Thanks for all your lovely reviews to the last chapter. I'm afraid this one turned out to be a bit of Andith fluff.
"I find, upon having obtained this new level of intimacy between us, I simply want to keep you to myself for awhile longer. Is that so wrong?"
The sincerity of Anthony's pronouncement, coupled with the intensity of the gaze he currently bestowed upon her, caused Edith to blush furiously and she cast her eyes momentarily towards the ground.
"You mentioned there'd be kisses" she whispered, looking up at him bashfully, "do you think it possible to receive one now?"
The older gentleman gave a lopsided grin, "I'm beginning to think you only agreed to this engagement for my kisses" he teased.
Edith giggled nervously, "you are quite good at it." She paused a moment, pretending to think on the matter, "I certainly enjoyed them, perhaps you're right."
"Then I shall have to kiss you well and often" the baronet flirted.
"Oh! Well, when... when you... put it that way" she stammered at the unexpected flirtation, "a secret betrothal sounds quite romantic and... and a bit scandalous." There was a pause, "And, I find, I rather like the idea!" she admitted, stepping hesitantly towards her intended, "although, I might perhaps need a bit more convincing."
Oh gawd, the strawberry blonde groaned inwardly, your attempts at flirting are always such an awkward disaster, why do you even try? With a quick twisting motion, she sought to release her wrists from Anthony's grasp but the baronet held tightly, refusing to let go. Pulling her close with one hand, he placed the long slender fingers of his other beneath her chin, tilting her face up, "I'd be more than happy to try" he murmured, slowly lowering his head until their lips were but a fraction apart, "I'm afraid it may take a bit of time, though."
"Take as much time as you'd like..." was all the ecouragement the tall blond needed before once again claiming her lips.
The kiss was warm and slow, both torturous and heavenly at the same time, Edith thought, has she shivered inspite of the million tiny fires the baronet's actions lit in her eager young body. Dear lord, did the man have any idea what he was doing to her. And then, when Anthony lightly traced her lips with his tongue before boldly deepening the kiss, Edith was further mortified by the fact that she seemingly lost all control, wantonly bucking her hips against him as his tongue danced with hers.
Anthony was ecstatic. Elated he'd been able to elicit such a response from the young redhead but also pleased that his own body was quick to respond in a manner completely inappropriate for a gentleman. When he finally broke the kiss, Edith moaned in disappointment, "you're torturing me."
"Well, we can't have that" he smiled, "what say we go torment your sister for awhile? I don't know about you, my darling, but I, for one, long for sweet revenge. In fact, I can hardly wait to see the look on Mary's face when she sees us so deliriously happy."
Edith gasped, staring up at him adoringly, "There are many complex layers hidden beneath that public image you portray on the surface, aren't there Sir Anthony Strallan?"
He gave a devilish grin, "Marry me" he said, raising his left brow suggestively "and I promise, all will be revealed."
With Anthony having felt the need to stop and convince Edith every so often, it was a bit late before the duo finally managed to return to the party. The baronet was bursting at the seams, filled with pride that the beautiful young woman on his arm had agreed to be his wife. Edith, filled with affection and adoration for the gentleman who would one day be her husband, was absolutely beaming. Upon their arrival, Lady Grantham who'd been keeping an eye out, shared a knowing look with her mother-in-law, before calling them over to where she, the dowager countess, and Mary were sitting.
"Good afternoon ladies" Anthony greeted, tipping his hat to them, "a very good afternoon indeed," he continued, biting his lip to keep from laughing at Mary's expression which was a mixture of shock, anger, and disappointment. "Dare I say, the very best afternoon of my life!"
"It is a good afternoon" Cora replied with a smile "wouldn't you agree Edith?"
"Oh yes Mama. A perfectly beautiful day for the party."
"We've been wondering where on earth the two of you had gotten to?" the dowager's disapproval of the couple's absence more than evident from her tone.
"Yes, I even sent Sybil out to look for you earlier" Cora remarked, a fact which gave Edith a bit of a start, "I wonder where... oh here she is. Where have you been young lady?"
"Looking for Edith and Sir Anthony, of course" her youngest replied. "What have the two of you been up to?" she asked sweetly and Edith could have sworn her baby sister's eyes were dancing with mischief.
"Oh, well, you see" Anthony looked knowingly towards Mary, "I'm afraid I had to save this lovely young lady here from some dreadful old bore."
"He was quite horrible" the strawberry blonde played along, "For a moment, I worried he was going to propose."
Rising, Mary glared angrily towards the pair, "If you'll excuse me" she huffed, "I must find Aunt Rosamund, I've just remembered, I promised her we'd take a stroll around the gardens."
Seeing that the rest of the group's attention was focused solely on Mary's angry departure, the baronet winked at his partner in crime, "Oh dear" he murmured, feigning concern, " I hope it wasn't something we said."
So good, bad, meh? Please let me know. Whatever your opinion, I hope you'll continue reading.
