Gwen sat slumped against her cell wall. She ran her hands through her shorn hair and tried to think of something other than the pain from where they branded and 'A' for adulteress on her breast. Something such as how she managed to fuck her life up so drastically in such a short time.

Her parents had cast her out, which she felt was rather unfair. Rhys Williams had called off their engagement , which was fair. And she had been dragged through the street, her clothes torn off, branded with a red-hot poker and had her hair cut. Which was really unfair.

Things had been going well. Tad had found her a decent husband in Rhys Williams and their wedding was going to be just after Rhys had finished his apprenticeship and found work as a stable hand. But then Owen Harper arrived. Owen in his dark physician's robes and sarcastic smile. Owen, who had been attracted to her down to Earth looks and seemed to genuinely listen to what she said. He may have been rude and sarcastic at times, but he had also been genuinely pleasant when she said something he deemed sensible. And for all his rudeness and sarcasm, he did testify at her trial. And thank God he had. If Owen hadn't said he initiated their relationship she could be facing a sentence worse a public branding and forced into a nunnery.

But then, was her being spared a hanging really such a blessing. Gwen had no death wish, but life as a novice was not a particularly enticing thought. And her parents were probably better off without her. If she had been hanged the neighbours would be content that their family tree had been 'pruned' .

"I wish I was dead!" Gwen moaned; burying her head in her hands, before scolding herself for being overly dramatic. She was determined to stay positive and not do anything foolish. She was a sensible, level-headed girl who rarely did anything rash and fanciful. Except for having an affair with Owen and thus risking scandal, public humiliation and her life. That was admittedly rather reckless.

Gwen gulped and swallowed back tears, trying to reconcile her anger at her family for standing by and watch her be dragged through the streets and her guilt for what she had done to them. Let alone Rhys.

Keys jangled and her door was shoved open.

"Owen!" Gwen cried.

"That'll be five shillings," the guard muttered as he untied her bound hands.

"What's going on?" Gwen asked as she rubbed her raw wrists.

"What's going on is you owe me five shillings," Owen growled, taking her by the elbow, "You alright?"

"Chest hurts like hell,"

"Well I'll take a look at that later," Owen responded in a businesslike manner, before exchanging a cheeky grin with Gwen.

"Hurry up and get out of here," the guard hissed, his pocket bulging.

They made their way out from Gwen's cell; where she was meant to stay until sent to a nunnery.

Before Gwen can say anything, Owen cut her off.

"The Daleks have invaded, the army is conscripting a male member from ever family to defend the country,"

Gwen blinked, "So why did you come to get me out?"

"They're recruiting a man from every family, regardless of age or health,"

Gwen blinked again.

"God you're slow Gwen! You father will be conscripted!"

Gwen blanched. "What can I do?"

Owen glanced over his shoulder, "The local camp will be expecting a male under the name Cooper. If I take you to the camp with me as my assistant they won't send for your father,"

"Your assistant?"

"Disguised as a boy," Owen nodded, "It won't be pretty but we'll probably spend our time in the medical tent or on the field after the fight. We could probably stay away from most of the danger,"

Gwen gulped, but gave a tiny nod.

"Of course, you don't have to. I could just turn my back and let you flee. But if you do this, you will be making up for anything you and I have done to your family,"

"Won't people notice I'm gone?"

Owen rolled his eyes.

"You really have an out of proportion sense of self-importance, don't you? Our greatest enemies have invaded and our country is at risk! Who is going to care about one chit of a girl who can't keep her legs together? So, you in?"

Gwen thought of her father, who would never survive another war. Or her mother, who had already lost a daughter. And Owen had promised to give her a relatively safe position.

She smiled.

"I'm in,"

Downton Castle

"How could you Edith?" Robert roared, "You knew he was married,"

"You are incredibly lucky that we could bribe off that horrible woman before she went to the magistrates. Seducing a married man is a serious offence," Cora added.

"His wife is barely alive! She can't talk or even tell once person from the next. They were hardly married. And I hardly seduced Michael,"

"But Gregson can't testify to that, can he?" Robert asked "No, because he is dead!"

Edith flinched at the mention of Michael's death.

"Don't play mourning widow Edith," Mary gave a fake yawn, "You have no right,"

Matthew frowned. "I think we should leave you to it," and with that he steered a disapointed Mary from the room, Tom following.

Only Edith, Robert and Cora were left.

"If word had got out, Gregson would not have been able to testify that he had seduced you. You could have been hung Edith!"

"You could have died," Robert echoed solemnly.

Edith; already feeling guilty, felt her guilt increase as she thought of what her death would have done to her family.

"And think of the scandal that would have caused!"

And then she felt it decrease.

"I'm sorry, but what else can I say? I loved him,"

"Oh, you loved him? Well there we go Cora. Edith has broken the law, nearly had herself arrested and dragged the family name through filth! But that is alright because she 'loved' him! After all we have done for her,"

Edith had been agreeing with her papa's comments, up until the last one.

"All you have done for me?" she repeated weakly, "What have you done for me?"

"Apart from provide you food and shelter, you mean?"

Edith dismissed this. "That is but a trifling part of a parent's duty towards their child,"

Robert laughed. "And what about your duties as a daughter?"

They stared at each other in the eye.

"I think you should go to bed," Robert ordered, an icy calm in his voice.

"Well shall decide what to do with you tomorrow," added Cora.

"Yes mama, yes papa," Edith said meekly, too tired to do anything but obey.

But before she could reach the door, Matthew and the others rushed in.

"The Daleks have invaded," Matthew informed them, "the army is sending out conscription notices. There is one for each of us,"