Girl Talk
Link on Archive of Our Own
Rating: G
Summary: As Sybil and her sisters prepare for dinner with the Grey family, Sybil has a little advice to impart as a married woman. From brassieres to sex, there are a few things a modern woman needs to know, and Sybil is more than happy to share her knowledge with Edith and Mary. Set during 3x1. One-shot. Canon compliant.
Sybil sat in Edith’s room as her sister got dressed for dinner that night. “You’re still wearing a corset?” said Sybil as her sister took off her day dress. Sybil had given up corsets almost as soon as she touched down in Ireland and she personally thought it was the best fashion related decision she’d ever made.
“Yes,” said Edith. “Is there something wrong with that?”
“Not wrong,” said Sybil, “but the brassieres they make nowadays are so much more comfortable.” Even before she got pregnant the comfort of the brassiere was unparalleled when compared to corsets. She wished now that she’d been brave enough to wear them during her nursing work. It would have been nice to be able to bend over properly on more than on occasion.
Edith gave Sybil a skeptical look. “If this is about feminism,” she started, but Sybil protested.
Tom’s sisters had already joined the brassiere movement by the time she came to Ireland and had quickly set about converting her to their ways. Sybil was pretty sure that the last time she’d worn a real corset had been on her wedding day. There was just no need for stiff posture and whalebone supports in this day and age. “It’s not a feminist thing, well, not fully. It’s just more comfortable and more practical, and they can be made at home very cheaply instead of paying an arm and a leg from the corsetry shop.” Sybil turned her back to Edith. “Undo my dress and I’ll show you.”
“I won’t be convinced,” said Edith, but she did as Sybil requested. In a moment, Sybil was standing in front of Edith only in her underthings.
“See,” said Sybil, “don’t you think I look more relaxed.” Her brassiere was made of satin and was well fitted to the curves of her pregnant body. She had matching knickers that at present fit her curves, but she was afraid would have to be altered shortly. The worst part of being pregnant so far was how quickly she outgrew her clothes.
Edith looked at her sister’s body. “I think you look huge.”
Sybil rolled her eyes. Of all three of them, Edith had always been the most preoccupied with weight and figure. “I am pregnant,” she said.
Just then, Mary came in, already ready for dinner. Seeing her sisters both only wearing their underclothes and neither of them ready to go down she said, “Goodness, what’s all going on in here?”
“Sybil’s trying to convert me to brassieres,” said Edith. Turning back to Sybil, Edith said, “They’re fine for you, you’re pregnant and pregnancy corsets were ridiculous even when Mama was having us. But brassieres don’t shape you in a way that looks nice. Your whole chest is just completely unrestrained.”
“That’s the point,” said Sybil. “It’s not about being unnaturally shaped for whatever fashion trend is going on, it’s about freeing your body from a cage and supporting what you’ve naturally got.”
“And what if someone hasn’t got any?” asked Edith with a glance at Mary.
Mary frowned. Sybil knew Mary’s lack of bust was one of the few spots of insecurity Mary ever had. Once Edith had developed a fuller bust and pronounced curves, Mary had been jealous. She’d also been jealous when Sybil had done the same a few years later, but that had never lead her to be mean to Sybil about it. Sybil jumped in before Mary could make an even more caustic remark that set the two of them at each other before dinner. “I wish the both of you would give them a try. I wish I’d done so years ago. My nursing job would have been much easier if I had been wearing brassieres the whole time.”
“I don’t see the point,” said Edith in her usually morose way. “I don’t do anything that would need such,” she glanced at Sybil’s figure again, “freedom.”
“The freedom is the entire point,” said Sybil, adjusting the straps that went over her shoulder. “Women should be free to wear comfortable clothes whenever they like. Our bodies were never meant to be reshaped by rigid bone cages.” Sybil knew she was on the verge of getting into a political treatise so she veered in another direction. “One of Tom’s sisters, showed me how to sew my own brassieres and knickers when I first got to Dublin and I haven’t worn a corset or combinations since.”
“Well, don’t let Granny know,” said Edith. “She’d be after you like she about it like she’s after your husband and his dinner clothes.”
Sybil sighed. She knew Edith spoke the truth. The fact was that half of the family would be scandalized at the thought of her not wearing a corset. “Well, I’m not exactly going to announce it at dinner, now am I? I just thought the two of you might be interested in them.”
“I might be,” said Mary. “But I think it also depends on the frock and the look of it.”
“The modern fashions are all very suitable to wear with brassieres.” Not that Sybil knew that much about current modern fashion. She would glimpse covers of magazines from time to time, but they didn’t have the money to spend on the latest issue of Vogue or other such publications. Sometimes an already read copy might find its way into her hands a month or two out of date, but she wasn’t really keeping up with the cutting edge of fashionable living in Dublin, not with the Irish war for independence going on.
“I’ve seen that,” said Mary. “That’s why I want to give it a try. The new fashions are all boy’s figure types with straight lines.”
“They’re perfect for you,” said Edith, obviously meaning to be cutting but failing as it was objectively true that Mary’s natural figure would suit the new fashions quite well, while Edith would have some trouble hiding her curves.
“I dare say they are,” said Mary. “Now, the both of you need to get your clothes on, the Greys will be here soon.”
Edith looked down at her undergarments and went straight away to her armoire. Sybil picked her dress up off the bed and looked at her sister. “Will you help me? I can’t get into it alone anymore.”
“Of course, darling.” Mary took the dress and helped Sybil get it back on over her head. “How do you dress at home? Does Tom help you?”
Sybil glanced over her shoulder at her sister. “When I need it. I don’t wear many clothes that are very restrictive anymore, but if I need buttons doing up or hooks hooked he helps me.”
“Is it strange to have a man around all the time?” asked Mary. “I have a hard time thinking I’ll ever get used to it.”
“I think it’s different when you’re in love,” said Sybil. “And you and Matthew are so in love, you’ll enjoy having him underfoot all the time.” Sybil had been worried too at first. She’d never lived in such close quarters with a man before and she hadn’t been certain how it would all work. But once they had started to live together it all seemed so easy. Yes, she and Tom still had their disagreements, but she looked forward to seeing him every day. When he came back from his job or his meetings she was always delighted to throw herself into his arms and have him follow her around the flat as she made dinner or cleaned up. She never got tired of being around him.
“Let’s hope so,” said Mary. “I don’t know where Matthew will live if I can’t get used to him.” The two sisters smiled at each other. Once Mary was done fastening Sybil, Sybil went to help Edith.
“Are you worried about Tom and Larry getting along?” asked Edith as Sybil did up the hooks to her green velvet dress.
“I don’t see why they shouldn’t,” said Sybil. She was a little apprehensive though. Larry had been all over her during her London season, trying to woo her and sneak kisses behind closed doors. He’d been so obvious about the whole thing that even Mary had thought he was a bit much. “I haven’t even spoken to Larry in a long time. And Tom isn’t the type to be threatened by him.”
“After what Tom’s been through with Papa, anything Larry might say will seem like child’s play,” said Mary. “He never was the brightest of the Grey bunch.”
“I just remember that he was very good at getting people going,” said Edith as Sybil finished with her hooks. “And Tom isn’t exactly one to pass up bait.” Edith sat down at her dressing table and began to loosen her hair from its daytime style.
Sybil sighed. She knew Tom was anxious about even being here and when he was all wound up he couldn’t help but be drawn into fights. Sybil sat down on the end of Edith’s bed. She was so tired all the time anymore and being around her family these last couple of days was even more tiring. She wished Tom could just relax and be himself, it would be so much better for everyone if he could. She knew Tom even knew it, but he just couldn’t let his guard down at Downton. “I’m sure Larry’s grown up since then, that was a long time ago.”
“I remember that Papa thought you might get engaged to Larry during your season,” said Mary.
“I don’t know why Papa thought that,” said Sybil. “I never liked him like that. He was entertaining to talk to, but I’d never marry him.”
“I’m sure Papa would have preferred him over the chauffeur,” said Edith as she swept her hair over her shoulder before moving on to her jewelry.
“Well, Papa doesn’t have to go to bed with the man every night, so I’m rather glad I did pick the chauffeur.” Sybil was still a bit cross every time someone mentioned that Tom used to be a chauffeur. He’d been a journalist for close to almost a year now. Everyone here would always bring it up as a way to diminish Tom and she didn’t like it. “Besides,” said Sybil, “I’m very certain that Larry Grey is far too selfish to be any good in bed.” Certainly the way he behaved when he was trying to woo her would suggest a man who was only after his own pleasure.
“Is Tom?” Mary blurted out, then a second later she said, “No, don’t answer that. I don’t know why I even said it.”
Edith turned around to see the conversation.
Sybil smiled and blushed a little. She and Tom had a very enjoyable intimate life. In some ways she regretted waiting and being so proper about everything because they could have been enjoying each other for a long time if she’d been bolder. She also knew that she would have been pregnant so much sooner if she hadn’t waited, so it was probably for the best. “Tom and I have some very good times together, and once you’re married to Matthew, the two of you will have some wonderful times too, I’m sure. But if your husband isn’t interested in how you feel or what you like the whole thing would be miserable.”
“What even is there for a woman to enjoy?” asked Edith. “Besides the pleasure she gives a man.”
“Quite a lot,” said Sybil. “Have you read the book by Marie Stopes? She talks quite a lot about the pleasure a woman can have with her husband.” Sybil had read it in preparation for marriage. It hadn’t given her much advice on sex itself, but it did give her some clues on why people might have difficulties around sex after they were married.
“Isn’t that book quite scandalous?” asked Edith. “I don’t think it’s appropriate reading.”
“I know it wasn’t the way we were raised,” said Sybil as she ran her hands over her belly. Her baby was moving which was always such a strange and thrilling sensation. “But I think we ought to be able to learn about and talk more openly with each other about our personal lives. Including things like sex and love and pregnancy. These moratoriums on open discussion only serve to control women and keep them to the sides of society.”
“I see you’re still our militant feminist,” said Mary as she sat down next to Sybil.
Sybil took her sister’s hand and placed it on her stomach where the baby was kicking. “He’s kicking,” she said. Mary smiled as she felt the movements. “And I’m hardly militant,” Sybil went back to their previous topic, “though sometimes I wish I were. I’ve just come to see how many of the things we’ve been told are improper or low-class are really just ways to keep us women from knowing things.”
“Maybe such things don’t need to be known,” said Mary, ever the one to defend hidebound tradition. “Perhaps some things are better left unsaid.”
“You don’t believe that,” said Sybil. “And why shouldn’t we know the real God’s honest truth about our bodies, and then be able to talk about it with others? I’m not saying shouting it in the street, but I should be able to talk about what it’s like being pregnant with my sisters. Or allude to the fact that I have sex with my husband in a private conversation.”
Mary withdrew her hand and tucked a strand of Sybil’s hair back into place. “Unfortunately, darling, we are prudes. And I don’t think you’ll be able to change that.”
Sybil looked over at her sister. Mary always played it so cool all the time, but she knew Mary had the same range of emotions as anyone else. “Aren’t you bothered by the fact that you’re expected to go into marriage knowing nothing about any of it?”
“I wouldn’t say she knows nothing,” said Edith. Her tone wasn’t truly acerbic, but it wasn’t exactly a nice remark either.
Sybil was only vaguely aware that there has been some kind of scandal or rumor about Mary that had started quite a few years ago and had continued to crop up every so often. Sybil had never learned the contents of this rumor, no one would tell her. They all just said it’s a nasty story not worth repeating. This was more of what she’d been trying to talk about. The secrets and the implications did no one any good.
“Please don’t fight,” said Sybil. “I wish the two of you would try to get along. It’s bad enough everyone here is attacking Tom all the time and Papa barely looks at me, but can the two of you try to get along? We used to be able to have some nice times together and I would like to have a few more before I go back to Ireland. I miss all of you so much and I would love some happy memories to take back with me. With the way things are going I’m more likely to be happy to be shot of this whole place when I leave.” Sybil leaned back and tried to loosen up the muscles in her back that were permanently fatigued at this point in her pregnancy.
“I’m sorry, Sybil, I didn’t mean to distress you,” said Edith, who did look truly sorry. “I know it’s been a trial for you and Tom since you got here.”
“Me as well, darling,” said Mary as she kissed Sybil’s temple. “I agree, we ought to try for some happy memories while we have you. Or at least a few where no one is fighting.”
“Tom wanted to move down to the pub after yesterday’s dinner,” Sybil said, looking between her sisters. When Tom had told her his plan she couldn’t even argue because her family and even Carson had been awful to him. “It’s been horrible for him so far and I know that’s not even the worst everyone can be.”
“I’m afraid Tom will have to weather a few storms before everyone calms down,” said Mary. “Edith and I did try to help last night, but you’ll have to blame Cousin Isobel for bringing up politics.”
“I do,” said Sybil. “I know she was only trying to engage him on something that interests him, but he was already so wound up after Granny attacked his clothes that he just started going off like he would in Dublin. Only, the audience here is a lot less sympathetic and a lot more likely to be shocked by someone saying what they actually think.” Sybil rubbed a hand over her stomach again, she felt enormous as it was and she still had a little bit to go, she didn’t know how she was going to manage being any bigger. People sometimes spoke of a woman glowing with pregnancy, but she was certainly not emitting any sort of pregnancy magic.
“We’ll keep running interference as best we can,” said Mary, glancing at Edith, who nodded. “But Papa is just going to be himself about all of it, and Lord knows we can’t control Granny.”
Sybil smiled a little at the thought of trying to control their grandmother. “I know, and I appreciate you trying to help us. I know Tom does too. I’ve tried to encourage him to be a little softer too, but he’s being stubborn about the whole thing.”
“He and Papa are cut from the same cloth,” said Mary. “They’ll just have to battle it out.”
“Tom doesn’t enjoy fighting like Papa does,” said Sybil. “He’s passionate about what he cares about, but he isn’t like Papa who loves going ten rounds over the stupidest of things.” Sybil was worried that after this, Tom might never want to visit Downton again. She’d really hoped that they might all be able to patch things up and get on with their lives, but it seemed that wasn’t to be the case.
“If Tom is to make it as part of this family he needs to realize everyone must do battle with Papa and Granny from time to time,” said Mary, putting her arm around Sybil’s shoulders. “I think he’s tough enough to handle that after marrying you.”
“I wish I had your confidence. I hoped that everyone could really get to know him this time and see him the way I do.” Sybil did not regret for an instant running off with Tom, she just wished that her family could have known him as a person and not just one of the staff before they did.
“We will,” said Edith. “I’m sure things will be much better tonight than they were last night. And we even have guests to distract everyone a bit, I’m sure Tom won’t be the center of attention like he was yesterday.”
Sybil nodded, Edith was probably right. “I know all of you will love him if you just give him a chance.”
Mary stood and offered Sybil a hand to stand up. “We are giving him a chance and I like him already,” she said. “Now, why don’t you come to my room and I’ll get you a little more jewelry so that you’ll stun all comers tonight.”
Sybil took Mary’s hands and was helped to her feet. “I don’t want to look too tawdry, Tom won’t thank me for putting on airs.” She mostly didn’t want Tom to feel embarrassed that he couldn’t give her ropes of gems like someone like Larry Grey might have. While Tom didn’t care about such things per se, he was still sensitive to the fact that her life with him was a large step down from her life before.
“You will be tasteful and sparkling,” said Mary. She glanced at Edith, “are you coming?”
“No, Anna said she’d be up to help me with my hair,” said Edith as she looked in her mirror.
Mary took Sybil’s arm and the pair walked back to Mary’s room together passing Anna on the way. As Mary ushered Sybil into her room and seated her at the table she said, “I shouldn’t be asking this, especially as I’m the older sister and I should be telling you, but if you have any advice on how sex can be pleasurable for a woman I’d love to hear it before my wedding day.”
Sybil looked up at her sister who was going through her jewelry boxes looking for necklaces and earrings. “I don’t know how much detail I can get into before dinner, but I’m more than happy to tell you everything. No woman should face humiliation on her wedding night.”
Mary looped a long strand of jet beads around Sybil’s neck. “That’s precisely what I don’t want. I hope you weren’t mortified on your own wedding night. I wish I could have prepared you better.”
Sybil adjusted the beads to lay just so over her bodice and took the earrings Mary offered her. “I was a bit embarrassed at moments, but I wouldn’t say I was in danger of being humiliated. Tom was just as embarrassed as I was so I think it made it easier for the both of us. But I’d also read some things and Tom’s mother, Mrs. Branson, gave me a bit of talk too.” Sybil shook her head at the memory. Mrs. Branson had been very direct about a number of things and had also sprinkled in quite a few anecdotes about Tom during his growing up years. “But I would have preferred you or Mama to say something, there’s just some things it’s easier to tell your sister.”
“We’ll hold a conclave tomorrow,” said Mary, putting her hands on Sybil’s shoulders. “We can invite Edith too, since she’s determined to drag Anthony Strallan down the aisle. You can tell us all we need to know then.”
Sybil looked up at her sister with a grin. “I’ll try to tell you everything you need to know, but you must promise not to ask anything too specific that might embarrass Tom.”
Mary looked down at Sybil with a smile of her own. “Promise.”
