One month later….
He was cold. The basement he had been hiding in for a week was damp, and the cold had become a permanent part of him. He hadn't had a hot meal since reaching the safe house. The spy business was not at all glamorous.
Stewart, his butler at Angenehm, had insisted coming with him when he had left the estate and dismissed the servants. It had been a godsend that he had, as they were both able to move fairly easily from town to town as an aristocrat with impeccable papers and his manservant. Anthony realized now it would have been impossible to get as far as they had without Stewart, it would have seemed too suspicious for a Baron to be traveling without his valet. It was a wonder he hadn't been caught coming into Germany, but this war had yet to have everyone at their guard.
But their luck had run out in Bonn, where he had spotted another of the aristocracy who was also quite far up in the German government. Von Strasselburg knew of Strallan's affiliation with England. So they had had to abandon the idea of the train station, and instead had walked to the next contact on his list, who had luckily been willing to hide him and "hire on" a new butler until arrangements could be made.
The picture of Edith reminded him of what there was to return to. As he the cradled the picture in his hands, he thought about their courtship. He had married Maud because it was expected of him, and they were very fond of each other. She was clever, but reserved, funny, but quiet.
Edith, however, had enchanted him, more so as he grew to know her better. When she accepted him, he had been ecstatic that he had not left the party after Mary's attempt to hurt her sister. The thought of touching her lips... and more… kept him warm.
It was time. Stewart opened the basement door, and handed him clothes more suitable to a peasant. "I apologize, my lord, but Lord Haugwitz has made plans for us to "ride the rails" as landstreicher…."
Anthony actually smiled. "I had always wanted to do so as a child," he said, changing quickly in the cold. "As long as we can get to the Belgium front, I don't care if we have to go as circus performers!" He sobered a bit as he held out a letter for Stewart to take.
"This must reach my superiors. If anything happens to me, you must go to my estate in Yorkshire and call the number written here."
Stewart took the letter carefully. His family had served the Strallan von Angenehm family for generations. His loyalty was to his lord, not to the foolish king who had sided with the arrogant Hapsburgs.
"Come, let us go," Anthony said in German. Stewart knew not to speak English again until they were free.
Three Months Later….
Richard Stevens, solicitor to the Strallan family since he had taken over the practice from his father 40 years ago, stood stock still as he shut the door after his visitor. He had heard of Mycroft Holmes, of course, everyone that had any business with Whithall did, eventually, but he had never thought to meet the man who was whispered to be "the shadow behind the thrown."
But the war was creating desperate times. More men were volunteering daily. It did not look like there would be a quick ending to this conflict. No, this conflict would reshape the world. And that power of change was even to be felt in Yorkshire. And Major Strallan was playing a major role in that change. If he was still alive.
"Mr. Stevens, are you alright?" his young secretary asked. Stevens turned to her, and blinked. "Yes. Cancel all appointments for this week. I will be at the Strallan Estate in Yorkshire if you must reach me."
"Are you leaving now?" she almost screeched. Stevens sighed. The young did not deal well with damage control.
"Yes. Send Johnny to my house. Tell him to tell Rodgers to pack lightly and meet me at the 11am train. And I need to send a telegram to Downton Abby in Yorkshire."
Susan stared at him for a few seconds in shock. She broke out of her stupor with a hasty "Yes, sir!" and ran outside to find the messenger boy. The war was changing everything.
Lady Edith read the telegram Carson handed to her at the breakfast table several times, her breath shallow. "Edith?" Lord Grantham asked. "What is it?"
"Anthony's solicitor will be here later today. He says he needs to speak to me… about "provisions made on my behalf by Sir Anthony before taking his leave," she choked out. She looked up at her father, tears in her eyes. "Papa, what does that mean? Is he –"
"No, I'm sure it doesn't mean that," Grantham said hastily. "Strallan's a Major, the information of… a death… wouldn't come through his solicitor." He took a drink of coffee, thinking it through. "It has been some months, however. Anthony may have set something up in the eventuality of being away too long."
That calmed her a bit. She finished her breakfast, went back to her room, and called for Anna. She changed into her most adult-looking dress, taking a page from Mary's style sense. She wanted to come across as older and capable, but not frumpy. She had no idea what this Mr. Stevens would say, but she wanted to be ready for anything.
She waited in the drawing room patiently, playing the piano, reading. Finally, Carson announced the solicitor. Lord Grantham came in and shook the man's hand as she stood.
"Lord Grantham, Lady Edith. It is a pleasure to meet you both," he said staidly.
"Is it?" Edith's voice wavered with emotion.
"Please allow me to explain," he said. Robert directed him to a seat. "I have had communication with…" Here his paused, and lowered his voice, "Mycroft Holmes."
Robert made a small noise of surprise. Edith looked between them, confused. "Holmes? The detective?"
"No, they were brothers. Sherlock Holmes died about ten years ago. Mycroft, however…." He was nearly wringing his hands with nervousness.
"I've heard of Mycroft Holmes," Robert said. "Never spoken to him of course."
"Well, who is he, then?" Edith asked, exasperation in her voice hiding the concern.
"'The shadow behind the thrown', or so it's said," Robert replied, a bit awestruck. "In a way, he IS England. I knew Strallan was a government advisor, but I didn't realize…"
"Quite." Stevens replied. "I believe that's why Holmes contacted me at all. Much better to do this through intermediaries."
"DO WHAT!?" Edith almost shouted. She had had it. Both men looked at her, and blinked, bringing themselves back to the present.
"Major Strallan has been taken captive by German forces inside Belgium, according the Mr. Holmes," Steven said. It was brutal. Edith cried out, "No!", half standing in horror, while Robert steadied her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Our people are in the process of locating him for a rescue mission, but the Germans keep moving him around. They are hoping to find him before they move him inside Germany, where it would be much harder to get at him." Here he looked Lord Grantham in the eye. "I was told specifically by Mr. Holmes that Sir Anthony has information on spies operating in England. And I was told specifically to tell you this information."
Robert nodded thoughtfully. "He can track how information flows from one person to another, maybe root out the traitor that way," he said. Stevens nodded.
"But that is not my main concern. I am officially here as Sir Anthony's solicitor. On the day he left, he left instructions, changing his will. Should he be incapacitated or missing, the control of Locksleigh falls completely to Lady Edith."
Edith gasped. "I couldn't possibly!" she said.
Robert looked at Stevens sharply. "Is that wise?" he asked. Stevens shrugged.
"Wise or not, it is what he wished. I have been informed that his butler from the German estate has arrived at the house, and someone must decide on his place. Other details of the estate are becoming problematic, as well, with no one to make decisions. Normally, I would have consulted his sister, Mrs. Chetworth, in London, but Sir Anthony's instructions were very clear. Lady Edith is to be given full control of Locksleigh and all other business affairs until his return, as well as a personal salary of 700 pounds a month for the rest of her life. This salary is irregardless of marriage."
Edith's eyes grew large. She had never wanted for anything, but she had never had money to spend without asking her father. "Why would he do that?"
"If you like my opinion, Lady Edith, I believe Sir Anthony did not want you to feel obligated to marriage when he returns, and wished to make sure you were provided for if he were to die. In case of death, Locksleigh becomes yours." He looked at her steadily, almost assessing her. "If I may say so, he is a very honorable man."
Edith was almost panting. It was too much to take in. She focused on one aspect, looking at her Papa. "Will I need to live at Locksleigh?" she asked, trying to process the confusing emotions swirling within her.
"That would be my suggestion. I would think it difficult to make the decisions necessary without living there full time." Stevens said.
Robert nodded. "It is not ideal, without a marriage done, but you are officially engaged. And this is war. Do something for the war effort with the estate, and I would think any gossip would be minimized."
"A very good idea, Lord Grantham," Stevens said as he stood. "Can I tell the staff to expect you tomorrow, Lady Edith? Say, 10 o'clock? There will be a bit of paperwork to sign."
"Yes, I suppose that will work," Edith said as confidently as she could muster. Lord Grantham rang for Carson. "Carson please show Mr. Stevens out and ask Lady Grantham, Lady Mary and Lady Sybil if they would come to the drawing room."
Alone, Robert turned to his daughter. "I think the information about Strallan's situation should remain between us," he said to her quietly. "Britain has many enemies. We don't want to make you a target."
Edith nodded, almost unable to speak with the whirlwind in her mind. "But…" she added slowly, thinking it through, "He does love me, doesn't he, Papa?"
"Yes," Robert said simply. "I was a bit concerned at first, especially at his age, I'll admit. But this does show his commitment to you. We'll want people to know that."
Cora and Mary come in. "What this about, Robert?" Robert looked back at his daughter.
Yes, the war was changing everything.
