The following day he avoided the servants' hall, having heard about the snuff box incident and knowing there would be a bad atmosphere all around. Besides, he knew he would have little time to himself due to the flower show so took his chance to enjoy his own company. The one time he went into the servants' quarters to deposit his tea cup before leaving for the show he was aware of Gwen acting very strangely and when he tried to address her she looked anywhere but him and walked past as if she didn't see him. He was very worried, and could only think that her secret had come out and she thought it was due to him. He had no time to dwell as he had to bundle up all the Crawleys and head into town. He noticed that Ladies Mary and Edith had even more friction than usual and that Sybil was deliberately sat between them but was glad his thoughts did not rest on her as they had been wont to do of late, and he hoped he was getting over his infatuation. His mind rested more on Gwen, especially as he saw her in the distance walking off with her arm linked with Daisy's. There was another one, he pondered, who had seemed a little different recently.

He knew he was expected to show some support at the show, but flowers did not rouse anything in him so he wandered around aimlessly looking at the displays indifferently. Once the rest of the staff arrived he made some jokes with Bates who clearly shared his disinterest but was unable to appease himself about Gwen, who was still acting oddly around him. He saw Lady Sybil dart over to her and they talked for a while.

"Have you recovered from our ordeal?"

"I received a letter this morning. They must have written it as soon as I left the office. They are pleased to have met me but I do not quite fit their requirements. So, it was all for nothing."

"I don't agree!"

"Only a fool doesn't know when they've been beaten."

"Then I'm a fool, for I'm a long way from being beaten yet." Sybil could tell there was even more to it, by the complete dejection still on the maid's face. "There is something else though, isn't there?"

"I just feel like such an idiot. This is why I wanted to keep it secret, but now he is going to ask and I will have to tell him and he will know what a failure I am." She did not expect such a thing to come out of her mouth and only now did she realise the truth of what she had uttered.

"Firstly, you are not a failure. And you now have some experience of the interview process which will surely only help in the future. But please, who are you worried about finding out?"

Gwen hesitated. She felt very silly for her reaction and enough people already thought she and Branson were a budding couple. After her outburst there was no way Lady Sybil would think otherwise and the thought made her blush, especially considering she knew it was Lady Sybil that the chauffeur held a torch for. She felt confused as to how she had gotten herself in this situation, but as the wide, kind eyes of her young employer was beseeching her to unburden she admitted who she meant.

"Tom Branson." But then she regretted it, for she read the understanding in Lady Sybil's eyes as exactly the misinterpretation she expected, so her mouth raced on. "Not that I should mind what he thinks of me, only he does remind me so of little Freddie, that's my brother, and I am sure that Anna has told you or your sisters that the gossip below stairs is that Mr Branson and I are courting but I assure you I do not think of him like that."

"Gwen, Gwen, please. Calm yourself, you have me convinced. And Anna has said nothing of the sort. I take it, however, that you have spoken to Branson about our recent activities?" Gwen nodded in the affirmative. "This is a good thing. I am sure he knows as well as most people what it is to suffer disappointment. He himself does not wish to remain a chauffeur." The maid's eyes widened at this piece of news, particularly as it came from such a source. "And I understand that you do not wish to share your disappointment with anyone, even me and let alone someone you know even less well. But I do believe he would prove to be a true friend to you and could offer you some good advice, likely better than either Anna or I could. Anna has worked at our house since she was old enough to work, and what do I really know about any of it? Branson, however, has been places and worked in several positions as far as I know, not to mention having frowned-upon aspirations of his own. He too will not look on this as a failure, but rather a first step towards your goal, I am sure of it."

"But that almost makes it worse; if I do not make it I would feel like I am letting down his hopes."

"From what little I know of him, he believes in the battle more than the end results, though those are desirable of course. But the fact that you pick yourself up from defeat will do nothing but inspire him, as it inspires me."

"It does, really?"

"Truly. You have made me realise I can no longer sit back and discuss and dream about women's rights. If I want to see it happen in the future, I need to get myself more involved in the movement." Gwen smiled though a little unsure of causing such an action in her young mistress. "And for now, would it help you if I broke your news to Branson?"

"You wouldn't mind? Only I seem to not be able to even look at him at the moment, let alone say anything to him, and I am sure he does not know why."

"He has become the symbol to your bid for freedom, it is quite understandable. I will speak to him now, and you will see that what I have said is true." She managed to borrow conviction she had from other interests in her declaration as she hoped rather than knew it to be true. With a slight smile and nod of the head she left to find the chauffeur with as much a personal interest as Gwen's, for she meant what she had said about becoming more actively involved in politics and she knew of no better place to get advice than from Branson.

After the announcement that the prizes would be awarded in twenty minutes, Tom took himself outside for some fresh air and to admire some of the other motors. The one he drove was very plush and he kept it well together, but it was not as cutting edge as some of the others there that day, he supposed from some of the upper working class who were even more flash with their money than the aristocracy and who tended to be more likely to drive and look after their own cars, leading them to sooner ruin and need a new one. Most people were making their way back inside to hear the results despite having come outside to cool down as it was a warm day, so he was most taken aback when he spied Lady Sybil determinedly battling against the throng and making her way directly to him, holding his gaze. He stood to attention but seemed unable to move towards her, trying unsuccessfully to determine her mood.

"Branson, there you are. Looking for another car you would prefer to drive?"

"There is no finer car than your father's, milady, and I keep her happy enough." He was formally polite and she was slightly wrong-footed from the tone as she was used to his jovial nature.

"I understand that Miss Dawson has let you in on her secret."

"She has." Something in his face made her wary, but she continued.

"Well there is something I have to tell you about the matter and ..."

"Oh, so now you wish to discuss it."

"Yes I do. Sorry, are you busy?"

"No, I am not busy, milady. I am just confused as to why you are talking to me about it now all of a sudden."

"Is there something the matter; have I done something to upset you? I thought you would not mind our talking now that Gwen has disclosed her secret."

"I just do not understand why you kept it secret from me in the first place."

"Gwen is very private about the matter. She feels that..."

"Not her, you. I would have thought you would have trusted me." She was taken aback by the presumption that she should tell him everything and could not understand his attitude. She replied sounding as if she thought him obtuse.

"It was not my place to tell anyone Gwen's private affairs and she did not give me permission to. I am so sorry if this has dented your ego," she continued sarcastically, "but I was not aware that everything we did had to be passed through you. And here I thought you supported women taking a handle on their own affairs." He felt a little ashamed at being shot down so, but was not quite ready to relinquish his disgruntlement.

"But it would have made so much sense to get me to drive her the other day rather than have the disaster you both had to endure. I am confused why you did not convince her that you could confide in me and let me help with your endeavours."

"I appreciate that you want to help, and I am sure she does now as well. I did actually wish to include you, truly I did, but when I sounded you out, you mentioned that your family relied on your money for your job. It was not my place to put your position in jeopardy by asking you to clandestinely drive a maid around who was not meant to be out in the first place." She was so sincere he felt punched in the chest for his reaction and only managed to stare at her. His gaze disquieted Sybil, who looked down at the ground. He awkwardly forced out some words to stop her leaving.

"I am sorry, I had assumed you did not trust me. But I see now that I was wrong." She smiled up at his apology and he could not stop a grin spreading to his own lips. She was about to say something, but he started first. "I hope now you will always consider asking me if you have need of any assistance. I can always say no if I think it too risky, but I will always keep your confidence." She blushed slightly and visibly decided on something.

"Well actually, I was wondering if you could perhaps advise me on where I can listen to people speak about women's rights. I so desire to get more involved and not just talk about it." He positively beamed at her.

"Of course I could find out the best meetings for you to attend. But I think you should clear it with your parents before you go along to one."

"Oh, of course. But I would so appreciate your help in finding my way and not seeming an ignorant girl. And if mama agrees, I would enjoy your company as I think you would find it interesting as well, would you not?"

"I surely would." She turned at the sound of the announcer calling for everyone to return inside and he thought about how much he would enjoy attending a political event with her, especially as he was certain it would just be the two of them. As they walked amicably back to the hall, he suddenly remembered Gwen and gripped her wrist for an instant to grab her attention. He knew it was not entirely proper.

"Sorry, milady, but I was just wondering whether you knew why Gwen has been avoiding me?" She put her hands to her mouth devastated that she had forgotten her maid and friend while talking to Branson.

"Oh my, it had slipped my mind. That was why I came out here in the first place to find you. She is embarrassed around you as she found out this morning that she did not get the job and does not wish to tell you. It has made her regret your finding out as I believe she wished you to be impressed and inspired by her."

"But I am."

"I know, and I told her that, and said that there is no failure in it, only gaining of experience. And her picking herself up from it will show all the more her courage. Oh, please don't be upset with her not telling you, I think she only told me as I asked a direct question and with her being in my family's employ she did not know how to refuse to answer, but she did say I should tell you too. I also mentioned that you alone of all of us who know have any experience of the world with getting new jobs and the like, so I am sure you will be able to help her through this." She stopped and took a deep breath, suddenly realising she had been going on. Her serious face broke into a shy grin and she giggled lightly. He smiled indulgently back and they nodded to each other as she broke from him to not be noticed before joining her family.

She soon after saw him make a beeline for Gwen and noticed them talking seriously, before she laughed out loud. She turned bright red as much of the room turned to look at her before returning to their own conversations. Sybil saw her mother lean in to her father conspiratorially.

"O'Brien says they're becoming quite the hot couple below stairs."

"Branson and Gwen? Well, why not indeed. Good luck to them I say." Sybil looked over at the couple being discussed and suddenly felt distanced and alone. She all at once became aware of their joy in each other's company and the fact that the rest of the staff were giving them a wide berth and knowing looks. She tried to feel happy for them and forced a weak smile as she turned to face the stage for the prize giving, but her isolation strengthened on returning to her family's proper group. She was not aware that on chancing a glance at her Branson soon found himself staring intently her way; nor were either aware of Gwen smiling knowingly between the two of them.