. It had been used by Thomas Barrow aboard HMS Worthington to take his life. While being held prisoner with Edward, he revealed that he too had been harrassed by this Nazi group and would rather die than betray his country.

Victor Gower, head of this group is hot on Redford's tail to find the underbelly of the Crawley's. And during a conversation with Jude Fanshawe, reveals he wants them to pay for what they did to his son - Ned.

Siobhan Riordan nee Branson is not warming to 'happily married life' as she is still haunted by her past at Downton.


Chapter 53 – The Other Branson

May 4th 1941

Mary couldn't remember a Spring this hot before. As she left the house, clutching a small brown paper sack of sandwiches and a flask of lemonade, she pondered whether the hot sunshine would brighten her niece's spirits. This morning at breakfast they had opened the newspaper only to be graced with the news that Belfast and Northern Ireland had been bombed along with several other cities. Although it wasn't Dublin or Southern Ireland, Mary couldn't stem the chill trickling through her spine as she thought of her darling sister on the other side of the barricade. She had to make sure Siobhan was all right. She tried calling but her mother had said that Siobhan rose early that morning and scurried off to work, without even biding her husband goodbye.

Siobhan had clearly leaned towards her father's side and joined the Motor Transport Corps thus spending all her days languishing in the dark, dirty garages, fixing broken motors and driving military officials around. Matthew had insisted Mary take the car to the garage but she had thought it redundant and decided to walk there instead. At least maybe she could clear some of the dark shadows which had been plaguing her mind everyday for the past month.

So much had happened in that month for everyone. Edward had escaped to the Naval Academy and had only just returned home yesterday. He refused to talk to anyone and spent most of the afternoon shut up in his room, emerging only for dinner. Joseph had prolonged his leave and was returning home tomorrow, Georgina was spending every minute she could with the RAF and (much to her parents exasperation) loving every moment of it. And during her free time, Rebecca had started volunteering at the hospital. Despite the concerned protests that she was a little young to train as a proper nurse, Isobel and Dr Green saw no reason why she couldn't help with the menial tasks at hand, therefore feeding her experience when the time (God forbid) came when she could train properly. Eventually both Earl and Countess relented, remembering how wonderful their daughter had been at Dunkirk and thought that maybe some distraction would help take her mind of Emily.

Mary couldn't help the little sigh that escaped her lips as she traipsed past the cottage hospital. It seemed so long ago that they were all little children, running around the grounds of Downton. Sometimes, if she shut her eyes tight enough, she could see Matthew and Tom chasing the children on the vast greenery while she and her sisters sat under the shade, laughing as their parents looked on fondly at their family, smiling at each other without a care in the world –

The unpleasant sound of a large drill grated on the Countess's ears and popped her bubble of nostalgia. Mary stalled for a moment outside the local garage, composing herself together before striding inside, resisting the urge to press a napkin to her nose as the sharp fumes of petrol stung her nostrils. Burly women of all ages pushed around her, barking orders to one another.

"Excuse me?" Mary called out a little loudly, trying to attract the attention of at least one person, "I'm looking for Siobhan Bran – Riordan."

"She's over there." A young woman wiping her dirty hands on an even filthier rag pointed to a dainty figure kitted in beige overalls, hunched over the open bonnet of a car while an impatient middle-aged man dressed in military gear, hovered over her muttering furiously.

Mary grimaced, her eyes watering, "Thank you." She waded her way towards her niece, surreptitiously holding the back of her hand to her nose. She approached the young woman and decided it best to wait until she had finished before interrupting.

After what seemed like several minutes, Siobhan straightened up, grabbing a cloth from her pocket and wiping her grease ridden hands on it. "The radiator's overheated." She said grimly.

The middle-aged man groaned, "So now what?"

Siobhan patiently held up her hands, "Don't worry I can fix it. But I can't guarantee it'll be done straight away." She turned to side-step past the car only to come face to face with her aunt.

Mary held her breath. Siobhan's cheeks were streaked with oil and grease as were her overalls which were splattered with black smudges. Oh if Granny could see her now she'd have a second coronary!

"Aunt Mary!" Siobhan exclaimed in welcome surprise, wiping her glistening forehead with the back of her arm. She tossed the soiled cloth over her shoulder without care, "What brings you down here?"

Mary diligently held up the sack and flask, her eyes willing themselves not to pop out of her head. "I thought you might be hungry so I asked Mrs Plum to pack you some lunch." She said as casually as she could, conscious of the man eyeing the figure of her niece who was now bending to retrieve a spanner

"Oh." Siobhan looked up with a frozen smile, "That's wonderful thank you. But as you can tell I'm rather busy so I won't have time to eat until much later I'm afraid."

Mary shook her head in a dismissive manner, "No worries. I also wanted to see – how you are."

Siobhan gave her an absent frown as she inspected the wires of the car, "How I am?" She repeated in a daze, still very much focused on the task at hand. "Why?"

"I read the paper this morning," Mary replied evenly, her hands fidgeting with the brown sack, "About Northern Ireland and I just wanted to know if you'd heard."

"Oh yes." Siobhan responded softly, her eyes void of any emotion, "I'm sorry to hear that. Have you spoken to Ma?"

"Not yet." Mary rejoined, choosing her words carefully, "But I wanted to speak to you first. I wonder – has Sean seen the papers?"

"I'm not really sure if he's seen this morning's I was up and out before he woke up!" Siobhan said with a nervous titter, "I've been feeling rather tired lately – too tired so I need the early start."

"Well perhaps it's because you're working so hard." Mary said worriedly, placing the food and drink next to her reach. "Won't you take a break and eat something?"

Siobhan didn't seem to hear her. She glanced at her watch, "I'm supposed to run a load of officers down to the airfield at three so they can catch a flight." She muttered to her customer.

"Not without finishing my car you're not!" The middle-aged grump snapped, "Just because I'm in the home guard, doesn't mean I'm any less important!"

Siobhan turned to her aunt and rolled her eyes, "I'm sorry Aunt Mary can we talk about this later?"

"Fine." Mary said with a forced smile, ready to plunge straight into the dreaded news. "But I also came down her to tell you that Joe's arriving tomorrow."

Siobhan nearly let the wrench slip out of her oily grasp. A flicker of anger danced across her face but it was gone in an instant. "That's good." She said in a voice that suggested completely the contrary, "I'm looking forward to catching up with him again."

Mary released a despondent sigh as she left that God awful place. She didn't know how Siobhan could stand working there day in and day out. Then again she didn't know how Sybil could stand living in a poky little flat in Dublin for the past twenty-two years so she assumed perseverance ran in her veins. As she walked back to the house, she found her thoughts wondering to Siobhan's behaviour during the last month. Marriage seemed to have silenced her in many ways. It struck Mary as odd how a girl who used to be so forthcoming with her opinions, suddenly became withdrawn and compliant, notably when her husband remained glued to her side. It didn't seem right, especially for someone whose parents bore no problem in expressing their opinions about the world, no matter how much trouble they got into. Then again maybe Siobhan decided she could learn from her parent's mistakes and accept her place with good grace. Or, Mary thought with a sickening jolt, maybe it all stems her utter humiliation Summer before last.


May 5h 1941

Joseph Crawley marched into the foyer of his home, decked in his navy blue uniform, his eyes worn and tired yet glistening with the relief of lasting through a momentous round of air battles. Much to his parents polite chagrin he had delayed his leave for a month due to the sudden loss of Pilots. As a result, the young heir had been rewarded with a promotion into the bomber command unit, which was set to deploy to Germany within the next few days for a special mission. News, he was obviously not looking forward to sharing with his parents. He didn't even need to set foot inside the house to know that things were strained enough without him adding the extra tension.

"Joe!"

Joseph looked up with a smile as his little brother scampered down the steps. He had to suck in a breath – my how Benji had grown!

"You're back!" Benjamin hurtled himself into his brother's arms.

"Hello Benji!" Joseph exclaimed, his voice hoarse ridden with emotion. He wrapped his arms tighter around his little brother and squeezed his eyes shut. "I missed you."

"I missed you too!" Benjamin cheeped, pulling away from his brother's strong embrace and beaming at him. "Come on!" He grabbed Joe's hand, proceeding to pull him up the grand staircase.

"Slow down!" Joseph laughed, tripping over his own feet in his brother's haste, "Where is everyone?"

"Oh, they're all around. There's so much to tell you but first I want to show you my model Spitfire! Sean helped me finish it for you!"

"Hold on, hold on." Joseph stopped mid-way up the staircase, resting his hand atop the polished banister and gazing sternly at his brother. "Who's Sean?"

"Siobhan's husband of course." Benjamin replied as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.

Joseph stood absolutely still. His heartbeat accelerating, "Siobhan she's – she's here? At Downton?" He asked, trying to keep his voice on an even keel.

Benjamin however could sense his brother's festering anxiety. He peered up curiously at him, "Yes. Mama says they came to help with the war. They're living with Grandmama and come to dinner every night."

"Do they?" Joseph swallowed over the burning lump in his throat. He grimaced, "And- and how does she like being back at Downton?"

Benjamin frowned, contemplating this question. "She doesn't really come inside much. She always wants to be outside. I try to get her to play with me but she seems really sad. She told me that she used to play with a special friend in our garden and she misses him."

Joseph couldn't bear to look in his brother's innocent eyes anymore.

"Did her friend die in the war Joey?" He asked fearfully.

"Of course not!" Joseph responded with a tinkering laugh, "Don't you go worrying yourself over it. It's nothing." He hastily glanced around the busy foyer, removing his cap and running his hand through his hair in agitation. A spike of pain rippled through his shoulder. It had been playing up again these past few weeks but Joseph merely chalked it down to stress. "Listen Benji I'll look at the Spitfire later, I'm sure it's wonderful. But first, do you know where Mama and Papa are?"

"Mama's having tea with Grandmama and Papa's gone to London for a meeting." Benjamin answered, his shoulders drooping with disappointment at Joseph's wandering attention.

"All right, well in that case I shall love to see the Spitfire!" Joseph exclaimed with as much excitement as he could inject into his voice.

Benjamin's eyes immediately blazed with delight as he grabbed his brother by the hand and proceeded to tug him up the stairs.


"I do so love Spring." Mary sighed as she elegantly placed her teacup on the small table beside her. She cast a pleasant eye around the Dower House garden, blooming with fresh flowers. She threw a smile at her daughter who sat squealing on her grandmother's lap. "It always reminds me of hope."

Cora chuckled at her daughter's irony, stroking Emily's dainty head. "I suppose in times like these one can always use the hope!" She clasped her hands together in excitement, "So when is Joe coming home?"

Mary's lips thinned slightly, she silently smoothed her hands over her dress, ironing out the pretend creases before answering in a small voice. "This afternoon. I trust you and the – newlyweds are still coming to dinner tonight?"

"And miss out on a precious opportunity to see my eldest grandson?" Cora beamed. "Nothing could keep me away!"

Mary allowed a tiny smile to tug at her lips. "That's good." She reached for her teacup and took a long sip. All the while, her mother watched her, a frown darkening the happiness glowing from her face.

"Mary what's the matter?" She asked in soft importance so as not to alarm Emily, "Something's not right I can tell."

Mary shook her head, shifting uncomfortably in her chair. "Mama – may I speak evidently?"

Cora smirked at her eldest, "Have you ever needed permission?"

Mary didn't return the smile. "Georgina came to me with some concerns about Siobhan being back at Downton." She paused, licking her lips nervously. Cora nodded her head slightly, indicating she continue. "Well Mama, to be honest, I think she might be right. And I don't think Siobhan has quite forgiven Joe for intervening like he did during her engagement to – well you know." Mary said steadily, her eyes flicking shamefully to the floor. "It was a lot easier to forget about all the harsh things that were said while Joe was away but now he'll be back, both of them under the same roof and I'm afraid we might have to brace ourselves for fireworks tonight!"

Cora rolled her eyes. "Oh Mary surely you exaggerate? That was three years ago and so much has happened since then! Siobhan is married for one thing and -" She broke off quickly, glanced around to check no one was within earshot before leaning closer and whispering, "We are very fortunate to be shot of that particular young man."

"Mama -"

"No listen!" Cora hissed. Mary obediently shut up. The former Countess swiftly waved at Nanny standing near the backdoor and she sped forward to take Emily away from her. Once they had both gone out of audible range, Cora placed a hand on her daughter's knee and continued in a hush, "At the time it seemed like the perfect match but never did we dream he'd turn out the way he did. Mary, if your son hadn't intervened when he did, Siobhan would be disgraced, we'd all be disgraced. In my opinion, Joe saved her and this family from complete ruin and for that we should be eternally grateful to him for it. I know Sybil is. And Tom is too, regardless of the circumstances between us now."

Mary pursed her lips and nodded, allowing her mother's words to soothe her. The two of them seated outside her grandmother's old house, talking about family problems only struck a sharp chord of nostalgia in the Countesses heart. "Oh Mama, I wish Granny were here." Mary sniffed, tears burning behind her dark orbs. "She would've known what to do."

Cora let out a fond chortle at the memory of her late mother-in-law. "She'd have had that boy out so fast her shoe would still be imprinted on his back to this day!"

They both laughed, their hearts filled with warmth for the former Dowager Countess. "But alas this is what it means to move on my darling." Cora uttered softly, "People come and people go." She threw a fond glance at Emily being carried around the garden, "People are born and people die. I just have to look at my grandchildren to know that. You know, I can see a piece of your father in each of them. Especially Joe he has his – he has his patrician spirit! But in their own way they remind me of him and then I'm reminded..." She took a deep breath, her blue eyes brimming with the long held tears finally about to shed. "Mary, I'm reminded of how much I miss him." Her face crumpled and the tears spilled down her cheeks as she pressed her palm against her chest in memory of the great love she felt for her late husband, "Every day. With all my heart and soul."

Mary felt another stab of nostalgia strike her heart at the memory of the father she loved well. All though it had been well over four years now, it still hurt to see her mother alone, without him towering by her side. "I know Mama." She patted her mother's hand, "I miss him too, all the time." She frowned, aching to confess the burden which had been weighing on her mind ever since she found out they were being hunted once more. "Mama I have a terrible feeling inside me that something's going to go horribly wrong."

"Oh my dear, you and every other mother up and down the world." Cora squeezed her daughter's hand, "Nothing is going to happen to you or your precious family."

Mary shook her head desperately, "No, Mama you don't understand -"

"Excuse me Lady Grantham." Wells, Cora's butler stalked onto the terrace, his face set like granite. "I don't mean to interrupt your Ladyships but - it's that boy."

"You mean Peter." Cora corrected simply.

Wells grunted in response, "He's barricaded himself in his room again and refuses to emerge. I have tried several times to coax him out but as per usual the b – Peter – pretends as if I am part of the wall Milady."

Mary pressed her lips into her teacup, trying to conceal her grin.

Cora sighed, "Very well. I'll be up in a minute." She rose from her seat, giving her daughter a warm smile. "We'll talk later. Just remember what I said. Siobhan is safe here. Luckily, she dodged a very large bullet."

Mary gave her mother a strained smile, watching her march into the house. Why hadn't those words felt more comforting?


"I'm glad you decided to meet here." Matthew said to his old friend, glancing around the bustling lobby of the Dorchester hotel.

"Well I thought it'd be harder to overhear." Colonel Redford replied, taking a small sip of brandy. He placed the glass on the marble table and turned his attention to Matthew, his eyes growing small in the afternoon sunlight. "Especially since you said – Edward revealed everything to you about HMS Worthington?"

"Yes." Matthew said grimly, sipping his scotch, "That was why I couldn't meet with you before, I had just found out about it. And as a father it was – terrible to hear Kenneth. Just thinking about what my son went through, I shudder to think what could've happened if he hadn't made it off that ship."

"What do you mean?" Colonel Redford asked, trying to keep his voice on an even keel.

"Maybe if I'd just let him join the damned Navy like he wanted to, things might've turned out differently." Matthew said heatedly, "But he was fourteen, far too young. I wanted him to live his life away from the sea and become someone."

"Sometimes you just have to trust they know what they want, never mind how young they are." Redford said sympathetically, "If your son wants to join the Navy and is dead set on it – the worst thing you can do as a parent is stand in their way."

A flash of guilt struck across the Earl's face but he tried to cover it up by sipping his scotch. "I know that now." Matthew leaned forward, speaking with passionate defence, "I was only trying to make him see that the Navy isn't the only option he had. Joe's the heir and he'll inherit the estate and the title after I die so he's settled. Whereas Edward and Benjamin must make their own way in this world, find a decent job, marry well and make a home for themselves. Edward has always grown up with the notion of that. Unlike his sisters, he cannot stay at Downton forever or until he marries, at least not in society's eye. Ed was always conscious of that and wanted to find a way to show he was worthy. I wanted him to know that he had other options besides the Navy or the Army or whatever it is that second sons usually do to 'find themselves.'"

"And now?" Colonel Redford prompted gently.

Matthew collapsed back in his seat, "As it stands he's already run off to join Naval Academy and about to embark on a voyage."

"Really?" Redford asked, greatly intrigued, "Do you know where he's going?"

"I don't even know which ship he's been assigned to." Matthew said glumly, "It's so hard trying to get him to talk. Especially to me."

"But he did talk to you though." Redford countered quietly, watching his old friend carefully, "Did he say anything about the missing Naval Officers.

Matthew looked at him for a few seconds, his fingers lightly curling around his glass of scotch. He shook his head. "No. But I don't think that's a conversation we'll be having anytime soon. He's home and safe and that's all the comfort to me and Mary right now."

Colonel Redford offered the Earl a comforting smile yet trying to mask the disappointment seeping across his face.


Flight Lieutenant Joseph Crawley climbed the hill towards the majestic, Roman ruins. Siobhan was seated with her back to a pillar, just staring at the big house from a distance, her sketch pad lying forgotten on her lap.

Blank as her expression.

"I thought I might find you here." Joseph said softly. He ran his hand along a pillar with fondness etched across his handsome face, "We don't come here as much as we used to. Sometimes Georgie and I come here to think or to escape but every time we do – we think about the games we used to play as children? Do you remember?"

"Of course. I forgot how beautiful Downton looks from here. Especially at this time of year." Siobhan remarked with a small smile yet her voice was dripping with ice. Joseph shuffled awkwardly away from her, unsure of her coolness towards him. "Yet I don't know how you manage it," She suddenly snapped out of her daze and picked up her pencil, proceeding to lightly sketch the outline of the house, "To walk around your grand estate, blind to all the centuries of misery that's dripping off those fine walls. All those memories, all the – people."

Joseph sighed at her brashness, "Siobhan you have every right to be upset with me." He started with a little impatience rolling off his tongue.

"Oh, well thank you for permission." Siobhan replied silkily, pretending to be absorbed in her sketching.

Joseph sucked in a sharp breath and closed his eyes in deserving reprimand. "But just try to understand that I acted out of honesty not unkindness."

She didn't say anything, just continued to sketch away at her paper only her lines were becoming darker with the harshness of her hand.

"And besides," Joseph continued bravely, knowing he pushing it, "If you had gone ahead with that marriage it would've only ended in danger."

"Danger!" Siobhan scoffed, still refusing to look at him, "That's such typical gentry talk."

"Excuse me?" Joseph retaliated sharply.

Siobhan stopped drawing, tilting her head towards her cousin to show the first sign of recognition. "There's nothing dangerous with falling in love!"

It was on the tip of the young heir's tongue to spit out everything her beloved 'fiancé' had done. But one look at Siobhan's face and he knew he couldn't do it. She was trying with all the will she had to keep her tears at bay and he knew better than to push it.

"You're married now." He said in a voice of forced calm, "I thought all this would be in the past."

"Well so did I." Siobhan replied with a broken smile, and then realizing her situation, straightened herself up. "But you're right. I am another man's wife now and I must do all I can to put -" She broke off, taking a deep steady breath. She couldn't even bear to say his name. "To put him out of my mind. But now being back here – it's not the same as it was before and I hate to say that! This place is ruined for me! It's not the childhood Summer home I once knew and loved, not anymore! This place is cursed I'm telling you!"

"Don't ever say anything like that again do you hear!" Joseph snapped in protective rage as if they were still children sheltered in the nursery and she had insulted his favourite toy. It certainly did seem that way. For every blow that the character of his house received, he felt it strike him like a branding iron. It really was as if he and Downton were one and the same. Cursed indeed! What a thing to say!

"I'm sorry Joe." Siobhan faltered, her eyes softening slightly, "But I can only speak the truth to you. It's so damn hard being back here where..." She grinded her teeth together to stop the pain from screaming out.

"I hate to hear you say that." Joseph said quietly, shoving his hands in his pockets and trying to maintain his cool despite the flicker of anger flaring in his cerulean eyes. "Siobhan if only you know what kind of a man he's become."

She slowly turned her head to casually stare at him yet her eyes were ablaze with curiosity. "What do you mean?"

"Well for one thing you won't be sat here moping!" Joseph responded pithily, trying to ignore the stabbing pain ripping through his shoulder. "I promise you it's no great loss."

Siobhan shook her head in disbelief, "How can you of all people say that about him?" She accused in a mere whisper, dripping with trepidation, as if she hardly knew the cousin whom she had loved as a brother. He almost seemed like a stranger to her now.

Almost.

Joseph just shrugged nonchalantly as if it didn't bother him in the slightest. Except it did. "I just can. He's nothing to me now. Go back to your husband Siobhan. Go back and forget about him because he's definitely forgotten about you." He turned and walked away, heading back to his house and trying to keep his own tears from shedding.


"Germany!" Mary exclaimed in shock, shooting a desperate glance across the dinner table at her husband who stared agape at his eldest son squirming in his chair. "Did you know about this Matthew?"

"No I did not!" Matthew responded heatedly, turning his attention to Joseph once more, "What do you mean you'll be gone for eight months?"

"Talk about venturing into the lion's den." Edward muttered to himself, provoking chiding glares from his parents.

"Please Papa you know I have no say in any of this." Joseph said wearily. He carefully started sprinkling salt on his meat in order to keep from looking at anyone and to disregard the prickling pain in his shoulder. "I was offered a wonderful promotion into bomber command and after the hell I've been put through this past year, I decided to take it. This mission to Germany is the string attached."

"Well it's a very large string." Mary said coolly, she began cutting into her meat with ferocity. "I suppose you'll be leaving at the drop of a hat?"

Matthew shot her a warning look as Joseph chewed slowly, exchanging a guilty look with his brother who merely smirked at him from across the table. He swallowed, "A week."

"Wonderful." Mary replied sourly.

"Granny not joining us?" Rebecca asked, rapidly eager to change the subject.

"She's still feeling rather tired so she's having a tray in her room." Matthew answered, trying to mask the worry lacing his tone. More and more now Isobel had taken to retiring to her room earlier in the evenings complaining of tiredness. Only Matthew knew that tired wasn't ever in his mother's vocabulary and tried to shake the ominous feeling settling upon his shoulders.

"But it can't be a dangerous mission surely?" Mary pressed her son, clearly not intending to let this argument drop, "I mean, they can't just expect you to -"

"So Sean," Joseph diverted very loudly, his eyes on his mother, "Siobhan tells me that you've just started working on our farms?" From the moment the young heir had met this fellow he sensed something was off but he merely brushed it down to unfamiliarity. Wartime taught him to always be on alert and trust few people. This encounter was no different regardless of him being his cousin's husband.

Sean dabbed his mouth with his napkin before answering, "Yes for about two days now."

"And how are you finding it?" Mary asked with earnest, her cheeks still flushed from her recent argument. "I do hope they're not wearing you down too much."

Sean chortled, "Not at all Lady Grantham. I used to farm back in Ireland and my mother-in-law told me that the farms here are mostly being looked after by women, now that most of the men have gone so," He spread his palms wide, "I thought maybe I could lend them my hand."

"Hmm how upright of you." Edward piped up silkily, strewing sauce upon his meat. He flicked his eyes towards Siobhan who tried to keep her poise as she absently toyed with the food on her plate.

"Yes I thought the farms around Downton could use a man's touch." Sean responded candidly.

Joseph and Mary rolled their eyes towards him in polite shock as did Matthew who half-raised his glass and mumbled, "Of course you did."

Edward gave him a stiff nod. "If you say so. The women here in Downton have only been farming for about a year and a half and it hasn't fallen to pieces just yet. But of course if you think your blessed farmhands can make any sort of difference then be our guest by all means."

Joseph skilfully turned his laughter into a cough. Matthew shot his sons a warning look before turning back to Sean and forcing a smile. "It's wonderful you're helping on our farms Sean and it certainly contributes to the war effort - but surely it's all just temporary work until you get called up?" He asked indirectly.

"If you haven't been already." Edward interjected firmly, challenging the other man with his strong glare, "It's been a month now and you haven't heard anything?"

Sean sucked in a sharp breath, his hand gripping around his knife and looking as though he'd quite like to stab Edward with it. But he managed to maintain his polite smile. "Well I'll have to wait and see if they want me."

"A young, healthy young lad like you?" Edward responded pointedly, choosing to ignore the sharp, reprimanding looks fired down the table by his family. "Why wouldn't they?"

Sean smirked across the table at him, determined not to let this kid bait him. "I'm sure they'd have their own reasons."

"Really?" Edward countered through gritted teeth, carefully slapping his napkin down. "Such as?"

"What about you Siobhan?" Georgina asked quickly, sensing an argument brewing. "How are you finding your time at the MTC?"

Siobhan turned towards her cousin in a daze, as though setting eyes upon her for the first time. "Me? Oh, I've been at the MTC for a couple of weeks now and I'm really enjoying it. I feel in my element there you know? My father taught me a lot about engines and cars and I'm sure you remember I grew up engrossed in that sort of activity. So I thought I'd be best suited there." She pressed a smile to her lips and beamed around the table, "Finally. I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to know I can put my skills to good use!"

"I'm so glad." Mary praised softly, a sad smile gracing her lips. Intuition and her eyes told her that something was definitely wrong with her niece but she knew better than to poke at it at the dinner table.

"Yes, it'll be fun." Georgina added, casting a smug look around the table, "Now we have two women in this family working with engines!"

"God help us all." Edward mumbled, earning him a sarcastic smirk from his sister in response.

"The Motor Transport Corps though Siobhan?" Sean enquired with a frown creasing his brows, "Are you sure you want to continue working there darling? It's one thing dabbling with a few cars here and there but becoming a proper mechanic to war machinery is something else entirely."

"I did more than just dabble Sean." Siobhan countered with as much sweet elegance as she could though her eyes flashed dangerously at him. "And I did a lot more than just watch my father and uncle fix their motors while handing them the occasional spanner."

"Indeed that I can vouch for." Tommy interjected swiftly, "She knows engines better than any of us!"

"Still why not try your hand at nursing?" Sean pressed in a tone laced with intimidation. "I'm sure you'll excel at it. I know your mother would've chosen that occupation for you."

Now it was Cora's turn to interrupt. "I find that a little hard to believe." She fired, her words shooting out like bullets. "I know Sybil would want Siobhan to do whatever she wants. Regardless of anyone's opinions."

"Yes she would." Tommy added coolly.

"I appreciate Mrs Branson's opinions." Sean replied in accelerating anger. "Yet Siobhan is my wife and," he placed a cold hand over hers. She jumped slightly at his sudden, possessive touch. "I'm sure she'll do what I think is best. Won't you darling?"

Edward quirked his brow in disbelief as the whole table lapsed into silence. "Jesus." He breathed into his water glass.

The ladies tried to show their concerns towards Siobhan through their eyes but it was no use. It was obvious to anyone who knew the girl that she was trying so hard to hold in a scream but of course she couldn't. Instead, all she could do was mask her humility with the most gracious of smiles, like her mother used to do. Yet under the table her hands were twisting her napkin as if it were her husband's neck. Mary squirmed uncomfortably in her seat, shifting her gaze towards Matthew who was glaring at Sean with a mixture of extreme dislike and...fear.

Sean continued to stare expectantly at his wife who didn't say anything except force her head into a nod. She picked up her cutlery and carried on eating without a word or glimpse to anyone, almost as if she were dismissing them all from her presence entirely.


"That was just disgusting!" Edward remarked once the ladies had retired to the music room. Sean had then excused himself briefly and they finally had the dining room to themselves. "Who treats their wife like that? No one can accuse me of ever being nice but even I know where to draw the line where bigotry is concerned!"

"Edward hush." Matthew ordered firmly, casting a cautious eye at the dining room door. "He'll come back."

"Poor Siobhan." Tommy sighed into his hands. "I knew I should've screamed objections at their wedding. What on earth was my father thinking? Agreeing to such a match?"

"I admit it is rather odd of Tom to arrange such a marriage with his only daughter and not verify the full...facts." Matthew said with concern. He wearily rubbed his forehead and shrugged off his concerns, "Then again maybe Sean was just being protective over his wife. It has been known."

Tommy threw him a sceptical glimpse, "If you say so Uncle Matthew."

"Perhaps there's more to this story than we know." Edward remarked softly, "If anything, let us comfort ourselves that this chap is miles more suitable than -" He broke off instantly as Joseph's body stiffened. He had been sitting quietly in his seat, listening to the conversation with a heavy heart and gazing blearily at the grand oil painting hanging behind his father.

"I think it's time we told him." Tommy's gentle voice of authority pierced through the brittle atmosphere. "Just tell him and let's get this over and done with."

Edward threw a fleeting glimpse at his father before quickly shaking his head. "No. This isn't the time nor place."

"The time or place to tell me what?" Joseph asked curiously, unable to stop the knot of anxiety twisting in his gut as yet another sharp pain sliced across his shoulder. "Oh God, please don't let it be too horrible." He surreptitiously clutched his throbbing shoulder, "I don't know how much more bad news I can take today."

Matthew paced around the table, smiling sadly as he grasped his son's shoulder. "Joe, you might have to brace yourself for a little more news. But it's all right. This will all make sense."

Joseph swallowed, looking from his father to his brother in to his cousin in gripping expectation. "What is it?"

"It's about Ned." Edward answered quietly, trying to ignore the look of distress that flashed across his brother's face. "And HMS Worthington."


"Poor dear." Cora sighed sadly as she took a rather large gulp of brandy and watching Georgina's slender frame scamper into the night. Siobhan had refused to be goaded into conversation with them and insisted she needed some fresh air in order to escape. Barely had she left the room when both Countesses had sent Georgina hot on her trail. "How are we going to manage this?" She asked wearily.

"We're going to do right by Sybil and her daughter and we're going to support her whether her husband wants us to or not." Mary replied with a tone of cool finality.

The door scraped open and Rebecca swiftly entered the room. "I've just been to check on Granny, she's asleep now..." She gazed around the music room with a peculiar frown, "Where's Siobhan and Georgina?"

"Outside." Cora answered, tipping a little more brandy into her glass much to the scrutiny of her daughter, "Siobhan didn't really feel like making much after dinner small talk with us. I think she's just waiting for the men to come through so we can go home."

Mary checked her watch, "It's just gone ten! Lord knows what they're talking about in there. I hope they don't reappear too drunk."

Cora chuckled, "My guess is that they're interrogating Sean."

"But Sean's outside." Rebecca interjected with some perplexity. "I - saw him on my way down, he was in the front entrance."

Mary stared at her. "You mean he's not in the dining room drinking port with the others?"

Rebecca shook her head as she settled into an armchair, "No he's talking to one of the Naval Officers. They seemed to be deep in conversation, though what they were muttering about, I couldn't tell you. I just assumed Edward frightened him off."

Mary adjusted herself airily in her seat, "I should hope so."


All the candles had flickered away into a stream of smoke. No one dared speak. Joseph remained seated, listening to Edward and Tommy's tales and now he was positive that his shoulder was about to split from his neck. Once they had finished, all eyes were on him, waiting for his reaction but his expression remained blank and as flawless as ever. He had grown so accustomed to using his neutral idiom over the years it had become somewhat of a second face for him.

Finally he lifted his eyes to Tommy and said in a voice of surprising calm, "I see. So Ned has definitely crossed over to the other side? That's it? There's no coming back?"

"Did you ever think he would?" Edward asked in disbelief.

Joseph didn't need to answer him but his silence was answer in enough. Matthew was never one for reading people's emotions or regarding other people's feelings but when it came to his children, he knew he had to try. He knew his son was practically writhing in turmoil at everything he had just heard and the Earl only prayed he could bear the strength to help them fight this.

"Joe," He started with as much caution as he dared, "I know this has been hard to hear." He bore the sharp reprimanding glare Joseph struck him with. "Believe me I do! Victor was a dear friend of mine and I've known Ned ever since he was a little boy running around here causing all sorts of trouble with you."

Joseph released a sour chuckle, massaging his thumping shoulder. "Trouble is too polite a word for him."

"Even so," Matthew pressed on pointedly, "I think it best that we all band together now. Now that we know all the facts."

"Do we though?" Edward's jagged tone sliced through the fragile atmosphere. He crossed his arms and glared at his father, "It's been a month now and you still haven't told us anything about this traitorous group and why they want you back!"

"You do know why they want you back don't you Uncle Matthew?" Tommy asked softly, trying to keep the peace between father and son if only for a little while. "Only, it would really help us – and by us I also mean Intelligence – build a solid case against them."

"The story is quite complicated Tommy." Matthew said gently, averting his gaze to the floor in mild shame. "And I shall need your Aunt Mary to help tell it as she is also involved."

Joseph downed an entire glass of scotch and gasped as the trickling liquid stung his throat. "I can help you build your case Tommy." He said emphatically, slamming his glass down and rising from his seat. "I know everything about the Gowers. And I know a hell of a lot about Ned. I can tell you his habits, his manners, his daily routine and then some. If you want me to help you." He proudly thumped his fist across his chest in a patriotic manner, "I'm your man."

"You'd do that?" Tommy asked in a small and timid voice, "You'd really sell out your own - your best friend?"

Joseph's stared at Tommy with a look so blank it sent a nervous chill running down Matthew's spine.

"He's not my best friend anymore." Joseph stated with calm emphasism, "He's a traitor and from what you've told me so far - everything he's done, is doing... it's all treason. And you know the punishment for treason?"

There was a very uncomfortable silence punctuating these words as Tommy nodded stiffly, all gazes averting to the floor for fear of the steely determination they'd see lest they look into Joseph's eyes.


Lady Georgina wrapped her arms around her flimsy dress and scurried out of the back entrance, running as fast as her delicate shoes would let her. Luckily she found her cousin seated on her parents bench under the old oak tree. She sidled up to her and sat down carefully so as not to crease or dirty her dress, lest she face her mother's wrath.

Siobhan hastily wiped the lone tear meandering from her eye and tried to smile at her cousin. "I'm so terribly sorry about dinner tonight." She breathed, her entire demeanour radiating with guilt. "Sean's not familiar with our - your ways of dining just yet."

Georgina noticed the slip up but didn't question it. She shook her head, "Don't fret about it. Papa was very gracious about the whole thing." When she garnered no reply from her cousin her concern only intensified. She cautiously shifted closer towards her, "Sean does seem a little – firm – with his opinions." Georgina stated with as much politeness as she could assemble. "I've never really seen you this speechless before Siobhan."

Siobhan raised her brow. "I suppose I haven't got quite used to married life just yet." She released a soft laugh, "All my life I'd been able to as I pleased. My parents raised Tommy and myself to always, always follow our own hearts and dreams. They use themselves as an example." A fond smile teased her lips, "Whenever I was a little girl, my mother would tell me how she'd always followed hers by marrying Pa. Then she'd kiss me on the cheek, call me her little angel and remind me that as a woman in this world it wouldn't be easy for me to do as I pleased yet I should jolly well try!"

They both laughed at Sybil's fierce determination to do right by her daughter. The smile gradually evaporated from Siobhan's face as tears started to pool the corners of her eyes, "I love Aunt Mary and Grandmama, they're wonderful to me. But I do wish my mother were here right now. She'd be able to tell me what to do."

"Siobhan you know she'd want you to join the MTC and I think you'll make -"

"No, no it's not that." Siobhan interrupted swiftly. "I mean, I will join the MTC, of course I will no question. I'm not going to let all my mother's sacrifices fall down the drain just because my husband throws a tantrum."

"Well what's the problem then?" Georgina asked in confusion.

Siobhan heaved a desolate sigh, "It's nothing. Really."

"Well maybe I can help!" Georgina offered with sincerity, "Oh come on Siobhan you're never one for shying away when things get a bit tough." She grabbed her cousin's arm, "Won't you please tell me what is troubling you?"

"I think I'm with child Georgina." Siobhan whispered, her dull voice injected with trepidation.

Georgina gasped in delight, "But that's wonderful!" Siobhan didn't even show a flicker of response. Georgina peered closely at her cousin with uncertainty, "Isn't it?"

"In some way I suppose so." Siobhan replied in a voice completely devoid of any emotion. "There's just one problem. I thought it had died as soon as I married and it did for a while. That is, until I came back here."

"Oh? What's that?" Georgina dared to ask even though deep down she knew the answer and positively dreaded hearing it. She strongly resisted the urge to stick her fingers in her ears and hum away in a childish manner, anything to keep from hearing - this.

Siobhan turned to her and tried to smile through her prison of tears as she finally admitted the one fact that she had buried deep within the depths of her soul, "I'm still in love with Ned Gower."


to be continued...