Thanks for continuing to read! I'm positively thrilled with all the Andith Christmas stories that are being posted! Downton belongs to JF and you'll recognize the material from canon.
As neither of them was quite sure where to begin, an uncomfortable atmosphere settled over the room. Anthony, desperate to break the silence, spoke first, "Lady Edith, I can never say how truly sorry I am..."
"Stop" Edith held up her hand, effectively silencing the older gentleman, "I've read your letter, Anthony and I forgive you, completely, for everything. You have precious little time left and you will not waste it apologizing for the past."
"Then why are you here?" the baronet was obviously puzzled. "You could have easily just written to say you'd forgiven me."
"Yes that's true" the redhead acknowledged, "but, I owed you an apology as well. First and foremost, we were friends Anthony. Yet, it was only after receiving your letter, that I was willing to admit how much I had missed that friendship. Have I moved on? Yes, just as you intended, but I never stopped caring for you, never stopped thinking of you. Unfortunately, I was too busy feeling sorry for myself, to consider how your actions might have affected you. You knew that after jilting me at the altar, you'd be shunned by society, condemned to a lifetime of loneliness and yet, you were willing to endure such a fate on my behalf. And, to make matters worse, you had to abandon Locksley, the place most dear to your heart. Ten long years of suffering you've endured because of a well meaning but ill advised decision. Well, not any longer, I've made some decisions of my own. We've both made mistakes, Anthony, but we are going to forgive each other, put those mistakes behind us, and face the future together, whatever it may bring. You will not be alone, I won't allow it. Understood?"
Speechless, the baronet, gaped at the strawberry blonde before him, marveling at her determination. Even when they were courting before the war, at least with him, Edith had been a bit forthright, and, after the war, well, he'd even go as far as to say she could be a bit demanding. The confident young woman standing before him now though, was truly a force to be reckoned with and he would have willingly followed her into battle had she asked him.
"Understood" he relied, trying and failing to stop the rush of pride he felt that at the strength and poise this fierce young woman possessed. The older gentleman fought back a chuckle, you certainly wouldn't be considered a wallflower now, my sweet, not that you ever were in my eyes.
"Good. Friends?"
"Friends" Anthony nodded, extending his left hand which Edith promptly brushed aside before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around his waist. The older gentleman froze for just a moment and then, releasing a shuddering breath, he wrapped his good arm around her shoulder and resting his chin on her forehead, he whispered, "I've missed you too, sweet one, so very very much."
Anthony rang for tea and the couple settled more easily than either had expected into conversation. There was, of course, some awkwardness but with so much catching up to do those moments were few and far between. Shortly afterwards, Bertie and Marigold were announced.
Anthony stood, bowing, "Your Lordship" he began.
"Please" the Marquis interrupted, "I'd much prefer if you'd call me Bertie."
"As you wish. And, who might this lovely young lady be?" the tall blond turned his attention to the little girl Bertie held in his arms.
"Sir Anthony, I'd like you to meet our daughter, Marigold." Edith announced with pride. "Marigold, sweetie, I'd like you to meet. .." the Marchioness faltered, unsure how to proceed with introducing the man who'd once meant a great deal to her. Simply referring to him as Sir Anthony seemed rather cold and impersonal.
Sensing his wife's unease, Bertie came to her rescue, "Marigold, say hello to your Uncle Anthony."
The baronet bit his trembling lower lip to stifle the emotion that threatened to undo his normal reserve. Edith gasped, and fighting back tears, gratefully mouthed a silent thank you towards the very dear man she was fortunate to call her husband.
"Miss Marigold, it is indeed a pleasure to meet you" Anthony said, taking the little girl's hand in his and formally placing a kiss to her fingers.
"Unca Anthony?" the five year old looked at her papa curiously, "like Unca Tom?"
"Yes" her papa nodded encouragingly.
"Oh, but I always give Unca Tom a proper hug and kiss" she said, reaching out and surprising the older gentleman as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and placed a kiss to his cheek.
Startled by the look of awe and wonderment that flashed across Anthony's face, Edith's hand flew to her mouth. She'd had the privilege of seeing that mystical look once, many years ago, after a dinner at Downton. As the guests were leaving, she'd seen the baronet to his car, insisting he'd saved the day by calling out Larry Grey for spiking Tom's drink. Eventually, Lord Grantham had insisted she let Sir Anthony go. The young woman had summoned every ounce of her courage and catching the baronet off guard, swiftly planted a kiss to his cheek and was rewarded with a look of pleased astonishment and that adorable crooked grin she'd always adored.
As the four mingled, Edith was also pleased to find that, just has she'd imagined, because neither man was the type to harbor feelings of animosity, Bertie and Anthony got along quite well. So well, that while Edith took Marigold on a tour of the manor, the two gentleman went for a walk around the estate, discussing the latest advancements in agriculture and technology. Reaching the orchards behind the house, the two men simply stared across the fields in silence before turning and heading back towards the house.
"Thank you for being so understanding about Edith wanting to visit" Anthony declared gratefully as they neared Locksley. "Most men would not have been so... so agreeable."
"I'm not sure you realize how very important you were, are, to her. It was you, who first made Edith feel valued. You helped her to find her voice and, in spite of the hurt she suffered at your hand, I know you loved her." Bertie was quiet for a moment before admitting "I'm not sure I would have been able to set her free had I found myself in your situation."
"Oh, I didn't want to and my selfishness nearly won out" the baronet confessed. "Had there never been a war, I assure you, I would not have let her go ."
The Marquis motioned towards Anthony's bad arm, "because of your injury?"
"No" Anthony replied softly, "You see before the war, being the daughter of an earl, Edith's options were pretty much limited to either being a wife or a spinster. I would not have felt as though I were holding her back. But after the war,...well, it's all turned out for the best and I wish the three of you much happiness" he murmured as they stepped inside.
"There you are" Edith smiled as she and Marigold met them in the hall " I'm sorry Anthony but we really must be heading to Downton now."
"Yes, of course." The tall blond paused, "Christmas is in a few weeks" he began hesitantly, "will you be visiting your family over the holidays?"
"Actually" Edith glanced towards her husband, "Bertie and I wondered if we might spend Christmas at Locksley. If it's not too much trouble of course."
For the first time in many years, a genuine smile crossed Anthony Strallan's face.
"It won't be any trouble" he grinned, reaching down to ruffle Marigold's hair, "it won't be any trouble at all."
Dear readers, I would love to hear your comments on whether or not you found this chapter realistic.
