A lot of you have been wondering how things would end up for Edith and Thomas. Well, we are nowhere near the end of the story, but this chapter is the start of a lot of chaos for both them and the family. Enjoy!
Chapter 9 – An Unfortunate Telegram
Thomas knew she would be published. He knew from the first second he read her article. She was a good writer and had great ideas, and he was happy to know that he had a part in her success. In fact, he was just happy to be around her period, even if there wasn't anything romantic going on between them. Being friends with her, talking with her, joking around with her, and being excited with her when she found out that her article would be published, made him more happy than he has been in his life. When was the last time he walked with a lighter step and a constant smirk across his lips?
At breakfast the Thursday after the article was published, Thomas couldn't stop smiling. He has been sleeping better than he has since before he joined Downton. Given dreams of Edith encumbered his dreams, he still slept soundly and woke with a smile on his face since he was excited to see Edith and have her tell him of what she was planning for the day. Since the article was published, they have met up near the hallway, chatting nonsense like friends did. He loved it.
"What are you all smiley about?" O'Brian asked him as she sat across from him at the table. "You've been like that a lot lately."
He looked at her, his smile fading. "Why? Can't I smile?"
"He has the right to be happy, just like anyone else," Anna said one person down from O'Brien, and Thomas gave her a nod as a thank you for saying that.
"I'm not saying it's wrong," O'Brian quipped. "It's just creepy. A scowl looks better on you."
"A smile looks better on anyone," Anna argued.
"Only on most people."
Thomas ignored her and continued on with his oatmeal. Several of the other staff there eyed him. They all have noticed that he has been genuinely more happy, and O'Brien was on to something, he was sure of it. She had accused him before that he was acting strangely because of Edith. She may be suspecting the same thing still.
One of the bells on the board jingled, and Thomas's heart sped up. He got up and went upstairs with Alfred to prepare for the family's breakfast, but then left the room and made it up the stairs to where he and Edith have met before. He waited there for only a minute when he heard his name said behind him. He turned to face her, and his legs wanted to give out at how pretty she was in her light blue skirt that nipped at the small of her waist. They were friends, but his feelings certainly weren't gone. In fact, they grew stronger as their friendship grew. He didn't want to think about the time when she would find out that he has lied to her about his orientation. That would break her heart.
"Good morning, Edith," he greeted her.
"Good morning." She grabbed his arm and said with excitement, "Boy, do I have something to tell you. I received a letter from the London Gazette, and they told me the amount of feedback they have received from my article. Loads of women have taken my advice and have had positive outcomes in their relationships, and in only four days! Can you believe it?"
She shook his arm, and he let out a smile at her excitement. "Yes, I can. I knew something good would come of that article."
Sadness suddenly appeared in her eyes. "I just wish Pappa was happy about it. The moment he found out about the article, he, well… you remember his reaction."
"Yes, very well. I was in the room if you remember correctly."
He recalled Sunday morning at breakfast. Alfred had handed Lord Grantham his newspaper, and Thomas bit his bottom lip in anticipation, as well as Edith. Thomas had purposefully added the feminist section to the paper, and as soon as Lord Grantham flipped to that section, his eyes widened. He looked up at Edith as she sat with her sisters, as well as Tom Branson, Matthew Crawley, and Lady Grantham.
"Edith!" he had said, shock in his eyes. "What is the meaning of this?"
"What, Pappa?" she asked innocently.
"You wrote another article in the paper?"
Everyone at the table looked at Edith with surprise in their eyes. Sybil said, "Oh my, Edith! Why didn't you say anything? Good for you!"
"Yes, congratulations, Edith," Tom said to her. "That's quite the feat, getting published twice."
"It's absurd!" Lord Grantham said. "Edith, you should have said something before! I would have stopped the whole thing!"
"Robert, we should be very proud of Edith for publishing again," Lady Grantham said, and she looked at the paper. She smiled after seeing it and looked at her daughter. "Very good work, Edith. It looks like a splendid article. I will make time to read it."
"I wanted to surprise everyone," Edith explained. "I found my calling, as well as my talent, and expanded on it."
"Which is what you should do," he mother said, and her father huffed.
Sybil took the paper from her father and read the article. "My… it's romantic advice to women."
"Romantic advise?" Mary asked in a disbelieving tone. "You, Edith, giving romantic advice?"
"Yes," she said, "after what I have been through, I feel that I had every right."
"I agree," said Sybil, reading the article. "This is very well-written. If I wasn't married, I would follow this advice."
Edith smiled with pride and met Thomas's gaze. He smirked, knowing that she—and him—did well with this. Lord Grantham wasn't happy, but that didn't seem to matter any longer. She has received positive feedback from most members of her family.
"I am just so excited to see what is to come," Edith said as she stood with Thomas, and as the memory vanished. "Maybe they will hire me to be a writer."
"I hope they do. You would be a great addition to the press."
She nudged him. "You're only saying that because you're my friend."
He nodded. "Yes, and because I really mean it."
A door opened and shut down the hallway, and that was the queue for Edith and Thomas to separate. "Well, I will see you down at breakfast," she said.
"As always."
He left first and made his way down to the breakfast dining room. Lord Gratham was already sitting there, newspaper out. Alfred stood off to the side and gave Thomas a look as he walked in. Thomas ignored him and stood with them as the rest of the family entered the room and started their breakfast. Mr. Carson entered with a small tray with envelopes on it. Edith made eyes at Thomas, as if asking him if he knew if any of the mail was for her. He shrugged a shoulder. He did not check the mail earlier—Mr. Carson went straight to get it.
"Here you are, M'Lord," the old butler said, and handed him the two small envelopes.
"Thank you, Carson."
Mr. Carson stood with Alfred and Thomas as Lord Grantham looked through the envelopes. The earl's brows furrowed and he looked at Edith. "One for you, Edith."
"Oh?" she asked and he handed the envelope to her. She gave Thomas a hopeful look, and looked back a the envelope. Her brows furrowed this time, and Thomas sensed that this did not have to do with her article. Edith opened the envelope and pulled out the paper, unfolded it, and read the message. Her face immediately fell. Thomas noticed, as did Lady Grantham.
"What is it, Edith?" she asked. "Is it about your article?"
"Oh my Lord!" Edith gasped, and her eyes started to redden, and everyone at the table seemed alarmed, in including Thomas, who stood next to Alfred. His hands tightened as they were clasped behind his back, wanting to know what made Edith in her sudden state.
"What is it?" Sybil asked, concerned.
"I can't believe it," Edith exclaimed. "The nerve!"
"What is it?" Matthew asked this time.
"Sir Anthony wants to come and visit," she gushed. "Next week!"
"What?" Lord Grantham shouted, as did several others at the table. "Is he mad?"
"Must be," Edith said, and glanced at Thomas. "Why in the world…?"
Thomas felt his chest constrict, and anger shot through him for the first time in a month. The man who left Edith at the alter wants to come back? What was the man thinking? Thomas didn't feel malice all that much for the man at the actual wedding, just felt bad for Edith, but now, he felt like slugging the man. Slugging him for hurting the women who Thomas considered his best friend… and the women who he loved.
"Are you going to condone him coming again?" Mary asked Edith. "Surely not, after what he did to you."
"Of course I'm not!" Edith quipped. "Why would I? Especially now, when…"
She snapped her mouth shut, and glanced at Thomas. He knew exactly what she was referring to.
"Now when what?" Lady Grantham asked.
"Nothing, nevermind" Edith said. "It's just… this wasn't all that long ago, and now he wants to come back? There's no way in the world I am letting it happen." The table became silent for a moment, and Edith stood up. "I apologize, but I lost my appetite. Excuse me."
She walked out of the room, and Thomas had the intense urge to follow her, but he stayed put. The family starting talking about Sir Anthony, Thomas's teeth grinding every time that man's name was said.
"Why would that man come back after he jilted her at the alter?"
Daisy and Mrs. Patmore were busy in the kitchen that evening before dinner was served. Thomas was there, ready to take in the lemon chicken. Alfred was the one who informed the staff below of Edith's letter, and Thomas wished that the boy kept his mouth shut. But knowing Downton, gossip spread like wildfire.
"Because he's a man who doesn't know what in God's name he's doing, asking for trouble," Mrs. Patmore answered Daisy. "Now hurry up before the chicken grows icicles."
"Yes, Mrs. Patmore."
Thomas took the chicken up and happened to pass Edith as she was on her way to the drawing room. He wasn't able to follow her after she got the telegram that morning, and he was too busy to find her and talk to her. He ached to do so, and embrace her out of comfort, but sadly, now that they crossed paths, he had to be holding a bloomin' chicken!
"Are you alright, Edith?" he asked her.
"What do you think, Thomas?" she quipped. "I apologize… I have been trying not to cry all day."
"I'm sorry…" He chest pinched when her eyes started to redden and water. He cursed the chicken he was holding. He looked around for anywhere to put it. He spotted a side table against the wall, and about set the chicken down, but Alfred turned a corner, and Thomas immediately stood erect again. Alfred passed them and went on to the dining room.
"What are you going to do?" he whispered to Edith, leaning in. "That man will come for sure."
"I will write him and tell him not to. He doesn't have the right to come and inflict further pain. Pappa, and nobody else will tolerate having him here."
"What did his letter say exactly?"
"That he wanted to come and make peace with the family and with me. It's nonsense!"
"Indeed it is. If he shows up, want me to rough him up?"
A tiny smile grazed her lips. "If he does end up coming, I would actually like to watch you do so."
"Leave it to me." He eyed the chicken he was carrying. "Well, I have to get this to the dining room. We can talk later, alright?"
"I look forward to it. I really need my best friend right now."
Loving how that sounded, he gave her a smile and went on to the dining room and set the chicken in place. What if that man did shows up univited? He'll have something coming to him if he does, for sure.
