It has been a wonderful Andith weekend with updates on some great stories and a new one too. It inspired me! So here is this contribution and hopefully more to come this week, emphasis on hopefully ;-) Let me know what you think.


The next morning, as Edith made her way down to breakfast, Thomas walked by and said softly, "The sister is leaving on the morning train," before disappearing through the servants door that led downstairs.

At first Edith was confused. Which sister? But sense Thomas rarely spoke to her about what was happening in their own house, she quickly surmised that the sister in question was Amelia Chetwood, Anthony's sister. As she strode into the dining room, she wondered why Mrs. Chetwood would be leaving so quickly. Hopefully her sudden departure wasn't an indication that Anthony would leave just as abruptly.

The conversation at breakfast was stilted. Rosamund and Robert were obviously still upset with one another over her visit to Locksley the previous day. Edith thought poor Mama looked very much caught in the middle of Papa's frustration with his sister. Mary was in a foul mood as well, but Edith found she really couldn't be bothered by her elder sister's disposition. Sybil seemed the only one trying to be pleasant. Consequently, hardly anyone spoke and when they did it was very carefully. Edith decided she couldn't wait to get away.

Her intention was to drive into York, but strangely, the car turned in the opposite direction. Edith chuckled to herself as she realized her mistake. It seemed she was destined to go to Anthony that very morning... or perhaps it was more that I am drawn to him...

As she suspected would be the case, she was admitted almost immediately and led to the library where Anthony's man announced her. To say Anthony looked surprised when she walked into the room would be an understatement. His eyes were wide and he seemed extremely pale.

"Good morning," she greeted him. "I was out for a drive and was passing your drive and well, here I am..."

"Er... yes. " Dismissing his man with a simple nod, he stepped closer to her. "You really shouldn't have stopped, you know. Your father..."

"Will remain as unaware as ever," she interjected.

"Yes, perhaps... but..." He looked extremely uncomfortable. "He would not approve of you being here."

"I thought we might have dinner tonight, perhaps in Ripon or York," She said, ignoring his concerns about her father.

"Lady Edith," he almost hissed. Edith almost giggled. It was rare that anyone used her title and she was unaccustomed to hearing it. But she supposed Anthony's breeding was coming forward in his nervous state. On the other hand, from him it seemed quite endearing. "Sir Anthony?" She answered.

"It would be most inappropriate. Your reputation..."

"People worry far less about that sort of things than in the past. Besides, it is unlikely anyone would recognize me."

"I doubt that. But it is certain someone would recognize me. The press follows me, you see... in public. Always trying to snap a photo. Usually I am only mildly frustrated by it but if there was to be a picture of me in the morning paper with you on my arm, well..."

"We can meet inside the restaurant. " She paused and gave him a bewildered stare.

"I simply cannot allow ..." But he was cut off but her frustrated remark, "I know you don't mean to hurt me, but..."

Her anguished expression was met by equal torment in his. "Of course I don't. It is the last thing I would ever wish to do."

"Then why do you shove me away?" Her eyes were pleading and it confounded him. Searching for a reasonable response, his eyes began to sparkle and she wondered if he was harboring unshed tears as he responded, "I don't want to, not at all, but eh..."

"Then why?" Her voice was quiet but firm.

"I'm too old for you; you need a young chap, with a life ahead of him." Anthony looked at her as if he couldn't understand why she couldn't see it.

"But your life's ahead of you..." she rejoined.

"Oh my dear, if you only knew how much I'd like to believe that."

It was obvious to Edith that he thought the matter settled. But she wasn't going to just leave it there. "Then it's settled, you're not going to push me away and you are going to meet me for dinner tonight. That's all there is to it."

Anthony stared at her incredulously. But as she watched his glittering blue eyes, she saw something crumble deep within and finally heard him sigh. "Alright. I know the chap at Harrogate Castle. I'll call and reserve one of their private rooms. Shall we meet at... say, 7:30?"

"It sounds lovely," she smiled.

"Now you should go. And I will see you tonight."

"Yes... tonight," she said happily as she left the library.

Edith detoured through Thirsk on her way back to Downton. It would give her more time away from the heavy atmosphere presently ruling the house. She wished Rosamund would go back to London. She'd come after Christmas to see in the New Year and now that it was done, she normally would have left again. But of course she wouldn't leave as long as a tall blue eyed, blonde haired man remained in residence so nearby. And as Edith was gaining confidence that she had that man's attention she worried more about her family's, and her aunt's in particular, reaction.

Her mother saw her when she walked through the door at Downton. "Have you had a pleasant say?" she asked her middle daughter.

"Yes Mama," Edith answered. "Actually, I saw Sarah Fairchild while I was out. She invited me to a party tonight and I've accepted, so I won't be here for dinner."

"Party? How nice. If it is a party I suppose you will be late?"

"Perhaps. I'm not sure who all else will be there. But I thought it might be fun to get out."

"Yes, you have seemed rather restless these last few days."

"Have I? I suppose Aunt Rosamund is ... well, casting a bi of gloom on everything with her pursuit of Anthony Strallan."

"What's this about Strallan?" Robert said as he strolled out of the library.

"Oh, nothing Papa. I just..."

"Edith was just saying how Rosamund's pursuit of him is casting a pall over our holiday," Cora said as she came to Edith's rescue.

Robert sighed with relief. "I'm so glad to see that you are not joining her in her foolishness," he told his daughter.

Edith rolled her eyes slightly as she looked down. "I think he has made it clear that he doesn't wish to be disturbed." Then with a shrug she added, "perhaps it is understandable if Rosamund's behavior is similar to what other women do."

Robert grunted acceptance as he moved past the women, his mind already elsewhere. Cora gave her daughter a smile and patted her arm as she too walked away. Relieved, Edith headed up the stairs to her room.

Excited and anxious, Edith tried to calm herself once she arrived in her room. It was really going to happen, she was meeting Anthony for dinner. And her family had no clue. But she had to maintain her calm for the rest of the afternoon or someone, most likely Mary, would know something was happening. And that was the last thing Edith wanted.

At tea, Rosamund was beaming with excitement. "Amelia Chetwood has gone home," she said triumphantly.

"Oh?" Cora responded.

"Yes, so that means she isn't there to interfere when next I call at Locksley."

It was Sybil who provided the cold water and the motivation for her aunt to act imprudently, as well. "Well, he'll be leaving soon then too. He rarely stays beyond her visit."

Edith could see her aunt's mind turning behind her glimmering eyes and her heart sank. No doubt Rosamund would make a fool of herself in the next day or two.