The guests spent the afternoon unpacking and recovering from their journey. Cora had decided for the first dinner to be an informal one. And so Edith had asked Anna to prepare her rose pink dress for dinner that night, saving her grander blue satin and gold silk for later. She had been looking forward to the visit. There was no one at Downton to really talk to except for Sybil and Mary, and they tended to prefer each other's company. Edith had received a letter from Aunt Rosamund, inviting her to stay with her in London, which she was inclined to accept. However, such a stay would have to wait until after the guests had left.
However, despite having anticipated the thought of new company for weeks, Edith felt a sudden stirring nerves. She was so poor at social occasions. She lacked Mary's wit and Sybil's charm, and at best remained a wallflower whenever guests were welcomed. Should she attract anyone's attention, it would be undoubtedly for a negative reason. Whether it be due to her plainness, or her attempts to copy Mary's cutting wit; which always ended up sounding less witty and more bitter. In fact, Cora had advised her once that such spitefulness did not suit her. It suited Mary of course. But then, anything suits beautiful people.
The more Edith thought about it, the more it became apparent that this evening; this entire trip, would be spent watching the guests be enchanted by Sybil or fawn over Mary, like every other time they had guests. She didn't think that she could handle that, and considered claiming illness to avoid the company.
Feeling rather hot, Edith resolved to go on a walk to fill the time between now and dinner. She was the only member of the family who enjoyed walks, rather sadly as Downton was perfectly situated for numerous long walks. Indeed, walking was one of Edith's greatest pleasures. Should her mind be feeling active, she would spend the time daydreaming, thinking up poems and stories in her head which she would then scribble down on her return. Or she would take the opportunity to calm down after another quarrel with Mary, which Mary would certainly almost always win. Other times Edith would just dawdle along, humming lightly and taking in the sights.
The initial hustle and bustle that had arrived with guests had ceased by the time Edith donned her shawl and bonnet in the entrance hall. The staff were either in the dining room or downstairs, and the guests were settling into their chambers. Knowing she wouldn't be missed, Edith strolled out into the cool, early evening and set off for one of her favourite paths.
She had been strolling along for half an hour when the heavens had deemed it prudent to open and the rain came thundering down. In her light afternoon dress and shawl, she was quickly drenched. She pursed her lips at her misfortune and went to turn back, only to hear a cry of "Damn!" in the distance. Edith followed the sound of the voice and stumbled down the path. Her boots and the hem of her dress became covered in mud and her vision was blurred from the rain. Cutting through the trees she discovered the source of the voice. Before her stood Lord Hexham, peering through the rain.
"Lord Hexham!" she called, bobbing a swift curtsey. She self-consciously wrapped her sodden shawl around her thin dress.
He raised a hand in recognition. "Lady Edith, I see we have both been caught out in the rain," he replied over the sound of the water hitting the ground.
"But you have clearly been more sensible in your choice of attire," said Edith, moving to join him and taking in his cloak, "As you see, I am clothed quite unsuitably for the rain,"
As Lord Hexham fell in step beside her as they made the journey back, he shot her an affable smile. They both walked slightly bent backed as to keep the rain from their faces. Edith saw the length of his stride and sought to keep up. Taking note of this, Lord Hexham slowed considerably.
"I saw it was to rain and dressed accordingly," he explained.
"Then you show greater foresight than I,"
"Not much," Lord Hexham acquiesced, "I am afraid that I flattered myself and thought I would be capable of making my own way back without a guide. It was a folly,"
"The difficulty has grown greater, no doubt, due to the weather,"
Lord Hexham stopped abruptly. "Lady Edith I am afraid you must excuse my lack of courtesy. Please allow me to offer you the use of my cloak. I have a coat underneath and your own clothes are..." he trailed of, his eyes briefly flickered to her frock, which was clinging to her shaking figure, "Please use my cloak,"
Edith made little protest once she saw the sturdy coat Lord Hexham wore underneath. "I thank you Lord Hexham, for your kindness," she said, wrapping the heavy fabric around herself, immediately finding comfort from the warmth. She shot him a swift, grateful smile. Her eyes caught his, and she took note of the kind and gentle look in them.
"And I must thank you, for without you I fear I would have been quite lost. I now feel quite safe with you as an escort," Lord Hexham replied, "I see that you are quite assured of yourself and your direction,"
"I most certainly am, this is one of my favourite paths and I have taken it many a times. Do you like it?"
"Very much so," Lord Hexham said enthusiastically, "It is one of the most charming walks I have seen. I only hope to be able to enjoy it again, to greater satisfaction once the weather is more favourable,"
"I would have presumed you would have wished to recover from such an arduous journey," Edith admitted.
"I had been cooped inside that carriage for so long I simply had to stretch my legs. So after unpacking I said to myself weather be hanged, I am going for a walk! I rather suppose the weather did not take kindly to being told to hang itself and so has punished me in return,"
Edith's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Do you suppose the weather takes great heed in what you say. Farmers have prayed for rain and sailors for soft seas without avail, and yet at your word it decides to downpour! A most powerful gift,"
Lord Hexham chuckled. "It would be," he agreed, "If it weren't for the fact the weather seems determined to do the exact opposite of what I wish, as opposed to what I command,"
"Well then, you must simply wish for want you do not want to happen," she said. "Do you enjoy walking?" she asked curiously.
"It is one of my greatest pleasures,"
"I suppose Brancaster Castle has a great many walks,"
"Oh yes, indeed! There is a most pleasant one by the lake, and another in the hills where we go shooting. The shooting is excellent there,"
They finally reached the house, and were greeted by the rather flabbergasted Mr Carson, who was shocked to see Lord Hexham and Lady Edith standing in the doorway, both bearing a startling resemblance to a drowned rat. Edith returned the cloak to Lord Hexham, thanking him effusively for his generosity.
She then quickly made her way to her bedroom. On the landing she encountered Cora, who took in Edith's bedraggled appearance with shock.
"Edith!", she cried, "what on Earth has happened to you? Where have you been,"
"I went on a walk Mama," Edith replied meekly, feeling herself shrink under her mother's shocked gaze.
"You don't mean to say that you went out in this weather?" Cora demanded.
"Well, no. It went out in quite different weather. I decided to walk in the sun, it's just the weather decided to rain. So you see, I am not at fault," Edith considered telling Cora about meeting Lord Hexham, but instead felt it prudent to hold her tongue.
Cora raised an eyebrow and chivvied Edith to her bedroom. "Well hurry along and take those things off before you catch your death of cold. Warm yourself by the fire and wait until Anna arrives to dress you. Dinner is in an hour,"
Edith obediently did as she was bid. She rid herself of her drenched clothes and dirtied petticoats, before pulling on a nightgown and robe and sitting by the fire. She shook her hair loose and slowly brushed it out, giving it the chance to dry. She smiled slightly to herself as she thought of Lord Hexham. She had found him so very easy to talk to. So pleasant and friendly. For such a grand man there had been no false pride about him. No pomposity or snobbery. Indeed, he had spoken so charmingly to her. Polite, but with no hidden meaning or agenda. Nothing but the most genuine and sincere kindness. She hoped that she would have a chance to talk to him at dinner.
Not for the first time, Edith was extremely grateful for her three new gowns.
DA
To Edith's dismay, she was not seated next to Lord Hexham. Mary had gained that right, with Cousin Matthew on the other side. Edith had personally thought that she was looking uncommonly well tonight. Her pink dress suited her very well, and Anna had arranged her hair most charmingly, with matching silk flowers sewn in. But having predicted that Edith and Sybil (gowned in a light blue muslin) would be dressing quite simply that evening, Mary had decided it advisable to don her fine red silk. Around her neck she wore a smart black choker and her hair was done up intricately with feathers. A pointed train trailed behind her as she swept into the room.
If Edith had attempted such a feat, she knew that she would look overdressed and have made a fool of herself. Maddeningly, Mary looked like a queen condescending to dine with the lowly peasants. Edith felt rather faded in comparison. If she had worn blue, like Sybil, then she may have made a nice contrast. Instead, she simply seemed to be a duller shadow of Mary and so once again faded into the background.
Mr Napier seemed content with paying Edith only the barest courtesies, preferring instead to feast his eyes on Mary. Mr Blake was engaging enough, discussing farming techniques with her, but she saw him occasionally slide his eyes over to Mary's direction. Edith's heart went out to Miss Lane Fox as Lord Gillingham seemed to be following suit, although she could not quite understand why when he had a divine creature such as Mabel Lane Fox sitting at his elbow.
Mary meanwhile was focussing all her charms on Lord Hexham. She enquired after his family's health (mostly well, although his mother had been feeling rather fagged lately), expressed her most sincere regret for the death of his Cousin (it was so very sad) and displayed delighted interest in Lord Hexham's favourite occupations ("I too enjoy walking. And there is nothing I love more than the theatre").
In return, Lord Hexham seemed equally engaged. Edith tried to console herself by thinking that a man as well bred and with as good manners as Lord Hexham could not fail to be an attentive conversation partner. However, to do so Edith found that she had to squint whenever she looked at them, in order to block out Mary's beauty.
The only Gentleman in the room not focussing entirely on Mary was Cousin Matthew, who was pointedly talking to Miss Lavinia Swire.
After dinner, the Ladies absconded to the Drawing room. Edith, Sybil, Miss Swire and Miss Lane Fox began a game at Bridge whilst Mary and Cora huddled in the corner, in order to discuss Mary's progress with Lord Hexham and Cousin Matthew. Excusing herself from the game, Edith wandered towards her mother and sister and seated herself within earshot of them on the sofa. She was anxious to hear what had happened between Mary and Lord Hexham, and what they thought of him. Although Edith saw that it would be to her favour if Mary was unimpressed, for some reason the thought of them thinking of Lord Hexham with anything but the greatest admiration was not to be born.
Mary was avoiding her Mama's questions on Cousin Matthew, and instead decided to direct the conversation entirely to the matter of Lord Hexham.
"I find him most amiable," Mary said, "Although dreadfully dull,"
Edith knew this not to be true. Mary just thought that anyone with different interests to herself to be boring and their opinions inconsequential. Edith had found Lord Hexham's conversation to be very pleasant and lively.
"Has he expressed an interest?" Cora asked eagerly.
"He will," Mary said confidently, "He tells me he likes music,"
"Perhaps I should have you should sing for us. Edith," Cora called, Edith immediately pretended to be absorbed in her gloves, "When the Gentlemen come through I would like you to accompany Mary on the pianoforte,"
Edith submitted to her mother's will, and at the arrival of her Papa and Cousin Matthew and Lord Hexham and the other men, she placed herself on the piano stool. Mary stood proudly beside her. She placed one gloved hand on the pianoforte and leaned against it slightly in a graceful pose. In her other hand she elegantly held her fan, swinging it slightly. Against the low candlelight and in her silk red gown, Mary really did look enchanting.
The audience sat in contented silence, listening with pleasure as Mary sang one of her favourite ballads, Edith dutifully accompanying her. As the song drew to a close, polite applause broke out and Mary smiled graciously in thanks.
"That was most delightful. You are extremely talented Lady Mary," Mr Napier said.
"A true Nightingale," added Lord Gillingham.
"You have a most accomplished daughter Lady Grantham," Mr Blake noted.
"Would you play for us again Lady Edith?" Lord Hexham asked. He moved towards the pianoforte and smiled down at Edith warmly, "You play so beautifully,"
Edith blushed in pleasure and did as she was bid. In a cunning move, she chose not to play a song that could be sung along to, but instead opted to play "Rondo alla Turca". Lord Hexham remained by her side, watching attentively as her fingers effortlessly danced along the keys, the notes bouncing off each one and into the company's ears flawlessly. Edith's performance was met with enthusiastic applause, none more enthusiastic than Lord Hexham's.
Edith was then ordered to play another song. One with lyrics so that Mary may return to her rightful place at the centre of attention. But still Lord Hexham did not leave, instead standing firmly by Edith's side, watching her hands. However, he had his back to the rest of the room and so no one saw the direction his eyes were looking in. Only Edith, who felt them follow her every movement.
"I say," Robert murmured into Cora's ear, "Lord Hexham is being extremely forward. He has not taken his eyes off Mary once!"