He had done his best to avoid her whenever possible since that disastrous day he had thrown her heart, and all hope of happiness, away. Not that he wanted to avoid her. If anything he wanted to throw himself at her feet and beg her forgiveness for being the pathetic coward he had always secretly believed himself to be. It wasn't that hard. Social invitations were non-existent since he had committed the unforgivable faux pas of leaving an Earl's daughter at the altar. Even so, he kept to his estate on the few occasions he found himself in Yorkshire, sending servants to the village when necessary, and never driving out in his car. He couldn't bear the memories that it would revive anyway.
However, despite his best efforts, here she was, standing clearly in front of him giving him no chance to slip away and pretend he had not seen her. He stayed away from the county as much as possible, abroad more often than not. But the problem with leaving Locksley was that the only exit was via Downton train station; which is how he came to be face to face with the loveliest creature ever to grace the Earth. The woman who he had been moments away from making his wife.
'Good afternoon, Sir Anthony.' The voice broke through his reverie. Ever the gentleman, he automatically raised his hat and replied in kind. And this time he was the one who had to watch as the love of his life walked away.