"All this for only a week away? We've almost packed your whole wardrobe, Edie!"

"And you know Mother will add in more. She is determined that I "impress" my future in-laws."

"It is important, I suppose."

"I think they will be more focused on the Viscount's health rather than my fashion choices, Bil. Besides, we both know the real critic is Aunt Rosamund."

Sybil finished moving the last garment into the open trunk for the maids to properly press and pack for travel. Meanwhile Edith swept a number of unselected articles of clothing aside to make room on the bed for both of them.

"I wish it could be me who went with you to Branksome instead of Aunt Rosamund," Sybil said, climbing on the bed at her big sister's invitation.

Edith and Rosamund had never been close. Perhaps it was Mama and Papa's fears of Edie one day becoming a spinster and leading, maybe even liking, the independent, unmarried life like their aunt had in London. Regardless, Edith had spent a lot less time with her than Mary or Sybil. Any interactions they did have were perpetually portrayed as an example of what she shouldn't want to be, which was hardly the basis of a warm relationship between aunt and niece.

As the years passed, Edith and Rosamund's different personalities continued to keep them apart. While both were blunt, realistic, and wildly independent, they differed in their perspective on the world. Aunt Rosamund was a pessimistic, near nihilistic, socialite while Edith was an optimistic academic. Hardy the best of friends.

Sybil quite enjoyed watching the two of them debate, or rather argue, but this was different. Edie needed someone to protect and support her in Branksome, and she doubted Aunt Rosamund would do so properly. The woman probably didn't even know Edith enough to understand how to do it.

"I know, Bil," Edith sighed, picking at some loose thread on the duvet. It was a silent sign of how nervous she really was about this trip. "I would take you in a second if I could. But you are hardly a proper chaperone are you?"

"I would defend your honor with my life!" Sybil proclaimed. Obviously, she would. It was up to her to defend her silly older sister when she wouldn't bother to do it herself.

Edith just snorted, throwing a lacy shift in her face. "Sure you would, Bill."

"I would," Sybil grumbled, absolutely not pouting. "If not me, isn't there anyone else?"

"I asked Cousin Isobel, but she can't take time from the hospital. She would if I truly needed her, but she was muttering something about grown women being able to visit a neighbor without a guard."

"Here, here!" Sybil agreed, as she often did with Cousin Isobel. Cousin Isobel had been her second choice, other than herself, to go with Edith tomorrow. Sadly, without her, the available chaperones left much to be desired. "I know Mother can't, what with the harvest and all. And you wouldn't want Granny."

"She would be worse than Aunt Rosamund," Edith shuddered, looking physically repulsed at the idea. Sybil couldn't help but agree.

If Edith's relationship was distant with Aunt Rosamund, it was near non-existent with Granny. She didn't adore and emulate their grandmother like Mary did, and she didn't enjoy her barbs and banter like Sybil herself did. At least, not enough to override the frustration at the constant criticism and comparison. Granny would probably be just as judgemental and unable to support Edie, but, unlike Aunt Rosamund, she would expect obedience to her ideas and tell every failure to Mama.

"Isn't there anyone else?" Sybil asked again.

"No family, and any "friends of the family" would just tell the county everything. At least Granny would only tell Mama," Edith said, reclining back on the pillows. "No, it has to be Rosamund. Unless you are able to marry by tomorrow."

"I'm sure Larry Grey would tonight if I asked him."

"Don't even joke! Papa would throw an even greater fit about that than he has about Evelyn."

"Why is Papa so cross with Evelyn?" Sybil asked, rolling to her stomach to get a better look at her sister. "I don't understand it. He seems perfectly lovely. And he makes you happy."

"He- Well, I don't really know," Edith stammered, looking away and towards the tread she had almost plucked completely out. "I think he just worries. I'm the first bird to leave the nest, the one they never expected to go anywhere, so they worry. Add to that the drama and damage to our reputations and I think Papa blames Evelyn for it. Like he leveraged unfortunate circumstances he helped cause to get into the family."

"That's ridiculous!" Sybil snapped, sitting up on the bed. "He didn't force you. You could have said no if you wanted to."

"Could I?" Edith murmured, almost as if she didn't expect Sybil to hear her. Sybil's face fell in that moment, eyes scanning her sister's face.

"Yes?" Sybil said questioningly, carefully. "At least, I thought so. You have never been afraid of saying no before. It's not like he is the only fish in the sea."

"He is the only one I've caught."

"Just because the gold digging, superficial, worthless boys swarm around Mary instead of you doesn't mean you don't have other suitors! Yours just have more quality than quantity."

"Yes, well, what suitors I may or may not have had would be long gone. If the Turkish Scandal didn't scare them off, breaking an engagement with an upstanding gentleman like Evelyn would," Edith had completely pulled the thread loose now, and was circling the string tightly around her finger tips. "Then our family name would be in the gutter, and then what would happen to me? Or Mary?"

"You would move on to find someone else who loves you in spite of the rumors or live the high life as an independent woman traveling the world funded by your investments," Sybil proclaimed. "And Mary will marry Cousin Matthew and become mistress of Downton Abbey. Just like Mama, Papa, and Granny want."

Sybil had been hoping for the pair to get together for a long time. It was clear to anyone who was looking that the two were growing more sweet on each other as the days passed. It wouldn't be long until Cousin Matthew and Mary finally accepted the truth of their feelings and acted on them.

Edith snorted, the way she usually did when she found something Sybil did to be silly. "Lovely as that future is, Bil, it won't happen. The two might be Lord and Lady of Downton, but they would live on the fringes of society for the rest of their days. The scandalous lady from a disreputable family and her working class pretender of a husband would never be accepted."

"He is middle class," Sybil corrected.

"To high society, if you have a job, you are working class. The distinction only really exists to those looking up the social ladder, not down it."

"But surely it wouldn't be so bad," Sybil fought back, reaching out to unravel the string that was so tight it was turning Edith's finger blue. "Everyone wants them to marry. It would help legitimize Matthew as the Earl." At least, that's what Mama and Papa said.

"Yes, because, if Mary is still seen as a well-bred lady of morals who CHOSE to marry Matthew, it would give him validity to the upper class," Edith said, standing from the bed once her finger was unbound. "Even if her personal reputation was somewhat in question, coming from a good family and doing what is best for the Earldom would override much of the criticism. If she isn't from a family with a good reputation, then the whispers that she was so desperate she had to marry a working class upstart will turn into outright accusations. Neither Mary, Matthew, or their future children would be accepted into high society. Neither will we be as her sisters, or Mother, and, once Papa lashes out because of our exclusion, neither will he."

Sybil didn't speak for a moment. She just watched as Edith began to fold and sort the clothes, not looking up or adding anything further to the conversation. Her face maintained the same expression as usual when she said she was fine.

"Even if that's all true," Sybil finally said. "You could still say no. Mr. Napier isn't taking advantage of you… is he? He still makes you happy?"

"Evelyn isn't taking advantage of me. He's a good man." Edith didn't pause or look up. "He was the first to offer me an out, and has even offered to let me back out of this engagement if I wanted too."

"But you don't? Want to back out? You want to marry him?" Sybil clarified, reaching out a hand to stop Edith's folding. She had to know. She had to know her idiotic, self-effacing sister wasn't planning to give away her whole life to a man because she was afraid they would be shunned from high society. Like such a thing held any true worth over her happiness.

Edith stopped. She opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it again. Sybil felt her heart beginning to sink, even as she rose from the bed to come to her sister's side and embraced her tightly.

"I don't know, Bil," Edith finally murmured. "I-I don't think it's him, not really. He is so sweet and loving and he just wants what is best for me but- It's just- It's everything else that comes with being a wife, the expectations, the limitations. Everything is just so much. I don't know if I can do it. Not properly. Not how he needs a wife to be."

So that's it, Sybil thought. Her Edie was putting herself down again, thinking she wasn't good enough and couldn't meet the expectations put upon her like with Mama and Papa. Sybil just had to show her the truth.

"Edie," Sybil said, as certainly and strongly as she could. "Evelyn loves you. I've seen his letters. He knows you are pretty and smart and kind and good. He knows you, and he knows you would be a wonderful wife."

"But I'm not-" Edith began, but Sybil quickly cut her off. She wouldn't let Edie talk about herself so negatively.

"You know he loves you, right?"

"Yes."

"And he knows what you are like, correct?"

"But he doesn't know ALL of me, Sybil. That's the problem."

"Don't say that," Sybil pushed, hoping her words were helping and Edith was seeing she was worthy. "He might not know everything, not all your flaws and insecurities, but he knows your strengths, Edie. He knows what you are capable of. If he really wants what's best for you, loves you, his standards for a wife are nothing you can't become. He wants you to be happy. He wouldn't have asked you to marry him if he didn't think you would be a good wife, the wife he wants and the wife he needs."

"But what if that's not me?" Edith asked softly.

"You love him, don't you?"

"I-," Edith looked away. "I think I could. I just need time."

"Then let this trip to Branksome be that time, Edie." Sybil said, starting to feel some true confidence in her words as Edith listened. "See if you really want to be his wife. Don't just say yes because you think it's your duty. See if you love him, and, if you do, you will meet his expectations."

Edith snorted, a wet sound that had Sybil panicking. "When did you become the oracle of love?"

"Unlike you, I happen to read fiction every now and then."

"Not just your studies on medicine and politics Papa doesn't know about?" Edith joked half heartedly, quickly wiping her glimmering eyes before giving Sybil a small smile. "I don't know if you are right, but I will try. That's the least I can do for Evelyn, and you. Thank you for caring, Bil."

"Of course," Sybil smiled, relieved her speech had had a positive effect. "I'm always here for you, Edie. Goodness knows you would do the same for me. Just- You are okay, aren't you?"

"Yes," Edith said, still smiling. "I'm always fine."

Sybil felt her breath catch and heart skip. Something was wrong. She had done something wrong. A knock on the door echoed through the room before Sybil could figure out what she had done.

"Lady Rosamund is here, Miss. Her Ladyship asked for you both to meet them downstairs." Frieda the maid explained. Edith nodded and quickly pulled herself together. In a moment all traces of nerves and tears were gone. Instead, she held out a steady hand for Sybil to take and led them both to face Mama and Aunt Rosamund.

After their morning discussion, Sybil didn't get another chance to speak to Edith alone. The day was spent packing clothes and having tea with Mama, Granny, Aunt Rosamund, and Mary as they all asked the most inane questions about the trip to Branksome and Evelyn rather than about Edith herself. The conversation was a steady stream of advice for the visit, some better some worse, and Sybil couldn't help but wonder if her advice had been the former or latter.

Before Sybil knew it, the day ended and the sun rose for a new day, the day Edith was set to travel to Branksome. Sybil barely managed to convince Mama to let her ride out with Aunt Rosamund and Edith to see them off at the station.

The ride was an awkward affair. Edith was nervous, staring out the window blankly. She only responded to give Sybil a gentle smile when she asked after her or to cast a withering look at Aunt Rosamund when she told her to sit up straight. Clearly, the two were going to get on like a house on fire.

It wasn't until the train platform that Sybil found a chance to speak to Edith properly. Aunt Rosamund went to make the final arrangements, leaving the two alone for the first time since yesterday morning.

"Evelyn will be meeting you at the station, right?" Sybil asked nervously.

"Yes," Edith hummed, watching the many people scurry about the platform. "He wanted to travel with us, but that was impractical. So he promised to meet us at the station and escort us to Branksome himself."

"That's nice of him." Sybil said. "Edith, about what I said… I just wanted- what I was trying to say-"

"If Evelyn loves me, his expectations are what is best for me," Edith finished distractedly, still watching the people.

"Well, perhaps. It's what he thinks is best, which might be right, but, well, you don't have to marry him. I just wanted you to know you could be his ideal wife if you wanted to be, not that you should be. If you don't want to-"

"All aboard!" A man called from the train, sending a wave of passengers moving towards the open doors.

"Edith-"

"Edith," Aunt Rosamund called as she came up to them. "It's time to board. Our luggage is already taken care of."

"Thank you, Aunt Rosamund," Edith nodded before turning to smile at Sybil. "Don't worry, Bil. I understand, and I will take your advice. I will see how I truly feel for him before I commit to being his wife."

"That's good," Sybil breathed. "But-"

"Now, come along, we don't have time for all this," Rosamund said briskly. "Goodbye, Sybil Dear. Be good for your Papa."

"Goodbye for now, Bil. We can talk more when I return."

Sybil could only watch as the two redheads boarded the train, only wave as the train began to move, and only stand staring as the train's last car left the station. She was alone now. Alone until she returned to the motor car and allowed Branson to take her back home.

"So they're off," Branson chimed from the front.

"Yes. They are."

Branson's dark eyes flashed in the rear view mirror. "You don't seem too happy about it."

"I- I don't know. I'm worried."

"You and Lady Edith are close. It's natural to worry about her. I worry about my sister every day."

"You have a sister?"

"Aye, Eileen. She's a sweetheart. My brother not so much," Branson chuckled sadly.

"You must miss them. What with being so far away."

"I do. But being with them doesn't put food on the table."

The motor car lurched as the road transitioned from town streets to country lanes. Through the mirror Sybil watched Branson navigate the change with a focused expression, sharp eyes fixed on the road and chiseled jaw clenched until the ride smoothed out once again. He really was quite handsome.

"So," Branson continued over his shoulder. "What has you so worried? This Napier fellow not up to your standards?"

"No, Mr. Napier is lovely. I just… I think Edith wants to marry him for the wrong reasons."

"What?" Branson scoffed, half joking but Sybil sensed the bite in his words. "The English upper crust marrying for status and money. Who would have thought?"

"Edith isn't like that."

"If it isn't for all that, then what is she marrying him for?"

"For her family. She thinks, if she doesn't, our family won't be accepted in society."

"A shame."

"You don't understand," Sybil said, frustrated. Even though she didn't understand it herself. "It's more than just parties and dances. Being a part of society is- is everything to families like mine."

"Well, perhaps it shouldn't be," Branson said firmly. "I don't mean to offend, M'Lady. I might not know much about your "high society", but I just don't think anything is worth a loveless marriage."

"It's not loveless. Evelyn loves Edith."

"Marriage is only worth something if it's with love from both sides, M'lady. And I think you agree with me, deep down."

"Yes," Sybil admitted. "I want Edith to marry for love."

"And what about you?" Branson said, looking back in the mirror again so their eyes met, blue on brown. "Do you want to marry for love, M'lady?"

"O-of course," Sybil said, her breath catching in her throat. "I couldn't- I wouldn't marry any man who I didn't love."

"Even over status or money or duty to your family?"

"I- I think so."

"I'll hold you to that, M'lady."