Chapter 2 heartfelt discussions

When Edith came to moments later she was lying on a couch in a dimly lit room; covered with a blanket. Anthony sat on a chair beside her.

"Thank goodness you are alright, Lady Edith."

"I'm fine; I have never fainted before."

"I expect it was shock plus it was quite warm out there."

"Well at least I know I'm not pregnant; I doubt the Lord would choose the second daughter of the Earl of Grantham as a receptacle for the second Immaculate conception," she laughed and he smiled.

There were so many things they both wanted to say and he took her hand.

"I'm glad I was there; I was so appalled by his suggestion, Lady Edith."

"My father and grandmother would probably think I'm fallen just because of what was suggested; in some ways they haven't left the Victorian era although there has been a war and murder trial since then. Mr Bates is free now by the way."

"I heard," he lowered his voice, "I also heard about Lady Sybil and I am very sorry."

"Thank you; it has shaken us up as well you might imagine."

"Yes, I can. I spend a lot of time here in London now; too many painful memories at Locksley what with Maud and what, well what happened."

"You must not blame yourself for that, Anthony. My family just don't want me to be happy and that is all there is to it. If Mary had wanted to marry you then I guarantee your age and injury would not have been a problem."

He shuddered, "I could not contemplate a life with your sister, Lady Edith. She leaves me cold."

"I meant what I said back then; I bowed to your family's opinion without considering what you might want. Can you ever forgive an old fool for being so daft as not to listen to the one view that really counted?"

"I forgave you that day," she murmured, "What happened to...?"

"The maitre d' put him out on the street," he gently brushed a coppery curl off her forehead and she trembled from the intimacy of the gesture," I kept your article; I was so proud of you. I had got it wrong, I thought he was a suitor and while I wanted you to have a younger man who is whole I definitely got a visit from the old green eyed monster and when I heard his intentions, well he should think himself lucky I can't lay him out cold with a right handed blow."

"Thank you for coming to my rescue."

"You're welcome; where are you staying?"

"With my Aunt Rosamund, I guess we should make a move as she will be worried about me."

"I will see you to the door and then leave; I don't think she will want to see me."

"Actually my father and Granny are in aunt Rosamund's bad books because of their interference."

"Do you think you can get up?"

"I think so; I really don't know what came over me."

He helped her to her feet and she seemed steady.

They took a cab to Rosamund's. She came rushing into the hallway as soon as she heard the key turn.

"Edith, I was getting worried, oh," she said, realising her niece was not alone," do come in, Sir Anthony."

"Thank you, Lady Painswick."

They went into the sitting room.

"Lady Edith has had a bit of a shock this evening," he said, "I happened to be in the same restaurant purely by chance as I had no way of knowing Lady Edith was in London. She fainted so I thought I had better make sure she got home safe. She would not have been in that situation if I had married her, I know that."

"You're a truly honourable man, Sir Anthony; trouble is my brother is too pig-headed to see that you and Edith are perfect for each other."

Rosamund sat and listened while Edith told her what had happened; she was shocked.

"How appalling!"

"Yes and Granny will think I have become his mistress by suggestion. I don't know what to do Aunt Rosamund."

"For tonight we will do nothing. I think you need a good night's rest and we will talk about it in the morning."

Rosamund summoned her maid, "Jane, please ensure that the fire is lit in Lady Edith's room and that she settles well. She has had a shock,"

"Yes, my Lady. I lit the fire a while ago but I will stoke it up. Would you like some hot milk, Lady Edith?"

"Yes please Jane."

Jane left.

"I think you two could do with some time alone, I will go and find something to read." Rosamund's tone brokered no argument. Anthony had warmed to her sensing real support. Maybe Edith was not lost to him after all? Robert and the dowager countess would have no reason to suspect anything amiss; after all they would assume Edith was simply in London sorting out her newspaper business and since they never normally registered her existence things could be left until the morning.

Anthony really wanted to ask her if she had meant what she said about loving him but she was tired; perhaps that would be better left until the morning.

But, tired though she was, Edith had to let him know.

"You may have heard what I said to him a while before you turned up, well it was true Anthony. You are the only man I have ever loved and no other man stands a chance while you draw breath."

He put his good arm around her and drew her close to his warm sinewy body. She closed her eyes and buried her face in his chest, inhaling his scent. Her arms slipped around him and held him so tightly he knew she did not want to let go. She sobbed in his arms and he comforted her.

"I love you very much, Lady Edith, and you are the only woman I could ever want. I was weak and allowed the opinions of others to part us and I have regretted it ever since. This time I will fight for the right to love you."

"Oh Anthony, I have waited so long to hear those words from your lips," she sobbed, "and they sound so beautiful."

"I think you should go and get some rest now, my lovely."

She yawned, "Yes you are right, I am so tired."

He kissed her on the lips and gently parted them with his tongue; he explored her mouth with his and caressed her throat and jaw line as well. Her eyes opened wide; she had dreamt so long of feeling his mouth on hers. She felt weak as the kiss broke and she looked into his intense blue eyes.

"Goodnight, my lovely," he whispered, "I will see you tomorrow."