Chapter 2

Author Note: Julian Fellowes' brainchild, not mine - I wish!

Neighbours and life-long acquaintances had been invited to Sybil's ball. Billy Russell was among that lot, Sybil knew, but she wasn't sure if Walter Metcalfe would tag along. She admitted to herself that she would like to know him better. Dickie Merton, as Mary's godfather, was likely to make an appearance. Unfortunately, this would mean Larry Grey no doubt trying to be smooth with her. The brunette beauty sighed.

"Is there something troubling you, milady?" Anna asked, as she was attending to all the sisters. Sybil looked at the blonde with a weary smile.

"I could be like Papa and say it's 'nothing to trouble you with'..." she trailed.

"But?" Mary questioned. Sybil's shoulders slumped.

"Just trying to think of ways to divert Larry Grey's attention if Dickie Merton turns up."

"Larry could be struck down with an awful cold for all we know." Edith said.

"Or too riddled with drink to even turn up." Mary said with a smirk. "Which would be a pity. I must admit I'm looking forward to enjoying a vivid display of snobbish character from him." she laughed. The look on Edith's face was a clear indication that the middle child was biting her tongue - Mary had said something hugely hypocritical, but then again, Larry Grey might be an even bigger snob. It was the lesser of two evils.

"Do you think green was the right choice?" Sybil asked the other women in the room, looking down at the tea dress she was wearing, complete with white sash.

"Oh definitely. Although if I may speak candidly, milady, you would look amazing in a potato sack." Anna smiled. Sybil beamed at the head housemaid. A knock sounded.

"All ready?" Cora asked, opening the door. Sybil nodded and stood up.

"Just make sure you don't overdo it like you did last night." Mary uttered slyly.

"Thinking about it, I'm surprised you weren't hungover this morning." Edith chuckled.

"I was only slightly light-headed!" Sybil huffed playfully. Cora laughed quietly.

"To paraphrase your papa, they do say there is a wild woman inside all of us." the countess grinned. This was followed by grumblings of 'such complete nonsense'. The ballroom was decked out splendidly, everything from the chandelier to the floor gleaming. The event was in full swing once Robert had opened it with Sybil. A spare minute gave the guest of honour the chance to breathe. A vaguely familiar voice cut through the background din, and Sybil turned around to face it.

"May a humble interloper ask the lady for a dance?" Walter asked. Sybil laughed.

"But of course!" she smiled. "Humble interloper... you don't have prove yourself to me for a dance, Walter." Sybil's smile shone. "I don't think less of you for being untitled."

"Good to know. I take it green is your favourite colour? You certainly look good in it." Walter complimented. Sybil's cheeks flushed. They spent the dance talking about this, that and the other, getting to know each other better. The family saw it from a table.

"Well it seems he took my advice." Edith mused, casting a critical eye at Walter.

"You mean that 'asking her for a dance like a real gentleman' nonsense? Edith, that's basic etiquette. That, and holding your fork properly." Mary hissed.

"Don't tell me you still hold that against Matthew - it was months ago." Edith said snidely. Mary sniffed disapprovingly, refusing to take Edith's rather lacklustre bait.

"Both Matthew and Mr. Metcalfe both left poor first impressions." Mary said. "Sybil's beau may 'harmless' in Billy Russell's eyes, but I'm not convinced."

"I'm not sure I am either, Mary. However, I must admit Larry Grey's face is rather comical." Robert piped up. Dickie Merton and his sons had indeed turned up, and Larry was watching Sybil and Walter dance with a bitter expression on his face.

"It does indeed look like he's sucked a lemon." Cora chuckled. "Boring holes of pure hatred into the back of Mr. Metcalfe's head won't likely help his case."

On the dancefloor, Walter and Sybil were in their own little conversational bubble.

"Why does it not surprise you used to dip your finger in your cook's cake mix?" Walter laughed as his companion finished a childhood anecdote. "I'm a bit of a chocolate fiend myself, so I can certainly relate."

"Are you more partial to Cadbury's or Fry's?" Sybil asked.

"Cadbury's. A nice Bournville bar is always a good morale boost for me."

"My Grandmama brought me, Mary and Edith some Hershey's Kisses once - she's American." Sybil explained at Walter's slight confusion. "None of us could stomach them. Way too acidic. Edith, bless her, actually vomited one up on the floor of the small library. Granny was furious, and since the maids couldn't clean it quick enough for her liking, our poor butler Carson was apologising left and right."

"Perhaps I'm similar to Hershey's chocolate - Ladies Edith and Mary can't seem to stomach me." Walter replied in a self-deprecating way. Sybil shook her head fondly.

"They can both be sharp-tongued at times, and what they said yesterday evening wasn't too civil." she declared, knowing what her sisters were like.

"I'd asked for your company. What was wrong with that?" Walter pondered.

"Absolutely nothing." Sybil smiled back. "I'm glad we shared a drink."

"Me too. Plus tonight I can blow my own trumpet about dancing with the prettiest lady in the room." Walter grinned earnestly. Sybil whispered something. "What was that?"

"I said 'I don't believe you'." Sybil half-laughed. "Besides, you don't seem like the type to blow your own trumpet." she said.

"You're right. I'd rather play my piano." Walter joked. Sybil's eyes lit up with mirth. The music slowed to its conclusion, and Walter bowed to his partner. They happened to sit down at the same table, and then Robert stood up, preparing to give a speech.

"My lords, ladies and gentlemen… " he began, but he was interrupted to Sybil's tinkling laugh, a bit louder than usual. Normally he furrow his brow, it being an official occasion, but he guessed it was fine for Sybil to laugh like that at her own ball. Cora's face went through a multitude of emotions when she saw that Walter had made Sybil laugh. Mary's reaction was salty, but then something in her gut reminded her she'd done much the same with Matthew last summer, so she couldn't criticise.

Unfortunately due to convention, after Robert's speech Sybil had to dance with Larry Grey. Walter didn't want to entertain the possibility of petty jealousy - he'd only known Sybil for a day, after all - so he asked for some white wine from a waiter.

"Mr. Metcalfe." an American voice sounded. Walter turned his head.

"Oh, h-hello Lady Grantham." he stuttered, the loosest of smiles on his face. "I, uh- you've probably come over to give me a bit of an earful about dancing with Lady Sybil, haven't you? Sh-she probably had to dance with everyone who's titled first."

"Relax, Mr. Metcalfe. I am not my mother-in-law. She would have a few choice barbs lined up, but I don't. As much as it pains me to see my youngest fly from the nest, a mutual acquaintance of ours assures me your attentions are honourable."

"I, um, d-didn't think I'd be having this conversation with you so soon, I'll be honest."

"Oh, you misunderstand me." Cora said. "I'm glad Lady Sybil has made a friend. And being American, I don't care as much for your background, whatever it may be."

"Lady Sybil did say to me earlier that the Dowager Lady Grantham might be inclined to look through Burke's." Walter exhaled. Cora looked like she was fighting a grin.

"If you don't mind me asking...?" she pondered as Walter sipped his white wine.

"My father comes from generations of solicitors, but there is an estate in the family. Curiously you won't find us in Burke's, though. Would it pain you even more to see your youngest be friends with an aspiring musician?" he asked. His sea-green eyes met Cora's blue ones, and she shook her head.

"It may surprise you, but I don't mind that. My father made his name with dry goods."

"I've been told that 'dry goods' is also an apt term to describe my sense of humour." Walter chuckled. Cora smiled - she could see why Sybil could see friendliness in him. "To use an expression that you'll probably be familiar with, I'll be in your neck of the woods soon - North Yorkshire." he said. Cora's eyebrow rose at his American phrase.

"In that case, Downton's doors will be welcome to you. Any friend of Lady Sybil's is at least... well, an acquaintance of mine." the countess said gently. "Her father and sisters may take a bit of convincing, but I'm in charge of guest lists for house parties."

"Thank you, Lady Grantham." Walter smiled. Cora gave him a friendly nod and walked away, just as Sybil had ended her dance with Larry Grey. Her slightly put-out face showed Walter she hadn't really enjoyed it. She followed his eye-line.

"You don't need to be so scared, you know. Mama's a fair judge." she said.

"Oh, she told me just as much." Walter replied. "And that she's not the Lady Grantham to be wary of. Your grandmother is another story, apparently."

"Granny's a fair judge too, but she can be awfully spiky." Sybil smiled.

"So you and your mama are the only nice ones?" Walter questioned.

"All of us are pleasant enough." Sybil said, defending her family, but also realising what Walter was getting at. "What about your relatives?"

"My parents put on a front of being stiff sometimes, but they're really quite warm and want to make the world better - the three of us can often have a laugh over some drinks. And Aunt Agnes is… interesting. Reasonable but spiky, and determined."

"Sounds somewhat familiar." Sybil chuckled. "Granny might be outnumbered if she, Cousin Isobel and your aunt were in the same room."

"What's this I hear about Mother and Cousin Violet?" Matthew's voice seemed to come out of nowhere. Sybil and Walter turned around.

"I was saying if Mr. Metcalfe's aunt met them, she'd be on your mama's side with some things, Matthew." Sybil said. "It would probably be a very colourful scene."

"Those colours probably being purple, white and green. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Crawley." Walter half-smiled, shaking Matthew's hand. Sybil rolled her eyes playfully - she was beginning to find Walter's cheekiness endearing.

"What brings you over here then, Matthew?" the débutante asked.

"I decided if I'm to blend in with the 'real' gentlemen, I should ask the guest of honour for a dance." Matthew replied. Sybil looked at Walter, who winked, and she burst out laughing. "What's so funny?" Matthew asked, perplexed at his cousin's reaction.

"It's just that I did something similar. Since I'm not quite in the upper echelon."

"Well I suppose that makes two of us, Mr. Metcalfe. Shall we, Sybil?" Matthew asked, gesturing for his cousin to take his arm. She smiled and walked off with him. Walter was left with his thoughts for a while, but soon enough they were interrupted.

"Do I need to tease you yet?" Billy Russell asked. "Have you reached the 'met the parents' stage already?" he chuckled. Walter good-naturedly swatted him on the arm.

"If you must know, Lady Grantham did come over to have a word."

"Blimey, I was joking! You do move fast." Billy replied. This earned him another swat.

"Lady Grantham made polite conversation with me, and talked about how it was nice that her daughter had made a friend. It was perfectly innocent." Walter remarked.

"Hmmm." Billy smirked. Walter smiled to himself, glad Harrogate was near Downton.