Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

Sybil Branson was folding baby cloths and storing them in the drawers of an armoire in the nursery the next morning. Her husband lay on his back in the middle of the floor bouncing their three-month-old on his stomach. The blabber of nonsense coming from her husband and the bouncing was making the little one giggle and squirm and drool all over his father's clean shirt. Sybil laughed at the antics as she moved to put away the large pile of nappies that had come up from the laundry.

They had declined her parents offer to hire a full time nurse and had made do with the help of a young maid named Katie. Katie would care for the baby while they were occupied with family duties or when Sybil wanted to go out. The rest of the time Sybil or Tom cared for the baby themselves. It was a good arrangement for Sybil as she was able to go to the hospital and attend informal nursing trainings or go on outings, as she desired. It was still too early for Sybil to think about resuming a full time occupation.

"That baby is going to spit up all over you," Sybil said.

"You wouldn't do that to your dear Da, now would you?" Tom cooed to the baby.

Just then a large string of spit trickled down the babies chin to land squarely in the center of his chest. Sybil had just finished her tasks when a knock came at the door.

"Mr. Branson," said Anna as she entered the room. "There is a telephone call for you from Mr. Matthew."

"Thank you, Anna."

Tom got up, tucked the baby up on one arm and headed out the door. Anna could only shake her head in disbelief. Tom and Sybil Branson were just so peculiar. They seemed to have their own way of doing almost everything and that included raising children. No one else in the family would wander around the house with their shirt sleeves rolled up and a baby on their shoulder. Anna couldn't even remember her own father behaving in such a manner with her younger siblings.

"Anna, did Carson tell you what happened last night?" Sybil asked.

"He only mentioned that Mr. Branson may have remembered something that might help John's appeal," said Anna. "At this point I don't want to get my hopes up."

"Come and sit for a minute."

Sybil indicated a pair of overstuffed armchairs near the window.

"Tom remembered how Bates got the scratch on his face. He can be a witness to that. At least that's something. I don't know anymore than that."

Anna's eyes were downcast. Her hands clasped together in her lap.

"I guess its something. I have so little hope. Every time things seem like they are going better, they seem to get worse."

"My husband is much brighter than anyone around here gives him credit for. If he can help he will."

"Thank you. It means a lot to both John and I," Anna paused. "May I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Were you happy in Ireland?"

Sybil's face clouded over for a minute.

"Yes and no," she replied. "I was happy when I was at home or with our own friends. But I fear I will always be "that English girl" to his family. It was the same when I worked as a nurse. Some of the patients would hear my accent and wouldn't let me touch them. It wasn't easy. I am happy that I married him though." Sybil reached out and took Anna's hand. "You will be happy too one day. I'm certain of it."

Tom came back through the door just then.

"I have to meet Lady Mary and Matthew at the train in an hour. We are going up to London to meet with George Murray in London this afternoon."

"Why is Mary going?" Sybil inquired.

"I have no idea," said Tom. "Though I'm sure I will find out. Here take the little nipper. I have to go get changed."

"Anna would you mind taking over with the baby for a few minutes while I get Katie? I have to meet cousin Isobel soon myself."

"Yes, of course Lady Sybil."

Anna reached out and took the squirmy baby from Sybil. She could hear the two of them as they walked off down the hall discussing a tweed suit of Tom's that Sybil disliked. Anna looked at the baby and cuddled him close. She wondered if the day would ever come when she and John would have children or if they would ever have the chance to live together as man and wife.

"No misgivings," she told herself as Katie arrived to take over her duties.

Mary and Matthew were waiting at the train station when Tom arrived. Matthew already had their tickets and they boarded the train immediately. They chose a compartment that was empty except for them.

"Mary, I want you to tell Tom what you told me last night," said Matthew. He gave Mary a stern look. Matthew knew there was no love lost between his wife and her brother-in-law but he had never gotten the details of the hostility out of her. He had not been impressed with her last night when she had divulged Sir Richard's involvement in covering up the Pamuk affair. Matthew suspected her self-interest in the entire affair could have cost an innocent man his life.

Mary stuck her chin even further in the air so she was looking directly down her nose at him, Tom noted. Christ she was a bitch. Tom would never forgive her for her performance when he and Sybil had attempted to elope. On top of her talking her sister into leaving, she had insulted him with money. She was just like her father. He didn't know what Matthew saw in her. Matthew was a decent man if a bit of a mommy's boy. "I wonder who wears the pants in that home?" he thought to himself.

"Bates' wife found out about the whole Pamuk affair," said Mary. She refused to blush or look embarrassed in front of Branson. She couldn't see what her sister saw in him. He was so common even with a decent suit. He hadn't even been middle class when they got engaged. No matter how educated he was, or how well he did with his career, he would always be "the chauffeur" to her. "I told Sir Richard everything and he paid Vera Bates for her story. He had her sign a contract."

"He paid her for an exclusive?" Tom asked.

"I beg your pardon?" Mary responded.

"An exclusive is when a publisher has sole rights to a story."

"I believe so."

"Interesting," said Tom. He pulled a notebook out of an inside pocket and started writing. "I made some notes of the conversation I overheard. It didn't make sense before now."

He flipped a page and handed the notebook to Matthew. Matthew read the notes over and sighed. They may have the explanation for the scrape on Bates' face, but his motive for committing the crime was stronger than ever. They would have to wait and hear what Murray, the lead solicitor on the case had to say.