This chapter was pretty hard to write but I hope you like the result. This is the final chapter.

Tom drove the car into the garage and stepped out slamming the door slightly more than was necessary. He took off his hat and gloves and threw them down onto the seat for good measure. How could she? Sybil was engaged to him and yet she was sneaking off with another man. Yet as he walked to his cottage the anger that had encompassed him wore off. He knew Sybil and it was not in her nature to be dishonest to him and he had to admit that the man's attitude to his rank had made him bristle and put him in a foul mood where he was jumping to conclusions. If they were going to get married they needed a relationship built on trust and it would be an awful start if he could not trust her now. Deep down he knew that the love they shared was true and that Sybil returned his feelings (if there was still some nagging doubt he would try to quash it). As he reread his mother's letter he began to plan ways of seeing Sybil soon, but he realised it was pointless. She would be eager to see him after the day's events and he had no doubt that his resourceful woman would be at the garage that evening whatever he planned.

It was more of a struggle than most evenings for Sybil to play the part of an elegant lady. Time seemed to drag more than normal as she was itching to see Tom and explain what he had seen that afternoon. Finally she claimed a headache after dinner and left her family as soon as possible. After heading upstairs as if to her room she went down a less used staircase and out a side door into the gardens before making her way unseen to the garage.

She walked in to see Tom reading a paper and not looking at all surprised by her presence.

"I'm so terribly sorry about this afternoon." She blurted out straight away eager to put things to right.

"You have nothing to apologise for." Tom told her before she could continue with her well-rehearsed speech.

"Pardon?" She replied feeling rather wrong footed.

"I trust you." Tom replied simply. "You wouldn't have agreed to my proposal and to giving up so much if you weren't serious."

"Of course not. But Charles' behaviour was terrible." She noticed Tom flinch at his name and realised he was not as comfortable with the situation as he was acting.

"It was. But how he behaved was not your fault."

"I'm sorry you had to witness that." She told him still upset and then continued knowing that inside Tom wanted to know what had happened. "It was frightful at the Garden party. Our mothers were convinced that Charles and I would make a wonderful couple as we both have medical backgrounds. Their behaviour was rather embarrassing so we decided to take a walk away from their prying eyes."

"No doubt causing some rumours." Tom couldn't help but remark bitterly.

"So what if we did?" Sybil challenged before adding, "Anyhow only our parents and you know we were alone together. That's why we were being so secretive. Besides how could anybody imagine I'd be interested in a conservative politician?"

This small fact cheered Tom immensely as whilst he trusted Sybil it was reassuring to have a solid reason why Sybil was not and never could be attracted to Charles.

"Now that would be a shock." He chuckled and drew her into his arms.

Sybil was the first to move and leaning back she said quietly, "it was horrible standing there pretending that you were nothing more than my chauffeur, that I did not even know your name."

"And what would the alternative be?" Tom reasoned, "To have told him the truth. You need to be the one to tell your parents."

"You're right." She admitted. "It's the only way they could accept it." They both paused at these words knowing that there was little chance of their relationship being accepted, but not wanting to voice their concerns and upset the other.

"They will have to face it sooner than we thought." Tom broke the silence. "I've had a letter from an editor in Dublin who has offered me job."

"Oh Tom that's fabulous!" She launched herself back into his arms thrilled that his hard work had paid off. She was incredibly proud of him for not giving up even though she knew he had received some rejections.

"When do you start?" She asked once she had finished her congratulations.

"In a month." It was not much time to plan the move but Sybil was too excited to care.

"We should tell my parents soon, to give them time to adjust before we leave. Then I can let Dr Clarkson know my plans so that he can write me a reference."

"And I'll write to my family and let them know we will be arriving soon. You can stay with my mother until we have found somewhere to live." He saw the look that flashed across her face before she carefully hid it away and correctly interpreted her thoughts. "My mother will love you." He assured her knowing she was nervous about meeting his family.

"I hope my parents will learn to love you." She replied quietly.

"We have to give them time." He warned gently. "They'll hate me at first for taking their precious daughter away to another life, but once they see how happy we are together and that it's the life you want they may come round."

"Which is why I want us to be together when I tell them." Her words shocked him.

"Are you sure I wouldn't make the situation worse?" He asked under no illusions about how her parents would view him.

"They need to see that this is something we're planning together." She paused then admitted, "Besides this is probably the hardest thing I'll have to tell them and it will be easier with you beside me, knowing that somebody is supporting me."

"I'll be there for you." Tom promised. "When do you want to tell them?"

She thought for a moment before responding, "It should be a time when everyone's together, otherwise there's a chance of somebody not finding out from us. Maybe after dinner?"

"When everybody is dressed in their finest clothes." Tom couldn't help muttering. When else would the difference in their wealth be clearer?

"Would you rather tell them at another time?" Sybil asked seeing that for all his bravado Tom was nervous as well.

"No. It's the only time we can guarantee everybody will be there. Then afterwards the servants will be together and I can let them know I'm leaving."

Sybil was struck by the realisation that Tom would have to leave immediately. How could she have been so stupid? Where would he be whilst she was trying to make peace with her family?

"What will you do once you you've had to leave your job?" She asked worried they would have to leave quickly.

"I can stay somewhere nearby until you're ready to leave." He assured her, then anticipating her response added, "I've set some of my money aside."

"How soon can it be arranged?"

"As soon as we want."

The two shared a look each wanting to make sure the other was absolutely certain.

"I don't want to wait any longer." Sybil was the first to confirm.

"Tomorrow?" Tom asked almost holding his breath as he waited for her to respond

A big smile spread across her face and she nodded before moving in for a sweet kiss that became deeper as the couple shared their relief that they wouldn't have to hide their love for much longer. The wait would be over and they would be married in Ireland soon.

"Come to the house after dinner once the men have joined us." She told him between kisses.

"I'm not scheduled to drive anyone in the afternoon." He relied against her lips. "I can get my things packed before I collect the Dowager Countess."

"You're future grandmamma" She replied with a laugh at his expression. "She isn't that scary. Her bark is worse than her bite."

"In-laws with titles will take some getting used to." He warned still slightly amazed that this was actually happening. "A working class socialist with an earl for a father in law!"

"Almost as strange as a socialist with an earl for a father." She replied with a laugh.

Footsteps approaching the garage stopped their laughter and Sybil ran behind the car whilst Tom picked up the paper and tried to look like he had been reading for a while.

One of the kitchen boys entered, "The Dowager Countess is ready to leave." He told Tom luckily not noticing anything amiss before he hurried back to the house.

After giving him enough time to get away the couple shared a quick kiss before Sybil left with a promise of "tomorrow."

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