Parental Disapproval |Lady Sybil & Lord Grantham

itsladysybil:

hislordshiprobertcrawley:

itsladysybil:

hislordshiprobertcrawley:

It would be an understatement to say that Robert was confused. Walking to Sybil’s room, he kept replaying the events of the previous evening in his head, hoping that if he reviewed them enough it would all make sense. This wasn’t working so far. He was only becoming more irritated with the situation. What on earth was Sybil doing-what had she been doing?! There had apparently been some previous occasion where she had slipped away in the night! Lord…

                He opened Sybil’s door and found her sitting on her bed. He knew that all the confusion and frustration had to be showing in his face. With a sigh he muttered, “I won’t be coy and pretend that I’ve come here for any other reason than to…discuss what happened last night.”

Sybil tried to keep the impatience with her father out of her expression and tone, but she was finding it difficult.

“No matter what you say, it won’t change anything,” she said determinedly. “You can shout at me all you want - and even talking in a civil tone, will not change my mind.”

This was something she was determined to have. Sure, her father had let her slide with her politics, but this was something much more serious, at least to him, than politics. But she wouldn’t be budged. No one would change her mind, least of all her father.

“That’s not going to keep me from trying.” Robert muttered, trying to keep the himself from glaring at his younger daughter. He sighed, a throbbing was beginning in his. So much was so very wrong here. He continued, his frustration becoming more evident as he spoke, “I don’t understand this at all! You’re willing to ruin your life over this foolishness?! “

Sybil had always been…more passionate than her sisters but running away with the chauffeur seemed to be crossing a line he thought she would respect. But obviously she didn’t. What else had he assumed about Sybil that wasn’t true? Suppose she was much more radical than she seemed and if that were the case, what if she had cast propriety aside entirely and had already given herself to him? That was a stomach wrenching thought…

“Has something…happened between you two?” Robert asked, turning away from her and to the window.

Sybil gaped at him, amazed. And then she scoffed.

“Papa, you should know that I would never do that!” she cried, outraged. She stormed about the room, unable to even glance her father’s way.

How dare he think she would ever do that? Good God, it’s not like was throwing herself at Branson! He didn’t understand any of it and never had. He never understood her passions in life and she didn’t expect him to begin to now.

“How could you possibly believe that I would have done that?” she asked him, trying to keep her voice calm though it was proving difficult. “We’ve barely even touched hands, let alone that! So no, Papa, nothing has happened between us. Nothing more than talking, at least,” she added in an undertone and then, to herself, And that one kiss…

“I want you to trust me, Papa,” she said slowly, still keeping her distance. She wasn’t unaware of his reddening face. “I know that’s difficult for you when I’ve asked this one thing, but trust me. Please. We won’t do anything improperly. Unless, of course, you say no,” she warned. “And then we’ll steal away in the dead of night like thieves and not regret a thing.”

She mused over his earlier speech of her willing to ruin everything and allowed herself a chuckle which seemed to surprise her father.

“And as for ruining my life,” she sighed, “well, I’ve no objections with being friends with everyone. If you wish to write me out, very well, that’s your business. Branson has no quarrel with you either. He wants us to all be friends as well.”

She hoped her father would see that nothing in this world could make her happier than by giving her his blessing. 

“You’ve already been stealing out in the night! Fortunately, your sisters managed to retrieve you! Not to mention, I still haven’t forgotten that trip to Rippon and if I remember correctly,” he swallowed, “he took you there as well! In total anything you’ve done involving Branson could hardly instill me with trust!”

Robert took a deep breath and a step away from the window. Even if he did have more faith in Sybil, everything she was saying was frustratingly childish. Friends?! How could this situation result in friendship?! Did she really think that they would all simply accommodate this relationship, that they would all take a moment to digest the news and then get on with their lives?!

“Sybil, do you realize how melodramatic you’re being? Running away with one of the staff may be very well in Wuthering Heights but in reality it isn’t done.”

I’ll (happily) be back starting tomorrow!

See you all then!

Semi-Hiatus

I’ll be checking in sporadically this week and next due to midterms.

I didn’t want anyone to be waiting on me to reply when I might not be able to this week and next.

So sorry! I would much rather be replying than studying anthropology, I assure you.