✔️ shadows of desire | downton abbey

chapter 41

TOM BRANSON POV

The morning had come too soon. I stood outside the stable, watching the sun rise over the rolling countryside. The early light painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, a beautiful farewell to a place that had been both a refuge and a cage for me. Today was my last day at Downton Abbey, and I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't just a goodbye to a job-I was saying farewell to the life I'd known here, to the people I'd come to care for, and, most painfully, to Sybil.

I hadn't told her yet. I wasn't sure how. The letter from the newspaper in Dublin was in my coat pocket, the one offering me a job that would take me far away from here. A new start. But a start without Sybil? I didn't know how I could leave her behind.

"Morning, Tom," Anna said, her soft voice pulling me from my thoughts. She walked past with Mr. Bates, her hand resting on his arm as always. I gave them a curt nod in response.

"Morning," I muttered, trying to keep my emotions in check. It was a bit too quiet for me this morning. The day felt heavy, pressing down on me in ways I couldn't explain. Everything was about to change.

"Busy day ahead?" Mr. Bates asked, with his usual calm, despite the air of tension I could feel from everyone. I could tell that word had already spread through the house that it was my last day. Some people avoided looking at me; others, like Anna and Mr. Bates, gave me knowing looks. I could see them both, in their own way, feeling the shift as much as I did.

"I suppose," I said, not willing to let them know how much the weight of leaving was gnawing at my insides.

Anna shot me a soft smile. "You'll be alright, Tom," she said, her voice a quiet reassurance.

"I hope so," I said, but even as I said it, I knew the truth: I wasn't sure at all.

Just then, Mrs. Hughes came around the corner, her footsteps purposeful as ever. "Tom, I need to speak with you for a moment," she said, her eyes thoughtful. I could tell she'd been considering something.

"Of course, Mrs. Hughes," I replied, waiting for her to approach.

"We've heard about your new position in Dublin," she said, not beating around the bush. "I understand it's a good opportunity for you."

I nodded. "Yes, it is," I said, keeping my voice steady, though inside, I was struggling.

"Well," she continued, her voice softening, "I wanted to say thank you. You've been a good man to this family, Tom. I know it hasn't been easy, but we've always respected you." She paused, looking at me like she wasn't quite sure whether she should say what was on her mind. "And I trust you'll make the right choice... about your future."

I wasn't sure what she meant by that. Did she mean Sybil? Did she know?

"I'll make sure of it," I said, more confidently than I felt. I wasn't entirely sure what my future held, but I knew one thing for certain: Sybil was part of it.

As I finished speaking, I saw her-the one person who had been my world for the past several months-walking towards me. Sybil's presence always did something to me. A sort of pull I couldn't quite explain. She was standing in the doorway of the main house, looking out over the grounds, her eyes scanning the horizon as if waiting for something.

"Sybil," I said, my heart pounding. She smiled softly, the expression bittersweet.

"Tom," she replied, her voice warm yet carrying a note of something unspoken. "I've been looking for you."

I took a step towards her. "I was just speaking with Mrs. Hughes," I explained, though the words felt meaningless compared to what I wanted to say.

"I know," Sybil said with a smile. "I saw you from the window."