Sybil felt the warmth on her skin as she stepped outside of Downton, to see how the setting up for the garden party was going. She had a bad feeling about today, she didn't know what, but her stomach churned. It was bad enough that she had lost he baby brother, not so long ago and she had a feeling the year was going to get much worse.
Mary had still not excepted Matthew, which actually Sybil was quite mad about. She thought Mary loved Matthew, if so why had she not excepted him? Her sister was a mystery to her. She stepped out of the way for Thomas to step past and looked at her home. So beautiful, she could hardily imagine ever leaving here.
Sybil and Edith watched as Mary tossed hat after hat, onto her bed.
"I have no idea why you are making such a fuss," Edith sighed, "you usually look lovely in everything."
Edith said this with heavy sarcasm, Mary rolling her eyes and ignoring her.
"If you must know I am going to accept Matthew today," she said as a matter of fact looking at herself in the mirror fondly.
Her eyes widening, Sybil started to shake and she had no idea why.
"But Mary won't it look as if you are only accepting Matthew because he is heir again," Sybil said.
"Well I'm not," Mary sighed coldly, "and he won't think that either!"
"I wouldn't be to sure," Edith whispered to Sybil.
Finally, once Mary had plumped for a hat, they descended the stairs, to see they're father at the bottom.
"My beautiful daughters!" he smiled looking proud, "do enjoy yourself today, I fear it may be the last time for a while."
"What on earth do you mean? Is there a war?!" Edith exclaimed.
"No, well not yet but we can all see that there will be one soon," Robert sighed looking sad and thoughtful.
"Will Mama be attending?" Sybil asked, to try and get her fathers mind of war.
"Yes, I think so," he answered still looking grave,
"Is that wise after…" Mary trailed off.
"I wouldn't worry O' Brien had Mama wrapped up in cotton wool, I don't think she is in to much danger," Sybil said.
Soon enough the guests started arriving and then Matthew and Isobel. Sybil watched Mary as she welcomed them both. To try and distract herself from Matthew, she went to talk to Imogen Partridge and one of the girls she saw at the Season, with Edith. Suddenly, Branson the chauffer came running up to her.
"A phone call has just arrived Gwen has got the job," he whispered into Sybil's ear.
She smiled and covered her face with her hands in joy.
"Excuse me," she said to her friends and sister and ran off to find Gwen with Branson.
She was just about to serve some drinks, when they told her the news.
"Here take this!" she said to Lily another maid.
She jumped up and down squealing with Branson and Sybil. Mrs Hughes walking over.
"What is this all about?" Mrs Hughes asked her eyes like a hawk.
"I've done it!" Gwen squealed in excitement, "I've got the job!"
"We'll celebrate later," Mrs Hughes sighed, "for now back to work!"
Gwen scuttled away, Sybil and Branson looking on they're faces full of joy, they're hands still held together.
Branson started to look into Sybil's eyes. All thoughts of Matthew disappeared from her mind. They're hands were still locked.
"I don't suppose…" Branson started.
"Lady Sybil," Mrs Hughes said firmly, "her lady ship was after you."
Sybil looked at Branson one last time, and drew their hands apart, aware that he was following her with his eyes as she left.
What did he mean? I don't suppose…
Sybil looked across to see Matthew and Mary talking. Suddenly, he stormed of from her and even from the distance that Sybil was watching him, she could see he looked angry. Common sense prevailed her and she went over to Matthew, forgetting to talk to her mother.
"Cousin Matthew," she called walking naturally to his side.
He stopped trying to smile at her, but failing.
"Cousin Sybil," he sighed.
"Are you alright?" she asked, "you just seem so angry."
"Seems as your asking I'm not. Your sister has ruined the slightest bit of happiness we could ever have."
With that he stormed off.
"Matthew!" Sybil called.
"Please I don't wish to sound rude, but I must be left to my own devices," Matthew sighed, walking away very quick.
Sybil didn't want to speak ill of Mary, but really she could see it coming. Mary should of taken Matthew when she could. If Sybil was Mary then she would of, like a shot.
"Excuse me!" she heard her father shout, "my lords, ladies and gentleman gather please. I regret to inform you that we are at war with Germany!"
A whole silence passed through the crowd. Every single person knew it was coming, but to actual hear the news was still shocking. Families started to conform together, the younger maids went to Mrs Hughes and the first thought that entered Sybil's mind was what about Matthew?