Title: Obstacles

Author: MistressSara

Rating: Starting low, but will hit M eventually, you'll be forewarned.

Disclaimer: I own a whole lot of nothing.

Reviews appreciated.

Mary glared at her sister briefly before shifting her focus to Sir Anthony Strallan. The dull man seemed to have a spring in his step as he crossed the lawn. 'It's only fair,' Mary though to herself, 'Edith ruined me.'

Her head held high, Mary began her journey to stop Anthony before he reached his goal. She took only a few steps before colliding with a maid and her tray of punch filled cups. The red liquid quickly stained Mary's dress, a shriek of surprise escaping her lips.

"I am so sorry, milady!" The maid apologized furiously. Mary glanced up, ready to let the young girl have it when she realized all eyes were on her.

"It's all right. An accident, I didn't see you there." Mary managed. Sybil quickly appeared at her side.

"Come along, Mary. We'll get you cleaned up." Sybil turned to the young maid, whose eyes were brimming with tears. "Stop crying, dear. Run along and fetch Anna."

Sybil led her sister away, Edith watched from the other side of the tent, attempting to stifle a giggle. It wasn't every day Mary was embarrassed. That was usually Edith's lot in life. If she wasn't embarrassed she was simply ignored. But not today. Something good was coming today, she could feel it. She watched with anticipation as Sir Anthony exchanged pleasantries with her parents before walking off a ways with her father. This would be her day. Things were finally going to change.

"What is it, Sir Anthony?" Robert asked his friend who seemed to have gone an unusual shade of pale.

"Yes, well. It is my intention to inquire if you would permit me to ask for your daughter's hand?"

"Mary?" Robert asked in shock.

"Heavens no!" Anthony answered without thinking. "Oh! Not that Mary isn't lovely. I'm sure she has her fine points, but she clearly has no interest in me and that sentiment is returned. No, I was referring to Lady Edith."

"Edith? The two of you have been spending a great deal of time together lately."

"Yes."

"She shares your affections?"

"I believe so, yes. I love Edith and in our time together came to that realization. She's a bright, charming, lovely young lady."

"I don't think I've ever heard someone speak so passionately about Edith. If it is what she wants then you of course have my blessing."

"Thank you, I-"

"Sir Anthony." Both men looked up as the woman in question approached them. "I thought that was you."

Robert could not ignore the bright smile on his daughter's face. An expression, he was ashamed to admit, that he almost never saw around Downton.

"Excuse me." Robert nodded to the pair, returning to his wife's side, occasionally glancing in his daughter's direction.

"Everything all right?" Edith asked, a bit unsettled by her father's hasty departure.

"Fine. Everything's fine. Shall we walk a bit?" He asked, offering her his arm. With a grin her hand curled around the limb. "You look lovely, my dear."

"Thank you."

"I do so enjoy making you blush, Edith."

"I always welcome the attempts, Anthony. Of course you-"

"Would you marry me?" He suddenly blurted out. Edith stopped, staring up at him with wide eyes.

"What?"

"Oh- goodness, I didn't do that right. It wasn't my plan to just- but the sunlight was hitting you just so and you were smiling-"

"Yes."

"What?"

"Yes, Anthony, I'll marry you. Happily."

"May I kiss you?"

"I desperately wish you would." She managed, trying to contain her glee. Anthony swiftly closed the space between them, his lips descending on hers. It was intended to be a chaste kiss, but there was an element of passion that they hadn't expected. Edith's arms wrapped around his neck, allowing him to feel her body flushed against his own. She felt his hand slide into her hair, hat knocked carelessly to the ground. His other arm pulled her closer, wound around her waist.

"I love you, Edith."

"I love you too, Anthony. So very much. I never thought I'd hear someone say that to me." She confessed, kissing him again.

When they returned holding hands, Robert knew that the proposal had been successful. The couple reached the tent and he could see that Edith was beaming with joy as was her betrothed.

"Mother, father. Sir Anthony has proposed and I've accepted." Edith grinned. Cora looked to her husband before back to her daughter.

"That's marvelous dear!" Edith leaned down to hug her mother.

"Everyone, we have happy news." Robert called to the tent of friends and family members. All fell silent as they turned to their host. "My daughter, Lady Edith is to be married to Sir Anthony Strallan."

There was a round of applause as focus shifted to the couple. Edith settled against Anthony's side, smiling shyly. This was more attention than Edith had ever received.

However, that was all cut short with the arrival of Carson and a sealed envelope.