Sybbie, George, and Marigold ran ahead of Edith and Mary as the group took a late afternoon stroll

"Marigold! Stay close to Sybbie." Edith called out as the children took off toward a pond

"You too George! Mama has told me we're all invited to Brancaster in Northumberland and you seem to be the reason behind it." Mary added.

"Yes, it's a work assignment. I thought it would just be me but it turns out they want us all up there, I'm sure it's to flatter me so I'll be complimentary."

"Who is 'they' exactly?"

"The Marquess of Hexam and his mother, but it seems to be his mother mostly." Edith explained

"What do they expect you to write about?"

"Him, what he's like, what he does as Marquess."

"And this was Gregson's idea?" Mary asked trying to find out more about Edith's odd assignment

"No, it seems this Mrs. Pelham approached him. Michael thinks she's looking for her son to be the toast of the town and has an idea that this will do it."

"She's not patient enough to wait until the season? A young titled man with a healthy estate would have to beat them away even before the war, maybe he looks like a turnip?" Mary said with a wondering smile

"Maybe he does, or maybe he has the personality of a tire stuck in the mud. Either way I can't say I'm looking forward to it, but Papa is pleased he'll get some shooting in." Edith reasoned

"Evelyn spoke about Brancaster once, he said it was very impressive." Mary added

"Maybe if Lord Hexam turns out to be dull I can write about his house instead, or maybe I'll find an interesting footman."

The sisters were interrupted by Marigold running up to them to complain that George got water on her dress by throwing rocks in the pond

"George, don't toss rocks near the girls dear." Mary admonished as they stopped to watch the children explore the shoreline

"They're lucky to have each other aren't they?" Edith commented as she watched Sybbie hand Marigold a flower

"They are, and they seem to be happy. But I'm dreading the day when they realize that most children have two parents instead of just one." Mary said as she shared a look with Edith

"They have a loving family, some people don't have that even with two parents." Edith countered

"We can give them all that, thankfully. How is your tenant at Locksley?" Mary asked as they turned toward the house

"Fine I suppose, he's just a wealthy man looking to play in the country."

"Will you ever sell it? You could get a decent price."

"No, it's not really mine to sell. I'm the caretaker but Anthony meant to leave it to Marigold, or at least I know he would want her to have it. When the time comes if she wants to sell then I'll help, but I expect to be living in London full time by then."

Edith explained as George met them to hold his mother's hand as Sybbie and Marigold walked ahead with their arms linked

"You're sure you'll want to do that? It's lovely to visit but the noise."

"I doubt Marigold will want to be a farmer, I'm happy to have her raised here with Mama, Papa, her cousins and everyone else but Downton is truly yours and I want a place of my own, but I also don't want to bang around a empty country house full of memories."

"And another husband is out of the question?" Mary asked with one of her raised eyebrows

"I know you had your Mr. Blake and Tony and Evelyn for that matter, and you've always had more suitors than me, but I think Anthony was my one chance for marriage, and we were happy but I have Marigold and my writing to focus on." Edith calmly answered

"I don't think Anthony would agree with that and I don't for that matter, but I won't push you. For what it's worth, I'm glad you and Marigold came to live with us and I won't be happy to see you both leave when that time comes." Mary admitted

Edith looked to Mary then, grateful that there was one good thing to come out of Matthew's car accident and Anthony following only a few months later, the sisters found a new bond in their grief and a better understanding of each other in their shared determination to carry on for their children.

"Thank you for that, and it won't be for a while anyway."