Chapter 7
Anthony was delighted to see Locksley again; especially now it would not be just his home but Edith's too. He felt that nothing would ever compare to the sense of elation he felt as he lifted her bodily with his left arm and stepped across the threshold. He set her down on the floor the other side but she let him draw her close. She liked being near him.
The servants were delighted to welcome their new mistress to Locksley and Edith spent some time getting acquainted. There was a vast difference to the servants at Downton who she sensed had only ever tolerated her existence.
"Would you like me to engage a lady's maid for you, Lady Strallan?" the housekeeper asked.
"Yes thank you, I have no real idea about such things."
"I'll see to it, my Lady,"
"Thank you," Edith said.
They had breakfast together and Edith felt a warm glow spread through her. She already felt at home here, at home and accepted. Anthony held her hand.
"Welcome home Lady Strallan," he said, "You have no idea how long I have wanted to say that."
"You have no idea how much I want to hear Carson announce us as Sir Anthony & Lady Strallan," she whispered, "I hope he chokes on it."
They relaxed in the library after breakfast; Edith sitting very close to her husband as he held her close.
"I'm still having trouble believing this is real," he murmured.
Edith let her golden wedding band sparkle in the sunlight. "It's real enough my darling," she said as she leaned close to kiss him, "now about those erotic gems of yours,"
He got up and took two slim volumes off a shelf.
"Later my darling," he whispered, "tonight we will enjoy them together. Such things are somewhat sordid for a man to read alone."
"Oh Anthony, I bet you will have me wet in moments if you read to me with that lovely voice of yours."
"That's what I'm hoping for," he whispered back.
OO
That afternoon after lunch Anthony went to check on some estate business. Edith telephoned Crawley House.
Isobel answered.
"Cousin Isobel, it's Lady Strallan," shivers ran down her back as it was the first time she had said her married name and title.
"Congratulations," Isobel said, "They are all pretty surprised."
"Well we're back at Locksley now but we are not intending to come near Downton for a time; if they want to see me they must seek me out."
"I'm really proud of you, Edith dear. I think your father is panicking about losing another daughter but Tom spoke up for both of you as did you mother and Mary. I don't think Cousin Violet is too happy but she must learn to live with it. I will tell them you are home and that it is up to them."
"Thank you cousin Isobel," Edith smiled although Isobel could not see her do so.
"They will come round," Isobel said, "after all; they accepted Tom in the end and there isn't such a class distinction between you and Anthony."
"Well it will be their loss if they don't because I intend to fully live my life as mistress of Locksley now. It's wonderful; it's more home to me after a few hours than Downton was for twenty odd years. I have spent far too long thinking about what my family thinks so now I intend to concentrate on my husband."
"You deserve every happiness, Edith dear,"
OO
Robert & Cora lay in bed; his arms around her.
"I suppose we have no choice but to accept what Edith has done."
"No, we have no choice Robert. He is a more agreeable husband that Tom in many ways because there isn't the glaring social difference,"
"I've got used to Tom," Robert frowned, "I am still not sure I can accept Edith having an injured old man as a husband."
"I know he isn't what we would necessarily want for her Robert but he can look after her and what Mary said is right; whenever he is in the room Edith is unaware of anyone else. We have neglected her over the years, Robert. She hasn't had anywhere near the share of time and attention that Sybil and Mary have had and now Sybil is gone..."
"I understand what you say, Cora," Robert nuzzled her neck, "I don't want to lose Edith and now I have had time to think about what she wrote she was just telling us things that I refused to see or accept. In truth it hurt my pride that he got to serve while I didn't."
"That's the root of it really isn't it Robert? You have never disliked Anthony Strallan after all."
"Yes," he flushed, "I'm very ashamed of my behaviour, Cora, and the reasons for it. I could not bear to lose Edith; I just wish I had been prepared to accept before now that she has grown up into an intelligent beautiful woman with feelings and opinions of her own. I should have been proud to walk her up the aisle and now she has got married without me present. That galls me but I must accept it and I must apologise to them both,"
"Well, let's leave them in peace for a week or so because they have a lot to get used to. She has to learn to manage an estate and he must get used to having a woman by his side again. "
"Now I think about it Anthony's previous experience might be of some benefit to Tom," Robert said, "We can't understand where Tom is right now, except that it's in not a very good place, but Anthony has been there and he will know what to say to help him,"
"I think that you're right," Cora said, "In a week or so we will invite them for dinner."
"No, we will visit them," Robert said.
OO
That night Anthony took his wife's hand and led her to their bed. She undressed him and he watched while she removed her clothing. She slipped into bed naked beside him and he drew her close to him drawing her into a deep sensual kiss which set them both trembling as his mouth explored hers and her hands roamed across his naked back and caressed his scars. He moved to nuzzle the hollow of her neck as his hand stroked her inner thigh and he gently slipped two fingers inside her, caressing her sex.
"Oh Anthony," she murmured, her voice husky with desire for him. He knew she wanted him as her hand grasped his manhood and began to caress it lovingly, stroking it. He had forgotten what being desired meant in the years since Maud had died and he was thoroughly enjoying his sensuality being reawakened. To be in bed with his wife; his eyes took in her naked beauty and creamy skin. She pressed close to his warm body and whispered, "Oh my god, my loving gentle baronet. Awaken me to pleasures never before known betwixt us."
Her turn of phrase in the style of an erotic poet aroused him as he continued to caress her sex while his hungry mouth caressed her breasts; his tongue swirled around her erect nipples gently sucking and nibbling her.
"My fair lady; maiden thou art not but thou has much to learn and much can I teach you concerning the true nature of desire," he whispered making her tremble. His voice was husky too and caressed her sex as well as her soul."
"Oh Anthony, you are naughty." she teased as she began to nuzzle the hollow of his neck.
Hours later their breathing was ragged and they lay together drenched in sweat but thoroughly sated after working their way through half a volume of erotica. Edith nestled close to her husband and they shared a deep tender kiss. Their love making had transcended the physical plane as they held each other; not speaking while they descended from the emotional peak to which their love had taken them.
"I won't try to describe what just happened," he whispered, "except to say that I rather look forward to more long nights like this."
"I love you Anthony, my darling husband. I have no need for anyone but you and our love. I am fulfilled completely yet look forward to our next tryst betwixt the sheets."
"I love you too, my lovely beloved Lady Strallan; I only regret wasting so much time when we could have shared private moments like this."
"Well you can spend the rest of your life making it up to me," she teased.
"Now that is a punishment I will enjoy."
OO
Ten days later
Edith and Anthony had just enjoyed a late breakfast and were sitting in the library. They were quiet because they often did not need words to convey their love. Edith was reading the Daily Sketch while Anthony was working his way through The Times crossword.
They heard a car draw up outside but neither of them hastened to the window.
About five minutes later the butler came in.
"Lord & Lady Grantham are here to see you, Sir Anthony & Lady Strallan. Do you want me to send them away?"
"No," Anthony said. He held Edith's hand tightly. She swallowed.
Robert and Cora came into the room; Robert appeared a little uncomfortable but Edith was guarded.
Would you like tea?" Anthony asked politely.
They both nodded and Anthony rang for the butler.
"Tea for Lord and Lady Grantham and more for Lady Strallan and I," Anthony took great care to stress Edith's married name.
The tea was brought and poured before the butler departed.
"So what do we owe the pleasure?" Edith asked, "If you come to chastise me or disinherit me so be it; Anthony gives me everything I could ever need and when a woman marries it is her husband's place to chastise her, not her father's."
Robert swallowed hard; he was pale and his hand shook as he handled his tea cup.
"Edith, I understand your reaction totally albeit too late. Your grandmother and I did not make things easy for you and we neglected to see that you were happy. I also refused to see that my daughter had grown up. Having lost Sybil, mainly through my own ignorance, I could not bear to lose another daughter."
"I was extremely sorry to hear about Lady Sybil," Anthony interjected, "I know all too well what a lonely place Tom is in right now."
"Thank you," Cora said.
"Edith to begin with I was very angry with you. When I read your letter I was incensed but now I have had time to consider it I know you wrote only the truth and I am sorry that I did not give you the same level of attention as your sisters had." Edith could tell he was finding this conversation difficult but she was not planning to let him off the hook just yet; Anthony sensed this and his heart swelled with pride.
"Lady Strallan is very happy," Anthony said, "she and I have a very close loving relationship and she will vouch for the fact that, despite my obvious disability, I am still a man in the way that counts."
"I am not questioning either your manhood or your ability to make my daughter happy," Robert said, "I am questioning my won in that I am unable to admit when I have made a mistake. I did not get a chance to serve my country whereas you did. I ended up as a pointless mascot for my regiment and my pride was hurt. For that you have suffered, Anthony. I let my resentment build and allowed my concerns about your injury to magnify beyond all proportion and for that I can only apologise. Even if so many young men known to my daughters as they grew up had not died then Edith would still have favoured you over them because you stimulate her intellect and treat her as an adult which to my shame I never did. It is hard for a father to admit his daughter loves another man beside him and harder to learn to share that love. I am truly sorry for the way I treated you and I promise that will change from now on; as my son-in-law you will get the respect you deserve."
"I was pretty broken when I returned from the war," Anthony said as Edith stroked his good hand, "I had to learn to do what I could left handed and I had dreadful nightmares which resulted in my waking up screaming three, maybe four times a night but Edith truly did give me back my life and I can only apologise for humiliating her that day but hers is all the forgiveness I need for that and I have it. I wasn't ready because I did not realise what a treasure I had in her and I admired her tenacity although I did not believe myself worthy of her love. But those long months hurt me and made me realise that I really could not live without her but I felt that possibly never seeing her again was a just punishment."
"Edith chose you a long time ago, Anthony," Cora said gently, "She is a good judge of character and it means that, if she considers you worthy, then none of us have a right to object,"
"I'm sorry Papa," Edith said softly, "I do love Anthony with all my heart but I love you too and always will. But I am not sorry for eloping and I never will be."
"I'm afraid I'm not sorry for that either Lord Grantham." Anthony said, "We needed to make a stand and knew that was the only way to go after tradition failed us."
"I quite understand," Robert said, "The tabloid press will get fed up and move on soon although there hasn't been much,"
Robert could see that his daughter was blissfully content and happy with her lot and realised that there was nothing more could be said. Anthony had not formally accepted his apology but he had heard him out.
"Your grandmother is having trouble accepting the idea but she will come round in the end," Cora said, "she won't want to be the odd one out when everyone else has got used to the idea."
"How very like Granny," Edith said.
"Well we will leave you in peace now," Robert said, "You are of course welcome at Downton anytime."
"Are you having a honeymoon?" Cora asked.
"We were waiting to gauge reaction," Anthony said, "If necessary we would have gone away for an extended time until the fuss died down but Edith has expressed an interest in visiting Italy and I can deny my beloved Lady Strallan nothing."
OO
Cora and Robert had left.
"I was really proud of you," Anthony whispered as he nuzzled her neck, "You let him wriggle on the hook a bit before letting him off."
"I was proud of you for talking about what you suffered," Edith said, "I know you find it hard at times to talk about those experiences."
"We can put the past behind us now my love," he whispered.
"Yes" she whispered "We have each other my darling and we need nothing else."
A/N: Thanks for reading to the end and all your lovely reviews. I like nothing better than rewriting history and getting these two wonderful people together. Happy Valentine's Day
