Thank you everyone for being patient. I'm excited about some developing Tom and Sybil action =)
"Really, Tom," Sybil said. "You look as if you're being marched to the Guillotine."
Tom Branson inhaled nervously. "I may very well be," he replied under his breath.
Sybil smiled at her husband and let her head rest on the window of the train. Although the long trip had worn her thin, she could hardly contain her excitement.
Tom watched out the window as well, noting the familiar sights of the village starting to roll into view. He had written to Lady Grantham nearly a month ago, asking to send Sybil to Downton. He was anxious about her keeping her in Ireland with the increasing dangers. His plan had been to send Sybil to the safety of her family's estate and then to join her later for the birth of their baby. Although the thought of being away from his wife for two months made him feel ill, he knew that they would both feel more comfortable with the extra money he would make by being able to work those few extra weeks.
But conditions in Ireland had changed drastically. It was no longer safe for either of them. As soon as Lady Grantham replied, insisting they both come and stay for the birth of the baby, Tom packed them up and left.
He remembered Sybil's insistence on staying. "I'll not be made a coward," she had argued when he told her they were both going to Downton indefinitely.
"Sybil," he told her gently as he took her hands in his. "This is no longer about being called names, but about the safety of our child. I can't live here a minute more knowing that every day we stay will be a day I risk your life and the life of our baby."
Sybil remembered being rather shocked at his level-headedness. There would have been a time, she thought, when he would have run out the front door to join the rebellions.
But now, looking out the window, thinking again of facing his wife's father and Mr. Carson, neither of whom exactly supported his marriage to Sybil, Tom wasn't sure if maybe Ireland wasn't the safer of the two options.
"Do you think Mama has told Mary and Edith?" Sybil asked excitedly. She had written to her mother almost immediately after she discovered she was pregnant. She had given her Mama strict instructions to keep the news from her sisters, as she intended to be there to see their reactions.
"I think Lady Grantham has held true to her word," Tom answered her.
Sybil rolled her eyes. "You really must start calling her Cora," Sybil told him. "And I know she said she wouldn't tell them, but you never can be certain with Mama. She's not the most skilled at keeping secrets."
Tom smiled at his wife's rounded stomach and he placed his hand over it, "I think your sisters will be surprised regardless."
Tom didn't necessarily like the idea of arriving at Downton with such shocking news, but Sybil had insisted upon it, and not many people were strong-willed enough to withstand Sybil's insisting.
This would be the first time they would visit Downton as husband and wife, the first time that he would have to face Lord Grantham as his youngest daughter's husband. The thought was enough to send his heart racing again.
"Oh, Tom," Sybil said as she placed a hand calmly on his knee to stop his tapping foot. "Everything will be fine, you'll see. Papa has calmed down it seems. He never was good at staying angry. He'll behave."
Sybil knew her father. She had always had him wrapped around her finger. He was upset when she told him she was in love with Tom and that they would be married, but Sybil knew this anger stemmed from her father wanting the best for her. She was sure that her father would see how truly happy she was and that all would return to normal. This baby would have him wrapped around its finger just as Sybil did.
The train began to slow, and Sybil anxiously strained her neck to glimpse out the window. She loved her life in Ireland with Tom. She loved the freedom it brought. She enjoyed feeling tired after a day's work, and she liked the thought of contributing to society. But through all of it, she missed Downton. She was glad to be back in this familiar place with friends and family. That Tom was willing to bring her back just made her love him more.
Tom smiled at his wife. "You're happy to be home, aren't you?" he asked her as the train stopped.
A carefree smile spread across Sybil's face as she took his hand in hers. "So very happy," she replied letting a small giggle escape her.
Tom smiled widely too. His wife was happy, and that meant he could face whatever awaited him at Downton.
. . . . .
Mary sat at the mirror letting Anna tug and pin her hair. Her mind was elsewhere, as it had seemed to be since Matthew's speech to her in the courtyard last week. She had dwelled on the news ever since. At first, she was sure that Richard Carlisle was not a murderer, but as she continued to obsess over it, she began to see that perhaps he could be.
She swallowed hard. Matthew had removed his proposal that Mary go speak to Sir Richard almost directly after it left his mouth, and Mary had not argued with his retreat, but now she wondered if perhaps she should go speak to him. If for no other reason than to try to read him herself.
Anna worked steadily, curling Mary's hair and pinning it on the back of her head. Her mind, too, was somewhere else. Her last letter from John had been less than comforting. She needed to go see him, she knew that it would lift his spirits.
"Yes, Milady," Anna said, locking eyes with Mary in the mirror.
"Hm?" Mary asked.
"I'm sorry," Anna replied. "Did you say something?"
"I don't believe so. Did you say something?" Mary asked.
"No, I don't believe so," Anna replied. "I suppose my mind is someplace else, Milady."
"That's quiet alright," Mary replied. "I suppose mine is somewhere else as well."
Anna nodded and returned to work. "Are you excited about Lady Sybil's return?" Anna asked. Personally, she was looking forward to having the three sisters back home again. The extra work would mean tiring days, and tiring days would mean fewer nights of her lying in bed thinking of John.
"I suppose so," Mary said, attempting to underplay her happiness surrounding Sybil's return. She had missed her sister in the months she'd been away from Downton. Sybil and Mary had always been close, and Mary was certainly glad to have her companion home during this confusing time for her. Even though Matthew made her promise not to tell anyone of Sir Richard's possible guilt, Mary had every intention of telling her sister. Even though Sybil was the youngest of the girls, she was often the wisest, and Mary was counting on that wisdom to see her through this.
There was a knock at the door, and Cora Crawley entered the room.
Mary could tell she was ecstatic. Her presence radiated joy. That's the difference between Mama and me, Mary thought. Cora Crawley wore her emotions on her sleeve, while Mary worked hard to hide every emotion she felt. I suppose that's her American heritage, Mary thought.
"Someone's rather happy," Mary said dryly as Cora walked over to her.
"Sybil is coming home today," Cora cooed. "Of course I'm happy."
"Aren't you a bit worried about Papa?" Mary asked her mother.
Anna watched with interest. She knew from John and from her own observations that Lord Grantham was not exactly pleased with Lady Sybil's choice of husband. In fact, he had refused to go to the wedding, a decision she knew he regretted, but still. Lord Grantham could be a stubborn man; there was no question where Lady Sybil acquired it.
"Papa will behave himself," Cora answered her daughter. "He's promised me that much. Now, are you ready to great them?"
Anna finished pinning the last piece of Mary's hair in place, and followed both women to the first floor where she found the other servants waiting to welcome Lady Sybil home.
Mr. Carson stood stoic and stone-faced, even though the car was no where near approach. He too, was not very found of Lady's Sybil's choice of husband, or rather, Tom Branson's nerve in pursuing a woman beyond his class. Mr. Branson had crossed a dangerous line, and Carson would not forgive him for that.
Anna took her place between Mrs. Hughes and O'Brien, while Mary stood between awkwardly beside Matthew and Edith. Since the reveal of the breakthrough in Mr. Bate's case, Mary wasn't exactly sure what to say or how to act around her husband, a man who was convinced that the man she had intentions to marry was a murderer. Matthew and Mary had been polite enough in the past week, but both felt the awkwardness that Sir Richard's involvement in the case had brought between them.
"They should be here any minute now," Cora said as she placed a hand on her husband's arm and strained her neck to look beyond the drive.
Lord Grantham tried his best not too look put out. He was excited to have Sybil home again, under his protection and his own roof. He was none too thrilled about the simultaneous arrival of her husband. He had promised Cora he would behave, a sentiment he was sure would take more self-control than he contained.
"Is that them?" Edith asked when she saw a cloud of dust kicked up down the road.
"I'm sure it is," Mary replied, turning her neck to see down the path.
Lord Grantham swallowed hard and worked to unclench his hands from the fists they had instinctively formed in his pockets. He would behave, for Sybil, he would give Tom Branson a fair chance. Or at the very least, he would try.
Thank you everyone for the reviews, follows, and favorites! Up next: More Tom and Sybil, Edith and Antony, and Mary and Matthew. It's good to have all three girls back together again!
