Hello!

I'm hoping to redeem myself with this story after how my last story ended. There is one S3 spoiler but that's it really so read with caution. Let me know if you want me to continue with this story as I'm a bit unsure. The story starts in early 1921 but jumps back in time so don't worry if it's confusing, it will all make sense.

To save Downton from financial despair a rich young man is invited to stay. He makes a promise of investing in Downton if he can marry Edith. What are his ulterior motives and what will Edith do about Anthony?

Thanks for reading.


Prologue

March 1921

Edith's hand was shaking as she placed her tea cup down. She felt ever so on edge and was certain this is not how she should be feeling. She was getting married after all, she should be happy but she wasn't. It wasn't him. It wasn't Anthony she was marrying and although they had argued terribly she missed him. Missed him more than she thought she ever would. She took a short breath refusing to look at her grandmother knowing full well that she only invited her to tea for a lecture on the virtues of marriage. She would have laughed at the irony of it all but she felt so unhappy she wasn't even sure if she could even manage a frown. Come on Edith, this is all you ever wanted. If she told her self that enough would it be true? She had only agreed to speak to the young man on that fateful night many months ago yet it had led to a proposal and she didn't want to let her parents down. I wonder what Anthony's up to.

"Men are not tarnishable creatures my dear. They are never scandalised nor badly seen by their actions. Actions that happen in a moment of passion, a moment where discretion slips. They are the strong men, far to smart for that. Eyes will always look away and yours must too."

"Granny you can't possibly..." She said her mouth hanging open.

"Hush dear. As you are soon to be a married woman its important you know this. We are soft loving women, women that they come home to and if our homes even catch the slightest scent of a scandal well they will never smell of roses again."

"Anthony would never think of being unfaithful and I thought you of all people would want a good husband for me."

"Why must you cling on to Mr Strallan? All he has to offer you is a farm." Violet said sternly casting her disapproving eye over her granddaughters new shorter outfit.

"He has an estate and to be honest I feel like a cattle at a market anyway. Why must I marry Henry? I don't even know him that well."

Edith asked deflated as she pushed her tea cup on to the coffee table beside her finally meeting her grandmothers eye who sat opposite her. Violet saw the look of such sadness on her face, she really had hoped for better but how could she say that? How could she tell her the terrible truth? If it had been at least a month before the wedding she might have helped her find an excuse but all she could do was be honest with her and hope that tough love would hold the plan together. She was keeping her fingers crossed that Anthony would not cause trouble, not make Edith fall more in love with him.

"Well if you feel you must hold on to the farming connotations then I must be honest with you. You can not change your mind now, not on the eve of your wedding."

"I haven't said I do yet." Edith said sarcastically, the bitter words pricking her heart.

"Maybe not in the eyes of the law but you have a made a promise to him."

A forced promised. The rest of tea was made in silence with Edith wondering if she could feign an illness and call off the wedding. Even if she just had time to think it would be enough. She could not marry him. Henry was not a bad man but there had been talk of unfaithfulness and rumours that he had a rough nature. No he would not do. She had to see Anthony and she had to see him now. Making her excuses and feigning a headache she made her way to the door. Hearing her grandmother speak she paused, her heart tripping over the words.

"You should think very wisely before you see Anthony my dear. This is your future after all not his."