Story No 3: Defeating the obstacles – A Bertie and Edith Story

Author's Note: Third story in my series. I've renamed my earlier stories so that the sequence is clear. This is just chapter 1, more chapters will come soon!

Bertie looked over at Edith in the seat next to him on the train. She was looking out the window at the passing scenery. He loved that already he knew her well enough to be able to deduce that this was a passing attempt to calm her nerves about the days ahead. They were engaged and together but it wasn't necessarily going to be smooth sailing from here, he wasn't fool enough to think otherwise. However, he was determined that no matter what happened, Edith knew that she came first in his heart, always. And if the Marigold issue became a problem, or if the worst were to happen and her parentage became public knowledge, he would stand by both of them unconditionally, forever.

They had been on the train for a little over an hour already, which meant in just three short hours, he would be introducing her to his mother. Edith was nervous, and Bertie wanted to set her mind at ease, which meant he absolutely was not going to tell her that his own anxiety level about this introduction was not exactly under control. His mother was a difficult woman. He knew that. She was morally stern and very conservative, and the Marigold factor would certainly present a problem. Bertie wrestled with when to bring his mother into the secret – or even to tell her at all. Edith was right, he knew, that she would find out - or figure it out - sooner or later. But Bertie was terrified that his mother would not be able to see past the obvious hurdles and accept Edith.

And she must. Or there would be a big problem.

Bertie didn't want to have to choose between his mother and Edith, but he knew that if forced, it would be Edith every time. Bertie was in love with her and the idea of being her husband and having her for a wife made his heart soar. His mother would have to get on board or she would be the one finding herself alone, on the outside. However, Bertie was a pacifist, and if there was a way forward that avoided hassle, inconvenience and hurt feelings, he was determined to find it.

He looked over at Edith and gave her hand a little squeeze. That brought her out of her reverie. She looked at him and gave him one of those signature smiles that made his heart melt.

"What are you thinking about, darling?"

Edith took a breath and quickly touched her forehead to the side of his arm while reaching over and wrapping her unoccupied hand around his upper arm.

"I was just thinking about how much my life has changed in the last 48 hours… and how I can't remember ever feeling this happy."

"Nor I." Bertie whispered in response and smiled down at her.

Edith smiled back, and Bertie felt that familiar lurch of his stomach that he'd become accustomed to ignoring. That feeling of such visceral attraction that sometimes consumed him when she looked at him that way. Or when he looked at her. Or anytime she said anything to him.

"So" Edith started. "Remind me again, what happens next?"

Bertie smiled. "Well. Smith, our chauffeur, will pick us up at the train station and take us to Brancaster. My mother will be waiting and I'll make the introductions. We'll have the evening to get settled and then a small dinner, just the three of us. Tomorrow, I thought I would take you on a tour of the grounds while we wait for the arrival of your parents in the afternoon. Then we will all have the weekend together to get acquainted before Monday's dinner where we… announce our engagement to the world." Bertie burst into a giddy grin, he couldn't help it.

Edith smiled back and re-crossed her legs in his direction, letting her feet touch his shins.

"Bertie – can I ask you something? Are you sure you want to keep your mother in the dark about Marigold at this early stage? I know you said that she can and will find out in due course, I just wonder if maybe it would make more sense to tell her sooner rather than later…."

Bertie took in a breath and thought about how best to answer: "Truth be told, I'm not sure. I've been thinking about it and how best to tell her … and when. And I don't know. I don't want anyone to be upset or unduly stressed. However, I also want to make sure she meets you and converses with you before she finds out about Marigold. Otherwise, I know her. The knowledge of Marigold will colour her assessment and she won't let herself be open and easy with you and that's not fair to you, or her, or to our future happiness."

Edith smiled at Bertie "That's quite a considerate and thoughtful answer. Thank you, truly and I love and appreciate that you've thought about it so thoroughly." Edith shifted in her seat but kept her gaze firmly on Bertie's eyes "If I am being honest, however, I must tell you I am quite worried about it. I don't want your mother to despise me but I worry she will think I've duped you into keeping this secret from her, or I've somehow tricked you into loving me, or worse... that I'm after you for your money or your position or security."

Bertie immediately turned to face her. "She won't think that. I assure you. She knows that you and I were together before I inherited the title. And that we became serious during that time as well. As for money, it's hardly as if you're wanting in that respect - your family is very wealthy, and you have your magazine. She knows that you are perhaps the most independent woman I've ever known. As for feeling duped – when she finds out about Marigold, I promise you I'll make sure she knows that I know everything and how open and honest you have been about it all." Bertie shifted and smiled knowingly at Edith before he continued:

"Perhaps most importantly, Edith. My mother knows that I adore you. Every other consideration pales in comparison."

Edith immediately blushed and tightened her grip on Bertie's hand and his arm, but Bertie didn't let her leave it at that. He twisted in his seat to face her properly, lifted his hand to her face and gently tilted her mouth to his. He intended to give her a chaste kiss, but the second his mouth touched hers, he felt that visceral lurch forward again and the next thing he knew, he was infusing far more passion into it than was appropriate in public, during the day time while riding on a train. The kiss broke, and Edith briefly touched her forehead to his and smiled at him. She then twisted forward and rested the side of her head back on his upper arm and Bertie watched as she closed her eyes with a glimmer of a smile still resting on her lips.

Bertie felt some of his concerns start to lift. It wouldn't be an easy way forward, but so long as he and Edith were both secure in each other, they could face the obstacles together.