Home Plot - Part 2

[adifferentlife]

Sybil's day has been nerve-wracking. Her fainting went over well, in that it had distracted her family and the staff, which was precisely what she's wanted. Unfortunately, her mother had insisted that she not go to work at the hospital and instead spend it in bed. There was nothing to be done about it and no argument on the Earth could have dissuaded her Mama from telling her she must rest. Even if Sybil wanted nothing more than to go to work and see if Henri had made it. She'd fretted most of the day, and when it was finally time to get dressed for dinner Sybil felt sicker than if she actually had fainted.

When Anna mentions that Doctor Clarkson and a new, young, French Doctor are coming for dinner she holds her breath. It seems too much to hope for that it might be Henri, but who else might it be? She has to stop herself from running down the stairs, restraining herself and going down with Mary and Edith, barely paying attention to what they say. When she sees Henri seated between Edith and herself she cannot help but smile. Edith asks him about his work, and she forces herself to turn away, and tell their mother than indeed she does feel much better.

Comments

[adifferentlife]

“My-“ She stops herself from whispering the word darling to him, just in time. A footman has come to tell them that Branson will be up in just a moment, and Sybil wishes they’d been allowed more than a few brief seconds in which to stare at one another in a dim hall. They are unable to touch or speak and she is aching to do both. “You should go,” she says softly, when the footman departs. Sybil wants to do more, to apologise for her family and for everything that has transpired so far, but can do none of it. “I will see you at the hospital in the morning?”

[jaimemieux]

“Of course. Yes.” Henri was a hair’s breadth away from reaching for Sybil’s hand, but he stopped himself, straightening slightly and managing what he hoped was an encouraging smile. He did not wish to leave Sybil to fret through the night, on top of everything else. He swallowed. “I am sorry for tonight. Perhaps- perhaps everything will make more sense in the morning."

[adifferentlife]

As much as she wants to tell him he did nothing wrong, the words won't come. Surely he could have not risen to her father, her grandmother? Sybil looks away and nods. "I hope that it will."

[jaimemieux]

“Sybil-“ The uncertainty in her face struck Henri’s heart, and for a second he forgot himself, taking a step closer - a small one, but it was enough to render the space between them less than correct - and catching her fingertips, however briefly, with his own.

Ever sensible, he recovered quickly. Taking a step back, he clasped his hands behind him and managed something like a bow. “Please forgive me,” he whispered. “I look forward to tomorrow.” Swallowing hard, Henri turned round and hurried for the door.