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Thank you so much for the kind reviews. They give me such confidence.
Chapter Eighteen
Tom got out of the car sheepishly.
"Hello Mary." It was all he managed to squeak out. He hadn't meant to embarrass Lily so soon out of the gate. She actually wasn't even out of the gate yet.
He hurried over to the other side of the car and opened the door for his guest. She smiled smoothly at him. Her cheeks were still flushed from the unexpected kiss and she accepted his hand as she carefully got out of the car.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He whispered to her as they went around the car together.
"Don't even worry about it. I can handle myself." She winked at him and he felt a little more confident that she most probably could.
They approached the tall, dark haired, handsome woman who had known Tom for so many years and they both tried to gauge her reaction. Mary looked a bit shocked at first and then she smiled warmly at them. Tom made the formal introduction, though they had met at the hospital in passing.
"Lady Mary, this is Lillian Becker." Mary reached her hand out to grip the younger woman's.
"I am very pleased to meet you. Come inside and we can get to know each other better. Where it's warmer." Mary wasn't wearing a jacket and she looked a bit cold. "Now, did you say your surname was Becker?"
Lily nodded.
"Are you by chance related to Susan Becker?" Mary glanced over her shoulder at Tom and watched him smile at her. She smiled back and couldn't help but notice a difference in the Irishman. He seemed happier. Less stressed. And he had brought a woman over to the house for the evening. This was an interesting turn of events in her opinion.
"Yes. She was my mother. You might remember her well. She worked with Lady Sybil during the war at the hospital. And occasionally at the Abbey when it was turned into a convalescent home. I helped at the hospital sometimes after school but I've never been to the house before. I actually remember you as well. You were a grand help. Especially with Mister Crawley." Lily stopped talking as Mary turned to look at her carefully. Perhaps she shouldn't have mentioned Mary's first husband. It wasn't polite.
"Of course. I am sure I remember you. You were just a pretty young girl then and you look much the same now. And I do remember your mother. She was a wonderful woman." Mary's use of the past tense let Lily know that she must have known of her mother's passing.
Lily made a mental note not to mention the departed. She turned back to see where Tom was and he was following them closely behind. He smiled encouragingly at her. They both knew now that Mary would be polite enough not to mention witnessing their kiss in the car.
"And you knew our Sybil. How wonderful is that?" Mary guided the younger woman into the main entrance and watched as Lily looked around and took in the splendour of the house.
It was still elegantly decorated for the holidays and there were two foot men waiting eagerly to take her jacket. Mary waited patiently while the two arrivals removed themselves from their outer wear and straightened themselves for their introduction to the rest of the members of the household and the other guests.
They walked through the great hall and Lily heard many voices coming from the lit room that they were approaching. She took a deep breath as they approached and Tom came to her side and briefly put his hand on her lower back as encouragement. She tried not to be nervous, but she was. This was far from her small little house that she shared with only her old cat. She wasn't used to being entertained with such splendour.
They entered the room, Mary just slightly ahead of Lily to make the introductions and Tom following behind them. Lily and Tom both took deep breaths as they entered the crowded room.
Lord Grantham was there to meet her first and welcome her to his home. Tom noticed the staff all watching Lily subtlety out of the corner of their eyes. He knew they would be gossiping about her later, but he silently dared them to find any flaw with her. He hadn't found one yet.
George and his Grandmother Isobel welcomed her warmly as Tom knew they would. Isobel would be her ally no matter what. Site unseen. It's just how she was. George greeted Tom warmly as well. They'd had a good conversation a few days earlier and Tom had let his nephew know then how grateful he was that George had tried to cover up for Sybbie. According to the authorities, George had been driving but it was now the worst kept secret amongst the family and the staff. Everyone wanted to protect Sybbie and Tom was so grateful.
He often thought of Sybbie as just his own, but he had been reminded recently that she was a part of a great family. They would all be there for her in whatever way they could. Even Edith had come to visit Sybbie in the hospital and spent an entire afternoon visiting with her niece and getting to know her again as well as to reassure the young woman that she was supported. Tom had noticed that it helped Sybbie tremendously to know that no one had any hard feelings towards her. Bates was still the wild card, but Tom had hoped to go and speak with him the previous day only to discover that Emma had been sent home and the Bates had vacated the hospital.
His thoughts came back to the present situation as Lily made her way down the line of family members who had been anxious to meet the woman that Tom was bringing to dinner.
He and Mary laughed as Antonio hugged her tightly and wouldn't let go. Even Lily was laughing by the end, surprised at the outgoing greeting of the Italian man. When Mary mentioned to Cora that Lily had known Sybil, the older woman lost the sadness in her eyes. She pulled Lily over to one of the benches and sat down to get to know the nurse better. She was always eager to speak of her youngest daughter and soon a bright and happy conversation was well under way between Lily, Mary, Cora and eventually Edith sat to join them as well. Antonio sat beside Isobel across the room and she listened casually to him as he spun some tale about some adventure he had been on. Her eyes never left George though. She had a strange half-smile on her face as she watched her grandson. George was oblivious of her attentions as he stood beside Tom. Tony entertained his daughters with a book on the other side of the room. The young girls were beautifully dressed for their big dinner with the family.
The three men stood silently for a few minutes until Barrow came over to ask if Tom wanted something to drink. Tom looked to George to see what he was having. He had a crystal tumbler in his hand and looked quite mature standing there in his formal jacket with a drink in his hand. Tom smiled as memories of Matthew standing in the same pose in the same room flooded his mind. George laughed and rattled his glass.
"It's a scotch and soda. No scotch."
Tom laughed at his nephew. Whatever had rattled in the boy's brains in the accident, he didn't seem to be the sullen young man Tom had known of the last few times he had visited Downton. George seemed happier somehow but Tom couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"I'll have a scotch please Barrow. And thank you very much. Sybbie was grateful for the flowers you sent her. She said to tell you thank you."
"Very good sir. I am glad she enjoyed them and I will have your drink brought straight to you." The three men thought they caught a glimpse of a smile from the usually very serious Butler.
"So Tom. Have you had any chance to think of my offer." Robert was making conversation but his glances gave away what he was truly wondering. He casually glanced to the women sitting and chatting and he noticed a look on Cora's face that he hadn't seen very often these days. Lady Grantham missed her surviving family that had all moved away. But tonight, she seemed to be happy. She was smiling and laughing as Lily recanted tales of Sybil's time at the hospital. How well loved and respected their youngest daughter had been there.
Robert looked back to Tom and noticed that he was looking at Lily across the room with a faraway look in his eye. Robert had seen that look on the former chauffeur's face before but it had been many years ago and directed towards his youngest daughter then. And Robert hadn't seen that look on him since. Tom had been extremely faithful to Sybil's memory, but perhaps now he was affording himself the chance at some happiness again. It was good to see, thought Robert.
"I'll tell you this sir, I am seriously considering it." Tom smiled. And he was considering it.
George grinned. Of course he knew the offer that had been posed to his uncle and he was very excited by the prospect of having Tom and his cousin nearby on a more permanent basis. George didn't want to pressure him, but they all knew Sybbie wouldn't be travelling far for the next little while anyway. It would give Tom the time to make his decision. But by the way he was looking at Lily, his decision had clearly been made.
They stayed chatting for some time. Robert let them know that Edith had asked if Marigold could be a guest in the house for some time as well. Apparently the granddaughter of Robert's was quite unhappy living in Italy and Edith had kindly requested they teach her some manners as well. She was having a tough time controlling her daughter and wished for her to stay in her childhood home until Marigold decided what she wished to do. Robert and Cora had very gratefully accepted the request. They were excited to have another of their grandchildren back at the house, it would definitely help to quell some of the boredom that had filled the quiet halls in the house recently.
Tom joked to George that it would be an old nursery reunion for Downton Abbey. The three of them would be together again. George smiled politely, but he was not exactly looking forward to being so near to his cousin Marigold. At least he could go back to school when the holidays were over, but she would be there when he came home for term break. And so might Sybbie, and that made the thoughts of it so much better.
Eventually they were all guided through to dinner. The meal was delightful and went smoothly. The conversation was lively and happy as they prepared to welcome the New Year later in the night. Everyone engaged Lily well in the conversation and she held her own. She was charming and funny and when the last bite of pudding was done, Tom wasn't the only one in the room infatuated with the nurse. George and Isobel chatted happily to themselves for much of the dinner, and they both seemed very content in each others company. Tom missed Sybbie quite a bit around the table. They didn't often spend much time apart and he worried about her all alone in the hospital, but she had assured him she would likely just sleep anyway, and he should go out and try to enjoy himself. Especially if it was out with Lily.
Tom caught himself smiling at Lily as she spoke to Cora who was sitting to her left. Lily glanced at him too, more than often, and she smiled the dimple that he was coming to appreciate very much. He couldn't believe how different and outgoing she was away from the hospital, but he thought about how many families she had spoken to over the years that she had been a nurse. No wonder she knew how to talk to people. He liked both sides of her. Very much.
As Robert stood up to officially end the meal the women all followed Cora out to the next room to spend some time chatting some more. Tom stayed with Robert and George went with his younger sisters to take them up to the nursery so they could spend the rest of their evening playing and being allowed the privilege of staying up late. The three little girls, Mary's two and Edith's youngest, said goodnight to everyone and giggled as they followed George out of the room. George let the men know he would return shortly, once his sisters and cousin were settled.
Robert chuckled after they left.
"They remind me so much of my girls when they were young. They did very well at dinner. Young Violet has been known to throw a tantrum or two, but she was very well behaved don't you think?" Lord Grantham spoke to Tom, as Antonio was busy trying to light one his cigars. Lord Gillingham sat politely halfway down the table and puffed contentedly on his own cigar.
"They are very charming young ladies. Exactly what I would expect. You have a very lovely family Sir." Tom accepted the small glass of port that Robert handed to him.
"I hope you know I very much consider you to be part of this family, and you need not feel guilty about exploring a new future. You did very well by my daughter and you have turned Sybbie into a very fine young lady."
Tom looked back at Robert gratefully.
"I don't pretend to be perfect, and I know Sybbie is not, but I tried to raise her with plenty of love and I think it's a large part of her personality. I will always love Sybil and I will never betray her memory. I hope you know that." Tom leaned back in his chair.
"Lily seems like a very fine woman." Robert wasn't sure how to exactly express his approval of Tom's guest without offending either Sybil's memory or Tom's obvious feelings for the nurse.
"I believe she is. I don't recall meeting anyone so kind and caring in quite some time. She adores Sybbie and I think Sybbie is blooming under her care."
There was a shuffling at the doorway and Tom and Robert both turned in the direction of it, thinking it must be George come back down to join them, but Carson was standing there with a grim look on his face.
"What is it Carson?" Robert stood up to see what the retired Butler required of him.
"The hospital just rang sir. I'm afraid Kevin O'Malley passed away about an hour ago. His brother James was with him and he is quite distraught. The nurses wondered if perhaps someone could come to be with him."
"Oh the poor chap. He's all alone with his brother and so far from home." Robert leaned back towards Tom who was still seated at the table.
"I'll go. I should be getting back to Sybbie. This is going to upset her as well. More than we suspect." Tom was already standing up and heading towards the room where the ladies were.
"Bring him back here Tom. He shouldn't be alone at this time." Robert spoke to Carson to arrange to have one of the cars brought around to the front of the house.
Tom approached the table where the four ladies were playing cards. Marigold was sitting to her mother's side and watching carefully, hoping to learn the game and be invited to play.
Lily saw him enter the room and sat back quickly when she saw the look on his face. She set her cards down and stood up.
"Oh Tom. It's not Sybbie is it? Is anything wrong?" The three other ladies at the card table all noticed her genuine concern for the young Branson lady.
"No. But I'm afraid O'Malley is gone. His brother is quite upset and Sybbie is all alone there. We should get back."
Lily discarded her company with the politest of good byes and thank yous and hurried to follow Tom.
"He won't hurt Sybbie will he? He must be in shock. People can do strange things when they're upset..." Mary spoke up as Lily got up.
"I don't think so." Tom replied but he did move a little bit faster as he bid good bye to the ladies.
"Oh poor Sybbie. She's going to be so upset. She's sensitive. Just like her mother was." Edith spoke to her own mother as they watched Tom and Lily hurry off.
"I have a feeling those two will take very good care of her." Cora set her cards down. The game was over. "Poor O'Malley. I think he lasted longer than the doctors expected. We can't be surprised he is gone now, but we can think fondly of him can we not?"
Everyone agreed. They certainly could. So they thought...
To be continued:
p.s You didn't think I'd end this story without a... bang did you? ;) Only two more chapters...
p.p.s. Spoiler alert... Sybbie will be fine...