Well, here I go again. Seriously, I have a problem. It seems I can't help myself, every time I watch Edith and Anthony's garden party scenes, I have an overwhelming urge to, in some way, fix JF's horrendous mistake. You'll recognize the material from canon.
With a spring in his step, a song in his heart, and a ring in his waistcoat pocket, Anthony Strallan strolled happily across Downton's back gardens seeking, amidst the crowds of well dressed aristocrats, Lady Edith Crawley, the young woman whom he hoped would, on this fine sunny afternoon, agree to become his wife. Sadly though, the kind and unsuspecting fellow that some folks considered dull as paint, by some unfortunate chance, encountered her older sister first. Usually one to avoid his company, Mary, on this particular afternoon, seemed oddly friendly, eager even, to aid the baronet in his search, although, he realized too late, it was a willingness borne out of a desire to be hurtful rather helpful.
"I can't seem to find your sister" he casually remarked to the dark haired beauty, who immediately seized upon the opening the gentleman had unwittingly presented to weave her web of lies and deceit.
Her words, delivered in a deceptively innocent manner, were cruel and calculating, cutting the older gentleman to his core has she flippantly replied that the middle Crawley daughter was most likely hiding from the old bore who'd promised to propose today. Devastated, Anthony, unable to contain the grimace of pain that flashed across his face, listened quietly has the eldest daughter continued to fill his head with images of a certain strawberry blonde who mocked and ridiculed him behind his back while her family laughed about his unwitting performance as the love-struck fool. When Mary finally ceased with her taunts, the tall blond quickly fabricated an excuse and fled towards the front lawn of the majestic estate, where, unfortunately, he encountered the young woman whom he had, for the past ten minutes, been hoping to avoid.
"There you are" she smiled, somehow both bashfully and brilliantly at the same time. Oh, what a fool he'd been for even thinking this gorgeous young lady would ever consider an old codger like him to be husband material.
"Lady Edith, I... I'm sorry... but... but I must be leaving. There's a matter of urgent business that needs my immediate attention" he lied.
More important than asking me to be your wife, the redhead thought, "Surely, you can't be leaving already?"
"Please, make my excuses to your mother" he replied, tipping his hat in her direction and hurriedly turning to make his escape.
Puzzled by Anthony's unexpected departure, Edith watched his retreating figure for a moment before glancing around to spy the smug smirk plastered on her elder sister's countenance. Oh no, you'll not ruin my chance at happiness today, the strawberry blonde decided, scurrying off in the direction the baronet had taken.
Upon reaching the section of the estate that had been designated for parking, desperation seized the young woman has she observed the tall blond open the door to his Rolls Royce and slide behind the wheel. "Sir Anthony" she called, sounding more desperate than she'd have liked, only to be ignored. Perhaps, he hadn't heard her.
"Sir Anthony" she cried once more, this time a bit louder. Again, the older gentleman neither responded to nor acknowledged her pleas.
"Sir Anthony" her voice rose even higher, attracting the attention of a few of the guests who'd just arrived. "Wait!" she demanded forcefully, surprising not only the baronet but herself as well.
The older gentleman sighed inwardly, "Lady Edith, I really must be going" he began.
"Yes, well you made me a promise" she boldly interrupted, approaching the vehicle "and before you go, I'd like to know whether you plan on keeping it? If not, I deserve, at the very least, an explanation I should think."
Anthony glanced furtively at the small crowd gathering to witness the public display between him and Lord Grantham's daughter. Inwardly cursing his luck, he took a deep breath and stepped out of the Rolls, resisting the urge to slam the door shut behind him.
"Could we at least find somewhere private to speak" he muttered.
"Follow me" the young woman ordered, turning to head to the one place she was fairly certain they wouldn't be disturbed... the folly.