A yawn escaped Edward as he read the last page of The Hobbit in the dim light of the parlor. He had not been able to sleep after he had finished packing, which took him less than half an hour since he had not brought much. Once that was done, he lay in bed listening to the rain but he could not keep his eyes closed. This went on for quite some time until he decided to take the copy of The Hobbit, that George had lent him upon his arrival at Downton, and leave to finish it. Quietly and quickly, Edward left his room with his lamp in hand and found his way to the parlor to read.
When he finished the book, Edward closed it and set it next to his lamp on the small table adjacent to him. He relaxed against the chaise and was about to close his eyes until he heard the wind howling from outside the window. He turned his head slightly toward the window and was startled by what he saw in the reflection. Other than himself, he saw a woman's ethereal silhouette glowing from the window, her face surrounded by a light. Unsure of whether what he was seeing was a figment of his imagination or not, he turned away from the window and faced the doorway. "Sybil?"
In the darkness of the parlor's doorway stood Sybil. She was surrounded by a faint light that illuminated from the lamp she held out in her hand. Edward felt as though he were dreaming as he stared at her. She looked just as angelic in the lamp's glow as she did in the window reflection.
"Edward?" She asked as she held the lamp further out in front of her. Edward stood and held his lamp out, as well, allowing the two to see one another more properly. If the light had not been so faint, they both would have seen the other blush at the sight of one another. Even though Edward was dressed in his robe with his nightclothes underneath, he felt a twinge of embarrassment while Sybil felt even more embarrassment realizing she was standing in front of Edward in her robe and nightgown, which was of modest length. She held her robe closed with one hand, wishing she didn't tie her robe so loosely. "I…" Sybil began to speak but could not think of what to say for a reason unknown to her.
"Couldn't sleep?" Edward asked.
"Yes, I couldn't sleep," Sybil nodded, holding her lamp close to herself for security. "And you?"
"Couldn't sleep," Edward sighed. "I suppose I'm anxious about tomorrow." He moved his lamp towards the chaise as he spoke, wanting to invite Sybil to sit with him. He knew he probably should not ask the question and wondered if Sybil would think it inappropriate. He also did not want to get her into any trouble if someone were to wake up and discover them together at this hour of the night. However, Edward knew it must have been fate that he chose to sit in the parlor and fate had led Sybil to the parlor, as well, aside from the fact that neither of them was able to fall asleep. He decided fate wanted them to take this time to talk and spend some moments together before they returned to their rooms. He set the lamp down on the table it had been on before. "Would you like to sit with me?"
Sybil knew she should immediately return to her bedroom to flee the indecency of the situation she was in, but she could not abandon her feelings for Edward, especially if this could be the last time she would be able to be alone with him. She chose to go to the chaise and sit with him, hoping and praying that no one would discover them. She knew her grandfather would not hesitate to throw Edward out the moment he found them, even if they were only talking. Her father would not be harsh in that way, but he was sure to be disappointed in her.
"I'm sorry if I frightened you when I walked in," Sybil quietly said as she and Edward sat together on the chaise.
Edward glanced at the window and then back at Sybil. "I thought you were a ghost," Edward chuckled. "Or I thought I was dreaming."
Sybil smiled and placed the lamp on the floor in front of them, giving them just enough light to see one another. "No need to worry about ghosts here. Downton Abbey isn't haunted. It may seem a bit eerie at night, though."
"A bit," Edward admitted. "So, other than not being able to sleep, what caused you to leave your room?"
"Oh, I wanted to get a book from the library and read in bed. I saw the light from your lamp, though, when I went to the staircase. I really had to investigate."
"You're very brave," Edward smiled. "I came in here to do the same thing: to read. I took The Hobbit from my room and wanted a change of scenery. I finished the book just before you came in."
"And how did you like it?"
"I thought it was a fantastic book. I'll have to return it to George tomorrow morning."
Sybil smiled sadly and looked at Edward. "I can't believe you're going to be gone tomorrow. It seems like you only yesterday we were dancing at my birthday celebration together."
"That was a wonderful night," Edward smiled, remembering the moment Sybil descended the staircase in her beautiful gown. "I had no idea that that would be the start of me being captivated by you."
Sybil blushed. "I'm not sure what I did to make you feel captivated by me."
"You were yourself," Edward told her. Sybil smiled and kissed his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder, no longer feeling embarrassed or worried about being discovered with him.
"Will you come back to Downton after the war?"
"Of course, I will. Especially if war is only a few months to a year long, you can be sure that I will immediately be back at Downton." Edward placed his arm around Sybil as he spoke.
"Good," Sybil sighed. "I hope that I can see you before you're sent to wherever they send you."
"Well, I don't think I'll be sent anywhere until my training is complete, so there is a chance you may be able to see me. They're not going to send you away, are they?"
"I don't believe they will," Sybil said.
"I hope not," Edward said. "Sybil, I want you to be strong tomorrow morning. I don't want my last time seeing you to be when you're upset. I will try not to be too upset either."
Sybil looked at him. "It won't be your last time seeing me," she stated. "And I'll try not to be too sad. I can't make any promises, though."
"That's fair," Edward said with a nod. The two sat there in silence until Sybil shifted slightly against Edward and looked at him.
"I'm going to miss you," she said.
"I'm going to miss you too, Syb," Edward said to her. "I'm going to miss everything about you. I don't look forward to the days when I can't see you or your smile. You have such a pretty smile."
"Oh, thank you," Sybil said, smiling the smile that he adored. "My father has said that I have my mother's smile."
"It's beautiful," Edward said and held her hand. Sybil studied his face in the darkness and tried to memorize his features. "You have a handsome smile that I'll miss too. I'll miss everything about you, especially talking to you."
"We must write one another letters, if possible."
"Oh, can we? That would be perfect," Sybil said with a nod. "I'll have to get the address of wherever you are."
"Maybe my mother can send you an address once I know for certain where I shall be," Edward said.
"Yes, that will be perfect."
Another silence grew between the two but Sybil could hear her heart pounding in her ears. She felt Edward turn slightly toward her and she turned her head to meet his eyes without hesitation. "There is another thing that I shall miss that letters can't satisfy," Edward murmured to her as his eyes lingered on her lips in the darkness.
"Oh?" Sybil questioned, though she knew exactly what he was thinking. "And what is that?"
"This." Edward's lips softly met Sybil's as she tilted her head and began to lean forward with closed eyes. She felt Edward place his hand on her waist and gently pull her closer to him, to which she complied. A sigh escaped her as she eagerly returned his kiss and placed her hands on Edward's chest which created only a small distance between them. The floral perfume Sybil had worn every day still lingered on her skin and it would be something Edward would never forget. She smelled of jasmine, roses, and other flowers that Edward couldn't recognize, but it intoxicated him. Hypnotized by the moment, he began to caress her shoulder with his other hand, feeling her silk night robe slowly slide off her shoulder. Beneath his hand was the thin strap of her nightgown and her soft bare shoulder. He felt Sybil lightly shiver as his hand touched her skin and it made him smile as he kissed her.
Sybil pulled away for just a moment, wanting to catch her breath, which Edward also needed to do. The two said nothing to one another; they only looked into one another's eyes briefly before resuming their kiss, which was more passionate this time. The frantic pounding of Sybil's heart filled her head as she kissed Edward and she wanted nothing more than to be closer to him. She slid her hands up from Edward's chest to his shoulders. She had never felt this way before. She had never felt as alive as she had felt in this moment and it frightened her, but at the same time, it excited her. She no longer cared about being discovered or anything of that sort, although she couldn't really think of anything at all at this moment.
Edward felt Sybil's fingers run lightly through his hair as he placed both of his hands on her waist and held her against him. This must be a dream, Edward thought. If it were a dream, it was a dream that he never wanted to wake up from. However, he knew he had to wake up at some point. He slowly opened his eyes and gently broke the kiss. He met her pale blue eyes with his hazel ones. Sybil, almost breathless, blushed up at him and rested her forehead against his forehead. Edward's hands were still around her waist and he was more than content to leave them there.
"I wanted that to go on for forever," Sybil whispered against Edward's cheek with a smile.
"As did I," Edward murmured against her ear as he held her. "But then I think we would have gotten into trouble."
Sybil knew that the rush of emotions she and Edward had just felt could lead to something she would come to regret but she trusted herself and Edward to not let their emotions control them that much. The feelings she had felt in that moment, along with her frantic heartbeat, settled but there was one feeling that had remained within her but she wasn't too sure if it was what she thought or not. It was the feeling that made the heroines in novels she read feel as though they were on top of the world or that they could take flight. It was what she could see in her father's eyes whenever he spoke of her mother and it was what she had been feeling whenever she was with Edward. Was it love? It's too soon for love, Sybil thought. But who is to say when the right time is for one to fall in love? Sybil ignored the thought and looked up again at Edward, who seemed to be lost in his thoughts just as she had been.
"Edward, are you alright?" She softly asked. She saw him smile in the dim light.
"Very," he sighed. "I think you should return to your room and get some sleep now, Sybil."
"Already?" Sybil did not want to leave Edward but she knew it was the responsible thing to do now. Besides, if she was going to be awake to have breakfast downstairs, she would have to be well rested so she can wake up early for it. "I suppose I should then."
Edward's hands left Sybil's waist and instead went to caress her arms. "Yes, I think that's a good idea." He gently pulled the sleeve of her robe, that had fallen, up onto her shoulder again over her nightgown. Sybil's cheeks reddened and she kissed took his hand and kissed it. "Thank you," she whispered. Edward watched as she stood from the chaise and picked up her lamp. "I don't think I'll go downstairs to find a book anymore."
"No, I think you should try to get some sleep," Edward told her.
"And when will you return to your room?" Sybil asked him with a raised brow.
"Soon. Now, go on," Edward said with a smile. "Sleep well, Sybil. I hope you have sweet dreams."
"And you, Edward." Sybil lightly sighed and left the room, trying to repress a wide smile that was caused by her current emotions. She felt simply elated as she quietly tiptoed her way back to her room. When she returned to her bed, a twinge of guilt began to pester her since she knew the moments she had just shared with Edward had to remain a secret. However, she remembered many films she had seen where couples had shared romantic and passionate kisses. She convinced herself that she and Edward had just had their romantic scene as the characters did in those films and there was nothing she should feel guilty about.
Edward sighed and lay back on the chaise with his eyes closed after Sybil left the room. Time had stopped for him and Sybil moments ago, but now, reality had returned. He wished that the day ahead of him was just another day at Downton that he could spend with Sybil and her family and then go out dancing with her. He wished the future wasn't so uncertain so that he could know that he really would return to Downton Abbey and be with her and her family. There was one thing that he knew was definitely certain about his future, though, and that was that no matter what happened during this war and no matter what happened to him, Sybil had won his heart and he was hers.
Sybil was not sure when she had fallen asleep that night, but she was grateful her mind allowed her to sleep peacefully for more than a few hours before her father knocked on her door to tell her breakfast was to be served soon. She sluggishly went through her morning routine and got herself ready for the day. It wasn't until she washed her face that she finally felt awake. A hint of sadness began to creep over her as she was dressing. Edward was leaving. She would be strong for him but she knew the tears would show up at some point. She would just tell herself that they would be seeing one another very soon, she thought, for all she knew, it could be true.
When Sybil entered the dining room, everyone at the table, which were all the men in her family, stood. "Good morning, Sybil," her father greeted as he approached her and kissed her cheek. "How did you sleep?"
"Just fine, Papa," Sybil said with a smile. She turned and hugged her grandfather and uncles as they greeted each other. George was present, as well, but sat down after greeting her. He motioned towards the empty seat between where her father and Edward were sitting. Edward was standing next to the chair and waiting for her. Sybil went up to him and smiled, feeling herself blush as she did so.
"Good morning, Edward."
"Good morning, Sybil," Edward smiled charmingly. "You look lovely this morning."
"Thank you." Sybil sat in her seat and Edward returned to his. She looked at him as though he were her only company but the sound of her grandfather's voice made her aware of the others around them again. "Did you all hear the rain last night?" Her grandfather asked as their breakfast was placed in front of them.
"I did," Sybil's father said. "There was even some thunder, I believe."
"Were you frightened, Sybil?" George asked teasingly as he began to eat.
"No, I was asleep," Sybil lied. Edward smiled to himself as he bit into a slice of toast.
"And what about you, Trent?"
Edward looked up from his plate and nodded at Lord Grantham, quickly chewing and swallowing his toast so that he can answer. "I heard it. It'll probably rain soon today but I hope there isn't a storm like the one last night."
"If there is another storm, let's hope it's when you're already home," Sybil's father said. "Did you finish packing last night?"
"I did," Edward said. "Oh, and George, I finished reading The Hobbit. I left it for you upstairs. Thank you for letting me borrow it. I enjoyed it."
"Ah, you're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it," George said.
Sybil watched the clouds gather outside the window as she ate her breakfast and while she was doing so, she lightly felt someone tap the side of her foot with their shoe. She quickly glanced under the table and saw that it was Edward. She returned to eating and moved her shoe out toward Edward's shoe, tapping him back. The two glanced at one another as they ate.
"When do you think you should be heading to the train station?" Uncle Bertie asked.
Edward immediately glanced at his wristwatch and looked at the time. "Soon after breakfast, I'm afraid. My train leaves at ten and it's soon going to be nine."
"So soon," Edward heard Sybil say.
"Don't worry, Sybbie," her grandfather said. "We shall have enough time to say goodbye."
Sybil nodded at her grandfather in response and ate solemnly. When no one was looking, Edward's hand slowly reached for hers under the table and the two continued their meal with their fingers intertwined, which brought some comfort.
The rest of the family joined them downstairs to say goodbye to Edward once they had finished their breakfast. Well-wishes were exchanged and many conversations were being held in the drawing room as Edward and Sybil were silently dreading the moment he would have to leave. It had also begun to rain so the time for Edward's departure would be sooner, to be safe.
"I hope your train arrives quickly and safely, dear Edward," Cora said to Edward.
"Thank you, Lady Grantham," Edward said, smiling and nodding at her. "I really hate to leave this wonderful place but I must return home."
"Oh, do come for Christmas if you have a chance, Edward," Edith said. "You may bring your mother too."
"I would love that," Edward said to her. "I'll see if we can come."
Sybil noticed her father look at the grandfather clock in the room and then make his way to Edward. It was ten minutes past nine and time to begin the drive to the train station. "Edward," he said as he stood next to him, "I'm afraid it's time to go now."
Edward nodded and looked at the family before him. "Well, now I must go." Edward made his rounds around the room, thanking each member of Sybil's family for being so welcoming and kind to him during his stay at Downton Abbey. He kissed the hands of Lady Grantham and her daughters and shook the hands of Sybil's uncles and grandfather.
"Be safe."
"I will, Lord Grantham. Thank you," Edward said. He then shook hands with George and then hugged him.
"I'll see you soon at training, Ed," George said, patting his friend on the back.
"That'll be an adventure," Edward smiled. He turned to Marigold, who was standing next to George. She appeared as though she was going to cry but remained smiling. "Goodbye, Marigold," Edward smiled. "Hopefully, we shall see one another soon. Maybe by then, you shall have a bestselling novel, hm?"
Marigold giggled and suddenly hugged Edward. "Thank you for being so nice to us," she said to him. "It makes me happy that you make Sybbie happy too," she whispered to him so no one could hear her.
"Thank you, Marigold," Edward said, returning her hug. Edward then went to Sybil, who was standing by herself near the window. Edward approached her and stood before her, looking into her eyes. He wanted to kiss her but knew that all eyes were on them now, and he did not want to do anything bold, such as that, in front of the family. He and Sybil may not have shared a kiss at that moment, but they did share a long embrace. Sybil held her arms tightly around Edward's shoulders as his arms were around her waist.
"Don't go," Sybil begged as he held her to him. A tear began to fall down her cheek and onto his coat.
"I'll see you again, Sybil," Edward said to her, feeling her tears against his cheek.
"Yes, you will," she sighed. She pulled away from him and quickly wiped her few tears away. "Goodbye."
Edward took her hand and placed it up to his lips. "Goodbye, Sybil Branson," he said and kissed it. He let go of her hand and had to force himself to look away from her and to her father. "I'm ready," he said to him. Sybil's father nodded and walked out of the room with Edward following behind. "My suitcase is in the entrance hall by the door," he said to him. The family, along with Sybil, followed them out of the room and to the entrance hall. Edward picked up his suitcase as Sybil's father opened the door to the outside. A light wind entered the home as well as some splatters of rain that it blew in.
"You're certain you have everything?" George asked.
"Certain," Edward said. He stepped out of Downton Abbey and into the rain. Thankfully, the car was already parked and ready for him and Sybil's father so that they could leave quickly. Sybil's heart ached as she watched Edward walk outside. She also had a strange feeling that she had forgotten something and could not remember exactly what until her grandmother leaned toward her and whispered: "Did you give him the book?"
A wide-eyed Sybil ran to the door immediately when she was reminded of it. "Edward, wait!" She shouted as Edward placed his suitcase in the car.
"What is it?" He asked, concerned.
"Wait, I have something for you! Don't leave yet!" Sybil ran as fast as she could up the stairs and to her bedroom. She threw open the door and went to her vanity, holding the little travel book to her. She raced out of her room and went downstairs hoping Edward wasn't bothered with waiting in the rain. She was met by her family's concerned gazes as she left the staircase.
"My, my, what on earth is that?" She heard her Aunt Mary ask.
"A book," Sybil answered quickly and ran outside. She heard her grandparents yell after her to not go outside because of the rain but she had no other choice, for Sybil's father was already in the car and Edward was beginning to get into the car. Edward saw Sybil running to him with something in her hand but before he could ask her anything about it, her lips crashed against his and the two shared a kiss full longing for one another and at the same time, hope. Sometime during their kiss, Sybil had placed what was in her hands into Edward's hands. She pulled away, overwhelmed and breathless. "Goodbye, Edward. Take care."
In an instant, Sybil was no longer standing before him and was returning to her family inside Downton Abbey. Edward, who was now in a daze, quickly looked at Sybil one last time and then immediately went into the car and closed the door. He looked down at what she had given him. It was a brown leather book with an etching of a globe on the front. He decided to look through the book later while he was on the train. Instead, he looked through the rearview mirror and saw that Sybil was watching the car leave from Downton's doorway. Edward sighed and suddenly realized that her father was driving. He hadn't the slightest idea of what to say to him and felt an awkward silence between them. After all, he had just kissed his daughter in front of him.
Edward kept his eyes on the road ahead of them and stayed silent. When they had left the gates of Downton Abbey, the silence was finally broken.
"You're going to miss her quite a lot," Sybil's father said.
"Yes," Edward responded. "Forgive me, Mr. Branson, I-"
"No need to apologize or feel embarrassed," her father said. "She cares about you. I know you two have shared a kiss or two during your stay here. I was once young too, you know. I know the feeling," Tom Branson chuckled. "So, she gave you a book?"
Edward smiled and looked down at the book, no longer feeling awkward about the situation. "Yes," he said as he quickly flipped through the pages. "It seems to be a book of pictures of places from around the world, I believe. I'll get a better look through it when I'm on the train."
"That's nice," Tom said. "And you have your ticket?"
"In my pocket," Edward said as he reached into his pocket and felt the ticket. "Thank you for driving me to the train station."
"It's no trouble. I wanted to see you off."
The train station was just as busy as Edward expected it to be on a Thursday morning. Mostly men stood on the platform, their newspapers under their arms, ready to make the journey to their workplace. There were a few families, who had all their luggage with them, and seemed to be leaving for a holiday. Holidays and work, - clearly, a war did not stop people from living their everyday lives. Edward held his suitcase and new book as he and Sybil's father walked through the groups of people to get to the right platform. They stood under the roof of the station to escape the rain as they waited. The train had not arrived yet but the time for its arrival was very near now, so it would come any minute. Edward took his train ticket from his pocket and replaced it with the book that Sybil gave to him. "Should be any time now, Mr. Branson."
Edward studied his surroundings as he waited. From a distance, he saw a couple kissing one another goodbye in the rain. The man and the woman clung to one another as though this were the last time they were seeing each other. Edward turned away from the scene and watched the rain splatter as it hit the pavement.
"Oh, Edward, I meant to give this to you earlier this morning," Tom said as he reached into his coat pocket. He took out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Edward. Edward took the paper and unfolded it, revealing an address to St. Margaret's Hospital in London. "It's the address to where Sybbie will be," her father continued. "If you would like, you may visit her if you have any free time to do so. I know she will love to have you visit."
"Thank you," Edward said gratefully and slipped the piece of paper into his pocket. Visiting Sybil in London would be exactly what he wanted, however, he hoped he would have time to do so before he was sent away.
The almost deafening whistle of a train approaching announced that Edward's train had arrived. He turned to Tom and the men shook hands. "You especially have been very kind to me, Mr. Branson. Sybil is lucky to have you as a father."
"Thank you, Edward. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to write or telephone Downton Abbey."
Edward nodded. "I appreciate that. Goodbye, Mr. Branson."
"Goodbye, Edward and good luck with everything!"
Edward stepped onto and entered the train. A small flurry of people getting off and on with suitcases caused a minor confusion for Edward as he tried to look at his train ticket to see where he was to sit. After much fumbling, he found the compartment and seat number where he was to sit and began his walk past compartments and rows of seats to get there. "I wish Papa were here with us," Edward heard a little girl say as he walked past a compartment. "He's off protecting us and our country, my love, you know that," a woman, obviously her mother, said. Edward frowned and continued his walk to find his seat.
When he finally found his seat, the ticket inspector was already making his rounds, checking the passenger's tickets to see if they were on the right train. Edward held out his ticket for the man as he stood at the entrance of the cart. Once his ticket was checked, the inspector told Edward to find his seat. Edward soon was finally seated in his seat next to the window with his suitcase placed across from him. He watched people walk across the platform to catch their trains or to say goodbye. He also saw that Mr. Branson was still standing in the same place that Edward had left him, waiting for the train to leave. So, this is it, Edward thought, my days at Downton are over for now. He already missed the family, especially Sybil. He would give anything to have her seated next to him right now on this train. If circumstances were different, he would have wanted her to return home with him to meet his mother.
The whistle blew again and the train softly jolted. Edward saw that Mr. Branson began to leave the platform as the train began to leave the station. Before he knew it, the train was out of the station and surrounded by nothing but the green countryside. Wondering what he would do to pass the time during this trip, he remembered the book Sybil had given him. He took the small leather book from his pocket, along with the address to the hospital she would be studying at in London. When he opened the book to the first page, there was a handwritten message that was addressed to him.
September 13th, 1939
Edward,
I hope this will help you plan your future adventures. I'll always be thinking of you.
Yours,
Sybil
Edward's heart began to pound steadily but audibly as he read Sybil's message over and over again. His finger lightly traced her name and he regretted not giving her something that she could take with her to London. There was no use regretting now, however, for there was no way of going back. He began to turn the pages and was fascinated by the images of the great wonders of the world and all the information about them that the book held. He was grateful for the gift and knew it would be something he would take with him to training so that he can open the book and escape to the Parthenon in Greece or the Colosseum in Rome if he wanted to. It would be a good way to keep his hopes high of seeing these places in the future after the war. The book would keep him occupied the entire train ride home and the closer he was to home, the more eager he was to see his home and his mother again.
Tom Branson entered Downton Abbey as quickly as he could to escape the rain. Thank goodness he did not get drenched, he thought. He knew the family was in the drawing room from the sound of their voices. They were all pleased to see him when he entered the room and began with their questions about Edward.
"Oh, Tom, you're back! How was it?" Edith asked. "The train station, was it empty?"
"Not quite," he answered.
"And did Edward's train arrive on time?" Henry asked.
"The train was on time," Tom answered. He soon noticed Sybil was not with them in the room and that became his main concern. "Where is Sybbie?"
Cora frowned before she answered him. "Sybbie is in her room, the poor dear. She went up as soon as you and Edward left."
"And what on earth was that all about?" Robert huffed. His family turned to him, clearly confused as to what he meant. "That whole nonsense we witnessed," he continued. "She kissed Edward Trent right before our eyes. Has she no shame? All decency was thrown out the window. And the way they kissed made it obvious they've kissed before."
Edith covered her mouth as she let out a giggle at her father's words. Her father did not find the situation humorous, however.
"Papa, it's going to be 1940 soon," Mary said as she rolled her eyes.
"But I've never known Sybbie to be so bold!"
"Well, she is your daughter's daughter," Tom chuckled. "Excuse me, I think I'll go up and see her."
"Robert, there's no need to be shocked about it," Tom heard Cora say as he left the room. "Sybbie is nineteen. You know that many girls her age fall in love and get married at this age."
"Or already have been married for quite some time," Bertie added.
"Thank God in Heaven she isn't married! When did my grandchildren grow up?"
Tom shook his head as their voices grew fainter the further he was from the drawing room. He made his way upstairs and to Sybil's room. From outside her door, he could hear nothing. He lightly knocked and waited to hear her voice. "Sybbie?"
Sybil, who had been laying on her bed, sat up and looked at her door. "Papa? You can come in."
Her father opened her door and entered her room. Sybil had quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and but he could tell that she had been crying. He sat next to her on her bed and looked at her before looking at her wardrobe, which was open and exposing her clothes. "Do you know what you'll take with you on Saturday?" He asked.
"Not yet," Sybil answered quietly. "Not much, I think."
Sybil's father nodded in response and then stood from her bed. "It's alright to be sad, Sybbie. I just don't want this to ruin your day."
Sybil sniffled. "I'm sorry, Papa. I don't want it to ruin my day either. I just don't know what else to do at the moment. I just want a nap."
"A nap? It's still the morning," her father said. "Why don't you get up and do something, love?"
Sybil suppressed a yawn. "Oh, I would, but I didn't sleep well," Sybil confessed.
"Oh," her father said, understandingly. "Well, alright, then. A nap will do you a lot of good then. Perhaps when you wake up, you will have something to do."
"Perhaps," Sybil said as she lay down. "Oh, and thank you for taking Edward to the train station. I'm sure he and Mr. Crewe appreciate it."
Her father smiled. "I was happy to do it. Rest well, my love," he said and kissed his daughter's cheek. "I'll see you soon."
"See you soon, Papa."
Her father closed the curtains to darken the room for her before he left. He knew Sybil needed time to return to her normal self again and a nap was just the thing she needed. As he left her door, he wandered through the upstairs and noticed that George had his bedroom door open. Tom peeked in and saw George seated by his window reading a book. "George?" He asked.
George looked up from his book and greeted his uncle. "Hello, Uncle Tom," he said as he stood from his seat and set the book down.
"Catching up on some reading?" His uncle asked.
"Yes," George nodded. "Just reading some Steinbeck. Is Sybbie alright? I saw that she ran up to her room when you left with Edward."
"She's alright. She's just tired."
"Ah, I see," George said. "I'm going to miss Edward a lot, too. He's my best friend. I'm happy that I'll have him with me at training, though. It's better than going in not knowing anyone."
"Very true," Tom agreed. "Do you have any plans for this afternoon?"
George thought for a moment and then remembered that he did have an invitation for the afternoon. "I do, actually. My grandmother invited me to her home for lunch. Why?"
"I was hoping you may be able to do something with Sybbie. I know you always can cheer her up. Perhaps she can go to your grandmother's with you? She was there recently and is quite fond of Isobel."
George agreed to the idea and was more than happy to bring Sybil along with him. "She can come with me. I'm sure my grandmother would love to see her, as well. Perhaps I'll even invite Marigold."
"Thank you, George," Tom smiled. "Yes, she will enjoy that. She is napping right now, though, so perhaps in an hour or two, you may knock on her door to see if she is awake."
"Will do," George said.
When George was alone in his room again, he continued to read to pass the time; that is until he got bored of reading. He tossed the book aside onto his bed and left his room in search of Marigold to ask her if she was interested in joining him and Sybil for lunch at his grandmother's. The rapid sounds of Marigold typing away at her typewriter could be heard from outside of her room and he knew he would get scolded by her for interrupting.
As expected, Marigold annoyedly questioned George as to why he was in her room. He told her about his invitation to his grandmother's, but Marigold politely declined. She told him that she simply did not have the time to leave for lunch because she had to finish writing this chapter of her story since she had made a deadline for herself. George scoffed and left her room. The sound of Marigold furiously typing away could be heard again as he walked away.
Only an hour had passed when Sybil was shaken awake by her cousin. She groaned and sat up, coming face to face with George. "George!" She gasped. "What on earth are you doing in here? And why did you wake me?" She asked as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"I wasn't going to come in but you wouldn't respond to my knocking on your door. Did you have a restful nap?"
"I did," Sybil said. Even though Sybil had not been asleep for long, she could not deny that her nap was peaceful. "You didn't answer why you woke me up from my restful nap."
"Oh, I'm inviting you to come with me to my grandmother's house for lunch," George said as he went to her vanity and looked at her things.
"When?" Sybil asked.
"Right now," George answered, picking Sybil's hairbrush. "This looks painful," he said, pointing to the white bristles of the brush.
"Right now? Fine." Sybil stood from her bed and quickly stretched. "Wait for me downstairs while I fix myself up, alright?"
"Alright. Don't take too long."
Sybil went to her vanity and brushed her hair when George left her room. Now, she had something to do to occupy the afternoon, just as her father said she would. She wondered if he had anything to do with the reason George invited her. She shrugged, at least she could see Aunt Isobel and enjoy lunch with her and George. Once Sybil felt that she looked presentable enough to leave the house rather than looking as though she had just woken up from a nap, she went downstairs and met George in the entrance hall. "Is it still raining?" She asked as she approached him.
"No," George began, "which is why you and I are going to walk to Crawley House."
Sybil looked at him surprisingly. "Walk?"
"Walk," George repeated with a smirk. "You're alright with walking, are you not?"
"Of course, I am," Sybil said. "I'm glad that I put my coat on. Alright then, let's walk. It'll be an exciting journey," she smiled.
"That's the spirit," George smiled. "Everyone knows you and I are leaving together already so no need to worry."
The two cousins walked out and away from Downton Abbey side by side. George shoved his hands into his coat pockets while Sybil crossed her arms for warmth as she walked. The rain has ceased but the air was crisp and cool. Sybil took great care to not walk too fast in fear that she may slip on the wet ground. "Did Marigold not want to tag along?" She asked.
George shrugged. "She said she needed to finish a chapter for her story. Really, Sybbie, she acts as though she were getting paid to write."
"Let her. We may have a Louisa May Alcott in the family."
"Who?"
Sybil sighed. "Little Women?"
"Where?" George looked around.
"Nevermind." Sybil looked back at Downton Abbey and then forward again. "What a morning…"
"Indeed," George sighed. "What did you give Edward anyway when you went out to him this morning?"
"A book. A book filled with all the wonders of the world. It's a travel book"
"How fitting. Edward has always spoken of traveling. Perhaps we can do some traveling because of this war."
Sybil glanced at her cousin and smiled sadly. "But the traveling you may do will most likely be to fight on another country's soil. Those aren't good circumstances for traveling."
"Well, we'll see."
George and Sybil walked out of Downton Abbey's gates and continued to his grandmother's house. It dawned on George that he was to leave Downton soon for his training, as well. First Edward, then Sybil, then finally George. He would be strong on the day he was to leave and would show that he was fearless of what the future held for him, but that fearlessness was only a mask to hide his fear of it all. He stopped walking, which caused Sybil to stop, as well. "I wonder if my father felt as I do when he left to fight in the Great War."
"I'm sure he did and he made it through," Sybil said.
"Yes, but then look what happened to him. What if that happened to me? You survive a war like that only to be-"
"George," Sybil interrupted. "You mustn't let anything that happened in the past stop your future. Your father, my mother, Marigold's father, Edward's father; we may not have known them growing up but I know they've been watching us grow up into the young men and women that we are, and I think they would want us all to be brave in times like these and they are proud of us wanting to help and defend our country. This is our purpose in life at the moment, George."
"You're right, Sybbie," George smiled. "Thank you for that." He pulled his cousin closer for a brief embrace before they were on their way again. "I hope I'm stationed in London for a short time so I can see you and meet your new nurse friends."
Sybil laughed and lightly hit George's arm. "George! If that's your reason for visiting, I will refuse to meet with you!"
"But that always happens during wartime! The nurses and soldiers fall for one another, don't they? Look at you and Edward!" George teased.
"Not always," Sybil blushed. "The nurses I shall be acquainted with will also be nurses in training, just as I will be, George. They do not need you as a distraction." She heard George chuckled.
"Alright, then, I'll visit you when the training is over."
With a smirk on her face, Sybil entered the gates of the Crawley house and went to the door. "I can't wait to tell your grandmother about all the nonsense you just said to me."
George knocked on the door and crossed his arms. "You know she'll find it all amusing. She loves me."
After Sybil laughed at George's comment, the door was opened by Isobel and she welcomed the two with open arms. The two cousins entered the cozy home filled with the aromas from the lunch they were about to share. Their stomachs ached for food now and the two did not hesitate to sit at the table as soon as they were told to do so. Their meals were served and Sybil's afternoon soon became filled with wonderful conversation and wonderful company. For that afternoon, at least, she had forgotten about the sadness she had felt all morning.
Edward's train arrived at its destined station in the afternoon and once he saw the familiar scenery, he was all the more happy to return home. As he stepped out of the train and onto the platform, he realized that he had not planned a way to return home. His home was more than a few miles away from the station, and even though it would be quite difficult to walk all that way with a suitcase in tow, he decided he could brave it, especially since it had stopped raining. After he mentally thought of words of encouragement for himself, he left the station and began on his walk home.
As Edward walked past the small shops and pubs in the village, he heard his name being called from across the road. He turned in the direction of the voice and saw a familiar man crossing the street and waving at him. The man was stout and had graying hair, along with a mustache. Edward recognized him right away as his family's friend and neighbor, Mr. Owens. "Mr. Owens!" Edward called out back to him. The man met him on the sidewalk and immediately shook Edward's hand.
"Edward, my boy! You've returned!"
"I have," Edward smiled. "It's very nice to see you, Mr. Owens. How are you?"
"I'm very well! You know, I was surprised that I saw you from across the road at this moment! Your mother told the Mrs. and I that you wouldn't be home until next week!"
"Well, plans changed and I thought I might surprise mother by returning home a bit early."
"Oh, she will be so surprised! Say, would you like me to take you home? My car is parked right across the road. I was on my way home anyway."
"Would you really, Mr. Owens? I would appreciate that. Here I was thinking that I could walk all the way home," Edward chuckled.
Mr. Owens laughed and waved the idea away. "Walk? Heavens, no! Come along then."
Edward followed his neighbor across the road and to his car. After putting his suitcase in the back of the car, Edward went to the passenger's seat and was soon on his way to his home again, but not walking. "Thank you so much, Mr. Owens. I'm lucky that you saw me," he said.
"You're welcome, Edward; and yes, what luck! I was just at the post office dropping off a letter for my daughter."
"Ah, and how is she?" Edward asked. He remembered Mr. Owens' daughter well but had not seen her in many years due to her marriage. She was a few years older than Edward and he hadn't spent much time with her during his childhood, but he had always thought she was a very pretty and nice girl. She always had a smile on her face and it was no surprise that her sweetheart married her as soon as she was of age.
"My Vivian is well. She and her husband just moved to a larger home in Suffolk. Oh, and she is due to have a child soon! Isn't that wonderful? I cannot wait to be a grandfather!" Mr. Owens smiled widely as he spoke of his daughter and future grandchild. The sight also made Edward smile.
"That is wonderful news. Congratulations."
"Thank you. My wife and I are delighted." Mr. Owens' face became serious after he spoke and he shook his head. "I'm not delighted about her husband possibly going off to fight in this war, though," he said sadly. "It'd be a shame if he had to leave before his child is born, or even after."
"That would be terrible," Edward spoke quietly. His own mother had to experience the pain and loss of losing her husband so young before Edward had been born. It was something that he knew no one should experience, but with situations such as war, there were always people who did. "I hope he doesn't have to leave for her sake."
Mr. Owens nodded. "We all pray he doesn't have to. Edward, you're not enlisting, are you?"
Edward remained silent long enough for Mr. Owens to understand his answer.
"Why, son?" Mr. Owens asked.
"Why not?" Edward asked back.
"We have enough men eager to enlist who have no idea what they are getting themselves into. Let them give themselves away first before you do."
George suddenly came into Edward's mind. His best friend, so full of life and bravery, really did not have any idea how sorrowful and difficult war could be, and neither did Edward. "It's my duty to my country. I had to."
Mr. Owens sighed and then smiled mirthlessly. "Just like your father. The minute the war began in 1914, Edmund enlisted. Luckily, he had me there to enlist with him, even though I was hesitant at first." Mr. Owens had been Edward's father's best friend almost all their lives. They had grown up in the village together and they both left the village to go to war together. When Edward was a young boy, he would always ask Mr. Owens questions about his father and the conversations always ended with Edward wishing he had known his father. As a child, all of the stories Mr. Owens had told him about his father made Edmund Trent sound like a hero. However, Edward soon discovered that his father really was a hero, and he had died as he was helping and protecting his fellow soldiers in Flanders.
"He seemed to be always ready for action. I, myself, have to admit that I was a bit hesitant, as you were." Edward said.
"Well, I am proud of your bravery but now you'll have me worried. Does your mother know yet?"
"No," Edward sighed. "Not yet. Telling her is why I returned here early. I hope she's not too upset with me."
"Once again, I am proud of your bravery," Mr. Owens chuckled. "Just be safe out there, Edward. I want my best friend's son to be a hero just like him, but I want him to return home a hero, understood?"
"Understood," Edward answered with confidence. He couldn't guarantee it all, but he most definitely would try.
The rest of the short car ride was filled with talk of what Edward did during his stay at Downton Abbey. He told Mr. Owens of the grand birthday celebration for Lord Grantham's beautiful granddaughter, Sybil Branson, and all the evenings he spent dancing with her. He told him of the activities at the Thirsk Fair and the family dinners, followed by games in the drawing room. He was glad that Mr. Owens kept asking questions about his stay, but their conversation was cut short due to their arrival at Edward's home. His family's small cottage looked as happy as ever. The scent of flowers from his mother's garden, which reminded him of Sybil's perfume, along with the smell of wet grass from the morning rain, enchanted him as he stepped out of the car and retrieved his luggage.
"I'm happy to be back," Edward said, smiling at the cottage with pride. He turned and began to speak to Mr. Owens through the car window. "Thank you for bringing me here. It was very nice to see you and talk with you."
"You're welcome! And of course, Edward. You and your mother ought to come for dinner tomorrow!"
"That sounds fine," Edward smiled. "We shall be there."
"Excellent! I'll tell the Mrs.," Mr. Owens said as he began to drive away. "Goodbye!"
When Mr. Owens had driven off, Edward slowly made his way up the cobblestone path that led to the front door of his home. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and took a deep breath. He began to feel the nervousness of telling his mother his news, but he would not tell her until the opportunity presented itself. He knocked twice on the door and stepped back, not wanting to frighten his mother when she opened the door.
He had only waited a few seconds before the door was opened by his mother. Her green eyes widened at the sight of her son standing before her. The shock she had on her face turned into joy within seconds. "Edward!" She exclaimed. She threw her arms around her son and hugged him tightly. Edward hugged his mother's petite frame and kissed her cheek.
"Are you surprised?"
"Very!" His mother laughed in disbelief and pulled away to look at her son. "You must have grown taller!"
"Impossible," Edward chuckled. "I was only gone for two weeks."
"It was far too long of a time away," his mother smiled. "Come in, darling! Come in." She took Edward by the arm and pulled him into the house, closing the door behind her as she did so. "What brings you home so early? Oh, nevermind, I'm just so happy to see you again!" His mother sighed. "You have no idea how dull it is when you're not here. I missed you so very much!"
"I missed you too, Mother." Edward could now smell a savory aroma coming from the kitchen and his stomach grumbled quietly. "It smells delicious!"
"Oh, I'm making a soup. It still needs to sit awhile but you may have some when it's ready, of course. It's a good thing I made a lot of it even though I wasn't expecting to cook for two" his mother said happily. "How was your visit? Did you have a nice time?"
"My visit was marvelous. I made a lot of fine memories," Edward said as he made his way to an armchair in their small parlor. His mother followed, eager to know more about his visit.
"And did they treat you well? You know people of their status can be so rude."
"They've never been rude to me, Mother, you know that. They treated me very well."
"Hm. What about George Crawley? How is he? I hope he didn't get you into any trouble," Edward's mother said as she sat across from him on the settee.
Not much trouble, Edward thought. "George is very well and no, he did not get me into any trouble. Anyway, I had many outings with his family. I went to a fair, to the cinema, and I even went out dancing a few times."
"Dancing?" His mother laughed. "With whom?"
"Oh, I went out dancing with-"
"Just a moment, dear," his mother said quickly as she stood from the settee. "I need to check on the soup and I'll make us some tea. Oh, and let me take your coat, dear."
Edward stood and removed his coat for her. "Thank you, Mother."
"You just relax and I'll bring the tea out once it's ready. We shall continue talking then," his mother smiled as she took his coat and left the room. Edward sat back down on the armchair and looked at the fireplace mantel.
The fireplace was the focal point of the room, but it was the two photographs on the fireplace mantel that truly is where the eyes went to first, at least, that's how it always had been for Edward. Despite just having sat down again, Edward stood and went to the fireplace mantel to get a closer look at the photographs. On the left of the mantel was a framed photograph of Edward and his mother. It was his favorite picture of the two of them. The photograph had been taken in the garden when Edward was around four years old. Edward always smiled when he saw the photograph because he had been laughing when the picture was being taken while his mother kept her composed soft smile. The other photograph on the mantel was the wedding portrait of his mother and father. His mother was seated in a chair in her simple yet beautiful wedding gown while his father stood beside her. His parents had married quite young before the Great War and had only been married three short years before his father's death in 1916. Edward was born only a few months after in 1917 to his mourning mother. The wedding portrait, however, brought his mother happiness every time she saw it and she always said she was so grateful to have met and married Edmund Trent. He was her light, she told Edward, and when he passed away, Edward was born and brought the light back.
Seeing the photographs reminded Edward of the day that he took a photograph with Sybil. He had not received the photograph and assumed they had not been ready yet. He told himself that he would write to Tom Branson and ask him about it as soon as he had the chance. Edward did not want to leave for training without having a photograph of Sybil with him.
"Who's Sybil?"
Edward, startled, looked away from the mantel and saw his mother in the parlor entrance holding the brown leather traveling book. She had found it in Edward's coat pocket as she was hanging his coat up.
"Sybil Branson is George's cousin. She gave me the book before I left," Edward answered.
"I see," his mother said, looking through the book gingerly. "It's a very nice book. I know you would love to travel to these places someday. How thoughtful of her."
"Yes," Edward said. He had had little crushes on girls as he was growing up and had spoken openly about them with his mother, but Sybil Branson was not a crush. She was so much more than that to Edward and he had no idea how to go about telling his mother about his feelings for her. Would his mother get jealous? He hoped not. He hoped she would take an interest in Sybil and want to meet her. Edward would be thrilled for the two to meet and to like one another since Edward was hoping that Sybil would be a part of his life.
"I can tell by her short message to you that seems to be quite fond of you," his mother said as she sat down on the settee again. "Are you fond of her?"
"I- yes," Edward chuckled nervously as he returned to the armchair. "I had met her a couple of times in the past when I visited Downton during George's and my school days. We used to play games together. I got to know her so much better during this visit, though. When I arrived, they were planning a grand birthday celebration for her. We reconnected during that and danced all evening. After that, we always sought out one another's company."
His mother watched her son speak with interest. "So, she is Lord Grantham's granddaughter?"
Edward knew the point his mother was trying to make. "Yes, but she doesn't care about wealth or any of that, Mother. Her father used to be the chauffeur at Downton Abbey before he married her mother, the daughter of Lord Grantham."
"Oh, what a scandal that must have been," his mother said, surprised. "Well, she is a nice girl, then? All I want for you, Edward, is a girl with a good and caring heart."
"She is that and more, Mother. Sybil Branson is loving, ambitious, and very kind. There are so many good things I can say about her. I just had a perfect time with her and her family."
"Edward, that's lovely," his mother said with a sad smile. "I'm overjoyed that you've found such a charming girl but saddened because, well, we are at war again. These aren't the best times to give your heart away to someone when you don't know what will happen. Also, what mother wants her son to leave her?" She laughed curtly after she spoke which caused Edward to laugh, as well, but nervously. He was not leaving her to go and be with Sybil, but he was leaving.
"No need to worry about that, Mother," Edward told her. "Things take time. Besides, she won't be at Downton Abbey for much longer."
"Oh?" His mother set the book down on the small table in front of her. "Is she going somewhere?"
"Yes, to London. She's training to become a nurse," Edward said warily, knowing that this would lead to him telling her his news.
"A nurse? Heavens, in times like these. That wasn't very smart of her," his mother said.
Edward frowned. "Why not? She wants to help others. Her mother was a nurse during the Great War. We all must make sacrifices in order to help our country and end this war before chaos ensues any further."
"I suppose so. Don't you go and try to do anything. I want you safe as long as possible. Perhaps the war will end before they call you to the war office. I don't need another surprise enlisting like your father did. One moment he was here telling me he was leaving to do the right thing so that he and I can have the best future together and then the next moment, your father and Joseph Owens return to say they've enlisted. I was so angry with your father but I loved him and trusted that he would be alright." His mother sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, remembering the day her husband left for training. "I want you to stay out of this war as long as possible. Your father told me in his letters the horrors he had seen and I want you away from all those things."
Guilt pierced Edward's heart as he listened to his mother speak. He had to tell her now and he would brave her reaction. He only hoped that he would be able to calm her afterward. "I know how you feel about it all mother," he began to say slowly. "However, I do need to talk to you about something."
His mother's shoulders sank. "Edward, you didn't."
Edward nodded. "I enlisted."
"Edward!" His mother's face held an expression of horror and disbelief.
"Edward, please, I cannot bear it. Why?"
"I wanted to, Mother," Edward said, doing his best to remain calm. "George Crawley and I-"
"George Crawley? Did he force you to enlist with him? How-"
"Mother," Edward interrupted. "He did not force me to enlist. He said he was going to and I decided to, as well. I had already thought about it and it felt right to enlist. The war office may be asking for me soon, anyway."
"You didn't even discuss it with me." His mother stood and Edward could already see the tears in her eyes. Edward stood, as well, and walked over to her cautiously.
"You wouldn't have agreed to it if I would have told you. Mother, I can make my own decisions. I know I was unfair to not discuss it with you but I had to do it. I have to be as brave as my father was and take this responsibility that so many others are taking."
His mother looked up into his eyes. "I know you'll be as brave as your father was, dear, and I truly love that you have that same ambition he had; but I've already had to bury my husband. I really do not want to bury my son, as well."
The whistling from the tea kettle caused Edward's mother to swiftly leave the room and go to the kitchen. Edward stood in stunned silence. He had upset his mother and brought back awful memories that she had deep within her heart but there was nothing he could now. He had enlisted and he was going to leave for training soon. It had been his decision and he did not regret it.
When he slowly entered the kitchen, his mother was softly dabbing her eyes as she set out cups for their tea. She looked up at Edward and forced a small smile. "I'm sorry, I just-"
"I understand, Mother. There isn't anything you need to be sorry about. After all, I'm the one who has upset you. I'm sorry."
His mother lightly shrugged her shoulders and poured their tea. "There's nothing we can do now. My son is going to fight for his country just like his father did. It sounds very admirable. It is very admirable. I may not want you to leave to war, but I'll always be proud of you, Edward, just as I was of your father and still am."
"Thank you, Mother," Edward smiled, feeling relieved that it had all passed.
"I'm still upset," his mother reminded him. "And I shall be worried sick about you, but I love you, Edward, and as your mother, I must support you." She walked over to her son and hugged him. "Promise me that you'll return to me after it's all over and done with."
Edward held his mother and again made a promise he hoped he could keep. "I promise."
"Good," his mother smiled. "That's all I want. Now, let's have tea and then our soup before I start to cry again." Edward's mother took the cups to their small dining table and sat down with her son. During their teatime, Edward got up to fetch the book Sybil had given him from the parlor to show his mother. Together, they looked through all the wonders that the world had to offer and discussed which places they would love to see the most. The conversation brought many smiles to his mother's face and Edward cherished the moment. Soon, he would be away from the comforts of his life and be forced into the unknown, but for now, he was safe and he was home.
