Downton Christmas Countdown!

Dec 22: George, Sybbie and Lauren

George was fourteen. He was pleased that the local village girl had taken a notice to him, but his two cousins weren't agreeing. Lauren Gregson was twelve, and Sybbie was fifteen.

"George, mother said that you shouldn't be marrying a village girl, or even courting her." commented Lauren.

"I know." He sighed, and turned to Sybbie, who was more adept to help him. "C'mon Syb, help me out here!"

"Well, her mother was Aunt Mary's maid, so I don't understand. And her father used to be valet to Grandfather. But then again, my mother married daddy when he was a chauffeur so I don't see what's wrong, she isn't even in service." said Sybbie thoughtfully.

"Lillian Bates is perfect for me!" George protested, "Surely you all know that!"

"You know her father though." Warns Lauren. "He won't let any boys get within a mile of her, and besides, let his daughter marry a future Earl, and the grandson of the man he used to work for, I doubt it!"

"You never know Lauren, and besides mother remarried lower than before when she remarried."

"Yes, I know. And you've got a delightful bunch of half-siblings to show for it. Uncle Charles should be happy, he's given you a family." Lauren said, rolling her eyes. "What about your real father?"

"You know he died in a car crash, it was good of mother to marry again." he replied, annoyed.

"I know you love Lily, but that's not the point, the point is that grandfather won't let you marry a simple village girl, and her parents won't let her marry the heir to Downton Abbey. It's as simple as that."

"What's as simple as that?" asked Mary, walking in, carrying two-year-old Cora. She was followed by her husband, Charles, and he asked. "Yes, you three, what's going on?"

"George is in love." teased Lauren.

Charles looked at her. "No need to be nasty." He turned to George. "So who is this young lady?"

"Lily Bates.." Said George, blushing bright red.

"Ah, and this would be the daughter of John and Anna Bates, owners of the Grantham Arms, parents of three, and former employees to the Earl of Grantham?" asked Mary, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, mama, that is correct." He said, looking down.

But Mary, instead of getting angry, turned to her husband and smiled. She would never fully stop loving Matthew, and Charles was perfectly perfect, but they wouldn't mind if their son were to shake everyone up by marrying the daughter of former employees to the house. So she contributed what she could to the conversation.