I think we all know that I own nothing. If I did series three would have been rather different. Enjoy, review if so moved.

"Edith, let Sir Anthony go." Her father's voice echoed across the way. Edith looked up at Anthony with an expression he would best describe as forlorn.

"I don't think I shall know true happiness until we are allowed to be alone together." Edith confided, her gloved fingers wrapping around his good hand. Slowly she rose to her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"I know what you mean, my love…" Anthony replied, his gaze drifting for a moment back towards the front door where Robert was still saying farewell to other guests. They had a moment, a brief moment, an opportunity for escape. Without thinking Anthony tugged her hand, pulling her into the backseat of the car with him.

"Stay down for a moment." He suggested, with a curt nod to an oblivious Robert, the car began to leave the drive. "All right, coast is clear."

"Anthony, what on earth are you doing?" Edith asked with a laugh as she settled into the seat next to him.

"We're escaping. It makes no sense to pussyfoot about, only to have our hopes of a future dashed by your family whispering doubt into my ear. We shall marry quickly, if that's what you would like?" He offered, his senses slowly starting to return, enough that he thought to ask her opinion in the matter.

"Escaping…" Edith said the word slowly, testing out how each syllable sounded. "I quite like that. Can't be considered kidnapping if I come willingly right?"

"Right, dear."

This was the most impulsive thing either Anthony or Edith had ever done. But as they stood in front of a very sleepy registrar, who owed Anthony a favor, both were rather pleased with the decision. Their first kiss came when they were pronounced husband and wife. His good arm wrapped around her, pulling her close as they made an effort to reach each other; he leaning down, she standing on her toes. Anthony's driver, having served as the witness, clapped before congratulating the new couple.

"Shall we go home?" Edith asked as they stood outside of the small building.

Anthony paused, pulling out his pocket watch to consult the time. Tucking the item back in his pocket then returning his arm around Edith, he gently guided her away from the car.

"We could catch the early train to London? Begin the honeymoon?" The expression on her face was one that Anthony looked forward to seeing again in the future. Her eyes were shining with happiness as she bit her lower lip, trying to contain her smile.

"Sounds perfect." They began to stroll towards the station but Edith stopped, suddenly looking a bit nervous. "I should probably send a note back to Downton, let them know that I haven't been kidnapped."

"Write a note, I'll inform the driver to deliver it in the morning." Edith nodded, popping back into the registrar's office to find paper and ink.

Mother and Father,

I'm sure by now you've noticed that I slipped away last night. Please don't be alarmed, I'm safe. I'm also married. Anthony and I made the decision last night and went straight to the registrar. We're both so terribly uncomfortable with crowds and such that this seemed the best solution. We also decided that we didn't want to wait and leave our future to the chance of interruption.

Papa, you and granny have made you're reservations quite clear. But Anthony loves me and will be quite capable of caring for me. Any further concerns you may have are just that, yours. And based purely on appearance more than anything else. My happiness should be enough for you, it's no secret that I was never going to find any joy remaining at Downton and becoming the spinster daughter. I only ask that you offer me the same wishes for happiness that you offer your other daughters. We're leaving on the early train for London to begin our honeymoon.

If we are welcome I will see you upon our return. Kindly send my things to Locksley.

"Anthony?" She asked, looking up from the letter.

"Yes, dearest?"

"Should I sign my married name? Or would that be too much like throwing our escape in their faces?"

"I think that you are undeniably Edith Strallan now, why on earth should you feel compelled to sign any other name?"

She smiled brightly, returning pen to paper.

Edith Strallan

"That does have such a lovely curl to it." Edith grinned, admiring her new signature.

"Couldn't agree more. Come along, wife, we have a train to catch."

The news spread like wildfire, the Earl's daughter and "dull as paint" Strallan marrying suddenly in the middle of the night. Speculation of course followed. Pregnancy and insanity from the war were at the top of the list. Of course Sybil just smiled at these notions. An expression she shared with her husband and faded the moment her father turned attention towards her.

"Did you know anything about this?" He asked, gesturing to the letter.

"It sounds like they didn't even have a plan," Sybil shrugged, returning to her lunch.

The letter arrived shortly after breakfast, which was also after they received word that Edith was gone. No one had noticed the night before, with the dinner ending so late in the evening and focus on Mary and Matthew, no one realized that Edith hadn't returned to her bedroom. Not until that morning when Edith went to help her dress.

"Can hardly blame them." Tom muttered.

"What was that?" Robert questioned.

"I said, you could hardly blame them. This isn't the most accepting of families to marry into. Nor is it particularly welcoming of…"

"I really don't think I need you to explain the dynamic of my family…" Robert began but Sybil cut him off.

"He's right, papa. How different would you be behaving if it had been Mary who eloped? You would be brooding in the library and mama would have taken to bed in her disappointment of not being there. Edith has found someone to love and care for her, who actually acknowledges and welcomes her presence. You can't begrudge her deciding to take the opportunity to keep that force in her life when it presented itself. I for one am tremendously pleased for my sister and new brother-in-law. In fact, I think I'll go help Anna pack Edith's things."

Sybil excused herself from the now silent table. Robert stared rather dumbfounded at the empty chair, the letter still in his hand. Mary and Matthew were simply going about their meal, Tom opened his mouth to make an excuse but ultimately decided to just leave the table, and Cora stared down at her plate, without the words to correct Sybil's argument.

"She's right, Robert. When they return from their honeymoon, we'll have the Strallans over for dinner and everyone will be civil." Cora said shortly before standing and leaving the room.

The irony of the situation would have made Edith giggle. While she was curled up, warm and comfortable at her husband's side in their bed, she thought of nothing but Anthony. Back at Downton, for the first time, all thoughts and gossip were focused on her. Had she thought of the situation she would have been amused, but the past few hours which served as their wedding night were much more entertaining to reflect on.

They had successfully made their escape and were more than content to remain hidden away from the world as they became acquainted with married life. Yes, the Strallans were enjoying themselves, not yet considering what would be waiting for them when they returned home.