A/N: This is the start of the post-2x08 story. Thanks very much for all the reviews and Tumblr likes and reblogs for the last chapter. I love hearing from my readers about the story good or bad. Many thanks to my ever patient betas, Tripp3235 and mswainwright.
Disclaimer: Not mine. All Downton Abbey characters belong to Julian Fellowes and ITV. I'm just playing with them.
Chapter 11
Sybil and Tom parted very happily as Tom walked her back to Downton after the funeral. Lord Grantham's blessing had put a spring in Sybil's step and they had a wonderful time that afternoon discussing when they might return for a visit to the family. They dared not discuss the money that the Earl would provide.
Later on in the evening, Sybil telephoned Tom at the Grantham Arms after a word with her father in the drawing room when the overnight guests had retired.
When they were connected, Sybil heard Tom's voice from the other end of the line, "Hello?"
"Tom, it's Sybil." Sybil spoke rather quickly.
"Good evening," said Tom. "You sound very excited." Sybil could hear the smile in his voice.
"Papa would like you to come tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock to discuss our plans and the money he wishes to bestow on us," said Sybil as a smile grew on her face.
"Would that not be something he would speak to you alone about?" asked Tom, slightly puzzled.
"He requested that you be there and so we will have to alter our plans," said Sybil. They had parted with the agreement that he come to collect her in the morning and return her after lunch so that she could pack for their journey on the following day.
"Very well," said Tom with a sigh. "Tell him I will be at Downton Abbey at two in the afternoon."
"I will," said Sybil. "Perhaps I could take you out to dinner in the village afterward?"
"I'd like that," said Tom. "Just don't think that I can't provide for you."
"I could never think that," said Sybil with a smile.
"Have a goodnight then, my love," said Tom.
"Goodnight, Tom." Sybil heard the line disconnect before she hung the receiver on its hook and went to change for bed.
Having sent off his article to editors the previous morning, Tom was at ends with what to do with his time the next morning. After breakfast, he went for a walk and purchased a paper. The skies looked like they would open up so he didn't go far. In the end, Tom spent the morning reading the newspaper in the dining room of the Grantham Arms before having a small luncheon. After eating, he started making his way to Downton Abbey. At precisely two in the afternoon, Tom rang the bell at the front entrance to the house. Carson was there to open the door with a look of well-guarded disdain on his face.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Branson," said Carson. "His Lordship is expecting you in the library."
Tom nodded and saw Sybil walking toward them.
"Carson, I can take it from here," said Sybil with a big smile for Tom.
"Very well, My Lady," said Carson before he leaves the two of them.
They smiled at one another in greeting. As Sybil took his arm and kissed him on the cheek, she whispered, "I just found out this morning that Bates was arrested yesterday afternoon for murder."
Tom's eyes widen a little before he recovered and said in equally quiet tones, "Of his wife?"
Sybil looked at him and said, "Yes."
Looking at Sybil, Tom said, "I'm sorry to hear that. I hope that he has good representation."
"As do we all," said Sybil, looking sad. "Anna is, of course, very distraught and has taken ill in her room. O'Brien had to help me dress this morning. Papa mentioned at luncheon that Bates is in custody in York and that he's expected to be moved to London for the trial, but that won't be for months, so at least Anna can visit him on her half day."
"I hope that Anna can weather the storm that is sure to come," said Tom. "Being the wife of a defendant charged with murder will not be easy, especially since the murder involves his previous wife. Thank goodness Downton is in the country and not near a city like Leeds or York, or God forbid, London. It should make it a little easier for her."
"I thank God every day that your heart murmur stopped you from being a conscientious objector and that Carson stopped you from your plans to protest on the General," said Sybil as she looked down at the ground. "If you had gone to prison, you would have been lost to me." They had never fully discussed the implications of his war time protests before, but now that they were closer, she felt comfortable enough to bring it up.
"Then I'm glad fate intervened," said Tom as he lifted her chin to look at her and smiled.
Sybil returned his smile and they started walking toward the library. "On better news, I'm nearly packed. I spent some time last night thinking of the mementos I want to take with me and have narrowed it down to three small things. Everything should fit into two suitcases."
"That's very good," said Tom. "We should be able to manage that easily."
"Oh and Edith has offered to drive us to the railway station in the morning if you wish to meet here to say our goodbyes."
"That's very kind of your sister," said Tom. "I will be here whenever you wish."
As they walked into the library, Lord and Lady Grantham were there. Tom had not expected to see both of Sybil's parents, but he had the good grace not to show his surprise.
Lord Grantham noticed the couple walking in and extended his hand out to Tom. "Mr. Branson. Thank you for coming." Tom noted that the Earl was in polite humour with none of the abrasiveness that he had shown when he made a visit to Tom at the Grantham Arms the week previous.
Tom took the Earl's hand and said, "Lord Grantham. Lady Grantham." Lady Grantham smiled tightly and nodded.
"Please take a seat," said the Earl as he sat down beside his wife.
After both Sybil and Tom sat down opposite of the Earl and the Countess, the Earl started to speak, "We are hoping to get a better understanding of your plans as you make your departure tomorrow and to discuss the money that will be given to Lady Sybil going forward. She has told us that you will be taking the train to Liverpool in the morning and will be overnighting there before taking passage the following morning to Ireland, where she will be living with your mother until you are married. We were wondering about the plans beyond that."
Tom nodded and said, "While Sybil lives with my mother, I will be living with my older brother and his wife. I have an interview at The Dublin Times at the end of the month. My mother has found us a flat that we can rent from her cousin for after we are married as well as a lead for a nursing position for Sybil. I expect that our combined wages will enable us to live comfortably where we would be able to send out the washing and perhaps have someone to come to cook and clean for us."
At this point, the Countess spoke up, "What about when the children come?"
Sybil looked at her mother and said, "Tom's mother has offered to look after our children after my lying-in so that I can continue my work."
The Countess's face lit up in shock and she managed, "But don't you want to look after your children?"
Sybil said with a slightly exasperated tone, "I will be looking after them when I'm not working and they will be looked after by their grandmother when I am."
Tom offered, "My mother has raised six children all of whom are hard working, honest people."
The Countess ignored Tom and then asked Sybil, "What about a wet nurse?"
Sybil said with a blush colouring her cheeks, "I expect to feed my children myself."
"Robert, I never-"
Sybil interrupted, "But I want to, Mama. It's the most natural thing for a mother to feed her own child."
The Countess's face was a mask of horror and the Earl interjected to keep the discussion from derailing, "Perhaps this is where the small allowance we will be bestowing will be of value. While Sybil is not working after the birth of the children, the money we send will be able to compensate for her lost wages and should a wet nurse be required, this is something that can be done."
After a momentary pause, realizing that this is where she's suppose to say something, Sybil answered, "Of course, Papa. Thank you."
Robert continued, "We would also like to provide for the education of any children you have and if any sons wish to achieve higher education, we will set aside a sum for that as well."
"But Papa," asked Sybil, "What if our daughters wish to go to university? It would be unfair if their brothers will have the means to go but they will not."
"Very well," said the Earl, not wishing to argue too much more. "A sum will be set aside for whomever of your children wishes to go."
"Thank you, Papa," said Sybil with a smile.
Changing the subject, the Earl asked, "Now about the wedding, what details can you provide on that?"
Tom spoke up, "My mother and my sister, Cathleen, have found a church to marry us without a residency requirement. We haven't discussed the date yet, but we would like to marry soon after the banns have been read. We have discussed the first days of June. It will depend on the availability of the church and my family. I have a sister in service near Athlone. It could depend on her availability."
The Countess looked at the Earl and said, "What about a wedding breakfast?"
"Likely my family will all contribute to that," said Tom.
"Is that not traditionally the purview of the family of the bride?" asked the Countess a little wide-eyed.
Sybil interjected, "Let me speak to Tom's mother when we are in Dublin and let you know."
"Do and we will do what is right." Moving on to the next topic, the Countess said, "You mentioned a flat earlier. Does it come furnished?"
Tom looked at her and said, "I suspect that it will have a stove, but we will likely need to acquire furniture for it. I have a sum of money set aside that will go towards it but I believe that my family will help in that respect as well."
The Countess looked meaningfully at the Earl who said, "Please keep us informed of the details and we will see how we can help with that."
"Thank you, My Lord," said Tom, surprised by this show of generosity.
"Yes, Thank you, Papa," said Sybil. "Were there other details you wish to know?"
The Earl looked at the Countess, who gave a slight shake of the head. "I believe that is all for now. I understand that you are having dinner in the village. The weather looks to be turning. Ask Pratt to drive you there and Sybil, when you are done, please call up to the house for Pratt to pick you up. I don't want you getting ill for your journey."
Seeing that this was the end of the conversation, Sybil asked, "Could I take Tom to the small sitting room until we are ready to go?"
The Earl nodded and waved his hand in dismissal.
After Thomas brought tea to the small sitting room and left, Sybil poured them each a cup before sitting down on the sofa beside Tom and said, "I can't believe how much Papa is offering." Seeing a scowl starting to form on Tom's face, she asked, "Whatever is the matter?"
"You know we don't need the money," said Tom. "I can provide for you."
"I know you can, but it doesn't hurt to have some savings," said Sybil trying to soothe Tom's wounded pride. "If you would like, we can just set aside that money in a bank until we need it when the children come. That money would mean that I could stay home longer with the children."
"Yes, I would like that," said Tom. "We didn't go through all this just so that your family can come to our rescue."
"Of course not," said Sybil imploringly. "Papa and Mama just mean well. Remember how you told me once that Papa is a good man and a decent employer. He is just being a fair parent. The allowance he is giving us is merely a part of my settlement from the estate when I marry. It has nothing to do with helping us because he believes we are in need. Even Mary will be getting her settlement when she marries Sir Richard."
"If it is part of your settlement, then I will be happier about it," said Tom. "But know that I didn't ask you to marry me for your money."
"Absolutely not," said Sybil. "I had no expectation on that score when I agreed to marry you and I know that you have never been after my money. Let's just agree to put the money in the bank for the children and talk of happier things."
"Very well," said Tom as he took her hand in his in a gesture of agreement. "Tell me about the mementos you've decide to bring with you."
A/N2: The argument Sybil has with her mother re: wet nurse vs breastfeeding your own child is one that Queen Victoria had with her second daughter, Princess Alice. I couldn't resist putting it in there when the discussion came up. I'd love to hear what you think of this chapter good or bad, so please do review. :)
