Just my attempt to delve into Anthony's thoughts as he considers asking Edith to the concert in York. You'll know the scenes and dialogue from the series. Downton belongs to Mr Fellows.
Anthony Strallan sat in his library trying, desperately, to update Locksley's estate ledgers. Unfortunately, he was completely distracted by thoughts of the lovely Lady Edith Crawley. In fact, he'd been able to think of little else since acquiring tickets to a concert in York .
Sliding open the top desk drawer, he took out the tickets once more, delicately turning them over in his hands, inspecting the time and date for the concert, as well as the location of the seats.
Good Lord, how many times had he done this very thing since purchasing them. A hundred at least. He was like a giddy child waiting for Christmas morn and he had yet to summon the courage to extend an invitation to the young woman.
He studied the tickets, remembering how the previous week, while in York on business, he'd happened upon acquaintances who mentioned they might attend the upcoming event. Recalling how music had been a discussion of some length between the two during their recent excursion, Anthony's first thought was that Lady Edith would enjoy such an outing. Excusing himself as soon as he felt it politely possible, Anthony had hurried to the concert hall and secured two tickets of his own. One for him and one for Lord Grantham's charming middle daughter.
And now, not for the first time, he was questioning his purchase.
Edith had treated him kindly since the night he'd apparently been invited to dinner as a possible suitor for her sister, Mary. Engaging him in conversation at dinner while her sibling rudely ignored him. Offering her apologies for the salty pudding mishap while the eldest daughter laughed at his misfortune.
After his return from Austria and Germany, out of a sense of duty, he stopped by Downton to offer Mary a ride in his new Rolls Royce, which as he'd expected, she'd declined.
Much to my relief, he thought.
But then the strawberry blonde had asked if he might take her instead and Anthony, believing her request an attempt to soothe the effect of Mary's rather cold dismissal, replied that he would be delighted.
It was on that drive, that Anthony discovered Edith was not only lovely and kind but extremely intelligent and well read. She was very knowledgeable about political and world events and truly concerned with how such events affected those in her community. She seemed genuinely interested in him, even asking about his late wife, without making him feel such inquiries were done only out of pity for a lonely widower.
But surely, Edith's treatment of him amounted to little more than just that... a mixture of kindness and pity. Surely such an amazing young woman had plenty of suitors vying for her hand. She was only attempting to soften the blow of Mary's blatant rejection.
Still it had been a wonderful afternoon, one Anthony had truly hated to see end. And, unless he was mistaken, Lady Edith had seemed to enjoy herself as well.
But riding through the countryside was one thing, attending a public event together quite another. A drive might be a welcome respite from the monotony of country life for a young lady. Being seen on the arm of a man twice your age, Anthony thought, was most assuredly not.
Maybe inviting Edith wasn't such a good idea after all. While he hadn't minded Mary's lack of interest, to suffer a similar fate at the hands of her lovely sister would be devastating.
Perhaps he should just throw the tickets in the fire or attend the concert alone.
And what about Lord and Lady Grantham? How would they react to his request to court their younger daughter? He'd heard the rumors that were circulating in London about Lady Mary's virtue, so it was understandable they'd want her married and settled quickly, to whomever.
"Even an old codger such as you", he chuckled.
It would be an entirely different scenario with Lady Edith, of that he was certain.
With a sigh, he gently placed the tickets back in the drawer. If he intended to ask Edith, he'd have to do so soon, in order to give her time to prepare.
Glancing at the clock, he rose quickly. He needed to change for dinner at the Calendar-Becketts.
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Passing Downton on his way to the Calendar-Becketts, Anthony slowed and came to a stop just past the Abbey gates.
Now's as good a time as any old boy, he thought. You have a prior engagement. Ask and if she declines, you'll be on your way. No lingering around awkwardly, waiting for a respectable amount of time to pass before taking your leave.
Taking a deep breath, he turned the Rolls and headed up the lane towards the Abbey.
Carson came to the door and any surprise he may have had at Sir Anthony showing up unexpectedly in white tie and tails, was well hidden beneath the butler's professional facade. He called for Barrow, the footman to see the baronet to the sitting room where the family awaited the announcement for dinner.
Thomas swung open the door announcing "Sir Anthony Strallan." The baronet lingered a moment, gathering his nerve before entering the room.
Upon seeing Lord and Lady Grantham's expression, he assured them that he hadn't gotten the dates wrong and quickly began to explain his reason for dropping by. Being a gentleman, he focused his attention towards the Lord and Lady of the house but was acutely aware of Edith's presence.
When he mentioned having two tickets to concert in York next Friday, he immediately noticed how her face fell and how Lady Grantham cast a pointed look at her oldest daughter.
Good Lord, he thought to himself, everyone's assuming I'm here to ask Mary!
He faintly heard Mary's voice, as she began making her excuses.
No, no, this wouldn't do at all, he'd have to be rude and cut her off. Otherwise, Edith might think he'd only asked her in the face of her older sister's refusal and he didn't want her believing she was second best to anyone, especially not Mary.
"No" he interrupted, "I thought Lady Edith might like to accompany me."
Anthony briefly noted the look of surprise that registered on Lord Grantham's face but his attention once again focused on Edith as he heard her enthusiastically reply 'but I'd love to.'
After arrangements were made and Lady Grantham granted permission to stop by Lady Gervis' afterwards, Anthony took his leave.
Once in the hall though, Anthony wasn't nearly as composed. His knees nearly buckled and his heart raced. He thought of Edith with her radiant smile and...and her..her heaving bosom. How on earth was he to spend an entire evening alone with that exquisite creature and manage to conduct himself as gentleman.
"For goodness sakes, your forty not fourteen" he reprimanded himself.
Lady Edith had agreed to attend the concert. With him! Anthony couldn't contain his grin or the spring in his step.
As Barrow showed him out, Anthony felt exuberant and seeing the car, with it's top down, decided to try something he'd seen the younger chaps do.
With a few quick steps, he approached the Rolls, gripped the door, swung his long legs up and over, and slid down into the seat.
Carson raised an eyebrow in disapproval but Anthony couldn't bring himself to care. After all, he supposed, such antics, compared to showing up unexpectedly and interrupting an Earl's daughter, were insignificant.
He risked a glance back at the Abbey and was surprised to find Lady Edith at the window watching his departure. The smirk on her face, suggested the strawberry blonde found his behavior rather amusing.
Grinning back at her, he tipped his hat before starting the engine and proceeding down the drive feeling like a man half his age.