A/N: I wasn't sure if this should be part of The Crawley Sisters or another chapter of The Season. But since The Season is basically a Robert, Cora, and Sybil story I determined this didn't quite fit there. I had intended this to be just a one-shot but now it will be two chapters. As always any reviews would be appreciated.
Sybil settled back into the plushness of the velvet seat of her first class compartment as the train made its way towards London. Her view outside the rail car reflected the rural Yorkshire landscape of gently sloping fields green with lush summer grass where snowy white sheep or occasionally small groups of brown and white cows grazed contentedly. Most of the fields were outlined with waist high stone walls but here and there the fields were broken by woodlands or lightly used roads that led to isolated farm houses. Sometimes in the distance spires and rooftops of small villages gleamed in the sunlight. Yet Sybil knew that as the train neared London the fields and pastures and the pristine small villages would gradually fade away replaced with factories and their tall smoke churning chimneys and densely packed housing estates as they neared King's Cross Station.
The sooty and grimy industrial buildings and housing estates seen from the train weren't the London of the Crawleys. No theirs was a world of elegant Georgian or Regency houses lining private gardens or tree filled squares. Normally Sybil would be excited about visiting London an occurrence that was all too rare for her. The city held so many wonders, she longed to explore the ancient treasures at the British Museum, to once again sample the many delights of the food emporium of Fortnum and Mason, to wander along the Thames admiring the array of boats gliding through the city and inventing stories as to where they were going to or coming from, to just sit at one of the city's delightful fountains and maybe even soak her feet in their cooling water something that would surely draw rebukes from Granny.
At that thought Sybil looked away from the window and to Granny who sat regally across the aisle from her. They had the small compartment to themselves for no one else would dare venture to sit down after a steely stare from Violet Crawley. Just as it was rare for her to be traveling to London it was even rarer for her to be traveling with just Granny. Of course the rest of her family was already in London, settled into stuffy Grantham House. Sybil still didn't understand why her presence was required since at not quite fourteen she wouldn't be able to partake of any of the events of the season and even worse she knew that all those things she longed to do in the city would be strictly off limits. In previous visits she could cajole her father and, if it was a visit to Fortnum's or a possibly other suitable shop, her mother to take her but this week they would be preoccupied with accompanying Edith as she made the rounds of teas, garden parties, and dinners.
She was commanded to accompany Granny to London Sybil finally surmised due to the misadventures, as her mother quaintly and politely termed it which was much better than what her father or Granny had called it, of last year when Mama, Papa, Mary and Granny had gone to London for Mary's season. It had been determined Sybil would not stay home this year even if there was a house full of servants and a new and ever watchful governess.
Misadventures! Sybil sulked. In a house with hundreds of vases what were a few broken ones? And it wasn't like the entire floor of the ballroom had to be replaced. Really where else was she supposed to use her new roller skates that Grandmama had sent her? And Edith had wanted to play the damsel in distress. Was it Sybil's fault the flooring in that tower was unstable? And then there was that room, one of many Sybil would like to add, that no one ever used so why not put those curtains to a better use and really wasn't the dress she had created for Edith quite lovely? And that hat she had created out of … well really her family just had no appreciation for imagination or originality. And really once again why was it her fault for the damage Isis did?
In frustration Sybil sighed deeply, an act which of course didn't escape the notice of her ever observant grandmother.
"At your age I was excited to come to London" Violet looked intently at her youngest granddaughter whose restlessness was so apparent.
"I would be Granny if I were allowed to do some things I'm interested in."
"We're not going to London for your amusement Sybil." Violet huffed. "We're going to support Edith." Poor Edith Violet thought. She was so often overlooked against her more dominant older sister and her vivacious younger sister.
"I'm not sure how I'm supposed to support Edith" snapped Sybil. Realizing she sounded a bit too combative she softened her voice. "I would of course help Edith in any I can."
"I'm sure you will" Violet replied. "Just remember that sometimes Edith needs a bit of bucking up." Violet thought Edith unfortunately had a tendency for pettiness and self-pity which Mary was only too happy to exploit. She feared Mary would outshine her sister and cultivate these negative traits of Edith's but Violet was determined that Edith's coming out be a success.
"That I can do!" Sybil laughingly replied.
Yes thought Violet Sybil could. It was a pity that Edith didn't have a bit more of Sybil's spark.
"It will also be good for you to see what the season is all about for it will be yours in no time at all." In her mind, Robert and Cora were far too lenient with their youngest daughter and she feared that despite the sweetness and kindness Sybil might be the most rebellious of the sisters.
Sybil glanced away and looked once again at the passing scenery. Then glancing back at her Granny she smiled as she asked "Did you meet Grandpa during your season?"
Surprised by her granddaughter's question Violet narrowed her often cold blue eyes as she peered at Sybil but she saw no maliciousness or mocking in the bright blue eyes staring back at her. "I did actually. Only it wasn't at my ball which was attended by so many I couldn't dance with all the men. No … we met a few days later at a late night supper at the Clayton-Wiley's. It was so boring I might have fallen asleep in my soup if it wasn't for the lively young man sitting next to me … your grandfather."
"Was it love at first sight?"
"Dear Sybil I'm afraid love at first sight is something of fairy tales. But I did find him quite dashing although with that dull crowd it wasn't hard to stand out."
"Edith believes in all that love at first sight and fairy princess stuff."
"I'm afraid Edith might be a bit disappointed in that. Love is fine but it's more important to find someone that ..." Violet hesitated realizing that it was not quite fourteen year old Sybil she was talking to "is companionable."
"But that's just it Granny" Sybil spoke earnestly. "How is one to know if someone is companionable if they don't have any experiences? I mean boys go to school and learn so much and have plenty to talk about while we women learn how to dance and curtsey or arrange dinner parties."
"Fine skills for running a household" Violet replied.
"But what if I don't want to run a household?"
"Not run a household!" A flabbergasted Violet shifted in her seat. "That's what any proper Lady aspires to!
Violet fanned herself as she snorted and sputtered. Finally composing herself she asked "What exactly would you want to do?"
"Well that's just it Granny, I don't know yet" Sybil sincerely responded as if this was something she had given great thought to.
Violet leaned back on the plush velvet seat. She needed to talk to Robert and Cora, they were just too lenient with Sybil, but that would have to wait. This was Edith's week and she had to concentrate on her.
The lady's maid had been dismissed some time ago but Mary still sat at her vanity table. She absentmindedly picked up her hairbrush but the lady's maid had already plaited her hair into the long braid that hung down her back. Despite having attended several dinner parties and garden parties this past week where she saw old friends she was bored and restless. She had thought she was quite the success during her season when she had been invited to countless dinners and dances where her dance card was always full. Her own coming out party had been quite the elaborate affair and Grantham House had overflowed with guests and the party had lasted till dawn. But there hadn't been any serious would-be suitors and certainly no proposals.
At the time of her own season it was a forgone conclusion that Mary would marry her cousin Patrick who would one day inherit Downton and become the Earl of Grantham. Not that Mary was thrilled with this prospect or even looking forward to it but it was her duty as the eldest daughter, it was what she had been groomed for ever since it became apparent that Robert Crawley would have no son of his own to inherit.
Always one to enjoy dancing and of course the expensive new wardrobe that was required of the season, Mary had tried to enjoy her season but there was always the thought of Patrick and her destiny lingering in the background. She had flirted and danced the nights away secretly hoping that a son of a Duke or even a Marquis with a home even grander than Downton would sweep her off her feet but alas it wasn't to be. The few she had met that might have the money and the grand home were insufferable bores.
Mary set the hairbrush down on the vanity table and absentmindedly fingered the glass jars and bowls that filled the table. Looking at her image in the vanity's mirror she curled her lip. She loved Downton, where she had been born and raised, it was her home not Patrick's and she should be the one inheriting it.
There were three quick knocks on the bedroom door and then it slowly opened. Mary didn't bother to turn around, instead looking in the vanity mirror she was relieved to see it was Sybil who had quietly entered her bedroom.
"Good you're still up" Sybil said as she plopped onto the edge of the four-poster bed.
"Rather late for you to be" Mary smiled as she turned around to face her youngest sister.
"I'm not a child anymore Mary" Sybil softly chided.
No you're not thought Mary as she looked at Sybil who looked so lovely in her flowered silk robe of blues and red which only emphasized the clear blue of her eyes, the rosy complexion and dark glossy hair held back from her face with a thick red ribbon. It had seemed so sudden Mary thought that her baby sister had matured although not quite yet a young woman there was no doubt in Mary's mind that Sybil would blossom into quite a beauty. Thanks heavens she wouldn't be competing with her was Mary's next thought and then she shook her head and silently chided herself for such thinking.
But in that instant Sybil did look like a young girl as she sat on the edge of the bed swinging her legs as she looked around the bedroom with its embossed light sea green silk wallpaper and dark walnut furniture. Her eyes fell on the mulberry colored dress draped over the room's sole chair.
"Is that the dress you're wearing to Edith's ball tomorrow night?" she asked.
Mary glanced at the dress and then back to Sybil. "I think so."
Sybil nodded her head. "It's quite pretty and you'll look beautiful in it."
Smiling Mary once again glanced at the dress. "Well that is the point isn't it? I mean one is supposed to be trying to attract a husband."
If Sybil noticed the sarcasm in Mary's voice she didn't say anything. Instead she looked down at the floor, her legs no longer swinging, and her hands now twisting in her lap.
"Mary" Sybil lifted her head to look directly at her sister. Then imitating her grandmother she said "Granny says a young lady's most important night is her coming out ball."
"Does she now" Mary jokingly responded. "I wasn't aware that you and Granny had such intimate conversations."
Sybil rolled her eyes. "It was a long train ride with just the two of us!"
"Any other pearl of wisdoms from Granny that you care to share with me?"
Sybil shook her head. "I fear Granny is still living back in the Victorian Age."
There was a time when Sybil would often come to Mary's bedroom. When she was little, she'd scoot next to Mary in bed and listen while Mary read her stories. It had been a long time since Mary read Sybil bedtime stories but sometimes Sybil would still come to sit and talk. Usually it was Sybil that did most of the talking and Mary realized that Sybil was lonely which was rather striking since Sybil was so independent.
As Mary watched Sybil sitting on the bed, nervously twisting her hands in her lap, she realized that there was something that Sybil wanted to tell her.
When she finally spoke Mary was quite surprised at the topic. "Tomorrow night is Edith's night. Could you … would you let her have the limelight? Let her shine."
Mary's first reaction to Sybil was to laugh. "Edith shine?" Mary gave another bitter laugh. "Edith wouldn't shine if she was the only female there."
"Maaarrry" Sybil pulled herself up straight. "That's a terrible thing to say."
"Oh Sybil why would any man be attracted to that mopey face and her constant whining and-"
"Stop it Mary" Sybil said as she jumped off the bed and started walking towards her sister. "I'm just asking you … for once … just one evening … let Edith have her night."
Sybil reached up and gently touched Mary's cheek. "You're not that cruel Mary. I know you're not." Then Sybil got that sparkle in her eyes and smiled. "Besides if Edith met someone … well … that would get her out of your hair."
Lifting her brows and twisting her mouth Mary gave a shrug of her shoulders "you may have a point there."
Sybil rewarded her with a beaming smile before giving Mary a peck on the check. "It's just one night Mary. If you won't do it for Edith do it for me."
For those wondering Edith will appear in the next chapter!