It'll be new and exciting. That's how Sybil always described her ideas whether it was playing ring toss or racing on the front lawn or … Edith shuddered thinking of some of the adventures Sybil would dream up. That was another word Sybil loved to use adventures.

It's those books that Grandmama sends her from America even though Sybil can't read yet or to be more accurate can barely read. Tom Sawyer, Alice in Wonderland, Huckleberry Finn, Robinson Crusoe, Treasure Island. But Sybil snuggles in Papa's lap or Mary's and they happily read to her.

And that was another thing … Sybil always goes running to Mary when she's scared or needs comforting or wants a cuddle. But when she wants an adventure she comes to her.

Why was it that every adventure with Sybil seemed to end with their being punished? That thought played over and over in Edith's mind as she lay on her bed staring up at the ceiling. It was only early afternoon and she had been banished to her room for the rest of the day. A punishment which usually wouldn't seem that bad, after all she could still read or play with her dolls and she wouldn't be disturbed by Mary, except that Lady Smiten and her daughters were coming for tea. Not that Edith actually liked Elizabeth or June Smiten but she was sure Mary would tell them about her very childish and unlady like behavior as Mama had described it. Edith just knew that Mary and the Smiten girls would have a good laugh about it and probably make fun of her.

As humiliating as that was even worse was that Mama was threatening to not allow her to attend Thursday's tea party at Huntley Manor. She had been so looking forward to attending her first real tea party especially at a place so beautiful as Huntley Manor. While the Manor wasn't as large or imposing as Downton it was probably the second best house in the county. She even had a new dress made for the occasion. Well maybe not made just for that occasion actually but it would be the first time she wore it. Oh how grown up she had felt when she had tried it on at the dress maker's shop.

Oh! And the hat with its delicate roses on the brim and the green ribbons that perfectly matched the green of her dress. Even Granny had said that shade of green looked wonderful on her and Mama had said she looked so grown up and beautiful. And now to think that she might not get to wear it, that she might not get to go to the tea party. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.

I can excuse Sybil because she's only six but really Edith you're the older sister and I expect more from you.

You mustn't do things just because Sybil wants to. You should set an example for her.

Edith could still hear her mother's scolding and tears began welling up in her eyes once again. To make the scolding even worse were the faces Mary, standing behind Mama but just off to the side so as not to be seen by her, was making at her. She might have been a bit more contrite if Mary's gestures hadn't riled her.

Usually it was Edith that would be sheepish and apologetic when she and Sybil were being reprimanded or scolded while Sybil would be nonchalant or even on occasion defiant. Then again it was usually Papa that was doing the scolding and Sybil seemed to have him wrapped around her little finger.

This time it had been Mama who had scolded them which was very rare. In fact it was so rare that even Sybil was taken aback and for a moment there Edith thought she'd cry. Which of course she did. Sybil let a few tears run down her cheeks and then reached out to put her arms around Mama's waist and with her head buried in Mama's dress mumbled how sorry she was that she had upset her. Edith noted that Sybil didn't say she was sorry for breaking that valuable vase or for causing the painting to fall and crack.

Edith looked at the clock on the fireplace mantel and sighed as she saw that it was almost tea time. She wished that her room looked out on the front of the house so she could see the Smitens arrive. She was so curious to see what Elizabeth and June were wearing. Maybe she could quietly sneak to a spot on the second floor balcony and look down at the great hall but it would just be her luck that Mama or Mary hadn't gone down yet and would find her there and then surely she would be banned from going to Huntley Manor.

While Edith sulked in her bedroom, Cora was just down the hall in her own bedroom dressing for her tea with the Smitens. Lady Smiten wasn't the most interesting of guests but she was pleasant and more importantly to Cora her daughters were the same ages as Mary and Edith and Cora had hoped the girls could become friends.

O'brien had just finished styling her hair when there was a faint knock on the bedroom door. Without waiting for a reply, the door was opened and Sybil walked sheepishly into the room, quite a contrast from her usual buoyancy.

Seeing O'brien Sybil stopped at the far side of the foot of the bed. Cora glanced up at O'brien. "That will be all O'brien. Thank you."

O'brien nodded and then glared at the little girl as she walked out of the room. She would have liked to slap the child as she passed her. She could barely tolerate that uppity oldest one or that mousy other one but this one really made O'brien seethe. It was a strange and terrible feeling to actually dislike a six year old but that's how O'brien felt about Lady Sybil. She was tired of hearing the other servants glowingly talk of the child… she's so delightful … what a beauty she is … she's the sweetest thing … when she thought the child ran wild and seemed to do whatever she pleased. At least those other two seemed to know their place.

Sybil came around the bed and stood in front of her mother who remained seated at her vanity table.

"I thought I said you were confined to your room for the afternoon" Cora simply stated.

Sybil's eyes were downcast as she nodded her head yes. Then taking a deep breath she looked up at her mother. Looking at her daughter's sad face Cora wanted to reach out and pull her into her lap and hug her.

"I just wanted to … to …" Sybil who never seemed lost for words struggled to find her voice. "Mama … it would be terrible for you not to let Edith go to the tea party at" she scrounged up her face trying to recall the name "at Hunney Manor."

Sybil stretched out her arm and touched Cora's hands. "It was all my fault Mama. Really it was. Edith tried to stop me."

Sybil looked pleadingly at her mother. "Don't you think it's punishment enough for Edith to miss the tea party today?"

A/N: Thank you for the reviews especially since I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't as much interest for these type of stories as I thought there would be but I have already written a few so I'll probably go ahead and post them. Not all of them are about tea parties so I need to come up with another title.