So here it is...that moment when we all met Larry in 3x01; his first encounter with the married Bransons...
Worth It
April, 1920
It stings, the gash on his cheek.
And the concoction that the cook put on the rag that he was told to hold to his swelling wound reeks, but holds it there he does, while he receives reprimanding looks from his mother and the woman who is the mother of Patrick's replacement.
He's an "embarrassment to the family", so his father has thundered. Not that this is something he hasn't heard before, and he has long since learned how to ignore the old man's grumbling.
He sits in silence while others move about, overhearing mumbled words of apology from various people, as well as talk about what to do, with the wedding so close.
The wedding of Lady Mary Crawley and Patrick's replacement.
He had not planned on attending; what's Mary to him anyway? Besides, he's been good on his promise to not step foot on Downton since that infamous Christmas when his proposal was thrown back into his face. And no amount of shouting from his father was going to move him—what can the old man do? Disinherit him? His ONLY son and heir?
But then he heard that she would be there. That she was coming back for the wedding…
She and the chauffeur.
He was surprised that despite hearing this, he wanted to go. See her one last time, see the bedraggled woman she's become, living in squalor with that dirty mick.
...He had not expected to see her pregnant, and positively…glowing!
God help him, she's beautiful.
But her beauty is quickly ruined at the sight of her swollen stomach, a reminder that like a beast, she's mated with that paddy.
They had entered the drawing room together, hand in hand. He had watched from the corner, wondering if he would be able to keep his drink down.
But while Sybil smiles and is ushered away by his sister, the paddy looks awkward, uncomfortable, and clearly out of place. It reminded Larry of his school days, of first year boys—charity pupils—coming in and looking lost. Easy prey.
He suddenly felt rather confident, and strode over to where the Irishman stood, striking up conversation as if they're well acquainted and have known each other all their lives.
"Well I never thought we'd meet in person…" he says after their initial greeting.
The paddy looks at him, and not missing a beat responds, "as opposed to what, in spirit?"
Unlike those first year boys, the chauffeur isn't so gullible. Fine, if that's how he wants to play…
"Well, you see, to us, in marrying you," he begins, putting on all airs of superiority. "It seemed like Sybil had left Downton Abbey forever. If you…" he pauses to assess his rival. "…know what I mean."
It's impossible for him to even put into words the joy he feels as seeing how his simple words have gotten under the paddy's skin.
"I know exactly what you mean," the man mutters after a moment's pause.
He could have turned and walked away then; he's done enough to shame his so-called "rival", but no, no, that would be too easy.
"Did they lose your suitcase on the way over?" Really, it's laughable, looking at the man's suit—and probably the best clothes that he owns; so sad. "How maddening for you."
The paddy muttered something about how his suitcase wasn't forgotten, that he didn't forget it…or his manners, before putting his drink down and leaving Larry to stand there on his own. It truly couldn't have been planned more perfectly…
Because as soon as he had made his mind up that he would go to Downton, he had brought something with him, something to humiliate Sybil, to make her regret marrying that grubby chauffeur, and make all the rest of the Crawleys regret in letting them stay.
…And it had all been going so well too, when the dirty mick started spouting his radical, leftist opinions in a loud, drunken manner. Oh those Irish.
But then that old baronet Edith fancied called him out. And soon the rest of the Crawleys were demanding to know if it was true, while forgiving the paddy for his talk, before he's reprimanded by his father, while the so-called "great Matthew Crawley", declares the grubby chauffeur to be his best man.
Sheep, the lot of them.
And then, after putting the drunk to bed, Sybil confronted him, and before a word was muttered, she pulled her fist and the next thing he knew, he was staggering backwards from the force of her punch.
Which is the reason as to why he's sitting in the Downton kitchen now, holding a compress to his swollen cheek, a cut just under his eye, caused by her wedding ring.
…Still, even though his triumph was short-lived…he can't help but grin, despite the pain it causes.
He still managed to humiliate her, and remind the paddy that no matter how hard he may try, he'll never, ever be accepted by Sybil's world.
Never.
And for that reason alone, it was worth it.
For that reason alone, he'll gladly withstand all of Sybil's angry punches.