My kind of complicated

Edith confides in Martha about Anthony and she agrees to help her. A short story based around 3.1 and 3.2.

Chapter 1

"Grandmama, may I talk to you?" Edith asked nervously.

"Of course Edith," they went to Martha's room. Martha dismissed her maid to go and get to know the servants.

They sat and Martha sent for some tea; it was brought.

"Well, it's about what you said when you arrived and we were outside but I didn't want to say anything because Mary & Papa were there. The fact is that there is someone who is very special to me but it's kind of complicated."

"I like complicated," Martha said, "and it can't be as complicated as Sybil and the chauffeur surely."

"Well it's not a class difference problem because he's a baronet."

"Do tell me about him, Edith dear and let me decide if it's my idea of complicated or not."

"Well, his name is Sir Anthony Strallan and he's the dearest kindest most honourable man I have ever met. He's also gorgeous; he's tall and blonde with these most amazing blue eyes; the kind you can drown in."

"I don't see any complication so far," Martha frowned," he sounds lovely."

"Well he's a widower, his wife died in childbirth some years ago and the baby died too but that isn't a problem; Papa respects that people who have been widowed do go on and remarry. The problem, well as far as Papa and Granny see it anyway because it doesn't bother me, is that he's of a similar age to my Papa and also he can't use his right arm because he was injured in the war. He lacks confidence too but when I'm with him nothing else matters."

"It sounds like good old fashioned English prejudice my dear; fear of what falls outside the remit of so called normal, not that I believe such a thing as normal exists."

"That's what I think too," Edith's eyes shone brightly, "Anthony is also incredibly intelligent; we talk about music, books, poetry and current affairs; no one here bothers what I'm interested in but Anthony does, he noticed what I wear and he noticed that I did something different with my hair the other night. He makes me laugh but never at him. He makes me feel like I matter and he did something good the other night. We had some old friends around for dinner; one of them used to be keen on Sybil years ago and he put something in Tom's drink which made him appear really drunk although he wasn't. Anthony exposed him and made him admit to what he had done and I was really proud of him. But no one even thanked him but if it had been Matthew's drink got spiked then Anthony would have had my Papa's eternal gratitude. I have always felt like I don't matter and that my parents expect me to remain a spinster and take care of them in their old age but that isn't what I want Grandmama, it really isn't. If I have to take care of anyone in their old age I want it to be Anthony but he said he couldn't do that to someone as young or as lovely as me."

"He sure does sound like a lovely man, Edith; just the kind that would suit you well. I should like to meet him before I decide how best I can help you."

"He's coming for dinner tonight so I will introduce you then. Papa doesn't dislike him but they aren't bosom pals either but I don't think Granny likes him."

"What does your mother think?"

"She likes him. Mary thinks he's boring and annoys me by calling him poor old Strallan but Mary would not know intellectual conversation if it bit her."

"You're right about that, Edith but it's what you think that matters. I ought to think about getting ready for dinner but come to my room later as I will know how I can help when I have met the man but I think you can leave your father and grandmother to me."

"Thank you, grandmamma," Edith whispered as she took her leave with hope in her heart.

Martha chose her moment carefully, waiting until Robert was occupied with Matthew and Violet sparring with Isobel about her latest good cause. She crossed the room.

"Edith, aren't you going to introduce me?"

"Of course," Edith swallowed," Grandmama this is Sir Anthony Strallan, one of our neighbours, Sir Anthony this is my grandmother, Martha Levinson."

Anthony took Martha's hand in his good one and kissed it with a flourish.

"Edith has told me a lot about you," Martha said.

"All good things I hope," Anthony smiled.

"Well I don't know anything bad," Edith said.

"You seem to manage very well in spite of your injury," Martha said

"It's a case of having to, Mrs Levinson," he smiled sadly, "you would have laughed at my first feeble attempts to shave, write and eat left handed. I did not want to be completely helpless and I know I am lucky for some young men came home missing limbs and others did not come home at all."

"Well you seem to have adapted well, Sir Anthony,"

"Thank you, Mrs Levinson."

Carson came to announce that dinner was served and so they went into the dining room.

Edith sat next to Anthony and she really wished that everyone else would disappear. Anthony was wearing a blue shirt that really accentuated the blue of his eyes and Edith wished she could drown in them. She really wanted to be alone with him.

Martha was aware that Edith's interaction with Anthony had not escaped Violet's notice and she made up her mind that she would be alert. She liked Anthony and sensed that he and Edith would be good together and Martha Levinson determined that she would not let English prejudices stand in the way of her granddaughter's happiness.