I confess, one of the joys I get out of writing this story is playing around with the varying levels of "villainy" that is Larry Grey ;o) And I must confess, this chapter is one of my favorites in showing that villainy, because it's subtle-but it packs a wallop, and I think many of us can think to some moment where we find ourselves in Sybil's shoes, as you will soon see-and if you didn't like Larry before, I think this will just increase that dislike ;o) :oP OH! And I think you'll be happy about the foreshadowing in this chapter.

One more thing (if it wasn't clear) this story *is* AU, meaning it will not follow *all* of the events that happened on the show's canon (i.e. Larry will meet Tom long before the events of 3x01). This also means that "other" characters will encounter Larry too, as you will soon see. Anyway, I promised another quick update, here it is, hope you enjoy! I cannot deny, I'm very much looking forward to the comments on this one ;o) *rubbing hands together*

Green-Eyed Monster
January 1911

There's a new face at Downton's New Year's party.

Tom Bellasis.

He doesn't like him.

The boy (yes, boy) is barely eighteen; he hasn't even gone to university yet! But everyone goes on and on about how "he's so clever and witty". Larry's mother uses the word "charming!" to describe him.

…And there's his sister, who can't stop going on and on about how "handsome" she thinks he is.

Even Patrick seems to be under this Tom Bellasis' spell! "You should really talk to him, Grey! We rode next to each other during the hunt; splendid chap!"

But he doesn't want to get to know him. He doesn't want to have anything to do with Tom Bellasis, thank you very much. And he wishes everyone would simply shut up.

He discovers later that this Mr. Bellasis is the cousin to his little shadow. So it's her he has to blame.

"Do you think he'll be visiting every year?" he overhears Mariah ask. He's tempted to tell her he doesn't give a damn. "I hope so…" Mariah sighs dreamily. "It will make the visits here worthwhile."

Yes, even now at the end of the day, while they are all gathered around for a grand dinner, people will not stop their flattery.

Not even Sybil.

He glances down the table to where she's sitting, just a few chairs away, next to his little shadow with Mr. Bellasis directly across from her. She's laughing at something the boy has said. He can't help but grip the edges of the table.

Throughout the entire meal he watches them. Bellasis says something, and all the women begin to titter, including Sybil.

His Sybil.

He's never felt more possessive of her as he does tonight.

For dessert, there is a special pudding, much like the sort they would have at Christmas. Sybil grins as the pudding is passed, "confessing" to Bellasis that it's her favorite. He doesn't hear what the boy says, but whatever it is, it makes Sybil blush.

BLUSH!

He can't stand it any longer.

"Are you sure you should be having that?" his voice calls out to her, causing Sybil to stop halfway from lifting her spoon to her mouth.

She turns and looks at him with confusion.

"Don't you think you've had enough pudding this Christmastide?" he explains, his eyes falling from her chubby hands that grip the spoon, to her full waist that is just visible from his side of the table.

The way her face pales and the clatter of her spoon says enough; he's hit his mark.

There's more than one way to stake his claim. If she's undesirable to others, then no one else will want her.

"I'm sorry," she mutters, lifting her napkin to her lips. "I've lost my appetite."

Bellasis looks up at him, his expression dark. Larry glares back, smirking when the boy lowers his eyes first.

He's won this day.

But little does he know that it's another Tom to whom he will lose to in the future.