Chapter Thirteen
January 11, 1919
The war had been over for two months, and life was changing yet again. The soldiers convalescing at Downton had gone, and the house was settling into a new, calmer routine. During the war, Sybil and Tom Branson had broken the bounds of lady and chauffeur and were now madly in love. The war had made everyone realize how short life really is, so the couple made a drastic choice, desperate to be together as soon as possible.
Mary and her wife were sitting on the sofa that morning reading a book together while their seven year old was at the local village school. They knew how crucial it was to enjoy some time with their feet up now before their little girl came home and kept them busy all evening. However, their quiet moment was interrupted when Thomas came rushing in and stood in front of them. He was now more of their friendly roommate, although he still wore his butler's attire in case anyone should come over. "Mary, your mother has just sent an urgent message. It seems Sybil has gone missing."
"What?!" Mary gasped. "Oh my goodness, wherever would darling Sybil have gone?"
"It seems she's run off to be with a man, although your mother didn't seem to know who."
"I think I know," Mary stated, "Tom Branson."
"The chauffeur?" Anna interjected softly.
"Yes, she confided in me that she had feelings for him last week. I hadn't told a soul, as I promised, and I wouldn't have just now if circumstances were different." Mary valued Sybil's loyalty in keeping her and Anna's secret and was determined to return the gesture. "Don't tell anyone, please."
"Of course we won't," Anna looked up at Thomas, who nodded in agreement. "I think it's lovely."
"Anna, we must go to her." Mary said.
"Yes, but how will we find her?"
"Where do all young couples go when they simply cannot wait to be together? Gretna Green."
"You're certain she's there?"
"Anna, it's the only place to elope within driving distance," Mary stated, "Now, if we hurry we might make it time to stop her."
"But surely, if she's in love, there's nothing we can do to change her mind." Anna responded.
"We're not changing her mind about marrying him, just convincing her not to do it right now. It would break Mama and Papa's heart to miss her wedding. They'll come around eventually, and when they do, Sybil and Tom can have a proper wedding rather than a rushed elopement."
"You're right. But if we both go, who will pick up Ellie from school and take care of her?"
"Thomas, would you mind?" Mary asked. "You're awfully good with her, and I'm sure she would love to have some play time with you."
"I would enjoy that very much," he stated. "I feel rather like her uncle, if I'm honest."
"And I know she feels like your niece," Mary said with a smile. "Just don't spoil her dinner with too many biscuits after school." she chuckled lightly before focusing again on the task at hand. "Anna, darling, can you fetch us some water and snacks for the road while I bring the car around? And Thomas, please send word to Mama that I have the situation under control and Sybil should be home some time tonight."
"Of course." they both said and set about doing what had been asked. They all cared about Sybil and wanted the best for her, so they knew they must leave soon if they were going to make it to try and stop her in time.
It was nearing four by the time Mary pulled up in front of the hotel. She knew this was probably the one where her sister was because it was closest to the courthouse. She rushed into the hotel and to the desk where the innkeeper stood. She was a gray-haired woman with a kind smile. "Excuse me, miss, have you seen a woman with long, dark hair and blue eyes come in with an Irish beau?" Mary asked in a kind but frantic manner.
"I have, but why should I tell you?"
"She's my sister," Mary answered. "Now listen, you need to tell me where she is right this instant!"
"Mary," Anna said softly as she linked one arm with Mary's arm and used her other hand to give her wife's arm a gentle rub. "I'm sure she's fine," she soothed.
Realizing this might have been seen as an inappropriate gesture, Anna thought quickly and added, "I'm sure our sissy is doing just fine, even without her asthma medication." She knew this lie would allow the innkeeper to tell her where Sybil was.
"Ah, so Mrs. Browning is your sister, then?" the innkeeper asked. Anna nodded, knowing that it was likely Sybil's alias because she was fond of the poet of the same name. "She came in this morning with an Irish husband and hasn't been down since."
"Yes, she is. And we have some of her medication that she left behind. That's why my sister is all in a panic." Anna responded. Mary had let go of some of her tension now and felt proud of Anna for thinking of a lie on the spot to get them up to her sister's room.
"Oh, well, they're up in room four. I hope she's alright."
"Thank you," Anna responded, and she and Mary set off up the stairs.
Sybil and Tom were set to be married at five, so they were in their room putting their final touches on their outfits when they heard a knock on the door. "Who could that be?" Sybil questioned as she walked over toward the door.
"Heck if I know," Tom responded as he watched his fiance get onto her tippy toes to look in the peephole.
"It's Mary," Sybil said before turning the knob and opening the door, "Mary, Anna, what's the matter? How did you find me?"
"You're lucky we did find you," Mary said as she walked into the room, "I assume you haven't got married yet?"
"No, our appointment is at five."
"Well, you need to cancel it," Mary said gently but firmly.
"I will do no such thing!" Sybil's voice began to rise, "Honestly, Mary, the nerve you have to barge into my room and demand I don't marry the love of my life."
"Hey, Sybil, that's not what she's doing," Anna interjected, placing a gentle hand on Sybil's arm, "She wants you to have the wedding you deserve rather than a rushed elopement. She supports your love. Why would she not when she's been in love with me for so long?"
Tom's jaw dropped at Anna's bold statement, not realizing Sybil already knew about her sister's secret love, but he remained silent as Mary began to emphasize Anna's point. "Yes, this has nothing to do with class, Sybil. You and Tom are a perfect match, equal in brains and passion. You will make an amazing life with each other, but sneaking off in the dead of night is not the right foot to start off on."
"And marrying in some grand ceremony as a lady of the county is?" Sybil asked.
"No, not if that's not what you want," Mary assured her sister, "but informing your family and having them all in attendance for whatever ceremony you would like to have is."
Sybil sat down on the bed and sighed, frustrated but contemplative of what her sister and Anna were saying. Tom came over and sat beside her then, giving her thigh a gentle squeeze as he spoke. "Listen to them, Sybil," he said. "I want to be with you so very badly, but it can wait. I've waited five years to be with you. I can wait a few more months so we can do things properly."
"Is that what you want?"
"I'm fine either way, but you have a reputation to think about and a family who is likely worried sick about you."
"Yes, Mama, is terribly worried, which is why we came to find you," Mary interjected softly.
"See," Tom said, "your family is not quite ready for you to leave the nest. We need to go back to Downton and prepare them for that eventuality and do things the right way. Slow and steady wins the race, love."
"Oh, alright," Sybil acquiesced.
"Thank you Mary, and Anna," Tom stated, "for coming and talking us into our senses."
"We understand forbidden love, probably more than anyone," Mary stated, "but we also know that if there is a way for you to be accepted, you should take it. If I could go to the hilltop and shout my love for Anna, I would. I want you to be able to do that for Sybil, Tom."
"I want him to be able to do that too," Sybil chuckled and sniffled away the tears that had welled up in her eyes during Mary's impassioned speech.
After a short beat of silence, Anna's words broke the awkwardness threatening to form, "Right, Sybil needs to come back home with us. Tom, you can drive the family car back to Downton and then stay either at the Grantham Arms or at Hawton House with us until Sybil has told the family about you and a dinner can be arranged to introduce you properly."
"Will I have to wear white tie?" Tom groaned.
"I'm afraid so, my love," Sybil chuckled and gave her fiance a gentle kiss on the lips, "You're the one who convinced me to do things properly, so you shouldn't be surprised at what that entails."
"I suppose I shouldn't," Tom chuckled as well and gave Sybil one more kiss before letting her go with Mary and Anna. "I love you."
"I love you too," she said, glancing over her shoulder one more time to look at the Irishman standing at the foot of the bed and then walking out the door with her sister and Anna.
A/N: I know that was a little Tybil heavy, but it was also a bonding moment for Anna and Mary and now Tom knows about them so…
I think it still fits within the story, and I hope you all enjoyed it.