A short chapter my fellow Andith shippers, but one I hope you will enjoy. Of course I still do not own Downton Abbey.
A fresh start that was what Edith Crawley needed. A new life in a new town where no one knew of her or her past. Jilted at the altar by one man and left alone and pregnant by another. Oh, both had loved her in their own misguided ways. Anthony, so much, that he had sacrificed a chance at happiness not only for her but himself as well. Michael had provided her with financial independence from her father, first, by hiring her as a columnist for The Sketch and then, naming her as heiress to his estate.
After finding out she was pregnant, Edith began making plans to come to America to have her child. Sighing as she stepped off the ocean liner in Boston, Edith fetched the single bag she'd packed to start this new adventure and hailed a taxi to the hotel where she'd arranged a room.
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Sitting down and glancing at the headlines of the local paper, Anthony Strallan nearly spat out his tea. 'Earl's Daughter Presumed Missing' was printed in big bold letters across the front page. The baronet quickly scanned the article for details. Other than the fact, Lady Edith Crawley had not been seen by family, friends, or employees in over a week there was little information. The story appeared to have been leaked by servants rather than being an attempt by the family to find the missing middle daughter.
Anthony was livid. Once again, the precious reputation of the Grantham family name was taking precedence over Edith's well-being and happiness. Get off your high horse Strallan, it's your deplorable actions that led to her getting involved with a married man who's recently been declared dead.
Anthony, pacing back and forth in front of the hearth came to a sudden stop. Perhaps Gregson had faked his death and Edith had left to meet him and begin anew in some foreign country. But if she hadn't, where was she? Was she hurt, in danger, or possibly being held against her will?
Eighteen months ago, walking away from his last chance at happiness, Anthony had resigned himself to a life of loneliness consisting of books, his estate, and memories of Edith. His solicitor and estate manager assumed any dealings outside of Locksley on his behalf. After leaving her at the altar, he'd vowed to stay behind the scenes and allow the young lady the opportunity to discover the life she so deserved without the worry of meeting him in the village or elsewhere.
Oh he'd kept tabs on her through his few remaining friends and occasionally made inquiries with a lone contact at Whitehall.
But now. Now, in Lady Edith's best interest, he needed to put aside his own discomfort and embarrassment and find her. Make sure she was ok. The Crawley family certainly didn't seem concerned.
On the other side of the pond, Edith stepped out of a cab onto Commonwealth Avenue. Settling her fare and tipping the driver, she turned and studied the magnificent building in front of her, The Hotel Somerset. Here she planned to begin the next chapter of her life. Hopefully this time though, she'd find that happy ending that had eluded her thus far.
The doorman politely tipped his hat as she entered.
Walking to the front desk, she was greeted by the clerk on duty, "may I help you madam?"
"I believe you have a reservation in my name" Edith informed him.
"Your name please?" the clerk inquired.
"Strallan" the strawberry blonde replied. "Josephine Strallan."
