A/N: After those two ITV spots yesterday, I'm ready for a real S3 trailer and the press pack. Anyone with me?

Thank you for all the suggestions for With Love From Dublin, keep them coming! :)

Thanks also for all the reviews, etc., since the last chapter was posted. As always, all of it is greatly appreciated. I value every single one. Thanks to those who reviewed for the first time. I hope that you choose to review again.

I want to thank my wonderful betas: Tripp3235, mswainwright and _livingfree (on Twitter) (in absentia for the remainder of the story due to school work). Without these wonderful people, who listen to me gripe and have the patience to slog through chapter after chapter despite their busy lives, the quality of every aspect of this story would be much poorer indeed! :)

To provide a time reference for the weekly readers, we pick up in this chapter the morning of Tues. June 3, 1919.

Disclaimer: Not mine. All Downton Abbey characters belong to Julian Fellowes and ITV. I'm just playing with them.

Chapter 40

By the time Sybil arrived at the hotel, she was looking forward to spending the next few days with her sisters. She was greeted by Anna when Peter, the second footman, opened the door for her and the driver who brought up her suitcase.

"Thank you so much, Anna, for the candlesticks," said Sybil, taking off her hat and gloves. "With Mr. Bates in his situation, you really didn't have to give us anything."

"No, my lady," said Anna. "It was Mr. Bates's idea. He suggested that we give you and Mr. Branson something when I told him you were marrying in Ireland. He wants to keep the semblance of normalcy at this time."

"I understand," said Sybil, reaching into her pocketbook. "Here is a thank you note for you and Mr. Bates from Tom and me. Perhaps you can let him open it when you see him. Please tell him that we're praying for his release from Ireland."

"Of course, my lady," said Anna, taking the envelope. "Thank you. I believe your sisters are dressing for dinner. Peter has already taken your suitcase to your room. Let me show you the way."

"Thank you, Anna." Sybil followed her to her new room.

After Sybil put her pocketbook on the bed, Anna said, "I'll unpack your suitcase and come back later to help you with your dress."

"When is dinner expected?" asked Sybil, kicking off her shoes.

"Eight o'clock, my lady," said Anna, opening the suitcase on the bed and taking out the first article to put away.

"I'd like some tea and a bite to eat, please," said Sybil, walking over to her open suitcase. "I'm used to eating closer to six o'clock now and I'm famished. I can finish unpacking if you can bring me a little food."

"Of course, my lady." Anna placed the article of clothing in her hand into the drawer, curtsied and left the room in search of tea for Sybil.

Soon thereafter was a knock at her door.

"Come in," said Sybil, putting her clothes in the wardrobe.

Edith's head peeked into the room. "I thought I heard you talking to Anna. Why are you unpacking? Shouldn't Anna be doing that for you?"

"I asked her to get me some food and tea," said Sybil, looking over her shoulder at Edith. "I'm famished and can't wait until eight o'clock. Where's Mary?"

"She's napping until closer to dinner," said Edith, sitting down on the bed beside the suitcase. "She naps much more often these days. I fear Mary is in the doldrums after what happened to Lavinia."

"Other than her not writing much while I was here, she seemed fine to me." Sybil looked at Edith puzzled.

"Seems is the best way to describe it," said Edith, rolling her eyes. "In the time we've been here, other than when we spend time with you and when I urged her to go shopping on Saturday afternoon, she's been sleeping most of her time away. I was almost afraid that we would be late for church on Sunday."

"Does Mama and Papa know?" asked Sybil, concerned.

"I don't think so," said Edith, looking at Sybil's things. "Mama was much too occupied with not coming to your wedding to notice. Since she's been at Hylands, I actually didn't notice until we arrived here and it was just the two of us in this suite. I've spent a lot of time reading. Perhaps you can convince her to go out tomorrow before Miss Branson arrives."

"I will try," said Sybil, putting some clothes in a dresser drawer.

Anna came in with a tray for two. When Anna saw Edith's puzzled look, she said, "I saw you coming out of your room, my lady, when I went to fetch the tray for Lady Sybil. I thought you might want to have tea with her."

"Thank you, Anna," said Edith, smiling. "You are so very perceptive."

Sybil looked up at Anna from her packing. "Edith told me that Mary has been sleeping more than usual recently. When did you notice it?"

"Lady Mary has been sleeping more than usual since Miss Swire's funeral." Anna looked concerned. "I've asked her if she's feeling under the weather and she denies it."

"Thank you, Anna." Sybil dismisses her. "I can unpack the remainder of the suitcase."

After Sybil put all the clothing away and her suitcase at the top of the wardrobe, she sat down on a chair near the window and made Edith and herself each a cup of tea. "I'm concerned about Mary. I worry that she's fallen into a depression. Do you know what happened at the funeral?"

Edith sat in a chair on the other side of the table and took the tea from Sybil. "I know that she spoke to Cousin Matthew at the gravesite, but she walked home with Sir Richard. You know that Mary doesn't confide in me."

"I know," said Sybil, wistfully. "When you return home, you must bring this to Mama and Papa's attention. Depression can have grave consequences." Sybil recalled what depression led Lieutenant Courtney to do.

"I will," said Edith. "What did you want to do after dinner this evening?"

"I was hoping that we could change into our night clothes, sit in one bed and gossip about our family like we used to when we were younger." Sybil bit into one of the sandwiches.

"Nothing more exciting than that?" asked Edith, sipping her tea.

"No," said Sybil. "The last two months of my life have been a whirlwind. I'd like to spend some quiet time with my sisters. Tell me about the goings on in the village since I left."

"If you wish," said Edith, smiling at her sister.

The two sisters discussed all the gossip in the village until it was time to change for dinner.


Dinner was a quiet family affair with just the three sisters. They talked about Sybil's ring. They talked about Grandmama's note that came with the wedding gift. They talked about what Mama's sisters gave Sybil. They talked about Yorkshire since Sybil left. In short, nothing of consequence was discussed. When dinner was over, they agreed to meet in Mary's room and each went into their room to change into their night clothes.

When Sybil arrived in Mary's room, Anna was still braiding Mary's hair. Looking at Sybil, Mary said, "There are a few things from Granny and Mama on the bed for you. I thought it would be more appropriate to give them to you at this time."

"Thank you, Mary." Sybil walked to the bed and saw two boxes, a package and a couple of letters.

Picking up the envelope in Granny's handwriting, Sybil went over to Mary's desk to get the letter opener. She sliced the envelope open and read the letter.

My dear Sybil,

I know that I had already given you and Mr. Branson a gift when you left, but this is a gift for you alone. I was hoping to be able to give you this set of pearls in person, but alas I'm unable to attend the wedding and so I send them with your sisters. They were given to me by my sister, Roberta, on the eve of my wedding. I hope that you will wear them with pride at yours.

With my love,
Granny

Sybil then opened the box and these were the pearls that she had admired on her grandmother when she was twelve and Granny had promised them to her for her wedding. She never thought that Granny would give them to her, but here they were. Emotion welled up in Sybil and she was unable to stem the tide of tears. Anna had just finished Mary's braid and quietly slipped away. Edith joined them soon thereafter and she and Mary hugged and soothed Sybil until Sybil finished crying.

After the crying episode, the three sisters climbed into Mary's bed like when they are little with Mary and Edith on each side of Sybil. Edith handed Sybil her gifts from the foot of the bed.

Sybil looked at her sisters while holding the box of pearls with the matching teardrop earrings. "When did Granny give this to you?"

Edith smiled. "She summoned me the day after Papa left for London. I gave it to Mary when we arrived for safekeeping as this room has a safe. You always admired those pearls."

"I did," said Sybil, wiping the last of the tears. "But I never expected her to give them to me, especially after I decided to marry Tom. I hope that I will be worthy of them and Great-Aunt Roberta."

"I'm sure that she wouldn't have given them to you, if she didn't think you worthy," said Mary. "Are you going to open Mama's gifts and letter?"

"I'll do that now," said Sybil, picking up the other letter on the bed. Mary handed her the letter opener. Sybil sliced the envelope open, and there was another envelope inside along with a letter.

My Darling Sybil,

I am sending this set of sapphires that your father gave me on the occasion of your birth. It is fitting that you have them now. Though I cannot be in attendance, I hope that you have the best wedding possible. My thoughts will be with you.

I have also included a package containing an appropriate chemise and matching knickers for your wedding day and a note describing what to expect on your wedding night. I hope that I will not alarm you, but that you will find satisfaction in your marriage as I have in mine.

Your loving Mama

Putting the note down, Sybil opened the box of sapphires. "These are beautiful. I never knew that Papa gave these to Mama when I was born. I won't have too many occasions to use them, but I will treasure them."

"Are you going to open the other package?" asked Edith excitedly.

"It's just a chemise and matching knickers for my wedding day." Sybil tried to seem blasé about it. "Surely you don't want to see those."

"I don't know about Mary, but I want to see them," Edith insisted.

"Very well, I'll open them." Sybil ripped open the package and a white diaphanous silk chemise with matching opaque knickers.

"Those are lovely," said Mary, awed by the thought that their mother would purchase such items for her sister's wedding to their former chauffeur.

The sisters admired the set for a few minutes.

"What do you have there?" asked Edith, referring to the note that was in Lady Grantham's letter.

"It's a letter for my eyes only." Sybil was used to her sisters telling her that when they were growing up. It felt nice to be able to say that to them this time.

"Let me see," said Edith, trying to grab the letter out of Sybil's hands.

Pulling it out of Edith's reach meant that it was in Mary's reach and Mary plucked it out of Sybil's hand easily. "I've got it."

Not use to having Mary and Edith teamed up against her, Sybil pleaded, "Mary, please, may I have it back?"

"What is it?" asked Mary, looking at the plain envelope in their mother's hand with the words, For Sybil.

"If you must know," said Sybil exasperated. "It's Mama's note to me about what to expect on my wedding night as she is not able to be here. When your time comes, I'm sure that she will give you the talk personally." Her voice was laced with emotion by the time she was done and tears began to well up in her eyes.

"Here you are," said Mary, handing her the envelope. After a quick glance at Edith, Mary added, "We're sorry to have teased you about it."

"Yes, we're very sorry about that," said Edith, hugging Sybil.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Sybil spoke with a quavering voice. "I had promised Tom so faithfully that I would focus on the happy times and here I am blubbering over Granny's gift and again when you started to tease me. This will not do." Mary handed her a handkerchief from her nightstand and Sybil wiped her eyes and nose, and sniffled. "Why don't we discuss something neutral? Tell me more about Aunt Rosamund's new paramour?"

"There's not much to tell," Mary began and the three sisters chatted about things completely unrelated to the wedding for the remainder of the night.


When sisters separated and Sybil returned to her own bed, she decided to open the letter her mother had sent regarding what to expect on her wedding night. She had thought of waiting until the following night but with Cathleen's inquisitive nature, she'd rather not have to share what was in the note with anyone. This was especially true since she was well aware of the size and shape of the male anatomy from her experience as a nurse who was required to bathe the men arriving at the hospital and the mechanics of sexual intercourse from nursing training.

Using the letter opener on the desk in her room, Sybil cut the envelope open. She then took it out and unfolded it.

My Darling Sybil,

I never imagined that my baby girl would be the first to marry and that I would have to do this in a letter rather than in person. As difficult as this is to put down on paper, I must do my duty as your mother to share with you the joys of the marriage bed.

Firstly, you must know that intimate relations is the act of procreation of children. Without intimate relations, there can be no children.

Secondly, it can be enjoyable once you've had intimate relations for the first time. You are likely to experience pain the first time, but it will subside and if you are eager for the act, then subsequent relations will likely become enjoyable with your husband.

Thirdly, when you lose your virginity on your wedding bed, there may be some blood from the act and you may feel some pain, but it will not last long and subsequent acts will not produce blood nor will it be painful if you are eager.

Fourthly, do not be alarmed by the size of your husband's appendage. It may seem large when he is eager for you but you will shape around him once he enters you. This is between where you pass water and where you pass waste. This part is also where babies emerge when you give birth.

Fifthly, let your husband lead the way. Many men have already experienced intimate relations with someone else prior to their wedding day. That experience can be helpful on your wedding night as he can provide direction.

Finally, tell your husband if something he is doing is uncomfortable or painful. He cannot read your mind. If you don't tell him that you do not enjoy what he is doing, he may do it over and over again until you do.

If you wish, you can rinse your part after intimate relations by purchasing a douching tool at the apothecary or to rinse it prior to intimate relations during your monthly cycle. I find using ¼ vinegar for ¾ water in keeping me fresh afterward. Some attest that by rinsing this part after intimate relations can prevent children but I don't believe it to be true.

Happiness in the marriage bed can keep the romantic flame going for years after the honeymoon. I hope and pray that your marriage will be a happy one. If you have further questions after your wedding night, you can ask me anything by letter. I am eager to help you in any way possible.

Your loving Mama

Sybil couldn't help but blush at all the things her mother wrote and giggled a little over the final point. After all, should she expect Tom to be a mind reader? However, seeing what was in the letter, she was quite glad that she knew what to expect already. With that thought, Sybil folded up the letter and went to sleep.


By working at the office until nearly midnight, Tom was able to drop a second draft to the managing editor before he left. The managing editor had issues with the direction the column was going in the first draft, so Tom spent the afternoon and evening rewriting it under his directions.

The walk home was refreshing as the stars were out and the moon was nearly at first quarter. When he entered the flat, it seemed empty despite its fullness since Sybil wasn't there. After getting ready for bed, he pulled out The Perfume Garden, the book he had received under mysterious circumstances the previous week. It had been his habit since to read a chapter before retiring. Though often, retiring was the last thing on his mind when he put the book back into the nightstand.

Tom was quite surprised that Sybil didn't ask about it after placing it in the nightstand after it arrived, but then she had said just yesterday that she was a very private person. Perhaps she saw it and placed it along with the other ten books which were all currently residing in the night stand and didn't look twice at the title. He will need to tell her about the contents after they were married, perhaps when they had some time during the honeymoon.

After tossing and turning a little, Tom got up, washed his face and poured himself a glass of water from the dewar flask and surveyed their home a little. Everything seemed to be in place. Sybil had seen to that, but without her there, he felt a little lonely. He wondered what she was doing with her sisters at the hotel this evening and thought that perhaps she was asleep at this hour as he should be.

"Two more days," he whispered to the air around him. "Two more days and she will be here."

He then drained his glass, washed and dried it, and put it back into the pantry before going back to bed to try to make himself fall asleep.


The following morning, once all the sisters were awake, Sybil and Edith were able to convince Mary to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral. When they arrived, rain had just started so the sisters hurried into the building as none of them remembered an umbrella. Edith was the church enthusiast, so while she followed her guide book, Sybil and Mary, in turn, followed behind her, talking.

"How are things really between you and Sir Richard?" asked Sybil when they were looking at yet another stained glass. "I'm worried that you're sleeping so much."

"I don't sleep all that much." Mary smiled at Sybil to deflect the question.

Sybil stopped them and looked at her sister. "That's not what Edith and Anna say."

"So now you have Edith and Anna spying on me?" asked Mary, raising an eyebrow.

"They volunteered the information because they are worried about you," said Sybil. "I'm worried about you."

"Don't worry," said Mary, not looking directly at Sybil. "Things are fine between Richard and I. He's gotten quite busy this summer with the peace negotiations, so we're looking at a wedding in the autumn now."

"If you're not happy, you don't have to marry him," Sybil offered. "I couldn't fathom being married to Tom if I wasn't entirely happy with my choice, and I would just as easily break our engagement, if I discovered anything I couldn't live with. That's the entire purpose of the engagement period, isn't it?"

"It's not always as simple as that," said Mary, thinking about the secret that Richard held for her.

"Yes, it is," said Sybil. "It's as simple as changing your mind."

"It's not that simple for everyone." Mary looked at Sybil imploring her not to ask any further.

"What about you and Matthew?" asked Sybil, seeing that Mary wasn't going to offer anything further on Sir Richard. "Edith mentioned that you spoke to him by the gravesite at Lavinia's funeral and then walked home with Sir Richard."

"I offered my condolences," said Mary, looking exasperated by the line of questioning. "That's what one does at a funeral and I walked home with my fiancé. What's so odd about that?"

"Have you seen Matthew since?" asked Sybil, knowing that Matthew was always part of the equation when it came to Mary.

"No," Mary admitted. "But I left for Hylands a couple of weeks after the funeral and haven't returned. There's nothing special about that. The man is grieving the loss of his fiancée. He's not likely to be gallivanting about the countryside at this time."

"I suppose you're right about that," said Sybil, looking directly at her sister. "Still, if you find that you're still sleeping more than usual when you return home, promise me that you'll see Dr. Clarkson about it. He should know of remedies to help."

Mary looked at her sister and saw only concern. "I promise."

"Good." Sybil resumed walking. "We should catch up with Edith before we lose her."


After the visit to St. Patrick's, the sisters decided to have a light luncheon out, so they could go shopping in the area near the Cathedral. They mainly window-shopped as they were looking to spend some sisterly time together. Upon returning at tea time, the sisters continued their chatter in the drawing room area until it was time to change for dinner.

Dinner was a subdued affair. Mary and Edith were both a little tired from all the walking they had done that day. Once dinner was finished, Mary called for the motor and Sybil got ready to go pick up Cathleen. The ride there took no more than twenty minutes as there was little to no traffic on the roads at this hour.

Walking up the familiar steps, Sybil knocked first before she tried to unlock the door with her key, but before she could put the key into the keyhole, Cathleen opened the door. Sybil wondered if Cathleen had been sitting, waiting by the door.

"Cathleen!" Sybil was surprised by the head that appeared from behind the door when it opened.

"Sybil! I'm all packed," said Cathleen, eagerly.

"That's wonderful," said Sybil, smiling. "I need to drop off my key to your mother before we can go. I forgot to do that yesterday."

"Of course," said Cathleen. "Do come in."

Sybil and Cathleen walked down the entry hall and into the living area. Mrs. Branson was sitting on the sofa doing some stitching. Connor was presumably in his room doing homework.

"Good evening, Sybil dear." Mrs. Branson looked up from her work.

"Good evening, Mrs. Branson." Sybil held up the key. "I forgot to return it when I left yesterday."

"Thank you. Just place it on the table," said Mrs. Branson, nodding in the direction of the table. "I'll put it away when I blow out the candles tonight. Are you enjoying your time with your sisters?"

"Very much so," said Sybil, smiling. "We'll see you tomorrow then."

"Until tomorrow afternoon then, Sybil dear," said Mrs. Branson with a nod.

Cathleen went over to her mother and kissed her on the cheek. "Bye, Ma. See you tomorrow."

"Goodbye, Cathleen," said Mrs. Branson, looking at her daughter. "Behave yourself and don't speak out of turn."

"I'm not a baby, Ma," Cathleen protested.

"I know, but you're still my youngest girl," said Mrs. Branson, smiling. "And it never hurts to remind you."

"Yes, Ma." Cathleen then pulled on her gloves and pinned her hat on. "I'll lock the door on the way out."

"Thank you, Cathleen."


The closer they got to the hotel, the more excited Cathleen was and she spent the entire ride over telling Sybil about everything that happened in the day Sybil's been away. Once they disembarked though, Cathleen became quiet. While she didn't stand slack-jawed this time, she didn't say anything either.

After a short chat with the sisters, Cathleen was shown her room, which was adjacent to Sybil's. Sybil stayed with her after Mary and Edith left for their own rooms.

"Anna has unpacked everything for you and laid out your night gown on the bed," said Sybil, while Cathleen stood in awe of her room. She had never dreamed of such an opulent bedroom. "If you need anything just pull the bell here and Anna will come to you." Sybil then led her to the ensuite bathroom. "This is for your use only. If you need a bath drawn, pull the bell and tell Anna. I'm just in the room next door and you can knock on the adjoining door." Seeing the dazed look in Cathleen's eyes, Sybil added, "Do you have any questions, Cathleen?"

"When is breakfast?" asked Cathleen after a bit. She had to think of an appropriate question.

"As our father isn't here, my sisters prefer to breakfast in bed," said Sybil. "If you want to do that just ring the bell for Anna and ask for a breakfast tray, but if you wanted to have breakfast at the table, let me know and I'd be happy to eat at the table with you whenever you want."

"I think I'd like to try having breakfast in bed," said Cathleen, smiling. "Ma never lets us do that even when we're sick."

"Very well, then," said Sybil, returning her smile. "Have a good night. Oh and if you find that the room is too hot or too cold, you can turn this knob, here on the radiator to adjust the temperature." Sybil walked over to the radiator to show her. "I didn't know until I mentioned to Anna that I was cold yesterday morning."

"Thank you, Sybil," said Cathleen. "Good night."

"Good night, Cathleen," said Sybil, walking to the adjoining door and going into her own room.

A/N2: I hope you got a kick out of Lady Grantham's night before the wedding letter. I certainly got a kick out of writing it. Next chapter is the wedding day! Finally! Hooray!

As I mentioned in the previous chapter, once this story is done, I'm thinking of writing a few select scenes from Sybil and Tom's time in Dublin (as time allows) and posting it under my With Love From Dublin one-shot to make it into an anthology. Any other scenes you'd like to see?

As always, please feel free to point out any typos and grammatical errors. Sometimes no matter how hard you or your betas look, these things get missed. Also, please feel free to point out cultural misnomers or anachronisms, I live in Canada and I know that our terms are often different than those in the UK and Ireland. As always, I'd love to hear what you think of this chapter good or bad, so please do review. :)

P.S. This story will become M-Rated after the wedding day chapter. Consider this a pre-warning! ;)