I know there was a little confusion for some folks in the last chapter in seeing Tom show up. This story is AU, because I really wanted to explore Larry's observation of Sybil and Tom's relationship long before he met Tom as we saw on the show. So that's why I decided to bring Tom's character into the story so "early". Hope that helps clear up any confusion! Thank you again for reading and reviewing! I look forward to what you all think of this chapter... ;o)
Comforter
April 1912
He and his family stay with the Crawleys for a week.
For an entire week he endures Lady Grantham's sniveling, Edith's wailing, and Lord Grantham endlessly asking over and over again, "what am I going to do? What is to be done about Downton?" Even Mariah, his own sister, weeps! As if she cared about Patrick…
At least Mary doesn't put on airs and make an unnecessary show of her "grief"; she never loved him.
He happens to overhear her one day, while passing the library, asking if it's necessary for her to go into full mourning. A part of him wants to resent her, to accuse her of having no heart and call her a lying bitch.
But then he remembers that Patrick didn't really love her either, that he was only going to marry her out of duty. And despite her coldness, Larry finds that he appreciates her honesty.
After nearly an entire week of this ceaseless mourning, he is ready to scream and tell all of them to shut up. All Lord Grantham cares about is his precious earldom! None of them knew Patrick—really knew him. If they had, they wouldn't have insisted on this damn union! They would have let him be!
God, how he hates Patrick. He hates feeling this way, being a victim to his own damn emotions. He wonders how he will manage to hold his tongue during the damn funeral.
There really is only one person whose tears he can tolerate. Perhaps it's because she doesn't make a show of her grief like the others? She sits in silence, often in the garden, hands folded on her lap as if clasped together in prayer, and cries by herself.
He envies her. He wishes he could mourn like that. But he doesn't have the courage to let himself go.
His room overlooks the garden, and provides the perfect view. Despite her tears, and how swollen and puffy they make her eyes, he can't deny that she is a beauty.
Yes, that beauty he once saw in her has returned at last, and not yet sixteen. But she always had the body of a woman.
He wonders what it would feel like to hold her, her pretty face pressed against his chest while she cries.
He's tempted; so very tempted to go to the garden and offer her comfort. Perhaps she can provide him with some as well?
But his jaw tightens as he watches another approach her.
The driver.
He knows because of the man's uniform. The man quietly approaches her, his hands clasped firmly behind his back, but he kneels before her and speaks to her…and Larry watches in shock as Sybil suddenly leans forward, wrapping her arms around the chauffeur, and burying her face against his broad shoulder.
Her body shakes as she weeps. And the man's arms move to tenderly hold her, providing her the comfort she seeks.
He was wrong.
She's no different from the others.