Continued... a number of months later...

Chapter Eight

Christmas 1939,

The envelope sat tucked between the teacup and the small pot of hot water on the tray that was quietly brought into the room and set beside the two sleeping women still tucked soundly into the bed. The curtains were opened and the sun struck Sybbie Branson's face. She smiled herself awake and then sat up suddenly realizing that the day was here.

She reached over to her friend and shook her shoulder until the other young woman snuffled awake.

"Clara! Wake up! It's finally here!" Sybbie jumped up to her knees to make sure her companion was fully awake.

"It's Christmas! I know It's wonderful, do you think it will snow?" Clara smiled at her friend.

Working together in the hospital since the beginning of the war months earlier, Clara had realized that there were many more important things in the world than those she had cared so deeply about when that girl Catherine had been her best friend.

She had decided that Sybbie wasn't such the mean person that she had thought for so many months while they had attended the nursing classes. And Sybbie had taken to her like nobody's business as though they had been long time friends. All was forgiven when Sybbie realized what a skilled nurse Clara was becoming and that she wasn't so mean as originally thought either.

The two of them had learned to trust each other implicitly and were a very good team working together in the hospital since the terrible war had started. And they had already been through a lot. Everyone was saying that the war could go on for years. That information was what had made Sybbie decide that she and James should be married without any more time passing. And with some prompting from a surprising source, her Aunt Mary, who had told her passionately not to let time and war come between her and James. That they should enjoy every minute they had together on earth.

Her father had also been surprisingly agreeable to their plans, and he too gave she and James a lecture about not letting any time be taken for granted.

Sybbie had cried when she and her father had spoken that day. His memories of her mother were on the tip of his tongue, and she was again sad that her mother wasn't there. She had obviously never met her, but she was sure that both she and her father wished she were.

But sad thoughts were gone and the day was now hers.

Sybbie just laughed at Clara.

"It's my wedding day, and Christmas. It looks to be a glorious day." Sybbie looked toward the window and saw only the blue sky of the winter morning. She smiled inwardly and outwardly.

"Oh. It's only Christmas Eve, get a hold of yourself." Clara smiled and crawled out of the bed. She went to the tray and poured her friend a cup of tea, which the other woman accepted gratefully.

"I just love him so much, and with he and George being deployed in the New Year, I want to marry him before he goes away."

"You have no need to justify anything to me," Clara laughed, "Everyone can see how perfect the two of you are together. There will be peace on Earth tonight."

"And a lot of sore heads tomorrow." Sybbie winked and wrapped her dressing gown around herself. "My cousin will most likely be the worst. He or my Grandfather, it's hard to tell."

"What about James?" Clara sat down on the bed with her own cup and saucer in her hand.

"Well, I'm not worried about him so much. I plan on stealing him away at the first chance I get and having him a number of ways before anyone even realizes we're missing."

"Sybbie!" Clara could only blush.

"Oh stop. We all know what happens." Sybbie sipped her tea and smiled wryly at her friend. Marigold wouldn't have blushed and gotten shy. She would have burst out laughing and countered with some crude joke of her own.

Sybbie wished more than anything that her cousin would return. She missed her terribly since she had vanished in the night all those months ago. She would have loved very much if Marigold would surprise her with an appearance, but the family had come to terms with the fact that Marigold either could not, or would not return home.

The only information they had gotten as any indication that she was fine, was a sketch of some flowers that had been sent from France. It had been addressed to Sybbie Branson and Lily and Sybbie recognized the sketch as belonging to the hand of the talented young artist, but there was no note. Only the paper folded carefully in an envelope. The writing on the outside did not belong to Marigold, but not one person on the family could speculate for sure what that meant. Was Marigold with someone? Was she safe? They all prayed it was so.

Sybbie only thought for a brief while about her missing cousin. The excitement in her chest was making her heart pound and she could no longer sit still.

Her wedding would be small. Only family who lived nearby and the members of the household. Both up and down. The war made travel difficult, and Sybbie had begged her Granny to keep the guest list small and intimate.

Cora had only protested for a few moments, even she recognized the lavishness of a large wedding during war time could be misconstrued or be a target. She had set herself to give her Granddaughter the nicest wedding the season could provide. And give a merry party for all the employees who had worked so hard to provide for and home the children that were brought by George from London. They were all thriving under the care of the estate, much to the relief of most of their parents, still suffering the risk in the city.

Cora and Robert were proud of their estate for contributing to the war effort, even the tiniest way that they were able to. The farms of the estate were providing nicely for the influx with the extra help that came along with it, everyone was doing well.

The house was intricately decorated for Christmas and the air smelled of fresh pine and the cooking coming from the kitchens. The fires were all well stocked and the big house was already in a flurry with the preparations for the day.

Sybbie sat oblivious to this in her room, just smiling in anticipation. Enjoying a few moments of quiet before the happiness of the day overwhelmed her. It wasn't long before a slight knocking on the door made both girls turn in its direction.

Anna peeked in, and seeing that both of them were awake, she came fully into the room with a towel over her arm and a few of her maids trailing behind her carrying a wrapped article of clothing.

Clara stood up and let the girls lay out what she assumed was the wedding dress. Sybbie stood up too and clasped her hands under her chin. The day was truly here.

"We've drawn you a bath, so let's get you in so we can start on your hair." Anna gestured for the maids to set about some various tasks in the room and she took Sybbie by the arm before she could protest.

Sybbie shot her friend a look to say she was sorry, but Clara just smiled. Unsure of what she should do, she tried to stay out of the way of the maids and was still a little shocked by the lifestyle. It was very different from her household but she relished every minute of it.

Working together with Sybbie in the hospital, Clara would never have guessed that her cohort came from such a wealthy family if she hadn't already known. Sybbie was not afraid to get her hands dirty and took no air of poshness about her. Clara was very glad she had gotten to know Sybbie better and hoped they would be friends for a very long time. Not because with friendship came perks, but because it seemed that no matter were Sybbie went, she was instantly loved and brought such happiness, even in dark times.

A very pretty brown-haired woman came into the room not long after Sybbie left with Anna and smiled warmly at Clara. She held an absolutely adorable little boy in her arms and Clara tried desperately to place her name, she was sure they had been introduced the previous evening at dinner, but Clara had met so many people in the last two days, she was overwhelmed by trying to remember them all.

"I'm Lily. Sybbie's step-mother. I'm here to help you get dressed, and then we can all help Sybbie get ready." The woman's easy smile and warm presence instantly calmed Clara.

"I've only heard incredible things about you." Clara greeted the woman with a compliment.

"All rumours. I assure you." Lily winked. The baby was struggling in her arms. "Can you take him please, I want to unwrap the dress, and little fingers like to touch, don't they?"

The baby smiled the most charming little grin at his mother as she handed him off to the stranger. He didn't seem to mind being held as long as he could see his mother. Clara brushed his dark curls behind his ears and smiled. He was a beautiful child.

"How old is he?" Clara asked the woman who working to help the maids unwrap the white silk dress that was hidden by the wrapping.

"He will be one year old tomorrow." Lily paused briefly from her chore to smile at her son. He smiled back.

"A Christmas baby? What a wonderful present!" Clara saw the strange look pass on the face of the woman as though she remembered back to the day a year ago.

"We were certainly happy when he finally arrived. And he's been a joy since then. Thankfully." Lily smiled now in memory. She held up the dress and judged it silently. She held it up to Clara to ask her opinion.

Clara had tears in her eyes. "It's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, by far." And she wasn't lying.

Lily smiled again.

"Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Hughes have blisters from their efforts to get it ready. It was my dress when I married her father, but they modified it enough to make it unique for her. I think she'll love it. She'll get to be a princess for a day. And this was her mother's."

Lily held up the veil to show Clara and the younger woman just nodded. Sybbie would be touched that her mother could be included in some way. They all knew it.

Jack started to fuss and Clara struggled to get him to calm. Lily took her son back, but even she couldn't seem to prevent his forthcoming outburst.

"He spends too much time with his father. He doesn't like to be away from him." Lily smiled at Clara as she attempted to sooth her son.

An older woman dressed in darker clothing came into the room then and Clara knew instantly that this was a woman to be respected by the treatment she received from everyone. She took the baby from his mother and the little boy calmed as he stared at the old woman making faces at him.

"Good morning everyone. I wonder now, if my husband wouldn't enjoy some child-minding duties to keep him occupied for the morning. To keep both of them occupied actually." Mrs. Carson continued to smile at the boy, who was attempting very strongly not to smile back.

"Do you think he would mind?" Lily seemed relieved. She had too much to do today if Jack was going to be cranky to top it off.

"He has entertained more children in this house than anyone I would dare to bet. I shall take little Jacky here down to him, and be back up shortly to help with the dress."

"You are wonderful." Lily leaned over to hug the old woman.

"Just don't tell anyone. People will start expecting more from me." Mrs. Hughes smiled directly at Clara who was silently watching the scene.

Lily then pulled another dress out from beside the wedding dress and held it up to Clara.

"This should fit you do you think?" Lily spread it out against Clara who held one side of it down to her. The silk and lace in her hands felt like heaven.

She was so amazed to be in the presence of the people in the house that she was speechless. Lily noticed, and felt slightly similar to the young woman standing there. The household could be overwhelming if one is not used to it, but it doesn't take long to love and respect them all.

Their thoughts were interrupted by a tall, dark pretty woman coming into the room with two little girls bounding in behind her.

"Oh thank heavens, Lily! Can you help me with the girl's hair? I've been practising but I can't get the curls just right..." Mary herded her daughters towards the bed and Clara was suddenly incredibly self-conscious of being only in her robe. She was in the presence of a true Lady and she was standing there in her nightgown. She was sure her face was flaming red.

"You are Sybbie's friend from London correct?" Lady Mary turned and spoke directly to Clara. The young girl wished she could disappear.

"Yes, Milady." Clara could utter no more. She didn't even know if it was a proper greeting to such a noble lady.

"Can you do hair?" The tall, thin intimidating woman spoke to Clara as though she didn't notice the girl's discomfort.

"Well enough Milady."

"Then for heaven's sake girl, come give me a hand. They certainly did not get these curls from me..."

Lily laughed and started to show Clara how to twist the young girls hair so that it was manageable. Mary stood back and watched approvingly.

"Since you have this firmly in hand, I have to go find my son..." and with that, Mary turned and left the room.

"Isn't he the best man?" Clara whispered to Lily as they twisted the girls hair.

"Yes he is." Lily whispered back.

"Isn't that a fairly important role?" Clara knew the answer.

"Yes. And God help the groom if he's missing by some sort of foolery with George Crawley. My husband will kill him. Both of them probably."

Clara tried to gauge just how much the woman was teasing. She couldn't tell with any sort of assurance. What a day this was going to be.

In the bustle of ribbons and hair pins, not one person noticed the untouched envelope on the tea tray. It was taken back to the kitchens by one of the maids who was told to clear the room and bring fresh beverages for everyone.

Completely unnoticed, the envelope remained on the tray as the chaos of Sybbie's wedding day filled everyone's minds.

And it was Christmas!

to be continued...

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