May 1914
In Ripon, Eve and Sybil stand among many in a crowd in the city hall courtyard listening to the speaker. Those among the crowd either cheered or booed.
"Last June saw Emily Davison crushed to death beneath the hooves of the king's horse! Will the summer of 1914 prove as fatal for the hopes of women? It cannot! This historic by-election can be the first step of the journey to women's equality!" He yelled.
"If you're so keen on women's rights, let a woman speak!" A woman yelled at the speaker.
"But why stop there? Let's get the dogs up and listen to them bark!" A man yelled in response. Some men in the crowd began to throw things at the speaker, and he dodged them as he continued to speak.
"Women! Women...are thrown out of jail...!"
Branson approaches Sybil and Eve to stand next to them in the crowd, "Are you all right, miladies?"
"Isn't it exciting?" Sybil responded.
"This is what women have been waiting for, Tom," Eve told him.
"Only to be dragged back inside!"
Isobel sees Sybil and Eve in the crowd and pushes through to reach them, "Sybil, Eve, I think it's time for Branson to take you home!"
"Not yet," Sybil argued.
"We can't. We have to stay," Eve argued.
"I think so. I applaud your spirit in coming, and I will applaud your discretion when you leave!" She told them.
"But you agree with everything he says?" Sybil asked.
"I do, my dear, but I also know if anything happens to you, Branson will lose his place," Isobel answered.
"Better safe than sorry, milady, "Branson spoke before putting an arm around Sybil, who grabs hold of Eve's hand, and pushes a path for them through the jeering crowd.
"The car is just here," He informed.
"Women must get the vote, mustn't they, Branson? Why does the prime minister resist the inevitable?" Sybil questioned as they reached the car.
"Politicians can't often recognize the changes that are inevitable," Branson opens the car door for Sybil and Eve, and they step in.
After some time, the motor was driving on country roads as they made their journey back to Downton.
"I hope you do go into politics. It's a fine ambition," Sybil spoke to Branson.
"Ambition or dream? If I do, it's not all about women and the vote for me, nor even freedom for Ireland. It's the gap between the aristocracy and the poor and..." He cuts himself off.
"And what?"
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to speak against His Lordship," Branson apologized.
"Why not?" Sybil asked, "You obviously don't approve of him."
"There are times when I don't approve of him," Eve spoke.
"Not as a representative of an oppressive class. But he's a good man and a decent employer."
"Spoken like a true politician. What do I look like?" Sybil looks at herself in the mirror.
"You look better than I do, Sybil," Eve told her.
"Could you sneak us around the back?" Sybil asked, "I should hate for Papa to see me like this."
Upon arriving at Downton, Sybil and Eve through the back door. They run into William as he exits a room holding a candelabra.
"Excuse me, miladies," William said.
"William, will you find Anna and tell her I've gone upstairs?" Sybil asked.
"And tell her I can manage," Eve told him.
"Very good, milady," He said.
"Thank you, William," Eve said before she and Sybil go upstairs.
When Eve entered her room, she was greeted by Cassandra, she kneeled and hugged her. Cassandra whined when the hug ended and gave Eve a sad look.
"I know you want me to pick you up, but you've gotten too big for me to do that, Cassandra," Eve told her.
Eve cleaned up and while she waited for the dressing gong to be rung, she placed her typewriter on her desk and worked on her book, which is nearing its finish. When the gong had been rung, it was a little later than usual and she got changed.
In the dining room, the tension that was in the room was dense. Sybil and Eve were discussing their trip to Ripon and the upcoming by-election. And Robert was not too happy about it.
"I gather you went to hear the Liberal candidate today?" He asked.
"There were several speakers, actually. He was the last," Sybil replied.
"Did he speak well?"
"I thought so," Sybil answered.
"He spoke with passion about the votes for women," Eve answered.
"But there was quite a brouhaha," Robert continued.
"You know what these things can be like," Sybil said.
"I do," Robert bangs down his fork and knife on his plate," Which is why I am astonished you should not feel it necessary to ask my permission to attend!" He exclaimed, "I assume this was Branson's scheme."
"No," Sybil and Eve defended.
"I confess, I was amused at the idea of an Irish radical for a chauffeur, but I see now I have been naïve," He continued.
"I told Branson to take Sybil and Eve," Cora spoke up.
"What are you saying?!" Robert questioned.
"Sybil and Eve needed to go to Ripon. I asked Branson to drive them. I thought it would be sensible, in case there was trouble," She explained.
"We want to do some canvassing. The by-election isn't far off," Sybil revealed.
"Canvassing?" Violet asked.
"Oh, it's quite safe. You're in a group and you knock on doors," Eve elaborated.
"Yes, I know what canvassing is," She said.
"I think that Sybil and Eve are-" Mary began.
"What? Are you canvassing, too? Or would you rather take in washing?" Violet challenged.
"I was only going to say that Sybil and Eve are entitled to their opinions," Mary explained.
"No! They are not until they are married. Then their husbands will tell them what their opinions are," Violet argued.
"Oh, Granny!" Mary exclaimed.
"We knew you wouldn't approve," Sybil and Eve muttered.
"Which presumably is why you all hid your plans from me," Robert bellowed.
Thomas removes the first course. There was silence at the table for a while before Violet broke it.
"Does this mean you won't be presented next month?" Violet questioned her granddaughter.
"Certainly not. Why should it?" Sybil asked.
"Well, I doubt I'd expect to curtsey to Their Majesties in June when I'd been arrested at a riot in May. But then I'm old. Things may be different now," She said.
"She hasn't been arrested, and it wasn't a riot," Cora supported.
"But it might be next time," Edith voiced.
"There will not be a next time," Robert said.
"Another reason as to why I see why my mother left," Eve muttered.
The next day, Eve was leaving the cottage hospital when the motor arrived with her Aunt Cora.
"Dear, Granny wants to talk to me about a letter she received and I thought you could join me," She said.
"Of course, Aunt Cora," Eve got into the motor.
When they arrived at Violet's cottage, they were taken to the drawing room where Violet was, and were announced to her.
"The Countess of Grantham and the Honorable Miss Eve De La Cruz, Milady."
"Hello, Granny," Eve greeted.
"Hello, dears. Thank you for coming. You could not fathom the letter I have received."
"But who's it from?" Cora asked.
"Susan Flintshire," Violet replied.
"What does she say?"
Violet hands Cora the pages of the letter, "Well, prepare yourself for the worst. Not the first page. My poor niece never uses one word when twenty will do. Start there. "I'm sorry..."
Cora reads aloud, "I am sorry to have to tell you that Hugh has heard a vile story about your granddaughter Mary..."
Violet interrupts her daughter-in-law, "Sorry"? She's thrilled. Now, first I must ask - and I want you to think carefully before you answer - is any of this true?" Cora looks up at Violet, and Violet is surprised to find affirmation in Cora's gaze, I see. Some of it is true, "Cora continues to stare at Violet" How much?" Cora continues to stare and the horrible truth sinks in, "Oh, dear."
"She didn't drag him," Cora told her.
"I wondered about that. I mean, obviously, Susan's forgotten the distance between the girls' rooms and the bachelors' corridor."
"She couldn't manage it alone, Granny," Eve said.
"So how did she do it?" Violet asked.
"We helped her. She woke me and Eve up and we helped her," Cora informed her.
Violet stares slack-jawed at Cora and Eve, " Well...I always thought this family might be approaching dissolution. I didn't know dissolution was already upon us. Does Robert know?"
"No. And he isn't going to," Cora responded, "Of course, it was terribly wrong. It was all terribly wrong, but I didn't see what else-"
"Please, "Violet holds up a hand, "I can't listen to your attempts to try and justify yourself.
"I know this is hard for you to hear. God knows it was hard for me to live through. But if you expect me to disown my daughter, I'm afraid you will be disappointed. Good day," She told Violet before she and Eve left.
Later that day in Ripon, Branson drives the motor car around a corner, Sybil and Eve in the back seat.
"Where to from here, miladies?" He asked.
"What do you mean? We've arrived," Sybil told him.
"The meeting's in one of these buildings here?"
"This is the meeting. We're here for the counting of the votes," Eve replied.
Branson stops the car and looks back at them, "I don't understand. I thought that..."
Sybil and Eve out of the car, and Sybil tells Branson, "Don't be silly, Branson. You didn't think we miss our very first by-election?"
"I don't think His Lordship would approve," Branson called out as they walked into the courtyard.
"Let us worry about him," Eve responded.
"I have to park the car. Don't move. Stay where you are!" Branson ordered.
"Really, Branson, I thought I gave the orders," Sybil said.
Sybil and Eve walk into the courtyard and Branson waves at the honking car behind him and shifts into gear. A man reads off the vote count as the crowd clamors and jostles each other.
"The Honourable Joseph Gerald Antsy for the Conservative and Unionist Party: 6,363 votes. Martin James Dillon, for the Socialist Party: 2,741 votes."
Branson rushes to get to Sybil in the crowd, "Can we call it a day, miladies?"
"Don't be silly. This is the moment we've come for," Sybil told him.
"Trevor Andrew Morgan, the Liberal Party..." The announcer has trouble being heard over the crowd.
"This lot aren't interested in politics. They're spoiling for a fight," Branson warned them.
"...5,894 votes! I hereby declare that the Honourable Joseph Gerald Antay is duly elected...is duly elected to serve as Member of Parliament...Member of Parliament..."
"Sybil! Eve!" The two heard their names being called out.
"...for the Ripon constituency."
"What on earth are you doing here?" Matthew asked as pushed through the crowd and he stood next to them.
"We couldn't miss this," The two answered.
"Couldn't you? I could," Matthew responded.
Branson sees the rough men enter, "I don't like the look of this, milady."
One of the men knocks another man's hat off. The man continues forward and Branson confronts him.
"Look, look, I'm on your side. Don't cause any trouble; you have to believe me," Branson told him.
The man shoves Branson aside and confronts Matthew, "What's your problem, then, Mr. La-di-da?"
"My problem is you," Matthew responded assertively.
"Oh, aye?
The man tries to punch Matthew, but Matthew punches back and somehow Sybil gets knocked to the ground. She bumps her head on a low table, knocking her unconscious. Matthew, Eve and Branson crouch over her anxiously. Matthew touches her head and his hand comes away with blood.
"Oh, no. Oh, please God, no," Branson pleaded.
Eve rips part of her dress and presses the cloth on Sybil's head to prevent the wound from bleeding any further. Branson and Matthew lift her. Branson carries Sybil out of the courtyard.
"This way," Matthew helped guide them to the motor, "We can take her to my home."
Once inside, Matthew and Eve sat in the back with Sybil while Branson drove them to the Crawley house.
At the Crawley house, Isobel rings out the blood into a bowl as she treats Sybil's head wound. Sybil lies on a couch, regaining consciousness while Branson went to get Mary.
Mary enters the room and her eyes land on Sybil before rushing to her side and exclaiming, "My God. Oh, my darling..."
"I didn't know what to do, so I had Branson bring her here," Matthew explained.
"Quite right. Mama would have fainted if she'd seen her like this. As for Papa..." Mary trailed off.
"I was able to get the bleeding to stop. I just feel so guilty," Eve said.
"Eve, this isn't your fault," Mary consoled.
"This will sting a bit, but it's stopped bleeding," Isobel told Sybil, and she flinched, "Did you know she was planning this?"
"Of course not," Matthew defended
"Well, what were you doing there?" Isobel asked her son.
"I was working late. I'd forgotten it was election night or I wouldn't have stayed," He explained.
"I'm so grateful you did," Sybil spoke.
"I could wring Branson's neck," Mary exclaimed.
"What was he thinking? I'm afraid it'll cost him his job," Matthew voiced.
"No," Sybil protested, "We told him he was taking me to a committee meeting."
"It's true, and when he realized what it was, he wanted to come straight back," Eve finished.
"You'll have to stick up for him because Papa will skin him alive," Mary told them.
"Are you feeling strong enough to go home?" Matthew asked.
"I think so if you'll take me," Sybil replied.
"Here, let me help," Eve and Matthew offer their hands and help Sybil up.
"Here, wear my coat to cover the blood. You'll look more normal," Mary said before taking it off and putting it around Sybil's shoulders.
"Lean on me," Matthew instructed as they walked out to the car.
Once they have arrived at Downton, Matthew and Eve help Sybil out of the car. Mary follows them towards the house, but Branson takes off his hat and addresses her.
"She's not badly hurt, is she?" Branson asked.
"I don't think so, no," Mary answered.
"Thank God."
"Better be prepared. I'm afraid Lord Grantham will hit the roof," She warned him.
"I never would have taken her there. I may be a socialist, but I'm not a lunatic," Branson said.
"I'm not sure Papa knows the difference," Mary told him.
"You'll let me know how she gets on?" Branson asked and Mary is surprised, "Please."
"If you wish," Mary responded before she enters the house.
In Sybil's room, Sybil and Cora sit on the bed. Mary, Eve, and Edith stand nearby as Robert rages.
"How dare you?! How dare you disobey me in this way!" Robert bellowed.
"Robert, I'm sure..." Cora began.
"Are you so knowledgeable about the great world that my instructions are to be set as nothing?!" He yelled.
"Papa, I'm sorry I disobeyed you, but I'm interested. I'm political. I have opinions," Sybil argued.
"Of course, I blame Branson," Robert told them.
"I don't think that's fair," Mary defended.
"We had none of this - none of it - until he set foot in our house! I suppose I should give thanks he hasn't burnt the place down over our heads!" He ranted.
"Branson didn't know anything about it until we arrived there," Sybil tried to reason with her father.
"He leaves tonight."
"If you punish Branson, I'll never speak to you again! Never!"
"I don't believe this is Branson's fault. Truly, Papa," Mary defended.
Sybil stands up, "Blame me."
"No, if anyone is to blame it's me," Eve defended.
"I do blame you! Both of you!" Robert yelled at them
"Robert, can we do this in the morning? Sybil needs rest," Cora suggested.
"But if I find tomorrow that Branson is missing, I'll run away. I warn you," Sybil warned.
Robert scoffs, "Oh? And where would you go?"
"Well, I can't think now, but I will go, and you'll be sorry," She responded.
"I should be sorry. Very sorry indeed," Robert replied in a softer tone.
The next day, Eve was walking down the stairs with Cassandra into the great hall when Violet spotted her.
"Ah, Eve. I was going to have Thomas send for you, but since you are already here," She said as Eve and Cassandra walked toward her.
"Of course, Granny."
They followed Thomas to Cora's writing room, He opens the door and announces them.
"The Dowager Countess, the Honorable Miss Eve De La Cruz, and Dame Cassandra, milady."
Violet, Eve and Cassandra enter and Cora stands from her desk, and Thomas leaves.
"Good afternoon, my dear," Violet greeted.
"Good afternoon," Cora responded.
"There's no need to be so prim. I come in peace. Shall I sit here?" Violet seats herself and Cora stands next to a nearby chair, Eve stands while Cassandra sits beside her. Violet continues "Now, I've been thinking. I confess I do not know if I would have had strength, mentally or physically, to carry a corpse the length of this house... but I hope I would have done. You were quite right. When something bad happens, there's no point in wishing it had not happened. The only option is to minimize the damage."
"Or try to, "Cora said before sitting in the chair next to Violet, "But if the Flintshires have got hold of it..."
"I've written to Susan," Violet interrupted, "I said it was a story made up by Mr. Pamuk's enemies to discredit him. Even if she doesn't believe me, she won't tell in case it reflects badly on her."
"Very clever, Granny," Eve commented.
"Thank you, Dear. The ambassador is dangerous, but then, how many people really go to the Turkish embassy?" She asked.
"It only takes one," Cora responded.
"Well, I mean, it just can't be helped. We can't have him assassinated. I suppose."
"I think that would be ill-advised, Granny," Eve told her.
"It was merely a suggestion, my dear," Violet clarified.
"Robert still doesn't suspect," Cora told Violet.
"Oh, I should hope not. No, our only way forward is to get Mary settled as soon as possible."
"I have news on that score. Matthew has proposed," Cora informed.
Violet gasps, "My, my. Has she said yes?"
"She hasn't said anything yet, except that she's going to have to tell him about Pamuk."
"For heaven's sake! Why?" Violet demanded.
"She thinks to keep it secret would be dishonorable," Cora explained to her mother-in-law.
"She reads too many novels. I mean, one way or another, everyone goes down the aisle with half the story hidden. The question is, will she accept Matthew?"
"I'm not sure," Cora replied.
Violet sighs, "Well if she doesn't, we'll just have to take her abroad. In these moments, you can normally find an Italian who isn't too picky. We'll give her till the start of the grouse. But perhaps an Italian boy would fit Eve."
Eve begins to blush at what her Grandmother was saying.
Cora grins in amusement, "Very well. If she turns Matthew down, we'll take her to Rome in the autumn."
"It's official," Violet stands and Cora does likewise.
"Thank you for not turning against her. I know that you have rules, and when people break them you find it hard to forgive. I understand that and I respect it," Cora told Violet.
"In this case, Mary has the trump card," She responded.
"What?" Cora asked, confused by what her mother-in-law meant.
"Mary is family," Violet clarified. Cora and Eve smile as Violet leaves.