Chapter 2 Gut instinct.

Edith's face was ashen as she read the newspaper.

"It just isn't possible," she gasped, "Anthony Strallan would never do anything like this; not to mention that it would have been physically impossible with his arm being as it is."

Robert took the newspaper from his daughter and there was a moment's silence while he read the article Edith pointed to.

"He didn't do it, Papa; I know it," her tone was vehement; "I know he's innocent. For one thing the Anthony Strallan I know would never hit anyone, especially not a woman. Secondly he could never hit anyone with his right arm even if he wanted to."

"Edith, must you persist with this?" Robert sighed. Strallan's name had not been mentioned at Downton since the day of the near wedding and that suited Robert since his interference had put an end to things pretty finally, or so he had hoped.

"Yes, think about it Papa. He jilted me; had anyone been more likely to make a false allegation like that then surely it would have been a jilted fiancée, not some doxy he had never set eyes on before. Not to mention the fact that, if you and Granny hadn't interfered, we would have been on our honeymoon so nowhere near the Grantham Arms that night. You stood behind Bates and the charges against him were far more serious; granted we know he is innocent."

"She's right Papa," Mary said. Edith was taken aback for it was most unlike Mary to come to her defence.

"I agree," Cora added, "A jilted fiancée would be far more likely to make such allegations and, as Edith has pointed out, Sir Anthony cannot even move his right arm or hand, much less do what has been alleged."

"I'll go and call Murray," Robert said, "luckily he is in Ripon this week for a distant cousin's wedding. I am assuming Anthony Strallan has instructed a brief but it won't hurt to see what Murray can dig out."

He went off to the study to use the telephone.

"Thank you, Papa," Edith breathed, The fact that he had agreed to at least look into the matter gave her hope that he would one day forgive Anthony Strallan for jilting his daughter; a fact Edith had forgiven Anthony for long before.

Cora excused herself as she had a meeting with Dr Clarkson and Cousin Isobel at the hospital. She put her hand on Edith's shoulder as she left and whispered, "don't worry, Murray will sort it out for you."

Mary put her arm around Edith who, once again, was taken aback from the unusual sense of sisterly solidarity.

"He didn't do it, Mary; I know he didn't. When we were courting we never touched so if he doesn't do that with the woman he intended to marry he is not likely to do that to a stranger. I can understand a woman being drawn to him but since most women would probably have the same attitude to his injury as Papa and Granny then they would not be after more."

Edith put her head in her hands and sighed.

"You love him don't you?" Mary said gently.

"Yes and I always have; since the night of the salty pudding incident."

"That was quite a night," Mary agreed, "I am so sorry; I never should have said what I did the day of the garden party. If I hadn't then you would have married and he would not have got injured. I blame myself for his injury."

"I was only nineteen then and would have needed Papa's consent and I couldn't see him having given that as he thinks Anthony is too old for me now; besides I did write that spiteful letter to the Turkish ambassador."

"We've all changed and grown up through and since the war, I know I have," Mary said, "Anyone who claims the war did not change them is either six feet under or lying through their teeth."

"Do you think Matthew could help Anthony?"

"No, he's not a criminal lawyer," Mary said, "But let's see what Papa can find out from Murray before we make any plans."

"Do you think I will be able to visit him? He may not want to see me, of course, but Anna says that the prisoners always seem extra glad to see a familiar face come visiting day."

"I'm sure Murray will be able to sort that out for you. but even if sir Anthony could use his right arm he would be right at the bottom of my list of men most likely to do that to a woman, that would be if he made the list at all."

"Well I suppose that gives him a case; the fact that the alleged victim either didn't notice his right arm was useless or she just simply could not tell her lift from her right."

"You have no idea what your support means to me, Mary," Edith said.

"Everyone deserves to be with the person they love and heaven knows it took me and Matthew long enough to get there; by way of Richard Carlisle and Lavinia. I saw the way he looked at you that day; he loves you Edith but he was under all that pressure from Papa and Granny."

"What was the bitch's name?" Edith asked.

Mary skim-read the column, "Her name is Jean, Jean Thompson."

"Can you see Papa letting me marry a man who has been accused, albeit falsely, of a crime like that?"

"You and Anthony are adults, Edith; go away and get married on the quiet if you have to."

Robert came back in.

"Murray will be joining us for lunch. He informs me that Anthony Strallan has instructed a solicitor to whom he has spoken and they will be working together on this. Anthony has been remanded into the custody of York prison."

Tears streamed down Edith's face, "but he won't be able to manage, he needs a valet's help to dress and they won't let him have a valet in prison will they? It's a shame he won't be Bates' cell mate since Bates is a valet but of course I know he won't."

Robert put his arm around Edith.

"I am sorry your grandmother and I interfered. We did not realise that you loved him and if Murray can get him out then I will not stand in your way whatever you want to be to each other."