Ok so this idea popped into my head and it might be a bit of a stretch but I thought I'd give it a shot. I don't want to give all the details here because I'd rather it come out in the story but basically, I changed nearly everything when it came to Edith's storyline.
Hope you all like it at least a little bit!
"There she is, my star writer!"
Edith gave an sarcastic smile and shut the door behind her
"Michael I've been working for you for years, you can stop flattering me anytime you like"
"I'm not flattering you, it's true. Lady Strallan's columns have been the most popular of our features nearly since you began." Michael replied as he watched her take a seat across from him.
"You might be reaching but I won't argue with you, now what is so important that I just had to rush down?"
"First of all would you like any thing to drink?"
"No, no I'm meeting my aunt after this, now get on with it… you're not firing me are you?" Edith spoke to him with the ease that nearly four years of professional respect and friendship created, in fact at this point Edith viewed her editor in the same way she saw Tom, not a brother by blood but a trusted friend who she could count on for support and encouragement.
"Don't be silly, I have two assignments for you. The first one is that you're going to write a profile on someone-"
"A profile? I've never done that, you know I only write opinion pieces, why me?"
"I'm trying to tell you, the subject is this new Marquess, he's from around your parts so it won't be too hard to get up there." Michael offered to a skeptical Edith
"'Get up there'? I have to go out in the field for this?"
"Well, it's a castle Edith not exactly the Somme. He, well his mother actually is inviting you up for a weekend, somewhere in Northumberland. You probably have a better idea than I do of what you'll get up to, killing things and fancy dinners I imagine." Michael added with a teasing smile
"Wait, his mother? Can you tell me why we are doing this? And more specifically why I am being asked to do this?" Edith asked a bit overwhelmed that she was being summoned by a stranger to write about him.
Michael leaned back in his chair trying to hide his amusement at Edith's flustered behavior
"His mother got in contact with me, she wanted to be courted a bit but it seems she thinks it would be a good idea if her son made a bit of a splash in the social world and she thinks this is the way to do it." Michael explained
"So I'm supposed to follow a Mummy's boy around and write about what exactly?"
"Well a flattering piece obviously, but I was thinking of focusing on how he's adjusting to his new role. Apparently his cousin passed and that's how he came into it, so try and paint him as a normal man who was just thrust into this role. Write about his day to day challenges, what he has to deal with."
"So I'm to write about what he has for breakfast?" Edith incredulously laughed
"Edith, you might not want to admit it but most of our readers are interested in what goes on in all those massive houses. It might be routine for you but a great number of people want to know what it's like."
"And why am I being forced into doing this?" Edith challenged
"First of all I'm not forcing you into anything, if you really don't want to do it I'll ask someone else but I think you can write a very special piece with this opportunity. You're the only one who can really see the nuance and get them to open up, you have all the insight in the world as well, you'll be able to see him as a person not just a title."
"You seem very confident in all this." Edith challenged again still needing to be coaxed
"I am. Edith you're the daughter of an Earl and were married to a Baronet for God's sake, you're the best person for this job, these are your people."
"My people? I don't know them Michael, they could be terrible."
"There's only one way to find out…" Michael shot back and smiled at Edith rolling her eyes
"How long does this have to be?" Edith conceded, her curiosity slowing taking over her nerves
"Just four to five pages, you should get enough for it over that weekend."
"And when will I be summoned?"
"Next month, they'll send a more formal invitation once I confirm. So you'll do it?" Michael ventured
"Yes, fine I'll try it, but I don't expect me to do this sort of thing regularly." Edith warned
"Excellent, Edith you're going to do wonderful with this, people will love it."
"We'll see, now what was this other mission you have for me? Nothing as ghastly as the first one I hope."
"I wouldn't go that far, Lizzie is desperate to have you over for dinner tomorrow so I hope your social calendar isn't filled yet." Michael stated to a relieved Edith
"It's very very open and I'd love to see her, will you be there?" Edith asked as she gathered her things
"Of course, she's crazy about me. Can't bear to have me away for any length of time." Michael cheekily replied
"Damn, can't have everything I suppose." Edith shot a teasing smile at Michael as he got up to walk her to the door
"Careful Lady Strallan or you'll hurt my feelings."
"Oh, you're fine. You know Granny is going to be livid about this?"
"Just tell her it's my idea, she liked me when we met." Michael offered.
"Michael, the thing about 'my people' is that we're very good at making people think we like them. I'll see you tomorrow."
Michael couldn't help but laugh as he watched Edith leave and shut the door behind her.